Chapter 10 #2
I sat down on the couch, every muscle tense. “Do you mind keeping the door open? I mean is that allowed? Just for now. I feel a little… stuffy.” Suffocated. Drawing a single deep breath was a near impossibility.
“Of course it’s allowed.”
“What do you expect of me? Just tell me so I know the rules.”
His smile was wry, a curious blend of amusement and a hint of annoyance. As if he wasn’t certain how to respond. “Right now, just relax.”
I resisted screaming that that wasn’t possible.
Now that the rush of adrenaline was gone, I felt even more awkward around him. Anger and fear were powerful tools when used for survival. Now, I felt helpless.
Instead of sitting in a chair close to me, he leaned against the credenza, crossing his feet. Once again, my eyes were drawn to his boots. They were as well-worn as his jeans. This time when I lifted my gaze, I realize I’d been caught, his smirk and the flash in his eyes a clear indication.
“They thought you were a cop,” I said. Why those had been the first words blurted from my mouth when there were a hundred decent questions was beyond me. Maybe my nervousness was talking. “Right?”
“They have reason to be concerned.”
“Are you?”
He laughed. “Do I look like a cop?”
“I don’t know what you look like.” And I wasn’t telling him a lie.
He’d even run his fingers through his perfect hair creating a just out of bed look that was even sexier than the slicked back version.
I could almost see him do it using both hands.
His hair was a rich black and longer than I’d thought, so thick I longed to run my fingers through it.
Jesus. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had such lurid thoughts about a man. Certainly none for my coworkers or neighbors.
“Maybe a drug dealer.”
His laugh was deeper, throatier.
Sexier.
“Well, I’m not certain what that says about me.”
“Then if you aren’t either, who the hell are you? Some rich asshole who gets off on kink?” I’d never been good at mincing words, the one foible that had always gotten me into trouble.
“I can’t say I’ve spent much time contemplating kink. I’ve been too busy in my job.” He tugged something from his back pocket, walking toward me.
“I can only imagine.”
His eyes flashed another look of annoyance. Now, only inches away, I was rewarded with another wafting wave of his musky aftershave. He was obviously as exhausted as I felt, rubbing his eyes while his chest rose and fell.
“I need you to understand something, Reese. I purposely went looking for you and in doing so, people I trust, respect, and care for placed their lives in jeopardy. What I’m about to tell you can’t be repeated and I think you’ll understand why.
But you’re going to need to realize that providing you with the truth adds another layer of danger to an already perilous position. ”
“I don’t understand. What are you trying to tell me?”
“First, that you’re safe and I plan on keeping you that way.
And you’re not my slave, although given Lucifer’s reactions, I have the distinct feeling our relationship will be tested at least once more.
What that entails, I have no idea. There’s very little qualified information on the Privileged, including the identities of anyone involved. ”
Hence the masks.
“O-kay.” While I had no idea what he was trying to tell me, I sensed in some strange way I could trust him. Was that possible or was I simply too exhausted to know the difference in yet another lie?
When I pulled back, he sighed as he’d done so many times before and placed whatever he was holding directly in front of me.
After blinking twice, I finally realized it was a business card. What I was seeing just didn’t feel right. Nor was it believable. Yet it seemed legit. “You’re Kendrick Stark?”
“I am.”
“A prosecuting attorney. I still don’t understand. Are you simply trying to tell me that the group of men involved in that… atrocity come from all walks of life?”
“I have no doubt those atrocious men come from every walk of life, although I doubt any from blue collar jobs. If I had to guess, I’d say the club members are comprised of corporate moguls, highly respected surgeons, and even judges.
Entrepreneurs and crime lords. With a few congressmen sprinkled in for kicks and giggles.
Although at this point, I can’t be certain of that and have no clue about their identities.
Even in meeting Steven Powell, I doubt he’s on anyone’s radar.
What I can tell you is that they go to great lengths to keep their organization private.
They certainly have the means to afford such a repulsive luxury, and no doubt walk among the richest and most influential people. ”
“Such as yourself.”
His laugh was almost indignant. “I have no desire to walk among them nor am I the type of club member they’d allow into their twisted fold.”
