“Tsk-tsk. Are you trying to poke the beehive?”
“I haven’t had this subject in class yet, but as a law student, I believe pleading the fifth is an acceptable answer.”
“Alex…”
“And I promise I’ll be in touch, but if my GPS is off on my phone, don’t let that worry you. I will still be around.”
“Great. That Witt woman will be blowing up my phone. If I don’t get that position at the firm due to too many personal—”
I shook my head. “Fine, I’ll send her a text.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. I need to run.”
“Run?”
“To the subway station.” He looked down at his clothes. “Run and ruin this look? Never.”
I smiled at his words, a little jealous of his ability to choose his own mode of transportation. “See you tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“It’s my plan. If it changes, I’ll let you know.”
“Sure thing, little cousin, have a good day.”
I attempted another sip of my coffee as he walked down the hall toward the door. The beep of the buttons upon the keypad and the turning of the tumblers as the door unlocked and opened let me know Patrick’s apartment was safe. And then suddenly my lips sputtered coffee as my throat forgot to swallow. Breaths stilled in my chest and the energy of the once-calm apartment crackled like lightning around me. I forced the hot coffee down as I fumbled with the cup, barely settling it upon the counter as the heavy footsteps belonging to the deep velvet voice I’d just heard grew louder, making their way my direction.
Fight or flight?
I assessed my surroundings. If I ran, where could I go? I contemplated dashing behind the breakfast bar, but decided in the nick of time that it was a juvenile thought and meeting those dazzling blue eyes head-on was better than flight.
My neck straightened as I feigned strength. Let the fight begin.
“Charli.”
Thunder.
Nox’s gaze found me and then scanned the kitchen, momentarily settling upon my coffee and back to me.
“Mr. Demetri,” I said. “Would you like a cup of coffee? I know you like it black.”
He stepped closer. The cloud of woodsy cologne gently replaced the robust French roast.
In one graceful yet powerful move, I was pinned, my hips against his. With one arm around my waist and the other my shoulders, my breasts rubbed against his chest. Fighting the urge to be swallowed by the embrace I’d feared I’d never experience again, I boldly lifted my chin.
His voice was strong and even. “I can’t give you the answer you wanted last night, but not for the obvious reason.”
My mind spun as I pushed back against his hold.
“No,” he replied. “I can’t give you the answer, not because of what it is, but because I’m not ready.”
I pulled back to look deeper into the navy swirls. I recalled the night I’d told Nox I was a Montague, the night he told me not to force any answers, to give them when I was ready in my mind and my heart. He was asking for the same consideration.
I nodded. “I understand.”
His chest deflated as he released his breath.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “I told you that I trusted you, but then I left.”
The tips of his lips moved upward as his tone became more demanding. “I’m not letting you go, not now, not ever.” His large hands splayed, pulling his grip of me tighter. “I never should’ve let you leave last night. I should have tied your beautiful body to my bed.”
“Nox—”
His warm lips stopped my rebuttal, seizing my words and dominating my thoughts. A surprised whimper escaped before morphing into a moan, as his hand moved to my neck and his kiss deepened. Fierce and proprietary, his hands roamed as his mouth took what was his. Shamelessly seeking, his tongue didn’t tease but sought its mate. The world around us disappeared as we tangoed—sigh for sigh and nip for nip.
My feet left the floor as my ass landed upon the edge of the counter. I wished I were wearing a dress as my legs surrounded his waist and my ankles locked him within my grasp.
This wasn’t concession but a blatant reassertion of possession, no longer one-sided—Nox wasn’t the client nor was I the employee. We were both demanding something of the other we’d never had. Something we’d skirted around, offered in lighthearted declarations, but learned last night we hadn’t truly given.
This kiss was about becoming one, melding together in a way that was unbreakable, in a way that wouldn’t be threatened by the outside world. Not by accusations or words on a piece of paper. Not by shadows that lurked in my eyes or ghosts in his past. Not even by the devil himself.
As my lips bruised and our ferocity simmered, my eyes fluttered open. Through veiled lashes I sought the blue I desired. Once our gazes met, mine was no longer veiled. My chin rose and chest filled with determination.
“When push came to shove,” I admitted, “I failed.”
His eyes closed as he shook his head. “You weren’t alone. We both did. What else could you have done? I was the one doing the shoving. I didn’t try to stop you.”
“We can’t let them do this to us. I told you that Alton is the devil. He’s influenced Bryce all of Bryce’s life. We can’t let them have that control.”
Though my legs slackened and his grip loosened, I was still surrounded by Nox’s embrace. The comforting peace of his masculine cologne urged me forward, to hop from the counter, tug on his hand, and pull him toward my room, the room where I’d barely slept, and allow myself to be swallowed up completely. Yet I resisted.
“I’m not sure they do,” he said.
“I know. They only have it if we let them.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Deloris isn’t sure that note was written by Edward Spencer.”
I leaned back, furrowing my brow. “Why?”
“It has to do with the content. She’s dusting it for prints. She also doesn’t believe anyone from your family, or anyone they hired, could breach her security.” His brows rose. “That’s part of the reason I’m here.”
