Page 51 of Taming Seraphine

I place a hand on his shoulder. “If you want to work full time in the firm as an analyst, I can make that happen.”

The corner of his lips lifts into a smile. “You could?”

I nod. “Murder isn’t the only way to help us. If you’re that keen to learn how to use a gun, I can take you for target practice.”

“Sure,” Miko says, his eyes bright. “I want to be able to give back.”

“We’ve had this conversation before,” I say, giving his shoulder a squeeze. “The only thing I want from you is to be happy.”

He dips his head, his smile widening, and his cheeks turning pink. “I... Uh, finished the research you wanted on Capello’s guards. He’s been paying them out of the same account for decades, so I found the names of the recipients and cross-referenced their information with public records and with photos I downloaded from the DMV.”

“Can you filter the ones who were in his employment from six years ago until today?”

All traces of the shy young man vanish, replaced by the confident professional. “There’s twenty-four. Three are in prison, five died in the past five years, and seven died during our explosions.”

I nod. “Making twelve left alive?”

“Yeah.”

“Send me files on all twenty-four and identify the deceased.”

He makes a few clicks. “Done.”

“Excellent work.”

“Got a minute to play a game?” he asks.

My gaze flicks down to my phone. I’m tempted to check on Seraphine, but I shake my head. “Not tonight, Miko. Got my hands full.”

“Another time?” he asks, his voice flat.

“Definitely.” I rise to my feet and give him a pat on the back. “One more thing. Rita got a call from someone who wants a hit on the lone gunman who killed Capello.”

His head whips up. “Seriously?”

“He’s willing to pay a mill for the job.”

His jaw drops. “I hope she said no.”

“I accepted the mission,” I reply with a smirk. “As soon as the deposit clears, do what you can to research the person who wants me dead.”

“Of course,” Miko says, his voice trembling.

“Don’t worry. I plan on eliminating this new client before he knows what’s coming. Now, get some rest.”

I walk out of his apartment faster than normal, eager to know how Seraphine is coping with her punishment.

NINETEEN

SERAPHINE

I’ve been grinding against this mattress for the last ten minutes, trying something—anything—to create a little friction. All I’ve managed is to build myself up to a heightened state of arousal that quickly fades.

Tears prick the corners of my eyes. Leroi got me so worked up with that spanking, and the way his fingers skimmed so close to where I needed him most was maddening.

I knew he was special, knew he could be the one to give me my first orgasm. What I didn’t know was the extent of his cruelty. I felt his thick erection pressed into my side as he spanked my ass, but he kept it in his pants. Other men would have escalated, but Leroi remained so cool and in control, even though my body begged him for more.

He’s unreachable, yet I’ve never felt this way for any man. I’m beginning to rethink whether I want to be trained by him. Right now, all I want to do is make him scream. Or bleed.

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