CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tony

 

Cane had opened up to me. For so long, I’d wanted to learn what secrets lay beneath his stoic exterior, and now that I knew, I was filled with admiration for him. Having come through what he had without having been completely tainted was a testament to how strong he was. Unfortunately for me, this only made him more appealing. I’d apologized to Cane specifically about the night I’d come to his room in order to close the door on it for good, and as embarrassing as it had been, I was glad I had. It would help me to move forward. Perhaps he and I had come together for a reason, and that reason was to take down Karl Bruder. What the man was doing made me sick, and I was determined to put a stop to it. The fact I could use my hacking skills to do it was nothing short of ironic.

I called Bruder the following morning to tell him I’d changed my mind about his offer, and he pretended to be all surprised and pleased about it. I was to meet him at his penthouse at three. I didn’t know how I was going to manage being in the same room with the guy after what Cane had told me, but I was going to have to if I wanted to find enough evidence to destroy him.

Cane and I had agreed to go to Blaze about it, and Blaze, after completely freaking out about Bruder’s threat to me and Lake, had contacted a buddy of his in the FBI who promised to notify the correct department and see if he could get them to look into Karl Bruder and his businesses. When Cane and I left for Bruder’s, Blaze and Lake were having a huge argument about whether or not Lake would leave The Yellow Banana now that they knew Bruder had threatened to have him kidnapped.

“I’m glad we don’t have to stay and hear that,” I said as Cane and I got into the club’s SUV.

“Bad enough we’ll be hearing the makeup sex tonight,” Cane said. He had insisted on coming with me to his cousin’s penthouse, and I hadn’t put up much of an argument. Frankly, knowing what I did about Bruder now, I was glad to have the backup.

We took the private elevator to the top floor, and the doors opened into a large living space with a wall of windows displaying a gorgeous view of the East River.

“Wow,” I said to Cane. “I’m extremely impressed you live at the clubhouse when you could be living here.”

“Don’t be. Remember who I’d be living with.”

“I stand corrected,” I said.

“Welcome, Mr. Sarto. Cane.” Bruder’s girlfriend whom I’d met in his office strode forward to greet us, heels clicking on the hardwood floor. She wore a dove gray, wide-leg pantsuit and held a leather briefcase in her hand.

“I see you’re back from visiting your family,” Cane said. “Are they well?”

“Yes, thank you. I had a nice time, but I was eager to get back to Karl.” Something in the way she said it made me think she didn’t entirely trust her boyfriend. “I’m just on my way down to the office. Karl will be with you shortly. He said to make yourself a drink at the bar.” She glanced at Cane. “He didn’t mention you’d be with him, Cane. I’m sure you’ll take care of Mr. Sarto.”

Cane nodded, and she left on the elevator.

“Do you want a drink?” Cane asked, crossing to the gleaming, dark wood bar.

“I think I’d better remain level headed,” I said, watching Cane put some ice cubes into two crystal glasses. He poured water into one and handed it to me. “My cousin likes people to drink with him,” he said, pouring himself a tonic with a splash of vodka rather than the other way around. I wondered how often he pretended around Bruder, and my heart hurt for the kid who’d been taken away from a life he loved and set down in the middle of a snake’s nest.

We crossed to the large living room and sat down, and I almost gasped when I sank into the chair. I didn’t think I’d ever sat on anything as comfortable. It molded to my body. Looking out at the river, Cane and I sipped our drinks until Bruder’s footfalls sounded on the stairs.

“Cane, I didn’t expect you,” Bruder said, not looking happy to see his cousin.

“I thought you might need me to do something,” Cane said.

Bruder didn’t look like he believed that but crossed over to us.

“I thought I’d have Tony work in the office upstairs,” he said before looking at me. “I have a list prepared of things I require him to do.” He handed me a paper.

“It will take some time,” I said, looking over the list.

“That’s fine.”

“And you promised quite a fee,” I added.

Bruder smiled. “I remember.”

“I’m doing this because Cane asked me to,” I said. “As you know, I have a lot of work already, but he asked me to help you out as a favor.”

Bruder sent a speculative look toward Cane before turning back to me. “Well, I’m happy you did. Are you ready to go upstairs?”

I stood and followed him, Cane so close behind me I could feel the heat of his body at my back. The upper floor was visible from the lower with a balustrade facing the same gorgeous view that I imagined was even more beautiful in summer months when boats were out on the water. The stark beauty of winter held its own appeal, though, with gray, overcast skies and trees stripped of their foliage.

Bruder led me to a room sparsely furnished with a large desk, high-backed leather chair, and credenza over which hung a painting of Medusa. I moved closer for a better look. The depiction wasn’t the normal creepy severed head or evil-looking face surrounded by gaping-mouthed serpents, but rather a young beauty whose head of snakes framed her face like hair. In her hand was an apple, which brought to mind Eve and the serpent in Eden.

“Do you like it?” Bruder asked over my shoulder. “It’s nothing famous, but it caught my eye, and I contacted the artist to purchase the original. Some men collect art, but I prefer to buy only what speaks to me, expensive or not.”

“As someone who paints, I’d have to agree with you,” I said, masking my dislike for him behind affability.

“You surprise me more every time I meet with you. You’re an artist?”

I turned to face him. “No. I wouldn’t call myself an artist. I paint for fun. Mostly erotic nudes.”

He looked even more intrigued.

“Do you have a portfolio?”

“Of sorts,” I admitted, glancing at Cane, who stood nearby.

“I’d love to see it. Please bring it next time you come.” Then Bruder turned to the PC on the desk, and I prepared myself to get to work.

“I believe you have everything you’ll need. There’s a bathroom down the hall.” He turned to Cane. “Since you’re here, I have some things I need you to do for me.”

Cane’s eyes met mine before he left the room with his cousin, and I settled down to work.