by Chelle Bliss
“She’s not your type, Hassan,” I tell him, being blunter with him about his conquests than I usually am.
“She’s making me work way too hard for it. You know I always want things I can’t have.”
“Don’t we all,” I mumble, stealing another glance in Eva’s direction and taking in her perfect hourglass figure balancing on the highest black boots I’ve ever had the pleasure to see.
Hassan’s arm nudges mine. “I won’t repeat it again.”
“I’m a busy man, let’s hear it.” I give Hassan my complete attention.
“I’m moving product from Saudi Arabia to a Afghanistan. I need someone to transfer the money and make it untraceable. You game?”
I’m not. We haven’t done a deal in years. Working with Hassan always sends a chill through my bones. Anything dealing with weapons and the Middle East is on my short list of shit I won’t do. No amount of money is worth the national security of the country that has given me such an amazing life. I will not help terrorists. “Why don’t you use the same guy you always do?”
“It’s too big for him to handle, and I want someone different. He’s too involved in my business to handle this transaction. Wolf dropped your name, and I thought I’d come to you first.”
My eyes narrow on Wolf. Friends or not, criminals are criminals and will stab each other right through the back to save their own ass. “I don’t know, Hassan.” I shake my head and drag my snifter of Louis in front of me. “I’m pretty booked.”
“It’s ten million dollars for you. I’m sure you could find time for that type of cash,” Wolf adds.
“Even for double that amount, I couldn’t find the time.”
Hassan studies me as he lights his cigar, dragging out a few puffs, creating a small cloud in front of me. “Fine.” He leans back and stares at me with an unreadable face. “I’ll give you twenty-five million, but not a penny more.”
I wave away the smoke and the offer. “Can’t do it.”
“I’m disappointed in you, Nix. I thought you’d be interested.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in getting involved in an arms deal in the Middle East.”
“They’re going to a worthy cause.” The cigar is hanging between his teeth, and his words come out garbled. “That I can assure you.”
“I appreciate the assurance, but my answer is still no.” Wrapping my lips around the glass, I let the Cognac drift across my tongue before sliding down my throat. I’m done with Alex Hassan and his offer, and he knows it, sliding out of the booth and pulling on the cuffs of his white dress shirt nonchalantly.
“If you change your mind, I’m going to wait twenty-four hours to ask anyone else.” He wanders away toward Eva before I can tell him not to waste the time.
“You’re a fucking fool,” Wolf says and rests his elbows on the table, holding his head in his hands. “That’s a lot of money to turn down based on some bullshit moral code.”
I pin him with my glare and speak with my teeth clenched together. “I’m not getting involved in terrorist shit, Wolf. You fuckin’ know it. Don’t ever mention my name around anything that has to do with it again, especially to him. Got me?”
“Yeah, man. But he’s not a bad guy.”
“We’re all bad guys. Remember that.” I glance around the Loft, taking in our surroundings. There isn’t an honest person here, only people out for themselves and a mountain of cash.
He downs the glass of vodka before slamming the empty tumbler on the table. “I’m out. I have a job to do tonight. You take care, Nix. Let me know when you pull your head out of your ass.” He’s on his feet and heading toward Hassan and Eva before I can reply.
Eva’s eyes meet mine from Hassan’s side and darken. Her tongue darts out, toying with the metal around her lip that captures my attention. All I can think of is how it would feel against my cock as I tangle my fingers in her hair, bumping the back of her throat with each thrust and listening to her moan like a bitch in heat.
But unlike Hassan, I don’t welcome strangers into my bed without knowing their full background. I’m not willing to spend the rest of my life in jail for some head, no matter how spectacular.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER
STANDALONE - ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE
* * *
CLICK HERE TO GET A RELEASE DAY ALERT
Also by Chelle Bliss
~MEN OF INKED SERIES~
(FREE) THROTTLE ME (CITY & SUZY) Book 1
HOOK ME (MIKE & MIA) Book 2
RESIST ME (JAMES & IZZY) Book 3
UNCOVER ME (THOMAS & ANGEL) Book 4
WITHOUT ME (ANTHONY & MAX) Book 5
HONOR ME (CITY & SUZY) Book 6
or get the
Men of Inked Books 1-3 Boxset
* * *
~ALFA PI SERIES~
SINFUL INTENT (MORGAN & RACE) Book 1
UNLAWFUL DESIRE (FRISCO & GEORGIA) Book 2
WICKED IMPULSE (BEAR & FRAN) Book 3
The ALFA PI series is a spin-off of the Men of Inked series!
