Chapter 9
Nine
GENEVIEVE
R oman’s strong fingers claw-grasped Genevieve’s arm as he led her across the bustling casino floor of The Outlaw. A thousand memories flooded her mind. The good ones when she’d na?vely first started dating Jed and his words worked on her like the manipulative ear candy they were. And the bad ones when she’d realized she was basically dating a modern-day American Mafia Don and his words were carefully crafted mind games to secure his goals.
Roman swiped a security card, leading them into the bland employee hallways, and weaved them into a large back room adorned with comfortable brown leather sofas and chairs, a flat-screen TV, and a full bar. She knew this room—Jed’s main men’s break room. They congregated here to casually discuss their shady plans.
Roman released her arm just as she locked eyes with her towering ex. Her breath hitched, her mind betraying her as she stared at Jed’s handsome face—his familiar stormy gray eyes, charcoal black hair, and square, clean-shaven jaw with a scar he’d never explained. Jed watched her eyes roam over him with a satisfied smirk and made no secret of scanning her luscious body in return .
An icy chill rippled down her spine, her skin breaking out in a cold sweat. Her lips parted, and she tried to draw in air as a splotchy faintness overtook her. How would she ever get away from him? Jed looked even more built than the last time she’d seen him. He wore a navy polo shirt, his marble-like muscles from heavy lifting clearly visible beneath his blackwork-patterned tattoos. Stop psyching yourself out. You can beat him!
A pleased chuckle trickled out of him. “Look all you like.”
She rolled her eyes, squaring her shoulders. “I see you still work out.”
“Every morning, dove.”
Could she beat Jed under his thumb, or should she try to run in the morning when he was distracted by his workout? She cast her eyes around the crowded room. Would he have too many of his thugs watching for her to succeed?
Jed bent down and breathed, “Genevieve,” into her ear in an alleviated tone, splaying his fingers through her hair. He silked his forceful fingertips against the side of her scalp and, in a lightning-fast move, fisted her hair, holding her head in a lock. “You didn’t follow my instructions.” He pressed an unwelcome kiss to her unopened lips, and her stomach coiled with nausea.
“My mother?” A humiliating tear escaped.
Jed swiped the salty drop with the thumb of his free hand and dropped it on his tongue, lifting the corner of his mouth. She hated that Jed’s control over her seemed to energize him.
He released her hair, rubbing his hand down her neck before holding two fingers against her pounding pulse. “Your mom’s being moved here as we speak, just as I promised you I’d do if you didn’t obey my instructions. I won’t hurt her—you have my word. She’s my ticket to keep you in line. I’d be a fool not to pamper her, just as I will you if you behave.”
Genevieve relaxed her muscles, letting some of her tension release. She swatted his hand away, hoping he’d had enough of his intimidation tactics for now.
“But since you didn’t, my dove, you will not see Momma Dear again until you’re my wife.”
She sucked in a tense breath.
Jed grinned victoriously at her response, leaning toward her. A kiss to her temple, and he continued, “Now, tell me what’s going on with Brendan King. Will he be causing us any more trouble? Because I’m sure you can imagine what I’ll do to him if he doesn’t turn his Tesla toy around, return to his cozy little office in Aspen, and leave us the hell alone.” Jed curled a fist. “If he dares to interfere again…”
Genevieve touched Jed’s arm in mock-comfort. “It’s not like you think, Jed. He doesn’t know anything about you or this casino.”
“Do you love him?” he asked, his tone dark.
“For goodness’ sake, no. I don’t even know him. We’ve only ever discussed business.”
Jed narrowed his gaze. “Then why did he risk his life speeding down the highway to keep you away from his perceived competition? Why did he book a single king motel room with you?”
“All that was just circumstantial.” Genevieve pretended to wave his concerns away as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Honestly, I think he got a rise out of driving fast to outpace what he thought was some stalker following us. Then I got tired and asked to pull over, and it was the only room left. Nothing’s ever happened between us. We’ve never even kissed.” She held her face even, hoping to bury the lies.
Jed studied her. “If he even runs a finger across your skin, I’ll kill him. You’re mine.”
