Page 11 of Twisted

She takes a deep breath and then smiles bravely. “Ok, we’ve got this. All my training is about to count for something. I won’t let you down.”

As she heads back to her room to prepare herself, I feel as if I’ve already let her down. If I was half the man I should be, I’d tell Ryder to fuck himself and wrap Katherine up in my arms and hold her tight forever.

* * *

One and a halfhours later and we’re ready. I’ve called a cab for Katherine to take her to Preston’s home. She has the cameras and is carrying the equipment and wearing her exercise gear. She looks every inch the personal trainer and is as hot as hell.

She looks at me with determination in her eyes and I smile reassuringly. “Listen, I’ll be nearby monitoring the situation. If you need me, call ‘Red’ and I’ll be there in minutes. Remember what you learned about self-defense and you’ll be fine. If I know the Reapers, they’ve trained you well in that department. Just get the job done and get out.”

She nods and smiles sadly. “Well, here goes nothing. Wish me luck.”

I watch helplessly as she grabs her bag and heads to the elevator. She doesn’t look back, and it’s probably a good thing. If I saw one sign of doubt on that beautiful face, I’d call it done. But she’s a brave, beautiful woman and I know she needs to do this to set herself free.

As soon as she leaves, I call the office and clear my diary. Katherine needs me now and I won’t let her down.

Katherine

I try to get my head back in the game on the ride over. Preston Musgrave is about to learn a hard lesson, and I’ll revenge every woman he’s ever destroyed.

The cab drops me to his home and I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

I ring the bell and wait. My heart thumps as I wait for it to open. It doesn’t take long and I’m surprised to see the man himself grinning creepily at me as his gaze rakes me from head to toe.

“Welcome to my humble home, Miss. Rogers, or may I call you Katherine?”

I scowl at him and throw him a hard look. “Miss. Rogers will be fine.”

He nods and I see a flash of excitement spark in his eyes and know I’ve got him already.

He nods. “Follow me and we can get started.”

I follow him across the marble-tiled hall into a large room filled with light. He guides me through some patio doors onto a terrace and I note he heads toward the pool house.

I look around with awe at the splendor of the place. He smiles. “Welcome to my home, Miss. Rogers. I don’t get to spend nearly enough time here as I’d like. Unfortunately, my work takes up quite a lot of my time and so my time here is precious.”

I shake my head. “Is it worth it?”

He looks confused. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. “Money and possessions are fine, but what about you? If you have to sacrifice your happiness just to experience material things, then that sounds kinda sad to me.”

He laughs softly. “Spoken like someone who has never experienced this life I lead. Do you really think I would have married a supermodel and live in such palatial surroundings if I were just a lawyer or a man off the street? Such luxuries come at a price, and I’m more than happy to pay it.”

I look around me. “Will your wife be joining us?”

He shakes his head. “Not today. She’s away on an assignment. We have the whole place to ourselves as even the staff have the day off.”

He licks his lips. “Let’s just say, I’ve cleared my schedule so you can put me through my paces. I have looked into your credentials, Miss. Rogers and like what I see. I don’t expect you to hold back on me in any way.”

The look he throws me makes it perfectly clear what he wants, and I regard him coolly.

“Have it your way, but you may live to regret your decision, Senator.”

He smiles darkly. “I doubt that very much, Miss. Rogers.”

We reach the pool house and he turns to me and cocks his head. “So, where do you want me?”

Flinging my bag on the couch, I look at him derisively.

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