Page 44 of Beguiled

The reason the fight nights worked with me eliminating mostly his low-level enemies was all about my anonymity. Once the veil was broken, all bets were off.

“Where would you prefer I take you?”

“How do you know where I live?” Her chest rose and fell. Not from fear. From anger.

“I make it a habit of learning everything I can about someone in a position close to me, which you are. You know things about both me and my family that no one else is privy to.”

“What do I know about you? Nothing that means anything. Nothing. You like expensive clothes and watches. You never eat lunch. You don’t drink coffee. You keep a bottle of scotch in your bottom drawer, the expensive kind even though you have a big fancy bar in your office. You can’t stand our clients, and I know that because you have a facial tic when you hate someone. That’s the only time I can see the scar bisecting your right eyebrow. Which also allowed me to realize you don’t want anyone daring to look at or my God, point out the jagged but faded scar running down from the corner of the same eye. However you received the injury, it profoundly affected you. In case you haven’t been told, which my guess is you haven’t since you don’t like anyone getting close to you, the scars make you sexy as hell.”

Her words did something I never would have expected. I touched my eye, remembering the reason for the scars. She could be a very valuable asset. The fact she thought the scars sexy created a stronger, darker wave of desire. I’d need to be very careful in learning to deal with her.

While her shoulders rose and fell with her labored breathing, I took a few seconds to calm my raging libido.

“I assure you there’s nothing of interest for you to learn about. Answer the question. Were you expecting that I’d take you to my place?” I asked, curious as to her answer.

Even in the dark, I sensed she was befuddled by my question. “I don’t… know what I was expecting. You are kidnapping me.”

Chuckling, I checked the rearview mirror one more time before finding a spot to park on the street. As soon as I pulled next to the curb, she tensed more than before. She studied the area, even looking over her shoulder before removing her seatbelt.

“Who are you expecting will be here, Saige?”

“Who do you think? The bad guys.”

Finally, some honest fear. “I had my men ensure you wouldn’t come home to a surprise.” I yanked the keys from the engine and snapped off the belt, noticing how ragged her breathing was. “There’s no need to kidnap you. Unless of course that’s what you would like to happen. I can certainly arrange to do so.”

While a part of me considered taking her to my house, doing so presented an entire list of complications. Her disguise had been enough to almost fool me, meaning it would for anyone in the audience, which should be the only people to cause any concern.

My ridiculous statement drew her ire and another venomous look. Finally, she yanked herself free of the haze of fear. “I don’t think so. This will be just fine.”

Once on the sidewalk, she remained near the cover of the car, glancing down both sides of the street. I didn’t like seeing herterrified. Her shift in emotions had a profound effect on me. My hands were fisted, every muscle tense.

Pain needed to be provided to someone, or the wolf would break free of his chains.

“Come on. Let’s get you inside.” She lived on the third floor of a battered building. While the area was decent enough, I didn’t like the easy access to the building or the fact there was no real security. I’d need to do something about that.

When we were at the door, her body stiffened as mine had done earlier. “I don’t know what to say.” She shoved her key into the lock and before she turned the handle, I wrapped my hand around hers.

The instant shot of current was followed by a strange hint of satisfaction in being able to touch her. My hunger arose as it had done around her a thousand times.

Only this go-around, she could feel the energy pulsing between us, the chemistry that could easily drown us both if I wasn’t careful in how I handled her.

Her breathing hitched and the way her body trembled yanked on the limited protective nature buried somewhere deep inside me. The one I had for my mother and no one else.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Checking your apartment.”

“Didn’t your goons already do that?”

“My goons swept your home, yes, but a lot can happen in an hour.”

“They really invaded my space?” Had she honestly thought otherwise? When she lifted her chin in another wave of defiance, her body was pressed against mine. Her voice held a cringe. Hmmm… What was the little lady hiding inside her apartment?

This could be a very difficult remainder of the evening if I didn’t leave quickly. “Yes, Saige. That’s what mygoonsdo. They protect the innocent. Even wolves are choosy with their food. But don’t worry. Whatever secret you hope to keep will stay just between us.”

“Oh, you’re hilarious. I never knew you were so funny.”

“Just stay right here.”