“The police had to do their job, which meant investigating all of us,” he continued. “Without question, we were cleared. When they refocused their energies, the trail had gone cold. With my permission, Colton confided in Kimberly. Your mom told me to never give up hope, then treated me no differently than before Sophia’s abduction. She has this amazing way of making me feel as if I’m one of hers.”
A sweet smile touched Alexandra’s eyes. “She has a soft spot for you. Always has.” She paused. “Sophia has been gone a long time.”
Their silence hung heavy.
“Thirteen years,” he said, finally breaking it. “I built Wilde Innovations around improving surveillance equipment in the hopes of finding her and bringing her home.”
Alexandra’s eyes had misted. “I wish I’d known. My family has kept so much from me. Thank you for answering my question.” Clearing her throat, she fished a business card from her handbag and circled her cell phone number. “I would make your sister’s abduction the centerpiece of the story. It’s the driving motivation behind your company. How can you ignore the elephant in the room?”
That was damned ironic coming from Alexandra Mitus. Wasn’t everything they’d once shared the real elephant?
Alexandra squared her shoulders and rose. “By not discussing Sophia, you’re missing out on an opportunity. Someone watching the piece might know something. People come forward for the strangest reasons.” She slung her handbag over her shoulder. “You might have won this tech contest, but it’s her story. And you need to tell it.”
Following a quick tap on Crockett’s door, Decker moseyed in with coffee. “Hey, oh, sorry.” With a nod to Alexandra, he set Crockett’s drink on his desk. “Nectar from the gods.”
“This is Alexandra Reed,” Crockett said. “She’s interested in doing a story on us. Decker Daughtry, my Chief Innovator.”
The two shook hands. “If Crockett agrees to do the story, I’d like to interview you, too,” she said.
“Good luck with that, Ms. Reed. Crockett never grants interviews.”
Alexandra’s jaw clenched, her cheek muscles working overtime. Like a Mitus, she did not handle disappointment well.
Decker sipped his drink, then shifted toward Crockett. “A few of us are working late, boss. We’re hungry.”
Chuckling, Crockett pulled out his wallet. “That’s my cue.” When he tugged on a credit card, a different one slipped out and landed on the floor.
Decker picked it up. “Silver Towers. Is this some kind of executive-only credit card?”
After snatching back the card, he glanced at Alexandra. “Something like that.”
She skewered him with a piercing stare and the air between them grew charged. Hunger and need poured into him. Something had shifted in her, but damned if he knew what. Though he wanted to ask her to dinner, he wouldn’t. Better to keep his distance and stick with her business agenda.
Decker cleared his throat, severing their steamy connection. “Hey, man, do you want me to order you something? We’re getting Chinese.”
“I can’t stay,” Crockett said. “I’ll walk Alexandra out, then grab my credit card from you.”
“Hot date?” Decker asked.
“Yes, with eighteen tiny tots who just graduated to yellow belts.” A brief smile crossed Crockett’s face. He couldn’t help himself. Those little ones brightened his spirits week in and week out.
“Wow, you still study martial arts,” she murmured. “You must be like a what…twelfth degree black belt?”
“Sixth degree.”
“That’s awesome.”
Decker’s brows shot up. “You two have a history?”
“Place the food order,” Crockett said. “I’ll be back in five.”
As Crockett helped Alexandra with her coat, her bewitching scent surrounded him and he breathed deep. He’d missed so much about her. In silence, they left his office. Once in the elevator, he asked where she’d parked.
“Down the street, but you don’t need to walk me to my car.” They stepped outside and a cold wind gust had Alexandra shoving her hands into her coat pockets.
“Like hell I don’t.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “Now I understand why you were always so attentive about my safety.”
“Sophia was only half the reason.”
When she arrived at her Prius, she slipped inside, leaving the door open. The tiniest hint of a smile danced in her eyes. “What was the other reason?”
Nice try. “You know.”
