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I stumble back into my room and lean against the door as it closes. Resting my head back, I let out a deep breath. I was expecting Lucas to chase me, to do something other than just let me go.
Raising my head, I let out another deep breath. I try to make sense of it all by pacing. Businessmen? Businessmen? That makes no sense. The carpet begins to give way to my repetitive motions. Businessmen don’t carry Glocks. They don’t take in random women, basically against their will, and break them down to be used. It makes no sense.
I sit down on the bed and attempt to unscramble my thoughts, but every road leads to the same ending. The same word that continues to ring in the back of my mind like a church bell during service. Mafia. Everyone knows Northridge Heights has them. The gangbangers, junkies, suppliers, etcetera. But no one ever speaks about the Mafia, and if they do, it’s never by a direct name. No one knows who they are.
“No one ever identifies us by name.” Lucas’s words grow louder and continue to replay in my head. My thoughts become white noise in the background.
Living in Arizona and being so close to the Mexico border, everyone assumes it’s the cartel that runs the city. They bring in drugs and push them to poor souls who can’t say no. But if being the chief’s daughter has taught me anything, it’s to never assume you know something based on what you see on the surface.
My thoughts are interrupted as my door opens. Teddy walks in with a bucket of ice.
“Come on.”
I raise my brow at him, but he ignores it and walks into the bathroom. “Do you ever get tired of being so demanding?” I huff.
He throws the ice into the tub that’s already piled with it and ignores me. If I was smart, I’d stop questioning him. If he is who I think he is, then he can have me wiped from the earth without a shred of evidence.
“What are you doing?” I ask, leaning on the doorjamb.
“Lucas said you took a few good hits. You may not feel it now, but you will later. This will help.”
I nod and walk to the edge of the tub. Teddy backs away and leans onto the counter with his arms crossed, watching me.
“I don’t need you to babysit me. I know how to take a bath unsupervised.”
Again, he doesn’t speak. He just stares at me.
I turn my back to him, deciding I don’t want to argue. I feel the small zipper on the tips of my fingers, but I can’t quite reach it to pull it down. Twisting my body and arms, I keep trying.
“Stop.”
My arms fall limply to my side with his demand. He leans in, and his breath falls on my shoulder. Slowly, and with purpose, his big hands trail down my back until they reach the zipper. With ease he slides it down, letting his knuckles brush against my skin. His touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, and my core tightens.
I can feel his face in my hair. “Get in.” His words are low and almost a whisper. He removes his hands, letting my dress fall to the floor.
I step into the cold water with my bra and panties still intact. As soon as my toes touch the water, my body erupts in goose bumps. The sensations of the ice touch every nerve ending in my body as I slowly lower myself in. I sink down, trying not to let my teeth chatter.
In an attempt to take my mind off the frigid water, I look to Teddy. “Can I ask you something?”
He motions his chin toward me, as if granting me permission to ask.
“Are you going to kill me?” I try to sound strong, but the words come out on a squeak.
I would like to think if he liked my father, I’m safe, but I can’t bet my money on it. I know I’m hard to handle and mouthy, and I know men like him don’t like that.
“No.”
“Is that all you know how to say? I’ve been with you for over twenty-four hours now and ninety percent of every word you’ve spoken to me is no.” I sink further into the water, letting it inch up my shoulders.
He bites his lip with a grin. “I have plans for you, Monkshood. Where a man cannot go, he will send a woman.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” My body shakes from the chills, and I’m unable to distinguish if they are from his words or the cold water.
“No one will ever suspect a woman to work for me, no one will suspect her to know what I do, and they most definitely won’t suspect her to kill.”
“So, you want to groom me to be your attack dog, not your bodyguard?”
“There is more to it than that.”
