Page 24

CHAPTER 24

NICK

“You have a visitor.”

Scarlet stands in the doorway. It’s been the two of us in the house since we left Lina at the rehabilitation center four days ago. Heightened security remains at the perimeter.

“The guard waved him in. He’s the same man who appeared at the graveside service.”

Ah, fuck. Dorian. Post-blackout, we’ve been crazed, and in my nonworking hours, well, I’ve had Scarlet. If I’m honest, the nonworking hours have been plentiful. I’ve operated in a state of denial, locked away on my estate. He must’ve been dispatched to hound me.

“Where is he?”

“At the front door, I imagine.”

“You didn’t let him in?”

She wraps her arms around her middle.

“Are you scared of him?” I push up from my desk.

“No.” She lifts her chin, defiant. “If he tried anything, I could handle him.”

“If he tried to hurt you, I would kill him.” She rolls her eyes.

Headstrong .

I step past her, but my gut hollows. I loop an arm around her waist and pull her against me, pressing my lips to hers.

“What’s that for?”

“Needed it.”

Her arm snakes behind my back in a full embrace, infusing me with a sense of calm. She pats my back. Once. Twice.

“Go on. He’s going to think you’re not home.”

“I’m sure the guard told him I’m here. It’s more likely he’ll canvass the house in search of an unlocked door.”

I reach for her hand, interlocking our fingers, and together, we head to the entryway.

Dorian’s face presses against the window to the side of the entry, one hand blocking the sun, his black mop of curls sticking out every which way. The agitation on his face when he sees us is priceless.

I release Scarlet’s hand and rub my palm against the curve of her rump. “Care to take a stroll through the garden?”

“Is he dangerous?” She cocks her head, evaluating me.

“He’s a nuisance.”

I caress her cheek. She’s so fucking gorgeous. If said nuisance wasn’t at the door, I’d properly enjoy her. “He’s American. If he’s here, he’s on business. Let me get that bit out of the way, and if he lingers or asks for the guesthouse, we’ll all dine together.”

She presses up on her toes.

Knock. Knock. Pound. Pound.

She grins. “He lacks patience.”

“One of many attributes he lacks.”

“I’m going to go outside and give Orlando a call.”

“You sure that’s wise?”

“They know where I am. What harm can come from a call? I’ll use my mobile. They already have my number.”

I let out a slow, calming breath. I’ve got a massive amount of security working the perimeter and multiple balls in play. The only intel they can derive is her location, and that’s a known fact. “True enough. Don’t go far.”

“What’s too far?”

Pound. Pound. Pound. “Nick! Come on, man.”

“The stable.” My men patrol the grounds, but I don’t want her close to the perimeter. Yes, surveillance monitors the perimeter, but she needs to stay out of range of any snipers.

Dorian stands in the window, arms spread out to his sides.

“Go let him in,” Scarlet says.

Once she’s out of sight, I turn back to the window. Dorian’s hands are on his hips, knickers twisted full circle up his tight anus.

Why is the bloody wanker here? Is it as a friend or syndicate business? The last syndicate member I spoke to was Amir. I’ve been waiting.

I swing the door open and step outside. “What’re you doing here?”

“What kind of welcome is that?”

He pushes past me, scraping his feet on a nonexistent doormat. “You Brits could take a lesson in southern hospitality.”

“You’re not Southern.”

“My mother is. Makes me half Southern.”

“You never knew your mother.” I close the door behind him, huffing in exasperation.

It’s like he’s forgotten he shared his muck with me. We were best mates at university. His mother is MIA. His father claims she’s an alcoholic, so he wrote her a check and cut her loose. Kept his son, though, if one counts shipping him off to boarding school at the first opportune moment keeping.

I follow him inside. “Are you staying? Should I prep the guesthouse?”

“Why do you always stick me in the guesthouse?”

I scratch an itch on my jaw. “It’s nice….”

“You let her stay in the main house.”

“I’ve no desire to shag you.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He heads down the corridor, and I follow.

“You never said, are you staying?—”

“No. I’ve got a flight out of Heathrow in the morning. Staying the night in London.”

“Right, then. To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit?”

“You haven’t been answering your phone.”

