Chapter 11

Maria

Permission to go outside.

Those were the last words that my new husband had offered me before leaving for his meeting. I felt like a bad little girl who'd only recently earned several of her privileges back. That annoyed the hell out of me, another reminder that I was in a completely different world than that of normal women in typical relationships.

I couldn't believe the ancient tradition of arranged marriages existed, let alone the controlling temperament indulged in by men. I wasn't certain I could fake it even for a year. The chemistry I shared with Daniel had been unexpected but at no time had Maria told me that I'd be nothing but a useful doormat, treated not like a princess to be pampered but an object owned.

Maybe that was why wild horses couldn't have kept me from sliding into a pair of jeans, a shirt of my own, and my old tennis shoes, which I'd snuck into my suitcase, and walking the grounds.

Sure, I knew I was being followed by goon number one, the same soldier who'd witnessed my irritated response to Daniel's first round of dominance weeks before. I had a feeling tossing wine in his face might become my disobedience of choice.

It had been hours since my keeper had left to go to some unknown mystery. I'd waited inside after taking a long, hot shower in my crazy attempt to remove his sweat and scent from my skin.

Even using the scrubby brush like a Brillo pad until my body was sore hadn't worked. I could still gather the fragrance of his very masculine cologne. Woodsy. Spicy. Arrogant. If there was such a thing.

Daniel had even seemed excited about the honeymoon he was determined to take me on. When asked where we were going, he'd insisted our destination was a surprise, a secluded location where we could get to know each other.

I wasn't certain that was a good idea, although maybe being around him after that point would become easier. The older woman I'd seen floating around the house cleaning had knocked on the bedroom door not long after my shower, telling me that the suitcases had already been packed and that I wouldn't need to do a thing. She'd seemed excited for the two of us. I'd almost tried to bribe her to go in my stead.

Oh, what in the hell was I thinking? Crazy thoughts.

For all the posturing I'd done, all the hatred I'd felt, I'd certainly not been very strong in pushing him aside that morning. After jogging off the porch, I took a deep whiff of the slightly humid air, enjoying the tingling sensations from the light breeze. I shielded my eyes from the late afternoon sun streaming perfectly in my line of vision, surprised at how massive everything seemed. There were at least four buildings, a long, split rail fence on one side of a very long gravel driveway. The land went on for as far as I could see. I'd learned very little about Daniel's ranch other than it was several acres in size.

What little Maria knew about the man and his business as well as his personal life she'd passed on. The rest I'd had to research on the internet and even then, the information on the man's personal life was slim to nil. I could tell he was a private person. Then of course, he wouldn't announce where he lived for fear of being bombed or worse, given all of the enemies I'd heard he and his family had.

A slight snort erupted from my mouth followed by a laugh as I headed down the driveway for a short distance, noticing a path off to the right.

And I heard footsteps behind me, which caused me to pick up my pace. A truck rolled by without paying any attention to me, two men inside. I didn't flinch since I knew my other keeper was stuck to me like glue, maybe even with his weapon out, waiting to eliminate the intruders' lives without blinking.

I kept going, heading between two fences toward one of the buildings. My mind remained in a fog, going over details of my life. His life. Our life. Especially the craziness of it all.

Every other second, I came back to the same ugly thought.

I was flipping out of my mind on more than one level.

Exhaling the angst and concern, I took long strides in some crazy attempt to get away from Kane, rounding a corner and glancing over my shoulder. He was simply taking long strides leisurely toward me, his ever-watchful eyes paying attention to where I was going. I had a feeling with a single text or phone call, he could easily call in the cavalry to come to his assistance in hogtying me like some wayward creature.

When I turned my head, remaining irritated, the breath was suddenly caught in my throat. Horses. Given our midnight arrival the night before, I hadn't realized the ranch held horses. I stopped short, laughing at the sight of so many incredible animals as they moved freely in the corral. How long had it been since I'd ridden one of the majestic beasts? Too long.

Before my world had been sequestered around my sick mother, I'd had a friend who'd allowed me to ride, her wealthy father keeping several thoroughbreds. I hadn't seen Becca or the animals in years.

I trotted toward the fence, more excited than I should be. Maybe, just maybe there were some redeeming qualities with Daniel after all.

Even if he was a killer under his genuine smile and sinfully gorgeous eyes. I climbed on the first wooden rung, leaning over and waiting to see if any of the horses would respond. There had to be at least twelve of them, all in various colors but every one of them absolutely beautiful.

"Hi, guys. How are you? You're all amazing." At least this was a little sense of freedom, a moment where I could almost be myself.

They all looked at me strangely at first, several of them whinnying. But one of them was obviously the alpha of the pack, eyeing me suspiciously before finally deciding he would come investigate the new person.

