I waited until the attendant was out of sight before inserting the key, chuckling darkly before turning it.

  “Oh, fuck me,” Gregory hissed as I opened the door.

  “Whatever our father held in private was worth dying for,” I said quietly as I peered inside.

  “And worth killing for,” Michael added.

  “And worth keeping safe and secure,” Gregory stated before taking a deep breath.

  And in my mind, worth destroying.

  Willow

  “Do you believe in love, Christopher?”

  “Absolutely. Don’t you?”

  “But I mean the kind in romance novels. You know what I mean.”

  He chuckled as he poured another glass of wine. “Honestly? Do I look like a romantic guy to you?”

  I gave him a bratty look before sliding my gaze to his bare feet then very slowly back up the length of his torso. “Looking pretty sexy and romantic in that robe you got on there, big fella.”

  A growl slipped past his lips, low and husky. I knew it was meant as a warning. I was pushing past the point of no return.

  Laughing, I inched closer to the kitchen island, keeping my look of mischief. “Seriously. You don’t like romantic movies or quiet candlelight dinners?”

  “They’re okay,” he said as he pushed the wine in my direction.

  “Long walks on the beach, digging your toes into the sand?” I continued before swirling the tip of my finger around and around the rim of the wineglass, pursing my lips on purpose.

  He lifted his glass as if in a toast. “Now, that I could enjoy. As long as we could go back to our beach house where I could strip you naked and fuck you like a savage.”

  He’d made me laugh more times than I’d been able to count. “Maybe. But only if you’re a good boy.” I took a sip of wine then eased the glass onto the counter, blowing him a kiss then scampering away as I giggled.

  Tried to scamper away.

  He snagged my arm, yanking me against the heat of his massive chest, immediately fisting my hair. “No, you don’t, sweet angel. You’re never getting away from me.”

  “Oh, yeah? What if I do?”

  “I will hunt you down. Trust me, I have resources all over the world. I will find you.”

  I brushed my hands up to the lapels of his robe, yanking until I was able to lower my head, blowing across his exposed skin.

  “Mmm… Then I’ll be forced to punish you.”

  After pressing my lips against his chest, I dragged my tongue up and down, finally moving to his neck. His scent was so damn masculine, exotic and woodsy. “And after that?”

  His breathing ragged, he closed his eyes. “Then I’ll… feast on you.”

  I adored the way his voice dropped to a sensual baritone, barely audible but sexy as hell. “Then what?” I whispered before nipping his earlobe.

  He twisted his fingers through my hair, taking several short and scattered breaths. “Then… I will… fuck you.” He snapped his head, jerking my head as he used his other hand to untie the sash on my robe. Within seconds, I was naked. “And that begins right now.”

  I shivered as the vision from the night before rushed into my mind for the second time. I’d been playing out every detail before the fire in my head, as if they were some of the only memories that I’d have of spending time with him. Groaning, I tried to push them from my mind. They weren’t going to do any good right now.

  I’d heard it said that there was a fine line between love and hate. Maybe that was the kind of truth I should get used to. I hated that Christopher had left me alone, refusing to tell me exactly what he was going to do. I loved that he cared for me enough to worry so much.

  All the rest was mixed somewhere in between.

  I’d been given a few minutes to grab some things, told nothing about where I was being taken, but the drive had seemed like hours. The part of the city also wasn’t the best, but according to Christopher, it was safe. From what? From whom?

  I paced the small room, trying to keep from allowing the terror to drag me to an ugly place. While I certainly understood why Christopher was nervous given the terrible ordeal we’d been through, I couldn’t understand why he’d left me alone in a strange place far away from my home.

  I heard Baxter’s tail thumping against the cheap carpet and cringed. At least I had some company. Christopher had promised to call, returning just as soon as it was safe.

  Only I wasn’t certain I’d ever see him again.

  I’d seen the look on his face as he sat on my kitchen floor, the horrible resignation that had filtered into his mind. Even if he wanted to get away from the only life he’d ever known, there was no way he would be left alone.

  Not with the number of enemies he and his brothers had.

  I was sick at my stomach and every time I stopped pacing, I was forced to look at the ugly, stained walls of the small house. I could swear they were bloodstains. Shuddering, I held my arms before returning to the tattered couch and sitting down, staring at the wineglass in front of me. I’d been here for hours, darkness falling once again.

  Last night I’d been in the arms of the man I loved and tonight? I was waiting for the boogeyman to jump out of the shadows. A laugh bubbled to the surface and I dropped my head into my hands, trying to control my breathing. Baxter limped toward me, nuzzling next to my leg. To think I’d almost lost him and Christopher in the same night was horrifying.

  As Baxter cried, the woeful sound the same one he’d made the night before, I was forced to wipe away a tear. I refused to cry over this. I certainly wasn’t meant to live in Christopher’s world. That wasn’t a surprise. I enjoyed my job and my little house.

  What if you can’t be with him?

