Chapter Fifteen

Bri

I would remember tonight for the rest of my life. I never imagined anyone having the power or money to rent out an entire museum, but Rogue had done exactly that for me. A gift to me simply because I mentioned wanting to visit but never being able to afford the luxury. As I strolled through the different halls, admiring the ancient treasures and exhibits on display, not one time did I think of Tony or the trouble that followed me. It may be only a short reprieve, but I was happy to take it.

Things had changed between Rogue and me. I wasn’t sure exactly when this transformation occurred, but I no longer felt like a captive looking for the first opportunity to escape. I no longer was afraid or angry with him, and the flame of desire that burned between us only seemed to burn hotter the more we were with each other.

I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see him hovering behind me or staring at me, but he had walked away to stand across the room to take a call. Something had happened to change his demeanor. He was angry. And just like that, the reality of our situation returned. The fragile but twisted fairy tale that I had woven into my brain was now broken. I was not living with a prince or a knight in shining armor. I was living with a dangerous man in a world where death and peril were commonplace.

The desire I had to continue my exploration of the museum deserted me along with any hope that this could turn into a normal relationship. The steps I took drawing me closer to him alerted him to my presence. An intense feeling of dread swept over me, and I knew that the phone call that had disrupted our evening had to do with Tony and his search for me.

He looked up and put the phone back into his coat pocket. “Finished so soon, Angel?”

I nodded my head. “I am just a little tired and while I feel foolish and hate to admit it, my foot hurts a little bit from where I tried to kick you and instead kicked the car.”

He stepped forward and before I could utter a protest lifted me into his arms and I felt that fairy-tale feeling threatening to take over my senses again.

He carried me over to the information desk and sat me on top of a stack of maps and brochures.

“You should have told me your foot was hurt. I had not realized you kicked the car hard enough to injure yourself.”

He slipped off my black heel and held my foot in his hand as he examined it.

“I am not injured. You just saw me walking all over this place. My foot is just a bit sore. There is no need to be concerned.”

His hand slid over my ankle and slowly up my calf. “It doesn’t appear to be sprained, but we really should be certain.”

I saw a hint of amusement flicker in his eyes.

“I told you it was just a little sore.”

His lips lifted into a small smile. “Let’s be sure.”

I shrieked as he raked a finger down the bottom of my foot and nearly jumped from the desk. I tried to pull my foot free, but he held it tighter and raked his fingers across the bottom of my foot again, causing me to burst out in a shrill giggle.

“Stop! I can’t stand anymore.”

He laughed and released my foot before placing a quick kiss to my lips. “You are ticklish. That is an important bit of information that might prove useful in the future.”

“Don’t you dare!”

He laughed and then swept me back into his arms and started for the museum entrance.

I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You don’t have to carry me. You know my foot is not injured to the point that I can’t walk.”

“Perhaps I just like the way it feels to hold you in my arms.”

I squeezed my eyes shut tight and pushed those pesky feelings away. Feelings that threatened to hurt me far more than anything I had physically experienced. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be, and I had to shield my heart from feeling anything for Rogue Delaney.

A security guard was stationed at the front entrance and held the door open for us. Once outside I saw the men that worked for Rogue waiting. “You can put me down now. I don’t want everyone to think that I am incapable of taking care of myself.”

Even from his profile, I could see his lips curve up a bit.

“After the way you fought tonight outside the club, I’m sure they are well aware.”

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. “Yes, I should apologize. It was embarrassing, especially now that I know I was wrong. I don’t know why I would think Allison would be here in Chicago.” I felt his muscles stiffen. “Rogue? I was wrong, wasn’t I?”

“Darling, you had a natural reaction to what you saw or thought you saw. Anyone that had been through the shock that you have over the last few days would have done the same thing.”

“My shock is one thing, but can you imagine how shocked the person would have been if I had managed to break away from your security detail and catch them? They would have thought I was a crazy woman.”

“They might think it, but never would they have the balls to say it in my presence. Now get in the car, Angel. My restraint is reaching its limit.”

I knew exactly what he was talking about. Since our little talk at the mummy case, I had thought of little else but being in bed with this man. A man who frightened me but at the same time brought me to new heights of desire and lust. The darkly enchanted and wicked world I was living in now was fragile. At any moment the bubble could burst, and I could be on my own again, but here and now, I wanted every moment of pleasure I could steal before life hit me like a brick wall, before danger crept back into his world, before he grew tired of me as Blaze had suggested he would.

