Page 41 of Indecent Demands

“You know how I just love to disappoint you,” I quipped sarcastically. “It could also be that he wants to disappear and he’s lining up the money to do just that.”

“And you don’t know why?”

“No. His company’s doing well and he’s about to take the company public, so it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”

Vaughn shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the doorframe. “Maybe someone’s blackmailing him.”

“To the tune of ten million?” I asked incredulously.

“Well, you said he’s about to take the company public.” Vaughn shrugged. “That makes him vulnerable. If he botches the public offering—or if someone fucks it up for him…”

“It could ruin him,” I finished, following his trail of thought. “So you think someone’s threatening to expose a dirty secret and ruin his company and reputationbeforehe goes public, if he doesn’t pay up?”

“It would make sense with the timing.”

“Or he could be paying a hitman to take out the blackmailer,” I mused, trying to see the situation from all angles. “Because really, who has the balls to ask for ten million dollars when blackmailing someone?”

“Fair point.” Vaughn grinned. “Let me know when you figure it out. I want to know how this ends.”

Yeah. I wanted to know how this ended, too.

It was going to take time for my contacts to get back to me with anything solid, so I headed back to my brownstone. I didn’t want to leave Ariana alone for too long in case she did something stupid. She’d already hacked into my computer. Who knew what else she could be getting up to?

I parked and walked inside, disabling the security alarm. “Ariana? I know I’m home early, I hope I didn’t startle you.”

Silence greeted me.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. “Ariana?”

Nothing.

I moved silently up the stairs, keeping an ear out. She could be in the shower, or in any other situation that made her unable to hear me, but I didn’t think so. My gut told me I was in an empty house.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I searched every room.

No sign of her.

There was no sign of a fight or struggle, either, which eased my mind somewhat.

I went back downstairs. My alarm system hadn’t alerted me of any sensors being triggered. Goddamn. How had she hacked it? She was even better than I’d thought. I’d underestimated her, and now I was paying the price.

Something on the dining room table caught my eye. I walked over and saw a note lying there.

I’ll be back. I’m sorry.

Damn it. Ariana was in the wind, pursuing her own leads against Damien, and it might get her killed. I had to get to her before Damien found out what she was up to and went after her himself.

I jogged upstairs again, this time right for my bedroom, and pulled back the painting that concealed my safe. I opened it and retrieved my gun.

I wasn’t taking any chances where Ariana was concerned.

Chapter18

Ariana

It was stupid to feel bad for slipping out on Seth.

He’d basically blackmailed me into sleeping with him. And yes, I liked it and wanted it and had consensually agreed. Yes, I felt safe with him, but still. There was no reason for me to leave him a note and apologize! If anything he should apologize to me.

---