Page 49 of Absolution

Thanks. I owe you.

He fired the feigned gratitude back to Kenner, although, in truth, it wasn’t fake at all. Without that address, he couldn’t get to Ella, couldn’t warn her about the impending danger. He’d been nothing but a bastard to his only child, had consistently let her down, but on this one critical point, he wouldn’t fail her.

He had to keep Ella alive.

Oh, I know.

Kenner’s reply jarred Bennett from his somber thoughts but did nothing to assuage his apprehensive mood.

Checking his watch, he slid his phone into his trouser pocket and hurried to his feet. He needed to leave to get across town to the address Kenner had sent him, and that’s all he knew. He’d figure out the rest of the plan once he got there. He didn’t have a choice.

Turning back to the vast window where he’d been standing, he noticed that the heavy clouds he’d eyed had already opened and dropped their contents over the metropolis. The dark swathe of clouds extending over theskyline looked like something out of one of those cheap horror movies his ex-lovers had made him endure.

He shook his head, pushing the unhelpful notion away. Losing his cool now wouldn’t aid him or help Ella. Reaching for his jacket, he pulled it over his shoulders and found his keys. Shoving the metal into a hip pocket, he walked quickly to the kitchen and collected the only weapon he could easily get his hands on—a long and serrated knife.

Heading back to the front door, only one thought dominated Bennett’s head.

He had to get to Ella before Collins did.

Chapter Nineteen

Invasion

Ella

She was giddy as she held him, her fingertips skimming over his hot flesh as he pumped his hot cum inside her. They should be using a condom—she knew that—and they had been careful since they’d arrived at the apartment, but somehow, the need to have him had overwhelmed their sanity. She’d taken him to his bed without so much as a thought to contraception. Her heart hammered with excitement as the low guttural groan of his pleasure escaped his throat. Squeezing her intimate muscles around his shaft, she gazed up at the man who’d changed everything.

When she’d woken up beneath the giant tree, her worst fears had been realized. Alone and afraid, she hadn’t known what to expect, but when Tucker had arrived, her anxiety had only amplified. The dark, brooding stranger had ratcheted up her dread with his short, terse sentences and frightening physicality, but when he’d tipped her over his lap and exposed her, she’d been horrified. That first night with him was easily the most traumatic of her life, yet while that had only been a short time ago, it seemed like it was an age.

She, and Tucker, were almost unrecognizable compared to the people they’d been then. Or perhaps, to be more specific, they had the same views and experiences, but their eyes had been opened to a world far beyond their own. Tuckerhad careened into her life with all the grace of a wrecking ball and demanded her attention, but once he’d helped her out of the forest, she’d found an entirely new side to him. The domineering giant had taken care of all of her needs in the apartment and relented to allow her more freedom.

Tucker had invaded her life in the best possible way, and even though she bemoaned his authoritarian approach, it was no secret that she’d come to love it. He made her feel things she’d never experienced before. He listened to her, guided her, and naturally, it helped that the sex was fantastic.

If the lingering threat of her father and whatever cronies he and Tucker had known in the past hadn’t remained, things might have been perfect. Although, as he grazed his lips over her mouth, the casual observer might never have known about their underlying apprehension. They were simply a couple entwined in love, overcome by sexual rapture.

“That’s better.” She reached for the back of his neck, running her fingertips through his hair.

“So much better,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck. “Thank you, little girl.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Her eyes fluttered closed at the intensity of his kisses. “I love this, sir.”

“And I’ll never stop being thankful for you.” He rose over her, his dark eyes large as they drilled into her. “Once this whole thing with Kenner is over, I want to take you somewhere hot and exotic and just relax.”

“Sounds good. Where did you have in mind, sir?”

“Where did you fancy going?” He slid from her and sprawled out on her right side. “I’ll happily go anywhere with you, Ella.”

“Mauritius is lovely.” It had been a while since she’d gone there, but the crystal blue waters surrounding the islands were difficult to rival. “But I agree… anywhere with you will be amazing, sir.”

He tugged her closer to his body. “We have the world at our feet, little girl, with the money to go anywhere we want.”

“I’d need to go shopping, though.” She batted her eyelashes at him, her pulse racing at the tantalizing idea. She could call Julia and arrange to meet her for moral support. It had been too long since they’d hit the high-end shopping mall they used to frequent. “I have hardly any decent summer wear.”

“I bet.” His arching eyebrow and dry tone told her he didn’t believe a word. She had more than enough clothes, and they both knew it, but he’d play along because he knew she enjoyed it. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

She snuggled closer. “I’m sleepy, sir.”

“Then, let’s sleep on it.” He leaned down to kiss her crown. “Holiday plans and shopping trips can wait. Sweet dreams, little girl.”

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