Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
D imitrios
Beautiful and innocent.
I’d thought that from the moment she’d entered the villa where the blood of her parents had remained. I’d fought the desire then, surprised with myself at feeling anything other than rage. But Willow had a way about her that constantly triggered the darkness within me.
Sexual sadism.
Although just touching her had also brought out another side. Tenderness. She deserved nothing less.
I’d taken what hadn’t belonged to me, tainting her with my scent, but it was the way of my world. Taking what we wanted.
Still, I had to ask myself why I’d crossed the line without thinking my decision through. The answer was as damning as it was easy.
Because of the woman’s sweet vulnerability and her lust for life. No one had ever fought me like she’d done.
I was the kind of man who enjoyed tasting the pain of others when I acted on my need for revenge. There was no mercy for those I had to kill, no sign of humanity when all I cared about was ripping out a man’s heart with my bare hands.
There were some in Athens and cities far beyond the invisible walls of Greece who believed I personified evil.
I wore designer suits I’d spent way too much money on, taking the business in a more legitimate direction, but that didn’t change who I was.
I’d seen the way she’d looked at me before, as if I was the devil incarnate. Maybe that’s exactly what I was. As she glanced toward the weapon on the nightstand, I could tell what she was thinking.
There was no trust, the desire between us something else entirely. And I wasn’t proud of what I’d done.
Even while chastising myself, I wanted to fuck her again, claiming her tight asshole next. I wanted every single inch of her covered in my cum. Then I wanted to start over again, keeping her tied to the bed, surrendering to my every need. I was a freaking idiot for tasting the forbidden fruit, something I’d avoided most of my life.
I’d purposely stayed away from women, refusing to allow myself to fall hard for anyone. It was a dangerous choice to engage in carnal sins.
That had only happened through regime and self-discipline. Apparently, I’d tossed it out the window before coming here.
Yeah, I was a fucking mess.
I shifted so I could bask in her beauty for a little while longer, using a single finger, rolling the tip back and forth across her forehead.
“You think someone is going to try and kill you?” Willow eased up onto one elbow.
“Why do you ask that?”
She nodded toward my weapon, sighing deeply. “I hate guns.”
“You should. They’re dangerous.”
“No, they’re cold, hard steel. People are dangerous.”
“You have a point. Stay here.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m sure you’re thirsty. I know I am.”
She sighed and lay back down. “Okay. I’ll be right here.”
I rubbed my fingers down her arm, enjoying the way she shivered from longing instead of fear. But it could change at a moment’s notice. She wasn’t my girlfriend or even my lover.
She’d become my possession.
The moment I reached the door, I heard her lilting voice again. “How many men have you killed?”
Her question was nothing more than reaffirmation of her earlier thoughts. “Enough, but only the people who deserved to die.”
“How very sad, the world you live in.”
“It’s the world I was born into.”
“I don’t think I like your world very much.”
As she shouldn’t. She was far too vulnerable to embrace or understand the delicate pattern of politics and violence.
And I hoped she’d never be forced to learn.
Sad.
She was right to a degree. With all the success I’d achieved, the ache in my heart outweighed all the money in my bank accounts. I headed out of the room, still thinking about all the ways I wanted to defile her.
That made me a very bad man indeed.
After all, I’d captured an angel.
I took the stairs slowly, feeling more than just an ache in my heart. My gut told me to remain on guard at all times, ensuring that I wouldn’t lose anyone else in some invisible war.
As I walked into the kitchen, seeing her clothes on the floor brought another wave of desire. I knew I wasn’t done with her yet. Not by a long shot. My cravings were the most intense I’d felt in my life.
I pulled a bottle of ouzo from the freezer, remembering more than just events in the past with Leandro. How many bottles had I shared with Gregory over the years? Too many to count. We’d often ended up skipping classes, we’d been so intoxicated from the night before. I found myself smiling as I grabbed two glasses.
Maybe my captive would enjoy sharing a drink from my country. Nothing else sounded good at this point.
With the exception of her sweet pussy.
Her taste lingered on my tongue, her scent imbedded in my skin. I was at a point going back wasn’t going to happen. For some reason, I found myself in the living room. The entire house was covered in pictures of us as kids and other family members. I’d neglected to take them down, but I was at the point where I couldn’t stand seeing them any longer.
I wasn’t the boy standing on my father’s boat with a fish handing off a pole and grinning from ear to ear any longer. One picture in particular had bothered me since the moment I’d agreed to spend more time in the house.
It had all four of us boys chumming together, laughing at whatever conversation we were having while Pops had taken the photograph. I placed the glasses and bottle on the coffee table and inched toward the bookshelf where it sat proudly, framed in gold. As I picked it up, I remembered the day clearly. The sun was bright in the sky, the waves thrilling. We’d been surfing, enjoying the freedom of being rich kids on a private beach.
Little did we understand the horrors and tragedies that would await us.
Leandro was smiling the biggest, maybe only eight years old but allowed to frolic with the big boys. He’d been a little comedian then and all through his life.
