And when the orgasm rolled through me, when my back started to bow and I started to chase his fingers as he retreated and slid in, I knew that this had absolutely nothing to do with the mission.

  Was it selfish? A hundred percent. Was I going to enjoy it? A hundred percent. When I called out his name, loudly, he grinned at me. “I do like how you say my name."

  "Lock—" I broke off not sure what to say.

  He leaned in and kissed me softly. “I know. I love fucking you too."

  “You can’t say that to me.”

  With a smirk, he said, “I really want to fuck you everywhere. I want your mouth .I want to watch your arse take my cock. I want to hear you whimper as I slide in and out. I want to come in your arse, come down your throat. Come on your tits. I want to watch cum ooze out of you then push it back in with my fingers, tongue, and dick.”

  I shivered at his words. “Lock, we…”

  “I know. I know. This is just for the mission, but we are far from done. We will do this again.” And then he lined up his dick to my pussy and fucked me until there was no question.

  I could not give him up.

  Lachlan

  Two things to note. One, I had definitely shagged Saff Abott before. And part of me was sure it was during my missing forty eight hours. The second thing I knew was that I had every intention of doing it again. But first I had to figure out what the fuck was going on and why I didn't remember ever sleeping with her.

  Shouldn't I know her?

  That instant connection to her had to come from somewhere. It did. I had always felt connected to her, and maybe that was why. I knew her. Which meant I had to figure out how the fuck I knew her. I couldn’t count on her for the truth, obviously.

  Yes, we were on a mission, but there was no fucking way I was going to just pretend I hadn't tasted her. I wasn't going to pretend that I didn't have that desperate clawing need to be with her again.

  The more I thought about it, the more I knew there was no way on earth I’d just forgotten her. This wasn't some drunken night. This wasn't some sloppy shag in the loo of a pub. For the last several weeks, I’d kept having flashes, fantasies of her in my flat, in my bed, on the couch, and I knew she'd never been there before. And then I remembered our trainee simulation. She'd said, “We're in your flat.” My flat.

  She knew my flat. She hadn't just seen a photo of it. She'd been in it before.

  When I tried to think of the scenarios, none of them made sense.

  Except you have two missing days in the timeline of your life. Maybe she's hiding in there.

  When I arrived at Rogues, my grandfather had been waiting to give me the ultimatum. One year at Rogues, one year to clean up my life. It had been hard to accept that my family had been responsible for putting me there. But the question was, how?

  Sure, I’d woken up with a black bag around my head. But how had it happened? Where had I been? Who had I been talking to? Was Felix involved? Hell, was he worried about me now? Felix was used to me going off grid on occasion when I just needed to fucking be alone. He was an easy friend. But hopefully he would ask some questions about where the hell I was.

  I didn't have any of the things from my past life. No phone. No nothing. But I was going to make a phone call. One that couldn't be traced. I had to know about Saff. And if I could piece together what had happened to me in the forty eight hours before I was forcefully constricted into Rogues, then I would finally have some answers. Because there is no way on earth that Saff Abott wasn't mine. I could feel it. I knew exactly how she liked to be touched, exactly how she tasted. I knew it all.

  That morning, there was something in her eyes when I said I’d been dreaming of her taste for months. Something told me she understood what I meant. She knew that I meant it when I said I trusted her. And I wanted her to trust me, but she was hiding something from me. So the question was, what was it? The only way I was going to find that out was by going off the reservation and making a fucking phone call.

  It wasn't going to be easy. I was due at Royal Elite at noon. It was supposed to be an easy day. She and Graciella were having breakfast in the morning. She was recording that conversation, and while she was recording that, we had eyes on Massimo at the house. We'd managed to get a bug into his car, so we’d have a record of those conversations too.

  I checked the clock, took a quick shower, and grabbed some coffee before asking Saff, “Are you going to be okay?" I ran the faucet to make it difficult to hear.

