Free Reclaim Me by Ann Marie Walker, Amy K. Rogers

radar?” Ivan asked.
    “No. And his alibi is rock solid, placing him in France at the time of the murders.”
    Ivan frowned. “Wait, isn’t he engaged to their daughter?”
    “Was.” Hudson’s voice was clipped. Hearing Julian referred to as Allie’s fiancé, regardless of his current status, didn’t set well, and seeing the two of them together was even worse. He bit down on his molars as their official engagement photo flashed onto the screen.
    The sound of Jim’s voice was a welcome distraction from the sight of Julian’s hand curled possessively around Allie’s shoulder. “Are you sure your information is reliable?”
    “From the man himself,” Hudson said. “Alessandra Sinclair is being blackmailed by Laurent into marrying him for the sole purpose of gaining control of Ingram Media. He incarcerated her at his château in Paris for several hours yesterday after luring her there under the pretense of returning his engagement ring.”
    “Tacky of him to ask her to return it,” Jessica said, completely unfazed by the mention of blackmail or kidnapping.
    “It is a family heirloom gifted down from one French fuck to another.” Hudson dragged in a breath and made an effort to sound more politically correct. “I’m sure there are decent individuals in the Laurent family, but right now I’d like to annihilate their entire bloodline.” Okay, not entirely PC, but he was way past playing nice.
    “Appropriate given the origin of the piece,” Ivan said dryly.
    Back to business. “Over the course of his conversation with Miss Sinclair, Laurent admitted to murdering her parents. But we have no proof, no money tied to the hit, and an assassin whose talking days are over. That’s where you come in.” Hudson’s options were limited to the confines of the law, but this group could push the boundaries and end this nightmare by any means necessary. “If you’re as good as Max says you are, then I’m certain with your combined expertise you can nail the son of a bitch.”
    Ivan leaned forward in his chair. “If I may, what’s your stake in all this?”
    “I have a vested interest as a significant shareholder of Ingram Media.”
    “And your relationship to Miss Sinclair?” he asked.
    Hudson pushed to his feet and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the distance he could see the river cutting the city in half, and Ingram Media on the opposite bank. Somewhere in that building was the woman who owned every corner of his heart and his entire soul; the woman he’d sacrifice himself to protect. He glanced over his shoulder at the team of intelligence experts he’d assembled to quite literally save her life. “Business associates.”
    “No offense, Mr. Chase,” Jessica said. “But a man doesn’t go to all this trouble for a business associate.” He noted the sardonic tone in her voice. “Especially one that just broke his heart. Again.”
    Hudson turned away from the window and his eyes clashed with Jessica’s. “I didn’t take you for the type to gather intel from gossip sites.”
    “Video paparazzi can provide valuable surveillance footage.” She smiled. “Unknowingly, of course.”
    Hudson narrowed his gaze. “I protect my investments.”
    Ivan snorted. “I think I speak for the group when I say none of us are buying that.”
    “There is a modicum of respect I demand from individuals when in the confines of my building, Ivan. I’ve earned it.”
    “I’m pretty sure I’ve earned the same, Mr. Chase, and I’m well compensated for it. I’m also good at reading people, and I can tell you’re a man with an instinctual drive to protect. I admire it, but it’s your Achilles’ heel as well as your strength. And can you honestly say you’re offended I want to cut through the crap?”
    Far from it. In fact, he was actually starting to like the guy. The goddamn bastard was observant and he wasn’t throwing any punches. He also wasn’t a man who was easily intimidated. By