"How did this happen?" he asked, but the husband ignored him.
There was a room in the back for high profile patients. Instead of just a curtain, this one had a door and windows. There were three bodyguards outside, each about three hundred pounds of pure muscle, and another just inside the doorway. The husband waved them both past and into the room.
Mariss lay sleeping peacefully, her right arm and leg in traction. Sebastian couldn't see much else because she was covered with a sheet that rose and fell with her gentle breathing.
"I'll give you a minute."
The husband left. Sebastian cast a glance to the body guard, and when he looked at Mariss, her eyes opened and she took him in. A look of disgust overcame her and she sneered.
"Oh, just lovely."
"You're angry." He knew she was, but seeing it and knowing it were two different animals entirely.
Mariss nodded to the guard who promptly closed and locked the door and dropped the blinds.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "I hope you don't think you're going to punish me for something."
Mariss rolled her eyes and sat up. She twisted her wrist back and forth and pulled her whole arm out of the cast.
"What are you doing?"
She didn't answer, but used both hands to steady her leg as she pulled it out as well. Mariss swung her feet over the side of the bed and propped her hands on the edge.
"You bailed," she accused.
"You're not in traction." Sebastian stared in shock.
"You canceled our shoot and ran. Why?"
"Ran?" he begged, indignant. "Did you stage this to bring me back?"
Mariss scoffed and lifted her shirt. Sebastian noticed for the first time that she wasn't in a hospital gown, but in very short shorts and a loose t-shirt. A dark bruise covered her whole left side from her hip to just below her breast.
Without thinking, Sebastian stepped forward and gingerly touched the darkened skin. "Mariss, what happened?"
"I was pushed into oncoming traffic." Her tone was even, but her eyes spoke of her pain and fear. "Someone tried to kill me."
"Are you sure?"
"Just before I was shoved, they whispered in my ear, 'Someone wants you dead,' so I'm pretty confident." Mariss tipped her head to the side. "The police thought the same thing."
Sebastian frowned. "You don't know what I was thinking," but there was a clarity in her eyes that frightened him. Her next words frightened him even more.
"You're thinking it was a hired hit." He couldn't keep the shock off his face. "I don't think it was professional," she said, dismissing it. "Back to the issue at hand."
"Issue at hand? Mariss, you're in the hospital with four armed guards. I think that is the issue at hand."
"You dipped because you were getting too close, didn't you?"
"Dipped?"
"Yeah. Cut and run."
"Red, I haven't the slightest-"
"Don't think for a second that we aren't the same, Bash. We're on the same level. We didn't get where we are by not being able to read people."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Bash?"
Mariss shrugged. "Am I not to call you that?"
He shrugged, mirroring her. "We'll see."
"You're scared." She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're not going to leave me alone are you?"
"No, I don't think I can."
"I'm not going to stop fighting you."
Sebastian smiled. "I don't think I would like it if you did."
"There's clearly attraction between us, but I'm not going to be unfaithful to my husband. I love him very much."
"Yes, I know."
"Then why do you keep trying?"
Sebastian took a seat across from her in a chair that was anything but comfortable. "It's not in my nature to give up. We didn't get this far because we were willing to give up, either."
"Yes, but I know when to move on. You clearly don't."
She was so hard-headed. Why he found that to be such a turn-on, Sebastian would never know. She was more trouble for him than he was for her. "I know when to move on if I feel it suits me. Yes, I ran, because I thought it best, but I can't get you out of my head."
"Try harder."
"It's not going to happen. You've gotten under my skin. That's not easy for me to admit."
"I can see that." The corners of Mariss' mouth twitched. He wanted to taste her again, those soft lips pressed against his own. "How do we fix this?"
"Fuck me," Sebastian said without hesitation.
To his surprise, Mariss threw her head back and laughed, but she stopped a moment later like it hurt. "Not going to happen."
"I can make it very hard for you to resist." That sounded kind of like a threat, even to him. Mariss looked at him with stern eyes.
"Did you try to kill me?" she asked. She was so serious that he couldn't even be offended.
"No, Mariss. What would be the point of that?" He grinned, very self-aware. "I haven't got what I want from you yet."
Her lips set into a line and her eyes narrowed. He knew she was about to say something sarcastic.
"So, I'm nothing but a vagina with legs to you?"
"I haven't hit that yet."
Mariss flushed and sent a nervous look to the guard who was staring him down with cold, detached eyes. Sebastian chuckled.
"I wouldn't send anyone to kill you. It's not my way."
"But you have killed people."
It was Sebastian's turn to send a nervous glance to the bodyguard. He wasn't staring at him anymore, but at a place on the wall above Sebastian's head.
"Where did you get a silly notion like that?"
"I've heard rumors."
"Those rumors aren't supposed to be going around anymore." His tone was cold, giving Mariss every answer she needed, but there was no helping that.
"People heard we were working together. They wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into."
"I don't suppose you'll give me those names."
"Absolutely not. I took care of the issue, but I have a right to ask. The security guard has signed non-disclosure papers. Nothing would leave this room."
