Entwined: (A Dark Romance Kidnap Thriller) (The Dark Necessities Trilogy Book 3)

by Felicity Brandon

  She’d worked herself back into tears again now, the water falling from her eyes as she surmised the worst-case scenario.

  “She won’t have a heart-attack,” Connor assured her, “but if you’re worried, we can ask some local members to keep an eye out, and let us know how they get on.”

  “What?” muttered Molly, blinking at him wildly. “You have Syndicate members in Pennsylvania, too?”

  Connor nodded, wondering what she had thought international organization had meant. “Of course,” he cooed. “We’re everywhere. They’ll be someone out there who can help us.”

  Molly rubbed her tired eyes with her hands. “Thanks, Master,” she replied with a sigh. “And what about my dad. Can I speak to him sometime?”

  Connor paused, eyeing Molly thoughtfully. Was that what she’d been talking to her mother about on the call? The possibility that she could contact them again. “I expect so,” he answered in the end. “It’s not usually allowed, but then, this isn’t exactly a usual case, so… I should think I can pull some strings for you.”

  She smiled at him bleakly. “Okay,” she whispered. “This has all been more emotionally exhausting than even I’d expected. Is it okay if I take a nap, Master?”

  He gazed down at her. Even in this state, his kitten was still fucking adorable. “Of course, kitten,” he told her with a kiss to the forehead. “Lie down and I’ll get you a blanket.”

  “On the couch, Master?” she asked innocently. “I didn’t think pets were allowed up here?”

  Connor shot her a salacious smile as he headed for the nearby dresser. “I’ll make an exception for you, kitten,” he replied. “Just this once.”

  It was some hours later when Molly stirred, the sleep seemingly having done her some good. She roused, her eyes still slightly puffy from all the earlier tears, but she seemed less melancholy than before.

  Don’t fool yourself, the snarky voice in his head chided. Of course, she’s still melancholy. The woman just gave up her whole life for you; for this…

  Connor shook his head at the irritating monologue, shifting at once from his place on the couch where he’d been reading her new manuscript, to join his kitten on the bed. He’d carried her there once she was fast asleep, deciding it really was a more comfortable place for her to rest.

  “Hey,” he murmured as he landed on the covers beside her. “How are you feeling?”

  Molly blinked at him, her lips curling slightly, despite her obvious weariness. “Okay, I think, Master,” she explained with a small smile. “Better. Maybe.”

  He reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I have an idea how much it hurts to lose people you love, kitten,” he reminded her. “I know I can never replace those people, but I want you to know, I am here for you now. Whatever you need.”

  Connor wasn’t altogether sure how his words would be received, so he held his breath as he assessed her face.

  “I know, Master,” she replied without a moment’s hesitation. “That’s why I’m here, because I trust you, Connor, despite everything that’s happened.”

  He knew he was grinning at her answer, but the palpable relief Connor felt made it impossible not to demonstrate his feelings on the subject. “You’re amazing,” he determined after a moment. “And, if you’re feeling up to it, then I’d like to take you out tonight?”

  Molly’s jaw dropped open. Evidently, the concept he proposed came as something of shock. “Out?” she repeated. “But, we haven’t left here for days, Master?”

  Connor opened his arms, beckoning his kitten closer. Duly, she wiggled across to him, snuggling into his hard body as she awaited his response. “Well, when I say out, I actually only mean out of this room, not out of the building, but there’s still a variety of places we can go to eat. If you’d like?”

  She arched her back, lifting her chin to meet his eye. “Really?” she asked again. “You want me dressed and out of this room. Are you sure, Master?”

  He chuckled at her answer, uncertain if Molly was genuinely stunned or just being his normal cheeky little pet.

  “I am allowed to be dressed, right?” she queried sardonically. “I don’t have to go and eat, naked on a leash?”

  This time she was definitely being impertinent, and Connor shifted quickly, swatting her arse in warning. “Keep it up, kitten,” he growled playfully. “I can always ask the restaurant for permission to have you nude at dinner.”

