Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire Series Book 1)

by Tracie Delaney

  Watching the three dots, I willed him to type faster while trying desperately to keep the grin off my face, especially now Claire had finished her phone call and was no longer distracted.

  In that scenario, the only thing coming up would be my cock. And we wouldn’t be talking, because your mouth would be full.

  I clenched my pelvic muscles as a swarm of butterflies took flight in my abdomen. In the last few weeks, I’d learned a lot about my sexual desires. Sex toys, spanking, and dirty talk really turned me on.

  I’m game if you are.

  I had to wait a full minute for a reply. Probably not the best way for E to find out.

  Ah.

  R we still planning to tell him tonite? I touched my engagement ring once more, the urge to slip it on my finger and scream from the rooftops almost overwhelming.

  Yes, but it’ll be a late one, I fear. When you finish, head to my place. I’ll txt when we’re on way.

  R u nervous?

  This time I had to wait a few minutes for a reply. He must have been called upon to contribute to the meeting.

  No. I’m eager to get it over with. Don’t stress, Thea. I’m right by your side. Always.

  I love you, I typed.

  He sent back a row of heart emojis.

  The morning crawled by, every second feeling more like an hour. At twelve o’clock, having heard nothing further from Ryker, I left the office to go to lunch. In need of retail therapy to prepare for the difficult evening ahead, I called into Bazaar, one of my favorite, kooky, off-the-wall boutiques. The clothes were reasonably priced, great quality, and when you bought something, the chances of walking down the street and bumping into someone wearing the exact same outfit were minimal. Some of the items were one-of-a-kind, ensuring exclusivity. I first stumbled upon Bazaar years ago, in my late teens, and I’d been coming back on the regular ever since.

  Riffling through the racks, I found a gorgeous three-quarter-length, deep-purple dress with buttons down the back in my size. Stunning. I went into the fitting rooms and tried it on. If it had been a custom fit, it couldn’t look any better.

  My mind immediately conjured up images of Ryker standing behind me, his warm breath feathering my neck as he unfastened each button, taking his time, maybe occasionally pausing to kiss between my shoulder blades, along each vertebra.

  I shivered, the mental pictures running through my head like a porn movie. Being with Ryker had turned me into a nymphomaniac. I chuckled to myself. Who’d have thought, especially with the odd frigid accusation thrown my way over the last few years when I’d balk at the idea of intimacy with a man who wasn’t Ryker. Hardly their fault, but not exactly mine either.

  I changed back into my work clothes and paid for my dress, then headed out onto the street, swinging my shopping bag alongside me. As I waited for the traffic to halt across the street from my usual deli, that weird feeling came over me again. The same one I’d had waiting for Ryker after the Christmas party. I glanced over my shoulder and scanned the crowds of people going about their own business. I shook my head and smiled. Idiot.

  About a block from the office, my phone rang. Mom. I smiled. If I had to hazard a guess as to the reason for her call, I’d plump for a not-so-subtle probing of where I’d spent the weekend. Mom didn’t exactly chain me to the house, but when I’d called on Friday night to say I’d been invited to visit with a friend for the weekend, I’d been purposely vague. Lying to Mom, or Dad, or Elliot didn’t sit well, so I found it easier to blur the lines.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m at the store picking up dinner for this evening and wanted to know if you’d be home.”

  Translation: I’m trying to figure out whether you’re back in the city, and if you’re planning on spending another night with the man I’m certain you’re sleeping with but I don’t want to come right out and ask.

  “Um, not sure of my plans yet, Mom. Don’t worry about me. I can easily fix myself something.”

  “All right, sweetheart. As long as you’re sure.” A pause. “How was your weekend?”

  I grinned. “Lovely.”

  “Oh good. What did you say your friend’s name was again?”

  Chuckling, I said, “I didn’t.”

  “Oh.”

  I could almost hear the cogs of her mind turning, wondering which direction to choose next.

  “Is it a man? I’m not prying,” she rushed on to say.

  I figured, considering we were planning to tell Elliot first and then head home to break the news to my parents, it couldn’t do any harm to confirm her suspicions without revealing the identity.

