Page 54 of Sinful Attraction

He eyes me and then lets out a soft scoff. “Yeah, probably. But she miscalculated, big surprise. I don’t know what would have happened if they had been alone somewhere—”

“Hey,” I break in gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t. That’s not what happened. He screwed up, he’s on the run, and he’ll screw up again. We’ll find him and get him to give testimony in front of your father and the Don.”

“You’re suggesting we kidnap him? Personally? And scare him into talking? None of our fathers’ men, no backup, just... us?” He’s staring at me now, incredulously. Looking a little worried, even. “When did we stop being computer nerds and turn into enforcers?”

“When this guy helped blow both our lives up,” I reply. “I’m sorry if that makes me look a little bloodthirsty, but I’m really having trouble caring right now because my life is blown up.”

My voice is shaky, and I don’t like that one damn bit, but I can’t stop it. Pride wounded, I look away from him... but he gently takes my chin and steers my gaze back to his.

“I’m sorry. I had a hand in that, and... whatever else happens, I’ll put in the time and work to help you get back on your feet without your family if that’s what you decide.”

I stare at him. I want to hug him, want to cry... and want to walk the hell out because I still can’t help but wonder if the offer he’s making is some kind of bait. Where’s the hook hiding? What does he expect in return?

Or has my family just messed me up in some really interesting ways?

Take the chance.

I swallow hard. “Thank you. If... I do end up breaking away on my own... I’ll need that kind of backup.”

He rubs my shoulder gently, soothingly. “I understand. Some of it you should just expect, though. If we’re staying lovers after all of this, you should be able to rely on me. But... I’m planning to go beyond that. I...”

Don’t say it.

We both go quiet. I guess it’s hit him, too, that it really hasn’t been that long. We’ve been together barely a week in crazy circumstances that have messed with both of us. It’s not time for I love you’s. It’s just not time yet.

But it sure as hell feels like time.

He breaks the silence after a few moments and says, “So... are we really tracking Brian Cleary down and kidnapping him?”

“Yeah. Not what I had on my weekend to-do list originally, but I guess I need to adapt quick. We need to grab that guy before he leaves town.”

“How do we know he hasn’t already?”

We look at each other and immediately go to his laptop. It’s time to do some sleuthing. Now that we have a name and some solid leads, Brian Cleary’s not going to be able to hide from us for long.

Chapter 23

Arya

It’s funny how many messed up things I’ve learned listening to my father’s conversations with his men and friends over the years.

One of the things that I have been able to figure out from all those nightmare-inducinglessonsis that if a person is a loner asshole with no friends and a perpetually-online life, he’s going to be a lot easier to kidnap than someone with a family, an outside job, or a healthy social life.

Brian Cleary is exactly the kind of guy in danger of disappearing off the face of the planet without anyone noticing except the dozen or so women he’s harassing online at any given time.

He’s scrubbed a lot of his online presence, but now that we know more of what to look for, we can still find bits of it. He’s done a sloppy job, incomplete, and now that he’s so upset, he’s making even more mistakes.

We find his rants online about his “half-million contract job he’s getting stiffed on by a bunch of mobsters.” We also find his porn accounts and various little conservative social-media bolt-holes.

And finally, we find him.

He’s holed up in a hotel near the Oakland Airport, one with ample Internet-connected security cameras. Moreover, he has already managed to kick up an unnecessary fuss about his room and the hours for the continental breakfast during check-in.

He’s been there with the lights on since sundown that day. His flight out to Canada leaves at 10 in the morning. I have no idea if he is armed, but I can absolutely guarantee that he does not have a backup.

“You’d better take custody of him while I back you up online. If I try to do it—” I start, but he’s already shaking his head.

“I don’t want you going anywhere near that guy until he’s safely tied to a chair. He’s too nuts, and he hates women.”

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