Chapter Ten

Bri

After soaking, once again, in Rogue’s luxuriously large whirlpool tub, I lost track of time and now I was scurrying around trying to get dressed for the gala that he said we must attend this evening. I sat before the mirror with only a towel wrapped around me, trying to finish my make-up and deciding how to do my hair. I wanted to pin the curls up, but since my hair was so thick, I wasn’t sure I had enough pins to do so. I wished I had my things from the apartment. Rogue had the bathroom stocked with everything a girl could dream of, but none of it felt as if it belonged to me. There was just something about having my own things.

After several failed attempts and almost giving up altogether, I finally managed to get my hair curled and pinned up the way I wanted. I glanced at the clock beside the bed. I had about ten minutes to finish getting ready. Blaze had said that Rogue would be here at eight o’clock and I was almost certain he would be the type of guy to be punctual.

I stepped into the dress, the soft silk caressing my skin, walked over to the mirror and took a minute to just admire my appearance. I had never had anything so nice, or so expensive in my life. I let my hands move over the beaded silk and watched how the light in the room caught the shimmer of the crystals sewn onto it. Despite the situation I was in, I still had to admit that I loved the way I looked in the dress.

I glanced at the clock again and seeing that it was now eight o’clock, I grabbed the heels that came with the dress, hoping I could walk in them without breaking my ankle, and headed to the living room, hoping Blaze would be there to zip my dress up the rest of the way.

When I stepped out into the hallway, I stopped short. Rogue was standing there and despite the deadly serious expression he wore on his face, he looked sexy as hell in the black tux he was wearing.

“Oh, you’re already here. I hope you haven’t been waiting long. I guess I lost track of time.”

The ferocity of his gaze surprised me as he stalked forward. “Tell me the name of the man that you ran away from, the man that hurt you.”

I shook my head, not wanting to have this discussion again. “No, there is no need for you to know.”

He gripped my arm tightly. “Damn it, Bri! There is every reason for me to know! You are my wife now and as such I will protect you. Give me his name!”

Fire flashed in his eyes and for a second, I was reminded of how dangerous he could be and how terrifying it must be for those that find themselves on his bad side.

“Why? What are you going to do?”

He abruptly wrapped an arm around my waist and anchored me to his body while his free hand held my chin firm. “I am going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

I tried to look away. “And how are you going to do that? I thought marrying me was supposed to keep me safe, or was that just a ploy to get what you want?”

The corners of his lips turned up slightly, but it was not a pleasant smile. “You want to know what I will do to him once he is found? Alright, I will tell you. I have every intention of finding him and when I do, I am going to chain him to a wall in a place that I have set aside for just these kinds of things. I am going to bring him more pain than he could ever imagine. I want to watch him quake in fear and tremble with the realization that his life is about to end. I want him to feel the pain you felt when he tried to rape you. I want him to know that he fucked up when he dared try to take what belonged to me, Bri.”

I pushed against his chest, needing to put some space between us. Whenever Rogue was near, he seemed to suck the oxygen from the room, and I found it difficult to breathe, to think. “You can’t kill him for something that happened before I even met you.”

“Have you still not learned, my sweet angel, that I can and will do whatever I want? Now tell me his name so we can enjoy the remainder of our evening.”

The man may drive me mad with lust, but his arrogance was astounding. “No, I told you that he is dangerous and has connections to people who are just as bad as he is. So, do what you will, but you can’t bully me into telling you his name.”

For a second a sliver of fear rippled through me as I watched his eyes darken. His breathing increased just a hitch, but then a calm mask took over. I wasn’t sure what was more terrifying.

“Very well, if that is what you wish.”

He yanked me beside him and pulled me back to the bedroom.

“What are you doing?”

He walked over to the nightstand and pulled out the handcuffs he had used the first night I had tried to leave the building.

A panic began to settle over me. “You are not using those on me again!” I tried to pull away, but the grip he had on my arm tightened.

“I was hoping to have a more pleasurable evening, but you are so stubborn.”

