Chapter Twenty

Rogue

I had not intended on returning to the mansion until I had concluded the business of killing Petros Sargsyan and then of course there was the score to settle with the lying snake Sevan who had used me as a tool to get rid of his rival because he was too cowardly to do so himself. But after a long day of nothing, no sign of the Armenians, and no word from Sevan, all I wanted was her. It was an inherent need. To see her, touch her, hear her voice, and know that she was mine and that she was safe.

The house was dark and quiet when I arrived. Security was in place, but mostly out of sight as they had been instructed to be. I made my way up the dual staircase toward the master suite. I seldom came here. It had been a few years since I had stepped foot inside the mansion. I kept a small staff to take care of the house and to keep it ready in case it was needed, but I had always preferred to stay in the city, closer to the club, closer to my assets. The house was purchased as an escape or for times when I needed to entertain business associates away from the loud boisterous nights at the club.

While I enjoyed being surrounded by hedonism, I felt a strong need to keep my innocent angel away from it. She was the only thing pure I had ever possessed in my life. This house, with its light airy feel, soft color schemes, and gardens suited her. I could picture her strolling the grounds, working in the gardens, and making this a home. It was an illusion I had never allowed myself to believe could exist for me.

The door to the master suite opened noiselessly and I stepped quietly toward the bed. The room was dark except for the small sliver of moonlight pouring through the white sheer draperies, giving just enough light that I could see her face. She was peaceful. No nightmares tonight, no hint of the fear she had felt at the hands of Tony Galante. I removed the coat I was wearing and unbuttoned the sleeves of my white shirt as I walked over to sit in the large chair by the window. As much as I wanted her right now, I didn’t want to wake her. Seeing her was enough…for now.

As I watched her sleep, the realization came to me that I would do whatever it took to keep this woman safe, to make her happy, to give her all the things she had been denied. And while a part of me knew the only way to truly keep her safe would be for me to stay away from her, to let her go. I knew it couldn’t be done; it was an impossibility. I didn’t have that kind of willpower. So, being the beast that I truly was, I would drag her light into the darkness with me.

A sweet sound from the bed drew my attention as she rolled over in her sleep, her long slim leg slipping from beneath the covers. My dick hardened as my eyes followed the length of it from her ankle to her upper thigh before it dipped beneath the sheets, shielding the rest of her from me. She was perfection, everything I was not.

I settled back into the chair, wishing I had brought a glass of whiskey upstairs with me. Her sleep became restless, and she rolled over again, this time giving me a view of the gentle slope of her breasts. My fingers itched to touch her, and I was almost ready to give in to my desires when I saw her eyes open. At first, I thought she might still be sleeping; she didn’t react right away as if she wasn’t sure she was seeing me, then she sat up quickly.

“Rogue?”

I walked toward her. “Shh, it’s just me, Angel. Go back to sleep.”

“I thought you weren’t coming back.”

Against my better judgment, I took one more step closer. “I wanted to see you. I needed to see you, but I am perfectly content to watch you sleep.” That was the biggest lie I had ever told in my life. Contentment was far from the emotion I was feeling now as my eyes raked over her perfect form.

My hand reached out to trace the curve of her cheek, then my thumb pulled at her bottom lip.

She pushed my hand away. “Don’t. I’m still pissed at you.”

My lips turned up slightly at the spark I saw in her eyes. “You seem unharmed.”

She jumped from the bed and poked me hard in the chest. “You can’t just drug me every time you want to shield me from your world! Was that your plan; to keep me in a hallucinogenic dazed state just so you can spare your conscience? I will not live that way, Rogue. If you ever do anything like that to me again, I will leave and never come back.”

I didn’t like to be threatened, even by her. I grabbed her arms and tossed her back on the bed before following, pinning her to the mattress with a hand on her throat, not enough to hurt, only to get her attention. “Don’t make threats you can’t keep, Angel. You gave yourself to me and the moment I took you, took your virginity, your fate was sealed. I will take whatever punishment you want to dish out for drugging you, and I will even promise not to do so again, but don’t ever threaten me with leaving or denying me. Run and I will chase you.”

Her breathing increased and my grip on her throat loosened as my fingers slid lower over her chest down the valley between her breasts. My voice lowered to an almost imperceivable whisper. “You confound me. Desire rages inside me when I think of you. Tonight, I tried to stay away, I wanted to stay away, but I couldn’t. It’s a physical impossibility. The hold you have on me is too strong.”

My hand slipped lower, pushing the silk chemise she was wearing above her hips. I slipped my hand between her legs and frowned when I felt the silk of her panties instead of the warm, wet flesh that I craved. With one fierce tug, I ripped the offending fabric from the body I was so desperate to sink into.

