“I love you,” she said softly.
His handsome features transformed into a victorious smile. “Yeah, you do.”
She smacked his chest.
“Let me take you home. And you’re done working at this place, immediately. My woman will not be dancing on bars, I’ll tell you that right now,” he said snidely, shooting a daring glare over his shoulder.
Grant looked crestfallen as he witnessed the scene. She left Derk and approached him. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with myself and with you.”
“Are you sure this is what you want, Mackenzie. I can give you everything, without the obvious danger. I can give you safety, money, power, and a family. A very large family,” he said.
She shook her head. “You don’t love me, Grant. I need to be loved.”
“We can grow to love each other.”
“No, I won’t live a life like that. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us,” she said.
Kayla showed true loyalty by stepping in to relieve her from defending her decision to choose Derk. “Come inside, Grant. Mackenzie knows what she wants.”
“Mac,” Derk said, grabbing her attention. “Let me take you home.”
28
Derk watched Murphy’s mind work. When he got like that, it could be dangerous for everyone around the man. Except you wouldn’t know you’d signed a deal with the devil until it was too late. But Derk knew what he was asking. And he understood it would come with a price, he just didn’t know what Mr. Murphy would pull out of his bag o’ tricks.
“You want me to accept my wife’s job offer to Mackenzie?” Murphy cocked a brow.
“Yes.”
Murphy slid Jack and Carl, who lounged on the sofa, a glance. “How do I know she’ll do a good job?”
“Well, anyone will do a better job than Bridget,” Derk countered.
“True.” Murphy tapped his chin. “Is she interested?”
“She wants to work, even though she doesn’t need to. I get it. She doesn’t want to rely solely on me. It’s a self-preservation thing. She’s still protecting herself, in case we don’t work out.” He shrugged negligently. He didn’t take well to the idea and apparently it wasn’t a good idea to voice a dislike about a career to your woman. Defensive mode wasn’t a good enough word for what took place in his house. Their house. Their. Their, their, their. Damn it, he needed to keep saying that shit over and over again in his head. Who knew the day would have come when he’d identify himself as a couple?
“Bring her in today and let me talk to her,” Murphy said.
“Thanks.”
“And I’ll consider it, under one condition.”
Here it went. A return favor payment.
“You work for me full time.”
Fuck. He never expected that stipulation.
Derk valued his freelance freedom. He didn’t like to be tied down to one boss. What if things went downhill fast? Which was always a potential in their lifestyle. He’d be on the Titanic with a third class ticket.
“I’ll need you to replace Jack.”
“What?” Derk, Jack, and Carl said in unison.
“Wait,” Jack protested. “What the hell did I do?”
Murphy shot his number one guy a look that told him to shut it. Derk didn’t understand. Jack had been first Darren and then Derrick Murphy’s right hand man. The rumor was that Jack had been Darren Murphy’s original muscle guy.
But replacing Jack was a job worth considering. He’d no longer pull the wet work. He’d take a high position in the Murphy organization. He wouldn’t have to go on stakeouts or runs. What would he be in charge of? Escorting Murphy everywhere. He’d hang out in the office all day−not exactly a perk. He’d be a fixture in the Murphy home, in business meetings and trips. He’d flank Murphy wherever the man went, to be his eyes, ears, and bulletproof vest. Okay, so he’d have to take a shot for the man if the situation presented itself, but his main job would be to make certain that never happened. If he took Jack’s job, where did that leave the man who’d been number one from the beginning, and what kind of retribution would come down on Derk?
As if reading his mind, Murphy said, “I’m giving Jack a desk job. He deserves it. He’s the one who helped launch the business. It’s time he gets to sit in a chair and dictate. Will he still answer to me? Absolutely, but he deserves the promotion.”
Derk looked to Jack, whose mouth fell open. Carl’s eyes darted from Murphy to Jack and back again. Well, well, well. Who knew Murphy knew how to thank the men that helped build his empire and keep it running day in and day out?