“You know my name. How is it that you know my real name? No one does.”
“Forgive the insult, but because you were reckless enough not to share your ridiculous plan with anyone, we had to learn your identity through legal channels.” His sudden irritation at me bristled every feather.
“At least I was willing to do something, unlike the goddamn Miami police department!”
He cocked his head. “Agreed. I know quite a bit about you, including that the reason you put yourself in harm’s way was to find your sister, Briana. The cops think she’s nothing but a runaway, but you think otherwise.”
The confusion remained, as did the fear and uncertainty about him and what I’d gotten myself embroiled in the middle of. “You don’t understand anything about me or my sister.”
“I totally understand your reservations in talking with me. How about this.” He moved toward the chair, which was way too close, sitting down gingerly as if expecting me to run.
Maybe he was right since I immediately clasped my fingers around the cushion on the sofa, every muscle tense.
“A detective appeared in my office with a young woman who managed to escape an auction after she was purchased. Somehow, she managed to do so when her new owner was in route to wherever he was taking her. Does the name Denise ring a bell?”
As soon as he said her name, a single sob erupted from my mouth and something broke deep inside, the new wave of pain agonizing. “Denise. Is she okay? She was my cell mate and we talked as much as we were allowed. The guards didn’t like us to communicate very often. The guards told me she’d been…” The words stuck in my throat.
Was it truly possible he was one of the good guys?
My chest tightened, the suffocating feeling returning to the point my throat was cinching shut. I raked at my neck, trying to take several deep breaths. The lights seemed to flicker, although I knew it was just my vision.
Oh, my God. Maybe there was a way of finding Briana. Of saving her. “Tell me!”
“Relax, Reese. Try and take deep breaths.”
“I can’t relax. You don’t understand.” I hadn’t realized I’d slipped my hand across the coffee table toward him until he grasped my fingers.
The electric shock was instant, like what I’d felt before, but the rush of pressure was entirely different as heat swept through every cell and muscle.
Explosive and unwanted yet… Wanted.
Seconds ticked by, enough I sensed he was feeling the same thing.
In a kneejerk reaction, I yanked my hand free, fisting and pressing it against my shaking leg.
He was still leaning forward, his eyes darting back and forth across mine. “Denise is fine. From what I could tell, she’s lucky to be alive. She escaped, fearless in fleeing the man who purchased her. The reason I got involved was that the detective was hopeful that with her testimony there was a case that I could build and eventually provide justice for.”
“And? Are they being arrested right now? Did you find my sister? Is she okay? Will they be tossed in prison?”
The simple shake of his head doused my hopes. “The detective didn’t have enough evidence even after what Denise told her. We don’t even have the names of whom to charge. Plus, with no one clearly identified, the club members will disband for whatever timeframe needed and return to their normal lives. Hard evidence is needed.”
I hid behind my glass of wine, trying to focus once again while processing what he’d just told me. “Wait. You went undercover in the club.”
Kendrick nodded slowly.
“I didn’t know any prosecutor’s office ever sent anyone undercover for a sting operation.”
There was a strange but distinct twinkle in his eyes. “They don’t.”
“Wait a minute. I’m completely confused. You did this on your own? And you called me reckless? They’re going to find out who you are. You said so yourself, they are dangerous. If they required you to… fuck me to prove you weren’t a cop then once they find out who you really are, they’ll… They’ll kill you. Won’t they?”
His laugh was husky, the sound sending tingles down my spine. “I imagine they will try if my intentions are discovered, which is why we need to play this very carefully.”
“You’re crazy. We’re not safe here. I need to find my sister. We’re sitting in your house and I assure you they will find where you live.”
“Take a deep breath, Reese. You’re not understanding.”
“No, I am not.”
