“How many cameras are there?” Scott asked as half a dozen views appeared on the monitor.
“You’re looking at them. Three cover the beach and three more around the actual camp. I can turn them off and on at will. In the meantime, we can monitor everything that’s going on.”
“Jack, this is brilliant.”
“Yeah, it feels good. What about you?”
“Dan Miller is our only loose end, but I’m not too worried about him. He has no idea where Elizabeth is, and with our people, the police, and Conchello all looking for him, he can’t show his face anywhere. Operation Justice is full steam ahead. It’s time to call Frank.”
* * *
The mysterious key tucked safely away in a button-down pocket, Dan’s hopeful hunt for a secret compartment inside the Jeep had been fruitless. The only area left to search was where he’d been hiding. Wishing he didn’t have to expose himself, he climbed out, walked quickly around the vehicle, and swung open the rear door. Moving away the custom shelf and pulling up the cover to the storage area, he discovered a variety of tools and a plastic tote bag. Frustrated and angry, but not ready to give up, he shoved them off to the side.
His heart skipped.
They had been covering a small lock.
Urgently retrieving the key, he pushed it into place, turned it to the right, and tugged up the lid. Going through the contents inside the metal container, he let out a low whistle. An envelope contained thousands in cash, a hooded black parka, a small handgun with a case of bullets, and a cell phone.
Elizabeth and Scott wouldn’t be returning.
The vehicle was the perfect place to hide until he could venture out after sunset.
* * *
Relaxing in the hot, foamy suds, Elizabeth had drifted away. Thinking she’d heard Scott’s voice, she slowly opened her eyes. He was standing over the tub smiling down at her.
“Hi,” she murmured groggily. “Did Jack leave already, or is he upstairs?”
“He had to go, but he’ll be back in a couple of hours. I didn’t expect to find you still in here,” he remarked, placing his hand in the water. “This is barely warm.”
“I guess I dozed off.”
“I guess you did.”
“Is everything okay? Did he run into any problems?”
“Taking over that compound will be a piece of cake,” Scott replied confidently.
“That’s great, I hope the same will be true for Conchello’s estate.”
“My tech guy will be running interference with the security system, and our agents at the catering company will be pivotal, but enough about that. How are you feeling?”
“Much better. I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
“Just what I wanted to hear,” he said with a grin. “I’m jumping in the shower. Get out and towel off, but stay naked and wait for me on the bed.”
“Is that an order, Captain?” she asked with a sassy grin.
“Absolutely, we could both use a distraction.”
He reached for her hand and helped her up, but as she stepped over the side of the bath, she leaned her wet body against him.
“I think I’d rather stay here,” she murmured, lowering her hand and grasping his cock over the thin cotton trousers.
“Do as you’re told,” he said firmly, moving back and grabbing a towel. “Here, get dry and wait for me on the bed.”
Though she took it from his hands and started toweling off, she continued to watch him as he removed his clothes and entered the stall. When the water started, she hung the towel on a hook and opened the door. Startled, he turned and stared at her.
“What are you—?”
Before he could finish, she stepped under the streaming water, grabbed his semi-hard manhood, and began to slide her hand up and down.
“Elizabeth, I told you to wait on the bed.”
“I need to wash my hair,” she purred, continuing to stroke his stiffening shaft.
“Close your eyes, and don’t speak,” he ordered sternly, gripping her wrist and pulling her hand away.
Squeezing her eyes shut as he turned her to face the wall, she was shocked as he began aggressively lathering her hair. She wanted to ask him why, but there was no way she was going to say a word. Suddenly gripping her forearms, he pushed her directly under the showerhead.
“I need to make sure all this shampoo is out,” he muttered, running his fingers through her tangled mane, “and I suppose you need conditioner.”
A bottle squelched, and a moment later his fingers returned, spreading the creamy lotion through her long, wet locks. As he moved her back under the streaming hot water, she felt as dominated as she had when she’d been tied up and blindfolded.
“You said you needed to wash your hair. Now it’s done,” he declared. “What do you say?”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Now you’ll be punished,” he said sternly, turning off the faucets.
As she wondered why she’d pushed the envelope yet again, he gripped her wrists and placed them against the tile wall.
“Leave them there and spread your feet. You’re a very naughty girl,” he scolded, delivering a hot, stinging slap on the center of her backside. “Why didn’t you towel off and wait for me on the bed?”
“I was, uh, I was—”
“What?” he demanded, smacking her a second time.
“When I climbed out of the tub, you were so—oh, Scott, I just wanted to be with you.”
“You couldn’t wait five minutes?”
“I, uh…”
“Don’t move and keep your eyes closed.”
Though a slice of fear pricked her skin, she couldn’t deny the thrill coursing through her veins, but his flattened palm suddenly blasted from cheek to cheek with fiery swats.
“What happens to naughty girls who disobey their captain?”
“They’re punished, Sir,” she wailed as he continued to rain the stinging blows.
“And naughty girls who have no manners, who are rude and bossy?”
“They’re punished, Sir,” she repeated, wincing as she spoke.
“I want to know if you’re angry and frustrated,” he declared, whisking his flattened palm in a volley of fiery smacks across her sit spots, “but you don’t get to be bossy and belligerent, not with me. Is
