“What’s her name?”

  “She won’t give me a name, sir. She said to tell you ‘Bye, Felicia,’ and you would know who she was.”

  Bye, Felicia? Zion jerked upright in bed. It couldn’t be. Why would the very woman he’d just been dreaming about show up at his place at two in the morning? And wasn’t she engaged to marry that Anastas guy? So what was she doing coming here? “Put her on the phone.”

  “Yes, sir.” He could hear Parker handing her the phone.

  “Zion?”

  “What are you doing here, Celine?”

  “I’ll explain everything to you when I see you.”

  Not a chance, he thought. There was no way in hell he would invite her up to his place. Besides, there was nothing for her to explain. “Don’t waste your breath explaining anything to me. Those kisses we shared meant nothing.”

  “Thanks for letting me know that, but that’s not why I’m here.”

  “Then why are you here at two in the morning?”

  “I need help, Zion, and I didn’t know of anyone else I could go to.”

  He rolled his eyes. “And just what sort of help do you need?”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute, and then whispered, so low he could barely hear her, “Someone tried to kidnap me tonight.”

  Had he heard her right? “Someone tried to kidnap you?”

  “Yes, but I managed to get away. He’s probably out there looking for me. You have to help me, Zion.”

  He rubbed his hand down his face. Honestly, was he supposed to believe this crazy story? But what if she was telling the truth? He couldn’t imagine her making up something like that. If she was telling the truth, then why was she here and not at police headquarters or at the American embassy?

  As if she knew what he was thinking, she said, “I am telling you the truth, Zion. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”

  Releasing a deep breath, he said, “Put Parker back on the line.”

  Seconds later, Parker returned. “Yes, sir?”

  “Send her up.”

  * * *

  The moment Celine stepped off the elevator she saw Zion standing there, leaning his broad shoulders in an open door frame. He wore nothing but PJ bottoms with a drawstring at the waist, hung low on his hips. The lighting from the corridor ceiling illuminated his bare chest, all muscle and sinew. And those dreadlocks that flowed over his shoulders made him appear wild, untamed, definitely edgier than he’d looked in Los Angeles.

  Her knees seemed to give out on her with every step she took. But then, it could have been from sheer exhaustion. She had run several blocks in heels before finally taking them off. Once she’d reached the area where Zion lived, she felt a bit more comfortable, since she knew her way around.

  The closer she got to him, the more she resented that the chemistry was still there between them. The way he was looking at her was stirring all kinds of sensations within her. Sensations she’d rather not deal with right now. She had enough problems on her hands.

  She noticed when concern abruptly had replaced the expression on his face. Evidently, he could see that her sleeve was ripped and that she was limping. She figured she looked a mess.

  Zion straightened. “You okay?” he asked, and she could hear actual worry in his voice.

  She nodded as she came to a stop in front of him. “Yes, I’m okay.”

  He stood aside for her to enter his home. She glanced around and saw how huge and immaculate his place was.

  “Okay, Celine, what the hell happened?”

  She turned to him. Instead of answering him, she asked, “May I have something to drink? Something strong?”

  He looked at her for a moment, before nodding. “Follow me.” She trailed behind him to his kitchen. “Go ahead and have a seat.”

  She was grateful to finally get off her feet, and sat at the table. Glancing around, she saw his kitchen was just as immaculate as the rest of the rooms she’d seen so far. “Thanks.”

  He opened his cabinet and retrieved what looked like a bottle of scotch and two glasses, and placed them on the table in front of her. She’d been right. It was scotch, and he poured a generous amount into one of the glasses.

  She held his gaze as she took a sip, then closed her eyes when the liquor burned her throat. She was a wine drinker, but tonight she needed something stronger, and this scotch certainly did the trick.

  “Now you want to tell me what happened?” he asked, taking a seat at the table.

  No, she didn’t want to tell him, but since she’d shown up at his place at two in the morning, he deserved an explanation. “I was invited to a party given by the American ambassador. It was held at one of the ballrooms at the Circus Maximus.” She figured he was familiar with the place, since it was an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome. The most lavish parties were often held there.

  “And?”

  “And when I was leaving, a man who introduced himself as an assistant to the ambassador told me that because there were paparazzi out front, he’d ordered my limo to be brought to the back.”

  “And you believed this man?”

  “Yes, I had no reason not to believe him. He’d flashed his credentials in front of me. I should have taken the time to look at them carefully, but I didn’t.” Now she wished she had.

  “It was only after I noticed that the driver was going in a different direction that I questioned him about it. That’s when I realized it was not the same driver who’d taken me to the event. He told me that Nikon Anastas owed someone a large amount of money and that I was being held as collateral until it was paid in a week. But what really pissed me off was that this man claimed Nikon was very much aware I was going to be held.”

  Zion’s brow arched. “Your fiancé was willing to use you that way?”

  She frowned. “First of all, Nikon is not my fiancé.”

  “He’s not your fiancé now?”

  “He’s never been my fiancé.”

  Zion shrugged. “That’s not what I heard on television earlier.”

  “Evidently, you and a number of others. Whatever you heard is a lie.”

