Unbound (The Braille Club #2) by J. A. Kerr Read Free Book Online Page B

humiliation was finally receding. Those days, weeks, and months after his break-up from Anna had been like a wilderness. He’d travelled where the next case took him like a nomad, no longer caring where, his only concern getting a result. Each case received his full and undivided attention.
    He became the best, often the one who made the first breakthrough, leading the team forward and eventually cracking the case. His reputation grew, and he was very much in demand. It was to be his only comfort, so when his impending retirement reared its ugly head, he’d felt utter panic. He’d been fooling himself, unwilling to acknowledge his career was coming to an end. He let himself be swept along by the process. Dazed, he found himself with no job and time on his hands. His retirement lump sum sat untouched in his bank account. He returned to his flat with no idea how to fill his days.
    One morning he’d been looking through the newspaper half-heartedly when a job advertisement from Harrison’s caught his eye. He applied on a whim, not sure how he felt when he received an invitation to attend an interview. At first he dismissed it; he needed neither the money nor the hassle, but something made him leave the interview letter on the table. He had a week to decide.
    It passed quickly as he continued to dither until he reached a conclusion: he simply had nothing to lose by attending. His decision made, he straightened his tie for the umpteenth time that morning and scanned his immaculate jacket and trousers, relieved when he found nothing. Arriving promptly at his destination, he was surprised by the condition of the building, which was still under construction. An elegant woman, who introduced herself as Grace, showed him into a room. She smiled and offered him refreshments—he liked her immediately. He politely declined and waited, neither nervous nor anxious, his eyes missing nothing as they scanned the interior.
    He stood when Benedict Harrison entered and introduced himself. They shook hands firmly. Good at reading people, he was momentarily stumped, unable to get a handle on the man who sat before him. Benedict’s eyes and body gave nothing away, and yet Guy found himself liking the man. As he described the job, Guy knew at once he was interested.
    When Benedict stopped talking they sat in companionable silence as Guy absorbed the information. He knew the job would be a difficult and demanding one—was he ready for the challenge? Benedict had left nothing out, including the need to sign certain confidentiality agreements, but that wasn’t unusual in this day and age, although he was curious. No fool, he knew he wasn’t the only candidate they would be interviewing. A balance must be struck; he wanted the job, but needed to manage his expectations. With no experience at managing a retail operation, his IT skills and police background couldn’t compete against a candidate who possessed these qualities. They might want someone younger or perhaps someone already running a private members club. He would be informed in due course.
    When Guy received a further letter and interview time, he felt a little thrill. Entering the building again, it felt strangely like home. He smiled when Benedict sat down, their instant liking for each reconfirmed. He felt happy to work for and be with this man. Something told him this job would be different, his inner police instinct sensing all was not what it appeared.
    He had no problem signing the confidentiality agreements but was puzzled as to why it was necessary before Benedict could go into detail about the job. A stunning woman entered the room and sat next to Benedict; she introduced herself as Siena. She handed Guy the forms. He read them, and happy with the content, signed his name where required. Siena turned and faced him. He was struck by her beauty. She had his full attention as she introduced him to the Braille Club—suddenly everything became crystal clear.
    His pulse started to