The Boss Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 3) by Victoria Paige (red scrolls of magic txt) 📗

mentioned it and, obviously, he meant it as a joke—but maybe he didn’t, and he’s just more sympathetic to what I am in this house.”

“And what are you in this house?”

“I’m your pawn to use as you please, to sacrifice as you please.”

Antonio waved a hand as if dismissing her statement.

He shouldn’t have done that, Charly thought as her blood boiled. If she could punch that autocratic expression from his handsome face she would.

She did the next best thing. Charly invaded his personal space and jutted her chin out, eyes singeing him with her displeasure. “Don’t treat me like a gnat you want to swat away.”

His eyes widened and his jaw dropped. “That was not my intent.” Then he growled, “And your thinking is ridiculous.”

She leaned back, not believing him. “I’m not a pawn?”

“I respect your brain.”

“Which you intend to exploit. And what do you know about my brain?”

He dropped his chin and glanced at Nico.

Charly emitted a derisive laugh. “You have a file on me.” She should be outraged but, truthfully, she didn’t expect anything else. “I’d rather hand my prospective employer my résumé and sign off to a background check. Can’t say I expect anything less from you.”

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or insulted,” Antonio replied, but his tone was mild and she wasn’t sure if she detected relief in his voice.

“You’ll forgive Antonio when you see the lab,” Luis said with much confidence. If Charly wasn’t mistaken, there was excitement in the older man’s tone as well. This spurred Charly’s own curiosity.

In a big way.

But, she shouldn’t act too excited. After all, Antonio had been acting like an ass and, besides, he needed her. She needed some control herself.

“Well, come on then.” Charly took a step back. “Show me.”

Antonio made an elaborate gesture with his arm as if saying … After you.

This man confused her.

Antonio was definitely a man of mercurial moods and she needed to watch her step with him. Additionally, she was finding, she needed to keep her libido in check too. Why, after being dormant for almost a year, did the first man she had to be attracted to was an arrogant billionaire?

He was not her type. She preferred someone like her last boyfriend. Despite being from a prominent family and being one of the most sought-after cardiothoracic surgeons, Thomas Crawford frequently volunteered for aid missions like Doctors Without Borders. She was drawn to men who sacrificed the comforts of the first world to help others in need more than billionaires who cared only about making more money.

As she and Antonio navigated the expansive first floor halls down to a corridor that led to a bank of elevators, Charly resisted the urge to hang back and look at his fine ass encased in his expensive trousers. She appreciated a world-class ass. She had a pulse, after all. But, in the end, she stayed away from men of Antonio’s ilk. The bulldozers. She should know. Her father was one.

The memory of her father sent a tremor through her hand. Was that reflexive or was that merely a response to the unpleasant time in her life with dear old dad?

“You’re quiet,” Antonio broke into her thoughts. “I imagined you’d have questions for me already.” He punched the button to call the elevator, his gaze never leaving her face.

“I’d rather save the questions for later.”

“You’re not even curious why I have a lab in the house?”

The elevator arrived and they both stepped in. Its interior fit the style of the villa but the control panel was advanced technology. The smooth ride confirmed the cutting-edge engineering behind it.

Charly laughed lightly and gave Antonio the side-eye. “I’m sure you’re not the first billionaire who aspired to be Bruce Wayne.”

Antonio barked a laugh, and she glanced quickly at him, her heart somersaulting at the devastatingly handsome man beneath his stick-up-his-ass attitude.

No, Charly. Bad girl. Not a good idea. You’re not attracted to billionaires who kidnap you even if he’s the hottest man who’s ever crossed your path.

Damn these Latino men certainly lived up to their reputation. Antonio was all controlled power on the outside, but she wondered if he smoldered underneath that tanned skin and between the sheets.

She was feeling warm.

No, she was burning hot.

Thankfully, the elevator doors slid open and the chilly blast of air conditioning instantly hardened her nipples—

What the hell?

—instantly gave her goosebumps, she meant. That was it. Goosebumps.

Antonio cursed beside her when they stepped out together. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I forgot how cold this level is.” He fell back a step, and before she knew it, his suit jacket engulfed her in a heady warmth.

Oh my God, he smelled so good.

“Not too cold now?” he asked.

She gathered his suit closer around her. “Better …” Her eyes lifted to the center of the room. Work tables were arranged side by side and there was a column of servers, several whiteboards, and a lounge area with couch, arm chairs and a television mounted on the wall. Nothing too impressive yet.

Surely this was not the lab they were excited to show her.

“Cool space,” she commented. “Not exactly a bat cave?”

“So impatient,” Antonio drawled. “Keep going.”

They moved further into the basement area and judging from the dark skid marks of rubber tires on the concrete flooring, heavy equipment had been moved around. Most of the work areas had some industrial carpeting under it.

It was then she noticed the wall of glass at the end of the first workspace. The length almost took over the entire wall. It was dimly lit, and Charly found her footsteps hurrying toward it while Antonio followed her at a more leisurely pace, a satisfied chuckle rumbling from his throat.

She reached what would be the entrance to the glass-walled room.

Charly glanced back excitedly at Antonio. “Is this it?”

His answer was a single nod and a twitch of a smile.

“Well, how do we get in?”

Antonio still took his time, and it took all of Charly’s patience not to yell at him to hurry up.