Page 5 of Blind Justice

Chapter One

Two weeks later...

Duncan closed his laptop after sending one more email to Asher, encrypted for his eyes only. Because Bella and Enzo were staying with him, he couldn’t chance either of them overhearing his conversations or seeing his text messages by mistake. So far, they weren’t causing a fuss, and they seemed content to have escaped from under Raul’s thumb, but shit could go sideways at any moment. Until he could trust them and their information could be vetted properly, he kept his distance and treated them as suspects. They were, after all, part of the Nieto Cartel, no matter their position within the organization or why they chose it.

He stepped out of his room once he was finished, carrying his go-bag for the club. Another part of keeping the siblings safe was making sure Trixie would accept them into her club—Club X. Plus, he missed being at the club. If there was even a slight possibility of being able to play with a willing sub or two, he’d take it.

“Going somewhere?” Bella stood at the door to the spare room.

“Yes, I have business to take care of.” He hoisted the bag onto his shoulder, not willing to divulge anything more.

She hurried in front of him, stopping his progress. “So, you’re just going to leave us here?” Bella propped her hand against her hip, staring up at him as though he’d committed some horrid transgression against her. “Weren’t you the one who said we should be protected at all times?”

Duncan frowned. He had. He also had his responsibilities to the agency if he ever wanted to go home. Toeing the line was becoming more difficult by the day. He stared down at her. The daring glint in her whiskey-colored eyes sent a thrill of challenge through him. This little bit of a woman had no idea what she was getting into with him.

“I did. You’ll be safe here.”

The expression on her face said she didn’t trust him. “Right. You have no clue where Raul is. You’re not even sure where his henchmen are right now. How do you expect us to believe you?”

Shit. She could slice him up without a second thought. If she wasn’t Enzo’s sister, he’d have given her a run for her money, along with Enzo, who in Duncan’s estimations, had a mild submissive streak. “I have a security system.”

“Those can be bypassed.”

“It’s connected to my phone, and if anyone fucks with it, I’ll know.” He dared her to say something else.

“In the meantime, we’re sitting ducks.” She crossed her arms as though she’d gotten the upper hand in the conversation. Fuck, he wanted to temper her impertinence.

“I highly doubt you or your brother are defenseless, or have you forgotten so quickly where I found you?”

“Bella, stop.” Enzo joined them, stepping out of the guest bedroom Duncan had offered them. He placed his hand on the small of her back. “We’ll be fine for a couple of hours.”

“See, nothing to worry about. The kitchen is stocked with food. You can stream whatever movies you want to watch on the flatscreen.”

“I still don’t understand why you didn’t take us to jail,” Bella said as she walked away. “If we die here, it’s on you.”

Duncan rubbed his head. She was going to be up his ass the whole time, he knew it. As much as it turned him on, he couldn’t allow his personal feelings to interfere with the mission. He glanced at Enzo who watched Bella saunter off. “She’s got a mouth on her.” One he wouldn’t mind taming. He mentally kicked himself.Fucking hell.The longer they were together, the more he couldn’t get the duo out of his mind.

Enzo chuckled. “Careful. She’s also got sensitive hearing.”

He bet she did. “You’ll be safe here while I’m gone,” Duncan said. “I wouldn’t go out if I didn’t have to or if I thought you were at risk.”

“You don’t have to tell me shit. We’re here because you gave us a chance.” Enzo touched Duncan’s arm, and a shocking warmth spread through him, igniting a spark of arousal in him.

The dichotomy between the two of them was startling. He figured Enzo would have been the hard ass while Bella simpered and worried. “Well, we’re not out of this yet. Thank me when you get your life back.” He wouldn’t tell them about the two goons who watched over Bexley in Virginia Beach. Nor would he tell them Raul would more than likely be on his way to grab Bexley, his daughter, or worse kill her, since she had more information than Enzo and Bella.

Thankfully, he had a solution of sorts. He had a secondary apartment at a secure location. He didn’t use it much, but it would do for this case. Afterward, the spot would be where he lived to give Thomas and his lovers their privacy. The apartment wasn’t anything spectacular, more of a bachelor pad of sorts—an open space design. The bedroom and living room were combined with a small kitchenette and bathroom. The places technically weren’t meant to be lived in 24-7, but when push came to shove, it would do. Plus, no one would think about looking there for Enzo and Bella.

However, he had to talk to the owner of the building first and get her approval. Duncan stumbled upon Trixie’s club when he’d been in search of somewhere to let off a little steam. He enjoyed her company and felt at home within the walls of Club X. In an instant, he knew he’d found his place within the hustle and bustle of D.C. Over the years, he’d played with a few subs, but none of them were a fit for him. He enjoyed the discipline aspects of BDSM. Seeing a submissive’s skin pinken and turn a nice shade of red while he spanked them turned him on. But what really got him going was witnessing a submissive fully giving over to him in supplication. Just thinking about it made him hard.

Unfortunately, due to the on-going mission to find Raul, he hadn’t found the time to sneak off and relieve some of his building tensions. Although, if Trixie allowed them to stay there, he could play a little. He might not have a permanent sub but finding one who enjoyed his brand of discipline wouldn’t be hard at all.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Duncan muttered.

“What?” Enzo took a step toward Duncan, licking his bottom lip.

Duncan bit back a groan. “It should take me a few hours at most. If anything happens, I left an untraceable cell for you. The number programmed is mine. It will also only call me for now.” He hitched his thumb at the kitchen counter. “It’s over there if you need it.”

“Thanks.”