Her chemise suffered the same fate. I was eager to see her nakedness, to feel her skin, to explore every inch of her, and nothing would stop me. I took a moment to admire the perfection laid out before me. Tonight, there was a force driving me. I didn’t want to be gentle or take things slow. I wanted to fuck. I wanted to fuck hard. I wanted her screams to wake the house. There was a need to brand her, mark her, drive into her, and take everything she had to give.

I quickly freed my cock and pushed her legs apart. I didn’t take the time to make her ready; I slammed into her, and a gasp or half scream escaped her lips as I pulled out and repeated the action. She felt so good, so incredibly tight as if she were made just for me. I leaned down and took her lips as the desire to taste her swept over me.

I felt her hands reach for me, but I pulled them over her head, immobilizing her. I needed to control her. I needed to feel power over her, to command her, to dominate. Something, anything to make me believe that I wasn’t losing my authority, because when I was with her, I felt powerless, as if I were drowning. When I thought I couldn’t hold back anymore, I pulled out. Her eyes were filled with lust, and it spurred me further. I yanked her from the bed, pulled her over to the sofa, and pushed her down so her perfect round ass was exposed. I entered her, bringing her nearly off her feet, unashamed at the ferocity in which I needed her tonight. Her cries got louder with every thrust, and I finally could hold back no more. I pumped into her, my cum running down her legs. Her body convulsed at the same time as pleasure swept over her. I lifted her in my arms, her knees no longer able to hold her up, and carried her back to the bed. I stripped the remainder of my clothes off so that I could feel her skin against mine. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest was heaving, and her legs trembled, but we were not done. I needed her in every way possible before I was faced with the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring.

The Next Morning

Bri

Before I could open my eyes, the warmth of being held in Rogue’s arms melted my anger away. I wanted to stay in bed with him; I didn’t want him to leave. I didn’t want the phone to ring with information that would pull him away from me. I snuggled closer against him, relishing the safety I felt when I was wrapped in his arms.

“After the way I took you last night, you must be sore and tender in certain intimate areas. So, I will give you one warning and one warning only, if you wiggle your little ass against my cock one more time, you will find yourself on your back with your legs thrown over my shoulders.”

I turned in his arms to face him. “I am still mad at you.”

His deep chuckle reverberated through me. “I can only imagine how mad you were when you finally woke up yesterday. I’ll know next time that you don’t have a very high tolerance for medications.”

“Next time! There better not be a next time, Rogue. I don’t want you to think that I am so fragile that you must medicate me when things get difficult. I meant what I said last night. You won’t give me up or let me leave so you have to trust that I am strong enough to handle things.”

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I was only trying to make things easier for you, but if it makes you feel better, I promise to never drug you again.” He pressed a kiss to the corner of my lips. “I am more partial to the handcuffs anyway.”

I pushed against his chest, even as his lips spread into the most handsome smile. “None of that either, Rogue.”

He sighed heavily and rolled to his back. “Now that is something I won’t promise you. Stop trying to take all the fun out of everything.”

“What happened yesterday that you were so worried about me anyway?”

His face turned serious, and he stood from the bed and slid on his pants that had been tossed to the floor. “Yesterday, Blaze received information that our enemies were planning something against us. We had every intention of stopping it before they could strike. But it didn’t happen, now we wait.”

“Wait? Just wait for whoever this person is to attack you.”

He put on his shirt but left it unbuttoned. “No, sweetheart. We wait until the first opportunity that is given to kill him.”

I knew he noticed my face pale.

“Don’t ask questions that you don’t want to hear the answer to, Angel. That’s why I brought you here, that’s why I gave you the medication to keep you from being worried. Arrangements have been made for you. Michael is here to protect you and I’m sure Eden being here will help keep your mind off things.”

I wrapped the sheet around me and stood from the bed. “Arrangements for me?”

He stepped closer but didn’t reach out to touch me. “I do have some good news. Alessio received word that Tony Galante’s stepfather forced him to return to New York. You no longer have him to worry about. He is no longer in the area and according to Alessio, Tony was given an ultimatum to leave you alone or be left on his own. His stepfather will not intercede for him.”

I pulled the sheet tighter over me. “Tony is gone, and he agreed to never come for me again? I find that hard to believe.”

“That’s right, sweetheart. Tony is no longer your problem, but know this, once I have disposed of the threat from the Armenians, I still have every intention of finding him and killing him for what he has done to you. I promise that you will forever be free of the fears that haunt you, Angel.”

“If he has left Chicago and has no plans to return or seek me out, there is no need to kill him. Will that not cause trouble between you and his stepfather? He is a hitman for God’s sake. You shouldn’t antagonize him.”

