Checkmate (The Cassano Series Book 5)

by Scarlet Wolfe

  “We have to be careful, Victoria.” Covering my stomach with my hand, I give her a pleading look. “The baby …”

  After striding over, she hugs me.

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or the baby. I’m taking this out of your hands now, so conduct business as usual while Reggie and I get to the bottom of it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Victoria

  “Are we having company?” Adrian asks as he approaches me in the dining room. I’m setting the table for dinner and didn’t hear him arrive home. It’s probably because of the thoughts swimming around in my head from the eventful day I had.

  “We are. I planned it last minute. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “No, but who’s the guest?”

  “Reggie.” The start of a frown is fleeting as Adrian recovers and smiles. “Sadie paid me a visit this afternoon, and it’s important I discuss something with the both of you in person.”

  Grinning, I clasp my hands together before me. “He agreed to go into business with me, so we’re going to need that office space. I guess this dinner is a bit of a celebration, too.”

  Adrian’s arm snakes around me, bringing me in close to him. “I’m happy for you both.” His head dips, and he feathers his nose along my jaw to my ear, squeezing my butt in the process.

  “I was admiring your ass on the way in. It looks incredible in these jeans.” My head falls back from the sensation of his warm breath and the gruffness to his voice. His free hand undoes the top two buttons of my green blouse as his mouth travels down my neck.

  “I want to push my cock right inside that tight hole.”

  “Adrian,” I whisper.

  This virile man’s presence leaves me weak in the knees, his touch branding me wet with desire. As his nose sneaks into my blouse, his tongue faintly glides down my skin, and I’m submissive to his every move.

  Clutching my ass more firmly, he sucks on the skin at the swell of my breast, marking me as his, and I face the internal struggle of whether to let him continue along his path to pleasure or stop him.

  Damn, I don’t want to, but I have to put on the brakes for us. “Adrian, we can’t mess around right now. Reggie will be here any minute.”

  He groans and removes his face from my chest. Without a word, he stares at my eyes, our sultry breaths mingling.

  He’s baring his soul from those smoky portals clouded with longing, relaying his need for control, and it’s not lost on me that he’s likely exhibiting this behavior because of our dinner guest. I can only hope once there’s a ring on my finger, his fear of losing me will dissipate.

  “For springing this dinner on me, I’ll think up a suitable punishment, and I have a feeling after our dinner conversation, I’m going to want it to include handcuffs.”

  I snicker. “Yes, probably.”

  ***

  Throughout dinner, Reggie and I discuss the details of starting our business, and I’m mindful to include Adrian in the conversation. He’s at the head of the table, while Reggie and I sit across from each other at each side of it.

  Reggie shakes his head when there’s a pause in our discussion. “I still can’t believe you sold that car, Vic.” He looks to Adrian. “The way you are about classic cars, I bet you weren’t pleased with the idea.”

  Shit, I haven’t had a chance to break that piece of news to Adrian yet.

  His eyes jet to mine. “What car?”

  “Um, the Thunderbird. I hadn’t had a chance to tell you yet.” My stomach sinks, my gaze plummeting with it, but what I notice most is the surge of excitement rushing through me.

  Adrian’s disapproval of my actions equals punishments. It’s secretly why I withhold important information from him.

  “Bullshit,” he quips.

  “Ah, damn. Uh, I think I’ll go to the bathroom,” Reggie interjects before he’s on his feet, leaving me alone to face my one-man jury.

  “Look at me and explain.”

  “Reggie can’t afford to go without an income while we build this business. He never would’ve taken on this partnership without some type of security, so I sold the Thunderbird to pay him a salary for a while. He’s giving up a lot of years of pension—”

  “I don’t give a damn why you did it. It’s the fact that you sold it and didn’t bother to discuss it with me. We’re marrying in December. What’s mine is yours, Victoria, and we have an abundance of money you could’ve used for his salary.”

  “You’re already lending us the space in the hotel.”

