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2024-11-20 06:01:58Selena
A construction worker.
I couldn’t get the sultry image out of my mind. I’d fixated on the notion, maybe because it was preferrable to being reminded that he carried a gun with him. What was the phrase? Never leave home without it. I wanted to laugh even though I needed to cry. I couldn’t do either.
The roses were beautiful, the steaks and wine a nice surprise. I only wished he’d been able to bring them under better circumstances. Now everything was out of control, which I hated.
I’d almost killed him. I’d been intent on doing so. For about thirty seconds. Thank God, I’d come to my senses. I’d never been so rattled, including around Damien Duncan. Maybe because I couldn’t get a single grip on what was going on. The only thing I was certain of at this point was that it felt like one of the few people I could trust was a known killer. The man I couldn’t seemto get out of my mind. Even stranger, it seemed natural to have Joshua in my house.
I’d wanted to distrust Joshua, to hate everything about him for all the wrong reasons. But that was impossible as he held me close, my fingers wrapped tightly around his wet clothes. Once upon a time, I hadn’t needed the feeling of someone being able to protect me.
That’s exactly what I needed at this moment.
I was shaken off my foundation, so much so tears continued to form in my eyes, and I hated myself for it. I was stronger than this. To allow my guard to fall in front of a noted killer was the most ridiculous thing of all, other than needing his strength and strong arms right now.
He easily found the bathroom, flicking on the light, still holding me close as he turned on the shower water. As he finally eased me to my feet in front of him, I couldn’t find the right words. Maybe there were none at this point. Even if Damien hadn’t returned to Louisville, the fact some horrible monster was using the terrible experience to rein me in like a crazed animal remained furrowing in the back of my mind.
I should feel nothing but anger, but there was a sadness mixed in with a swirl of fear that wouldn’t be erased with a hot shower or a bottle of liquor. Only hunting the bastard and bringing justice to my world and the city would do that. And what about Joshua? What the hell was I going to do? One week wasn’t enough to prepare for any trial, but with the evidence stacked against him, any jury would find him guilty as sin.
And I had the distinct feeling the members of the jury for the ruthless man’s trial would be handpicked, no matter what I saidor did. No matter what his defense attorneys were able to do. They were so far out of their league, they wouldn’t be able to hit inside the ballpark. There was nothing like a good railroading job to realize we were all just peons being used.
“How did you find my house?”
“Meaning?” he asked.
“Meaning it’s not listed anywhere. That’s done on purpose given the job I do and the people I work with. Like you.”
He took a deep breath before answEricag. “Like me, huh? You should know that if someone wants to find you, then they will.”
I felt myself shivEricag all over again. “That’s how the person following me knew where I was.”
“If the person you tried to convict four years ago is on the hunt, he will die by my hands. But let’s not jump to conclusions at this point.”
“Don’t say that. I don’t want to think of you as a killer. Not right now.”
“Fair enough but we will need to talk.” He brushed the backs of his fingers down my cheek.
“I know that.” I still had issues with trusting him with every detail and my beliefs, but what choice did I have at this point? My entire world had been tossed into a dumpster fire and I was clueless what I should do next. All my training, dealing with violent criminals and the various classes I’d had over the years should have prepared me for something like this. But it hadn’t. I was still sick inside, afraid of dying and longing to live. What did that say about me?
“It’s going to be okay,” Joshua assured me as he started to unbutton my blouse, darting his eyes to mine every few seconds. “I am not going to allow anything to happen to you.”
“How is it going to be okay? You can’t stay with me twenty-four/seven. You’re going to be in prison. Oh, God. I’m required to ensure your guilt. I have a madman after me. You’ve told me we’re both in danger. And there is a killer still out there.”
He smirked as he peeled away the wet material, gently easing it from my shoulders. I wasn’t budging, allowing him to strip me of my work clothes. Why should I bother objecting? He’d seen everything anyway.
“That’s not going to happen,” he said, half growling.
“Are you so certain about that?”
“I am. Besides, it would appear everyone has underestimated what we’re capable of.”
“There is no we.” I flitted my eyes toward his, remaining unblinking. “There can’t be. I won’t be able to save you.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,cherie. First of all, I don’t need saving. You do. And the only way we can get through this is together. And you’re not going to do a single thing without my protection.”
