Chapter 24

He shed his shirt and tie, then grabbed his phone, instructing the person on the other end to hold all his calls. He was not to be disturbed for the next hour.

Setting his phone aside, he beckoned her closer with a crooked finger. As she approached, he lifted her onto his desk, sweeping everything else aside.

His lips busied themselves on her neck while his fingers deftly undid the buttons on her blouse.

Once it was open, he began to kiss his way down her neck to the swell of her breasts. He gently laid her back onto the desk, hiked up her skirt, and slid down her panties.

Settling into his chair, he parted her legs and his mouth descended on her, making her squirm and moan.

He was rock hard and wanted them to climax together, so he paused, dropped his pants, and with her legs draped over his shoulders, he began to thrust deeply inside her.

Her warmth clenched around him, and he couldn’t hold back any longer. They never made it to the sofa. Instead, they sated their desire right there on his desk.

Afterward, they cleaned up, and he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. He’d always wondered what office sex would be like, and now he knew. It was incredible.

They unlocked the door and had lunch, but the coffee had gone cold, so he fetched some bottled water from the minifridge.

Once work was done, he took her along as he made his rounds, ensuring everything was running smoothly.

With his arm draped around her waist, he introduced her to more of his staff as his girlfriend. He figured it was time they met her, since he planned on making her his wife someday.

They returned to the suite, and he was relieved to see she was doing better. She wasn’t as distraught as she had been after returning from the house of horrors.

When he got a call from Joe, Kyle told Kiera that he was coming over after dinner, wanting to hang out for a bit.

“Is he okay?” she asked as she began preparing dinner.

“He sounded a bit down. Said he had something to tell me. He’s been off lately. I think it might be work-related.”

She turned to face him.

“Oh God, I feel awful. I’ve never asked him what he does for a living. I’ve been so consumed with you and my own problems I didn’t think to ask. What does he do?”

“He’s a financial adviser. He’s really good at it, but I think he’s bored and might be looking for a change.

“I once offered him a job as my hotel manager, but he declined.”

“Why don’t you call him back and invite him to dinner. Maybe you can cheer him up.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course not. He’s your friend.”

“Okay, I’ll call him now.”

An hour later, Joe arrived, bearing a bouquet of flowers. He wrapped her in a hug.

“I’m so sorry for what happened to you. You never should have seen what you did,” he said, releasing her.

“I know this won’t erase your pain, but I got these flowers to brighten your day.”

“How do you know what happened?” Kyle asked.

“Roy told me when he called, and now I have an agent watching me. As if I can’t take care of myself,” he said, handing her the flowers.

Moved by his kindness, she accepted them. “Thank you, they’re beautiful. You guys go sit down, and I’ll put these in water. Can I get you something to drink?”

“I could use a beer.”

“Me too,” Kyle said as they moved into the living room.

She returned a few minutes later and handed them their drinks. “I’m just going to finish up dinner. It should be ready in about half an hour.”

Joe watched the way Kyle touched her arm affectionately and the way they looked at each other as she walked away. “You really are in love with her.”

“Yes, with every fiber of my being. Kiera is not just a part of my life, she ~is~ my life. I know someday you’ll find a woman to love, one who will give you her heart.

“I’m telling you, there’s nothing better than being in love. I would give my life to save hers.”

“I’m sure you’ll be happy together and have lots of babies,” he said, winking at Kyle.

“Dinner’s ready,” she called from the dining room, where everything was set. “I’ve made roasted chicken and all the trimmings.”

“Is that homemade apple pie I smell?” Joe asked, grinning as he filled his plate.

“It is,” she replied.

Kyle reached for the gravy and looked at him. “You said you had something to tell me. Do you want to tell me now?”

“I’ve decided to make a big change in my life. I’m moving to Chicago.”

“You’re what?”

He looked at Kyle, who wore a stunned expression. “You know I haven’t been happy in my job, and there’s nothing here for me. I need a change, a new job and a different life. I have nothing here.”

“You have me, and Kiera. Shit, Joe, we’ve been friends for years.”

“We’ll still be friends. Besides, you have a beautiful woman who loves you. You don’t need me hanging around.”

“That’s not true. Just because I’m with someone doesn’t mean I don’t want you around. Shit, man, we’ve been through so much together. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

“Just take your time. Don’t decide on anything yet.”

“Sorry, Kyle. I’m leaving at the end of the week.”

“Why so soon?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. I’m ready to make the move. I even have a job lined up with a big company. More money, and they’re even throwing in an apartment.

“I’m getting an expense account. Never had one of those here.”

