Page 12

CHAPTER 12

H avros

“The target has been located,” Dimitrios stated the moment I answered the phone. The target. My brother had acted as if we were in a war to annihilate anyone associated with Leandro’s death.

I didn’t blame him, but at some point, the family would need time to heal, bloodshed kept to a minimum. With Christos having little taste for acting on matters of revenge, the task was left up to me.

“In town?” I asked, casually looking over at Kara. I sensed she was paying close attention to the call.

“Yes. He got back in from a trip abroad. I want him gone.”

Dimitrios was more adamant with me than with others. “I’ll get to it.”

“Now!”

“Not now. Preoccupied. Tomorrow.”

He snorted then started to laugh. “Ah. I know that voice. You’re spending time with Kara Banning.”

“I am. What of it? That’s what you wanted.”

She shifted in her seat, daring to lean in just a little bit closer. If she’d brought her pad with her, she’d be furiously writing notes.

“Be careful, brother. Women can be a significant distraction.”

“I watched that in action with you. Send Jonas the information. I’ll have him make a pickup and delivery.”

We owned several small warehouses where we kept various supplies for the clubs. However, one had a backroom my father had used during his reign of terror when needing privacy while conversing with our enemies. It was kept locked, and it was forbidden for any of our employees to venture inside. The oversized space had been soundproofed two dozen years before, the walls stained with blood from significant use.

But that was before.

Before we’d voted on altering our future by going more mainstream. Using methods of torture was frowned upon by upstanding citizens. Until Leandro’s death, Dimitrios had refused to set foot in the place. That wasn’t the case any longer.

It was the perfect place to take out the trash.

“Will do. And I need to hear all about the time spent.” Dimitrios laughed. My brother had once told me that I’d never grow up, always a playboy. No wonder he was amused.

“In your dreams.” I hit end and immediately dialed Jonas’ phone number.

“Yeah, boss? Do you ever take any time off?” Hearing music, I knew he was currently working one of the clubs. He often served as a bouncer while ensuring our business operations were running smoothly. It was good to be able to count on him for handling the mundane activities.

“Your plans have changed. Dimitrios is sending you a name and address.”

“A target?”

“Yes. Make certain he’s comfortable for his stay this evening.”

He laughed, the man learning my codes early on. “I’ll enjoy doing so. We meeting up tomorrow to handle it?”

“Yes, eight sharp. I have a business meeting later in the day.” She was still listening in, gleaning the importance of every word I was saying.

“Early. Well, I guess sleep is overrated. I’ll take care of it.”

“Good. Any insight on traitors?”

“Not yet, but I did put the fear of God into several.”

“As only you could. Keep that up.”

Another act of business completed, I tossed the phone onto the dashboard. The rest of the night belonged to me. No one, including the feisty woman sitting by my side, was going to take away my personal time to do exactly what I wanted.

The sound of Kara’s soft laughter brought heart palpitations to the surface.

“The real man finally emerges from the depths,” she stated as a reporter would. She had an uncanny ability of shifting her personality at a moment’s notice. That both intrigued and aggravated the hell out of me.

“Meaning?”

“The situation. AKA a termination. Right? Traitors? Are we talking about employees or family? Are you hunting some prey?” She leaned forward in her seat. “I see. You’ve already tracked this poor unsuspecting individual. The pickup is all about putting him on ice. Isn’t it?”

“You’ve been watching too many movies, Kara.”

“Have I? Are you going to lie to me and suggest you’ve never ended anyone’s life?”

I rolled my hand around the steering wheel. “Should I remind you that there are certain subjects that remain off limits?”

“That’s right,” she said sarcastically. “No discussion on illegal activities whatsoever. I was more interested in the number of men you’ve killed.”

My. My. She was doing her best to press my buttons. Did she really want to see what I was made of? If so, I could easily allow that to happen. One of my family members would remind me it was a very bad idea, but I simply didn’t give a shit.

Ownership was nine-tenths of the law.

