by Pegau, Cathy
What had changed from that smile to the time she woke up beside him?
Sterling frowned as he threw the shirt to the floor. She’d said their sleeping together had been a mistake. Maybe she was right. It wasn’t just poor timing. It was poor judgment. He’d known getting involved with her was a bad idea before this morning. Waiting in the hall for her, seeing her alive and well after his own sleepless night, he couldn’t help himself. He had to have her. Had to show her what she meant to him.
But he’d gone about it all wrong. It was his inability to control himself that scared her. And rightfully so.
Disgusted with himself, the rest of his clothes followed the shirt. He stepped under the near-freezing spray and shivered. Damn Revivalist views on austerity and godliness through suffering. A childhood of icy baths and exhausting chores wasn’t enough? He’d have to speak to the landlord. Burning a few kilos of fuel to heat water wasn’t heresy. Sterling rubbed wash over his body and through his hair. The water had barely gained enough heat to rinse away the residue, but it managed to erase Sasha’s scent from his skin, if not his memory. He slammed the water off, dried and dressed.
Enough about this morning. It was done.
Now it was time to deal with Christiansen and this new problem. Would Christiansen suggest using the new amber formula on Sterling’s nonexistent inmates? Probably not.
The investigation process for correctional inmate health had become more stringent since the Exeter incident. Every nosebleed and sniffle was documented. Should an inmate die even for legitimate reasons—age, accident, a shank between the ribs—the inquest took forever as agents questioned everyone and anyone connected to the unfortunate bastard. Christiansen would know this and plan to avoid any unwanted attention. Sterling would get the standard formula.
The longer Kylie and Sasha stayed there, the harder it would be for Sterling to save them. He had to get into the house. He’d tell Christiansen he had doubts about Delhomme, some fucked-up reason why he didn’t feel right about the deal. Something—anything—to get into that damned compound and get them out.
To hell with waiting for the right time. There was no “right time.” Not anymore.
Back in his room, Sterling dropped his dirty clothes on the floor then grabbed his coat off the hook. On the way to Christiansen’s house, he’d practice not reacting to Sasha when he saw her again.
* * *
Sasha stepped out of the taxi and gazed up at Guy’s mansion as it loomed over her. There, on the second floor, was the window of her old room. It would be hers again in a matter of moments. A gust of wind shot sleet into her face and she closed her eyes.
Just until you get Kylie out. You can last that long.
“That’s all you brought?”
Guy’s voice from near the front door chilled her more than the weather. Sasha forced her shoulders out of their hunched position and opened her eyes. Jake carried her single suitcase across the threshold while Guy stood beside the doorway with his hands in his trouser pockets. He wore the same navy suit from breakfast, but his shirt collar was open.
Sasha fixed a smile to her face and climbed the stairs to join him. “I’ve learned to live without much in recent years.”
He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek, the ice-cold ruby ring on his middle finger gliding over her skin. “Let’s remedy that. Come inside before you freeze to death.”
Guy slid his arm around her waist and guided her inside. Kenneth, the butler, closed the door behind them. She shrugged off the feeling of being locked back in her rehab cell. He waited while Guy helped her with her coat then disappeared in his usual fashion.
“What took you so long to get back?” Guy asked as they walked down the hall toward his office. A seemingly innocent question, but she knew better.
Sasha had mentally prepared herself for that very question on the ride over. What she wasn’t prepared for were the visions of Sterling floating in the back of her brain. His arm muscles bunching as he held himself above her. His blue eyes burning with a passion that both frightened and thrilled her. His smile that broke through her defenses.
Almost.
She covered the attempt to shake him out of her head with a shrug. “Got caught up in some house cleaning.”
Guy smiled down at her. “No need to worry about that sort of thing now.” He stopped at the doorway of one of the salons. “Here, let’s have a seat.”
