Chapter 8 #2
“Scientist—boy’s practically a genius, at least on paper.
He’s into the research of progressing the medical field.
As of now, though, since you picked her up—there’s been no sign of him on the map.
He’s disappeared. His mother filed a missing person’s report last Friday when he didn’t show up to work for several days or respond to any of her calls. ”
“He went underground,” I determined.
“That’s a good assumption,” Archer replied with his agreement. “Don’t really know why yet though.”
“It doesn’t matter. Forget the boy,” I said, my voice deepening as I stared at the face of the man my wife had been meeting with the day I’d captured her.
My hands curved into fists. Rage coursed through my veins.
If she’d truly lived like a nun for the last five years, then he wasn’t a threat.
Logically, I knew that. Still, I disliked the man simply because he was part of her current life—a life that hadn’t been reliant on me.
“Tell me, exactly, what kind of work she was doing.”
Archer sighed, seemingly blissfully unaware of just how close to unhinged I was becoming. “Did you not completely read through the first file?”
“I understand that she’s kept herself alive and on the run via a remote business. I know she meets with clients—what I don’t know is what she does for them.” She couldn’t be an escort, but what else would allow her to hop from country to country on short notice?
“She’s an accessory,” Archer said. “Or rather—I suppose she’d be considered a type of cleaner.
She’s on the dark web and everything. Your girl is business-minded.
She gets into contact with people who need assistance hiding or running from someone or something and helps them get out of their situations.
If you scroll to the bottom of the document, you’ll see a list of some of the people I believe she’s helped in the past five years.
Think of it like a witness protection program for criminals—or people who don’t trust the government. ”
Before he’s even finished speaking, I’ve switched my computer screen over and moved down to the last few pages of the first document.
A list of names, dates, places, and certain organizations appear—some familiar and some not.
Mob wives. Scientists. Political enemies.
B-list celebrities from across the world.
Socialites. There are dozens of men and women alike.
“She’s hidden all of these people?” My brows drew down as I considered the list. It’s long. Impressive.
Archer’s voice echoed over the receiver.
“Not necessarily hidden them all, but many came to her for assistance. It looks like her primary job was creating new lives, but for others, she helped to gather evidence to be used in defense of their abusers or enemies. She appears to be particular about her clients and Ronald Wiser is her newest one. He’s previously worked at Carpovel Pharmaceuticals, but now that he’s gone underground, there’s no telling what exact kind of mess he’s gotten himself into that he needed her help. ”
“And you’re sure there was no other relationship between the two of them?” I demanded.
“Doesn’t seem like it,” Archer replied. “I’m sure I’ll find him soon. It shouldn’t be too hard, but I’ve spent the last few days looking into your girl’s past and hacking her email server on the dark web. That took most of my time, seeing as the power walls I had to get behind. She’s—”
I cut him off. “Did she keep in contact with any other clients?”
“Hmmmm.” Clicking reached my ears. “Like I said, man, as far as I can tell, she’s been as single as a pringle for the last five years.
Scar said she didn’t seem particularly interested in anyone who hit on her when she was working that bar in Cabo—in fact, she suspected that the job, too, was another way for her to gather evidence for a female Latin American politician being blackmailed by an ex-lover. ”
Despite Archer’s assurance, a wicked jealousy stabbed into my chest. My hands clenched into fists against the surface of my desk.
Needing to regain a bit of control, I pushed back against my seat and blew out a long breath.
Archer’s information revealed more about her life since she’d left me.
Beyond her beautiful face, she was clever. She was resilient.
“If you want, I’ll keep on the lookout for Ronny boy,” Archer continued. “And I’ll give you a ring when I have more, but until then—over and out, my friend.” With that, the phone call ended and I was left alone with my thoughts.
I set the cell on the surface of my desk and tilted my head back, my eyes focusing on the ceiling above my head.
Considering all that she’d been through, I knew she had an inner core of steel.
At eighteen, she’d been forced to marry me—a man nearly two decades her senior.
She’d gone on the run and had managed to evade not only her sister, but me, for nearly five years.
Her innovation was impressive. She’d taken her skills and used them to solidify her safety, which I had to respect.
She’d managed to turn her interests into a weapon and shield, playing in the shadows of the criminal underground without me at her side.
It both enraged and aroused me. Her intelligence was a turn-on.
It only served to solidify the need I had for her.
When she finally did submit to me—the strong, incredible creature that she was—it would be the biggest accomplishment I’d ever had.
The highest victory a man like me could achieve.
Evangeline was a woman of strong fortitude. Someone who could handle our dark world and I would be her Master, her Dom.
All I needed to do now was ensure that she accepted her fate.