Chapter 25 - THE CIGAR AND THE WHISPER
Marcus watched her approach, blowing a thin cloud of blue smoke toward the stainless-steel exhaust hood above them.
"You're getting too soft, Elena. You almost let that hedge-fund manager breathe without permission," Marcus teased with a smirk.
"Even predators need exercise, Marcus. Snapping fingers is just begging for a minor correction," Elena replied smoothly.
Marcus chuckled, stepping aside to let her pass into the preparation area while keeping his gaze locked on her face.
"The federal attorney general's office called this morning. They want to name you an honorary civilian consultant for national security," Marcus said.
Elena stopped in her tracks, turning around slowly to meet his dark, amused eyes with a sharp expression.
"And what did you tell them?" she asked quietly.
"I told them my best waitress is not available for government work, as her employment contract is exclusively bound to this establishment," Marcus answered.
Elena's lips curved upward into a genuine, rare smile that softened her fierce, dangerous beauty like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
May you like
"Good answer. My hourly rate with the federal government is far too expensive for their taxpayer budget anyway," she noted dryly.
Marcus took another slow drag from his cigar, his heart skipping a strange, unfamiliar beat in his chest.
