Instead of sitting in a chair close to me, he leaned against the credenza, crossing his feet. Once again, my eyes were drawn to his boots. They were as well-worn as his jeans. This time when I lifted my gaze, I realize I’d been caught, his smirk and the flash in his eyes a clear indication.
“They thought you were a cop,” I said. Why those had been the first words blurted from my mouth when there were a hundred decent questions was beyond me. Maybe my nervousness was talking. “Right?”
“Theyhave reason to be concerned.”
“Are you?”
He laughed. “Do I look like a cop?”
“I don’t know what you look like.” And I wasn’t telling him a lie. He’d even run his fingers through his perfect hair creating a just out of bed look that was even sexier than the slicked back version. I could almost see him do it using both hands. His hairwas a rich black and longer than I’d thought, so thick I longed to run my fingers through it.
Jesus. What was wrong with me? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had such lurid thoughts about a man. Certainly none for my coworkers or neighbors.
“Maybe a drug dealer.”
His laugh was deeper, throatier.
Sexier.
“Well, I’m not certain what that says about me.”
“Then if you aren’t either, who the hell are you? Some rich asshole who gets off on kink?” I’d never been good at mincing words, the one foible that had always gotten me into trouble.
“I can’t say I’ve spent much time contemplating kink. I’ve been too busy in my job.” He tugged something from his back pocket, walking toward me.
“I can only imagine.”
His eyes flashed another look of annoyance. Now, only inches away, I was rewarded with another wafting wave of his musky aftershave. He was obviously as exhausted as I felt, rubbing his eyes while his chest rose and fell.
“I need you to understand something, Reese. I purposely went looking for you and in doing so, people I trust, respect, and care for placed their lives in jeopardy. What I’m about to tell you can’t be repeated and I think you’ll understand why. But you’re going to need to realize that providing you with the truth adds another layer of danger to an already perilous position.”
“I don’t understand. What are you trying to tell me?”
“First, that you’re safe and I plan on keeping you that way. And you’re not my slave, although given Lucifer’s reactions, I have the distinct feeling our relationship will be tested at least once more. What that entails, I have no idea. There’s very little qualified information on the Privileged, including the identities of anyone involved.”
Hence the masks.
“O-kay.” While I had no idea what he was trying to tell me, I sensed in some strange way I could trust him. Was that possible or was I simply too exhausted to know the difference in yet another lie?
When I pulled back, he sighed as he’d done so many times before and placed whatever he was holding directly in front of me.
After blinking twice, I finally realized it was a business card. What I was seeing just didn’t feel right. Nor was it believable. Yet it seemed legit. “You’re Kendrick Stark?”
“I am.”
“A prosecuting attorney. I still don’t understand. Are you simply trying to tell me that the group of men involved in that… atrocity come from all walks of life?”
“I have no doubt those atrocious men come from every walk of life, although I doubt any from blue collar jobs. If I had to guess, I’d say the club members are comprised of corporate moguls, highly respected surgeons, and even judges. Entrepreneurs and crime lords. With a few congressmen sprinkled in for kicks and giggles. Although at this point, I can’t be certain of that and have no clue about their identities. Even in meeting Steven Powell, I doubt he’s on anyone’s radar. What I can tell you is that they go to great lengths to keep their organization private. Theycertainly have the means to afford such a repulsive luxury, and no doubt walk among the richest and most influential people.”
“Such as yourself.”
His laugh was almost indignant. “I have no desire to walk among them nor am I the type of club member they’d allow into their twisted fold.”
“But you are.” His choice of vocabulary was interesting, adding to the ‘rough around the edges’ allure.
“Not in the way you’re thinking, Reese. What I’m attempting to do, along with the help of others, is to expose who they are and what they’re doing.”
I’d always considered myself a good judge of character and Kendrick wasn’t lying. Yet I had a difficult time believing he’d pretend to be one of them.
