Chapter 12
Josette
The man was a monster.
What in God’s name had I seen in Sinclair, other than the obvious physical attraction?
He had no idea how terrified he’d made me, but not for the reason Sinclair had firmly transfixed in his mind.
Because of my past.
While the weapon had been pointed at Sinclair, I’d seen the look in the man’s eyes, nothing the mask could hide. As if I’d been the intended victim and certainly not for a robbery.
Inhaling, he closed his eyes briefly, as if my scent had intoxicated him. “Unfortunately, your answer isn’t good enough. I can see that you’re the kind of woman who needs to learn a valuable lesson.”
“A lesson? That I shouldn’t talk to criminals?”
He leaned in until our lips were only centimeters apart. “As I said, I’m prepared to do everything in my power to protect you as long as you cooperate. I assure you that being my enemy isn’t in your best interest. Do you understand what happens when that’s the case?”
If he was trying to scare me, he was doing a damn good job.
I had no idea what to say to him. He truly believed that I was working with the gunman.
I couldn’t figure it out, but arguing with him wasn’t going to change his mind.
“Why would I attempt to hurt you or your family, Sinclair? What would I have to gain? Are you thinking since the business I’ve worked so hard to keep is failing that I can extort money from you? ”
“No, I don’t think that’s what you’re doing.”
He was terribly infuriating.
“Then what?” While he believed I was the one lying, I could tell there was much more going on behind his icy eyes. Someone was challenging his world that was completely aside from a gunman appearing in a tiny coffee shop in a not so good part of town.
“That’s a very good question and I assure you that I am prepared to find out.
” Snickering, he brushed his lips across mine and I was thrown by the flurry of butterflies in my stomach, the way my pussy clenched and released more than once.
The masculine scent oozing from every single pore flowed into my nostrils, the fragrance taking my breath away.
Exotic.
Woodsy.
Delicious.
“Who contacted you to lure me to your coffee shop? It’s obvious someone saw us together and used you.”
I think my mouth was gaping open. “You mean after I arranged for you to hit my dog, I forced you into taking me to the vet for what, so that after the veterinary technicians fawned all over you, I could call in a couple bad guys, laying out a plan so you could be killed? I’m sure there are much more creative and better ways to hunt you down. ”
The angry words infuriated him, but too bad. Too fucking bad.
“Who?”
“No one!”
“Then I guess I have no choice but to punish you.”
I stared at him incredulously. This couldn’t be happening.
“Why don’t you tell me who you had inside your trunk.” Instantly, I knew accusing him of the same kind of heinous deed had been the wrong thing to do by the change in his expression. It was as if he’d lost all sense of feeling and emotion, the hard, cold look sending a wave of chills.
“I suggest you stay in your lane, Josette. Don’t ask questions when the answers will bring you nightmares.”
My God. He’d all but admitted there’d been someone in the trunk. “You killed him. Whoever was in the trunk you killed. Didn’t you?”
He chuckled in the same dark tone he’d used in our moment of passion. Only this was something much more sinister. “I did what was necessary to protect my family. Plus, I don’t like thieves.”
“You truly are worthy of everything the articles said about you.” I suddenly couldn’t stop shaking.
“There is much at stake in my life, people who will stop at nothing to try and eradicate my business, my family, and my life. That’s never going to happen.
” He moved between the door and the bed, taking a deep breath before unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves. “No matter who the perpetrator.”
The queasy feeling in my stomach multiplied. My mouth was dry, trying to think of something to say to get myself out of the situation. “Stop this, Sinclair. If I’d been working with this person, why did he attempt to kill me instead of you? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“Perhaps he didn’t. Perhaps it was merely a way in which to keep your persona of innocence while continuing to work for him. You’re a brave girl, Josette. While that’s an admirable trait, it doesn’t bode well for the situation that you’re in.”
I refused to beg. He wasn’t going to reduce me to that level. I stood my ground, taking shallow breaths and trying to keep my body from shaking. But when I darted my eyes toward the door, he laughed.
“Don’t try it, my petit menteur.”
“What the hell did you call me?”
He grinned. The bastard thought this was funny. “My little liar. Now, you’re going to be a very good girl because I know how much you want to see your dog again.”
“You’re threatening my baby? You fucking horrible man.”
