Chapter 9
Alexander
I’d experienced fury dozens of times in my life, anger that could only be described as dangerous. With a look alone, I provided a perfect understanding of what the person on the receiving end could expect.
That’s why I’d been the first in the family to be called the Prince of Darkness. Without issuing a single command, my men knew what to do. The victim of my unstated rage quickly learned my silence didn’t mean weakness or tolerance.
With Catherine, I felt the same sense of anger, but for an entirely different reason than with any man.
She refused me.
Yes, she’d accepted her punishment, likely because she knew she had no choice. But in choosing to ignore my slight advance, she’d taken control. Rejection was an irritation I wasn’t used to dealing with.
And I didn’t like it one goddamn bit.
However, I wasn’t going to alter my personality or shove aside the respect I had for women and force myself on her. That wasn’t in my genes. My conviction didn’t mean my desire had lessened or that I had plans on letting her go any time soon.
Her lower lip was pouted in defiance or maybe continued disgust with me.
She didn’t take her eyes off me as she hurriedly hid her nakedness from me.
My eyes were immediately drawn to the tear in her shirt and the dirt on her skirt.
When she’d nearly fallen into my arms from the twist of her ankle, I’d had real concern.
I’d stood in front of my neighbors, feeling the heat of their angry eyes on me bantering with a woman I barely know.
One I craved more than I had any other.
We’d be the talk of the neighborhood. I’d need to have Jarvis instruct our computer experts to scrub the internet.
I had no doubt at least one picture would surface.
Seeing her lower lip quivering, I allowed my concentration to drift to its lush surface.
All I could think about was kissing that soft mouth into submission.
Far too many lurid thoughts shoved aside what I should be fixated on, including finding my father’s killer. Instead, the scenarios revolved around ones of her eyes closed and of her back being arched in pleasure as I drove my tongue deep inside her sweet pussy.
After that, she’d scream my name, begging me to fuck her. First, I’d fuck the defiance from her lips before thrusting my cock deep inside her tight cunt.
With another sigh, I grabbed my drink from before, powering it down to try to calm my nerves and my desires. There were things to be done and even though I’d laid some rather desperate claims on her, the truth was that I couldn’t keep her but for so long like a caged animal.
People would come looking for her and I’d be the obvious choice with her disappearance. I dragged out my phone, placing a call to my baby sister. At least she could provide assistance without questions being asked from the wrong person.
Even though I knew she’d grill me later.
“Emmeline,” I gritted out.
“You were released. I knew you would be.” Her squeal was a happy one, which allowed me a smile when everything else seemed to keep the veil of darkness enshrouded over my head.
“You knew I’d be.” Evidently, she was engrossed in working at one of several shops at Indulgence and had yet to see a report about the courthouse shooting. Catherine was watching me intently, the seductive look capable of lighting a thousand fires.
Whether she knew it or not, she was a little cock tease. An odd sense of jealousy tore at me. Had she done this with other men, making them crave her then shoving them aside?
I’d heard the term love–hate, yet the connection we shared, the sizzle of electricity crossed over into something much stronger. Seducing her would be a sheer pleasure.
Defiling her was a necessity.
“Are you worried about business because everything is running smoothly.” Emmeline took her job seriously, the longing to please me coming from a closeness that had often kept me sane.
“With you at the helm, sweet sister, I know I never need to worry.”
“Flattery means you need something, brother?”
Laughing, I turned to face Catherine, scanning her body as if I didn’t already know her size well enough. “I need some clothes from that fancy shop of yours.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“No occasion in particular. Do you think you can have them dropped off at the house?”
Emmeline offered her sweet snort that I adored. “How soon do you need them?”
“An hour?”
“You’re incorrigible, but I can make that happen. Tastes? Size? I did need some information unless you’d like me to select glorified canvas bags.”
Musing, I offered Catherine’s size and knew instantly by the heavy blush on her cheeks that I’d gotten it right. “As far as what I’d like. Something sensual and classy. Something comfortable. And something highly evocative.”
“Ooh-la-la. I take it my brother finally has a date. About time.”
A smile crossed my face that irritated my guest since she knew she was being talked about.
