Chapter 16

SIXTEEN

I couldn’t get Atlee’s beautiful face and hurt-filled eyes out of my head. I couldn’t stop thinking about her pissed-off, hasty exit from my suite. Atlee pissed off should’ve been a good sign. But the stubborn tilt of her jaw scared the fuck out of me.

I was too weak.

I needed Atlee to walk away. I needed her to trust I was telling her the truth—nothing good would come from allowing me to use her body. I would only end up hurting her more than I had.

There was more at stake than her heart.

There was mine, as well.

Me falling in love with her would be catastrophic—for her. I wouldn’t let her go. My needs would overshadow hers like they had with Barb’s. My unwavering need to give my wife what she’d wanted was what had triggered her downward spiral. With each miscarriage she became more depressed. I saw it yet I allowed her to talk me into trying again and again. Her desire to have a family, my need to give it to her was ultimately what had ended her life.

I’m setting you free, Wilson.

Fuck.

I hadn’t cared one way or the other. I had Barb, a job I loved. A child was her idea. And since I wanted to do everything I could to make her happy, I agreed. When she didn’t get pregnant, I agreed to fertility treatments. When those didn’t work I agreed to artificial insemination. I should’ve known her desire for a family had turned into an unhealthy obsession. It had consumed every aspect of her life.

If I had stopped it earlier she’d be alive.

Or if those fucking assholes she had for parents had discussed her mental health with me I could’ve kept better watch.

But they hadn’t.

And I didn’t.

In the end, it didn’t matter who was to blame. She was gone. A beautiful soul lost to the world.

I was depending on Atlee to keep both of us safe and keep her distance.

Tell me no.

I fucking needed her to tell me no.

That was it. One word and I’d never touch her again.

“You look like a man in desperate need of a blow job,” Eden purred, her perfume making an appearance before she’d sat on the empty stool beside me.

Pure revulsion swam in my gut.

Another night in the viper’s den, sipping excellent bourbon. If the outcome of my job wasn’t what it was, I’d say it wasn’t worth it. But knowing women’s lives were on the line, and we needed to rescue them from the hell they were currently in, made every second of breathing in filth tolerable.

I kept my gaze firmly on the women making out on the couch while a man old enough to be their father watched with his hand up one of the women’s skirts, my expression devoid of emotion.

“Finding a woman to suck my dick is easy,” I drawled before I slowly looked over at Eden’s smiling face. “Now, finding a woman to wear my brand while I choke her with my cock is harder to find.”

“Is that what you’re after, Mr. Barker? A woman with a gag reflex? I might have one or two of those around.”

Christ, this woman was a piece of trash.

“Not interested in used goods, Miss Dunhill, or play acting. A man knows the difference between pretending and real fear.”

“Ah. I see you’re one of those.”

“If by one of those, you mean a man who likes to sink his cock into clean pussy, then yes, I’m one of those.”

Eden’s smile turned knowing.

“No, Mr. Barker, I’m speaking to you wanting to brand your woman.”

“When I own something I like her to wear my mark.”

My mind immediately went to Atlee and her wearing my teeth marks on her shoulder.

Fuck.

That was different.

A mutual exchange.

Wasn’t it?

“Perhaps that can be arranged.”

I let my gaze slide back to the women on the couch, bracing for the disgust that would hit me.

“You’ll let me know if that becomes a definite.”

Her hand hit my forearm. I was grateful for the layers of material that kept her from touching my bare skin.

“In the interim you’ll let me know if you change your mind. I assure you my pussy’s clean. I won’t gag but I will make you see stars.”

Fucking hell, the mere thought of her mouth near my cock made it shrivel while the rest of her offer made me want to vomit.

“I have no doubt your mouth’s heaven, sweetheart. But I don’t fuck women who I view as my equal. And I’m positive you’re incapable of the fear I require to get off.”

Her hand glided over my coat before she lifted it away.

“Astute and gorgeous. You make a girl wish for days gone by.”

I highly doubted Eden Dunhill had ever been a woman capable of feeling anything.

Sick bitch.

“Enjoy your evening, Mr. Barker.”

“You as well, Eden.”

I watched the evil cunt saunter away, swaying her hips. I was sure she was going for sexy, however she missed the mark.

My phone vibrated in my suit pocket. I drained my bourbon and headed for the restroom. Once I had some privacy I pulled it out and checked Jack’s text.

Atlee’s on the move.

I blinked and reread the text.

What the hell was she doing leaving her condo at almost midnight?

Where?

South on LVB.

As predicted by Cat, Martin hadn’t shown up. I’d contacted Eden and played her sick fucking game. It was time for me to leave. Unless, Eden had called her and she was on her way to the villa.

I’m still at the villa. I’ll wait to see if she shows up here.

Copy. I’ll keep you updated.

I kept my phone in my hand when I exited the restroom. Not the smartest play, especially with a text thread that mentioned Atlee but my phone felt like a lifeline. I needed to know where she was going and why. I took in the crowd, spotting Louis immediately. He resembled his asshole brother but he was definitely older and Will was better looking. Now that Will was incarcerated, Louis had no other option but show himself in public.

Can’t hide forever, dickhead.

Atlee was exactly what Louis was looking for. If he’d arranged for Eden to call Atlee to the hotel I wasn’t allowing her out of my sight. I could snatch her as soon as she walked into the door and take her to a private corner to stake my claim. I wouldn’t even have to break cover. It might actually push Eden over the edge if she was on the fence about extending an invitation.

My phone vibrated.

On property.

Fucking shit.

Copy.

