Page 12 of Rebel Protector

Worst case scenario, she shut him down. Wouldn’t be the first time. He’d survive.

But best case? Maybe she wasn’t off-limits after all. Maybe Markov was just pissed because he couldn’t have her himself.

Ghost needed to up his game. He hadn’t been in the seduction business in a while—ever since he’d left the force, it wasn’t exactly high on his priority list. His pride had taken a hit after getting booted from his unit and stuck training fresh recruits in Belize.

But here? Now? The challenge had a spark to it. He was more than a little rusty, sure, but excited. And it wasn’t just about getting laid. It was the success of the mission. Becca could be a key to getting inside Markov’s operation.

Problem was, he had to make his move without security or cameras catching on. And let’s face it, subtlety wasn’t his strong suit.

Back when he was a Marine, it had been easy—he and his buddies walked into a bar, and the women hit onthem. But this was different.

This was an undercover op.

And Becca wasn’t some groupie hanging out at the bar. She was beautiful, sassy, intelligent. That made it tricky.

She thought he was a mercenary, a thug. He could see it in the way she carried herself around him—polite, but tense. Careful. Always careful. A hands-off vibe.

She’s not wrong,he thought, grimly. He could be violent. But not in the way she assumed. His violence had purpose—quick, precise, and when necessary. No extra frills.

Still, there was a spark. He saw it in her eyes, no matter how much she tried to hide it behind those polite smiles. The way she looked at him sometimes, those caramel eyes with flecks of gold, her breasts thrust out defiantly, nipples taut against the fabric of her silk blouse.

Fuck. She made him hotter than he’d been in a long time.

The question was, how to turn that spark into an ember, and then that ember into a flame?

First things first—he needed to get her alone.

“Where’s the cache now?”Ghost asked Markov later that afternoon. He’d heard rumors the arms dealer had a stockpile stashed away in a secret facility. He needed to know if it was close, just in case he had to act fast. “Is it nearby?”

But Markov wouldn’t give up much, not yet. The guy was paranoid, and with good reason.

“It’s close enough,” came the short reply. “I’ll give you access once we get the go-ahead.”

Ghost nodded. That was enough for now. He had no idea how Markov had gotten his hands on these weapons, but he was sure none of them would trace back to the man himself. That was how these guys operated—clean hands, dirty deals.

“I’m heading into town to send a message to my guys this side of the border,” Ghost said, watching Markov’s reaction. He didn’t want to be babysat by that slimy security lapdog, Carlos. Surely, Markov trusted him enough by now? “I’ll take the usual precautions.”

Markov leaned back, watching him carefully. “Carlos will drive you.”

Ghost clenched his jaw.Fuck.He’d have to eat this one. Patience was key—just like with Suarez. It’d take time to earn full trust, and he needed to play the long game here.

“Sure,” he said, biting back his frustration. “If that’s the way you want it.”

He left Markov’s office, pulling the door shut behind him. As he walked into the main hallway, his eyes fell on Becca at her desk, her fingers tapping away on the keyboard. Did she knowthat her boss was an arms dealer? Hell, maybe she handled all the paperwork—kept track of orders, shipments, the kind of stuff that wouldn’t see the light of day.

He didn’t know how deep she was in. But she didn’t seem like the type to get her hands dirty.Still… you never know.

The place was quiet, no one else around. He took his shot. “I’m heading into town, if you want a ride.”

She glanced up, her big brown eyes locking onto his. “Alone?”

He grimaced. “No. Carlos is tagging along.”

She paused, biting that full lower lip, the pink flesh caught between her teeth. God, it made him want to be the one nibbling at her mouth, tasting her. His breath hitched, heat curling low in his gut.

Get a grip.If just looking at her was this distracting, how the hell was he going to pull off seducing her?

“Let me check with Alek—uh, Mr. Markov.”