Chapter 13
Kendrick
“What happened after you fucked Valentina?”
The sound of Hudson choking on whatever beverage he was drinking brought a smile to my face.
Yes, the question was crude, but it had been on my mind for hours.
Somehow, I’d lost the plot in becoming the protector and perhaps a knight in shining armor for Reese as well as countless other innocent victims.
I’d allowed my guard to fall, my resolve to fail, and had shoved my duty as an officer of the court aside. And I’d already compromised the mission that I’d insisted on taking.
By one act that couldn’t be taken back.
I’d fucked Reese.
Had I enjoyed every moment? Absolutely. The feel of having her in my arms, the taste of her sweet pussy, and the way her muscles wrapped around my cock were entirely too memorable.
Sleep afterwards? Forget it.
I’d worked the remainder of the night, putting as many pieces together as possible. Reese had stayed with me for a couple of hours, drawing a few sketches that we’d tweak later. Developing a database of information was vital, key to finding the bastards and all their hiding places.
I’d researched shell corporations, but in a city like Miami, those were a dime a dozen.
Every crime lord and sheik, every dignitary and foreign corporate mogul either doing business in the United States or laundering money had at least one lurking in the shadows.
Cross referencing would take days. Even then, finding anything of value to lead to an arrest was improbable.
Just like Raven Intel had safeguards in place to hide who we were, those with wealth beyond our means paid a team of experts to keep their operations in the dark.
Even with the odds against me, I’d spent hours on the computer, talking to several members of the intel we’d established, men and women in every sector of intelligence.
I’d become frustrated given there was no new information and no one was talking on the dark web.
Everything sordid was on the web and yet the group remained largely in the dark.
Still, even the little bit I’d discovered could prove helpful.
But not nearly as much as receiving a call back for another audition, which could come anytime or never.
At least the wheels were turning, Steven Powell’s name and the sketch Reese had provided from my memory emailed to the group.
Chase was in charge of making inquiries through his various sources in hopes of identifying him.
If he got a hit, it would be in the next few hours, but I wasn’t holding my breath.
Everything seemed to be a dead end at this point.
I’d heard from Chase, who’d left a message on the main system that TikTok and other social media platforms had been scoured, protocols set in place that would send alerts for any videos that popped up regarding modeling, acting, even hostessing duties.
Anything that might lure young women into their web.
So far, nothing.
The frustration only continued to grow.
I’d also gotten a jump on Briana Murphy, hoping that by getting her picture out there someone might see her. That was if she’d been bought the night before.
Again, a big nada.
Reese’s sleep had been fitful for hours.
I’d checked on her often enough that I was surprised she hadn’t tossed me out of her room.
What was I saying? I’d sat in the chair in her room watching her like some glorified stalker.
That wasn’t the behavior of someone providing protection. That was a man possessed.
Which was completely unlike my personality.
Every time she’d stirred, even moaning in her sleep, I’d experienced vivid visions that would keep me on the naughty list.
I’d certainly managed to keep my chivalry at the club then had tossed it aside later. Bad timing. At least now, she was resting peacefully while I paced the office floor.
“What?” Hudson managed, still coughing.
“You heard what I asked. Did it change anything about the mission?”
“Um… Well, what it did was create an intimate feeling that tossed out everything subjective. Why are you asking? Because you had to perform as Maverick warned you about?”
I rubbed my eyes, which I’d also been doing for hours. Even after two doses of Tylenol, the headache remained. “Partially, but there’s more.”
It took him a few seconds to realize what I was insinuating.
“Let me guess. You two made a connection.”
“She’s an amazing woman.”
“Who you fucked after getting her to safety.”
I cringed; just hearing his matter-of-fact comments made me feel more like a horrible person. “We hit it off.”
“I’ll say,” Hudson said gruffly. “Okay, look. You’re both grown adults and can do whatever you want.
However, I don’t think I need to remind you that when you’re close to someone, whether physically, emotionally, or both, you lose objectivity.
I’m not going to lie to you that with Valentina, I was prepared to die to keep her safe.
That sounds good in theory, but it clouded my judgment, making the mission much harder. ”
Well, shit. Maybe I was looking for absolution at this point. Not only for the act itself, but because of the thoughts continuing to ravage my mind. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into her bed taking her several times.
Exploring every inch of her body.
“Yeah, I hear you. I’m worried that Lucifer will see through the charade. If I even hear from him.”
“There’s nothing in whatever rule book you’re following that prevents you from caring about your slave.
It just doesn’t usually happen overnight.
” He laughed again, his tease hitting home.
Like he had any right to torment me. He’d certainly broken protocol when finding vindication for what Valentina had endured.
“Don’t beat yourself up. That’s the main thing.
Focus as much as you can and not on carnal desires. ”
With Hudson being a judge, Valentina had been the sole witness to a heinous murder, the perpetrator finding himself in Hudson’s courtroom.
While the now love of his life was supposed to have been protected, the system had failed both her and justice in general.
The murderer had been released from prison on a technicality.
The very reason Raven Intel had been born. Five men deciding the system had failed. I’d admired his tenacity, the former Marine the perfect candidate for hunting the perpetrator. I was beginning to have my doubts I was the right man for the job.
Not only because I’d abandoned my promise to remain objective, but because somewhere in the back of my mind, I was just a reformed Montana cowboy living in a big city. And why? Because I’d grown bored with the country life. What a crock.
After four cups of coffee, the taste was bitter and the caffeine was having little effect. I shoved the mug onto the desk and walked to the window staring out at the ocean.