I ordered another Double Eagle Very Rare and settled in to wait.

A few minutes of people-watching had my eyes burning and my skin crawling. Tonight’s crowd wasted no time getting naked.

More time passed and still no Atlee.

I tapped out a text to Jack.

Update

I don’t have eyes on her. Rhode’s tracking her. She’s in the mansion on property.

The mansion housed all the villas. There were five in total. Martin’s was the largest occupying the top two floors with four smaller two-bedroom villas below. That was over thirty-thousand square feet of space—she could’ve been anywhere.

Does Martin have a second villa?

Negative. Only one in his name.

A second text came in.

Nothing from Dunhill or any of his staff.

Copy.

Fuck it.

I found Atlee’s number and connected the call.

Three rings then voicemail.

I stabbed the end call icon and scanned the room.

No Atlee.

No Dunhill.

Louis and Gavin were side by side on a double lounger near the indoor pool deck.

No George.

The man was an idiot meathead but he was tall and muscled. He’d have no problem overpowering Atlee.

She has a panic button, I reminded myself.

She was smart. She wouldn’t let herself get cornered.

I engaged my phone again. This time it rang four times before she picked up.

“Good evening, this is Atlee.” I stiffened at her overly professional voice.

“Where are you?”

I heard a muffled, “Excuse me, Luci, I need to take this. I’ll be right back.” After a beat she came back on, the clearly professionalism turned to irritation. “I’m working,” she snapped.

“Working at the mansion,” I growled.

“Yes,” she hissed.

“And she gives me attitude,” I murmured. “When she knows she has a bodyguard and she should’ve called in her destination.”

“She didn’t know anything of the sort. Someone must’ve forgotten to tell her she needed to call in her every move when he was fucking her against the window.”

My blood boiled at the reminder.

“Careful, princess.”

“I’m not the one calling to disturb you while you’re working but you tell me to be careful.”

Fuck, her haughty tone was a total turn-on.

“You’ve got five minutes. Finish up and meet me—”

“I’m unclear why you think you’re my boss. But I’m going to need more than five minutes. Then I’m going home.”

She wasn’t going home, she was sleeping next to me.

“Ten minutes,” I amended. “Meet me in the casino.”

“That’s not—”

“Ten minutes. Casino.”

I ended the call and texted Jack.

Made contact. She’s fine.

Copy. I’m at the gates in front of the mansion. I’ll hold my position.

I’m wrapping this up. Be on the floor in ten. Walk Atlee over.

If I was one of those Gen Z kids I’d send a laughing emoji. Luckily for you my balls would shrink if my finger dared to hover over the button.

GFYS

SMH old man it’s GFY

With a shake of my head I shoved my phone back into the inside pocket of my suit jacket.

“Is there a problem with your drink, sir?” a bleached blonde bartender asked.

I eyed my untouched bourbon.

“No, sweetheart, everything’s fine.”

The woman smiled and slipped away without another word.

I gave myself five minutes to calm down before I made my exit.

Atlee was fine.

But no matter how many times I mentally repeated the reminder I couldn’t shake the fear. I needed to see her, to touch her, to hold her.

I was fucked.

Totally fucked.

* * *

“This is ridiculous,”Atlee seethed, staring out my bedroom window.

I ignored her protest and continued to undress.

“I’m perfectly safe in my building. I live on the thirty-seventh floor and there’s twenty-four-seven security.”

I folded my slacks over the chair already cluttered with my jacket and shirt.

“Are you listening to me?” she snapped and craned her neck to look at me.

Her eyes widened and roamed over my chest, then lower to my boxer briefs.

“You’re not. You’re getting ready for bed.”

She was correct—I wasn’t listening to her. Also correct that I was getting ready for bed. But she was wrong if she thought I was getting into bed only to sleep.

“Get undressed, princess.”

“I’m going home.”

She was wrong about that, too.

“You’re staying here,” I told her and skirted the bed.

She took a step away from me but that was as far as she got. Between the wall at her back and me fencing her in, she had nowhere to go. My hand came up, hooked her around the back of the neck, and brought her close.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Right now?”

She nodded.

“Right now I’m gonna kiss you. Then I’m gonna get you undressed. After that I’m taking you to bed.”

“Wilson.”

My name came out as a rush of attitude.

I tugged her closer. My eyes dropped to the patch of skin where her neck met her shoulder not covered by her white button-up shirt.

My already hard cock twitched.

Fuck, but I loved seeing my mark on her.

I traced a line down her neck and brushed my thumb over my bite mark.

“I’m going home.”

That would be her best course of action but she wasn’t going anywhere unless…

“Say it,” I prompted.

Now that I’d made my demand my chest burned.

All she had to say was no and this was over.

“Say what?”

I looked up into her brown eyes, my body and heart warring—hoping she made the right decision and walked away while praying she didn’t put an end to us.

“Tell me no, Atlee. All you have to do is say it, princess, and you walk out of here.”

To her credit the woman looked like she was struggling, indecision clear in those pretty eyes.

Walk away, baby, and save yourself.

In the end, she sealed her fate by unbuttoning her shirt, leaving it gaping open as she shoved her slacks down her legs and kicked off her slip-on sandals.

With a defiant tilt of her jaw and shoulders square, she smirked.

“What now, boss?”

So. Much. Attitude.

“Now, I’m gonna fuck that sass right out of you, princess.”

My mouth slammed down on hers. She groaned around my kiss and pressed her lace-covered tits to my chest.

Oh, yeah, I was going to fuck my princess breathless, then I was going to freshen my mark to make sure she remembered she was mine.