Chapter 16 #2
It took him a few seconds to remember why the name was important. “You mean the rather radical group of rich kids who believe they own the world?”
If the Prince family members had a single connecting foible, it was that they believed they were invincible.
“You know exactly with what happened with Sinclair and Josette and why the ruthless and secretive organization could be of some importance.”
The men involved in the Brotherhood were powerful and controlled several companies worldwide.
While they weren’t involved per se in politics, they certainly had control over certain prominent members of various law agencies and even a few inside the Senate.
All under the radar. One connection I rarely used, an old college buddy of mine in a high-ranking position in the military, had discovered they had several offshore bank accounts and had strong-armed their way into various land deals.
Their claim to fame.
They were all rich and powerful.
But in an entirely different way than the Prince family.
Land acquisition by way of contractual force using whatever method necessary.
They had various building contractors on their payroll and had been the silent investor in hundreds of profitable land deals.
Resorts. Hotel chains. Retail. Housing developments.
Given they also hadn’t concentrated their operations to one location in the country, no one had been the wiser it was a group working in tandem.
They also treated women as objects and nothing else, considering them second-class citizens. Just after their father’s murder, the Brotherhood had come into play in attempting to destroy the Prince family, almost killing Sinclair’s wife in the process.
While they hadn’t reared their ugly heads since then, that didn’t mean their organization had collapsed.
They’d simply gone on about their business, buying properties, making money, and owning one too many corporations.
However, for as smart as they liked to think of themselves, their greed made them weak.
“Yeah, I remember them,” he finally answered.
“Then maybe it’s worth you and Alexander looking into.”
“Alright. Your instinct is usually on the money. We can do that. Maybe it’s in both your best interests to bring her home.”
“I will. I’m just the hired help, but I see the problem. She can’t date a single man. There is no romance in her life and do you know why?”
“Because she’s picky.”
Laughing, I rubbed my eyes, which were as exhausted as the rest of me since we’d gone round and round in sharing passion. I’d delivered on the promise I’d made, leaving her sore and covered in my scent.
I’d almost marked her and right now, my palm itched to do so again. My, oh, my. I’d crossed the line how many times and not a single part of me was sorry.
“No. First, you or Alexander or both would have one of our computer experts check her date out with every freaking database to ensure he wasn’t a criminal or otherwise considered unacceptable to the family’s honor.
Then you’d have her tailed, as you guys do on a regular basis, to ensure that the asshole wasn’t too forward.
If he was, you’d send me out to kick his ass or worse. ”
“We don’t do that.”
“Ask the guy on the speed date where she connected with one of the dating partners that question and you might be surprised by his answer.”
“Speed dating?”
“Yep,” I said. “That’s what she resorted to after leaving her security detail in the wind.”
“So what are you asking?”
“That every member of the Prince family gives her some time. I’ll be right here to ensure nothing happens to her, although she certainly doesn’t want me to get but so close.
” Did I feel bad for not disclosing what I’d found out about her speed date, Alex Carmichael?
Not yet. I’d called one of my soldiers to see if he could try to find the man.
I’d rather know what I was dealing with first.
“I don’t know if Alexander will go for it.”
“If he doesn’t, you stand a chance of losing her forever.”
I allowed the gravity to settle in. Hearing his groan seconds later brought a smile to my face. I hadn’t lied to him about anything. Not yet anyway.
“Maybe I should talk to her.” Jaxon had always had a hard head.
“Not a good idea. I’m telling you. You’re going to need to place your trust in me, my friend. If I detect anyone has discovered her identity, I will hogtie her and bring her home.”
“Why do I get the feeling you don’t mind spending time with her?”
“I’m a professional, Jaxon. You don’t need to worry about what I’m doing here.”
“Relax, brother. I’ve seen the way my sister looks at you, as if skewering a cockroach with the plastic spear previously holding her olives in her dirty martini.”
“Smart girl.” Perhaps I should feel guilty not only for savoring every moment of her writhing underneath me the night before, but also from the filthy thoughts currently scouring through my mind.
I didn’t.
“Yes, well, she can take care of herself against men such as yourself.”
“Ouch,” I grunted. “I’m hurt.”
“I would think after all the shutouts with women you’ve had, you’d learn to take rejection better.” Our standing joke since I usually walked away with the beautiful woman for the night. That was before he’d met the love of his life.
“And I would think you’d learn I have a mean right hook.”
His laugh was typical, boisterous and unaware of just how close I’d gotten to his sister. “Now, it’s your turn to do me a favor.”
“And what would that be?”
“Try not to either terrify or provide her with a more significant reason to remain hiding away in a tropical location.”
“As I said before. I’m professional.”
“Yeah, I know that. So, I’ll talk with Alexander, but I can’t promise anything. You know he’s like a papa bear with sharp claws now that he’s become a father.”
“I’m aware. Try your best. I’ll see what I can find on my end. Locate the photographer. Oh, were the computer experts able to discover anything on the sim card?”
Jaxon grumbled. “You were right in that it’s damaged, but they’re hopeful.”
“I have a feeling there might be something to pay attention to. What, I don’t know.”
“Then we’ll keep working on it. Call me.”
