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Luke laughs. “He does have a bit of a creepy vibe to him, doesn’t he?”
He doesn’t even know the half of it.
“No, he’s not a member. But I’ve driven him and some of his staff in my limos before. Guess he recognized me. I think we better get back to the hotel.”
When we get back to the hotel, I’m convinced Luke is giving me the silent treatment and I don’t know why. But he just grunts when I ask if he’s OK and goes into his room and closes the door.
A little while later, he walks out without saying goodbye. My head is spinning from the whiplash of his moods. But I try not to dwell on it and throw myself into work and then, when that gets boring, I download a new book and curl up in bed to read.
It’s nearly midnight when I hear him come in. I’m tempted to go out and say hello, but I stay in my bedroom reading my book instead.
A half hour later, as I’m about to put the book away, he knocks on my door.
“Zara, you awake?”
I tighten the belt on my robe and go to the door. “Is everything alright?”
He shakes his head, looking as though he’s seen a ghost.
I take his hand and pull him inside. “What is it?”
He buries his face in my hair and inhales. “Oliver was attacked in jail tonight. Beaten nearly to death. He’s in the hospital in a coma.”
“Dear God, Luke. I’m so sorry.” I feel sick to my stomach and can’t help but think I helped put him in the position to have that happen.
“It’s not your fault, Zara. I hope you know that.”
“Part of me knows that. But it’s hard not to think if I hadn’t accepted the date, it wouldn’t have happened.”
He shakes his head and cups my cheek. “No, lass. These people wanted the mayor dead. It was a plan they put into motion, and you were just a single piece in that plan. If it hadn’t been you, it would have been someone else.”
“I don’t know what we’re supposed to do now. Am I in danger? Are you in danger?”
He grimaces. “We’re not sure yet. All we know is that we’re trying our best to find out exactly what happened. Jamie is threatening to send someone for you again, but he’s got his hands full with… other things.”
He looks away, and I know he’s keeping something from me.
“What is it?” I question as I drag my nails through his beard.
“My father has Renda St. Claire. So far, she isn’t talking, but he kidnapped her, and I don’t know what that means for her.”
My stomach is in knots. I hate Renda. She’s pure evil. But I don’t wish torture on anyone. She needs to be in prison. Not some psycho mafia boss’s basement.
“Is there a way to convince him to turn her over to the police? Maybe the FBI?”
Luke shakes his head. “Doubtful. We know someone inside the mayor’s security detail—which is made up of NYC cops—was responsible for the actual murder. Trusting the cops is difficult right now.”
Trusting the cops has always been difficult. I’m not so naive that I think they’re on our side for most things. But they do have their place in this world and I’m happy to use them when I need to.
“Where does this leave me, Luke? I can’t just sit here in a fancy penthouse while you figure this out. What can I do to help?”
He sighs. “I don’t know. It was idiotic of me to force you to come here. That’s not even my style. But I want you, Zara. More than I can even express. I’ve never been so attracted to a woman before. I can’t offer you love or even an actual relationship. My life is too chaotic for that.”
“You can’t offer me anything, but you want me to give up my career?”
“Surely you can’t expect me to be OK with other men touching you?”
I shrug. “Do you touch other women at the club? As one of the four owners, you’re responsible for punishing and training submissives. I assume that sometimes means touching them.”
