The Illicit Revealed (The Illicit Series Book 2)

by Brittani Marí

  However, remembering my mother’s words gave me strength. As soon as I found a way to escape, I would have a different outlook on life. I knew I couldn’t go back home. There was no way I could run back to Alek. I’d need to run as far away from him, and this lifestyle, as I could.

  “Are you okay?”

  I turned my attention back to the woman. Her eyes were filled with concern, and for a moment, I considered telling her the truth. That I had been kidnapped right after learning my husband was likely involved with the destruction of my family. Instead, I smiled.

  “Yes. Thanks again.”

  She studied me, then something on TV caught her eye. She grabbed the remote, turning up the volume. Her comfort in the condo made it clear she had been there before.

  Seeing my furrowed brows, she gave me a small smile. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been following the craziness behind the whole Judge Johnson scandal. Apparently, his wife was kidnapped yesterday. I think he did it. His good looks and charm have never fooled me.”

  I stiffened. I was right. She didn’t know what had happened. We both focused on the TV. The same woman who’d covered everything concerning my husband was on again. Her words sounded strained.

  “The studio has just received breaking news that the video footage we’ve been counting on to help us find Mia Johnson is no longer accessible. The source of the video was never publicized, so there’s no way of knowing what actually happened. The only thing we can do now is pray Mrs. Johnson turns up safely.”

  She paused before continuing.

  “I’ve been given this photo to show as a reminder of Mia Johnson. Her kindness. Her smile. Everything she’s done for our community.”

  A photo appeared on the TV. It was taken right after an event Alek and I had attended. My smiling face was turned toward the camera as Alek looked down at me in admiration. If I didn’t know my life, I would’ve believed we were happy, in love, the perfect couple.

  I swallowed, thinking about what happened after that picture was taken. It was the night Alek decided to put me in my place and I accepted his warning without question. His words were forceful, cold.

  I remember him dropping me off that night. I needed him to stay. When I questioned why he was leaving, he quickly put me in my place. His harsh remark before he left stung.

  “A wife doesn’t question her husband, Mia. Especially one who doesn’t work or contribute anything to help keep us afloat. Please, don’t ever question my whereabouts again, sweetheart.”

  The main reason the picture was so memorable was because it was the night of my miscarriage. I suffered through it alone because my husband never came home that night. He didn’t even answer my calls.

  After it was all said and done, I was grateful. I never even told him I had been pregnant.

  I felt the woman staring at me. She sucked in a breath as she glanced from the TV back to me. Neither of us said anything, but it looked like it had started to sink in. I was Mia Johnson, and whoever Wesley was to her, she now knew he was responsible for my disappearance.

  Chapter Five

  Wesley

  I DROVE INTO THE garage of the club and parked, then sat there for a minute. How did everything get so out of control? Could I fix it? I had no clue. What would I do with Mia? I couldn’t leave her locked away forever. That wouldn’t work, but at the same time, I couldn’t let her go. I had a feeling she was starting to see through everything. Her husband. Me. It was only a matter of time before she figured everything out. When she did, I knew there was only one way to keep her quiet. The same thing that kept so many others quiet in the past. But could I live with myself if I allowed that to happen? Would I be able to look at myself in the mirror? That was already hard enough because the reflection looking back at me displayed every wrongdoing in my past. Every life I had taken. Every sin I had committed.

  My brother was right. I didn’t kill anymore, but the blood already on my hands couldn’t be washed away. No matter how hard I scrubbed, no matter how much I had changed, I still saw their pleading faces. I still heard their screams. I remembered all of them. The saddest part was I had no emotion when I pulled the trigger. I was empty, cold. However, something else had started struggling to surface…completeness, satisfaction…and I felt it gaining strength.

  I stepped out of my Maserati and slowly made my way to the elevator. Once I stepped inside and the doors closed, I realized I needed to make a choice. What was more important? Saving my family from the possible destruction barreling toward us, or protecting a woman I barely even knew but couldn’t find the strength to stop thinking about. My infatuation with Mia had grown, showing no signs of going away. This was a serious problem.

  ***

  Calvin was waiting by my office door when I arrived. I walked past him, calmly punching my code into the keypad. When the door unlocked, I gestured for him to step inside first. He obliged, neither of us speaking a word until the door securely shut behind us.

  “I’m afraid to ask why we couldn’t discuss whatever this is over the phone. The last time you were this secretive was the night you had to call our father. I don’t think either one of us will ever forget about that one.”

  I froze, surprised he would even bring that situation up. The night I had to call in a favor. The debt that came along with it was reminder enough. My father knew, just like I did, the leverage he gained that night. The power he had over me. The insurance we kept on our clients didn’t exclude me. The warning of my promised devotion shown in his eyes whenever he looked at me.

  I didn’t take offense to Calvin’s comparison. After all, he had a point.

  I walked over to the bar and poured us both a scotch. The early hour didn’t compare to what we were about to discuss. I handed him a glass before we both took our seats on the couch. I cut straight to the point.

  “Stinson knows,” I said, taking a sip of my drink.

