Chapter 14

"Did you think I wouldn't find out that you've been here, on my property, acting like a fucking whore?" Enzo grips my neck, pressing his palm harder into my flesh as my head pushes against the hard wooden door.

I feel like I'm having a heart attack, not knowing what he's talking about, but scared that he somehow found out about the things that have happened between Hudson and me.

"One of my own crew members had to tell me because my traitorous fiancée didn't," his thick accent growls against my lips. "You are a slut, Briar. I am not going to marry a slut."

I want to fight him. I want to smash my head against his, knock him on his ass, and shoot him until he's dead. But a few days ago, Hudson told me I needed to trust him. And that I needed to lie low. In other words, I need to behave in situations like this one, where someone is literally choking me to death, which isn't an easy task.

"I don't know what you mean, sir." I choke out the words from under his hold. "Please, tell me so that I can make it better."

"Liar!" he hisses. "If a man like Hercules has been looking at you with lust in his eyes, I know you've noticed. You are nothing more than a stupid, untrustworthy bitch."

"N-no, sir." I try to shake my head, but it only makes him press his hand harder. "I swear, I don't know what you mean."

Releasing my neck, he grips my face. "I will fuck the dishonesty out of this pussy. Do you hear me?" he growls. "How does it make you feel that just before I came here, I was getting my dick sucked by a woman who looks nothing like you? Because I can, Briar. Because I am not yours." He reaches between my legs, gripping firmly. "But you, baby doll, are mine."

Pushing me to the ground, he undoes his belt and slides it from his pants. "You will pay for what you did. Take your shirt off. Now."

Even though I want to run, I do what he told me. As scared as I am, I'm relieved when it's a belt that hits my back instead of him forcing me to suck him off.

Over and over, the belt comes down on my bare flesh, and I bite back my cries. Because I refuse to give this man—no, this monster—the satisfaction that he's hurting me.

I am strong.

I am a force.

I can handle this.

I let my mind carry me to a place far, far away. I think about the magnolia tree that was in my yard. It was the only pretty thing on Sunset Drive, and I loved it.

One of the older ladies who lived on the street over had given it to Walker after he mowed her lawn. She told him to give it to his mother for Mother's Day. My parents were in one of their many periods of being sober, and my dad and I had planted it together in the yard.

"It doesn't look like much," I said, looking at it. "Are you sure she didn't give us a dud? It looks kind of … broken."

Pulling his gloves off, he chuckled, grinning proudly at the tree. "You're right, my girl; it doesn't look like much now. And, sure, it's a little rough. But I promise, once it gets enough sun, rain, and time under its belt … it'll really be something." He paused, leaning down to the ground and patting the fresh soil around the tree's base. "It might be impossible to think that this tiny little thing could one day be a beautiful tree. But I promise, just like everything, Briar, it'll take time and a whole lot of patience. Oh, and strength to not give up." He stood up, kissing my head. "Think you got those things inside of you?"

I grinned up at him before eyeing over the tree that looked more like an oversize twig. "Yeah … I think I do."

When I come back to the present, the whipping has stopped.

"Get up!" Enzo yells.

I hurry to my feet. My back might be screaming in pain, and I can't help but wonder how it looks.

"Put your shirt on!" he barks. "Hercules will be coming in here any minute. I don't need him to see your tits. Even if they aren't all that special."

As I pull my shirt on, he takes a seat at his desk, and the sketch in my book flashes through my brain. Oh, how I'd love more than anything to pay this man back for all he's done by making that sketch come true.

"Good ol' Uncle Beckett has changed the deal. Pretty soon, you'll no longer be needed." He smirks an evil, bloodcurdling smirk. "Turns out, your brother marrying my sister makes much more sense. See, he actually brings something to the table, unlike you."

"What do you mean?" I whisper.

"Oh, you didn't hear?" he chimes. "My sister is marrying your brother, who is expected to become a professional athlete very, very soon." He presses his hands together. "It's nothing personal, baby doll. But aside from your uncle's rich clientele, you don't benefit me. But make no mistake; you will never get the chance to be with Hercules. Nor will you ever be with another man. Just because I don't want you doesn't mean I'm willing to share with my own fucking guard." He leans back before patting his knee. "Now, come sit on my lap. I'm going to tell Hudson he needs to leave now. As it turns out, your uncle needs him back in the States anyway."

Fighting through the sensation of my skin crawling from disgust, I make my way around the desk before sitting on his lap. He runs his fingers down my raw back, and I bite back a cry.

