Page 106 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

LONDON AND I LAY ONthe outdoor veranda naked, cuddled under a shearling blanket, gazing at the stars. She listened quietly as I told her everything. The whole story of my life. From start to finish, about my mother, about Alistair, and my botched career. There wasn’t a flicker of judgment in her eyes. Then I broke the news to her about Ellie. How even though Kayne’s intentions were good, she ultimately couldn’t handle the truth and rejected him. Ran like hell away from him is more like it. Kayne isn’t taking it well. I left him in Juice’s capable hands while I straightened out my own love life.

Our undercover operation was a smashing success, despite the fact we barely got out by the skin of our teeth. Me, minus one beloved tattoo.

Javier and El Rey are dead, and the women being held captive at Javier’s compound have all been freed. With Endeavor’s help, Kayne and I saved the world.

Not really, but we did make a huge dent in the criminal community.

It almost cost us everything, including our lives, but in the end, we were rescued by the good guys. The guys who society doesn’t even know are there, who receive no public recognition, but continue to serve and protect selflessly. I was one of those guys. Now that I’m not, I can’t wait to find out who I’ll become. With London by my side the possibilities are endless.

“So what happened to Mansion and all the other girls?” London asks overwhelmed. I dropped a lot of information on her all at once.

“It’s gone. The businesses and all our assets have been liquidated. And all the girls have been heavily compensated.” I stroke her shoulder thoughtfully with the pad of my thumb. “They’ve been set up for a good long while.”

“Good.” London tightens her arms around me. Her concern slowly easing away.

“I told you I would take care of everyone.”

“I know you did.” She tilts her face up and smiles dotingly. Her faith, her strength, her belief in me makes every duplicitous second worthwhile.

There’s only one loose end to tie up. I slide out from underneath the blanket and kiss London on the forehead. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

I traipse through the house gloriously naked, collecting papers from my suitcase and another bottle of wine.

I don’t know how this information is going to affect her, but I thought she had the right to know.

I sit back down on the chaise and pour another hefty glass of red wine. We’ve been sharing.

“There’s one more thing.” I beckon her to sit up.

London covers her chest with the soft blanket and takes the papers I hand her. I drink a steady supply of wine as she reads the information before her.

I assess her facial expression as she comes to the financials.

Her eyes widen and her jaw drops. “Jett is this fucking for real?”

“It is. It’s your father’s estate, and you are the sole heir.” It’s right there in black and white.

Her hands start to shake. “Are you telling me . . . Are you telling me I owneverything?”

“According to the lawyers, yes.”

London’s father was a real estate magnate. The man owned umpteen luxury hotels all around the world, not to mention restaurants, golf courses, and a casino. The bottom line of his bank account makes London more than just an heir, she’s a bona fide heiress.

“That’s a lot of fucking zeros.”

“And you deserve every one, baby.”

“I don’t know anything about running a hotel, let alone a whole fleet.” The look on her face is priceless.

“Lucky for you, I know a few things about business endeavors.” I take a suggestive sip of wine.

“Dear lord, please don’t tell me you want to start a chain of mainstream brothels.”

“The idea didn’t occur to me, but . . .” I ponder wickedly.

“Forget it!” She smacks me with the paperwork.

“Okay, maybe not mainstream.” I shield myself from her assault.

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