Read Online Mine To Take (Nine Circles) by Jackie Ashenden - Free Book Online Page B

the years that had passed with Violet in Europe, the two of them were still best friends.
    “The backer is Gabriel Woolf.”
    Violet raised a pale, pierced eyebrow. “The construction dude?”
    “Yes, the construction dude.”
    Her friend’s eyebrow rose a little higher. “The hot construction dude?”
    Honor opened her mouth then closed it. Anything she said now would only incriminate her. “If you mean the owner of Woolf Construction, then yes.”
    “But that’s great, isn’t it? You were worried you weren’t going to come up with an investor.”
    “It is great. It really is.”
    “Then why are you scowling?”
    Honor tried to unknit her brow. “He … had a few conditions.”
    “Uh-huh. And these conditions are…? Come on, hon, I know you like to cultivate reserve but it’s me here, okay? Didn’t I tell you all about that French guy on the metro?”
    Oh, yes, Violet had. Violet had told her all about it and even now, Honor wanted to flush with embarrassment at her friend’s full and frank description of her one-night encounter. On a subway. Some things should never be spoken about, even between friends.
    “This hasn’t got anything to do with you and that French man,” Honor said primly, pulling at the hem of her black pencil skirt. “Guy wasn’t happy about Mr. Woolf coming on board but—”
    “Hey, hey, whoa there.” Violet held up a hand, bracelets making a silvery tinkling sound. “ Mr. Woolf ? ”
    This time Honor did flush. “I call all my clients by their title.”
    “Bullshit you do. Yesterday you were talking about George this and Eva that.”
    “Eva told me she didn’t have a title.”
    “And George?”
    Damn. There was a persistent crease right down near the hem of her skirt. She really needed to talk to the dry cleaner about that. “Is an old friend.”
    “He is not.” Violet folded her arms. “This Woolf guy is getting to you, isn’t he?”
    Honor took a breath. She honestly didn’t know why she didn’t want to acknowledge Gabriel Woolf’s effect on her. Maybe it was because admitting it felt like the start of a very slippery slope, one she couldn’t afford to fall down. But then, Violet was a friend. Someone she trusted.
    “Yes, okay, so he is,” she said reluctantly.
    Violet, bless her, didn’t make any pleased noises or look satisfied. She only frowned instead. “Not good, I take it?”
    “No. Not really. Because…” She hesitated. “He’s dangerous, Vi. He … unsettles me. And you know if there was anyone else I could get, I’d get them in a heartbeat. But there isn’t. There’s only him.”
    Her friend nodded, chewing on her lip. “Dangerous? How?”
    “You must have heard the rumors about him.”
    “Hey, I’ve been in Europe for five years. And I’m sorry, but I didn’t take my subscription to People magazine with me.”
    “Okay, okay. There are rumors about how he got his start with his company. Drugs and gangs and such.”
    Violet rolled her eyes. “Hate to break it to you, hon, but show me the billionaire who hasn’t been involved with something sketchy.”
    Unfortunately this was true. As she had good reason to know firsthand. “So that’s not the reason he’s dangerous, I admit.”
    Her friend’s turquoise eyes gleamed. “You want him, right?”
    “I didn’t … I mean, I’m not—”
    “I may not have heard rumors, but I’ve certainly seen pictures of him. He’s hot. Why wouldn’t you want him? Shit, I’d jump his bones in a second.”
    Honor could feel another blush creeping up on her. This was stupid. She wasn’t a teenager anymore. With an effort, she stopped fiddling with her skirt and leaned back in her chair. Made herself meet her friend’s interested gaze. “It’s business. Strictly business.”
    “Bah, business. You always were such a rule follower.” Violet shook her head, long golden dreads falling over her shoulders. “So what about these conditions then? They’re making you antsy, I can tell.”
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