“You should be in bed.”
“I woke up and I didn’t see you. Did you have a bad dream?”
“I woke up and you were in my arms. I could’ve hurt you. I have no control over the things I do when I have those goddamn nightmares. I came out here to catch some cool air.”
“Was it the child abuser?” she whispered, not sure if that terminology was safe. Killean would refer to him by name, and whenever he did, it was always a sneer. She didn’t want to say it for all the filthy things it had attached to it. She swore if she ever met an old guy by the name of Jerry, she wouldn’t be responsible for his funeral.
He nodded reluctantly. “Come on, let’s get you back to bed.”
She went next to him to see the view. Half of New York was asleep. It was still midnight, and all she wanted to do was be in bed comforting him. Taking his hands, she led him back inside to the bed. He kissed her shoulder through the fabric of the robe.
“Get back in bed. I’ll go work.”
“Work?”
“I can’t go back to bed now. Might as well get busy.”
“We can get busy in bed,” she suggested.
There was a faint smile. “I know, but I want you to get enough sleep. Plus,” he leaned forward and whispered at her ear, “I believe you’re still sore from earlier. Go to bed and rest, love. I might be a beast, but even I have my limits.”
She nodded and slipped into bed. He pulled the sheet over her and leaned forward to press a soft kiss on her lips. That was the last thing she remembered.
***
“That’s what you are wearing?” Killean asked.
Lila turned to find him ready for work dressed in his usual white dress shirt and pants, but sexy as hell.
She pirouetted in her tight little red dress for him to see.
“You like?”
“I like it if you stay inside and wear it.”
“Killean, I’m going to the spa. It will be off for most of the day.”
“I can’t bear to think of some other man’s hands all over your body.”
“I’ll bear that in mind.” She smiled. Lila reached for her bag off the breakfast bar. “I’ll see you later, Mr. Handsome Man,” she murmured provocatively, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He slipped his arm around her and drew her close for a soft wet kiss before releasing her. His phone rang, and she saw something flicker across his eyes as he stared at the screen. Maybe it was just work. She kissed his jaw before she took her leave. She had a few hours to be pampered and trimmed.
***
Lila was glad she had the time to bond with her sister. She had that unmistakable glow of a woman in love, and after all these years, Lila was glad to see that she was settling with the man she’d always loved. They talked about their respective love lives all through their mani and pedi and massages. Killean sent her a text that she should come to see his sister, who had been beating down his door non-stop to finally have the sister-girlfriend bond. Anna seemed like a sweet girl and Lila couldn’t wait.
Lila: My massage was done by women by the way.
Killean: I will reward you when you get back, love. Let’s christen my apartment. I do remember that I owe you an orgasm from last night.
Lila laughed.
Lila: Looking forward it.
“Are you two sexting?” India asked.
“No, we’re just discussing how we’ll christen an apartment of his,” Lila replied. “Oh, and apparently in what positions also.”
India laughed. “Hot stuff. I better go lay one on Ian before he thinks we’re still fighting.”
“Fighting?’
India rolled her eyes. “Don’t ask.”
“How’s Ian?”
“He’s sweet—”
“Not like that. I mean, is he a savage in the sack?”
India’s eyes lit up with amusement. “Savage, little sister?”
Lila blushed. “Well, Killean, he’s insatiable.”
“One could tell. He looks sexy as hell and so virile.” She shuddered. “Sorry, but even saying that about him sounds bad.”
“I know the feeling.”
“Killean’s hot and passionate and intense and…oh, there are so many things,” Lila breathed.
India bit her lip. “I definitely need to see Ian. If he’s at work, we’ll have to do it on the desk. I’ve missed him.”
They hugged before they went off to their respective cars.
***
Lila had never imagined how vast Killean’s wealth was. The business world referred to it as the modern day Roman Empire in their columns. Perhaps through his eyes, New York was just a tiny spot on the map. Maybe it motivated him in a way. She sighed as she read the bold headline:
NEW YORK TYCOON KILLEAN KNIGHT RUTHLESS ON WALL STREET.
She parked at the curb of the building at the address Killean had sent, a billion-dollar investment from the looks of it. Killean was a pro when it came to luxury apartment complexes. It was just one o’clock. Apparently, all his siblings would be there for the lunch. Killean was sitting in the lobby on the phone. Lila waved to him as she went across the street for a grand latte.
At least she would be hyperactive for whatever Killean’s mom had planned. She was still nervous about meeting his entire family. Would they like her? Lila was biting into her blueberry muffin with her drink when she walked into the lobby. She didn’t know how long she had been gone, but Killean wasn’t in the lobby. Lila was shown to the elevator by a woman who worked there. But as she climbed out of the elevator into the lobby of his apartment, she came to a stop. Security was everywhere, speaking through walkie-talkies.
“What’s going on?” she asked her companion.
“I’m not sure,” she said, looking equally puzzled by the frenzy in the lobby.