“He’s not a concern. Mr. King’s not worried about competing for me, and he’s never touched me. He’s just my boss. A standard business guy who was trying to get us to a conference?—”
“Don’t lie to me, Genevieve. I won’t stand for it.”
“I’m not lying. I swear, Jed. He’s just an acquaintance?—”
“Enough,” Jed spat at her, clicking on the TV screen. “I…won’t…be….lied…to. You will treat me with respect from this day forward, and that means all the promises our marriage vows will uphold.”
“We’re not married.”
“We will be.” Jed brushed a possessive finger over her full lower lip, rubbing the now-wet pad of his fingertip across her chin. He leaned down and whispered, “You have a week to prepare for the wedding of your dreams, dove, and then you will marry me and share my bed every night until death do us part.” He pecked a soft kiss on her lips, not trying to force a response, just staking a claim. “Our vows start right now. I should have enforced them the moment we met.” He waggled his finger at her. “No more separate lives between us and no more independence for you. You will love, cherish, and obey me. You will be faithful and honest . Do not tell me again this man is merely an acquaintance, or our wedding moves up to tomorrow, and you’ll wear whatever dress I say.”
Genevieve pushed the threat of the wedding out of her mind and tried to focus on the present. She shivered, braving Jed’s venomously jealous gaze. His gray irises swirled like a blustering F5 tornado, ready to tear up all obstacles in their path. Clearly, he was under the impression that Brendan meant something to her.
The show she’d been trying so hard to avoid, The Race for Riches or Romance: Tangle in the Tropics , popped onto the screen. Of course, she knew deep down there was content on there that would rattle her if she saw it. Why do you think she never turned it on? A scene on the breathtaking Fijian white sand beaches began to play with Brendan and his good friend, Hannah—a conversation she’d not been part of during the show.
Jed’s nostrils flared. “Explain this…” He turned up the volume, and Hannah’s soft voice filled the break room.
“Should we leave now?” Hannah asked as Brendan pulled her to her feet. “The show, I mean?”
“About that.” Blushing, Brendan shuffled his feet in the sand. “Would you be willing to stay for a few days? I just got here, and truthfully, I want some time with Gigi. Hopefully, get to know her better, you know?”
“You’re her boss, Bren,” Hannah scolded with a smile. “She even calls you Mr. King.”
“Yeah, well,” Brendan stammered adorably, “I’ve asked her to call me Brendan, and she insists on Mr. King.”
Hannah arched a questioning eyebrow in his direction.
Brendan sighed in defeat. “I like her. It was completely professional when I hired her. It still is,” he added quickly, looking nervously at the camera, “but I was hoping if Gigi saw me out here, she might see me in a different light. Something other than a CEO super nerd.”
“Weren’t you just talking to me about confidence?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Brendan said, waving Hannah off. “Well, regardless of my healthy bank account, I’m not built like no freaking Andrew Meyers.”
A panoramic shot of the beach and pro football quarterback Andrew Meyers flashed on the screen. He stood propped up against a palm tree about ten feet from Hannah and Brendan’s conversation, eyeing Hannah with a nervous glint. The show then returned to a closeup of Hannah and Brendan.
Laughter bubbled out of Hannah. “Almost no one is.” With a warm smile, she said, “Bren, it doesn’t take bulky muscles, though you are bulking up. Don’t think I didn’t notice.” His cheeks flamed again at her words. “Truthfully, it would be easier if Andrew wasn’t hot, famous, and rich.” Hannah tapped Brendan’s arm with her fist. “ Gigi will miss out if she doesn’t give you a chance. Watch out, though. You’re the nicest guy I know—rich and hot, too. Make sure whoever you date isn’t after your money.”
Brendan raised his brows, grinning. “Hot?”
“I assure you, for some women, you’re hot.” Hannah pushed her palms out. “I’m glad we never felt that way, though. I’d miss having such an awesome best friend.” She peeked at Andrew Meyers and sighed. “Wanting someone as more than a friend makes everything a mess.”
“Yeah, I’ll second that.”
“Wow.” Hannah’s mouth dropped open. “You really like her?”
