Page 75 of Vicious Seduction

He dipped his chin. “You never could have protected her from what happened because it was simply horrible, horrible luck.”

“But … what did happen to her?”

“I didn’t find out Wellington’s son had been responsible until after he’d already been killed, so I couldn’t ask him what he’d done to her. But he was a twisted fuck, Lina. I’d say the fact that she’s never been found gives you your answer.” He spoke in a tone saturated with sorrow. It hurt him to say it almost as much as it hurt for me to hear.

My brain grappled with everything he’d unloaded, desperately trying to process it all. Lawrence’s son, who was now dead, had most likely killed Amelie. It hadn’t been Lawrence.

“But surely, he knew,” I blurted. “It was his house. Lawrence had to have known what his son was doing.”

“He did, but he didn’t care.”

“If you’ve investigated it all, then surely you have enough evidence to have him arrested.” I stood, outrage giving me new strength. “I’ve seen how loyal your connections are in law enforcement. Surely, you didn’t just turn a blind eye to Wellington’s involvement.”

Oran stood, his hands raised placatingly. “That’s why I’mhere, Lina. That’s where the connection lies—why it isn’t all pure coincidence. I joined Olympus to make him pay in a way that he’d feel it. Some drawn-out lawsuit or even death was too easy for Lawrence Wellington.”

Oran picked up the remote from the table and turned on the television to a news channel showing video of a giant chemical spill in the ocean trailing from a large ship. The program then showed an image taken from far up in the sky of enormous container ships dotting the sea just beyond where a green ship sat sideways in a narrow canal.

“What is this?”

“This is Lawrence Wellington’s demise. His shipping company will be bankrupt soon. His assets have been frozen, and his passport revoked. And news of the Russian woman tortured in his home will be leaked later tonight. He will be a social pariah in a matter of hours. No money. No power. No options. It was the only thing that would truly hurt him the way he deserved.”

I looked back at Oran, tears brimming in my eyes. “You did this?”

A single nod. “All of it. I only joined Olympus to get at him, as I told you. And stealing you from him was supposed to be just another piece of my plan.”

Those tears tumbled down my cheeks. Oran had done it all to avenge my sister and the others Lawrence had hurt. I was so incredibly grateful, but that meant … he did have an ulterior motive for dating me. None of it was real, just as I suspected. My gaze darted to the floor, and I wiped hurriedly at my wet cheeks. “Of course, I understand,” I said quickly.

He shot to his feet. “No, youdon’tunderstand. I nearly lost my mind seeing you with him. I couldn’t figure out why you’d subject yourself to any of those people at that fucking club. I told myself that forcing you away from him was partof the plan, and that’s why I couldn’t quit pursuing you. But men like Wellington only care about power. If I’d been honest with myself, it was obvious that putting a ring on your finger had fuck all to do with him.”

“Oh,” I breathed, air suddenly in short supply.

“I know I’m technically still married, but I don’t give a fuck. You’re the one who’s supposed to share my name. You’re the one I should be calling my wife. You’remine, Lina Schultze. You have been from the minute I laid eyes on you.That’swhat you don’t understand.”

My tongue swept over my suddenly parched lips, my head spinning from such a chaotic swing of emotions. “I think I’m starting to get it.”

Oran closed the distance between us. “Good.” He held out his hand to help me to my feet. “Because there’s only one place this belongs—” He fished the engagement ring from his pocket and put it back on my finger. “The next time you get the slightest inkling you might want to take that off, you come talk to me first, and we’ll sort through it. You get me?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but I’m not used to relying on someone, Oran. It might take a little getting used to.” I hated that I’d been conditioned not to trust and that it could push away someone as devoted as Oran. I didn’t want to lose him.

“That’s why I’m going to spend every goddamn day proving to you that I’m worth the risk.”

We flew together in the same instant in a devastating kiss filled with a world of hopes and promises. I couldn’t get enough of him. Of his taste and touch. His commanding perseverance and unquestionable loyalty to those he loved. I wanted to burrow deep in his soul where I could feel safe and cherished forever.

Oran swept my legs up bridal style and carried me to thebedroom. We never stopped kissing. Couldn’t. I was starving for him, and he was well on his way to owning me.

The second my feet touched the floor in the bedroom, we both began to strip like we couldn’t get naked fast enough. Like every scrap of fabric was a loathsome barrier between us that had to be eliminated.

Once we were completely bare, I feasted on the sight of him. His mature, muscled physique called to a primal side of me that demanded a partner able to annihilate any challengers. Someone whose confidence showed in their every movement. Oran didn’t need a title to be a king. The role was implied in every nuance of his being. I wasn’t sure I could ever be worthy of such a man, but I wanted to try.

My gaze lowered to his cock when he took it in his hand and lazily stroked himself. “You aren’t still sore, are you?”

I shook my head, transfixed, then went to him and dropped to my knees. I tried to take his engorged cock in my hands, wanting to taste him, but Oran took my hands in his instead and brought me back to my feet.

“Not tonight, little warrior. Tonight, we’re equals.” He pulled me into a kiss with his hand cupping the back of my head and his words cradling my heart.

After Oran guided me to the bed, we did something so magical together that it could only have been called one thing—we made love. It was a first for me. I’d never experienced anything like it—to be equals but still reverent of one another. And the emotions entangled with the physical? It was beyond intoxicating.

I was utterly addicted.

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