Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34709 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
So he didn’t trust others any better than she did. “That was not the agreement. I transferred the money. Now, you give me the address.”
He chuckled and reached out to touch her face.
She leaned away, tempted to give George a horrible rash, maybe one so bad it’d kill him. Unfortunately, she’d end up with the rash as well. “No touching, George. Not until you prove you’re an honorable businessman.”
The idea of honor being anywhere near this guy was a freaking joke.
His hand dropped. “Very well. This is our first deal together, and I’m always careful, sweetheart. Don’t worry. I’ll send you the location tonight.”
With the fake pen recording in her purse, she needed more than coded statements from him. “How do I know you acquired what I requested? One of my clients was adamant about the four-year-old twins.” She tried to keep her gaze steady, but the thought of the monsters in the world made her want to punch him in the face and keep punching until he stopped breathing.
“Twin statues are one of my specialties for your art collector,” he said smoothly.
He was better at this than she was. But she’d lived a lot longer. Should she take him out back and beat the truth out of him?
She lifted one eyebrow. “Do you have more, ah, product than this?” There couldn’t be more kids out there under his control, could there?
He puffed out his chest. “I do back in the States. One hundred thousand children have gone missing from the southern border of the good ole USA. You have no idea how easy it is to find them if you want.”
Bile rose from her stomach, and she forced it down. Even so, her heart rate picked up. He’d mentioned children instead of using code. That was good. But in order to give the authorities enough evidence, she needed more from him. “One hundred thousand? Baloney. There’s no way to lose that many children.”
“Oh, they’re lost. Came across the southern border and were sent anywhere that would take kids. I have several organizations that were more than happy to accept those children from the government.” His smile showed a crooked bottom tooth she’d love to knock right out of his mouth.
“I have several clients interested in younger kids,” she said, her voice going husky as she tried not to scream at him.
“You’re from the States, aren’t you?” he asked.
She nodded. Years ago, she’d been from Great Britain, but she’d lived in the United States for long enough that her accent was no longer discernible. She needed him to say more than what he had so far. Maybe. “I am planning to return home in just a few days.”
“Then let’s do business once you’re back across the pond. You have my number.” He leaned closer, clogging her senses with his heavy floral cologne. “I’m free tonight after this silly auction if you are.” He licked his lips, staring at the spaghetti strap over her right shoulder. “Maybe we should get together for a nightcap. After you visit the warehouse, of course.”
Gross. So the kids were in a warehouse. That didn’t narrow down the search much. “I have plans tonight but would love to meet up. I have business in New York for the next month. How about you?”
“Gorgeous, if you’re going to be in New York, I’ll make myself available there.”
Now she might just puke on his fancy suit. “I still have to see how true to your word you’ve been. All the kids here had better be in good shape.” How badly off were those poor children? Her legs trembled with the need to run out and find them. How could evil to this degree exist? “George?”
“Perfect condition, as agreed.” He straightened, his chest puffing out. “I think you should forget your plans for tonight and join me. We could create quite the business enterprise, considering our mutual interests in…art. Or rather, in the trading of paintings. You’re not a collector, are you?”
Her stomach rolled over. Now he remembered to use coded language? Too bad. It was too late. She had him on the pen recorder. “No. I don’t collect. You?”
“No.” He leaned even closer. “To be personal for a moment, I find you perfect. Definitely my type.”
So the asshole liked adults. Good to know. “I’m not certain I can truly trust you, and that’s important to me when beginning any sort of partnership.” Like she would ever date this jackass, even if she didn’t know he was a sick fuck. She cocked her head. “Perhaps you could ease my mind. I’d like to know about your partner.”
His thick eyebrows lifted. “What makes you think I have a partner?”
“There’s no way you squired that many kids across the ocean to Paris by yourself.” She scoffed. “I want an introduction to the man with whom you work.”