“Are you fucking insane.” Rex gawked at him. “You want to walk into the lion’s den and hand him your head on a platter.”
“No. Hand him what he wants, in exchange for Nishi.” Colton was pulling at straws.
“And what’s that exactly?”
“The waterfront.”
“Jesus, Colt you’ve worked hard to bring that project to fruition—”
“Yeah, but Nishi’s more important.” He began pacing again.
“Do you think it would work?”
He stopped pacing and cupped his nape. “Not sure. DeLuca is a clever bastard, but his men still respect me.”
“All of them?” Rex didn’t look convinced.
Colton understood his brother’s skepticism. He just laid out a plan to put his body in harm’s way. Usually, he didn’t involve himself in questionable situations. He dictated, and his men followed. Others could say he lurked in the background, in the shadows, and with good reason. He never gave the law a means to probe his actions. This war would certainly open gaping holes both the law and others like DeLuca would interrogate.
“Some might retaliate.”
“I can handle them. I need to this, Rex. Nishi’s been to hell and back—”
“What do you mean?”
“Not the time. Let’s just say the longer we leave her with DeLuca, the chances of me losing her is...” he trailed off and stared out the window. Just the thought of her reliving her past twisted his gut.
“What are you not telling me?”
Colton glanced at his brother. Memories of his sister’s death haunted him. Alessia would’ve been alive today had he done something. Like what? He was just a thirteen-year-old at the mercy of thieves. This time he could save someone. “I need to go. Now.”
As if sensing his reluctance to talk, Rex nodded. “What’s the plan?”
“No plan. I go in alone and talk to DeLuca.”
“Boss, that’s suicide—”
Colton raised his hand. “Go get your hand checked out with the doc, James.” His head of security walked away, probably trying to figure out how to get even.
“If you’re doing this, then I’m coming with you,” Brody said.
He stared at his bodyguard for a long moment. “Fine. You drive. But no heroism until we establish Nishi’s whereabouts. Got that?” Brody nodded.
“And what about me?” Rex muttered. He wanted in on the action.
“You get the men together and follow. Bring James with you. I think he has a score to settle. We good?”
Rex nodded. “Just watch your back. I don’t trust DeLuca.”
“Makes two of us. It’s time I laid claim to my rightful place.” Colton had shared the streets of Deepwater with DeLuca merely to keep the peace. Now, he was ready to take it all. He turned to Brody. “Double check the ammo.”
Chapter Twenty Three
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, DeLuca arrived at a large Spanish style villa. When the vehicle halted outside the stone-wall terrace, Nishani surveyed the area. Henchmen dressed in white pants and white tee’s, littered the grounds. It looked like they were expecting a war. She had no doubt Colton would give them one.
DeLuca climbed out. “Take her to the room,” he ordered one of his men.
The muscled thug circled the vehicle, opened her door, and yanked her over his shoulder. He carried her upstairs and down passages in a hurried trot giving her no time to check out her surroundings. Inside, he flung her on the bed. Nishani scanned the room while he uncuffed her hands then left.
The room reminded her of the inside of a strip club. Everything, from the carpet, walls, a single couch, and curtains to bedspread and pillows, was black. Some embossed, and the rest plain. Even the dancing pole in the center of the room sported a coat of black glitter. The only shock of color came from several paintings of couples in lewd positions. She slipped off the bed and checked the door. Locked. She moved over to the two large windows and parted the curtains. Bolted by thick black burglar bars. Walking away, she opened the other door in the room. No surprise there. A bathroom complete with sunken tub and shower also decked in black décor. As she turned away, a large vent on the other side of the room caught her attention. She neared it and leaned over to inspect the grate in the hopes it would provide an escape route.
“There’s an ass I can’t wait to spank.”
Nishani spun around. DeLuca stood at the open bedroom door; his lecherous smirk sparked her nausea. Maybe she’d finally get her revenge. Jiten Rai might’ve escaped her attempts, but DeLuca was a welcome replacement. “Why do old men with money always steal what they can’t have? Guess money can’t buy everything or class for that matter,” her offensive remark flipped his smirk into instant irritation.
