He burst into laughter, digging his fingers into her skin. “Somehow I believe you. That’s a deal. Now, I need for you to make me a promise.”
“Hmmm… All right.”
“For however long you’re here, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like, you’re not to leave this house without me. There are many dangerous people in my world who would stop at nothing to hurt you.”
“Your work is that dangerous.”
“I didn’t lie to you.” He knew that sooner versus later, a babysitter of sorts would be sent, watching out that he’d completed his mission. The way of the group. If her presence was detected, all hell would break loose. They would ask no questions before taking her life. Losing her would destroy him. “Does that mean you promise me?”
“I promise.” She shivered as she glanced at the ocean. “You’re right about trust. I guess I’m in the same position. What I do know is that at some point in our lives, we have to feel secure enough to let go, confiding in at least one person. I guess neither one of us is ready.”
“I can’t promise you anything but what we’re sharing. That’s not the kind of man I am.”
“That much I understand.” Sighing, she turned away from him, sliding her hand on his arm as she walked inside.
He twisted and glanced over his shoulder, issuing a low-slung growl as she untied the belt on the robe, allowing the thick material to slide to the floor. As she backed away into the shadows, he couldn’t stop the hunger from building to aninsatiable level. He could never get enough of her. She’d become his absolute obsession.
He remained on the deck for a few minutes, taking sip after sip of wine before heading into the house. A single glint of light caught his attention and he bristled, reaching for a nonexistent weapon. Hissing, he walked from one side of the deck to the other, searching once again for any sign his location had been compromised. He was close to the point of losing his edge, far too fearful that Sophia would be caught in a trap.
He’d been a fool to find her and an even bigger fool to bring her here. As he walked inside, he realized that he’d changed. How could he protect her from an organization that had no care or concept of life?
“Never forget, I love you…”
“I won’t,” Wrath muttered, a warm sensation sweeping into his body. He inhaled and the scent of her sex covered everything, filling his nostrils. He slid his hand down his chest, murmuring as he wrapped his fingers around his cock. The words continued echoing in his mind, as if on rapid repeat. Love. Love.
There was no such thing.
He snapped his eyes open, taking a deep breath. Shit! He’d been dreaming. Of her. Sophia. Yawning, he stretched then wiped the sleep from his eyes, blinking several times as he glanced at the window. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, the golden hue still too bright. He shifted, turning his head. The covers had been pulled back, the other side of the bed empty.
Jerking up, he listened for any signs of her, or anyone else for that matter. There was no noise of any kind except for the high tide slapping against the shoreline. His hackles raised, he shot out of bed, grabbing the gun secured behind the nightstand. He had several in various locations throughout the house, hidden in case his identity was compromised, not that the Feds wouldn’t turn the house upside down.
He peeked out the window, making certain to stay out of sight. There was no one on the shore and no boats that he could see. The bathroom was empty, with no signs that she’d changed clothing. He doubted Sophia would try to walk out of there. He struggled into a pair of jeans, trying to keep his cool then continued his search. Would she simply disobey him?
What he didn’t find was the robe, which could mean she was searching for evidence or had heard a noise. An agent of the law would certainly investigate any disturbance. As he walked through the house, checking for any signs of a break-in or other activity, his anger turned into vile rage. If the motherfucking consortium did anything to her, he would hunt every one of them down.
He took several deep breaths as he opened the front door, carefully scanning the lush plants and trees surrounding the house.
Nothing.
She’d all but disappeared.
Finding the back door cracked, he checked the clip, snapping it back into place, ready to fire. Very slowly he opened the door, stepping outside. Holding the gun in both hands, he moved to the railing, darting his head over. A wash of relief floodedthrough him as he caught sight of Sophia sitting on the sand, her knees to her chest and her arms crossed over.
He closed his eyes, trying to curtail his anger before heading down the stairs. She truly had no understanding of who or what he was. Even if she thought he’d been the one contracted to kill Stephen, she could have no idea what kind of people he was working for. He was rattled as fuck, angry with her and with himself for allowing his guard to fall.
Her entire body tensed as if detecting a presence. A split second later, she was on her feet, dashing several feet away then moving to a fighter’s stance. “Pierre. You scared me half to death.”
“Well, you’re obviously well trained for intruders or assailants,” he growled then took long strides toward her. “Why didn’t you obey me? Why?”
“I’m sitting on the beach. I didn’t leave.” She narrowed her eyes. “You’re really angry.”
“Furious! You went against my orders. I gave you explicit instructions not to leave the house without me. Can’t you follow orders?” Wrath barked, his blood pressure rising. “Was I not clear enough for you?”
“Whoa,” she huffed. “I’m sorry. Jesus. Christ. Who the hell are you afraid of? Who’s after you? Are you running away from the law? Is that why you’re here? I can try and protect you, but you’re going to have to tell me everything.”
Hearing her throw out the offer, he stopped short, still glaring down at her. “This isn’t about you protecting me. This is about you following the rules. My rules. Don’t you understand that? You could have gotten yourself killed.”
“Talk to me. Why and how? Who are you, Pierre? That’s not even your name. Is it?” She shook her head.
