Chapter 28
Christian
The darkness wasn’t oppressive nor was it even a challenge.
In the dead of night, I could enjoy performing as necessary without fear of being seen. Not that I’d ever really cared.
Hunting the bastard was like returning to something comforting, only the hunt was too easy, the prey remaining in one place.
It had taken me ten minutes to make it to her house. I’d floored my Harley, the late hour preventing any traffic keeping me from getting to my destination. In parking a distance from her house, I’d prevented any advance notification of my arrival.
The idiot had obviously used a key or some clandestine method to get inside. I’d known because the door had been unlocked.
I made my way through the house, also not worried about the silence. He hadn’t left the premises as of yet. I could feel his presence. I was especially quiet as I neared her room, the door partially open.
With a single finger, I pushed it open. He wasn’t paying any attention and why? Because he was watching her.
Just as I’d done.
Standing on the other side provided a decent insight into why the behavior was frowned upon.
Plus, I was furious that anyone dared enter her home.
The blinds were partially open over her bed, the moonlight streaming in providing a perfect backdrop for seeing her lying under the covers.
She was murmuring in her sleep, her rest fitful at best. All I wanted to do was to gather her in my arms.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true. I craved stripping off whatever she was wearing and doing unspeakable things to her luscious body, but I definitely didn’t want an unwanted voyeur watching us.
Even if the thought had been scintillating when we’d been on the Ferris wheel. In the stream of light, I noticed the huge stuffed bear in the corner. A symbol of innocence lost. She was truly an amazing woman who deserved exactly what I’d said before.
Everything.
I took a deep breath, inhaling her perfume before turning my head toward the other man in the room.
It was always the same with men who believed they could be stalkers. They had no clue what to do, standing in the shadows and watching while remaining rigid. The man wasn’t certain what he was doing so he was just staring at her.
Which was to my benefit since he still had the blade in his hand.
Whatever he was planning, the knife had been an afterthought.
That didn’t mean he had no intention of using it.
Often those caught in the act or uncertain of the outcome would resort to doing truly stupid things. He wasn’t here for self-gratification.
He was here to keep her quiet.
I could smell his rage, which could also mean he’d been informed he was no longer wanted at Covington’s headquarters. That added to the fact he should be considered armed and dangerous.
As much as I enjoyed watching, now wasn’t the time to flex my stalking abilities. I advanced and was only two feet away when he finally reacted.
But not fast enough.
He swung the knife. What a fool, I snapped my hand around his wrist, yanking him backward by a couple of feet. The horrific thud was capable of waking the dead. So far neither one of us had said a word. That was about to change.
I smashed his hand against the wall several times until he finally dropped the knife.
Everything happened quickly then, including with the light being turned on.
“Your former boyfriend decided he’d ensure you didn’t say a word to George,” I said, tossing her a glance. It was adorable seeing the mixture of emotions on her face.
The love of my life didn’t scream as if expecting one or both of us. However, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed she jumped to the other side of the bed and out of harm’s way.
Good girl.
“Christian Tempest,” Carrington said, laughing as he did. “The police should be looking for you.”
“Oh, yeah?” I asked.
“You’re a bastard, Carrington.” My lovely Penelope sounded eager to get in on the fray.
His laugh was hearty. Did he honestly believe he could win the fight? “Time for me to take everything of value to you. Christian.”
“Impossible,” she chipped in and glared at him. “George knows everything. By morning, you’ll be the one behind bars. You forget I have evidence.”
I wasn’t immediately interested in explaining what I was planning, concentrating on getting my jollies by bashing in his face.
“Bitch,” he hissed.
“Never call a woman a bitch,” I growled.
Carrington tried to punch me, but I snapped my hand around his fist, using it to pitch him backward.
He tumbled into the wall, but pushed himself off, grinning as if actually believing he could win this.
I was a trained killer. Did he have no clue what I was capable of?
Evidently not because he made the mistake of lunging toward me, even managing to issue a jab under my jaw. It was jarring but would be the last one he ever tossed.