* * *
~STANDALONE BOOKS~
ENSHRINE (BRUNO & CALLIE)
REBOUND NOVELLA (FLASH AKA SAM)
TOP BOTTOM SWITCH (RET & ALESE)
DIRTY WORK (JUDE & REAGAN)
DIRTY SECRET (NIX & KENNEDY)
MANEUVER (SMITH & MADDY)
To learn more about Chelle’s book visit chellebliss.com
About the Author
In my other life, I used to mold the minds of America’s youth as a high school history teacher. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s in Instructional Education. I’m now a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend.
Want to know about when my next book releases? Join my newsletter or follow me on Bookbub to get the latest release and sale information.
FOLLOW ME ON BOOKBUB | JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
* * *
Text Notifications (US only) ➔ text BLISS to 57284
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP
WANT THIS FREE EBOOK?
There’s only one way to read this story—
join my newsletter and get it for FREE.
* * *
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
Want to drop me a line?
www.chellebliss.com
[email protected]
Acknowledgments
I never know whom to thank first. There are so many moving parts and people involved when creating a new novel. I’m sure I’ll leave out about a dozen individuals that should be given credit, but please understand… I verge on the cusp of having Old Timer’s disease.
Lisa A. Hollett of Silently Correcting Your Grammar has been a Godsend. She puts up with my crazy like a champ. I can send her ten versions of the same thing and she doesn’t bat an eye. Well, I’m not there so she’s probably cursing me behind the computer screen and reaching for another glass of wine. But I like to believe that she’s smiling like a loon and enjoying re-editing the same thing she did minutes before I tweaked it again.
Fiona Wilson of Fiona’s Dreaming Proofreading has my loyalty and I’ll forever be grateful to her. She’s quick and efficient but always lets me know when she loves something. She was a fan of my work before she I hired her. She always catches the small things I miss before publication.
I adore Cat Mason and her daily comments and funnies to keep me going. She loved Bear since the first time she met him in Throttle Me and was more than happy to dive into Wicked Impulse. Her words of encouragement and enthusiasm made it easier for me to continue writing during the darkest times.
To my lovely agent, Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary Agency, thanks for putting up with my special kind of crazy. I know I’m not easy to deal with, but your words of wisdom help more than I can ever explain. Thank you for always being there for me.
Mo Mabie and Aly Martinez keep me grounded. I can’t explain how m
uch their support and friendship has meant to me over the last few months in particularly. They’re my girls. I’ll always have their backs and will cut anybody that messes with them. I don’t have a sister and they’re the closest things I have to being one. They’re wackier than me and I think that’s why I love them most.
Meredith Wild, you my friend are always a pillar of strength. Thanks for always being there when I want to whine or if I have a question. Even with your amazing success, you haven’t changed a bit. You always make time for me and for that I’ll be eternally grateful.
I have so many betas, but it’s because I love them so much I keep them close. They’re my private cheering section and the cold slap of reality when I need it. I couldn’t release a book without them. Special thanks to: Renita M., Malia A., Ashley H., Patti C., Mandee M., Kathy L., Maggie L., Kelly S., Stefanie L., Michelle E., and Michelle F.
And a giant wet sloppy kiss to my readers. Thank you for your understanding the last few months. Writing Wicked Impulse was a slower process than I planned, but no one complained about it. Your love and friendship amazes me.
The last few months have been the hardest of my life since the death of my brother. It was hard to form a thought let alone remember anything I’d written. I lost my words for a while, but eventually found the strength to finish Wicked Impulse. He would’ve wanted me to – he was my biggest fan. He always made me feel special and told everyone he knew that his sister was a writer. He was proud and I knew it. Without him, I’m lost, but I’ll soldier on and find a way to make him even more proud of his little sister. I’ll always love you, Kevin.
