He wrapped his hands around the glasses, his grip white-knuckled. Would he die for her, a taste of a woman who was playing the same game that he was? He wasn’t entirely certain he wanted to search his soul for the answer.
He’d managed to track her with relative ease, the connections he’d been afforded his entire life allowing him to weed through the bullshit undercover operation. The FBI had no idea how powerful the consortium truly was. In fact, they had no confirmation of the existence, although they were sniffing more than usual. Eventually, the marks in the United States would becalled into action. The grandiose plan of the consortium meant elimination of several powerful leaders within the United States.
“Why here, Pierre? I will admit, I don’t believe in coincidences.” The words had a lilt to them even though her eyes were dead serious.
“I’m here because I have business,” he answered as he approached, amused she continued to grill him. They’d just had incredible sex and she was back to business within minutes. She stood in one of his robes, her wet hair clinging to the soft terry. In his eyes, she was more beautiful than ever.
“What business could a police officer from Monte Carlo have in South Florida?” Turning sharply, she eyed the wine, almost as if he’d dare to poison her.
“I have many businesses, Ashley. I had an opportunity arise that I couldn’t pass up in the States and yes, I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to try and find you. That’s not a crime.” He inched closer, crowding her space. “Or is it? Would you have preferred I hadn’t found you?”
“I… I don’t know you, Pierre. Not really. That fact you’re here and found me so easily is terrifying.” Her statement was telling. She already gathered he knew her identity. The sweet baker with a Golden Retriever couldn’t have been pulled off.
“I am a man with many powerful friends. I’ve never lied to you about that.” He held out the glass, determined to break her pensive mood. She could either decide to tell him her true identity or keep the fantasy going. That was her choice. He’d made the decision not to confront her. Why end the beautiful tryst at this point? That would happen soon enough, once she learned of Stephen’s contracted kill.
There would be no way she could deny Wrath’s existence any longer. He dreaded the time but had no other choice. Neither did she.
Sophia finally accepted the offering, still tentative as their fingers touched. A slight moan escaped her mouth, making him even hungrier. “But you’re never going to share aspects of this… business with me. Are you?”
She’d obviously decided to forego any additional questions regarding how he’d found her. He had the distinct feeling that that wouldn’t last for long.
“I have something for you,” Wrath said quietly.
“A present?”
He chuckled as he walked toward the kitchen counter, pulling the small box into his hand and fingering the lid. “I found this after we were together.”
She inched closer, a curious look on her face. She eased the wine on the counter before taking it into her hand. As she opened the lid, he watched her expression, the way her eyes lit up seeing the locket. “Where did you find this?”
“Near the elevator. I wasn’t certain I’d see you again, but I know this was precious to you.” He eased the necklace out of the box, moving until he was able to fasten it around her neck. “You have a very sweet buddy there.”
“Yes, he is,” she whispered, unable to look him in the eyes. She fingered the locket, a slight smile curling across her lips, but the gesture was meant for her alone.
So many secrets. So many lies. They would both be caught in them eventually.
He moved out onto the deck, leaning over the railing. Still naked, he enjoyed the way the whipping wind felt against his over-sensitized skin. He scanned the shoreline, searching for any signs of visitors. The house was situated in a secluded location, away from prying eyes of neighbors, but certainly not from other members of the consortium. If they wanted him, they would find him. At least his arrival in Miami had been without fanfare.
He could tell she was standing in the doorway, waiting for any admission of his sins. He wasn’t stupid. She might not have figured out a way to confirm his identity, but she knew in her gut who he was and what he was responsible for. This was merely a fantasy world for both of them. “What I do in my life, Ashley, is dangerous. Some would say criminal.”
That got her attention, her feet padding onto the deck. She moved to the railing, although she kept her distance. He sensed a hint of fear in her. Well, good. He’d come to terms with the fact that every minute he spent with her, he was placing her life in jeopardy, but his obsession wasn’t bending.
“Go on,” she said, not in a very encouraging fashion. She was ready to grill him even further.
He shot her a look before taking a sip of his wine. He’d never been a real wine drinker until spending time with her. Then he’d devoured bottle after bottle. Merlot. Cabernet. He’d raided the wine cellar almost every night while he remained at the estate. “I work for some very bad people. They wouldn’t take kindly to me sharing anything with you. Besides, knowledge isn’t in your best interest.”
“Are you a killer?”
The question didn’t stun him. He’d been waiting for it since his arrival in town. Laughing, he shook his head. There were some things he wasn’t going to share in any regard. Keeping her in the dark was definitely his prerogative. “I’m an art dealer. Some would say an unscrupulous one. Have I threatened people? Absolutely. That’s a part of my job. Murder isn’t one of them.”
She remained quiet for a few seconds. “Hmmm. O-kay. I appreciate you trusting me.”
Tipping his head slowly, he gazed at her, drinking in the very essence of the woman he was willing to risk everything for. “I don’t trust anyone, Ashley. I can’t afford to. However, I do respect you more than anyone else who is currently in my life.” He turned his gaze back to the ocean. He heard the haunting quality in his voice and almost laughed. During the last months, he’d been forced to come to terms that he’d lived an exceptionally lonely life. The excitement of being the world’s most elusive assassin no longer held the kind of fascination that it once had.
“That’s very sad, Pierre. Trust is vital for any relationship. You asked me to trust you several months ago and against my better judgment, I did. Was I wrong in doing so? Are you here to hurt or destroy me in any manner?”
Wrath debated answering but nothing he said would be the truth, at least not technically. He eased his hand against her cheek, rubbing his thumb back and forth. “I adore you, Ashley, and for us, this is all about a beautiful fantasy. I will never hurt you intentionally. You have my promise.”
Sophia shifted her eyes back and forth, her lips pursed. She finally rose onto her tiptoes, pressing her lips against his then whispering, “If you do, I will retaliate.”
