Hunt me a dark mafia rom.., p.20
Hunt Me: A Dark Mafia Romance, page 20
She could easily bring laughter to my lips. “And you think so little of me. That changes nothing. I can’t trust you. What a pity.”
Satisfied with the knot, I turned her to face me, gripping her jaw with one hand as I stroked her hair with the other. “I believe you’re many things, but you’re certainly not a murderer. Until you decide to stop lying to me, you’ll learn to obey me.”
When she opened her mouth to retort, I captured her lips, holding her in place as I thrust my tongue inside.
Her reaction was exactly like I’d suspected it would be, her fists pummeling against my chest, her body undulating in order to get out of my hold. But I also sensed something else in her. Lust. I’d felt it before, her pussy so wet and hot that it had nearly scalded my cock. There was a strangeness to the connection we shared, the sensations completely unexpected.
The kiss was damning as well as dangerous, my balls tightening to the point of anguish. Toying with her, even considering keeping her as my hostage was bad enough. Actually enjoying the taste of her was ridiculous, perhaps costly. There was a hell of lot to do, including cleaning up several areas of the family’s business. I certainly didn’t need to be pulled by my more carnal needs.
For a third time.
At least not until I had a handle on what I was dealing with.
When she bit down on my tongue, I reared back, lifting my arm to strike her, the reaction instantaneous. What the hell was I doing? She brought out more emotion in me than anyone had in my life.
“Go ahead, Mikhail. Punish me again. Won’t that make you feel better as a man?”
I curled my fingers, loathing what I’d almost done. When I rubbed my knuckles across her cheek, I felt something new.
Remorse.
Once again, she didn’t cower even though she had to know what my reaction would be.
Closing my eyes, I reined in my anger, slowly lowering my arm then gripping hers. “While I understand your frustration, you have zero choices. Your entire world now belongs to me. The sooner you learn to accept that, the better off it’s going to be for you.”
“Fuck you.”
“Fucking will definitely be one of the items on our agenda.” I turned her around to face the door. “Now, we are leaving. I’ll grab your things as you’ll need them for your stay with me.”
“You disgust me on every level, Mikhail. All the reports claiming you’re a monster are accurate.”
Leaning over, I took a deep breath, holding her sweet fragrance in my lungs. The scent of her feminine wiles was intoxicating. “Your body betrays you.” To prove a point, I rubbed her fully aroused nipple between my thumb and forefinger, my nostrils flaring when she moaned. When I twisted it as I’d done our first night together, she whimpered from pleasure, not pain.
“Bastard.”
Laughing, I enjoyed another five seconds before dragging her out of the bathroom. “If you make a single noise, it will be your last. If you try and remove your blindfold, I will punish you and this time, I won’t go easy.”
“Why, yes, sir,” she muttered with contempt.
After grabbing her bag, I led her through the house and outside. She didn’t fight me as I led her to my car, instead holding her head high.
As I eased her onto the passenger seat, securing her seatbelt, my thoughts become as concentrated as they were intense.
She would soon discover I was a man of my word.
Bristol would learn to obey me in every way even though her rebelliousness fueled my burning desire.
I would break her defenses.
I would enjoy her body’s betrayal.
And I would savor taking and tasting what I’d laid claim to.
What already belonged to me.
CHAPTER 20
Bristol
Fear was a strange animal, much like my nightmares had been since I was a child.
Once upon a time when I was little, I’d escaped from my mother’s arms. I’d been playing hide and seek, something we’d done for as long as my little brain could remember.
I became lost in a sea of bright lights and explosive sounds. Then a monster had come to take me away.
Yet instead of feeling terror, I’d felt safe in his arms. A big, strapping, dominant man.
Fleeting images had floated into my mind in the darkness, some so detailed I couldn’t breathe. Just like when the nightmares had plagued me while growing up.
The memories of my childhood often came in fleeting visions, usually in vivid colors and shapes that made little sense when trying to piece them together.
I had no idea why they were suddenly exploding in my mind, but instead of creating panic, they created a calm over me, a warm blanket to soothe my fears.
Even though I’d been taken captive by a highly dangerous man.
My skin continued to tingle from the passion we’d shared, the roughness igniting a powerful longing that continued to excite me.
He was close, omnipresent, his prowess even more powerful than the first night we’d shared. The moment was toxic, yet my core remained on fire.
