We’ve been through this exchange before, or at least something very similar, when she’d first come into VMR and uprooted my life. I hadn’t known then just how much of an impact she would leave on me.
“You’re not what I expected,” I repeat my line, remembering it well.
But instead of following it up with her comment about her name and me mistaking her for a man, she says with a sigh, “Neither are you.”
Elliot walks around the desk to meet me. I’m about to stand up, but she puts her hand on my chest to keep me down and then straddles me on my office chair. My hands come down on her hips, still caught between disbelief and desire, and the air between us crackles, thick with everything left unsaid. With everything I’ve wanted since she walked away.
I want to explain myself, tell her the truth about Vittoria and Kayla and assure her that I’d had no idea, but she cuts me off before a single word leaves my mouth.
“I know, Lucian,” she says as if reading my mind. “And I’m not mad at you for that.”
“Monty…you have to know I never—” I pause, searching her eyes. “I never thought you were like Nell. That’s not why I turned you. That’s never been why. Nell’s parents…yes, I killed them. I never told her out of fear, but I carried that guilt with me. I’ll probably carry it for the rest of my life.” I take a steadying breath. I need her to understand, truly understand. “I turned you because I’m a selfish bastard who couldn’t give you up.”
“I guess we have that in common then,” she says. “Because I’m also a selfish bastard and can’t give you up.”
I can’t help it. I laugh. “I suppose it’s fitting that we’re both damned for eternity.”
She nods. “I never wanted Santiago. I just wanted the freedom I thought he was offering. Especially after feeling so trapped here, like I was your prisoner?—”
“I understand.”
“But I found out what he’s been up to. What he’s been plotting against you and VMR.”
“Oh? You mean with de Santis’s holdings?”
“No, actually, de Santis was more of a cover for what he was really doing behind the scenes,” she explains. “You’ll find it all sent to the email designated for incoming hires, where I first sent my resume. But I figure a man like you must have sway with law enforcement in this city. You’ll have all the proof you’ll need to shut Sanguine down for good.”
“Your snooping finally comes in handy,” I say with a short chuckle.
“It’s saved both our asses.”
I’m overly curious now. “What did you find?”
“Sanguine has been mostly a front for every dirty dealing you can think of. Money laundering, human trafficking, drugs…” shesays. “If it’s illegal, Santiago’s had his hand in it in some way or fashion.”
“I’m not surprised,” I say. “Santiago’s attracted to danger and power that way. Always has been. He’ll do anything to get to the top.Anything.”
“It’s not just that. He’s also been stealing VMR’s employees. Slowly. Meticulously, so that no one would grow suspicious. That’s how he’s been gathering information on you.” She looks at me. “You seem to have some snakes in your company.”
I smile. This woman. She never ceases to surprise me.
“I’ll definitely be looking into it. Or maybe, I’ll have Vittoria look into it. I’m sure she’ll have some fun.” I reach up, brushing a strand of hair from Elliot’s face. “And I know Raleigh will be thrilled to be included in exposing Santiago. You’ve given him his revenge on a silver platter.”
It’s more than that. I’m also giving the Rogues all of Benicio’s property and money, so they can rebuild what they’ve lost and possibly expand. It’ll end the threat of war and hold the Rogues close enough to keep an eye on.
Am I afraid there may be a day when Raleigh comes to me, demanding a change of the status quo? No, not afraid. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, for helping me and Monty escape the blaze, he’ll be rewarded handsomely.
But Elliot glances away briefly, something else on her mind. “Do you think…he’ll come after you? Or me? Santiago? Seek revenge?”
“I’m not worried. He’ll more than likely go into hiding for a bit. Go back to Europe until he can regroup. But I don’t want you to worry about him. Santiago won’t be able to touch you. Not while I’m still alive.”
Her gaze softens. “And that’s going to be a long,longtime.”
“It is.”
I hold her as she straddles me, and the chair groans under our combined weight. Her thighs press against mine, her pussy warm, and my cock twitches at the close proximity. My hands slide up her back, still having a hard time believing she’s even here with me again.
She must feel my dick hardening underneath her because she hisses softly and begins to slowly grind on me.