A date. Perhaps that’s exactly what needed to happen.
To be seen with the prosecutor. That would ensure she wasn’t kept on my case, allowing me to enjoy spending more time with her.
What it would also do was place a target on her back.
If I were the same man as when I’d crawled off the cot inside the cramped jail this morning, I’d use her to discover information, tempting the bastard who’d killed my father. Maybe then I could learn whether she was the intended victim of the shooting at the courthouse or if I was.
Then again, I wasn’t certain I wanted to share her. “Just enjoying some time spent together. I knew I could count on you.”
“You’ll need to tell me everything,” she teased, but knew better than to continue grilling me. My privacy was important even though my family lived in the same city and we were close.
“What was that?” Catherine asked as soon as I ended the call.
“Your clothes are ruined. I assumed you’d prefer to change, including grabbing a shower.”
Her mouth opened slightly before she pursed her lips and found the courage she’d exhibited several times to walk toward me. Yet she kept more than an arm’s length away. The woman amused me and that was rare. “I’m not staying here, Alexander. I thought I made myself clear.”
“Do we really need to go through this again? Until I determine the threat level, you’re going to be my guest.”
“I can’t just come up missing. I assure you that people will be looking for me.”
I headed to my jacket, tugging out her phone. “Did you forget that today is Friday and while my profession doesn’t necessarily celebrate holidays, it’s my understanding Monday is one for all federal employees. That gives us three days of getting to know each other much better.”
The way her emerald eyes gazed at me was emitting various emotions. If only I had time to dissect them. Perhaps later.
When I walked closer, she stiffened, slowly lowering her gaze to her phone. “You’re going to allow me to call for help?”
“I don’t honestly think you want to do that. I think you enjoy spending time with a man who makes you feel things you’ve never felt before in your life.”
I was rewarded by a roll of her eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself. What do you really want?”
Her insistence she didn’t crave what only I could provide only further fueled the desire burning a hole through me. I was certain her tone would change when I had my mouth fixated on the heat between her thighs. Then she’d be begging me for more, allowing her to come.
The thought continued to unnerve me. “You’re going to contact the district attorney.”
“And say what? That I was kidnapped by a very bad man?” She tried to jerk it from my hand, but I wasn’t ready to let it go just yet.
Not without some rules.
The touch of her fingers against mine had the same effect as before. Cathartic. Electric. Intense. Her slight gasp reflected what I was feeling, but I let her pull her hand free.
“If asked if you are injured you will say no, you’d already left before the shooting began. Then you’ll ask if he knows what happened and if anyone was arrested.”
Her smile was such that she believed she’d found a weakness in me. “You don’t know what happened and you’re frightened.”
“I’m not frightened of anything, Catherine. I’m concerned that the attacks could continue and other innocent individuals will lose their lives.”
She laughed, her look full of animosity. “How noble of you.”
Losing my patience wasn’t a good idea, but she was pushing every button in a way I’d hadn’t experienced before. “Think what you want. Make the call.”
“Gladly.” Her trite answer had me reacting without thinking. I moved quickly, snapping my hand around her wrist. “Ouch. You’re hurting me.”
While I lessened the pressure, I kept my firm hold. “Don’t do anything stupid. You won’t like the harsher punishments that could be used.”
“Fuck you.”
“There’s the fire I coveted from before. I assure you that I have every intention of fucking you, but you’ll be the one begging me to do so. Be careful what you ask for. Next time you do, there will be no stopping me from taking everything I want. All of you.”
The fear deep within was palpable. I could smell it on her, the scent as powerful as the perfume that had long since gone past intoxicating me.
Her jerk was enough to pull free and she took two steps backwards before making the call.
I stood where I was, watching her as intently as she was doing with me.
Finally, a hint of her nervousness drifted past the contempt when the call was answered.
“Mr. Bernat. I thought I’d update you on what happened with the Prince case. ”
The man’s voice was deep enough I knew he was answering.
“No, what are you talking about? I decided to go home and work on some cases.” She hesitated, never blinking as she watched me. “What? You’re kidding?” A few seconds passed. “I didn’t see anything. I left right after the judge ruled so I didn’t need to talk to the prick.”
She had a way of amusing me.