Brogan turned toward me first, the sun preventing me from seeing his expression, but I knew he was studying me like a side of prime beef. He was trying to solve the mystery of who I was. Of any of the three of them, he might figure it out, but I was entirely different, all grown up.
He walked closer, shoving his hands in his pockets. “In case you haven’t figured it out yet, this is a private island. There is no one else here but the four of us.” He allowed the words to sink in before continuing. “Since you are no one, there isn’t a soul on this earth looking for you. I doubt you told your family or friendsabout your intent to kill three prominent men in three different cities. Even if you had, my guess is that if you’d been successful in your efforts, you had plans of going somewhere quiet while whatever heat you caused surfaced, then died.”
Damn it. He was able to see right through me.
He took another two steps closer, allowing his gaze to fall from my eyes to my scrunched-up legs. “I suggest you be a good little girl and tell us why you were so intent on killing us.”
“Fuck you.”
Even with the harsh glint of sun, I could tell my sharp tongue had surprised him.
“Those aren’t very nice words for a beautiful, sophisticated temptress. At least that’s what you portrayed while helping me win a significant sum of money. I am surprised that you didn’t steal the voucher, claiming my chips. The money you helped me win could have afforded you a year’s worth or more of a lavish vacation.” He cocked his head, as if waiting for a response.
I looked away, biting my tongue. Little did he know I didn’t need his damn money.
At least a full minute passed. I noticed the wind was starting to pick up, the palm trees swaying.
“We’re going to ask you one last time. What is your name and who are you working for?” Daniel asked.
“You already know my name. Dahlia Black.”
Alexander huffed, taking long strides in my direction. “Have it your way, Dahlia. I think spending a night hanging here will likely change your mind.” He headed away, the other twostopping in front of the trap long enough to give me stern looks. Then all three of them disappeared into the trees.
I hissed, giving them my middle finger.
Then every emotion I’d had over the past few months came crashing down.
Sorrow. Anger. Despair. Blinding fury.
As I dropped my head into my hands, I finally understood a tiny bit of what Garrison must have felt all those years.
I felt nothing but hatred. For the men who’d refused to stand up for him.
For the ugly system.
And for myself for failing the single man who’d treated me with kindness and respect.
CHAPTER 8
Alexander
Failure.
I’d felt the strong emotion once in my life, quickly squelching it because no one from the Durante family ever admitted failure to anyone. Sadly, the stark cold shifting through me brought the ugliness to the forefront all over again. Daniel had been right. Dahlia had tried to kill us not as a professional assassin, but all on her own for very personal reasons. Hired killers had no emotion of any kind about their marks, let alone any remorse.
The lovely girl with striking dark blonde hair and eyes the color of lilacs that could drive a stake through a man’s heart was walking a thin line, inching closer to the edge of a cliff but she didn’t seem to care. She had no real disregard for her safety, but her conviction remained strong. There wasn’t a muscle in my body that wasn’t tense. My cock was also hard as a damn rock, aching to the point I needed to shift it in order to find some sense of relief.
What I’d prefer doing was vile, exactly what a man like me would be suspected of doing, taking her like some freaking barbarian.
“How long are you planning on keeping her hanging there?” Daniel snarled as he walked closer.
“The last time I checked, dear Daniel, you agreed to the different booby traps. This one in particular was your idea.” I could sense he was close to the edge as well, unused to the antics we’d performed on a regular basis years before. The man had cleaned up his act, turning into a viable citizen.
“We aren’t leaving her there all night,” Brogan insisted.
I turned my head toward him, more surprised at his reaction than Daniel’s. “I have no desire to leave her there for long, gentlemen. I only want her to begin to understand what a predicament she is in. We are her only hope of getting off this island. Once she becomes compliant, the booby traps can be shoved aside.”
“You’re assuming she’s going to obey us, providing whatever information we ask. I have my doubts.” Brogan moved closer to the edge of the trees, folding his arms and taking an aggressive stance.
