A nightmare she would awaken from.
“That is where you’d be wrong, Sophia. I thought you knew me better than that.” He turned away, shaking his head.
She watched his actions, the way his brow furrowed. He was cunning, but this was something entirely different. His life had just come to a crossroads. When he turned to look at her, there was no emotion riding his expression, merely the cold man she’d initially met. For a few seconds, she wanted the man who’d adored her to return, maybe pretending they could rekindle what they’d shared.
That was never going to happen.
“Very well. This is merely a matter of good business. It seems we both have something to trade. I’ll make certain that your very secret life is kept completely private and away from prying eyes, including anyone finding out about what we shared. I’ll also make certain that no one in my family or members of the consortium have any clue who you are.” Wrath swirled his drink, disappointment remaining in his eyes.
Her anger resumed, shoving aside the wayward woman who’d forgotten all about her training and her conviction to help fight the good fight. The bastard really thought he could get away with this. “We make this crazy deal and you go scot free to kill again?”
“No. In addition, you will be labeled a hero, capturing one of the ten most wanted criminals in this glorious country.” His eyes twinkled.
She laughed, rolling her eyes in disgust. Then she was shaken by the concept. “You’re serious.”
“I am not a joking man, sweet Sophia. I think that is a fair side to this delicious deal.”
“Why the change of heart? You just told me there is nowhere to run and no place to hide.”
“Facing reality isn’t something that I’ve been willing to accept, but I’ve grown weary of the chase. Maybe there are ways that you can provide me a new life.”
Witness protection. The thought wasn’t a bad idea, although he’d be required to give up members of the consortium as well as his entire family.
Shaking her head, she knew this man was cagey, would try anything to get away, but what if she could one-up him on the game? The arrest would take her very far in her career, no matter how unscrupulous her actions might become. “And what do you want in return?”
He took a purposeful sip then two steps toward her. “Why, that should be an easy one for you to answer, my sweet.” Keeping his hand mere centimeters from her face, he eased his arm behind her head. “We’ll make it even easier. Two days. Forty-eight hours. A small portion of your life for the rest of mine.”
As he pulled away the clip holding her long hair in place, she held her breath. Yes, she knew the answer. Sweet Jesus. He wasn’t joking. “I can’t do that again, Wrath. I just can’t.” She shuddered at the thought, her pussy clenching from the idea alone. Her desire for the man wasn’t the issue.
Her heart breaking into millions of little pieces was.
“This is entirely your decision, Sophia,” he stated in the most commanding manner. “You are precious to me. I never lied to you about that. I am also an honorable man, even for an assassin.”
Damn this man. Damn this life. The man thought she was going to fall into his web, believing anything he had to say. She bit theinside of her cheek, trying to keep from moaning. What in the hell was she supposed to do?
“If you fuck with me in any way, you won’t have to worry about members of the consortium. I will take you out in a manner that will make you beg for your brutal friends. Do you hear me?”
“I understand completely. Tell me what I want,” he commanded and ran his fingers through several strands of her hair. “Tell me what you’ll agree to.”
Sophia was shaking, her blood pressure increasing but her reaction wasn’t from terror of the man, the killer standing in front of her, but from her heightened excitement. Blinding desire.
“Tell. Me.”
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. And I will again.
And again.
And again.
“Yes, I’ll submit to you.”
Wrath studied the range of emotions peppering her beautiful face. He was jazzed, his muscles full of adrenaline. Seeing her this way, vulnerable but perhaps also one of the strongest women he’d ever met was far more formidable than he ever dreamed. She was exquisite in her mannerisms, the way her hands had wrapped around the gun, so capable in her skills. His cock was hard, his heart thumping and his mouth watering to taste every inch of her.
Was she serious or playing the same kind of game he’d perfected?
The necklace she wore was telling in itself, the fantasy remaining in the fronts of their minds, perhaps even their hearts.
What they’d shared before had been magical and he couldn’t deny it. He also couldn’t squelch the intense desires that had riddled every night. The deal he’d made would undoubtedly end his life, but he was prepared to face the very wrath of the consortium. All the damn soul searching he’d done in the last few days had been eye-opening.
