Chapter 27
J ago
Kruz’s inquiries into Fassi had come up empty-handed yet again as they had for over two days.
Navarro hadn’t been any more successful in obtaining information on the streets no matter the threats issued. Fassi and his men had all but disappeared from view, which meant they were lying in wait plotting their next move.
I knew their methods well. Snakes worked much the same way.
“Jago?” Kruz asked.
The bastard had left the wedding ceremony alone and in truth, I had my doubts he or his savage soldiers would make an appearance at the reception. He knew there’d be extra security.
From where I stood in the back of the private room, I was able to keep my eye on Genevieve. She’d finally allowed herself to relax, dancing with anyone who asked. She’d done so in deference to my refusal to step foot on the dance floor.
My fingers were wrapped tightly around the glass of bourbon, yet I’d had very few gulps since snatching it from the bartender’s hand. Just when I was about to answer my soldier, she turned her head toward me, beckoning me with a single finger.
The room was crowded, surprisingly so. The invitations had gone out hurriedly by email and I’d expected less than half the people.
It would seem our wedding was the event of the year.
I snickered at the thought. Even my mother and father, rarely seen together over the last few years, were enjoying themselves.
Both genuinely seemed to adore Genevieve.
It had almost seemed like he’d forgiven me for all the suffering he’d accused me of.
To my bride’s credit, she’d maintained a facade that most Hollywood actresses would be envious of. All I could do was watch her, enjoying the view while fuming over the events of the last few days.
“Jago.” Kruz was more insistent.
“What?” I was still on edge, furious we’d yet to find anything.
“Jesus. I thought you’d be in a better mood. You just married a beautiful woman.”
Jealousy shot a strange shot of current through me and I snapped my head in his direction. “Unless you’re here to tell me you found something, then my mood stands.”
“No, I came to tell you the security hasn’t been breached, which I thought you’d be happy in hearing.”
“Unless you caged some animals, nothing will make me happy at this point.”
“Why don’t you dance with your bride? Maybe that will coax you out of your snit.”
“My what?”
“You heard me.”
She’d been even more resilient over the last two days since I’d bared my soul, but there was a still a thick wall between us. Perhaps I’d mistakenly believed sex could cure that for us. All the passion had done was create additional rage in my need to protect her. “I’m not in a snit.”
“Yes, you are,” he said, chortling as he always did when I became stubborn.
“Fuck you.”
“You just got married. You’re trying to maintain an act, but you’re sulking in the shadows. Go talk to her. Dance with her. Go make babies or something.”
“I’m not sulking. I’m contemplating.”
“Oh, that’s what you call it now.” He sighed, knowing I wasn’t going to budge. “Are you still catching a flight?”
“I owe her a honeymoon. It’s the least I can do.”
“Are you certain that’s wise?”
“We’ll be fine for a couple days.”
He grinned and his eyes reflected amusement. “She got to you. Didn’t she?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Didn’t she tell you she feels like the castle is a prison?”
I stared down at my drink before sucking down the entire amount. “Some prison. She has everything at her disposal including a staff who’ll do anything for her.”
“Uh-huh. With thick cinderblock walls. I can see how she’d feel that way, but suddenly leaving town is a dangerous stretch.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“In hopes of her being compliant. Right? That’s what this is all about? You’re playing with her.”
“That’s not my intention.”
“Are you certain about that?” He stared at me and I looked away, shaking my head. He couldn’t understand. “I might be wrong, but from what I’ve seen, she plays a damn good game of chess. Maybe the best thing to do is to be honest with her.”
“I have been honest, more so than I’ve been with anyone. She’s in control of half my goddamn company.”
“As you are with hers, but that’s not the honesty I’m talking about.”
Why did I have a feeling my lieutenant was baiting me almost the same way she’d done several times? “Spit it out, Kruz, because I know you’re dying to do that.”
“Tell her how you feel.”
“I have, ad nauseam . She won’t listen to me.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
Kruz got in my face. “You care about her.”
“Only her safety.”
“Why are you lying to yourself? Why bother? If I can read you like a book, she certainly can. That woman makes mincemeat of our men and that includes you.”
