Page 19 of Donovan Blake: Adrenalin

“I can’t begin to guess, but my friend wants it and that’s all we need to know.”

“Boris, this surely must be in a bank vault, and that’s virtually impossible.”

“It’s in a vault, but not in a bank. An estate in Southhampton.”

“Southampton!” Donovan repeated. “Address?”

“I just sent it to you along with some other pictures and information about the property.”

“Ah, yes, I see. I’ll look into this and get back to you, but if I see a way to pull this off it will be pricey.”

“You always are, and you should be,” Boris said, lowering his voice. “Now, regarding our Italian friend—”

“Boris, excuse me for interrupting, but dealing with Franco is out of my league. I find things for people, that’s it.”

“Perhaps you should widen your interests.”

“If you want that necklace, and other items in the future, I can’t help you if I’m six feet under,” he said quietly. “Now I must go. Always a pleasure doing business with you, and thanks again for the pancakes. They were excellent.”

“I understand,” Boris grunted. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”

As Donovan walked casually through the restaurant he glanced across at the cops. They appeared to be through with their meal and were drinking coffee. Stepping outside, he noticed dark clouds on the horizon. Thinking a storm was the last thing he needed, he marched to his truck, then pretended to drop his key fob. Bending over to pick it up, he checked for a tracker. Seeing nothing, he stood up and did a quick check for any new vehicles nearby.

Everything was as it should be.

Climbing behind the wheel and driving to the freeway, he continuously checked his mirrors for a tail, and the sky for helicopters. Exiting a few miles later, he followed a circuitous route around a suburban neighborhood before returning to the freeway and heading home.

It wasn’t until he was halfway up the hill he began to relax and was able to think.

The small jade figurine was half the size of the one he owned, but every bit as valuable, and had been stolen from one of the most noted dealers in the country. Its delivery was supposed to have been the end of his role in the multi-faceted, long-term goal of nailing Boris Petrov. Donovan hadn’t counted on Boris giving him a new job. It was possible the private collection at the Southhampton estate was owned by yet another bad actor. He’d know when he passed along the information to Sam.

Finally rolling into his driveway, he turned his thoughts to the beautiful blonde waiting in the dungeon. Leaving the truck and stepping into the lodge, his lips curled in a devilish smile.

There were so many options...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As Phoebe slowly opened her eyes and saw her reflection she broke into a smile. She was in Donovan’s dungeon on an incredibly soft bed, surrounded by all manner of wicked toys and furniture.

“I see you finally woke up.”

Turning her head she saw him walking slowly towards her. The cream cashmere sweater and khaki slacks did nothing to hide his muscled physique, and she remembered how heavenly it had felt being wrapped up in his arms. Though he was still a stranger—and a mysterious, possibly dangerous one at that—she couldn’t deny the intense attraction. She was beginning not to care who he was or what he did.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Just a bit sleepy,” she replied with a yawn. “I guess I was much more tired than I thought, or that horrendous scene during the storm totally drained me. How long have I been down here?”

“A little over an hour. You can sleep some more if you want. We have nowhere to be and all the time in the world to get there.”

“I think I should probably…whoa…I’m dizzy,” she muttered as she sat up. “Where did that come from?”

“Just sit there for a second. I’m sure it will pass.”

“You’re right. I’m okay now.”

“Good. Now tell me what you think of all this,” he said, dramatically waving his arm towards the room. “Does anything strike your fancy?”

“For starters, this bed. It’s amazingly comfortable.”

---