A real fire burned in the fireplace—another way Guy showed off his opulent nature—and the enigmatic brunette grinned at them from over the mantel. Two upholstered chairs faced a loveseat covered in the same rich burgundy fabric. He led her to the loveseat, releasing the hold on her waist as she sat. He remained standing.
Sasha looked up at him and fought to put some sort of smile on her face. What was he up to? “I should go check on Kylie.”
“In a minute.” He withdrew something from his jacket pocket and held it out to her. “Welcome back, Sasha.”
Her smile faltered and she stared at the rectangular black velvet box in his hand. Guy was generous when he was happy. Or when he wanted something.
“You don’t need to give me anything.” She met his expectant gaze, swallowing to keep bile from racing up her throat. She didn’t move to take the box.
“I know I don’t need to,” he said, reaching for her hand with his empty one. The ruby on his finger glinted red and gold. He laid the box in her palm. “I’m just happy to have you back in my life.” He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and grinned like a schoolboy with his first crush, his eyes full of mischievous delight.
Whatever expensive bauble lay inside the box meant one thing and one thing only: she was damned. Accepting it would bind her to Guy for good. Refusing it would insult him and probably get her thrown out. Possibly worse.
Slowly she lifted the lid, as if a deadly spider lay inside. Nestled on a bed of white satin was no spider, but a single ruby the size of her pinky nail in a gold setting. The stone’s facets reflected tones of red from nearly pink to the deep, dark shade of old blood.
Guy lifted the box from her hand and removed the necklace. The delicate chain glimmered in the flickering light of the fire. Reaching behind her, he fastened it around her throat. The cold stone and metal chilled her while his warm fingers lingered at the base of her neck. “Just a token,” he said lightly.
His offhand manner didn’t fool her for a moment. She looked up. In his blue eyes was exactly what she’d expected: triumph. Satisfaction. Possession.
The necklace felt like a shackle around her neck, but she had no choice but to accept it. For now.
“I—I don’t know what to say.” She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Guy shrugged and sat beside her, his hand drifting from the back of her neck to her shoulder, down her arm. The matching ring on his finger flashed in the fire’s light. “You’re welcome. I like seeing you in pretty things. So I guess it’s good you didn’t bring much with you, because I want you to get yourself anything you want while you’re here.”
“I won’t—I don’t want to take advantage.” She’d almost said she didn’t plan on staying that long, but caught herself just in time.
“No such thing from you.” He patted her hand. “Besides, I’m having a few business friends over tomorrow night before I head to Weaver, and I want you to join us. Order something appropriate to wear and have it sent here.”
Something in her brain broke through the haze of anguish caused by the ruby, a way to get herself and Kylie to Sterling. “It’s been so long since I’ve done any shopping. I’d like to go into town to try things on. I’ll get a better fit that way.”
Guy’s grin stayed fixed in place as his gaze went to the ruby at her breast. The small stone suddenly felt as if it weighed a kilo. “I can take you anywhere you want to go.”
Pani
c rose in Sasha’s throat, making it feel as if the gold chain was a too-small choker. “You don’t want to be bothered with shopping.” She gave him the best coy smile she could manage and said, “Besides, I want to surprise you.”
Playing up to him had always worked in the past, and Sasha was relieved when he laughed and nodded. “Fine. I’ll have Jake drive you.”
Having one of his men with them wasn’t ideal, but to refuse would make Guy suspicious.
“Can I take Kylie with me?” If she could, if they could get away, this whole thing would end today. The thought made her giddy, but she still had Guy to contend with until they were free. “I need another woman’s opinion, since I haven’t kept up with trends for so long. And some retail therapy might help her forget about amber for a little while.”
He frowned for a fraction of a second. Then his handsome face smoothed into contemplation. “Sure. You two go, have a nice lunch and get some girl time in. I have work to catch up on anyway.”
Guy rose. Taking measure of the glint in his eyes, Sasha knew what was expected of her, knew this was not the time to defy him. Not if she wanted to take advantage of going into Pandalus with Kylie. She stood and touched her lips to his cheek.
