Page 33 of Corrupt Desires

No. Not a word. He has enough on hisplate with Melody right now. Her healingcomes first. We can handle this between the three of us.

You got it, boss. I’ll let you know if Icome across anything else in the meantime.

Thanks, Franklin. Talk to you soon.

Franklin’s words do little to settle me. If Anthony is running a trafficking ring, I can only imagine what he might want Emilia for. I’ll be damned if I let him get his hands on her.

Calling Kayden next, he picks up on the first ring. “Hey, Brother. What’s up?”

“We have a situation.”

“Uh huh… I’m listening.”

“Franklin has picked up a lot of women in the Romani household, those that appear to be there against their will. Not sure how to navigate our plans if we have innocents in the crossfire.”

“Fuck…”

“That’s what I said.” I run a hand through my hair and start pacing again through my study.

“This complicates things.”

“I know,” I reply, frustration leaking into my words. I was hoping Kayden would have the answers, but maybe not. I take a seat in my chair, leaning back and trying to think of a way around this.

“Let me discuss this with my team. Can we all meet up at some point to discuss strategy and our next plan of action?”

“Of course, give me another week with Emilia. I think she’s starting to come around. She’s been needing her space lately.”

“Understandable, Brother. We’ll talk again soon.”

“Oh, and Kayden? What the hell is up with you and Franklin?”

“What do you mean by that? Don’t start insinuating shit, James.”

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant. He just seems to know a lot about your past. Just wanted to make sure his knowledge was freely given to him and he didn’t abuse his hacking skills to go digging into you.”

“No, it’s not like that, I promise. We are just… How do I say this… Business partners. He’s helping me with some things,” Kayden replies gruffly. I can tell he doesn’t want to divulge anything more.

“As long as that’s the case, I’ll leave it be.”

“It is, James. Just drop it.”

“Fine, fine. We’ll talk soon.”

The line goes dead. It definitely wasn’t my intention to ruffle his feathers. Whatever they have going on is their business, I suppose. Being the big brother of all of us, I can’t help but to be protective of each of them, even if the person in question is a close friend.

I stretch my legs below my mahogany desk, nervous energy flowing through my limbs. Time to find Emilia. I’ve been at this for the past two hours, and I can’t imagine any more time without her in my arms.

Twenty-Three

Emilia

This past week has passed in a blur. I was lucky my parents had a will drawn up to make everything a lot easier, leaving me everything they had. They made sure I would never want for anything more in my life.

When I’m not dealing with that, I am sequestered in the bedroom mourning the loss of everyone that I held dear. James eases my loneliness, but there is no filling this gaping hole left in my chest.

Every day, my desire for vengeance burns brighter, to the point that it’s all that is holding me together. I know James is working himself tired over finding a solution, and I know Anthony won’t rest until he has me within his grasp.

Knowing that I can’t go on like this much longer, I swing my legs out of bed with the intent of finding James. I don’t get far from the bed when James cracks the door open and peers inside. Seeing that I’m awake and out of bed, he comes in fully and strides across the room, pulling me into his arms. The tears threaten to fall, but I hold them back. Being held like this is my undoing because now I’m filled with a different longing, a much needed distraction.

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