Page 54 of Lord of Debauchery

“Understood. I’ll make sure no one talks.”

I ran upstairs, more concerned than ever about what I’d just heard.

After changing clothes, donning another usual dark suit, I checked the ammunition, adding another magazine before heading back downstairs, hesitating on the landing. It was amazing how much the woman tugged at my heartstrings. Sure, I was a brutal man. No one would ever deny that, but the thought of putting her in a crisis didn’t bode well with the guy still there deep down inside.

At least I’d mentioned what Jeff had said to my computer guru, instructing him to turn up the heat. I had a feeling it was vital to discover what we were dealing with sooner versus later.

I yanked out my sunglasses before being blinded by the sun as I exited the house. So now I was growing a conscience? Yeah, I doubted it.

As I neared Jeff’s car, I heard muffled sounds coming from the trunk. It would seem my other guest wasn’t happy with his accommodations. Well, sue the innkeeper. Damn it if every thought didn’t seem to drag me back to Kenya. Camden and another soldier were heading with us to what I’d affectionately termed the interrogation room. It was little more than a concrete shack located near one of the many warehouses my family still owned, most from the old days when we actively conducted business in drugs and illegal weapons. Since then, we’d discussed turning the combined properties into a resort of some kind.

Or another recording studio.

The thought brought me back to business. Our recording and production company had already drawn the attention of some big-name recording artists who craved having their work produced in a relaxing atmosphere instead of the bright lights of a big city. Being set back months wasn’t just about our bottom line, although who wasn’t addicted to money? It was more about the pride factor, the hit we’d already taken in our reputation.

I certainly couldn’t afford another one.

For now, the secluded space was perfect for my intentions. Although I couldn’t remember the last time I’d chained someone to the block wall to elongate their… experience.

James moved toward me, nodding to Camden before he climbed into the awaiting SUV. “Hey, boss. I’m actively searching for everything I can find on the Death Squad, but they are an elusive group and it appears they have very secure firewalls everywhere.”

That could mean red flags were being raised but at this point, I didn’t give a shit if I riled the group. Let them finally show their ugly faces. It was past time they did so. If there was anything I hated worse, other than betrayal and liars, it was those who hid behind money or power. Fuck that. If people had a beef against me or my family, we needed to handle it like adults.

Even if I blew their face off afterwards.

“Keep digging. I don’t care how many red flags it raises. There must be something out there on this group.”

“Yeah, I will. I just wanted you to know the firewalls are extensive, which makes me think there’s a hell of a lot more to this story.” James grinned. He was having fun with this. What the man enjoyed more than anything was solving a puzzle. While I couldn’t blame him, he was the kind of man who was determined to learn every single nuance even if time was of the essence.

“One last thing. Make certain you check on my guest.”

“She can’t do so herself?”

“She’s sequestered on the third floor. If by any chance she escapes the room, do not allow her to leave.”

My order surprised him, since up to this point, I hadn’t given him such illustrious duties. “I’ll watch out for her with my life, boss.”

“You do that.”

He backed away and I climbed into the passenger seat of Jeff’s Camaro. He appreciated muscle cars almost as much as I did, but never had he dumped a possible enemy into his pristine space. That surprised the hell out of me.

That meant whatever this guy had said or perhaps how he’d done it had gotten under his skin. Another rarity as the entire last few days seemed to be.

As soon as Jeff turned over the engine, he floored it, pressing down on the accelerator. As he drove like he was some fucking racecar driver, squealing tires as he made turns, I concentrated on trying to put the limited pieces together. There weren’t enough to make a dent in what we were dealing with, but every scrap of information would bring us that much closer.

“So, how was your night with the innkeeper?” he asked.

I barely acknowledged his words in my mind for a few seconds. My delayed reaction was simply because I had my thoughts continually shifting to her. “Interesting.”

“Is she currently redecorating your house?” He laughed, completely enjoying the moment.

“Currently, she is experiencing what it would be like should she truly become a prisoner.”

“Wow. I don’t think I want to know. Did your father find out anything concrete about her?”

My father’s single text to contact him when I had the time didn’t suggest a sense of urgency, or maybe I simply didn’t want to learn anything about her that would turn the tide with how I felt. “Not yet. I’m sure he’ll keep digging.”

“Like a dog to a damn bone your father is.” I nodded and when he was forced to stop at a traffic light, hearing the commotion coming from the trunk made me grimace. I had to admit I was very curious what I could learn from the man.

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