Their Virgin Hostage (Masters of Ménage #5)(33)

"Kinley isn't like that. When I told her our past, she didn't judge me, you, or Mom. She said Mom amazed her because a woman had to really love her kids to do something like that."

"What?" That didn't make any sense. Socialites didn't feel for prostitutes.

"I'm telling you. You have to get to know her for yourself. You're thinking that she's as snotty as Simone and she's not, man. Not even close. She's devoted her whole life to helping others."

God, this girl had Law so twisted in knots and thinking unclearly that it terrified Riley. "Pull your head out of your ass. You wanting this girl to be the one isn't going to make it true. Goddamn it!"

"Forget I said anything." Law's face closed up.

Riley had gotten what he wanted, but for some damn reason, he felt like a bastard. But it was better to point out certain truths now. "C'mon, bro. You have to back off. Otherwise, we don't get out of this without a criminal record. Do you want us all to go to jail because you couldn't stay out of her designer jeans?"

Kinley Kohl was gorgeous and soft, and she was going to bring them all down.

Law sighed. "No."

"We have to work through this the way we would any other mission. What is our goal?"

Law frowned, but Riley watched as his game face slid into place. An icy coldness overtook his features. "To gather the information we need to prove that Greg Jansen is laundering money for the mafia. Once we do that, the FBI can take over and toss the fucker in jail."

Dominic stepped out of the office. His face was grave. He looked them over as if he'd heard what had gone on and wasn't particularly happy about it. "She's the key, Law. You've always known that. Kinley knows something. She might not know she knows it, but it's in there. We need her to talk. I'm sorry you feel something for her." 

Law turned, his face a bitter mask. "Yeah? You don't feel anything for her? Neither one of you? If you're trying to sell me that shit, you should do a better job of hiding your hard-ons."

Riley sighed. "Fine, I wouldn't mind taking her to bed. If she's what she seems to be, then she's kind of sweet. At least when she's not biting me. But man, I'm not going to touch that. She'll never be what we need. And after we've kidnapped her, she won't ever get past it to be what even one of us needs. There won't be any dating or romance so we can win her trust or woo her slowly."

Dominic put a hand on Law's shoulder. "I will admit to being attracted to her, but it can't go further than that. This is for her own good, Law. She's in bed with a man who has already killed one wife. Let's focus on keeping her from being victim number two by sitting her down and seeing how fast we can close this case. Then we can all move on with our lives."

Law nodded. "Fine. I'll set up the interrogation room."

"It's just a dining room. We don't have to be dramatic," Riley said with a sigh.

"I like to call things the way they are." His brother turned and disappeared down the hall.

Riley looked at Dominic. "I think we're doing the right thing."

Dominic suddenly looked a decade older. "For Carrie, yes. Is it really the right thing for Law? He's in love with that girl. Damn it."

"She can't possibly want him."

Dominic stared down the hall. "Can't she? Sometimes, the sweetest, softest females can prove to have the strongest minds and wills. I wonder what that woman could be if she had a sturdy man behind her, encouraging her."

"Don't you mean strong men?"

"I don't know. You don't seem interested in that life anymore, Riley. When this is over, I think I'm going to try to settle down for a while. Date a little. Look for the right woman, someone who can handle me and Law. I can't leave him behind. He'll never be comfortable on his own. Even with financial security, he would always worry about what would happen to his wife if he died. If we leave him alone, he'll wither. I can't do that to him. I owe him too much."

"You think I don't owe him, too?" He was painfully aware of how much he owed Law. When they didn't have enough food, his brother had gone without so Riley would have a full belly. Law had been the one to sit up all night with a baseball bat in his hand when their mother brought clients home.

"If you want a different life now, it's okay. You need to be free to pursue it. We've talked about this since we were kids, but dreams change. Law and I will be fine on our own."

"It's not that I don't want that life anymore." Frustration welled. "I just don't think it's possible. And I sure as hell don't think a socialite who spends all her time lunching is going to be 'the one.'"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Law gave me a lecture on the rituals and habits of our little blonde bombshell. Neither of us has paid any attention to her except as a potential witness for the feds to nail Jansen. Law has really gotten to know her. I have to concede …  she didn't cash those checks. He has the proof. She works. Apparently she works really hard. Fuck. I don't know." He raked a hand through his hair. "I see your side. I see his side. She's got me confused, and I can't afford to be."