Page 88 of Lord of Vengeance

She’d surrendered to me body and soul, but it was the last few seconds before she’d fallen asleep that had captured my attention.

Her words of love.

They remained etched in the front of my mind much like those of my brother’s, his insistence that I was a good man still causing me to chuckle. Love wasn’t the best thing for either one of us, but the steady ache in my heart was a clear indication that I felt the same way.

Admitting it was something else altogether.

I’d stayed in the chair near the bed for almost two hours before finally pulling myself to my feet, dressing as the last vestiges of burnished sun cascaded through the open window. Now I stood barefoot in the sand in front of the house with a drink in my hand, ignoring the sense of urgency I had to determine the perpetrator of the attacks.

How many notes had I written, scribbling them on paper like some crazed madman? There were too many players and not enough information to come to a conclusion.

However, Dante had done as I’d asked, setting up the meeting with Emmanuel. I wasn’t entirely positive meeting with him would prove to be anything but dangerous, but at this point, it was necessary. While there were dozens of questions running through my mind, one in particular would need an answer soon enough.

How in God’s name could I protect the woman I was… I laughed softly to myself as I curled my toes in the sand, feeling a presence only seconds later. When I turned around, the bright moonlight allowed me to see the face of the beautiful woman I’d fucked only a couple of hours before. She’d donned one of the dresses I’d had purchased for her, the light breeze blowing through her hair allowing a wafting of her perfume to flow into my nostrils.

I walked closer just as she was doing. When she was only a few inches away, I took a deep and very exaggerated breath.

“When a powerful man stares at the ocean, it’s obvious he’s looking for answers,” she said in a tempting voice that left me with a taste of surprise.

“It would seem you know me too well.”

“Unfortunately, as beautiful as it is here, I doubt you’re going to find what you’re looking for. That could take a miracle.”

I had to chuckle from her hint of disdain. “Ah, but as you’ve done before, you underestimate me. I assure you I’ll solve this ruthless riddle.”

“Only with my help.” The shadows couldn’t hide the onceover she gave me as she inched closer.

“I’m not risking your life again.”

“You may have no choice. I don’t take no for an answer.”

I breathed in the lingering scent of our heated passion, the hunger building to a dangerous level all over again. “You forget, my sweet, innocent flower. I’m in charge.”

“We shall see. When I woke you were gone.” Her voice was tinged with seduction, which surprised me.

“I wanted you to get your rest.”

“That didn’t stop you before. Did it?”

I laughed at the truthfulness of her words. “No, you’re right.”

She took the glass from my hand, allowing our fingers to touch and to linger. As had occurred so many times before, the spark of electricity was significant, so much so my cock immediately rose to full attention. Everything about her was seductive, including the way she licked the rim of the glass before taking a sip. She even closed her eyes when doing so, making the simple action seem that much more provocative.

“You’re very disarming, Diego, which surprises me more than I believed possible.”

“Is that a good thing?”

After returning the glass to my hand, she glanced toward the water. “The jury isn’t out yet. You also create an uneasiness inside me, the longing to be close to something I can’t tolerate or want. Women are objects, possessions to you.”

“Is that what you really think?”

“That’s what I know about you. Sadly, I feel sorry for you as well.”

I laughed, although the sound was extremely bitter, more so than usual. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I’ve lived a full and rich life, although you’re right that I haven’t enjoyed a significant portion of it. I think a part of me died from not having a mother, although it certainly didn’t seem to matter to my father. I hid behind a mask of steel, a plate of armor to protect what was left of my heart. I hope that’s something you can understand.”

“What happened?”

“She was banished because she loved someone else.”

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