Lila edged closer to the open door of the apartment when a hand came down on her shoulder.
“Miss Montgomery?”
“Yes?”
She turned to see a tall monster of a man hovering over her.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but you can’t go in there.”
“My boyfriend—”
“I know. The order came from him.”
Lila frowned. “What’s going on?”
What were they not telling her? Had something happened to Killean in the short time she’d been gone? Suddenly she felt numb as she thought about the possibilities. She sprinted through the door.
“Ma’am!”
Her heels hindered her progress, but she was quick enough. Her palms were sweaty and her heart weak in her chest. Lila stopped in the living area. The big security guy had caught up on her.
“Where is he?”
“You can’t—”
This time she shouted.
“He’s in the bedroom.”
She took quick strides and found the bedroom and him. He was just standing there, his back rigid, his hands balled into tight fists.
“Killean?”
He didn’t turn.
“Is everything al—”
Killean turned, and the expression on his face was…there was nothing but a void. She came to a sudden stop. Holy fuck! That’s when she saw it.
There was blood everywhere. Her eyes wandered to the king size bed where a woman lay with the sheets at her waist and her arms outstretched, her eyes half-open. Blood seeped out of long red slits on her wrist. There was a cuff on her other wrist linked to the iron bars of the headboard.
“Sir, they’re here,” a voice behind them said.
“I told you specifically not to let her in here,” Killean snapped.
It was then that she noticed another thing. Lila gasped and clamped her hand over her mouth when she realized that it was the mystery blonde from reception. The food she had consumed earlier threatened to crawl its way up her throat.
“Come,” Killean snapped.
“She’s breathing!”
Killean froze. “What?”
“She has a pulse.”
&
nbsp; “She’s dead.”
“No!”
Somebody pushed past her to check. The big security glanced back at them. “It’s true. But she didn’t have one when I checked.” He lifted the radio to his lips. “Send them up with a gurney, not a body bag!”
Killean grabbed Lila’s arm. Her legs were too weak for her to protest, and she went along with him.
“Killean, do you know who’s responsible for doing that to her?”
Gone was the man she used to know. He was replaced with a stranger who was glaring at her as though he didn’t know her.
“I saw her at Knight Tower some nights ago. That’s Marisa.”
Killean didn’t say anything. He ushered her into the elevator, and they rode down in silence. He kept to his side, and she kept to hers. It was only when they reached the ground floor that she heard Killean say, “Mr. Garcia, thank you for coming.”
Lila followed his gaze to see Aiden sitting in the sofa of the lobby. He got to his feet.
“Aiden?”
“Hey,” he said, his expression deadpan. “Come.”
He didn’t even blink as the NYPD cars pulled up outside the building. Killean turned to someone.
“Let’s not make it worse. Transfer the occupants from the top floor to one of my hotels nearby,” he said. “And send out a report that this is not a crime scene.” He turned back to Aiden. “Take care of her. I don’t want her anywhere near this.”
“You know I will.”
Lila’s temper flared.
“Hey! I’ve a say in this too, you know!”
Killean’s cold glare made her flinch.
“Come on, Lila,” Aiden bade. “Now’s not the time to throw a tantrum.”
She threw a murderous glare at him. “Since when are you on his side?”
“It’s not about sides here.”
Aiden took her wrists and guided her through the lines of cars and spectators. Lila’s steps faltered. Across the street stood the woman she had seen with Russell outside of the tower a few nights ago.
For a moment their eyes met and the woman stared back at her impassively. She was dressed in heels and a black coat, her hair blowing out ominously with the wind. Aiden’s voice pulled her back to reality, and when she turned to look across the street she was gone.
***
“Come on, you have to eat something.”
There was a woman fighting for her life in Killean’s apartment, in his bed, and Aiden wanted her to eat. Did he not see the severity of the situation? How could she eat? Her hands were shaking.
“I’m not hungry.”
“Says who?”
After seeing all that blood, she felt sick. It constantly flashed through her mind.
“Says me. Aiden, there’s a naked woman in that bed. Hanging on for dear life.”
“He told me over the phone.”
“Are you two buddies now?”
He didn’t say anything. Instead he picked up the remote, and it came on the news channel. She jumped off the couch, and he quickly skipped the channel from the news broadcast. Killean had been trying to contain the situation when she left, but everything had escalated too fast before his money could talk.
“Bad idea,” he murmured and went onto the Food Channel.
“Put it back!”
“No.”
Less than an hour later, her phone was blowing up with calls from India, her parents, and even Katherine. She couldn’t take any, not until she heard from Killean. She told Aiden to take her to the penthouse. He stayed with her, admiring the line of artwork gracing the walls.
“I must admit, he has great taste.”
“He’s a connoisseur of many things,” she whispered. “Wine and beautiful women.”
Aiden grinned. “Relax, Lila, you’ll get your answers.”
They heard the elevator in the foyer open. It must be Killean. Lila sprang from the chair only to see India marching in.