  My brother’s brows furrowed, confused. Then his eyes widened slightly.

  “I didn’t go to him about the girl, Wesley. After speaking with you about the situation, I realized we all had our battles to fight and the way we chose to handle them should be our own decision.”

  I took another sip, studying my brother. I knew he was being truthful. If he had gone behind my back, he would’ve readily admitted it.

  “I know it wasn’t you, Calvin.” I leaned back on the couch, taking a deep breath. “However, if it were, I would feel more at ease.”

  I watched as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “What’s going on, Wesley? You’ve been stressed before, but this…” He fidgeted with the glass in his hand. “This behavior isn’t you. Are you in some kind of trouble?”

  I gave a short laugh, amused that he seemed concerned. I didn’t believe either of us knew the true definition of trouble. Even if we did, would it apply to us? Or were we excluded? Our life had been nothing but trouble, albeit a different kind than everybody else experienced.

  I cleared my throat before admitting I had bitten off more than I could chew. Acting out like I claimed my family always did. It was proof I wasn’t immune to the faults of my heritage.

  “It depends on your definition, Calvin.”

  I saw the aggravation on his face. He was like me in one respect. He preferred to cut through the bullshit. It was irrelevant. A complete waste of time.

  “But yes, I guess you can label it as such.”

  He took a sip of his drink. “Okay. Now we’re getting somewhere. I’m all ears.”

  I set my glass on the coffee table. My gaze found his. “I set it up. I had my men extract her from the sidewalk when she left the coffee shop.”

  Calvin didn’t say anything at first. He took it all in, deciding how to respond. When he did, I was speechless.

  “I figured. After I saw the news, our conversation from the other day quickly brought me to that conclusion.” He paused. “But why? Why did you do it? So soon, I mean. You know those things take time, Wesley.” He shook his head. “Taking h
er in broad daylight… Fuck. What were you thinking?”

  I thought about my answer. I didn’t know if it was fear or damage control. Was it for Mia’s safety, or fear of the outcome if I didn’t go through with it? The repercussions for my family, or simply wanting to be inside her again, wanting to own her?

  “I was informed she had spoken with a certain detective. One we both know quite well.”

  He nodded, a knowing expression on his face. “I warned you, Wesley. I told you she was a threat. But you didn’t listen.”

  I continued, ignoring his statement. “I don’t know what their conversation entailed, but allowing her to walk away after speaking with him was too much of a risk. The possibility of her—”

  Calvin interrupted. “Why do you think she went there?” He looked at me in disbelief. “What reason would she have if she isn’t aware of anything? Why else would she meet with him?”

  “You’re grasping at straws.”

  “No. I can see what you clearly can’t, making me question why. Why are you so reluctant to see the truth? Why can’t you grasp the proof that’s adding up?”

  I stood from the couch, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding my office, the privacy of the one-way glass allowing me to show a small amount of weakness while I was turned away from him. I didn’t need my brother to express something I already knew.

  I knew I gave her the benefit of the doubt. The alternative wouldn’t have a happy ending, no matter what strings I pulled. If she knew of our involvement, there was only one way to handle it. My voice was strained when I finally answered.

  “Because the proof isn’t concrete.” I hesitated, blowing out a breath as I turned toward him. “Along with the fact that I’ve slept with her.”

  I waited for his response to my unintentional confession. Minutes went by. He finished his drink, placing the empty rocks glass on the table. His expression showed disappointment. He knew first-hand about getting involved with the wrong woman. Knew in the end, regardless of how hard you fought, she’d never be yours. Knew the chaos that followed if you failed to accept it.

  He leaned back on the couch. “With all the women in this city, you chose to fuck Alek’s wife?

  I understood his reaction. I should’ve never touched her, but once I had a taste, I couldn’t resist.

  “I didn’t know she was his wife when it happened. I admit, I knew she was married. I just didn’t know to whom.” I could tell he didn’t believe me. “I met her here at the club. I figured she was just another woman wanting to have a good time.”

  I swallowed, trying to remember any warning signs I might have missed, but I couldn’t recall any.

  “After we started talking, I saw her ring. She didn’t really try to hide it. Instead, she brushed it off like it wasn’t important, and so did I.”

  He barked out a laugh. “Her name didn’t ring a bell? Her face? It’s not like this woman isn’t known throughout the city. We’ve seen her at events.”

  I shrugged and grabbed my glass from the table, moving back toward the bar.

  “Truthfully, I was still coming to terms with our father’s visit at the time.” I refilled my glass. “She’s a stunning woman. A distraction I desperately needed. We only exchanged our first names. Nothing else was necessary to achieve our purpose.”

  I saw the wheels in Calvin’s head turning. “When did you eventually find out who she was?”

  I walked back over to the couch and took a seat. “That’s the part I’m still struggling to understand. I brushed it off as a coincidence, then I started to wonder.”

  I leaned back on the couch. “Alek showed up here the same night I met her because he had somehow learned her true identity. Just like he claimed he knew about my return.”