  She frowned up at me. “Yeah, it should be easy. I've got Zia for backup. And if anything goes wrong, I know how to handle it. I'm good."

  "All right. I'm going to work out before the meeting with Jax."

  "Okay, be careful." Her smile was easy. As if we hadn't just spent all night with me inside her.

  I stepped to her, wrapped my arms around her, and whispered "You, too." And then I leaned in and gave her a quick peck.

  Her quick inhalation of breath made me smile. And like a fucking masochist, I leaned in for more, sipping at her lips, sliding my tongue inside, waiting until I heard her moan before drawing back. "Have a good brunch."

  She slowly blinked at me. "We're in trouble."

  “I know." Boy, did I ever.

  When I left her, I took the same path I’d taken the other day toward the king's beach. But this time, instead of heading down the promenade along the water, I headed up the steep stairs toward the old town.

  At the old town, I went to the heart of the massive market and found the first vendor that could sell me a sim chip. I quickly paid the man and then found a café to sit down in and make my call.

  Felix answered right away. "This is Felix."

  "Mate, it's Lock."

  Felix cursed under his breath. "What the fuck? Mate, where the fuck have you been?"

  "That's a long story. And sorry I haven't called until now."

  “Did you know I’ve been fucking worried? All your plants are dead. I assumed you were too."

  "Let me guess, you checked with my parents and they told you I was just fine?"

  “Your mother implied that you were drying out somewhere. Which I knew wasn't you. You party, but you don't need to dry out. Where the fuck are you?"

  "Let's just say it’s something like that. I have a question for you, mate."

  “Yeah, shoot. Are you okay, though?"

  “Yeah, mate I’m good. Probably better than I have been in a bit. Listen, this is going to sound weird, just answer it best as you can."

  "Okay. Is this about a woman? Are you shacked up with some bird?"

  It was surprising how accurate that was, but I couldn't tell him that.

  "No, it's not like that."

  "What's up?"

  "About four months ago, right after I sold off Charlie’s subsidiary company, did anything happen? Anything weird?"

  “Your old man was pissed. He insisted that your grandfather had to do something. Why don't you know this?"

  “It doesn't matter. Keep going."

  “Your grandfather said you needed to lay low."

  “Yeah, that much I remember. I don't know. You dragged me out maybe a couple of nights after that."

  “I remember. We went to the bar near your place."

  I frowned at that. "That I don't remember. What exactly happened?"

  "Mate, are you losing it? Tell me, have you been kidnapped to a desert island, or is some woman using you as a sex slave?"

  That was eerily accurate. Very specific, but okay.

  I tried to get him back on track. "No, not at all. But I have questions."

  "What? You have to remember this. You were dancing with that girl. Very fit. Black woman. She looked like fucking Naomi Campbell with braids. She was hot. And then I left with Angel."

  My stomach sank. "What?"

  “Yeah, I ditched with Angel. I sent you a text, but I never heard back. I figured you and the bird hooked up. Didn't really think about it until I couldn't reach you for the next several days. Then I went to see your folks, and they said you were out of town, drying out."

  "Oh, Jesus." My skin grew cold and clammy. Saff. He’d just described Saff. She had been part of this. That hole in my memory, this was her doing. Fucking hell.

  My stomach rolled as I thought of it. Every touch, every kiss, and the way she'd avoided me during my training until Gabe had forced her hand. Fucking hell, that whole time, she'd known. She'd fucking known. I wanted to kill her. I was going to fucking put my hands around her neck and squeeze.

  Oi, mate. Not before you shag her again though, right? One for the road?

  My dick couldn't be helped. Even the thought of strangling her, just being anywhere in her vicinity had him ready to go. Fuck. I wanted some goddamn answers.

  This whole time, she'd been lying to me. How the fuck could she? After all the bonding? Granted, that was her job, wasn't it? Making me believe I could trust her. I was the asset. Me. She was working me. Had been ever since. She was the one responsible for my missing time.

