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He pulls a cell from his jacket pocket and makes a quick call, telling the person on the other end of the line we’ve arrived.
The car inches closer, the gates opening on our approach.
The property is a minor-scale version of the place we just left—manicured gardens, oozing extravagance. The only thing lacking is the heightened security. I don’t see any cameras and there are no rifle-toting assholes walking the perimeter.
“The women live here?” Luca’s scopes our surroundings, checking every angle. “Spreading their legs has to be a small price to pay for all this luxury, right?”
“No. It’s cheaper to house the women offsite.” My father releases his seat belt. “This place is rented by the night. We’re always switching up locations, both with where the assets are held and where we hold our parties.”
Chris pulls in behind another expensive SUV and cuts the engine.
“Do we get our guns back now?” I ask. “You said there aren’t any women here yet.”
“No, but there will be.” My father opens his door. “It’s best to leave the weapons where they are.”
I breathe through my anger. I fucking seethe through each breath as he climbs from the vehicle, Chris following straight after. They head for the house, waiting for us at the front door.
“I don’t like this.” Luca glances over his shoulder at me. “Something’s not right. We should call for a car and get out of here.”
I agree. If only the threat of Luther’s motives weren’t raising the hairs on the back of my neck. I have a feeling ru
We get out of the car, the doors being locked seconds after, and make our way to my father’s side.
“Everything okay?” His question is probably meant to be filled with concern, but all I hear is suspicion. He’s closing in on me. Taking stock of my reactions.
“Other than having the hangover from hell, I’m fine.” I approach the front door and pull it wide. “I still haven’t eaten. I think I’m going to have to call an early end to this clusterfuck of a meeting and come back tomorrow.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The caterers should have already stocked the fridge for tonight. There’s plenty to eat in here.” My father steps into the house and continues down the hall.
Great.
Fucking great.
Chris passes me as I continue to hold the door.
Then Luca approaches, his silent “what the fuck” loud and clear. He’s lost his patience. He lost everything back at the house with the pretty Pe
I pull the door shut behind us and follow along the hall, heading toward Chris’s laughter. A ruckus of conversation builds with each step, but it’s not my father and Chris. The other end of the discussion comes from someone else. Another man.
“Is that Robert?” Luca shoots me a glance.
I cock my head to confirm his suspicions.
I guess the asshole wasn’t tailing us after all.
“We need to leave,” Luca mutters under his breath. “This feels like a trap.”
I know it does. Unease crawls over my skin, heightening my awareness.
The laughter continues, the mumbled conversation indecipherable.
“Head back outside,” I tell him. “I’ll meet you there.”
Luca doesn’t move. He keeps watching down the hall, waiting, until the sound of a feminine whimper breeches the boisterous amusement.
“Did you hear that?” He stiffens.
“Yeah, I fucking heard it.” I jerk my head in the opposite direction. “Go. I’ll meet you outside.”
The whimper turns to a cry.
“I don’t have the restraint for this shit.” He clenches his fists. “I’m ready to—”
“Stop,” the woman begs. “Don’t.”
That voice. That tone.
Anissa.
I run, leaving Luca in my wake as I make it to the end of the hall to find her standing in the middle of the open living room, Robert’s hand clenched around her suit-covered arm.
“What’s going on?” I roar.
All eyes turn to me—my father, his men. Worst of all, Nissa.
At one time, I craved her mental torment. I wanted nothing more than to see her undiluted fear. And here it is, the horror intricately laced into her beautiful features, and the sight sickens me.
Her terror threatens to bring me to my knees.
“I said, what the fuck is going on?” I wrench my gaze from her and glare at my father as Luca closes in by my side. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“Calm down.” Luther gives me a dismissive glance.
“Calm down? You fucking stole from me.” I storm forward. “That asshole has two seconds to get his hands off my property before I—”
“Before you what?” Chris blocks my path. “What are you going to do?”
I cock my fist and launch.
I don’t think. I don’t contemplate.
I send my knuckles into that motherfucker’s nose, dropping him to the ground as I heave through panted breaths.
“That’s what I’m going to do, asshole.” I straighten my suit, trying to rein in the crazy. “If you dare to question me one more time my reaction won’t be as kind.”
“Cole,” my father warns. “Control your temper.”
How can I when Robert’s continued laughter threatens to send me postal? The son of a bitch still doesn’t see me as a threat as he slowly releases his hold on Anissa, his chest vibrating with barely contained laughter.
“You stole from me,” I repeat.
Luther sighs. “We didn’t steal anything. I told you I hoped this woman would help to cement our business agreement. That’s the only reason I asked Robert to retrieve her. I didn’t anticipate you making a childish refusal to prove yourself.”
“That’s because he’s not like us.” Chris spits blood onto the tile and glares as he climbs back to his feet. “It’s an act.”
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Luca mutters over my shoulder. “What’s he gotta do? Rape her in front of you?”
Chris pinches his bloodied nose. “Why the hell not? What’s stopping him?”
Anissa gasps, the sound of fear almost strong enough to steal my attention. But I won’t look at her again. I can’t. I’ll show my fucking hand if I stare into those eyes. They’ll see she’s my weakness, if they’re not already aware.
“I’m not a fucking dog eager to perform.” I work my fingers at my sides, preparing to make another strike. “That sounds more like your style.”
“It definitely is.” Robert waggles his brows and reaches out, ru
My breaths come short and shallow. Every second his fingers touch her opens the floodgates to my rage.
“I’m done with this. We’re leaving.” I wave a hand at Luca, instructing him to escort Anissa. I still can’t look at her. The image in my head is punishing enough. “We’re going to take the car. You can pick it up at the port.” I turn for the hall, ready to flee like the dog I claimed not to be.
“See? I told you he was a traitor,” Chris drawls. “He set you up in Portland. He knew the Feds were making a move. Who’s to say he didn’t have Richard killed, too?”
Fuck.
I freeze in place.
Today wasn’t about a business proposal.
My father is questioning my loyalty. He’s testing me—and not my perversions. His sights are set on my obedience.
“You think I betrayed you?” I turn around. “How dare—”
“Enough.” Luther straightens to his full height, becoming the threatening tyrant from my childhood. “All I asked for was a show of allegiance. A fucking sign of your commitment to the family business, and you gave me nothing. All I get from you, Cole, are the whispers from people who say you’ve turned on me.”