“So what the fuck do I do? Do I just ignore what happened between us?”
“You can’t do that. Not only is it impossible as a man, trust me on that one, but you’ll alienate Reese and her trust. She needs to be able to rely on everything you tell her. If you are required to perform again like some circus animal, you’ll both need to be the consummate actors.”
Maybe I just needed a confirmation of what I already knew. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Of course I am. Remain as objective as possible. You like her and, evidently, she likes you. Who knows? Maybe it’s a match made in heaven.”
Huffing, I shook my head. “Don’t put the cart before the horse, buddy. It was one night.” One blissful, spectacular night.
“Maybe so, but the question is, do you care about her?”
“Like I said. It’s one night. That doesn’t make a relationship.”
Why did he enjoy laughing at me? Because I was an easy target. “When you know, you know, buddy. Don’t kid yourself.”
“Back to business before I reach through the phone and rip your throat out. I’ll be sending sketches of several girls as well as a few names. Does the name Steven Powell ring a bell?”
“No, but I’m guessing you realize identifying any of the men, including one who wasn’t required to wear a mask, is likely impossible.”
“I scanned his sketch and I’m currently running it through the database. We might get lucky.” Right. And pigs flew in the winter too. Still, every rock needed to be turned over, crushed into dust if necessary.
“I’ll put some feelers out myself.”
“We need to find the goddamn warehouse. I’m certain that’s what I was in.” God, I was frustrated as hell.
“If your details are accurate and the fuckers didn’t drive you around to disorient you, that could mean one of a couple industrial parks.
I’m betting on the one in Doral. We’re running the various companies through the database to check for owners.
Plus, I think Gabriel has already dispatched a couple people to drive to the park. ”
“Like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
Hudson snorted. “Maybe, but at least, we can begin to rule out certain areas.”
I didn’t like the odds. If there was any chance Lucifer was onto me, he’d shut down operations for a lengthy period. Forget finding the club’s location. It would be either boarded up or sold. That would put the women in even more danger. “We need to this operation moving, for fuck’s sake.”
He chuckled. “We’re moving as fast as we can given the circumstances. What are the odds you’ll receive a call from Lucifer’s crew?”
“I’d give it a twenty percent chance.”
Hudson sighed and I could tell he was thinking.
“Then don’t waste time lamenting. Gather everything you can remember about the experience.
Don’t leave anything out. Smells. Sounds.
Jewelry. Clothing. Use your skills as a prosecutor.
You’re one of the best I know in gleaning evidence from appearances and physical tics.
You’d be surprised what details might fill in the blanks. ”
As usual, solid advice from a no-nonsense man. “I’m compiling a list. I think I know what I have facing me.”
“I have one question.”
“If you dare ask me if I’m going to be getting married anytime soon, I’ll beat your ass next time I see you.”
“Yeah, right. You can try.” His laugh faded away. “Look, not to bring up a sore point, but I was just going to ask if you’re doing this for all the right reasons.”
“You mean as in putting a bunch of criminals behind bars?”
“I mean because of your sister.”
Instantly, my jaw clenched. I’d told very few people about the most painful period of my life. I wanted nothing more than to be furious with him for daring to bring even a single thought about Emily into this. But I didn’t because he knew me too well. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Honorable, yet just make sure you fully understand what you’re getting in the middle of.”
“A little too late.”
“Never too late. Including for your lackluster sex life. Glad you finally got your weenie wet. Maybe now, you’ll be a better prosecutor.”
“You fucking asshole,” I teased, shaking my head as I grinned.
“You bet I am. One last thing and something I learned from the operation with Valentina. Karma has a way of invading your life when you least expect it. The smart guys will go with the flow.”
“And the idiots?”
“Well, the idiots will grow old alone. And very lonely.”
“Oh, great. Thanks so much.”
“One last piece of advice now that I said what I said and meant it. If what you two shared is anything special, it will be there long after this nightmare is over. That woman is counting on you to provide her with justice even if you might believe she brought the nightmare on herself. She did so for a valiant reason, but she’s not equipped to handle the situation herself.
You and I both know that. The only reason she let her guard down with you is because she needs your help in saving her sister.
And you not only accepted the call, you pushed for it. ”
“So what are you saying, Hudson? I’m not in the mood for riddles.” I could hear the annoyance in my tone.
“I’m saying you need to shove aside your feelings.
While in this case, this mission you’ve embroiled yourself in requires an unusual level of intimacy, you need to find a strict balance and understand that whatever acts you’re required to perform aren’t personal.
In other words, save the passion for when you’re required to show it.
That way, it won’t appear as if being done for another reason.
Men like Lucifer can smell deceit a thousand miles away. ”
Unfortunately, he was right. It was something I’d thought about more than once during the middle of the night.
“Yeah, I get it.” I ended the call, instantly feeling a presence behind me.
In the reflection of the glass, there was a warm glow of the sun creating a breathtaking halo. As if the woman was an angel.
For all the times I’d failed in protecting an innocent victim, the promise of keeping her safe stood. There was no arguing what I would do to protect her.
Was it all under the guise of justice?
Hell, no.
Reese had already gotten under my skin with the slow crawl of her fingers, the whispered heat of her breath.
The rough kisses that had led to unbridled passion.
Even with all the arguments in place, the reasons why keeping my distance from her held merit, I’d come to realize in less than twenty-four hours I wasn’t the man I thought I was.
Instead, I was something much darker.
And hungrier.