I’d claimed possession of Kara, which had shocked me. Granted, I’d grown up learning that with money came power and to appreciate beautiful things. With the money I’d earned over the years, I’d grown used to taking what I wanted, including snatching up priceless treasures.

However, she was the first woman I’d laid claim to.

“It’s best you don’t ask the questions that not only can’t I provide an answer to, but ones you don’t want to hear.”

“Right. Whatever you say.”

She remained quiet, huddled in my passenger seat with a towel wrapped around her shivering body. Even turning on the heat hadn’t done any good. I doubted the chill had anything to do with the outside or inside temperature. Since walking back to the main road after our round of passion, she’d carried a haunted look on her face.

But her scowl couldn’t hide her incredible beauty. I was the kind of man who either liked or loathed something. She’d set my entire body on fire. It had taken every ounce of mental strength not to fuck her on my kitchen island, slathering her body with chocolate and licking every inch.

She was also intelligent and tenacious, two characteristics I both admired and adored. Everything about her was rare, like a precious gem discovered in a million-year-old mine. I threw her a look, noticing she was chewing on her lower lip as she’d been doing throughout the entire drive.

Her lips were already rosy in color. By the time I dropped her off at her hotel, they’d be ruby red. I wanted to suck on them all over again before pushing my kitten to her knees and forcing her to suck my cock.

It was already half hard from the thought alone. The reprehensible side of me was envisioning her soft gags as I drove every inch deep inside her hot, wet mouth. Just like I’d done with her sweet and oh-so tight pussy. While I’d gathered she wasn’t a virgin, she’d been so tight and so excruciatingly hot that I’d almost lost my load within seconds.

For some reason, I had the urge to shower her with presents. Perhaps French lingerie, only the finest silk and lace. When had I ever cared enough to purchase a gift for any woman other than my mother?

Everything about Kara was a powerful draw, my mind thinking of various ways I could keep her as mine. I’d meant what I’d said, yet logistics were still an issue as likely were ethics.

I could smell her regret, although the scent of our sex lingered as well. Damn it. My balls were aching to the point they needed additional release. Yet I wouldn’t push her. At least not tonight. I had many horrible traits, but forcing anything on her wasn’t going to happen.

But my body and my mind were conflicting in their desires.

“You can just drop me off at the front,” she said more quietly than I was used to hearing from her. She refused to look at me, let alone act as if she’d enjoyed the time we’d spent together.

Suddenly, my primal needs were about to get in the way. I pulled up under the awning, bypassing the valet driver. As soon as I stopped the car, she placed her hand on the door handle. She had her dress and high heels clutched to her chest and the light from the bubble lights underneath the awning allowed me to see her knuckles were white.

I climbed out, surprised she didn’t try to stop me. Of course she had several things she wanted to say to me. That much was obvious from her utter silence. Giving her space and time wasn’t my personality either, but for her, I would make an exception.

I opened her door, offering her my arm, and she shook her head before accepting my gesture. With the flipflops still on her feet, she almost tripped on the curb. While I caught her instantly, she seemed perturbed I was helping her in any way.

“I can do it myself, Havros. But thank you.” She skirted around me, keeping her head down, equally embarrassed by walking into the hotel wearing a towel. I turned and watched as she walked toward the main doors.

Maybe I was the one who needed to say a few things to her. “Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up at eleven.”

She stopped short, not bothering to turn around. I could easily tell she was debating telling me to fuck off and that her article was complete. Groaning, she finally shifted so she could see me. “Would you like to come up for a drink? One drink. We have some things to discuss.”

“One drink?” I held up my arm, my index finger pointed toward the sky.

“Yeah, one.”

“Why, yes, Ms. Banning. I believe I would enjoy that very much.” I tossed my keys to the valet, quickly walking inside the boutique hotel after her.

She should know better than to tempt the devil. One taste would never be enough. As we walked through the lobby, a few people inside dared glance in our direction. While I’d thrown on my shirt with the swim trunks, I had no doubt we both appeared disheveled, perhaps even homeless. Certainly, no one seemed to recognize me. A perk.

