Page 66 of Captured

“Or some would say tit for tat. Why not? You want information that I have to give.”

“You know everything about me. What can I give you?”

I took a long stride closer, taking a deep whiff of the light strawberry scent that remained. “You. Freely. Openly.”

Her mouth twisted as it had done before, her jaw clenching as she thought about my request. “Fine. Your name sounds familiar.”

I wasn’t expecting that and so soon. My mood had just improved significantly. “Excellent. I like this game. As it should, sweet Emily. My family has been considered the top arms manufacturer in the country for over a decade but our claim to fame, if you will, is that we’re also one of the most brutal and well-funded crime syndicates in the country.”

She sucked in her breath, struggling to accept the news. “No wonder.”

“No wonder?”

“No wonder your father was a heinous pig. Where are we picnicking, and can I take a dip in the water, or will your bots sense my presence and kill me?”

“Of course you can take a swim if you like. I encourage you to do so. We’ll set up in the shade under those trees over there. You can change whenever you’d like.”

Her smile was almost as evil as mine. She was plotting and planning.

And I fell in love with her just a little bit more.

She eyed me carefully for a few seconds before nodding. I trudged toward the soft sand, the area perfect for holding our picnic. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d taken a day off, enjoying the fruits of my labor. I didn’t watch movies, no matter the state of art equipment in my house. I rarely attended parties, although I had certain requirements like everyone else in my business. I had to keep up the act of being a business owner, the CEO of a very profitable company needing to show his face at least a couple of times a year.

I watched as my guest grabbed her swimsuit, not asking me where she could change but disappearing into the shadow of trees to do so. Her modesty was admirable but something she would learn meant nothing to me.

As I placed the blanket Celine had provided on the sand, I thought about my life in general. If someone had asked me two months ago if I was happy, I would have easily said yes. How couldn’t I be? I had billions of dollars at my disposal, several resort-style houses in different areas of the world, a trained staff to do my bidding. And all the toys money could buy.

But as I sat down, crossing my legs, eagerly awaiting Emily’s return, I was forced to accept that happiness wasn’t just in the eye of the beholder at all. It was the moments that someone could cherish that had little if anything to do with wealth, power, or influence.

This was one of those times.

I wasn’t certain what my housekeeper Celine had placed in the basket, but the lovely girl had seemed more animated than I was used to seeing. While I paid her extremely well, the atmosphere in my house up to this point had been unappealing to a woman of her age.

Still, she was providing more income for her family of ten than the others of working age combined. However, the moment I opened the basket, peering at the treats inside, I knew I had to give the girl a raise. She’d whispered words in Spanish, acting as if I was going on a date, something Celine had never seen. She’d once dared to ask me why I didn’t have that important someone in my life.

She’d been sweet enough to approach a damaged, dangerous man, blushing when she’d suggested I would make a good catch. I would never forget that moment. Now, as I pulled out cheese of several varieties, freshly baked bread, fruit and vegetables, homemade strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, and even seafood along with two kinds of wine, all I could do was smile.

Maybe this was the turning point I needed.

I laid everything out, cracking open a bottle of wine.

Only seconds later, my lovely guest reappeared, standing at the edge of the trees in her bright red bikini that accentuated her voluptuous figure. I was surprised she’d chosen the slinky two-piece instead of another, but that pleased me more than she could understand.

As if the foxy woman was trying to seduce me. My cock twitched from the thought. I could almost see forcing her into a hunt. Only the outcome would be entirely different than I was used to.

She stared at me at first before slowly lowering her gaze, studying the feast I’d laid out, tugging on strands of hair constantly flitting in her face from the light breeze. I could tell she was debating coming to sit with me, acting as if I’d likely shackle her to one of the trees or possibly worse. There was no trust here. There wouldn’t be for some time to come. Not that I should care.

Then why did I?

I wasn’t the kind of man who wanted to make anything romantic or special. That wasn’t my makeup. Or at least so I’d thought. Right now, all I wanted to do was enjoy the day, sharing the sunshine and perfect weather, the warm water and the amazing food prepared by a lovely young woman with a heart of gold.

Business could wait, even though I needed to make decisions on several lives and make another few billion dollars. Not today.

Wow.

My little sparrow might be turning me into a decent man.

Emily approached, acting as demure as she had in the Jeep. When she sat down, her actions were tentative, but I could tell she was hungry even after her healthy breakfast. I could also sense I’d confused her with the niceties. She removed her sunglasses, placing them gently on the blanket. After that, she reached for mine. I flinched, which was ridiculous and she half laughed.

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