The subtle shift in her expression revealed a lot. She hadn’t forgotten how much he’d adored her. “Thanks for being upfront with me, Crockett. I hope you’ll do the story, for your sister’s sake.”
“Lock yourself in, Goth Girl.” He closed her car door and she started the engine.
As Alexandra drove away, a fleeting sense of loss squeezed his chest. A bitter reminder of the last time he saw her before she drove out of his life.
Crockett returned to his office and changed into his karate gi. On his way out, he grabbed his credit card from Decker.
“So…you and the reporter have a past.” Decker’s playful tone made Crockett laugh. “She’s got a thing for you. I can tell.”
“And here I thought your area of expertise was technology. Who knew you were a romance expert, too? She wants me to do the interview. That’s all.” Crockett’s abrupt tone signaled the end of the discussion about the leggy, gorgeous, and very driven Alexandra Mitus.
En route to karate, he weighed the pros and cons of doing the interview with Alexandra. While working with her should be a pro, he also had to add that to the cons. Staring into her eyes felt like medicine for his suffering soul and spending time with her would only remind him of what they once had. On the other hand, she had a point about the publicity.
Still undecided, he parked, but before going inside, he requested a connection with Electra for later that evening. Being around Alexandra had churned up a tornado of need. Fortunately, he had a new and satisfying way of releasing it.
The earliest he could get to the club would be ten o’clock, so he reserved the only available suite—“Master’s of the Universe”. Since the name spoke for itself, he sent the invitation without a note and strode into the building.
On his way past Annie Rodele’s office, he glanced through the interior window. Annie sat behind her desk with little Hannah perched on her lap. Hannah’s parents sat in guest chairs. Annie glanced up and waved him in.
“Mr. Wilde!” Hannah scrambled off and threw her arms around his legs.
He tossed a nod toward Hannah’s parents and patted her back. “You ready for class, Hannah?”
Hannah’s dad rose and extended his hand. “Hannah raves about you.”
Though the munchkin wouldn’t detach, Crockett leaned over and shook her dad’s hand. “Crockett Wilde. Hannah’s a pleasure to work with.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” Annie interjected. “Close the door.”
“Hannah, come here, honey,” said Hannah’s mom.
The little sport climbed onto her mom’s lap as Crockett closed the door.
“Hannah needs to take a break from karate,” explained Annie.
Crockett leaned against the windowsill. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“My dad got laid,” Hannah announced.
Crockett’s eyebrows jutted up as he glanced at Hannah’s parents.
Though his cheeks reddened, Hannah’s dad smiled. “Not quite. I got laid off, so, we’re cutting back.”
Hannah’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t want karate to end.”
Hannah’s mom explained that while she worked, they wanted to be conservative with their spending.
Without hesitating, Crockett said, “Karate is important to Hannah and she’s a good student. Why don’t I cover the next six months and we’ll reevaluate then?”
Annie Rodele’s mouth dropped open.
“We can’t let you do that,” said Hannah’s mom
.
“Please. I insist.” Crockett pushed off the sill. “Annie, we’ll discuss offline.”
Hannah’s dad stood and shook Crockett’s hand. “That was unexpected and incredibly generous of you. I don’t know how to repay you.”
“If Hannah continues to study martial arts and she enjoys it, that’s the best repayment.”
With tears in her eyes, Hannah’s mom set her daughter in the chair and hugged Crockett. “Thank you.”
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” Hannah said.
“Mr. Wilde is going to pay for your lessons for a little while, so you can keep taking karate,” said Annie.
The child’s eyes grew wide. “Really?”
“Yes, I am, Hannah.” Crockett crouched down. “I believe in you and think you should stick with karate for as long as you like it.”
Beaming, she threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Mr. Wilde. You’re the best teacher, ever.”
With a smile, Crockett stood. “All righty, Hannah, did you bring your gi?”
With a big smile, she pointed to the duffel bag on the floor.
“Where can Hannah change?” asked her mom.
“Right here.” Annie closed the blinds. “Pull the door shut when you leave.”