I knew it. Syndicate business?—

“And there’s a lot of shit that’s happened.”

I pause at the entrance of my office. He sinks into a chair.

“Sorry about Lina, by the way.”

I’ve kept that shit out of the news. I close the door and click a button on a panel by the door. The shades drop, closing us in.

“Did you hear from Amir?” He’s the only one I’ve told. Wasn’t so much telling him as conducting an inquisition.

“I watch out for you.”

My skin tingles with unease, but it’s just Dorian. “Do you want a drink?”

“Only if you’re pouring the good shit.”

I roll my eyes and lift the bottle of scotch.

“What news do you think I’ve missed?” It’s true my priorities have muddled, but I haven’t been under a rock.

“Well, let’s see. Car bomb outside of Rome.”

“Terrorists.”

“Explosion in an office building near Atrani.”

“Gas line.”

“Anton De Luca shot in a drive-by shooting outside his villa.”

I don’t bother with a response and offer him a crystal highball glass.

“Didn’t realize Americans monitored international news so closely.”

I sit and swirl my drink.

“Cocksucker.” He leans forward, holding the glass but not sipping. “You think we don’t know what you’re doing? Lupi Grigi have been dropping daily ever since they threatened Scarlet. The woman you’re shagging.”

“What the fuck do you care?”

“It’s against the rules.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t give me that shit. Within the syndicate, there’s an understanding, and you know it. We don’t attack our own.”

“Fascinating. Anyone scold Massimo De Luca when his brother had my sister drugged?”

“Your sister is an addict.” He drawls it, implying I’m the problem.

“De Luca had her drugged.” To get to Leo. There’s no benefit to raising that point.

“Huh.” He slides the glass onto the coffee table. “Here I thought you were on a rampage to protect the ginger.”

That, too.

“There’s an investigation into Titan Shipping.” I study him to see if this is news to him.

He swirls his drink, unaffected. As expected, he’s aware.

“There’s blood in the water. Those attacks could be from anyone. And what do you care, Dorian? What does the syndicate care? Did you miss the bits about a blackout, cyberterrorist attacks, and an EMP blast? Isn’t that a higher priority?”

He stands and strides to the window, which is now shaded.

“We go way back,” he says.

“Yes, we do,” I concur. “Is that why you’re hopping to London so often? You miss me?”

“You haven’t replaced Leo Sullivan.”

“Told you. Other shit’s been going on.” Clearly. But both he and his father have asked.

“Well, I’m here to tell you there’s no need.” Fuck me. Dorian does have an expanding satellite business. Contacts within the CIA. The highest echelons of the US government. If he’s the one who discovered Leo’s role, why go at it with a covert message?

“Why?”

I eye my mobile sitting on my desk. A handgun is in the drawer below it.

“As your oldest mate, I’m the selected messenger,” he says.

“And?”

“You’ve broken the rules.”

“You realize the syndicate or Obsidian or whatever the fuck you want to call it doesn’t own me. You’ve got nothing on me. Is this your father’s doing?”

I can’t see his face, but I swear the bastard stiffens.

“A notice went out. You’re no longer the selected negotiator for the alliance.”

“Under whose order? There hasn’t been a meeting.” His fucking father.

“I’m here as a friend.”

“Fucktwat. You just said you’re here as a messenger. Is your father trying to pull his seniority prophet bullshit? He wants to lead?”

“If you drop this half-cocked attack on the Lupi Grigi, we’ll look the other way.”

“Really?”

“You have my word. I’ll make it happen.”

“My mates won’t go against me, no matter what dear old pappy tries to pull. How old is he anyway? Shouldn’t he retire? Pass those reins?” His father’s age resistance to passing the reigns used to be a sensitive topic, but there’s no visible reaction.

“The syndicate is in agreement. There have been discussions.” Fuck his father . This is utter bullshit.

“Why does your father care about Italian organized crime?”

He sighs like I’m a bore. “It’s the rules. Without order, there is chaos.”

I sip my bourbon, contemplating his presence. Something’s changed. I cut the Lupi Grigi off at the knees two years ago and didn’t hear squat. And now he’s looking to step in and fill Leo’s role. Coordinate sales between countries. Is his father driving this, or is this all about business expansion?