“Well, if it’s what you want, then I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. And don’t worry. I’ll stay in touch with you and this lovely lady.”

After that, they moved to the living room for a drink and some conversation.

Joe leaned back, crossed his right leg over his left, and took a sip of his beer.

“So, since the site’s shut down, the investigation’s over, right? And Roy said they can’t find Charlie anywhere.”

“Nope. He’s still searching for him. And knowing my brother-in-law, he won’t stop until he finds him.”

“But Kiera’s safe, right? It’d be stupid to go after her. She doesn’t know anything,” he said, glancing at her.

“As long as Charlie’s out there, she could still be in danger.”

“They’ll never find him.”

He looked at Joe, eyebrows raised. “Why do you say that?”

“I’m just guessing. But the guy must be smart if he managed to run that operation and get rid of all those people without getting caught.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s halfway around the world by now.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” he said, leaning back and draping his arm over Kiera’s shoulder. “Let’s have a few more drinks and toast to your new job and new life.”

***

Roy was in his office, having just called his wife to tell her he’d be late and not to wait up with dinner.

This case was aging him. With the site closed and no sign of Charlie, he wasn’t sure if they’d ever crack it.

He looked up when there was a knock at his door, and saw William grinning at him.

“I’ve got some good news for you, boss.”

“Good. I could use some.”

“Charlie Richards has been found and is being brought in now.”

Roy jumped up.

“We got the bastard. But I really think he’s not working alone. We need to get him to spill who he’s working with. Let me call Kyle and tell him the good news.”

He picked up his phone and dialed Kyle’s number.

“Kyle, it’s me. I have some good news. Charlie’s been caught, and he’ll be here soon.”

“That’s great. So it’s all over.”

“Not yet. I think he has a partner, and I’m going to find out who. I just wanted to let you know. And when I get him to talk, I’ll call you back, so hang tight.”

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll tell Kiera. She’ll be relieved.”

Roy hung up. He was eager to question Charlie. He grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to the interrogation room, where Charlie was handcuffed to the metal table, smirking.

He and William sat down across from him. “Mr. Richards. We’ve been looking for you for a long time now.”

“So you got me. Now what?”

“We know you own the Sex Kitten site, an illegal site that promotes prostitution of girls you kidnapped and forced to have sex with clients.

“You’re going to spend the rest of your life in prison.”

“My lawyer will get me off.”

“Not that easy, buddy. You’re also going down for murder. We found all the dead girls and the two men you had working for you.”

Roy leaned in, getting in Charlie’s face. “You’re not smart enough to pull this off by yourself. Who are you working with?”

“I didn’t do anything, and you can’t prove it.”

“We have your DNA from the house and pictures of you going in and out on several different occasions.”

Charlie started to squirm. His face turned red.

“Come on, man. We know you helped kidnap those girls. You had Kiera snatched and put on the site when she refused to have a threesome with you and a friend.”

“That bitch was no fun, so I kicked her out, but I didn’t have her taken, or anyone for that matter.”

Roy slammed his fist on the table.

“Listen, you little shit. We know it was you. We have enough evidence to put you away.

“Think about it. While you’re rotting in prison, your partner is walking around free, enjoying the good life.

“If you think he’s going to lift a finger to help you, think again. I bet he’s already planning to start up again somewhere else, leaving you here to rot.”

Charlie was starting to sweat. He thought about how his boss had treated him like dirt, bossing him around and making him feel stupid.

If it wasn’t for the man’s connections and how he arranged everything, he would have told him to go fuck himself. For two years they’d had a good run, made more money than he ever dreamed of.

But because of that bitch, Kiera, and her new boyfriend, whose brother-in-law just happened to be an FBI agent, it all started to go to hell.

He was also sure that the man would be long gone soon, and he wasn’t about to take the fall alone.

“What’s it going to be, Charlie?”

“If I tell you, what kind of deal will you give me?”

Roy looked at William and shook his head. “The guy’s a killer and kidnapper and he wants a deal.”

“Maybe if he gives up the name of his boss, maybe we can give him a break.”

Roy turned back to Charlie. “The best we can do is tell the court you cooperated with us. They might go a little easier on you. Now give me his name.”

“Joe. Joe Hopkins.”

Roy’s face turned pale, and his jaw dropped open.

***

^MEANWHILE^

Kyle had his back to the other two as he hung up the phone.

“They’ve got Charlie. It won’t be long before he spills the beans about who’s running the show.”

He spun around, and his breath hitched when he saw Joe, his arm slung around Kiera’s neck, the cold steel of a gun pressed against her temple.