Duplicity Read Online Free Page B

trouble of proving I was involved with that guy. Then he sent me upstairs to do bottle service and not only was the guy who choked me up there but another thug I’ve never met before. I was trying to get out of there, but he hit me before I could. That’s all I remember. Did you change me? Why am I wearing this?” She shuddered and tried to blink away the tears caused by remembering how scared she was at the time.
    Maxx kissed her forehead gently and brushed the tears away before standing. “Yes, I gave you a hot shower and changed you. We were both soaked from the sprinklers. No, I didn’t close my eyes. I didn’t touch you, as much as I wanted to. Thank you for telling me what you remember. I’m going to be gone for a few hours. I’ll be back and hopefully this will be done.”
    “What do you mean, you’re going? What am I supposed to do here shackled to your bed? I don’t even know where I am!” She couldn’t believe he was going to leave her here alone, handcuffed to his bed.
    “The nurse I hired will be here, and my security guard will be here as well, but he will not be coming in here unless he has to. He has the other key though and can get you out of the cuffs for when you need to use the bathroom or take a shower.” Maxx walked into his walk-in closet and came out dressed in black dress pants and a black, collared shirt.
    “What are you going to do, Maxx?” She could only imagine what was going through his mind at the best of times. Right now, he was closed off and almost predatory.
    “I’m going to take care of things. I probably should have done this sooner, but I had to be sure. Just stay here and rest. If you go back to sleep I’ll probably be back before you wake up.” He offered a smile she was sure should have been reassuring.
    “Or you’ll be dead and not come back at all.” She wasn’t sure what drove her to say it, but it had to be said.
    “Or that. Don’t worry. I’ve left instructions if I don’t check in. They’ll let you out.” He responded in seriousness. Zowie watched him prepare to leave the bedroom and called out to him. “Maxx!”
    He turned and raised an eyebrow silently in response.
    “I don’t want you to die. I don’t want to sit here and wait to hear bad news either. Take me with you.” She bit her lip as he smiled at her plea.
    “Are you going to be my bodyguard now? While the idea of that is appealing in some contexts, I won’t be bringing you with me, Zowie. Rest. I will be back.” With that, he walked out the door as though she hadn’t begged him.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Maxx attempted to reign in his anger as he grabbed his handgun from his desk in the office of his vacation home. He couldn’t believe that Zowie, who had known him less than a week, wanted to help him. That she was concerned about his safety. He certainly had repaid her concern and loyalty by handcuffing her to his bed, doubting her sincerity, and questioning her motives. He couldn’t allow guilt to sway him, though. She was innocent, that much he knew, but she may well be certifiable. That was the only reason he could think of that she wouldn’t back down from anything or anyone even when it was obvious she was on the losing end of the battle.
    Walking back to the living room, he gave instructions to the nurse to check on her often and that she was not to be given a cell phone or computer. The nurse accepted the instructions as he had made sure she was very well compensated for her time and skill. Walking over to his security man, he reminded him that should he not come back tonight, he was to let Zowie out of the cuffs but to make sure things were safe before allowing her to go back to Vegas.
    “She’s smart. Whatever you do, don’t let her convince you of anything. The only things that stand are what I’ve told you now. No deviation unless her life depends on it.”
    His security man, Alec, was relatively new, but he had shown himself to be dependable and good at following