Rogue remained silent, never turning his head away from the window as the car drove us through the streets, the reflection of the city lights twinkled against the wet pavement. A part of me didn’t want to know what he was thinking, or what was said on the phone to cause his mood to change so drastically. Whatever it was I didn’t want it to spoil the evening. Even if Tony was waiting around the corner to grab me, I didn’t want to know, not tonight. Tonight, I wanted to pretend that I could love this man and he could love me. I wanted to live the fanciful tale, and pretend to be his princess. Tonight, I didn’t want anything to disturb the fragile peace I was feeling.

The car came to a stop, and he got out, took my hand, and silently we entered the high-rise building and walked toward the elevator that took us to the penthouse. Although we never spoke, I felt his fingers lightly caressing my hand. The expectation of what we both knew was coming excited me like nothing before.

When the elevator doors opened, I expected him to walk directly to the bedroom, but instead, he went over to the sofa and took a seat, sighing heavily as he looked at where I was still standing.

“The green coat you saw someone wearing tonight was found inside a trash can two blocks away from the club.”

I felt my heart sink a little. I didn’t want to know this. I wanted to pretend it had all gone away. “So, I was right.”

He breathed in deeply. “You were right about seeing the green coat, but wrong thinking it was your friend.”

I shook my head in confusion. “I know it wasn’t Allison, who was it?”

“Blaze found a business card in the pocket to a hotel here in Chicago. When he went there, he confirmed that Galante had been there.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes. “So, it was Tony the whole time and I almost ran right to him.”

My knees felt wobbly and when I felt Rogue’s strong arm wrap around my waist, I was grateful for the support.

“You should have let me leave Chicago when I discovered Tony was here. He is going to find me. There is nothing anyone can do to stop it. Now that he knows where I am, he will not stop.”

Rogue put his hands on either side of my face and forced me to look up at him. “Open your eyes, Angel, and listen carefully to what I am going to say to you.”

My eyes fluttered open and the intensity I saw as he stared back at me sent chills down my spine.

“I don’t know why I am having to address this again with you, but I will try once more. You belong to me, Bri. You are my wife, and I will protect you. I didn’t tell you this so you would cower in fear, and believe me, I was conflicted when deciding if it was the right thing to do. I told you so that you would make better decisions and think before you act rashly. Tonight, if, and I emphasize if, you had been able to break away from the men I had protecting you, you would have run headlong into danger. This is a lesson. Something that you need to learn and fully understand. It’s not just about Tony. There will be others, other dangers you will face, you have to make better decisions.”

I felt my temper rising above my fear. “Are you seriously chastising me right now?”

“If that’s what you want to think of it, then yes.” He gripped my arms to keep me from turning away. “You are in my world now, Angel. It’s a world in which you are afforded many privileges but cannot always do as you please.”

I tried to pull away, but he refused to release me. “What if I don’t want to be a part of your world?”

He wrapped a hand in my hair and tugged my head back sharply. “It’s too late for that now. You are already a part of it. The first moment I laid eyes on you, the second my lips touched your skin, once I made the decision to claim you as mine…it was already too late. Trust me, Angel, to keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to always rely on others to keep me safe. I want to be able to do so myself.”

He shook his head. “No, protecting you is my job.”

I squeezed his arms harder to make him listen to me. “Can’t you see that me knowing how to defend myself can only be an asset? I don’t want to play the damsel in distress. I don’t want to always be fearful. If I had known some sort of self-defense moves on the night that Tony attacked me, I might have avoided a stay in the hospital. Teach me to shoot, teach me something that will allow me to save myself if the need arises.”

I could see that he was considering it by the way his eyes searched my face.

“The thought of you having to defend yourself doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want you to ever be in a situation where those types of skills are needed, but if you are determined to learn, I will consider it.”

“Blaze could even teach me if you are too busy.”

He grinned. “Blaze would turn you into a cold-blooded killer if given half the chance, but Father Michael might be able to assist.”

“Thank you.”

His lips came down hard on mine, and I felt any anger or fear I was holding onto swiftly dissipating. I didn’t know how he managed to make me melt in a puddle of desire with just a kiss, but he did every time.

When he pulled away, I felt strangely bereft.

“You looked beautiful tonight. Now take off the dress.”

My brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Strip for me, Angel. I have wanted to see you naked before we arrived at the museum. So, you have two choices, take it off or I’ll rip it off. Your choice.”

He moved back to the couch and took a seat as if waiting to watch a show.

“Here. Not in the bedroom?”

“Right here. The clock is ticking, baby. Better get started.”

My fingers moved slowly to the straps of the dress. It was strangely disconcerting to undress while he sat there watching. I could feel the heat in my face as the straps slowly slid down my arms. His eyes darkened as the tops of my breasts became visible and what at first made me feel awkward and uncomfortable, suddenly became very erotic. I shimmied the dress down a little slower, stopping just as my nipples became visible. A muscle in the side of his jaw flinched as my hands moved up to cover my breasts.

