Corporate Ties (Silken Ties Book 1) (9 page)

Brian studied Paul for a minute. He wanted to press him harder but could see Paul’s eyes were starting to droop. The shower and food had relaxed him and he needed sleep now more than anything.

"You rest. I have a meeting to go to. I'll be back in a little while."

"Thanks, Brian. I really appreciate it. I know you'll protect Olivia, and that's all I really care about."

Brian nodded. The emotion on Paul's face showed he cared about Olivia, but Brian wondered what kind of caring it was.

One flight up from the small living space, his office staff waited impatiently for him.

"Sorry, I know you have other things to do but wait for me. Show me what you've got. Jimmie?"

"I have something, but maybe I should go last. Brice, why don't you go first?"

Brice, knowing what Jimmie had, stepped up. "You told us to search for deaths associated with Matasuki takeovers. I found four in the past two years. All supposedly from natural causes. But when we contacted the surviving families, all expressed their suspicions that their relative had somehow been killed, not one family believed the coroner’s report. On further questioning it appears all of the companies later absorbed by Matasuki had several things in common.  The first being each had one strong man at the helm; second, each company when approached by Matasuki, refused to sell or negotiate. Third, all companies had experienced the death of their main stockholder, their president, founder or Chairman of the board. Since the viability of a company is often directly tied to the person that made it successful, the death of that person can affect the long-term financial health of the company. This brings us to the last point. After the deaths, each company’s stock dropped and Matasuki picked the companies up for at least twenty percent less than they would have had to pay. I've brought the scenario forward and there has been another death. Just three days ago. The stock purchase has gone forward, and again Matasuki has sought a company in flux. Of course the sale still needs approval from the board of directors and in this case the SEC."

Brian had been pacing while he listened to Brice. "Okay, we need to look deeper. Look at all those on the committees that would give such an approval. Not just them, their business connections, spouses, kids, parents and siblings....everyone. I can smell how dirty this guy is. And another thing, what did we find out about Paul White? How about the 'shadow'?"

Brice nodded at Jon and he started. “Paul White. He was nominated to the Air Force Academy by a family friend and Senator, Edwin James of Massachusetts, who served three terms before he was killed in a car crash two years ago. After he left the Academy, he was commissioned and the Air Force sent him to law school. He got his law degree and stayed in the service until he transferred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation where he served fifteen years, all honorable. He married and divorced, one son, Charles. He went to work for Dolby six years ago. Model employee."

Brian frowned. "Wait, there’s a three year gap there. He's fifty. I counted forty seven in my head. Check again. How about the 'shadow' what's her story?"

Jimmie glanced up. Brian noted how nervous he seemed, and waited for him to take the floor. All of this was annoying him. Nothing made sense.

"Kimiko Sura, thirty six. Orphan, siblings unknown, as is her parentage. She's Chinese, not Japanese. Dropped as an infant at a Jesuit ministry. She stayed there until she finished her early schooling and then there are several years where nothing is known. Sources tell us that time was spent with the Matasuki’s, first father and now son. Three years ago she started to work as an assistant to Matasuki's second in command Tikara Laru. Her official title now is, Foreign Liaison. She answers only to Matasuki and there's surveillance from the hotel you should see."

"Okay, pull it up."

Jimmie glanced at Brice and then pressed the button. Silence filled the room as the scene played out. Not even Jimmie and Brice had viewed the entire tape. Brian's eyes narrowed and then widened... “
holy crap...and what the hell
”... ran through his mind. What he'd thought and relayed to Olivia when she’d accused the ‘shadow’ of lurking and he’d suggested was instead subservience, was just the tip of what was showing on this recording. He watched as a true Dominant/submissive relationship played out on the screen before them.

"Okay, I think we've seen enough. She's supposedly his employee. Keep watching him, there's more to this guy, and none of it's good. Check out all of his companies and any he may have an interest in. We need to protect our client. Got it?"

They all nodded in agreement.

"Okay, take your shifts. Get any extra help you need, and unless something happens, I'll see you tomorrow." He pulled Jimmie aside. "No word back from Lin?"

"No, we pulled her back. We need it to be casual, so tomorrow night we should have something from her."

"Good, my cell is on. Paul White is downstairs in my quarters. You're the only one who knows. Turn on my apartment’s cameras and set a guy at the both entrances to the building."

"You don't trust him?"

"I don't trust anyone."

Olivia turned on the shower and slipped off her clothes, tossing them in the direction of the hamper. Stepping into the steaming water, she sighed, feeling the pulsating shower begin to relax her tired muscles, washing the stress from her body and down the drain. She dipped her head back and washed her hair. She smiled, even with everything that was going on at work and with Paul, she felt better than she had for a really long time. Brian had a lot to do with it, and it scared her, but not enough for her to shut him out. Not yet anyway. Finally she turned off the water and reached for a towel, running it over her body, then bending so she could twist it around her long hair. For her, Sundays were for relaxing and planning out the week. She wrapped herself in a soft fluffy robe and headed to the kitchen. She heard a knock just as she had begun making a shopping list for the market. A big grin lit up her face as she unlocked the door.

"I was just thinking about you. Other than butter pecan ice cream, I have no idea what you like to eat."

Brian chuckled. "I could say you," he teased as he kissed her cheek.

"Mmm, I really do like the way you think." He walked into the living room and stared out the window. Olivia closed the door, leaning on it for a second as she watched him. "Something is up, what is it?"

He turned. "Oh, just this whole Matasuki thing. It keeps getting more and more complicated. Every time we look into someone, or something involved with him it gets darker, Liv."