Crockett and Annie left. Amidst the kids scurrying about, they headed for the dojo.
“Week in and week out I preach acts of kindness,” Annie said. “You’ve exceeded my expectations.”
“Most families hit a rough patch. I’m glad to help them out in a small way. She’s a sweet kid and I believe in self-defense. I’ll bring you a check tomorrow.”
After bowing into the dojo, they entered. Annie patted his back. “You’re a good man, Crockett Wilde.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Crockett taught his class, then spent another hour sparring in the Black Belt room. Drenched in sweat, he left the dojo. Appreciating the chilly evening, he jumped into his truck and headed home as a light snow started falling.
After a quick shower, Crockett threw a New York strip steak into a cast iron skillet and a potato into the microwave. He wolfed down his dinner and headed out. Electra hadn’t responded to his invitation. If she didn’t show, he’d have a drink and leave. The flakes were falling fast, so he flipped on his wipers and drove to the club.
Strolling through the greeting room and into the lounge, he settled into a booth. A prompt server took his vodka martini order. While waiting for his drink, he checked his phone. Still nothing from Electra.
Ten minutes later, she sauntered into the lounge and squeezed in at the bar. A moment later, Crockett’s phone binged. The subject line of the message from Incognito said, “Try Someone New.”
Electra’s rejection included a personal note. “Hunter, thank you for the invitation, but it’s best we don’t see each other again.”
Well, fuck. I should have known. I’m not her only connection.
10
Chasing Sage
Though Alexandra desperately wanted to spend another wild evening with Crockett, she couldn’t risk it. The blonde wig and southern accent could only fool him for so long. Besides, screwing the winner of DC’s Brightest Tech Star would buy her no points. If Max somehow found out, he’d fire her. Then, he’d trash her reputation. Hosting the cable station’s most watched show could open doors for a network opportunity. The faster she could distance herself from him, the happier she’d be.
So she’d typed the note, tapped the reject button. He’ll move on. Sadness snaked its way around her heart.
Alexandra had come to the club for a different reason. To find Sage. No pressure, just a few chill questions. If her suspicions were wrong and Sage was accident prone, maybe the nightmares would cease. At this point, she had to do something. She was turning into a zombie.
After work, her roommate hadn’t come home again and her mom was asleep by eight. She hadn’t made any friends at the news station and, other than Colton, she knew no one.
Except Crockett. And she wasn’t hanging out with him.
“Excuse me, sir,” Jase said to the masked man seated next to her at the bar. “Your room is ready.”
Alexandra glanced at the club’s GM. Jase, too? The two men strode out. She followed. Using his keycard, Jase and the member slipped into the same suite that Francois had used.
A chill swept through her. What the hell? Is management screwing its members?
She moseyed down the hallway. Each door displayed a gold engraved nameplate, except the one they’d just entered. This one had no identifier.
The explanation could be simple. Maybe Incognito operated differently from Provocateur, offering special amenities to a select few. On the other hand, Jase could be up to no good. Curiosity, paired with her insatiable need to dig and dig and dig, had turned her into an award-winning journalist. Like the relentless child tugging on mommy’s shirt, that tiny voice insisted she plow deeper. Something wasn’t right at Incognito.
Then, again, this wasn’t the first time her overactive imagination had run rampant with suspicions that led nowhere. I need a drink.
She slinked back into the lounge and sat at a table near the arched entryway. A female server with black and purple hair bustled over. “Good evening, ma’am. What can I get you?” She smacked her gum like she worked in a diner.
“Sparkling water, please.”
The attendant’s shoulders sagged, probably because her tips depended on racking up a drink bill. “Could I interest you in a menu?”
Alexandra sighed. “Ever have one of those days?”
As if she’d asked the magic question, the gal nodded. “Lately, all of ‘em.”
“What I’d like is a gallon of mint chip ice cream, a bottle of wine and a family-sized bag of potato chips.”
The server’s laughter brightened her eyes. “How about a giant piece of chocolate fudge cake?”
