Chapter 5
FIVE
Hades
Leonardo… I had put our fight behind me for the sake of my own sanity. Who would have thought his daughter could ignite a war?
Hades the Assassin. My nickname was born three days after my eighteenth birthday when I carried out a job no one would dare take on. The prominent mafia families in New York City thought I had accepted the project out of sheer bravery, and I believed them.
Looking at the situation from an adult standpoint, it was stupidity that allowed me to kill the well-known politician who had plagued those men from doing their illegal dealings. I was a hungry kid who lived on the streets. I saw an in and I took it.
Leo was right there with me. After I proved myself by taking out the politician, my life began to look up. For years, I was on top. A well-sought mafia assassin who could demand top dollar, and the families would pay for my swift, merciless, and discreet work.
Life was good…until it wasn’t.
“Capri is in your study.” Atticus greeted me as I entered the house, carrying a single white rose.
“Thank you.” I removed my jacket and folded it over the chair in the foyer.
“What time would you like me to take her back to her hotel?”
“That won’t be necessary.” I sniffed the rose. “She’ll be spending the night here.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” He looked at me over the rim of his glasses. “Given your history with her father?”
“Her father didn’t have the common sense to protect her from a man like me. That’s not my fault.”
Leo had to have known I was in Greece. I no longer kept my whereabouts a secret. I paid the price for his sins, and now he had to answer for what he had done to me.
“I’m not forcing her to be here. I believe she sought me out. It was also her choice to break onto the property last night after I said goodbye the evening before. It was also her decision to get into the car with you and come here, was it not?”
“Sounds like you have it all under control.” Atticus shook his head, not so much in disapproval, but he was protective of me. “I’ll be around if you need me.”
“I appreciate it. I’ll touch base with you in the morning,” I said.
“Have a good night.”
“That’s the plan.”
I strolled down the hall and to my study. A dim light trickled out from the ajar door as a melody from a Beatles song flowed down the hallway. She must have figured out how to launch the sound system.
When I reached the room, the scent of vanilla captured me and threatened to hold me hostage.
The same fragrance that had emitted from her skin the last two times I saw her.
The relaxing aroma stayed with me, especially when she invaded my thoughts.
Which over the past few days had happened quite often. It was more than distracting.
I nudged open the door and leaned against the frame, my gaze immediately drawn to her perfection. She sipped prosecco as she sat on the edge of my desk, totally unaware that I admired her from a few feet away. Why did she look like she belonged there? Almost as if she had been missing?
As she enjoyed her drink, she swayed to the music.
Her long, gorgeous hair fell over her shoulders, almost reaching the small of her back.
The black dress that hardly covered her body, parted at her chest and dipped down to her belly button, revealing the sides of her breasts and her tanned, muscular stomach.
She better have reserved that dress for me, because if I saw her in public wearing it, I’d cover her in my jacket, toss her over my shoulder, and remove her from any unwanted attention.
I followed her long, runner’s legs with my gaze, landing on the red stilettos.
The straps on the shoes twisted around her calves several times, accentuating how fit they were.
I adjusted my cock as I exhaled a long, slow breath.
I had to settle down. She was meant to be savored. Not devoured. Not tonight.
“If it isn’t my little stalker,” I said from the doorway. “I see you didn’t heed my warning.”
“Did you honestly think I would?” Her smile softened me, almost making me forget what tonight was really about. I wanted her, and I would take care of her, but I wouldn't lose focus.
Being with her wasn’t just about the two of us. It was about me getting the silent closure I had tossed aside for so many years. Even if Leo never discovered I was the one who took his daughter’s virginity, I would know. That would be enough for me.
“I wasn’t sure.” I came toward her. “You are a mystery to me.”
“A little intrigue never hurt anyone.” She uncrossed her legs, allowing me to step between them. “Atticus opened the prosecco for me. I hope that’s okay.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” I brushed the rose along her throat and down her chest. “You look amazing.”
“Is that for me?”
“Yes.” I placed it on her lap.
“I thought you don’t do romance.”
“I don’t, but on my way out of the club, I noticed an arrangement by the door. When I saw the rose, I thought of you. I figured if you decided to come here, knowing what you’d be giving up tonight, I could break my no-romance rule.”
