Chapter 15

Emily

The horrible roar followed by a brutal thud drew me out of a light slumber.

I couldn't jerk up, could only turn over on one side. I was horrified at the noise, wishing that there was a lamp on the nightstand next to the bed. Of course the bastard had planned my kidnapping, keeping anything I could use as a weapon out of reach, let alone locking me in to make it easy for him.

I was shaking all over, the terrible sound one of agony. The bellow had come from my captor, his brief mental breakdown probably caused by something I'd said or done. Did that mean he was going to storm up here and take out his revenge, punishing me in a way I wouldn't recover from?

My heart continued to pound, the scent of the man and what he'd done to me lingering like a bad omen. I sat up, fighting the urge to cry, forced to face I'd enjoyed his touches, his kisses. And the brutal way he'd fucked me. What was wrong with me?

Still shivering, I rolled over on the one side, tugging at the handcuff again. The house might be a fucking mansion bigger than my father's, but the sound traveled far too well. When I heard footsteps coming up the stairs, the person taking them far too slowly for what I was used to with Talon, I tensed more than I had in his hold.

When the heavy footsteps reached the second floor, I sucked in my breath, doing what I could to keep from whimpering. I was stronger than this, than allowing him to break me after only one night. My God. I'd been the one to find my mother's lifeless body, shaking her for a full five minutes before I'd gathered my wits and called the police.

I'd been the one to close her eyelids, more terrified of the vacant look in her eyes than when I'd realized that she was dead. Dead. My mommy was dead, the only person who loved me. The only person who'd protected me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, still holding my breath when I heard the door being opened. Maybe if I didn't let out a peep, he'd leave me alone. But as the light from the hallway trickled into the room, I knew he was standing right there watching me.

Hungering for me.

It was hard to keep from making a single sound. I was filled with sadness, not only because I was here, away from everything I knew, but also because what he'd said about my father held such truth that it made it sick inside. I hated him with everything I had inside me.

A single tear slipped past my lashes, trickling across my nose as gravity dragged it toward the pillow. I dare not touch it because I could feel the intense vibrations, the current crackling all around us. His body was humming with enough energy I could feel it in my bones.

While I was doing everything to control my breathing, trying to focus on remaining quiet, the sound of his labored breaths shook me to my core. I sensed at this moment the man was like Jekyll and Hyde and his determination of how he would handle me could go either way.

As he started his approach, I kept my eyes half closed, trying to glance to the left in a crazy attempt to see if he had a weapon or implement in his hand. What if he did? There was almost nothing I could do to defend myself.

He came closer, taking his sweet time doing so. I was surprised how stilted his actions seemed to be. Was he merely trying to see if I was awake or determining what horrible thing he wanted to do to me?

When he moved to the edge of the bed, I finally managed to calm myself down, but the tears had already formed in my eyes, just waiting to betray me as everything else about myself had done many times in the hours leading up to this moment.

The monster was in silhouette from the garish light of the hallway, and I dared to shift slightly, enabling me to catch a single look of his shadowed face. If I didn't know better, I'd say the man was in anguish. Ah, what a shame. What was good for the goose was good for the gander.

Talon sat down on the edge of the bed, immediately dropping his head into his hands. There was such a strange vibe about him, a buzzing that wrapped its long claws around me. Why was it that I wanted to comfort him? It didn't make any sense.

He was an evil man in expensive clothes.

I concentrated on pretending I was sleeping, my eyes still open a tiny slit. I wasn't certain how long he remained in the position even as I tried to count off the minutes in my head.

When he took a long, strangled gasp, I almost gave away I was awake. The sound was choked, riddled with the same haunted moans I'd uttered myself more than once.

He turned his body slightly, the creak of the bed adding an eerie noise in the room. I could see he was reaching out, allowing his fingers to dangle over my shoulder. The moment he touched my naked skin, a wash of explosive heat powered through to my core. His sudden silence was more terrifying than when he'd been emotional, the change coming close to freaking me out. For at least five minutes, he used the lightest touch, brushing his fingers down my arm. Almost instantly, his breathing was normal, restful even.

Was it possible he'd needed nothing more than the light touch from me to make him feel better?

