Witness Protection

by Stacey Espino

  “Where are we going?” asked Vladimir.

  “You know where we’re going.”

  The car was eerily quiet. The glow of the streetlights flashed across the dashboard every few seconds as he drove toward the highway.

  “She’s innocent.”

  Cayden grit his teeth. He didn’t want to hear this now. Killing the witness was a necessity, not a pleasure, even if she was Vasily’s bitch daughter.

  “You don’t have to kill her.”

  “We both know how this game works. Your girl watched me pull the trigger. That has to be remedied,” said Cayden.

  “You’ll never get to her. Hawk is expecting you.”

  “No, he’s hoping I’ve move on, but he doesn’t know me very well. From my experience, every man is ready to give up his soul to save his own ass.”

  “Not Hawk. He’ll die protecting Sophia.”

  Cayden cringed. He didn’t want to hear her name or anything else about her. He liked his hits to be as impersonal as possible, and he chose to block out the details.

  When they reached the city, he parked on a quiet side street near the hotel. “Now, you’re going to call Hawk and tell him you have some important information for him. Tell him you want to meet at the coffee shop right over there.”

  “I won’t do it.”

  Cayden twisted a silencer to the end of his handgun, taking his time as the other man watched. He pressed it to the side of Vladimir’s thigh and immediately pulled the trigger. No second chances. The man screamed and arched, his hands still locked behind his back. “You’ll bleed out, so I suggest you get to a doctor ASAP. Of course, you’re not getting out of my car until you do exactly as I told you. No games. No fucking this up. Listen, Vlad, I know where your parents live. I won’t think twice about paying them a visit. Your mother just finished crocheting your Christmas gift. Not a fan of the navy blue, personally.”

  “Bastard.”

  “Yeah, you’re right about that. We good to go?”

  “I’ll do it,” he said.

  Everyone had a weakness. He unfastened the cuffs and waited for Vladimir to make the call. When it was done, Cayden took the man’s phone and smashed it on the dashboard. “I’m dropping you off at the clinic on the corner. Best of luck, old man.”

  Chapter Four

  It had been almost a week since they’d checked into the hotel. Sophia’s emotions had been scattered, but she began to accept her new reality. There was no other choice.

  She’d rented a movie and crashed on her bed to watch it. “Hurry up, Hawk.”

  A few minutes later he stood in her doorway, wearing just his black pants, eating an apple. “I’m not watching that shit.”

  “You promised. It’s not as fun watching a movie alone.” She was sick and tired of doing everything alone. If she could convince Hawk to join her, all the better.

  His body was ripped to perfection. Did he even realize how tempting he was to women? To her? Even at rest, casually leaning against the doorframe, his abs were toned, his shoulders strong and thick with muscle.

  He tossed his core into the garbage can near her dresser and came into the room. He’d been sleeping on the couch all week, despite her offers to share the bed. She patted the mattress beside her and ruffled the mountain of pillows for him.

  “You’re lucky we’re trapped in here.” Hawk sat on the bed, the mattress sinking as he lifted his legs and settled on the pillows. He was so big next to her, his skin golden against the white sheets. And so much ink.

  She lost interest in the movie.

  “What do all these tattoos mean?” she asked. Sophia sat up and crossed her legs, running her palm down his chest. She swallowed hard. His skin was warm and firm, and her body lit up from just touching him.

  He looked up at her, resting his hand over hers to still her movements. “I guess they tell a story. Badges of honor, mistakes, memories.” Hawk leaned up on one elbow and led her hand down to the side of his stomach. “Your dad gave me this one.”

  She appreciated art and knew each picture had to have meaning. Sophia pulled her hand away and looked at the small abstract skull. “He actually did it himself?”

  “A long time ago.”

  Sophia had no clue her father had an artistic bone in his body. He’d always been a complete mystery. He’d never spoken to her about himself or his past. Although he never demanded she stop her painting, so maybe he understood her passion. She ran her finger over the picture, trying to capture a piece of the father she knew so little about.