“Are you going to stop?”

Two hundred million gone. If I came clean, the syndicate would drop this. But my companies keep other accounts secure. I don’t want to cop to being hacked. And I won’t be bullied.

The glare I give Dorian says everything.

“Thought you might say that.”

“I said nothing.”

“Oh, you spoke.” He points two fingers at my eyes. Dorian picks up the glass, swirls it, and knocks it back.

“You should sip that.” It’s not my best scotch, but he just chugged a couple of grand.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and stands.

“You’re going to be targeted.”

“By whom?”

“You’ve broken the rules. An example must be set.”

“Are you here as executioner?”

“Messenger. Dammit, Nick. You should listen when I speak. I wish it hadn’t come to this.” He steps to the door, and I glance back at the drawer in my desk. “Don’t bother running. Or holding services. They won’t buy it.”

He and his father were suspicious of Leo Sullivan’s funeral. That’s why he showed up that day. Why the suspicion? What do they know? Dorian wouldn’t come at me unless his father pushed him.

“Are you ever going to stand up to your father?”

He fumbles with the lock on the door. With a huff, he turns. “You locking me in?”

“What would Caroline think of you now?” I step to the panel and press the button. The shades lift, and the door unlocks.

He shoves his hands into his pockets and swivels. “Mentioning my ex isn’t the slam dunk you think it is.”

“I liked you better when she was with you.”

He steps into the hallway and holds up his hand, his middle finger noticeably higher than the others.

“Perhaps I’ll give Caroline a call. Check in.” It’s a bluff. Haven’t talked to her in years.

“Do what you like.”

“What do you think she’d say about you selling me out?”

“She never liked you.”

“That’s punchy. And false.” Caroline loved me.

He stops at the front door.

“Why are you doing this?” If I’m reading him right, he’s exasperated. “Let the Italians have Scarlet Gagliano. Bringing in Interpol was beyond the pale. None of us welcome an investigation. Call it a day.”

“You mean a man up for chief of staff shouldn’t be associated with an international drug smuggling operation?” His calculating expression says he’s trying to determine my information source. “Yes, I track American politics.”

He’s on the shortlist to replace the current chief of staff who is reportedly on the outs with the current president.

“There’s no connection to me,” he insists. “As I told you, I’m here as a messenger. The others, they don’t like it.”

“By others, you mean your father.”

“If you thwart the investigation, that will suffice. The investigation will pull in too many. Multiple stakeholders. If this keeps going, it’ll set off more investigations. No one wants it. Just hand her over and call it a day. You made your point. The Italians are permanently weakened. No one’s going to fuck with you from here on out. If you want, hand her over to me. I’ll take care of it.”

“This is where you leave my home.”

He turns his back, full of trust I won’t blow his brains out.

I watch him carefully, grateful I’m not armed or else it might be quite tempting to shoot.

“You’re making a mistake,” he warns once again before closing the car door.

I watch as he drives away. Then I step up to the panel and press a button to reach the front gate.

“Let the Rover out, then no one else comes in.”

“Yes, sir. Copy.”

I flick the screen to activate the image. “Farrow.”

“Yes?”

“Were you on when Moore came through?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Was he by himself?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have a team do a full sweep of the property.”

“You think he smuggled someone in?”

“Unlikely, but possible. There’s a camera on the front drive, right?”

“Yes.”

“Check the footage.”

“Copy.”

“When Ash returns, have him come to the house.”

“Will do.”

I end the call. Scarlet’s most likely still in the back. But before I go to her, I return to my office and select a throwaway mobile. I dial a number I’ve memorized.

Nomad answers on the second ring. “How can I help you?”

* * *

When I find Scarlet, she’s sitting on a bench, scratching Dog’s ear.

“It’s a mite nippy. Care to come in?”

I scan the overcast skies. I’m not sure what I expect to see, perhaps a drone. The trouble with antagonizing the syndicate is they have some of the world’s most advanced military assets at their disposal. But whatever they choose, they’d lean towards a scenario that evades investigation. Although an aversion to investigations isn’t a foolproof deterrent, given they own many investigators and prosecutors.