"You are so beautiful, so very innocent, Emily. You have no idea what having you in my home means to me." His whisper was just as dark and ripped with passion and gruffness as it had been before, yet I also sensed his words were heartfelt. I felt calmer than I had before, even close to him, and it was terribly confusing.

I muttered as if in my sleep and he changed the touch, now rubbing the backs of his knuckles across my cheek.

"You're even more beautiful than I thought, your music humbling in its power. I hope one day you'll write a song for me. For us. For what we've been through. You are… all mine."

When he suddenly started humming, I was shocked at the sound. It was beautiful and melodic, but a series of shivers shifted all the way to my toes. It was a child's lullaby. What was he doing? He was mad, completely off his rocker.

And maybe even crazier was the fact I found him terribly attractive.

"You will learn one day that I am the only man who can make you happy and keep you safe. And in turn for your utter devotion, together nothing can stop us. Rest easy, my beautiful girl, my sweet angel. You are everything my blackened soul had needed. Soon, you will be able to say the same. Il mio angelo è perfetto, tutto ciò di cui ho bisogno. Presto sarò la tua dannazione."

It would seem the man had learned everything about me and my life, my past, likes and dislikes, but perhaps he hadn't discovered a teacher had taught me how to speak Italian. His words? My angel is perfect, everything I need. Soon, I will be your damnation.

He leaned over, pressing his lips against mine. It was at that very moment that the treachery of my body continued, as at least two tears trickled down my face.

When he leaned back, he sucked in his breath before issuing a slight growl. The moment he lifted his arm again, I was certain he was going to strike me. But he slipped his index finger through the salty tears, gathering them onto his finger, sliding the long digit into his mouth.

With that, he stood, now stiffer than before, walking out the door.

Only then did I allow the tears to fall freely.

Chirping.

I shifted, burying my face in the softness. A tickling sensation continued to pull me from the strange dream I'd had, keeping me from learning the end of it. I tried to open my eyes, instantly blinded by the bright light. What was I seeing?

Another slight chirp sounded over my shoulder, and I rolled over onto my back, blinking several times to try to focus. After stretching my arms and legs, yawning from the sleepiness I still felt, I sensed something was off. My room had been painted a completely different color.

Then I remembered where I was, jerking up and immediately grabbing the covers, holding them close to my chest. I was panting, my pulse racing. But in those few seconds of forcing more consciousness into my rattled brain, I pulled my hand into the air. I was no longer shackled to the bed.

Gasping, I turned my head, noticing the handcuff was gone, also no longer attached to one of the thick posts. He'd removed it sometime in the middle of the night. Why?

I took several shallow breaths, smiling when I noticed not only were the blinds open allowing in the beautiful sunlight, but the window was cracked open. I'd felt a real breeze only seconds before. I noticed a sparrow flying by the window then another. As I took a deep breath, I was rewarded with several amazing scents. Flowers?

Other than roses, it had been so long since I'd gathered a fragrance of flowers. My father had forced the removal of every flower and flowering shrub, replacing them with ugly evergreens.

I glanced toward the door, half expecting my captor to be standing in the doorway or sitting in the chair in the corner. He wasn't. I was all alone, but I did notice a tray of some kind of the dresser. What?

Very carefully, I tossed back the sheets, feeling rested but shaky as I planted my feet on the floor. When I rose to a standing position, I also noticed a robe. A beautiful pink silk robe positioned just so on the end of the bed. I grabbed it immediately, wanting to cover myself with anything. Anything. I struggled into it as if half expecting the door would be flung open at any second.

It wasn't.

The shock of awakening this way was more confusing than the night before. Had he forgiven that I'd run away and slapped and kicked him? Why was I giggling? I walked to the window, taking a deep breath as I peered out at the landscape. There were trees everywhere but not the normal variety like we had in Boston—oak and hickory trees. There were dozens, maybe hundreds of palm trees. And were those bananas? Coconuts?

Oh, my God. And did I just see an avocado tree? Was the man kidding me? Did he own something in Hawaii? No way.

