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“Hmm, now what interest would a man of his stature have in the latest action movie?” Paxton began to connect the dots.
“From the information I gathered, Faradon manages $20 billion in unearned income from high net worth individuals, institutional investors, college endowments, foundations and on and on.”
“So Bastian Conti might be one of the individuals whose stock portfolio he manages.”
“It’s possible. Serra retired from Faradon Capital in 2012 but he still owns a stake in the company and personally looks after long-standing portfolios.”
“Ah, I remember,” Paxton said as she turned to look at the man dressed in Italian finery. “He switched his focus to politics and the environment.”
“Yep. He launched TrueGen America, a nonprofit organization that supports progressive positions on climate change, immigration, health care, and education.”
“He made the news recently didn’t he? If I recall, California Governor George Newman appointed Serra to chair a task force focused on the state's economic recovery during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.”
“Spot on. A position that hasn’t won him favors with his peers.”
“Why do you say that?” It was difficult to divide her attention between the discussion of the group and Jordan, so Paxton turned her back on them to look out over the city.
“It’s a position that would gain him huge favor on the Left. If he can successfully chair the task force to full economic recovery, it would increase his chances of running for the Whitehouse in 2024.”
“Thanks, Jordan. Keep digging into these two and perhaps add Thea Sutro to the mix. From what I can see, they’re the only individuals not directly associated with the entertainment industry.”
“I think Mrs. Sutro would disagree. She’s upfront and personally involved... maybe not with the business end of the film industry itself but with those that inhabit it.”
Paxton laughed as she ended the call. She glanced over to where Knox was having an animated discussion with Bastian Conti. She was always surprised at how effortlessly Knox could switch from being a serious investigator to playing a role completely opposite her nature. The expression on Mia Kunz’s face was enough evidence that Knox’s portrayal of a ditsy starstruck fan was close to perfection.
Bastian also seemed transfixed by Knox, if his indiscreet groping of her buttocks was anything to go by. He nuzzled her throat at which she threw back her head and laughed. The sensually inflected sound carried all the way to Paxton. She glanced back at Paul, Sutro and Serra, who had been joined by the director of the movie. The earlier animosity between the two had disappeared and with it, Paxton’s interest in hanging around.
She had the information she was after. It was time to leave before Knox ended up in a cat fight with the Swiss model. She dialed Knox’s number.
“Let’s go. Now.”
It was easier said than done, since it took Knox a good five minutes to convince Bastian that he didn’t need to accompany her to the ladies’ restroom.
“Took your own sweet time,” Paxton muttered as the elevator carried them to the lower level parking garage.
“That man is worse than an octopus.” She shuddered visibly as she unlocked the car. “I think we can confirm that Bastian Conti’s mistress is the beautiful Mia Kunz. She was ready to go nine rounds when you called.” She glanced at Paxton. “Don’t for one second believe it’s because I’m irresistible. From what I overheard, he loves variety, especially when his lovely wife isn’t around.”
“And I found a few people of interest who could potentially have something to do with the house standing empty.” Paxton frowned as Knox reversed out of the parking bay. “I wonder if I shouldn’t tell Jared about them. Serra has money and is involved in politics. I don’t want our paths to cross again if it’s someone they’ve already got on their radar.”
“Before you told us what they’re involved in, I would’ve opposed such a decision but I have to agree with you. I’m over living a life of danger like we did in Afghanistan. I love being a PI and to kick ass on the odd occasion but I value my life too much to become a target of the Mafia or some unscrupulous businessmen out to gain power.”
“Yeah, we all feel like that.”
With the decision made, she took out her phone and dialed Jared’s number.
“Mrs. Lee.”
It was her surname, spat out officiously that took her breath away, especially in light of the intimacy they’d shared just two days ago. On the other hand, she hadn’t seen or heard from him since he’d moved them into the safehouse. She wondered if his visit at the time hadn’t been a tactic to get her to agree to accepting their offer to guard her team. It didn’t matter though, she conceded. They were in danger and he offered protection. That had to be it. And all things considered, maybe it was a good idea to keep their relationship purely professional.
“We need to talk.”
“I’m at the safehouse, Mrs. Lee. The question is; where are you?”
Paxton regretted the message she’d left. He probably viewed it as a challenge, which if she was honest with herself, had been exactly that. She had been irked that he’d ignored her for two days. It was a complete contradiction in behavior to the assertive, strong, and independent woman she’d become over the years. She had no idea how to counter his magnetism.
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes... or no, let’s meet at my offices in Oyster Point in thirty.” She quickly changed her mind, deciding it was necessary to rope in the wayward submissive that was all too eager to please the Dom in him— at least insofar as their personal relationship was concerned. He might be a powerful Dom but she was a successful private investigator, an ex-army ranger for Chrissakes! She refused to allow him to intimidate her outside of a potential sexual relationship.
“I want you back at the Parkmerced, Paxton.”
