“Billionaire Bikers motorcycle club, right?”
“Correct,” Richard said. “You did your research.” He glanced over at her, and she smiled.
“You left your jacket, and I was curious. I’ve got a curious mind. It’s a flaw.”
“We help people, women that have been taken against their will,” Richard said. “That is all I’m going to tell you, and if you repeat a word, your lives will be turned into living hell.”
“Fuck, a bit overkill,” Jay said.
“I wouldn’t say anything.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” Richard said. “I can’t guarantee him in the back.”
“Hey, I won’t say anything either. If we’re going to do this together, you need to learn to have a little faith.”
“Fine, then it’s something that can be earned along with everything else that we’re doing.”
Licking her lips, Temperance glanced out of the window. “Did you take the contracts for the O’Brian account?”
“Yep.”
She nodded. “I just wanted to make sure.”
“I’ve already handled business. We’ve got a long day on Monday.”
“That’s my day,” Jay said.
Richard laughed. “We’re talking work.”
“We’re on a date, and you’re talking work?” he asked.
She stared at her best friend, and his brow rose, letting her know that he knew what she was doing. Talking work kept it away from a personal level.
“Don’t let her fool you, Richard.”
“I’m not. I’m just letting her play all of her cards. I may not have known her since preschool, but I know her.”
Temperance couldn’t help but smile. Richard did know her. They had fun with each other, without it leading to sex.
Richard pulled up outside of a large night club, with a line of people waiting to get inside. Temperance groaned, but neither man would listen. Richard got out, handing the keys to some valet. Nightclubs had valets? He took her hand, and Jay followed in behind her.
He greeted the doorman, who didn’t have a problem with them going straight inside even as people were standing there complaining.
“Now, this is the life,” Jay said.
It was time to have some fun.
They were taken to the VIP section. She’d never been there before, so seeing several celebrities surprised her. Temperance was used to seeing familiar faces as she worked with Richard, and he was expanding within that business.
“Blake likes to give his clients whatever they want. The VIP section allows celebrities the privacy to party, but to also get their faces recognized. They can party without being bombarded. People can come, party, and see celebrities if they want. It’s a win-win.”
“Sounds good,” Jay said.
“I want to go and dance,” Temperance said. She was one of the people who were meant to be down there, not in the VIP spot. “Jay, dance with me.” She held her hand out, and he went with her. They left Richard, and the song was an upbeat one, allowing them to join the throng of people, and get into the dancing. Jay stood behind her, gripping her hips as they danced along to the music.
****
Richard watched the couple on the dance-floor. They were natural together, showing they knew each other. He wasn’t jealous. Temperance was nervous, and for now, he’d let her create her little circle around herself. He wasn’t going to let her get away, nor was he going to let Jay leave either.
The more he thought about them being together, the more he liked the idea. He loved to see a woman come apart in another man’s arms, and with Jay, he’d be able to trust him. Temperance was not going to be a woman he’d just share with any man, so her being best friends with Jay, helped him solve that problem.
His cell phone started to ring, and without taking his gaze away from Temperance, he answered it. She was staring right back at him.
“Bruce,” he said.
“I’ve just got a call from our informant within the police service. More women have gone missing, and are turning up dead,” Russ said.
“Shit, Lewis missed this?”
“Lewis hasn’t been keeping an eye on shit since he found Mandy. Tonight, I’m declaring a church meeting, only we’re all going to his house. You’ll be there?” Russ asked.
Glancing at the time, Richard cursed. “Give me a couple of hours, and I’ll be there.”
“We need to keep our eye on the ball.”
“Agreed.” He hung up the phone, and didn’t bother drinking the scotch that had been given to him. Leaving the VIP section, he made his way onto the dance-floor, and found his woman.