How could I want something so blatantly wrong for me?
I concentrated on his breathing, trying to decipher what he was thinking. I knew why I’d become the subject of his interrogation but still felt I couldn’t reveal every detail of the truth. I felt as if I did, I’d lose the limited bargaining chip I had. Only this wasn’t a game and there would be no winners and losers. A man had lost his life in a brutal way and somehow, I’d become mixed up in the dangerous ploy.
Thinking clearly didn’t seem to be an option. Weighing the odds of survival seemed unforgiving. As promised, Mikhail was the kind of man who did what he wanted and took what he needed. And right now, I was ground zero of his desire.
He was also mine.
With a blindfold on, as I’d experienced before, my senses were highly concentrated, almost electric. Every noise was louder, every scent more pronounced.
But instead of using my sharp senses to memorize turns and traffic sounds, images of the same nightmare exploded in my mind. A little girl lost. Voices. My mother calling for me.
Gunshots.
The moment I shifted in the seat, I was reminded of the round of discipline. The pain was minimal, my body’s reaction caustic. I remained wet. Why was the dream coming to life right now? Was I trying to cling to some sense of normalcy to keep my mind from freaking out? I had no answer, but the images were clearer than ever before, not lost in the haze of sleep deprivation.
A man had come from the shadows, grabbing and tossing me to the ground. I’d screamed and screamed, but no one had come to save me.
Whether or not the memory was accurate I’d likely never know. I’d asked my mother several times if what I’d envisioned was true, but she’d acted as if I had a vivid imagination.
Why the images were running through my mind at this moment was beyond me, but my instinct told me they meant something vital. How strange.
Mikhail moved, the noises catching my attention and I was brought back to the ugly reality I was facing. I’d been kidnapped.
By him.
The man I couldn’t stop thinking about.
Obedience.
The thought had also played in and with my mind while Mikhail, AKA Mr. Asshole had driven through the city streets. I’d tried my best to pay attention and to see anything around the tightly knotted tie covering my eyes, but that had been impossible.
As the images of my past faded, I clamped my hands around the edge of the seat.
His silence had been as unnerving as everything he’d said to me prior to being taken from Josie’s house.
Like a prisoner.
Who was I kidding? I was his prisoner. Gone was the sophisticated, engaging man who’d literally swept me off my feet, his chivalrous behavior allowing me to trust him. Enough so I’d eagerly allowed him to blindfold and seduce me.
My instincts had obviously failed me. I’d always thought of myself as a good judge of character even when meeting someone for the first time. I’d incorrectly believed I’d honed those skills in college and law school since I’d spent a ginormous amount of time studying monsters of every creed, color, relation, background, and financial condition.
But somehow, I’d been blindsided by his charm and stunning good looks, enough to let my guard down.
Suddenly, his hand was on my leg and I froze, yet my reaction wasn’t about fear, but about another sense of longing.
“Relax, Bristol. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“If only I could believe you.”
He squeezed my knee and my pussy throbbed. When he pulled his hand free, I felt a crazy sense of loss.
The engine changed, the intense throbbing from before lessening as he slowed down.
Cause and effect.
Behavior and consequences.
Common sense and irrationality.
Even when it had become obvious he had ill intent, I’d been attracted to him. Perhaps more so than the first night. The lust-filled way he’d looked at me, the possessiveness in his eyes had incited hunger instead of fear.
But terror lingered just under the surface, digging at my insides. I was in a precarious position whether I wanted to believe so or not.
No one knew where I was. Not a soul.
Mikhail was using my lack of judgment and was doing a masterful job. My father could be ruined by my actions alone. No matter how I looked at things, I no longer had control of the situation. Or my life. Did I believe him capable of murder? That I wasn’t certain of, but kidnapping he’d obviously done before.
He was skilled.
Perhaps the one thing that had kept me from shutting down completely was the sadness I’d seen in his eyes when I’d asked about the man who’d been killed. While brief, the intensity of his darkness had held me in a trance. The pain was real. So was the anger against whoever had ended Sergio’s life.
Did Mikhail think I’d been responsible? No. But he was no fool, realizing I was hiding something. I’d yet to think of the phrase Sergio had said. I’d need to tell Mikhail something if I ever wanted to return to my life. The words were fading, but I would also never forget the strength with which Sergio had grabbed my arm. He’d been pleading with me, a stranger. This was utter madness.
