Chapter 6
Fallon
Vissarian’s rental car was a sports car of a make and model I didn’t know. After he’d unlocked the doors, tossing the luggage into the trunk, he took the time to remove his tie, shoving it into the pocket of his jacket.
I tried not to stare, but it had been a long time since I’d enjoyed watching a man undress. He unbuttoned his charcoal shirt, even taking the time to unfasten his sleeves, rolling them up past his elbows.
Since I was paying close attention, I enjoyed noticing the tattoos had continued down his arms to just above his wrists. With one exception; Russian letters covered three fingers of his right hand.
On his left was a massive ring not unlike the one my stepbrother had started wearing.
Classy and expensive, it was an indication of wealth, power, or both. If I had to guess, I’d say Vissarian fit into the latter category.
That was the moment I had a sense of fear. Who was this man? My trust in Jeffrey was strong. He wouldn’t intentionally place me in a dangerous situation, yet I was suddenly uncomfortable.
Too late now.
I was stuck on the tiny island for two days.
“Get in,” he told me after tossing his jacket into the back seat. He wasn’t just encouraging me to follow his request.
He was commanding me.
I slid into the passenger seat, still somewhat anxious, but I certainly wasn’t going to blow this.
Since I’d taken a leave of absence from my job, the money would come in handy.
And I was being paid a hefty sum. To the tune of twenty thousand dollars.
Unheard of. With the out-of-pocket expenses of dealing with the funerals and other miscellaneous bullshit that Luis had been hiding, the money was a godsend.
I’d heard Luis was rich, but I’d seen no evidence of it. Unless Antonio had stolen every last dime. I doubted the attorney that had already been handling my mother’s estate would be very helpful. I envisioned the pinheaded man as being on Luis’ payroll, not likely left up to Antonio.
There was a small inheritance, a trust from my father, but it was still in probate and I hadn’t paid any attention to the amount. It felt as if even considering using the money would mean finally losing him forever.
I shuddered from the thought, trying to focus on the moment and the job. I’d been hired for a few private clients over the years, most of whom had seen me as nothing but the hired help. Annoying, but I certainly hadn’t been interested in getting to know them.
That’s why I remained quiet.
“How do you know Jeffrey?” he asked.
“An old friend.”
“I have a few skills that have come in handy in business over the years. One is knowing when someone is lying to me.” He tipped his head, the corner of his upper lip curled. “Which is something I won’t tolerate.”
“You think I’m lying?” A moment of his true self pulled at my annoyance.
“I know you are. I’m just curious why.”
Why was heat suddenly crawling across my face? I hated that. I also loathed being called out as a liar. “Fine. Jeffrey and I dated for a few months, but that was a long time ago. Or at least it seems like it.”
“Ah. That kind of close.”
“I assure you we weren’t in love. Far from it.”
He chuckled. “That’s probably best for you.”
“How do you know him?” I was curious as to his answer.
He grinned. If he was going to grill me, then I wouldn’t hold back. The gig was sweet and I doubted Jeffrey would allow me to jump in on the kind of money he earned. No wonder he’d moved into a luxurious condo.
“We met one night many years ago when he was gambling in my uncle’s resort. We got to talking. I learned he was a pilot and two weeks later, he was hired.”
“Gambling, huh. That doesn’t sound like him.”
“We all have secrets, Fallon. Some are simply too private, too embarrassing, or too dangerous to convey to others.”
“Which category do your secrets fall into?”
When he offered a smile, it was sly, the man obviously enjoying intriguing me. “Dangerous. Highly dangerous. Now, your turn. Which category?”
I shifted in my seat. “The same.”
“Now you have me more than curious. Why would an absolutely beautiful woman who is highly intelligent and certainly an amazing pilot have any dangerous secrets?”
“As you said. We’re all hiding something.”
He took a deep breath, tapping his finger on the steering wheel. “A challenge. Something I very much enjoy. Just beware. I’m an expert at unraveling riddles.”
Why he had some feigned interest in me was beyond my comprehension or care at this point.
He had no idea, nor would he discover my life was a mixed box of rocks.