"And if you try to stop me or do anything stupid, I will kill him in front of you, understood?"

Nodding slowly, I open my mouth to force the words out. "Yes, sir."

He pats his hand on my back again, and I wince. "Good little slut."

I head toward Enzo's office, keeping my demeanor as I always do. Calm. Cool. Collected. But truth be told, I have no idea what this shit is about or why he needs to see me alone.

Could he have found out that time nearly two weeks ago, when I watched his fiancée make herself come while I fucked my hand until I blew my load all over her ring? Or maybe when she sucked my dick in his field overlooking the ocean while he was on the phone? And how, just when he was ending the call, she was swallowing me down before she licked me clean?

Or perhaps someone found out I was in the shower with her, eating her pussy like it was the best dessert I'd ever been served. And then, a few nights ago, there was the kiss when Rossi was in the store.

So many things I've done could get me in trouble with Enzo, and truthfully, they might have just been worth it. Because lately, that woman has been the only thing on my mind. Which makes doing my job incredibly fucking hard.

It's basically taken every bit of self-control inside of me not to sneak into her room every single night and worship her perfect body until she's screaming my name. I've had to settle for stolen glances and quick, heated looks from across the room. But her carrying that notebook around isn't safe either, especially with one particular drawing in it.

Me. Pounding my cock into her on his desk.

If I have my way, it'll soon become a reality. Only … I'm going to do it while he is watching. I'll give him a front-row seat to view me taking what's mine. Her sweet, flawless pussy.

I've been trying to figure out a way to get her home so that she can be there for Walker since his friend died. I know she wants to be there for her friend Poppy too. I didn't tell her that I know Poppy Wilson. At least, I know of her. Since my sister, Ginger, owns the strip club—Peaches—just on the outskirts of Brooks University and I sometimes fill in as a bouncer when she needs one, she employs a few of the students from the college. One in particular, Ryann, is friends with Poppy and talks about her often. I like Ryann. She takes no shit from anyone. But because I'm an agent, one thing I know about her is that she's being investigated for illegally entering into the country. Shit like that makes helping my sister out with shifts at Peaches awkward because I know more than I could ever say.

I want Briar to be able to go home to grieve the loss of Poppy's brother with her and Walker, but so far, I'm coming up short on an idea on how to do it. I've never felt like more of a failure in my life.

When I reach the office, I knock once.

"Come in," he says, keeping his voice completely monotone.

When I push the door open, my heart begins to pound when I see that Briar is sitting on his lap, facing me. Even though I panic that she's in trouble, I make sure to keep my face unchanged. She doesn't look right at me, but more around me. Right away, I need to know what the fuck this is about.

"Are you wondering what you're doing here, Hercules?" he says coolly, but doesn't wait for me to respond before he throws another question my way. "Do you think my fiancée is attractive, Hercules?" He reclines back, placing his hands on her hips, making me want to grab him by the throat, choke him out, and fuck her on his corpse.

"I think Ms. James is a beautiful woman." I nod. "That's why you chose her, I am sure."

"Wrong," he says, digging his fingertips deeper into her hips. "I didn't choose her. Her uncle chose me. Just like my father chose my sister to marry Briar's brother." He barks out a laugh, shaking his head. "A hockey player with my sister. Can you imagine?" He shrugs his shoulders. "But, hey … two family ties are better than one. Right? Besides, the NHL is a powerful thing in the States, I'm told."

"I'm sure it is." I nod once, keeping my eyes away from Briar so as not to set Enzo off.

"I've seen you watching her, Hercules." He sits up, pushing his face into her neck, still keeping his gaze on me. "I can tell you think about fucking her. It's written in your eyes."

"No, sir," I answer quickly. "Absolutely not."

"Do you want to watch me fuck her?" he coos, the smirk on his lips reaching his eyes. "Or perhaps you want to watch her suck my dick?"

I'll fucking murder you before I watch that shit, motherfucker.

Inside, my heart is racing, my pulse is out of fucking control, and my breathing becomes harder. But this is a test. And if I don't pass … the woman on his lap is going to pay. So will I, but I couldn't care less about that.

He moves his hand and cups the area between her thighs. "This pussy is mine. I might not have had my cock inside of her yet, but when I do … she'll never so much as look at another man. Not until I tell her too, anyway."

