“Why would I do that?”
“Because I know of an office that your roommate could use.”
“I’m not coming on my own.” Her eyes flicker. “You could do anything to me.”
I shrug but in my mind I’m already thinking of all the things I plan to do. “Bring your friend with you. It’s where the office is located. She can tour the place while we talk.”
“Talk about what?”
“How many tickets you want for the Benn exhibition.”
“I can’t get to Seattle for that. Are you crazy?”
“Why not?”
“I can’t afford it.”
“Was the five thousand not sufficient? Do you need more?”
“Much as I like the idea of being handed random cash for no apparent reason, I’m going to have to decline.”
“You do not want my help?”
“Help isn’t one sided. You give me cash, you’re going to want something in return, aren’t you? And before you ask, no, I’m not that kind of girl.”
“I am merely offering you a chance to help with the research for your book.”
“And I’m politely declining.”
“Come see me anyway. Perhaps I can persuade you to change your mind.”
“I doubt it.”
I get to my feet. “You are a unique woman, Ophelia Addams. I like you.” With that, I turn and walk away before I say something more stupid like, “I’m obsessed with you and next time I see you, I’ll be shoving my cock into your sweet little mouth.”
I leave the library without looking back. I know already that she’ll come tomorrow. I could see it in her eyes. The self doubt, the curiosity, the hunger.
I feel the hunger too. I’m doing a dumb thing, remaining in the city while the organization is under investigation but I can’t stop myself. Until I’ve fucked her, I’m going nowhere.
I get into the back of the car and Rocky drives into traffic. “How did it go?” he asks.
“Empty the fifth floor of the Bentham building. There will be a new tenant moving in shortly.”
“On it.” He presses his earpiece, talking into it a moment later, starting the process. “Jackie, get the loan sharks off the fifth. I don’t give a shit what you tell them. Just get it done today. Vincenzo’s orders.”
I press the button to raise the soundproof glass between us. Turning to the screen, I run my eyes along the figures. Our shares are doing well. The money laundering is working at full pace. Another month or two and it’ll all be clean. The Feds won’t be able to touch a cent.
I should be happy about that but I struggle to summon up enough emotion to care. All my thoughts are now bent on Ophelia, and on exactly what’s going to happen when she walks into my office tomorrow morning.
Seven
Ophelia
Vincenzo looms over me, dressed in an immaculate black suit. The shirt is crisp, the tie a sharp maroon. I look down and see that I’m naked. How did that happen? Kneeling on the floor, my hands are tied behind my straight back, my chest thrusting toward him.
My nipples are rock hard, aching to be touched. I’ve been like this for some time. I don’t know how long but I know this is a just punishment for something I’ve done. If only I could remember what.
I’ve a plug in my ass and it shifts in place whenever I try to adjust myself to ease the throbbing need deep inside me. How did that get in there? Did I allow it? Why can’t I remember?