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He leans closer, his nose skimming over my throbbing pulse. “I hope my brother has taken good care of you for me.”
Brother?
He must see the confusion and shock in my eyes. He pulls back a little and releases his grip on my throat. I suck in a greedy breath.
“Damon didn’t tell you, did he? That you belong to his big brother.”
The man before me picks up a piece of hair off my shoulder. His eyes inspect it like it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
“You know the only reason he wants you is because I own you. He always wants things that don’t belong to him. He’s been that way since we were kids.”
I know I need to try and remain calm, to use my voice, to make myself heard.
“No one owns me, not you, and definitely not Damon.” The man smirks at me, and in his eyes, I see pain and death.
“Is that so?” His words tickle my ear, and before I know it, I’m being dragged through the back door. I’m just about to ask a question when the door to an SUV opens and the man holding my arm pushes me inside. “Let’s go for a ride, Keira. I have a couple questions to ask you about your brother.”
I gulp as his big body climbs in behind me. I move across the bench seat, going to the other side of the car, huddling near the door.
When the door to the SUV closes, trapping me inside with this nameless man, I panic. My body starts to shake, and black dots appear over my vision.
“Relax. I’m not going to kill you.” He smiles, then adds, “Yet.”
“I don’t have anything, and I know nothing. I swear.” Tears sting my eyes. A part of me feels like life would be easier if I died. All I’m doing now is running from one monster to another.
When the SUV starts moving, I sink my fingers into the leather seat, wishing I could go back in time.
“I’m sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I’m Xander Rossi.”
I blink, my eyes lifting to his. Now I understand why his face looked so familiar. He’s an older looking version of Damon. Everything he said now makes sense.
“You’re Damon’s brother,” I whisper.
He chuckles. “I see you’ve finally put the pieces together.” The man before me screams danger and oozes power. It’s a scary combination.
“You’re the one after me, so what do you want?” I already know the answer.
He stares at me a moment. There is no warmth in his brown eyes, no emotions, nothing.
“That. I. Am. I have some questions for you, and as long as you answer them to the best of your knowledge, nothing ill will happen to you. But lie to me, Keira…” His hand lifts and comes to rest against my knee. He gently squeezes it, a warning, proving the hold he has over me.
I shiver. Fear like I’ve never felt spirals out of control inside me. “Please don’t,” I whimper.
“I won’t hurt you…not unless I have to. You’re more valuable alive than dead, but that doesn’t mean I won’t hurt you if you lie to me.”
I nod. All I need to do is answer his questions, and then I can walk away.
“What…? What do you want to know?” I stumble, feeling small and insignificant in his presence.
“Well, first…” He releases his hold on my knee and casually leans back, “were you aware your brother was stealing money from me?”
I shake my head. I get the feeling I’m not going to like the things I discover about my brother today.
“Use words,” Xander demands.
“No. I didn’t know.” I gain enough courage to spit the words out, knowing if I didn’t, I could end up with a black eye. Xander doesn’t look like he’s opposed to beating women, and I don’t really want to find out.
“Good. So, you’re telling me you had no idea your brother was doing illegal things? Drug trafficking, auctions, prostitution.”
I blink, the contents of my stomach churning. Now I know why my brother always had money—why he was able to afford clothes and my schooling.
“I didn’t know. I knew he was making good money, but I didn’t know what he was doing. He never shared his work with me—and I never asked.”
Xander stares at me, appearing to digest my response. I lick my lips, afraid he may not accept my answer and I’ll end up dead on the side of the road in a gutter—or worse, raped and beaten.
“I swear…” I whimper, feeling Xander’s cold gaze on my face. Time seems to stand still.
“Do you know what is going to happen to you if you lie to me, or try to run from me again?”
I shake my head. “N-N-o-o.”
Xander smiles, leaning his body into mine, causing me to curl into myself. “If I find you’ve done either of those things, I will hunt you down and take you back to my club, then I will fuck you bloody until you beg me to stop. And when I’ve had my fill, I’ll give you to my men to be used. They’ll fuck you as well, and then they’ll slit your throat and watch the blood drain from your lifeless body.”