Alexandra smiled. “You know, water isn’t going to cut it. I’ll have a glass of wine. What do you suggest?”
“We have a great Pinot Grigio, but it’s pricy.”
“On your recommendation, I’ll take that.”
The waitress perked up. “I love your accent. Are you from South Carolina? No, wait, Tennessee.”
“Nowhere in particular. I moved around like a gypsy. How ‘bout you?”
“From Pennsylvania. Live in Maryland.”
“Is the Maryland to Virginia commute as maddening as I’ve heard?”
As the waitress rambled about beltway backups, tension tightened her voice. “I’m running on no sleep, too much caffeine, and I’m trying to quit smoking. This nicotine gum isn’t cutting it.” She paused to catch her breath. “I’m Wendy, by the way.”
Alexandra smiled. Maybe this chatty employee could help her. “Hi, Wendy. I’m Electra. Have you worked here long?”
Wendy cracked her gum. “I’m an old timer at six months. From what I’ve heard, churnover—as I like to call it—is pretty high.” She leaned down. “The GM is a tough ass, but a girl’s gotta work, right? This place is crazy wild. Before this gig, I had no idea kinky shit like this happened in clubs.” The color drained from her face and she pointed to herself. “Sorry. Me and my big mouth.”
“No worries. I won’t say anything. But I could use your help. A woman named Sage works in the kitchen. I wanted to say ‘hey’.”
Wendy shrugged. “Don’t know her.”
Opening her purse, Alexandra pulled out five twenties. “Find her and this is yours.”
The waitress’s eyes popped wide. “I’m on it.” Wendy beelined toward the kitchen.
I hope this works.
A moment later, Dracule strolled into the club, checked his watch and glanced down the hallway. When he peered into the lounge, she waved. Time to find out about rejuvenation.
Sporting a toothy grin, he sauntered over. “What a pleasant surprise. May I join you?”
“Please.” She slid out the catty-corner chair with her stiletto. “We really must stop meeting like
this.”
Chuckling, he unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat. “Waiting for that handsome young man? The one who doesn’t share?”
“I’m appreciating the ambiance.” She winked. “Before I get busy.”
He threw back his head and laughed, a little too hard. “Perhaps one of these evenings…ah, well…wishful thinking.”
Not happening. “Wouldn’t that interfere with your rejuvenation?”
A shadow darkened his face and his eyes narrowed. “You are persistent.”
When she leaned forward, he ogled her cleavage. “It sounds kinky. I mean, that’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”
“I hate to disappoint, but rejuvenation is my word for connection.” His finger glanced the side of his nose.
Francois had told her it was his code name for a nap. You’re a terrible liar. “I see,” she said, tilting her head. “Well, you certainly look rejuvenated.” She pinned on a smile and hoped he bought it.
Jase paraded into the room, spotted Dracule and bounded over sporting an exuberant smile. “Good evening. How is everyone doing?”
“Why, hello, my good man!” Dracule said.
Jase shifted his attention. “Is everything here to your liking, Electra?”
“It most definitely is.” The twang elongated her vowels.
“I’ll have your contract completed next week with incentives for early payoff,” Jase said.
Heat infused her masked cheeks. How dare he mention her debt in front of Dracule? She rose and stepped close enough to catch a whiff of alcohol on Jase’s breath. “Please keep my financial obligation between us,” she whispered.
“My apologies,” Jase replied. “I’ll be more discreet going forward.” Then, Jase patted Dracule’s back. “May I steal you from your lovely companion?”
Dracule stood. “Lovely as always to see you, Electra.” The two headed into the crowd and she took her seat with a huff.
Drugs, gambling, prostitution, money laundering? Club management was up to something.
Seconds after they left, Wendy slid the glass of wine in front of her. “No one named Sage works in the kitchen.” The server nibbled her fingernail. “I saw you talking to the GM. Did you tell him about my comment?”
THE WILDE TOUCH: Book Two of The Touch Series Page 10