  “How would he have known when it wasn’t official?” He shook his head. “I wasn’t even informed of your return until I landed at the airport.”

  I shifted uncomfortably. “Exactly. It appears we have a leak. This person knows where we frequent, our secrets, our issues, and they make sure to deliver the information to the right person in a timely manner.”

  My agitation grew as I considered my own assessment of what was going on. I looked over at my brother for guidance, support, something.

  “How can you catch someone who might be one of us?” I questioned. “I don’t have any leads, any proof. All I have is my gut feeling, and I’m almost one hundred percent sure I’m right about this. Otherwise, I would’ve collected some type of information by now.”

  I leaned forward, downing my drink. “We have a traitor among us, and I need your assistance to find out who it is.”

  Calvin’s face suddenly lit up with excitement. This was his thing, had been for a long time, and he was damn good at it. Just like me, he had his reasons for being that way. Certain things in life caused a person to change. Some for the worse. Some for the better. My brother and I had somehow taken different paths.

  He sighed, slight agitation suddenly washing over him. I could sense him battling his own issues. “I needed an excuse to stay anyway. Things have been pretty calm in New York. Luckily, I have people I can trust to keep things in order.”

  I nodded, thankful that he was willing to help. I felt myself relax a little. “Good. I’ll keep Mia where she is until I figure out what’s best for everyone. Along with finding out who’s behind bringing all of this to light.

  “Now, let’s discuss Justin.”

  His eyes turned cold. “There’s nothing to discuss. My source is solid, Wesley. I can assure you, there’s no confusion or misunderstanding.” He rose from his seat, finishing off his drink. “What Justin has done is unforgivable. It’s something he can’t come back from. He’s clearly made his choice.”

  I stood, as well. “So we aren’t going to question him about this? You aren’t curious as to his reasons for betraying us?”

  “What’s there to know? He’s put us both at risk. You and I have met with him, and he didn’t once ask for our help.” He shrugged. “So no. He was given too many opportunities to reach out to us before stooping this low. It’s embarrassing. It gives us an image of not respecting our father, our family, our business.”

  He moved toward the door. “This level of disrespect isn’t a good look for us, and you know it. People will start to assume that we can’t handle our own issues. So why would they trust us to handle theirs? There are many things that play a part in keeping our business on top. Just like there are many things that can bring it down. You’ll be reminded of all this very quickly. Just give it some time.”

  “You sound like our father.” I grimaced. “Always seeing the worst in everything, never looking in the gray area. A—”

  “There is no gray area, Wesley.” He checked his phone, then gave me a hard stare. “At least not in our line of work. Being indecisive only leaves room for failure, and we can’t afford that. Especially right now.”

  I didn’t argue. “How do you suggest we move forward knowing what Justin has done? Do we wait for him to come to us?”

  He laughed. “He’s smarter than that. He won’t show his face around here anytime soon.” He scrolled through his phone, seemingly unfazed. “If anything, he’ll lay low.”

  I nodded slowly. “We’ll give him some time to come forward, and if he doesn’t…” My voice trailed off.

  “I’m sure you know the answer to that. The same thing applies to him that will apply to this traitor we need to find.”

  I adjusted my suit, unsatisfied with what we both knew. “Yes, unfortunately, I do.”

  “While we wait, my advice about Alek’s wife is to get rid of her, no matter how many times you’ve fucked her.” He studied me. “If you just let her go, she’ll either one, tell him you were behind her kidnapping, or two, run. If she tells him, you’re fucked. If she runs, you’re fucked. You don’t know what she’ll do or who will be after her next. There’s also the possibility, if my suspicions are correct, that she could go straight to her father.” />
  He gave me a stern look. “You don’t know this woman, Wes. Sadly, I know about lust and what it can make you to do. You liking her is dangerous. Being involved with her clouds your judgment, but by the time you figure it out, it could be too late.” He placed his phone back into his pocket.

  His advice gave me chills. I knew he was right. Every word he spoke described what I was going through. The infatuation. The lust. The need.

  “I don’t want that for you. You should take care of her now, before it’s too late.” He spread his arms with a smirk. “Then again, this is your territory. I’ll support you no matter what you decide to do. I suggest you choose wisely, though.”

  There was a moment of silence. Neither of us wanted to say what I already knew, but Calvin brought it to my attention.

  “Now, if our father finds out about your little indiscretion, he will take matters into his own hands,” he informed me. “But I’ll do my best to keep him at bay until you figure out what you’re going to do.”

  I appreciated his support, considering he didn’t agree with me, but I knew his patience would eventually wear thin. In his mind, keeping Mia around was dangerous.

  “I’ll take care of her,” I promised. “I know this is a tough position for you.”

  He didn’t respond, but his eyes said it all. I could already sense how the situation was affecting us, tearing us further apart. My brother was a fixer, and I was preventing him from doing that. I was stalling for time and he knew it, which meant I needed to act quickly.

  He walked out without saying another word. Seconds later, my phone alerted me to a text.

  I groaned. Stinson.

  I’ve seen the news, son. We need to talk. I’ll be expecting your call.