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Philippe turns his notebook around for me to see his work.
Initiator
Master
CaptainCaptain
TrésorTrésorTrésorTrésor
“This is how we believe they’re organized. As I mentioned, we’ve had an eye on them, though I didn’t think they’d leave their bubble to openly attack a crime organization, let alone in the US.”
“That makes two of us.”
Philippe jabs his finger at theInitiator. “We are desperately looking for more information about this guy before things get out of control. Since they’re led by family, power, and sex, theirfamilymembers need to perform sexual activities—to fulfill the dreams of their powerful clients. However…” his hesitation makes me look up. “If you can’t provide…”
“Not performing sexual activities?” I ask, needing to clarify.
“Exactly, if you can’t for whatever reason, you get punished.”
We both let that word sink in for a minute. “Punished?”
Philippe doesn’t blink. “Hanged.”
I exhale with a shudder. “Fuck me.”
Mom’s newfound uncle lets out a strained laugh. “Yeah. But that’s not all. We’ve become aware of a growing number of suicides since we’ve been investigating them... But here’s what you need to know: they sell theirsoiréesas an ethereal experience, and their clients agree to be put under hypnosis for a more pleasurable outcome.”
“Hypnosis?” I echo, stunned. “Do you think…” I stare down at his scribbles while the wheels in my head are turning. “Do you think they used hypnosis during the murders?”
Philippe frowns, but the more I think about it, the more this madness makes sense. “The whispers, the gentleness. I don’t know about you, but if I were about to be hanged, I’d be fighting for my life. Why weren’t the victims?”
He thinks about my question, then gives me a hesitant shake of the head. “I’m far from an expert on this matter, but we did have a few psychologists look at the file when we started putting together the pieces of the puzzle. You can only hypnotize a willing participant. So if the victims were running away from their assailant, only to be captured shortly after, it would be impossible to hypnotize them. Their minds wouldn’t have let them.” He checks his watch and gives me an apologetic look. “I have to go to the office. Text me the details of your hotel and if you’re sure it’s not a problem, since there are two of you, I’ll have an officer come over as soon as possible to bring the both of you to an apartment across the city. If you don’t feel comfortable about having to share, we’ll find another solution.”
My face heats. “It’s not a problem.”
“Alright.” He stands up and tucks his papers back into his briefcase. “Get settled and I’ll come over as soon as I can with my intel. Then I’ll set things up for you to meet my informant.”
My brain’s still processing the information as I watch Philippe go. Crime is straightforward, just like its consequences—drugs, junkies, debt collection, executions. But back home, when we’d first connected the dots of acultto our murders, I hadn’t considered the gravity of things. Because they really are a whole different ball game, and I’m left with that same wave of nausea and dread that has been filling the pit of my stomach since we made this discovery. I sit there for a while and try to settle. Once I’m calm again, I order two coffees to go and buy a bunch ofmini viennoiseriesfor Austin—yeah, I know—then take out my phone, only to find it vibrating in my hand.
Sexy devil: Where the hell are you?
My first reaction is that of surprise—I’ve got his number, but how on earth did he get mine?
I look up, wide-eyed, half expecting him to be lurking somewhere with that self-righteous smile on his face. I let out a relieved shudder of breath when I don’t see him.
CDonnelly: Good morning. I hope you slept well. I’ll be back shortly with fresh croissants.
Sexy devil: Sent a video
I shouldn’t be opening this fuckery, but my thumb hovers over the button by itself. Then I bite my lip and click. Austin’s lying in the bathtub, his long, toned limbs caressed by the glistening water. I suck in a deep breath as my cock stirs at the sight. My belly fills with longing when I hear his voice rumble. “Gotta do something since you’ve left me here on my own.”
No. He’s not going to do what I—
His splayed fingers crawl down over his slick, wet body until they grab what they’re looking for. My breath hitches as I watch, jaw hanging I’m sure, how he gives his cock a few lazy strokes. Oh, God. I need to turn this off, I’m sitting in public for fuck’s sake. But my eyes are glued to the image. They follow every movement, from the way his long fingers are curled around his thickness, to the way his thumb swipes over the flush tip. Then he spoils me with another moan, making me release a soft whimper. My hand quickly slams my mouth closed.
Austin’s hand stops and he lets out a soft chuckle that sends pleasurable heat through me. “You wanna see more? Better get back here soon.”
The video ends and I just sit there, dazed, lips dry. Then I pick up the food and jog back to the hotel.