I was furious.
“Careful, honey,” she teased.
Another brutal punch and blood flew from his mouth. Damn it. All over my nice new shirt. “Don’t worry, baby. I got this.”
I pummeled one fist then the other into Carrington’s face and kidney, enjoying the crack as his nose was broken.
At first, he tried to fight me, even lobbing off another lame air punch that amused the hell out of me. I was at the end of my rope, tired of playing games so I tossed him across the room. Thankfully, at least for him, he slid down the wall and stayed there.
“That’s entirely enough,” Penelope said. “Leave some for the police. Remember your promise.” At the end, her tone shifted, becoming a singsong reminder.
I took a deep breath and wiped my mouth with the back of my arm before swinging around to face her. “Yes, dear. By the way, I believe he grabbed your knife. You should be more careful where you keep your weapons.”
“So he did and perhaps you’re right. You’ll need to teach me tricks of the trade.” She moved beside me, folding her arms and staring at the kitchen utensil. “You’re an asshole, Carrington. A real asshole.”
“He’s a con man,” I tossed out.
“You would know,” she offered in passing and tilted her head, inching closer. “I heard what you did.”
“Oh, yeah? What was that?”
I guess we were in the habit of surprising the other because when she rose onto her tiptoes, leaning forward and placing her hands on my chest, my cock swelled to full arousal mode.
Bad timing, but that’s what happened around her.
She kissed me on the cheek first, starting to pull away then sighing. I was so hungry for her I almost tossed her onto the bed, but maintained some sense of control. However, when she rolled her soft lips across the two-day stubble to mine, I was close to ignoring all thoughts of decency.
The kiss was sweet, yet we were both fully aroused. But we had a damn visitor.
As she swept her tongue inside my mouth, I fisted her hair, ignoring Carrington’s moans for at least a few minutes. This was everything I wanted and needed.
When she pulled away, she rolled her thumb across my cheek. “You have a spot of blood on you. Well, more than one.”
“I do, huh?”
“I got the one on your handsome face. How did you know he was here?”
I was the one taking a deep breath, for once allowing my sheepish side to show. “Would you believe me if I told you I looked at the camera?”
“Wait. I already smashed one earlier today.” We both turned our heads toward Carrington. “You really are a son of a bitch. You stalker. You planted a camera of your own.”
Carrington grunted in reply.
“I know. I promise I won’t do it again. I hope you can forgive me.”
Once again, she folded her arms. “You’re going to need to try harder than that.”
I moved closer, fisting her hair. “I promise I’ll make it up to you. Every. Single. Day.”
“Mmm… Yes, you will and I won’t allow you to forget that either.”
With a kiss on her forehead, I drank in her lingering perfume. I could become aroused by her anywhere. “Understood.”
She squeezed my arm. “Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.”
“But you need to remember your promise.” When I didn’t respond right away, she arched her eyebrows. “You did promise me.”
“Yes, my darling, I did. I will honor it.” I pulled zip ties from my pocket. “How about this. I’ll tie him up then you can decide what you want to do with him. Fair enough?”
Penelope glanced in his direction again, grinning as evilly as I likely had done a few times. “Fair enough. Oh, and by the way. After you’re done, I’d like to spend a little quality time together.”
“Mmmm… I thought you’d never ask.”
* * *
Penelope
Paris.
I’d never known what I was missing. The city was gorgeous and so romantic. Plus, there was something very special about being in such a fabulous city with a man you were in love with.
We’d enjoyed walks by the Seine River, had been tourists at the Eiffel Tower. We’d explored wineries and eaten way too much cheese and chocolate.
We’d also found it rather difficult to leave our beautiful suite, our passion exploding even more than before. Every waking minute had been full of seduction.
Just being together.
Just playing tourists in love.
And we were in love. Yes, our relationship could be considered unconventional, but I realized there was no perfect couple, no perfect person either. Christian had eliminated a few people. I truly believed at this point they’d deserved the harsh punishment.