“That’s sweet.” She brought the rose to her face and inhaled. “It smells almost as good as you do.” She set the flower on my desk and then draped her arms over my shoulders. “Thank you.”
“I’ve been thinking about your lips all day.”
“Just my lips?”
“Well…” I smirked. “If you really want me to tell you what else I’ve been thinking about, I will.” I traced my finger over her cheek as I leaned in and swept my lips along hers. “Last night, I dreamed about fucking you in the pool.”
“Oh.” I could practically taste the sweet, fruity prosecco on her breath.
“The sensation of your wet, hot skin is etched in my brain, and the memory of your legs wrapped around my hips is driving me to the edge of insanity.”
“I’ve thought about being with you since I left here.” She scraped her fingers through my beard. “This is a big step for me. I didn’t make this decision lightly.”
“I believe that.” I drew her hand to my mouth and kissed her fingertips. “But I am puzzled.”
“About what?”
“Why are you willing to give yourself to me?”
She had held on to her virtue through college, deeming no man worthy of her. Why me? Why now? Not that I was complaining. This was a winning opportunity for me.
“For one, you’re fucking hot.” She ran her tongue along the seam of my lips. “Remember when I said meeting you was fate?”
Is she going to go on about destiny again?
“There’s a reason we found one another.” She kissed my jaw. “Maybe it’s just to have tonight. I feel a connection to you. I wouldn't be here if this wasn’t what I wanted.”
I was drawn to her too. I couldn’t deny her beauty, but it wasn’t just her looks that piqued my interest. The determination she displayed by coming after me turned me on. She wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted even if her persistence could get her into trouble.
She’d never encountered the kind of havoc I could unleash on her.
She finished her drink with one long gulp and then licked her lips.
“Would you like some more?” I asked.
“I better not. My head is already spinning with anticipation.” Her hand trembled when I took the glass from her. “Or nerves. I’m a bit anxious.”
“That’s understandable.” I set the glass on the desk. “It’s been a long time since I've been with a virgin. I’ll try to remember my manners.”
“I thought you didn’t have manners.”
“I’m morally bankrupt, remember?” I took off my shoes and socks, pushing them under the desk with my foot before grasping one of her legs. “You have remarkable taste in shoes.”
“I love stilettos.” She dropped her gaze to my fingers as I untied the straps on her shoes. “I bought those today to commemorate my first time.”
“I should have bought them for you.” I slipped them off her delicate feet, admiring her perfect toes.
“I can buy my own stuff.” She giggled when I trailed my fingers along her calf. “I’m a modern girl.”
“If you were my girl, you’d never have to buy your own shoes again.” I shimmied my hands under her dress. “I’d give you anything you desired.”
“There’s only one thing I desire right now, and it isn’t shoes.” She smoothed her hands over my chest as she stared into my eyes. “I don’t want to lose my nerve.”
“I’ll try to be gentle.” I cupped her cheek in my hand and kissed her, savoring the taste of her mouth as she unbuttoned my shirt. As my lips connected with hers, I tugged my shirt from my waistband and helped her remove it.
“You don’t have to be gentle, but I do need you to be patient.”
“I’m not a very patient man, but for you, I’ll try.” She had turned my life upside down in a matter of days. Being with someone like her was out of character for me. I was careful when choosing who I shared my bed with. Years of mistrust and betrayal had turned my heart to stone.
I didn’t crave attachments or companionship. Sex was enough. That wasn’t the case with Capri. She was different. We were different.
“No one has ever kissed me the way you do.” She spread her legs when I reached under her dress and gripped the sides of her panties. “You make me feel like I’m the only woman you want to kiss.”
“That’s because you are the only woman I want.” I slid her panties down her legs. “I’ll show you just how much I want you.” The flame inside her burned hotter than any woman I had ever been with. Her innocence drew me to her, but her spirit held me there.
Get ahold of yourself! She is not your future. She’s just a way to put the past behind you.
I guided her off the desk and to the sitting area by the large window that overlooked the ocean.
She was with me to satisfy an urge she had to fulfill before she went back home.
I obliged her because it was a way for me to make peace with what had happened almost twenty years ago.
A mutual encounter that benefitted both of us. Nothing more.