Mikhail slowed the vehicle even more until we were barely crawling, finally stopping with the engine still revving. My breath hitched, a different set of tingles rushing through me. When he rolled forward again, a sound captured my attention. A garage door opener.
I sat still, even holding my breath.
When he cut the engine altogether, I didn’t know what to expect.
“Where are we?” I asked, loathing the tremor in my voice.
Never show fear, my father had told me more than once. Well, it was obvious he’d never been kidnapped.
The fact Mikhail remained quiet and unmoving meant he had no clue what to do with me. What I’d told him was true. Eventually my father would scour the city to try to find me, especially after the message I’d left for my sister.
“We’re at my house, Bristol. Far removed from the city. You will be safe here.”
Safe. Was there any such thing around him or his family?
A sudden burst of electricity slammed into my system as he crowded closer. Very gingerly he removed the blindfold. As soon as he did, he brushed his knuckles across my face just as he’d done before.
“I’ll say this again. I won’t hurt you, Bristol, as long as you obey the rules.”
A promise made. Could I believe him? And obey him? He had to be out of his mind.
Blinking several times, I sat very still while I allowed my eyes to become accustomed to the light. The garage was huge, meant for at least four vehicles. I caught a glimpse of at least two other vehicles including a sleek black Mercedes. I also thought I noticed a motorcycle, which surprised me. Maybe I’d thought a man of his status would have a bulletproof Escalade like the mobsters in the movies.
“How long are you going to keep me prisoner?”
His sigh was heavier than before. He pulled the ignition key, fingering the metal. “For as long as it takes. This is only just beginning.”
This. I assumed he meant another nightmare, only with real guns and monsters.
He slowly turned his head toward me, his face now expressionless. “You’re going to be a good girl?”
While a question, he was expecting only one answer.
“Yes.” For now, I’d give it to him. There was no other choice.
When he climbed out, I almost locked the doors. How ridiculous of me. After he grabbed my bag, he slowly made his way around to the other side of the vehicle.
Yet I didn’t move. Maybe I couldn’t move. I’d need to tell him what I knew, but what good would it do? What I’d already learned about him was that he’d go on a vendetta of his own, hunting and killing the person responsible. Whatever he gleaned from what little I knew he’d use.
He opened the door, waiting only a few seconds before reaching inside. “We don’t need to make this any more difficult than it already is.” While he wasn’t rough in pulling me from the vehicle, his grip was firm. Enough the force pulled me into his arms. I pushed my hands against him, fighting the strong urge I had, the electricity that refused to go away.
In the ugly fluorescent light, his gaze was different than before, piercing in a way that unnerved me. Almost as if he’d become unhinged during the drive. Maybe he was going to kill me after all. I couldn’t put anything past him, which meant I’d need to find a way to escape.
Without saying another word, he nodded behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see a door. There was nothing I could do but obey him. I hated the word and the thought. I wasn’t that kind of woman, which was why he wanted to break me. I’d heard the conviction in his voice, even thought he’d had a lilt while explaining exactly what he wanted to do.
My legs were shaking, but I did what I could to keep from allowing him to see how nervous I was around him. Once inside his home, I was surprised how modern and beautiful the kitchen was. He instantly flicked on a light, tossing my duffle to the floor.
He moved around me, heading toward a cabinet. It was late, although time had no relevance in his world. My mundane life as I’d known it seemed far removed from everything around me.
“What do you drink, Bristol?”
“I’m not thirsty.” When he stopped moving altogether, I rubbed my arms. “Whatever you’re having. I’m not picky.”
His laugh was slight. “You should always ask for what you want, Bristol.”
“Fine. Then whiskey. I’ll take a weapon and a car at the same time.”
“Ah, a woman of discerning tastes.”
“No, just a woman who needs liquid courage.”
“Courage you have. Unfortunately, a weapon is out of the question,” he continued.
“You forget I’m a trained kickboxer.”
“You’re right. Thank you for reminding me.” His chuckle was even darker than before. He was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort.
He took his time pouring two glasses, foregoing ice. As he turned, he studied me as intently as any other time. “Come with me. We’re going to talk. There’s no need for you to be concerned about what you will tell me.”
The man was so sure of himself, as if I’d simply fall into line like I was certain everyone else around him did. He nodded toward a doorway, waiting until I headed toward it to move himself.