His hand rushes to her neck, gripping it. Terror flashes in her eyes, but she keeps herself composed. His palm moves upward, and he brushes her lips with his fingers before forcing one into her mouth.

"And I make the calls on who's dick is allowed in this mouth. And it will never be yours." He glares at me. "Do you understand, Hercules?"

"Of course. Why would I think otherwise?" I don't look her in the eyes. I just continue to stare indifferently at him.

"You are going back to the United States. Beckett needs you, and you're no longer desired here." His dark eyes stare me down. "Isn't that right, baby doll?" he growls into Briar's ear.

"Yeah," she says, her voice not as strong as she's trying to make it sound. "You watch me in a way that makes Enzo uncomfortable. And we can't have that, can we?"

She turns her head, pressing her lips to his and kissing him deeply. I want to squeeze my eyes shut or flip the desk over. But I don't. I simply stand here, rooted to the floor, and try to block that fucking shit out.

Palming one of her tits, he looks smugly at me before taking a gun from his waistband and dragging it through her hair. Still, she tries to remain calm, even though I have no fucking idea why.

"You have a flight to catch in an hour. If you aren't on it, Rossi and the girl will both be shot in the head, and I'll bury you alive with their bodies."

I want to dare to look at her, just once, to read her in some way, but I know it's a risk.

I might have to go back to the United States, but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop protecting her.

There's only one person I one hundred percent trust in this house.

Rossi.

"Guess I'd better get packing," I say, taking a step toward the door.

Suddenly, he shoves her onto the ground, and she lands in a loud thump on her ass. And again, I can't even do a fucking thing about it.

One day, I will get my revenge on this fuck. And when I do, hell will rain down on him.

Standing quickly, he tucks his gun back into his waistband. "Hurry along, Hercules. I have shit to do. I can't have you hanging back, trying to fuck my fiancée."

Swallowing thickly, I suck in a breath through my nose, and I do the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my entire life.

I leave my Dove behind.

When I get back to my room, my eyes burn with the tears that so badly want to spill out. No, pour out like a fucking river. Looking at Hudson and saying what Enzo forced me to say was the hardest thing. But I had no choice. At least, that's what I'm telling myself, hoping it might make it sting less.

Which is trash because it does nothing but make it worse.

Days ago, Hudson secretly gifted me new drawing supplies. And what did I do to repay him? I played along with Enzo's plan.

Enzo also informed me that, per Beckett's and Marco's orders, his sister, Gia, would now be marrying Walker. And that because my brother was clearly more important than me and was soon going to be a professional athlete, I was no longer needed. I was happy for me but sad for Walker—until I found out that I wasn't free from this family. No … I was going to endure a life of hell.

After Hudson left the room, Enzo gripped my face once more and told me that I was to travel home for his sister and Walker's wedding—with a guard of his choice for me, of course—and then I'd return to Italy. We wouldn't be getting married, but he promised me that I would still be living under his thumb. After all, I know too much now.

Which really means … I'll return to Italy after I show my face at my brother's wedding, and then I can consider myself as good as dead.

The Romanos just need to get this wedding in before anything crazy goes down. Because I'm sure they know that if I go missing, my brother isn't going to just … marry Gia.

Rossi is, hands down, the nicest guard here on the property. That includes Hudson. So, I'm praying I get to travel home with him, but I know I'm not going to be that lucky, especially since I've already been accused of trying to get Rossi to notice me when Enzo was in that meeting.

The man is completely delusional, yet even he suspected something between Hudson and me.

If only he knew.

Hearing Enzo's car start makes me want to sprint to Hudson's room and tell him that I don't want him to leave. Or to beg him to take me with him. But when I pull my door open, one of Enzo's personal guards—whom I've never learned the name of, only knowing that he's terrifying—stands there, as if waiting for me to mess up.

"Going somewhere?" he snarls, narrowing his cold, dark eyes.

"I wanted some water," I say innocently. "Is … that okay?"

He gives me a smug smirk, chilling me to the bone. "You won't be leaving your room until Enzo gives the order, princess." Leaning forward, he grabs me by the elbow and tosses me back into my room. "Oh, and I have strict instructions to confiscate any and all electronics you have and destroy them."

I can't stop my eyes from narrowing at this fucking asshole in front of me. "So, my phone? You're going to Hulk-smash my phone now?"

"That, and any other shit you're hiding in here to communicate with anyone outside of this room." Holding his hand out, he glares. "Go on. Be a good little girl and get me what I'm asking for."