Two days ago, he was the solicitous one, asking for forgiveness, asking for permission to touch her. How quickly the tide had turned.
To her great surprise—and relief—he made no move to kiss her back. He simply nodded and left the salon.
Sasha stayed in the cozy little room that seemed to grow colder despite the fire and waited until she heard the sound of his office door closing. She forced herself not to run to the elevator in the main hall, but walked with her arms stiffly swinging at her sides. The weight of the ruby dragged on her neck like the proverbial millstone.
Sin will do that to you, girl. Sasha thought she’d paid for her sins already, but maybe this was a new batch.
She wanted to snatch the necklace from her throat and fling it as far away as she could. His “gift” was more of a danger than the chip in her neck could ever be. Damn the void. She’d let Guy think he could move ahead much too soon.
A rhythmic pulse beat between her eyes.
Sasha slapped the elevator call panel. Stepping inside, she thumbed the icon for the second floor then punched the wall as the door slid closed. She brought her scraped knuckle to her mouth and realized the elevator had already been programmed to read her print. Guy had kept her bios on file. Like he’d expected her to move back in someday. The coppery taste in her mouth nearly gagged her.
A hand slid into the gap of the door and the safety mechanism opened it again. Marco stood on the other side, his dark brows drawn in a frown.
“Mind if I ride up with you?” A rhetorical question as he stepped into the car, blocking the controls.
Sasha’s entire body tensed and chilled. Her fingers throbbed in time with the pounding in her head. She lowered her hand and moved aside. Farther from the panel, but easier access to the door. Being alone with Marco was the last thing she wanted, even for the seconds it would take to reach the next floor.
He tapped the icon for the fourth floor, Guy’s private rooms. Marco stood beside her, staring at the panel. She could see no sign of the beating Sterling had given him. Did he suspect she knew his assailant?
The door closed.
One floor, and then I can get away from him.
The one winked out and Marco slapped the Stop icon before it became a two. He turned to her, his frown deeper. Sasha flinched back, her heart jumping in her chest. But where could she go? Then again, what could he do here?
“I tried getting hold of you yesterday,” he said. “Don’t like the idea of discussing personal business like this, but you didn’t answer.”
Sasha had to think for a moment. The unregistered call on her comm? How had he managed that?
“Do us both a favor,” he said in a low, dangerous tone. “Keep our little liaisons a few years ago to yourself.”
She swallowed some fear as anger seeped in to replace it. “Afraid of what Guy will do to you?”
Marco smiled like a terrashark in pursuit of its favorite meal. “Do to us, you mean. We’ll both live a lot longer if he doesn’t learn you used to spread your legs for me to get high.”
Her stomach heaved at the mere thought of what they did. Sasha crossed her arms over her middle. “You used me as much as I used you.”
“Oh, I’m not denying that, sweetness, but I’m sure Guy will be torqued enough to kill both of us.” He leaned toward her, and Sasha had to dig her fingers into her sides to keep from lashing out at him. “We’ll help each other here and call it good, yeah?”
Behind the attempt to intimidate her, there was fear in his eyes. If Guy learned of her history with the bastard, they were both dead. But she had one advantage Marco lacked—Guy loved her. There was a slight chance she’d survive Guy’s anger. Marco wouldn’t, and he knew it.
“Just leave me alone,” she said.
He remained where he was, staring her down. Her head pounded and her body trembled, but she didn’t flinch. Finally, he nodded and moved back.
“I’m glad we came to an agreement.” He tapped the panel. The elevator began moving again.
I bet you are.
When the door opened, she turned sideways to keep from touching him as she exited the car and forced herself to walk at a normal pace toward Kylie’s room. She felt his eyes on her back until she heard the doors close. Sasha released a shaky breath. Her entire body felt cold, and she shook as she knocked on Kylie’s door.