His gait was slow as he approached but when he was within a couple of feet, I held out my hand. Seconds later, he took the final steps toward me, nuzzling against my hand.

"That's a good boy," I said as I rubbed his nose, adoring the way his long ebony tail flicked back and forth. He wasn't scared of me. "Did I pass a test? Huh? Maybe later I can bring you a carrot or an apple. There has to be some food in the house," I said out loud.

I felt a presence just a couple of seconds later and bristled. Kane. He even refused to allow me to have this moment alone.

"You're good with him," he said.

"They know when you're good people. I'm certain they can't stand you."

He chuckled, which made me cringe. I wasn't normally so nasty to anyone. I had to assume I was taking my irritation at my body's betrayal out on him.

"Maybe you're right, Ms. Rossi. I'm sorry. I mean Mrs. Thorn, but I have to tell you that I own a ranch as well."

"Really?"

"It was my father's. When I came back from serving my country, I found out he'd left the place to me in his will. It needed a lot of work, which took a hell of a lot of money, but I refused to let some shyster get it."

I wasn't certain why he was telling me something so personal, maybe to extend an olive branch. I continued to stroke the horse, trying to curtail the nastiness I'd suddenly felt. "You were in the military?"

"Yes, ma'am. A proud Marine. It was either than or go to prison. That's where I was headed according to my pops."

"Oh. Did being a Marine straighten you out?"

He laughed again. "It hardened me instead. I also wasn't there when my pops needed me the most. It's the single regret of my life. Anyway, I'll leave you alone, Mrs. Thorn. It's just good to see Majesty warming up to someone. He only likes Daniel. No one else can get near him."

"I love horses. I used to ride but that was taken away from me, and please call me Mar… Maria." Fuck, I'm almost used my real name.

"Boss wouldn't like that."

"Yeah? Well, he's not here. Is he?"

He turned his head, his eyes flashing amusement. "You're right. It'll be our secret, Maria."

"Good." As his phone rang, I returned my attention to the fabulous creature. "You are such a sweet boy. Yes, you are. I adore you."

I laughed softly as I continued stroking the horse's nose. I could swear his huge eyes were half closed. He was more than just majestic. He had incredible power over me. I wasn't certain if that was a good sign or not, but I'd take it as one.

"What the fuck do you mean? Accident? That's bullshit and you know it!" Kane snapped, his booming voice floating in my direction.

As I turned my head, I could tell his furious he was by the way he paced the grounds and his fisted hand.

"No, that's insane. It was planned. It was an assassination attempt. Get him back here now. I don't give a fuck about an accident report. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not leaving her. I need to get her to safety. They will strike again. Goddamn it." Kane almost threw his phone after ending the call. I'd certainly never seen him this angry.

Before I could even ask what was going on, Kane had spun around, heading in my direction with a determined, enraged look on his face. He didn't give me time to object, grabbing my arm with enough force a pain shot to my shoulder.

"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, struggling to get out of his hold.

"Getting you back to safety, Mrs. Thorn. Do not fight me or so help me God." He still had his phone in one hand, using his thumb to dial someone else.

"What the hell happened? An assassination attempt?"

"Yeah, on Daniel."

Oh, my God. I was sick to my stomach, shocked at what I'd heard.

"Drake. Get several men to the main house. Now. Yeah, we got a big problem. Someone tried to kill Daniel. Roger is dead. Secure the grounds as well. Call everyone in. Contact Constantine as well. He needs to be here. Now." He shoved his phone into his pocket, immediately grabbing his weapon. He did his best to keep me protected, his training forcing him to shield me from what, some sharpshooter hovering in one of the outlying trees?

I was suddenly paranoid, scanning the area just like he was doing.

"They tried to kill him?" I whispered as he stormed down the path, dragging me along behind him. I could barely keep up without falling given his very long legs. Forget about fog chasing my intelligent thoughts away. I was in a dark abyss, a prison of my own making, never to climb out. Unless I fell into quicksand. Oh, God.

"Yeah, they did."

"Is he hurt? Who's Roger?"

"Stop asking questions. I need to get you to safety." He was furious yet fearful. I could hear both in his shaking voice.

"No. I need to know. Who tried to kill him?"

"Listen up, girl. There are always enemies, but none so brazen as to attempt something in the daylight. I need to get you inside. They will come for you next. You should know how it works, Italian princess. I'm certain you've been through the drill."

The drill. He had no idea what he was saying.

For all the preparation done, the forced statements when I'd learned who Maria's father was hadn't included training exercises for being attacked or preparing for it. She'd simply told me there were always enemies.

