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I am so caught up in them I forget what an asshole he is and reaching up, I shock him by stroking his face and whisper, “So many secrets Shade. Just like your name, they are hidden away from the light.”
If it’s possible, his eyes darken and the light reflects in them as he says huskily, “Then we are the same, Allegra. You are hiding secrets from me, and guess what?”
I lick my lips and whisper, “What?”
“I know a secret that you don’t. One that concerns you and if you discovered it, your answer would change to yes.”
My heart jumps because I knew it. This man has an agenda concerning me and it’s vital I have all the facts if I’m going to survive this mess, so I seize the opportunity and whisper, “Then you should tell me to change my answer.”
Once again, his lips brush against mine, and I taste the alcohol mixed with his intoxicating scent.
It appears that danger turns me on because I am dripping for him and that is a very inconvenient reaction right now because I want to hate him, not lust after him.
My head and heart are engaged in a fistfight right now because I am conflicted. I hate that I’m cheering my heart on because it would be so easy to agree to his demands. Seven days and nights of his attention is no hardship. The trouble is, I have a feeling it will cost me my soul.
CHAPTER8
SHADE
She is stronger than most and I like it. I admire it and I applaud her, but it’s also inconvenient. I’m not kidding, she doesn’t have a choice, but forcing women isn’t something I’m used to. They come willingly every fucking time, but she is holding out on me.
The fact she’s so attractive is a bonus. It will be no hardship spending the next seven days with her. The way I will corrupt and break her is so delicious I am eager to get started. Her fight is getting in the way of that, so I revealed one of my cards.
Now I have her interest and I spin her around so she is facing the black ocean and I stand behind her, locking her between me and the rail. I grip her face in my hand and force her to stare out to sea and whisper darkly, “There are many bodies in that open grave. Never to be found which makes it the perfect place to stage a suicide.”
She tries to get out of my grip, and I laugh in her ear. “I have no heart, no compassion, and no mercy. I am a man of secrets, that is true, but when that secret will tear your world apart, I really think you should pay attention and stop fighting the inevitable.”
I feel her tears splash on my fingers and her body shakes against mine as I say darkly, “Seven days and seven nights, Allegra, and you will love every fucking minute of it.”
I release her and, grabbing her wrist, I spin her around and stroke her face lovingly as she did mine, staring into her eyes and whispering, “I can tell you need further encouragement. I will tell you what you need to know and in return for helping you, I will demand your company in return. Then, we will head back to land, and you will carry on with your life knowing exactly who you are.”
“Tell me.” Her eyes are wide, and the fear has been replaced by a thirst for knowledge.
I smirk and nod toward the table.
“After we finish our meal, we will make our deal.”
“Okay.” She nods, her eyes bright but different from before. Fear has been replaced by a hunger for information and that will seal the deal far more effectively than threats and intimidation.
The third course arrives, a delicious trio of delights that make conversation easy as we discuss which one we prefer and, to anyone looking on, they would think this was any ordinary date. I decide to take the time to question her a little and refill her glass and say easily, “I understand you are here to work. What does that involve?”
“Please don’t remind me.”
“Why? Don’t you like your position?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not that, well…” She sighs heavily. “My mind just isn’t there, which is inconvenient.”
“Why not?”
“Listen, Shade.” She rolls her eyes at my name, causing me to smile.
“This may be just another day at the office for you, but I have led a very sheltered life. Watching a man murdered in cold blood isn’t something I can stop seeing. Then there’s all of this. You.”
“Me?” I’m amused at her obvious discomfort, and she nods vigorously. “Yes. I still don’t understand why you are doing this, but to humor you, I will hear you out. There’s the fact I’ve been dragged into a world I know nothing about. The endless calls, messages, and threats are really beginning to creep me out and for all I know, you are responsible.”
Now I’m getting somewhere, and I lean forward, fixing her with a dark glare that causes the blood to drain from her face.
“What threats?”
