Conquer Your Love(3)

“I was the secret boyfriend.” Jett’s hand shot through his dark hair as he tried to calm down the angry voice inside him. No good in lashing out at the people around him. They weren’t to blame.

“I tried calling her mother who didn’t seem particularly worried, but claimed she had no idea,” Jett said. “The roommate’s gone with her, so I can only assume they both took a road trip. The detective and his team called every hotel in the state of New York.” Jett frowned at the memory. He was no professional, but even he knew no woman and her best friend would move out of their cozy apartment and into a hotel for no reason. Talk about wasting precious hours. “I can only assume she’s staying with her friend’s family.”

“Your guy checked credit card companies?”

Jett nodded. “Last time she used it was at some grocery store across from her building.”

“What can you tell me about her friend?”

Jett shook his head grimly, signaling that was a dead end. “I know nothing about her. Only that her phone’s switched off, too.”

Kenny nodded and for a moment silence ensued. Jett’s heart began to beat a million miles an hour, though whether it was from the amount of alcohol coursing through his blood or from the seriousness of the situation, he couldn’t tell.

“Maybe she’s left the country.” Kenny eventually resumed the conversation.

Jett had thought about it and discarded the option quickly. “How could she have paid for it without her credit card? I need you to dig deeper than that.” He looked down at Kenny who remained silent, his displeasure clearly visible in the frown line on his forehead.

“I’m out of the business, Jett. You know that.”

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” Jett whispered.

“You’re my best friend and I’d do anything for you, bro. But last time I barely got away with it. I vowed to stay out of trouble.”

Kenny’s hesitation reflected in his dark eyes, and for a moment Jett was sure his friend would leave him hanging. And then his gaze met Jett’s and Jett knew he had won.

“You like her, don’t you?” Kenny asked.

“More than I care to admit.” It was the truth.

“Then I’ll do it. Just promise to have my back if the wrong people come knocking on my door.”

Jett smiled, and for the first time since the fight with Brooke he almost felt enthusiastic. Hopeful. Because Kenny always knew what to do. He wasn’t one of the most feared hackers for no reason.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it,” Jett said.

“I’ll call once I have a lead.” Kenny stood and Jett walked him to the door.



***



At 11.45 a.m the cell’s screen buzzed to life with an unknown caller. Jett had been stuck in a meeting for the last two hours, barely paying attention to his father’s endless rambling about a few new acquisitions and the consequent profits the company could make.

Jett excused himself and shot out of the room, pressing the cell to his ear but not speaking until he reached the men’s restroom. The faint scent of roses wafted past as Jett peered into each cubicle, making sure it was empty.

“She boarded a plane to Europe,” Kenny said as a means of introduction.

Had the private detective missed the credit card charge?

“Wait until you hear the next part,” Kenny coaxed. “You sure you were the only secret boyfriend? Because it looks like someone else paid for the tickets.”

Brooke wasn’t like that. And yet did he really know her?

“Who?” Jett’s voice was a layer of ice.

“Ken Clarkson. He’s a lawyer from London. Owns a successful firm. Not married.”

Why the heck did he need to know the last part? Was he supposed to feel better about the fact that Brooke might be seeing a not married guy? When did they meet and why did she trust him enough to let a stranger whisk her away on vacation? Could he be an ex?

“Jett?” Kenny’s tone was strained with something. Certainly not worry. More like humor.

“Give me a sec.”

The pressure behind Jett’s eyes intensified at the thought of Brooke in the arms of another man, claiming what should be Jett’s. He moistened a hand under the cold water tap and ran it over his feverish nape. The cool moisture provided enough diversion to help him gather his thoughts through all the brain fog. And that’s when he began to put two and two together. A lawyer. Paid-for tickets. Europe.

“Where exactly in Europe?”

“Let me check.” The sound of flicking papers carried down the line an instant before Kenny said, “Some place called Bellagio. Never heard of it.”