No. “That’s for me to know,” I said as I licked my lips. Silently berating myself, I knew that I was playing with fire. We both knew it. Just a couple of days ago I’d told him that I wouldn’t be his toy, and here I was, on the cusp of begging to be used.
“That’s fine. I have every intention of finding out for myself before the night is over with.”
“Lucas!”
“Don’t. When the night is over, if you want me to take you home, I will. No questions asked. But I think you’re going to want to satisfy your curiosity.”
He continued to caress my bare thigh, and I grew wetter by the second. “Curiosity?”
“Just how many times do you think I can make you come in one night?” he whispered in my ear. “From my fingers. From my tongue. From my cock.”
Fuck. I was so ready to find out. I wanted to find out right then and there, but the car pulled to a stop. He immediately straightened and gave me a cocky smile. “We’re here.”
Taking a deep breath, I tried to collect myself, but no amount of straightening my dress could dampen the desire inside me. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to hold him at arm’s length forever.
Chapter Eleven
Sloan
Politicians. Celebrities. Business tycoons. My eyes widened as I took everything in. The wait staff moved with silver trays through the crowd carrying champagne, martinis, and wine glasses. Everyone mingled in the middle, and while they were laughing and talking, none of it looked genuine.
“It’s pretty,” I said lamely. It wasn’t a lie. Someone put a lot of money into decorating the place. The tables lined up along the wall were dressed in white with gold embroidery. Each was decorated with a tall center candle and several smaller candles surrounding it, all in crystal hurricane vases. Lights swooped over the large curtain that hung from ceiling to floor, and right in the middle of the charity booths was a champagne fountain.
“Pretty?” he said with a cheeky smile. “This is thousands of dollars’ worth of decorations in here, and all you can say is pretty?”
“To those of us who have never seen thousands of dollars’ worth of decorations, it’s pretty.” I suddenly brightened. “Do you think Chris Pine is here?” I had a huge crush on Chris Pine.
He rolled his eyes and guided me into the crowd. We could barely take a couple of steps before someone would stop him to talk. All eyes seemed to land on me, but no one asked me for my name.
Maybe they knew I wasn’t important. His hold on me never wavered, but as the time passed, I realized that I was no more than a decoration on his arm.
“Montgomery! What is this I hear about you buying real estate in Boston?” one pot-bellied man said as he stretched out his hand.
I felt Lucas tense before he reached out and shook it. “Jackson. I haven’t bought any property in Boston,” he said with a forced smile. “But I did see the article. I guess someone jumped the gun on that one. I’m fairly focused on the Japan project.”
“I see,” he said skeptically. His eyes dropped to me, and I decided that enough was enough. “Hi. I’m Sloan Whitlow,” I said as I held out my hand.
Lucas looked at me sharply, but the man just smiled and took my hand. His lips grazed across my knuckles and lingered a little too long. “Daniel Jackson, at your service. I own the Surf and Sand resorts.”
“Wow. I’m a graduate student.”
He roared with laughter and dropped my hand. “A graduate student? That’s rich.”
Lucas steered me away, and I glanced back, confused. “Why is that funny?”
“Don’t worry about it. Would you like some champagne? I see someone that I need to speak with, but you’re welcome to help yourself to any of the food and drink. Just don’t leave the hotel. I had your security detail take the night off since you’re with me.”
My stomach growled, and I realized that I was a little hungry. “I’ll probably just steal some food and go talk to the people at the charity booths. They look like they’re more my speed anyway.”
He nodded shortly, but his eyes scanned the crowd. “Pick your favorite one. I’ll donate to that one.”
“What? I don’t think that’s how it works, Lucas. You’re supposed to donate to the one of your choice. It’s not my money.”
“They’re all the same to me,” he said. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Aghast, I watched him walk away. They were all the same to him? That was cold.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I made my way through the crowd until I stopped at the Animal Rescue Foundation. Snagging some finger sandwiches from the tray, I offered one to the guy behind the booth. “Hungry?”
A smile broke across his face as he took the sandwich. “Starving. Thank you. Most of the guests here don’t pay much attention to us.”
“What do you mean? Aren’t you here to talk about the charity?”
“I am. I have a whole speech planned out, but no one really ever asks. They just hand me their credit cards and sign after I swipe it.”
I studied him. He was close to my age, and while he was dressed in a suit, he was clearly uncomfortable in it. Finally, someone I could relate to. “Well, I’m Sloan Whitlow. Unfortunately, I have no money to give you, but my date told me that he’d donate to the charity of my choice. So by all means, give me your speech.”
He laughed and handed me a brochure. “All right. The Animal Rescue Foundation is a hundred-acre sanctuary for domestic and farm animals. We accept any surrenders, no questions asked, and we also rescue animals from euthanasia in kill shelters. Right now we’re fostering seven horses, twelve pigs, several birds, close to a hundred dogs and cats, and a camel. Most of our animals are sick or have been severely abused. We charge a small adoption fee, but most of the animals live their entire lives on the sanctuary. Money for food and medical services comes entirely from donations, and our staff is made entirely of volunteers. We don’t have to pay anyone in the organization a salary which means that a hundred percent of the donations goes to the animals.”