Brendan nodded. “I really like her.”
Hannah jumped up on her toes, clapping her hands. “You should ask her out then.”
With an amused smile, Brendan said, “I’m working on it.”
Jed punched the remote, pausing the TV. He clenched his teeth, pointing at the screen. “Tell me again to my face that man’s just an acquaintance.”
Genevieve covered her mouth with her hand. Oh my gosh, Brendan had liked her for well over a year—like really, really liked her. Uncontrollable flutters erupted in her belly as her mouth parted open beneath her fingers. She’d counted Brendan out the minute Roman had snagged her in the motel parking lot and dragged her back to her Camry, but maybe she shouldn’t have. Perhaps Brendan would come after her? Surely not. He could have any woman he wanted. Why risk his life? Realizing the extent of the danger, he’d just report it to the cops and go on his way, wouldn’t he? Bye, bye ally. Bye, bye sexy CEO millionaire with the sweet heart and gentle touch.
As if on cue with her thoughts of Brendan’s whisper-soft touch, Jed gripped her arm too tightly. Shoot, she was so awestruck by the potential magnitude of Brendan’s interest that she’d forgotten Jed was there .
“Jed, you’re hurting me.”
“I don’t kill people anymore. I let my men take care of those delicate matters without uttering a word to me,” Jed whispered in a lethal tone. “Except him. If Brendan King steps one foot in my casino, I’ll personally blow his desperate brains out, and if you so much as bat an eyelash at him, I’ll break all of his fingers before I do.”
Genevieve’s pulse sped. She could not get Brendan killed. He didn’t deserve to die because she’d pulled him into her messy life.
“Roman,” Jed ground out, releasing her.
“Yeah, boss?”
Genevieve rubbed her bruised triceps while Jed continued, “Did the tracker on lover boy’s car move yet?”
“No, boss. I checked in with Luke, and he says Brendan King’s Tesla is still parked at the motel, but I doubt he’s still there.”
Jed tightened his eyes. “Why?”
“Because I don’t think he’s stupid. He likely already discovered the tracker.” Roman gripped the back of his thick neck, exhaustion evident in his dark eyes. “I think he’s going to be a thorn in our side. The man drove over ninety miles an hour with precision. He’s…not just an office CEO. Guys can’t do that sort of thing without practice. I mean, Marshal, this guy’s built himself up to be a clean multi-millionaire without even going to college.”
“Clean?”
“Yeah, he’s earned lawful millions?—”
“Watch it, Roman.”
“Boss, I’m with you all the way—don’t question it. But a few days ago, you told us to give it to you straight, and I’m doing that. Brendan King’s faster than he looks in both wit and speed. For all his comments on that lame TV show about being a CEO super nerd and the deceiving little blushes, he’s got some skills. I don’t think we should underestimate?—”
“Enough,” Jed bellowed. “An innocent little office freak should be as easy as squashing a fly. I don’t want to hear any more excuses.”
“Jed?” Genevieve gently touched his arm, his rapt attention hopping to her. “I know you said I can’t see my mom, but I want to speak to her on the phone and make sure she’s okay. You said your men are driving her here. How do I know that’s true? How do I know she’s safe?”
“Don’t you trust me, dove?”
Just as she’d hoped, Jed lost his focus on the conversation about Brendan. She prayed that would be the end of it—though she’d have to find another ally, at least he’d be safe.
“Yes, of course, babe.”
His eyes lit up at her endearment while he brought his lips to her ear. “Don’t think I don’t realize you’re pacifying me again, but I still love it. Soon, you’ll be calling me babe, and you’ll mean it again.”
Genevieve pierced her teeth into her lip. “I trust you, just not your men. If you want me to fall back into this life, please let me speak with her.”
Jed nodded his chin toward Roman. “Call your men watching Roxy. My fiancée wants to speak to her mother.” He flashed her a wicked smile. “See how agreeable I can be.” He kissed her temple and tucked her under his arm while Roman punched a button on his cell. Nipping her ear with his teeth, he added, “I expect the same from you in return.”