“I’m not threatening to hurt Indiana, Josette. No matter what you believe, I’m not a monster.”
“I beg to differ.” While I backed away, I was completely aware there was nowhere to go. I couldn’t think straight.
“What I was saying is that being able to see your dog again will be an earned privilege. As long as you obey me and tell me what I need to know, you will be reunited in a matter of hours. If not, he’ll spend some time with me.”
“You son of a bitch.”
“Yes, I am. Now, prove to me that you’re going to do as I say. Remove your clothes.”
“I beg your pardon? How dare you!” I folded my arms across my chest, backing away.
“Come here.” His words weren’t a request, but a harsh demand.
I took a decided step away, debating whether I should attempt to run out of the room for a second time. But I had to think about Indiana. While I didn’t honestly believe he’d hurt my baby boy, I couldn’t take that chance.
“I said, come here. Do not make me ask you again.”
“Just leave me alone. Don’t you dare touch me.” I was surprised at the rebellion in my voice, but anger and frustration had swirled together to form some kind of backbone. I wasn’t going to allow this man to do anything to me.
His look of defiance, his strong jaw kept my attention. Why was he doing this? With his chest rising and falling, I sensed his anger was just below the surface. There was nothing else I could do but to obey him.
With my fingers fumbling, I yanked at my shirt. He’d seen me naked yet the heat covering most of my face indicated how embarrassed I was. This was crazy. How had I gotten here?
He took a deep breath, remaining where he was, yet the predatory sense about him was so strong, much like the scent of his power.
I turned away, fighting with my jeans. When I finally managed to pull my legs free, I took a deep breath.
“Your thong and bra as well.”
With a hard snap of my head, I glared at him with all the hatred I could feel. Every memory of the passion we’d shared faded completely away, leaving nothing but rage.
But I did as he asked, trying my best to hold my head high.
“Now, come here.” The way he beckoned me was as if he already had gained full control over me. To hell with him.
I slowly shook my head.
His sigh was heavy. Then I was shocked by his force and speed as he wrapped his hand around my hair, his fingers digging into my scalp.
I yelped, stars floating in front of my eyes, all the struggle crumbling away as I was forced to realize I had no ability to fight him. The pain was biting and when he twisted his hand, dragging me onto my toes, I let out a series of whimpers.
But I refused to beg.
“I can see that you clearly have no understanding of what kind of predicament you’re in. I’m the only man keeping you alive.”
When I hissed, he tossed me onto my stomach on the bed.
Something from deep within my psyche kicked in, my will to survive refusing to be taken by a monstrous man like Sinclair Prince.
At least not without a final fight.
I fought like hell, clawing the bedding and kicking first one leg then the other. No. No. No! This wasn’t going to happen. A whimper erupted from my throat, but the solid thud as my foot connected gave me enough energy to pounce forward, almost managing to tumble off the bed.
His guttural growl permeated the room, his anger resonating in the explosive heat that crawled up my legs, sending a shimmer of fear even as electricity threatened to consume me.
“Make no mistake, Josette. You belong to me. My property. My possession.”
Every sound he made created vibrations, my ears ringing.
“Never. That’s never going to happen.” I managed to crawl to the other side of the bed far too easily. He was goading me. I knew the moment he snatched my ankle, yanking me back with ease.
“While I will honor my promise to protect you, you will obey my rules or there will be consequences to pay.” Every syllable out of his mouth, every word indicated utter possession. Who the hell did he think he was?
“You can’t break me.”
“For such a beautiful woman, you have a nasty mouth. You’ll soon learn that disobedience requires swift punishment. That begins right now.”
I was completely exposed to the bastard.
Tears formed in my eyes, but another scent captured my senses.
I was wet. Jesus Christ. What was wrong with my body?
I was so wet that I could feel juice trickling down the insides of both thighs.
There was no doubt he could sense my arousal.
The scent was already floating between us.
“I hate you, you bastard.” Even my insistence held no real conviction.
“I find it curious that for a woman who hates me, you seem to be excited about the hard spanking I’m going to give you.”
Not a chance in hell. I fought him one last time, but I was exhausted, the adrenaline rush all but gone. My mind was once again a muddled haze, still trying to figure out why and how he believed I would dare try to help with having him killed.