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CHAPTER4
Valentin
Passion had always driven me, the exquisite need for dominance preventing me from accepting anything less than taking what I wanted.
Cassidy was a gentle flower, a woman who had no idea she’d walked into a lion’s den. There was a hint of innocence behind her vivacious blue eyes, but there was also a knowing. She felt the crackle of electricity between us, but the sensible side of her had already issued a warning.
Very few women would handle the sight of blood splashed against the wall of a kitchen without becoming emotional. Even though she’d stared at the ugliness of something I’d created, her reaction was calm and very collected.
She’d been around more than one scene of violence in her life. That added to the excitement surging through me. I’d always been a cautious man when it came to women. It was her innocence that could destroy me, but the draw was impossible to deny.
Sharing dinner with Cassidy had been more enjoyable than I’d imagined, her delightful laughter filling a void I didn’t even know existed. After the tension between us had eased, she’d allowed herself to enjoy being fed by a wolf disguised as a decent man. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d made a meal for anyone but members of my family.
Midway through our feast, she’d relaxed enough she hadn’t filtered her answers as she’d done from the beginning. Then she’d helped me with the dishes, ensuring Mama Lucia wouldn’t become furious with me upon her arrival at four in the morning.
As far as the blood, that would be handled by one of my soldiers. They knew what was required. The place would be spotless by the morning.
She sat quietly in the leather passenger seat, staring out at the bright lights of the Big Apple, her hands resting in her lap. The way she continued to fidget indicated she remained nervous around me, uncertain of her body’s reactions. I dipped my head to the side, studying her intently. She had no way of knowing she’d delved into my darkness, sadistic needs I usually ignored. She was beautiful, yet in a carefree way, as if discovering let alone admitting how gorgeous she was would prove to be her downfall.
I usually preferred gregarious blondes, their verve for life entertaining for a night, but it had never meant anything but fulfilling a need. I enjoyed giving pain disguised as discipline and as of yet, I’d never had a single woman complain.
But no matter how kinky the event, I’d never been satisfied. So I’d tossed them away, refusing to think about the experience again.
This girl was different. Maybe because she was from a different world or her lust for life was contained in the chains she’d placed around herself. I wasn’t certain nor did I care. I simply wanted to unwrap the package, exposing the sweet angel underneath.
“Which hotel?” I asked casually.
“The Central Park North.”
I shook my head. Her selection told me many things, including she was frugal with her money. She certainly wasn’t the daughter of some asshole bigwig or even a mistress, which added credence to her story about arriving for a family get-together.
The place was shitty in my opinion, clean but little more than a cheap whorehouse used by dignitaries in town for whatever meeting or conference they were attending. Men like that truly believed they could come in under the radar by using the less than stellar location. She deserved the finer things in life, a taste of my world. I said nothing as I shifted lanes, making a turn toward Central Park South. Only the Ritz Carlton would do.
“Wait a minute. Where are you going?”
“To another hotel.”
“I had a reservation. I can’t afford to be charged for the room.” The almost desperate sound in her voice was quickly masked. “I mean, I’m not into luxuries.”
I shot her another look. “You don’t need to worry about your accommodations, Cassidy. I’ll handle everything.”
“No, you won’t. I’m not that kind of girl. I don’t care that you rescued me or made me dinner.”
“Then tell me. What kind of woman are you?”
She was flustered by my question, her mouth twisting. Chuckling, I continued driving, tapping my finger on the steering wheel.
“Valentin. I’m serious. Maybe you can afford a five-star hotel, but I can’t, and I refuse to be in anyone’s debt. If you can’t understand that then please, just let me out of the car.”
“I have no intention of allowing you to go anywhere but a location I know is safe. The decision is final, Cassidy. I suggest you begin to realize that I always get exactly what I want.”
Her laugh was a reflection of her goodness, haughty yet still intrigued. She folded her arms, mumbling under her breath, but I continued to feel the rush of excitement tearing through her, igniting a fire she’d long since thought was dead. The asshole who’d mistreated her would eventually learn that he’d lost the best gift he would ever be given.
Just like he would lose his life for tormenting her.
Anger fueled my system almost as much as the increasing need, enough so I found it difficult to focus on anything but the woman sitting next to me. She had an intoxicating way about her, from the nervous tics to the way she continually brushed her hands through her curls. I’d remained rock hard during dinner, absorbing everything she’d told me.
Of course she was hiding her real identity. I couldn’t blame her.
