“You into watching?” Stryker regarded the member.
“Big time.”
A masked woman walked over and dropped her arm around the man. “Hey, there. Me and my guy are into whatever. You two up for that, too?”
This was one of the reasons Stryker didn’t hang on the floor anymore. The scene had grown old. He wasn’t interested in strangers, didn’t want an audience, had zero interest in a group fuck.
“We’re not,” Stryker replied. “Been members long?”
“Years,” said the woman. “We love having an open relationship.”
“You ever leave with anyone or hook up outside the club?” Emerson asked.
“Nah,” said the man. “We play here.”
Stryker collected the drinks. “Have fun.”
Emerson made her way toward the stairs. Instead of passing the elevator marked “Private”, she stopped and tapped the down button.
“Nice.” He stood in front of the scanner and the light turned green.
An unmasked gal moseyed over. “Where you headed?”
“Private party,” Stryker replied.
“How can I get on that list?”
Emerson pulled Stryker close. “Sorry, it’s closed.”
“Dang, you two are hot. I’d love to be a third wheel.” She chuckled.
“I don’t share,” Stryker said as the elevator doors slid open and they stepped inside. He stood in front of the retina scanner, tapped the down button, and the doors closed.
Emerson sucked in a lungful of air, and then another. “Ohgod,” she whispered.
The doors opened. Squeezing Stryker’s arm, she stepped into his private office. “Take a minute and center yourself.” He set their drinks on the console and returned to her. Clasping her hands, he stared into her eyes. “You’re doing great.”
“I’m freaking out a little.” She eyed the stairs over her shoulder. “I’m safe and I’m seconds away from the main floor.” She repeated it like a mantra, then leaned up and kissed him. “Let’s work.”
Stryker logged in and pulled up the surveillance for L1. “This footage goes back a month. I’m going to work on getting past ACPD’s firewall so I can find Doug’s reports.”
“Thank you for doing that.” Emerson swigged down a mouthful of water.
“Music?” he asked.
“Of course.” She shot him a sweet smile. This woman was doing it for him in every single way. Her determination spurred him on. He admired her grit and how she was forcing herself to confront her phobia.
Stryker pulled up his playlist that included classic rock, R&B, soul, pop, country and classical. An eclectic list of favorites that soothed the monsters in his head and calmed his troubled soul.
Stryker hadn’t hacked into the ACPD’s files in years. Ten long ones, to be exact. Now, technology had become more sophisticated and hacker resistant. Even so, he was confident he could breach the firewall. He pulled up a software program and logged in. Then, using a different computer, he started writing code. The back and forth between computers continued.
When he finished, he set the program to run.
Shifting his attention to the sultry detective alongside him, he watched her work. She’d furrow her brows, her eyes sweeping left to right. She’d pause, rewind, study someone, then continue watching. She’d pulled out her police notepad and jotted several notes. Her laser focus reminded him of how intense she’d been when he’d first met her. She was hell-bent on finding the person running a prostitution ring out of his club. Her questions had been razor sharp, her gaze searing. As far as she’d been concerned, he was guilty. Case closed. His resentment had run deep and he’d been vocal about how much he had despised her.
Now, as he drank in her delicate features, he admired her tenacity. Never one to forgive, he’d given her a pass. Absolved her of her wrongdoing and moved past it. Now, he couldn’t get enough of her. And his interest went beyond the physical. He wouldn’t be helping her with her brother if he didn’t have feelings for her.
Stryker’s loyalty ran blood deep. He would do anything for his family and close friends. But the rage and revenge that carried him from day to day still ruled his thoughts and actions.What would she think if she learned the truth about me?He imagined telling her, “I’m a cold-blooded killer.”Would she dump me on the spot or arrest me?His money was on both.