“Lorenzo Francesco. Your reputation precedes you. You were quite… fascinating to follow over the last few years.” He didn’t bother standing, merely lifting his thick crystal tumbler and taking a massive swig.
I was surprised at his level of drama. I would have thought this kind of behavior was beneath him given his method of killing was savage.
“Where is the girl?” I asked.
“Where is information?”
“What information?”
Riled, he jerked up from the chair, taking long strides in my direction. “Don’t fuck with me, Lorenzo. I am in no mood. You are perfectly well aware of what I am speaking of. A simple trade. The data in exchange for her life.”
I tilted my head, offering a wide grin. “You certainly haven’t learned the kind of man I am. I never make deals. While the female was tasty, she was a toy and nothing more.”
“Then why were you protecting her?” Konstantin threw out. He grinned as if the information was shocking. “Of course I’ve had your house watched for weeks. I also had you followed. You really do need to work on your security game.”
At least I knew how my cabin had been located. “Did you ever think that perhaps I was luring you into a trap?”
His grin faded and he sniffed, looking away briefly. “Well, it is apparent that you had feelings for the girl. Didn’t you spend time with her in Mexico years before? Yes, I have a glossy photograph of the two of you at a tiki bar. I must admit, the island shirt does suit you.”
To know that my family had indeed been watched for years was disconcerting, another reason to kill the motherfucker.
“I was using the girl and nothing more, gathering the precious information that you seem terrified will get into the wrong hands. When I play, I play to win, Konstantin. Your futile attempt at destroying my organization was amateurish.”
I was delighted that my statement had infuriated him. I held my look of glee as he fumed, able to dart a few glances around the room.
“If that is so then we have nothing to discuss,” he finally said, moving back to his throne.
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m going to offer you a single reprieve, Konstantin. Leave my city tonight and catch the next flight out to Moscow. Disband your army before I make the call to have them killed.”
He stared at me incredulously, finally bursting into laughter. “I was misinformed about you. You’re a fool. My army is prepared to crush your ugly little city and that’s only the beginning.” He lifted what appeared to be a small remote, pressing a button.
Within seconds, Sierra came into view, her lovely naked body secured by thick leather straps. The fucking ‘X’ cross had been positioned directly under a hanging light, illuminating her beautiful face. I was furious immediately, prepared to beat the shit out of him, which is exactly what he wanted.
It took everything I had not to react in any manner.
Huffing, Konstantin seemed perturbed that I’d passed his test, jumping up and moving in her direction. “Oh, little slut. Lift your head. You have a visitor.”
When she opened her eyes, struggling with her bindings, I realized I wouldn’t be able to hold back for long. Sierra finally lifted her head, relief rushing into her red eyes. She’d been crying. I was sick inside, my heart racing. I’d failed in my effort to protect her. I’d failed in every attempt at keeping her safe.
I would never forgive myself.
“She’s quite the handful,” he said, laughing.
Fuck me, the man was going to suffer.
“Now,” he said as he tweaked her nipple, twisting brutally until she cried out, but not only from pain, from anger. “I think we need to start our conversation again. Don’t you? It’s obvious we have much to discuss.”
I could see the rebellious girl was still inside, his effort to break her unsuccessful. She hissed, giving him a vile look before turning her attention toward me. And I could swear I was able to read her thoughts. I remained silent, the single slight noise from the background just as I’d anticipated.
“As we speak, my men are on their way to kill your father. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to live, Lorenzo. I am now in control of your city, your port, and your men. Taking and using your woman is merely a perk.” Konstantin inhaled, closing his eyes. The fucker truly believed he’d gotten the better of me.
That’s the moment I noticed Axel moving out of the shadows, his weapon positioned in both hands.
Another wise statement my father had taught me long ago. Never allow arrogance to blindside you. “Fuck. You.” I shifted, twisting my body and kicking the gun out of Axel’s hand a split second before he managed to take a single shot. When I lunged, knocking him to the floor, all hell broke loose.
Within seconds, the entire room was filled with men, my men. I’d calculated the timing well, knowing the arrogant prick had brought me to the club for a single purpose.
Taking out his enemy.
Sadly, Sierra had been the bait.
I didn’t waste additional time with Axel, grabbing the weapon he’d attempted to use and putting a bullet between his eyes. When I turned, the sight of the other members of the alliance surrounding Konstantin was a beautiful moment.
The Russian was… distraught. I merely walked between my friends, moving to within an inch of the asshole. “If you honestly believed that you had the muscle or the intelligence to try and take over a single mile in this country, you were dead wrong. Now, it’s time for you to meet your maker.”
I merely stepped out of the way, shifting all my attention to Sierra, my fingers fumbling as I attempted to unfasten the crude shackles.
The volley of gunfire was like sweet music, perfect in pitch.
“You came for me,” she whispered in a strangled voice.
“I told you that no matter where you were, I’d find you.” As I gathered her into my arms, blocking her view of the ongoing carnage, I whispered the words that I’d longed to tell her for so long. “I love you, Sierra, with all of my heart.”
Sierra
Love.
The single word had replaced the ugliness of terror that had almost stripped me of my fight to live, even though I continued to worry about death.