Without wearing any panties, I felt so entirely exposed and the scent of him lingered on every surface of my skin. What drove me crazy was the scent of his aftershave. It was woodsy and dark, forbidden with exotic spices and touched with citrus like a sweet kiss of spring.
There was no getting away from him. Lights came on as soon as we moved from one room to another. At least I was able to have a better understanding of the prison he was about to lock me in.
His house was magnificent, so beautifully decorated that I was in awe. Everything had a place, completely organized. His tastes were exquisite. I don’t know what I’d expected, but this wasn’t it.
He finally led me to a beautiful and cozier room with a fireplace. There were bookshelves on two sides, full of books and art. As soon as I walked inside, I had to take a moment to admire his collection.
His presence was as electric as before, the heat of his massive body keeping me on edge.
“You seem surprised,” he stated in his deep baritone.
“I guess I am. I didn’t think you had time to read.”
Reaching around my waist, he waited until I accepted one of the thick tumblers. When I did, our fingers touched. I sensed I’d shuddered visibly. He lowered his head until his hot breath cascaded across the back of my neck. “Reading is essential when learning to run an empire.”
He moved around me, heading to one of the bookshelves, pulling a book from the shelf. “My father was an avid reader, which surprised not only his enemies, but his allies as well. He taught his children the importance of education, enlightenment that couldn’t be bought and sold. The greatest leaders in the world were highly intelligent and continued their education.”
“Is that what you’re trying to be, a great leader?”
The way he fingered the leather-bound edition was with reverence. “As least as good as I can be.”
“Which is why you graduated from Harvard, excelling in academics.”
His eyes twinkled as he lifted his head. “I’m curious how much you learned about me and my family.”
“Not nearly enough to understand your intentions.”
“With you or with business?”
“Everything.” I took a sip of my drink mostly to calm my nerves. Just being around him was otherworldly.
“With you my intentions are simple. I will gain the truth and try and shield you from whatever war could occur due to Sergio’s murder.”
“War. You make it sound like your business is nothing but a battle zone.”
He studied me, his brow furrowing. “There isn’t a successful business of any type in the world who doesn’t feel like the playing field is often a battleground, Bristol.”
“That’s not what we’re talking about. You intend on exacting your own form of revenge.”
Satisfied with the knot, I turned her to face me, gripping her jaw with one hand as I stroked her hair with the other. “I believe you’re many things, but you’re certainly not a murderer. Until you decide to stop lying to me, you’ll learn to obey me.”
When she opened her mouth to retort, I captured her lips, holding her in place as I thrust my tongue inside.
Her reaction was exactly like I’d suspected it would be, her fists pummeling against my chest, her body undulating in order to get out of my hold. But I also sensed something else in her. Lust. I’d felt it before, her pussy so wet and hot that it had nearly scalded my cock. There was a strangeness to the connection we shared, the sensations completely unexpected.
The kiss was damning as well as dangerous, my balls tightening to the point of anguish. Toying with her, even considering keeping her as my hostage was bad enough. Actually enjoying the taste of her was ridiculous, perhaps costly. There was a hell of lot to do, including cleaning up several areas of the family’s business. I certainly didn’t need to be pulled by my more carnal needs.
For a third time.
At least not until I had a handle on what I was dealing with.
When she bit down on my tongue, I reared back, lifting my arm to strike her, the reaction instantaneous. What the hell was I doing? She brought out more emotion in me than anyone had in my life.
“Go ahead, Mikhail. Punish me again. Won’t that make you feel better as a man?”
I curled my fingers, loathing what I’d almost done. When I rubbed my knuckles across her cheek, I felt something new.
Remorse.
Once again, she didn’t cower even though she had to know what my reaction would be.
Closing my eyes, I reined in my anger, slowly lowering my arm then gripping hers. “While I understand your frustration, you have zero choices. Your entire world now belongs to me. The sooner you learn to accept that, the better off it’s going to be for you.”
“Fuck you.”
“Fucking will definitely be one of the items on our agenda.” I turned her around to face the door. “Now, we are leaving. I’ll grab your things as you’ll need them for your stay with me.”
“You disgust me on every level, Mikhail. All the reports claiming you’re a monster are accurate.”
