And yet… he was keeping secrets. Said strange things. Threatened total strangers for the simple act of talking to her.
As they sat in companionable silence, Raven studied him, wondering what to ask, where to start. “You’re hiding something from me.”
He took a sip of his wine, watching her over the rim of his glass. “Am I?”
“Yes.”
He set the glass down. “And what do you think I’m hiding?”
She leaned forward. “Who you are. What you do. Everything about you is a mystery.”
Vector smirked. “Ask me what you want to know.”
“Who are you?”
“Vector Draquonir, brother to Ryker Draquonir.”
Ryker… Holy shit. “The Italian billionaire?”
“One and the same.”
“Okay.” That explained the private jet, the shopping, but not the chains, the dungeon, or how he’d ended up nearly dead on the side of those cliffs. “What do you do? What’s your profession?”
“I take care of family business.”
Her stomach flipped. She’d heard that before. “That’s not a real answer. That’ something a criminal would say.”
He exhaled, swirling his wine. “You think I’m part of some crime syndicate?”
She arched a brow. “Aren’t you?”
He chuckled. “No, Raven. I’m not.”
She searched his face. Believed him. “Then tell me what you’re hiding from me. I don’t understand any of this. Why I’m here. Why you want me.”
He hesitated. “I can’t. Not yet.”
Frustration curled in her gut. “Why not?”
His expression turned serious. “Because some truths are dangerous.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his, his touch instantly making her toes curl and her heart race. “Please, Raven. Trust me. Give me a little more time. I will tell you everything. I promise.”
Dammit. When he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered, she could deny him nothing.
“Two days.”
“Very well. Two days.” Forty-eight hours to woo and seduce her, win her heart and soul, make her love him.
Two days…Inside him, dragon began keeping time.
By the timethey stepped outside, the city buzzed around them, neon lights flickering off the sleek black car waiting at the curb. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain and pavement, blending with the lingering richness of wine and spice from the restaurant. Vector’s hand rested at the small of her back, firm, guiding, claiming.
The drive was silent, charged. Raven could still feel the imprint of his touch on her thigh, the possessiveness in the way he had dismissed the other man so effortlessly. She should have been annoyed. She should have wanted to push back. But instead, warmth curled in her belly,a dangerous thrillunfurling inside her.
No one had ever protected her, not like that. Without question. Without hesitation or apology. He’d nearly caused a scene, and she’d felt…safe. Cherished.
Falling in love was a mind game she wasn’t sure she was winning.
The car pulled up to the entrance of their hotel. They’d gotten ready here, when they’d finished shopping. Showered. Made love in the oversized bathtub. It was one of the most luxurious hotels she had ever seen—a towering building of glass and steel, glowing like a beacon against the darkened skyline.
