Chapter Twenty-Nine Abra
The next morning, I lie in bed with my back against the headboard, watching Rey step back into the bedroom wearing nothing but a towel.
A few drops of water still cling to her ebony skin, and it’s all I can do not to lunge at her and drag her back into bed so I can lick up every drop.
She’s positively glowing with excitement for the day.
I know she’s looking forward to facing off against Erickson and Jasper Benoit.
She’s also nervous, but not enough to dampen her confidence.
I stroke myself as Rey dresses in an outfit that has my balls tightening.
Like a sexy striptease in reverse, Rey slips on a red thong along with a matching garter belt.
I shift so I can watch her round ass jiggle as she slides on stockings over her toned legs.
I bite back a groan when she covers her bountiful breasts with a lacy red bra.
God, she’s stunning. She finishes dressing by putting on a black pencil skirt that highlights her curves.
A red silk blouse tops it off. She stands before me like something out of a porno.
She’s a dirty librarian, or in her case, a sexy as sin lawyer ready to debrief me.
“Fuck baby, you’re stunning,” I groan. No longer able to keep my orgasm at bay, my dicks explodes as I cum hard. “Damn it, woman, that almost killed me.”
Rey snickers as she leans over to kiss me. I plunder her mouth as the last of the aftershocks work their way through my system.
“You need to get ready,” she whispers. “Unless you aren’t coming with us?”
“Oh, I’m coming. No way am I letting you out of my sight looking like that.
I slide out of bed and smack her on the ass before heading into the bathroom to shower.
Once I’m done and dressed in my usual jeans and t-shirt, I snag my kutte and grab Rey’s hand before heading downstairs for breakfast. We find the rest of the club already seated.
I pull out a chair for Rey before sitting next to her.
The door to the kitchen opens, letting the aroma of eggs, bacon, and French Toast waft out.
Danny and Conor deliver the food while we chat about what we’re about to face.
Cleo, dressed as professionally as Rey, explains the process.
“This auction is closed to the public, so there will only be a handful of bidders. Pirate has confirmed who we’re going up against. Erickson and Benoit are the only two who concern me.
Benoit, because we’re reasonably certain that he’s representing Miguel Costa. ”
“You’ve confirmed it?” Hex asks Pirate.
Pirate nods. “Costa is in town and he’s paid Benoit a sizeable retainer’s fee. Additionally, Costa has liquidated several of its assets to free up some cash.”
“I should still be able to outbid them both,” Cleo says.
“I’ve called in favors from Puma and Dante,” Hex says. “They’ve promised to back our bid if we need additional money. Dante said his mother is ready to help.”
Cleo smiles with relief. “That’s great news. Do we have a limit?”
Hex gives her a figure that would allow us to purchase several small countries in addition to the property in the French Quarter.
We shouldn’t have a problem achieving our goal.
I feel a sense of gratitude as I glance around the table.
Everyone has come together to protect a piece of history.
This project means the most to Cicero, but now we are all invested.
I have little doubt that we’ll succeed. However, once we do, our task is just beginning.
Is there a treasure, and will we be able to locate it? We’ll find out soon.
“Did Cicero leave already?” I ask.
“He left at six this morning,” Nora says as she exits the kitchen. “I made him breakfast before he left.”
“What were you doing up at six?” Hex asks. “You don’t usually get up that early.” He’s grinning at her, and I know he’s seen the blush on her cheeks just as I did. I have a feeling Nora has developed a little crush on Cicero. After the way he stared at her yesterday, I’m sure it isn’t one-sided.
Cleo and Rey ride in the SUV with Jake and Levi driving—the rest of us ride guard. Hex, Dixie, and I take the lead with Zip, Pirate, and Lake following. We keep the SUV snug between our two groups. The auction is taking place inside the courthouse.
We step into the courtroom to find a man and a woman in an emotionally charged conversation. The woman is dressed similarly to Rey and Cleo, while the man is in jeans and a t-shirt. As they continue their discussion, I realize that he’s much more upset than she is.
“Please, you need to hold off on the auction,” he pleads. “I know there is a will. My stepfather said he planned to leave everything to me. I need to find the will. He hid it and expected me to find it. I need more time.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Sinclair, but there is no will. My hands are tied. We need to auction off the property to pay the back taxes. You’re more than welcome to bid on the property.”
The man, who is standing over the woman, glowers at her as he clenches his fists.
We’re prepared to jump in and stop him if he attacks her.
However, he gains control of his anger and turns away in our direction.
His eyes are closed as he raises his face to the ceiling.
Tears stream down his face as he battles his emotions.
He jolts when he opens his eyes to see us watching him.
“Ms. Golubrev, it is a pleasure to meet you finally,” the woman says as she stands to shake Cleo’s hand. “I’m with the Orleans Parish Civil Sheriff’s Office. My name is Camille LaStrange. We spoke on the phone.”
“Yes, I remember,” Cleo says. “It is a pleasure to meet you. And you are?” Cleo asks the young man, holding out her hand.
He glares at her hand until Hex growls at him. Fear cuts through the man’s anger. He offers Cleo a shaky handshake. “I’m Ryan Sinclair. I’m sorry for my outburst,” he says to Cleo and Camille.
“You seem upset. Is there a problem?” Cleo asks.
Ryan shakes his head, but Camille responds for him.
“Mr. Sinclair’s mother, Sarah, was married to the last remaining De Villiers.
Sarah died before her husband, Charles. Charles died intestate, which is why we’re now auctioning his property.
Mr. Sinclair claims that Charles left a will and that he’s the beneficiary. ”
“Wait, did you say Ryan Sinclair?” Zip asks.
Ryan offers a puzzled look to Zip, but nods in response.
“That’s the name of the guy who sold the jewelry,” Zip says to me.
“You’re him?” Rey asks. “You’re the man who pawned the jewelry to save the life of your wife?”
Ryan’s eyes widen in surprise. “How do you know about that?”
Before Rey can respond, and I have no idea what she was going to say, we hear a commotion at the door.
A man in a high-priced suit with slick black hair enters the room.
I don’t recognize him, but I feel Rey tense next to me.
Before I can ask her if she knows him, I realize I recognize the person next to him. Miguel Costa.
“Well, shit,” I mutter, drawing the attention of my group.
“What?” Hex asks. He follows my eyeline and scowls when he sees the two men. “Who are they?”
“The one on the left is the lawyer, Jasper Benoit,” Rey supplies. “I don’t know who is with him.”
“I do,” I growl. “That’s Miguel Costa. We were right. He’s the one bidding on the property.”
“Where’s Erickson?” Rey asks.
“Maybe he’s not showing up,” I suggest.
“That would be good—one less opponent. Let’s take our seats,” Cleo says. “The other bidders have shown up.”
I glance around the room and realize more people have joined us.
Rey sits in front of me and next to Cleo.
Hex sits next to me, so he’s behind Cleo.
Cleo gestures for Ryan to sit next to her.
She speaks to him, and I see the instant shift in his posture.
Whatever Cleo said to him has him relaxing.
I lean forward to whisper a question to Rey.
“Why is Cleo keeping Ryan with her?” I ask.
“Why do you think? If we win the bid, she plans on making sure he gets his home back.”
I sit back and realize that her comment shouldn’t have surprised me. Cleo is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. Of course, she’s going to do what’s right for the young man who risked everything for his wife.
Movement in my periphery draws my attention to the back of the room, where Erickson is taking his seat. I lean forward to inform Cleo and Rey. They both glance at him before facing forward with shared looks of determination. They look like warrior queens ready to do battle.