Page 46 of Artemis

“Yup. Yes. Still here.” Mercury was huffing and puffing, scraping noises in the background. “Talk about what, Miss Chase? Did you decide to come clean regarding the expansion of your business into shipping?”

“I prefer the words ‘clarifying the situation’. But first, I need a promise from you that you will help me with a problem I have.”

“I make no such promises lightly,” Mercury scoffed.

Artemis was silent for a minute, biting her lip as she thought. Finley wondered what her thought process was.

“I’m going to take a chance,” Artemis muttered. “Mercury, this is off the record to protect my partner. I will not reveal their name. You will have to be satisfied with my account. I am considering the proposal of opening a bank branch on a shipboard casino.”

There was silence on the other end. Finally, Mercury said in a strangled voice, “A casino on aship?”

“Yes, that’s what I said,” Artemis replied impatiently.

“Shipping business, my ass,” Mercury growled. “I apologize profusely, Miss Chase. My information was... wildly blown out of proportion. How can I help you?”

“My son has been kidnapped.”

Finley was proud of how steadily she stated her problem. He knew she was probably dissociating, but if this helped, then it was necessary.

Mercury was silent again. “I think I was set up to take the fall for this. I assure you, I never involve innocents inanyof my machinations.”

Artemis sighed. “That makes sense. I need your help in finding him.”

“Have you received a request for ransom?”

“Not yet.”

“If it is a digital transfer, I can trace where the money goes. Don’t send it until I can build the tracker code and put it in your account. Even if it’s sent to a shell account, I’ll be able to get into it. It’ll also let me retrieve it for you after you get your son back.”

“I don’t care about the money!” Artemis shouted. She took a deep breath and Finley put his hand on her knee, offering his silent support. “I need your help to findhim. You track your packages, don’t you? Is it by magic? Can you track him?”

Mercury hmm’d thoughtfully. “Possibly. It would require some tweaking. Let me get back to you.”

“Thank you,” Artemis breathed before hanging up.

“That went fairly well,” Finley said cautiously, watching her closely. She’d dropped her arm holding the phone into her lap, and was staring unseeingly at the wall over his head.

“I might have a bit of hope,” Artemis said slowly. “Not much, but a bit.”

“Who else knew you were stuck at work when Mercury stalled you?”

“Luna.”

Finley raised his eyebrows in question.

Artemis glared at him. “Not a chance,” she snapped, sitting straight up.

“Okay. I trust your instincts.” He rubbed his palms along the outside of her thighs soothingly and she softened again. “What now?”

Glancing down at her still half-naked body, Artemis gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “I’m sure you’re not in the mood to continue where we left off.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Those weren’t sexy conversations.”

“They were necessary ones.” Finley slid his hands behind her knees and pulled her closer. “You’re sitting on my lap with your gorgeous breasts on display and won’t let me touch you. How do you really think I’m feeling?”

Her eyes widened when she settled over his thick cock and she swallowed hard. “I think you’ve been very patient,” Artemis whispered.

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