Clearly, they don’t own enough of them. I wonder which of Halston’s friends is at risk of getting swept up in an unwanted investigation. There’s no doubt the threat stems from Halston.

“What did Dorian want?”

“To be a right prick.” I offer her my arm, and she rises, taking it. Dog trots ahead of us. She rests her arm in the crux of mine, and I close a hand over hers. “Did you ever decide, out of all the countries in the world, which one you’d choose to reside?”

Her pace slows, and I slow mine to match.

“Did something happen?”

We’re a stone’s toss from the back door. Once again, I search the dismal sky. It’s the way my mate walked off with languid strides that’s irksome. Everything unfolded as he expected. Of that, there’s no doubt. So what would he plan to happen next?

“Did he threaten you?”

The green in her eyes matches the shade of a summer aspen.

“You wouldn’t be nervous for yourself,” she carries on. “He threatened me. Because I’m the witness?”

“He doesn’t care that you’re the witness.”

“What does he care about?”

“World order.”

“What does that mean?”

I release her arm and stride to the door. “Let’s go inside.”

She steps in, and I block Dog from joining us.

“Let him inside,” she says. “It feels like rain.”

Dog’s an outdoor dog, but at the moment, letting the animal in is a simple thing to do for her, so I do. Dog trots past like he knows his way around, hurrying off down the corridor.

Fucking Lina.

I scan the back one more time, close the door, and lock it. Scarlet follows me along the hall to my office. I pick up my everyday mobile and dial.

“Be on high alert. Anything suspicious, call me.”

“Copy that. Two parole teams are out.”

“And you’re watching the feed?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. You need me, call this line.”

“Copy.”

Warmth surrounds my back. and I close my eyes as she envelops me. Her lips press to the back of my shoulders.

“What has you so?—”

I flip her around, shutting her up with my mouth. The need to be inside her overwhelms me, pushing everything else to the fringe.

Thank fuck, she’s on the same page.

She grinds against me until I’ve hiked her skirt up and shoved her panties aside. She fumbles with my pants as I finger her. Pleasure shoots through my spine as she grips my cock hard.

“Fuck. I want to be inside you.”

“What are you waiting for?”

Time stills for a nanosecond. It’s like in an action movie where a droplet of water stills on air. Red strands cascade down, wild and free. Full, lush lips form an Oh as I knead her clit, and my finger plunders her velvety smooth pussy. In that second, I’m torn between kneeling before her and devouring her or hiking her up on the wall and plunging inside her sweet heat.

I’m addicted.

The wall wins out, and time ticks on.

God, there is no other place I’d rather be than inside this woman. She’s my angel who flies me to heaven.

It’s not until we’re tangled together on the sofa, panting to catch our breath, clothes askew and half-off, that reality rears in the form of a vibrating mobile.

I stumble off the sofa, pulling my trousers up and buttoning them on the way to answer.

“Yes?” I answer.

Scarlet’s gaze follows closely, poised as if expecting the worst.

“Shot a drone down,” Farrow says.

“Where?”

“Northwest side of the estate.”

“And?”

“Carried some kind of explosives. Possibly ammunition.”

“Is there a fire?”

“Damp ground. It’s not spreading. I expect authorities will be at the gate before long.”

“Don’t let them in.”

“Might not be a bad thing to let the firefighters?—”

“You said the fire’s out.”

“Explosion was in the air. Ground below is tinged but, yeah?—”

“Don’t let anyone in. Especially any first responders. You hear me?”

If they expected us to strike the drone, they could have responders on standby.

“Copy. No one enters. We’ll say?—”

“Shooting off fireworks. Or tell them you don’t know what they’re going on about. Our closest neighbors grow marijuana beneath the stables. They’re not going to call in shit, so don’t believe anyone forcing themselves inside. Hear me?”

“Yes, sir. Ash’ll be here shortly.”

I end the call. Ash took his father to a medical appointment. Bad timing.

Scarlet’s repositioned her skirt, but she’s topless, and her skin bears fresh marks of possession. Bloody hell. I want to take her again.

“What’s going on?”

If I tell her, she’ll worry. Blame herself.

