I grab her knees and turn her to face me. “I handed over management of the club to someone else.”
“You don’t have to tell me this.”
“No, but I want to. I started it seven years ago, but it was never about sex to me, and my sexual partners were few.”
She tilts her head and studies me. “If the club wasn’t about sex to you, then what did it mean?”
“Being the ultimate Master in control. And I know that sounds arrogant, but it wasn’t about ego.”
“Then what was it about?”
I pull back, letting my hands fall away from her. “I don’t know anymore.”
She gives a slow nod. “I understand. I didn’t mean to push for too much.” She starts to turn and I grab her legs.
“You didn’t ask too much. But things that made sense for a lot of years suddenly don’t anymore. That’s why I came here tonight. I don’t know what this thing is between us, but I’ve done so much denying in the past—and this feels like it’s the only thing honest in my life right now.”
She leans forward, her hands settling on my arms, and I can almost feel her touch calming the storm that’s been raging inside me for weeks without end. “Whatever this is or isn’t, you made sure it’s honest when you came here tonight.”
I give in to desire and pull her off her chair and between my legs. “I assume since you’re fucking me, you aren’t seeing anyone else.”
She glowers. “Now who doesn’t know how to filter?” she asks, reminding me of what I’d said to her the first day we’d met.
My fingers flex on her back. “I need to know.”
“There’s no one else.” She hesitates, opening her mouth, then closing her lips.
“You want to ask me, too,” I say.
“I don’t want to pressure you.”
“Why not? I’m pressuring you. So you deserve to know: When I needed an escape last week, I didn’t go to the club or call someone I knew from the club. I flew you to San Francisco. I don’t want anyone else.”
“If that changes, just please tell me.”
“I don’t and it won’t,” I say, pushing to my feet. “And if you don’t know that, then I haven’t done a good enough job of showing you.” I scoop her up and start walking toward the bedroom. I might not have a condom, but I have a tongue, and I plan to use it well. I need her to know that I’m a changed man before she’s faced with the full impact of my many sins against Rebecca—sins I fear she’ll never forgive me for. I know I won’t.
* * *
I wake to the soft glow of morning light through the bedroom curtains and the vibration of my phone on the nightstand, but with Crystal curled against my side I’m not quick to respond. For several moments I’m unable to move, unwilling to move, certain that the few hours of peace we’ve created together are about to end. I grab the phone and glance at the time, 7:00 a.m., then the caller ID, noting Jacob’s number.
Crystal shifts beside me, leaning up on one arm, her long blond hair a tousled, sexy mess. “What is it?”
I hit the Decline button and set the phone down. “Jacob. Probably wanting to know our travel plans this morning. I’ll have to go by my hotel and change on the way to the hospital. And I know my mother will insist I go to Riptide today to help secure the business—so we can plan on riding in together.”
“I should have gone in early today,” Crystal says. “There’s a huge auction next Saturday I’m in the middle of planning.”
“Now there are two of us to bring it all together, so you can ease up on the hours a bit.”
She nods. “I think it would go a long way for you to talk to the staff and assure them everything is okay, too.”
“You’re barely awake and already talking business.”
“It’s inbred. In my house, we talked stock market reports before we brushed our teeth.”
“Mine was sports in one ear and fine art in the other—but at least I learned to multitask.” My cell starts ringing again and I sigh. “He’s not giving up.” I answer the call without looking and say, “I didn’t know you had a wake-up service.”
“At your fucking service.” I sit up at the sound of Blake Walker’s voice as he adds, “Time to get up, because I have news. Corey, the kid who ran off with Ava, was dropped off at a hospital a few hours ago—beaten badly enough to be in the ICU.”
“And? What did he say?”
“They aren’t telling us anything yet.”
“They? Why aren’t you talking to him?”
“Because I’m in San Francisco—and he was left at a Long Island hospital.”
My blood runs cold. “That’s just a forty-minute train ride from here.”
“Which means whoever beat him is there, too,” he adds.
My grip tightens on the phone and I stand up, certain that whoever did this wants me to know.
“I’m on my way to Long Island,” Blake adds, “but I’m not coming alone. Detective Grant is coming with me, because it’s a conflict of interest for me to question you about Corey, since I’m on your payroll.”
“Then you shouldn’t have gotten greedy and taken both jobs.”
“Ease up, man. I’m on your side. I didn’t know Rebecca, but I read her journals and feel like I did. And I trust myself to do her justice more than I trust the police, who have a district attorney motivated by the election year pulling their strings.”
I inhale and exhale. “If you think that hearing you and half of San Francisco read her journals is going to console me, you’re not as smart as I thought you were.”
“I’m a lot smarter than you think I am. I know you, man. I was you. I held my fiancée in my arms while she bled to death with a sliced throat, because I was minutes too late to save her. And it happened because I let her stay in harm’s way for reasons I can never forgive myself for. I know where your head is—and you need to step back, before you don’t have that option anymore. Let me handle this.”
His words chill me to the bone, and I press my fingers to my temples, fighting the fucking burning in my chest and eyes. What the hell is happening to me? Where is the man who could shut everything out? “What does Grant want?”
