Chapter 10
Ten
“I want her heart beating beneath me, knowing it would never dare to run again.”– Cyan MacBrady.
“Hello, Aria.”
My Dove stumbles back, a startle scream ripping from her throat before she slaps a hand over her mouth.
It was worth having Salvo drive like hell to beat her and that detective to her aunt’s house.
Ireland kept me longer than expected, and she seems to have misunderstood what my absence meant.
I lean back in the chair, taking my time as I drink her in.
The lacy pink set looked wondrous on her. .. fucking perfect.
Her hair is a wild halo of curls spilling down her golden shoulders, just the way I like it. I watch the exact moment her mind kicks into overdrive, her shoulders squaring, hand moving from her lips as her chin lifts.
My cock thickens. Not just at the sight of her bare skin, but at the way she trembles yet refuses to hide from me. She hasn’t even attempted to cover herself. Mercy me, my mouth waters for this woman.
“Get out,” she demands. I rise, moving toward her in slow, deliberate steps. The closer I get, her resolve flutters, she steps back, like prey remembering the danger.
“Don’t even think about running, Love. I’d relish the thrill of the chase, but let’s be real, lass; you won’t make it far.
” She pushes a lock of her hair from her face and locks it behind an ear, and I can’t help but focus on all that is Aria Boschett.
My gaze runs from the tip of her nose, to her luscious full lips then lower, admiring the round mounds, drifting down her body, drinking in the delicate curve of her hips, down her legs, to the soles of her bare feet, and then back up to meet those doe-brown eyes.
As I stop, right in front of her; I can hear her short, desperate breaths as her breasts rise and fall.
“I love your obsession with these matching sets.” She stiffens.
“It’s a cute habit. I’ve noticed that in these last few months, you’ve never worn a pair that doesn’t match.
” Her understanding of my words doesn’t disappoint.
Her lips part as horror flares in those doe-brown eyes. “You’ve been watching me.”
I grin. “I’m very territorial; my being away on business, love…
doesn’t mean I’ll fail in looking after my property.
” She flinches, and I swear I can hear the gears in her head grinding as Aria’s hand clenches into a fist at her side, the other gripping the doorknob, her fear battling against her pride.
She swallows hard. “Cyan… I can’t… I won’t be something you own. I’m not a trophy.” The woman has more balls than many men who wouldn’t dare speak to me this way.
I arch a brow. “We made a deal, Aria. The moment you stepped into my world, you became mine to keep. I don’t share my possessions.”
Her lips part, but she snaps her mouth shut, though I don’t miss the rage sparking in her eyes. She inhales, schooling her features into something unreadable, and squares her shoulders. “Let’s talk business then.” She tips her head, scowling.
I chuckle, surprised by the sudden shift. “Business?”
“You think I belong to you. I have a counteroffer… I want my freedom and in exchange, I’ll work for you.
” My amusement grows as she continues. “I’m a damn excellent accountant.
I’ll offer you my services for two years.
You’ll get the best financial strategist you’ve ever had.
Then you let me go.” I don’t answer. Reaching out, I take her hand, turn back to the room, and start walking toward the bed.
I feel her trying to pull her hand free.
I turn back to her and close the distance again.
She’s brave—I’ll give her that. But when her back hits the door, she flinches.
One more step and my suit jacket would brush the lace of her bra.
I wonder if she realizes her nipples have tightened into stiff peaks.
I brush my fingers along the delicate line of her jaw before wrapping my hand around her neck; her pulse flutters wildly beneath my thumb as I lean in, my lips so close that I’m sure that my breath is skimming her ear.
“I’m not interested in you for business; it’s more for pleasure. ”
She makes a strangled sound. “I...I... What?”
“Come now, Dove. Don’t pretend you didn’t know.
A man like me doesn’t send gifts to a woman he only wants a favor from.
” Her breath shudders. “But that’s not why I’m here tonight.
Tonight is about making sure you understand the weight of your choices.
Actions have consequences, Aria. And your actions tonight?
They require correction.” I pull back from her ear, studying her face.
She swallows hard. But instead of breaking, she tilts her chin up, her eyes blazing with defiance.
“Mr. MacBrady,” she says icily, “I’ll repeat myself in case you didn’t hear me the first time.
I, Aria Boschett, am not something you can own, and whatever fantasy you’ve built in that twisted mind of yours? Kill it.”
I let out a low laugh, my thumb brushing over her pulse.
“You’ve got moxie.” My phone vibrates in my pocket—a sharp reminder that business waits for no one.
“A shame,” I murmur, “I was just starting to enjoy this.” I press a slow kiss to her temple, savoring the way she shivers, and the tiny hitch in her breath.
It’s a small reaction, but it’s enough, more than enough.
She pushes weakly against my chest. I pull back and study her face.
There is a sliver of desire buried under her fear and fury.
“Good, at least I’m not the only one feeling the pull. ”
Her lips part, and for the briefest moment, I think she might admit it.
But then comes the sting of her palm as cracks across my face.
Her pupils are blown wide, her breath ragged as she swings again.
I catch her wrist mid-air. “I see,” I say softly.
