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 fuck themselves. Good girls in general didn’t tell people to go fuck 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?”