“You aren’t going to comment on anything I just said?”
“Not now.”
He’s silent a moment. “Fine. We’ll talk when I get there. On Grant, let me be clear before I go on: I’ve said nothing to him about your motivations toward anyone or anything. But the kid was dropped in New York, and you were close to Rebecca—which gives you motivation to act on her behalf, since she can’t.”
I run a rough hand through my hair. “In other words, call my attorney.”
“I would.”
Frustration rolls through me. “Being close to Rebecca made me a murder suspect. Though I was cleared, now I’m a suspect all over again, for the same reason.”
“It’s fucked-up, but that pretty much sums it up.”
“I’ve been with Jacob around the clock for weeks.”
“That doesn’t mean you couldn’t have hired someone. And you and I both know that you did.”
“The kid was going to turn in evidence on Ava. He’s a hero, as far as I’m concerned. And the police have to know that I’m not foolish enough to drop him this close to home.” I walk into the dark bathroom, snatch up a towel, and wrap it around my waist.
“Or they think you’re smart enough to know that would be the obvious assumption.”
I grind my teeth. “In other words, Grant and I are about to go around the block a couple or ten times again. Well, just tell him to be careful. There’s a fine line between questioning and slandering, with this much press involved and the livelihood of a business at stake.”
“I’ve had that conversation with him, believe me. But the guy’s pretty ‘who gives a shit?’ He’s a problem.”
“I’ll deal with him. You just find Ava before she hurts someone else. And in case that’s not clear enough, let me be more direct: Keep my family and employees safe. Or I swear to you, Blake Walker,
your brothers will be looking for vengeance on your behalf—and I’ll come stand on their doorstep and tell them to bring it on.”
“You’re living in hell, so I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. We’re adding extra men to the operation and tightening surveillance where we can.”
“But you still have no clue where Ava’s at.”
“No.” He hesitates. “Look, man, I might be on the right side of the law, but I was undercover in one of the biggest drug cartels in the world. I know how to play dirty. Connect me to whatever underground contact you have. I’ll make it count.”
“Not a chance. I’m going out to Long Island. I’ll meet you there.”
“Forget it. They won’t let you near the kid, and my brother Luke is headed down there now. If Corey talks before I get there, Luke will be there to make it count.”
“I don’t like how this is going down. Someone is sending me a message.”
“None of these people I’m dealing with are fools.”
“But?” I sense there’s more.
“But it’s an election year, and the DA in San Francisco needs this to go away. That’s why you need to consider sharing anything you know with my team—and letting us help.”
“I’m sick and fucking tired of hearing about the election year.”
“You and me both—but it’s a fact we can’t escape. So let me help. Be straight with me, and let me make sure they don’t use you as a fall guy.”
“What happened to conflict of interest?”
“Fuck conflict of interest, if they try to make you the fall guy again. I’m pulling up to the airport now. Luke will call you if he finds out anything. And just a heads-up: The detective is flying in with me, but he’s going to go straight to you. My brother Royce, who’s former FBI and still well connected, will be there if he crosses any lines. Just make sure the ones you and I know that you’re crossing stay hidden. And keep Crystal the hell away from it, so she won’t go down if you do.”
“There’s nothing to keep her away from,” I say, being careful not to have anyone admit anything.
“Denial,” Blake says. “I did it, too. It can be dangerous. Remember that.”
He’s hit a raw nerve, and I grind my teeth. “Just have Grant call my cell when he arrives. I don’t want this near Riptide or my parents.”
“My team will do our best to keep him and all of this away from both. I’ll call you when I land.”
He ends the call and I lean on the sink, my hands on the counter, head dropped forward. It seems the tables are turned. I’m going after Ava and Ryan, and someone is coming after me. Most likely Ava and Ryan, who’ve proven killing isn’t beyond their scope.
I dial Jacob. “I assume you know what’s happening?”
“Yes. That’s why I was calling you.”
“Have my things at the hotel brought to Crystal’s.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, and the sooner the better. But I’ll need to go by and clear the safe, so we need to leave here at about eight thirty. And I’ll be going to Riptide with Crystal after the hospital.”
“I’ll have them there in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting,” I say, ending the call, and I prepare to get dressed and seek out privacy to reach out to my underground contact. Turning, I find Crystal standing in the doorway, hugging her silk robe to her body.
“What’s happening?”
“The kid that left with Ava was dropped off at a hospital, badly beaten. No one knows by whom, and he’s in ICU and can’t talk yet.”
“But he’s alive, so that’s good, right?”
“Yes—but he’s also here in New York.”
Her eyes go wide. “Here? How did he get here?”
“Everything is a mystery at this point, but Blake’s on his way here to question him when he can speak. Apparently a detective from San Francisco is also headed here to talk to me.”
“You? Why?”
“I cared about Rebecca and this kid was dropped here in New York, so they see it coming together as a motive. And since I’ve been under supervision with a security person at all times, they think I hired someone to do it.”
She draws back slightly. “Please tell me you didn’t.”
“I didn’t.” I’ll kick Blake’s ass for telling her about my vow of vengeance.
“That’s it?” she challenges. “Just ‘I didn’t’?”
