by Piper Stone
“What the goddamn hell would that matter to your freaking boss?”
She wagged her finger. “Oh, but there was this nasty little morality clause in my employment papers that I’d thought nothing of. How stupid of me.”
I slammed my fist on the railing, snarling under my breath. “How did Chase find out?”
“That’s what I want to know.”
What had occurred over the last month didn’t make a damn bit of sense other than the fact my father was terrified of losing everything. Damn the secrets he continued to hide.
“That’s what I was so angry about at the club the other night. Chase acted like he had something on me. I suspected it was about Dark Overture. I didn’t think he’d stoop so low as to toss my unsavory affair in my face. What is his point? What can he gain from the knowledge?”
I turned my gaze toward the ocean once again, doing everything I could to curtail my increasing anger. While Chase was a complete asshole as far as I was concerned, I knew him well enough to realize he was under the kind of pressure that could break a man. But why?
It didn’t matter. He would still face my wrath.
Before I had a chance to answer, the single ding of my phone indicated an incoming email. Grabbing my phone, I navigated to the correct application, curious as to what my father had sent me.
My father hadn’t bothered to add a tagline or any notations regarding the forwarded mail he’d sent, a single line that made my hackles raise.
The message was clear.
And chilling.
You are going to die, your entire family destroyed. Be. Afraid.
Chapter 12
Bristol
Destruction.
While I was no computer expert by any means, I would guess the address listed on the email forwarded from Houston’s father was either no longer in use or not trackable. The look on Houston’s face was cold and dark, as if the rage had furrowed deep inside of him, resurrecting a beast who’d been asleep in his lair.
A cold chill trickled down my spine, my heart racing.
“What the hell is going on?” I asked as I watched him scan the perimeter of the beach. He’d purchased a gun, for God’s sake. I was antsy, finding it difficult to focus.
“I’m not certain, but we are going to find out. I had a long chat with Riley today. It’s funny that my father neglected to tell me that Riley was in charge of the same company that’s been accused of stealing trade secrets.”
“Do you think that’s possible? Is Riley pissed enough at the lifelong treatment he’s received that he would actually threaten your father?”
He shook his head several times. “No, I don’t. The design of the computer chip was his brainchild. I doubt he’d do anything stupid to risk what he’s spent months trying to accomplish.”
“Which leaves Chase.”
“No, we’re missing a piece of this ridiculous puzzle. However, I’ve made a difficult decision and you’re not going to fight me on this.”
When he closed the distance, placing his hands on my arms and gently brushing the tips of his fingers up and down, I couldn’t help but shiver. There was so much electricity surging between us, but he’d shifted into an entirely different level of emotions.
“What?”
He cocked his head, rubbing his knuckle across my jaw. “I’m not going to risk your life to honor my father’s wishes. I’ll have the second money drop wired to your account. I want you to leave on the first flight available.”
“You’re really worried. You suddenly show up with a gun and now you want me to leave. Are you hiding something from me?” I eased my wine onto one of the new outdoor tables I’d purchased, going over everything I’d read in the contracts in my mind. There was nothing blatant, other than the one-year marriage clause. There had to be more.
“I’m not hiding anything, Bristol. I’m as confused as you are. However, until I know what’s going on, I can’t rule out that the threat made against my father’s life is real. As far as destroying the family, there are any number of methods in doing so, including taking additional lives. It’s too risky having you in the middle of this shit.”
“I’m not leaving.”
“You will do as I say.”
I pushed my palms against his chest, digging my fingers into his shirt. “You don’t have a choice.” Why didn’t I take the offer and run? What was wrong with me? Was I so attracted to him or was it about taking the risk? I didn’t have an answer.
“Then I’ll throw you out.”
“No. You won’t. I can tell you don’t want me to leave.”
“Why in God’s name would you stay? You’ve already been treated as if you’re a second-class citizen. Your life might be in danger. And for certain, my family is going to make your life miserable. Go home. Salvage your career. Enjoy your life. You get a one-time reprieve.”
I slid my hands up to his shoulders, allowing my fingers to tangle in his long strands of hair. “Does that mean you want me to go?”
He remained unblinking for several seconds then huffed in the same aggravating way he’d done since we’d met. “You’re going to do what I tell you to do.”
“Always the man in charge. Aren’t you?” I spouted. “Fine. If you really want me to leave, then tell me that’s what you want. Find some actual courage.” Every part of me was on edge. He was just as volatile as the situation we were in. I couldn’t take the back and forth. His eyes pierced deep inside, driving a stake through my heart. Why? Why did I give a damn about him when it was obvious that he didn’t give a damn about anyone else?
“Why the hell would you stay? It’s ridiculous.”
“Is it any more ridiculous than the fact you spent over two million dollars to fake a marriage?”
His face contorted, his mouth twisting out of anger and frustration. Then he fisted my hair, dragging me onto my toes as he lowered his head. “Goddamn it, woman. You are hardheaded as fuck.”
“That’s why I was handpicked for you.” I glared into his eyes, refusing to back down. “Tell me to leave with a reason. Do it.”