Another chill raced down her spine while betraying tingles erupted in her belly. A part of her used to love this side of him—his bold, commanding demeanor. But she didn’t want a controlling criminal—she wanted a nice guy with some edge. She wanted Brendan.
Roman walked his cell over and handed it to her .
“Momma?”
“Gen! Oh, Gen, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine, just fine. And you? They haven’t hurt you, have they?”
“No, dear.”
“Okay,” Jed interjected, “that’s enough for now.”
“Momma, I have to go.”
“Remember what I told you about snakes and allies?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Do what you have to do, and don’t think twice about me. Live your life. Love you, Gen. Forever.”
“Love you too, Momma. I’ll see you soon.”
Pacify him until you can cut off his head . Genevieve placed her hand on Jed’s bicep. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that. I appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, my dove,”—his voice thickened—“especially when you talk to me like that. I’ll let you have anything you want.”
“I want to see my mom when she arrives.”
Jed chuckled. “Except that. Not until you’re my wife. Especially when Momma Dear is tossing out phrases like snakes and allies.” He raised a questioning brow.
Gloss over it, Gen. Hope he forgets . “How about the freedom to move about your resort then?”
Jed studied her expression, then cut to her eyes, no doubt looking for deceit within their depths. “You get one shot to go as you please. Step outside the perimeter of my hotel, and you’ll be bound to my side twenty-four-seven. Understood?”
“Yes, Jed.”
“Good girl. Give me a kiss.”
Genevieve pecked a quick kiss on the corner of his mouth.
His gray eyes heated with hunger. “That will do for now, but next time I ask, that’s not the kind of kiss I want. You’ll move your lips across mine the way you used to—with passion.”
Genevieve nodded.
Never breaking his hold on her eyes, Jed called out, “Roman, put two of your best men on my girl. Genevieve is not allowed to set foot outside The Outlaw without me by her side. Understood?”
“Understood, boss. She won’t.”
Roman pointed to a burly man covered in what looked like colorful mythical tattoos of orc warriors. “Killian, you’re to stick to Genevieve like glue. Where she goes, you go. Only give her space when there’s one exit.”
Killian grunted with a firm nod. “You got it.”
Roman pivoted and pointed at a man who had a strong but lean build. “Mateo, keep a more distant watch, but never take your eyes off Genevieve. If she runs, you’re to track her down. If you have to detain her, do so without a bruise on her precious skin. Are we clear?”
Genevieve rolled her eyes. Jed just bruised her arm, and his men were supposed to handle her like she was a porcelain doll. Could they not see the irony?
Mateo nodded, responding with a strong accent. “Muy bien,sí se?or, Roman. I’ll catch her if she runs and treat her with the gentle care you request.”
Genevieve believed Mateo would catch her in about five seconds if she bolted. He looked capable of competing in an Olympic marathon.
“Genevieve,”—Jed brushed his hand up her tender arm—“you’ll meet me for dinner tonight.”
“Of course.” She smiled sweetly, batting her eyelashes and tacking on a sarcastic tone. “Should I dress up for you, babe?”
Jed smirked. “Dress up for me always, dove. No need to ask.” He sighed. “Soon enough, you’ll do so because you want to, not because you’re trying to beat me in a game that you’ll never win.”
“My life isn’t a game.”
He leaned toward her. “You’re right. There’s no game to play. I have your mother, and you’ll do anything for her. Therefore, I own you. Give yourself time, and you’ll fall in love with me again. Or have you forgotten that you’ve said those musical words to me many times before?” He grasped a fire-red lock of her silky hair between his fingers and brought the strands to his lips, kissing them as if marking her new look. “How could you not want me? You won’t even have to work anymore. Your marketing position here at The Outlaw has been filled. You’ll now live your life with endless funds and a man who adores you. Your main responsibility will be to raise our kids.”
Genevieve wanted to gag, but she held her face steady. Things had changed. She wasn’t the same green girl she’d been seven years ago when they’d first met. Aside from her moral issues with him, she’d seen his manipulative, controlling ways, and they could never go back. She would take him down or die trying. She just didn’t have a friggin’ clue how to do it yet.