“What I really care about is finding who blackmailed Sophie,” Roarke told them. And whether you think this goes beyond her.”
Sophie gasped. “You think others could be being blackmailed?”
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“I think it’s a definite possibility,” Connor said grimly.
“What?” Ria turned to him. She hadn’t known that.
“Unfortunately, it’s not something I can go around just asking people. But I’m certain if this person has done it once, successfully, they’ll do it again.”
“God, I never thought there might be other people.” Sophie sounded ill.
“We need to concentrate on figuring out who it is.” Connor typed into his computer. “I’ve been running deeper checks into the staff’s background as well as the club Doms. It’s more likely to have been one of them who overheard Sophie’s conversation as they all have access to the back areas of Indulgence. I have a few people that raised some questions.”
He hadn’t told her he’d been looking into everyone who worked at the club. Although she should have guessed. Her stomach tightened. Had he looked into her? Her identity was pretty solid though, right? And he knew she wasn’t the blackmailer so he’d have no reason to do that.
“One is Trevor Johns,” he said. “Thirty-four, works in both the public and BDSM bar. He’s a Dom, right?”
“Supposedly,” Ajax agreed. “But he doesn’t usually play at the club. Told me he prefers to go to a club in Dallas to play.”
“Trevor’s a jerk,” Ria said. “This would totally be something he would do.”
“His jerkness aside,” Hunter rumbled. “Why do you like him for this?”
“Financials don’t add up to what I know he earns,” Connor answered.
“Always a red flag,” Roarke murmured.
“He’s got a cousin who is a cop. That indicates he had the means to get hold of police records and Jerry’s details.”
Sophie sucked in a sharp breath.
“Plus, he’s a jerk.” Connor’s voice grew hard.
Hunter raised his eyebrows. “Not like you to feel so heated over someone you hardly know.”
“He failed to keep Ria safe behind the bar when that brawl was going on.”
“Ah, he’s a Domabe, then?”
“A what?” she asked Hunter.
“Jesus, don’t ask,” Connor muttered to her.
“Well,” Hunter said, leaning forward. “A Domabe is a combination of the word Dominant and wannabe. He likes to think he is a Dom. Probably enjoys wielding his power. Gets a surge from being in control.”
“Isn’t that what you guys enjoy?” Ria asked.
“Yes, but what makes us different is that we always put a subs safety and wellbeing above our own,” Hunter told her. “If he were a real Dom, he’d have picked you up, dragged you behind the bar and handcuffed you to something to keep you there.” Hunter’s eyes twinkled as though he greatly enjoyed that thought.
These guys were crazy. But it was a good kind of crazy. Not the sort she was used to.
Oh, yeah? And hasn’t Freddy been crazy protective of you all your life?
Yeah, up until he thought I was a traitor.
“Okay, so there’s Trevor. Jeremiah hired him, didn’t he?” Roarke asked calmly.