Page 25 of Thorns of Blood

She was mine for the time being.

“Wait for me in my office,” I barked, and then proceeded to take my guest to the cabin on the other side of the yacht, closer to my quarters. This yacht was my home. Although I owned a half dozen residences scattered around the world, I rarely stayed in any of them long. This was the sure, and best, way to stay away from my mother. The woman hated boats, suffering from violent seasickness each time she stepped on one.

Once inside the suite, I deposited her on the soft bed, her skirt riding up and baring the smooth, pale skin of her toned thighs.

I pulled the fabric down. Yes, I loved the sight of a beautiful woman, but it felt wrong to gawk at her when she was in this state. Thankfully, I still hadsomemorals left.

With that, I turned around and left her in the room, not bothering to lock it.

The yacht was already in motion to leave the area. By the time Liana woke up, there’d be nowhere for her to disembark unless she was a good swimmer.

I made it into my office on the main deck and found my brother waiting for me.

“How is our sleeping beauty?” Romeo said. “She’s prettier than I would’ve thought.”

“There is noourhere,” I gritted. My brother had a way with women and they always flocked to him. The idea of Liana falling for his charms had me fighting the urge to slam a fist into his smug face.

I shook my head at the stupid impulse. The woman probably didn’t care about any man’s charm and would sooner kill us than entertain our propositions.

“What the fuck is going on with you?” he questioned, narrowing his eyes on me. I wasn’t exactly known for being possessive, especially when it came to women.

I moved behind the desk and took a seat, glancing out the window at the disappearing shoreline of Venezuela. The tense silence that followed was coiled tight, ready to snap. I didn’t address the question he asked because I didn’t have an answer.

“Set a course for Boston,” I instructed, changing subjects.

Romeo’s brow furrowed. “I thought we were going to Portugal next.”

I shook my head. “I changed my mind.”

Romeo grinned, rubbing his palms together eagerly. “Oh fuck. There’ll be war.”

I rolled my eyes at his eagerness.

“Don’t sound so pleased,” I retorted dryly, although his bloodthirst might prove useful if that was indeed where we were headed.

“This isn’t a beauty pageant. I know better than to ask for world peace.”

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Sometimes I feared Romeo would get himself killed with the way he carried himself.

“One day you will,” I told him. “When you find someone to settle down with.”

“Is that what’s happening today?” he inquired curiously. “You found your woman.”

Why did he frame it as a statement rather than a question?

Before I could contemplate it further, I heard shots being fired. My brother and I leapt to our feet, guns already in our hands. My first thought was an attack, but my captain assured me there were no boats on the radar for miles.

My brother and I rushed out of the office and down the deck. Two of my men were dead and a third was whimpering in pain.

“What happened?” I barked.

“The psycho bitch locked herself in there,” he hissed, pointing to the room. In a few short steps, I found myself in front of it. Lifting my foot, I kicked in the door. It flew open andbounced back off the wall with a loud crash, causing objects and picture frames to fall from their shelves and shatter against the floor.

When I stepped inside, I found myself staring at Liana standing in the middle of the room with a gun pointed right at my heart.

“Where am I?” she spat. There was no fear in her voice, no tremble to her hands gripping the gun.

“How are you awake?” I retorted back.