My mouth opened. “I’m stubborn? You are the one threatening to handcuff me to the bed again just because you didn’t get your way.” I pulled back and struggled as he clasped the cuff around my wrist.

“You are my wife, whether you want to be or not, and it is my job to keep you safe! Today, when we left the church, the car that was following us was not there for me, Bri. They were sent for you.”

I felt the color leave my face and all the fight left my body. Rogue must have noticed and quickly wrapped his arms around me.

“He said he would kill me.” My words were soft, barely audible.

Rogue’s touch instantly gentled. “No one is going to hurt you, Angel. I will make sure of it, but I can’t keep you safe if you don’t trust me. Give me his name. I will find him eventually regardless. Your refusal only slows me down a bit. If you continue to be stubborn, I will handcuff you to the bed and keep you locked away until I find him myself. That is not a threat, Bri.”

I glanced over at the metal on my wrist and then over to the bed. I couldn’t stand the thought of being restrained again.

“Do you promise not to kill him?”

His eyes narrowed. “Why are you so hell bent on protecting a man that put you in the hospital, that tried to rape you?”

My eyes shot up. “I’m not trying to protect him! I just want to forget. I don’t want to relive it again.”

A tear rolled down my cheek, and I furiously wiped it away, ashamed to show the man before me any weakness.

When his arms tightened around me, I welcomed the warmth and steadiness he offered. He kissed the top of my head. “I will make you forget him, love. He will not be able to get close to you, but to keep you safe, I need you to tell me his name.”

I sniffled and took a deep breath, determined not to let another tear fall. I was stronger than that. “Tony. Tony Galante.” Rogue released me and typed something into his phone. Probably sending Tony’s name to his friend Blaze. “Now that I told you, will you take off the handcuffs?”

He lifted my wrist and released the metal before placing a kiss on my skin. “I’m glad you told me.” He dangled the cuffs in front of my face. “I prefer to use these for pleasure, not punishment.”

“What are you going to do now?” I took a step back and wrapped my arms across my body.

“Whatever I need to do.”

He stepped forward, the hard lines of his face even more pronounced as he moved into the light. “I have something for you.”

He walked out of the room, but I didn’t follow. When he came back inside, he held out his hand and I saw he was holding a jewelry gift box. He opened it and sitting on the black velvet glistening in the light was a stunning diamond necklace, matching earrings, and bracelet. My fingers itched to touch the stones. I had never seen anything so lovely in my life, and I knew it had to cost more than I made in a year, probably three.

My arm started to reach for it, but I pulled my hand back. “I shouldn’t take things like this from you.”

I saw his eyes narrow even more. “Why shouldn’t you? You are my wife, Bri, and as my wife, I intend to give you gifts quite often. Now, turn around.”

I did as he asked and shivered as he placed the diamonds around my neck, his fingers whispering over my flesh. “I think we should talk about that as well.”

“What?”

He leaned closer, his lips near my ear. “The fact that you are my wife?”

He grabbed my wrist and fastened the bracelet around it.

I held it up and admired the perfection of the stones. For just a few seconds I was caught up in the moment, but the events of the morning came back in a rush. “Yes, everything happened so fast, I wasn’t prepared for any of it. I don’t know what to think. There is a rush of emotions I have felt and none of them made me feel any better about this.”

He took my hand and placed the diamond teardrop earrings in my palm for me to place in my ears. “You are rambling, love. What do you want to know? You are my wife; it is legal and binding. Tonight, I will present you as such to the elite society circles that I move about in, and any enemies I might have, or you have, will know that you belong to me now and that you will be protected by me and everyone within my organization. I’m not sure what else there is to know.”

I blew out a slow breath, trying not to react to his nearness or the smell of his cologne. “Yes, I suppose I should thank you for that anyway. You did say that I would not be safe unless I was tied to you, but when all the danger has passed, what then? Do we go about our lives and pretend this never happened? Get an annulment or a divorce?”

He stepped closer and I backed away until I hit the wall. “I know it’s only been a few days, but do you think you could forget, Angel? That you could go back to your old life without a thought for me and the way I make you feel.”