  “It’s my most cherished piece. It’ll always remind me of him.”

  She scowled at that. Her feelings toward her father were volatile and mixed. And Hawk’s loyalty to a dead man was getting old. “Maybe I’ll get one myself.”

  He shook his head, running the backs of his fingers down the length of her arm. It felt way too good. “No way. He’d never approve.”

  “He’s gone, Hawk. I make my decisions now.”

  “Guess I’ll have to take his place.”

  She wanted to retch. “You want to be my daddy?”

  “I want to take care of you. Besides, you’re perfect the way you are. A tattoo would only ruin that.” He tapped her lips with his finger, and she hadn’t realized they were pursed. She was tired of being treated like a child, especially by Hawk. “No more pouting.”

  She grabbed his wrist and made him cup the side of her face with his palm. Sophia closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, not letting him pull away.

  She loved him.

  Had for years.

  But he only thought of her as a responsibility, a child needing supervision.

  She turned her head and kissed the inside of his rough palm. Instead of lecturing her, he shifted to his side, pushing up on his elbow until they were almost face to face. His chest rose and fell, on the brink of control. He gently cradled the back of her head and pulled her closer.

  Is this actually happening?

  Sophia parted her lips and sighed when they kissed. She’d been waiting for this forever. He was slow, gentle, and deliciously thorough. So much better than her fantasies. Hawk pushed himself higher until his weight was braced on his hand, his big ribs pushing her backward to the mattress. She felt as if she was being consumed, swallowed whole by his much larger frame.

  This was exactly what she wanted, what she’d been dreaming of.

  She ran her hand over his shoulder and down his back, needing to feel him, wanting him all over her. Never wanting tonight to end.

  He trailed kisses down her neck—soft, gentle kisses. The scent of his musky cologne was an aphrodisiac. His skin felt almost hot, and the tenderness of his touch had her entire body aching. Sophia craved so much more.

  “Hawk…”

  “You’ve always been my weakness, Sophia.”

  Her body thrummed, her heart leaping in anticipation. She held his shoulder and leaned up to kiss his jawline. Sophia whispered in his ear without a second thought. “I love you.”

  His body tensed, and he grabbed a handful of the comforter until his knuckles turned white. He dropped his head, taking deep, measured breaths. “I’m sorry. I’ve got to go.”

  He rushed from the room.

  “Hawk!”

  What had she done wrong? Disappointment and shame assaulted her until her eyes welled with tears. Her father’s constant suspicions, and now Hawk’s rejection, made her feel dirty.

  It had been too good to be true. Too perfect. It had to come crashing down, like everything else in her life.

  Hawk had been coming and going more often lately, like he couldn’t stand the sight of her. Maybe he was getting cabin fever and those perfect kisses were meaningless.

  They’d been staying in the same suite for five days. He’d been sleeping on the sofa every night since their room only had one king bed. Hawk was probably regretting his decision to babysit her for so long.

  The most exciting thing they’d done was play cards or watch movies at night. This
whole thing was ridiculous. No one was after her, and Hawk was being overprotective like he’d always been. Her father was controlling her from beyond the grave, but she did as Hawk instructed, and didn’t leave the suite.

  Sophia used the alone time to take her evening shower. It had been her habit for as long as she could remember, and helped her sleep at night.

  She closed her eyes as the warm water flowed over her hair and body. Her showers were more than getting clean; they were her therapy. She imagined all her worries and all the blood in her memories washing down the drain. Her nightmares hadn’t let up. They’d start with her painting in the foyer as a little girl. They’d end with blood coating the white marble and her father’s dead eyes staring back at her.

  Now she had a new problem. Hawk had awakened something inside her. Her entire body was on fire, craving Hawk’s touch again. Craving so many filthy things. He was strong and gentle in equal parts, and she wanted him to use her, to make her his. They’d crossed that invisible boundary, and, for her, there was no turning back.