Kylie answered, smiling when she saw Sasha. “I was just about to shower. Come on in.”
Sasha followed her. “I could come back later.”
“No, I’ll just be a few minutes.” For someone who’d nearly overdosed and had a restless night, she seemed in a good mood. “Make yourself at home,” she said as she went into the lav and shut the door.
Sasha sank onto the bed and rubbed her eyes. Damn the void, what was she going to do? Why had she agreed to this? All she wanted was to start over, and now she had the three men pulling her in so many directions she didn’t know which way was up. First Sterling this morning, telling her he cared for her. Then Guy with his damn necklace. Now Marco. She needed to get away from them all, just for a little while.
Sasha lowered her hands and opened her eyes. Directly in her line of site, the blue marble box sat on Kylie’s dresser. The box that held a chunk of amber. Her heart thudded hard in her chest.
That would help.
No! She stood and turned her back on it, closing her eyes as she drew in a deep breath. Cinnamon and citrus tickled the back of her throat. Or was that just her imagination? Sasha pressed her fingers against her eyes. Damn it, weren’t the nanos in her chip supposed to help the cravings? Maybe the detector Jake used in The Morrissey had damaged it enough to allow her to think about using again. The Morrissey, where amber was doled out like candy at a kid’s party.
Just a little. To take the edge off.
Images flashed through her mind. Of Guy offering her the ruby necklace, a gift that would chain her to him until he decided otherwise. Of Marco, a knowing grin on his dark face as he loomed over her. Nathan, help me!
Sasha opened her eyes, her heart racing. She stood in front of the dresser, trembling hands on the cool lid of the blue marble box. Her throat ached as she swallowed.
Just a little.
She lifted the lid and stared at the dark, orange-brown lump in its velvet bed.
* * *
Sterling handed his coat to Kenneth the doorman. He felt naked without his pulser, but the stunner tucked away in an ankle holster under his pant leg was better than nothing. First lesson taught at CMA training: expect trouble and be prepared. Too bad training hadn’t prepared him for the likes of this job.
“Mr. Christiansen is waiting in his office,” Kenneth said.
No one met him in the hall, and the rooms he passed were empty. It was nearly midday. Too early for Christiansen’s friends to be up and working, if that’s what you could call it. When he’d commed the drug dealer, Sterling had asked for Sasha to attend their impromptu meeting, but Christiansen hadn’t confirmed she’d be there. How would she react to seeing him after this morning? He might find out soon enough.
Sterling rubbed his hands together and knocked. The door swung open, and Christiansen stood up from the chair at his desk. No Sasha. Sterling felt a heaviness lift from his chest. He wouldn’t have to pretend with her quite yet.
Christiansen came around, meeting Sterling in the middle of the room, and they shook hands. “Hello, Nate.”
“Hello, Mr. Chri—Guy.” They grinned at each other, both knowing that being on a first-name basis meant nothing as far as equality was concerned. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.”
“Not a problem.” He gestured for Sterling to take one of the seats in front of the desk. To Sterling’s surprise, Christiansen sat in the other one, not behind the desk. “What can I do for you?”
Sterling shifted in the chair, as if he couldn’t quite get comfortable. “I’ve been debating whether or not to come here about this but...it’s about Delhomme.”
Christiansen stilled, and his eyes narrowed. “What about him?”
“To be honest with you, I don’t like him.” That was the understatement of the year, but Sterling hoped to throw as much uncertainty between Christiansen and Delhomme as he could to distract the drug dealer from himself, Sasha and Kylie. “I know he’s your operation’s second and a trusted employee—” the drug dealer’s jaw muscles bunched, “—but the man torques me to no end.”
“How so?”
“The other night, he came up to me at your party and said something about reporting only to him. That he’d be the one running Kettrick, and I shouldn’t bother you with anything.” Sterling held his hands palm out in supplication. “Now, I know you’re a busy man, and dealing with Delhomme is like dealing with you. His word is yours, right?”