“Fuck you,” I hissed.
“I’m just saying you’ll go a long way if you tell her the truth versus acting like some brooding head on a dick.”
His expressions were annoying as fuck but made me laugh. “If you were any other man, you’d be on the floor bleeding right about now.”
“Good thing I’m not another man.” He pushed my shoulder. “Go dance with her. Allow her to see the softer side of you.”
“I don’t have a softer side.”
“Bullshit. Every time that woman walks into a room, you light up like a firecracker. You can deny it all you want, but you’ll just be continuing the lies.
Besides. She cares about you too. You two fight like cats and dogs but peel away the layers and you are perfect for each other.
Of course that’s unless you keep lying to her and she ends up hating you for the rest of her life. ”
“It’s better if she hates me.”
“Why, so you won’t be forced to endure the pain if something happens to her?” Kruz asked.
I stared at him.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Benito and I will take you to the airport when you’re ready. Right now, I need a drink so I can claw my way through the thick bullshit.”
“Bastard,” I growled and stared down at my empty glass.
It was either continue to drink or spend some time with her.
Having difficulty being close to her was something I hadn’t been prepared for.
I’d wanted to shove thoughts of her aside, the sham of a wedding nothing but show. Then it would be back to business.
Back to hunting while I made a plan to destroy both Fassi and Hamza Bata, the Turkish asshole who’d sold his soul to the Moroccan.
But as with everything I’d touched since Genevieve had caught my eye the night of her father’s murder, what I’d once thought important was taking a back seat to my relationship with her.
She was a beauty and well worth watching. Yet when another man asked her to dance, I’d finally had enough. Jealousy was also a weakness, according to my father’s constant justifications, but at this point I didn’t give a shit.
Whether or not the marriage was a lie, as of right now, she belonged to me. I took long strides, pushing my way through the people dancing and grabbed her hand.
“Whoa. What are you doing?” she asked, frowning when I gave her partner a nasty look.
“Dancing with my bride. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“You told me you never dance.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why bother now?”
I pulled her toward the edge of the dance floor where I was able to keep an eye on the two doors leading into the room. “Because this is our reception.”
“That’s not a real answer, Jago. That’s an observation since you’ve only been physically here today.” She placed her hand on my chest, digging the fingers of her other hand into my palm.
“What does that mean?” I swung her around in a complete circle.
“That means mentally you’ve been somewhere else, killing the bad guys.”
“And what if I have?”
“There’s time for that. You spent all this money on a reception you have no intention of enjoying.”
“I am enjoying it.”
She laughed haughtily. “Did anyone ever tell you that you’re a terrible liar?”
“Very recently,” I said. She could infuriate me more than almost anyone, but she also had a way of making me laugh.
“Handsome, but nevertheless pathetic.”
“Are you calling me handsome or pathetic more?”
“Let’s just go with the handsome part. For now.”
“I’ll take that as a royal compliment coming from you.”
Her mouth was pursed, her eyes sparkling as if she’d just caught me in one of those lies. “Please do. What now, husband?” She rolled her hand over my shoulder, daring to tangle her fingers in my hair. “Worlds to conquer? Men to disembowel?”
“Absolutely, but not on our wedding night.”
“Ah, yes. The surprise.”
I pulled our arms into the air, twirling her around in another circle. “Are you ready?”
“I’m honestly not sure with you. Why don’t I just say I’ll be eager to see if you can surprise me.”
“That sounds like a challenge.”
“Perhaps it is.”
“You’re right. I’m surprised,” Genevieve said as she shifted forward in her seat.
I glanced over as I made the turn, finding it impossible not to smile. “You’ve never been to Madrid before?”
“It’s been a long time. What I’m surprised about is the fact you actually know how to drive a car. I thought you were driven everywhere.”
Snorting, I slowed the car, pulling under the awning of the hotel. “You’ve seen me drive before.”
“I thought it was a mirage.”
“I’ve been driving since I was ten.”
“Ah. You’ve been an illegal junkie your entire life.”
I kept the engine running as I unfastened the seatbelt and leaned over, gripping her chin between my fingers. “You’re in a feisty mood tonight.”
