Page 31 of Trigger's Temptation

“It’s Club business. Learn it.” Trigger’s clipped tone has me snapping my mouth shut in rebuttal.

“Ok, let’s say it’s not someone here. How did they get to Elise, and no one knows it?” I ask aloud. “Will your tech guy let me look at the footage? Maybe he’s missed something I can pick up.”

“If you’re done here, then come on.” Trigger opens the door, and I follow.

“I’m still confused. If you know who took her, why do you need my help?” I question.

“Because for some fucking reason my Prez and your boss want us to work together.” Trigger leads me back out to the Common room and toward another door to the left of the bar.

Trigger knocks before opening the door. He smirks when he looks back at me. “You learn fast around here to not open doors or enter rooms with a door without knocking first. Couples don’t like to lock them when they’re getting their freak on.”

I step inside, and the sight before me takes my breath away. It’s a tech person’s wet dream. An ultra-modern, high-tech sanctuary sits before me. The air hums with the quiet power of cutting-edge hardware, from top-tier custom-built PCs with liquid cooling and the latest GPUs to a multi-monitor setup. The monitors are flicking through several areas throughout the city with stunning 8K resolution on display.

I spot a man with shaggy red hair and black glasses sitting in a rolling chair, typing code on the screen before him. He's so engrossed in his work that he doesn’t even look up from the monitor when we walk in.

“Yo, Red. Tell me you found something?” Trigger announces right next to the man’s head.

Red jumps and his face burns bright red. “God almighty and fucking shit, Trigger. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?” Trigger asks, ignoring Red’s glare.

“Yeah, in fifteen minutes. I wanted to make sure everything is running for Bones when I leave, so there are no unexpectedissues.” Red turns back to the monitor, his fingers flying over the keyboard. His brows furrow in concentration. A few more keystrokes, then he swivels in his chair. “There. Done.”

I take him in. For being a tech guy, he does not fit the nerd bill like I would assume. He’s lean and muscular with a chiseled jaw and high cheekbones. His red hair stands out against his pale complexion. Don’t get me wrong, he is a gorgeous man, but he doesn’t do it for me like Trigger does.

“Who’s this?” Red asks.

“This is Aerianna. She wants to look over the footage from the time we think Elise went missing.” Trigger introduces us.

“She’s not going to find anything. Someone hacked into the system and scrubbed the feed.” Red crosses his arms, irritation clear in his voice.

“Does someone need to be close to hack into the system, like in the building?” I question.

“Yes. I have layers of security. But if someone’s skilled enough and already inside, they could bypass it.” Red responds.

I raise an eyebrow at Trigger, and he shakes his head. “Interesting,” I mumble under my breath.

“Don’t even go there, Aerianna.” Trigger warns.

I hold my hands up in defense. “I’m not saying a word.” I think about everything I’ve learned so far. “Ok, how about this. Red, can you pull up any information on Jonas and Josiah Mercer? Their LKA’s, cars, property, anything you can think of? Then, run a check on Elise’s phone. See if she had any texts, emails, or phone calls last night that would lead to her letting someone in from the outside.”

The tech room door swings open, and a man around six-two strides in. His sharp, chiseled features and strong jawline scream Dutch heritage. Faded scars along his cheekbones and eyebrows hint at a haunted past. Dark brown hair falls onto his face, and a smirk plays on his lips when his hazel eyes land onme. He gives me a slow, deliberate once-over, making me shift uncomfortably.

Trigger growls deep in his throat. “Eyes off, Bones. Unless you don’t want to keep your dick.”

Bones’ eyes snap to Trigger in shock. So, this is Bones. The one who will be taking over for Red when he leaves. “Sorry, Trigger. I didn’t realize.”

“Now you do.” The unspoken threat between them is thick, and I don’t like it one bit.

“Can we focus?” I snap, breaking the tension.

Red checks the time on his computer. “Shit. I’m out. Bones, do what Aerianna asks while I’m gone. Trigger you coming?” Red stands from his chair and hurries out of the room.

Trigger looks between Red, Bones, and me before giving a brief nod. He steps to me, his body caging me in. I relish in the feel of his hardness against my soft curves. Trigger leans in, so his warm breath caresses the shell of my ear. “I’ll be back, Little Kitten. Keep your claws retracted. Those are only meant for me.”

Before I can respond, Trigger strides out, leaving me standing here stunned. I blink away the spell he has on me and turn toward Bones. He’s watching me with a smirk on his face.

Bones sits in the chair Red just occupied and links his tattoo-covered hands behind his head. “That was intense.”

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