Page 38 of Filthy Desire

KARA

One thing Kara could say with certainty - an evening with Gio was never dull.

She had anticipated fine food and wine, an argument (or two) about their partnership and maybe another round of hot fucking.

But she had not anticipated the drama that had unfolded before her.

Should she tell Gio that she was the one who set off the sprinklers? It was a simple distraction, but it worked. No, for now, she’d keep that to herself. She’d already proven that she could work with Gio.

But in case he tried to change his mind, she had ammunition.

Funny thing was, she would have helped him anyway. The thrill of watching Gio in action tonight made Kara realize that even if he didn’t want to partner with her, she wanted him. He was the most fascinating man she’d ever met. Did he scare her? Sometimes.

But he made her feel alive, like she was the most powerful woman in the world. Someone like that was worth holding on to. But would he want to hold on to her? The fact that she was still here, by his side, said everything.

Without telling him, she’d cancelled his escort.

From now on, the only woman Gio would be needing was her.

As they whizzed over the bridge and into Brooklyn, Kara felt something or rather, someone’s hand on her leg. But it wasn’t Gio.

“You’re in my car, with my woman, Alek. Hands off!” Gio roared.

Alek withdrew his hand and smiled at her. His crooked grin did nothing for her. She felt only irritation.

“Christ, it’s bad enough you bring this fucking trouble to my door in public. I should push you out of the car right fucking now and let you walk home to Chicago. Touching what’s mine.”

Kara shivered at Gio’s possessive tone.

Was it bad that she enjoyed it? Yes, but it felt so damn good.

For years she’d been numb. Years without family, a family that had abandoned her, had hardened her heart. And the lack of friends and intimate partners only more so. The only two she felt anything for were her friends, Tiko and Ray. They were like the brothers she’d wished she had.

But Gio? Gio was the lover she’d never dared dream about.

Suddenly, her heart was full and aching. Beating so fast and hard, but not from fear, not from what just happened in the restaurant. Or from what she was about to witness next.

It was the realization that her life would never be the same.

She barely had time to register her shock when they pulled up to an industrial building on a quiet street, no cars, or people in sight.

Gio gripped her arm. “Wait here.”

He slipped out of the vehicle with Alek and Roman as they unloaded Vincent from the back.

Never one to do as she was told (except in the bedroom), Kara joined them.

Gio caught her eyes and shook his head.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She shrugged her shoulders and followed them as they entered a run-down warehouse, filled with nothing but broken glass, rotting wood, and the smell of dampness.

Despite the lack of light, Gio and Roman moved quickly, obviously knowing the lay of the building.

Down two flights of rickety stairs that creaked ominously with every step, they deposited Vincent on the concrete floor. Kara noticed several large metal hooks in the ceiling, and stainless steel tables every few feet. Was this a former slaughterhouse?

“Last chance,” Gio murmured.

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