  The ugly little voice had been hassling me since Christopher had walked out hours before. I’d actually tried to call him once, but there’d been no ring, only voicemail. I’d been given strict instructions to stay inside and not to open the door. As if I planned on being that stupid.

  “It’s all right, Baxter. Everything is going to be just fine.” The words sounded hollow. My hand shaking, I managed to take a sip of wine, my stomach churning. I hadn’t been able to eat all day. Who could after everything we’d been through? Seeing the horror of the fire, the flames tearing apart every inch of the beautiful house was a vision I wasn’t certain would ever leave me.

  Houses could be replaced. That’s what insurance was there for, but what about memories? Did he have even a single one inside that house?

  I took another sip of wine and sat back, my nerves remaining on edge. There were so many things I wanted to say to Christopher, but not over the phone or through some email. Only if I could get to say them in person.

  Baxter rested his head on my knee then walked away, the pup trying hard not to favor his broken leg. “God,” I finally hissed out of exasperation. The waiting was worse than almost anything. I pulled the phone off the coffee table, praying he’d tried to call me.

  Nothing.

  I was going to lose my mind.

  When I heard what sounded like something at the door, I jerked to my feet, laughing as I noticed Baxter sitting right in front of it. “You need to go out, buddy? We can do that.” Then we’d lock down for the night and do something I hadn’t done in a very long time.

  Pray.

  I peered out the blinds before turning on the back light. At least the back yard was fenced in, although the few broken slats were just another indication the house hadn’t been cared for in a long time. When I cracked open the door and peered outside, it hit me how insane living this way had to be. I couldn’t stand the thought of being prisoner in my own home.

  “Come on, Baxter. Do your stuff.” The single light over the small back porch was dim, highlighting almost nothing but a few feet into the yard. I moved down the single step, barely able to see the roofs of the houses on either side. From somewhere in the rundown neighborhood, I could hear several dogs barking as well as a few car horns and blaring music from at least two blocks away.

  Baxter woofed once, drawing my attention as he lumbered toward the back of the fence. “No, buddy. Come back here.” His barking continued, forcing me to head in his direction. When I heard a growl coming from the other side, I yanked on his collar.

  Wham!

  The hard thump from outside the fence jarred the entire panel, the force enough I jumped backward, tripping over something in the yard.

  Bark. Bark. Bark!

  “Shit.”

  The bark coming from the other side was thunderous, the deep rumble echoing in my ears. “Come on, Baxter. I don’t think he wants to make friends.” The moment I stood I winced, my ankle sore. I rolled my eyes as I guided him toward the house. Of course, my ankle would be twisted.

  After closing and locking the door, I leaned against it. The deep breath I took was followed by a series of nervous laughs. A blip of light caught my attention. The screen on my phone.

  I raced toward it, giddy as some damn schoolgirl.

  Then I heard Baxter’s low-slung growl.

  “Hello, sweet angel. It’s so good to see you again.”

  Chapter 15

  Christopher

  Success.

  Some would say the concept is built from hard work and sacrifice. In the world created by my family’s legacy, success had been built on secrets and lies. I’d been taught at a young age that everyone had them, some worse than others. However, usually those who kept the darkest, most vile secrets were also the ones who would pay handsomely in order to keep their proclivities padlocked. I’d never fully understood that until the last few months.

  Perhaps I’d even taken advantage of the situation over the years, falling in the same footsteps my father had created.

  Something I’d told myself I’d never allow to happen in my lifetime.

  Within the walls of our club, secrets had been revealed for decades, all of them captured in various forms of media. The majority of people believed the power within the city revolved around politicians, pompous assholes who truly believed the sins they committed hadn’t been documented.

  Not only were they wrong, they also had no true understanding of the fact that my brothers and I were the most powerful men in DC.

  Perhaps in the entire United States.

  But on this night, it felt as if the weight of the world bore down on my shoulders. The one thing I’d heard growing up that had been absolutely true was that often the thing you were looking for was right in front of your face.

  Including those who truly held the power after my father’s murder.

  Now there stood a chance that the woman I loved would pay the ultimate price.

  “Are you certain about this?” Michael asked as he popped a clip of ammunition into his weapon.

  I glared over at him before dialing her number again. “If the bastard thinks he can get to me this way, he’s dead wrong.”

  “You don’t know he’ll come after Willow,” he retorted.

  “Like hell I don’t.”

  “Then we’re going to shoot to kill, just like should have happened before.”

  I sneered as I pressed down on the accelerator again, exceeding the speed limit. Nothing was going to keep me from getting to her.

  Gregory had been left to sort through the entire box of information as well as pull in favors from the appropriate law enforcement members. It was still good to have friends in all the right places. This was going to end tonight.

  One way or the other.

  This was Michael’s beef more than anyone’s. He’d been left to salvage the family, forced to take a back seat to his life in order to ensure Gregory and I remained on the straight and narrow. Only recently had he truly begun to live his life, Sophia the reason.

