Page 22

CHAPTER 21

X ander

The words hit me harder than any had in my adult life.

Jessica immediately turned her head away, but I could see the tears in her eyes. That was the length of bullshit Michael had gone to? Was he terrified I’d come back to collect Jessica when I’d known her as a gangly teenager and nothing more?

There were so many emotions of my own that I couldn’t respond. Not that anything I’d say would do any good. She’d spent years believing the lie, which had in turn festered into hatred and a hunger for revenge. Everything about her desires made sense.

“Go ahead. Deny it. And let me down.” Her tone was demanding.

“I don’t plan on doing that until I have you in a more comfortable spot and away from the broken shards.” I was forced to let go of her hand and she continued fighting me, struggling to the point she almost pitched herself from my hold.

Her mouth continued to twist, her eyes full of the fiery fury I’d seen and cherished on several occasions. I shouldn’t be this openly attracted to her, certainly not while attempting to maintain my real personality. I was also concerned the monster I’d carefully concealed from the public eye would rear its ugly head after being challenged by something I considered my possession.

But at some point, she’d learn everything, including just how powerful I’d become.

Maybe in turn, I’d learn exactly what Michael had told her.

I took long strides into the living room, ignoring her pleas to be let go. Perhaps she had no understanding I’d become not just her protector but her owner.

She wouldn’t be able to embrace the totality of my possession of her until after the event. I owed her that much and in being truthful with myself, I couldn’t wait to engage in a night of carnal depravity.

The thought made salivating over her that much more electrifying.

She gritted her teeth, her eyes now pinpricks of hatred. As I eased her down into one of my leather chairs in front of the stone fireplace, I expected her to react quickly, attempting to race away. But she sat quietly, her chest rising and falling. I also wondered what the fuck had her father told her about why we were no longer friends. It obviously wasn’t that he’d forbidden me from seeing his dying daughter, threatening to have me arrested for various deeds the two of us had been involved in.

Michael had the same twisted streak I did, which was one reason we’d become friends in the first place. He was as dark and demented even though he’d turned to a life of healing after our years of creating havoc in the streets.

We’d been like brothers long before I’d found my biological ones. After the change in my life, we’d stayed close. But things happened over distance and time.

Things became complicated. Then they became deplorable. The hatred spewed the last time we’d seen each other had turned into blows, both of us ending up bloodied yet unsatisfied.

Then he’d threatened me that one day he’d destroy me.

Maybe he’d sent his daughter to do just that. I should be angry. If this was anyone else, I’d enjoy every minute of punishing her, including her pleas of innocence and mercy.

But she wasn’t just anyone. She was special.

And she was her father’s daughter. Why hadn’t I noticed the resemblance? Was I that far gone in my mind I couldn’t detect she had his strength and resilience? What he likely didn’t know is that she’d also inherited his affinity for fulfilling primal needs.

I wiped the liquid from my face, rubbing it on my trousers. She’d seemed quite pleased with herself for fighting me.

When she winced again, I moved in front of her, crouching down. The slit in her dress allowed me to see the light trickle of blood from the deep scratch she’d received. Blood was running down her leg in three different streams.

Without hesitation, I ripped off the fucking bowtie, tossing it aside and snapping off my cufflinks. All the while she was staring not into my eyes, but at the ring that never left my finger.

“There’s blood on your ring,” she muttered as if reading my mind. She laughed as if knowing the reason behind the obsidian stone.

“Yes, there is.” I unbuttoned my sleeves and a few buttons on the front.

“Not unusual, I take it?”

I jerked off my shirt from the back, instantly pressing it against her leg gash.

She sucked in her breath, but not because I’d caused her pain. Because she didn’t want me to touch her.

“Is that what you’re curious about, Jessica? If I’ve injured or killed dozens of people including your sister?”

“Well, have you? And she has a name, but you can’t say it. Can you?”

I couldn’t help but notice she’d allowed her expression to drift into something other than fear and hatred. Now her eyes were illuminated by flashes of hunger. “Shanna. Of course she has a name. I’ve done several things some might consider despicable in my life, but hurting your sister was never intentional. Does it bother you I’ve been forced to use violence during some interactions in my life?”

Jessica frowned. “Not necessarily.”

“Except you still believe what your father told you.”

She dropped her gaze and I could tell she was having doubts. “I don’t know any longer what to believe. He told me you’d come for me.”

“When did he say that?”

“During his last phone call a couple days ago. He insists you’re the devil.”

“Maybe I am.”

The way she shook her head led me to believe she was doubting her father. “So much hate.”

“Sadly, you’re right.” The words hung in the room. I wasn’t the kind of man to deliver comfort to anyone any longer. The single time in my life I’d cared about something I’d almost lost myself. “You’re a lot like me,” I told her as I rubbed her leg gently.

“I don’t think so.”

When I pulled my shirt away, I shook my head. “I need to clean your wound.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re going to do what I tell you to do.”

“Or what?”

“Or… I’ll need to punish you.”

Her laugh was as delightful as always. “That’s so like you. Positively in control of everything and everyone around you. Is that what Shanna saw in you?”

I stood and her gaze followed me to my standing position.

“It’s necessary in the profession I’m in and my relationship with your sister was something I…”

She nodded. “Regret.”

“Yes, but not for the reason you’re determined to believe.”

“Then what?”

I hesitated as a wave of pain from the memory skewered my chest. “That I couldn’t save her. I didn’t have the power.”

“You’re not God.”

Now I laughed. “Evidently not. Stop fighting me. You’re hurt and I am taking care of you.”

“Is Dorn part of the game?” She remained unblinking, staring at me with such uncertainty in her eyes. Not that I blamed her.

“The game?”

“My opponent in the game at your offices is one I’ve talked to before. Sinner. Dorn alluded that he is that man.”

It was impossible to keep from snorting loudly. “Dorn is not intelligent enough to be a part of the true gaming community, although he likes to think he is.”

“Then who is Sinner?”

She looked me directly in the eyes and the challenge was an interesting one. “The opponents were selected at random by use of a computer. Did the fact you’ve had some interaction with this person have some effect on the algorithms? Potentially. AI can be a powerful tool as long as it’s controlled.” I felt it necessary given her accusation to keep the cloak around my identity for the time being.

This had suddenly become far too complicated.

“And you do like to control everything in your grasp.”

“Another necessary evil. I’ll be right back. Use the shirt to keep the blood from running. Just relax. If you promise not to use it as a weapon, I’ll refill your drink.”

“I’ll be a good girl. Besides, I think you got the point.”

“And that is?”

“That I dislike you tremendously. But I’m stronger than Shanna was. You won’t use me as you did her.”

Well, fuck. This was a no-win situation.

“Duly noted.” I headed for the doorway, stopping only when I heard her deep exhale.

“Regardless of the fact I hate you, thank you for what you did. You didn’t have to go out of your way to protect me and you did.”

“Yes, I did and you’re very welcome. Perhaps you’ll learn I’m not your enemy. And I’m not the man your father portrayed me to be. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done some terrible things in my life, but caring about your sister wasn’t one of them. She was my world at the time.”

“You’re the epitome of everything I should despise. You’re everything I should be afraid of.”

Yes, I was, but she wasn’t running.

Even if she did, I would catch her.

That would be the moment I’d have no choice but to keep her.

Permanently.