I opened the brochure and put a hand over my chest. The pictures showed a straggly rag-tag group of animals, but they all looked content splayed out on their chewed and torn beds.
“We only have two stables, and both of them are in desperate need of repair. We’re also hoping to install a shallow pool to provide therapy for our older arthritic dogs,” he said as he pointed to the brochure. His finger slid over my hand, and he immediately reddened. “Sorry.”
I couldn’t help but smile. He was attractive. Certainly more my speed than Lucas, but I didn’t feel the same sizzle. “I think I’ve heard of you guys. Do you do field trips for the local elementary schools?”
“We do, but we just implemented the program a couple of years ago. You can’t possibly be old enough to have a kid in elementary school!”
“No, I’m a graduate student studying childhood development and education. I’m actually working on my thesis, and I came across a list of popular field trip destinations in the area. What do you do with the kids?”
“We try to teach them proper care and responsibility for animals, but I think, to them, we’re a petting zoo. The schedule allows them to leash, walk, train, and feed the animals. They get a pamphlet about pet responsibility when they leave.”
“Do any of the parents complain that their kids come home begging to adopt a pet?” I asked with a laugh.
“Actually, we get a good percentage of families that come back. They either want to adopt, or they want their kids to help out during the summer. We offer a camp program for kids to volunteer and help out once school lets out.”
The wheels in my head were turning. There were no activities for elementary kids in the summer that were connected to the school system, but an organized program where kids could try out and volunteer at a number of places around would both educate and entertain. They could volunteer at animal shelters, soup kitchens, nursing homes, and even hospitals. It would go a long way in teaching them compassion, responsib
ility, and diversity.
“Do you have any information on your summer program that I could take with me?” I asked suddenly.
“Sure. We’re still accepting applications for camp counselors. If you like animals and kids, it’d be a great place for you. It’s part time, so you can still work,” he said as he bent behind the booth and grabbed a folder. When he stood back up, he immediately paled and looked down.
An arm wrapped around my waist, and I stiffened. Lucas possessively pulled me towards him. “See something that you like?” he asked me softly.
“If you’re talking about the charity, yes,” I said with narrow eyes. Pulling out of his hold, I took the flyer. “Could you write your contact information on here in case I have any questions?”
His eyes widened, but he grabbed a pen and scribbled on the paper. “Thank you. I will definitely be in touch.”
Lucas had a firm grip on my elbow as he steered me away. “What is wrong with you?” I hissed as I jerked away. “You told me to pick a charity.”
“Talk to them. Not get their numbers,” he growled. “When you’re on my arm, you don’t flirt with other men.”
Trying to keep my voice down, I glared at him. “You are such an asshole. I wasn’t flirting. I think his organization’s program could be implemented in schools. Not that you’ve ever bothered to ask, but it’s what I’m busting my ass to study. And if you’re not going to actually treat me like a date, I’ll talk to whomever I want.”
“Not treat you like a date? I bought you flowers and a dress,” he said as he stared at me. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“Then you don’t know the first thing about me. I came along because I thought this was your way of apologizing to me, but it’s obvious that the women you drag around are supposed to be seen and not heard. You should see the surprise on these people’s faces when I try to introduce myself. You might as well have picked some whore off the street.”
I watched as his jaw clenched with rage, and I took a deep breath. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. Don’t follow me.”
Spinning on my heels, I kept my head up as I walked towards the bathrooms. Tucking the paperwork into my clutch, I turned at the last minute and skirted around the crowd. What I really needed was some fresh air, but I knew he would freak out if he thought I was trying to leave without him.
“Controlling bastard,” I muttered as I strode through the lobby and opened the double doors. The cool air rushed to my skin and instantly calmed me. I inhaled deeply and rolled my shoulders.
How mad could I be at him? I agreed to join him tonight knowing full well that all he wanted was a quick roll in the sheets. I had nobody to blame but myself.
I turned to explain to the valet that I was just here to walk around a bit when I realized that no one was at the stand. Dread filled me when I scanned the parking lot.
No security. No people milling around.
The headlights weren’t turned on when the van barreled out of the darkness. As it screeched to a stop, I whirled around and ran desperately for the door. I would have made it too if they weren’t waiting for me. They stepped from behind the columns and grabbed me. Before I could scream, they shoved something into my mouth.
This time, they were ready for me. Binding my arms with a zip tie, they quickly lifted me and shoved me in the van.
Ten seconds. It couldn’t have taken longer than that for me to realize that I wasn’t getting out of this one.
Chapter Twelve
Lucas
She was gone. As soon as I burst through the doors of the hotel, I saw the familiar van speeding off. Her clutch lay on the asphalt with the contents spilling out.
Fear gripped me as I pulled out my phone. Torrence grumbled as he answered, but I didn’t have time for that. “They have her,” I said urgently. “I need a trace on my phone. If they call, I want to know where they are immediately.
