I could tell I’d piqued his interest. “Go on,” he instructed.
For some reason, I was thrown into the past; the laughter we’d shared, the hours spent exploring the darkness. I’d let myself go with him, something I’d never done before. He’d broken through every barrier, dragging the woman hiding behind the mask into the light. I’d relished every moment, enjoying the attention and the harsh discipline.
This time was different.
This time was forever.
“When I met with Lucas, he had some details of a few attorneys he knew who looked the other way, allowing low-level criminals to walk away scot free. I wasn’t interested in hearing about a few hookers and pimps being let off the hook and he knew that. I was honest with him, letting him know how I felt and that I needed more, especially since he’d lured me in with bigger fish. He threw out a few other names. I investigated but there was no evidence and my boss wasn’t having anything to do with it. I pressed Lucas harder. It took time, but he began to tell me stories of behind the scenes activities with local politicians, various law enforcement officers, and other corporate moguls he suspected were working with organized crime.”
“Let me guess. You believed it was with my family originally.”
“You can’t honestly tell me that you haven’t bought off your share of people of influence, allowing you free rein in this town. I can only imagine the powerful men and women on your list.” I gave him a wry smile.
He chuckled, the sound floating around my body in a far too sensual manner. “You are very intelligent, doll.”
“Yeah, I do my homework. Unfortunately, a week later, he almost recanted, saying there was even a larger player in town. By that point, he was terrified or honestly paranoid. The things he was saying didn’t make a lot of sense. I was ready to break off all contact when he insisted that he had tangible evidence.”
“All right. What happened last night after you met him?”
“I told you before that we met at a bar. He insisted that I had to go with him to an undisclosed location to gather this evidence, assuring me that it was safe. He wouldn’t tell me a thing on the way over.” I took several sips of wine in an effort to calm my nerves. “With every mile, he got more nervous, driving erratically, taking various side streets after insisting we’d been followed. I had no idea where we were going.”
“And you didn’t have your phone with you?” he asked incredulously.
“He wouldn’t allow me to carry a phone. You have to keep in mind that I’d met with him eight times before. I had my car key tucked into my pocket, the gun in a holster strapped to my leg. I doubt he would have allowed me to carry that, so he didn’t know I had the weapon with me. I might be a fool, but I’m not stupid and I do know how to use a gun.”
He chuckled, as if my statement amused him. “I’ll keep that in mind. I have your key. If you’ll tell me where you left your car, I’ll have one of my soldiers pick it up, but as you can imagine, I’ll have your vehicle stored for safe keeping. No one can know you’re here.”
“Except for that man who burst in.”
Lorenzo’s upper lip curled, the intrusion something he’d obviously hated. “An inconvenience, but the man is important to my father.”
“I understand. We all have our crosses to bear.” There was no sense in fighting. I was too drained and exhausted.
“An interesting way of putting it. What happened in that alley, Sierra?”
Another gulp of wine did little to take away the tremors. “Lucas said he was taking me to a particular location, that he’d stored vital information in a place where no one would find it. There was no one around us. He made certain and we were very cautious when we entered the alley. Before we could even get more than a few feet in, we heard a pinging noise then a man stepped out of the shadows. He grabbed Lucas by the hair, dragging him back several feet and…” I took a few shallow breaths.
“Take your time.”
I shifted the wine from one hand to the other, finally grabbing the bottle and refilling my glass. “Everything happened quickly. He dragged the knife across Lucas’ throat then proceeded to jam the blade into his abdomen several times and… And this asshole was watching me the entire time, grinning like some insane person. I couldn’t scream. He lunged for me, which is how I got the cut on my hand,” I said, finally able to envision exactly how it had occurred. “Finally, my will to live kicked in and I took off running. I don’t remember when I reached for the gun, but I knew he was right behind me. After dropping and kicking the damn weapon, I didn’t have time to scramble and try and find it. I could hear at least three sets of footsteps running after me.”
“How the hell did you get away? As I said, he has men everywhere. One call and every street would have been blocked off.”
“I don’t know. I hid for a little while then took off running again. The cab just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“A cab in Fuller Park,” he said half under his breath, a smile crossing his face. “Something smells.”
“What are you thinking?” I asked, almost eagerly.
“Not sure yet, but I’m going to check out a few things, doll. You’re going to lay low here and do what I say.”
“Yeah. Sure. Whatever you say. Sir.”
He reached out, gripping my face and dragging me toward him. “One day you’re going to learn that obeying me is exactly what you’ve craved all these years. On that day, you’re going to relish in calling me your master.”
“I doubt it.” Even as I said the caustic words, I knew better. Every part of my body was quivering from the fire searing every inch. I could tell he was ready to devour me.
Would there always be this kind of tension between us? Would I ever be able to learn to care about him? Shit. I was already thinking about this as a permanent arrangement.
He brushed his index finger across my jaw brutally. “I know how difficult this is for you but the moment you walked into my house, you knew what you were getting in the middle of. Don’t play a fool with me, Sierra. Your obedience isn’t a question, your respect something I also require.”
I was ready to jerk away from him, but my entire body screamed of the need to be around him, to be consumed by him. “Fine. I do appreciate your help, Lorenzo. I didn’t know who to go to. I honestly wasn’t thinking clearly. I was terrified. Is that what you wanted to hear, that you’re the only man I thought of, the only one I knew who could help me?” My sincerity seemed to surprise him.
Softening, he eased up on his grip, giving a single nod. “You did the right thing. You did the only thing you could do. Axel will never stop hunting you but I assure you, he’ll never be able to get his hands on you ever again.” He took the glass from my hand, placing both on the counter and taking me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. This wasn’t the man from only hours before. This was the way he’d been four years before. I didn’t want to care about him in any manner and I wasn’t certain I could handle the mobster side of him.
When he wrapped his arms around me, I shivered and not from any concept of cold or fear. The man had a way about him; larger than life, dangerous and protective all at the same time. He cupped my face and the way he was looking into my eyes reeked of passion, even remorse to some degree.
“I…”
He placed his thumb across my mouth, shaking his head. “Sshhh… Let what happened last night go for now. You’re safe here with me.”
I gave him a single nod, although I think we both knew I wasn’t going to be able to forget about anything. Yet when his nostrils flared, his eyes burning into mine and his thumb sliding past my pursed lips, I was momentarily suspended in time. All the magic we’d shared before seemed to come sweeping back, crowding against the other emotions in an effort to take control.
All the nights I’d sworn never to think about him again, all the days I’d cursed his name seemed to float away.
The taste of him was sweet and salty, the scent exotic. I sucked on his thumb, watching as his pupils dilated, his chest rising and falling raggedly. He flexed his other fingers, pressing the tips against my face. Then he curled his lip, taking several breaths before fisting my hair and towering over me. “You belong to me. No one will ever fucking touch you again. Not in pleasure. Never in pain.”
There was such conviction in his voice, as if my presence was his life’s blood.