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At the club she saw the women that tried to get close to him and his guards. The thought made her feel jealous and that was stupid. God, she must have drank too much to have feelings for a man who would surely use her. When she looked up Roman was standing there. His phone was to his ear. Who was he talking to?
She gasped when she felt an arm wrap around her midsection and then lips press against her neck. “A woman as beautiful as you should not be standing here all alone.” Ched.
She slid from his hold and turned, but he maneuvered her so her back was against the wall and one hand was on her hip and the other against her cheek. “Don’t push me away.” He said and stroked her jaw. He stared down at her lips before he leaned lower about to kiss her and she turned away. He inhaled against her neck.
“Maybe you need another drink.” He whispered into her ear and kissed her neck.
She pressed her palms against his chest. “I think I’m done.”
He pulled slightly back but definitely wasn’t going to release her until he was ready. “I’m not done. I’ve only just begun with you Annabella. You intrigue me.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her.
As the loud music played in the background, her mind spinning with thoughts wondering what was wrong with her? Why didn’t she feel anything for this good-looking man, and what in the world would be the big deal if she made out with him? Pursued something with him? From the outside he had it all. Good looks, money, influence, charisma, but she was still pushing him away and getting him to release her lips. He pulled back but wrapped her up in his arms, nearly taking the breath out of her.
“I don’t play games. I want you. You’ll come home with tonight. Right now.”
She half chuckled, and it sounded lame. She was shaking a little, feeling uncomfortable about this. She had to see this man when she went to work, when he went to Gables for business or for whatever it was he did there. She had to be tough and to stand her ground but she also couldn’t piss him off. She didn’t know what he was capable of.
“That isn’t going to happen Ched. I’m not that kind of woman.” She felt his hand glide over her ass, he squeezed her there and pulled her closer against him.
“All women are that kind.” He pressed his mouth to her neck again.
She pushed on his shoulders. He stepped back. “No, they aren’t, and on that note, good night.” She went to walk away and he gripped her wrist. Hard. He squeezed it as he clenched his teeth and showed a side of him her gut instincts knew was bad news. Thank God she had her wits about her. Somewhat.
“You don’t walk away from me. My eyes are on you now Annabella. You played the game. You gained my interest. I’m not letting any others step in and try to make a move on what I want.” By gripping her wrist tight, he pulled her close.
“You will accept. It’s how it works.” She was panicking here, and it seemed to her that this man, and others who frequented Gables and this club had some sort of rules, or protocol she knew nothing about. She had to think and think fast, as her wrist burned and she knew she would be sporting bruises there.
“Ched, I don’t shit where I eat. Surely you can understand that. Being a businessman and all. I don’t want any trouble.”
“Problem over here?” Roman joined them, placed his hands on her shoulders and Ched immediately released her wrist. He squinted his eyes at Roman who slid her behind him. “Problem Mr. Maloney?” Roman asked again.
“No problem. Just bidding goodnight to Annabella.” He started to walk away and then turned to look at her. “See you soon. We’ll make plans.” He said and then headed towards the dance floor, gave a wave of his hand and Aiden stopped talking to her friends. He got up and met with Ched. Aiden looked at her, eyes narrowed and then left with Ched. She rubbed her wrist. Roman took her arm. She gasped.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Yeah, heard that before.” She pulled her arm free. “I’m fine.”
“You aren’t. You’re naive, and if I wasn’t here to intervene then that man would have you in his car and on his way to his penthouse.”
She swallowed hard. “He goes to Gables, Roman. I didn’t want to anger him. I need that job.”
He scowled at her face as he glanced back at her wrist. “Do yourself a favor and stay clear of him. Just do your job, and you’ll be fine.”
“Hmmm, something tells me this won’t be the last I hear from Ched Maloney.”
He didn’t give her any false hope or a response that would indicate she was wrong. She screwed up somehow. She had a little too much to drink and normally she didn’t but that was an excuse. She really was naïve in many ways because she wasn’t experienced. She wondered if taking the job at Gables would turn out to be the biggest mistake of her life. What did she know about powerful men, about gangsters, some kind of hierarchy of power or whatever, or even the simple fact that men like Ched could point and say, “you, with me, right now, I’m taking you home.”
From now on I’m taking care of myself. I’m doing what Lucca said and being smart about whom I talk to, engage in any conversations with, or opening myself up for another situation like tonight. That includes accepting rides to the train station from men like Ivan Sokolov, or his guards. I’m in charge, and I need that job and to make money. Tomorrow night I’ll be in the right state of mind and prepared. For anything.
Chapter Six
“The deals went through with no problems, however the location might not be such a great opportunity any longer.” Rocco said to Aiden.
“The boss wants results. It hasn’t been a problem so why now?” Aiden asked.
