Broken by His Hand - Piper Stone Page 0,22

beginning.”

“Agreed. Dog bones and now this. If I were you, I’d be very careful. It would appear you’re the target this time.”

I didn’t need to bother answering. While the various events might not have anything to do with each other, we couldn’t play this cautiously enough.

“As far as that girl you like so much? I’ll give you the same advice you gave me about Autumn. Be careful until you know for certain she isn’t a part of this.”

While I doubted a ruse could be structured in such a manner, I would at least give credence to his concerns. “Understood.” Autumn Sutherland had gone undercover in an effort to expose the sex ring. Fortunately, she’d refused to follow orders, finally enabling us to find the truth, the judge involved a pissed-off member.

“I’ll ask Autumn in her capacity as a member of the police force to investigate.”

I gripped his shoulder. “Make sure she keeps this quiet.” While his fiancée was loyal to the family, her love for Gregory unmistakable, she was still a detective. The last thing we needed was to alarm certain members who worked in her field. She was now too well known as being connected to the club.

“Don’t worry, brother. Autumn knows what’s she’s doing. Why don’t we get the hell out of here? We do have a club to run.”

“One more phone call before we do. I think it’s time to push for the location of the ledger. And that starts with William Rappaport.”

The club, one that had brought us more difficulties than even I had imagined after listening to my father’s stories. Maybe I should have second guessed my decision to reopen the club. However, it was too late.

Sadly, my instincts were kicking into high gear. Whatever kind of game was being played, it was obvious that someone was going to die.

Chapter Five

Sophia

“Shocked.”

“And I will take you in every way I desire, including your tight little ass. Then, you will become mine.”

I could still envision his face, his gorgeous eyes, his rugged body.

I could almost feel his body crushed against mine.

I’d resisted taking a shower, languishing in the way his scent covered almost every inch.

So powerful.

So dominating.

I absently fingered the glass of wine as I thought about what had occurred the night before. I had slept little, thankful I had a day off. I’d fucked the man in a freaking alley, for God’s sake. What was wrong with me?

Suddenly, the single word said to me registered seconds before water was flicked into my face. Then there was the ridiculous request to... Another shiver skated down my back. No butt plug. No way.

“Where the hell are you, girlfriend?” Clarissa asked as she shook her head.

“I’m sorry, Clarissa. I just have a lot on my mind.” I gave a slight smile before reaching for my wine, almost knocking it over. Jesus. I’d never been this confused or befuddled over a man before, including in high school and college. Why the hell did every single thought about Michael push me into some frenzy?

“Is that why you actually agreed to meet me for lunch, something I’ve been requesting for like two months?” Clarissa snarked as she folded her hands, staring over them. “Do you have something really juicy to tell me, like you have a sexy boyfriend?”

I wasn’t entirely certain how to answer, which was absolutely ridiculous. Clarissa Young had been my best friend for eons, since college. She’d even sent me the link to the job application at BridgePoint Hospital. We’d shared everything over the years, no matter how many miles separated us.

Now I wasn’t certain what to say to her. I took my time lifting my wineglass, refusing to look like a fool in the middle of the restaurant.

Clarissa grinned, leaning further over the table. “That’s it. You’re finally fucking someone?”

As the sip of wine I’d taken flew out of my mouth, I closed my eyes.

“Hmmm. It must be serious.”

“No,” I half whispered, darting a look at the other customers. Clarissa had always been the gregarious one, refusing to back down to anyone. She’d likely never been embarrassed in her life. “If you say that any louder, half of DC is going to hear you.”

Laughing, she wagged her finger at me. “I’m just glad to see you taking time for yourself.”

“Yeah, well, this is likely my single day off for a month or so. I’m in the doghouse with the administrator.”

“Uh-oh. What did you do now?”

It was my turn to flick water in her face before drying off the