The thought of being incognito was amusing and provided a certain level of security. Not that I’d been shot at in the last few months, but tensions and anger levels always ran high when it came to commerce and land development. Our enemies would snag any moment to try to bring us to our knees.

Before she had a chance to press the elevator button, I crowded her space, doing it for her. She seemed as miffed as she’d been the entire ride, doing everything in her power not to bother looking at me. While I might not provide her with physical personal space, I’d do so mentally.

For now.

If patience had ever been a virtue, I was reaching for the brass ring now. The feisty woman had dared open Pandora’s Box. As soon as the doors started to close, she shifted as far away from me as possible.

“You’re nervous,” I told her as I flanked her side, staring at the console instead of into her stunning eyes.

“What do I have to be nervous about?” Kara’s tone was clipped.

“Your feelings.”

“For you?” she laughed.

“Perhaps.”

“You don’t need to worry about me, Havros. I’m a big girl and I can take care of myself, including with matters of the heart.”

The crumbs she tossed out were too tasty to resist. I shifted so my side was leaning against the metal wall, sliding my gaze ever so slowly down the length of her body. From buttoned up to wet and wild. I wasn’t entirely certain which woman I preferred. “The heart. Does that mean you’re falling for me?”

“Right. Don’t flatter yourself.” As soon as the elevator pinged indicating her floor, she stepped forward. It was great fun to watch her attempt at being uncaring about what happened. Perhaps she believed if she ignored the passion we’d shared, we’d be able to go back to ground zero.

Not a chance.

I waited until the last second before the elevator doors closed before squeezing through the slender opening. Kara was already down the hall, her room key in her hand. When she threw me a quick look before opening the door, I noticed another clear indication of fear.

What was she so afraid of?

Being sucked into damning activities or caring about a bad boy? I knew my personality well enough to realize I would continue pushing her to the breaking point.

I took my time heading down the hall, pushing the partially open door wide with a single finger. When I walked in, I was reminded of how much I adored the city. The hotel was well known for its Greek culture and tantalizing views, its rooms recently renovated, but done so in a way to reflect the age of the building. She’d chosen a suite on the top floor. At least I knew she wasn’t a starving artist.

In checking her website, I’d seen an agent listed. She was standing on the very precipice of becoming famous. Dimitrios was right. Her sudden fame and writing skills could be used for our gain. If I was a deceitful man. The question was wide open, the answer not as easy as it would have been prior to meeting her.

With anyone else, I’d drain them dry, tossing them away after their use-by date had passed. But with her… With her, everything was different.

Kara had already dropped her things and was nowhere to be seen. I headed toward the small table she’d set up as a bar, curious as to her choice of libations. Wine. Vodka. Whiskey. She’d managed to find a liquor store, purchasing interesting private labels. They were ones I’d choose, but not particularly pricy.

There was much to learn about the woman. I grabbed two glasses, selecting the whiskey. It had been a long time since I’d partaken in anything other than Italian wines and vodka.

“Please,” she said sarcastically. “Do help yourself.”

I said nothing as I poured the glasses, not bothering to check for ice. Who needed such delicious liquor watered down? As I turned, I was surprised and charmed she’d grabbed a robe, hopefully peeling away her wet suit. My mind shot straight to all the filthy things I’d thought of doing before and even more.

She seemed to sense I’d already visually removed the garment, huffing as she took long strides forward. When she yanked the glass from my hand, I purposely forced our fingers to touch.

The look she gave me could drive my body ten feet under concrete. I adored this woman even more. Feisty. Seductive. Argumentative.

That’s why I had to tame her. Breaking her completely would be a sin.

Without turning her back on me, she moved away, finally heading to the window overlooking the city. “I think we need to get a few things straight.”

“Absolutely. I’m all for it.” I sipped my drink, keeping my distance, eager to see how she handled pushing me away.

“I very much enjoyed you allowing me to be a part of your personal space. Your candid honesty will add significant depth to my article. However, I don’t think we need to continue handling the interview that way. In your office or another corporate location will be just fine. I’m ready to learn the innerworkings of your organization. How and why. Issues. Enemies. Successes.”