“But you are.” His choice of vocabulary was interesting, adding to the ‘rough around the edges’ allure.
“Not in the way you’re thinking, Reese. What I’m attempting to do, along with the help of others, is to expose who they are and what they’re doing.”
I’d always considered myself a good judge of character and Kendrick wasn’t lying. Yet I had a difficult time believing he’d pretend to be one of them.
“You know my name. How is it that you know my real name? No one does.”
“Forgive the insult, but because you were reckless enough not to share your ridiculous plan with anyone, we had to learn your identity through legal channels.” His sudden irritation at me bristled every feather.
“At least I was willing to do something, unlike the goddamn Miami police department!”
He cocked his head. “Agreed. I know quite a bit about you, including that the reason you put yourself in harm’s way was to find your sister, Briana. The cops think she’s nothing but a runaway, but you think otherwise.”
The confusion remained, as did the fear and uncertainty about him and what I’d gotten myself embroiled in the middle of. “You don’t understand anything about me or my sister.”
“I totally understand your reservations in talking with me. How about this.” He moved toward the chair, which was way too close, sitting down gingerly as if expecting me to run.
Maybe he was right since I immediately clasped my fingers around the cushion on the sofa, every muscle tense.
“A detective appeared in my office with a young woman who managed to escape an auction after she was purchased. Somehow, she managed to do so when her new owner was in route to wherever he was taking her. Does the name Denise ring a bell?”
As soon as he said her name, a single sob erupted from my mouth and something broke deep inside, the new wave of pain agonizing.
“Denise. Is she okay? She was my cell mate and we talked as much as we were allowed. The guards didn’t like us to communicate very often.
The guards told me she’d been…” The words stuck in my throat.
Was it truly possible he was one of the good guys?
My chest tightened, the suffocating feeling returning to the point my throat was cinching shut. I raked at my neck, trying to take several deep breaths. The lights seemed to flicker, although I knew it was just my vision.
Oh, my God. Maybe there was a way of finding Briana. Of saving her. “Tell me!”
“Relax, Reese. Try and take deep breaths.”
“I can’t relax. You don’t understand.” I hadn’t realized I’d slipped my hand across the coffee table toward him until he grasped my fingers.
The electric shock was instant, like what I’d felt before, but the rush of pressure was entirely different as heat swept through every cell and muscle.
Explosive and unwanted yet… Wanted.
Seconds ticked by, enough I sensed he was feeling the same thing.
In a kneejerk reaction, I yanked my hand free, fisting and pressing it against my shaking leg.
He was still leaning forward, his eyes darting back and forth across mine.
“Denise is fine. From what I could tell, she’s lucky to be alive.
She escaped, fearless in fleeing the man who purchased her.
The reason I got involved was that the detective was hopeful that with her testimony there was a case that I could build and eventually provide justice for. ”
“And? Are they being arrested right now? Did you find my sister? Is she okay? Will they be tossed in prison?”
The simple shake of his head doused my hopes.
“The detective didn’t have enough evidence even after what Denise told her.
We don’t even have the names of whom to charge.
Plus, with no one clearly identified, the club members will disband for whatever timeframe needed and return to their normal lives. Hard evidence is needed.”
I hid behind my glass of wine, trying to focus once again while processing what he’d just told me. “Wait. You went undercover in the club.”
Kendrick nodded slowly.
“I didn’t know any prosecutor’s office ever sent anyone undercover for a sting operation.”
There was a strange but distinct twinkle in his eyes. “They don’t.”
“Wait a minute. I’m completely confused.
You did this on your own? And you called me reckless?
They’re going to find out who you are. You said so yourself, they are dangerous.
If they required you to… fuck me to prove you weren’t a cop then once they find out who you really are, they’ll… They’ll kill you. Won’t they?”
His laugh was husky, the sound sending tingles down my spine. “I imagine they will try if my intentions are discovered, which is why we need to play this very carefully.”
“You’re crazy. We’re not safe here. I need to find my sister. We’re sitting in your house and I assure you they will find where you live.”
“Take a deep breath, Reese. You’re not understanding.”
“No, I am not.”
“This isn’t my house.”
“Then who does it belong to?”