Silently Blake reminded himself that pleasure was always sweeter after being denied, and his revenge over Whitney’s death was the only pleasure that had mattered for over two years. Mendez’s beating was coming and Blake was damn sure going to enjoy the hell out of it.

Blake ambled toward the visitor’s chair and dropped into the leather seat, schooling his features into a bored mask of indifference.

“Thank you for joining me on such short notice,” Mendez offered cordially, like he had a truly cordial bone in his low-life body.

“Money talks and you made it worth my while,” Blake replied, referencing the wad of cash he’d been handed before he’d agreed to take this trip.

“And as long as you’re worth my while, I always will. As for why you are here. Unfortunately, my head of security has failed to address a critical problem I’d asked him to handle. He’s now made an untimely departure, leaving me with the need to hire someone competent to address my problem.”

Blake read between the lines. He was dead. “If he failed you, then I’d say the departure wasn’t untimely at all.”

Mendez gave him a quick incline of his head, approval glinting in his eyes. “Indeed. Nevertheless, I still have my problem and I still need it fixed.”

“I’m contract only. I’m not looking for a staff job.”

“Good, because I’m offering you money for solving a problem, not a full-time job.” He didn’t wait for a reply. “As I’m sure you’re aware, Newport operates several national restaurant chains. One of those chains runs what I’ll call a special inventory distribution and it’s come to my attention that some of those orders have been shorted. I need you to find out who’s behind it and make them go away.”

In other words, someone was skimming drugs and selling them on the side and Mendez wanted Blake to put a stop to it. Worked for him. In fact, it had a limited downside. He simply took down one drug dealer to get to another. “How many locations are involved?”

“The restaurant has two hundred nationally, but the supply chain starts right here in California.”

Blake read between the lines. “And you don’t know if that’s where the problem originates.”

Mendez’s expression tightened. “Our dearly departed head of security couldn’t seem to find a problem anywhere, despite my knowledge otherwise.”

“So I’m starting from scratch with a national chain of employees as suspects.” Blake whistled. “That’s a big project.”

“I thought you were the best at what you do?” Mendez challenged.

“I am,” Blake assured him, “which is exactly why I’m committed to a high-paying client in Europe next week. There’s no way I can take this on for you right now. When I get back—”

“I need this handled now,” Mendez snapped, his anger palpable. He didn’t expect to be turned down, and that was the idea. Blake wanted Mendez chasing him, desperate to hire him.

Blake slid lazily down further into his chair, draping an arm on the back. “Which is why I’m not your man.”

Mendez’s eyes hardened, his expression all sharp lines and tension. He steepled his fingers together, fixing Blake in a stare meant to intimidate. He was pissed. It was all Blake could do not to smile.

“I was told you were eager to earn our business,” Mendez ground out tightly.

“I have been,” Blake assured him, “but while your organization had me jumping through hoops to prove I’m worthy, the guy in Europe was writing me a check.”

“So it’s all about money to you?”

Blake arched a brow. “What else is there?”

“Power.”

“Money is power in my book.”

Mendez’s jaw clenched and unclenched before he abruptly grabbed a piece of paper, scribbled a number on it, and flipped it around for Blake to see it. “Is that enough power for you?”

Lazily, Blake pushed off the back of the chair and leaned forward to study the six-figure number. “It’s a start.”

Mendez’s eyes glinted like black ice. “How much will it take?”

“Add another 100k to that number and California is my new European vacation.”

“If you let me down—”

“I won’t.”

Mendez considered Blake a moment. “Half the money now and half on the resolution of my problem, which I expect to include body bags.”

Blake held up his hands. “I’ll identify your problems. Disposal is on you.”

“That’s a hefty price you demanded for limited services.”

“I’m guessing it’s small compared to how much you’re losing in stolen product.”

A muscle flexed and contracted in Mendez’s jaw. “How do you want this played? I can introduce you as head of security so you have full access to the staff.”

“That works only if you understand up front that I’ll play the bad guy ripping you off. It’s the only way I can find out who’s willing to join me.”

“Understood.”

“And I’ll have a laundry list of data I’ll need as well as full access to the relevant computer databases. I’ll also need a vehicle. A 4Runner is my preference in case I need to transport anything or anyone. And, of course, money before I get started.”

“I’ll need a bank account.”

“Cash,” Blake countered.