  “Yes you are, Mother, otherwise you wouldn’t ask. And as you’re clearly so desperate, yes, I was with a man.”

  Mom sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh, how exciting. Do we know him?”

  An outright question. I wouldn’t lie, but equally, I didn’t want to confirm either. I took the coward’s way out.

  “Mom, I’ve got to go. I’m almost back at work. I’ll call you later.”

  I hung up. She wouldn’t call back. It wasn’t Mom’s style. Now I could only hope that the Addison’s deal went through today as planned and Ryker and I could stop hiding our feelings. If the deal was delayed, it’d have to wait until after New Year’s and, given my admission to Mom, she wouldn’t let up until she extracted the truth.

  I went to put my phone in my purse when someone jostled my shoulder as they were passing by. My phone tumbled from my hand to the ground.

  “Thanks a bunch,” I bit out.

  I bent down to retrieve it, hoping the screen wasn’t smashed, when I felt a sharp pinprick in the back of my neck, akin to an insect bite.

  “Ouch.” Clasping a hand over the back of my neck, I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t work. Strong arms caught me as the world around me began to violently spin.

  “Wass happening?” I slurred.

  No one answered.

  A car door slammed. Rocking motion. Then darkness.

  22

  Ryker

  “You’re not listening, gentlemen, so allow me to spell it out for you. Either the wording is changed as per my proposal or the deal’s off.”

  I leaned back in my leather office chair watching Elliot at work. To the unenlightened, Elliot Bancroft was the genial, easygoing, always ready with a broad smile member of the ROGUES board. But I knew the real man beneath the veneer. He was a hard-nosed businessman, a brilliant lawyer in his own right, and a risk-taker. He’d gambled on the other side needing this deal more than we did. I’d say it was evenly split. We would all hugely benefit from this joint venture, and neither side wanted to walk away after months of negotiation. Oliver fidgeted beside me. Garen, Sebastian, and Upton were on the conference call.

  “We’ll need a moment to confer,” Bevan, Elliot’s equivalent at Addison’s, said.

  “Take your time,” Elliot replied, immediately putting the conference call on mute which unfortunately cut us off from the rest of the team dialed in to the call. His eyes met mine, and he dusted off his hands. “Easy money.”

  I chuckled. “Don’t count your chickens.”

  “Count them?” Elliot said. “I’ve already wrung their necks, plucked them, and prepped them for the feast.”

  His cell phone rang. He gave it a cursory glance then grinned. “Hey, Garen. Enjoying the show?”

  “I’ve patched Upton and Seb into this call. You think Addison’s will bite?”

  “I do.”

  “And if they don’t?”

  “Then we walk away,” Elliot said firmly. “There’s been compromise on both sides. All I’m asking for is a tad more movement, and it’s done.”

  “Good,” Seb piped up. “I got a hot date for New Year’s and I was kinda hoping to be outta here by eight. It’s okay for you guys on that side of the pond, but the revelers are already out on the streets of London, and I intend to join them.”

  Seb wasn’t the only one keen to get the deal signed. I’d be
en edgy all morning, anxious about Elliot’s reaction to Athena and me, despite what I told her over text. I didn’t want to lose my best friend, my wingman, my brother from another mother. But equally, I knew if he forced me into a corner, I’d choose Athena. Though the thought of it made me feel sick to my stomach.

  “If they agree to the wording then there’s no need for you to hang around. Ryker, Oliver, and I will deal with it from this end. Three signatories are enough to push it through.”

  “I knew there was a reason I loved you,” Seb said.

  Baren’s voice came over the line. “Gentlemen, we’re ready to discuss.”

  Elliot hung up his cell phone and unmuted the conference call.

  “We’re listening.”

  “We agree to your terms.”

  Elliot fist pumped the air. Good thing we weren’t on video call. His voice, though, when he spoke, exuded calm.

  “Excellent news. Send the revised contracts over, and once we’ve reviewed them, we’ll be happy to sign.”

