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A man I’d never seen before.
“Devon just left. He doesn’t live here,” my mother snapped. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m sorry. He told me to meet him here. The front door was ajar. I apologize.” He turned his head in my direction and for a few seconds, I was lost in the beauty of his eyes. They were bluer than a morning sky on a cloudless day in spring. They had the depth of the ocean, the shimmer of a flawless sapphire. They were the most gorgeous pair of eyes I’d ever seen.
He could be my perfect Romeo.
I shuddered as the vision faded. But my heart thudded as I put two and two together. Devon’s best friend. I’d been practicing a piece fromRomeo and Julieton the day Cruz had come into our home. Oh, my God. He was from my past.
The seduction.
The same fucking music.
The exact connection I’d felt the moment I’d gazed into his eyes.
He was entirely different, no longer a gangly college kid. He’d grown several inches, added seventy-five pounds of muscle and his features had hardened over the years. But there was no way of disguising his eyes, just like I couldn’t hide mine.
No. No. No!
They’d found me.
As my feet failed me I dropped to the floor, tears rushing to my eyes. I’d been the biggest fool of all. Cruz was no savior, no perfect Romeo.
He was the devil come to drag me to hell.
* * *
Cruz
I’d learned many things about men of power over the years. I’d studied them, starting with my father then my older brother. I’d researched the family’s enemies as well as influential people who supposedly walked the straight and narrow. Every single person had traits that followed them no matter their actions or attempts to alter who and what they were. For some, those same traits created or added to their power.
For others, they became a weakness, a way to unravel their dark secrets, exposing them for whatever purpose I chose. I’d become damn good at it, keeping a mental journal I would consider using when necessary.
Today was one of those times.
Sanchez Rodriguez had a wife and three children, but he was no family man. He preferred his women young and naïve, which allowed him the opportunity to break them. Even as I stood in front of the well-known brothel, I realized my thoughts were like the pot calling the kettle black. What had I done over the last two days with Eden? The bottom line was that I’d exposed my personal weakness, something I’d told myself I’d never do.
Then again, I’d never intended for anyone to learn about the darker side of my soul.
Whoever had captured the moment of vulnerability had a ticking time bomb in their hands. If the owner of them put two and two together, the fire initiated could possibly burn down an empire. I refused to allow that to happen.
I’d left her alone, which would usually go against my better judgment. However, even if Rodriguez had taken the pictures and had located my temporary residence, I doubted he’d try to take or hurt her inside my house. That would instantly start a war. As far as anyone else, they couldn’t get through the security.
I was more concerned she’d find a way out. At least I’d ensured she wouldn’t get very far, including putting a tracker on her phone. Maybe it was still a game in my mind, but the risks were no longer worth some crazy fantasy.
As soon as I walked inside the building, I was approached by the madam, a woman I’d spoken with years before while securing a previous enemy. I’d also saved her life from the bastard who’d held her at knifepoint.
She smiled as she walked closer, giving me a lust-filled look. She’d tried and failed to entice me into indulging in my fantasies. “My. My. I never thought I’d see you again, Mr. Montenegro. What do I owe this honor?”
“It’s good to see you again, Sophie. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
She glanced at the four women who were waiting for customers then motioned me to follow her into her office. Once inside, she rested on the edge of the desk, swinging her leg back and forth in an attempt to draw my attention. She was a beautiful woman, considered one of the most influential women in the city, but she was well aware I had no interest. In fact, she’d teased me before that there wasn’t a girl in the world who could capture my attention.
I’d thought so then.
But she’d been wrong.
“What do you need, sugar?”