“Don’t you dare,” she demands, standing, her lovely breasts on full display, shoulders arched, with fire in her eyes and her skirt falling from her hips. “Don’t play this protection game. Tell me exactly what is going on.”

“In exchange for you remaining topless?” Her slender fingers ball into fists. “Wrong thing to say?”

“I’m serious. Is it Massimo?”

“No. That bastard has plenty to worry about.” I’ve been waging a full-out war. He put a hit out on Scarlet. “You aren’t top of Massimo’s mind. I can promise you that.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s a different set of colleagues.”

“The syndicate?”

“They’re right full of themselves. Or at least one of them is.”

“Dorian? Your college mate?”

“Boarding school, too.” She’s losing her patience with me. I can tell from the stern press of her luscious lips. “He stopped by as a messenger.”

“They want to kill me?”

“Or me. Seems they’re not choosy. I’m going to need to get you to safety.”

“Come with me.”

“I won’t run.”

“Why?”

“It’s poor strategy.”

“I’m not following.”

“Because unless I live the rest of my life in a hellhole, they’ll find me. And what kind of life is that? Constantly looking over one’s shoulder?” I’m an Ivanov. We don’t run.

“So, what are you going to do? Fight them? How many of them are there?”

“Eight.”

“Not including you? Nine total in the syndicate?”

“Supposed to be an alliance of influencers.” I’m speaking more to myself than to her. “The numbers come from those they buy.”

“Other mafias?”

“Criminal organizations not too different from your uncle’s. On the surface, clean. In the books…”

“Corrupt,” she finishes for me. “So you’ve got a small army of hitmen coming your way?”

“Something like that.”

“Dorian plans to kill you? Your friend?”

Can’t blame her for asking for confirmation.

“If that’s true, why not just kill you when he came here today?”

Because he doesn’t really want me dead. He wants to force my hand. Hand over Scarlet. Restore order. It’s what the alliance wants. Order over chaos.

“It’s me,” she answers, sorting it out herself. “He wants you to hand over the witness so the investigation dies. What happens to you…is not of significance.”

“You are so bloody brilliant.” In this light, her skin shimmers, and those breasts…I haven’t spent nearly enough time adoring them.

“How do you know they won’t go after Lina?” I lift my gaze from her bare chest to meet a fierceness that if I didn’t know her better, I’d mistake for anger. But it’s not anger. No, it’s concern, caring, and a conviction for righteousness.

“You don’t,” she says, answering her own question.

And the lass is right. It’s only a matter of time before they cave on attacking my estate and shift to forcing my hand through other means.

“I’ll go to her. The place she’s staying allowed a security presence. They should allow an increase. If they don’t, I’ll bring her back here.”

“She needs to stay there,” Scarlet says with a conviction I comprehend.

Lina’s in the thick of it with this addiction nonsense.

“Talk with her doctors before you do anything.”

I fumble with a desk drawer, searching for a tablet I can connect with a VPN. If I bring Lina back here, I’ll just watch her. Hire a round-the-clock watch.

“Listen to me. You think you control everything and everyone, but this is your sister’s battle. You can’t fight it for her.”

It takes me a minute to register what Scarlet’s talking about. Of course, she’s not the first to share such wisdom.

“Come here. I need you to check out some locations.”

“Are these your properties?”

“Technically, no.”

Her lashes flutter, and I can’t tell if her attention is on the handheld device or me.

“I’m not leaving you.”

A dull pain throbs in the recesses of my skull. I should be out the door, on my way to a meeting with my security team, then off to check on Lina, but I’m sinking into the leather sofa and pulling my topless angel onto my lap. I bury my face into the curve of her neck and close my eyes, breathing her in.

“What is this? You’re not giving up.”

She grasps my chin, pulling me from my haven.

“I’ve fallen hard for you.” She has to see it. “Your safety is paramount. It’s everything. You’re everything.” My sternum cracks with the admission. “These people…the men they hire are deadly. Once I deal with them, I’ll return to you.”

“I’m not leaving you to fight my war.”

“After this, I’ll let you call the shots for the rest of our lives. But right now, pick your bloody haven. Don’t fight me on this. You won’t win, love.”