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“There is much you don’t know or understand about my life. But you’ll soon learn.”
She said nothing as I pressed my hand against the small of her back, pushing her toward the door, pressing my thumb against the security system. However, she was watching me carefully, as if she could manage to break free from her invisible chains.
When I turned on the lights, I registered surprise on her face. The house had been sold completely furnished, little of which I’d changed. I hadn’t intended on spending but so much time here and I certainly hadn’t planned on bringing a guest.
I watched her for a few seconds before returning to the front deck, closing the door behind me.
Tristen was shaking his head. “How long do you intend on keeping us here?”
Laughing, I took another look at the star-filled sky. “I could think of worse places for you to be sequestered for a short duration. Two days, maybe three. There’s far too much business to attend to.” There was a separate cottage on the facility where he would stay, both buildings wired with additional security. No one was getting on or off the property without my knowledge. Cameras were everywhere, a central communications room located behind locked doors.
“I still hope you know what you’re doing. Are you going out?”
“Likely, but it will depend on how tonight goes. Check with Daniel to make certain the Grassos haven’t reared their ugly heads. And I was serious about torching their new facilities. If you get a hint that weapons were located there, I want those buildings eradicated.”
He exhaled, finally nodding like the good boy he should be by now. “It’s only a matter of time before they do. My guess is they’d be toying with you if they were stupid enough to do anything.”
That’s what I was concerned about. “Perhaps. And I will handle them. Enjoy a few days in paradise. They could be the last respite you have for a few weeks.”
“Whatever you say,jefe.” He used the term when he was annoyed with me, which lately had become more often. As he handed me the single bag she’d packed, a strange look popped on his face. He knew exactly what I was like with women, what few I’d indulged in over the years. I hadn’t been gentle or giving, rarely caring about their needs. With Jade, I felt differently. There was no reason why.
While my needs were different with regard to her, I would still require her full submission, which would at least appease the sadistic side of me.
Or so I hoped.
“Call me if you’re going out,” he said as he backed away.
He knew what was at stake. He had a pulse on everything that occurred within the corporation, but his uncanny ability to twist the arms of various opponents while not breaking a sweat was the reason I’d promoted him from doing grunt work to my vice president. There was always a chance the family enemies were everywhere. Without additional backup, I could be considered to be providing a weakness, even if the house had no clear connection to the Thorn name.
As I walked back inside, I wasn’t surprised she’d disappeared. I put her case on the floor, taking my time walking toward the kitchen. She stood on the deck overlooking the ocean. It was easy to tell by her body language that she remained tense, uncertain of what I expected of her. I yanked off my jacket, rolling up my sleeves as I studied her. She could have chosen an outfit that wouldn’t highlight just how attractive she was. I found it curious that she’d done exactly the opposite. Was she trying to make a point, or had she not paid any attention?
What she’d said about her father bothered me perhaps more than it should. However, I’d learned a long time ago to trust my instincts. It was telling me that there was more to her disappearance as well as with her family. I would learn what she was hiding. And if I found out she’d betrayed me all those years ago, she’d be very sorry she’d allowed herself to be lured into doing so.
I moved toward the refrigerator, pulling both doors open. At this late hour, the service company had managed to stock the fridge with several food and beverage items. Then I moved toward the wine cabinet in the living room, selecting a cabernet. I wasn’t certain if I was trying to ease her tension or seduce her, as if I was the kind of man who didn’t take what he wanted without hesitation.
Then why are you plying her with wine?
I chuckled at the thought as I opened the bottle although I didn’t have a decent answer. After pouring two glasses, I unlocked a second door leading to the deck, taking my time walking toward her. She acted as if she hadn’t noticed my arrival, but the crackling of electricity between us gave it away.
“Take the wine, Jade, and no, I haven’t poisoned it.”
“I know. That’s beneath you.”
“I can’t say I haven’t spiked a drink or two in my time.”
She wrapped her fingers around it, tipping her head at the same time, the full moon providing a dazzling shimmer across her cheeks. “I hope you mean as a method of murder, not seduction. Oh, I forgot. You don’t need to seduce women. They just fall at your feet.”
“I’m not ashamed of the fact I’ve enjoyed the company of several lovely women before. However, the women who’ve been on my arm or in my bed knew what they were getting themselves involved in.”
“You make it sound so dirty.”
I leaned over the railing, taking a sip of wine as I studied the water rolling against the shore. Then I shifted toward her, giving Jade all my attention. “Isn’t that what passion is? A dirty moment shared by two people?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Then it’s barely clinical, certainly not enjoyable.”
“Sex is sex, often used as a tool, gaining control over someone else.”