Fuck, I was angry; so angry I hardly noticed when I tossed the picture against the wall. The glass shattered and I couldn’t care less. The happy moments were gone forever.
With the glass and bottle in hand, I left the room, maybe never to return. I needed to get the fuck out of here and head to the island. Maybe there I’d find some damn peace.
My feet were heavier than before as I trudged up the stairs, almost certain she’d left. I sensed she would continue being difficult and any and all bad behavior would need to be handled. As soon as I walked inside, I took a deep breath. She’d turned on the light on the nightstand, allowing the warm glow to present highlights of her copper hair.
She’d turned down the bed, propping up the pillows. The beautiful woman certainly looked like she belonged right where she was.
As she’d done so many times before, her eyes never left mine as I approached. There was a new nervousness about her and it troubled me.
Willow remained silent as I placed the glasses on the nightstand, uncorking the cap. “Have you had ouzo before?”
“No.”
I chuckled. “It might be considered an acquired taste.” As I handed her a glass, she looked at me dubiously, taking a sniff. “It’s not poison.”
“I don’t think you want to kill me. At least not now. You might have before.”
As I sat down on the edge of the bed, she scooted over a few inches. “What would make you say that?”
“Because at least for a little while you thought I’d been working with my brother to kill Leandro. Don’t lie to me. I knew you did.”
“I will not lie to you, Willow. Yes, it crossed my mind, but you’re far too innocent.”
“I’m not as innocent as you think, but I’m no killer either.”
Folding my fingers, I rubbed my knuckles on the side of her face. I’d expected she’d flinch, but she stared at me defiantly. She was a little dove awakening into an eagle. “I’m glad to hear you’re not a killer.” I took a sip, watching as she did.
Her nose wrinkled at first and she held out the glass. “Not bad.”
“No, not bad. It’s something your uncle and I used to drink in college.”
“He knows. Doesn’t he?”
“How did you realize that?”
“Because I can tell you lost your friend too.”
Exhaling, I nodded. “Not my intention, but he could have a general idea where Shane is or what he’s doing. Much better than I do.”
“I can’t believe he’d do anything to harm your family. He was as happy here all those years ago as I was. He just… I don’t know what happened to him, but he changed.”
“When?”
“Not long after he moved to Paris. He just wasn’t the same man but by telling you that, I don’t mean he’s a monster like…” Her eyes opened wide.
“Like me?”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s no reason to be sorry, Willow. You’re allowed your feelings.” There was still significant desire in her eyes, the intensity just different than it had been before.
“What if he doesn’t call me back?”
“Then I’ll be forced to use every method I can to track him down.”
“If he’s alive at all.”
“Yes. If he’s alive, I’ll find him.”
Willow frowned and I sensed dozens more questions. I threw back most of the glass, immediately reaching for the bottle until the phone rang again.
She immediately tensed as if in recognition of her special ring and I took a deep breath, slamming the glass on the wood before heading for my pants. After I glanced at the screen, I lifted my gaze in her direction.
“Find out what he has to say. Do not tell him you’re here. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I get it, Dimitrios. I’m no fool.”
Reluctantly, I handed her the phone, standing over her like the freaking barbarian I was.
“Shane? Where are you? I’ve been so worried.” She kept her eyes locked onto mine the entire time. “No, our parents are dead. Where are you? What is going on?”
When her brow furrowed, I tensed.
“What? I don’t understand. Who are you talking about? What are you telling me?” A few seconds later, she jerked the phone away, her entire arm shaking.
“What did he say to you?”
“He told me to run and that some bad men were after me.”
“Did he tell you who they were?”
She shook her head.
“You wouldn’t lie to me. Would you?”
Her concerned look turned into one of fury. She jerked back the sheets, hopping out of bed and tossing the liquid in my face. “Just when I think you might be the good man I knew you to be years ago, you act like an asshole. Fuck you, Dimitrios. No, I’m not lying.”
She stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
And my cock was immediately at full attention.
A deep exhale formed and as I was breathing out, I wiped my face with my hand, taking a few seconds to lick my fingers. Why the hell not? It was a sin to waste good ouzo.
My hunger knew no bounds, so insatiable that all the self-doubt I’d had was now tossed away. Laughing softly, I moved to the closet, finding one of my pristine bright red ties. This would do nicely.
I stole a quick glance at the weapon still in the same position on the nightstand where I’d placed it. However, the position was different. I wondered what my enchanted little dove had been up to. There was only one way to find out. With a wicked grin on my face, I kicked in the bathroom door, not giving a shit I’d splintered the door casing.
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” Her demand didn’t hold one scrap of fear, her eyes blazing as if a lit roaring fire.
“I wasn’t finished with you yet.”
“Tough. Get out. If you can’t believe me then we have nothing to talk about.” She turned toward me, folding her arms and cocking her rounded hip. She had no care she was standing fully naked in front of a very bad man. To her, I was just an annoyance, a man who’d placed his doubt in her. She glanced at the tie, curiosity rushing into that sweet mind of hers.