“It wasn’t a request, cariño,” his cold words didn’t faze her.
“Neither was my bent over ass an invite to touch.” She folded her arms and leaned a shoulder against the wall.
With an impatient snort, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt while walking toward her. His ink-covered arms would’ve been beautiful on a man with a little more appeal. Pity. For his age, DeLuca’s built was impressive and his stride powerful, but if the asshole were under the impression, she’d be an easy lay, he’d find out the hard way. She wasn’t opposed to the idea of killing another asshole.
When he stopped an arm’s length away, Nishani took a step forward, then another aware she walked headlong into a reckless mistake. The knowledge, however, didn’t scare her; it fueled her desire to teach the bastard a lesson. Her lips curved in a seductive smile, she baited the old man, “Let’s see if you’ve got the balls to try.”
DeLuca’s eyes widened momentarily. Her blatancy rattled him. Then his gaze dropped to her chest before jerking back to meet hers. “Now is as good a time as any, right? Take off your clothes,” he demanded.
She merely arched a brow. As if. “Why do you want another man’s seconds. Are you too old to catch your own plaything?” She’d become adept at pushing buttons—guiding men to the right moment before she swooped in for the kill—a game she enjoyed with relish.
“You’ve got a fucking mouth on you, haven’t you?”
“Heard that one before.”
“I’ll enjoy making you my plaything. And when I finish cracking that ass, others will pay top dollar to cleanse that mouth,” DeLuca sneered.
“Is that a promise, you old coot?” Nishani braced herself for his sleazy touch. Yet, being pinned to the wall by the base of her throat, caught her by surprise. He squeezed, cutting off her air supply. Still, she refused to cry out or show him any weakness.
“I like your courage, cariño. Your tenacity.” He leaned closer. “But you will learn to obey me. They all do.” This close, he stank of hard liquor, spicy food, and asshole.
“In your dreams,” she panted.
“What you need is a real man.” He cupped her mound through her shorts, fat fingers digging into the soft material. “I’ll fuck this sweet pussy of yours so good. You’ll be dreaming of my cock for days.” He laughed, reminding her of a hyena. “How long do you plan on acting tough. You’ll pass out soon enough. That won’t do since I love when women put up a fight. Turns me on.”
There was only one man she wanted to remember inside her. “Fuck you,” she rasped.
He was right, though. The bastard had a hundred pounds of muscle on her, if not more. Another squeeze and she’d be limp in his hands. Even though white spots blurred her vision, she refused to give in. Calling on her strength, Nishani angled her leg slightly and kicked out. It wasn’t hard enough but had the desired effect. She caught the man in the groin.
His amber gaze glinted with pure hatred. “Fucking bitch!” He let go of her neck and grabbed his crotch.
“Go fuck yourself,” she rasped as her body fell to the floor.
His back to her, DeLuca massaged his crotch. Taking advantage of the distraction, Nishani dragged air quickly into her burning lungs and shot to her feet. She kicked him in the shin
and made a mad dash for the door.
“Jose, catch that whore!” DeLuca’s roar followed her.
Not looking back, Nishani yanked the handle and pulled. The sudden hit to her face sent her flying across the room and into the wall. Dazed, she slid to the floor and shook her head in an attempt to stop the flashing stars. A wrecking ball had just bulldozed her body. Nishani tasted blood while her head felt like a ton of bricks. She ran her tongue over her lip. Swollen. Blood trickled down her chin. She looked up. One of DeLuca’s men stood at the door. DeLuca was big, but this man was bigger—his folded arms pure brawn. No wonder she saw stars.
Before she had time to gauge her next move, DeLuca neared her and leaned over. He tangled a hand in her hair, gripped and dragged her toward the bed. Nishani grabbed his wrist and stuck her heels into the carpet to stall his movement. Cursing, he gave a solid yank lifting her body with ease. He threw her on the bed and straddled her thighs.
“Get the fuck off me,” Nishani screamed, thrashing her legs wildly to throw him off balance.
