“He’s embezzling client funds from the bank to cover his operating expenses at the clubs. It’s not always profitable.”
“Wow. Okay. And you’ve got proof of this, I assume?”
“Oh, yes. Rook has a whole dossier. Profit and loss statements, pie charts, lists of all the clubs’ members and guests—very high-profile individuals. The sort of people who would not want their names being leaked to the press after Klaiburn promised them absolute privacy at all costs.”
“You guys are scary. Like, legit scary.”
He leans in close, his breath tickling my ear. “Good thing we’re on your side, then.”
“My thoughts exactly. I’m—”
“Well,thisis unexpected.” Jude saunters into the room, his smile mischievous. “Cozy, too. It’s not often you pay a visit to my room, Draegan. To what do I owe the honor?”
“Miss Avery and I were just… having a discussion.”
Jude leans in and kisses my cheek. Then my mouth. Then his hand starts tugging my sheet down—
“Jude!” I slap him and pull away. “Draegan is standing right there!”
“Oh, I don’t think he minds a bit.” Jude winks at me and turns to look at Draegan. In a low, sultry voice that has me instantly wet, he says, “Westlyn and I need to have a…non-discussion. You’re welcome to join us, if you’d like—that is, if the little scarecrow doesn’t mind?”
Jude presses a kiss to the hollow of my throat. Then lower. Across my collarbone, back to my throat, slowly dragging his mouth down, down, down…
My gaze involuntarily slides to Draegan’s. His eyes smolder, his jaw set tight.
That now-familiar hunger burns through me anew, my nipples aching, nerves sizzling, every muscle wound tight and ready to unleash.
I’m just about to open my big dumb mouth—Mind? Not at all! Please make yourself at home between my thighs! Both of you! At the same time!—when Draegan closes his eyes, shutting down the brief connection between us.
“You’ve got ninety minutes, Miss Avery,” he says, all business once again, then turns on his heel and heads for the door.
“Ninety minutes for what?”
“To wrap up your non-discussion with Jude, shower, find some clothing—something inconspicuous this time, if you don’t mind—and meet me in the garage.” He looks over his shoulder at me and flashes one last devastating grin. “You and I are going on another road trip.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
DRAEGAN
Keeping her tucked in close, I escort Westlyn through Blackmoor Capital’s underground parking garage and into our private elevator, zooming us up to the executive floor. It’s composed entirely of our offices, though the others don’t spend much time here. Especially now that Westlyn has taken up residence at the manor—they prefer to be there with her. With each other.
Frankly, I’d like nothing more than to be there with them. But we can’t afford to let our other duties fall by the wayside. Westlyn is absolutely the priority, but while I’m working to keep tabs on the stone gargoyles of this city, and juggling the endless investigations and meetings and bribes that keep our organization running as smoothly as it can, I just have to trust the others to protect her.
I don’t always agree with their methods—Looking atyou,Jude—but I do know they’ll do anything in their power to keep her safe.
Tonight, though? She’s all mine.
“Just through here, love,” I say, escorting her through the glass doors of the reception area, then down the hall to a massive oak door at the end.
She enters ahead of me, slowly turning on her heel to take it all in—the midnight blue walls, the hardwood floors, the massive bookcases, a huge mahogany desk and conference table, and—its most impressive feature—the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the far wall, granting us a view of the city lights beyond. “Whoa. This is your office?”
“The primary one, yes.”
“No wonder you spend so much time here. Did you decorate all this yourself?”
“I designed the interior layout, and I selected all the colors, finishes, and furniture. But people far more skilled than I put it all together.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s gorgeous. Incredible—like something out of your magazines.” She turns to me and smiles, her eyes glittering.
