She looked at him over her shoulder. He gave her the stare down. She was scared, no denying it, and fighting it could make her do something stupid. She just needed to get through this.
“Wow, I am so impressed. Javier wasn’t kidding when he said you were special. What can Conan get you to drink?” he asked and looked at the big guy who had led her in here.
“I’m good. Why don’t we talk about why I’m here,” she said as he leaned against the desk. The two other men on either side just stared at her with their legs crossed, relaxed, as if they were enjoying this. It aggravated her. The pompous assholes. She hated men like this. Men who lived by the handle of the gun and the power of instilling fear and death to get what they wanted. She just wanted to know what the fucking guy wanted her to do so she could put this nonsense behind her. She let out an annoyed sigh.
“My understanding is that you have an ability to do some serious magic on the computer. I got involved with a bit of a situation and need money transferred from one account to another, but under the radar, and I mean completely under the radar.”
“That may not be possible,” she replied.
He squinted at her. “It sure the fuck better be possible or we’ve got ourselves a situation.”
He was dead serious, and she knew she needed to keep her cool.
“You’ll need to explain in greater detail what types of accounts these are, where they are located, who is monitoring them, or rather monitoring you.”
“Why do you need to know that?” the other guy asked. Duvou gave him a dirty look. The guy shrugged and continued to stare at her.
“I need this transaction done, and I’m assuming you’re pretty smart and would figure out I don’t want any cops or Feds picking up on anything. That being said, there are two parts to this operation. One, the computer end, and two the delivery of a thumb drive.”
She stared at him, her mind already starting to process what she would need to do.
“You said this could make us a lot of money. What is my cut for doing this, and what does Javier get out of this?”
He laughed and so did the big guy, Conan.
“You get to live, and Javier owes me for your sister’s fuck-up. I need to see what you’re capable of, and where your talents lie. If you’re as good as they claim, then it will all work out. For all of us, Javier and your sister, too,” Duvou said.
She just wanted to get this over with.
“When and where do you want me to take care of the transfer?”
“How about my place? Then we can celebrate after, and in the morning, once I let you out of my bed, you can do the delivery,” he said very seriously.
She snorted. “Not going to happen. I don’t come as part of the deal.”
He smirked. Then she saw him glance at Conan, and she got a really bad feeling.
“When can you accomplish the transfer?”
“I need a safe location and a secure computer. I can give you a list of what I’ll need.”
“How about you do the transfer right now?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not prepared with the proper equipment and security. Unless, of course, you want to send out a signal to the Feds and have them here in less than thirty minutes. That’s up to you. I just came here to have a drink at the bar,” she replied.
He gave a coy smile. She was actually responding pretty well under pressure. It didn’t piss him off, though—he seemed to appreciate it.
“Give me a list, then pick a location. I want this done no later than tomorrow night. Then you’ll deliver the thumb drive with the account numbers, passwords, and information on it. You are not to look at any of the details on the thumb drive. Just add the accounts you create with the passwords so the person who eventually gets that thumb drive has it all. Do you understand me, Precious? If you look, you’re dead,” he warned her.
“Why would I want to look and bring more trouble my way? The only reason why I’m even here is because of Courtney.”
He moved from the desk and stepped in front of her. She had to tilt her head back slightly to look into his eyes. He gripped her hands and pulled them behind her back. In her mind, she debated quickly on whether to fight back or concede. She was outnumbered, and this was only the beginning of this mess. Tomorrow night it ended.
“You’re a gorgeous young woman. I won’t be able to protect you from the type of people involved with this. Don’t make me have to feed you to the wolves.” He gazed over her breasts and then her lips. “This could work out in so many ways if you’re smart. Don’t be like your sister.”
“Let go of me,” she stated.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “When this is done, and you’ve completed everything as I requested, we’ll talk about the future.”
“There is no future. I do this, and that is all. Her debt is paid.”
“We’ll see,” he said. Duvou released her hands abruptly and stepped back.
“Conan, see Miss O’Connell out and make sure she gets to her car safely. Conan will give you a number to call with the list of items you need. Then we’ll be in touch.”
She headed out of the bar and to her car with her escort.
“Take this number down in your cell phone. Text me what you need, and I’ll have it ready tomorrow night. Also, pick a location. If we don’t hear from you by tomorrow morning, then we’ll pick the location for you.”
She took out her cell phone and took down the number, repeating it to him to make sure she didn’t screw it up. She wouldn’t want that list of things going to the wrong person.
She got inside her car and he gave her the stare down. She started the car and headed the hell out of there. Releasing a sigh, her body started to shake. The entire way home she thought about the job and how she would need to be extra careful. She also thought about Duvou’s threats. He sounded like they had a future together. Did he think he would somehow own her after this? It wouldn’t surprise her for him to think that way. Men like Duvou preyed on the ignorant and weak. He didn’t know the kind of woman she was. How resourceful and determine to break free whenever she felt pushed against a wall or cornered. When she pulled into the townhouse development, the last thing she expected to see was the black Ford Explorer. What the hell was Benson doing here?
