Chapter Ten
Vik
Fuck.
I missed a camera.
Now my mask is plastered across every news outlet and police precinct in the city.
The newspaper article reveals that Frank had a damn camera in his office.
It wasn’t connected to the network, only directly to his computer.
Considering the nature of his work, I should have anticipated extra security measures.
One thing works in my favor, though. The article does not mention the name of the victim. Either the police don’t have it, or they aren’t prepared to publicly identify a wealthy, well-connected member of society without enough evidence to bring his attacker to justice.
Depending on what Frank kept on that laptop, I’d wager the contact labeled X on his phone will be high on their list. After all, X is the man I messaged and arranged to meet.
Given the dubious nature of their relationship, if Frank kept files on X, the police may soon start asking questions about him too. That puts me on a timer, and Saturday night can’t come soon enough. If he really is the man I’ve hunted for decades, I can’t let anyone reach him first.
I’m not worried about myself, of course.
Until last night, I had no idea Frank Coleman existed.
There’s no connection between us beyond a brief visit to the Crucible Nightclub, and even that would be an extraordinary leap for anyone to make.
Besides, Vik Bennett is a high-profile but reclusive businessman.
My public reputation has become the perfect disguise, keeping my nightly activities well hidden.
As for Frank, they won’t find him.
He’s hidden in a bunker deep in the woods, under twenty-four-hour surveillance by two of my most trusted people.
Even so, this mistake introduces unnecessary variables into my plans. One careless word from any of the countless people connected to Frank, and the men I’m hunting may become wary.
All because of one avoidable mistake.
I’m slipping. And Hannah is the reason.
But I don’t want whatever is happening between us to end. I’ve become rather fond of our little game. The way she squirms while pretending to resist, only to melt beneath my touch.
The memory is enough to make desire coil low in my stomach. My cock throbs at the thought of her. I ache at the taste of her pussy that’s still on my tongue. Her slick cunt is etched into the back of my eyelids. Her squeaks, squeals and moans are a constant soundtrack in my head.
Without realizing it’s happening, I slide my hand down my trunks and grab my cock. Each stroke makes me harder, as my imagination runs away from me, drunk on the memory of her delicious, sweet arousal.
Then, I snap out of my daze and tear my hand away. My heart’s racing and my body is eager, but I’m not going to allow this. I won’t waste my seed into a tissue when it’s destined to fill Hannah up.
No. Not now.
I drag my thoughts back under control and tear my attention away from her.
Redirecting my focus to the matter at hand, I retrieve Frank’s phone from the drawer where I keep my mask, my gun, and the newspaper clipping. There aren’t any new messages, but checking has become routine.
I don’t need any more surprises.
I toss the phone back into the drawer before heading upstairs for a shower.
Habit takes over.
Once I’m dressed in a black suit and tie, the world begins to make sense again.
Even when I’m working from home, ritual grounds me. It moves my attention away from the previous night and onto the day ahead. Once in my office, I close every file connected to my nightly activities.
There are emails waiting. There is code to review. Reports needing approval.
However, I have barely finished the first page of a report on a new research-and-development project before someone knocks on the door.
“Vik, you in there?”
Fortunately, there’s nothing incriminating on my screen. Even so, I meet Hannah at the door instead of inviting her inside. As I open it, curiosity draws her eyes past me and into the room.
She is looking, searching. Trying to glimpse whatever it is I’m hiding. I almost laugh. Then again, perhaps I’ve encouraged exactly this behavior. I’d laugh, if it didn’t send the wrong message. I reward her bad behavior with unimaginable pleasure. Fingering, tongue fucking…
I almost admire her curiosity.
“Yes, Hannah?” I step into the hallway and quietly close the door behind me.
“Um...” She doesn’t retreat, despite the length of the corridor separating us. Instead, she stays close. Close enough for the tension to build.
“My mom just messaged me.”
“Your mother messaging you isn’t exactly earth-shattering news.” The words come out sharper than I intend.
Dressing for work has that effect. Pulling on the suit is part of preparing for battle. Meetings. Ruthless competitors. Problems at one of my plants. Whatever the corporate world throws at me, I meet it head-on.
Building an empire requires a certain amount of cruelty.
You don’t get what you want by being timid. You take it. No matter who gets hurt.
It’s not a mindset I can switch off in an instant—not for a casual conversation about Hannah’s mother.
“Oh, yeah.” She wrings her hands in front of her. “She’s throwing a party for your dad’s birthday.”
“Good. I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing everyone again.”
I already know where this is going. And I don’t like it.
“Well…” Hannah hesitates. “She invited both of us. She said she’ll be calling you later.”
It’s a call I have no intention of answering.
“You’ll have to give them my apologies. I have a meeting on Saturday and won’t be home until late.”
“What time’s your meeting?”
Not the response I expected. I am also distracted by the outline of her nipples, pressing through her shirt.
I answer without giving the question much thought. “Sometime in the evening.” I regret the answer immediately.
Hannah practically bounces where she stands. “It’s an invitation for lunch,” she says gleefully. “There’ll be plenty of time to eat and still get back before your meeting.”
“Why do you want me to go, Hannah?” I turn the question back on her.
Two hours ago, she wanted nothing to do with me. She’s spent days avoiding me after what happened at Mark Anderson’s club.
Unless...
Perhaps she’s finally beginning to accept that she belongs to me. After the way I made her scream on the dining room table, it wouldn’t surprise me.
“Because it’ll be good for both of us. You haven’t seen either of them in such a long time.”
“By choice.” That should put an end to any romantic notions she has about my relationship with our parents.
“But why?” She backs towards the wall until her ass rests against it.
“They’re not my people.”
“Both of them? Or just your dad?” She crosses one leg over the other and plants her hands on her hips. She has the uncanny ability to look alluring without making any effort.
I have to force my hands to remain at my sides regardless of the pose she adopts. Somehow she’s worked her way through every defense I’ve built. She’s torn them down until even looking at her has become a test of self-control.
“It doesn’t matter.”
It matters a great deal.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes—provided it isn’t about this.” Keeping my voice polite takes considerably more effort than it should.
My thoughts would much rather return to her body. Her oversized clothes do a remarkably poor job of hiding what’s underneath. And I don’t need to imagine the rest.
I’ve already seen it.
Hannah ignores the warning anyway.
“What happened between you and your dad? I know things aren’t great between you, but—”
“Let me stop you there.” I raise a hand.
“Making you come wasn’t an invitation to learn more about me. File those questions with the rest of my rules.”
Hannah draws in a sharp breath before nodding.
“Fine, but I still think we should go. It’s only for the afternoon, and he’s your dad...” She continues listing reasons I have no interest in hearing.
She’s becoming far too comfortable around me. That’s my fault, of course. A few days ago, one warning would have sent her running. Now she absorbs it without flinching and simply carries on.
I’m not sure whether I should be impressed, or irritated.
“Fine.” I cut across whatever point she’s making. “I’ll go with you.”
“Really?” She pushes herself away from the wall and launches herself straight into my arms. She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me while bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet.
I remain perfectly still. I make no attempt to return the embrace.
“Yes,” I say. “But you should know my time comes at a steep price. And I’ll be collecting.”
She finally looks up at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I simply turn and disappear back into my office.
Some things are better left a mystery.