  The thundering of Adrian’s fist hitting the table causes me to flinch. “I’m not lending shit! The space is already yours because it’s mine!”

  “Reggie would not have accepted a handout from you, Adrian, and you know it.”

  He inhales and exhales, slowly and loudly, pissed because he knows what I said is true.

  “Fine. Don’t think for a second I’m oblivious to this never-ending game we play. Handcuffs, rope, pearls, and silk ties. Tonight I’ll find a fucking spot on your body for each of them. Oh, and the tight hole in that superb ass of yours, expect my cock to fill it.”

  My pussy and ass clench, his words stirring up a tidal wave of lasciviousness. I want him to fuck me now–hard in the ass, taking what’s his and branding me further.

  “I want you to fuck me there,” I utter quietly.

  “Fuck, you’re getting another punishment for getting my cock hard at dinner.”

  Adrian

  Reggie is all too aware of how Victoria operates. He knew I was in the dark about the car, and he wanted to get a rise out of me, but I’m going excuse that fact because I’m the man who gets to fuck her in the ass later.

  I’m also the lucky fucker who gets to spend the rest of his life with the most spectacular woman. Victoria’s fearless, stunning, and all–fucking–mine.

  She can also get my dick hard with only a look. I should throw Reggie out on his ass so I can bend her over this table right now.

  “Adrian, are you listening to me?” Vic asks. Realizing I’m holding my tumbler of scotch, I promptly take a drink and set it down.

  “Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.” I squeeze her knee under the table, reminding her exactly where my mind has been. Reggie has even returned to the table without me noticing.

  “Uh, I was beginning to tell you both about Sadie’s visit today. Reg, did you run that background check for me?”

  “Yeah, and the man’s as straight-laced as they come. He doesn’t even have a traffic violation.”

  Victoria’s brow cinches. “Hmm …”

  “What’s this about?” I ask.

  “Sadie’s professor at the university. I had Reg check him out. You both should remember that Sadie had multiple run-ins with Noah Sanders on campus, particularly at the science building where she spends most of her time.”

  Hearing Noah’s name has me hanging on her every word. “Yes, but he’s out of the picture now.”

  “Maybe someone has taken his place. Sadie recently became suspicious of her professor after he hired a male student, Russell Chadwick, to help him with duties she had previously handled.

  “She believes she witnessed a drug deal between Russell and another student, and that only added to her suspicion. The guy reminds her of Noah.”

  “He’s the other guy you had me run the check on.”

  “Yes, the one with the previous drug charge.”

  “Where are you going with this?” Reggie asks.

  “I’m getting there.” Victoria huffs and frowns as she sits up straighter in her chair. “Anyway, I went with her to the university last week, and we did some snooping around in her professor’s private lab and office.

  “We discovered he’s been ordering large quantities of chemicals, charging them to the school, but instead of having them shipped to the university, he’s having them delivered to his personal residence. Once Sadie researched the chemicals, she discovered they’re items needed to make heroin and cocaine.”


  My brow lifts from amusement. “Are we supposed to believe Sadie’s science professor is manufacturing drugs and was supplying them to Noah and every drug dealer in this city who were busted under him?”

  “I know it sounds far-fetched, and Sadie doesn’t believe he would be making drugs in a lab, but what if this professor, Dr. Carl Edward, is working for someone more deeply rooted in a drug cartel?”

  “I’m not saying this Russell guy isn’t selling drugs, but maybe it’s all a coincidence. Is it possible her professor needs these chemicals for some school-related reason?” Reggie asks.

  Victoria shakes her head. “No. I covered that with Sadie, and she’s certain there is no other reason for him to have these chemicals delivered to his home.

  “Remember that a maintenance man was found dead on campus right before Noah was busted. Maybe the guy walked in on a private conversation between Noah and the professor or stumbled upon something he wasn’t supposed to find, and Noah took him out.”

