Free Bondage Celebration by Tori Carson Page A

her?
    “What does that mean? We aren ’ t the mob. I haven ’ t seen the evidence Oscar compiled against those two, it may not be enough for the police to take action.”
    “The police are reviewing the evidence and have contacted the women for interviews.”
    She shifted her weight, wanting to pace, but was unwilling give any ground. Anger finally replaced the sexual tension. “And I knew none of this…why?” She didn ’ t bother to keep the fury from her voice.
    “Oscar is in your office waiting to give you an update.”
    “So does Oscar work for you, or do you have someone on his staff?” It was the only way any of this made sense. “When did you usurp my authority? Last time I checked, my name was at the top of the letterhead. You have no business being involved in this matter, let alone receiving updates before I do!”
    “Anything that concerns your safety is my business. And for the record, Oscar and his staff are loyal to you.”
    Something wasn ’ t right. He had to be playing a semantics game. He was discussing privileged information that he shouldn ’ t be privy to. “Nick, this is the very reason I can ’ t agree to wear your collar or try D/s twenty-four seven.” Her heart beat overly fast. She felt out of control and she didn ’ t like it. Nick should not be better aware of her work operations than she was.
    “Let me make this perfectly clear, Laura,” Nick tipped her chin so their eyes met, “I will always see to your protection. It doesn ’ t matter if you ever consent to wear my collar. On matters of your safety, there is no give, no compromise, no slack. This isn ’ t about D/s at all. It ’ s just the way it is. Period . ”
    Laura twisted out of his hold, “I have to get to work. This conversation isn ’ t over.” Anger felt good. It was less confusing than other emotions. “I want to know where your information is coming from. I can ’ t have someone sharing sensitive data with anyone outside the company.” She didn ’ t wait for a response. She stepped around him and out the door.
    A new wave of anger hit, when her car wasn ’ t waiting underneath the portico on their circular drive where she ’ d left it. Laura even opened her mouth with a foul barrage just resting on her tongue waiting to fire the first salvo. Locking her jaw, she knew it was fruitless. If she didn ’ t agree to added security, he would assign it behind her back. Instead of riding in the car with her, they would tail her. No, there was no getting around him. And in all honesty, she was afraid of Simson. It was entirely possible he would try to retaliate.
    A white, non-descript four-door sedan waited for her. A tall, broad shouldered man, in a gray suit and tie leaned against the car. He looked like a typical businessman and right now she wasn ’ t fond of men. Too bad for him.
    Tall, broad and annoying opened the back door on the passenger side. “Mrs Branson, I ’ m James Evan, I ’ ve been assigned to your security detail.”
    Ignoring him and the pro-offered backseat, she opened the passenger door and sat up front. “I ’ m late, Mr Evan. If we could get moving, I ’ d appreciate it.”
    Laura heard Evan and Nick speaking. She pulled the visor down and adjusted the vanity mirror until they came into view. Her bodyguard leaned casually against the quarter-panel, this legs slightly stretched and crossed at the ankles. His hands hung loosely at his side.
    Nick spoke to him like he was a friend. Did they know each other? Had he done work for Nick before?
    Knowing Nick was personally acquainted with the man took a little of the sting out of the intolerable situation. She wasn ’ t entirely sure why she was so upset. Oh yeah, she didn ’ t like being told, after the fact, a security firm had been hired. Okay, now that she thought it through Nick might have informed her before he ’ d hired them. He ’ d mentioned it in passing last night after Frank left and before they scened.
    Still, she