An unswallowable lump formed in my suddenly dry throat. Lowering myself back to the floor, I asked, “What do you mean?”
He stepped back, assessing me at arm’s length. “You look ready for class.”
“I am,” I replied as I sheepishly straightened my blouse. Sometime during the last five minutes it had become seriously misaligned. “I was.”
“When were you planning on heading to the campus?”
“Soon.”
“And where’s your phone?”
“Nox, why the twenty questions?”
“Apparently, during the night your GPS stopped working.”
It hadn’t. I’d purposely turned it off. I pursed my lips. “Huh. Really? That’s curious. I wonder how that happened?” I shrugged. “Perhaps I hit a button by mistake.”
“And I checked with Jerrod. He hasn’t received your call or text this morning.”
Though my heartbeat had increased, I tilted my head casually and sighed. “It’s a nice day. I had time to walk across the park.”
Nox linked our hands together and lifted my knuckles to his lips. “Well, isn’t that convenient?”
“Convenient?”
“Yes. I have a plane to catch to DC I need to be there for a hearing, but since it’s the Batplane and I’m Batman, I have time for a stroll through the park.”
“Nox…”
“I won’t be back from DC until Friday, but I’m warning you. If you decide to do any other strolls or accidentally turn off your GPS, when I get back, not only will I enjoy punishing your sexy ass, I’ll seriously look into that GPS implant.” He lifted his brow. “I would bet Mrs. Witt would know where that could be done.”
I bet she did.
Though I saw the gleam that I loved behind his threat, I also heard his sincerity.
His gaze narrowed. “Please, push me, princess. You see, I didn’t sleep well last
night and I’d be happy to give you a reminder to behave before I leave.”
I gently shook my head. “Mr. Demetri, I do love it when you beg, but I’m afraid that if we did that… reminder thing, I’d miss class and you’d miss your hearing.”
As I gathered my things for the day, Nox lifted my backpack, and I asked, “You won’t be back until Friday?”
“No. There are a few days of testimony scheduled on a bill in the finance committee.”
Did I want to know more about the bill? Not really. What I didn’t want to do was be alone. “Then while you’re gone, I want to stay here. I don’t want to be in our apartment alone.”
Nox stopped midstep and scanned Patrick’s kitchen and living room.
“Stop,” I demanded.
“Stop what?” he asked innocently.
“I see what you’re doing. I can see the wheels turning. You’re not having additional security added to Cy and Pat’s apartment. If you balk, I’ll stay at my apartment.”
“That’s where I want you.”
“The one I’m letting Chelsea use.”
He swatted my behind. “Is that an ultimatum?”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Only if you make it one.”
“Miss Collins, you drive a hard bargain.”
I lifted my brow. “Does that mean I won?”
“No, princess. I choose my battles better than that.” His gaze narrowed, yet the gleam I loved flickered in the swirls of navy. “And believe me, if we’re at battle, you’ll know it.”
“Is that a threat?”
“Promise. It’s a promise.”
THE RIGHT AMOUNT of briskness hung in the morning air to add a chill as we stepped from the lobby of Patrick’s apartment building onto Fifth Avenue. Since I’d spent last night in a hotel—alone—I hadn’t received my daily weather report from Hudson, the doorman at my building. Undoubtedly, had I been there, he would have greeted me this morning with ‘Good morning, Mr. Demetri. There’s a hint of autumn in the air. Stay warm.’ The thought brought a smile to my face as Charli zipped her jacket before tucking her hand back into mine.
I didn’t want to let her go last night, now, or ever.
When it came to Jo and memories of her death, I found myself helpless, just like I’d been that night. I clung tighter to Charli’s hand.
Lennox Demetri didn’t do helpless. It wasn’t in my DNA. I needed to put this behind me.
As we began walking toward the park, I squeezed her warm hand, not because I wanted the beautiful golden eyes to lock with mine—though I did. Not because I needed to know she was here beside me—though I did. I squeezed Charli’s hand to feel the warmth that reassured me that she was alive.
Last night, alone in the hotel room, I recalled holding Jo’s hand, her cold, pale skin. I remembered her lips, their unnatural color. I’d done it to her. If it weren’t for me, she would have been warm and her lips would have been pink.
“Why don’t you run?”
Charli’s voice brought me back from the edge and loosened my grip, no doubt restoring circulation to her petite hand.
“I do. You know I do.”
“You run on a treadmill. That isn’t running.”
“It most certainly is,” I replied, happy to be in a nonsensical discussion about nothing of importance. It was one of Charli’s continual gifts. She reminded me that life wasn’t always a level-five emergency, threats weren’t around every corner. Triviality had a place of importance. It added balance. Deloris saw that in Del Mar long before I did. It was a part of my life I hadn’t even realized was missing until I found it again.
“Well…” Her voice came through the city sounds—traffic and the murmurs of other pedestrians—as we made our way west. “…I guess you get the exercise.”
I pulled her hand closer causing her to bump into my arm. “Are you saying I’m out of shape?”
She laughed. “I’m saying that we should run in the park in the morning instead of in your gym. I mean, look at this.” Her golden eyes scanned the vista before us. Hints of orange, red, and yellow dotted the landscape. The green that had prevailed all summer was giving way to the inevitability of change.