  Molly grinned, but her face blanched just a little at his words, suggesting she was also unsure about his true intent.

  “Yes, you’ll be dressed,” he clarified. “Mainly because we won’t be alone.”

  She stared at him intently. “Mr. Morrison mentioned something earlier about your brother wanting to meet me,” she murmured.

  “Oh really?” Connor asked softly, aware that his brow was arching again. “That was good of him.”

  “I don’t think he meant anything by it,” Molly said, shaking her head. “Perhaps he thought we had discussed it already? And anyway, I’d like to meet your brother. I’d like to meet other people. Like you said, Master. They’re my family, too, now.”

  Connor sighed, drawing her closer to his body. “You’re right, kitten,” he told her, nuzzling into her neck. “They are, and it is time you met my brother. I think Saul might join us as well. What food do you fancy? Mexican, Indian, Italian?”

  Molly lifted her arm and reached behind her to grab at the long strands of his hair. “I like them all, Master,” she purred in response. “Italian, maybe, if you gentlemen don’t mind? But first…”

  The feeling of her small fingers through his hair was divine. “First, what, pet?” he murmured. “What could you need more than food?”

  She flashed him a salacious smile. “You, Master,” she cooed softly. “I always need you.”

  Connor’s cock stirred at the admission, but one glance at his wristwatch told him there wasn’t time for that now. “Good thought, kitten,” he agreed sensually. “But not now. Your little sleep has meant we lost a few hours, and if we’re going out to eat, then we need to move.”

  Molly spun in his arms. “Now?” she inquired. “But, I have nothing to wear.”

  He laughed at that, shaking his head as he slid from the bed and stalked to the nearby wardrobe. “I thought you might say that,” he told her. “So I had a few dresses delivered while you slept, along with some other items I bought. You should find something for tonight, but if you want other things, then just let me know.”

  Molly stared at him with wide blue eyes. “What?” she demanded, wiggling out of her covers to come and join him. “You had clothes delivered for me, Master?”

  “Of course,” he replied. “I told you I would look after you, kitten, and having clothes to wear when we dine out is part of that package. Take a look.”

  Connor stepped back, gesturing for her to explore the new purchases, and he chuckled lightly as he watched her excited reaction. He knew a few new clothes wouldn’t compensate for the things Molly had had to give up. Nothing could. Only time, and love, could help to rebuild a future for her. A future for them both. But, nonetheless, it was good to see his pet happy again.

  She chose the long, red dress he’d bought, donning it in front of his eyes as he changed into one of his sleek dark suits. The gown clung to her perfect body, hugging every damn curve and making him hard whenever his eyes scanned over her.

  “Shoes, Master?” Molly asked as she appraised herself in the bathroom mirror. “Do you have any I can wear? I only have the casual pair I met you in, and some sneakers from home. I never thought about bringing party shoes.”

  Connor leaned against the door frame from the bathroom, watching her as casually as he could muster. “Try the boxes in the bottom of the wardrobe,” he purred as his gaze devoured the scandalous curve of her arse in the red dress. “You should find something acceptable.”

  Molly flashed him a smile, as she skipped back to the wardrobe and dropped to her knees. Pulling lids fro
m the shoe boxes piled neatly at the bottom, she gasped as she found the matching red shoes he’d ordered.

  “Thank you, Master!” she exclaimed as she pulled the killer heels from the closet. “They’re gorgeous.”

  Chapter Forty

  Wandering the hallways of The Syndicate with Connor was strange enough, but doing so dressed in such an amazing red gown just blew Molly’s mind. Even though she hadn’t applied much in the way of cosmetics, she knew she looked great, because for the first time in an eon, that’s how she felt. And if there had been any doubt on the subject, the hungry looks her lover kept giving her only helped to reinforce the point.

  Down on the ninth floor, they turned a corner to find a small, old-fashioned looking tavern. It was built to look like an Italian bistro, the sort you might find on the streets of Rome, but hidden entirely within the confines of the sleek, modern tower. Molly recalled seeing similar places herself when she’d visited Italy for her tenth-grade field trip, and the authenticity was astonishing.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” Connor purred as they approached. “The food here is great, and I might even let you use a knife and a fork.”

