The explanation Deeds is giving lights up rage inside me. His MC has a contract with the government. They solve cold cases or cases that are hard to crack. They have free reign to deal with everything as they see fit to close a case and bring justice.
I’ve heard of these guys and they have a hard-ass reputation, but they always get the job done. I don’t know how Zerox pulled it off to get them involved but I sure as fuck am grateful he did.
“Is my old lady still at risk?” I ask, needing to know Val is safe. I don’t even care about myself; she comes first.
Deeds shakes his head and points at Val. “That’s your old lady, right? The one Zerox gave the details about?”
I give him a tight nod and he continues. “She’s in the clear, no matter what happened or what evidence someone might have on you and your old lady. It wouldn’t mean shit since we’re handling the case from here on out.” His eyes slide to Val. “Like I said, you don’t have to worry about anyone blackmailing you concerning this shit, it’s in the past and nothing can touch you. We already made sure it’s in black and white in the report my son, Archer, just handed back to the government. That goes for the both of you.”
My throat clogs and I don’t even know what to say, but Zerox takes over. “What’s going to happen next?”
Deeds gives Zerox his full attention. “I put the whole MC on this case since the information we obtained showed these fuckers are still active. We will connect all the dots and take these fuckers out once and for all. I will keep you updated but not much information will flow your way. It’s our case, meaning you’re placed on a need to know basis. But I do think these two need to be put in some kind of lockdown or double security. We’re going to start poking around in shit they are connected to. I’m pretty sure not many of those fuckers’ victims survived so poking around means they are bound to find out these two started something, putting both Valentina and Beecher at risk.”
“I have to be able to do my work,” Val states, concern lacing her words and by the spark of fear in her eyes I know her concern isn’t fully about her work.
I place my hand right next to hers on the table, the heat of our hands mingling, and I hate the fact I still have a blockage against touching what’s mine.
“I’ll make sure you get to be able to keep working, all of us will,” I tell her.
She nods and gives me a thankful smile. My heart speeds up when she connects our fucking pinkies as if we’re kids, making a pinky promise.
Lynn clears her voice, making all eyes land on her as she addresses Val. “I hate to bring this up but does anyone in your circle of friends, acquaintances, employees, whoever, raise suspicions in their actions or activities concerning you? Or those who have a twisted sense of sexual interest for that matter since we’re looking for a connection. We don’t think you were targeted for blackmail because they suddenly found footage. We think it was timed by them to start getting a rise out of you, push you their way or whatever.”
I can sense her whole body going rigid. “I will thoroughly go over everyone connected to me and make a list for you.”
Lynn’s well-groomed eyebrow raises. “A list, huh? Do you have a lot of potential suspects who might want to target you?”
Val doesn’t even blink when she easily supplies, “I have been active in the BDSM scene for a few years. There are a few people who don’t appreciate the lifestyle and some who do, but are sometimes envious enough to plan revenge.”
I take a deep breath and slide my fingers over her hand to turn it and lace our fingers together. She sat by my hospital bed for weeks, took me into the safety of her own home to take care of me. I owe her and myself to push through, and I damn well will.
There is also no need for her to defend or be ashamed of the lifestyle she enjoyed to get what she wanted. What she needed to keep some kind of control. Everyone functions differently and this strong woman found relief in channeling her anger and frustrations through play.
You might say she’s a saint compared to me and my actions since I wasn’t any better with tying down women because I can’t stand to be touched. And when I found relief for mere seconds it turned into repulsion leading me to puke my guts out afterwards. Every. Single. Time.
Zerox eyes the movement of our linked hands and I see relief flare in his expression. Asshole. As if he thought all was lost between us. Last night my brothers kicked my ass enough to shake some sense into me. Like I said, I’m not giving up and Val and I will find our way.
Lynn turns to Deeds. “Archer did mention this might be a link.”
“We have to check out the more hardcore Doms, one of them might have an easy link if they are active in the scene and have easy money access. Who knows if there’s a fucker stupid enough not to hide all these connections, he might be even working for some kind of IT company,” Deeds muses and nods as he thinks over his own words.
My fingers are almost getting crushed by the way Val is gripping my hand.
“Donald,” she whispers, instantly putting me on edge. “Donald runs a company which offers servers, computer technology, along with some other IT related branches. He’s also active in the same BDSM scene. He’s a Dom. He has been calling. I don’t...maybe he’s—” Val shakes her head. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t gain anything with having another guy blackmailing me into anything. He’s gay, he has a relationship with my assistant, Pierre. They have been together for years.”
Lynn’s face softens. “Don’t worry about anything. It might seem like an easy link, and most times cases are easy and in plain sight, but it could very well be too obvious and not linked to anything. That’s where we come in. We will dive into it and make sure nothing is overlooked. You just concentrate on making a list with names for us to check. You do your work, and we will do ours.”
“Okay,” Val warily agrees.
“Pres,” I snap, making Zerox’s eyes land on mine. “Can you please handle this? I’m going to take my old lady to my room. Let me know if you need anything, but for now I’m thankful and trust you guys got this.”
I stand and tug Val onto her feet. I don’t wait for an answer because I know my Pres will always have my back. We say our goodbyes to both Lynn and Deeds before we head for my room.
Once the door is closed and locked behind us, Val lets go of my hand and starts to pace the room. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice anything. I’m sure it’s Donald. Who else? He’s been an acquaintance for years. And then Pierre, his little freaking spy. I’m so damn stupid not to see through their scheme. What do they want? What could they possibly obtain from this? Dammit, years! We met overseas for Christ’s sake. Ugh!”
I’m leaning against the door and let her ramble for a bit. Not only does it function as a way to blow off some steam for her, it also gives both of us a flow of information to think things over.
“You heard what Deeds and Lynn said, right?” I eventually say.
Her feisty gaze lands on me. “It could very well not be Donald, I know. But come on, all the arrows are pointing his way, it’s hard to turn a blind eye, don’t you think?”
“It’s why we’re letting them handle it. Two MCs are working on this and we are stepping back to give them the chance to wrap it up. We’re too close to it. We will sit in on some meetings and will be there to answer any questions they might have, but they are the ones with clear focus and fresh eyes.” Understanding flares in her eyes when she takes in my words.