Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3)(57)

Dax shook his head. “I can’t talk about this right now. I need to go.”

“All right.” Roman sighed heavily. “Just think about what I said. And I’m sorry about Holland, Dax. We’ve all been there. We’ve all been duped by someone we care about. It’s heartbreaking.”

“My heart is not broken, damn it. Holland didn’t do this. I’m going over to see her right now and we’ll get this sorted out. I’ll call you soon.” He hung up and practically ran to get to the streetcar that would take him closer to Holland.


*

Hello?”

“Good afternoon, Special Agent Kirk.”

Holland’s blood nearly froze in her veins. She knew that voice. How could she possibly forget it? She’d heard that voice in her nightmares for the last few nights. She heard him talking and then she would see Dax’s body cold and still on the streets.

She had to wonder now if the theft of her laptop had been random. It hadn’t been hard to replace, but they could potentially have found out how far she’d gotten in the investigation. They’d obviously known she’d been looking into the situation. They likely had someone on the inside who fed them information.

She intended to find that person. Quietly. She might not be able to take on the Bratva singlehandedly, but she could find the backstabbing mole.

“What do you want?” There was no need for professional politeness with this asshole.

“I want what I’ve always wanted, Special Agent Kirk. Peace and quiet. My job is infinitely easier when I have those things.”

“I’ve dropped the investigation.”

She’d been a good girl these past couple of days. Oh, she’d told Dax she was continuing, but she’d kept to her own cases, her own desk. She wasn’t going to give that man any reason to send someone else after him. And each night, she’d lied to Dax about her progress. The guilt was starting to eat at her. She would lie in his arms and the feeling of contentment she normally had with him washed away the second she remembered she would have to crush his need to see his father exonerated soon.

Somehow, she had to tell him she was quitting the investigation. She would have to convince him his father wasn’t worth the trouble.

“You might have dropped the investigation,” the man said grimly, “but your boyfriend seems to have picked it right up where you left off.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Captain Spencer pulled a few strings and learned the names of Sue Carlyle’s former cellmates. Additionally, he’s scheduled a meeting with the drug addict herself next week. You didn’t do what you promised.”

Her heart did a flip in her chest. “He did what?”

He’d mentioned absolutely nothing about it. Not one word. As far as she’d known, he’d been trying to wrap up the training protocols with Courtney. She’d dreaded that since it meant he would be leaving soon, but it would also take him out of the reach of the man on the phone.

“You heard me. I’ve had to take extra measures. I had two choices, Special Agent. I could do what I’ve done or I could have eliminated the problem.”

Terror sparked through her. “If you touch him in any way, I swear I won’t ever stop hunting you down.”

“I rather thought that would be your reaction, so I chose Door Number Two. I had to sell it to my boss. The next time he’ll do what he wants to do. You won’t like his choices, Special Agent.”

Her hand clenched around the phone. “What have you done?”

“I’ve ensured that the problem goes away. Unfortunately, you’re part of the problem. Spencer is here in New Orleans for you as much as his investigation. I’ve ensured he won’t want to be around you again. He needs a distraction, and a little betrayal will do wonders for his focus. Once he gets back on his ship, he won’t have time for things like investigations. Hell, he won’t have time to communicate with the outside world and that’s how we like it.”

Yes, she could see where focusing Dax on something besides his father’s death would be helpful. “Where do I come into it?”

“You’ll find your bank account is much healthier than once it was. I hope you enjoy the hundred grand. It’s yours to keep from my gracious employer. Consider it a fair exchange for your relationship.”

“For my relationship? Why would me breaking up with Dax cause him to stop investigating his father’s death?”

A chuckle came over the line. “I’m sure he won’t, though he’ll likely take his time getting back to it. But he won’t have NCIS access. He won’t have a law enforcement professional smoothing the way for him.”

“He could have the damn president smoothing the way for him.” Did they forget who Dax was?

“Your captain would never drag his friends into this,” the man replied smoothly. “If that were true, he already would have. He can’t go to a reporter because that would hurt his mother and sister. His only real option is you. If he can no longer trust you, he’ll have nothing but hired hands to turn to.”

She shivered. “And hired hands can be bought.”

“Everyone can be bought, with the exception of a woman in love. I don’t trust you, dear. I think the captain might get on his boat and you could rethink everything, decide that maybe you can find the answers he seeks. You’re dangerous together so I’ll tear you apart one way or another.”