But he was running out of time.
The men picking up Jim Parker were on their way.
Gripping her waist and plunging in and out with quick, strong strokes, he listened to her cries, increasing his pace as he sensed her nearing her apex.
His climax loomed.
He could yield to it in a heartbeat.
“Please, Sir…?”
“Please what?” he growled, thrusting with gusto. “Say it!”
“Please, Sir, m-may I c-come?”
Her breathless, stammered plea catapulted him into his release. “Now! Come for me now!”
Closing his eyes and savoring the sparking spasms rippling through his limbs, his loud groans filled the room, drowning out her euphoric cries, until utterly drained, he slipped out and collapsed beside her.
His heart pounding in his chest and trying to catch his breath, he felt her snuggle against him. He wanted to sink into the mattress and doze against her glorious body, but he couldn’t allow himself the luxury.
“Where are you going?” she mumbled, grabbing his arm as he tried to leave the bed.
“The van picking up Jim will be here soon, and I need to ask him a couple of questions.”
“Can I—”
“Join me?” he interrupted. “Not this time.”
“I was going to say, can I watch on the camera feed? I have no desire to be in the same room with that bastard ever again.”
“I don’t blame you,” he muttered, walking into the bathroom. “Sure, you can watch, as long as you promise to stay put. I’m sure he’ll tell me what I need to know without much fuss.”
“Jim’s a broken man,” she said softly, climbing from the bed and pulling on her clothes. “By the time he realized he’d made a deal with the devil, it was too late.”
“I’m sorry to say his situation is not uncommon,” Scott remarked as he returned to the room and began to dress. “Drugs are the scourge of the earth. I may not be able to wipe out all the Conchellos of this world, but I sure as hell am going to get as many of them as I can.”
“That’s how I feel.”
“I know. Come on, I’ll set you up in the office.”
“Office?”
“It’s just a small room with a desk, a computer, and a supply closet,” he replied as they walked into the hall. “I haven’t had a chance to show you around this place yet, but there’s not much to see.”
Walking through the kitchen, Elizabeth’s comment echoed through his head.
Jim’s a broken man.
Scott wasn’t sure, but he’d soon find out.
Entering the room next to the one where Jim waited, Scott sat at the desk and opened a laptop.
“You’ll be able to see and hear everything,” he declared, logging into the camera network, “but be prepared.”
“For what?” she asked as he stood up and she slipped into the chair.
“I think Jim is a very good actor,” he replied, opening a cupboard and retrieving a balaclava.
“You don’t believe what he told me?”
“Very little.”
* * *
Pulling the mask over his head and leaving the room, Scott was determined to provoke Jim into revealing his true nature. Though he’d presented a remorseful, tragic figure to Elizabeth, Scott wasn’t convinced. Standing outside the door, he steeled himself for what he believed was about to happen, then strode in with his shoulders squared.
Body language mattered.
Jim jerked up his head, a pained expression on his face.
“How long will I be here?” he asked woefully. “What’s going to happen to me?”
“Hello, Jim. I’m going to take your cuffs off for a minute,” Scott replied, walking behind him.
As Scott released him, Jim let out a heavy sigh and stretched his arms.
“Please tell me how long you’ll be keeping me here,” he asked meekly. “My wife will be worried. I’m sure she’s been trying to reach me.”
“You’re going back to Los Angeles,” Scott replied, fetching the folding chair and sitting down opposite him. “A van will be here shortly to pick you up. Obviously you’ll need a good lawyer, but I doubt you’ll get bail. Jim, where’s the money?”
“Money?” Jim repeated. “What money?”
“Don’t insult me,” Scott barked, his friendly demeanor suddenly changing.
Jim flinched.
It was the reaction Scott had hoped for.
“You don’t understand, it’s all gone,” Jim said earnestly. “The only money left is in an envelope in my desk. There’s about ten grand in there, that’s it.”
“You’re lying!” Scott snapped, jumping to his feet. “Put your hands behind your back.”
“But—”
“You had your chance and you blew it. Now put your fucking hands behind your back or I’ll put them there for you, and it won’t be pleasant!”
“Okay, okay.”
Looming over Jim until he’d followed the command, Scott stepped quickly around him and slapped on the cuffs.
“You’re good, I’ll give you that,” he said brusquely. “You had Elizabeth eating out of the palm of your hand, but I didn’t buy it for a second. A search warrant is being issued. Your house will be literally torn apart. If you’re worried about your wife and kids, save them the hell of going through it and just tell me. You know how these things go. We will find it.”
Jim paused. “There’s nothing left.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” Scott declared, folding his chair and leaning it against the wall. “You have a tell. Your right eyebrow lifts. That story you told Elizabeth about Conchello moving to Puerto Rico was total bullshit.”
A deep frown crawled across Jim’s forehead.
Scott suppressed a grin.
It was time for the kill.
“I don’t know why I’m wasting my time here,” he grunted. “You’re nothing but one of Conchello’s overpaid errand boys.”
“Fuck you, asshole,” Jim suddenly hissed, his facade falling away. “You’re wrong. He’d already put me in charge of his operation in Los Angeles, and I was about
