Page 50 of The Enforcer

Her face was shimmering from the bolts of luminous light, a light haze of perspiration dotting her forehead. She was exquisite in the way she handled the dance floor. Also in the way she maneuvered me. That was also a first, no other woman daring to attempt gaining any level of control around me.

When I brought her back to a standing position, our lips were almost touching. I cupped the back of her head, holding her in place. Her breathing was ragged, her long fingers clutching around my shirt.

“I said before. This isn’t a good idea. I don’t want to get hurt.”

“And I told you before. I’m not going to hurt you.” I didn’t give her time to object, capturing her mouth. I’d done so several times before, but this time, the moment was bittersweet. I felt her resolve kicking in and the tension in her body increasing.

I crushed my lips against hers, immediately thrusting my tongue inside. I craved more than just the kind of taste I could afford inside the club. I knew our picture was being taken, but this was a worthwhile risk.

But the moment was broken when I felt a presence behind me.

My reaction was typical. I broke the kiss, immediately reaching for the weapon I had stored in a shoulder holster.

“We need to get you out of here,” Elias said harshly.

“What’s going on?”

“There’s been a report President Marino was shot on the way to the club. It’s not safe here.”

I usually didn’t accept advice from anyone. I’d been a hardhead all my life, but I trusted Elias and his instincts. When he insisted there was impending danger, I listened.

“We’re leaving, Valencia.” I gripped her arm, refusing to provide an option. I wouldn’t risk her becoming a target because of her association with me.

“What’s happening?” As expected, she tried to jerk it away, but my hold was too tight.

“There’s nothing to worry about. A change in venue.”

“I don’t believe you.” She tried once again and I could hear the tremor of fear in her voice. This was the last thing I’d wanted to happen.

Very quickly I lowered my head, whispering in her ear, “Don’t fight me on this.”

“Okay. Fine.”

I led her through the club, Luca in front and Elias remaining close behind us. The limousine was already double parked in front of the club. After getting her inside, I scanned both sides of the street.

“Make certain no one at the club is hurt,” I told Elias. As head of my security team, he was responsible for placement of the soldiers.

“Already on it. A few men are on your place as well until we know what we’re dealing with. Where are we taking the girl?”

“My place. The hotel is too risky.” I slid inside, Elias immediately closing the door.

As the driver pulled away, she turned toward me. “We’re going to the hotel?”

“It’s too dangerous to take you back there now that you’re known as spending time with me. We’re going to my villa.”

“My God. Did you plan this? What if I say no?”

“I did not plan this and I’m sorry, Valencia. But you don’t have a choice.”

CHAPTER 14

Valencia

“You can’t keep me as your prisoner.” I wasn’t certain why I was even uttering the words. I doubted he was listening to me. He’d been on his phone since waltzing me into his villa. How entirely different it felt than the night before. The fairytale had just exploded into a nightmare and I had no clue who the villain was.

All I knew was that I had to get away from Christos before I found it impossible to do so.

I was standing outside, realizing that the incredible garden space with the amazing view of Milan felt like a prison as did the rest of the house. There were small trees in massive pots and flowers hanging everywhere that I hadn’t seen the night before, yet the solid stone wall with no access anywhere but inside the house was suffocating.

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