A moment passes while he considers it. “It’s irrelevant,” he says. “Robertson business, not mine.”“You got my oath of loyalty, Nathan ” Mata says, pressing his fist to his chest.“Mine too, boss,” Lincoln adds. “We’ll kill any asshole that has shit to say about it.”I bow my head. The Robertson are mine.Natalia My father is sitting beside me at the kitchen table, but he might as well be miles away.“It’s supposed to storm tonight,” I say and watch him out of the corner of my eye.“Hm,” he grunts.“How’s your soup?” I ask, pointing my spoon at his bowl.“You know I hate tomato soup.”“No you don’t.” I sigh and angle my body fully to him. “Dad, you love tomato soup on a rainy day. That’s why I made it.”“Is that why? Or are you kissing my ass because you disobeyed me?” He directs his hard stare at me.He’s angry and hurt, I remind myself.“Dad, please forgive me,” I say for the hundredth time since he found Nathan in the house. “It was inappropriate for me to have brought a man to th
“I won’t change my mind, Em. Don’t try. I’m a good judge of character, and that man reeks of trouble.” He’s agitated, his breathing hard, nostrils flaring.I feel my own temper rising until I notice the lines around his eyes. They’re not deep enough. People always compliment my handsome father on his youthful appearance. But the lack of lines is more a reminder that he hasn’t laughed enough in his life. Kind of like Nathan .It’s those lines that have me deflating and biting my tongue to keep from blurting out something I won’t be able to take back. I could never hurt this man that I love so much. He gave me all the smiles, even when he didn’t have enough for himself.“If I’m desperate for anything,” I say, “It’s foryouto fall in love.” I stand and take my dishes to the sink, then kiss the top of his head on the way out of the Kitchen Noah said he’d pick me up tomorrow at seven. Damn, I should have gotten his number. After the discussion with Dad, the last thing I want is for him to
Shit. Not only did I lose him, but I lost me too.Every gruesome murder recently reported by the local news suddenly blares through my mind. I’m a big, wet, lost, unarmed target.My already racing heart hammers harder in my chest and I plaster myself against the nearest wall, trying my best to melt into it. To become invisible and regroup.I squint at the street sign, trying to read the poorly lit letters. Having no other choice, I detach myself from the side of the building and draw nearer.That’s when my worst fear becomes a reality. Strong fingers wrap around my arm as a hand covers my mouth when I try to scream.I’m dragged backward, away from the light, deep into the shadows of a narrow alley. Adrenaline rushes through my blood, inciting that fight or flee response. However, the sheer size of the man obliterates the flee option, leaving me with fight.I bite him as hard as I can and he releases me. But my freedom is short-lived. Before I can take a single step, I’m grabbed again
He slams my arms over my head, transferring both my wrists into one of his hands. His other hand roves down my body, shoving my wet shirt over my breasts. I gulp in oxygen when he breaks the kiss and bends down to take my wet nipples into his mouth. He moves from one to the other, grazing his teeth over them, sucking hungrily.The sting he creates with each bite sends an electrical current straight to my core, making me ache. Making me want more than this.As if he needs to touch me there as much as I need him to, he slides his palm over my thigh and under my shorts. His fingers easily slip past my panties and press inside me. I buck, wanting to grab onto something as he begins to thrust, but he keeps my arms pinned.I whimper when he pulls out of me, but he shuts me up with his mouth on mine once again. If possible, his kiss is even more demanding than before. He sucks on my tongue and robs me of breath.Suddenly releasing my arms, he brings both his palms to my ass and lifts me. I i
“Yes,” he says rigidly.“And the cut on your brow?”“Some people are harder to fire than others.” His body tenses again, and I know that if I continue to question him, he’ll go right back to the state of mind he was in.But I am curious. Did he fire someone and they didn’t want to go? Did they attack him?I suppose his job must be extremely stressful, but I can’t help the niggling in the back of my mind that there’s so much more to it than that.However, it doesn’t matter what my gut says when my heart is screaming at me to hold on to him tighter. And wrapping my arms around his waist, that’s exactly what I do.Natalia “Shit,” I grumble when we reach my street. “My dad’s home.”“You could come with me to my house instead,” Nathan offers.“Your place.” I turn to him and smile, wondering just what kind of house a man like Nathan would have. An old brownstone like mine? Or maybe a modern condo overlooking the city.“Would you like to come?” he whispers near my ear, and something about
“Where the hell have you been?” My father’s voice booms almost as loudly as the rolling thunder outside.Although I was expecting him to be waiting, I’m still startled. “Jesus, Dad!” I cry, holding my palm over my chest. Then I remember that I’m not decent enough to be in front of him with my shirt wetly clinging to me. Quickly, I cross my arms. “I thought you went out somewhere.”He’s sitting on the couch in the living room, a beer in his hand. “I did go somewhere. To the store.” He digs his fingers into his eye sockets, and suddenly, he seems so tired. “We were out of milk and I know you like it for your cereal.”“I could have just eaten something else,” I say, realizing this was his way of apologizing “But you love cereal for breakfast.” He lifts his weary gaze to me. “I saw you through the camera. Where did you go?”For a moment, I consider lying. But I can’t bring myself to do that to him. “Nathan came by. We went for a walk.”“In the rain? Dressed like that?” He lifts his beer