As I scurry away, I head to my nightstand and grab my cell phone. Reluctantly, I walk over to him before slapping it against his hand. "There," I growl. "That's all I have."

He pulls his hand with my phone in it away and looks down at it before slamming the door shut. And when I attempt to open it again, I find it locked.

I rush to my window and look outside just in time to see Hudson getting ushered into a black SUV with dark-tinted windows. I want to pound on the glass in hopes that he'll come save me, but there are too many guards around him. We'd never get out of here alive together.

And now … I wonder if I'll ever get out of here alive at all.

I have to wait until it's Rossi's turn to guard Briar's door before I sneak back onto the property and inside the house. Which means I missed my flight back. Lucky for me, being an agent gives me the ability to make someone think I'm somewhere I'm actually not because I have connections that no one has any way of finding out about. So, as far as Enzo Romano is concerned, my ass is on a plane headed for the United States right now.

As guilty as I feel for still being here and coming back to see her, I couldn't force myself to leave yet. Even if I know I should have just left and let Rossi take care of her. The thing is, I never planned to catch feelings for another woman. Ever. And I certainly didn't think I'd fall for Briar James when I took this gig. Yet here I am. And even though remorse fills my entire being, I have to see her.

I know she didn't mean what she said.

She couldn't have.

Once I get a message from Rossi, letting me know I'm cleared to come in, I head toward the house. Making my way through the side where he turned the camera off and toward her room.

Seeing me sneak down the hallway, Rossi quickly puts the key in the door and turns it. "You've got thirty minutes, man. After that, I'm threatening to come in there and cut your dick off. We don't need to be killed tonight by Enzo's goons."

Patting his shoulder, I nod. "Appreciate you, Rossi," I mutter before pushing the door open and quietly closing it behind me.

The room is dark and silent. Nothing but the sounds of her soft snores and the quiet humming of the fan fill the room. I sit down on the edge of the bed, looking down at her sleeping on her stomach. The comforter sits on her back, and when she moves in her sleep, I can see her flesh. And instantly, I feel like I could murder someone.

Under her skimpy tank top, welts and marks peek out.

He did this to her. I know he did.

"That motherfucker," I hiss under my breath, so fucking angry that I can't blow his brains out right now so he can't ever touch her again.

Stretching my fingertips, I brush a few loose strands of hair away from her cheek so that I can see the moonlight light up her beautiful face. She's asleep, yet she doesn't look peaceful—anything but.

She stirs a little before her eyes flutter open, and when she sees me, she quickly shoots up, scooching her body away from me. "Wh—"

"Shh," I say, brushing my thumb across her face. "It's all right, Dove. I won't hurt you." My eyes roam her face, and I find a sense of peace when they land on hers. "I just needed to see you."

She looks toward the window for a split second, and then her wide eyes stare at me with panic. "You shouldn't be here. He'll kill you, Hudson." She speaks in a hushed voice.

"If it meant seeing you one last time, then fuck it." I shrug before I gently turn her body to get a better look at her back. "What did he do to you?" I gently touch the scars, and she whimpers. "I'll kill him one day, Briar—I promise you that."

She tries to fight the quiver of her lips, too strong to let herself fall apart in front of me, so I take the spot on the bed beside her, stretching my legs out but keeping my back to the bed frame. And then, without permission, I try to pull her against me.

"Come here." I give the command, soft and low. When she doesn't respond, I tilt my chin downward. "It's okay; fall apart, Dove."

Keeping herself upright, she fights a sniffle, shaking her head. "I can't fall apart. There's no one to pick up the pieces and—" Her voice cracks. "I'm not sure I'm strong enough to glue myself back together if I let that happen."

Reaching for her face again, I cup her cheek. "You don't need to. I'm right here."

"But you won't be," she weeps. "You're leaving. I know you are."

"Shh, it's all right. I promise it'll all be okay."

Her entire face falls, and so does every ounce of composure she was fighting so hard to keep. She cascades forward against me, and I make sure to keep my hands off the sores on her back when I wrap my arms around her body.

"How bad is it?" I murmur against her hair.

Her body trembles against mine as her shoulders shake. "I get to travel back for Walker's wedding, but after that … I have to come back here. And … he'll never let me go."

"That's never going to happen, I swear; I will get you out of here." I swallow roughly. "Just give me a little time, okay?"

"But what if he kills me first?" she whispers, peeking up at me through wet lashes. "I mean … that's been the plan all along, right?"