He kept coming closer until his body was flush against mine. He was taller, and I had to crane my neck to look up at him. His coffee-colored eyes peered into mine. “Because if that is the case…,” He leaned down closer, his lips a breath away from the skin of my neck. “I will remedy that tonight.”

His hands came up to grasp my hips as he pulled me into him. His erection was evident and despite myself, I couldn’t help but feel aroused to know that I could make this man desire me so fervently.

Suddenly, he spun me around, I placed my hands against the wall and gasped as his fingers traced a path along my spine. His fingers toyed with the zipper as if he was trying to decide if he should zip it the rest of the way or tear it free from my body.

I blinked a few times, trying to make my brain focus on anything other than the man behind me. “I tried to zip it myself.”

He moved my hair to the side and once again let his fingers trace over my skin. “I would much rather be helping you out of the dress than in it, but when I do relieve you of this dress, I want to take my time and if we are to make an appearance at the gala we should hurry.”

I turned around, still unnerved by his close proximity. “I would rather stay here.” I saw something flash in his eyes, and I knew he had misinterpreted what I meant. “Not for the reason that you are thinking. I mean, I won’t fit in. Last week I was working as a hotel clerk. You can’t drape me in expensive jewelry and designer dresses and make me into something I’m not. Wouldn’t you rather go alone or with someone else?”

He grabbed my hand and started pulling me behind him as he walked toward the elevator. “No, Angel. There is no one else I would rather take than you.”

I realized there was no use fighting or arguing anymore and followed him into the elevator. Once the doors closed, he pulled me into his chest and kissed me. His lips were warm and possessive, and I found myself melting against him.

“You look beautiful.” His hand came up and a finger traced over the curve of my cheek. “I can see the worry on your face. Why do you look so afraid?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because my life has been turned completely upside down over the course of just a few days. I was forced to marry a dangerous crime boss so that his enemies would not go after me. I’m sure you remember that conversation, don’t you? The one where you suggested I could either marry you or be faced with extreme torture or death. And to make matters worse, the crazed stalker who almost killed me in Colorado has discovered my whereabouts and has sent other dangerous men to find me. Other than that, it’s been a fairly normal week.”

His deep chuckle made me want to hit him, but the elevator doors opened, and his friend Blaze was waiting for us.

“The car is here, and all security precautions have been taken.”

He looked from Rogue to me without a hint of emotion in his eyes. “Have you talked to her?”

My eyes darted to Rogue’s face. “Talked to me about what?”

He took my arm and led me to the car. “There are certain things that have been put into place to ensure your safety.”

I climbed in the back seat followed by Rogue, and Blaze sat up front.

Rogue reached over and took my hand.

“I’m waiting. What sort of safety protocols have been put in place? From the way that your friend looked, I’m not so sure I will be happy about them.”

I heard Blaze grunt from the front seat.

“You will always have an escort. You may not go anywhere without either myself or Blaze at your side.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “That seems a bit drastic. So, I am to have an escort to the ladies’ room?”

“Yes.” He said without hesitation.

“You are serious?”

“Most definitely. Alessio Messina’s wife was accosted outside the restroom of the Guggenheim in New York at an event very similar to this one. He discovered her in a hallway fighting against a man whose hands were up her skirts”

My hand flew to my mouth, instantly feeling sympathy for a woman that had been through a situation similar to mine. “What happened?”

He raised my hand to his lips. “Alessio killed him. And since I have other plans for tonight, you will abide by these rules.”

“Killed him?”

Rogue’s eyes narrowed a fraction. “Do you still not understand? I am the type of man who takes what I want without apology, and I will mercilessly protect what belongs to me with violence if necessary. So, just as Alessio protected Eden, I will not hesitate to kill anyone who disrespects you.”

I felt a lump in my throat and wasn’t sure how to react to such a bold statement. I had never had anyone in my life to protect or care for me. I had been alone since I was six years old. Raised by an uncle who spent more time in a bottle than he did taking care of his niece. At twelve, I went to live with a cousin who provided a place to sleep and food to eat but ignored me completely. When I turned eighteen, I moved in with my friend Allison. Having someone want to care for me, and provide for me, was a foreign concept and hard to adjust to.