My phone buzzes and I tug it from my little black clutch. It’s a text from Nathan saying he’s right outside.“He’s here.” I lean into him and kiss his warm cheek. “Have fun tonight, Dad.”“Send me your location when you get there.”I nod, although that’s the last thing I plan to do. He’d probably end up ditching the event and wait outside wherever we go.Nathan s Superleggera is parked in front of the entrance, but I can’t see him until I slip inside, because the windows are so heavily tinted.When I do, my breath catches. Damn, he’s handsome as sin. Dressed casually in gray slacks and a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his thick hair with that effortless finger-brushed messy style, he looks anything but casual. He’s a devastating devil.But it’s the way he takes me in that really has me breathless. The desire in his eyes as they rove over my body is so palpable, he might as well be touching me.“You’re not wearing what I asked you to,” he says.Glancing
“Am I your gift or your meal?” I ask in breathless anticipation.“Both. I warned you that you’d be dinner tonight. You still came, so I’m going to assume you’re all right with being eaten?”Dear Lord, I’m going to go up in flames.I clear my throat. “Where are you taking me, by the way ?”“Being that my dining room table is in my home, that’s where I’m taking you.”Nathan lives on the upper floor of a ten-story building in Jersey City. It’s one of those places that has served as everything from an office building to a factory and has now been converted into a swanky loft that maintains that industrial character.I’m informed that while there is a reception area where most of the residents come through, Nathan ’s place has its own entrance. An elevator accessible through his private portion of the garage leads directly to his loft.The elevator bell chimes and we step inside the open space.“Wow,” I say, taking it all in—the brick walls, thick exposed beams, large windows that give you
“You’re here!” I say, heading toward it but stop when it’s Katy who appears.“You!” she hisses. “I knew something was off. He didn’t kill you!”Before I can answer, she’s on me like a rabid cat. She claws at me, slapping every part of me she can make contact with.Startled, I raise my hands protectively over my face, afraid to hit her back and severely hurt her. As it is, Nathan already hates me for any part I might have played in the death of his father.The woman may be older and weaker, but her strikes are impactful. She shoves against me, slapping her palms against my shoulders and chest, driving me toward the rear of the deck. It all happens so fast that I don’t realize I’m so close to the glass rail until it hits my lower back.“You have to calm down!” I plead.“Why did he have to want you? You look nothing like me! But Leo always liked them younger. Tell me, did you like how he fucked you?”“What? You think I slept with your husb—” Another whack, this time right across the chin
But he saved my life. He risked himself to keep me alive. And fuck it all, I love him! I can’t just sit back and let him die.A chair is pushed and the sound of footsteps come my way. Before they reach the doors, I bolt out the entrance and am already across the street when I hear, “Natalia !”But I don’t stop. Don’t look back. My mission now is to save Nathan Natalia Irun like the Devil is at my heels, not bothering to glance back over my shoulder, because even that simple action could cost me precious seconds.For blocks, I maintain that speed, my lungs burning and the stitch on my side threatening to bring me down.When I’m far enough that I feel anyone following would have lost sight of me, I tuck myself into an alley and wait. After several minutes, I tug my cell phone out and dial Nathan , but it goes straight to voicemail.“Pick up, dammit!” I dial again, but like before, it goes to his mail.“Nathan . You have to leave your house. A man named Steven Kroos is coming. He’s bri
“The hell it is. Do you have any idea the worry you put me through? No calls or texts the last couple of—” His eyes bulge from his skull as he takes in the blood on my shirt. “You’re hurt.” “No, Dad. It’s not my blood. I’m not hurt.” He digs his fingertips into the corners of his eyes as if he’s trying to keep from crying. “I thought I would lose my mind when I found out exactly who you were with. His name isn’t Nathan Manguire . It’s Nathan Carlos .” I rear back in shock that he knows. “What?” “My gut was right, Em. He’s a fucking criminal. The worst kind.” “How do you know that?” From the study, the handsome man who visited the gallery to meet with Dad steps out. Steven Kroos . His icy-blue stare roves over me, and he smiles. “I’m glad to see you’re home safe. Especially after being in the Robertson den.” “Mr. Kroos is the one who tracked down information on Carlos . Nathan is their new godfather.” His eyes narrow on me. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?” Looking betwee
He tilts his head, his eyes raking over my face, searching. “What makes you think that?” “It was in the way he looked at me,” I say. “It’s the same wayyoulook at me. I know you said he loved your stepmother, but I swear it’s true.” “I saidsheloved him. I never said he loved her back.” He glances out the windshield, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. “Is that why you killed him? You didn’t appreciate his attentions?” “He came to the house when my father wasn’t there. I’m not even sure how he got in. But he followed me from room to room and begged me to give him a chance. I asked him to leave, told him that he was scaring me. He decided to grab me and try to kiss me. “I got out of his hold and ran to the desk drawer my father keeps his Glock in and threatened him. He still refused to leave. The moment he took a step toward me, I shot. It was meant to scare him, nothing more. I could never kill anyone. The bullet grazed his arm, but he was alive.” “You didn’t follow him out?