My gym was secure. This park wasn’t. But instead, I gave her a different excuse. “I have monitors in my gym and can catch up on the news and overnight turns in the markets. Besides, you don’t run every morning.”
“You only have one treadmill.”
“I’ll buy a second treadmill,” I offered.
“Stop. You don’t need to buy anything.” Her smile turned bashful. “Besides, it’s okay. I’ll settle for our normal morning workout.”
My lips twitched as my cheeks rose. “I missed that workout this morning.”
“Me too,” she replied, her voice merely a breathy whisper, as if she was concerned that the others around us could hear our topic of conversation. And then I caught a glimpse of Charli’s pink cheeks and laughed. By the expression on her face, anyone who looked our way could probably figure out what we were talking about.
“Nox.” She turned to me in all seriousness. “I’m going to call Bryce and let him know it didn’t work.”
“No.” I didn’t want her talking, texting, or fucking sending smoke signals to him. If that letter came from him, then he knew more about Demetri Enterprises than he should—too much.
Her smile and crimson blush disappeared. “I respect your opinion, I really do, but I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. I’ve thought about it, and I’m calling him.”
“Princess, I’m not being a dick.” I never planned to let her forget the title she’d given me in Del Mar after our standing ovation at the gas station. “Before you call, let Deloris do her thing. Let’s be sure he’s the one who wrote it. If he didn’t, he won’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
Her brow furrowed as she considered my argument. “I don’t understand how she thinks it could be someone else. Who would know that stuff?”
We had plenty of time before her class and testimony wasn’t scheduled to start on the hearing until after the lunch recess. I tugged her hand to stop and led us to a park bench. As we stilled and sat, for the first time since we’d left Patrick’s apartment, I saw my security. It wasn’t Isaac or Jerrod. They were both parked near the library at Columbia. These were men Deloris kept near. I knew names, but our interaction was minimal, or at least that was how it was supposed to be.
“Charli,” I searched for the right words.
Her golden eyes widened, sparkling in the sunshine that filtered through the canopy of leaves.
“Last night, you said to call if I was ready to talk.”
“Yes.”
I sat straighter, never letting go of her hand. “I’m not.”
Her gaze moved away before returning. “I guess that’s why you didn’t call?”
Involuntarily, my cheeks rose. “I didn’t, did I?”
“No.”
“I suppose I’m more direct.”
She nodded. “Yes, Mr. Demetri, I’ve noticed that about you.”
I took a deep breath. “Deloris told you that Demetri Enterprises is connected to some less than savory dealings. Mostly I can blame Oren.”
“Mostly?” she asked.
“Mostly,” I confirmed. “But Infidelity, for example, that was me. I learned about the company. I’m the one who made the investment. Some of the people we do business with very well could be involved in straight-up prostitution. I don’t know. I don’t want to know. So whether that letter was referring to Infidelity or a less organized business, the fact is that Demetri Enterprises could more than likely be connected to prostitution. As for the accusations regarding Jocelyn, I’ve told you, I can’t talk about it.” I squeezed her hand again and brushed my lips over hers. “Be patient with me. When I’m ready, you’re the one I’ll share with. I just need to find the right words.”
“Have you spoken to anyone?”
I looked away, trying to forget the images that plagued
my sleepless night. “I spoke to the police when…”
Her eyes widened as she listened to my words.
“When it happened,” I continued. “That letter said I hid things from her family. That’s not exactly the truth.”
Charli didn’t speak, allowing me the freedom to divulge what I could.
“Jocelyn wasn’t close to them, not after we got together. They didn’t want her with me.” I shrugged. “Much like your family.”
“Nox, it isn’t that my family doesn’t want me with you. They don’t even know you. My mother is fixated on Bryce. She has been for as long as I can remember.”
“The Matthewses didn’t like me. They were the stereotypical Midwestern family. Jocelyn wasn’t as independent as you. She never had lofty career aspirations. We met young and well, they wanted more for their daughter than me.”
Charli’s head moved slowly from side to side.
“What?”
“I’m trying hard not to interrupt you. Please, keep going.”
My lips twitched. “Begging now, are we?”
Her cheeks blushed. “I’m going to ignore that. Fine. I was wondering how they wanted more than you?”
I shifted, allowing my knees to fall farther apart as I clenched my own hand and studied the ground near my shoes. “They said I was nothing more than the son of a two-bit swindler from Brooklyn. I was where I was because I rode my father’s underworld coattails.”
“You don’t see yourself that way, do you?”
“I try not to.”
Charli reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. “I don’t know what you do,” she said. “I know you work hard. I didn’t know you were from Brooklyn. So what? You took me to the house in Westchester. But Nox, I didn’t even know your last name in Del Mar and I knew you were a man of substance.”
I looked up to her beautiful face framed in the auburn waves. Though she’d pulled most of her hair back, small wisps blew gently in the breeze to tease her cheeks and lips. I reached out and tucked a rogue strand behind her ear. “You’ve spoken to your mother. That letter said that she wants you away from me. No doubt, she doesn’t think I’ll do for her blue-blood daughter.”