“There is no need to argue with me. Tony’s fate was sealed the minute he hurt you, and for that, he must pay. But all of that can wait. You are not to worry. Once the Armenians are dealt with, I plan on taking you away somewhere special.”

I wanted to know more, but his phone rang on the other side of the room, and he quickly walked over to grab it. His eyes narrowed and I saw the muscle clench in his jaw.

“Give me an hour.”

He grabbed the phone tighter. “Go back to bed, Bri. I’ll have the chef prepare breakfast and one of the maids will bring it to you in an hour or so.”

I didn’t get the chance to ask where he was going or when he would come back before he hurried from the room. It didn’t matter. I knew he wouldn’t answer me and a part of me didn’t want the truth. I crawled back into the bed, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep now.

Rogue

The video Blaze had sent to my phone showing Petros and Sevan meeting on the same day that Sevan had told Blaze that he had not seen or heard from the young fool confirmed our suspicion that Sevan was using us to take Petros out so it would be easier for him to take control. It still pissed me off that I didn’t see through his ruse sooner, but his machinations would not go unpunished. Anyone who attempted to play me for a fool would pay for their mistake.

I stopped my car in front of the high-rise building expecting Blaze to be waiting for me. After meeting with Michael and double-checking the security around the mansion, Alessio had agreed that Tomas’ skills would be more useful in helping take down Petros and Sevan. The fact that Tomas would be joining us on the hunt was bound to put Blaze in an even fouler mood than usual. Hopefully, we could find and eliminate our targets before the two of them killed each other. Normally I enjoyed watching the animosity between the two of them fester, but not today. There was too much to be done.

Before I could step from the car, I caught sight of Blaze walking out of the building, a deep frown on his face and a fresh cut above his right eye.

“Drive!”

I didn’t hesitate. “Where the fuck are we going?”

“My place. Petros and his men are about to make a move. They plan on burning the warehouses off of 14 th after dark and then hitting the other warehouse out of the city right after. There are only twenty or so of his men left, but we don’t know how many Sevan has with him.”

I nodded. “And as soon as we take down Petros, Sevan will show his true colors.”

Blaze didn’t bother to confirm my suspicions.

“Where are Tomas and Alessio?”

“Alessio will meet us later. Tomas is tending to a black eye and it’s not my place to keep track of him anyway.”

“The two of you couldn’t hold back until this was over. Does the cut over your eye need stitches?”

He didn’t bother responding.

When we arrived at Blaze’s apartment, he gathered his favorite weapons, the ones he preferred when violence was necessary. If everything went as expected, Petros and all the men who worked for him would be dead before the night was over. Then I would deal with Sevan myself.

Seven Hours Later

Alessio and Blaze were on the south side of the warehouse covering the rear entrance, and Tomas was set up on the east end with a sniper rifle covering me. I planned on facing Petros head-on. The area around the warehouses was dark, the security guards that were normally on duty had all been dismissed and sent home. I didn’t want anyone other than the four of us here tonight.

I was dressed in my favorite black suit, I felt that being professional was always important regardless of the circumstances. I just hoped it wouldn’t be covered in blood before the night was over. My phone vibrated with a notification from Blaze alerting me to the fact that Petros and some of his men had arrived on location. It pleased me to know that Petros was so easily walking into the trap we had set. The man truly wasn’t worthy of the responsibilities that had been passed down to him from his father.

A dark car drove toward the building where I waited patiently. Six men got out of the car, one holding a black duffle bag, all of them armed. I watched for the others to show or to get in their positions. Tomas texted that there were about twelve of them. Another car pulled up, and I needed Petros to be in it. He was known to often send his men to do the work while he hid, I hoped tonight was not one of those times. One of the men ran to open the backdoor, and I was relieved to see Petros step from the vehicle. He was wearing dark sunglasses even though it was midnight. What a prick . His black hair was slicked back, and he was wearing a black hoodie underneath a black wool peacoat. He adjusted his coat as he looked around the warehouses, trying to portray confidence that this would be an easy task for his men.

I knew Blaze was positioned on the other side of the complex prepared to handle an assault from the rear and Tomas was an excellent sniper, so I stepped out from behind the large shipping container where I had been waiting and walked out into the open. Petros and his men looked confused. Some pointed their weapons at me, while others darted around looking for the ambush they were now realizing they had walked into.

Petros moved confidently to the center, two men flanking him as I walked forward…alone.

“I had heard that you were a dangerous man, Delaney, but I didn’t think you were stupid,” he stated loudly in a thick accent before laughing and slapping one of the men beside him on the back.

