Intimate Affairs [ON HOLD]

V I I

"

Be careful, she packs a punch."

Taron stood in front of Luc protectively, blocking my way in case I decided to assault his friend's face. I wasn't going to risk it because now it was two against one. I couldn't make a move without one or both of them stopping me.

My only advantage had been our location, which was in the middle of the lobby where residents were coming and going. I didn't know any of them personally, other than Nan, but one peep out of me would make one of them call the cops on both of the men standing in front of me.

I weighted my options, dragging my gaze back to Luc's when I made a full sweep of the lobby. There was nowhere to run.

Luc's expression remained impassive, but I could see the shield he kept up cracking. From within, I saw a man that was simmering with anger. "You can go now."

Taron looked from Luc to me, seriously considering to stay against Luc's wishes. However, he and I both knew that once Luc gave an order that it must be followed. "I won't be far."

Luc kept his eyes trained on me, but I watched Taron take his leave. "I should've known you wouldn't come quietly."

"How did you find me?"

Luc slid his hands in his pockets, relaxing his tense shoulders as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other. "Let's take this somewhere private. Take me to your apartment."

And increase my chances of possibly being murdered? I think not. This place was actually a murder-worthy location to smuggle bodies. "No, thanks. The lobby is fine."

Luc's nostrils flared on a heavy exhale. He was vibrating with frustration and something else that I couldn't identify. "Normally, I'd punish you for being insubordinate."

"You're not going to touch me." I dared blithely because he wasn't stupid enough to make a scene.

"We need to talk." He replied coolly, schooling his expression into calm but deep down he wasn't. He was being crooked too tight to maintain control and any minute he would snap. I just had to keep pushing, maybe he'd alarm someone and help would arrive to take him away.

"I don't think we do."

He chucked dryly, scratching his jaw as he stepped closer. I didn't falter in my stance and held my head higher when he spoke lowly. "If you don't want to spend the next few days-possibly months-in a jail cell for stealing my property then I'd suggest you take us up to your apartment so that we can talk in private."

My heart jumped at the threat. I had to think about this logically. I knew better than to think my misdeeds would go unnoticed and that I wouldn't get caught. I was wrong and people like Luc could find me with the type of money and power he had. "Fine."

We didn't speak as we took the stairs to the third floor. Luc followed me quietly until we came to the door that marked my apartment. I fished for my keys out of my purse and hesitantly turned them in the lock. I had no idea what he'd do once we got inside.

Turning on the light next to the door, I didn't let go of my purse. The money from the ring had still been inside of it. I couldn't part from it just yet, but I knew it was my only way to make things right. It had to be returned-every dime.

Luc toured the apartment in one circle silently criticizing it with calculating eyes. There wasn't a reason to actually walk around because everything was in one living space. It was the polar opposite of the luxury he lived in. "You have a nice place. Small, danty, perfect for a petty thief."

I refrained from reacting to his snide comment because that was what he wanted. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing he'd hurt me. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Cut the shit, Fallon. I want what you stole from me."

It was probably a good thing that I put the money for his pawned ring back in my purse before he showed up. He would've snatched it in the lobby. "Again, I don't know what you're talking about. How do you know my name?"

He arched one eyebrow as if he were surprised that I really asked that question. "You applied for a position at my hotel, remember?"

"Your hotel?" I knew he had money, but I didn't expect him to own a building.

"Yes. Mine."

"Who the hell are you?" And why hadn't I done my research on who the owner of the Lux Plaza was before I went into my interview? At the time it seemed unnecessary, but having just slept with him, that information would've come in handy.

"I could ask you the same thing." Luc replied.

"I asked you first." I countered.

"That's not how this goes."

"Then how does this go?" I countered again.

"You're going to do a job for me." He said, but quickly continued before I opened my mouth to decline. "And you will do it or I'll call the cops. No one will believe the word of a thief and a liar over mine."

Having a bad record meant that people would assume the worst about me before they even meet me. That's how it went in the interview I had with Kelly. If Luc reported me to the cops then it would be no different. I was a sitting duck either way. "What do you want?"

Luc unbuttoned the top button of his jacket to take a seat on the only foldable chair in my living room/bedroom area. "An old partner of mine stole an important document from me and I want you to retrieve it from his possession. That is all."

A laugh rolled off my tongue before more followed because I couldn't believe what he'd just requested. "You want me to walk into someone's house and steal something?"

He shrugged one shoulder. "It's what you do best, why not?"

"Because I'm not a cat burglar!" And stealing wasn't something I was proud of, I did it to live, which was also something I was shameful of.

I seriously needed to get my life together.

He rolled his eyes. "You won't be going to his house. He keeps important files at his club a few blocks from here."

"That's worse. Now I'll have to plan a daring escape in a building full of people-great."

"You did it just fine when you were with me."

I shook my head to disband the memory of our rendezvous last night because now was not the time to think about it. "That was different."

"No, it wasn't." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "So, will you do it?"

"Do I have a choice?" It was either take the stupid document or go to jail.

Luc smiled triumphantly. "You'll go tonight. Be ready."

He stood gracefully from the chair, button up his blazer then headed for the door. I moved out of the way to let him walk by and caught a whiff of his scent that was neither cologne nor soap, but something natural from him. I wanted to under and on top of him again.

"Wait."

He stopped just as his hand twisted the doorknob and half turned to me.

"Don't you want the money back for the ring?" I produced the envelope reluctantly, but anything to lessen my chances of having to pay it back myself. It's best to give him what I already had.

To my surprise, he said, "Keep it. Steven told me you pawned it and you need the money more than I do."

Steven was the guy from the pawn shop. "How did you-"

"Between you and me, I should've gotten rid of that thing a long time ago." Right before he closed the door behind him, he took one last look at me, "I'll have a car waiting for you when you're ready. You have an hour."