Page 8 of Dangerous Liaisons
His gaze studied her face, not allowing her the chance to breathe. “Why?”
“Because I loved him! I thought I could protect him!” she screamed, moving to push him away. He didn’t budge, and with a cry of frustration, she hit him until he grabbed her hands and pressed them against his chest. Her entire body heaved. She fought back tears, and a wave of shame crashed over her as she rested her face against his chest.
Xavier released her hands to wrap his arms around her. “My wife was shot during a robbery where she worked a few years ago.” His voice echoed softly through the kitchen. “She died on the way to the hospital.”
She wanted to look at him, but she remained where she was. “Did you find who did it?”
“The men responsible paid for their mistake.”
She wasn’t sure he was aware he was stroking her back as he spoke. She said nothing, and after a few minutes had passed, he released her to take a few steps away to place distance between them.
“I’m sorry.”
She avoided eye contact and retrieved her glass, chasing the contents before lowering it onto the counter. “Please leave.”
“Getting drunk won’t get rid of the nightmares.”
“Are you speaking from experience, Mr. Wilson?”
With a shake of his head, he said nothing and walked out of the kitchen. She sagged against the counter, flinching as the slamming of the front door echoed through the entire house.
CHAPTER FOUR
It was a ritzy, overpriced hotel, and the last place she wanted to be at that very moment. Isabella tapped her fingers against the top of the glass table in the suite and ignored the way Kira sighed from the patio door. At any other time, it would have been amusing to see her bodyguard hungover and miserable, but all she felt at that moment was irritation.
“I hope you are seeing three of me,” she glared at her friend. “You disobeyed me last night.”
Yawning, the Russian shrugged. “The blonde one wanted to fuck me.”
“And the man whose girlfriend you kissed?”
Kira’s attempt to glare failed as she winced from the apparent headache she was experiencing. “You are high and mighty for someone that smells like Stoli,” she mumbled.
Isabella rolled her eyes. She knew Kira was aware Xavier had visited her but had not questioned the reason behind the visit. It was best for all involved. She didn’t have the patience for it.
A knock on the door had them looking away from each other as it opened, and Diego Martinez entered followed by his bodyguard. The sight of two members of the Spartan Warriors MC entering closely behind him was not what she expected.
She remained seated as Kira moved to stand behind her. She looked away from the newcomers to focus on the Mexican cartel boss. “You’re late.”
Diego unbuttoned his jacket and took a seat across from her. “Traffic, I apologize.”
Finding a spot on the edge of the mattress, one biker motioned at the other to take a seat. He glared at his friend as the man flopped down onto the bed. The tan biker seemed unfazed by the look and folded his arms behind his head in a supportive position.
“What is this about, Diego?”
He slid his sunglasses off and tossed them onto the table. “I’m aware of your meeting with the Crimson Legion. Did you not think I would find out?”
“We both know you’re in no position to make demands.”
“Our agreement-”
“Our agreement went void after you could not come up with two shipments in a row. That’s poor business, Diego, and I don’t do poor business.” She eyed him. “Because of this, I’m taking the Legion off your hands. We’re aware that they’re a little too much for you to handle while you’re having problems keeping promises.”
“Alexander Volkov will-”
“Volkov has pledged loyalty to me.” It didn’t surprise her he would bring up another respected Russian boss. “He will no longer do business with you as will no other Russian syndicate you attempt to contact. That line of cash flow has ended for you.”
“You are very close to declaring war, Isabella. I beg you to reconsider.”