Niall (Vigilance 2)

He wants you too, and he’s not going to back down.

Did he, or was he just playing with me?

He said he didn’t play games.

And I’m supposed to believe that?

The problem was that I did.

I spent the afternoon trying to learn more about Arlington and piece together his connection to Swain and our other suspects. When I couldn’t stop thinking about Marco, I gave up and went for a ten-mile run.

My phone was ringing when I stepped out of my postrun shower.

It was X. Hopefully he’d gotten more info on Arlington’s island and the party he was hosting. “Did you get the info we need?”

“I did. Contact Marco. I want both of you at the office in an hour.”

“Wait. I—”

He was already gone. Why did he want Marco at the meeting? I could pass on the information to him. Was X going to be there? He wouldn’t reveal his identity to Marco, would he? Marco might not move in the same circles as X, but he would sure as hell recognize him.

An hour later, my nemesis pulled up on his bike as I pulled into the small lot by Devilish Ink. He double parked behind my car, jumped off his bike, and gave me a puzzled look. “Why are we meeting here?”

“One of our guys owns it. There are offices in the back where we meet clients and have planning meetings.”

He looked around like he was studying the surroundings. I expected him to make some critical remark, but he simply nodded and said, “Interesting. I guess nobody questions you here.”

“That’s right. They don’t.”

Marco followed me through the door, and I said hello to the young guy sitting behind the counter and indicated I was heading to the back. He was a new hire, and I couldn’t remember his name, but he recognized me.

When I opened the door to the meeting room, I expected to see X there, but it was empty. I checked my watch. We were three minutes late. X was never late. Once I entered, I saw folders on the table and a note. Call me.

If he wasn’t even going to be here, why did he want us together. Marco opened one of the folders and started flipping through it. “Fuck. Is this the kind of party you want me to attend?”

I tried to pull the folder away from him, but he held on tight, and I had to be content with looking on as he flipped through pages.

I’d imagined a bunch of stuffy rich men drinking whiskey and trying to outdo each other with holding their alcohol and spending their money, but the pictures showed an orgy like the parties Lane’s stalker had hosted.

My phone rang, startling us both. It was X. “Should I put you on speaker?”

“Yes. I assume you found the materials.”

“We did.”

“I’ve got some questions,” Marco said once X could hear him.

X’s reputation alone intimidated most people. Few would speak so directly to him. Marco had serious balls. I’d give him that.

“Before I answer any questions,” X said, “I want to explain what I’ve learned.”

“All right. I can be patient.”

I gave Marco an incredulous look, and he flipped me off.

X continued, unaware of the tension in the room. “As far as my sources can tell, Arlington and the others gather fairly regularly on his island, which has only private accommodations—a large house and some guest cottages—but this time they are on the hunt for a new investor and wish to bring him along. One clue the investment isn’t in a legitimate business is that everyone attending is invited to bring a sexual partner and encouraged to share them.”

“No way,” Marco said, and this time I had to agree with him. My intel said Marco wasn’t seeing anyone, but even if he was, I wouldn’t suggest they accompany him. I could only imagine what Giorgio would have to say if I suggested he bring Lane to a party like that.

“This is a perfect opportunity to get the intel we need,” X insisted.

“I’m not taking someone with me. Nor do I have any intention of fucking someone who might not be there by choice.”

“Niall, I want you to go as Marco’s lover.” My mouth fell open. The original plan had been for me to go as a bodyguard or valet.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Are you telling me you lack the skills to pretend to be together?” X asked.

“Of course not, but—”

Marco smirked, and I wanted to punch him. “Surely an agent of your caliber can pull this off.”

Of course he was all for it since I was the one saying no now. Could I pull it off? Going in pretending to be his bodyguard wouldn’t have required much acting. Being his submissive lover… Could I keep up that front while keeping us safe? “I suppose you think you’re equal to it.”