The wide green lawn leading to the gates was nearly black by night. The lowering skies were dark and heavy with rain clouds. Blood pounded in Emery’s ears as he ran. Flashes of memory blasted him like lightning strikes, but he shielded himself with the image of Sophie. She could be hurt, or have become ill from the weather and the chill. A thousand worries and fears sliced him again and again as he sprinted toward the gates.
Where was she?
“Sophie! Where are you?” His eyes sank into the darkness, seeking any sign of her. Sophie!” he bellowed.
Something near the gates moved. A trembling ball shifted, revealing bare arms and legs.
“Emery?” The sound of her voice, the frightened trill, knifed his heart. “The gates were locked…I couldn’t leave. I’m sorry.”
“Sophie. Oh thank God.”
He fought off a wave of self-revulsion when she shied away from him. She looked like a half-drowned kitten, shaky and wet. Emery knelt and wrapped his arms behind her back and under her knees. She wasn’t light, but she wasn’t heavy either. A perfect weight. He hugged her close to his chest, dropping his chin over her head to keep her face tucked into the groove of his neck. Once she was secure in his arms, he started the long walk back to the mansion. He fought off the panic of being outdoors without Hans beside him.
“You came for me.” Sophie’s breath warmed his skin. Her hands curled into fists, clenching and unclenching. He quickened his steps, anxious to get her inside.
“Of course.” His reply was gruff. He wasn’t one for eloquent speeches. He didn’t wish to remind her it was his fault she was out there. Guilt stirred restlessly in him, slithering beneath his skin like a poisonous snake. He didn’t want to feel responsible for her, but he’d let her come and had agreed to be a dominant in some fashion toward her. She was his responsibility whether he wished to accept it or not.
Of course I’d come for you. No matter where, or how far. You’re mine. The thought was oddly right, the need to connect with someone whose way of life, way of thinking was so opposite his own. He was a recluse with secrets wanting to bed a determined reporter…dangerous, yet inevitable. Emery was forced to acknowledge that he and Sophie were an inevitable disaster.
***
Antonio D’Angelo stood just inside the gates of Lockwood Estate, his lean muscular frame hidden by a massive oak. His eyes locked on the sight of Emery carrying the woman.
Almost had him. Antonio had been ready to finish what he’d started twenty-five years ago. He’d kill Emery and have everything he’d ever wanted. But it was a hard thing to get inside the gates, let alone into Emery’s house. The man kept an almost religiously perfect schedule of alarms, passwords, and codes. No servants stayed in the house overnight and those that came during the day couldn’t be bought off easily.
The wireless bug he’d planted in the office of Emery’s resident hacker provided Antonio with a constant stream of information. He knew each new passcode the second Emery did. Tonight would have been perfect; the thunder would have covered the sound of his gunshots. But the girl had ruined it. The plan had been flawless: he’d managed to bribe a maid to reinstall the working pieces of the clock to make sure it chimed. Emery would have had a breakdown and Antonio would have gotten to him while the bodyguard was out. If it hadn’t been for the woman…There couldn’t be witnesses. He would have to take care of her, too. She’d been dead the moment she’d gone home with Emery. Antonio would not let her live once he’d handled his true target.
A sly smile stretched his lips. He could kill Emery and the girl together and make it look like a lovers’ quarrel.
But he would not kill them tonight. His clothes were soaked clear through, and he had important matters to see to tomorrow. He slipped his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number. When Antonio heard the click on the line, he knew his master was listening.
“I missed tonight. A girl got in the way.”
There was silence save for the faint sounds of someone breathing.
“But I have an idea,” Antonio added hastily.
Finally the other voice spoke. It was rich and cultured. “Good. I like ideas. See that it’s done.” With that the line disconnected.
He pocketed the phone, entered the new code for the front gate and slipped out, cloaked in storms and shadows.
***
Emery was never so happy to see Hans and Cody as when they were waiting by the door to help him. Hans took Sophie from him so Emery could catch his breath after the mile-long walk. Cody held out a fleece blanket and helped Hans wrap it around Sophie’s shaking shoulders.
“Where was she?” Hans asked in a low voice.
“By the gate.” Emery waved a hand, indicating the other men should go upstairs. “I’ll put her in my room on the bed. Hans, run her a bath. Cody, fix some hot tea. Put honey in it.”
Hans climbed the stairs and walked down the corridor ahead of Emery. When they reached Emery’s room, Hans laid Sophie down on the massive bed. Her wet pajamas bled rainwater onto the comforter, but Emery didn’t care. She curled up in a ball beneath the fleece blanket still wrapped around her. Emery paused in the doorway of the bathroom to look back at her. She faced him, eyes half-closed, and nuzzled the comforter like an exhausted kitten. Hans patted her on the back and nodded at Emery.
“I’ll do a perimeter check and head in for the night. Call if you need me.”
“Thank you, Hans.”
Once Emery was alone with Sophie, he left the bedroom and entered the bathroom. A massive porcelain tub was embedded into the wall. He plugged the drain and turned the polished taps, lingering a moment to test the temperature before he poured in several tablespoons of bubble bath. He’d never had occasion to use it but was thankful he had some on hand. Sophie would want to hide her body beneath the bubbles and he’d let her. For now.
When he returned to his bedroom Sophie’s eyes were closed, her hands curled into loose fists tucked close to her chin. He pulled the blanket back from her face and she shivered and opened her eyes.
