Chapter 5 #2
Sinclair would undoubtedly tell me that she was potentially dangerous, although the thought was riveting more than anything.
I’d already been crucified in the press for the murder of a known enemy, something that seemed natural.
A moment of retaliation for the slaughter of my father. Except I was an innocent man.
On another front, Uncle Armand had remained in town and if I knew him, he was quietly undermining my authority.
I’d need to confront him, which would put another strain on my mother and sister.
Not my intention, but if my uncle believed he could use my arrest as a reason to usurp my power, he would soon learn the extent I’d go to for my family.
And to keep the throne.
Did I believe there was any chance my uncle was behind my father’s murder? No. However, he was a vulture who certainly wouldn’t mind claiming the fresh meat laid bare by his brother’s death. However I responded had to be done carefully.
Not something I was known for being very good with. Like my lack of patience.
Gutting the Russo family hadn’t been on my agenda for this year or any other.
If I were to advise myself, I’d say I should keep the thought unless I’d found certain proof they’d been behind my father’s death.
And killing the firstborn son of the Don was doing nothing more than initiating a war that neither party would completely win.
There were half a dozen reasons I should keep my distance from the lovely prosecutor, but fault number three, I didn’t like to play by anyone’s rules.
And her perfume was captivating. The lightly floral scent smelled like heaven. The thought was something I’d muse about later since it was the closest to heaven I’d ever get.
“I don’t think you want to try and stop me from leaving this courtroom, Mr. Prince.
As an officer of the court, I will need to report your actions as being hostile and your bail, just established at such a ridiculously low number will be revoked.
At least if I have anything to do about it.
Then you can spend your days and nights awaiting trial thinking about how you could have handled things differently.
And I assure you that with the number of cases already on the dockets, your case won’t come up for trial for months, if not well over a year.
That’s what happens to men who believe themselves to be the devil reincarnated. ”
“The devil. I’ve been compared to many powerful men in my years of treading around the sun; however, the devil was a title I use liberally for myself. Now you have me curious. Are you threatening me, Catherine?”
“Of course not. That would be against the law. I’m giving you a piece of advice. I won’t even charge you for my sage ideas.” She yanked her briefcase into her hand, eyeing me with all the tenacity of a warrior.
My cock twitched because of her defiance alone.
“Please do. I will be happy to pay whatever you charge.” I moved closer until there was barely an inch between us.
This time she didn’t budge, peering up at me, her eyes holding mine in a quiet dance of dominance.
In that moment I knew I would fuck her, teasing her with roughness while showing her the kind of passion a woman so beautiful deserved.
The sexual tension we shared was heavy. The lurid thoughts continued, some so sadistic I was surprised at the increasing need to keep her chained.
I would need to let her walk away, although I promised myself that I would see her again very soon. What a shame. I truly wouldn’t mind after tasting her luscious lips to drive my tongue deep inside her sweet pussy.
“Let me ask you a question,” she pushed. “The day I met you.”
“Go on.”
She was doing a very good job of shutting me down.
Too bad for her that soon she wouldn’t be able to ignore me or my needs.
“Your hand was bruised. Had you been beating the victim, holding him hostage in some dirty little warehouse? Perhaps using him as a punching bag until your patience grew thin. Then you decided to cut him into pieces, creating an artful picture with them?”
“I assure you that if I’d killed the man, his body would have never been found, Ms. Devereaux. I’m many things but not without a lack of attention to detail. Very important in my world.”
“Then what were you doing? Will I hear about another body?”
My God, she was pushing me to points no other woman had done before. The thoughts I had and the filthy things I wanted to do to her would certainly land me in jail. “If you’d like to know and can handle the truth, I’ll be glad to share the vivid details.”
“Keep trying to intimidate me, Mr. Prince, and I’ll ensure the death penalty is on the table.”
Now I laughed. “I do so adore a woman with guts. Since you asked so nicely, I’ll be happy to tell you that on the day we met, which I certainly find highly suspicious at this point, I was providing needed punishment for a man in my employ who provided illegal drugs for his fifteen-year-old brother.
