Hunt and Prey (Kelsey's Burden Series Book 8) by Kaylie Hunter (novels to read for beginners txt) 📕

“In this business,” Baker said, sitting behind his desk in a full three-piece charcoal suit, “I’ve grown accustomed to seeing men in diapers. But trash bags?”

I walked over and greeted him with a hug. “He needs clothes and another shower. And I need some information.”

Baker glanced over at a woman sitting in the guest chair. “Evie, can you show this,” he pointed toward Trigger, “person, into my suite and find clothes for him?”

Evie smiled, but her nose was scrunched. Despite the sidewalk shower, Trigger still omitted a pungent odor. Evie led Trigger into the private suite, his garbage bag making rustling noises as he walked. A bark of a laugh escaped Ryan, before he turned away, walking toward the security monitors.

“Do you need the financial reports? Because I gave Charlie the third-quarter statements weeks ago.”

“Nope. I need client details,” I said, tossing Mr. Flint’s membership card onto Baker’s desk.

“Those files are confidential,” Baker said as he picked up the card and read the name.

“Are we really going to play this game? You say I can’t have the information, I say hand them over or else. And it goes in circles for ten minutes until you finally cave.” I sighed as I flopped into a guest chair. “It’s all so tedious. Can we just skip to the end where you give me the file?”

Baker snorted. “You used to like playing games.”

“I’ve grown up.”

“That’s not growing up,” Baker said as he walked over to the filing cabinet. “That’s boredom. Something I never expected from you.” He used his keys to open the third drawer on the cabinet. “Remember when you tied that guy with his own leather straps and stuffed the gag ball in his mouth? You left the poor bastard on the street and told him to find his own way home. I’ll never forget him waddling away with the leather strap covering his ass crack.”

Ryan walked back and looked down at me with one eyebrow raised.

I shrugged, trying to hide my grin. “He deserved it. He broke the rules and needed to face the consequences.”

Baker tossed a file in front of me. He pointed to the file. “Owen Flint. Not one of our better clients. He’s been scolded a few times. Getting handsy with the female staff, grabbing their arm, slapping their backsides, that sort of thing. Garth keeps an eye on him.”

“How often is he here?” I asked.

“Every Tuesday night. He should be here tonight around ten.”

Ryan crossed his arms, turning to face Baker. “You and me going to have a problem if this is the last night Mr. Flint ever shows his face here?”

“That’s Kelsey’s call,” Baker said, waving a hand to show his indifference. “But I won’t miss him. You’d also make Garth very happy if you included him in your plans. He’s been bored.”

“Says here,” I said, interrupting their manly moment, “that Owen Flint spends most of his time in The Parlor before using one of the private rooms.”

“Depends if he brings a date or business associate with him.” Baker sat in the guest chair next to me. I knew his doing so was intentional. Sitting beside me, instead of behind the desk, was a sign of respect.

“Do you ever know which he’ll bring? A business associate or a date?”

“No. But he’s easily distracted by a beautiful woman. I’m sure you could lure him away.”

Evie had returned and stood over Baker’s shoulder, looking at the file. “I can do it. He has a thing for me.”

“Absolutely not!” Baker said, jumping straight out of the chair.

“What’s the big deal?” Evie said. “I’ll bring him upstairs and then they can do whatever they want with him.”

He shook his head. “Not happening.”

“He’d be less suspicious of her,” I said, looking over at Evie. “Someone new could spook him.”

Baker glared at me. “Forget it. She’s a bartender, not a cop—or whatever it is you do these days.”

“Is she scheduled to work tonight?”

“Did you hear me say no? She’s not doing it!”

Evie placed her hands on her hips, looking like she wanted to flip Baker the bird. Instead, she turned back to me. “No, I’m not scheduled to work tonight. But no one would be surprised to see me in the Parlor having a drink off shift.”

I handed her my VIP card. “I’m thinking one of Charlie’s getups would seal the deal. Steal an outfit from her closet.”

Evie held the card like a winning lottery ticket, before sauntering toward the door.

“Does anyone listen to me anymore?” Baker complained.

“Relax. You know damn well that we’ll keep her safe.”

“I want Garth involved. You either include him—or I swear, Kelsey—I’ll burn the club to the ground to prevent this from happening.”

I raised an eyebrow. Baker loved this club. He ate here. Slept here. Even had dates meet him here. I had never seen or heard Baker put anything—or anyone—before the club. Evie had her hooks into him. Deep.

“It’s not like that. She’s not like that.”

“What’s it like then?” I tried to hide my smile. “Are you smitten, Baker? Has Cupid finally tagged you with an arrow?”

He walked behind his desk and sat as he picked up his cellphone. “Drop it, Kelsey.”

I looked up at Ryan. He was also trying not to smile as he looked around the room. I looked back at Baker as his brief call with Garth ended. “Who are the business associates that sometimes accompany Mr. Flint? Anyone interesting?”

“Your everyday banker, lawyer, doctor, sort of crowd. No one stands out in my memory except—” he paused as he opened the side drawer on his desk and pulled another file. Flipping through it, he found a picture and slid it across the desk to me. “This guy didn’t stay long, but seemed