Page 64 of Savage Game
“You mean Liam’s attempted to attack someone else?” Charlotte’s eyebrows rose.
“Not exactly, though I’m not ruling anything out. I can’t go into all the details yet, but I can disclose that Byron isn’t the only one of Randall’s business associates who have expressed concern about dealings with Randall. Several others are threatening him with charges ranging from alleged embezzlement to outright fraud.”
“What does that mean?” Charlotte asked, looking not at the phone but up at her Master.
“It means Liam’s ass is grass, right, Dannie?” Byron rumbled without a trace of pity as he bent to brush a kiss to Charlotte’s forehead.
The sound of Daniella’s light laugh drew their attention. “Well, that’s not exactly a legal term, but if the shoe fits.” She shrugged. “We still have a lot of work to do, but while it’s not looking good for your husband—”
“Ex-husband,” Byron cut in with a growl that had Charlotte smiling and Daniella laughing again.
“Soon to be ex-husband,” Daniella amended, her own smile growing as she focused her attention on her client. “It is very good news for you, Charlotte. I just wanted to keep you up to date and will let you know more as the investigation develops.”
“Thank you, Ms. Wilson,” Charlotte said softly, feeling lighter than she had since deciding to end her marriage.
“Yes, thank you, Dannie. We’ll talk later.” At Daniella’s goodbye, Byron ended the call and wrapped his arms around Charlotte, stroking his finger down her arm when she sighed deeply. “What’s wrong?”
“How could I not know that Liam is a criminal? Am I really that dense?”
“No, Kittycat, you were attempting to survive,” Byron’s reply came without a moment’s hesitation. “Don’t consider for a second that you should have known. The man fooled a lot of people.” Byron rubbed his hands over her arms in a comforting gesture. “Now, enough about the ass. My concern is you. Are you all right?”
“I will be.” She reached up to cup his cheek with her hand. “Thank you, Master.”
“I didn’t do anything.” He took her hand and kissed her palm.
“You’ve done far more than you’ll ever know.” She slid her hand from his but only in order to slip it behind his head to guide his mouth to hers. He might not believe her words, but she hoped he understood the depth of her gratitude in her kiss.
The growl she heard didn’t come from Master, but was loud enough for him to pull back, a grin on his face as she felt hers heat with color. “I guess it’s time for me to start dinner,” she said, pressing her hand to her complaining empty stomach.
“No need. I’d already placed an order to be delivered before Daniella called—I hope you like Thai food.”
She nodded.
“Tonight, we’re going to take it easy and enjoy ourselves.” He bent forward and captured her lips. If strength and masculine confidence had a flavor, she was tasting it now.
Tonight will be our last night. What will my future be like? Will I be able to divorce Liam? She put her thoughts in a mental box and closed the virtual lid decisively. She refused to ruin her last night with pointless worries.
When he pulled back, she said, “Thai sounds lovely.” She attempted to reach around his neck and pull him back to her, but he captured her hands in his. She pressed her bottom lip forward, and the pout made him laugh.
“There will be enough time for that later, Kittycat. First, I need to feed you.” He pushed himself up. “You’ll need the energy.” He cradled her in his arms with one arm supporting her back and the other her legs.
“Byron,” she squealed, “I can walk.”
“I know.” He nuzzled her neck and carried her out of the office and straight to the kitchen.
“Well, put me down then,” she sassed—secretly hoping he would never let her go.
“Nope.”
She tipped back her head to see his smile. He smiled so much more these days.
Instead of carrying her over to the dining table, he placed her on the kitchen counter. She arched an eyebrow.
“I’m too eager to get you in bed to sit down for dinner.”
“So why bother?”
His brow furrowed. “You need to eat. You barely ate all day.” He pulled containers from a plastic take-out bag, and the delicious scent of lemongrass, chilies, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, coriander, and cumin wafted from the food.
