Page 19

That’s good.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t work for me.

I quickly screenshot the picture of her straddling the pole. Head and torso bent all the way back, long locks of blonde hair flowing around her, eyes closed, and her face a mask of serene calm, focus, and satisfaction—like she knows she’s in control of the crowd.

Smiling to myself, I smooth my finger over the screen. She doesn’t know it yet, but I plan on making her mine. I will do whatever it takes.

No.

No, no, no.

My wrist connects with my forehead as I shove my phone in the pocket of my slacks and blow out an agitated breath.

Fucking stop it.

It’s just a normal curiosity about a girl, and I want to get to know her.

But, fuck, I know this isn’t normal.

I need to stay away. I should. Before this blows up into something I can’t undo.

Someone softly knocks on my office door.

I lock my phone, hiding the picture of the dancer, and shut my sketchbook, throwing both items in the top drawer of my polished, black, wooden desk.

“Mr Warren? Can I come in?” Penelope’s muffled voice drifts through, piercing through my ears even though there's a door separating us.

I pinch the bridge of my nose whilst my knee bounces viciously under the table. I’m not in the mood for Penelope’s advances today. There’s only one woman at the centre of my thoughts, and it sure as hell isn’t her.

I’m trying. I’m trying so damn hard to keep her out, but it’s like fighting the plague. I still don’t know her name, and it’s driving me fucking insane. I was close to going back to the club last night and searching through the files, regardless of Jac being there. I would’ve found a way to distract him. But maybe it’s for the best. The less I know, the easier it’ll be to rid her from my thoughts.

“Come in,” I sigh.

The door clicks shut behind her as she enters and walks towards the empty leather chair in front of my desk. I focus my gaze on my computer screen, watching the donation numbers for this year’s charity gala go up as she sits opposite me, no doubt pressing her tits together to get a lick of attention.

“How can I help you, Penelope?”

She clears her throat. “Max hasn’t returned from the deal exchange last night.”

My head snaps towards her. “What?”

She chews on her red-painted lips, brown eyes filled with concern. “I received updates on his whereabouts in the middle of the night. We had him tracked until we lost connection. There’s been no new updates since four in the morning, and he hasn’t returned.”

“You didn’t think to tell me that during this morning’s meeting?” I snap.

She scrunches her face. “I’m sorry. I’d hoped he would return, and I wouldn’t have to tell you this,” she squeaks.

I grit my teeth and clench my fists under the desk, nails digging into my skin. This is not what I’d hoped to be dealing with today.

“Get me on the phone with Aidan.”

Her head moves up and down rapidly as her nails tap on her tablet screen. Dial tones fill the tense silence and eventually cut out with no answer from Aidan.

“Son of a bitch,” I mutter. “Tell Jacques to send out a search party.”

“Meet me at Diamond Lounge in ten,” I say into the speakerphone of the car.

“You wanna look in DL? Since when? You never willingly go there.” Jac’s voice is filled with curiosity.