Page 118 of Illicit Games

“Fine.” Her features tighten before I can celebrate her acceptance. “But you won’t have a job offer once it’s over.”

Dream job or dream man?

The choice comes effortlessly and without a second thought. “I understand.”

***

I ask Seth to drive me to the headquarters of Kinetic Securities after he informs me that Kian hasn’t gone home for the day.

It’s seven-thirty in the evening as I pass security and ride the elevator to our floor. It’s completely deserted, with everyone gone home for the day. I walk faster, remembering the last time I was trudging down these halls alone after working hours.

Kian’s office is shut when I round the corner. Without knocking, I enter the spacious and masculine room. His head snaps up from his laptop. I notice the tense lines hardening his sharp features. The pensive and dark energy swirling in the air.

I knew I didn’t imagine his strained mood this afternoon!

He’s hiding something.

Could it be about the girls? Does he know the kidnapper struck again? It’s frustrating that I can’t ask him directly.

“Rainbow?” he rasps, the stormy color of his eyes settling down to one filled with warmth. “What are you doing here? I told you I’ll meet you at home.”

“Do you even know what time it is?” I tease, strutting to him.

He blinks and turns to stare at his watch. His lips part as he reads the time. He twists his chair when I stop before him. Unlike this morning, I don’t think twice before wrapping an arm around his shoulder and sitting down on his lap.

The pleased sigh that leaves him makes my heart skip a beat.

“Sorry, I got caught up with work,” he apologizes. “I’ll push our dinner reservation so we can make it on time.”

“Let’s do a rain check. I’m a little tired.”

Knowing my friend is somewhere out there, alone, hurt, no clue whether she’s dead or alive, the last thing I’m in the mood for is to go on a romantic date. Especially with the guilt I’m harboring for ignoring her request.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, love.” I lean forward and kiss his jaw, dark with day-old stubble. “How about you tell me what’s troubling you? Don’t say nothing because I can read you like a book too.”

A dark look colors his chiseled cheeks, while his eyes close briefly. Caressing my thigh as if to soothe himself, he says, “I need to tell you something, but I don’t want you to be scared.”

“Okay.” I prepare myself to act shocked since I know what he’s going to say.

“I found out this morning that two more employees have gone missing last week. One of them is your friend, Yukta.”

My stomach churns as I listen to him say it out loud. As my expression saddens and I shudder, my reaction is genuine.

Kian’s brows knot in concern as he cups my face. “I waited to tell you until I knew what I was going to do about the situation.”

“What have you decided?” I ask, curious.

“I’m involving the police—someone I trust and who would be discreet. These people are dangerous and I’m not taking any chances with them coming after you or anyone else.”

The relief that rushes through my veins is overpowering. If he does this, Harshita will realize she’s wrong about him. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to wait until the case is solved to come clean to him.

“I think it’s best,” I murmur. “What about the private investigator you hired? Will you let him go?”

“No. He’ll keep looking. Though I’m going to share all the intel he’s gathered with the authorities.”

Except I still don’t know who this person is, so I can stay off his radar. If he somehow found out about my spying, it would be disastrous. And I’m so freaking close to fixing it all.