Chapter Eleven

Bri

As Rogue walked away, I observed how the women in the room immediately tried to gain his notice, either by a sly smile, a casual wink, a louder than necessary laugh, or the even bolder approach of walking into his path. I couldn’t blame them. He was sexy as hell, and in that tux, with the way he exuded money and power, it was enough to make any woman do a double take. A few weeks ago, if I had seen him in the same situation, I would have ogled him too. Now, after being in his bed, I felt as if there was a hypnotic force drawing me to him. I had said time and again that I would leave when given the chance, that I didn’t belong to him. I repeated it in my head over and over, just waiting for the right moment, but now I wasn’t sure if I would take the opportunity if it was given to me. The man was captivating in a strange perilous sort of way.

I pulled my eyes away from him and instead turned to Blaze. “Why does he come to these things? He doesn’t mingle well. He doesn’t dance. He doesn’t seem to enjoy any of it. And he wants to leave early. I just don’t understand. Why not avoid it all?”

My grumpy bodyguard stepped a little closer to loom over me when it looked as if a gentleman was getting ready to approach us.

“It’s business, little one. He makes an appearance to let everyone know that he is still in power and that this is still his city. To remind his enemies and anyone foolish enough to confront him, that they will not succeed. It is a show of supremacy and lets people know what he will do to keep it. And you.”

I looked at him sharply. “Me?”

“Yep, you don’t think he brought you here tonight just to show you a good time. He is letting everyone know that you are his now.” He looked down and his lips turned up for just a second. “Marking his territory…so to speak.” His eyes flicked over the red teeth mark embedded on my collarbone.

I scanned the crowd until I saw him again. He was speaking to a man at the bar, his stance, his mannerisms, and everything about him radiated authority and dominance. The man he was speaking with was older and appeared to be nervous. I couldn’t deny my curiosity.

“Are we here because of what happened at the club? Because someone tried to kill your friend Nickolai? Does this man have information or ….” I paused as another more disturbing thought crossed my mind. “Are we here because of the men that were following us today, the ones that were after me?”

I reached for his arm to steady myself and the look of panic on his face was almost comical.

“Are you alright? Don’t you dare faint!”

I closed my eyes briefly. “I’m not going to faint. Why does everyone think I’m going to faint? After everything I have been through, you should know by now that I am not that fragile. I just needed a moment. So, will you tell me? Is that the reason he is here tonight, to find out who was following us? Was it…Tony?”

Blaze frowned and grumbled something under his breath. “He is here for another reason, little one. Not for the man that was after you, not tonight anyway.”

I tried to turn my attention back to the gala and the people in attendance. I had always been a people watcher, but tonight my eyes kept drifting to only one man. Even with my giant lurking bodyguard blocking my view, I still managed to catch a glimpse of him again. The conversation he was having was turning serious, the man he was speaking with began sweating profusely and took out a handkerchief to wipe his brow, but Rogue maintained his casual, yet superior demeanor.

As if he could sense me watching, his head turned in my direction. I stepped back and turned away, hoping he didn’t think I had been staring at him the entire time, which for the most part I had.

Blaze’s deep voice startled me. “Would you like a drink?”

I couldn’t stop the snarky reply that slipped out. “Am I allowed?”

“I just thought you might be thirsty. Staring at Rogue the way you have been doing the past few minutes has to have made your mouth dry. Not to mention your extracurricular activities in the car.”

I took a step away. “I wasn’t staring. And I wasn’t looking at him anyway. I was watching someone else.”

“I would watch my words if I were you, little one. Rogue has proven to be quite jealous. I have never seen that part of him before, but if his jealousy is like everything else about him, it will be intense and consuming. Games can prove to be dangerous.”

I glanced back toward the bar, but Rogue was no longer there. He was walking back in our direction, and from the look on his face, the news or information he had received was not good.

Rogue

“You are being paid well for what you are about to tell me, Sevan. It had better be worth it. Why is the Armenian mob making a move on my city?”

Sevan took a drink and looked toward the door as if he were afraid someone would walk in at any moment and discover him talking to me. “It is not a unified effort and not supported by most of us in the family. It’s these young men coming into power. They don’t want to work for anything anymore. Their fathers built up their empires and they are burning them to the ground as soon as they come into power.”

He took another drink. “Petros Sargsyan took over the family business after his father Hayk’s death last year. His father was a friend of mine. He worked hard to build up his family business; he was ruthless but fair. Petros is nothing like him. He doesn’t want to put in the work and is too busy running around trying to pretend he is Scarface . He is arrogant, foolish, and merciless. He was always cruel as a child but is worse now that he is the leader of the family. He was Hayk’s only son, so he has no one to challenge his authority.”

“None of which is my business. But coming into my city and trying to make trouble with the intention of taking from me and my organization is beyond foolish.”

