The Dom Identity (Masters & Mercenaries Reloaded 2)

Well, starting after the security system got fixed.

“Baby girl, are you piggybacking off my signal?” Chelsea’s lips turned down in a frown.

Sophy kept her eyes on her game. “I’m one level from beating Devi.”

“And I am working on national security issues,” Chelsea argued. “How did you get my password?”

It sounded like the Westons were having a family dilemma. “I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

If she stayed down here much longer, Michael would likely walk into the lobby, and she wanted to look halfway decent. She strode over to the elevators and took a right. The bathrooms were hidden away behind them. She noticed the plumber on one knee in front of an open tool kit. Even kneeling she could see he was a tall, lanky man.

Unlike her broad, gorgeous guy. She slipped inside the women’s room and moved to the mirror. She didn’t look half bad. If Tessa couldn’t get the security system under control, maybe she could convince Michael to go to The Club for the night. They could check into the hotel portion of the building where each room was sumptuous and designed for play.

She should text him. She hadn’t replied because she’d been so emotional. And there was a devil inside her who wanted him to sweat a little.

She pulled her phone out because there wasn’t time for punishment. Ava was right. Life went by in a blur, and she wanted every moment she spent with Michael to be as sweet as they could possibly make it.

“Please hand me the phone, Miss Hale.”

She looked up, and the plumber was standing in the sitting area.

And he had a gun in his hand.

Vanessa gasped and took a step back, fumbling with the phone. There was a button on the side and if she pushed it three times, it sent out the emergency signal. It would go to all her emergency contacts. There was only one.

It would go to Michael.

“Touch that button and I’ll have my friend in the lobby kill Chelsea and Sophy Weston.” The man had a deep voice. “He’s out there with the others, and no one will suspect a thing until he draws out his gun and shoots them both in the head.” He touched his ear. “Stand by. The target might need persuading. Take the adult out first. Then we’ll go for the kid.”

Little Sophy. Ava loved her so much. Chelsea was part of the family, had been for years.

She couldn’t take the risk.

She let the cell drop to the tiles below. “What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything but cash, honey.” The man moved in, picking up the cell and pocketing it.

Vanessa kicked out and started for the door, but the man had an arm around her waist in a heartbeat.

“Can’t damage you. You have to look good for your final act.” The words were whispered in her ear before he placed a cloth over her mouth and nose.

Chloroform. The astringent smell assaulted her.

“I’m bringing her out the back. Get ready for transport.”

They were the final words she heard before everything went black.

Chapter Nineteen

Pulling into the parking lot at your building. I’ll take her upstairs and wait for you to get home. She’s in a good mood. You might be a lucky bastard.

Tessa’s text should have sent a surge of hope, but the last few hours had done nothing but enrage him.

“I’m ready to start again,” MaeBe said quietly.

Kyle clicked the button that started the stream, and the interview proceeded.

Michael felt his fists clench as he watched the woman on the screen’s eyes go soft, her lips trembling as she stared at the camera.

“I love Vanessa. She’s like a sister to me, but I’m so worried that she’s going to try to hurt herself.” Ashton Banks had the concerned friend act down. “It’s what she does when she gets put in a corner. She turns to drugs and alcohol, and one day she’s going to go too far.”

“What does she get out of this?” MaeBe had real tears in her eyes. There was a combination of pain and rage on the hacker’s face.

“Attention.” Kyle sat beside MaeBe in the darkened conference room.

In the hours since the interview had aired, Michael had watched it all the way through three times, looking for anything he could use to take this woman down.

“I think it’s something more,” Michael murmured, his eyes on the woman who seemed so determined to keep Vanessa in the spotlight through her lies. “What do we know about the timing of these interviews she’s done? She goes quiet for periods of time, right?”

“That could be dictated by whether the tabloids are interested or not, I would think.” Kyle sat back. “Wouldn’t she interview more when there’s more interest in Vanessa? So I would think she would have more people asking for her input when something happens with the trial.”