He slapped her across the face, intensifying the pain from the earlier blow. It did little to stop her bucking hips. His rough hands tore at the waistband of her shorts. Nishani doubled her efforts to fight him off. Memories of Rai and his consorts filled her head, hard and fast.
“Never,” she screeched the same time her flailing hand clawed his cheek.
For just a beat, the man stilled his movements and glared at her. Nishani stopped fighting. She matched him stare for stare.
He swiped at the blood on his face, glanced at his fingers then with a vicious growl, backhanded her across the face. “Nobody draws DeLuca’s blood. You’ll pay for this, bitch,” he snarled. “I’ll make every fucking hole in your pretty body bleed. You’ll taste my cock and like it.” His fingers formed a vice grip on her hands while his other hand ripped at the button and zipper on her shorts.
As he fumbled with his belt, Nishani begged her body to respond—to shed a tear or two. Only, it fought her resolve. Darkness, that all too comfortable place she’d fled to, closed in, pulling her deep, keeping her safe and distant. No disgusting groans against her skin. No pain when her muscles stretched. No spasms of pleasure when they finished. And ultimately no Colton. No Colton. No! No! He promised he was hers. Reality struck. A thousand volts of renewed energy sparked her will, hauling her from the deep chasms of her safe space.
“Stop, you sick pig!” Nishani screamed her body jerking.
Caught unawares by her sudden outburst, DeLuca faltered for just a moment before he tore at her shirt. Ripping it from her clammy skin and leaving her with her bra. His hold on her hands tightened as his body ground her thighs into the bed. His thick fingers infiltrated the edge of her panties. Nishani cringed.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” she spat.
He laughed. “Yes, cariño. You and the whole fucking world—”
A sudden crash stilled his roving fingers. DeLuca twisted his body to look behind him. Nishani lifted her head. Jose’s head played cork to a large hole in the door. DeLuca cursed as the door swung open. His henchman’s limp body slid with it. She didn’t think anyone was likely to bring down that walking muscle on two legs. It seemed like she was wrong.
The version of Colton stepping inside the room was one Nishani hadn’t met before. The killer instinct usually hidden under his expensive suits now out in full glory. If she ever doubted his wrong side, the look on his face confirmed his status. A cold merciless hint of what was to come and aggressively enhanced by the gold Colt .38 Super in his hand. In less than three strides, he reached the foot of the bed and yanked DeLuca’s large frame by the cuff of his shirt. “Get the fuck off her.” He tossed the man’s body as though it were a simple football.
Surprisingly, DeLuca picked himself off the floor and stood. “Colt—”
“Don’t,” the controlled tone held a deadly undercurrent of ‘don’t fuck with me.’ His gaze fixed on her, he walked around the bed. Nishani sat up. She could practically smell the pungent violence of his rage. “You okay?”
Despite the rigid set of his jaw, the look in his eyes and the wealth of emotion in those two words had Nishani struggling to hold back tears. The sudden urge to leap into his arms took her by surprise. Instead, she nodded. He leaned forward and brushed a finger across her chin then studied the crimson patch before looking at DeLuca. The warmth in his gaze a second ago replaced by cold fury.
Slipping off his shirt, Colton handed it to her. Any other instance and she would’ve taken her time to savor the sleek brawn beneath the muscle tank he wore. “I’ll see you just now,” he said, then glared at DeLuca. “Bullet to the head or talk. You decide. I’ll be waiting downstairs.” At the door, he turned. “And I’d think twice about touching her again.” Then he was gone. Whatever relationship these two had, seemed DeLuca knew better than to mess with Colton. Silently, the older man followed him out the door.
Nishani leaped off the bed and slid her arms into the shirt. Rolling back the sleeves to her wrists, she hurried from the room. On her way downstairs, she encountered DeLuca’s men. Some still stood at their posts while others lay injured to varying degrees. She figured those men hadn’t the same sense of self-preservation as their colleagues left standing and had tackled Colton.