Cupping her face, I feel her heart beating faster against mine. "It might be his plan, but it's never going to happen."

"If he doesn't kill me, I'm going to Vittoria Island. I've eavesdropped enough to know that isn't a place I want to be."

My blood runs cold as I imagine Briar trapped in wherever that hellhole is. We're so close, yet still so far away. We could use her to lead us there, but, fuck … that's way too risky. And it's not like I can tell her this. After all, she can't know I'm an agent. To her, I'm simply a guard who wants to get her out of here alive.

Looking over her shoulder, I gaze down at the marks on her back, instantly feeling sick and irate, all at the same time. I wish we had all night to talk and for me to hold her, but that's not our reality.

"Lie on your stomach," I say gruffly.

"Why?" she whispers, biting down on her bottom lip.

Lifting her up, I slowly set her down on her stomach. And hover over her. "Because you're hurting. And I want to make it better."

Grasping for the loose tank top, I lift it just a tad. "Can I take this off, beautiful?"

After a few seconds, she nods her head against the mattress, and I continue to pull the scrap of fabric off over her head and set it on the bed beside us. I take in the full visual of her back covered in marks caused by that fucking scum of the earth.

"Motherfucker," I hiss, grinding my back teeth together. "He will pay for this, Dove. And when he does, you can watch."

Leaning down, I gently press my lips to her back, dragging them from scar to scar, careful not to push down too hard. Goose bumps erupt on her skin, and I hear her suck in a shaky breath.

"Yeah?" she breathes out in an almost-husky way. "Wh-what else?" she says shyly, and I know exactly what she's thinking.

"You drew that drawing, Briar. You must have that fantasy in that pretty brain of yours." I kiss her back again, this time parting my lips on her lush skin.

"Yes," she mutters. "I … think about that sometimes."

"Think about what, sweetheart?" I murmur against her bare back, every ounce of blood in my body running to my dick, making it painfully hard.

"I think about you … inside of me." Her voice is shaky. "And Enzo having to watch. And realizing that … I'm not his property. That I have never been his property."

"And you never will be either." I reach for her hair, carefully dragging my fingers through it. "One day, not far from now, he will pay for everything he's done to you. And on that day, if you want to make that drawing in your book come true, well then, I'll beat him within an inch of his life. Then, I'll tie him to a chair and let him watch me shove my dick inside of you until you're screaming my name out so loud that it bursts his eardrums. And then I'll blow my fucking load inside of your pussy and let him watch it drip out of you and run all over his desk."

She squirms at my words before she slowly rolls over. I don't miss the grimace on her face when her bare back touches the comforter, but it's hard not to gawk at her perfect teardrop tits as she stares up at me with those big blue eyes.

Her lips part slightly. "Hudson," comes out in a strangled whisper.

She doesn't need to say anything else; I know what she wants. The question is, can I do it? I haven't been with anyone in six years. And I know once I take that step and fuck her … there's no going back.

We've done other things, sure. But actually having my dick inside of her is a whole other level of intimacy. I want to feel her sweet pussy wrapped around my cock so bad that it actually hurts to even imagine how good it'll feel when it happens. The woman had the shit beaten out of her a few hours ago with what appears to be a belt. I need to make her feel good. I'm terrified that I'm not ready for this. But it isn't about me right now.

"Kiss me," she breathes out, her eyebrows pulling together as she places her hand on my abdomen. "Please."

"Dove," I rasp. "I'm fucked up in the head. I can't … I can't give you anything after I get you free from this world. So, I'm not going to take from you now."

"You aren't taking. It would be giving."

Moving on top of her slowly, I bring my lips to hers, cupping her jawline. As I angle her face upward, she meets me in the middle and presses her mouth to mine. And within seconds, we're kissing hard, and she's wrapping her legs around my waist, grinding herself on my body.

I pull back slightly and huff against her plump lips. "Can I take these off?" I ask, sliding my fingers in the waistband of her shorts.

When she nods and I push them down, my cock grows harder when I feel that she's not wearing any panties. Slowly, I sink my fingers into her heat, and she moans.

My fingers fit so perfectly inside of her, and she clenches around them, greedy for more. I've wondered for so long what it would feel like.

"Fuck me, you're so tight," I growl lowly against her lips before curling one finger while the other thrusts in and out. "Already dripping for me, aren't you, sweetheart?"

"Y-yes," she whimpers. "Please, Hudson. Fuck me."

