The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(79)

A fresh burst of hatred rushes through my blood. There are details on where Blakely lived, worked, and photos of her. She's singing on a stage or carrying trays of drinks in her cheap thong and bra she wore the night she arrived at my house. In one, she's getting out of a car, and I recognize the surroundings as the lot near Cheeks.

I force myself to stay focused, toss it in the suitcase, and zip both bags.

I roll them through the office, then carry them down the stairs, exiting the same way I entered. I put everything into the trunk of my Porsche. I drive several blocks, then text Jones.

Me: I'm out.





A few minutes pass, and I get a reply.

Jones: Done.





Me: Perfect. I owe you a bigger bonus.





Jones: I'll happily take your money. Stop by tomorrow morning. I have something for you.





I chuckle, feeling a buzz. Hugh's going to have nothing left. He's going to lose it when he realizes everything is gone.

I drive home to the beach house. Since it's so late, Blakely's already sleeping. I unpack everything into my office safe, then lock it. I take a shower, then slide into bed.

She stirs. "You're back."

I give her a kiss, then tell her, "I am. Go back to sleep."

She snuggles into me, and the warm feeling I can't escape fills me. It's something I've gotten more used to lately. I can't lie to myself anymore. I enjoy it.

I kiss the top of her head and peacefully fall asleep until the morning comes, waking up at my normal time.

Blakely's still asleep. I unpeel my body from hers, then sneak out of the bedroom. I get outside, put on my wetsuit, then take my board down to the water and hit the waves.

The sun's risen when I finally see the calm chaos. I stay in the water for a few more minutes, thinking about my pet.

She's the one.

I need to keep her.

Anxiety mixes with that warmth I can't escape. It gradually spreads throughout my chest until it seeps into my stomach. This isn't the first time I've told myself these things, yet time doesn't seem to override my reaction.

I paddle to shore, shower, then venture into the bedroom.

Blakely steps out of the bathroom. She sees me and smiles, chirping, "Morning. How was the surf?"

I close the distance between us and kiss her. "Great. Were you up late?"

She nods. "I finished another song. At least, I think it's done."

I glance at the clock, debating if I have time to play, but I don't. I announce, "I have a ton of things going on today at work."

"Busy week, huh?" she says, and the tad of disappointment I hear in her voice makes my heart beat faster.

I state, "I'd rather stay here with you."

She beams. "You can make it up to me later."

I squeeze her ass and chuckle, knowing I intend to do just that. "Deal."

She rises on her tippy-toes, pecks me on the cheek, then snaps my towel off me. She glances down at my cock, then bats her eyes, pouting, "Oops. Sorry."

I resist the urge to back her against the wall. I warn, "I see a punishment in your future."

She shrugs, then leaves the room, glancing back at me over her shoulder.

Yep, she's it.

The uncomfortable tightness spawns again. I fight through it and go into my closet. I get dressed, then leave, driving to Compton.

I pull into Jones's garage. He comes to my window. "I have access to all the new accounts. Here's the data." He hands me an oversized envelope.

"What's this?" I question.

"New offshore accounts. I've already hacked into them though."

"Good man," I praise and fist-bump him. I ask, "And you're sure there's no evidence I was in the building last night?"

He scoffs. "Of course. I'm not an amateur. Not a trace of evidence exists."

I chuckle. "No, you sure aren't an amateur." I reach into the glove box and pull out an envelope of cash. "Your bonus."

He takes it from me, stating, "I'll work on the credit cards this morning. You should be good in a few hours."

"Perfect. Text me when it's ready," I order, then leave the garage.

I fight the thick smog and traffic, then grab a coffee at a local shop while returning some emails. I get a text.

Jones: Done.





Giddiness hits me. I go to the country club for lunch. Hugh scheduled lunch with his cronies and pointed out that I hadn't gone in a while. Every now and then, I go to make Hugh happy. He likes to have me there to confirm when he brags about how well our company's doing. But I'm only here for my own benefit. And I can't wait to watch what's about to happen.

My timing is impeccable, arriving at valet just as Hugh gets out of his car. I can tell right away something is off by his distracted expression. His jovial arrogance is nowhere to be seen.

"Hugh," I call out when he doesn't seem to notice me.

Red deepens on his face. "Riggs."

"Why do you look frazzled?" I ask innocently.

He shakes his head. "I'm not. I'm fine."

Sure you are, you lying, thieving, manipulative bastard.

We go inside to the check-in desk. Mabel pins her wide eyes on Hugh. She clears her throat. "Mr. Gallow, Amy needs to speak with you."