Page 7 of The Hermit

After a few torturous minutes, I’m tugged away from his shoulder, and when my feet touch gravel, my body collapses against his muscled one.

The scent of his cologne hits my face. Something fresh, laced with spices and woods, blends with his sweat. It’s easily the most enticing scent I’ve ever smelled, and I’ll never forget it.

He moves, his chest pressing into me as he opens a car door, and I notice the top of my head doesn’t even reach his jaw.

He’s tall, strong, and… mysterious, dangerous, courageous. God, the list is endless. He’s super-human.

I’m shoved into a passenger seat before the door’s slammed shut. As my eyes follow his dark figure around the front of the car, I wonder who he is.

He yanks the driver’s door open, and as he slides behind the steering wheel, I feel a weird sense of safety.

I feel completely safe with this stranger.

When he starts the engine, my head falls back against the headrest. I stare at the visible part of his face, his eyebrows dark blond and his eyes piercing blue.

Like ice.

My eyelashes begin to grow too heavy to keep open, and as they slowly close, I see tiny lines peeking from beneath the bandana.

“Thank you,” I manage to whisper right before I lose consciousness.

Chapter 3

DOMINIK

Following Devlin through the foyer of his mansion, which is situated on the outskirts of Dublin, movement catches my eye. I notice his younger daughter standing at the top of the staircase, her eyes tracking us.

Unlike her older sister, she has ginger hair.

My thoughts turn to Grace, who was immediately taken to the hospital after I delivered her to her father last night.

I haven’t bothered asking how she’s doing. I did my part in saving the woman, and now it’s time for Devlin to do his part.

We walk into his office, and when he gestures at a chair, I unbutton my suit jacket and take a seat.

“I know I’ve already said it, but thank you for saving Grace. Luckily, nothing is broken, and she’s in her bedroom recovering,” he gives me the unnecessary information as he sits down behind the desk. His eyes lock with mine before he continues, “The bratva is becoming a problem we can’t ignore.”

“I know,” I mutter. I relax back in the brown leather armchair, and for a long moment, I stare at my business associate.

We’re in the same line of business, and instead of working against each other, we’ve learned to co-exist. He controls the market for small arms and machine guns while I deal in explosives.

When he called to let me know the bratva took one of his daughters, I didn’t have much of a choice but to help. Luckily, I was in London for a deal with a new client, or else I wouldn’t have made it in time.

The last thing I need is Devlin selling missiles to my enemy.

And I’d hate to kill Devlin. An ally is difficult to come by in our world.

He lets out a sigh then asks, “What do you want for saving Grace?”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “Fifty percent.”

If I own fifty percent of Devlin’s business, I’ll control the weapons market for the entire world. It will make me an untouchable God.

His eyes widen for a moment before he schools his expression then he shakes his head. “You’re insane.”

I shrug. “Maybe I am, but that’s what I want.”

“Jesus, Dominik,” he grumbles. He stares at me for a moment, then shakes his head again. “Fifty percent of my business is not an option.”

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