“I thought you wanted the piece more up close and personal.”

She shifted her gaze to the window, the reflection allowing her to catch a glimpse of me. “I think it’s best for both of us to keep our relationship at arm’s length. Don’t you?”

I watched her intently as she lifted her glass, licking the rim. My cock twitched, pushing hard against my trunks. I waited until she’d taken a sip before answering.

“The answer is easy, Kara. No, I do not. As a matter of fact, I don’t think you are being honest with yourself.”

“Why? Because you think you’re a magnificent catch and this doe-eyed American girl is going to fall hard for you? Let’s see,” she stated with defiance as she tapped a finger against her lips. “I know. You’re going to use me to get what you want.”

“What I want?”

“Yes, deliciously amazing publicity. Did I read somewhere a local rag said some pretty nasty things about you and your family?”

The woman had done her homework. I was even more impressed. “Yes. His discrepancies were handled.”

“Oh, let me guess. You’re the type to say even bad publicity is good publicity. Right? But I have a feeling you want more.” She spun around to face me.

I stepped closer. “Absolutely. I want many things and I’ve achieved most.”

“Yet you won’t mind my article adding to your coffers. You do enjoy all the perks money can buy.”

“Is this what you really want, pushing me away?” I walked even closer, keeping my eyes locked onto hers.

She held her head up in defiance, but I sensed her resolve crumbling. “Creating boundaries is necessary. I can’t do this.”

“You can’t do what, gatáki ? Enjoy something for yourself? Trust that you can walk away from what we’ve started?” I was only inches away, the intensity of my needs increasing.

“I can trust myself. You’re the one I question.”

“I find it interesting you didn’t appear concerned when we were under water.”

“I didn’t think you’d cross a line.”

I planted one hand on the window, enjoying the fact I towered over her. “What line did I cross, Kara?”

“Decency.” She tried to move under my outstretched arm and the dark beast inside of me took over every aspect of common sense and perhaps humanity.

After grabbing her drink, placing both on the end table, I wrapped my hand around her throat, pushing her back against the glass. “Not so fast.”

“We’re not doing this,” she insisted, her eyes even more fiery than before.

While keeping my fingers holding her long neck, I used the other to untie the belt on her robe very slowly. She pressed both her hands against my chest, her breathing uneven. “I don’t want you.”

“Tell yourself another lie, Kara.”

“I’m not lying. I don’t want you.”

I took my time peeling the two sides of her robe away from her luscious body. Being able to see more of her in the light was the motivation I needed. The second I rolled the tip of my finger along her breastbone, tracing around one breast, she shuddered.

As soon as I lifted my gaze, I was given a sweet reward. She dragged the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.

Her sweet scent of desire wafted to my nostrils and my hunger was ready to explode. I rolled a finger around her already taut nipple before rubbing the palm of my hand down her stomach. Using my knee, I kicked her legs apart and slipped my hand between them.

“Tell me another lie, Kara. Tell me you don’t want me.”

She shifted her head to the side, clenching her eyes shut. “I don’t want you. How could I want a man who’s done terrible things? How could I want anyone who enjoys killing people? You’re a very bad man and there’s nothing you can do to hide facts.” Her words were meant as a kiss off, yet she was arching her back, jutting out her rounded hips. Everything about her was beautiful including the way her long, dark eyelashes floated across her shimmering cheeks. She was flushed, the color the softest rose just like her lips.

My mind lingered on tasting them again.

And I would.

“Then what do you want? Tell me, Kara. Be honest with me.” My behavior was savage, but there wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that was exactly what she wanted.

As well as everything she needed.

“I…”

“Tell me.” My voice was even more demanding. As I fingered her clit, she shifted her hips back and forth. A single moan was precious, my cock aching to the point of pain. “Tell. Me. Now.”

Her eyes flew open, her pupils slightly dilated. She reached out, raking her long nails down my arm. A light string of blood followed.

The woman liked it rough. That’s exactly what I would give her.

“Fuck me. Just fuck me.”