Seconds ticked by.
Awkward.
Horrible.
Seconds.
“No. You’re mine. All mine.”
Growling, he crushed his mouth over mine, wrapping his other arm around me. The scent of him was more intoxicating than ever, filling my nostrils, the exotic fragrance rushing into every cell. I was instantly lightheaded as I clawed at his neck, digging my nails into his skin.
The kiss was filled with desperate passion, the kind of unforgiving hunger that would never burn out. Stars floated behind my closed eyes, pulling me into a beautifully colored vacuum. As he thrust his tongue inside my mouth, I yielded to him, clinging to him as if he was a lifeline.
Or the man I was falling in love with.
There was no rhyme or reason to the insanity of the way I was feeling, and I felt blindsided by the intense emotions rolling through me. Everything about him was so powerful, the dominating man refusing to accept anything but what he wanted.
And I knew he hungered for me.
As unconventional as our relationship had started, there was no denying our connection. He was the only liquid that could quench my thirst.
Our bodies melded together, his throbbing cock pressing against my stomach. I couldn’t seem to get enough of him, swishing my tongue back and forth against his even though he controlled every move I made, including the brutal kiss.
He kept his savage hold on my hair, refusing to let me go, grinding his hips back and forth. The sensations skyrocketed, my heart racing. I wanted nothing more than to yield to his desires, to feel his thick shaft driving inside of me. The taste of him created a wave of tingles, my nipples aching as they scraped against my tee shirt.
When he finally broke the kiss, he issued a series of husky growls, the guttural sounds echoing in my ears. “Damn it, woman. I want you.”
“Then don’t push me away. I don’t deserve that.”
&
nbsp; He closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“Then we need to figure it out together.”
Sighing, he pulled away, still keeping his fingers entwined in my hair as his eyes darted back and forth. “It’s risky as hell.”
“But worth it.”
“Yes, and I can’t seem to get enough of you, but hear me. You will follow my orders. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.”
His nostrils flaring, he narrowed his eyes. “I will devour you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
“Good.” I pushed away from him with more force, able to break free then walking into the house, beckoning him with a single finger. “Then come with me. We have work to do.”
He shook his head, the look on his face carnal. “Such a damn bad girl. I’m going to have to do something about that.”
“Uh-huh. We shall see.”
“Yes, you will.”
Mine.
The word just sat there in the front lobes of my mind; the very word I’d longed to have a man say to me.
But not this way.
Concentrate. You were hired to do a damn job.
“I don’t see anything odd with the financials. In fact, they are crystal clear, although the company is struggling financially. They need new contracts, or they won’t be able to make payroll in the upcoming months.” He rubbed his eyes, hissing under his breath.
“So your father’s stock has slipped significantly, almost twenty percent in the last two months. I would say he’s desperate for a spark. Maybe that spark is you.”
Sighing, he looked away. “I’m no expert, but it’s possible he waited too long. That’s why he’s selling off assets.”
“That’s a shame. Word of mouth can damage a reputation more than almost anything. This blackmailer knew how to begin destroying your father. Unfortunately, I also can’t see a way around the fact we need to get married.” I shifted my gaze from my laptop to his face, uncertain of his expression.
“I know you don’t want to be committed to me in a formal marriage for up to a year. I certainly wouldn’t want to be.” He chuckled, although I could tell he was serious.
“There has to be a way around the clause, but we need to keep up the charade for now.” The inner voice inside of me was calling me assorted names including stupid. There was no doubt I should take Houston up on his offer and get the hell out now, but I wasn’t going to do that. Our attraction might be intense, but we were both in a precarious position. Still, I felt loyalty to him in a strange way.
Precarious. My God, the word wasn’t strong enough for whatever game was being played and I was firmly convinced someone had planned a method of derailing the entire family. Maybe I was along for the ride by accident, although I hadn’t been able to rule out the possibility that Daniel Darke wasn’t as discreet as his promises had indicated.
He chuckled as he swirled his drink, staring at me with his dark eyes, his dominant side bursting through the seams. Then he lifted his glass. “To a happy life together, my beautiful, bratty fiancée.”
I ignored his hint of arrogance, returning my attention to what limited information we’d been provided. “I need the full financial records for the entire corporation as well as copies of current contracts. Did Riley have anything to say of any importance?”
“He has knowledge of the people he considers my father’s most vicious enemies.”
The way he said the words was almost as if he no longer cared. I was too tired to argue with him, the fury of being forced to deal with Chase as well as worry about a family that wasn’t even mine exhausting. “I hope that means he’s going to provide some sort of documentation.”
“Yes. Trust me, he will,” Houston stated in his usual authoritative voice. His eyes never left me, the hunger remaining in them as he licked the rim of his glass. “If he doesn’t, I’m going to drag it out of him.” His anger remained, furrowing inside of him, simply waiting for the right moment to explode.
I forced myself to look away, pushing the computer further across the coffee table then grabbing my glass of wine.
He leaned forward, shifting his glass from one hand to the other, his heated gaze remaining. “I’m sorry. As I told you before, you don’t deserve to deal with any of this bullshit.”