  "Mate, thanks. It's been really helpful."

  "Are you sure you're okay? When are you coming back?"

  "Hopefully soon. If you can do me a favor, get the housekeeper to come through my place. Put some more plants in it."

  “Yeah mate, of course. Are you sure you're okay?"

  "Sure," I lied. Then I hung up with him and dropped my face into my hands.

  Saff lied to me. And I was going to make her pay.

  20

  Saffron

  Something was wrong with Lock.

  He was off. I couldn't figure out what it was, but I didn't have time to worry about it at the moment.

  When I approached the restaurant, Graciella was there at a massive table by the one of the windows.

  She stood and smiled as I approached. "There you are."

  “You weren't waiting too long, we're you?”

  “No, not too long. You look fantastic."

  I'd worn my set of pedal pushers and a cropped lightweight blouse and paired the outfit with flats, topping my vacation-chic vibe with my enormous shoulder bag.

  The buckle on my shoulder bag had a mic in it and was already recording, which was handy.

  Graciella said, "Thank you for joining me for breakfast this morning."

  "Of course. How are you feeling?"

  Graciella covered her face with her hands. “I'm really embarrassed about yesterday."

  "Whatever you have going on, it's not really my business. As long as you're okay."

  She sighed. “I'm fine. Sometimes we disagree."

  "Well, that's normal. You guys will figure it out."

  She nodded and pushed up her glasses. I could tell she was trying to hide her emotional tears and couldn't quite manage it. “It's just— It's so embarrassing. We were having such a lovely party, and he had to go and be Massimo. I hope he didn't make you too uncomfortable.”

  "Again, you don't have to explain yourself to me. But he did make me very uncomfortable and really made Lachlan angry. I'm glad we have met, and I want to be your friend. If you need anything, just tell me."

  “You're so sweet. This is why I feel even worse about what he made me do."

  "What do you mean?"

  She sighed. "Cornering you on the balcony, that wasn't okay. I'm so sorry. God, I don't even know why I stay. At first, it felt like I was being seen, you know? And it felt amazing. It was romantic at the beginning, and then it turns out he's actually very controlling and not very nice, and all that other bullshit."

  "That's terrible. I'm sorry."

  “It's all right. I made my bed. Now, I have to lie in it. And then there’s his family."

  I leaned forward, trying to appear casual. "Not nice?"

  "They're perfectly nice on the surface, but they're not kind. There's something off. Every time I turn around I feel like I’m being judged."

  “I'm sure you have family, right? Someone you can talk to?"

  “I came into this relationship with family and friends, and now it feels like I have no one. I'm the odd one out. I'm the one without anyone to love them and look after them. And it feels deliberate." She leaned close. "Once, I met his father, Antonio, and he sent such a chill down my spine. He wasn't cruel, or mean, or anything like that. It's just that look, completely vacant. Like he could easily have me killed or something."

  "That sounds very discomforting. Did you tell Massimo about it?"

  “Yeah, of course, I did. And of course, he brushed me off, saying I was being paranoid. I know it's my fault."

  "Nothing is your fault. There's nothing to be ashamed of here."

  “I don't know. I feel like there is. Like I’ve spent my whole life making poor decisions."

  “I hardly believe that. You're beautiful, which, yes I know, wasn't exactly your choice, but you are a successful actress. And you know, maybe trust yourself more because it sounds like you know what you want and what you don't."

  “I don't even know how to extricate myself out of this situation."

  And there was my opening. My opportunity to take advantage of this situation. I should have had some sense of remorse, and I did, because for the most part, Graciella seemed like a nice woman. She didn't deserve to get taken advantage of. But at the end of the day, this was my job. This was an opportunity to prove myself. So I was going to.

  "Listen, I get it. Sometimes you're in a situation that is not exactly of your making and we don't know how to find a way out. But if you need a friend, I’m here. I'm happy to help you find a way out. Do you need somewhere to stay or something?"

