Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
PIERCE
Ibrace my hands on my desk, staring at the two FBI agents. When I sent in all the information I’d been collecting on Biff, I thought it would take longer for them to reach out to me. All of his bullshit is white-collar crimes, but they still carry a heavy sentence.
It had taken even less time for one of the head members of the King of Thieves to reach out. I knew that one would be quick. They have members everywhere or members that have their hooks into the FBI one way or another.
I'd been banking on them wanting nothing to do with any of this and the implications I could easily track back to them.
They are no longer going to come to the aid of Biff in any way.
It also gave them time to remove a handful of stocks that will likely plummet.
I hadn't said that out loud. That within itself is a federal crime, but it hung thick in the air with understanding.
"There may not be enough here," Agent Porter says.
We might be in my office, but Porter is trying to take control. He wants to know what else he can get out of me. I'm sure this bust alone will give good marks, but he wants more.
He lets his statement linger. That's what it was: a statement in hopes of getting me to say more. Good luck with that. I’ve dealt with some of the most ruthless businessmen in my life. There’s no way I’m going to bend to the FBI. "It's like that?"
"If you can't be done with Buford Bradford with what you have, I don't know what to tell you. I suggest maybe you do an investigation." We both know he has what he needs. His sidekick stays silent.
"I know Buford's connection to the King of—"
"Stop," I cut him off. "If you enjoy being an agent, you'll walk away from that."
I'm not trying to be a dick, but they could easily destroy his world. It would be nothing for them. They'd have his whole life crumbling around him before he even realized it was happening.
"Are you threatening me?" He stands. I want to be a dick, but I also want the situation done with sooner rather than later.
"You do whatever you want, but my conscience is clear. I gave you the warning." Agent Porter marginally relaxes. I stand.
"Now if you don't mind, I have other things I need to attend to, and if you have further questions—I pick up the card on my desk and hand it to him—that's my lawyer. She'll be more than happy to see about getting those answers."
"Or telling me to go fuck myself," he responds when he sees whose name it is. Porter puts the card into his pocket. "Thanks for getting us this information."
I nod, not bothering to ask any more questions because he'd tell me to go fuck myself. The FBI keeps everything close to the vest, but I get the sense they've been on Biff's trail for a while. I watch them head out of my office before dropping back into my chair.
I still want to make it back tonight, but I have a few more things to handle. I need to be done with all of this. To get everything lined up for me to be permanently planted in New Hope. My life is there now with Tinsley.
“Did it go as expected?” Rory asks, entering my office.
“Yes." She gives me the tablet in her hand. I take it, swiping through the pages and signing a few documents.
"You've changed." I hand the tablet back to her. "I'm really freaking happy for you." I don't know that I have changed. I just never had a woman to care about before. I can't change from something I have never done.
"Worried I'm going soft?"
"Have at it." She laughs. "I'm more than willing to handle being the asshole around here."
"I have no doubt."
"Hey." Rory shakes her head at me. "I meant you’ve changed more in your appearance. I don't know. I can't explain it. You're more at ease."
"I don't feel at ease." Unsettled is more like it, especially after hearing all the updates about Biff. He’s a loose cannon, and that means that Tinsley isn’t safe until he’s taken care of.
I had a company track him down for me. I'd met Carter years back at a fundraiser.
I initially thought he was attending the event as a guest, but he was actually part of the security company that the foundation had hired due to the high number of attendees at the auction, including influential guests.
He wasn't just security for the company; he owned it.
"He's a fucking psycho," Rory says, just as pissed as I am.
I explained to Rory earlier how Biff was seeking revenge on Tinsley.
Rory barely knows Tinsley at this point, but that's the thing about my girl—she's easy to love.
"Men like Biff can't handle being rejected. It has blown a circuit in his head."
The man has lost his mind. I can't say that I blame him fully. I too lost my mind when I laid eyes on Tinsley. Biff, however, not only wants to destroy her, but he also wants her for himself. That was evident from what Carter found in his hotel suite in the city.
I don't know if he's on a bender or what, but he's lost touch with reality.
He has this crazy idea he's going to build this resort and be close enough then to possibly take my girl.
Yes, you heard me right; he plans to kidnap her.
His internet searches have me clenching my fists.
Not only that, but he's been paying for some sick fuck to take pictures of Tinsley and use them to make pornography for himself.
At least at the moment he's been keeping them to himself.
Carter and I have a two-part plan to make sure none of it ever sees the light of day. I would enjoy wrapping my hands around Biff’s throat and watching the life drain from his eyes, but that would be too easy of an out. Prison is going to be utter hell for him.
"How are things going back at my place?" I don't need much from there, but I might as well handle it while I'm here.
"Good, they're almost done. Are we going to sell it with the furnishings?"
"If I sell it." I was getting mainly my personal crap out of there.
When I originally looked at the place, it had been staged with all the furniture inside of it.
I told them I wanted to buy all of it along with the condo.
It was easier than me having to furnish it all.
Now, after living with Tinsley, the place seems so cold.
"If?"
"Need to talk to the wife to see if that’s what she wants to do."
"Oh my God. I love that."
“You’re going to love her even more when you get to meet her in person. I have to admit that I'm a bit scared that the two of you are going to gang up on me.”
“You can count on it. I already know we’re gonna hit it off.”
“Lucky for me, I tend to let my wife have what she wants.” Within reason that is. I find her antics sweetly entertaining. She’s been amusing me all day with her texts. I have no idea where she comes up with these things, but I fucking love her for it. That and a million other reasons.
"I'll leave you to it. I’ve got several more things to check off your list for the day," Rory says before heading back out of my office.
I check my phone to see what my wife might be up to. How do I miss her already when I had my mouth all over her this morning? I press my palm down on my hardening dick.
Rory said I have changed; I thought the same thing—not necessarily about myself but about how I feel toward the city now that I’m back.
I find that I’m annoyed with everything.
The smells, the people, and the noise. Rory grabbed me a late lunch from the bakery down the street from our office.
I've been eating there for years. It's a quick grab.
That even tasted like shit. Everything here is suddenly wrong, and I don't think I belong.
I pull my tie off and roll up the sleeves of my button-up. I undo a couple of the top buttons. My suit too is irritating me. I'd forgotten how nice it was to wear jeans and toss on a shirt.
Knowing I have some free time, I send an email to Hollis to provide an update and to check in with the jewelry designer who is currently working on Tinsley's ring.
Right now she has a simple gold band. I love the fuck out of seeing it on her, but I'll love it more when I can slide a more fitting ring onto her finger.
The jeweler swears they will have it done and delivered before Valentine's.
When my alert from Carter goes off, I grab my shit and head out. I have a driver pick me up to head across town. I wouldn't be taking it to this level, but Biff has brought this upon himself. Am I being rational? No, but I don't give a fuck. When it comes to Tinsley, I’ll do whatever it takes.
I get dropped off outside of the club. I knock on the back door, having no interest in walking through the front. I also don't need my wife to murder me.
She still might, but what can I say? I do rather enjoy her wrath.