Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
C hristos
“You’ll be safe here.”
Valencia had said almost nothing after leaving the hospital. Her face had remained pensive during the drive, staring out the passenger window as I’d taken the curves way too sharply. Anger continued to boil my blood. It was a trait I had little control over. Now, inside my house, she stood staring out the window of the family room. I could easily tell she wasn’t looking at anything specifically. She was staring off into space.
“Is there anywhere safe in your world?” she asked. Her tone was soft, guarded.
I walked closer, trying my best to keep my distance. She wasn’t in the mood for coddling and given my reservations and doubts, I was finding it difficult to dispense comforting words. “What did you take from spending time with my family?”
The question caught her off guard and she finally tilted her head in my direction. “That you’re very close. That you love each other tremendously and would do anything in your power to keep the others safe.”
“That includes you.”
“I don’t need protecting, Christos. I simply want to return to my life. I don’t belong here and there’s nothing you can say or any words of encouragement to change my mind. I’m not going to say I made a mistake attending the wedding, but I’m also not going to say it altered my earlier decision.”
As soon as I touched her arm, she flinched. “You’re afraid of me.”
“Of what you can do? Absolutely. I heard enough of your phone calls to know you’re already hunting the person responsible.”
I fisted my hand just as I’d done in the hospital. “What would you have me do?”
“Call the police. Let them handle it.”
Laughing, I forced her to face me, her body stiffening as soon as I did. “The police aren’t going to do anything.”
“Because they’re afraid or because you own them?”
Why lie to her? “A little of both.”
“At least you were honest with me.”
“I haven’t lied to you and I won’t.”
“Then what are you going to do to the people you believe responsible?”
Her eyes were so damn imploring. She was a true believer in good versus evil when I’d learned there were two sides to every human being. Sadly, greed and entitlement had taken over, leaving common sense and decency in the dust. “They will pay the consequences.”
“Just say it, Christos. They will be killed.” Her voice was filled with exasperation.
“Yes.”
Valencia nodded several times, her jaw clenched. “I can’t and won’t be a part of that. I will stay for another two days to continue to care for your father as well as I can, but I am booking a flight home. A commercial flight.”
“I’m afraid I can’t allow you to do that.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Her eyes were filled with defiance, her mouth twisted in anger.
“My words are frank and easy to understand. You’re not going anywhere.”
“So, I have been a prisoner this entire time.”
“You’re not a prisoner, Valencia. You’re in danger.”
She laughed, the sound so bitter that a part of me cringed inside. “That’s because you placed me in danger with the photographs.”
“Unintentionally.”
The slight roll of her eyes said clearly she didn’t believe me. “You can’t keep me here.”
As I’d done so many times, I crowded her space, only she shifted away as much as the space would allow her. “I can and I will in order to keep you safe. I care about you, Valencia. There are forces at work that will do what’s necessary to bring down my family. Including using you.”
“They don’t know me. Well, I guess they do to a point.” Every word dripped of sarcasm.
She was right to blame me. The risk I’d taken had backfired.
I shook my head, longing to touch her, to hold her. She needed to understand what we could be facing. Pulling away, I headed to the table where I’d placed the envelope. “Have a look at these.”
She lifted her head, her defiance even more pronounced, but she took the envelope, opening the flap. As she pulled the pictures into her hands, I noticed her brow furrowing. “What is this? Wedding pictures?”
“Four of the ten include you in the frames. Doesn’t that suggest anything to you?”
A few seconds later she lifted her head, her gaze meeting mine. “Who sent these to you?”
“Someone who also issued a threat.”
Her expression faltered, her lower lip quivering for a few seconds only until she gave me a hard look. “They’re telling you I’m a liability. Whoever this monster is.”
“The bastard is suggesting that you are a weakness. And you are.”
She glanced at the photographs again before handing them back to me. “I can’t stay here. You know that. I have Magnum. He might be a dog to everyone else, but he’s my son.”
“I’m sorry, but the only place I can keep you safe is right here in my home.”
“This isn’t my home.”
Sighing, I knew I’d never find the right words. “This is for now. Your sister is caring for him. Yes?”
“Yes.”
“Call her. Just ask her to take care of him for a little while longer. From what you’ve told me, she’ll be happy to do so. Make certain she knows you’re doing fine and enjoying yourself. But do not tell her that you’re in danger. Do you understand me?” I wasn’t prepared to tell her I might be accompanying her to New York. The option was there, but one I didn’t like. I’d already placed her in harm’s way.
“You want me to lie to her.”
She was a tough woman, more so than I’d given her credit for. “I want you to ensure she remains safe as well. Nothing more.”
Her laugh was more bitter than ever. “You’re threatening me and my sister. You’ve sunk to a new low.”
“Not in the least. I would never intentionally harm or mislead you. And certainly not your sister. That doesn’t mean there won’t be people waiting and watching.”
“Like during the wedding.”
“Possibly.” I rubbed my temple. Another headache had formed, the ache dull, yet fragmenting my thoughts.
