Page 63 of Arrogant Bastard

“I want to cheer you on while you do it,” I say under my breath.

Killian pulls me closer. “We can leave right now if you want.”

I really want to. But isn’t this what I’ve been fighting for since Julia died? For some sort of justice for innocent children?

“No, we can’t. If what he’s planned is happening when most of the guests are gone, we have to stay.”

“There’s no need for both of us to stay. I can get the team to take you back to the villa. I’ll stay and see this through.”

Again the temptation to say yes is so strong that I have to swallow to suppress it. “I signed up for this. I can’t just leave because the bastard sickens me. I’m staying.”

His gaze probes mine for a long moment. “You’re sure?” he asks me.

“I have to be.” I came here to do a job. I have to see it through. For Julia’s sake.

He nods. Then, in a move we practiced countless times during my training in Virginia, I shield his body so he dumps half his drink in a potted plant, and he does the same for me.

Halfway through the evening, Moses and a man dressed in an embroidered tunic, fez, and toga pants join us. “This is Mahmoud. He’ll be your butler for the duration of your stay.” His dark gaze swings between the two of us. “Now, Paul promised you a tour, but he’s otherwise engaged so you got me. Shall we?”

We’ve no choice but to go with him. I block him out as he goes through his spiel about the property. I do wonder why they’re even bothering until he nudges Killian’s arm. “We were thinking, if you wanted to branch out into real estate, this could be a gold mine once the airstrip and helipads are put in place. It’s far enough away to offer the sort of exclusivity certain types cream themselves for, know what I mean?”

Killian shrugs. “It certainly has…something.”

Moses nods enthusiastically. “Paul is working on a deal with the guy who owns it to take it off his hands. We’ll let you know how it goes.”

“You do that.” Killian pauses a beat. “I thought you were in shipping though?”

Moses makes a face. “The company basically runs itself. I’m in the market for more exciting adventures.” He nudges Killian again.

Luckily we arrive at a private courtyard, directly in front of a small swimming pool. Four square pillars denote the sides of the self-contained apartment, which is an equivalent of a Moroccan riad. “This is your residence for the night. Great, isn’t it?”

Killian nods at the two guards standing on the flat roof balcony. “What’s with the armed guards?”

Moses grimaces. “We’ve had a few gatecrashers in the past. Motherfuckers from the government who have sticks up their asses about everything. The guards are an early warning system.”

We make the right noises all through the remaining tour. Moses delivers us back to the party and goes off to chat with Paul. Galveston looks over and gives a two-fingered salute. And we carry on like that throughout the evening until the so-called vanilla guests take their leave just after midnight. Then we’re led to giant wooden double doors.

Just like last time, Raj can barely contain himself. “No flashy underground bunkers here, Knight. We just deal in quality raw materials.”

Paul throws it open with an arrogant flourish. My heart hammers in dread and futile rage as I step forward.

The place is set out in an Arabian Nights theme. Had this place been anywhere else on earth, I would’ve been impressed by the art and beauty etched on the walls and scattered around the room. But the human displays on the tables stop my breath and threaten to bring up my lunch.

The live bodies laid out are completely naked, the food displayed on their various parts making no attempt to hide their genders. My stomach roils violently. Killian’s hand touches my back.

“Easy, baby. They’re not kids,” he mutters in my ear.

My breath rushes out of me, and I force myself to look closer. Sure enough, they’re young, but very early twenties young as opposed to kids.

Before my relief can sink in, Moses finds us, another bottle of champagne dangling from his fingers. “So what do you think of our starter platters?” he says with a lewd grin.

“Impressive, but nothing I haven’t seen before.”

“Fuck, you’re a tough guy to please. Well, wait till you see the main course.”

Killian makes a show of looking around. “Don’t see anything that floats my boat yet.”

“You had your inner inner sanctum. We have ours.”

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