"Your back," I whisper, kissing her again. "You're already hurt."

"I don't care." A few tears roll down her cheeks. "Don't make me beg."

When I roll onto my back, she wastes no time unbuttoning my jeans and yanking them—and my briefs down. My cock stands tall at the sight of her climbing on top of me. But before she sits on my aching dick, she leans forward, wrapping her lips around my length and sliding me down her throat.

"Fuck, baby," I hiss. "You don't have to do that. This is about you, not me."

She lets me fall from her mouth and looks up at me. "Sucking your cock is about me, Hudson. Trust me."

My teeth grind together at the sight of my cock in her mouth and the sounds she's making as her head bobs up and down on it, her tongue flicking against the entire length.

I run my hands through her hair. "That's it, baby. Keep sucking my dick just like that."

It takes no time before I lose all my control from feeling her wet mouth on me. "Christ, baby. I'm going to end up blowing my load down your throat. I don't want that," I grumble. "Come fuck me, sweetheart. Ride my dick until my cum is leaking down your legs."

Running her tongue down my length, she reluctantly sits up and climbs onto my lap. "I have an IUD. I'm clean." She suddenly looks nervous. "Are … you?"

"Briar, you're the first woman I've been with in six years. Trust me, I'm clean," I tell her and watch the shock on her face slowly fade away when I lift her up and bring her down, slowly pushing inside of her.

"My fucking God, baby," I hiss. "You are so tight."

As I get deeper, she whimpers, her eyebrows pulling together. I make sure not to touch her back, keeping my hands on her hips instead.

"Hudson"—she sucks in a breath—"oh … my …"

Once she adjusts to my length, her hips begin to roll.

"Fuck me, Briar. Ride my cock and make us both come."

Her tits bounce, and I fucking love the sight. She tosses her head back, and I grab a fistful of her hair, careful not to tug too hard because she's already been through enough pain tonight.

Her head falls forward, and her eyes burn into mine. Back and forth. Back and forth. Each time I plunge back into her body, my balls tingle a little more.

"I'm … going to …" she barely whispers, her mouth opening wider.

"Me too, Dove. Drench my cock. I'm going to blow my load inside of you so that your pussy drips with my cum after I leave."

Within seconds, both of us are growling and grunting. I swear my vision goes black, and the room spins as I pour myself inside her sweet pussy.

Her movements grow slower until, finally, she collapses on top of me. Her chest is shaky as she sucks in air, and for a moment, we just lie in silence.

Leaning up, she presses a kiss to my lips before climbing off of me and moving to the edge of the bed. I look over at her and see that her back is red and angry. I wish I could stay in here with her. I wish I didn't have to go. But I know I need to get going. I can't be in here all night. Enzo could show up and do a random search or send one of his goons to do it—someone who isn't Rossi.

When she heads into the bathroom, I grab my phone and shoot Rossi a message.

Me: Put some antibacterial soap and some kind of ointment by the door.

Rossi: You're not even supposed to be here. Don't think I didn't hear the moaning and the bed creaking. I had to walk away from the door to stop myself from popping a chub.

Me: Hurry up. I gotta go.

Rossi: Fuck you, asshole. I haven't had sex with my wife in months.

His message wasn't meant to hurt me, but it did. It also snapped me back to reality. The reality is … I shouldn't have done what I just did.

I pull my clothes back on quickly before Rossi shows up with the soap and ointment, and within a few minutes, the shower turns on at the exact moment he knocks on the door. Waiting a few seconds, I open it to find the things I asked for sitting by her door.

As I head into the bathroom, I grab a washcloth. "Dove?" I say faintly.

"Yes?" she answers, and through the glass, I watch her naked silhouette as she washes herself off.

"I have some stuff for you to use on your back. Just do it gently." Squirting some of the soap onto the cloth, I roll my sleeve up before sticking it in the shower under the spray. Once it's wet and bubbly, I clear my throat. "We need to clean those cuts on your back. And then when you get out, we'll need to put this ointment on you too."

Peeking out at me, she smiles. "Look at you, a real-live nurse," she teases playfully. "Where's your hot-nurse costume?"

Sliding the door further open, she slowly spins so that her back is to me. Water drips down her ass cheeks, and suddenly, I'm thirsty, wishing I could lick it off. It takes every bit of self-control inside of me not to do just that.

Reaching for her, I run the soapy cloth over her back when she looks over her shoulder bashfully.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you just got in?" Her voice is delicate and unsure.