“Lila? You’re here. I couldn’t get hold of you all day. They didn’t want to tell you that Killean was being interrogated. Don’t be so surprised. He’s cooperating with the police as much as he can.”
“I couldn’t take your calls.”
“I left him in the lobby with Katherine Hunt. She accompanied him to the station.”
Her words killed something inside Lila.
“What?” she croaked.
India’s smile was guilty. “Don’t kill the messenger,” she squeaked.
“And he sent me home, how nice.”
“Don’t. He told me that he didn’t want to trouble you with all this.”
Lila led her to the living area, and they sat there for almost another hour or three. Time wasn’t important now. Lila was just worried about Killean. The police would think he did it until Marisa woke up to tell her side of the story. If she woke up, that was. All that blood…she could have died on her way to the hospital.
The ping of the elevator caught their attention. Lila was in the foyer before anybody else.
“Killean?”
She moved toward him, and he took her into his arms.
“I’m sorry, love. I just didn’t want you involved. You don’t know these people. They’ll drive you insane.”
“I know.”
He kissed her hair tenderly. “Thanks for keeping her occupied,” he said to Aiden.
“My pleasure. Come on, India. They need to be alone right now.”
India took Aiden’s arm and made their way to the elevator. Lila clung to Killean a while longer, breathing in his scent.
“I don’t understand. What did they want at the station? What did they ask?”
“Lila, could I tell you about it later? I’m tired. Today is just a big confusion.”
“Yes, sure.”
She took him to the bedroom and helped undress him.
“What did you do today?”
“Sit mostly,” she whispered.
She noticed how aged and depressed he looked.
“I didn’t know who else to call.”
“Aiden is my best man, you know that. I trust him with my life.” She had his shirt off. “I was shocked, and I would have tried to get answers which you couldn’t give to me this afternoon.”
She reached down to pull his fly.
“I’m sorry our day was ruined.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Killean. It’s not your fault.”
He leaned into her, burying his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent.
“Just stay, keep me company,” he murmured against her skin.
“I intend to.”
***
Lila tossed away the newspaper before Killean could see it. He deserved a quiet, stress-free breakfast after yesterday’s ordeal. His housekeeper, Martha, had called last night to ask about him while he was asleep. And even the lousy reporters kept bothering his lines until she requested the lines be cut. Only important callers would be put through.
“Would you like breakfast?” she asked.
She looked at his green eyes twinkling in that warm familiar way she loved. He then took her arms and drew her into his body, sealing their lips. She held onto his shoulders for support.
“I was aching to do that all morning.” He brushed his lips against her once more.
He dropped a line of kisses up her collar bone. Her nails sank into his back as he nipped her neck.
“Hmm. I would have thought sex was the last thing on your mind.”
“I like sex, yes, with you.”
“I made you breakfast.”
“I know.” His voice was seductively lazy as he kissed her jaw. “But I’d rather have you for breakfast instead.”
“Killean, what happened to Marisa? Is she all right? I just want to know.”
“She’s at the hospital in critical condition. I have to go see her when the doctor calls.”
“Can I come?”
“I wouldn’t advise you to, but you can accompany me. I want you close when I do this.”
&nbs
p; It was just nine o’clock when they arrived at the hospital. Lila had no idea what she was in for. It seemed she was more frightened than Killean. But it wasn’t until she reached the private room where Marisa was that she actually saw how shaken he was. He stood in the middle of the doorway staring at her in the bed. Her wrist was bandaged, but Lila could see that blood had seeped through. There was also another bandage around her head. There were bruises all over her face. Lila risked a glance at Killean.
He went to the bed and stood staring down at her with a mix of emotion in his eyes. He seemed shocked, like he wasn’t ready to believe that she was really there. Then Lila held her breath as he reached out slowly and touched her head gingerly. His fingers traced the bruises marring her cheek and forehead.
He murmured something that sounded like, “My fault,” but she wasn’t sure.
“Mr. Knight?”
Killean drew his hand away and glanced over her shoulder.
A doctor strode in. “I was wondering when someone would come check in on her. She had a pretty rough night.”
Killean frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She was hit across the head pretty hard, but not hard enough to cause any severe damage. I was surprised that she lived with those deep wounds in her flesh. Whoever did this to her wanted her dead. And a sick psycho too, from the looks of it.”
Killean closed his eyes for a moment, and when they opened, they were deadly. He looked down at Marisa, then against the wall.
“There’s something I must do,” he murmured, looking back at her.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Knight. She’ll have a fast recovery.”
He nodded. “I just hope there aren’t any further complications.”
His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out to see. A frown came, and he glanced at Lila, then back at the screen. Maybe it was someone calling to find out about the incident. Poor Genevieve, she must be so worried.
“Killean, have you called your mother?” Lila asked when they sat in the chairs outside the room.
Wicked Dirty Games (Dirty Billionaire Series Book 1) Page 21