Their Virgin Hostage (Masters of Ménage #5)(109)

"Hey, I'm okay." She felt better with Annabelle here. A sense of comfort eased through her. It didn't stop the pain of Dominic, Law, and Riley's absence, but settled over the wound like a bandage. If she could stop the bleeding, maybe healing would follow. "You didn't have to come all this way."

Annabelle shook her head. "Of course, I did. God, Kinley, I got you into this. I agreed to help. I didn't imagine it would go so wrong."

"If anyone is to blame, it's me. I wouldn't listen to you about Greg being an obnoxious douchebag killer." Kinley took a long breath. "Speaking of, I need to hire a lawyer. Can your guys recommend someone for me? I have to sue my sister."

Annabelle's eyes grew wide. "They haven't let you watch TV?"

"I didn't want to." The last thing she wanted was to see the press interviewing Law, Riley, and Dominic, all alive and happy without her.



       
         
       
        

"Your sister has been arrested for embezzlement. The files on your iPad showed plainly that she was the one who moved the money around. Then pictures of her with Greg Jansen doing the nasty surfaced. Your brother-in-law has already filed for divorce and is bringing the kids back from boarding school."

So those sweet kids would finally get the life they deserved. "I'm glad. So the FBI is investigating?"

Annabelle huffed. "You have no idea. They've impounded the diamonds, including the ones they found in the shampoo bottles. Nice job there, Kin. They're investigating everything. They realized they have an internal leak."

One that had sent Greg Jansen straight to their hideout, where he'd almost killed Dominic. Instead, he'd shot her.

She could still hear Greg's voice telling her all the things that were wrong with her. He'd preferred her sister. He'd wanted someone thinner, someone blonder. Someone more devious. "I hope they find the leak."

"My bosses are going to force them to. They were wiretapping us. You do not do that to lawyers without expecting some backlash." She sighed a little.

"Well, thank them for me, please. You saved me from a tropical death, so it seems. You were the only one willing to step up and do it."

No one in her family loved her. She would have to be grateful that Dominic had loved his sister enough to spend years bringing her killer to justice. Kinley had to be satisfied that she'd helped with that effort. But the men themselves … they were obviously gone. She'd probably been a total fool-again-to trust them, but she'd always think of those few days at the James compound as some of her happiest.

Annabelle squeezed her hand. "Gosh, Kinley, I'm so sorry they hurt you. I always knew Becks was a nasty bitch, but I can't believe she'd actually steal from you and plot to kill you. And your dad is being investigated for his participation. If I had to guess, I think he's going down, too."

So everyone was getting what they deserved. Somehow it didn't make her feel better. It just depressed her more. The one bright spot was her niece and nephew coming home. Kinley had to be happy for that. She only hoped that Brian would allow her into the kids' lives.

"It's okay. I'll survive." Kinley tried to shrug, but the wound in her chest was stiff and sore. "I guess I need to find a job."

Her charity was surely in limbo until the investigation was over, but she worried that with all the scandal it would go under anyway. She needed to be able to feed herself and buy kibble for her dog-and any puppies that came from her illicit union  .

Annabelle stared at her blankly, blinking in confusion. "Why would you do that? I mean, you need to wait until you've settled into your new place in Dallas. Once the feds clear Hope House, you can start up again or find different work, if you want. I personally think you should sell your engagement ring to fund the reopening of Hope House, but I don't think those guys are going to let you get too far away." 

"Guys? Dallas?" She'd never actually been to Dallas. Why would Annabelle think she was moving to Dallas? Though she would definitely sell the ring. She liked the idea of hundreds of children being clothed by Greg's ring. "I've really been thinking about coming to Chicago. Hopefully, I can find a job there."

Annabelle was the only person on the planet that Kinley knew loved her. She trusted Belle more than anyone. It made sense to move closer to her best friend.

"Oh, no." Annabelle squeezed her hand. "Sweetie, where do you think your men are?"

She shrugged, not wanting to have this particular conversation. "I don't know. The job was over. Mission accomplished. I'm sure they moved on." Kinley looked away. "They aren't mine."