Page 20 of Degrees of Control
He scowls and looks down at the incoming number. “Baby, I have to take it,” he says to me before hitting the accept button to engage the call. “Chase here,” he says, leaning up on his elbows slightly. “Run some scramble exercises. They’re either playing with us or are more desperate to get to the shipment than I thought. According to Carlos, he’s been trying to undercut the family’s business for quite a few years. We’re not certain what the relationship is but we know he was paid to run the shipment last year and provided verbal assurances to the cartel that he would get the product to the supplier in their area.”
He pauses and shakes his head slightly. “No, it’s not about the money, his family is worth billions. There’s something we’re missing. We know he wants into the Larussio’s territory and while it appears he may be running their supply, our understanding is that the head of the cartel is not aware. Even if they were, they wouldn’t be this careless with communications. Play with them for a little while, and in the meantime, see if we can find out what the connection is with Alfreita,” he says.
My interest is peaked, and I roll over on my side listening to him intently. He is watching me, warily, gauging my reaction and I see the uncertainty registered in his eyes.
I wink at him and pull the cover down, slowly revealing my breast to him. I see first the look of surprise, relief and then amusement reflected in his eyes. He rubs the tip of my nipple, which is firm and erect with the tip of his finger while he finishes his conversation. He disconnects, rolling on top of me, capturing my lips with his. His kiss and the need for me are feral, and the look in his eyes is palpable. I am grasped with the depth of his passion and need as he finds his way inside of me. I moan as he pushes in deeply and my hips rise to meet him. “Baby you were made especially for me,” he says, as our passion ignites and this time it is slow and unhurried.
It is hours later when I wake to the feel of him pulling me close. I am comfy, lying in the crook of his shoulder and look up to meet the deep green intensity of his eyes watching me.
“You were asleep for quite some time,” he says, pushing the hair out of my eyes.
“Hmm… You took all my energy,” I say.
“I’m interested in what’s altered your view of the world Katarina? I thought for certain you would have been upset by what you heard on the phone earlier.”
“I don’t know, Chase. Prince Alfreita is still at large and his alliance with the cartel is at stake. That scares me.”
“I know, Baby. I’d like nothing more than to shelter you from this, but the reality is he will continue to come after our family with everything that he has if not stopped.”
“Every time I think of how they treated my mom when she was there, or what they would have really done to her if you hadn’t intervened…”
“That’s not going to happen again. Your mom has our security teams and your father’s assigned to her,” he says.
“Are we ever going to be free of him? What did you mean when you said it wasn’t about the money?”
“Initially it appeared he was attempting to save face and regain the money lost in the bust, but at this point, he would have already settled the debt and moved on. There’s something more,” Chase says.
“I just hope it will be over soon,” I say.
“Soon, Katarina. Now it’s time to get out of bed and head back. Gaby probably has dinner waiting and you’ve taken all my energy. I need to replenish,” he says, swatting my butt.
CHAPTER EIGHT
When we arrive home,we find a piping hot crockpot full of chili thick with meat, beans, onions, and macaroni noodles. I proceed to ladle it into ceramic bowls and smile at Gaby’s note. I open the oven door and a cast iron skillet of freshly baked cornbread is already cut and waiting for us. I carefully remove the pan and place a few pieces on a plate to take to the table as Chase answers an incoming call.
“Good news, Jay. I’ll let Carlos know that you’ll be contacting his teams. Tell the men, thanks.”
“What happened?” I ask.
“They’ve got a lock on the communication signals and are close to getting locations pinned down. It means the real work begins, Baby. I’m going to get a bite to eat and then I’ll be working in the study most of the evening,” he says, sitting down at the table across from me.
“No problem. I’ve got plenty of work to keep me company. In fact, I should start reviewing the resumes that came back for the additional staff. I also told Jenny I would help her move some of the lighter stuff from Torzial to her office at Prestian tomorrow,” I say.
He raises his eyebrows in inquiry. “Does Jay know the plan? I don’t recall him mentioning anything about that,” he says.
I scowl at him. “Chase, it’s so annoying having him report my every move to you! Seriously, I didn’t mention it, yet. I was planning to ask him tomorrow, but I suppose I should let him know tonight,” I say, remembering that I’ve given him my word to try and take my security more seriously.
“Thank you, Katarina. You shouldn’t be annoyed with Jay or at me for that matter,” he says, lowering his eyes at me. “We are both trying to keep you safe,” he says, kissing my upturned lips on his way to the stove for another piece of cornbread.
“I know, I’ll try to be more tolerant. Jenny has a company moving most of the heavy stuff on Friday, but we were going to take some of the prints and personal stuff over ourselves. I suppose I don’t have to go, but I was looking forward to seeing her,” I say.
“Text Jay and let him know you’re planning to go to Torzial and then to Prestian Corporation, but I want him and his team with you. He can leave others here at the house,” he says.
“Thanks, Chase. I’m excited to have her in the same building. Do you know which floor Torzial will be on?” I ask.
“They’ll be two floors below us. The layout of that space is very similar having been prepared for office rentals. Jenny completed a walk through last week with the realtor and it sounds like she was pleased with it. I’ll try not to be too late,” he says, kissing me gently on the lips before heading to his study.
I finish the rest of my chili and head upstairs, slipping out of my clothes and underneath the warmth of the inviting rain showers, letting the water wash over me until my body is refreshed and energized. The smell of the aloe butter wafts through the air as I apply it to my skin and I luxuriate in the silky way it makes me feel.