  She stepped out onto the mat and dried off with the oversized bath towel. The mirror had fogged up, so she wiped her hand across it. She kept telling herself she couldn’t wait to leave, to get back to normal. But what was normal now? Life would never be the same again. Maybe she’d stay in this hotel room with Hawk, avoiding reality forever.

  It was a nice thought.

  She smoothed cream all over her body and dressed in a fresh t-shirt and yoga pants. Her choices were limited. Since she never left the suite, it was all about comfort. Sophia grabbed her brush from the top of the dresser and sat on the edge of the bed to start combing out the small knots.

  Brushing her hair had always been soothing for her. She’d imagine her mother doing it, everything in vivid detail, right down to the feeling of tender love. Of course, it was all fictional, her imagination giving her a little taste of what she’d never had. Her mother was killed when she was born. There wasn’t even a picture to keep. She’d only had men in her life—her father, his hired hands, Hawk.

  The mirror in front of her was massive with an elaborate carved gold frame. Everything about their penthouse suite was luxurious right down to the smallest detail. Back home, her father insisted on all the finer things in life. Material things failed to impress her.

  She heard Hawk return a while later. Her heart began to race, and her cheeks flushed hot, remembering the taste of his kiss. She didn’t want him to be mad at her, to blame her for seducing him. What she wanted was to continue where they left off. She’d probably just end up apologizing and stifling her true emotions.

  Her hair was nearly smooth, so she hurried up to finish, wanting to look her best. A dark shadow appeared in the reflection of the mirror. He’d come into her room. What would he say to her? Her breath caught in her throat, her pussy aching. She swore she’d spontaneously combust.

  “Hawk?”

  He didn’t answer her. She got up to check but didn’t even get a chance to turn around before a rough hand slapped over her mouth from behind.

  Hawk would never hurt her.

  “No screaming.” It was a man’s voice. A deep whisper that she knew would haunt her forever. Was it one of her father’s enemies? The man they were hiding from?

  When he turned her, forcing her to walk forward, she saw him in the reflection. Those blue eyes, and now a scar on his face.

  It was him.

  Her father’s murderer.

  He was going to kill her.

  Only a few days ago, she’d been ready to die. Wanted to die. Now, faced with certain death, panic washed over her.

  She tasted blood as her lips and cheeks pressed unforgivingly against her teeth. He held his hand over her mouth so tight she swore she’d have bruises on her face.

  How would she get out of this alive?

  Hawk was gone, and she had nothing to protect herself with. This was the man who managed to decimate a house full of trained killers. She was no match.

  “We’re leaving this room, and you’re going to keep your mouth shut or I’ll fucking kill you. Understand?” She nodded her head. “If you try to signal someone, I’ll kill them, too.”

  She left the room for the first time in five days. The hallway was empty. He removed his hand, and she instinctively reached for her cheeks, gasping for breath. The barrel of a gun dug into her back as he prodded her toward the elevators.

  Once inside, he pressed a button on the elevator panel and stood against the back wall, her body poised in front of him. She was frozen in fear, unsure what move she should make. Wondering if she was about to join her parents. When the door chimed, he jabbed her in the back again, so she got out into the hallway and kept moving.

  “Inside,” he said after using a keycard to open a door halfway down the hall. She hadn’t even paid attention to the floor they were on, too terrified to think straight. He gave her a firm shove, and she stumbled into the room, nearly falling before catching her footing. This suite wasn’t as elaborate as the one she had with Hawk. It was smaller, simpler, with regular windows rather than the massive glass wall with the breathtaking view.

  The killer had been in the same hotel all along.

  “Please don’t hurt me,” she said. “I won’t say anything. I haven’t said anything.”

  He looked her up and down without saying a word. The stranger shrugged off his jacket, hanging it on the back of a chair in the dining area. He was even more strapped than Hawk, guns and extra clips filling the numerous holsters and pockets. She didn’t dare move an inch.