“It’s a straightforward, honest answer.”
Her eyes narrow. “Then why do I feel like it’s complicated?”
Because nothing these past few weeks has been simple.
I close the distance between us. “I’m moving in with you. My things will be here soon. And I need to go downstairs and attend to some business.”
“What? Did you really just tell me you’re moving in with me without asking?”
“There’s no question to ask. Somebody wanted that kid to be dropped off here because I’m here. I was cautious about my plans, which means someone is watching me—and doing a job no amateur could.”
“Who? Ava? Is she that sophisticated?”
“No. That’s the point. And I’m not leaving you alone to end up like Rebecca. End of story.” I try to step around her.
She grabs my arm. “So, what? Now I’m your responsibility? Is that why you came here last night? To get close and make sure you can keep your guilt at bay?”
“As I showed you last night, I’m not someone who fakes emotions. I don’t even fucking want to have emotions. But yes, you’re my responsibility, and don’t even bother to argue that point with me. I will protect you, even if you end up hating me in the end.”
She inhales and her lips tighten. “What business do you have to attend to?”
“Business.”
“Got it. Your business is none of my business, but you’re now living with me. Glad to know we’re being honest.”
She lets go of my arm and I fight the urge to pull her close and explain, but I resist. Blake’s right. There’s more to this than just protecting her. If the police are about to be on top of me again, the less she knows, the better.
Letting her go, I walk into the bedroom and begin to get dressed. I grab my pants and pull them on, reaching into my pocket to remove the disposable phone to see a missed call. I glance up to find Crystal staring at it and me.
She says, “Vengeance isn’t business. And it isn’t protecting your family or me.” She disappears into the bathroom and turns on the shower.
I don’t go after her. If I’m right and that kid was dropped off here to turn up the heat on me, this isn’t vengeance anymore.
It’s war.
Eleven
Mark . . .
Once I’m dressed, I take the elevator down to the lobby. Certain there will be security feeds anywhere in the building, I head toward the exit, only to be intercepted by Jacob just before my escape.
“I thought we weren’t leaving till eight-thirty?” he asks.
“We aren’t. And how did you find me?”
“It’s my job, one that you expect me to do well.”
“While I won’t argue that point, I don’t require assistance at the moment. Just make sure my things make it to Crystal’s.” I shove open the glass door and exit into a gust of arctic air, wishing like hell I had the coat I’d left in Jacob’s SUV last night.
Hunkering down against the wind, I grab the disposable phone and punch in my contact’s number. He answers on the second ring and says, “Ava was last seen in a Mexican border town near El Paso, Texas, three days ago. The clear assumption is she’s escaping to Mexico.”
“If she was going to Mexico, she could have done that in California. Was she with the mercenary you told me about?”
“Yes. And from what I understand, she had her tongue down his throat.”
This is not good news. “So she’s not a prisoner.” To avoid the elements, I step under the awning of a retail store sharing space with the apartment building.
“It’s har
d to say with this guy,” my informant says. “He could be using her for a little pussy before he slices her throat. He’s that vicious.”
“Or she could have him pussy whipped.”
“Doubtful,” he says. “I’d bet my right ball he’s the one pulling her chain. You don’t get under this guy’s skin. He’ll scalp you for trying.”
“I need a name.”
“A.J. Wright.”
“Any known connections to Ricco Alvarez?”
“You’ve had me focused on destroying Ryan Kilmer, so not that I know of. But Ricco Alvarez has the kind of money this guy would demand, and he’s suspected of helping her escape.”
“If Ricco found out she killed Rebecca, he wouldn’t still be helping her.”
“Who says he is? Maybe he told A.J. to kill her, and A.J. is just playing with her for a while before he does.”
“Until I have proof, I’m not ruling out any options. That means Ryan, Ricco, and even Ava meeting A.J. on her own are still on the table. And you can stop looking for the kid who ran off with Ava. He ended up in a hospital here in New York, so beaten up he’s in the ICU.”
He whistles. “Someone was telling you they’re on your doorstep.”
“Exactly. Find A.J. and Ava and see if there’s a connection to Ricco. And yes, I know it will cost me.”
“I expect a wire today for what you owe me.”
“Words aren’t proof. You’ll get the money when I get proof that A.J. is with Ava, and Ava is alive. And I want everything you have on A.J..”
“Not a problem. The hotel manager where they were staying likes extra money under the table. He took a photo. I have a man in New York. I’ll have a file delivered to your hotel to avoid electronic signatures.”
“No. I’m moving locations. Deliver it to Riptide. Make sure you put ‘Confidential’ on the front.”
“It’ll be to you this afternoon.”
“Then you’ll get your wire this afternoon.”
“And you’ll be happy to know Ryan Kilmer has another blow awaiting him today. That money-laundering scandal you wanted linked to one of his primary properties is sure to put him back on the police radar.”
“Good. Include details in the paperwork you send me. But most importantly, find Ava and A.J.” I end the call and head back toward the entry to the building, glancing at my watch. It’s already eight o’clock. We need to leave for the hotel to clear the safe in thirty minutes to be sure we make the hospital in time to see my mother before her treatment.
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