32

Selena tipped her head, darting her eyes back and forth. “I worked for everything I’ve ever gotten in my life. My work ethic was taught to me by my grandfather. He was a driving force because my father was always busy, my mother working as well.I spent more time with him than I did my parents.” The story about her grandfather explained her reaction.

“So have I, Selena, believe it or not. You say I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and perhaps I was, but I was also taught the value of a dollar. My father required his two sons to work in manual labor prior to being accepted into his business.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Her words were full of disdain, but not disrespect. It seemed to me that she was mulling over her past, wondEricag why she’d worked so hard in an industry that held no truths, only darkness and lies.

“Construction. I worked a long, hot summer, which allowed me to understand and respect the power of mankind and money. I never take either for granted.”

The way she bit her lower lip was sexy. Inviting. But I needed to give her space. I also wanted to find out every detail of what we were both facing.

“I bet you were the most handsome, rich construction worker in the entire world. I would have loved to see it.”

“Maybe one day you will,” I told her, both of us able to laugh briefly. “Now, you need to tell me everything that happened.” I wiped water from my face before wrapping the terrycloth around my neck. We were both soaked but it didn’t matter at this point. I’d read about the case she’d lost, the murderer exonerated then disappearing. The entire city had been placed on edge given the horrific nature of the crimes. It had been rumored his alibi had been bought.

That’s what the authorities would think about mine.

I’d considered myself a killer for the majority of my life, but there was strict purpose in the deaths, enemies who deserved the wrath they’d faced. Even though their murders had brought a sense of satisfaction, I’d never been bloodthirsty to the point that I’d ever considered killing indiscriminately to feed a habit. The bastard she’d attempted to convict was in a class all his own, the prey he selected truly innocent. That angered me significantly.

Maybe my entire world and my morals had changed when Christopher had dropped into my life unexpectedly. Maybe I was growing soft given I was now in my forties, although I had no concern or hesitation in doing what was necessary in the business I controlled and for the streets of Montreal, but this was entirely different. It was almost as if the evil she’d faced before had returned in full force.

Or some manipulative fuck was using a haunting case to keep her in line.

As she’d done before, she removed the other items I’d brought from the grocery bag, placing the wine bottle on the counter then rolling her finger around the label. “Expensive.”

“A vintage I enjoy myself.”

At least she could offer a slight smile before tugging out the filets, whistling. “A beef man. Let me guess. You’d tell the chef to barely show your meat to the fire.”

Now she had me chuckling. “You are correct.”

“Yummy, just the way I like it, although I’m fairly certain I could bite the head off a bat right now.” She placed the steaks in the refrigerator, taking a deep breath afterward before darting a quick glance in my direction.

To say I was growing impatient with what we were both going through was barely accurate. I wanted to set up a perimeter of security, to have a dozen soldiers combing the night, hunting the bastard down. But I couldn’t and it fucking pissed me off.

“There’s not much to tell. Not really. Let’s see,” she half whispered, pressing her finger back and forth across her plump lip, one I wanted to kiss. “My boss threatened me today that if I didn’t win this case, my entire career would be flushed down the toilet. I think that’s all political by the way. The police refused to cooperate with two additional cases that are very similar to what happened to the Voltairs, telling me in no uncertain terms they aren’t related when I know they are given the evidence I found through the medical examiner, who is a friend of mine. Something similar happened to six female victims four years ago, the man responsible getting off scot-free because I couldn’t get a guilty verdict. I couldn’t break his alibi.” She laughed bitterly and grabbed a bottle of liquor from under the cabinet, pouring two hefty glasses.

When she turned around to face me, there were tears in her eyes, but I sensed they were ones of anger and frustration.

“Here’s the funny thing. The guy’s alibi was exactly the one you have. Isn’t that insane? It was as if this was all planned out so well, using my past against me. I just can’t figure out how my boss is involved. And in truth, I’m not certain I know who to trust any longer. That includes you.” As she handed me the glass, she lifted her head, darting her eyes back and forth. “Can I trust you, Joshua? Or have you been using my vulnerability as well? Did you hunt me down at that bar that night, seducing me so you had an alibi? Tell me the fucking truth or so help me God.” She reached for another knife, yanking it into her hand.

If she thought I was going to back away she was wrong. I closed the distance, wrapping my hand around hers, placing the sharp point against my jugular. “Go ahead, Selena. If you believe I’m such a monster that I would use you in that way, then do it. You have every reason to kill me.”

She pursed her lips, shaking her head as if trying to convince herself that she couldn’t trust me.

“Do it. I deserve to spend all eternity in hell for the things I’ve done, but not for this. I would never hurt you. Never. You either need to place your full trust in me or not. It’s that simple. It’s your choice. Decide.”

There was such fear and anxiety on her face and in her eyes, the powerful and very strong woman doing everything to try to keep her emotions in check. The nervous tic on the corner of her mouth had returned, but there was also an intense resolve that she grasped onto.

As she slowly pulled her hand free of mine, putting the weapon on the counter, I sensed she was placing not only her trust in me, but her life as well. She continued to shake as she stared at me, never blinking.

I took the drink from her hand, placing both on the counter, lifting her into my arms. “Let’s get you warm, baby. After that, we’ll make a plan together. It might be just you and me against the goddamn entire world.”

As she looked into my eyes, I realized that I could fall hard for this resolute, determined woman. If that was the case, what the fuck was I going to do?