I continue to clean her wounds. I can't get in that shower with her. Our time is running out, and if I got in the shower with her right now, I'd never want to leave.

"If I got in there right now, I'd be inside of you within two minutes. Unfortunately, we don't have time. I have to get out of here before Enzo finds out I'm still in Italy." I pull my hand back, taking the cloth with me. "Finish up. I'll get the ointment ready."

Her shoulders sink, and I instantly regret it. I consider stripping off really quick, getting in there with her, and holding her wet, naked body close to mine. I wouldn't need anything else. That, right there, would be enough.

The trouble is, I wouldn't want to let her go. And I have to. Everyone knows you can't keep a dove for yourself.

One by one, I rub ointment onto the painful marks brought on by the man I now hate more than any other human being in this world. My fingers work slowly and delicately, making sure no spot is left out.

"So … six years?" she says faintly, keeping her head turned against the pillow.

"Yep. Just hasn't been a big priority," I utter, not wanting to go into the details of why I couldn't even stand another woman looking at me until now. "Where are your pajamas?" I ask, changing the subject.

"I can do that," she says and attempts to get up.

"No," I say boldly. "Let me. Please."

She eyes me over, and I can tell the six-years-of-no-sex thing is still on her mind, but finally, she sighs. "The bottom drawer. That's where my sleep shirts and shorts are."

Finding some soft pajamas, I make my way back to where she now sits on the edge of the bed, and I pull her shirt down over her head.

"I can get dressed, you know."

"I know you can." I pull her arms out, one at a time. "Let me take care of you. Please."

Once the shirt is on, I gently press her collarbone to direct her to lie down. And then, one ankle at a time, I pull her panties on, followed by sleep shorts.

I hold my hand out, and she takes it and pulls to sit back up.

"I fucking hate that I have to leave you, but I've got to get going. You're going to be okay, I promise."

I can't tell her that there are several undercover agents in the house. Hell, I can't even tell her I'm one of them. But maybe, just maybe, she'll believe me that she's going to be okay.

I know I can't be with her after she's free and I close this case. I have a voice in my head that's always telling me that it's wrong to be with her or any other woman. It'll be with me till the day that I die. It wouldn't be fair to her to drag her through life with a man who could never be all in. She deserves so much more than that.

"What I'm going to tell you is important, okay?" I murmur, bringing her hand to my lips and kissing it. "You need to act like you hate me in front of absolutely everyone. If Enzo returns home and says I'm a creep, you need to agree. As far as everyone is concerned, I'm no one to you."

"Okay," she whispers quietly.

"Good girl." I kiss her cheek. "Keep being strong."

Her lips tremble, and she nods slowly before throwing her arms around me. "Do you have to go?"

Holding her while also making sure not to touch her back, I sigh. "Yeah, sweetheart, I'm afraid I do. It'll be best for both of us, I promise. Enzo is out of town for at least a few weeks after tonight." I pull back, looking down at her, trying to convince myself just as much as I am her with the next words to leave my mouth. "You'll be fine. It'll all be fine."

I reach into my pocket and pull out a chain with a small pendant on it before holding it out to her. I put it in the palm of her hand. "I've carried this with me for most of my life. It's kept me safe. At least, I've always told myself that." I kiss her forehead once more and swipe my thumb under her eye to brush a tear away. "Now, it'll keep you safe."

Before I change my mind, I quickly turn and walk toward the door. "Bye, Dove," I say before pulling the door open, leaving Briar in the room alone, looking down at the necklace my father told me long ago was his family's good-luck charm.

A necklace with a dove pendant.

Once I'm in the hallway, Rossi stands a few feet away. "I was just about to bust in there and beat your ass for taking so long," he grumbles. "You gotta get the fuck out of here, man."

"Yeah, yeah. I know," I say, looking at the closed door, already wanting to be back on the other side of it with her. "She thinks Enzo's planning to take her to Vittoria Island after she gets back from the wedding." I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he's going to think the same thing as me.

"She could lead us in," he whispers as if thinking out loud.

"I don't know." I drag my hand down my face. "It'd be dangerous. And if she dies—"

"She won't," he says quickly. "Now, go. We'll figure it out soon."

Quickly heading down the hallway, I feel myself getting further and further away from her. It's like losing myself all over again.

Being a sitting duck should scare her. Yet, somehow, I know if we asked her to do it, she'd say yes. She wouldn't even flinch.