He shook his head in agreement. “Many of us close to the family believe so as well. But Petros wants to take it all: Chicago, Vegas, even the Italians in New York. To say he is ambitious is an understatement.”

“Ambitious is the wrong word. Foolish and reckless is more apt. But you should not be concerned with the Bratva or the Italians. Petros will not survive me.”

“There are a few of us that will be pleased to see him meet his end. That was why I came to you.”

I looked across the room and saw that Blaze was keeping watch over Bri. “Do you know his next move?”

I listened as he detailed what Petros Sargsyan had planned. If the information Sevan had given me was correct, the young Armenian was not only preparing to attack my organization but Nickolai’s as well. At least I now knew who specifically was behind the threat and a timeline for the next attack. The ambitious young fool was planning to burn my warehouses and my nightclubs to the ground, disrupt shipments, and of course, kill me as soon as the opportunity presented itself. Sevan also confirmed that I had been the original target at the club the night Nikolai was attacked.

I had been forced to eliminate threats before, that was nothing new. But this time it was different…because I had her. The thought of Bri being hurt or taken from me because of some ambitious young punk wanting to make a name for himself made me furious. So, I needed to end this before the danger got closer to her than it already was.

I would have to increase security more than I had already. Blaze would organize the men that worked for me and since Alessio was partners with me in our newest nightclub, I would need to inform him. Not that I needed his help, but it was his business interests that were threatened too. If the Armenian nuisance wasn’t enough, I also had to find Tony Galante, the man who was searching for Bri and sent the car to follow us this morning. I can’t deny that I would take great pleasure in bringing him death.

But all of that could wait. Tonight, I had more pressing matters. Blaze could start preparing for what needed to be done to thwart Petros and the threat he posed. I had restrained myself for as long as possible. My beautiful but reluctant wife stood off to the side of the ballroom, looking more tempting than any woman I had ever seen before, and she was all mine.

The crowd parted as I pushed through it. Her expressive eyes locked with mine, and I wasn’t certain if I would permit her to walk out on her own accord or swoop her up into my arms. The latter would more than likely cause more of a stir than I was comfortable with, but at this point, I wasn’t sure how much I cared.

Blaze had a drink in his hand, but when he saw me headed in his direction, he threw it back and swallowed the contents in one gulp.

“What did Sevan have to say?”

I grabbed Bri’s hand. “Go speak with him, he is waiting for you. You will want to call Nik and make arrangements with him. We can talk tomorrow in the office at the penthouse. I am not certain the club is secure enough. I’ll send the driver back for you.”

“No need. I can find my way home.”

I followed his line of vision and saw a woman in a short red cocktail dress seductively eating the olive off the toothpick in her martini. He had found his prey for the evening.

I pulled Bri closer to my side. “Come on, love. I have other plans for tonight that don’t involve being surrounded by a hundred pretentious people.”

“I don’t understand. The only reason you came tonight was to meet with the old man at the bar. And now after doing so, you just want to leave?”

I stopped and she bumped into me. “Are you saying you want to stay?”

She shook her head. “No, I just don’t understand. You bought me this dress, draped me in diamonds that cost more than what I could make working in three years, for what? So, I could stand with Blaze?”

“Believe it or not, my sweet angel, I enjoy buying things for you. I love seeing the diamonds that I bought for you wrapped around your neck. Being spoiled is something you will have to get used to. And I didn’t leave you behind at the penthouse because I wanted others to see you and know that you are mine. Tomorrow morning your picture and the news that you are now my wife will be in every newspaper in Chicago. If that doesn’t deter the man searching for you, he is a bigger idiot than I first imagined. And while I could tell you that I brought you with me because I didn’t wish for you to be alone all evening at the penthouse, or I simply wanted us to spend time getting to know each other better, it would be a lie, my intentions were purely lecherous.”

I pulled her a little closer and winked suggestively. Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, and I had an intense desire to see if that blush would spread to other parts of her body. “So, with that being said, I will give you a choice. We can either leave right now, or I can find the nearest closet, bathroom, empty office, whatever, pull you into it, and fuck you until you are screaming my name so loud that everyone will hear. But before you decide, know that I am quite serious, and I don’t give a shit what people think.”

Her eyes widened. “You say the most wicked things without regard for anyone that might hear them.” She looked around at the people surrounding us.

“I know, it is one of my more endearing qualities. Are you ready to go now?”

The nod of her head was barely noticeable. We resumed our way through the path of people and I ignored anyone who tried to stop me.

When we reached the car, my driver jumped out and quickly opened the door. I helped her inside then walked to the other side of the car to get in beside her.

My hands clenched into fists, and I willed myself not to touch her again until we were back at the penthouse. But having her so close, knowing that I could easily have her on her back again was a temptation difficult to resist.

