Page 16 of Desire

Chapter 13

My entire dayyesterday had been spent combing through all the paperwork I’d dug up on the Shipmans, and I’d found something intriguing. Because of Bridget’s concerns for Alex, all my focus had been on Malcolm Shipman and the boy. I hadn’t paid close enough attention to his parents. Based on what I could find, the Shipmans had a hefty bank account and an even heftier insurance policy in place before their deaths. Their primary beneficiary, of course, was Alex, but as he was a minor, a trustee had been assigned as a secondary beneficiary. A trustee who just happened to be Alex Shipman’s uncle. That could explain the luxury car that the average Joe wouldn’t be able to afford under normal circumstances.

I understood that a leap from child abuse to murder was a giant one, but I didn’t plan on leaving any stone unturned when it came to this case. I needed to know everything. I left everything at the office yesterday in order to give my eyes a rest. I would start fresh looking over it all on Monday. Tonight I needed Eden. I also needed to see Bridget. It had been a few days since I left her standing in her store with my promise, and I’d forced myself to stay away.

My phone rang, and I looked at the caller ID. My brow furrowed when I saw Bridget’s name flash across the screen. It was a weird coincidence since I was just thinking about her. Then I started to worry and wonder why she would be calling me on a Saturday afternoon, especially since she still wasn’t totally pleased with me.

“Hello, Bridget.” I greeted her.

“Connor, I just saw Alex,” she responded, a tone of worry sounding in my ear. “He was at the cafe where Penny and I were eating brunch. She saw him sitting there watching us, but when I turned and called out his name, he took off. I tried to chase after him, yelling for him to stop, but I lost him. Why would he run? Connor, please, I need you to find him for me.” By the time she finished speaking, she had become slightly distressed sounding.

“Bridget, calm down. It’s okay. He was probably just curious about you.” I tried to placate her.

“But why would he run? Like he was afraid of something? It doesn’t make sense.”

No, it didn’t, but I didn’t want to make her more frantic than she already sounded. I did my best to calm her down. “I don’t know. Maybe he got nervous and panicked when you tried to talk to him. He freaked, not knowing what to say to you. Look, I’ll go check on him if it makes you feel better.”

Her tremulous voice made my heart ache. “Please, Connor. I need to know he’s okay.”

I rushed to reassure her, “I’ll head over to the house now, okay?”

She sighed softly. “Thank you, Connor.”

There was nothing I wouldn’t do for this woman. “You’re welcome. I’ll let you know if I find anything out. I promise.”

After I hung up, I drove over to Alex’s house. All was quiet. I hung around for a while, waiting for I don’t know what. I don’t really know what I expected to find coming over here, but I needed to do it to reassure Bridget. I knew her nerves were shot. Mine were too. Because even though no sign of life came from the house, I had a bad feeling. I’d learned over the years not to ignore my gut. Knowing I wasn’t going to learn anything, I left and would check on Alex on Monday. I’d let Bridget know that all was clear when I saw her tonight.

* * *

I enteredthe club and felt the pulsing of the beats reverberate through my skin. I inhaled deeply the smell of sex and sweat. I scanned the room for any sign of luscious red hair. When I didn’t spot her immediately, I sauntered over to the bar and ordered a scotch on the rocks. I pondered what I was going to say when I saw her next. I didn’t have long to think about it, because on my next sweep, I spotted her entering the doorway across the room.

My cock hardened at the sight of her dressed in an underbust Kelly green corset with black piping around the edges and peek-a-boo lace covering her breasts. I could barely see the outline of her dark brown areolas and nipples. She also had on sheer black cheeky boy shorts that only enhanced her toned ass cheeks. Her long, gorgeous legs glowed in the dimmed lights, and her calf muscles were defined as she stood in black shoes I’d heard women call “fuck me pumps”.

She proceeded into the common room and stepped over to a group of women that included Gina. The women began chatting, but Bridget’s face looked wan, and I could see the slight tension lines around her mouth and eyes. I knew she was worried and trying her best to be social.

I quickly finished my scotch and was about to draw her away from the ladies to, hopefully, ease her burden about Alex a little. As I began to head over there, I stopped and frowned when a new face appeared in my vision. What the fuck was he doing here? Webber strolled in looking extremely uncomfortable as he took in his surroundings. I also noticed people staring at him in his out-of-place navy pinstriped suit. Clothing was optional in Eden so it wasn't typical to see a man fully dressed.

I observed him as he ambled further into the club. His gaze bounced back and forth between the St. Andrew’s Cross on the stage and the rope rigging apparatus on the perpendicular wall.

His eyes widened in shock when the Dom on stage snapped the bullwhip toward the waiting sub strapped to the cross. He took a quick step forward like we wanted to intervene, but stopped himself. I almost took pity on him and was about to come to his rescue when his gaze honed in on Bridget. He began walking toward her, a sudden confidence in his stride. When he reached the group of women, stopping just behind Bridget, they all stopped talking except her. When she realized every one was silent and staring at something behind her, she turned to see who or what had their attention.

Her eyes bugged out and her mouth dropped in shock when she spied Webber behind her. I had to give her credit for recovering quickly. I could tell introductions were being made, although I had no idea how they knew each other. Webber, I knew, was definitely not a member of the club. The question was, who invited him? It couldn’t have been Bridget since she was as shocked as I was that he was here. I couldn’t take not knowing what was going on and seeing him continue to stare at her with this intense expression on his face I refused to name.

I moved from my semi-leaning position against the bar and attempted, without success, to nonchalantly wander over in their direction. Several people tried to stop me to say hi, but with what I knew was a thunderous expression on my face, they changed their minds and judged it best to get out of my way. I reached the group and forced a smile.

“Ladies.” I turned and glared at the interloper and ground out, “Webber.”

He nodded in response with a smirk I wanted to wipe off with my fist. “Black, always a pleasure. Ms. Carter was just introducing me to the rest of these lovely women.” He had the gall to place his hand on the small of her back.

I immediately saw red and glanced at Bridget, who was looking anywhere but at me. I also noticed she didn’t move away from his touch. “I didn’t realize you knew Ms. Carter. And what are you doing here? You’re definitely not a member. I never pictured you as a Dominant. A submissive, on the other hand? That I could see.” I knew I was being a jealous asshole, but this fucker, with his hands all over Bridget, was pissing me off.

He shrugged, unfazed by my barbs. “No, I’m not a member. Yet. I was invited by the friend of a friend actually. So I could check the place out. See what this kinky lifestyle is all about. Maybe find someone who could teach me a thing or two.” He moved an infinitesimal degree closer to Bridget. Oh, hell no.

I wasn’t sure, but I think I growled then. “Well, I’m sure Gina here would be happy to teach you a thing or two. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Ms. Carter alone for a moment.”

Bridget’s head snapped in my direction at this, and finally, she met my eyes. I don’t know what she saw in them, but she must have thought it was in her best interest to agree. “Daniel, it was a, um, pleasure to see you again. Maybe we can talk before you leave.”

“She’ll be busy until then,” I ground out. When she opened her mouth to rebut my statement, I instructed a little sharper than I intended, “With me. Now, Bridget.”

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