  Molly twisted to meet his gaze as he winked at his own quip, the muscles of her sex clenching at his words. Fuck, she thought as she inhaled sharply. Was she ever going to get used to being around this man all the time? Ignoring the wise-crack, she allowed her gaze to take in the long line of people who were already waiting at the entrance.

  “It looks busy, Master,” she whispered in response. “We might not get to eat at all.”

  Connor chuckled. “Don’t worry, pet,” he told her warmly. “We’re dining with the top brass tonight, and that means VIP seating. I made sure there’s somewhere nice and private for us.”

  She smiled as they bypassed the queue, and made their way directly to the front of the line. In all her years she had never been able to do things like this. Hell, Molly was usually the one stuck right at the back of the queue, and she had to admit, it felt good to jump it for a change.

  “Mr. Reilly,” smiled the young man standing at the entrance. “And Miss Clary?”

  The sound of Molly’s name made her start, and she glanced between Connor and the younger man.

  “Yes, that’s right, Curtis,” Connor answered. “I believe you’re expecting us?”

  Curtis nodded. “We absolutely are, sir,” he replied. “Your brother and Mr. Morrison are already inside.”

  Gesturing toward one of the young waitresses, Curtis added. “Sarah will escort you to your table.”

  “Thank you,” Connor answered, grabbing Molly’s hand as they made their way inside the candlelit restaurant.

  The smell of garlic and basil hit Molly’s nostrils as they entered, and instinctively her belly grumbled. Apparently, she was hungrier than she’d realized. Connor led her through the rustic-looking restaurant, passing small intimate tables of diners as they weaved their way to the back of the place. There, at the very rear, on a private, elevated level of its own, was a larger table, set up in an American-style booth. It was easily large enough to cater six people, but as they approached, Molly noticed there were only two people already there. One was Saul Morrison, and the other, she could only assume, was Connor’s brother. The unknown guy noticed their arrival, and slipped from the table as Connor approached.

  “Little brother,” he called, grabbing Connor by the free hand and dragging him in for an impromptu embrace. “Great to see you, and to finally meet the woman who captured your heart, or should that be the other way around?”

  The dark-haired guy winked at Connor, his attention shifting at once to Molly.

  “Oh, very droll,” breathed Connor, but she could tell his tone was only lighthearted.

  As he drew away from the clinch, Connor turned to gaze down at Molly.

  “This is Molly,” he purred proudly. “And this, kitten, is my rather brash brother, Dalton.”

  Molly smiled as she met the man’s gaze. He looked older than Connor by a few years, and the two shared the same striking bone structure, but unlike his brother, Dalton had deep-set blue eyes. “Good to meet you,” she murmured.

  Dalton grinned. “You, too, Molly,” he said earnestly, reaching out his hand to grasp her free palm. “Really good.”

  “Can I interrupt this burgeoning moment of intimacy?”

  It was Mr. Morrison talking now, and all three of them turned to meet the sound of his voice.

  “Saul,” replied Connor. “Thanks for finding the time for us.”

  Morrison shook his head at him. “I think it should be me saying that,” he chuckled. “But nonetheless, I’m glad we’re all here. Shall we all take a seat?”

  There was general agreement about this idea, and Dalton slid into place next to Morrison, so that Molly could take his old seat next to the wall. Settling into his own place by her side, Connor caught Molly’s eye as they settled, his green eyes sparkling. He seemed happy in a way Molly had rarely seen before, and the thought relaxed her as her gaze scanned over the menu. Before she’d even had a chance to look at drink options, a bottle of red wine was brought to the table by the pretty young blonde waitress, Sarah.

  “Your usual red, Mr. Reilly?” she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at Connor.

  Molly swallowed back the spike of envy that rose in her, watching as Connor assessed the label.

