CHAPTER 2 #2
"You’re lying," I choked out, pressing my palms flat against the unyielding glass behind me. "Trenton wouldn't do that. He couldn't. Shit... oh god, no."
Behind me, the city lights of Chicago sparkled in ignorant bliss. Millions of people out there, and I was completely severed from all of them.
Leon stepped directly into my personal space. His chest was inches from mine. He planted both of his large hands on the glass on either side of my head, caging me in. His shadow completely covered my face, plunging me into his darkness.
"Look at me," he commanded.
I tried to turn my head.
"You’re out of room, Alessia," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "Is this the part where you beg?"
My breath hitched. With every panicked inhalation, my chest brushed against the fine cotton of his shirt.
I swallowed hard, the movement of my throat almost touching the knot of his open collar.
The primal, lizard part of my brain was screaming at me that this man was the apex predator, and my biology was betraying me.
The intense blue of his irises locked onto mine.
"Your heart is moving very fast," he noted, feeling the vibration of it through the scant air between us. "Are you going to fight me, or are you going to break? You smell like fear and expensive soap."
He released the glass with his right hand and reached out.
I shuddered violently as his rough, calloused fingers grazed my jawline.
He tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind my ear, his bruised knuckles scratching against my sensitive skin.
His thumb dragged slowly across my lower lip, pulling it down just a fraction.
It was a terrifyingly gentle touch. A possessive claim.
"Beautiful little liar," he murmured. "I’ve waited three years to see the real you. Don't look away."
He leaned down. The prickle of his morning stubble scratched against my jaw. His nose brushed the side of my neck as he inhaled my scent deeply, his lips hovering mere inches from my earlobe. The heavy scent of vetiver washed over me.
"Alessia," he whispered into the shell of my ear. The gravelly sound of my real name on his tongue sent a massive shiver straight down my spine. "Such a sharp, pretty name. I know everything about you now. Every secret. Every sin. Welcome home."
He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, the twisted seduction evaporating into cold, hard authority. He tapped the spot on my collarbone with a blunt fingernail, right over my silk blouse.
"Give me the wire, Alessia."
I froze.
"I don't like being recorded in my own home," he said smoothly. "Strip it off, or I’ll do it for you. And I won't be as gentle as you'd like."
I stared at him with pure, unadulterated hatred.
He crossed his arms over his massive chest, giving me just enough physical space to comply.
My mind was screaming. Taking off that wire was active sabotage.
It was crossing the line from undercover agent to active participant.
But his eyes were dead serious. He would rip my clothes off in the middle of this room if I said no.
I licked my dry lips, darting my eyes toward the locked door one last time before glaring back at him.
"You’re a monster," I said, my voice trembling with rage. "I hate you. I hope you know that. Fine. Fuck you."
I didn't break eye contact. I reached up with clumsy, shaking fingers and unbuttoned the top two buttons of my blouse.
The cool penthouse air hit the sweat on my chest. I reached inside, finding the edge of the high-end micro-transmitter taped to my collarbone.
I dug my nail under the adhesive and ripped it off in one sharp, violent motion.
The sting brought hot tears of frustration to my eyes.
A bright red welt appeared instantly on my pale skin.
The tiny copper thread of the wire snapped.
"Is this what you wanted?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Here. Take your pound of flesh. Motherfucker."
I held the small, black device in my palm for a split second.
Leon watched it. I didn't hand it to him.
I dropped it onto the floor and brought the heel of my designer shoe down on top of it with crushing, vicious force.
The plastic shattered. The delicate circuitry ground into the marble.
I twisted my heel on the debris, pulverizing my last connection to the right side of the law.
"There. It’s dead. Just like everything else," I breathed heavily, my blouse still half-unbuttoned, my chest heaving. "Happy now? Go ahead. Laugh."
Leon looked down at the mangled tech on the floor, and then back up at my face. A slow, dark, genuine smile spread across his lips, though it didn't quite reach the ice in his eyes. He reached out and calmly buttoned the top button of my blouse for me. A mocking act of care.
"I knew you were the right choice," he said quietly. "We’re going to get along just fine, Alessia. Welcome to the Syndicate."
Deep in the walls, the heavy steel deadbolts of the penthouse re-engaged with a solid, echoing thud. I stared at the crushed wire on the floor. My badge was twenty feet away. My file was on the table. He didn't lock an agent in here. He locked in a ghost.