Page 26 of Wired Strong

The cat was out of the proverbial bag, but he’d do what he could to make it clear whose side he was on. “Sophie did not want you to know the news of her pregnancy, Mistress. I hope that doesn’t offend you.”

Pim Wat shrugged. “No more than I expected. She would not want me to steal this baby, too.” Her smile was shark-like.

Connor felt a wave of rage and opened his mouth to respond, but fortunately the tea arrived. The servant stopped in the doorway. “Oh, I’m sorry, Master. I did not know you had another guest.” There were only two teacups on the tray.

Connor shot to his feet. “It’s fine. I’ll catch up with you two later. I only meant to stop in briefly and convey this news.” Connor headed for the door and brushed past the servant as quickly as he could.

He had to warn Sophie that her mother knew about her pregnancy and had a new face.But how?

He’d start by replying to her message in the chat room. Hopefully, she would check it.

Once he had a secure location, Connor used his personal burner phone to log into the chat room.

Dear Sophie:

Pim Wat overheard me tell the Master about your pregnancy. I’m sorry that happened, but I felt I had to tell him that news. She’s just come from extensive plastic surgery and has a new face that somewhat resembles the actress Halle Berry. I’m sure the task force would like a photo; I’ll try to get one for them if I can.

I understand that you need to cut me off right now, but trust me, please. I will find a way to trade her to the authorities for my freedom from this place. I won’t accept a life without you in it. Connor.

Connor hitSendbefore he could re-think his unvarnished declaration.

Chapter Twenty-One

Pim Wat

Pim Wat strokedher hand down the Master’s shoulder, enjoying the feeling of silk over muscle, as the servant carried the loaded tea tray into the room. The Master lifted a hand to take hers, as he stood up from the chessboard’s stool. They seated themselves on the couch in front of the refreshment table. The servant set down the tray and arranged everything needed for an English high tea.

Pim Wat’s emotions warmed as she gazed at the spread of food. Great trouble had been taken to procure all of the special ingredients for an English tea way out here at the compound, but her beloved knew how much she enjoyed crumpets, clotted cream, fresh blackberry jam,petits fours, and cucumber sandwiches. “Darling, it looks delicious. I’m so hungry.”

The Master squeezed her hand. “And I am hungry foryou.Four weeks is a long time to be separated—though the results are spectacular.” He leaned over and kissed her.

Pim Wat enjoyed his taste, his smell, the touch of his tongue that promised more.

The Master let go of her hand, picked up a plate, and chose all of her favorite things as he served her. “Number One is unhappy with losing your daughter from his life.”

“What do I care? Connor is just another lovelorn swain, and Sophie has many. I have no idea how my daughter came to be so endowed with pheromones,” Pim Wat said sourly.

The Master laughed his deep chuckle. “Really? You have no idea, my Beautiful One?” He tweaked her ear playfully. “She inherited that from you, of course.”

Once more, Pim Wat felt herself melting. It was dangerous to love the Master so much, to be so deeply under his spell that it was hard to think clearly in his presence. Sometimes she knew he exerted that power intentionally, to control her. Other times, like now, she merely felt loved in a way that she craved, in a way that no one else had ever loved her.

“I want Number One to be content. I intend to turn the Yam Khûmk?n over to his management. In time, I would like for us to be able to enjoy our advancing age on our secret island,” he said. Pali, the Master’s personal island in the Philippines, was the very definition of paradise.

“I love that place.” Pim Wat lowered her eyes modestly. She took a bite of her crumpet. The clotted cream and blackberry jam, as well as the pastry, were delicious on her tongue.

The Master picked up apetit fourand ate it in one bite. “I think your daughter is a liability to that plan.”

Pim Wat’s pulse quickened. She hid her excitement by eating one of the cucumber sandwiches. She licked her fingers delicately. “Thank you once again for always attending to my needs. Yes, my daughter is a liability. I could tell when I met with her recently, that though she gave lip service to accepting my apology, she will never allow me to see my grandchildren.” Pim Wat raised her eyes to meet those of the Master. “And I would like to see my grandchildren. Often.”

“I understand, but the compound is no place for children, as I told you before when you brought her infant here. We need a larger, longer-term plan. I urge you to be patient. After all, Sophie still has to give birth to this baby.” The Master poured their tea. He lifted his cup, and met Pim Wat’s gaze. “How would you feel about eliminating her from the equation? Number One could settle into the role I have planned for him if Sophie were gone, along with his dream of another life spent with her.”

Pim Wat’s mouth still felt tight around the lips, scars impeding her wide smile. “I thought I would have to fight for permission to remove her. She must pay for trading me to the CIA.”

“Then we are in accord.” The Master narrowed his eyes slightly in calculation. “We have until she gives birth to plan her demise. It must be made to seem a tragic accident, or perhaps the blunder of one of the multi-agency team—we can strategize something that kills two birds with one stone. But Number One must never suspect, or I will lose his loyalty.”

“Leave it to me,” Pim Wat said, and added a little sugar to her tea. “I do love you.”

“I know.” He smiled. “Let’s go back to bed.”

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