“You cut yourself,” I say. “It wouldn’t have been believable otherwise.” “Why did you do it, Nathan ? Why did you spare my life?” He pulls over several blocks from my house. We sit there in silence for what seems like forever, the only sound the pitter-patter of scattered rain against the windshield. “Why did you save me?” I repeat the question that’s been burning in my mind. “Your mother wants me dead, but you saved me.” Without turning to me, he replies, “Iwanted you dead.” His response is another blow to my already battered heart. But he deserves the truth. “I didn’t kill your father, Nathan . It wasn’t me.” Now he does turn to me and I almost wish he hadn’t. The shadows I’ve wondered about from the start have emerged and they’re darker and more terrifying than I could have imagined. They’re blackened with Nathan ’s fury, hate, grief, and confusion. They tear at my chest, splaying it open. Raw pain fills me at the sight of those beautiful golden eyes looking so tortured, spa
My gaze flicks from her to the elevator and to the rooftop access door, wondering if I could somehow reach either of them. And if I did, are they unlocked? As if from out of thin air, Nathan produces a piece of rope. When he tries to take one of my wrists, I make to get up again, but I’m slammed into the damned chair again. It doesn’t matter how much I fight, he easily pulls my hands behind me and ties them. “You wanted her, there she is,” he says to her, and I notice with at least a bit of satisfaction that he’s panting. I guess I wasn’t that easy to subdue. Nathan ’s stepmother comes toward me, her hips swaying. She sips her wine as she studies me. “You killed my husband.” I don’t bother to respond to her comment. She doesn’t care what I have to say. If she did, she would have asked me if I did it. And if so, why. All she cares about is revenge. The who, what, and why of it doesn’t matter to her. Turning to Nathan , I realize he’s not once asked me either. They’re the same. Part
“Mmm. Is it that or that you have Natalia Kane in your bed?”I stiffen, feeling my heart leap into my throat. She knows my name?“Who I have in my bed is none of your concern,” Nathan says.“It is when that whore killed your father! That’s right,” she adds, “I know it was her.”My heart isn’t just in my throat anymore. It seems to have stopped. Suddenly, my blood pressure drops and every pore in my body releases sweat.“John ” I hear Nathan murmur just as I pull away.There’s walking, the sound of heels clacking against the wood floors. “John was loyal to Gustavo and Leo . Of course he would be loyal to me as well.”“Then he’s useless to me,” he says.“You’ve known it was her for days and have done nothing about it!” she shouts.“It is at my discretion to decide what and when I will do something, Katy .”“The godfather only has power so long as the men respect him. How do you think they will react when they find out that instead of killing her, you’ve been fucking her?”My mind racin
Or maybe I’ll just fuck you until we both die.” Her eyes fly open, and for a moment, there are no walls between us. The pain, betrayal, and lust are bared fully. “Then fuck me,” she finally says. “And maybe we’ll die together.” My mouth is on hers then. I slide my fingers from her cunt and we both work savagely at getting rid of my clothes. All the while, we kiss with a passion that only the dying know. The instant I’m naked, I’m inside her, thrusting, burying my dick all the way to the balls, pulling back out, and slamming home again. Natalia is wrapped around me, arms and legs holding me tightly against her as she lifts her hips up, meeting each of my thrusts. We fuck like we’re drowning and these are our last gasping breaths. Deep and desperate. She fits me like a fucking glove, her pussy tight around my dick, her body molding to mine perfectly. The way she tastes, smells, feels… It all fits me like no one else ever has, and for the briefest of moments, I almost wish I’d neve
I flip it open and freeze, focused intensely on the drawing of a pair of eyes.Myeyes. Only, they’re not the way I’m accustomed to seeing them. They have the same shape, same dark spots on the irises. There’s a deep crease between them. But in the drawing, they’re slightly upturned and crinkled at the edges, and there’s a slight gleam to them, as if I’m smiling.Because I was.Several times, she called my name, grinning so widely when I looked at her that I couldn’t help but smile. She captured those moments.Does light penetrate shadows, or do the shadows drown out the light?I asked that question not long ago. The answer is both. She’s managed to light up my eyes while I’ve filled hers with darkness.Blowing out a breath full of exhaustion, I set the sketch aside. Tired, I shut my lids and must drift off instantly, because a bolt of lightning that rumbles even through the sound barriers I’ve erected around the loft wakes me. Instantly, I glance at the door.Though she has access to w