My head drops against the pillow in frustration. Twice in one night. I am done with his shit. When I look over to the dresser, I want to squeal with excitement when I see he’s taken the mask. I scramble across the bed and pick up my phone, logging into the app.
Whatever was more important than finishing me better be damn good.
After clicking it over to the speaker, I get off the bed and shove back on some clothes. It looks like it’s going to be a long night.
Sitting on the sofa sipping some fresh coffee, I blink to keep my dry eyes open.
“Where is he?” Frankie’s deep voice booms through the speaker.
Fumbling, I pick up the phone and bring it closer to my face. My heart pounds in my ears; any trace of sleepiness instantly disappears.
“In the dining room.” The muffled voice that answers him sounds vaguely like the guy from the sex club.
A few moments pass before a thick Russian accent comes through.
My fingers tighten around the phone, a bad feeling settling in my stomach. What if Frankie isn’t who he said he was? What if he’s framing my dad?
And I’ve let him do all of this to me.
I swallow, holding my breath; waiting for one of them to speak.
“Well, I’m here. What do you have for me?” Frankie says, and I want to throw up.
“Those addresses you sent me, they’re run by the Reapers Motorcycle Club. Who apparently now have direct links to my father in Moscow.”
“And this links to George and Romano?” Frankie asks.
I let out a whoosh of air.
“My father and Romano have formed an agreement. Romano is tight on cash. Since going off grid, this is easy money for them.”
There’s a pause before I hear Frankie’s voice. “Can you stop them in Vegas?”
“I’m sure we can come to an agreement, Mr. Falcone.”
The line is silent. My heart races. I want to believe him. He’s saying all the right things. But can I really trust him?
A bang comes from the front door, and I scoot back on the couch. Muffled voices sound and I jump up from my seat. I know it isn’t Frankie outside. Snatching up my phone, I sprint to the kitchen and pick up the knife that was left on the counter.
I make a dash to my office, closing the door enough that I can still peer through with a full view of the living room. Opening my gun safe, I pull out my backup pistol. I’d feel better with my service weapon, I had to leave that at the station along with my job.
I jump as the door is beaten off its hinges and my jaw nearly hits the floor when Chad waltzes into my apartment like he owns the place. A phone in one hand and a handgun in the other.
“Go and see if she’s asleep.” Alex orders Chad over the phone, who pushes my bedroom open slowly.
“She’s not here.”
“Well, go in and start looking for the book!” Alex’s anger pours out of the tiny speakers.
Rage mixed with fear flows through me. I tighten my grip on my weapons.
Chad starts tearing through my room. Each drawer hits the floor with a thud.
These assholes.
“Anything?” Alex asks.
“Nope,” Chad grunts.
“Go check the other rooms, then.”
Shit.
I take a step back, pressing my back against the wall, aiming my gun in front of me. Heavy footsteps get louder and the door comes towards me as Chad steps in. I take a deep breath and hold it. If he doesn’t find me, I won’t have to kill him.
He moves across the room, closer to my desk. I keep my sights set on his head. Frankie’s words replay in my mind. It’s me against them.
Blood thumps in my ears, and everything is in slow motion as he turns to face me. The realization settles on his face and he reaches for his waistband.
Without thinking, I pull the trigger.
My feet are frozen to the ground as I slump against the wall.
“Oh fuck, fuck, fuck,” I whisper.
“Chad, what the fuck was that?” Alex’s voice yells out.
I look over to the phone on the floor and press the end button.
Chad’s body lies in a heap.
I killed another cop.
Bile rises up my throat and my hands cover my mouth as I gag, scooting myself away from him until I’m at the door.
“What the hell have I done?” The tears start to freefall.
I can’t fix this mess on my own.
I can’t go to jail, either. These assholes were looking for that book. Alex saw me leaving Dad’s office. That means I can’t even rely on the justice system anymore.
I am truly fucked.
There is only one person on this earth that can help me. That has even just a small sliver of my trust.
I slide my cell out of my back pocket, blinking through the tears as my shaking finger hovers over Frankie’s name. Sucking in a breath, I hit the call button.
He answers on the second ring.
“Couldn’t wait for me?” His husky voice comes through the speaker and relief washes over me.
“F-Frankie?” I can barely get my words out.
“Zara, what’s happened?” The concern in his voice is clear.
“I need you. I don’t know what to do.” Sobs consume me.
“Are you in danger, dolcezza?”
