“Whatever,” I mumble. “Let’s get this over with.”
They fall into step beside me, one recruit on either side. It unnerves me. There’s something about their energy that’s unusual. Maybe it’s because I know they’re killers or that they wield power in a way that’s foreign to me. I’ve never had money or authority, let alone inherited an empire.
I glance at Declan. “What industry does your family control?”
He flicks his narrowed gaze to Ben. “I see someone’s been running his fucking mouth.”
My foster brother rolls his eyes. “It’s not like she’s stupid. She was going to figure it out anyway.”
Declan eyes Ben for a moment. “When my father passes, I’ll take over his medical dynasty.”
“That’s not so bad,” I say.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I recall the story June told us about Declan and his late-night visit to a clinic filled with suspicious people. And organs.
Oh, fuck.
Declan grins at me, but it’s all teeth and no smile. Similar to a shark. “I save lives. Hospitals, clinics, research facilities… we own them, but the real market is a supply and demand we’re not going to talk about.”
Ben’s expression darkens, and he steps closer as if to shield me from Declan. “The Order’s reach extends into gray areas.”
“Gray?” Declan laughs. “It’s more like pitch-black. Another reason we’re called crows, man. Let’s just say that my family provides specialized healthcare services and leave it at that.”
“And you?” I ask Ben. “What does a tech dynasty look like?”
Declan interjects before my foster brother can answer me. “It looks like fucking everything. This bastard can hack his way into almost anything. Records, finances, satellites.”
“Now who has a big fucking mouth,” Ben growls.
“You broke the seal, man.” Declan shrugs. “Like you said, she’s not stupid. I haven’t known her for long, but she’s likely to get into trouble and poke her nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Ben nods. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“Hey!” I glare at one of them and then the other. “Do me a favor and punch each other in the dicks, yeah?”
Chapter 41
DELILAH
As soon as I’m alone in Xavier’s room, I go through his things like a trash panda looking for food. I dig through his drawers, his bathroom cabinets, and anything else that might give me a better idea of who this man is. The things I already know about him are scary.
After a while I plop onto his bed, completely exhausted and unsuccessful. Xavier remains a mystery. What drives someone like him? Wealth, status, or power? Maybe all three.
My goals are much simpler. To be loved and feel safe. These concepts are basic, yet so elusive in my life. Plus, I’m not any closer to accomplishing either. If anything, I’ve taken steps backward.
The situation I find myself in offers nothing good. There’s a part of me that feels more threatened than when I lived in Frank’s house. Although the danger here is different.
Xavier Donovan threatens to take more than my body. He could take my very soul.
Images of him flit through my mind and I release a sigh, half frustration and the other resignation. I have to find a way to navigate this dynamic, only it’s like walking a tightrope andany miscalculation could send me plummeting to my literal and figurative death.
I want to strip him of the power he has over me, but I don’t know how. Becoming Xavier’s ally is ideal, except he’s made it very clear he wantsmorethan my cooperation. He said I’d beg him.
The problem is, he could be right…
When I think about the hunger in Xavier’s gaze and the undeniable pull between us, it’s terrifying. I blame it on physical attraction, but there’s something more, something deeper that I refuse to acknowledge.
He has a way of looking at me as if I’m the only person that exists. That intensity is overwhelming. Despite not trusting him fully, I find myself drawn to Xavier in a way that I can’t explain.