"You would tell your husband, surely."
"No. He understands the importance in a secret of such magnitude."
Sebastian nodded. "Don't trouble yourself with trivial things, Red. I wouldn't want anything to come back to haunt you. True or not."
"I wouldn't say that's trivial, but I'll let it go for now."
"What about the shoot? And becoming partners?"
"I don't think either is a good idea."
"We still have a meeting next weekend. I didn't cancel that one. We can do the shoot then. Will that be too late?"
"I'll hire another model."
"Who?"
Mariss shrugged. "Does it matter? Someone I find to be attractive and… What?"
He knew he was grinning, but the muscles in his face refused to relax. "You find me attractive."
"That's not what I said. And if you'll remember, you inserted yourself… Aw, hell." Mariss dropped her face into her hands.
Sebastian laughed. "You said it. I didn't even comment."
"I didn't give you a chance."
He studied her for a moment, taking in her features and the guarded look in her eyes. Sebastian frowned, understanding the look and feeling like an ass.
"Did I hurt your feelings when I ran?"
Mariss stared back, her expression unreadable. "I don't think that's an appropriate discussion to be had, Sebastian."
"I think I prefer it when you call me Bash. Not many people get that privilege."
"I'm not sure I want to be among the privileged."
Sebastian felt himself starting to get irritated and had to remind himself that she was putting him off for her own peace of mind. "My friends call me Bash," he corrected.
"I think I'll call you Bassy." She tried to keep a straight face, but the grin that brightened her features won out.
"I think
you won't call me that."
"What would you do to stop me? Kill me?" Her eyes widened in mock fear.
"You shouldn't joke about such things, Mariss Red." But he couldn't be stern. Not when she seemed to be relaxing and finally enjoying his company.
Of course, when he thought they were starting to get on well, there was a knock at the door.
"It's your husband, Mrs. Red."
Mariss nodded and slipped back into her casts. Just seeing her there, looking so helpless even though he knew the truth, made him roil with anger.
"Oh. I don't like what you've done to your face."
Sebastian frowned and ran a hand over his smooth jaw and mouth. "Ah. It'll grow back." The husband walked in and Sebastian stood. "I'll leave you two. I'm glad you're alright." He took her hand and squeezed it. "I'll see you soon." He nodded to the husband and left, his heart lighter - and heavier - than before.
Juliet waited for him in the lobby.
"Get hold of Herbert for me, Jules. Tell him it's urgent and I need to meet with him right away."
***
Herbert was a large man. He stood at six feet and three inches, the same as Sebastian, but he was easily twice Sebastian's size. When Herbert walked through the door of Sebastian's home office later that evening, even Sebastian couldn't help being a bit intimidated.
"Sebastian."
"Herbert."
He stood and shook the man's hand.
"What was so urgent that I had to fly all the way out to hell on earth to meet with you?" Herbert was about as pleasant as he was short. The two of them didn't get along very well, and for good reason, but they were professionals, so they did what professionals did best.
"Herbert, this is New York. We're about as far away from hell as you can get." For all his size and intimidation, Herbert hated New York. Sebastian wasn't sure why.
The FBI agent took a seat across from him in a brown leather wingback chair. "What is this important matter you need to discuss?"
"Are my records still sealed?"
If he was suspicious of the questioning, Herbert's face gave nothing away. "Why do you ask?"
"I heard rumors of rumors. I wanted to be sure."
"Your records will not be unsealed."
Sebastian nodded. "You heard of Mariss Red's accident yesterday?"
"Are you involved with her sexually?" Herbert had a way of getting straight to the point.
"Yes."
"Does her husband know?"
"He was involved."
That got Herbert's attention. His eyebrows went up. "Watching?"
"Involved." Sebastian enunciated the word succinctly. He knew Herbert wouldn't divulge such sensitive information. He was good at his job.
"That's interesting. Yes, I heard of her accident. What do you want to know?"
"I want to find out who did it."
The two men stared each other down for a long several minutes. Sebastian refused to look away, though Herbert was the one person who could give him a run for his money.
"I'm not going to help you break the law, Boa."
Sebastian shrugged, his eyes still locked on Herbert's. "I'm not asking you to break the law. I'm asking you to do some investigating and let me know what you find. I could take you to dinner and get you drunk if that would help keep your conscience clear."
Herbert sneered. "Your charm doesn't work on me. You forget that I'm the only man on earth who knows what you've done. I can change that."
"Hm. Yes, you could, but then I'd have to kill you too."
"You're funny." There was no humor in his tone. "I'll see what I can find, simply because I like Mariss Red. She published my wife's book."
"I know. I was counting on that."
"I bet you were. How's she doing?"
"She's fine, but she's pretending not to be. Can't say I blame her."
"How did she get mixed up with you?" Herbert asked, and his tone suggested some disgust. "I have a hard time believing her husband would allow that."
"Her husband and I have an agreement. I resent your implications, however, our involvement was purely coincidental. The first time." Sebastian smiled and he knew it was devious.
"Does she need protecting from you?" Herbert asked seriously.