“Is the event we are going to dangerous?”

“Just because these people have money and are for the most part considered the diamonds of society doesn’t mean that evil doesn’t move about in their circles. I am proof of that.”

Rogue

I knew my words had shocked her, as I had meant for them to do. It was important now that she obeyed and followed the guidelines that I set. I needed her to understand fully the type of man that I was.

“You are missing something.”

She turned her face to mine, her eyes still wide, the passing lights of the city shining in them.

I took her hand; she was trembling. Frightening her had not been my intention. I wanted her to know that I was serious about the protection she would receive and the lengths I would go to shield her from anything that could hurt her, but I was not a man she should fear.

“Are you afraid of me?”

“Should I be?”

My hand instantly reached for her neck to pull her closer to me. “Anyone that dares to touch you, should fear me like the devil himself.But never you…my lost angel.”

I had not meant to kiss her then, we were only a few minutes away from the gala, but when her pretty little tongue slipped over her bottom lip, I knew any restraint I had been holding onto when I first saw her tonight in her silver beaded gown was lost. I was not expecting the electrifying sensation that moved through me when my lips touched hers. I intensified the kiss pressing her back against the seat, my hand instinctively sought her warm flesh. My fingers slid up her dress to her knee and while I wanted to go higher, we were not alone. I wanted to have the driver turn the car around. I wanted to rip the designer dress from her body and bury myself deep inside her.

“Stop the car and get out!”

“We are only a block away from the gala,” Blaze responded, but my driver was already slowing the car, knowing that it would be the end of his job not to follow orders.

“I don’t give a fuck. Stop the goddamn car and get out!”

I heard Blaze grumble something under his breath about me being an impulsive asshole, but right now I didn’t care what he thought. I wanted to feel more of her, I wanted to kiss more of her, and I didn’t want anyone but me to hear the soft sighs of pleasure that slipped past her lips.

When I heard the doors to the car close behind them, my hand slipped farther up her leg, easily finding her panties and slipping them aside so I could slip my fingers inside her. She was already growing wet on my hand. I reached up and pulled the neckline of her dress lower until the peaks of her nipples came into view. I growled greedily as my tongue circled the tight little nubs before sucking them into my mouth.

“Rogue.” The sound of my name, a sultry whisper on her lips, spurred me on. I pushed her dress up higher, fully intending on tasting her when her small hands pushed against my chest.

“We can’t do this. Someone will see.”

At this point, I was beyond caring. “There is limousine tint on the windows. No one could see in if they tried. Now, you have about three seconds to slide out of those panties before I tear them off you.”

I watched as her hands moved up her dress and she slipped the tiny bit of silk and lace down her long legs. I unzipped my pants, my hard cock springing forth. “Come here.”

She didn’t move fast enough for my liking. I gripped her waist and lifted her, so she was straddling my dick. I pushed up the skirt of her dress so my hands could rest on the bare flesh of her hips.

“Slide down over me.”

The slowness in which she moved was almost torture. I had to hold myself still. The urge to grip her hips and slam into her was stronger than anything I had felt before. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth until I was fully sheathed inside her. The little vixen may have been a virgin yesterday, but when she wiggled her little bottom adjusting herself, I nearly came undone.

My hand went up and tangled in her hair as I yanked her head down and my lips crashed into hers. The kiss was brutal, there was some part of me that wanted it to be painful. I wanted her lips to be swollen from my kiss. The urgency was too much. I swiftly shifted positions until her back was pressed against the seat. My arms hooked her knees pushing her legs up and out farther as I slammed into her. Her cries should have caused me to be more tender, gentler, but they had the opposite effect. They drove me to the brink of insanity. What was it about this woman that made me want her, all of her? I wanted her to scream my name. I wanted to fuck her so hard that she would never again question that she was mine, that she belonged to me and with me.

I felt her body shiver beneath me, her hands clawing at my shoulders. I dipped my head lower and sank my teeth into her collarbone, leaving a mark that would be seen by everyone, which was exactly what I wanted.