Valencia cocked her head. “Are you insinuating I would intentionally mislead you?”
“I’m not insinuating anything.”
The way she moved toward me forced my body to stiffen. “That’s not going to fly with me. I call bullshit. You said something at the hospital as if I was out to betray you. Just tell me what you’re talking about. My father? What about my father?”
She was as hardheaded as I was and attempting to deceive her wasn’t going to do any good. The woman could easily see right through me. “Your father is on various committees with the Senate.”
“Yes, I already told you that. So what?”
“Including one regarding various mafia organizations. Including one with the father of a man I was attempting to enter into a contract with before I was almost killed.”
Her laugh was spontaneous. “I honestly have no idea what my father is involved in. He doesn’t talk about his work and I have no time to grill him on what he’s doing. So what if he is? You’re in Greece. Neither he nor anyone else in the United States has any authority over you or what you do. Including murder.”
“That’s not necessarily true.”
“Right. You’re attempting to do business in New York, and it went south.”
It was my turn to smirk. “Correct. We’ve spent far too much money to allow the deal we brokered months ago to be stripped away. We will get what we want.”
“Including revenge. What are you getting at with regards to my father? Just spit it out.”
“Does the name Kenneth Baker mean anything to you?”
“No. Why should it?” Valencia eyed me skeptically.
“Because he’s your father’s best friend.” It was a trifecta of circumstances that couldn’t be shoved aside.
I wasn’t expecting her reaction. She moved toward me quickly, cracking her hand across my face. The sting was harsh, but the pain derived from knowing I’d just broken the limited amount of trust we’d shared.
“How fucking dare you. How fucking…” She backed away as if I’d retaliate. “You think I had something to do with your shooting. And the horrible experience at the wedding? You think what? I planned it? Oh, maybe I was a lookout using some crazy form of communication to entrap you. You really believe that I’m working with my father to destroy a crime regime thousands of miles away? Are you fucking mad? I saved your life. I saved your father’s life at the risk of my own. Do you not get at all that I found myself caring about your family? About you?” When I didn’t answer right away, she took another step out of my reach. “I was such a fool.”
Her glare was harsh and I looked away, shifting my aching jaw back and forth. Of all the times I’d questioned those who’d dared cross my family, this time I felt guilt and anger at myself.
“I had to ask, Valencia. There’s too much at stake with my family.”
There was something so unnerving about her long, hard stare. As if the beautiful woman was looking right through me, snagging a portion of my blackened soul. “And my life and that of my family doesn’t matter. Does it?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“You didn’t need to, Christos. Your actions speak loud and clear. I will care for your father until he’s released and I will contact my sister, even obeying your goddamn rules for now. But hear me. I will not be kept your prisoner under any circumstances. If you dare try and stop me, I assure you I will find a way to destroy you myself. Now, I’m going to my room. Don’t bother locking me in. I won’t be leaving.”
She stormed toward the door and as unnatural as it would seem, my desire for her roared to the surface. The feisty woman should know by now there was no getting away from me. I grabbed her arm, yanking her around to face me. This time, I wrapped my hand around her throat, digging my thumb into the soft flesh under her chin. “You need to listen to me, Valencia. I care about you. Too much. So much so that I let my guard down when inviting you to the wedding. I placed you in harm’s way and because of my fucking need to fuck you, I almost lost you. That is never going to happen again as long as I live. And I will stop at nothing to keep that promise to you. Do you hear me?”
“Are you going to kill me? If so, do it. Now.”
Dear God, what the woman did to me. I wanted nothing more than to turn her over my knee, spanking some sense into her. I wanted to shout to the hills the way I felt about her. I wanted to fuck her until she couldn’t stand straight.
I was losing all sense of control. Because of her. “No. Never.”
I had the distinct feeling she wanted to spit in my face. She held her head up with as much defiance as possible, both her eyes filled with venom, but also so much more. She had the same burning hunger infesting her system I’d experienced from the moment I laid eyes on her. Her needs were spiraling out of control much like mine were.
“I hate you,” she hissed.
“Hate me all you want. That won’t change the way I feel about you.”
Instead of attempting to defy me by escaping, she threw her arm around my neck, fisting the back of my hair as she pushed against me with all her might. As soon as she captured my mouth, I loosened my hold, sliding my hand down the loose-fitting scrub top she’d been given at the hospital, cupping her rounded bottom.
Valencia thrust her tongue inside, gasping for air as her kiss became rougher than any before. She was almost desperate, her moans filtering into my mouth as she tangled her fingers, pulling my hair and grinding her body against mine.
I was blinded by desire, tortured by the need for her. I lifted her into the air, taking long strides, my intention to race up the stairs to my room. But I couldn’t wait that long. Neither could she. She started ripping at my clothes, jerking my belt until she was able to unfasten my trousers. The kiss continued, rough and harsh, our lips locked together as I dominated her tongue.
Every breath she took became mine.
Every moan was seductive music.