  She shook her head. “You're so kind." She glanced around then leaned forward conspiratorially. "Also, I’ve met someone."

  My eyes went wide. "Oh, Lord have mercy."

  She waved of my warning. “It's dangerous, and I know Massimo is going to go crazy."

  "Maybe now isn't the right time for something new."

  “I know but I can't help it, and we're in love. In fact, you can help me with him now."

  "What do you mean?"

  “I need a way out. Just for thirty minutes. He’s here in the islands, and he wants to see me."

  "What?" The fuckery with this couple knew no bounds.

  “I know. But I didn't have a way out of the house on my own."

  My stomach churned. With a new player we didn't account for, this was dangerous. "Look Graciella, maybe just tell me what's going on, and I’ll see if I can help you. We don't want to make entanglements all the more difficult."

  “It won't be more difficult. I know I made a mistake with Massimo. And my new man, he's amazing and great. He really looks after me and cares for me."

  “And I love that journey for you. But listen, we don't want to jump out of one fire into another."

  “I'm not. Honestly. And I appreciate you just looking out for me. It's really kind."

  "Sure. I like you. And if you think you're in danger, then I want to help you in a more tangible way. Maybe get you somewhere safe. It seemed like you were friendly with the queen, and I’m sure she can get you help. We can get you away from him."

  “They mean well, but Massimo and his father are too powerful."

  “Do you think his father will hurt you?" We had no protocol for her extraction.

  “I think he could. But I’m in love, and I want to be in love, and I think it's okay."

  She was delusional. "You know, if you love this new person, that's great. And hopefully they can help, but we could think of real opportunities, real chances to get you away from this situation."

  She nodded. “I know. And I will. I just… I need to see him."

  "So he's here on the island?"

  I didn't like the idea of working with a new player, but we needed Graciella as an asset, and I was unwilling to lose her.

  "He's going to meet me, and I need you to tell Massimo that you're with me. I know it's not fair, but I need your help."

  I stared at her. "This is not a good idea." Oh God, that sounded terrible. Not at all helpful.

  “I know. But please, help me, okay?"

  It felt like I was being worked. "Look, I need to meet him and make sure that he's not a bad guy, okay? And then we'll go from there. How's that?"

  “Good, okay. Here he is."

  I turned my head to the left and saw several men, all good looking, heading up toward the beach. Two came from the side stairs up toward the restaurant, presumably from the boardwalk. They had that look to them. Polished. Sophisticated. And they were led in by an enormous man in a light-colored suit. I tensed. His walk was familiar. Was that one of Massimo's men?

  “Graciella, why don't we head to the ladies' room? We can freshen up, and then we can go meet your guy, okay?"

  She shook her head. "No, he's here."

  I glanced around again, trying to look for which man she meant. My stomach sank as the man in the light suit pushed closer. My skin went clammy, and my heart started to beat fast. Too fast.

  “I'm actually excited for you to meet him. I've told him a lot about you."

  "What did you tell him?"

  "That I’ve made a new friend and her husband. And I wanted a love like that."

  "Oh, that's sweet."

  The man approached, and I knew instinctively that I’d seen him before. I couldn't breathe, and alarm bells were ringing in my head.

  As he approached the table, I frantically reached for my purse to pull my gun. I knew I couldn't have a shootout right there. I knew that was against protocol. Fuck, I didn't want to sound alarms, but I had to. I grabbed my phone quickly and then said to Graciella, "Hey, let's take a selfie before he gets here."

  She groaned. "Oh my God, my face."

  "Hey, you're the one who declined to freshen up."

  I leaned over quickly and angled the phone as if I was shooting us and grabbed several photos of the man approaching us. I quickly tucked away my phone and then searched for my exit, but the men that had come up from the boardwalk were blocking them all.

  My only shot was going to be to the fucking front door, and if he was smart, he would have that exit blocked too.