Page 10 of His Dark Hunger

“Don’t worry about me, Amy.”

She was conscious of him reaching for the door handle to his office, but his gaze never left hers.

“I’ll be okay.” His eyes glinted. “You know I will.”

“Yes, sir.” It was all she could muster as his hands reached for her ass.

In a heartbeat, he swept her from the ground, her legs opening to wrap around his middle without him needing to order it. Pressing her body against his, she breathed in hisspicy scent as he pushed the door open and stalked them both into his study.

Chapter Four

Graham Kendal

Kyle

Years before Amy

Staring at the screen, Kyle grinned. His personal wealth had exploded in the last six months, exceeding all his goals for growth. Proud of his accomplishments, he was keenly cognizant that the seven-figure number flashing in front of him wasn’t the end game. There would be many other, larger digits in the years to come—sums that would enable the billionaire lifestyle he deserved—but it was an excellent start.

The only problem niggling at the back of his mind was the not-so-small matter of the tax he owed. The issue with accruing so much income was taxation, and even though he’d have to sell assets to pay truly demoralizing amounts of tax, the five-figure sum he’d calculated still irked him.

It wasn’t that he was offended by the concept of the levy. He understood intellectually that the duty paid for the public services other people relied on—the schools, roads, and hospitals society needed—but he rarely trusted the assholes elected to decide where to spend the money.

Why should he give his cash to politicians only interested in feathering their own ill-gotten schemes? Even in the unusual cases where those officials turned out to be good guys, they never stuck around for more than a few years,anyway—not long enough to make a tangible change—then another administration would roll in, undoing any good work and fucking things up. Better that he invested his wealth and accrued more money—at least that way,he’dbe in a position to help more people.

His gaze settled on the amount of tax he owed the government, musing on the ways he could minimize it. Rubbing his temples, he wracked his brain. He had to do something about that large number.

There must be a way…

That was when Graham Kendal popped into his head. Graham had said he was good with numbers. Perhaps it was time to call him and discover just how he could pay back that outstanding rent he owed.

Flicking into his files, he searched for Kendal’s number and punched the digits into his phone. He’d had his assistant transfer all the tenant’s personal details from paper to his computer network, which meant he could access them in an instant. Leaning back in his recliner, he pulled in a satisfied breath as the dial tone echoed in his ear.

“Hello?” Graham Kendal’s voice had the exact same exhausted tone as the man who’d warily met him at the door at Aspen Way.

Kyle smirked. “Graham.” The time for formalities was most definitely over. “It’s Mr. Kyle.”

“Oh.” Kendal’s clipped response revealed what Kyle needed to know. He remembered Kyle, and he knew, instinctively, what the call was regarding. “Mr. Kyle.”

“Remember that deal we struck, Graham?” Of course, he remembered, but it was fun to toy with him just the same.

“Er, yes.” He sounded understandably reticent.

“Well, I need your skill with numbers now.” Kyle clicked back to his spreadsheet, his attention returning to the taxable sum. “What do you know about tax avoidance?”

Kendal paused. “A little, but it’s not my area of specialty.”

“Time to learn more then.” Kyle chortled at his quip. “Because I have a tax bill I’d like to reduce.”

“I know someone who’d do a really good job for you, Mr. Kyle.” Kendal was hesitant. “I’m not really the man for this job.”

“Nonsense!” Kyle wasn’t going to let Kendal squirm out of his responsibilities. “We had a deal, Graham, a contract that’s seen you pay thousands less for renting your house than your neighbors do, and in return, you’re going to get me a significantly reduced tax bill.”

The line was quiet, but Kyle pressed on.

“You’re not reneging, Graham. Not unless you want to see your family homeless and be sued for all the outstanding rental money you owe me.”

“You wouldn’t do that?” Kendal gasped.

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