“Maybe not but here we both are. We need to make a plan. You brought me here for my expertise, so you need to let me do what I was paid for.” Every time he looked at me, I quivered, but the formidable man held such anger inside. Even though the reasons were obvious, he was the damaged man he’d learned to accept. “I’m going to ask Ashley to help me make some arrangements. I guess you don’t care about the wedding.”
“You’re certain you want to do this?”
I wasn’t certain of anything except I couldn’t get my mind off the surly, gorgeous man. For all his pontificating, he’d managed to slide into my psyche, leaving me hot and breathless any time he was in close proximity.
Sadly, I was terrified that he’d already captured my heart.
“You’re not going to stop me.” I glared down at the damn weapon he’d bought, furious that he’d felt the need.
“Then so be it. Have the ceremony and the reception wherever you want.”
“Let me guess. Money is no object.” I hated the terseness in my tone, but there was nothing worse than feeling utter lack of control.
He laughed, the sound far too seductive. “Yes, spend whatever you want to make it the lavish event of the year. But you’re right. There’s nothing we can do right now. We’ll have to wait until in the morning. Then we are going to find answers. I suggest we go to dinner.”
I thought about his request then closed the lid on the computer. “How about we order in pizza? We could actually act for a little while that we’re the loving couple we pretend to be. Maybe watch an old movie?” Right. As if the man would actually say yes.
When he rose to a standing position, reaching for my almost empty wine, I shuddered all over again. “Why not?”
As he walked away, I glanced outside at the dark sky. Night had fallen, the moon merely a sliver, and from where I was sitting, I could only see a few stars. I used to take comfort in the darkness, allowing my imagination to wander to distance places. Only I hadn’t included San Diego as a location where every girl’s fantasy could come true. I pressed my fingers across my mouth, trying my best to keep from bursting into laughter.
There was certainly nothing funny about what we were going through, or about Houston’s life in general, but at this point, there was nothing left to do.
When he returned, all I had to do was glance at his rugged, gorgeous face and suddenly, there was no way of holding back the laughter.
Houston narrowed his eyes as he placed the drinks on the table, standing over me, his larger than life presence only adding to the ridiculous fit.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
Unable to answer him, I simply pressed my other hand on top of the first, the sound still managing to slip through my fingers.
His expression turned to annoyance. Just the way he placed his hands on his hips brought another round of giggles. At this point, my stomach hurt. I lay down on the sofa, pushing my face into one of the accent pillows. I could hear nothing but the raucous sounds bursting up from my throat. I closed my eyes, the laughter producing tears. It was obvious my nerves had gotten the better of me.
When I felt hands pressing against me, I yelped, still unable to stop cackling.
“You are one bad girl,” he said, the sound of his voice slipping over me like the softest Sherpa blanket. I was pulled into a lull, enjoying the way he rubbed his hands down my legs.
Then the bastard decided to tickle me.
“What?” Screeching, I tried to jerk up only to be pushed down, the weight of his massive hand pressing against my chest. I blinked several times, tears continuing to trickle down my cheeks. A moment of disbelief settled in from the sight
of his dazzling amused eyes and the way his mouth pursed in frustration.
“You heard me.” A grin popping on his face, he tickled me with the kind of ferocity that once again, I couldn’t stop laughing.
“No. No! Stop. You have to stop.” I twisted and pitched, trying everything to get him to stop including slamming my knees into his chest.
“Nice try, bad girl.” Houston refused to stop, driving me to the point of madness.
I had zero control over my muscles. None. When I managed to jerk my knees all the way to my chest, kicking out with the ferocity of a boxer, I could hear the shock in his voice.
“Fuck!”
Blinking furiously, I took gasping breaths as I stared at him. The force I’d used had pitched him away several feet. And I laughed again.
He took several deep breaths, his nostrils flaring as his beast rose to the surface. Then he pounced, managing to flip me over onto my stomach, easily wrangling with my shorts until they were pulled down to my knees. “You’re never going to learn.”
“What are you doing?”
I didn’t have to wait for the answer for long. When he brought his hand down, the cracking sound seemed so exaggerated.
“Ouch!” I yelped, although all I could feel was the remnants of stomach cramps from the tickling event. Maybe I was still in shock that this was the same man who’d been so rude and forceful the night I’d met him. Whatever the case, I had difficulty trying to convince my muscles to help me escape.
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to say. Punishments are supposed to hurt,” he proclaimed than proceeded to smack me at least a dozen times, moving from one side of my bottom to the other.
I wiggled, smashing my fists against the couch, but I knew it was no use. “I hate you.”
I heard him chuckling. “That’s what you’ve said before.” He refused to stop, bringing his hand down in rapid motions. I was lost to the actions, let alone the pain.
The sting was starting to build, becoming full blown pain, the increasing heat rushing into every cell in my body. I finally closed my eyes, taking several deep breaths then realizing just how aroused I’d become. There was no doubt he could gather a whiff of my desire and the feel of my pussy juice trickling between my legs was embarrassing. There was going to be a stain on the new couch.