But the scent of so many kinds of flowers mixing with the rich fragrance of the ocean that I'd already known existed was a dead giveaway. If it wasn't Hawaii, it was somewhere more tropical than the Caribbean. I tried to remember where avocadoes were grown and the only thing that came to mind were the Hawaiian Islands.

The various tropical plants crowded against the backdrop of the palm trees were bursting with vibrant color. I hadn't paid any attention to where I was running the night before. Either that or he'd moved me in the middle of the night.

Another strange fragrance caught my attention. Coffee.

I turned my head, better able to see the tray. There was a steaming pot of coffee and a glass of juice, alongside a bowl of fresh fruits. I walked closer, stunned by the feast before me. There was even fresh cream in a small pitcher. Everything perfectly laid out, a feast meant for a queen. Sadly, I was already tarnished but I was also starving, the scent of the coffee perhaps the best thing of all.

After pouring a cup, I pulled it to my nose, drinking in the essence. I did so love a strong cup of coffee. The hint of cinnamon and macadamia nut sealed the understanding I was in paradise.

Or I'd lost my mind completely.

I poured some cream, noticing a note positioned on the side of the tray. There was no reason to be nervous picking it up, but I was, my fingers even shaking at the thought of seeing what he had to say. For some insane reason I glanced back at the door, but all was quiet. I picked it up, taking my coffee and returning to the open window. Right now, I wanted nothing more than to dig my toes into a sandy beach, pretending my life hadn't drifted head over heels into a nightmare.

The note was simple, not the earth-shattering volumes of words I'd expected after his odd behavior the night before.

Sweet Emily

You'll find clothes in the closet and dresser, toiletry items and makeup in the bathroom. Take a shower and relax, enjoy your breakfast. I have business to attend to. Then I will show you my island.

T

I took a deep breath, trying to keep the nerves down. The note was familiar, as if I was working for him, or we were lovers. I took a sip of coffee, resisting the same agonizing sob that had furrowed into my system the night before. It wasn't going to do me any good.

I had no choice but to follow his rules.

So I enjoyed the coffee, even having a second cup. It was freshly ground, so aromatic that my nostrils were filled with the sweetness of the nuts. After that, I grabbed the juice, one taste telling me it had been freshly squeezed. And the moment I bit into a banana followed by a partially peeled avocado, my taste buds exploded.

Why was he doing this for me? Why?

If he couldn't terrorize me into surrender, he was going ply me with delicious food?

Fuck him.

Well, I did need to eat if I wanted to keep my strength up.

I leaned against the window, peering out, straining as far as I could see. A guard appeared in front of the lush forest, an assault rifle attached to his shoulder. It was the stark reminder I needed that this place and this moment is time wasn't every girl's fantasy. It was more than just a nightmare. It was a march straight into hell.

After finishing my second cup of coffee, I headed to the bathroom. A long hot shower sounded perfect. The rest I'd need to take a day at a time.

Including securing a weapon and finding a way to communicate with the police.

At least this morning I could smile slightly, a plan forming in the back of my mind. I'd allow my captor to think I was falling under his spell. Until I was ready.

Then I would crush him and his entire empire.

Styx

"Should I ask what happened last night or is that not a good question?"

I heard Rico's voice behind me and didn't bother looking in his direction, continuing to sweep up the glass. I'd created the fucking mess; I had full intentions of cleaning it up. I'd asked my housekeeper to take my lovely captor a few items while she was still sleeping, fearful that I'd be unable to keep my hands off her and at this point, I needed to concentrate on business.

"What did you find out about Gideon?" I dumped the shards of glass into the trashcan and shifted the dustpan and broom against my credenza. Hearing an incoming email, I shifted my attention to my laptop. Fucking Chase Baxter had better be the source of the ping or I would make good on my threat. Today, I was in no mood to take any shit from anyone. After breaking down over my past, I'd paced the hallways, visiting my sweet captive more than once.

She'd heard me. She'd been awake.

Either that or she was capable of crying in her sleep.

A decent man, a good man would feel bad about abducting her, but of course, there was no level of humanity left inside of me. She was my possession and that was final. No going back. Even if I wanted to or felt inclined to reverse the clock, she already knew far too much about me and where I lived. My sweet Emily was resourceful as well as a damn good actress. I'd need to keep that in mind.

