Page 34 of Shane: His to Possess

“It’s a promise.” With a wave, he turned and walked away.

Mia watched him go as a vague sense of uneasiness nagged at her. Much as she wanted to pretend her only concern was for herself and what would happen to her if Shane was eliminated by his bosses, she couldn’t ignore a strong sense of concern for his wellbeing. The crazy psycho had grown on her in an unexpected way. That realization caused another spike of concern, but that one was solely for her own welfare. She was getting too close to the enemy.

Pushing aside that uncomfortable notion, she turned and went up the stairs, determined to focus on preparing for the evening ahead. She wouldn’t allow herself to dwell on what was happening to Shane, or even more alarming, what was happening to her.

* * *

Shane gritted his teeth and struggled to project a respectful air as he sat across the table from Riley Kilkearny. The man was pushing his last nerve, but he was a superior in the hierarchy, which meant Shane had to listen to him—or at least fake the appearance that he was at the other man’s command.

“You understand Mr. Murphy’s concern, Shane?”

He nodded. “No one wants a repeat of ten years ago, but the best way to deal with Peretti is fast and brutal. That might mean some short-term heat, but it will be more effective than a drawn-out war.” Plus, it was extremely satisfying to see the other man publicly humiliated and chip away at both his business and his image.

Riley’s shaggy red brows plunged downward as his long fingers toyed with the handle of his beer stein. “Or you could just return his stepsister and end the war.”

His body clenched, and he knew he’d lost the edge of respect in his voice when he spoke again. Riley’s eyes narrowed in response, and the other man’s posture tensed when Shane said, “Mia doesn’t want to be returned.”

His boss leaned forward. “That’s not the story I hear. Word is Kasilli sold you his daughter, and you had to collect her yourself. From what I’ve heard, she’s your prisoner, and her brother is trying to rescue her.”

“Stepbrother.” Clenching the edge of the table, Shane leaned forward too, lowering his voice. “Peretti is a sick piece of shit, and I wouldn’t give anyone to him. Mia stays with me.”

With an impassive expression, Riley looked at him for a long moment before nodding. “Then end this quickly before the feds get involved. Mr. Murphy is getting flak from the local authorities. So are Varnakov and Sal Peretti. All three want this business settled now.”

Leaning back slightly, he forced his tone to sound aloof, though he was buzzing with excitement that he might get consent. “Is that permission to take out Peretti?”

Riley sipped his beer. “You know I can’t give you that authorization, Shane. Even Mr. Murphy couldn’t officially sanction that hit without approval from the goombah’s grandfather unless he wants a war. But, if the opportunity arose, and you could be sure it wouldn’t come back to the Murphy family… Well, I certainly wouldn’t dissuade you.” He winked a hazel eye.

Relaxing considerably, he allowed himself a drink of the draft that sat untouched before him. It would have been a shame to come to Kilkearny’s Pub and not have a pint of the exclusive-label lager imported from Ireland. “And the money?”

Riley finished his beer before he answered, “Mr. Murphy considered your history of excellent service to the family. As long as you handle this Peretti problem delicately, he’s prepared to lay blame with them.”

“Fuck up and I repay him the million bucks?” Shane tossed out the words casually, testing his supposition.

“Fuck up and you’ll be dead.” Riley pushed back from his chair. “So, don’t fuck up.”

Shane nodded, pretending to be more unperturbed than he felt as he finished his beer before slowly walking out of the pub. The bright spring sunshine had faded to an overcast gray while he was in conference with Murphy’s underboss. It was edging toward evening, and he went to his car. The red sports car would eat the miles back to his home easily, but he was still anxious to return and wielded the accelerator with a heavy foot.

It wasn’t because he was afraid of missing the ballet. He just felt better when Mia was in sight and he knew she was safe from Peretti. His house was a fortress that Peretti would find almost impossible to breach, but he couldn’t help feeling she was safer with him than anyone else.

He shifted into fourth and snorted with amusement at the thought. After the things he’d done to her, it was fucking amazing she considered herself safe with him. Did Mia understand she was safe from Peretti, even if not safe from Shane himself? He was just as driven to possess her as he had been. The more he had, the more he wanted.

Shane squirmed, thinking he wasn’t sure he could ever get enough of her. When he was with her, it soothed the beast inside him that wanted to completely consume her so she’d always be with him. His feelings for his little Russian doll would have sent her into a panic if she really grasped the intensity. They certainly freaked him out. He’d never wanted anyone this way before.

She was a drug, superior to and more addictive than any other. In his younger years, he had dabbled with different drugs before Cormac pointed out to him only a fool got involved with the kind of shit that fucked up the brain and took a man’s edge. He had decided the brief highs weren’t worth the lows or the risks and had quit cold turkey.

She was like the most insane high ever, and the more he took, the more he wanted to take, until there was nothing left. A dark streak in him wanted to use her up and drain everything from her. He wanted Mia’s light and laughter. He feared he would happily drain away all the sweet things about her that made him feel good if he could. Had he already started to do so? She seemed content with him, but was she? Was his Mia a good actress trying to placate him, or did she truly feel…something for him?

That annoying voice of conscience he’d ignored for years whispered the reminder that he could send her away and save her from him, his world, and Aldo Peretti. Before the thought fully bloomed, he smashed it like a bug. Fuck that. She was his and would stay his. It was only fair, especially since he was hers.

Shane had belonged to her from the moment he’d met her blue eyes. It had taken a little time to realize he wanted to do more than fuck her. Once he’d accepted that he wanted everything, it hadn’t taken him long to find a way to make that happen. Now that he had her, his plan to make her want to stay seemed to be working. Every touch, every kiss, every single time her pussy clenched around him as she surrendered to another orgasm bound her that much tighter to him.

She was passionate and loyal. If he could win her heart, she would never take it back. Shane didn’t have time for emotions, and he wasn’t going to label whatever he felt as love. That word was too tame and insipid to encompass the breadth of his feelings and the depth of his need. Mia probably considered love the most important aspect of a relationship though, so all he had to do was convince her that she loved him.

Feeling smug with the success of his machinations so far, he pointed the car toward home and planned out the sensual, seductive evening ahead in minute detail. His heart raced as he imagined holding her and making love to her tenderly, followed by a pang of anxiety. Was his plan to woo her working too well and backfiring, making him feel more than he’d anticipated? Was he flirting with danger and on the cusp of caring about her in a way he’d never experienced with another woman?

With a shake of his head, he pushed that thought aside. Shane knew what he wanted and went after it. He wasn’t the kind of guy to fall into a trap, especially one of his own making.

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