Page 38 of Absolution

“Understood.” Collins didn’t like being told what to do, but he’d swallowed plenty of orders during his military career and could manage a while longer with Kenner. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“No.” Kenner’s jaw stiffened. “But I want this done sooner rather than later.”

“I said it’ll be a few days.”Hadn’t Kenner been listening?“The job will be done soon enough. Will you wire the payment to me?”

“No.” Kenner’s voice was gruff. “I have it for you here in cash.” He motioned to a bag that was sitting under a nest of mahogany tables. “I don’t want any record of the money transfer.”

“You’re giving me the cash today?” Collins could hardly believe Kenner trusted him. He’d let him down once before, hadn’t he?

“I am.” Kenner’s chin rose. “That way, you can take it with you, and I don’t have to see you again.”

“Fair enough.” Not waiting for Kenner to change his mind, he rose from his chair and picked up the bag. The weight alone persuaded him it was stuffed with cash, but he unzippedone half as he sat down and peeked in to be sure. He couldn’t resist the smile that lit up his lips as he surveyed the bank notes. “I hadn’t expected an advance.”

“You can take your money and your shitty car and get off my land.” Kenner’s tone was cutting, but the wad of money on Collins’ lap helped to ease the sting.

“Fine.” Collins had just become too rich to worry about the insult. “I’ll leave you be.” Rising to his full height, he grabbed the handles of the bag stuffed with cash and turned to leave Kenner in his posh sitting room. “It’s nice doing business with you.”

“Hmmm.” Kenner pulled in a breath as Collins strode to the door. “I wish I could say the same.”

Collins smirked as his fingers tugged at the golden door handle. He’d lived with Kenner’s scorn for so long, his rudeness just washed over him, and it certainly wouldn’t stop him from spending Kenner’s money.

“Oh, and Collins…” Kenner’s terse tone compelled Collins’ feet to pause before he pulled the door open.

“Yes?” He peered back over his shoulder at the solemn-faced older man.

“Don’t try to fuck me over.” Kenner’s beady eyes bored into him. “If I don’t think I’ve got my money’s worth, I’ll find someone to eliminate you as well.”

“Got it.” Collins spun back to the door and strode out of the room toward the exit.

From a man like Joel Kenner, he expected nothing less.

Chapter Fifteen

Beyond the Break-In

Tucker

“Let me go!” Ella’s feet kicked at the carpet playfully as she squealed over Tucker’s lap. “Sir, I said stop!”

“Oh, I don’t think so, Miss Bennett.” Tucker’s thumb stroked over the heated skin of her delicious backside. He’d been spanking her pert orbs for the best part of ten minutes—a tempting punishment that had started with a minor misdemeanor and morphed into something more pleasurable than even he’d imagined—but even though she feigned upset, they both knew she was as enthralled as he was. “Not when we both know you long to stay captured!”

“Sir!” She practically giggled as his palm smacked her cheeks again.

“Yes, little girl?” He paused, pressing his hand against her alluring ass. So much had happened between them in so little time, yet he couldn’t conceive his life without her.

“More, please.” She peered back over her shoulder, her grin impish as her hips ground over his thigh.

“You’ll have more.” Few things gave him more satisfaction than giving them what they both needed. “Just stay there and take them, Ella.”

“Yes, sir.” She slumped over him, her fingertips grazing the bedroom carpet as her hips wiggled provocatively.

She was perfect.

One impeccable little wildcat who’d learned not only to come to heel but who now understood the pleasure of being tamed that way. She’d started to trust him, to yield by choice, and to yearn for his discipline.

And her trust was everything.

That was how life had been for the three days since Collins had broken into his apartment while they slept and cut the heads from her bouquet. He’d relished every moment of their ballooning intimacy but wished it hadn’t been nurtured by such a harrowing incident. He could still recall the way the red rose petals had looked strewn all over the marble counter.

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