“Seems you didn’t quite grasp what I meant when I said I owed you.
That’s on me for not spelling it out. But tonight, we’ll fix that.
” I turn, guiding her by the wrist toward the bed.
She digs her heels in, fighting me the entire way.
“No.” Her voice is shrill. She’s staring at the mattress as if it’s a crime scene. Her face drains of color, and the truth clicks into place. The memory hits me hard. The wet grunts of a man now long dead, my mother’s broken sobs;I slam the door on it before it drags me under.
My grip on Aria tightens, harsher than intended. “I may be a monster, but even I have a hard line I’ll never cross. When we fuck, it will be because you beg me.” I release her wrist and step back. “Now come. There’s a video you need to see.”
Her Lesson... the feed is already connected to her TV.
Aria sits on the edge of the bed, the furthest she can be away from me, and she pulls at a throw blanket, covering herself.
I lift the remote and turn on the TV. The screen flickers to life, and I watch as her brows knit together.
But then a man moves into frame, and I hear the breath leave her lungs.
“Ethan,” she gasps.
The detective is on the phone, one hand rubbing his jaw as he paces his living room.
“I’m telling you, Sergeant, run this by the District Attorney.
This girl may be the key. I wish you had seen how he looked at her and how she looked at him.
I know MacBrady is hands-off because the department doesn’t want the headache of another lawsuit, but I’m telling you, Aria knows something.
We can use her, use what she knows to bring him down. ”
My eyes snap to hers. “That’s not true,” she blurts out, shaking her head.
I say nothing turning back to the screen.
Ethan is listening to whatever the person on the other end is saying, then he continues talking.
“Alright, I won’t do anything until I hear from you.
But if we get the green light, if the DA gives the okay.
I want to lead the task force overseeing this.
” He pauses, listening, then says, Thanks, Sergeant,” before he hangs up with a satisfied look and collapses onto his couch.
I could let this be enough. I could let Aria stew in the truth of her date’s betrayal.
But lessons must be taught. I pull my earpiece from my pocket, pressing it between two fingers.
“Proceed.” Troy steps into frame wearing a ski mask.
His first blow hits the back of Ethan’s head before the man even registers the danger, knocking him off the couch and onto the floor.
“No! Don’t do this!” Aria lunges closer, gripping my shoulder. I take hold of her wrist. She thrashes against my hold, eyes wide, horrified, locked on the screen.
Troy is methodical in delivering continuous kicks. Ethan fumbles for the gun at his back. It’s his mistake as Troy sees this, he brings his boot down, crushing Ethan’s wrist.
Ethan’s scream cracks through the speakers, then Aria’s strangled cry rips out a heartbeat later she tries to look away, and I keep her chin facing the screen with two fingers. “If you dare look away, I’ll make him start over.”
Troy keeps going, he’s a thorough professional when it comes to delivering a beating. Ethan goes still on the floor, barely conscious, Troy bends, picks up the detective’s glock, and presses the muzzle to his temple then stares to the camera awaiting my order.
Aria sucks in a breath and I hear the moment she breaks. “I understand, Cyan.” I turn to her, seeing a tear slip down her cheek. “I’ve learned my lesson.” Her voice trembles, desperate. She says the words. Her eyes don’t. “Cyan… please stop this.” I let the silence stretch, let her drown in it.
“Stand down,” I say at last. Troy pulls the gun away.
I hit the remote; the screen goes black.
Ethan will live, for now. Troy will handle the cleanup to make it look like a robbery gone wrong.
Aria is staring at the floor, shaking. I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes.
“No one touches you.” My thumb brushes away a tear. “Never forget Dove.”
I press the same thumb to her lips, and Aria’s eyes narrow a heartbeat before she bites down, hard.
My whole body tightens, oh the fight in this lass.
She stares at me, breath ragged, chest rising and falling, pupils blown wide and my thumb still trapped between her teeth.
Then she releases me; the pain barely registers.
Aria’s lips are warm and wet against my thumb, and my control snaps like a thread pulled too tight.
I crush my mouth to hers, claiming. Taking, owning, and fuck, she kisses me back.
For a single, shattering moment, she melts into me.
Why her? What is it about this woman that unravels me?
The night I heard her laugh, something in her wove itself into my bones, and I knew no force on earth could ever make me let her go.
Her moan vibrates against my tongue, shooting straight to my cock. I groan into her mouth, dragging her closer, deepening the kiss. My fingers tangle in her hair, tugging, gripping, demanding. My palm skims over the peak of her nipple, and she jerks back like I burned her.
Panic flashes across her face. Then she slaps me again; the sting is nothing. She swings for a third, but I catch her wrist mid-air. Her breath heaves; her whole body trembles with rage.
Holding her with one hand, I reach into my jacket with the other and pull out a velvet box. I flip it open; she freezes. Before she can jerk away, I take her wrist and fasten the bracelet. The clasp clicks into place; a shackle disguised as jewelry. My mark of ownership.
Her eyes blaze as she grabs for it, trying to rip it off. It doesn’t budge.
I smile. “Now,” I murmur, voice thick with finality. “You’ll remember who you belong to.”