She felt guilty and nervous as she got out of her car and locked it up. He stepped out of his truck and looked her over then stepped closer.
“What the fuck is going on? Where were you?” he demanded to know.
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“Where did you go? What are you getting yourself involved in?” he demanded to know.
“Nothing. What’s your problem?” she asked and tried to go by him. He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her close. She was shocked. She stared up into his eyes.
“You’re lying. I know you went to Javier’s last night.”
She squinted at him.
“Kole’s cousin was at the party and saw you there in your gym clothes, heading upstairs with Gavan. Paulie said he saw Gavan following you from the gym parking lot, so don’t lie to me. What the fuck is going on?”
She debated trying to lie and then decided better of it.
“Let’s go inside,” she said to him. He released her arm and followed her.
She tossed her purse onto the side table and then stood in her living room with Benson. “Start talking,” he stated.
“Courtney is in trouble.”
“What else is new?”
“No, the worse kind, and she was beaten and raped.”
His mouth gaped then he clenched his teeth. “Who?”
“I don’t want to say. It’s better if you’re not involved in any way. I need to handle this and then be done with the bullshit.”
“Wait, why do you need to handle this?”
She explained about the visit to Javier’s, about her sister’s condition, and about the deal she made to save her life.
“You know how to do that kind of stuff?” He stared at her,
and she felt embarrassed.
“I know how to do a lot of things, Benson, but I chose the right path, the legal one. All my money I made from hard work and smart decisions in day trading. I dabble in that now for fun and still make money. The point is that if I don’t do this job for this person, Courtney dies.”
He was a retired military guy. He knew a lot of people and was also the kind of man that understood loyalty.
“Explain everything to me. How this meeting went down tonight, what’s expected, and how you wipe your hands clean of it.” She took a seat and he joined her on the couch. She faced him and began to explain what happened, how she felt, her gut instincts.
“Could it be a setup? Could Javier have made a deal with this guy you won’t name and perhaps this is a way for him to have a hold on you and these capabilities you have?”
“It could be, but why would Courtney do that? I’m her sister. I’ve cared for her and have always been here for her.”
“She was raped and beaten by this guy, and Javier doesn’t go out and fucking kill the guy? What the fuck? There’s no loyalty, yet she remains loyal to him. What’s to say she hasn’t sold you out?”
She thought about that a moment and the tears hit her eyes. Her gut tightened.
“I don’t know,” she said and then closed her eyes. He pulled her into an embrace, and she held onto him.
“I can’t not do this now. She brought this trouble my way, Benson. I have to do this job and clear her debt to him. When it’s done, I may have to leave Connecticut to ensure this wasn’t a scam to have a hold on me.” She stared up into his eyes and he cupped her cheek.
“You don’t deserve this.”
She snorted. “Who deserves anything like this?” She lowered her eyes and he pulled back.
“What are you going to do?”
“Make a plan, do the job, and then be done.”
“If you get caught?” he asked, and she chuckled.
“Never happen,” she said with confidence. Despite the fear, the intimidation dealing with a man like Duvou, she was totally confident in her capabilities.
“I think it’s wise if you treat this suspiciously. Where is the meet up for you to drop off the thumb drive?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“I can be back up if things go wrong,” he told her and she stood.
“No. No, I don’t want you involved with this. This is my problem.” He grabbed her shoulders and looked down into her eyes.
“Honey, it isn’t smart to go there unprepared and alone. What if it is a setup?”
“I can’t think like that. I’m going to insist on a public place with a lot of people around.”
“I want to be there to protect you.” He reached up, stroked her jaw, and stared at her lips. “You shouldn’t be doing this. It isn’t right or fair.”
“Life isn’t fair.”
“God, if I was closer to your age,” he stated, surprising her. She squinted at him. Then he pressed his lips to hers and kissed her. She held on to him, needing this moment, this connection, but she didn’t feel a desire for him. Was it because she conditioned herself to not feel anything and to keep this armor over her heart? He pulled back.
“I care so much about you. I know I’m older, by more than fifteen years, and I know you deserve someone younger. I just wanted you to know how much I care for you.”
She hugged him tight. “I care for you, too. You’re my only true friend, and I trust you.”
He squeezed her.
“Then know, no matter what the hell goes down, that I’m here for you, that I can help you.” He stared down into her eyes.
“I have a lot of friends and connections. If this goes badly, I want you to get in touch with me immediately and I’ll get you out of town. I’ll make you disappear and they won’t ever find you. Understand me? I can do that.”
She was shocked and a stray tear leaked from her eyes.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
* * * *
Dominick Duvou watched Precious closely from the time she entered the small apartment. She truly was a stunning woman. Her vibrant blue eyes, tan complexion, and killer body was all he thought about lately. Her breasts were big, her waist small, and she was in excellent physical condition. He imagined her super tight abs under the black blouse she wore. Her long brown hair was straight and landed at the center of her back.