“You want to give me a show, Angel? Go right ahead but know that I will not be held responsible for my actions.”

The threat emboldened me. I pushed the dress down farther so that it hung low on my hips. My hand glided slowly over my stomach before dipping lower, the dress still obscuring my actions. Rogue’s eyes were watching every move I made, his lips set in a straight line.

When the dress fell to the floor, my hand stilled. It was one thing to be hidden, but with Rogue’s hungry gaze fixed on my hand, watching every movement I made was another thing altogether.

He stood from the sofa and walked toward me, every nerve ending in my body tingled in anticipation of his touch.

He raised his hand, letting the backs of his fingers gently graze over my skin. “You truly are perfection.”

Then something snapped in him. He became urgent and aggressive. He gripped my hair in his fist and pulled my head back sharply. His head dipped lower, and he pulled my nipples between his teeth while his other hand moved over the curve of my ass. His urgency grew. He lifted me in his arms and carried me over to the bar and sat me on top of the cool granite surface.

“Lie down and put your feet on the edge.”

I did as he asked and felt him press my knees farther apart. One of his hands moved over my stomach toward my breasts. He rolled my pebbled nipples between his fingers, squeezing them enough to elicit a gasp from my lips. As his hand slid lower, I felt his fingers spread apart my folds.

I closed my eyes under his inspection and waited in anticipation for his mouth to cover me.

“Keep your eyes closed, Angel.”

He pressed one finger inside me.

“Stay there. I have another surprise for you.”

I leaned up and pressed my knees together. “You want me to stay here?”

“Don’t move. I will be right back.”

I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, my eyes remained closed as I waited.

“Do you trust me, Angel?”

I nodded my head, eager for him to get on with it. I was burning for this man. I heard a small humming noise, but before I could question it, my body jumped at the vibrations against me. My eyes flew open, and I leaned up to see the device in his hand.

“Lie back down, Angel.”

He moved the device over my center, and I nearly came off the top of the bar. The vibrations were intense, and I felt my body jump with every stroke. But when he inserted it inside me, I felt a rush of liquid. The feelings were so strong and so powerful that I tried to close my legs and scoot away. But he held me firm as he continued moving the vibrator in and out of my pussy.

My body began to tremble and convulse violently. “Fuck!”

“Do you like toys, baby?”

I was almost beyond speaking, my body gushing. He removed the device, and I heard the sound of his belt and zipper. I cried out as he shoved his hard cock inside me, both hands gripping my breasts as he slammed into me.

Another scream escaped my lips as he pulled me to an upright position. I wrapped my legs around him as his mouth sucked in my breast. I convulsed again, feeling weak and satiated.

“That’s it, baby. But we aren’t done yet.”

He ripped off his shirt and kicked off his pants that were around his ankles, then swept me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom. He kicked the door open, it banged loudly against the wall. He carried me to the bed. I had no idea what he had in store for me until he pulled out 4 black sashes.

“What are those for?”

“Do you trust me?”

I nodded but inside my stomach fluttered a little. He took the sashes and tied my hands to the headboard before moving to my feet. The sashes were wrapped around my ankles before he spread them wide and secured them to the bed.

He walked away and I started to rethink my decision to allow this. I pulled on the restraints, but they were secure. There was no way I would get out of this until he released me.

“Rogue?”

He walked back into the room with a glass of ice.

“You must learn patience, Angel.”

He moved over me on the bed and placed a cube of ice in his mouth before lowering himself to my breast. I inhaled swiftly as his tongue swirled the ice around my nipple, causing it to harden even tighter while his fingers glided down my stomach to caress my clit. I bucked and pulled against the restraints as his fingers worked their magic.

“You can’t free yourself so you might as well enjoy the moment.”

He slid another ice cube down my belly and between my thighs. My eyes closed as my body shivered.

“Please.”

“Please what, Bri?”

“Stop teasing me.”

His chuckle reverberated against me as his mouth closed around my center. His tongue swiped over me while his fingers explored further. Being restrained was frustrating, but also exhilarating. There was something about being so exposed, so vulnerable that I found exciting. A tremor rolled over me as he brought me closer to the edge.

“Rogue! I need you.”

He raised his head. “Then tell me. What do you want?”

I was beyond caring about embarrassing myself at this point. The need to have him inside was stronger than any hesitation I had about speaking the words out loud. “I want you to fuck me. I need you inside me.”

I didn’t have to wait long. His thrust was fierce, making me cry out and immediately I felt my muscles clench around him. I pulled against the restraints again, wanting to touch him, wanting to wrap my legs around him as he roughly took me. My orgasm was building and I couldn’t control its release. I watched as his eyes closed in pleasure as my moisture moved over him. He continued to thrust inside me almost violently until he found his release.