  I’m listening intently to Victoria, but I’m also thinking ahead to when I relay this information to Theo. If what Victoria is saying is true, this could get us off the hook with the FBI.

  Reaching over the table, I squeeze Victoria’s hand with mine. “I need to tell you something.” She stares at me wide-eyed, waiting for me to continue. “The FBI is threatening us again.”

  In an instant, her eyes narrow with anger, but the rise and fall of her chest and her open-mouthed breathing give away her panic.

  “Reggie, you should go. I’ll call you tomorrow to discuss our business further,” she says without releasing my gaze.

  “No, Reggie stays,” I interject. “He needs to hear this.”

  Vic’s eyes close. “Is there still a chance you’re going to prison?”

  I hold her chin. “Look at me, Juice Box. The FBI is threatening to take us down since Noah vanished before they could nail the person above him.

  “They feel it made them look bad to the public and other government agencies, but they’re willing to stop hanging this over our head if we give them a case equally significant; one they can plaster all over the news.”

  “This is bullshit. It was supposed to be over.” Victoria’s eyes are awash with tears.

  “Maybe the situation with Sadie’s professor is the bust that could make this happen. Let me hire you and Reggie to investigate this, and we’ll work closely with the FBI, bypassing the local police like we did with Noah’s case.”

  “But Reg and I don’t have our PI licensing yet. It will take time.”

  “When has the law ever stopped you?”

  She grins and nods. “Good point.”

  “I’m down to help,” Reggie adds.

  “OK. We’ll orchestrate a plan and get started right away,” I say.

  Victoria and I stare at each other in silence. Her tears have vanished, but her worry is still being conveyed, so I squeeze her hand a little harder.

  “Uh, you two can get with me tomorrow to discuss the details. Thanks for dinner, and I’ll see myself out,” Reggie says.

  As soon as my pearl hears the door shut, she sits up straighter, becoming her stoic self.

  “Tonight, I want you to make me forget I could lose you.”

  I stand and take her hand, pulling her up from her chair. Cradling her face, I give her a look of certainty.

  “You’re never losing me. We’re going to fix this once and for all, get married, and live a long life together.” I smile at her. “We’re both too stubborn for that not to happen.”

  As I hold her face in my hands, she grips my wrists and kisses my lips. “You’re right, and I love you. Now … punish your stubborn girl.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Theo

  Tuesday morning, Adrian is already in his office when I arrive at nine o’clock.

  “Good morning, Ace.” His gaze lifts from his laptop.

  “We need to talk as soon as you have a minute.”

  “Now’s good.” I take a seat in front of his desk.

  “Victoria uncovered a case that could potentially release us from the FBI’s hold. Reggie agreed to the partnership with her, so they’ll be utilizing space down the hall and getting started right away with their investigation.”

  “That’s great news. What’s the case?”

  Adrian spends the next twenty minutes giving me the details of the complex situation, which involves Sadie. Once he’s finished, I rub my forehead.

  “Does Simon know about any of this?”

  “I’m not sure what Sadie has told him.”

  “He’s going to insist she quit her job.”

  “She can’t quit. We might need her help at some point.”

  “Adrian, Sadie’s pregnant. We can’t put her in danger.”

  “Victoria and Reggie will handle most everything. She should be safe.”

  “I have a bad feeling about this, so the sooner this professor is busted the better. I’ll schedule a meeting with Ms. D’Angelo right away to get the FBI involved.”

  “Perfect. I can hardly stand to be in the same room as that woman.”

  Walking to his office door, I smile, thinking of how differently Adrian and I feel about Kim. She’s definitely a hard-ass, but there’s something intriguing about her. She’s also extremely attractive. Yes, I’m looking forward to dinner with her.

  Reaching the doorway, I turn back to Adrian.

  “Find out if Sadie told Simon about this mess. It would be better if he heard it from her so he doesn’t think she’s keeping secrets.”

  “I’ll call Victoria.”

