Rescuing Their Virgin Mate(14)
She clamped a hand over her mouth. “How could I not have known he was into drugs?”
“Many were fooled. As soon as he died, we went back into your office and confiscated your computer.” He held up a finger. “Or rather the one you used at the office.”
“There was no sensitive information on there.”
“To you, maybe.”
She shook her head. “I was just a secretary who processed applications for au pairs and paired them with families needing nannies.”
“We gave the computer to one of our experts at our headquarters, and he was able to piece together a pattern of girls applying for those jobs with those reported missing from Europe.”
She slid down in her seat. “You mean he lured the girls over to the US and then kidnapped them?”
Dirk wanted to smooth the worry lines, but if he moved too fast, she’d resist. Her potential reaction made him ache even more.
“Yes,” Dirk answered. “We also found a link to his appointments on the Cloud.”
Her brows pinched. “What good could they do now that he’s dead?”
“It’s who they were with that interested us.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “What does this mean to me? Are you thinking these men who sold me might want me back because I might know something?”
While her words came out slowly, Dirk was impressed with her calm appraisal of the situation.
Clay leaned forward. “It’s possible. That’s why we’d like you to stay here a while.”
She glanced at Dirk and when their eyes met, the connection was so strong his heart nearly burst. He gave her a reassuring smile. “I’d like you to.”
She had no place of her own. They’d spoken with her neighbors who said as soon as she returned from her visit with her family, she’d be looking for a new rental. She’d stored all of her furniture at a local facility.
“I guess I could for a little while.”
Relief filled him.
Elena edged toward him. “Could you do me a favor?”
“Anything, sweetheart.”
“Could you look for Cheryl Johnson?” She told them about her cage-mate. “A third girl who was rather nasty to us was there for a short while, too, and I don’t want to see any harm done to anyone. Her name was Barbie Lassitor.”
Dirk lifted her hand. “We’ll try.”
He and Clay cleaned up while Elena leaned against the center island. They discussed what they knew about Couch’s organization, but Elena wasn’t able to add much. She yawned and her eyelids looked heavy.
Dirk didn’t want her exhausted. Tomorrow would be a long day. “Are you ready for bed?” She stilled. Damn. Why couldn’t he think before he spoke? “Alone. We won’t bother you.”
He figured she would be happy, but she sucked in her cheeks. “Do you think I could stay in your room? I don’t want to be alone.”
Help me, Clay.
#
Dirk’s eyes turned a pretty shade of amber. Okay, so she probably shouldn’t have asked to stay with him, but after what happened, Elena feared she’d have nightmares if she slept by herself. She never would have asked had they not proclaimed she was their mate. She might not be ready to address the concept of being with two men at once, but Dirk intrigued her. His gentleness spoke to who she was on the inside. Maybe she was lying to herself, but she had this sense that God was urging her to explore his creation.
After she entered her room, she looked for some pajamas but found nothing that would work other than a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt. That would have to do. Since both men said they’d head to bed later, she had no idea which bedroom was Dirk’s. She decided to stay in her room and hope he came to her. She’d offered, but he hadn’t responded. That should tell her something.
The little voice in her head, that seconds ago had urged her forward, now said it was wrong to be with a man before marriage. The little voice apparently had forgotten about those weeks in the cage.
I only want to snuggle and be held.
Liar.
She lived in the twenty-first century. Sex was everywhere. She’d been tempted before but never like this. Being near them made her skin sensitive to their touch. When Dirk ran his gaze over her body, her pulse rose and moisture seeped between her legs. Ever since she turned eighteen, she’d wanted to explore her sexuality but her mother and the church harped on it being wrong in the eyes of God. In her mind, it was just a matter of timing. Sooner or later she would be married. If she was to spend the rest of her life with a man, wouldn’t it be wise to see if they were compatible in bed before the final marriage decree? Whether they had sex right before the ceremony or shortly thereafter, did it matter?