I thrust into her, forcing her legs higher over my shoulders. Her tight pussy clenched around me as her orgasm came over her. I pumped once more filling her, my shoulders heaved with my heavy breathing, and my heart hammered in my chest. The intensity of the moment was almost alarming. I leaned down and kissed the red mark I left on her collarbone before gently kissing her swollen lips.

“You drive me mad, woman. My control breaks when you are near. The way you smell, the softness of your skin, the silkiness of your hair, everything about you drives me to the brink of madness. All I can think of is you lying naked beneath me.” I looked down at her flushed cheeks. “A distraction, a curse, a thirst I cannot quench, a fire that burns me to my soul, I cannot, nor will I be without you.”

I glanced down at her bare perfect breasts once more before pulling out of her. I helped her back into a sitting position. I watched as she pulled her bodice back into place and it took every ounce of control I possessed, not to rip it from her body. I wanted nothing between us.

The pounding outside on the window drew my attention away from the enchanting woman I held in my arms.

“I didn’t get dressed in this monkey suit just to stand watch while you defile her in the back seat of the car.”

Blaze’s harsh voice broke through my lust. It wasn’t just the gala, there were other reasons to attend tonight, and I needed to put aside the hunger I felt for Brielle for the time being and focus on business. A man was to be in attendance tonight with information on the Armenian mafia and their next move. Blaze had done his research, and it appeared to be on the level. If the information would lead to the end of the Armenian threat, it would be well worth the price the man was asking.

I reluctantly sat up and pulled Bri up alongside me, still wanting to touch as much of her as possible. “I’m sorry for my lack of control, love. I would say that I never meant to hurt you, but it would be a lie.”

She adjusted her dress and tried to fix her hair so it wouldn’t look as if she had been manhandled. But there was nothing she could do for her lips or the marks I had left on her perfect skin. They were plump and swollen from my kiss and she looked so damn fuckable right now. My dick hardened, and I looked away before I told Blaze to handle the meeting himself, took her home, and fucked her until she couldn’t move.

Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks still flushed when she turned to me. “Is there somewhere I can clean up.”

“No, I want you to walk in there with my cum dripping down your legs, my scent lingering around you.” My fingers brushed over the reddened mark on her collarbone that was impossible to hide. “I want everyone to know who you belong to; I want everyone to know that I just fucked my wife.”

Her mouth fell open slightly as she was scandalized by my words. I knew I was a bastard but right now the beast inside me was roaring to possess her, to claim her for the world to see.

“I said earlier that you were missing something.”

I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a ring box. She was still in too much shock to open it, so I did the honors for her.

“If it is not what you want or the cut you prefer, we can look for something else later. But as my wife, you needed a ring.”

I took her hand in mine before slipping the large twelve-carat emerald cut diamond solitaire surrounded by another two carats of smaller stones on her finger just above the plain platinum band I had placed earlier.

“Do you like it?”

I watched as she held it up to study the ring, her hand still trembling. “It’s beautiful.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you think so.”

“But it is too much. It must have cost a fortune.” She reached up and touched the diamonds around her neck before glancing at the bracelet on her wrist. “You don’t have to do this you know.”

“What?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “Give me expensive things. I never had things like this before, so it isn’t expected.”

She was a breath of fresh air. Most of the women I knew that’s all they wanted, what my fortune could buy them. But not Bri, she was uncomfortable with gifts. That was something she would have to get over because I intended to give my angel much more than she could ever dream of. I wanted to see the worry lines leave her face and a smile stretch across her lips, the kind of smile she had on her face when I first met her at the club before the darkness that surrounded me encased her.

“The diamonds suit you, and I tend to do whatever I wish, so I’m afraid you will have to get used to me spoiling you.”

She looked away, a mixture of irritation and uncertainty on her face.

The car came to a stop, and I interlaced my fingers with hers. The flash of the cameras was blinding as we stepped from the car. I squeezed Bri’s hand, hoping to give her the encouragement she needed to get through the evening.

As we made our way through the throng of photographers and paparazzi, I felt Bri’s hand tighten in mine. The thought that she was beginning to feel safer with me made me grin. My girl was starting to come around.