I pulled up the email as Rico approached, smiling since the fucker hadn't taken my promise lightly. He'd sent me everything I'd asked for and more. I certainly didn't need to be a forensics expert to realize that I'd been right in my assumptions. Kendall Martin had been killed somewhere else, her body dumped at the Martin house and made to look like a robbery. Meanwhile, her husband, the man who'd professed to love her through thick and thin had a solid alibi.

However, I was certain there was something unknown about the reason he'd up and killed her out of the blue, taking a significant chance his story would be picked apart. It was up to me to figure out what that was. I flipped through the photographs, half laughing.

"What are you looking at?" my Capo finally asked.

"Blackmail material. Now, what did you find out about Mr. Martin?"

"Well, he's made overtures about running for office. In fact, he has a press conference in a couple days, and I fully suspect he's going to announce his bid for president." He acted as if I didn't know, the smug look on his face almost amusing.

"That much I heard from our good friend Chase Baxter."

"He has a sordid past, his former father-in-law once determined to out him as a mafia guy. Of course that was before Kendall Martin was killed in a home invasion. Her father has been quiet ever sense."

Interesting. Rico had delivered some juicy information. If Gideon was being pushed, maybe by Kendall as well, he'd felt he had no choice but to have her killed. I put that tidbit into the back of my mind for future reference.

"What about his friends?"

"Well, if you were looking to find out if he's tight with Liam Jacobs, there is no outward indication of that. In fact, they've sparred in public a half dozen times," Rico answered.

"But?" I lifted my head, tapping my fingers on my desk.

"I discovered some emails sent back and forth, various financial transactions that would indicate otherwise. It would seem the two men have been in business together for years."

I wasn't shocked. It was something I'd thought about more than once. However, going through the motions of having me kill Gideon's daughter could mean Liam wanted the upper hand. Perhaps he had plans of making his daughter's death appear as a murder, drawing attention to Gideon while Liam and his cohorts who were trying to remain in the shadows enacted some kind of a plan.

And they thought I'd been greedy enough to accept the millions of dollars they'd offered in exchange for doing the dirty deed. Then again, what if Liam had intentions of using me as a secondary scapegoat, which would certainly eliminate dangerous connections and a part of a very powerful family regime?

"Excellent detective skills, my friend," I told him. Now he seemed surprised since I rarely gave out compliments.

"Wow. One day at your compound and the light and life of a beautiful girl has changed you. I think I like it."

I threw him another harsh look, but he was right in that I was looking at things somewhat differently. "I will likely need to pay Gideon a little visit, especially since it would appear he's swept the attack on his estate under the rug."

"I was wondering about that. Do you think it's possible he was the one behind the contract on his daughter?"

"It's something to consider. What about the Arab prince?"

"That was tougher to determine any information other than Prince Aziz has purchased various oil rigs and invested in dozens of oil pipelines within the United States and other countries. All very legit but it's too perfect if you know what I mean."

"Yes, I do. That means he's working with someone to garner even more power and wealth."

"Maybe Emily Martin was a gift to the man, a gesture of appreciation on Gideon's part."

Those were the lines I was thinking more than the man wanting to kill his own daughter. Granted, she'd been the one to find her mother's body but the story of a terrified eleven-year-old girl, especially after all these years, would be unbelievable. Challenged in court. If he'd wanted to do something to Emily, other than use her as a valuable commodity, then he had the perfect opportunity years before when she'd needed psychological counseling.

No, it was apparent the pieces of the intricate puzzle weren't fitting together easily. That would take time, additional investigation and using the kind of tactics Gideon wasn't used to.

"Did you make a list of Gideon's friends?" I asked more in passing.

Rico nodded. "I did. I'm waiting for some additional information from a buddy of mine, but I'll send everything to you within a couple hours."

I sat back, easing my arms behind my head. "Good. I don't have any desire to return to Boston at the moment, but I don't like being played."

"Understandable. Axe and I can look after your guest, the other soldiers as well."

"I'm well aware. I simply have been enjoying her company." I offered something he wasn't used to. Another smile.