At this point, I simply wanted to hurl them toward anyone who dared invade my privacy or tried to make my life any more difficult than it was.
Even if sitting so close created a wave of heat, a tickle of pure, raw electricity.
I didn’t know Saba Island. I’d only been to St. Martin many years before, but what I did know about the island was that one side had been nearly decimated by a hurricane, locals struggling just to get by.
Still, whatever his interest was in the island shouldn’t concern me in the least. It wasn’t my business to inquire or care.
But I had to admit a man who’d pay as much as he had for someone to fly him to an island destination either had a criminal background or was simply too awash in wealth for his own good. Maybe I’d stay in my tiny room for the two days, venturing out in the dark.
I almost laughed at the image of slinking around at whatever hotel I’d be staying at.
He pulled into a parking lot surrounded by lush, tropical trees and vivid foliage.
From where I sat, the building in front was colorful like so many were in the Caribbean.
Hues of pink and turquoise created a vibrant, easygoing atmosphere.
Yet the location certainly couldn’t be a five-star establishment, which was what I would expect someone like Mr. Dmitriyev would demand.
I had an intense desire to learn more about him.
From the internet in the privacy behind a closed and locked door.
He pulled into a space, immediately cutting off the engine.
“This where I’ll be staying?” I asked, guessing the answer while being surprised.
“Of course. Did you think I’d require you to be housed in some cheap motel for the trip?” His laugh was deep and husky. “You don’t know anything about me or my family. Do you?”
“Not a thing, but I don’t need to.” I opened the door, climbing out and studying the surrounding area. I could hear the roar of the ocean, the scent of salt spray already relaxing.
He chuckled almost in a knowing manner.
After getting out and scanning the area, he grabbed our bags, refusing to allow me to carry my own as we headed into the hotel and toward the reception desk.
Vissarian immediately moved to the polished high standing reception desk, pulling out his wallet. “Vissarian Dmitriyev checking in.”
“Oh, Mr. Dmitriyev. Yes. We were expecting you. I see you have a companion today.” The young girl smiled, although I could almost detect a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
Was Vissarian some big catch? Evidently so.
Everyone he came into contact with seemed to bow to him.
I found that fascinating since everyone Luis and Antonio had encountered had slunk away in fear.
“We’re not together,” I interjected immediately.
He laughed. “This is my pilot, Fallon Zimmerman. There was a change at the last moment. She will be staying in the cottage held for Jeffrey Collins.”
“Of course. Not a problem. I’ll just need to see some identification.”
Cottage? “Um, just a room is fine. Somewhere away from the crowd.” I hunkered down, fumbling as I tried to unfasten my suitcase.
I’d had fifteen minutes to fly to my apartment, dump the clothes I’d brought, and try to find anything decent for the trip.
Being away for two weeks had left me feeling disjointed.
“Nonsense, Fallon. You will be staying in a cottage,” he said as if his words were sent from God.
His attitude shouldn’t annoy me, but it did.
A part of him reminded me of the life I’d ignored, even though I’d warned my mother about getting involved with the man she’d fallen head over heels in love with.
Luis Esposito had certainly been charming, literally sweeping my mother off her feet after returning to the same diner where she’d worked three times in less than a week.
The whirlwind romance had turned into a spur of the moment wedding and suddenly, we’d become a family. I hadn’t gotten to meet either Luis or Antonio until the wedding. I’d been so young, but an old soul by then, seeing right through the gifts and the big house we’d been moved into.
My mother hadn’t been required to work. Correction, she hadn’t been allowed, all her creature comforts taken care of, but the honeymoon phase hadn’t lasted long before things had gotten weird.
Strange people in the house.
Blood appearing on his clothes in the wash.
Years passed and I’d entered the military soon after high school graduation, determined to see the world.
After that, her stories had gotten more bizarre, which had prompted me to take early retirement from the Air Force.
When I’d questioned her, she’d gone from being doe-eyed to annoyed, finally forbidding me from asking blasphemous questions.
Why was I rethinking about the play by play now? Maybe I was hopeful I could find evidence that would help put Antonio behind bars for good.
I still couldn’t get the latch to the suitcase undone. I was anxious and flushed from embarrassment.