  “Give me a couple hours. Glad to be in business with you, gentlemen. It should be fruitful for all concerned.”

  “Likewise,” Elliot replied.

  His finger jabbed the end call button, and he rose to his feet, as did both Oliver and I. We all shook hands.

  “I gotta go,” Oliver said. “Annie’s having a few friends over for a slumber party.” He rolled his eyes. “Get me. Rocking it on New Year’s. Text me when the contract is online ready to sign. I’ll be the one hiding from a gang of over-excited seven-year-old girls.”

  I chuckled. “Will do.”

  “You’re an animal,” I said to Elliot after Oliver left.

  “I knew I had them cornered.” He rubbed his hands together. “And now the celebrations can start. Sebastian isn’t the only one with a hot date. Brie and I have a VIP table at Paradise.”

  Brie! Why didn’t I think of that? She’d keep Elliot calm, or at least prevent him from punching me.

  “What time are you headed there?”

  “Not until nine or ten, depending on when the ink’s dry on the contract.”

  “You and Brie should come by my place first. A celebratory drink is in order, I think.”

  Elliot hitched a shoulder. “Sure thing. Champagne for three.” He winked, never one to pass up an opportunity to taunt me.

  A knock at the door saved me from a lie. Patricia poked her head inside the boardroom. “Elliot, Aaron’s here. He said he needs a word urgently.”

  Elliot made a beckoning gesture. “Send him in.”

  Aaron entered with a worried expression.

  “Elliot, sorry to interrupt. I thought you should know. Athena went out for lunch over three hours ago and hasn’t returned.”

  Elliot’s back straightened, and his eyes narrowed. “What? And she didn’t call or ask for an extended lunch break?”

  “No.”

  I didn’t like this. Not one bit. Despite the anxiety swirling in my gut, I snorted. Time to behave exactly as Elliot would expect me to.

  “Fucking typical. Flighty Athena finds real work too hard. She’s probably out shopping or drinking cocktails and lost track of time.”

  Elliot blinked, then shook his head. “If that’s true, I’ll kill her. She gets a chance and blows it.” He picked up his cell and stabbed at the screen. Holding the phone to his ear, he waited, then tossed it back on the table. “Voicemail. I’ll keep trying. Thanks for letting me know, Aaron.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll call you if she returns.”

  Aaron left. I gathered my things. “I’ll be in my office. Keep me informed on the Addison’s deal. And don’t worry about Athena. She’ll turn up when she’s good and ready, unapologetic for all the fuss she’s caused. As usual.”

  I strode out of the boardroom and down the hall, entering my office. I closed the door and immediately called Athena. As with Elliot’s attempt, the call went straight to voicemail. I texted her.

  No more tongue-induced orgasms for you unless you get your ass back to work – now.

  I waited for the conversation bubble to appear. Nothing.

  I sent another one, sterner this time.

  This isn’t funny, Athena. Elliot is worried, and I’m pissed. Answer your goddamn phone.

  Still nothing.

  I didn’t get it. Maybe she was mad at me for some unknown reason and decided to take off, get some head space. But that didn’t make sense. She’d been sending me dirty texts earlier this morning, and we hadn’t spoken in the last few hours. What if she’d been in an accident while crossing the road?

  I set about calling all the hospitals in the area, but none had an Athena Bancroft on their admissions list.

  Another hour passed. Elliot came to my office, and he had worry lines scored into his forehead. “Something’s wrong. What if she’s been in an accident?”

  Same thought I’d had.

  “I already called the hospitals. No admissions under her name.”

  Elliot’s eyebrows shot up toward his hairline. “I wasn’t aware you gave a shit.”

  I almost told him. Almost. But he didn’t need the additional stress right now, so I shrugged instead. “I care about you, and you care about her.”

  Elliot nodded, raking a quivering hand through his hair. “Sorry. It’s just… I’ve got a bad feeling. I don’t like this, Ryker. I’m going to call the police.”

  “Good idea.”