After all, they hadn’t been good people by anyone’s standards.
However, I had made him promise no more eliminations. I had no doubt he’d honor my request.
That’s what two people in love did. They fought for each other. They made promises they kept. They killed to keep each other safe.
But I digressed.
At least I could recognize and appreciate a part of myself I hadn’t known existed.
I had a darker side as well. One that my handsome lover nurtured.
Now it was time to get down to the business at hand.
“Are you all set?” Christian asked.
“I am. You taught me well, much like with the art of surveillance.”
“You are a quick study with everything. I’ll need to watch out for you.”
“When bodies start to drop, then you’ll need to be concerned.”
I’d finally surprised him.
“Just kidding.” I adjusted his tie, red in color to match my new suit.
“You better be or you know what I’ll do.”
“Turn me over your knee?”
He cupped my face, pulling me close. “You better believe it.”
As I lifted my head, he brushed his lips across mine and as usual, butterflies formed in my stomach. He had such an effect on me. “And I wouldn’t mind.”
The taste of him was amazing, super tangy. I couldn’t wait to taste more of him later after a contract was signed.
When he pulled away, he brushed his thumb just underneath my lip, sucking the lipstick off immediately afterward.
“Did I tell you how proud I am of you?” he asked.
“Yes, you did. But do you love me?”
His laugh sent a thrill through me. “More than life itself.”
“You better.”
“I’m curious. What did you do with Carrington? I understand the police are very eager to talk with him. Something about blackmail and espionage.”
I winked just as the door was opened behind us. “Let’s just say he won’t be an issue, ever again.”
“Ms. Michaels. Mr. Tempest. Mr. Dubois is ready for you.”
Just before I walked inside, I noticed Christian’s slightly shocked expression. I always hoped I’d keep him on his toes.
Once inside, Christian moved toward Franchez Dubois first. “Franchez. Good to see you again.”
“Wonderful to see you as well, Christian.”
“I’m very sorry about your father.”
He nodded. “Yes, well, I understand I have you to thank for discovering his killer. If only Interpol is able to find him.”
I resisted smiling. That would be in poor taste.
“Yes,” Christian told him. “I hope you’re right. And this is the woman I was telling you about. Penelope Michaels.”
I stepped forward, accepting his handshake, which turned into him kissing my hand. For a brief instant, I could feel my handsome hunk’s jealousy. Which thrilled me.
“Mr. Dubois. Merci de nous avoir recus. Je me réjouis à l’idée de faire affaire avec vous et toute votre famille.”
Thank you for seeing us. I am looking forward to doing business with you and your entire family.
“Penelope. Please tell me you didn’t dissolve our trade agreement,” Christian teased.
“Nonsense,” Franchez offered. “It’s going to be such a pleasure working with Ms. Michaels as the new owner of Covington Enterprises. George spoke very highly of you. Of you both.”
I’d been shocked the love of my life had purchased the company from George and my old boss had explained the great lengths Christian had been prepared to go to make me happy. I’d been offered a choice of keeping my company afloat or taking the helm of a new subsidiary of Tempest International.
What had my choice been?
Both.
Although I had a feeling I’d be kept very busy between weeks spent in Paris and spending time with my beloved fiancé.
I twirled the huge diamond on my finger.
The ring grounded me, perhaps both of us.
Christian was different than when I’d first met him, but so very attentive as if still groveling to try to make up for stalking me.
Little did he know how much I missed him doing so.
Maybe all the romance readers were correct in that the strong, dominating alpha men were truly the most appealing. I’d found my own handsome prince, fulfilling my darkest cravings and fantasies.
Was he a stalker? Yes, but to me it was the ultimate passion.
Was he capable of doing bad things? You bet, but I had a feeling I could keep him on a short leash.
More important. Was he capable of making good on his promise to spend the rest of his life with me?
Let’s just say two birds of a feather were meant to be together.
The End