“It must be your aftershave. Muskrat with a hint of olive oil.” She squeezed my thigh on purpose before opening her door.
“A little brat.”
“Yes, I am. The Four Seasons. That must have set you back a euro or two.”
“Well worthwhile for what I’ll get in return.” As I leaned over, her breath caught. I’d managed to surprise her again.
“I guess we’ll see about that.” The sinful tease raked her hand down my chest to my groin, flicking her index finger across my already throbbing cock.
Rolling my eyes, I exited the vehicle, immediately buttoning my jacket before handing the valet my keys. “ Manténgalo estacionado al frente .”
“Yes, sir.”
He’d been ordered to keep the vehicle close to the front.
As I walked to the trunk, I scanned the area. The reservation was private, the hotel staff paid well to keep it that way. However, contrary to what I’d told Kruz, I wasn’t willing to take much of a risk. Perhaps I was fooling myself that this would solidify our tenuous relationship.
Or maybe I was lying to myself again and I required enjoyment of her company. I grabbed the bags and we strolled into the hotel together, my hand kept firmly on the small of her back.
While she threw me her usual look at my chauvinistic action, this time there was a spark in her eyes. It didn’t take me much time to check in. The woman standing behind the reception desk knew better than to waste my time with questions or cutesy little comments about our attire.
Yes, we looked like a bride and groom but looks could certainly be deceiving.
My bride watched me intently the entire time, the smirk on her face one that could rival mine.
“Let me guess,” she cooed when we stepped into the elevator. “The penthouse.”
“Only the best will do.”
As soon as I unlocked the door, she pushed her way inside, immediately heading toward the French doors leading out onto the balcony.
I dropped the bags, closed and locked the door, unsnapping the holster and pulling the weapon into my hands. After I finished checking the four rooms, I noticed she was standing in the doorway with her arms folded.
“Worried there are monsters under the bed?”
“Being careful is a necessity.”
Frowning, she glanced around the suite. “Why Madrid?”
“Why not?”
“Just curious.” She left the doors open and headed for the fully stocked bar. “You invited the president of the government to our wedding.”
“And he accepted with his lovely bride.”
“Please don’t tell me you have the man in your pocket.”
“Let’s just say my father worked out an arrangement with him many years ago. You should try the wine. I had it brought in especially for tonight.”
“Hmmm… You’ve thought of everything.”
“Another surprise?”
“Perhaps you read a book on the how-to’s for creating a perfect romantic atmosphere.” She picked up the bottle, reading the label before opening and pouring two glasses. Then she turned around, not making any effort to come toward me. It would seem I still suffocated her.
“Perhaps I did. You’re staring at me. Didn’t anyone ever tell you it wasn’t polite to stare?” I yanked off my jacket, tossing it over the back of the leather chair. Her lips remained twisted, her eyes forever watching as I removed the holster.
“I am and I can do what I want. Do you carry a gun with you everywhere?”
“Don’t you?” I lifted an eyebrow and glanced down toward her thighs. I’d been impressed seeing two weapons strapped to her leg.
Sighing, she looked away. “I guess I do now.”
She finally walked closer and I took my time unfastening the cufflinks. As I started to roll up my sleeves, she repeated my action from before, allowing her gaze to fall slowly to my designer loafers. With one outstretched arm, she handed me a glass.
I watched as she took a sip, waiting for whatever sarcastic remarks might be on the tip of her tongue. “Fruity with a hint of raspberries. Spicy. Full-bodied. Delicious.” Her swallow was exaggerated, the moan she issued soon after having an adverse effect on my cock.
The entire shaft was now pinched against my zipper. That just wouldn’t do.
“You look like a girl who enjoys swallowing.”
“Always. What do you think?”
I took a sip and purposely allowed the swallow to remain in my mouth. “Not bad, yet not as sweet as I prefer. You already know what I prefer.”
For the first time since we’d engaged in this filthy dance, a blush rose from her neck, covering her lovely cheeks.
After ripping off the confining bowtie and unfastening three buttons on my shirt, I closed the distance between us. “But drinks will need to wait.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I have other needs that require fulfilling.”