Read Online Bait by Leslie Jones - Free Book Online

small. Not more than one hundred guests. Most will be far . . .” Deni stopped, brow furrowed as she searched for the right word. “ . . . erm, distant relations, and friends and neighbors of the Nabourgs.”
    Christina’s mouth pulled down and her brow furrowed. “Sounds like fun.” She settled herself against the back of the settee. “The hospital visit tomorrow. Will I be speaking?”
    â€œ Non . Just touring.”
    Gabe leaned against the doorframe and crossed one foot over the other. “The hospital visit isn’t going to happen,” he told them. From the way the two women jumped, it was obvious neither had heard his entry.
    â€œLet’s go,” he added. “I thought I made it clear that when the princess left by the back route, we would leave publicly.”
    She stiffened, but didn’t say a word as she thanked Deni and retrieved her heels, slipping them on. God help them if they were forced to move fast.
    He stepped into the corridor ahead of her, scanning both ways before allowing her out. As soon as the door snicked shut behind her, she closed the distance between them and grabbed his forearm, wrenching him to a halt. What the hell? That was his gun hand. He yanked himself free.
    She didn’t seem to notice what she’d done, getting up in his face with belligerence, fists slamming against her hips. “Do not,” she snapped, enunciating every word, “treat me like that. Speak to me like that.”
    Gabe glared down at her. This squabbling needed to stop. He couldn’t protect her from outside threats if he was also trying to garner her cooperation.
    Christina stood her ground. Not many had the balls to stand up to him. She was so close that the puff of her breath warmed his face as she threw her head back. Her posture also thrust her breasts forward, though he doubted she recognized her own provocative pose. Unable to stop himself, his gaze flickered down her body. His nostrils flared while breathing in the light floral scent of her perfume, and against his will, he found himself tilting his head and leaning forward to suck it deeper into his lungs.
    She slapped her palms onto his shoulders and shoved, rocking him back an inch. She did it again, and he had to force himself not to react, to keep his arms at his sides rather than spinning her around and slamming her into the wall.
    â€œStop,” he ordered, jaw tight.
    â€œYou stop!” she hissed. “Big strong he-­man intimidates weak little woman. Asshole!”
    He turned abruptly and put a lot of distance between them before daring to face her again. She’d misinterpreted his unexpected wash of desire as an attempt to cow her. Thank God. If she knew he found her attractive, she would waste no time shredding his ego.
    â€œIf you can’t handle this, say so now,” he bit out. “This isn’t about you. It’s about catching the person or ­people who are trying to assassinate the Crown Princess of Concordia.”
    â€œI’m aware of that.” She crossed her arms under her breasts, shoulders so tense they were practically up around her ears.
    Great. Gabe sighed. Might as well set the ground rules right now. “My job is to stop the assassin from killing you while Carswell investigates. You need to follow my orders to the letter. If I say move, you move. If I say get down, you pancake. Got it?”
    Christina, predictably, lost her temper. “No, I don’t got it ,” she mimicked, her voice tight with anger. “You pompous ass. I’m not a dummy. I’m a full partner in this.”
    He laughed his disdain. “Partner? You’re a liability.”
    She leaned back against the wall, brows furrowing. “I’ve done nothing to make you doubt me. I fooled you into thinking I was Princess Véronique, and you’ve met me. Why am I a liability?”
    It was a valid question. Gabe rubbed his chin, trying