Leaning over, I took a deep breath, holding her sweet fragrance in my lungs. The scent of her feminine wiles was intoxicating. “Your body betrays you.” To prove a point, I rubbed her fully aroused nipple between my thumb and forefinger, my nostrils flaring when she moaned. When I twisted it as I’d done our first night together, she whimpered from pleasure, not pain.
“Bastard.”
Laughing, I enjoyed another five seconds before dragging her out of the bathroom. “If you make a single noise, it will be your last. If you try and remove your blindfold, I will punish you and this time, I won’t go easy.”
“Why, yes, sir,” she muttered with contempt.
After grabbing her bag, I led her through the house and outside. She didn’t fight me as I led her to my car, instead holding her head high.
As I eased her onto the passenger seat, securing her seatbelt, my thoughts become as concentrated as they were intense.
She would soon discover I was a man of my word.
Bristol would learn to obey me in every way even though her rebelliousness fueled my burning desire.
I would break her defenses.
I would enjoy her body’s betrayal.
And I would savor taking and tasting what I’d laid claim to.
What already belonged to me.
CHAPTER 20
Bristol
Fear was a strange animal, much like my nightmares had been since I was a child.
Once upon a time when I was little, I’d escaped from my mother’s arms. I’d been playing hide and seek, something we’d done for as long as my little brain could remember.
I became lost in a sea of bright lights and explosive sounds. Then a monster had come to take me away.
Yet instead of feeling terror, I’d felt safe in his arms. A big, strapping, dominant man.
Fleeting images had floated into my mind in the darkness, some so detailed I couldn’t breathe. Just like when the nightmares had plagued me while growing up.
The memories of my childhood often came in fleeting visions, usually in vivid colors and shapes that made little sense when trying to piece them together.
I had no idea why they were suddenly exploding in my mind, but instead of creating panic, they created a calm over me, a warm blanket to soothe my fears.
Even though I’d been taken captive by a highly dangerous man.
My skin continued to tingle from the passion we’d shared, the roughness igniting a powerful longing that continued to excite me.
He was close, omnipresent, his prowess even more powerful than the first night we’d shared. The moment was toxic, yet my core remained on fire.
How could I want something so blatantly wrong for me?
I concentrated on his breathing, trying to decipher what he was thinking. I knew why I’d become the subject of his interrogation but still felt I couldn’t reveal every detail of the truth. I felt as if I did, I’d lose the limited bargaining chip I had. Only this wasn’t a game and there would be no winners and losers. A man had lost his life in a brutal way and somehow, I’d become mixed up in the dangerous ploy.
Thinking clearly didn’t seem to be an option. Weighing the odds of survival seemed unforgiving. As promised, Mikhail was the kind of man who did what he wanted and took what he needed. And right now, I was ground zero of his desire.
He was also mine.
With a blindfold on, as I’d experienced before, my senses were highly concentrated, almost electric. Every noise was louder, every scent more pronounced.
But instead of using my sharp senses to memorize turns and traffic sounds, images of the same nightmare exploded in my mind. A little girl lost. Voices. My mother calling for me.
Gunshots.
The moment I shifted in the seat, I was reminded of the round of discipline. The pain was minimal, my body’s reaction caustic. I remained wet. Why was the dream coming to life right now? Was I trying to cling to some sense of normalcy to keep my mind from freaking out? I had no answer, but the images were clearer than ever before, not lost in the haze of sleep deprivation.
A man had come from the shadows, grabbing and tossing me to the ground. I’d screamed and screamed, but no one had come to save me.
Whether or not the memory was accurate I’d likely never know. I’d asked my mother several times if what I’d envisioned was true, but she’d acted as if I had a vivid imagination.
Why the images were running through my mind at this moment was beyond me, but my instinct told me they meant something vital. How strange.
Mikhail moved, the noises catching my attention and I was brought back to the ugly reality I was facing. I’d been kidnapped.
By him.
The man I couldn’t stop thinking about.
Obedience.
The thought had also played in and with my mind while Mikhail, AKA Mr. Asshole had driven through the city streets. I’d tried my best to pay attention and to see anything around the tightly knotted tie covering my eyes, but that had been impossible.
As the images of my past faded, I clamped my hands around the edge of the seat.
His silence had been as unnerving as everything he’d said to me prior to being taken from Josie’s house.
Like a prisoner.