When we entered the gala, the first person to come forward to greet us was United States Senator Bentley O’Malley. He was a snake, but useful at times.

“Rogue Delaney, it has been too long.” He held his hand out to me, but his eyes had locked on Bri.

I took his hand and squeezed a little harder than necessary to get his attention. “It’s not an election year, Senator. What brings you to Chicago?”

His sleazy smile made me want to push Bri behind me and far away from the man. “I am here for my constituents…and campaign funds. You never stop campaigning, Rogue.” His gaze moved back to Bri. “And who is your lovely companion for the evening?”

“Brielle, this is Senator O’Malley.” As the Senator reached for her hand, I interceded. I didn’t want anyone the likes of O’Malley touching her; I didn’t want any other man to touch her. “She is my wife, Senator.”

No more words were needed, the tone of my voice and my protective stance communicated easily that she was off-limits. Even a senator with as much power as O’Malley would not dare try to invoke my anger by touching my wife.

“It is nice to meet you, Senator.”

Bri’s soft voice cut through the haze of possessive fury I was beginning to feel and instantly calmed me.

I wrapped my hand around her waist to hold her against my side.

The senator’s eyes wisely moved away from Bri. “Congratulations. I had not heard that you had married, Rogue.”

“I never imagined you would, O’Malley. I don’t disclose my private life to those not in my inner circle.”

I watched the senator’s eyes flash with a momentary spark of anger. I imagined he had grown accustomed to people kissing his ass wherever he went, but I would never be one of them. He should be begging for my favor, not the other way around. I was the king of this city.

“Have a good evening, Senator, and enjoy the short time you are in Chicago.”

I took Bri’s hand and led her to the dance floor and pulled her into my arms.

“Should you have done that? He looks pissed and making enemies of a senator could be detrimental to your career or whatever you do to make money.”

The music had just started a slow dance. “I am not afraid of the senator. If I wanted him removed from office, he would be, and he knows it. My power and influence are far more reaching than his, love.”

She looked over her shoulder to where the senator was speaking to someone else. “He gives me the creeps.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You are a good judge of character.”

“I wouldn’t say so.”

Before I could argue the point with her, I saw Blaze standing across the room. He inclined his head slightly, then looked toward the bar where our informant was drinking while trying to coax his way into the pants of a girl much younger than him.

I gripped Bri’s arm. “I would take offense at that if I thought you were speaking of me.”

“Who says I wasn’t? Where are we going?”

“I have someone I need to speak to alone. You are going to wait with Blaze. Have a drink, enjoy the music, perhaps he will delight you with stories.”

She sighed softly. “Delight me with stories? Are we talking about the same guy?”

I knew Blaze was not much of a conversationalist, but he was trusted, and I would only leave my most prized possession with him. “Stay here. I’ll be back when I can.”

“How long will you be?”

I heard the change in the tone of her voice. “Miss me already?”

“No, I just wanted to know how long I would be free of you.”

I leaned closer to her ear. “Just long enough for you to imagine all the things I am going to do to you tonight once I rip that dress and anything you are wearing underneath from your body.”

Her cheeks were still flushed from where I had fucked her in the car before we arrived at the gala, and I loved it. “I bet if I backed you up against the wall, and my fingers found their way to your pussy, you would be soaking wet.”

“Stop talking to me like that.”

She looked away, and I couldn’t resist leaning over and kissing her cheek. “I enjoy seeing you flustered, baby.”

Her eyes lowered. “Am I just to stand here with the grumpy giant? What if someone asks me to dance?”

My teasing smile instantly vanished. “No dancing unless you want to see me commit violence.”

I glanced over at Blaze, who had heard her question and was grinning at my response. The two of us had always commented on how ridiculous we thought Alessio behaved when it came to his wife Eden, but now that I had Bri, I understood the feeling of intense possessiveness that coursed through my veins at the thought of another man touching her or thinking that they could take her from me.

“Keep her in your sight at all times. As soon as I have what I want from Sevan Avagyan, we will get the hell out of here. I have already grown bored with this.”