Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Once more, Andrii’s eyes met hers briefly. “Does he honestly think he’s more intelligent than you?”
She found herself smiling, glowing even, at the obvious shock and disbelief in Andrii’s expression. As if no one could think they were more intelligent than she was. He made her feel good about herself all the time. She might not think she was beautiful, but she did know she had an above-average IQ. She might even be considered a genius when it came to numbers, but her passion was creating stories. Mysteries. Thrillers. All with a touch of romance.
“Billows believes he’s more intelligent than anyone.”
“But you fixed his books. You’re still fixing them for him.”
“I’m a woman, so I can’t possibly have a brain. I’m young in his eyes and don’t know anything. And he’s superior to everyone. You’ve met him,” Azelie pointed out. “There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you know exactly what he’s like.” She sent him a brief smile. “Doug and Carlton thought they knew what you were like, until I told them you took me to a bookstore on one of our dates. They were impressed.”
“We can talk about Doug and Carlton later. I wouldn’t mind their approval because they mean something to you, but it isn’t necessary. I want to know what it is about McGrady that gives you a worse feeling than you get from Billows.”
She thought that over before she answered him. “I don’t think Billows cares one way or another about hurting someone. He doesn’t seem to have feelings for anyone. He might pretend, but I don’t think he’s capable of feeling. That means he can be quite cruel and not ever think about it, but I don’t think he gets off on it. He isn’t sadistic in the sense he needs to hurt others. Or humiliate them. He just does whatever it takes to get what he wants.”
“I understand what you’re saying. That’s a good assessment of Billows. What about McGrady?”
She glanced up at him, veiling her expression with her eyelashes. Andrii had been trained to read others almost from the time he was a toddler. He’d learned out of necessity as well as the training he’d received to become an asset to his government. He had to be able to size up his enemies in an instant.
“I feel a little ridiculous giving you my opinion on McGrady. I’ve been around Billows for years, so I know him fairly well, but I know nothing about McGrady.”
“Other than your instincts, and baby, you have great instincts. I’m very interested in your opinion, or I wouldn’t ask.”
She sighed. “I think McGrady likes hurting people. Not only hurting them but humiliating them.”
“You got that from him walking into the coffee shop and looking at you.”
Had there been the least bit of amusement or scoffing, Azelie would have clammed up and not given her opinion again. Instead, Andrii sounded admiring. Pleased with her. She got that now-familiar glow inside just from his tone of voice. As if he approved of her, thought she was the most amazing woman in the world.
“Not just looking at me.” She found herself gaining confidence. “It was the way he looked at Doug, Carlton, and the merry widows. As if he was assessing them and found them being with me amusing. I didn’t want Doug or Carlton to give away the fact that they were onto him. They believe McGrady is stalking me.”
“The moment he was spotted following you, research was done on him. Very thorough research. Your assessment of him is spot-on. I don’t want you going anywhere near him. He won’t have a chance to harm your friends. Whatever he thinks he’s going to get away with, he’s not.”
There was absolute conviction in Andrii’s voice. She didn’t ask him any questions about how he’d done the research because she knew he wouldn’t answer her.
FIFTEEN
The club Maestro took Azelie to was small and intimate. He liked it because it was classy and the music was always great. He appreciated good music. He had a surprise for his woman, and he hoped she would get the message he was trying to get across to her. He was taking a big chance tonight, mainly because his woman was extremely intelligent.
Several of his Torpedo Ink brethren would be at the club. He wanted them to see Azelie, even if from a distance, but he was certain Lana would pull off the meeting while he was at the piano. Lana would be there with her brother, Preacher. Of course, he would be introduced by his given name, Kasimir Popov.
Other members—Keys, Master and Player—would be there as well. Maestro was in the band, Crows Flying, with the three men. He considered each of the men brilliant when it came to music. Seychelle, Savage’s woman, often sang with them when they played at the Torpedo Ink Roadhouse, the bar the club owned.