He pressed his hand against his heart, taking a fake stumbling step backwards. "Is the big man ready to settle down, raise a family?"

I chuckled darkly. "I don't know about that, but I do enjoy her company and her piano playing."

"Mmm… Then I'll look forward to what the future brings. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Do a sweep of the grounds from the interior out. I need to make certain the traps are set and there's no breach in the perimeter gates."

"You're thinking we've been breached?"

"Not necessarily but my gut is telling me that I stepped into some shit. I don't want it rubbing off on my privacy. Do you understand?"

"I get it. I'll instruct the men and if there are any issues, I'll let you know."

My phone rang and when I dropped my gaze, I instantly snarled. I hadn't talked to my fucking brother in almost two years. Why the hell was he contacting me now?

"I'll leave you to other business." Rico could tell when something was wrong, backing away almost instantly. "Who is it?"

"Fucking Creed. What the hell does he want?"

Rico whistled. "Nothing good."

"Tell me about it."

I tapped my fingers on the desk once again, debating not bothering to take the call. However, when I didn't, the man usually tried to make my life miserable. I should really take back my place as the Don of the empire. Perhaps that would come after I was finished with the shit I was dealing with.

My rightful place.

Whatever the hell that meant. "What do you want, Creed?"

"Is that any way to talk to your brother and to your Don?"

"Need I remind you that you wouldn't be in any place of authority, instead rotting in a Polish jail if I hadn't saved your sorry ass."

"I see bloodshed and violence aren't what they used to be to you any longer," Creed laughed. While I was the most brutal of the three brothers, he was conniving, something I couldn't trust under any circumstances.

"What do you want? I am a busy man." I jerked up from my chair, ready to end the call.

"We need to have a meeting, the three of us."

"Why?"

"Because threats have been made to our corporation."

"By whom?" I bothered to ask, my hackles raised even more. I was certain it had to do with Gideon and Liam. One, the other, or both.

"That's the issue. I have no clue. I have my soldiers trying to gather information, but it would seem hackers have either gotten into our accounts or have influence on various offshore banks. Some of the funds are frozen. My computer experts are working on it and that should be solved within a couple hours, but I have a feeling that's just the beginning of some game being played. I understand you're working on a… controversial contract."

While I'd done my best to shove aside the Saint regime, turning to medicine instead, I couldn't avoid the fact my family had been in the crosshairs of long-term enemies and various law enforcement agencies alike. I rubbed my jaw, turning to stare out the window into the bright sun. If there was one thing my younger brother was good at, it was keeping track of everything Easton and I were doing with business. I couldn't blame him even if we didn't get along and hadn't for years.

"Controversial?"

"Because our father was good friends with Gideon Martin."

That was something I didn't know. Yes, they knew of each other, but good friends? Granted, our father certainly didn't provide a list of his alliances and didn't bring anyone to the estate when we were young. I'd told Creed early on that determining who our father had done business with was in our best interest.

He refused to follow my advice, acting as if he knew better than all of us.

"Be careful, brother of mine. Your lack of understanding and refusal to accept our father was a worthless son of bitch could eventually get you killed."

He laughed, although the sound was bitter. "So you've told me many times. I must admit, this time I agree with you. However, that changes nothing. You have a responsibility to this family and our combined businesses. We need to meet."

The man was getting under my skin. I wanted to draw blood, exacting my revenge for nothing more than the fact he still held a level of respect for the fucking monster who'd turned us into beasts. I held my anger, doing my best to keep from lashing out. We'd sparred for so long, it was as if both of us were keeping score.

I refused to allow the bastard to win.

"Fine, but it will be on my terms. You're coming to Boston. I have business dealings to handle in the next day or so. I'll call you when I arrive in town."

"Ah, you are on the island. I do wonder when I'll get an invitation to visit your tropical paradise."

"I think you know the answer to that, Creed. As I said, I'll call you when I arrive. Find the fucker freezing our accounts."

"Why, yes, sir." He laughed before ending the call and it was all I could not to order my men to hunt down my brother and kill him. No, I'd prefer to do that myself when the time was right.

It was a promise I'd made to myself years before I intended on keeping.