Why a laugh bubbled to the surface was beyond me. This wasn’t a laughing matter by anyone’s standards, yet I didn’t want to cry any longer or feel sorry for myself. I was a big girl who’d made decisions that would alter my life and my career. It was time to own up to it. The ugliest fact of all was that I still wanted the man. I craved him, all of him. So much so that my pussy ached just thinking about him.
As he reached around my waist, unfastening and unzipping my skirt, his scent was intoxicating to the point I could barely breathe. And I wanted to kiss him. No, I wanted him to ravage me as he’d done before, refusing to take no for an answer. I longed for his utter domination, taking me to new heights of pleasure and allowing me to forget about the horrors even for an hour. Okay, maybe longer. I smiled, sensing I was losing what was left of my mind as he shimmied the tight material past my hips, lifting one leg then the other to remove the unwanted material.
“Mercy me,” he muttered as he took a deep breath, breaking free from undressing me to remove his shirt, yanking it from his collar. I couldn’t help but bask in his glorious abdomen, pecs that I could trail my fingers across for hours on end. The thought brought another crazy smile to my face, allowing me to ignore the fear for just a few precious seconds. As I brushed my fingertips across the slight cut I’d made, more guilt filtered into my system.
In his usual form, he wrapped his hand around mine, pulling my fingers to his lips and kissing them. He gave me a heated nod, as if he’d forgiven me.
I only hoped I could forgive myself.
He returned to his duties, turning me around completely with such tenderness that I couldn’t feel my feet. Maybe it was because of the icy chill that had all but closed off my blood vessels. As I stared into the mirror while he unfastened my bra, I could sense the kind of closeness between us I’d always wanted but had never thought I’d find. It was bizarre. It was strengthening. It was toxic and twisted, but it was so powerful that I almost believed we could get through this together.
He remained gentle in his actions as he slid the straps down my arms, taking his time to remove the piece of lingerie. When he moved to my thong, I half expected him to rip the lace to shreds, but he didn’t, merely rolling the thin material down my legs. He did what he’d done before, lifting my legs one at a time for me. Only this time, he brushed the rough pads of his fingers along the outside of my legs, slowly crawling them up to my thighs then my hips. He was so close I could feel the jolt of electricity that never seemed to diminish, and God help me, I craved the man even more.
He crowded my space, pressing his body against mine, the chill shifting to heat even though his pants were soaked. I couldn’t read his expression, but I sensed his hunger building just like mine, his needs becoming uncontrollable. Maybe what we’d shared was sinful, scandalous, but it was the only sustainable feeling, allow me to fly high above the worry and fear.
Backing away seconds later, his eyes never left mine as he removed the remainder of his clothing, kicking everything aside.
“I’ll put your clothes in the dryer,” I said, as if this was completely normal. As if I didn’t have an accused killer standing naked inside my small bathroom. As if there wasn’t some crazed murderer out there preying on innocent victims. Only three of the four recent victims weren’t innocent by anyone’s standards.
They were also killers, accused on multiple occasions of taking several lives in and out of Louisville. Did that make their deaths any less important, finding their killer not worthwhile? Of course not. I’d taken an oath to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.
But what about me?
