Page 96 of Devil's Property

“No. But I do expect you to obey my rules.”

Obey. Fucking obey. How many times had he demanded I obey him like some good little girl?

As he headed toward the bathroom, I shook my head. He was by far the most confusing, infuriating, enthralling man I’d ever been forced to deal with. And he was growing even more so the longer I knew him. The sound of running water drew my attention to the open bathroom door. What was he doing?

He returned seconds later with several wet paper towels in his hand. He crouched down a second time, taking my wrist in his hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked, immediately trying to pull out of his hold.

With a single eyebrow lifted, he firmed his grip. “Trying to keep you from bleeding to death.” With a solid hand, he placed my hand in his lap, immediately placing the compress on the strings of blood. “You’re a frustrating woman, but I’m sure you already knew that.”

“So you keep telling me. You’re an arrogant asshole incapable of listening to anyone’s advice.”

The single eyebrow was lifted again, his face highlighting amusement. “So you keep telling me.” His scent teased my nose more than normal, his normal musk infused with the copper stench of blood.

As he’d ensured I understand to the point of shoving it down my throat, his coy yet demanding demeanor was another fateful reminder that in our world, nothing was normal. Everything was dangerous. There were two certainties and nothing more.

Violence.

And death.

CHAPTER 25

Fallon

Spain.

I’d forgotten how incredibly beautiful it was, lush and green, while also exciting. Just being in Barcelona had allowed additional memories to surface, most ones I could smile about.

Navarro peered at me from the door, his eyes holding mine for longer than necessary. He’d done this several times, rarely saying anything but double-checking that both Brooke and I were okay. He shifted his attention to the bed where Brooke was resting before taking a deep breath and closing the door.

As soon as he did, I felt a tremendous sense of loneliness, which I’d felt the entire time I’d been in his home.

His beautiful yet quaint, almost rustic home that I’d immediately felt relaxed being in.

The house was nothing like the garish estate in Mexico. The home was comfortable, a villa on a hillside overlooking a bodyof water. The design and style very much reminded me of the powerful man. Dark and dangerous with a sensual flair.

And very electric.

I had the feeling of being in the middle of a movie where the hero swept the poor Cinderella girl off her feet, taking her to a gilded castle for protection.

I’d felt that way from the moment I’d stepped onto the jet and had been asked by the flight attendant if I’d like a glass of champagne.

The out of body experience had continued when we’d been met at the airport by a group of men in dark cargo pants and tee shirts, all carrying weapons. They’d been in ten different vehicles in front and behind the two SUVs, one holding Jago and Kruz, two men I’d gotten to know while on the plane, and the one carrying Brooke and me with Navarro.

I’d almost felt like royalty instead of the poor girl from Santa Barbara hoping for a career as a famous artist.

I glanced at the painting I’d been working on, realizing I’d managed to capture Navarro’s essence. It was the third painting where I’d depicted his image in bold colors and tons of emotion.

The last few days had gone by in a haze. I closed my eyes once again, trying to calm my nerves.

“The painting is stunning as always, sis. You managed to capture the man’s essence beautifully. You have a knight in shining armor by your side. I’m jealous. Plus, he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Just hearing the difference in Brooke’s voice in only a few days meant the world to me. I lifted my head from the back of theplush chair, unable to suppress a yawn. “What makes you say he’s a knight? He could be a terrible person disguised as a seducer.”

“Oh, he’s a seducer alright, but he only has eyes for you. I’m recovering, but not dead.” Brooke shifted in bed, sitting up for the first time since being brought to Spain. “Have you seen the way he looks at you? The way he fawns over you? He did so a few seconds ago, but you all but ignored him.”

“I don’t have anything to say to him.”