If only she knew what I had in store for her.
“Get the fuck out,” she repeated.
This hadn’t gone over very well. I took a single step closer, keeping a wry smile on my face. “Why should I believe you, little dove? You already mentioned you don’t know your brother that well any longer, so why should I buy the fact he had nothing to do with my brother’s murder?”
The question troubled her and I didn’t need to read minds or be a soothsayer to gather she wasn’t one hundred percent certain of what Shane was capable of either. But as I’d said my entire life, every person on earth had two sides and a breaking point.
Blood was a thick, oozing goo that could easily strangle anyone. Water simply washed off your back. She would stand by her claim until her death. I had to admire her spunk and resolve.
“Because he’s never shown any disregard for human life. He’s never abused an animal or crushed a bug. He’s a lover of nature and people. He just… I don’t think he’s happy with what he’s doing.”
I took another step closer. “Then what are you suggesting, darling woman? As you might imagine, I simply cannot allow Shane to fly on his own like a hawk waiting to feast on scraps of human flesh. In my world, that would damage my reputation significantly.”
“Your fucking reputation. Is that all you care about?”
“No, I care about my dead brother lying in the morgue, and my parents who had to be told of their son’s murder over the phone. My cousins who worshipped the young man, considering him a leader. And my brothers who want nothing more than to seek bloody. Violent. Revenge.”
Her nose turned up, a slight hurt look forming in her eyes.
“And I care about you. Your pain. Your loss. Your future. Believe it or not.” I took another step closer.
She threw out her hand, her body already crushed against the bathroom counter.
Willow swallowed, keeping her arm in place. “If that’s really the truth, let me help you bring him in.”
Her unexpected statement hit me hard. “How would you manage to do that?”
I could tell her mind was processing, trying to think of a perfect opportunity. I did remind myself her thoughts could include escape.
“I’m not sure yet, but I am perfectly capable of playing a role, any role you need. Including being on your side. I’m strong. I have skills that you’ve yet to learn about. And I’m the most determined woman in the entire world. I want justice for my parents’ murder like you do for Leandro’s. Maybe Shane was inside the villa earlier. Did you think of that possibility?”
“Did you see anything that would lead you to believe that he was?”
Her sigh was a clear indication she wasn’t certain. “I didn’t look. Okay? But I can help. In fact, I might be the only person on this earth that can provide what you need.”
Very few people in this world surprised me. Only my brothers and my two top men had ever presented unusual, out of the box ideas. Maybe because most were terrified of what I would do or that I’d laugh at their suggestions. This woman, this somewhat innocent vixen could indeed be the only person to bring me what was required. How? I wasn’t certain yet.
But at least her recommendations kept me fully aroused. “I’ll think about it.”
“While you think about it,” she threw in my face, “do it elsewhere. I need my space.”
“As I just told you, peristeráki , I’m not finished yet.”
Her eyes opened wide and I was certain she was preparing to slap me. I lunged forward and she squealed, immediately trying to escape my clutches.
That wasn’t going to happen.
I pushed her hard against the bathroom wall, drinking in her sweet essence.
“Get off me, you beast,” she hissed.
The longing was more intense than before, the breathless wonderment of what we were doing escalating to something more explosive. I wrapped my hand around her throat, stretching her neck, sliding the tip of my thumb back and forth under her chin.
“Hands over your head, enchanted one.”
“What do you want?”
“You’re not in a position to ask questions. Do it.”
Her mouth twisted, accentuating her rosy lips but she slowly lifted them over her head. “Bastard.”
Using a single finger, I traced the edge of her jaw from one ear to the other. “From now on, you’ll obey my every command. Do you understand?”
Her smile was practically devilish.
I pinched her nipple, twisting it as I kept my eyes locked on hers. “Let’s try that again, sweet Willow. Do. You. Understand?”
“Yes.” The single word was nothing but another hiss.
As I showed her the tie, she wrinkled her perky little nose. “I’m going to teach you a lesson in surrender.”
“Never to you.”
“Only to me.” I wrapped the silk around her wrists, tying the very kind of knot my father had shown me how to do as a boy. While the material was slick, she wouldn’t be able to free herself.
“I hate you.”
She issued the harsh words, but she was lying. I could tell by the raging scent of her continued desire and the way she jutted her hips forward.
“What am I going to do about how naughty you are?” I slid my heated gaze down to her voluptuous breasts as I planted a hand on the wall beside her. When I raked a single finger down the length of her neck, sliding it very slowly between her breasts, the raggedness of her breathing was the only sound in the room. My little dove was shivering like a leaf, trying to remain in position, but she was losing the battle.
Her desire was too great.
“Let me go. That’s what you need to do,” she stated again.
“And where would you go?”
She had no answer to that.
“I’m going to keep you, Willow. And I will protect you.”
“Why? Because I’m nothing but your pawn?”
The answer needed to be something she would remember, words that could fully express how I felt about her. Good or bad.
“Because,” I started, “the moment you walked back into my life, I knew without a doubt you were meant to be mine.”