Who was I kidding? I was his prisoner. Gone was the sophisticated, engaging man who’d literally swept me off my feet, his chivalrous behavior allowing me to trust him. Enough so I’d eagerly allowed him to blindfold and seduce me.
My instincts had obviously failed me. I’d always thought of myself as a good judge of character even when meeting someone for the first time. I’d incorrectly believed I’d honed those skills in college and law school since I’d spent a ginormous amount of time studying monsters of every creed, color, relation, background, and financial condition.
But somehow, I’d been blindsided by his charm and stunning good looks, enough to let my guard down.
Suddenly, his hand was on my leg and I froze, yet my reaction wasn’t about fear, but about another sense of longing.
“Relax, Bristol. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“If only I could believe you.”
He squeezed my knee and my pussy throbbed. When he pulled his hand free, I felt a crazy sense of loss.
The engine changed, the intense throbbing from before lessening as he slowed down.
Cause and effect.
Behavior and consequences.
Common sense and irrationality.
Even when it had become obvious he had ill intent, I’d been attracted to him. Perhaps more so than the first night. The lust-filled way he’d looked at me, the possessiveness in his eyes had incited hunger instead of fear.
But terror lingered just under the surface, digging at my insides. I was in a precarious position whether I wanted to believe so or not.
No one knew where I was. Not a soul.
Mikhail was using my lack of judgment and was doing a masterful job. My father could be ruined by my actions alone. No matter how I looked at things, I no longer had control of the situation. Or my life. Did I believe him capable of murder? That I wasn’t certain of, but kidnapping he’d obviously done before.
He was skilled.
Perhaps the one thing that had kept me from shutting down completely was the sadness I’d seen in his eyes when I’d asked about the man who’d been killed. While brief, the intensity of his darkness had held me in a trance. The pain was real. So was the anger against whoever had ended Sergio’s life.
Did Mikhail think I’d been responsible? No. But he was no fool, realizing I was hiding something. I’d yet to think of the phrase Sergio had said. I’d need to tell Mikhail something if I ever wanted to return to my life. The words were fading, but I would also never forget the strength with which Sergio had grabbed my arm. He’d been pleading with me, a stranger. This was utter madness.
Mikhail slowed the vehicle even more until we were barely crawling, finally stopping with the engine still revving. My breath hitched, a different set of tingles rushing through me. When he rolled forward again, a sound captured my attention. A garage door opener.
I sat still, even holding my breath.
When he cut the engine altogether, I didn’t know what to expect.
“Where are we?” I asked, loathing the tremor in my voice.
Never show fear, my father had told me more than once. Well, it was obvious he’d never been kidnapped.
The fact Mikhail remained quiet and unmoving meant he had no clue what to do with me. What I’d told him was true. Eventually my father would scour the city to try to find me, especially after the message I’d left for my sister.
“We’re at my house, Bristol. Far removed from the city. You will be safe here.”
Safe. Was there any such thing around him or his family?
A sudden burst of electricity slammed into my system as he crowded closer. Very gingerly he removed the blindfold. As soon as he did, he brushed his knuckles across my face just as he’d done before.
“I’ll say this again. I won’t hurt you, Bristol, as long as you obey the rules.”
A promise made. Could I believe him? And obey him? He had to be out of his mind.
Blinking several times, I sat very still while I allowed my eyes to become accustomed to the light. The garage was huge, meant for at least four vehicles. I caught a glimpse of at least two other vehicles including a sleek black Mercedes. I also thought I noticed a motorcycle, which surprised me. Maybe I’d thought a man of his status would have a bulletproof Escalade like the mobsters in the movies.
“How long are you going to keep me prisoner?”
His sigh was heavier than before. He pulled the ignition key, fingering the metal. “For as long as it takes. This is only just beginning.”
This. I assumed he meant another nightmare, only with real guns and monsters.
He slowly turned his head toward me, his face now expressionless. “You’re going to be a good girl?”
While a question, he was expecting only one answer.
“Yes.” For now, I’d give it to him. There was no other choice.
When he climbed out, I almost locked the doors. How ridiculous of me. After he grabbed my bag, he slowly made his way around to the other side of the vehicle.
Yet I didn’t move. Maybe I couldn’t move. I’d need to tell him what I knew, but what good would it do? What I’d already learned about him was that he’d go on a vendetta of his own, hunting and killing the person responsible. Whatever he gleaned from what little I knew he’d use.