The car was silent and the tension between us was thick. After driving for a few minutes, she turned to me. “Has anyone ever told you that your behavior is wildly erratic, not to mention inappropriate? You are teasing me one minute, angry the next. You behave as if you are going to rip my clothes off in the middle of the gala and now you sit on the opposite side of the car as if you don’t want to touch me. It’s like you are made up of both fire and ice.” She sighed and turned back toward the window. “It’s as confusing as it is irritating.”

I remained silent but couldn’t keep the slight grin from my face.

When the car came to a stop, I opened the door and jumped out before the driver could come around. Bri was already getting out; I didn’t waste a second. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her through the doors inside and moved quickly to the elevator. Once the elevator doors closed behind us, I sat her back on her feet and removed my bowtie. When my fingers went to the buttons of my shirt, she had backed away, obvious trepidation on her face.

The elevator doors opened, and I took her hand and pulled her down the hallway into the bedroom. “Stay right here and don’t move. I have another surprise for you.”

I walked to my closet and came back with a red silk blindfold. When she saw what I was holding in my hand, she took a step back.

“What are you going to do with that?”

“Be still and you will see.”

I stepped forward and slowly slid the silk over her eyes and tied a knot securing it. “They say that when someone loses their sight, their other senses are heightened. I think we should test the theory. Will you be hypersensitive to my touch when you are blindfolded and can’t see what my hands are doing?”

Bri

Rogue had spent so much time shocking me with the things he said he wanted to do to me, that when he made no move to touch me in the car or even speak, I found myself getting pissed off. What the hell was wrong with me? I should not want this man to touch me. I shouldn’t have the feelings I felt. And there was no way I should feel a hot burning lust whenever he looked in my direction. A man who had taken me against my will, blackmailed me into sharing his bed, and the worst part…made me like it.

But when he pulled me from the car and swept me into his arms to carry me into the building, he ignited the fire I had been so quick to extinguish. The look in his eyes was both thrilling and frightening. When the silk moved over my eyes, sending me into darkness, I shivered with anticipation. The man may be dangerous, but my body burned for him, and while he may frighten me and make me furious, there was no denying the attraction I felt.

An involuntary shiver passed up my spine as his fingers slowly unzipped the back of my dress, letting it pool on the floor at my feet, the air felt cooler against my skin, and I wondered about his suggestion of my senses being heightened.

The warmth of his breath on my skin as he leaned over my shoulder made me shiver. I balled my hands into fists as his lips pressed against my bare skin.

“After tonight, there will be no more doubts in your pretty little head. Tonight, you will know exactly where you belong, Angel.”

My breathing increased as his hands roamed over my breasts, his fingers tracing the lace edge of my bra before passing over my stomach.

His touch was soft and gentle, his scent surrounded me. I reached out my hand hoping to connect with his flesh. I wanted to touch him.

“Not yet, sweetheart.”

I dropped my hand back to my side. I could sense his nearness, but not his touch.

“You are so incredibly beautiful. A rarity, a treasure to be guarded. My treasure.”

His hands slid deliciously down my arms. “Tonight, I want you to discover new feelings. I will hold back my own ravenous desires to allow you to discover your own.”

His warm moist breath caressed my ear as his fingers continued to burn a path across my skin and despite the way he made me feel heat wherever he touched, I still couldn’t stop my body from shivering.

“You are nervous, Angel.”

I shook my head wanting to deny it, but inside I knew he was right. But it wasn’t fear. It was my reaction to his touch. He made me feel things I had never felt before and it made me uneasy. But I wanted to yield to the burning sweetness.

He took my hands in his and electricity seemed to pass through me. “Come with me, Bri. Allow yourself to trust me.”

I took a step, allowing him to guide me. When he stopped moving, he placed his hand on my shoulders and turned me around. The back of my knees hit the soft plush comforter on his bed.

“Sit.”

I reached behind me, placing my hands on the bed before scooting back.

“Now, lie back.”

I did as he instructed, strangely aroused by the timbre of his voice.

I felt the mattress dip as he climbed on the bed; while I was blindfolded and couldn’t see, I knew he hovered above me.

His fingers dipped just under the waistband of my panties, sending involuntary tremors of arousal through me before he pulled the silky lace down my legs agonizingly slow.

“Since the first time I had you in my arms, I have taken what I wanted, what I needed, what I craved. Tonight, I want you to tell me what you want. Tonight is about your desires, your cravings.”

I reached for the blindfold, but he grabbed my wrist. “No. Tell me, Angel. What do you crave? What do you want me to do to you? Where do you want me to touch you, to kiss you?”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. I have already felt your desire, tasted it. Where should my fingers touch you next?”

I shook my head, self-conscious, nervous, but still longing for something. A part of me hated that he was putting me in a position where I was so uncomfortable while a bigger part of me felt an excitement like nothing I had ever felt before.

“Say something, Bri. Where shall I touch you next?”

“My breasts.”