Sebastian shook his head. "If she did, you wouldn't be here."
"How's Hellena?"
He'd been waiting for this line of questioning. "She's well. She asked me about you the other day. I will tell her we spoke."
"I'll give her a call myself."
"Good."
"Is there anything else?"
Sebastian shook his head and stood, buttoning his jacket as he did. "I'll show you out. Thank you for meeting with me. I hope to hear something from you soon."
"Mm. Give your mother my best."
Sebastian laughed. "My mother hates you, Herbert."
"A lot of people hate you."
He shrugged. "It's the curse of my position."
He showed Herbert out and had Juliet send his car around.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Traction Contraption
House music thumped through the walls of the back office making it hard for Sebastian to concentrate on the paperwork in front of him.
Hellena had been skimming off the top for years, but she wasn't very good at hiding it. That or she knew he wouldn't care much. Not with her. He'd known since the first time she did it and he kept a close eye on it. Until today, it was twenty thousand dollars every year. He didn't ask what she was into or even let her know he knew. But today, it was double.
Sebastian did the tally four times, but came up with the same answer. He couldn't ignore this anymore, not if she was escalating. He picked up the phone and called the front desk.
"Yes, Mr. Boa," a sweet, flirty voice answered.
"Sweetheart, could you send Hellena to the office please?"
"Yes, sir. Will you need anything else?"
"In about ten minutes you can send in the twins."
There was a little giggle. "Yes, sir."
Sebastian put the ledgers away and checked his phone. He had a text message.
:Why didn't you tell me you left a shoot to come to the hospital?:
It was from Mariss. The fact that she was directly texting his cell both unnerved him and made him smile.
:How did you get this number?:
Her reply quickly followed. :I got it from Juliet. Not supposed to tell you that. I threatened her life.:
:She's used to her life being threatened. She works for me.:
:Haha! That was actually funny. So why did you leave your shoot?:
Sebastian thought about what he should answer. :The model I was working with is insufferable.: He waited for her reply.
:Who even says insufferable anymore?:
Sebastian chuckled. :Do you text this much all the time?:
:You have no idea. I am very high maintenance.: She put a smiley with its tongue sticking out.
:You'll learn not to stick your tongue out at me.:
:Why? Will you bite it?:
Sebastian sucked in a sharp breath, not expecting her to take the conversation in a sexual direction. He was typing his reply when she sent another text.
:Sorry. I shouldn't have said that.:
:Mariss, are you drunk?:
:…Very. Holden left for basketball camp.:
Sebastian lifted an eyebrow without realizing it. :So you're lonely.:
:Sorry, I drunk texted you. I'll leave you alone.:
:You don't have to ever leave me alone.:
The door opened and Hellena came in. She sat on the sofa across from him. Sebastian checked his phone, but there weren't any text messages.
"What's wrong?" Hellena asked. "You look perplexed."
Sebastian leaned his elbows on the desk. "Are you alright, Hellena?" As per usual, anything between them was resolved without discussion.
"Why wouldn't I be?" She stared back at him with defiant eyes.
Sebastian wa
s taken aback for a moment. In all the years he'd known her, he didn't think she'd ever looked at him like that. She knew why she was in here. She had to, or she wouldn't be daring him with her eyes right now. He had to fight the urge to snatch her up by her hair and send her packing.
"If there's anything you need, Hellena, you know you can always come to me." He hoped she already knew that.
"Yes, of course." Her eyes softened some.
She wore a red corset today and full matching skirts. Hellena was wearing the boots that laced all the way up to her thigh again. "Come here." She went to him and Sebastian pulled her onto his lap. Sebastian slipped his hand under her skirt and stroked the smooth skin at the top of the leather, just below a scar he knew was there.
Hellena dropped her head on his shoulder and he hid his face behind the fall of her black hair. His nose touched her chest. Her scent wrapped around him. This time, it was easier to push Mariss from his mind. He didn't know what the difference was. She still lingered there, on the back burner so to speak, but she wasn't a distraction as she had been the night before.
"Are you thinking about me? Or is your mind on her?" Hellena's hurt voice was soft in his ear. She tried to pull away, but he had a firm grip on her hip.
"You're the only thing on my mind right now." Sebastian stroked her thigh just a little higher up, skirting the scar. He looked up at her and let his eyes reflect himself, something he wasn't accustomed to doing for many people. "Only you."
Hellena's eyes watered and a single tear fell down her cheek. She nodded and pressed her lips gently to his. Sebastian caught her bottom lip between his teeth. At the same time he pushed her legs apart with his hand and inserted a finger into her. She moaned against his mouth, but he silenced her with a deep kiss. The door opened and closed. Sebastian worked his finger slowly in and out of her.
"Whenever you're ready, ladies."
The twins were not related. There were many things that Sebastian was into, but incest was not one of them. The dark-haired girls had the same facial structure, body type, and grey eyes. Tonight, they were dressed to match in spandex hot pants and leather straps that covered their nipples and little else. One was in red, the other in black.
"We're going to watch?" Hellena asked.
The Man Without Rules Page 10