“Where the hell, you been, woman?” Simon Price practically screamed as Flo entered his office. His face was red with anger and he had been pacing around in the cramped space of his office.
“Where you told me to be. I went to see Peso.”
“I know that,” Simon blustered, nervously rubbing his bald spot. “His men were here over an hour ago and broke that gambler out. Where’ve you been all this time?”
“Well… I…I was talking to Peso for a while…” she started to say, but Price cut her off.
“Talking? Is that what you call it? Talking?”
“Yes, talking,” Flo said emphatically. “What else are you insinuating?”
“You know what else,” Simon growled.
“Oh, Simon,” Flo said, spreading a broad smile across her face. “How could you think such a thing? You know I’m your girl. Besides, Peso Martin is too young for me. You know I like a mature man.”
“A mature man with money, you mean.”
“Oh, Simon, don’t be like that.” She sidled up close to him and put her fingers on his cheek. The banker seemed to melt at her touch.
He sighed and touched her hand. “I’m sorry, Flo,” he apologized. “I just couldn’t stand it, if you were to cheat on me.”
“You don’t ever have to worry about that, my love.” She pressed closer and kissed him on the lips. When she drew back and looked into his face, she saw a coldness there.
“I hope not,” he said. “I’d kill you before I’d ever let you go.”
“Oh, Simon,” she said. “You don’t really mean that.” The soothing tone of her voice belied the shudder that crept down her spine. She knew he absolutely meant it. And, he was capable of it too.
She kissed him again and let her arms encircle his neck. His arms came up around her and he pulled her close. When she pulled away, he seemed to be blushing. “No,” he said quietly. “I really don’t.” But he did.
As she slid from his arms, Simon felt himself brushing something from the back of Flo’s shoulder. “What’s this?” He said as he pulled his hand away. Several strands of straw were caught in his fingers. He glowered at Flo.
“Oh, I must have brushed up against some bales of straw when I was looking for Peso,” she said glibly.
Simon shifted his gaze from the straw to Flo. Yeah, right, he thought to himself.
Chapter Seven