She pursed her full glossy lips and squinted her eyes as she typed away on one laptop and then switched over to a desktop computer. There were all these wires hooked up to different things he hadn’t a clue as to what they did. He was impressed. Turned on, actually. He licked his lips and then glanced at Conan. Conan was in a dead stare at her, too. It surprised Duvou. He had a slight twinge of something pass his emotions. Was it guilt, jealousy, and desire all wrapped up in one?
“Shit,” she said. He squinted at her, but she kept typing away and then moved to the other computer. Back and forth she worked the keyboards and then she slowed down her fingers, leaned back, and sighed. She looked at him.
“It’s done,” she said. He exhaled, stood, walked toward her, and stood behind her chair. He stared at the screen and placed his hands on her shoulders, squeezing them, massaging them gently. He could see that accounts were closed out on one computer and new accounts opened on the other.
“No problems? No one tracked anything?” he asked.
“Not that I can tell. It went pretty smoothly. There were a lot of firewalls to break down. Conan, you’ll want to cut that connection now,” she told him. Conan walked over to the main Internet source and cut the wire.
Duvou lowered and whispered into her ear, “You’re amazing.” He kissed her neck while peeking at the deep cleavage he caught a glimpse of from her top. She went to move forward and he pulled her back hard. She gasped and gripped his hands.
“Part two. Load everything up to the thumb drive while I make the call that you’ll be there shortly.” He slid his palms lower, nearly to her breasts. He pressed his lips to her skin, and she tried leaning forward only for him to press closer and then run his hands over her breasts. She attempted to push away but his hold was firm and she had to press against the table in front of her. She couldn’t move.
“I own you now, baby. After the delivery, Conan is going to bring you back to my place. We’re going to celebrate and go over the rules.”
“You don’t own me, and I’m not going to your place.”
“You just committed a felony. Laundering money is a major crime.”
“I didn’t commit a felony, you did. I was forced into this to save my sister.”
“Who is going to believe you? The cops? Yeah right, not with your past.”
“What past?” she asked.
“The one your sister told us about as she sold you out to Javier and to me. Said you made a lot of money doing some illegal shit, even evaded paying taxes for a stint. It would be terrible if that information got out.”
“That’s not true. I never did anything like that.”
“Your sister claims otherwise.”
“My sister doesn’t know what she’s talking about. I did what you asked, now let me go.”
“You make the delivery, and then we’ll talk.” He released her and she quickly got up out of the chair. She grabbed her things and then the thumb drive.
“Make the call,” she said to him, and Conan was already taking care of it.
“With a woman as beautiful and smart as you, I’m going to need better security. Deliver the drive.”
“I’m not coming back. It’s over. I did my part.”
“We’ll see, Precious. We’ll see.”
* * * *
Precious was shaking. This was worse than she had thought. Was he lying about her sister telling him those things? Was it a setup? She didn’t know, but she was glad she made copies of everything she did. If she was going to go down, she’d have leverage. If Duvou forced her into something, then she would have power
, too. She looked into the rearview mirror. Conan was on her ass. She had to complete this part of the deal. Then she would see her sister and tell her she never wanted to see her again. That she was finished and moving on.
She parked the car when they got to the location. It was dark. She got out with Conan, who caught up to her car. “They’ll be inside. We hand over the thumb drive, the person leaves. Then you can see Courtney.”
“Then I go home.” He didn’t respond, and her gut clenched tighter.
She walked with him into the building. There was a low light on and he kept a hand on her waist, guiding her. As they entered a large room, she saw a man dressed in a suit, his face hidden in the shadows. She also saw Courtney, Javier, and Brock.
“Right on time. Do you have the thumb drive?” Javier asked.
“Yes,” she replied. Conan held out his hand. He took it from her and then walked it over to the man in the shadows. She caught sight of his face, just a glimpse as he stared at her. The man looked cold as ice, his eyes gray and unemotional.
“Our debt is done,” Javier said. The man nodded and walked away.
“Well, that worked out well,” Javier said and smiled wide.
“Courtney, come on. Come with me,” Precious told her and offered her hand. Her sister looked spent, unemotional, and Precious wondered what happened to her between yesterday and tonight.
“Come on,” she said again and glanced at Conan who remained straight-faced. Precious glanced at the gun on his hip and then her focus went back to Javier as he grabbed Courtney by her hair and yanked her back.
Courtney screamed and fell to her knees. She reached up, trying to pry Javier’s hands from her hair.
“Please, Javier. I did as you asked. I did my part. Let’s go home.” She sobbed.
“Just a few loose ends need to be tied up, Courtney. We appreciate your help in getting your sister to do our dirty work, but you’re weak and a liability.” Precious screamed and jumped forward only for Conan to yank her back against him as Javier shot her sister.
Love at Carlyle's [Love on the Rocks 8: Special Edition] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3