I don’t tolerate drugs being provided to kids. ”
She blinked a couple of times before a smile curled across her lush lips. “I’ll be certain to tell the judge you’re a regular hero during your sentencing.”
“Then I guess you’ll need to pin a murder on me that I didn’t commit. Are you up for the task? Or are you still wondering what it would feel like to have my cock plunged into your tight cunt?”
“You fucking bastard.”
I caught her hand in mid-motion just before she managed to crack her palm across my face.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
“What the hell?” Her slight cry jolted me nearly as much as the sound of gunfire.
“Get down,” I told her, reacting immediately. Fuck. This was the last thing I needed.
The sound of people screaming could be heard over the soundproofing. I had no doubt that chaos had already ensued or the reason for the attack.
Someone wanted my life.
“Why? I need to contact the deputy.” Her voice quavered.
She wasn’t given a choice as the double doors were flung open, a gunman setting foot inside.
Screams filled the courtroom as I threw myself on top of her, tackling her to the cold tile floor.
But I didn’t stay there, immediately jumping to my feet and lunging toward the lone gunman.
He wasn’t prepared for me to attack unarmed, which gave me a slight advantage.
The barrel of his weapon was pointed in Catherine’s direction.
I grabbed his arm with one hand, swinging him around with the other.
Ripping the weapon free, I smashed it against the side of his head.
Ordinarily I’d put a bullet into his brain.
Not this go-around. I did want to stay free until I could figure out who the fuck was trying to frame me on top of killing my father.
The lovely prosecutor had just become my accomplice in escaping.
Chaos had ensued, additional gunfire sounding further away. Maybe the armed guards positioned inside the courthouse had managed to chase the perpetrators away from the courtrooms. That didn’t mean much. I’d have limited time to get away.
“What are you doing?” she demanded when I grabbed her around the waist, yanking her toward the door I’d seen the judge come through. She has a strong grip on her briefcase, using it to shield herself.
“I’m getting the fuck out of here and you’re going to help me.”
“Like hell I will.”
While she struggled like a wildcat, stronger than I’d given her credit for, I managed to get her out the door leading to the private chambers of the various judges. We had no time to lose given there was undoubtedly more than one gunman in the courthouse building.
“Let me go.” Her small fists pounded against my chest. “Goddamn you.”
She continued fighting me as we raced down the corridor. I constantly looked behind, prepared to see a gunman chasing after us at any time. When she managed to break free, I was forced to tackle her against the wall.
People were running, barely paying any attention to a huge man holding a weapon and one of their prosecutors. While she called out once, I noticed she hadn’t begged for help. Maybe she didn’t mind being my captive.
Her breathing was labored, every action panic driven. The terror in her eyes was centered more around what I was doing instead of understanding what we were both facing. That was because she was far too innocent, unused to dealing with day-to-day living on the other side of the law.
Time to provide the first lesson in survival.
“No. No!”
Her squeals, however pleasurable to hear, needed to cease.
I pulled her into an open office door, instantly covering her mouth with my hand.
With her soft ass pressed against my cock, there was no chance of ignoring the attraction I felt.
Having her in my arms forced me to realize how fragile and vulnerable she was.
Everything about her was intoxicating, including the scent of fear mixed with her subtle perfume.
I’d never been the kind of man to force myself on a woman. Doing so hadn’t been necessary, but right now, I could easily lose myself in the beautiful woman without a single regret. Her soft moan was an admittance she felt the lust I had for her.
If she only knew what I was thinking.
It took every ounce of control to keep from tasting her, if only for a few seconds. Sadly, any distraction could mean our death.
“You need to listen to me. There is a gunman, likely more than one who came here today with the full intention of killing me. I assure you that you won’t be left as a witness. Do you understand? Nod if you do.”
Thankfully, she did, but I could tell by the hatred in her eyes she wasn’t going to be very cooperative.
“I also need you to behave and not try and draw attention. Can you be a good girl for me?” The fear remained, but her determination to escape had yet to fade. We were running out of time. “Answer me.” I released my hold on her mouth long enough for her to provide a verbal answer.
“Yes.” Said between clenched teeth.