I’ve got cameras on her at all times. I’ve already decided she’s mine. I told Gwen not to allow her with any other clients because I wanted no one else to ever touch her again, and instead, I walked in onthis.
I stab my fingers through my hair and breathe in through my nostrils, so I don’t break something.
Again.
I stalk to the surveillance footage of our community room and scan it, looking for any other man that might be suspicious. I pick up the phone.
“Yes, Monsieur?”
“Gwen, please clear Nicolette’s calendar for the next week.” We don’t book out further than a week, so that’s all we’ll need. “I want to give her some time to recover from what happened.”
“Yes, sir. And I’m so sorry I didn’t get your earlier message.”
I draw in a breath. “How did you miss it?”
“I didn’t have notifications on.” I can hear the wince in her voice.
“See it doesn’t happen again.” She’s goddamn luckysheisn’t mine.
“Yes, of course. It’s very kind of you to give Nicolette some time off.”
“I’m discussing increased surveillance with my management immediately, and we’d like to bring you into our discussion.”
“I’d like that.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
No one but me and Thayer know about Lyam, and we’ll keep it that way.
We disconnect the call, and I dial Louis. It’s possible that the attack here had something to do with Lyam’s abduction.
“Boss?”
“I want to run background checks on every man that walks in here.”
“We tried that once, but because so many of them are tourists?—”
“Do it. If I have to fucking explain myself, I’ll find someone else who can do it without questioning me.”
A pause, and then Louis replies, “Yes, sir. On it. I can have it in place by?—”
“Tomorrow.”
Another pause. “It’ll be done.”
“Thank you. I’d also like you to put me in touch with Jean-Pierre.”
The most skilled detective we have.
“Right away, sir.”
I scan more footage. I tell myself I’m looking for someone else who might threaten my women, but I know what I’m really looking for.WhoI’m looking for.
Jean-Pierre calls me while I’m scrolling through footage that dates back a full week. Every time I see her, I pause and take notes.
Literally.
Her favorite color’s pink.
