Page 33 of Dauntless

And what a time it had been!Between preparing for Angel’s show and touring the city, I hadn’t had a minute of downtime. When Dane and I arranged for time together, we took Melinda around the city with Nella, who had temporary custody of her. We toured famous places, including the top of the Empire States Building and Times Square. Through the eyes of Melinda, everything was magic. I enjoyed watching the wonder and excitement that appeared on her face every place we went. Though it had occurred to me that Angel may have wanted to do these things with Melinda herself.

Angel was due to arrive in the next few days. It was a great relief that the prosecutor had decided not to pursue a criminal case against her since she was a witness, however hostile, for the federal case against The Agency. The other good news was that Marco and Vincent were denied bail because the leak was traced to one of Vincent’s businesses, hence their involvement couldn’t be disputed.

Surprisingly, amid the video’s sustained circulation, I received offers from adult film companies to feature in an adult movie, which I turned down. It was unusual that the public’s attention lingered on this scandal for such extended period, so I was sure someone was reposting the video to keep the scandal alive. And the identity of the person responsible for the recirculation is in obscurity. Could it be Simon? I hadn’t received any more communications from him. Elliott hadn’t shared any updates, keeping the investigation private for now. It made our conversations hard during the time apart, though he had been keeping things going with our calls, taking an interest in everything I had done and seen. After sending Astrid the photo of my new look, he was the next person I wanted to show, and once I was in the car, I did. His response was less than thrilled.

Elliott: No more fucking changes.

Gia: You suck at flattery. Honestly, you don’t like it?

Elliott: I liked your hair before and now. If you changed it because you wanted a new look, not because of that stupid video

My heart skipped a beat. He cared.

Gia: I miss you

My hands trembled holding the phone as I waited for his response. Had I said too much?

The car moved, and I still received no response. After a few agonizing minutes, I put my phone away and stared out the window—the car had stopped moving.

Where were we now?

The door suddenly opened, and, to my surprise, Elliott climbed inside the car. He had on a suit and bag in hand, but that didn’t stop me from practically flying at him, my arms around his neck and tugged on his hair hard enough to earn a sexy grunt before he entwined his hands in mine. He kissed me deeply, and I parted my lips succumbing and savoring the delicious, seducing drive and flicks of his tongue. I ached for more, and like every time we touched, I never wanted to stop, but when we did, the surprise and pleasure on his face made any anxiety I had at my reaction to seeing him slip away. “I’m surprised to see you. I had thought Dane was coming. He had some work to do at his office here.”

His hands entwined strands of my hair with a mused grin. “He’s at Nella’s with Angel to help her get settled in there, blondie.”

“It’s not blonde; it’s light brown,” I mused. “I’ve been wanting to try something new for a while, but It’s still me.”

His gaze passed over me. “It sure is, and that’s enough.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my smile became broader. Elliott didn’t give compliments as often as Dane, but when he did, it made an impact.

“Whatever are you thinking that took your smile away,” Elliott said calling me away from my thoughts. “Did I say something that upset you?”

“No.” I looked out the window. “I’m worried about the case. Any progress?”

“All right. If that’s what you’re really upset about,” he said. Judging by his tone, it was clear he didn’t believe me, but he continued: “The case is moving forward. We have enough evidence to put Vincent and Marco away. However, we haven’t got enough to bring down The Agency itself.”

I exhaled long. “What are you going to do?”

“Keep digging,” he said. “Thanks to your conversation with Loren we know there is a drug angle. We will be questioning her again and, well, there’s Liz. She was brought in for sending that video. If she is in any way responsible for the distribution, she’ll be charged.”

I frowned. “But that wasn’t her…she couldn’t do that. She had to be forced, just like I told you about Loren.” Would she?

“And it’s our job to make them admit that,” Elliott said. His tone softening. “They know more than they have shared, and if Liz wants to stay out of jail, she’ll start working with us. I know that’s hard for you to hear, but she has to choose a side and, right now, she’s choosing theirs. As we speak, The Agency is closing ranks, reorganizing. She could help put more of them out of operation. Save other women. But she chose not to.”

I nodded. He was right. Although I had completely cut off communication with her after she sent that video, I still didn’t want her to suffer. “I hope she does what’s right. They must be holding something over her or she wouldn’t have done it. After all, she was the one that told me to stay away from The Agency after my first mixer. I hadn’t listened to her.”

Elliott nodded. “True. Back then I had thought you could be an asset, but later, I didn’t want you involved. But—”

“I showed up,” I finished for him. If I had only been less impulsive that night, but then I wouldn’t have been in this car with Elliott, and I would have missed the good that came with having him in my life. “I’m past that now. I just hope we can move forward. Whatever happens.”

“True,” Elliott agreed. “Now I made Dane a promise we wouldn’t spend the night on the case. He wants us to take you out tonight, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Why?” I asked not that I was all that keen on going out since I would have a full packed day tomorrow with final preparations for the show.

“Dane wants to take you to an exclusive adult club we used to go to,” he said frowning. “It’s trustworthy…. He still thinks if he gets you to try what he wants, you’ll want it too.”

I chewed my lip. I didn’t want to go, but it was only fair that I give their interest a chance. What I didn’t understand was why Elliott opposed. “And why don’t you think that’s a good idea? You said yourself, sex is a big part of who you are.”

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