  ***

  Kim D’Angelo was eager to hear the details of our findings but preferred to do so in my office. It took some persuasion, but she finally agreed to meet me for dinner in one of our hotel restaurants.

  I’m waiting at the table when I spot her approaching. The low lighting in the spacious room adds to her sexy appeal, and I’m inwardly smiling as I examine her attire. She’s changed out of her business clothes and is wearing a black dress more suitable for a dinner date.

  Its round neckline rests low over her voluptuous chest. The long sleeves are snug against her thin arms, and the rest of the stretchy fabric clings to her shapely body.

  She’s been thinking about me, waiting for my call. It’s evident from her clothing and pristine hair and makeup.

  Standing, I showcase a smile and motion for her to take the seat across from me at the small table in the back corner of the room.

  “Kim, it’s nice to see you again.”

  She smirks. “You must have encouraging news if it’s a good thing to meet with me.”

  I unbutton my suit jacket and sit back down. It’s only a second before a waiter is approaching and taking her drink order, which is red wine.

  “Bring a bottle,” I add.

  Kim’s smirk deepens. She’s on to my plan to intoxicate her, but she didn’t argue it.

  “So, tell me all about this potential case. I’m beginning to think we need to hire the Cassano brothers, and the cops they run with, to do all our dirty work.”

  I take a drink of my bourbon and smile.

  “Well, I think you’ll agree that potential prison time is a good motivator for us.”

  “Yes, I guess it would be.” Our waiter reappears with a bottle of red wine chilled in ice, and she doesn’t hesitate to take a drink from the glass he’s poured.

  “Are you ready to order?” he asks. He’s patient as she peruses the menu and requests a grilled chicken dish.

  Upon his leaving, Kim takes another drink and glances around the room, probably because I’ve been staring at her for several minutes now. Her light brown irises are a unique sandy color, and she couldn’t be easier on the eyes.

  “I’ll give you the general details first. If you want the specifics, you’re going to have to ensure our exoneration.”

  “I won’t be able to do that tonight. I’ll need to relay the information to my superiors, and they will decide.” />
  “I understand. We believe we’ve possibly found the dealer above Noah, and he’s in Vegas. He holds an ambiguous job title, and it’s suspected that when drugs are smuggled to him from let’s say Mexico, he’s using the smuggler to return chemicals to the cartel, which they then use to make more heroin and cocaine.”

  “This is intriguing. Also, the exchange of chemicals by a sole individual is interesting news.”

  Kim stares across the room as she ponders the information. “Cartels in Mexico likely acquire their chemicals from their own country’s manufacturers, or they’re imported from other countries with weaker restrictions.

  “Of course, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t take advantage of a middleman smuggling in smaller quantities if the opportunity presented itself.”

  “I know the quantity of chemicals this person might be smuggling is low compared to the amount often seized in wide-scale busts, but it could be a lead to a Mexican cartel and also the means to taking down the top-dog distributor in our city.”

  “This suspect, does he hold a title that is worthy of major headline news?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “What evidence do you have against him?”

  “Copies of the chemical purchase orders, which clearly show the chemicals were shipped to his home yet charged to his place of employment. We also know of a potential new dealer below him who has quite possibly taken Noah’s place.”

  The crucial information incites a lift of Kim’s brow and a hint of a smile before she empties her glass of wine.

  “OK. I think it’s a strong enough case to take to my superiors.”

  Smiling, I grab the bottle of wine out of the ice bucket.

  “That’s the answer I was hoping for, and I believe we should have another drink to celebrate.”

  “Are you trying to get a federal agent drunk, Mr. Cassano?”

  “Well, you’ll be much easier to take advantage of in an inebriated state, correct?”

  Whoa, I might’ve went too far with that question.

  Instead of appearing angry, Kim’s eyes widen and she giggles. Relief washes over me as I chuckle and take a drink of the fresh bourbon the waiter has brought me.