“Hmmm, excellent choice.” His hand slipped behind my back and unsnapped my bra before he pulled it free. I was naked now, completely exposed. He outlined the tips of my breasts with his fingers before cupping them, and I forgot any shame I might have felt. My back arched as the backs of his fingers moved over my nipples, causing them to harden.

“What now, Brielle? Should my fingers explore elsewhere or would you like my mouth to join in our little game.”

“Your mouth.”

As soon as the words passed from my lips, I felt his tongue flick over me. The sensation was arousing, and I wanted more, needed more. “More.”

He took me fully into his mouth, his teeth nibbling along the side of my breast before sucking harder on my nipples. “My fingers are bored, darling. Tell me what I should do to keep them occupied while my tongue is happily feasting on your tits.”

“Touch me.”

His deep chuckle reverberated through me. “I plan on it, but where sweet angel, do you want to be touched?”

I shook my head. I couldn’t ask him to do that. I couldn’t say the words.

“Come now, Angel. Where?”

“Just do it. Why do I have to say it?”

“Because I want you to be able to express all of your desires to me.” He took one of my hands in his and pressed a kiss to my palm. “If you can’t speak it, show me. Take my hand and show me.”

His fingers interlaced with mine. A few weeks ago, I would have never imagined I could be this bold, but I found myself guiding his hand lower until it settled between my legs. When his fingers slipped over my folds, I opened my legs wider, biting my lip as each stroke drove me closer to the edge of ecstasy. When he pressed a finger inside me, the base of his palm ground against my clit as he worked magic with his fingers, moving in and out of me. My back arched and I cried out in torment. I wanted more; I wanted him. My hands reached out for him but this time when he tried to push them back down onto the mattress I pushed back.

“No! If this is supposed to be about me and what I want, then let me…let me touch you.”

His hand released mine, and I reached out again, connecting with his bare chest. At some point during this seduction, he had removed his shirt. My hands explored his strong firm muscles, loving the way I felt him twitch as my hands dipped lower. My fingers followed the small trail of hair below his belly button.

How far did I dare go?

I stilled.

“Don’t stop now, love.” He inserted another finger inside me, and I felt a rush of moisture. I cried out again.

“Shh, Angel. We are just getting started. Go ahead, touch me.”

My fingers dipped lower until they wrapped around his cock: hard, velvety smooth, and thick. I stroked him and smiled as he groaned loudly in approval. It was empowering to know that I had a similar effect on him as he had on me.

“Your touch makes me feel as if I am on fire, baby.”

I rose up and pressed my cheek to his chest. I could hear his heart beating; his chest was warm. And I had an intense desire to feel his skin against mine. He must have sensed my desires and removed his fingers from where they were working magic inside me. I opened my legs wider, anticipating him to settle between them.

“Not this time, sweetheart.”

He immediately flipped me onto my belly. “Get on your knees.”

I did as he suggested. “Just your knees, sweetheart.” He pressed my shoulders down until my head was on the pillow. His hands caressing the curves of my ass.

The blindfold was a blessing at this point and I was glad to be able to hide my uneasiness behind it as I lay there so exposed. I didn’t know what to expect next, but when I felt his tongue lap over me, I could not hold back the shrieks of passion.

“I can’t….”

“Yes, you can, baby.” His tongue slipped over and then pressed inside me.

“Please…”

It was a pleading cry. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I wanted him, I needed him.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

I couldn’t hold back the shriek that passed from my lips as he plunged his cock into me from behind. His hands gripped my hips as he continued the powerful thrusts. He showed me no mercy. Each thrust brought me pain as well as overwhelming pleasure. I buried my face into the bedding and screamed louder as my orgasm began to build until it burst forth from me. My body grew limp as he continued to pound into me. With one more thrust, I felt him convulse and empty himself inside me. I didn’t have the strength to think about any ramifications of falling for a man like him. It could be the biggest mistake of my life, but tonight I wanted everything he would give me.

When he pulled out of me, I lowered my hips back to the mattress but remained on my stomach. His hands moved over my spine. I felt him working the tie on the blindfold and the silk giving way. He then turned me over to my back.

“Open your eyes, Bri. Look at me.”

My eyes opened to see him hovering over me. “Now you know, Angel. And I want to hear you say it. I want to hear it from your sweet lips. You are mine, perfection made just for me, and after tonight, you know it to be true.” He leaned down and kissed me. “Say it.”

“I know.” My voice was hoarse from screaming.

“What do you know, baby?”

“That I belong to you. I was made for you.”

His smile stretched wider. “And you will never leave?”

I hesitated and his eyes narrowed. He settled over me and pushed my knees apart wider.

“Do I need to remind you again?”

“I am yours and…I will never leave.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, he pushed inside me again. Any protest I would have formed was lost in the haze of lust that descended upon me as he fucked me again. The man was insatiable and I …was lost.