I guess all the action movies I'd watched in my life hadn't prepared me for something of this nature.

The words lingered in the back of my mind and I no longer fought him, my thoughts scattered. There was no way to adequately process what I'd heard.

"Just tell me if he's hurt!"

Kane laughed. "He'll survive. That's all I know."

By the time he dragged me onto the porch, my entire body was shaking, my heart in my throat.

There was no hesitation on the man's part, storming inside and locking the door. Within seconds he'd pushed me into the living room. "Stay right the fuck here. Do not move or so help me God."

As he stormed out, I folded my arms, turning in a full circle. When I noticed the open blinds, I rushed toward them, closing every one of them on the windows. The shadows in the room were foreboding. Was this the kind of life Daniel was forced to lead? I wouldn't be able to stomach it. This wasn't living. This was merely existing, waiting for an unknown enemy to end your life.

I turned in another circle, my stomach lurching.

It wasn't long before I heard brakes squealing from outside the front door. I moved closer, hesitating in the doorway. There were at least three, maybe more sets of heavy feet.

Kane ran down the stairs seconds later, keeping the weapon in one hand as someone pounded on the front door.

"Kane. Let us in."

He threw it open, immediately glancing over one man's shoulder onto the porch.

I was certain they'd be in army fatigues instead of suits and ties. This was crazy, so crazy I placed both hands on either side of my head.

"I have men searching the property. Several already posted on both entrances," an unknown soldier said.

"Good," Kane barked.

"How is he?" a second soldier asked as he glanced in my direction.

"Brock didn't say much except he was alive. We lost Roger."

"And the men who attacked them?"

"Dead," Kane huffed. He suddenly noticed me, giving me a stern look. "Try and relax, Mrs. Thorn. We'll protect you."

Protection. Now I completely understood why my husband had mentioned rules. Rules could keep me alive. I studied the suitcases that had been placed in the foyer, chewing on my bottom lip until I tasted blood. Everything was surreal. My life. The moment. The decisions made.

I backed into the room, immediately turning around. The entire place was spinning, my heart racing.

I started pacing the floor, counting down the seconds then minutes, unable to dig myself out of the wretched haze. Somewhere deep inside, I prayed the man I'd married was alive.

Although I wasn't entirely certain why.

I felt as if I was continuing to fall into a sickeningly dark prison.

Tick.

My heart was beating so rapidly I was certain I'd have a heart attack.

Tock.

And there was no ignoring the fact the black hole surrounding my mind and my world had already swallowed me up.

Bang!

I jumped from the imaginary gunfire I heard in the back of my mind. There was no making sense of the way I was feeling or the visions splashing through my mind in shades of crimson and black.

Red for bloodshed.

Black for death.

I'd obviously watched too many stupid movies in my life.

The soldiers continued talking, moving about the house freely. I'd even heard the housekeeper's quivering voice, more fearful than she should be but Kane had grilled her as if she'd known something about the attack. I couldn't stand it any longer, the nervousness and the way my mind was spinning out of control manifesting itself in the scratches I'd inflicted on my arm, now red and raw from the constant nervous tic.

I tried not to think but the fucked-up images in my mind were impossible to ignore, anger and uncertainty continuing to spiral as if a thick coil of rope was being wrapped around my neck. What would happen if Daniel died? Where would I be?

Then louder voices draw my attention and I glared toward the living room doorway, uncertain what to expect. From where I stood, I was still able to tell the front door had been opened, the loud voices becoming a dull roar of orders being barked and anger being spouted off. I shrank back against the wall, surrendering to the horrible chill I'd felt since learning about the attack.

After closing my eyes, I pressed my hand against my aching head. But footsteps nagged at me, grabbing my attention all over again.

As I lifted my head, all the sounds I'd heard before were suddenly drowned out by the sight of the man entering the room.

Blood.

His shirt and face were covered in dried blood, his entire disheveled appearance something nightmares were made of.

All time stood still, the only sound that of my blood pumping so wildly it echoed in my ears. He took a deep breath, walking toward me so slowly I believed he was gliding.

What the hell was I supposed to say at this point?

My heart beat a dull rhythm as we studied each other, Daniel remaining a full foot away, but I still felt suffocated by his appearance, the blood staining his clothes. He reeked of the stench of copper, the tiny cuts on his face impossible to ignore. For a very brief second, it felt as if the blood was staining my hands, as if I'd caused the accident. Maybe I had in some undetermined way.

Even as the silence continued, the epiphany of the life I'd entered into freely under the guise of money and the promise of a new life began to decay like a rotting body in the grave.

Only then did I know what needed to happen.

And so, I issued the words that I only hoped I wouldn't regret.

"I want an annulment."