Page 126 of Carnal Games

Earlier in the morning, I met with the private investigator specializing in corporate espionage and promptly fired him after he stupidly suggested I throw Iris as bait and wait for a second attack to catch the culprit.

I promised my little rainbow that nobody is coming near her again and I fucking meant it. She may not be my woman, but that doesn’t mean I won’t protect and keep her safe with every resource at my disposal.

That idiot’s lazy and reckless suggestion told me it was a mistake to hire him in the first place. That’s where Zenith comes in. The most sought-after private detective in the underworld, where loose morals and getting your hands bloody are a given.

I’ve heard of him and his prowess in uncovering secrets and solving cases that nobody else can. However, it’s the first time I’m seeing him. He isn’t how I pictured him in my head.

Dressed like a biker in a leather jacket and ripped jeans, he stands out. Not too much, but considering what his profession requires, one might think he’d try being more discreet. I don’t care about his strategy regarding his appearance as long as it brings results.

Since I needed him right away, I had to call in a favor. One I’m not pleased about, considering who I had to call to receive it. Nor are Zenith’s services cheap on such notice. If it were anyone other than Iris, I would’ve negotiated.

I spent the last half hour briefing him on everything about the case. His face remained impassive as he scribbled a few notes in his pocket-sized notebook. A paper trail is easier to destroy than a digital trail. Leaning back, I wait for his questions.

“Same department?”

“No. She’s my assistant.”

“Your brother’s fiancée?”

Of course, he knows about her connection to me. Meaning he did his research before coming to the meeting. My jaw clenches as I grit out, “Yeah.”

Yesterday was a sheer test of my will. Iris is taunting me with what I can’t have. First, those sweet lips of hers, and then later, her exquisite petite figure shielded by a flimsy towel. Though it covered most of her, there was no missing the goosebumps on her skin or the flush traveling from her collarbones to the swell of her tits.

She’s tempting me to unleash the possessive and immoral wolf inside me, who won’t hesitate to steal her from her fiancé.

To show her how I’ve earned my brutal and remorseless reputation.

Imperceptible as ever, the other man doesn’t miss the slight movement. But wisely, he doesn’t point it out. He’s too professional to do so.

“Did Iris know any of the missing girls?” Zenith questions.

“She doesn’t have anything in common with them besides working for me. They were all orphans and poor. Iris is neither. The kidnapper has been quiet until now. Why come out of hiding and risk exposure?”

Keeping the investigation under wraps was done for multiple reasons. The local authorities were sniffing around and came once to question me. The media would’ve soon followed on their tail. If the news had become public, we would never have been able to catch the people responsible or those girls.

The last thing I needed was an unsafe work environment for my business. So, I pulled strings to bury the probe in my company. At that time, I also didn’t believe it could’ve been one of my employees doing something heinous.

I stopped the social program altogether. Things were once again running smoothly. The previous detective found nothing either, giving me the illusion that I was right.

Until the day I found Iris lying unconscious and realized I was terribly wrong.

“If someone is running a racket from inside your company, those people don’t choose their targets randomly. There was a reason they attacked her. We need to find the link connecting her to the other girls.” Flipping his notebook closed, he regards me intensely, like whatever he’s about to say next might anger me. “To do that, I’ll have to look deeply into Iris and everyone close to her, including your brother. Are you comfortable with that?”

“I don’t want you to leave any stones unturned.”

“Let me rephrase. I can’t have you interfering when I stumble on information that you might not like or how I may use it. I do things my way. That’s how I guarantee results.”

“What are you implying?” My tone is dark and accusing. “That Iris has a skeleton in her closet that made her a victim?Need I remind you that she came into my life recently? The girls began missing last year.”

“In my line of work, I’ve realized the innocent-looking ones have the most to hide. I want you to be prepared for the unexpected.”

“I’d hardly call the people who associate with the Kings as innocent.”

“They aren’t my only clients.” Arching an arrogant brow, he demands, “So, do I have your word?”

Composing myself, I calmly reply, “I won’t interfere.”

“One more question. Why didn’t you come to me before?”