I ignored the insult. “It was ambitious of you to try to take on the Volkoff Bratva, Petros. Some might say even ballsy, but to think that you could come into my city and take from me was the mistake that will end your life.”

His laughter stopped as he stepped closer. “You are just like my father, unable to see what I am capable of, thinking that you know better than me.” He held his arms out wide. “And now I will take it all. Once I have killed you and taken over all your holdings and businesses, I will move on to New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas…”

I held up my hand just to get him to shut his mouth. “You have already tried Vegas. That didn’t go as you had hoped.”

I watched his face redden. His immaturity showed at that moment. In this world, you learn how to hide your emotions. Petros just showed a weakness; he could be goaded into making foolish mistakes. It was probably how Sevan managed to control him.

His lips curled into a snarl. “You talk big for someone about to die.”

“You are a puppet, Petros. Sevan has been pulling your strings the entire time, feeding me information about your attacks and hoping I would take you out so he can take control of your father’s organization.”

He took another step closer, but I held my ground.

“You know nothing! You are spouting lies, hoping to save your miserable life. You should be on your knees begging me to at least make your death swift.”

The sound of one of the men behind him falling to the ground drew his attention. He turned just in time to see another one fall. Chaos moved through the ranks of his men as others fell to the ground. Tomas’s sniper skills were impressive. It only took a matter of seconds until Petros was the only one left.

He was shaking now with both rage and fear.

“I am not alone! I have other men with me.”

I shook my head. “You think I was not prepared for that. The other men who came with you are already dead. Although, I’m sure they were not granted the easy death these men were. So, it’s just you and me, Petros. How do you want to play it?”

His hands curled into fists. “I’m going to kill you, Delaney.”

He rushed forward, a blade in his hand, and swiped at me. I shifted to the left and easily avoided his attack. The fool still thought he could win. After wiping out the remaining men that followed him, Petros still thought he could beat me. It almost felt as if I were doing something especially evil by killing this man. The neurons in his brain were obviously not firing as they should.

He lunged for me again, this time almost nicking the sleeve of my coat. While a part of me enjoyed this, I was most anxious to end it. I still had Sevan to deal with, and I wasn’t quite sure how I wanted to handle that.

“Let me make it easy for you, Petros. You are already destined to die tonight. Throw down the knife and I promise to make it quick and clean. I have other things I need to do and playing cat and mouse with you is beginning to bore me.”

The young man’s eyes narrowed as sweat beaded across his forehead. “You are the one that will die tonight, Delaney. Or maybe I will keep you alive just long enough for you to watch me force your pretty little wife to her knees to suck my cock.”

The fury I felt at that moment couldn’t have been contained if I had tried. I swiftly grabbed the hand holding the knife while gripping his throat with the other.

His face began to turn red then purple as the air flow was cut off, his windpipe crushing beneath the force of my fingers.

“Speaking of my wife was the one sure way to make certain your death will not be either neat or painless.”

His strength was fading as I twisted the hand in which he still held the knife between us. Spit began to pool in the corner of his mouth as he struggled to draw a breath. I thrust the knife forward into his belly, his eyes widened, and I loosened my grip around his throat, allowing him the opportunity to breathe even if was only for a moment. I didn’t want him to slip away so easily. The knife was still embedded deep into his stomach. I jerked it to the side, and I stepped back and released him. He fell to his knees, his hands immediately going to the wound where his guts were now visible.

At that moment, Blaze walked around the corner covered in blood, a look of surreal satisfaction on his face. “Is he dead, yet?”

I bent down watching the shallow rise and fall of his chest. “No, but he soon will be.”

Blaze stood over him, blood dripping from his hands. “Finish him so we can be done with this.”

Tomas stepped forward. “Why are you in such a hurry? Do you have another lady waiting to be left disappointed and unfulfilled tonight?”

I stood up and placed a hand on Blaze’s chest to stop him from going after Tomas.

Alessio moved in front of Tomas. “That’s enough. While the two of you may have nothing better to do than spit insults and spar with each other, I would like to end this and be back in bed with my wife before the sun rises.”

Blaze looked down at the man lying in a pool of blood at my feet. “This mess needs to be cleaned up.”

I stared at Petros as he took his final breaths. He was beyond comprehension now. It wouldn’t be much longer. “Daniel and a crew of men are waiting for my text. He will make sure everything is handled here.” I pulled my cell phone from my coat pocket.

“Now that Petros is no more, should we go visit your friend Sevan and give him the good news?” Alessio asked as he stepped over Petros’ lifeless body.

Blaze lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. “I’ll give him a call.”

“No, don’t call. It is better if he doesn’t know we are coming. We don’t want to give Sevan any advantages.”