The taste of her was sweeter than ever, boosting the hunger until flashes of light flowed back and forth in front of my eyes. The sound of the buttons of my shirt popping, dropping to the floor only fueled both of us. She squirmed in my hold and as I slammed her against the wall, the force momentarily broke our connection.
Her laugh was husky, entirely different. “Fuck me. I need you. Us. Just do it.” Her eyes were lit with fire as she issued the command.
I smiled at her wryly, yanking the drawstring on the cheap material hiding her soft curves from me. As soon as I ripped them down along with her thong, she fought to get them off her feet, moaning the entire time.
With a devilish smile, she pushed down both sides of my trousers, freeing my aching cock. I’d never felt such agony from how hard I’d become. There was no pretense, no time to waste or I’d go mad from the intense longing.
I drove my cock into her sweet pussy, immediately roaring like a wild beast from how her pussy muscles clamped around my thick shaft.
“Fuck. Fuck,” she murmured while clawing at my shirt, managing to rip both sides over my shoulders. Her long nails dug into my flesh, ripping at my skin. I didn’t give a shit. Being marked by her was a sheer joy, the kind of crazed pleasure I would remember for nights to come.
But there would be more. I’d fuck her constantly, chaining her to my bed. There would be no escape for the beautiful creature. She was mine. Mine. All mine. My mind was a foggy mess as I pulled out, slamming into her again. The hard thud against the wall ripped the breath from her.
Yet she didn’t seem to care.
She was on fire herself, wrapping her legs around me, riding me like a wild stallion. I loved every second of her letting loose, forcing me to fill her. I pulled out again and she mewed, her eyes opening wide.
“Don’t stop. Just don’t stop.”
“We’re just beginning, my angel,” I growled, driving into her again. And again. I lost myself in her, plunging my cock in as deep as physically possible. We were out of control together, unable to think clearly. Who the fuck cared?
I pushed her harder, every muscle in my body tense. She scratched my neck, laughing softly. Her eyes were completely dilated and I adored the way she was bucking against me. I wanted to do this for hours, but was already losing my usual stamina. She was so wet and tight, so damn hot I couldn’t breathe.
Her body jerked and I knew she was close to orgasming. So close. I fucked her even harder, the sound of my brutal actions filtering into the room all around us. What did it matter? I yanked one arm over her head then the other, folding my fingers over hers as she undulated and moaned.
I was mesmerized by the way her long eyelashes floated across her shimmering cheeks, the light tossing of her head as she shifted into the throes of rapture.
“Come for me, little angel. Come.” My voice was breathless, barely recognizable. The rush of blood to my heart was keeping spots in front of my eyes. Beads of sweat had formed, dripping down the back of my neck. I didn’t care. More. More.
I needed more.
“Oh. Oh. Oh.” Her pants became moans, her moans turning into a single shrill yelp as she erupted in the most beautiful climax. I didn’t slow down, fucking her even harder. I was a crazed man in need, refusing to back down, giving her what she deserved.
And what we both needed.
The closeness. The electricity. The understanding.
Right now, we were as one. Together, we could get through anything.
“Yes. Oh…” She finally opened her eyes as her body stopped spasming, licking her lips just to torment me.
I pulled out, holding just the tip of my cock inside even as she struggled to free her arms. That wasn’t happening. I thrust into her again, sensing I wouldn’t be able to hold out for much longer. The little vixen felt the urgency of my desire, squeezing her muscles around my cock.
That was all I could take. “Fuck. Fuck.” Every muscle was twitching, tense as they’d ever been. There was no holding back. I erupted deep inside, filling her with my seed and longing to cover every inch of her body with my cum.
I didn’t stop, fighting to remain hard as a rock. She undulated against me, her eyes now open wide. The smile on her face was almost devious and I loved it. Finally, as I started to slow the rhythm, I allowed her to free her hands.
She wrapped both around my neck, squeezing her legs against my hips. Damn, this felt so good.
“Boss, I need to talk to you… Well, fuck!” Elias hissed the last words as he entered the room, immediately turning away and placing his hand across his eyes.
I chuckled after glancing in his direction, returning my attention to my lovely guest. “Business calls, my sweet.” I kissed her lips softly.
“I can see that.”
“Why don’t you head up to your room. I have your things already there. Last door on the right. I’ll be there after I’m finished and we can enjoy a drink while I show you around your new home.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” I backed away, giving her time to grab her scrubs and hurriedly dress.
“Elias,” she said as she passed him, hanging in the doorway for a few seconds. There was something strange about the look in her eyes. While lust remained, I couldn’t read what else. I nodded and her slight smile brought me some sense of relief.
I waited until she was halfway up the stairs before moving in front of Elias.
“I’m sorry, boss. I had no idea,” he muttered.
“Don’t worry about it. What do you need?”
“One of our men found the photographer. He’s being held at your father’s bunker so you can have a conversation with him.”
“Excellent work. Yes, I think it’s time we end the reign of terror. Don’t you?” I laughed as I asked the question and his eyes lit up.
He knew what that meant.
I was ready to spill blood.