  He got straight on the phone, pacing as he made the call. “Missing persons,” he barked in response to whatever question he’d been asked. Then, “My sister is missing… What?... Four, five hours… No… What the fuck does that mean? No, absolutely not… Twenty-four hours? Are you shitting me? No, I won’t calm the fuck down. This city has lost its fucking mind.”

  He threw his phone across the room where, fortunately, it landed on my sofa.

  “What did they say?” I asked.

  “They won’t do a damned thing until she’s been missing for twenty-four hours. According to them, she’s an adult and can disappear if she wants.” Elliot expelled a bitter laugh. “Fucking regular Sherlock Holmes in NYPD, it seems.”

  “I’m not accepting that.” I picked up my phone and scrolled through the contacts.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “The commissioner. I’ve attended a few dinners where he’s been present. He should be able to apply some pressure to the right department.”

  He answered my call, and I apprised him of the situation. Twenty minutes later, Patricia showed two detectives into my office.

  Finally, we might get somewhere.

  23

  Athena

  A severe pounding in my temple brought me back to consciousness. There wasn’t an inch of my body that didn’t ache, as if I’d been viciously pummeled or kicked. I groaned and tried to sit up. After several attempts, I righted myself and managed to force my eyes open.

  When I did, I wished I’d remained unconscious.

  I was in a basement, or maybe an underground room. Its dank, foul-smelling odor pervaded my nostrils, and rivulets of moisture ran down the walls. An old-fashioned bulb hung down from a gray wire affixed to the ceiling, throwing out minimal light. I craned my neck looking for windows. There were none. The only entrance and exit was through a single door that I knew without trying would be locked.

  Even if the door was unlocked, I couldn’t reach it. A thick metal cuff circled my right wrist and matching ankle, the other end firmly attached to a pipe. I tried to stand, stumbled, and my hand connected with the slimy, mold-infested wall. I shook my head, trying to clear it. Slowly, my memory came back.

  The sharp scratch in the back of my neck, the instant nausea, the buildings closing in. The fuzziness making it difficult to think straight. I must have been drugged. How long had I been here? Who’d taken me? Where was I? How the hell had someone snatched me off a busy New York street without someone noticing and raising the alarm?

  Yeah, all questions I didn’t have the answers to.


  As the incoherence dissipated, terror took its place, and my heart pumped fast enough to burst right through my chest. Despite the terrible chill freezing my bones, my palms were slick with sweat. I gulped in short, shallow breaths, my lungs compressing, making it impossible to take in the amount of oxygen my body demanded. Straining my ears for signs of any sound, the only thing I heard was an inadvertent whimper spilling from my lips.

  Calm down. Breathe. Slowly. In and out. In and out.

  Talking to myself didn’t help. My mind raced, running through a series of awful scenarios. Ones of rape, and torture, and eventually death. Of never seeing Ryker again, or my parents, or Elliot. If I died, would Ryker tell them our secret or take it to his grave? Would he mourn me in private or publicly declare his love?

  I gathered the chain in my hands and tugged as hard as I could. Maybe if the pipe came away from the wall, I’d be able to free myself from the short leash my captor had subjected me to, and if I broke free, I’d have a chance to escape.

  The pipe didn’t budge. Not even a fraction of an inch.

  I yanked again, putting all my weight into it. Still no movement.

  Tears pooled in my eyes, blurring my vision.

  The burst of exertion sapped my depleted energy stores. I sank down to the floor, slipping back into oblivion.

  I woke shivering from cold, despite the filthy blanket my captor had left for me. Whatever I’d been drugged with must be working its way out of my system because the nausea had receded, my head was clearer, and I could think better without the cotton-wool-like interference.

  Scrambling to my feet, still a little unsteady, I scanned around. The room couldn’t be more than twenty feet square. Along one wall was a workbench, and on the other a few empty shelves, save for a stack of old magazines. I didn’t see anything that could double up as a weapon, apart from a chair with a wonky leg, but it was too far away for me to reach. Nor could I spot any tools that might help me to free myself from the shackles that bound me. I had no choice but to sit on the cold, concrete floor and wait for my abductor to make an appearance.