Chapter Twenty Four
RELUCTANT TO LEAVE Nishi in the room on her own, Colton inhaled deeply. Seeing her bleed, stirred his rage. He debated whether to put a bullet in the DeLuca’s head and kill the miserable fuck now or talk negotiations. Then what? Getting rid of the old man would open room for others wanting his throne. While Colton didn’t want to be seen as a man who pandered to DeLuca because they had a history, new blood would mean a new war. Same shit, different day. He might be old in the game, but now he had Nishi to worry about as well. Talks with DeLuca—a case of better the enemy you know—would probably create some peace. How much depended on what Colton was willing to forgive.
He figured Finn would be lurking in the corridors waiting for him. DeLuca’s son had waited patiently for the day he could bring down the Black Lord, and Colton had walked right into his greedy palms. He could smell the bloodlust in the air. Someone was going down tonight.
When he arrived downstairs, as expected, Finn stood at the fireplace in the large ballroom style living room. His semi-automatic pointed at Colton. Close to thirty armed men, loyal to DeLuca, stood ready to defend his son.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve walking into this house, Colton. Then again, I didn’t figure you’d be the type to run after pussy. Whipped much?”
He didn’t fall for the man’s baiting. “Still insecure, Finn? I thought you got over that. Twelve years is a long time to hold a grudge.” It was no secret Finn hated Colton’s relationship with DeLuca. That the old man chose to bestow knowledge and a certain leeway on Colton, whereas Finn had worked harder for his father’s respect. Since Colton left the business, Finn had done everything in his power to ensure no one would replace him.
“Fuck you, Colt.”
“Finn,” DeLuca’s warning pierced the room as he entered. “No hard feelings, Colt? What’s a woman between thieves, right?”
“What the fuck, dad?”
DeLuca’s gaze narrowed. “You’ll speak to me with respect.”
“Or what? You’ll disown me and give this adopted son more freedom. You put us in harm’s way by thinking with your dick as usual.”
“Shut the fuck up, both of you,” Colton roared, barely holding his anger in check. He turned a cold gaze on the older man. “Don’t misunderstand my silence for forgiveness, DeLuca. You drew her blood. I respected you as a father once, and that’s the only reason I haven’t put a bullet in you yet.” Colton turned when Nishi entered the room. She stopped at the entrance. Eyes the color of a stormy sea, she stared at DeLuca briefly and the old man grimaced. Colton held out his hand. She hesitated for a second, then approached. “Go cool off somewhere, Finn. Your father and I need to talk business.” He slipped a hand a
round Nishi’s waist.
“Again, fuck you, Colton.”
Ignoring him, Colton glanced at DeLuca. “I’m taking Nishi back home.”
DeLuca snorted. “That’s if I let you walk out of here alive, son.”
“Son?” Finn yelled. “I’m your fucking son.”
“Make no mistake. I will walk out of here alive, DeLuca. Before I go, I’ll give you a choice. Nishi or the waterfront. If you choose Nishi, it comes with a bullet.” He shifted his gaze. “And one for you too, Finn. Wouldn’t want you to feel cheated.” He shot the younger man a deadly scowl.
“Dad? We don’t have to listen to this shit.” Finn fumed. “Let’s kill this fucker. And you get both the girl and the waterfront.”
“What makes you think it would be so easy to get rid of me?” Colton smirked. “I’m sure that scar on your face is a solid reminder not to fuck with me. Then, you were family. Imagine what the penalty would be now for taking what belongs to me?”
The younger man sustained the scar from a fight with Colton after Finn stalked and raped a woman Colton liked.
Finn took a step forward, his gun raised. “And what makes you think it would be that easy to touch me again? I considered you a brother, but you’re a worthless fuck. Ever heard the saying: ‘What you don’t know, won’t hurt you.’ You may a Black by birth, but you only have power because of my father. And he can take it away just as quickly.”
“Shut up, Finn,” DeLuca screamed at his son.
“Why should I? He’s no longer family. In fact, why don’t you tell him how he became family in the first place. Let the motherfucker die, knowing you always had the upper hand. You still treated him like a son after he left you.” Finn glared daggers at Colton. It was apparent he was afraid that Colton and his father would reconcile. “C’mon, dad. He hurt you when he left the business, just like his fath—”
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