My gaze fixes on Chad’s lifeless body. “Not anymore, but I don’t know how long for.”
“Don’t move. I’ll be there in a minute. Okay?”
“I’ve fucked up, Frankie. Big time.”
“We will fix this, Zara. I’ve got you.”
I pull my knees up to my chest and rest my head on them. I can’t look at the spreading pool of blood for another second.
“Can you stay on the phone, Frankie?” I sniffle.
“Anything for you, angel.” His soft words have my heart fluttering.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I look down at my hands, the gun still tightly in my right hand. I listen to Frankie driving, he keeps asking if I’m okay and reassuring me he’s only around the corner.
“I’m coming up now, baby.”
“Okay,” I say weakly.
I tip my head back, looking up at the ceiling. Frankie’s steps get closer, and the door swings open, letting the light in. I can’t look at him, out of sheer embarrassment. He doesn’t even flinch at the dead body, instead he steps in front of me and my heart pounds.
He tips his head to the side as I meet his dark eyes and he grins, holding out his hand to me.
“You good, dolcezza?”
He stares into my soul, waiting for me to respond.
I am now that he’s here for me.
I give him a curt nod, placing my hand in his, and warmth spreads through my body as he pulls me to my feet. My body crashes against him and he hugs me tight. He pries the gun from my tight grip and shoves it into his waistband.
“You did what you had to do, baby. I’m proud of you.”
I nuzzle my head against his chest and inhale his masculine scent, letting it soothe me.
“All that matters is you’re okay,” he whispers against the top of my head.
“W-what do you want from me?” I whisper.
“You. Simply you.”
It isn’t a question. It’s a statement.
He tips my chin up so I face him, but I can’t. Even if his eyes are filled with admiration. I killed another man.
I’m scared of myself.
I bow my head, looking at my feet and he forcefully grips my face, dragging my head back up again, his eyes piercing into mine.
“Never, and I mean ever, bow your head to anyone, Zara. Not even me. Not like this. You are a fucking queen, and you make them kneel before you.” His face is stern, yet he’s staring into the depths of me nobody has ever.
Tears sting in my eyes.
“Try it, baby. Embrace the power you hold.” He presses a soft kiss to my temple.
When he is by my side, I do feel powerful.
“I killed him, Frankie.”
“And?”
I blink a few times.
The corner of his lip turns up in an understanding smile. “He tried to hurt you. You reacted exactly as you should. Don’t let anyone make you think differently.”
My mouth opens, then closes. He’s right. It was me or Chad. He went for his weapon.
“You truly are an angel,” he mutters against my temple.
I push myself on my tiptoes and press my lips against his. His beard tickles my chin as electricity courses through me.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“What for?” His hands move up and down my back in a calming pattern.
“Seeing me.” I give him a small smile.
He runs his fingers through my hair, pushing it out of my face before kissing the tip of my nose. “I told you before, you and I are the same. I see you for who you are.”
He leans in closer, and my breath hitches as he licks the shell of my ear. “And who you will become after I break you.”
Cupping my elbow, he begins to lead me out of the room. “Come on, let’s go.”
I look up at him and frown. “Go where? What about Chad?” I can’t just leave him here in my apartment.
“I have a clean-up crew coming to take care of that. You are coming home with me.”
I step out of his hold, crossing my arms across my chest and shake my head. “No.”
He steps forward, and I take one back.
“I don’t need protecting. I’m capable of looking after myself.” I gesture to the dead body on the floor.
He chuckles, towering over me.
I swallow as he leans down, running his mouth along my neck. Just from that touch, I’m on fire and I really shouldn’t be. Not right now.
“Oh, Zara. We are far from finished. You just signed yourself over to me.”
I close my eyes as his lips press against my jaw. “You made your choice when you called me, angel. No turning back now. You will be coming back with me, and you will be under my complete protection, capiche, dolcezza?”
He is my only way out of this, and that smug smirk on his annoyingly handsome face tells me he knows exactly just that.
I am his now.
Squeezing my thighs together doesn’t quell the flurry of excitement. It won’t be the worst thing in the world. I’ve had a taste of what he can give me and I want more. And, while under his roof, I can learn everything there is about him. Maybe I can still take my dad down.
“I want my own room.” My bag is already out; time to pack.
A low rumble comes from his chest. “Let’s see how long you last with that arrangement.”
I swallow. I could live to regret this.
