Chapter 15 Blake
BLAKE
“Miss Brookes,” I say, completely ignoring that she keeps shoving the wood against my foot.
“No,” she squawks.
“Liar.” I push her aside easily.
“There’s some mistake!” She backs away, and I follow her into the apartment. “I have a gun!”
“I know, I gave it to you,” I say dryly.
She dashes and grabs her phone, and with shaking hands tries to unlock it.
“I don’t recommend that.”
I roll my eyes and flick my fingers to indicate Aaron should be brought in. He’s flanked by two of my younger men who I haven’t yet persuaded to wear a decent suit rather than black T-shirts.
Nina’s eyes go wide, but she recovers herself admirably. “What’s going on?”
“It’s time for you to pay,” I say simply.
A truly pathetic noise comes out of her mouth.
A little harsh, and hardly the case, but I’m not allowing any room for her wriggling out of staying with me. And blackmail is effective. I have leverage, and I’m not a good enough man not to use it.
“Bunny.” Her expression drops further as I use her nickname.
“Boss—” Aaron begins.
“We’ll get to that,” I cut him off. “Why don’t you sit down? Let’s all be comfortable.” We’ve entered a short corridor that opens out into a small lounge and kitchen combined with windows that look over the street, and I point at the sofa with a throw over it, pushed against the wall.
“It’s our apartment,” Nina mutters, and I have to hold back my grin.
Nina and Aaron perch anxiously on the sofa, and I pull out one of the two spindly chairs from the tiny bistro-style table and sit in front of them, my legs stretched out in a power play of relaxation.
“It has come to my attention that we have an imposter in the Norwood group chat.”
Aaron’s expression goes panicky, his eyes darting around, but Nina pales like her blood has drained from the soles of her feet.
Interesting. He didn’t know.
“I take security at Norwood very seriously.”
Aaron nods along frantically.
“Intruders could send information to the Essex Cartel.”
She keeps her head down, as though by doing so I might forget she’s there. Not likely. I’d notice her lovely curvy body and the outline of her face anywhere.
I fold my arms and narrow my eyes. “So would you like to tell me about how this significant data breach happened?”
“Nothing, I swear,” Aaron babbles. “I don’t know anything about it. I’ll talk to you, I’ll find out who it was, but just let my sister go. She’s innocent. Please.”
“What do you think, Miss Brookes?” I gaze at Nina.
She sneaks a look up at me, and I dare her with my eyes. She snaps her head back down.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says into her lap.
“You’re unaware of a spy going by the name of Bunny the Killer who was added to the Norwood Action Group?” I ask.
Aaron’s face falls as he realises what’s happened, but recovers.
“It’s true,” he says urgently. “Nina has nothing to do with this. I didn’t tell her who I work for. I wanted to protect her. Just let her go.”
“Mm.” I stroke my fingers against my stubbly jaw. “So you take responsibility for any security breach?”
Aaron flinches, but nods. “Yes.”
“Brave.” I slide my gaze over to Nina. She peeks up at me with pleading eyes.
I draw my gun and place it across my thigh.
Nina gasps. “No!”
“Something to say?” I enquire casually.
“Nina, don’t—” Aaron tries to stop her.
“It was me,” she says desperately, leaning forwards, begging me. “Please don’t do anything to Aaron.”
“Good girl.” I give her a small smile and holster my weapon. “I won’t harm your brother for his mistake.” I was never going to, though she doesn’t know that. “But I expect you to come with me.”
It’s not a direct threat, or a deal, anymore than the gun was. But I want her in my house, and in my arms, and this is the most efficient way of achieving that.
“Okay,” she replies in a soft voice. But she’s not really scared. There’s excitement bubbling right under the surface. The fear has got her adrenaline pumping.
“Nina, you can’t!” Aaron grips his sister’s arm. “I’ll—”
“Excellent.” I stand in one smooth movement. “Nina, get your stuff. We’re leaving.”
“Get what stuff?” Nina asks, brow furrowed.
“I thought you’d appreciate the opportunity to pick up a few items. You’ll be staying for a while.” Forever. But no need to mention that.
“My blackmailer is giving me time to pack?” she says in disbelief.
“Exactly. You can bring anything you want with you. And any of my presents you like.” I sweep my hand towards the doors I assume lead to bedrooms. “Now.”
“Please,” Aaron begs. “She’s innocent!”
“Maybe, but not for long.”
He looks stricken.
It’s a provocative comment. I should be kinder to poor Aaron.
On the one hand, he fucked up, and he’s immeasurably lucky he’s alive, and all I’m doing is scaring him a bit. On the other, he’s the reason I found Nina. My bunny. The love of my life.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take excellent care of your sister,” I assure him.
Nina squeezes her brother’s hand, then pushes to her feet, like she’s as keen for us to be alone as I am.
Or, more likely, she’s thinking of the gun in her room. And the ammo. I’m almost certain she has no idea how to use it. And if she does, well, that’ll add to the fun.
Besides, I could overpower her in about half a second.
She sashays into her bedroom, and I can’t help but smile at her courage.
“You might not like the options of what I bring,” she says with obviously faux confidence.
Leaning against the doorframe, I watch as she pulls the boxes I gave her from beneath her bed. Where she’d hidden them? “I can take anything you’ve got.”
“You haven’t seen my collection of dildos.” Her chin tilts up.
“I’m not afraid of those. And you know why.” I’m well endowed both in my cock and skill with my tongue. “But you should bring the toy I bought for you.”
“That’s no way to talk about guns,” she quips as she picks up the custom-made pistol I gave her, and bites her lip.
“That’s not what you really want to bring.” I raise my eyebrows in challenge.
“I dunno, this is kidnap.” She turns the weapon over in her hands.
“Abduction. Or payment. A date.” I shrug. I keep my gaze on her. “Claiming what’s mine. I don’t care what you call it, Bunny.”
“Nina, you don’t have to do this,” Aaron says from behind me. “It’s my fault. I’ll take the consequences.”
“It’s okay.” Her gaze darts to her brother, then back to me, and Aaron catches sight of the gun. “Blake and I—”
“Where did you get that?” Aaron exclaims.
Wincing, she drops the gun and presses her lips together. “I, uh.”
“Are you bringing any clothes?” I snap, running out of patience.
“No, I—”
“Naked works for me.” I scoop up the fluffy handcuffs and bend down as I go to my girl. She blinks, unsure what I’m doing, then squeals as I catch her by the waist, lift her over my shoulders and carry her away.
She’s mine.