Page 43 of The Secrets We Share

My fingers quickly pull open the cuffs and move the bar out of her way. Reaching out, I grip her hips, slowly extending her legs out and massaging her hips to release the tension from holding her bent-over position for so long. She exhales a satisfied sigh as my nimble fingers work down her leg to her ankle, rubbing the spot the cuff gripped before doing the same on the other side.

She’s stopped responding, her eyes closed, and her breathing has shifted back to even. She’s fallen asleep quickly, like I never interrupted her slumber to begin with. My body’s satiated, butmy mind still runs at full speed. I clean her off and tuck her back in before showering. Throwing on a pair of sweats and a shirt, I close the door quietly behind me and make for my office at the back of the apartment.

I swing open the door and take in the space. I haven’t been in here since we returned, and it feels oddly nostalgic. I’ve missed my setup. Working through files and files of information on my laptop just isn’t the same. My fingers trace along the multi-monitor monstrosity waiting to be powered up.

Nikita gave us a start to where we might find Keira’s grandfather, so I’ll start there with my digging since my brain won’t shut off. My fingers speed over the keys, clacking loudly against the quiet of the witching hour. I’m in work mode, eyes focused, bouncing left and right as I sift through extensive real estate records.

I’m unsure how long I’ve been at it when the door latching closed pulls my eyes away. “Couldn’t sleep?” I ask James as he drops into one of the chairs facing my desk.

“Kind of hard to sleep when you decide to make your own porno across the hallway.”

There’s no trace of apology in my voice when I follow up and ask, “Stacey, sleep through it?”

He doesn’t answer, but his eyes tell me everything I need. It forces a small smile from me.

“Well, since you’re here anyway, look at this.” I nod to the screen, partially blocking our view. He joins me and looks over the information spread across the screens.

He lets out a low whistle as his eyes finally land on the small photo I found. “Are you going to tell her?”

“If I do, you know she’ll run into the fire headfirst, no regrets. But, if I don’t?—”

“She’ll never forgive you.” He confirms what I already know.

“Yeah. I just wish I knew exactly what we were dealing with here. What if it’s not what it looks like?”

“There’s only one way to find out, and we need to figure it out before Domenico knows because if he pieces this together, he could use it to his advantage,” he warns.

“That’s assuming he doesn’t already. But I think you’re right. He would have used it at the meeting to pull her in if he did. Do you think you can send your guy to surveillance the area? See if he can get proof I can bring to her instead of relying on this grainy picture.”

James looks down at his watch, and I realize I’m still up at three am. “I’ll call him in the morning, but I don’t see why not. He’s the best for this type of stuff.”

“Thanks, man.” I shoot the image off to James so he can send it to his guy and close everything.

“What a fucking shitshow,” James blows out.

“Tell me about it.” I push back from the desk and start for the door, James on my heels. “You know what we need?”

“A one-way ticket to somewhere far away.”

“Close. A trip to The Red Door.”

TWENTY

KEIRA

Bad Things - Summer Kennedy

The bass bumps through the speakers hidden in the corners of the bathroom. Stacey loses focus, hissing as the curling iron slips and burns her scalp. I laugh at her misfortune and sip on the weak vodka soda Harkin brought me when we started getting ready for the club.

I swing my legs, bouncing them off the vanity cabinets, while Stacey finishes up her hair. I’ve been done for a half hour, going for a sleek high pony and minimal makeup with sharp eyeliner. It looks flawless, with the black pleated skirt and sheer long sleeve with my leather harness fastened over. Metal chains hang from the leather and lead up to a collar Harkin tightened and locked, perfect for tonight.

“Are you sure this is a good idea with everything going on?” Stacey asks, between applying the bubblegum sheen to her top and bottom lips.

“I don’t think we’re likely to run into my father at the club.” I recoil in disgust at the thought, knowing damn well what I’mlikely getting into tonight. “Plus, we need this. I need this. A night to give up all my worries about what’s going on and just let go.”

Knuckles rap quickly against the doorjamb of the bathroom. “You ladies ready?” Harkin asks, leaning against the door. His eyes devour me, head to toe, but they darken just a little extra when he catches sight of the collar again.

I hop down, the soles of my boots thudding at the contact. “I am,” I confirm, walking in his direction. He holds his hand out to me, and I expect him to pull me in for a kiss. Instead, I’m twirled around, my skirt lifting from the motion, exposing the very thin G-string, leaving little to the imagination.

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