  His back was to her as he stared out the window into the night. “Nothing personal,” he said. He pulled out one of his guns, checked the clip and tightened the silencer, then held it straight by his side. The muscles in his forearm flexed. She was transported back to that day, the day he pulled the trigger and ended her father’s life.

  This was it.

  He was about to assassinate her. End her life at only twenty-four.

  “You killed my father. I’d say that’s personal.” He was going to kill her anyway, so she wasn’t going to beg for her life.

  The fact she spoke up must have surprised him because he turned around to face her. “Your father was a monster.”

  “I agree.”

  He tilted his head, his eyes narrowed. “Then why do you care?”

  “He was still my father. My only family,” she said. “Why did you kill him?”

  The stranger paced in front of her, his hand tight around the handle of his gun. It pissed her off that she found him attractive. He wasn’t the usual overweight thug her father contracted. This guy was younger, harder, and had an intensity in his eyes that made her breath catch.

  “He took something from me. Something precious.”

  “And killing him brought you peace?”

  His face was a blank slate. He would have made a fortune as a poker player. It looked like he was about to say something, but he chose not to. He re-holstered his gun, and she released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

  Maybe she could talk her way out of this.

  “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know your name. How can I be a threat to you? Isn’t it enough that you took everything from me?”

  He licked his lips, bracing both hands on the small table as he leaned over it. An elaborate tattoo crept up his neck. “An eye for an eye. I did what I had to do.”

  “My father killed someone you love?”

  He scowled. “He wiped out an entire family. Decent people. Innocent people. Now he’s paid with his life.” His voice dripped with emotion, getting angrier as he spoke.

  Goosebumps prickled her arms.

  “Then why kill me? What have I done to you?”

  “You’re your father’s daughter.”

  Her eyes filled with angry tears. She wouldn’t cry and give his asshole the satisfaction. “I’m nothing like my father! And you’re no better than him if you kill me. Think about that.”

 
; He smirked for just a second, then rummaged through a duffel bag on the table. He pulled out a pair of cuffs and a length of chain. Her heart raced, the adrenaline rush making her dizzy.

  She needed Hawk to make everything better.

  “This way,” he said. Once inside the bathroom, he handcuffed her hands in front of her and linked the chain, securing it around the pedestal of the sink before locking it. “It may not be what you’re used to, princess, but a toilet and water is more than you deserve.”

  He closed the door behind him, leaving her in the dark bathroom.

  “Fuck you!” she shouted once alone.

  She sat down on the closed toilet seat. The scent of disinfectant irritated her nose. How would Hawk find her here? What did this man plan to do with her? Why hadn’t he killed her yet? So many thoughts clouded her head. She could hear the contempt he had for her in his voice. He didn’t even know her, judging her because she was a Morenov. She wasn’t a murderer. In fact, she had nothing to do with her father’s illegal business. If anything, Sophia was a victim herself, a prisoner in her own home. This stranger had already tried and convicted her based on her father, and she hated his judgment.

  Sophia was grieving, still processing the feelings of hurt and resentment she had for her father. Her time with him had run out, so there was no chance to fix things, no chance to make amends. It was all this stranger’s fault.

  She lifted her arms, the heavy chains clattering, reminding her of criminals in the old castle dungeons. But this was no fairy tale, and no prince in shining armor was coming to the rescue. She should have known her life would end this way. Her father kept her locked away so his enemies couldn’t use her in retaliation. Why did they care about her now that he was gone?

  Sophia wanted to get out of this alive, but there was no reasoning with this man. He hated her, and if she was still breathing, he probably planned something worse than death.

  ****

  “Where the fuck are you?” Hawk shouted when Vlad’s answering machine clicked on for the tenth time. He wasn’t in the coffee shop, and he’d stopped answering his cellphone. Hawk hoped he hadn’t skipped out for a piece of pussy after asking him to meet up. After twenty minutes, he left the shop, looking to the right and left of the street.