“Yeah, I will.” When I ended the call, I squeezed the phone before shoving it into my pocket. I’d be damned if I didn’t detect a presence. I didn’t even bother turning around. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to know you betrayed me.” At least there was some hint of amusement in her tone.
“That’s exactly what I believed you’d think. I’m not betraying you. I’m trying to keep you safe. There’s a big difference.”
“Is there?”
There was way too much mischief in her eyes. “Yes.” When I inched closer, she took a deep breath. “Yes, quite a bit.” The moment of tension was different than before, but I couldn’t put my finger on how. “I’m curious. The gris-gris. A good will spell or a curse?”
The way a slow, sly smile spread across her face was enough to tighten my balls. When she shifted her gaze to the bulge between my legs, I was at the point of taking her right here on the balcony.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“You think I’m your enemy.”
Emmeline’s laugh was subtle but powerful. “Heavens, no.” She joined me on the deck, although keeping her distance. “What about the Brotherhood? I overheard you mentioning them.”
There was no doubt she heard my exaggerated sigh. “I don’t know if there’s anything except the magazine who hired the photographer is from the city where Josie was born.”
“I remember. You seem to forget I’m close with Josie and heard all about the Brotherhood from her point of view. What makes you think that’s what we’re dealing with?”
“A hunch.” I dared glance in her direction, noticing she was grappling with the possibility.
“A hunch. I know you’re good at your job, but living in fear is not what my mother and father taught me to do.
I’m no fool. If things get dangerous, we’ll leave.
I will make you that promise.” She folded her arms as she turned to face me.
“But I can’t have you dictating my life or sharing our experience.
Our… passion. I won’t stand for that, Donatello.
You were right about one thing. I will permanently disappear and no, I don’t want to do that. I just want space.”
“And I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
She almost smiled. Almost. “Then don’t allow it.”
For the entire time I’d known Emmeline, she was a woman who could intelligently talk people either down or into anything she wanted them to believe.
Seeing the strange look in her eyes, almost as if one of defeat while simply walking away nagged at me to the point where I had no clue what to say to her.
Another laugh drew my attention. She’d stopped in the doorway once again.
With a slight tilt of her head toward me, she took a deep breath.
“Don’t worry, Donatello. I wouldn’t use a spell on my handsome stalker.
If I was so inclined to take out my anger or frustration, I’d use something much more dangerous. ”
“That’s good to know. Where are you going?”
Everything about the woman could be calculating, and she could explode just when someone least expected it.
For me, a certain laugh was a clear indication people close to her should duck or face shrapnel.
The provocative sound meant I was in for a tailspin ride.
She’d caught me ignoring her wishes of silence with her family, which meant I’d face the wrath of her choosing.
“To take a shower and get dressed. The date didn’t end last night.” She turned a bit more towards me, her eyes highlighting the wickedness of her thoughts. “You can certainly join me in the shower if you like.”
“Something to consider.” And she knew I would. Hell, my cock was already fully erect.
“I’m curious, Donatello. Why?”
“Why?”
“Yes. Why go to all the trouble to find me when all you needed to do was to send men who work for you to bring me home. I would have had no choice but to follow their commands. Your actions confuse me. First you want me, then you don’t.”
I’d know the question would come up at some point. Maybe I was hoping for a later time, but in certain aspects of life, a man couldn’t always have what he wanted.
Not this time.
There was no longer any reason to hide behind the facade any longer.
“The last thing I want is for you to be confused, Emmeline, so let me be very clear about what I want.”
Hearing that my tone was more predatory than before, she turned around to face me, eagerness in her eyes. I closed the distance, allowing my fingers to draw a path along the carved edge of her jaw, swirling the tip of my index finger around her lips as she shuddered involuntarily.
“What’s that?” she whispered. The flash of her sapphire eyes sparked molten as soon as I’d claimed her space.
“You. You act as if you’re worried that I won’t be able to protect you. Let me be very blunt.” I took the time to ghost my thumb across her bottom lip, pulling it open. “There is no army in this world that can keep me from finding or claiming what’s mine.”
Her soft moan fueled the fire burning deep within.
“And make no mistake. From the day I met you, you were mine.” I captured her mouth, enjoying the quiver of her body as she leaned into me. I’d been waiting for half my life it seemed to make that statement. Now that I had, there was no chance at retracting either the words or the meaning.
She was mine.
With the kiss broken seconds later, she pressed her fingers across her lips, the flash in her gorgeous eyes keeping my attention. With another quick look, she headed inside.
Everything about her unsettled me. I never lost control, certainly with a woman.
I’d remained alive based on order and discipline, but I’d tossed it all aside by laying claim to her.
Ridiculous. Damning. Yet the need to possess her, to own every touch, every kiss and breath had consumed me for far too long.
The dam had simply broken and there was nothing I could do about it.
Nor did I want to.
When she was gone, I was faced with an odd loneliness. As if she’d placed her trust in me and I’d failed her.
Suddenly, I didn’t like myself very much any longer.
Instead?
I felt a little like the stalker she acted as if she was protecting.
However, everything about her was intoxicating. Her fire. Her resolve. Her hunger.
And her desire to let go.
Maybe in a way I’d made a deal with the devil.
Was being with her, owning her worth spending all eternity in hell?
Without a doubt.