He’d invented a new social media platform called Grouper. Instead of a bird, the symbol was a giant fish whose mouth opened and closed. It had made Denny Reyburg a household name and a billionaire at least two times over.
“The tabloids aren’t kind to him,” Kate said. “They say he’s a spoiled brat who’s never grown up. Supposedly, he throws tantrums when he doesn’t get his way, has a brutal temper and treats his employees like dirt.”
“I guess if you have enough money, you can do whatever you want.”
Kate watched De Santos walk up to Reyburg, and the two of them spoke briefly. A third man joined them, dark suit, hard-faced, short black hair combed straight back. He said something to De Santos, and the two of them walked away.
Reyburg, followed by his two powerful bodyguards, one with a shaved head, the other with earrings in both ears, headed for the wing that had been blocked off to the rest of the guests. The guard let them pass, and the men disappeared down the corridor.
“I wonder what’s going on?” Kate murmured.
Jase took a drink of his scotch, his eyes on the corridor where the guard was back in position. “I don’t know, but I’ve never liked being left out.”
Kate’s eyes widened. “You aren’t thinking we should crash their private party?”
“Probably ought to at least check it out.”
Check it out?This was getting worse by the minute.
Kate took a steadying breath as Jason lead her back outside, into the warm night air. The apartment wrapped in a U-shape around the terrace. Glass doors led into the residence on both sides—including the side that was forbidden.
They wandered casually among the guests. Jase led her out of sight behind a row of tall, potted cypress not far from the bar. From there, they could reach one of the glass doors without being seen.
She hoped.
Her heart was pounding, hammering away as he went to work with a tiny multipurpose pocketknife, and a few seconds later, the glass door swung open.
“After you, darlin’.” Pleased with himself, Jase hauled her back inside the apartment.
It was happening tonight! Callie had heard them talking. Tonight the man was coming for her!
Earlier Mrs. Barclay, the older woman who had been in charge of her since she had been brought to this place, had come to her room to get her ready.
Callie had protested and tried to fight, but another woman had come to help, and she and Mrs. Barclay had held her down and forced her to swallow a mouthful of pills. Callie had been stripped, bathed and dressed in a clean white cotton nightgown, her auburn hair parted in the middle and tied with pink ribbons on each side of her face. She looked like a little girl.
Callie’s throat ached with unshed tears. She felt light-headed and dizzy, her mouth cotton-dry.I want to go home, she thought.I just want to go home.
Footsteps sounded in the hall. The lock turned, the door swung open. It was Mrs. Barclay standing next to a man in a black suit.
“Time to go,” Mrs. Barclay said.
“No...please... I want to go home.” But the words came out slurred, and her legs wobbled.
“Do as you’re told,” the woman said. “The man you belong to now isn’t going to put up with your nonsense. You understand me? You will do exactly what he tells you.” Mrs. Barclay nodded to the man in the suit, and he moved forward.
He took hold of Callie’s arm and started pulling her toward the door. When she struggled and tried to get away, Mrs. Barclay slapped her across the face.
“Stop that right this minute. If you don’t, I’m going to give you a shot of something a lot stronger than the pills. Either way, you’re going to do what I tell you. It’s up to you.”
Her head was already spinning, her muscles as limp as noodles. She didn’t want any more drugs. When the man drew her forward, this time she didn’t resist. What was the use, anyway?
With a sob in her throat, Callie let them lead her out of the room.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
“Looks like we’re in one of the guest rooms in this wing of the residence,” Jase said as he glanced at their surroundings. He hadn’t planned to take things this far, hated putting Kate in even worse danger, but they had to find a way to stop Los Besos and time was running out. “Come on.”
Leading Kate toward the door on the opposite side of the room, he cracked it open and checked to see what was happening out in the hall.