  Now I understood why both Gregory and Michael had fallen so hard for the right women, promising them the world, including protecting them with their lives. I would do everything in my power to keep Willow out of harm’s way.

  Even if it meant killing every single enemy.

  “Answer the phone, Willow.” I said the words into the phone, even as voicemail clicked in for the third time. I veered the car around the corner, the tires screeching in the process. I tossed the phone into the passenger seat, eyeing the rearview mirror. Everything had been turned upside down because of the information we’d found in the security box at the UPS store. My father had been clever, choosing a place that no one would have ever considered.

  My brothers and I had learned the reasons why, although the details left by our father still left us with questions. He’d done everything he could to protect his children, including hiding a portion of his estate.

  Additional real estate scattered throughout the United States and other countries.

  Several additional offshore bank accounts.

  Other forms of collateral that had been inventoried and locked away in at least four locations.

  And a way out of being tethered to the club if we desired.

  The only caveat? The three of us had to be in agreement for the items held in secrecy to be released.

  Then there was the truth about the ledger.

  I rubbed my jaw before clenching my hand around the steering wheel. None of that mattered at this point. Nothing would ever again if I couldn’t share it with Willow.

  “Damn it!” The traffic light was red, the traffic thick with congestion. I had a feeling I was running out of time.

  “Breathe, brother. We’ll get to her.”

  As soon as the light turned green, I shifted the gear, roaring around the other cars. Horns blasted from every direction, vehicles jamming on their brakes. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to her.

  The news from only an hour before hadn’t even registered. An arrest had been made from clear fingerprints at the scene of the fire. Parker Reynolds had made good on his threat he’d made that night outside the club. Jesus. That seemed like a lifetime ago. Sadly, I doubted the stupid kid had anything to do with torching my house. I had a feeling he was nothing more than a scapegoat, just like so many people had been.

  My father had promised a world where the inner circle would gain more power every year, protected from their enemies. Sadly, by the time my father had figured out there was a flaw in the system, someone else attempting to take over as head of the Dunmore legacy, it had been too late. The others in the upper echelon of the power circle hadn’t realized their lives were in danger, forging on after waiting the appropriate amount of time to see what Michael would do with regards to the club.

  The fact we hadn’t wielded the powerful ledger had likely confused them, even threatened them in several ways. The members of the inner circle couldn’t afford to be identified.

  When I was within two blocks, my heart thudded hard against my chest. If the bastard had hurt her, I would rip him apart with my hands. I rolled the car to the curb, the gear barely in park before I jumped out, Michael trailing behind me.

  “Go around the back of the house,” I told him. “There’s a gate then a single back door.”

  “Got it.”

  I didn’t bother pounding on the door. I simply kicked it in.

  “Willow!”

  “In here.”

  Her voice was soft, the lilt almost like I’d remembered.

  Almost.

  Except it was laced with a hint of fear.

  I held the weapon in both hands as I walked toward the kitchen. There was no sign of Baxter. No barks. Nothing.

  Bristling, I took sideways steps, scanning the area until I was able to see in through the doorway. She stood by herself just past the kitchen counter leading to the small breakfast room. Her face was pinched, her entire body rigid.

  Rage slithered into my system but this time, I had to keep control. Her life depended on it.

  “It’s time to end this,” I stated, trying to keep my voice as low as possible.

  When the asshole moved out of the shadows of the other room, his weapon pointed directly at Willow, I took a deep breath.

  “I don’t have anything else to lose, Christopher. Your father took it all away from me.”

  “William.”

  I stared at the man both Gregory and I had considered our godfather, realizing what fools we’d been to believe the man had no idea about the inner circle or the workings of the club. While our father had kept him out of the first few years, William had gained knowledge just by the simple act of being the family attorney.

  “Our father was trying to protect us, William,” I countered.

  “By hiding the ledger? By trying to keep me out of the inner circle? I worked for that man my entire life and he didn’t give a shit about me or my family.” William inched closer to Willow, his hands shaking.

  “In turn, you’ve made certain our lives were disrupted, even using the anger of a young man. That kid didn’t set that fire. Did he?” I hissed.

  When William grinned, I almost lost it.

  “It’s been you all along. Hasn’t it?” Michael asked as he walked into the kitchen.

  William flinched seeing Michael, a hint of sadness forming in his eyes. “I was loyal to the end.”

  “Until you had him killed,” I said with no emotion.

  “He was worth millions, yet he paid me barely enough to survive in this town. I was the person who helped him find his methods of taking down corporations and spreading rumors. I helped him destroy people, but I wasn’t considered good enough for his inner circle. The fucking bastards. Hell, he even allowed a fucking gangster to be a part of his special little club. But not me. I couldn’t even be a member of Club Darkness. That wouldn’t bode well for his legitimate business deals.”

  The man was coming unhinged, sweat beading along his brow, trickling down both sides of his face.

  “So you betrayed his family because of your greed,” Michael hissed as he inched closer.

 

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