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The Night He Owned Me 34
Approaching once again, he rubbed his fingertips down both arms, creating such a heated wave of tingles that the icy feeling in my blood was shoved aside.We both remained quiet, not needing any words at this moment. My pussy was throbbing, and his cock was hard as a rock, the sensational feel of it pressing against my bottom entirely too incredible.He pressed his face into the crook of my neck, his lips nibbling my skin. His heated breath alone was enough to provide a moment of steam. I wanted to laugh at the notion, but I couldn’t make a sound.Every touch pulled me further into a beautiful wave of darkness, lust that refused to be satisfied. He slipped one arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against him as he’d done before, but there was a heightened meaning in what he was doing, his attempt at making me feel safe.I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d ever truly feel safe again. Another wave of sadness threatened to derail the sweet, sultry moment but I refused to allow it, shift
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Joshua“Have Zephyr here by dawn,” I told Mikey, holding the phone with a firm grip, so much so I could hear the plastic cracking. I remained edgy, keeping my weapon close. She was changing into something other than a robe, which allowed me to contact my Capo to ensure she was protected while I visited Liam.“I’ll make certain of it. I still wish you wouldn’t visit Liam,” Mikey said. “I know you’re the boss, but there’s some weird shit going on.”“You don’t need to tell me.” I turned toward the doorway. “I emailed you information on Selena Barrios, including what little I found on a case she worked on four years ago.”“We’re talking about the prosecutor handling trying to put you away.”“Things aren’t always what they seem, Mikey.”“Wow, boss. You care about her. I can tell.”The surprise in his voice made me laugh.“Yeah, I do. She’s in danger and I’m not going to allow anything to happen to her. I need every stone unearthed, every fucking shadow checked out. I don’t give a shit, thi
The Night He Owned Me 36
“Duly noted, Mikey. I’m not fond of being falsely accused of a crime I didn’t commit either but we all must learn to work with the cards that have been dealt.” As I climbed out of the rental SUV, I immediately buttoned my jacket. As with every other town it seemed within the United States, there were areas more heavily concentrated with nationalities. Russian. Italian. Chinese. Mexican. It all depended on who settled where.This was an Irish mecca nestled on a few streets in Louisville where the Irish pubs and bakeries outnumbered anything else. There was event quaint Irish music coming from one of the businesses already and it was barely after one in the afternoon. The scent of fresh baked soda breads immediately made my mouth water. But I wasn’t here to be entertained or for delicious food.I had one thing in mind, making an alliance with Liam Voltair. Given everything that I’d learned from the lovely creature who’d remained nestled against my side all night long, I needed to ensure
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“Not a surprise. How do you want to handle this?”“I’m heading back to Montreal with a special guest, the prosecutor on the case. From there, I’ll determine who set up both your brother and me. I suggest you use your influence to tighten a noose around the necks of the individuals listed on the file. I will return to clear my name. And business will begin to flow your way.”“Succinct,” Liam said, “but risky. However, I do like your style. Is this prosecutor trustworthy?”“She’s helping me determine who is intent on destroying our family empires.”“That will place her life on the line. I’m certain you understand the politics of ridding crime from the streets is a big-ticket item come every other November.”“Yes, much like what we have to deal with in Canada.”He glanced away, tapping his finger across his chin. “If this woman is worth her salt, I’ll add my level of protection if necessary.”“Thank you, Liam. That is also very much appreciated.”“Still, whatever happens, there is signif
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SelenaEspionage.That’s what I was planning on doing by stealing information from my office. Well, technically it shouldn’t be considered thievery. Who was I kidding? If my affair with the sexy man didn’t end my career, what I was in the middle of doing certainly would. I rubbed my hands down my arms, trying to control my breathing.And my perspiration.While I’d had little time to go through my suspicions, they’d been enough to realize that what was likely happening would soon become explosive. However, the conspiracy theory we’d developed wouldn’t be easily believed by anyone. That’s where what I intended on doing came in. The more evidence we found, the better off we’d be.Or we’d both be killed.It was crazy what I was thinking, the thought driving me to the point of being physically ill. But my gut told me I was right about Christine and her friends. Now if only I could find something that would begin derailing their plan. Maybe I was fooling myself I could do something of this
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“Nothing, other than you’re very good at your job but given the way Matt treated you, I honestly believe you were and still are ready for something entirely different. Look, I admire that, and you’ve had the respect of your peers. I’m just asking is if the man is worth jeopardizing everything you’ve worked for?”“Yeah, Jenny, he is. Because it’s the right thing to do.” The fact the question was easy to answer gave me a feeling that I wasn’t completely nuts. Joshua wasn’t a bad man, no matter how many times he’d attempted to tell me he was. I could trust him. Maybe I was just worried about trusting myself. Jenny was right about something very important.I was more than ready for something different, and Joshua had that in spades.“You’re right, honey. It’s just I don’t want you hurt. You forget that I know all about mafia guys. Plus, I know about JoshuaJames’ reputation. He makes that dude you tried to convict, the Butcher, look like a candy store salesman. He deserves to go to prison.
