Page 18 of Captive Audience

I liked a man with a dark sense of humor.

There was no website or street address on the card. Just the business name and a phone number with so many repeated digits that it didn’teven look real.

“I still get my hands dirty occasionally, but I have others to handle the grunt work. We’re multinational now.”

“You don’t say?” That explained the fancy apartment at the Lynch Continental. Who knew pest control was such big business? “And are there a lot of rodents to be wrangled in Philly?”

“You have no idea.” There was something cryptic about Rook’s comment, but he distracted me by moistening his lips, drawing my eyes to his mouth. “Look, Asha, I’ll make this simple. You came over here looking for something from me, and I’m more than willing to deliver. Come home with me, and I promise you a night you’ll never forget.”

“You ever heard of setting the bar low to avoid disappointment?”

“I don’t need to do that.”

This guy’s machismo was off the charts.

Rook drained the rest of his whiskey and stood, offering me his hand. “Let’s get out of here. It’s almost midnight, and I plan to make good on my word.”

“Let me grab my purse.” I scurried back to the girls. Daisy was doing an in-seat happy dance, and Beth couldn’t wipe the giddy smile from her face.

“It’s happening. He invited me to his penthouse at the Lynch Continental.”

“Damn, girl,” said Beth. “He must be rolling in it.”

“Uh-huh. And so far out of my league it’s not funny.”

“Shut up.” Daisy shoved my shoulder. “You’re a total catch. He’s just smart enough to recognize it.”

Beth pulled out her phone. “Should I find him on the socials to make sure he’s not one of those guys holding a fish in his profile picture?”

“Don’t you dare. Let me cling to the illusion that he’s perfect for as long as possible. I’m spending one night with the guy. I don’t need to know who he really is.”

“Then go get your man, and text us tomorrow with all the details.” Daisy held her knuckles out for a fist bump, and I gave her one. “May his dick be huge and his tongue talented.”

One night with McHottie. That was all it could ever be. Right?

I just hoped it didn’t ruin me for all other men.

11

ROOK

I’d given a lot of thought to how I might kidnap Asha.

Stealing her in her sleep. Snatching her from the cemetery on her daily walk. Hijacking her Uber.

Not once did I imagine she’d come to my apartment willingly, let alone march up to me at a bar and invite herself into my bed.

As I approached Asha, the delighted smiles of her friends told me they’d have no objections to us leaving together. This was almost too easy.

If anyone needed evidence that karma didn’t exist, this was it. Because good luck like this should never land at the feet of a bastard like me.

I hadn’t lied during our conversation. It wasn’t my fault Asha had mistaken my blunt confessions about stalking, murder, and revenge as flirty banter.

And I hadn’t lied during her rapid-fire questioning, either. Unfortunately, she’d asked all the wrong ones.

She should’ve askedWas I a bad man?

What plans did I have for her?