My breathing was hard, and my body felt like jelly. When he untied me, I lay there unable to move. He pulled me to his side and lightly feathered kisses over my shoulder.

“Get some rest, Angel, because I am not nearly finished with you tonight.”

My body trembled at the promise. The man was a beast, but I loved every minute of it.

Rogue

Watching her sleep was one of the most peaceful things I had ever done. There had been no nightmares last night. Of course, after several hours of making love to her in every conceivable way possible, she was quite literally exhausted. I wasn’t certain if it was the fatigue or the fact that she finally felt safe, but whatever it was, I was glad to see her sleep serenely.

She was lying on her stomach, her brown hair to the side and the sheet had slipped down to her waist. I marveled at the perfection of her skin. I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the top of her spine and the most delicious-sounding moan passed between her lips. I let my hand slip under the sheets to caress the soft curves of her ass before dipping between her thighs.

The craving for this woman couldn’t be adequately explained. Never before had I been so obsessed, but Bri was like an addiction, a habit I was unable and unwilling to give up. Her warm body stirred as my fingers found what they were seeking. She breathed in deeply as I pushed two fingers inside her. I leaned over her pressing kisses down her spine to its base and pushing the sheet aside so I could see her, so I could watch her body take me in.

When another soft whimper escaped her, I couldn’t wait any longer. I flipped her to her back and settled between her legs so I could thrust inside her.

“Damn it, Bri. I should have let you sleep. I should have already left for work. There are things I must get finished today but all I can think of is how good it feels for my cock to be inside you.”

I pulled out slowly then pushed in faster, her swollen pussy growing wetter with each thrust. I knew I had so little control when it came to this woman but after last night, I wanted to take it slower, to make it good for her, but when her legs came up to wrap around my waist, I knew she wanted more. She wanted me to take her fast, hard, unrelenting. She liked it that way and whatever my princess wanted, she would get. My thrusts became more powerful, her cries grew louder, and it was not long before I could not hold back any longer. As I filled her fully, I kissed her, and for the first time in my life, I felt a cold chill of foreboding pass over me. I could not lose this woman. I could not be without her and as that was the case, I needed to up my search for the man that hurt her, the man that was still seeking to take what was mine. And when I found him, I would enjoy every second of torture I would reap upon his black soul.

I heard the notification beep on my phone, but I was reluctant to pull away from her body. I propped up on my elbows so the weight of my body would not crush her and brushed a few tendrils of hair from her face.

“You are even beautiful when you sleep, Angel.”

Her eyes held a look of sleepy satisfaction, and it made me even more hungry for her.

A soft smile brightened her face. “Can we stay in bed today?”

“As tempting as it is to say yes, I do have some business to see to today. Blaze will be waiting for me here at the office downstairs and then tonight I will need to make an appearance at the club.”

“Can I stay here? I don’t feel like leaving the penthouse.”

I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was still driven by fear. “You may stay in bed and sleep while I go downstairs. Sleep, take a shower, or a bubble bath if you prefer. I will have breakfast delivered to you, whatever you are in the mood for. But when I leave the penthouse, you come with me.”

“But I…”

I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “We can’t let our lives be ruled by fear, Brielle. You can’t hide away from the villains and monsters that stalk the world. But you will not have to face them alone, that is my job.”

I threw the covers back and stood from the bed. Her eyes looked their fill of me as I grabbed my phone and headed into the bathroom. Another notification came through and I looked down at the screen. When I saw Nik’s number as well as about a dozen calls from Blaze, I knew something had gone wrong.

I called Blaze back first. Nik could wait.

“It’s about fucking time!”

I was not in the mood for a lecture from Blaze this morning. “Save it! What the fuck happened?”

“Petros made a move last night against Nik in Vegas.”

“Fuck!”

I heard him scoff.

“I would say you have done enough of that.”

I wanted to tell him to mind his own damn business, but in a way he was right. I had not been taking the threats seriously. Petros was a punk thug who had been given too much power with no one to stay his hand. He was reckless and foolish, but he was still dangerous. My obsession with Bri and my drive to find and rid the world of Tony Galante had caused me to take that fact for granted.

“I’ll be showered and dressed in thirty minutes. Meet me at the office downstairs.”

“I’m already here.”

He hung the phone up and I cursed inwardly. This was exactly what we had not wanted to happen. We wanted to make the first move and for Petros to strike the Bratva first showed not only his arrogance but his ignorance.

Steam rose from the shower as I let the hot water clear my head. I showered quickly and dressed. Bri had fallen back asleep, and I did not want to wake her. The last thing I needed right now was for my head not to be in the game. I needed to speak with Nik and make plans should Petros try something against my organization.