“We have two perfect cabins for you, Mr. Dmitriyev. Both with spectacular ocean views. And of course, we have a tropical bar open every day from eleven a.m. They serve light food. There’s a lovely market just down the street where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, wines and meats and everything your heart desires. ”
Why did the girl’s voice suddenly become a seductive purr? I took a few seconds to glance at her face. My God, the woman was fucking him with her eyes. Did that make me jealous? Oh, hell, no.
Now I was pissed at my suitcase. I just wanted to get to my room and relax. Very much alone. Why had I picked the suitcase I’d had since I left for boot camp? Because I hadn’t been thinking clearly, a regularity for the last two weeks.
“Damn it!” My hiss immediately drew both their attention.
“Can I help you with that?” Vissarian asked, the amusement in his voice as irritating as the situation. And my freaking life.
“No!” I said a little too forcefully as I jerked at the flanges. Suddenly, they sprang free and the force I’d used somehow managed to pummel half the contents from the case.
Immediately, he dropped down to help me, his gorgeous hands grabbing my belongings.
The gesture was nice, but far too personal.
And embarrassing as hell.
When his fingers wrapped around my long, thick, and very purple vibrator, I wanted nothing more than to slink underneath the mosaic tile floor.
While I remained mortified, frozen on the spot with my face no doubt turning beet red, he was smiling from ear to ear, his stunning eyes sparkling in the LED lighting as he held the object of sin into the air.
“Mmm… I can tell what’s on your mind, Fallon, and what you hunger for.” His tone was even more commanding than before, also alluring in a way that created a vacuum surrounding me.
I licked my lips in response, the involuntary gesture capturing his attention.
“While a decent choice, I assure you there is nothing quite like the real thing.” He twisted the sex toy in his fingers, nodding a few times as if approving of my choice. When he dared turn it on, I glared at him, trying to keep my anger level in check. He was paying me after all.
“Do you mind? That’s mine.”
Taking his sweet time, he flicked the switch, quieting the toy.
I could tell the girl behind the counter was trying to suppress her laughter.
Why in God’s name had I tossed it into my suitcase?
I honestly couldn’t remember doing so. Maybe it had been under a handful of thongs I’d also brought.
Seconds later, he carefully placed the vibrator into my suitcase.
If that wasn’t enough to keep the suffering intact, next he grabbed one of two books I’d brought with me. The smile returned, perhaps even more devilish than before.
“Captured by the Mafia Don.” When he read the title out loud, he made it seem like what I was reading was indeed a mortal sin. “A fascinating choice. Maybe during the trip you’ll share his techniques.”
My reactions weren’t quick enough. He just had to turn to the page I’d dog-eared.
Of course he would. As soon as his eyebrows arched, I tried to jerk the book from his hand.
He was having none of it, grinning as if he’d unearthed some tremendous secret.
And I’d be damned if he wasn’t reading the page.
This would definitely go down in the books as the worst day ever.
“Alessandro’s cock was huge, the veins on the sides pulsing. As he walked toward me, I shuddered, thrilled from the anticipation of a single touch of his hand. On your knees, he told me in a husky tone. Open that sweet mouth of yours, baby girl. You’re going to deep throat my dick.”
I thought for certain the poor girl who was checking us in was going to have a heart attack. She fanned her face, which was now the color of the crimson potted plant beside her desk.
“Such a fantastic read.” Vissarian was enjoying himself, adding insult to injury.
The way he slowly lowered his gaze to my chest dragged me from my hypnotic spell. “I’m a voracious reader. I appreciate all forms of literature.” I jammed the rest of the items into the suitcase, yanking the book from his hand.
He chuckled again, rising to his full height while I hissed under my breath and yanked my wallet into my hand.
With a brutal snap, I closed the case and stood, raking hair from my face as I pulled out my driver’s license, also handing her my passport. “This should do it.”
The girl was trying very hard not to laugh.
At my expense.
What the hell was wrong with me? I was never flustered around a man. Never.
Keeping my distance was a necessity and one I was happy to enforce.
There was no chance in hell I would indulge in anything carnal.
Not with him.
Not with anyone.