“Not until you explain how our meeting ended twenty minutes ago and you’re still here.”

“The devil is in the details, man,” Blake replied, “and I intend to know them all. Consider me the devil in your uncle’s pocket. I want to know everything you do and not just what you say you do.”

“Mendez is my uncle,” Ignacio all but growled. “Check up on someone else.”

“He wants me to check up on everyone. You included.”

Ignacio stared at Blake. Blake stared at Ignacio. Tension laced the air, thick like quicksand about to swallow them whole. Kara was pretty sure she could feel herself sinking now. Her fingers flexed on her gun, her body tense and ready for action, all too aware that all Ignacio had to do was move his finger and she was dead. Her only comfort was the knowledge that Ignacio knew Blake could kill him just as easily.

Finally, Ignacio moved, holstering his weapon under his leather coat. “You want to see my operation, you ask.”

“Why would I do that?” Blake challenged, letting his gun drop to his side and reaching for Kara’s hand to pull her to her feet by his side. Protective. Possessive. It was getting harder and harder to remember he was the enemy.

“Because I said,” Ignacio growled.

“You got something to hide?” Blake asked.

Kara discreetly stuffed the binoculars she was holding inside her purse; afraid the sight of them would only bring attention to her spying and ignite more trouble.

Ignacio glared at Blake. “Most of my men won’t ask questions before they shoot.”

Blake arched a brow and holstered his gun under his jacket as Ignacio had done. “Sounds like a good way to draw unnecessary attention to the operation. I’m not sure that’s what your uncle has in mind.”

“You’re good at justifying why you kill someone,” Ignacio said. “I’m good at making bodies disappear.”

“Interesting,” Blake said dryly.

Ignacio scowled. “What does that mean?”

Blake shrugged. “Just taking in the details, man. Finding out who is who in this operation.”

Ignacio bristled, clearly not liking that response, and without warning, his gaze snapped to Kara. “Why are you here?”

Kara opened her mouth to reply, but Blake beat her to the punch. “She’s here because I want her to be.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her under his arm, sending heat darting through her body.

“And how does my uncle feel about you wanting his secretary?”

Secretary. Kara liked that word. It downplayed her many skills outside the office. Exactly why she kept her mouth shut. Good little secretaries didn’t tell nasty drug-smuggling cartel members to go f**k themselves. Good girls in general didn’t tell people to go f**k themselves, but she’d left the good girl behind several months ago.

“Your uncle is pleased to give me whatever resources I need to ensure his operation is without problems,” Blake assured him.

“So he loaned you his secretary?”

“I wanted her,” Blake stated flatly. “I generally get what I want.”

Kara tried to hide the tension coiling in her spine at the obvious declaration that she was now Blake’s woman and his property, but she knew his motivation. The men in this world didn’t kill each other’s women. It was like some unwritten code of honor, when they had so little anywhere else. Blake was trying to protect her, but that didn’t make it easier to play the role of his bedroom bunny.

Ignacio’s gaze raked over Kara, hot and sticky like a summer day you wanted to escape but couldn’t, before he cut Blake a look. “I hope she’s as eager to please as my uncle is to punish those who cross him.”

“Punishment is underrated,” Blake said dryly. “I guess that’s why your uncle hired me. I get what he wants. And, on that note, I’ll be getting back to work.” He drew Kara’s hand into his and started to walk away, pulling her with him.

“Wait,” Ignacio called, halting them in their footsteps.

Blake turned back to him, casting him an expectant look.

“We’ve gotten off on the wrong foot,” Ignacio said. “Why don’t I buy you a drink?”

Blake turned back to him and Kara did the same. “It’s a little late for a drink, don’t you think?”

“Welcome to my world, where we sleep in the daylight and make the most of the night.”

Blake’s lips compressed. “Are the restaurants open late?”

“Twenty-four hours,” he said. “It keeps the activity looking honest.”

“All right then,” Blake said. “A drink at one of the restaurants works for me. I’d like to see how they operate.”

Ignacio’s gaze flicked back to Kara and she saw the suspicion in his stare, the hate. “Will she be joining us?” he asked, as if she wasn’t even there when he was looking right at her.

“Yes,” Blake said. “She will.”

“Excellent,” he commented. “Always happy to buy a pretty lady a drink.”

Oh yes, Kara thought. He was ready to buy her a drink all right, and then find a creative way to drown her in it. He’d decided she was a problem and he’d stay away from her for now, but later, if he had the chance, he’d smash her like a fly. But he wouldn’t get the chance, she reminded herself. She’d smash Ignacio long before he smashed her, if Blake didn’t beat her to the punch. She had a feeling he just might.