He opened the door, waiting only a few seconds before reaching inside. “We don’t need to make this any more difficult than it already is.” While he wasn’t rough in pulling me from the vehicle, his grip was firm. Enough the force pulled me into his arms. I pushed my hands against him, fighting the strong urge I had, the electricity that refused to go away.
In the ugly fluorescent light, his gaze was different than before, piercing in a way that unnerved me. Almost as if he’d become unhinged during the drive. Maybe he was going to kill me after all. I couldn’t put anything past him, which meant I’d need to find a way to escape.
Without saying another word, he nodded behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see a door. There was nothing I could do but obey him. I hated the word and the thought. I wasn’t that kind of woman, which was why he wanted to break me. I’d heard the conviction in his voice, even thought he’d had a lilt while explaining exactly what he wanted to do.
My legs were shaking, but I did what I could to keep from allowing him to see how nervous I was around him. Once inside his home, I was surprised how modern and beautiful the kitchen was. He instantly flicked on a light, tossing my duffle to the floor.
He moved around me, heading toward a cabinet. It was late, although time had no relevance in his world. My mundane life as I’d known it seemed far removed from everything around me.
“What do you drink, Bristol?”
“I’m not thirsty.” When he stopped moving altogether, I rubbed my arms. “Whatever you’re having. I’m not picky.”
His laugh was slight. “You should always ask for what you want, Bristol.”
“Fine. Then whiskey. I’ll take a weapon and a car at the same time.”
“Ah, a woman of discerning tastes.”
“No, just a woman who needs liquid courage.”
“Courage you have. Unfortunately, a weapon is out of the question,” he continued.
“You forget I’m a trained kickboxer.”
“You’re right. Thank you for reminding me.” His chuckle was even darker than before. He was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort.
He took his time pouring two glasses, foregoing ice. As he turned, he studied me as intently as any other time. “Come with me. We’re going to talk. There’s no need for you to be concerned about what you will tell me.”
The man was so sure of himself, as if I’d simply fall into line like I was certain everyone else around him did. He nodded toward a doorway, waiting until I headed toward it to move himself.
Without wearing any panties, I felt so entirely exposed and the scent of him lingered on every surface of my skin. What drove me crazy was the scent of his aftershave. It was woodsy and dark, forbidden with exotic spices and touched with citrus like a sweet kiss of spring.
There was no getting away from him. Lights came on as soon as we moved from one room to another. At least I was able to have a better understanding of the prison he was about to lock me in.
His house was magnificent, so beautifully decorated that I was in awe. Everything had a place, completely organized. His tastes were exquisite. I don’t know what I’d expected, but this wasn’t it.
He finally led me to a beautiful and cozier room with a fireplace. There were bookshelves on two sides, full of books and art. As soon as I walked inside, I had to take a moment to admire his collection.
His presence was as electric as before, the heat of his massive body keeping me on edge.
“You seem surprised,” he stated in his deep baritone.
“I guess I am. I didn’t think you had time to read.”
Reaching around my waist, he waited until I accepted one of the thick tumblers. When I did, our fingers touched. I sensed I’d shuddered visibly. He lowered his head until his hot breath cascaded across the back of my neck. “Reading is essential when learning to run an empire.”
He moved around me, heading to one of the bookshelves, pulling a book from the shelf. “My father was an avid reader, which surprised not only his enemies, but his allies as well. He taught his children the importance of education, enlightenment that couldn’t be bought and sold. The greatest leaders in the world were highly intelligent and continued their education.”
“Is that what you’re trying to be, a great leader?”
The way he fingered the leather-bound edition was with reverence. “As least as good as I can be.”
“Which is why you graduated from Harvard, excelling in academics.”
His eyes twinkled as he lifted his head. “I’m curious how much you learned about me and my family.”
“Not nearly enough to understand your intentions.”
“With you or with business?”
“Everything.” I took a sip of my drink mostly to calm my nerves. Just being around him was otherworldly.
“With you my intentions are simple. I will gain the truth and try and shield you from whatever war could occur due to Sergio’s murder.”
“War. You make it sound like your business is nothing but a battle zone.”
He studied me, his brow furrowing. “There isn’t a successful business of any type in the world who doesn’t feel like the playing field is often a battleground, Bristol.”
“That’s not what we’re talking about. You intend on exacting your own form of revenge.”
