Page 32 of Seducer

I handed him the keys. There was no need for further discussion about her car. There were always telltale signs of anyone attempting to disable a vehicle. I hadn’t lied to her. He was a damn good mechanic, also the only man to work on my fleet of vehicles. Plus, he wasn’t immune to the darker necessities that came with men holding such great power.

The thought brought a snicker and a smile to my face.

“What if I can’t get it running?”

I hadn’t thought about that option. “Then I guess I’ll provide her with a better version.”

“What’s the surveillance gig you need?”

“I need you to check on a buddy of mine.”

Walker snorted. “A buddy? I didn’t think you had any friends.”

I kept a hard, cold glare on him. “Find out why Jerry Offsinger targeted my guest. See who he talks to and if he has any issues.” He knew exactly what I meant. The best way to handle an enemy without ending their life was by use of blackmail. Find an ugly proclivity and you could use that against him for life.

He shifted his gaze toward the diner’s window. “As in the dude making all the waves in the justice department?”

“That’s the one.”

“What did he do?”

“Cross me the wrong way for one.”

The way Walker whistled meant he believed he knew me very well. He didn’t. “Bad night for him.”

“Not nearly bad enough. See what his deal is.” The way the guy had acted brought a brief thought back to the warning I’d received earlier. Was there any chance Jerry had been trying to rile me, thereby issuing a warning of a different kind? I’d at least store the thought in my mind.

“Are you looking for anything specific other than if the asshole is a perv?”

“I need to know who he’s friends with. I want names. That will do for starters. Just make sure he has no clue you’re tailing him.”

“It’ll cost you. He has tight security or so I’ve heard.”

I leaned in further, crowding his space. “As I said. You owe me. I suggest you remember that.”

“Whoa, buddy. Fine. But my debt is paid in full after I do this. I don’t like messing with the justice department.”

Of course he didn’t. He’d been running a car theft ring on the side for years. That’s why I knew I could trust him. “We’ll talk after you provide me with information. If he so much as looks at her again, I need to know immediately. Got it?”

He laughed. “You like her. How fascinating.”

“Just do your job.”

“Fine. I’ll call you.”

I turned, taking a deep breath as I walked away. Jerry Offsinger was rumored to be dirty, in bed with various corrupt politicians. However, I had no idea what that had to do with the Blackwell Group. I would find out soon enough.

“Take care of your girl,” he said in passing. “Good to finally see you with someone.”

After stopping just on the sidewalk, I threw him a look over my shoulder. He raised his arms as if to surrender. He knew better than to question me on anything, whether business or pleasure. I was a private man for several reasons. I not only preferred it that way, but doing so had kept me alive and earning money.

Lots of money.

As I headed back to the diner’s entrance, my thoughts drifted to the reason why I not only liked but admired the young woman. Truth be told, she was far too young for me and much too innocent for the kinky thoughts rambling around in my mind. Yet she called to me, her vulnerability adorable, her snort a reminder of the good things I rarely allowed myself to enjoy.

Why did I have the distinct feeling she had an appreciation of the darker side of life?

Perhaps she’d enjoy the possibility of partaking in the upcoming Obsidian Society festivities. A hunt perhaps or another non-con event? The thought was evocative and kept my cock twitching.

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