Page 24 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Don’t touch anything!” I shout after her.

“Really? I never would have guessed. I thought I should leave my fingerprints everywhere and move any evidence,” she replies sarcastically.

Fuck, she is just perfect. She knows the score. I didn’t need to remind her. This is not her first time in this kind of situation and to be honest, I’m lucky she’s here.

A good hour passes as we search for any clue as to where he could have gone.

“Zed. I think you need to come and look at this!” East shouts from one of the guest bathrooms.

“What? Have you found something?”

“You could say that, and I think I know who Drake is with. And it’s not some slinky gold digger.” She giggles.

“What’s so funny? What is it?”

“Look…” She points to the floor and right in the corner is a tiny piece of horseshoe pink confetti. Just like the stuff we found in our hair this morning.

“Margarite?” I question. “What would she want with Drake?”

“I’ve no idea, but while I’ve been searching for some form of clue, my memory has started to return. Margarite was in the casino before we ended up… drunk. I’m not too sure we were drunk, though. I didn’t have that many drinks, and neither did you. Our first drink was brought to us by her. She could have quite easily put something in those drinks. Let’s face it, I couldn’t stand the sight of you before I had that drink, and then within a couple of hours, we were bloody married.”

“Ssh, keep your voice down. We are the only people who know. You, me, that freaking woman, and the people who actually did the service. I’d like to keep it that way, okay?”

“Oh, right, sorry!” she snaps. “I didn’t mean to cramp your style, but my returning memory tells me that it was you that insisted on the service, so stop being so fucking dramatic. We need to find Margarite now. She knows where Drake is. She was in here after the service, and it’s a little convenient that we were both preoccupied while he was... let’s say, abducted.”

“What else do you remember?”

“Pretty much everything.” She blushes.

“I’m getting flashes, but it’s not all joined up yet. I don’t know what was in those drinks, but whatever it was, whoever gave it to us will wish they never met me.”

“And me. You forget, Zed, I’m not some timid little princess. I might look tiny, petite, and weak, but I bet I could put you on your arse.” She laughs.

“I have no doubt. In fact, I am pretty sure you could. Especially if you keep looking at me like that. I’d gladly lay down for you.”

“Oh, you’re so freaking charming. Do you know that? Is that any way to talk to your wife?” She smirks.

“If you were going to stay my wife, I’d be saying and doing a whole lot more.” I notice that our bodies are now millimetres away from each other. Her blue eyes widen, and her tongue grazes her bottom lip as she stares at my mouth.One kiss can’t hurt. Can it?

My hand wraps around the back of her head. My fingers tangle in her long hair as I bring her mouth to mine. Why does she taste so good?

A flash of me with my head buried deep between her legs as she moans spikes in my memory. It only spurs me on further. My tongue dances with hers, and if this wasn’t a potential crime scene, I’d be bending her over the bath and fucking her so hard.

I pull away as she looks at me breathlessly. Having her here is a double-edged sword. On one side, she is beautiful, she understands me, she knows my work, and more importantly, she accepts me. She’s also the best there is if you want someone found which is amazing luck. But on the other side of the sword, she is a distraction that could end up with my brother dead. She’s my best friend’s sister, and she is now my freaking wife. I have increased responsibility for her now, and that thought scares the shit out of me.

I’m used to looking after people, getting them out of danger and even saving their lives, but East is not in danger. Yet. The thought of her getting hurt or worse makes something in my stomach flip.

I’ve been with more than my fair share of women, and some I’ve seen more than once if the chemistry was right, but what I’m feeling now is so weird.

She more than understands my work. I work for her family’s syndicate, The Stargazers, a group of seriously rich people who came together to fight the drug and human trafficking rings. We do a good job. We do what we can, and we have made a difference. The only problem is that when we shut one down, three more open up. But we’ll never stop trying.

“I don’t think you should do that again.” She stares right into my eyes.

“I know. I’m sorry.” I step away, putting some distance between me and the blue-eyed siren.

“I’m going to look around a bit more. His phone is still here, so I can’t track it. Have the guys found anything on the security footage?” she asks, always the professional.

“Not yet. I’ll go and give them a hand.” I walk away, her taste still on my lips. I need to get a grip.

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