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After tossing my phone on the desk, I headed for Christine’s dark office. I was determined to follow this through even as another series of tingles shot down the back of my legs. I moved toward her window, peEricag onto the still busy street below. We weren’t on a main road, but the one our office buildingfronted was used as a method of getting to and from several prominent neighborhoods. I saw nothing suspicious outside, no one standing on the sidewalk across the street.Easing into her chair, I realized I didn’t have a bird’s-eye view of the reception area like I did in my office. I felt even more of a need to hurry. I also didn’t want a member of the custodial staff to find me in here. At least the office was quiet, and I’d be able to hear the sound of the door opening and closing if someone came in. Of that I was confident. I took a deep breath, glancing at her desk. There were a few files on top that I weeded through hoping to get lucky.Of course not. She’d dropped her case load
The Night He Owned Me 41
JoshuaSomething was very wrong. I felt it in my loins, my blood boiling. I could almost smell it in the air, my fingers itching to make contact with Selena. While we’d agreed that contacting her via phone was easily traceable and wasn’t in either of our best interests, my instinct was screaming the woman I already adored was in danger.“What is going on, boss?” Mikey huffed.“I can’t reach Zephyr. I need to find Selena, Mike. She’s in danger. I feel it in my bones.”“I’ll be right there, boss. Only ten miles out.”“Head to the Fourth Street parking lot.”“Will do. I told you I didn’t like this shit,” Mikey hissed.“Neither do I. Just hurry. I have a bad feeling we’re running out of time.” I ended the call, immediately dialing Zephyr again. As it rang and rang like the last time, I was ready to pitch the fuckingphone. “Come on. Answer it.” When the voicemail picked up after the sixth ring just as it had done before, I stormed through the bar and out the door. As I started to pace the
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“That’s for me to decide.”I nodded and took a deep breath. “I do love you, Gina, and if you want me, I’m in this for the rest of our lives.”“I should be mad at you,” she said as she stood up and approached me. She reached up to cup my face with her hands. “But I love you for putting aside your happiness for your family.”“Does that mean that you’ll take me back?”Gina smiled and leaned into me as I wrapped my arms around her. “Of course.”I grinned and stood, picking her up and spinning her around in a tight hug. She laughed and wrapped her legs around my waist.“I love you, Gina.”“I love you too.”When I captured her mouth in a searing kiss, all felt right with the world. Her hands sank into my hair, holding me to her as I carried her across the beach and into the house.I nipped at her bottom lip, and our tongues tangled as I took her down the hall. She moaned as I spun and pinned her against the wall, rolling her hips and grinding her core against my hardened cock.With a groan,
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BrandonAmaliawatchedmeasI carried plates of food to the kitchen table. I sat in front of her before taking my own and sitting beside her. She sighed and picked up her fork, moving the roast potatoes around the plate.“You know, she loves you,” Amalia said.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” So instead, I focused on slicing my chicken into small pieces. I didn’t want to be having this conversation right now.“And I know that you love her. What I’m struggling with right now is why you still haven’t told me I will have a sibling.”I nearly choked on the chicken I had just put into my mouth. I reached for my water glass and took a long sip before looking at Amalia. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.“Where the hell did you hear about that?”“Gina told me. I’ve been talking to her a lot the last couple of days. Did you know that she’s thinking about leaving Silverlake? She might move back to the city.”I froze, my entire body stiffening as I looked at her. While I k
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Gina“You’regoingtohaveto talk to me sooner or later,” I said as I stood beside Amalia in a coffee shop. It had been nearly a week since the breakup, and she had ignored every call.I tried going to her house when I knew Brandon wasn’t home to see her. During the first visit — when she didn’t think I was coming — she had answered the door.Talking to her since then had been nearly impossible.Amalia sighed as she approached the counter. She gave the barista a small smile. “Two large mochas, please.”I smiled, but my stomach was tossing and turning. I felt like I was going to be sick. This was the first chance that she had given me all week.“I don’t want to throw our friendship away over this,” Amalia said as she looked at me.“Then there’s something else you should know before we get into everything,” I said, knowing I couldn’t keep the baby a secret.Amalia needed the whole truth before deciding whether to forgive me.As soon as our drinks were made, Amalia led the way to a booth in
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“And what did you do? You hurt me anyway.” Amalia’s eyes were glassy as she glanced away from me. “I want you to end it with her.”“Then I’ll do it.”The words hurt me to say. It felt like I was ramming a knife through my chest, but my daughter was the only family I had left. I wasn’t going to alienate her. If breaking up with Gina was what it took to keep my daughter in my life, then that is what I had to do.“You’re too old for her. What the hell happens when you get even older? Will she spend the last good years of her life changing your diaper?” Tears tracked down Amalia’s cheeks. “And what about you? Are you going to spend the next few years trying to keep up with someone as young and ambitious as Gina?”As much as I hated to admit it, Amalia was making all the points that had spent the last several weeks circling through my mind. I knew that there was no way I would be able to keep up with Gina forever.That was supposed to be a problem when we got older.“Break up with her, Dad