She smiled, he'd called her Liv. He seemed relaxed around her, it felt nice.

Walking to him she ran her hand over his back. "Maybe we should just stop." He turned, circled his hands around her and pulled her tightly to him.

"Maybe that's a good idea for you. For me, though, I believe this guy is dangerous, and someone needs to get enough on him to take him down."

Olivia pushed back, her eyes riveted to his. "Then we do this together. And to me, together means I need to know everything. You don't try to protect me, you trust me enough to let me help both you, and your team."

"Olivia..."

Her eyebrow raised and she pulled her chin back, while tilting her head to one side. Brian had to chuckle, he looked away and shook his head, raising his hands in surrender.

"Okay. I'm only agreeing because, for some reason, I know you'll go ahead on your own anyway."

"I'm not sure I
like
that you can read me so well already." She kissed him and curled her arms around his waist.

Brian kissed her back, pulling her close again.

"Now, do you have time to spend with me this afternoon or not?"

"I do," he assured her.

"Good, I'm making a list for the market, it's a Sunday ritual of mine to shop for the week, want to go with me? We could have a late lunch, maybe take in a movie?"

Brian watched her saunter to the kitchen. The sway of her hips, even in the thick robe, was enticing. God she was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen. The fact that she wasn't trying, made her even sexier. Yes, he wanted her, but it was more than that, he needed her.

"I have to tell you something. Several things actually."

Concern washed over Olivia and her stomach twisted with the impending doom she felt was coming. Of course, she was moving things along too fast. He wasn't ready, and she braced for the bad news, was it about Paul, or about them? Her face heated and her mouth suddenly felt dry.

He walked over and sat down at the bar. "I found Paul. Actually he found me."

Dread turned to shock. "What? Are you saying he's alive?" She was puzzled by the look on his face. What was going on?

"Yes, he's alive. I was going to keep it from you, only because I don't want to give away the fact that we know. It happened just after I left you. He followed me. He said he had to warn me about Matasuki. That he was confronted at the Bureau, by who he thought were Matasuki security and has been running since, afraid to contact anyone he knew. He's staying in my building."

"I'm shocked, and relieved......and confused. You don't seem happy."

"I'm sorry; of course I'm glad he's not dead. I don't know him, but Liv, something about his story...I don't know, maybe it's just all the years on the job."

"You don't think he's telling the truth?"

Brian shrugged. "Something just doesn't feel right, and if I've learned one thing, it's to trust my gut. When you found Paul hadn't come to work, what did you do?"

"I called his cell, several times. I called his friend and mine, my lawyer Clay, and met him for lunch. Oh and I went down to Paul's office and talked to his secretary."

"Had anyone else been asking about him?"

"Yes, Jerrod; my division boss. He asked that any deliveries made to Paul be sent directly to him. Which I thought odd, and so did Paul’s secretary. I'll talk with her again tomorrow if you want me to."

"Okay, good idea. We don't want anyone else to know we're in contact with Paul. The other thing is, this 'shadow'. Her name is Kimiko. Remember me commenting that her posturing was submissive?"

"Yes, and I also remember wondering what you meant by it."

"We, well we have a recording that shows just how true the statement was."

"What are you talking about, whips and chains?" she started to giggle until the look on his face didn't change. "Oh, you have to be kidding me, really? Matasuki?"

Brian nodded. "I can only imagine what else he's into."

Olivia smiled, and she started to breath normally again. "Just how did seeing the recording make you feel?"

Brian guffawed. "You're really something you know that? I think the guys were pretty turned on by it, and well, maybe a little bondage might be fun for a night, it's certainly not what I'm into."

"Hmm, you're right, but you may find when you trust someone, a little experimentation can be fun."

"I'd hope one day you'll trust me that much."

"That we'll trust
each other
that much." She stepped around the counter and put her arms around Brian's neck. "The market can wait. You're what I want right now."

The kiss was needier this time, and he moved from the stool to the floor, sweeping Olivia up into his arms.

"You don't have to ask me twice."

Brian plopped her down on the bed and she untied her robe as he stripped. God that sculpted torso, the lean lines of his body turned her on so much. Her juices were already flowing as he exposed his hard throbbing member. She couldn't stop her tongue from roaming over her lips as her gaze locked on it. She sat forward and ran her hands up his thighs. At her touch his cock bobbed toward her and she leaned in. Looking up at him, she reached out with the tip of her tongue and flicked it around its spongy head. Moving her hands to grip his firm ass, she pulled him into her waiting mouth, hearing his groan, as her hot, wet mouth surrounded him.

He tasted sweet already, letting her know just how aroused he really was.

"Oh God," he murmured.

Her right hand moved up the inside of his thigh and lightly grasped his balls, massaging as he started to thrust his hips forward. She worked her lips up and down him, her tongue teasing him with every descent and retreat. Sucking softly, her hand continued the cadence as she stroked his shaft with a firmer grasp. He moaned again, his hand moving to her head. His balls tightened, his thighs tensed and both their movements increased in speed until his hand was insistent and her lips tightened around just the head of his cock, her hand working faster and faster until hot cum shot into the back of her throat, again and again as she swallowed, taking sharp breaths through her nose so she wouldn't choke. Even before he’d started to cum, Olivia had begun squeezing her inner muscles, the motion pulling on the hood of her clit until her bud swelled and became ultra sensitive. She squeezed several times until she felt the coiling begin.  She focused on Brian’s frenetic motions and timed the next several squeezes to coordinate her orgasm to his. She came, moaning over him as he began to soften and relax.