“You’re at the gala?” he asked, obviously awake now. “Which direction did they go?”
“South down Waters Edge. White paneled van. No obvious markings. I couldn’t see the license plate.”
“I’ll see if I can direct some traffic cameras that way and track them. Call the police, and for God’s sake, Montgomery, do not leave that hotel. Don’t even think of trying to play hero.”
What the hell did he think I was going to do? It wasn’t like I could run after them on foot. I had more money than God at my disposal, but at that moment, I felt completely helpless.
Logic told me that they’d try to ransom her first, but all I could see was her mangled body lying on the side of the road. What if this had nothing to do with money? What if they were just sadistic bastards bent on hurting me?
I called Detective Allen before heading back inside to pull the hotel manager aside. “I don’t want you to raise an alarm, but there was just an abduction in your parking lot. I’ve alerted the police, but I want to see your security tapes.”
His eyes widened. “Mr. Montgomery, are you okay?”
“Do I look okay? The tapes. Now.”
Rubbing his hand nervously, he shook his head. “Should we wait for the police? I really think —”
“I will wire a thousand dollars into your personal account if you’ll just shut up and do as I ask.”
Money talks. He snapped his mouth shut and nodded his head. “Of course. Our security office is right back here.”
The Water’s Edge Hotel hosted many expensive private parties each year, so their security was impressive. Monitors covered the walls, and I could see the ball room, the lobby, the bar and elevators, each floor of the hotel.
And the parking lot.
“Rewind the outside feed,” I said darkly.
They took one look at my face and bent their heads to comply. Staring at the screen, I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.
Sloan was practically fleeing the hotel. She’d barely made it down the front steps when two men stepped out from the shadows and shoved something in her mouth. She tried to fight, but they had no problems binding her and tossing her in the van.
“Where the hell is the valet? Your outside security men?” I barked. “Don’t you have people out there?”
“Yes, sir.” One of the guards picked up the radio and tried to contact the valet station and patrolling security. When there was no answer, I felt my whole body break out into a cold sweat.
“Find them,” I said hoarsely. Praying that they were just knocked out instead of dead, I pulled out my phone and gripped it in my hand.
There wasn’t a chance in hell that Sloan wasn’t going to fight. If they decided that she wasn’t worth the trouble, they’d kill her.
Torrence beat the police to the hotel. I wasn’t even surprised. Before he could cut the engine, I slid into the passenger seat. “Drive.”
He didn’t follow the command. Instead, he turned off the car and turned to face me. “She’s here.”
“Are you insane? I saw them drive off with her. I just watched the security tapes. I will fire you and make sure that you never find work in this city again if you don’t turn this car on and start driving.”
“Montgomery.”
I blinked and stared at him. There was something earnest in his voice. “How can she possibly be here,” I finally whispered.
“The traffic cams caught them turning left at every light. Either they’re the least organized criminals in the world and turned the wrong way out of the hotel, they’re circling back. If it were me, I’d hole up in the one place I knew the police wouldn’t be looking.”
I shook my head. “There are cameras crawling all over this hotel. They’d never get back out unseen.”
He unbuckled his seat belt and climbed out of the car. “I need to talk to security, but I bet the staff uses the tunnels that run under the hotel to get in and out without bothering guests. I doubt there are cameras monitoring them. Stay here and wait for the police. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as he disappeared in
to the hotel, I followed him and grabbed the nearest employee. “I’ll give you five hundred dollars if you tell me where the employee entrance and exits are.”
Her eyes widened, and she nodded. “There is only one that leads out of the ballroom. It feeds directly into the kitchen.”
“Show me.”
Shrugging, she put down her tray and led me to the hallway with the bathrooms. At the end was a door marked employees only. “How many tunnels lead outside?”
“Just one. It leads into the employee lounge before it breaks off. The maids’ offices are down there, and the laundry. It’s easy to get lost if you don’t know where you’re going. The trash receptacles and storage rooms are down there as well. It spans the whole length of the building.”
“Are there any employees down there?”
She shook her head. “I doubt it. Most of the staff have gone home, and those of us that are still here won’t leave until well after midnight. The cleaning staff is gone for the night.”
It was the perfect place for them to take her. No witnesses, a maze of rooms, and the one place the police wouldn’t look. “I need you to find a man named Torrence and tell him that I’m down there. He’s going to be with security and he’s probably going to be pissed. Can you do that?”
She nodded and scurried away. Loosening my bow tie, I took a deep breath and slowly eased the door open. I had no weapon, but if it was money they wanted, I would clear out my bank accounts to save her.
The hallway led directly into the kitchen. I could hear the clanging of pots and pans and the cook shouting orders. All noise ceased and everyone stared at me as I walked through the double doors.
“Don’t mind me,” I muttered as I crossed the kitchen. “Which door leads to the exit?”
“The one you came in,” one girl said timidly. She obviously thought I was drunk and turned around.
“The employee exit,” I asked impatiently. “Which door leads to the employee exit?”
Evergreen: An Alpha Billionaire Romance Page 87