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“My dad asked me a while ago if it would be okay for him to start dating again,” Amalia said as she looked at me.A wave of panic raced through me. Does she know that I’m seeing her dad?“I think he’s ready to get out there and try again. It makes me feel better about maybe moving away from Silverlake. I didn’t want to leave him here alone, but if he’s ready to start seeing someone, maybe he won’t be as lonely as he has been.”“You’re okay with him dating again?” I swallowed the lump in my throat and hoped I didn’t look guilty.“It’s not the easiest shit I’ve ever thought about, but I know Mom would want him to move on again and be happy.”“What if you don’t like the woman he’s with?”Amalia shrugged before lifting her hands and swaying to the music. “I don’t think I get much of a choice in it. My dad isn’t the kind of man who would date a woman if he didn’t think it was serious.”I nodded. “That makes sense. He seems pretty rational.”“He is.” Amalia grinned and stopped dancing long
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Mateo shook his head. “There has to be more to it than happiness. Let’s pretend that the potential career damage isn’t a factor. Have you ever thought about what your daughter will think about this?”“Don’t drag Amalia into it.”“You need to weigh all the options and stop thinking with your dick.”My hands clenched into fists as I bit back the words on the tip of my tongue.“Consider what you’re doing,” Mateo said as he stood up. “The cleaners are only here once a week. You’re lucky that they found it before someone else did.”I crossed my arms and arched an eyebrow. “Do I need to worry about you?”“Me? Telling people about your little office affair? No. I may not support your actions, but you have been in a better mood since you started seeing Gina. And I like her. She’s got a backbone.”Mateo grinned and left the office, closing the door behind him. I sighed and ran my hands down my face when he was gone.Keeping my relationship with Gina a secret would be more complex than expected
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“I don’t know if this is the kind of thing you can get over.”He took my jaw in his hand and tilted my face up to his. His lips are soft as his mouth brushes against mine in a tender kiss.It was easy to lose myself in Brandon instead of thinking about everything else in our lives, so I did. I nipped his bottom lip, deepening the kiss. His tongue tangled with mine as I moved to straddle his lap.My arms drape over his shoulders, my fingers sinking into the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Brandon’s hands slid beneath my shirt, his fingers setting fire to my skin as he worked his way up to my breasts.He cupped them, his thumbs brushing over my nipples as I rolled my hips. My back arched as his hardened cock pressed up against my core. I rolled my hips again, trying to build the friction between us and relieve some of the tension building.Brandon groaned, his tongue sweeping through my mouth as he pulled my shirt over my head. His head dipped forward, and he sucked a nipple into his
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GinaOver the last two months, hiding my relationship with Brandon has been getting harder and harder. Nevertheless, we do our best to keep our relationship a secret.However, Amalia has nearly caught us a few times.I snuck out Brandon’s window more than once and ran to my car parked down the street. The next day I would have to listen to Amalia telling me about her theories on her dad’s dating life.She was sure he was seeing someone, which made me feel worse. Amalia would lose her shit if she found out that I was the mystery woman sneaking out in the middle of the night.It was getting too stressful to hide it from her, but it was too late to turn back.I’m falling for Brandon.Hell, I’ve already fallen. He had me at hello, and I’ve been enamored by him every moment since, even though it would have been better for the both of us if I wasn’t.I sighed as I leaned over the sink in my bathroom, my stomach tossing and turning.I had been holed up in my apartment for the last week, feel
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BrandonAmalialeanedbackinher chair, tilting her face and closing her eyes as she soaked up the sun and the salt air. It wasn’t often that I got to see her this relaxed as she lounged by the ocean.We tried to make time to get lunch together once every couple of weeks, but with both of us having careers, it could be hard to find the time. She had her career, and I had mine.Throw sneaking around with Gina into the mix, and I had even less time than I used to spend with Amalia.“Okay,” I said after our food was delivered. “How is work going? Do you have any shows coming up?”“I’ve signed on for New York Fashion Week next year.” Amalia took a bite out of her lobster roll and shrugged. “Other than that, there’s not a whole lot going on. I’m building a new line, but some designs aren’t coming together quite right yet.”“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. New York Fashion Week is huge, though. We’ll have to have a party to celebrate. Congratulations.”“I don’t think that I want to do anything
