“Didn’t think you’d come in person,” I say to him. Then it hits me. “You think Kroos will attack the moment I announce my position formally.”He shrugs. “It’s important we show unity.”I nod. Unity is exactly what we need now. A show of strength against anyone who would challenge us.With that in mind, I walk into the study where my uncle formed the Robertson crime family. Mata stands to my right and Lincoln to my left as I inform these deadly and dangerous men that, from this moment on, they are under my order.“If you have a problem with it, tell me now. Don’t wait to do it behind my back or you’ll be seen as a traitor and killed as one.” I scan the faces of everyone present, searching for any form of dissent. There is none.One by one, the men give me their oath of allegiance. Swearing their lives to me and to the family. In return, I give them my promise to make us powerful once again. To thrive and let the world know the Robertson are a force to be reckoned with.Over their heads
“You said you have a lead. It’s been months. You’re king now and have all the power. I want revenge, Nathan !” Katy demands when I find her in the study.She’s sitting in the chair that once belonged to her brother, and it strikes me how much like a mafia princess she looks. Not only does she dress the part, always in Versace from head to toe, but there’s an underlying ruthlessness in her dark eyes she usually keeps well hidden.Not today. Her brown eyes blaze as she stares at me, and there’s a barely noticeable tic in her jaw I take the seat opposite her and look at her from across the desk. “I’m on it.”“Who is it, dammit? Tell me.” She wipes a tear that’s rolled down her cheek, then averts her gaze. “I need to know closure is just around the corner.”“His name is Harry Kane .”Her face whips back to me “Why haven’t you killed him yet?”“Because I don’t kill anyone on a mere suspicion. I need proof. You better than anyone should know the importance of that.”Tilting her chin up, sh
He returns it easily, his steel-blue gaze glinting. “I was nearby and thought I’d pop in. See what you have on display. Just bought a place and I’m in the process of furnishing it.”I assess him. Expensive clothes, perfectly trimmed dark hair, and parked out front is a car that must be his. A black-on-black Bentley. Besides that, however, there’s an air of confidence and power rolling off him in waves. Generally, people with a lot of money have a designer do this for them. Unless they’re extremely controlling.“Are you looking for anything in particular?” I ask. “Landscapes, modern, still life?”“I prefer things that are…” He rolls his hand as if searching for the right word. “Unique. Usually pieces found in private collections,” he says.Before I can open my mouth to tell him we’re not selling anything privately, my father steps downstairs.“Mr. Kroos ” he says. “I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.”The man smiles. “I was in the area.”“Em,” Dad says. “This is Robbert Kroos .
“No. I have a date with Nathan in a little while.”His lips pull tight. “I was afraid you’d say that.”“What’s in this?” I ask when he hands me the manila folder, though I can already surmise.“Noah Russo doesn’t exist. Neither under that name nor anything that sounds remotely similar.”I pull out the report that shows the searches done on Nathan . Along with several screen shots saying he’s not found, there are photographs of him in the gallery and our house, taken on different days.“Not a single camera was able to capture his face,” he states with unmasked disgust. “He knew there were cameras and purposely avoided them.”“You can’t be certain of that.” I shove the folder back at him and stand.“Yes, I can.” He grabs my arm before I can walk past him and spins me so that I’m left with no choice but to listen. “You know what kind of man knows how to avoid facial recognition? The kind who doesn’t want to be identified. He’s a criminal.”“Stop it.” I tug my arm out of his grasp. “Just
I give him directions to a pharmacy I spot across the street. “I’m going in to grab a few toiletries. I sort of ran out with nothing but the clothes on my back. Thank God I wasn’t wearing pajamas.”“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”Two hours later, I’m sitting comfortably in Nathan ’s living room, staring at the flames dancing in the modern fireplace.“Here.” He offers me a cup of chamomile tea. “Katy says it calms her nerves.”I take it and sip the delicious brew. “Thank you. Being with you calms me too.”He sits beside me, crossing his legs in that casual manner men do, with his ankle over his knee. “I’m sorry that I’ve caused a rift between you two.”“It’s not your fault.” I smile but don’t feel it. “We just need a few days apart to cool down. Then I’ll go back and talk to him.”He frowns. “I know he doesn’t like me, but what spurred this fight?”I peer into my cup, drawing little circles over the rim. “He did a background check on you.”“Ah,” he says, as if that clarifies it all.
“Areyou?” Biting my lower lip, I turn back to the fireplace. “He consults with me on certain purchases. I know more about canvas art than he does.” “Look at me,” he says softly. When I don’t, he brings my face to him with a finger beneath my chin. “I just want to know you. No judgment.” Firelight bounces off his irises, reflecting in shards of golds and reds. “I want to know things that can’t be found by a background check.” A familiar warmth permeates my soul and radiates throughout my body. “Do you mind if I stay here for a night or two? I want to give Dad time to cool down. Maybe you could come with me and talk to him. Show him you’re not a criminal.” Reaching for me, he cups my cheek. “You can stay however long you want. I want you here.” I press myself to his chest, laying my head on his shoulder, and breath in relief at the sound of honesty in his words. He wants me here. “Thank you.” His arms wrap around me, lifting me onto his lap and engulfing me in his protective embra
We ascend the narrow stairwell and when he opens the steel door, a cool, humid breeze hits my face. Although it’s slightly illuminated by the buildings, moon, and stars all around us, as he promised, all the lights on the deck are off.I go to the edge of the spa and dip a toe. “The water’s warm.” Turning to him, I narrow my eyes. “Were you expecting me?”He drops the towel and grins, exposing his very hard and ready cock. “I was definitely expecting you.”The seats in the hot tub double as steps, and they’re steep. Nathan goes in first, then extends his arm to me. Nervously, and with one last glance at the tall buildings all around us, I drop my towel. Even though I know we’re not easily visible in the dark, we are, in fact, visible. It makes me giddy and wickedly aroused.I take his hand and sink into the rippling hot water. He cups my ass even before my feet touch the bottom, inviting me to straddle him. Which I do because it’s becoming instinctual to wrap my arms and legs around h
After he’s lubricated himself as well, he places the tip of his cock against my hole, and pushes in a bit. I expect it to hurt. It does slightly. But it’s the pressure that has me catching my breath. “Relax, sweetness,” he whispers against my ear. He drops his head and nibbles on my neck as he continues to work himself in. One push, two, and he waits, giving me time to accommodate him before, in one powerful thrust, he enters me. I cry out, not from pain but from the intense fullness. And as he begins to pump, his shaft sliding in and out of me easily with the lube, I begin to feel him everywhere. Every cell, every nerve is impacted as he fucks me. “It’s so fucking tight,” Nathan groans. “You feel so good, Natalia . So fucking good.” I’m so sensitive that when he swells just a bit more, he might as well be adding inches to his girth. My moans grow with my arousal, and when he reaches between my legs and cups my pussy, applying pressure to my clit with the heel of his hand, I com