Page 114 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

CALEB

E llie emails us the pictures of Bianca Thompson from the party in Colombia.

I look through them. In a couple of the photos, the blonde woman is smiling tightly at the camera.

The diamond choker around her neck looks like a collar.

I hand Nolan my phone, and he surveys the image expressionlessly.

“What do you think? Does she look happy?”

“Let’s find her and ask.”

“If she’s still alive. People associating with the Colombian cartels don’t have long life expectancies.”

Nolan leans back, propping his legs on the coffee table. “You want to pull Megan Matuki off the search for Dratch and put her on this?”

“No need. I have more than one competent analyst.” I dial Derek Haas. Just twenty-three, the kid is smart, talented, and fiercely ambitious. This is the sort of challenge he’d relish.

He picks up on the first ring. “Mr. Reeves.”

He sounds like he’s standing at attention. “Call me Caleb, Derek. Everyone does. Question for you. Who’s my best analyst?”

“Megan.” He sounds sulky.

“Here’s your chance to narrow the gap. I just emailed you some pictures.”

“One second, Mr. Reeves.” I hear the ping of his email, and then he’s back on the line. “Yup. Got them.”

“Those photos were taken two and a half years ago at a Christmas party in Cali, Colombia. The woman’s name is Bianca Thompson.” I reel off her social security number.

Derek must be in front of his computer because I can hear the clack of keys. “It says here that she died eight years ago in San Diego when she was fifteen. Cause of death unknown.”

“She didn’t die when she was fifteen.”

“Obviously,” he says, sounding distracted. Nolan bites back a grin. “You want me to find her?”

“Yes. Today, please, if you can. Her social media accounts haven’t been active for eight years. She’ll be using an alias. Look in all the usual places. Instagram, Facebook, you know the drill.”

“Yes, sir.”

I hang up. Nolan quirks an eyebrow. “Who’s my best analyst? Is that meant to be a motivational speech?”

I grin. “It is if you’re Derek Haas. The kid’s been gunning for Megan’s job ever since he joined. One way or another, we’ll have an answer tonight.”

Please be alive, Bianca Thompson.

All day, I wait for the phone to ring, for Kiera to call off this whole thing. I want to sleep with her; I’m not going to lie. But I always thought that if we slept together, it’d be because she wanted me. Not because she wanted to pump me for information.

Kiera could have asked me about Dratch’s photo.

She hasn’t. She doesn’t trust us enough to ask us a direct question, nor does she trust us enough to share the details of her past. Knowing that, I can’t scene with her tonight.

There’s no way. Dominance and submission, is, above everything else, about trust. About knowing that the person who is tying you up has your safety and well-being at heart.

Last night was amazing. Kiera was incredible. The way she tasted… She gasped softly and called out my name as she came. Her voice rings in my ears, lives in my brain.

Last night was everything I’ve fantasized about. But unless we can be honest with each other, there will be no repeat. Kiera matters too much for me to pretend otherwise.