  “Do you like red wine?” he inquired, turning to look at Molly directly. “I don’t think we’ve ever shared a bottle.”

  Molly resisted the urge to smile. They hadn’t shared that many drinks which hadn’t included her lapping whatever he chose from a dog bowl. “No, I don’t think we have,” she agreed. “But yes, please. Red is good.”

  Connor caught her eye for a moment, his gaze knowing as he nodded. As usual, it seemed her lover was more than able to guess what she was thinking. Turning back to Sarah, he gestured for her to continue.

  “Yes, go ahead,” he told her. “We’ll share it.”

  Sarah bobbed her head, reaching into her pocket for a cork screw as her face flushed slightly. It was obvious that Connor was having an effect on her, and despite Molly’s innate jealousy about the idea, there was another part of her that found the fact quite warming. Connor was gorgeous. Molly had never denied it, and he was bound to attract the attention of other women, but for the first time, she didn’t feel threatened by the fact.

  “So, welcome, Molly,” Dalton cried, raising his glass in some sort of impromptu toast when the wine was finally poured. “You may not have had the easiest start with my brother here, but not everyone in The Syndicate is as intense and brooding as he is.”

  “Right,” agreed Morrison, lifting his own glass to join the tribute. “Welcome, Molly.”

  Molly squirmed under the weight of the three men’s gazes, but feigned a smile as she lifted the wine glass to her lips. It was odd to hold a wine glass after all this time, and the thin stem seemed strange and delicate between her fingertips. The smell of the fruity bouquet filled her nostrils all of a sudden, making her feel even headier.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, more than aware that she was blushing, “but actually I quite like Connor’s brooding side.”

  Morrison and Dalton burst into laughter at her words, and Connor broke into a smile, although his eyes flashed her a warning. Molly felt her heart rate leap at the look, but she held her nerve as she met his gaze.

  “Well, thank you, kitten,” replied Connor as he raised his own glass to clink gently with hers. “That’s good to know.”

  They ordered what seemed like an endless list of courses, and as Sarah scuttled away with the menus, the mood at the table shifted into something a little more serious.

  “Malone contacted me earlier,” begun Morrison. “He’s already here in London, and wants to get this ritual of yours completed as soon as possible.”

  “Sounds good to me,” concurred Connor with a sigh. “The sooner the better. Let’s do it tomorrow.”

  “Do you know
who you want to attend?” asked Morrison before he drained the remainder of the whiskey in his glass.

  “We won’t need too many people,” Connor assured him. “Can you make it, Dalton?”

  Dalton peered at his younger brother from across the table, his expression weary as though he had been expecting the request. “Of course,” he answered. “What do you need me to do?”

  “Not much,” Connor admitted. “Just be present. Malone said something about needing witnesses to the event.”

  “Sounds ominous,” joked Dalton as he swilled the liquid around his glass.

  “Sounds unnecessarily dramatic,” interjected Morrison as he rolled his eyes. “Classic Malone.”

  “Yes,” agreed Connor from Molly’s side. “But he is a priest, so at least he can do this properly.”

  Morrison waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. “Whatever you want,” he told Connor. “It’s your party. It’ll be an early start though, if you want to be there and back before it gets light.”

  “I’ll arrange transport,” Dalton offered. “We’re going to be too knackered to drive anyway.”

  Connor nodded. “Fine with us,” he replied, reaching the short distance under the table to squeeze Molly’s hand.

  She gulped at the gesture, relishing the feel of his skin, but also the reassurance it offered. Up until this point, Molly wasn’t even clear that Connor wanted her to attend the ceremony, but now it seemed that was the case. As Morrison gestured to Sarah for another drink, Molly turned to look at Connor directly.

  “Do you want me to come with you, too, Master?” she whispered.

  It still seemed strange referring to him that way in front of other people, but Molly already knew that little about their relationship met the normal conventions.

  “Of course,” he replied tenderly. “If you want to, of course? I don’t think there’ll be much opportunity for sleep.”

  Molly smiled. “We can sleep tomorrow,” she murmured in response.