  Zion leaned back in his chair. “And why would Anastas lie about something like that?”

  “I have no idea. I couldn’t convince the guy who was driving that car tonight that Nikon wasn’t my fiancé.”

  Zion didn’t say anything while she took another sip of scotch. Then he asked, “So, how did you get away from this kidnapper?”

  “He stopped to run into this place for a pack of cigarettes, and I convinced him I needed to use the bathroom. When he opened the door, I kicked him hard in the groin and he went down on his knees and I took off.”

  Zion didn’t say anything as he filled his own glass with scotch. He took a sip. Then he held her gaze when he asked, “So, why did you come here and not go to the police or the embassy and report what happened? Kidnapping is a serious offense. Besides, you’re an American citizen.”

  “Yes, but...”

  She went silent. How was she going to tell him that according to the driver, her father had known about it? She hoped that was a lie Nikon had told, just like he’d put out that lie that she was his fiancée. But what if the man had told the truth and Nikon had talked her father into something so outlandish? If she was to report anything to the authorities, that could get her father in serious trouble. She didn’t care one iota about Nikon, but her father was a different matter.

  “But what, Celine?”

  She nervously nibbled on her bottom lip. How could she make such a bizarre charge against her father? But still, Zion deserved to know why she hadn’t gone to the authorities. “The man also made some claims against someone else. He claimed this person knew about the kidnapping, as well.”

  She saw how Zion’s jaw tightened. Although he was holding it in check, she saw anger in the dark eyes staring at her. “Who?”

  She drew in a slow breath before saying, “My father.”

  * * *

  “You honestly believe that?” Zion asked, when his shock subsided. What man would be involved in kidnapping his own child? For her to even reveal something like that meant there was a possibility Levy Michaels was capable of such a thing.

  She took another sip, then pushed the glass away. “I truly don’t know what to believe, Zion. I don’t want to believe it, but Dad has been acting pretty strange lately.”

  “In what way?”

  “Well, for starters, when I first got wind of Nikon’s claim of our engagement, I called my father when I couldn’t reach Nikon. Dad all but told me to just go along with the lie because it was nothing more than a publicity stunt. That’s how he got me to start dating Nikon in the beginning. When I told him I wouldn’t do any such thing, that this farce of a relationship had gone too far and that Nikon had crossed the line with his recent claim of our engagement, Dad pleaded with me to go along with it and told me that it would all be over in a week or so.”

  “What did he mean by that?” Zion asked.

  “I have no idea.”

  “Why didn’t you call your father once you got away from the kidnappers?”

  “I would have called Dad, but my phone was blocked.” She reached into her purse, pulled out her phone and handed it to him. “See? No service,” she said, after clicking it on. “It worked fine up until I left the party tonight.”

  Zion took the phone from her, fighting to ignore the sensations that swept through him when their hands touched. When he heard her sharp intake of breath, he knew she’d felt it, as well. That stimulated sexual chemistry that had captivated them before was still there. If anything, it seemed stronger than ever.

  He studied her phone. She was right; it had gotten blocked of all incoming and outgoing calls. “You could use mine to call him.”

  “But then he’ll know I’m with you. If he’s somehow involved in this, I prefer he not know where I am.”

  Zion nodded, thinking that made sense. “Then I have the perfect solution,” he said, getting up from the table. “I’ll be right back.”

  * * *

  Celine watched Zion leave the kitchen, wondering what his perfect solution was. She then wondered about all that heated desire that sizzled her insides each and every time he looked at her. Coming here might not have been a good idea, but she couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. She would have gone straight to the airport if she hadn’t left her passport in her hotel room.

  She took a deep breath, refusing to drink any more scotch. She just couldn’t understand how Zion always ignited sparks of sexual excitement within her the way he did. When she’d watched him leave the kitchen, she thought even his walk was sinfully erotic.

  She glanced at her watch. It was nearly two in the morning, which meant it was close to five o’clock in the afternoon in Los Angeles. Had Nikon been notified she’d gotten away? Was her father aware of it, as well?

  “Here. You can use this,” Zion said, returning and handing her a cell phone. “It’s a burner and can’t be traced back to me.” She noticed he had changed out of his PJ bottoms into a pair of jeans, but hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt.

  She stared down at what he’d given her. There was no need to ask why he had a burner phone. Desha’s brother, Jordan, had one, as well, and had explained it was the number he gave to women he didn’t want having his actual mobile number. Jordan called it his booty-call phone. Did Zion use this phone for the same purpose? And why did it bother her if he did?

  “Thanks.” She took it and immediately placed a call to her father. She put the phone on speaker so Zion could listen in.

  “Hello?”

  “Dad, this is Celine.”

  “Celine! Where are you?”

  She glanced over at Zion and knew he was thinking the same thing she was. For her father to ask her whereabouts meant he knew she was not in place. “And just where am I supposed to be, Dad?”

  “Stop playing games with me. I’ve been worried sick about you.”

  “Oh, you are worried sick about me? Really? Is that why you went along with some crazy scheme Nikon concocted to have me kidnapped until he satisfied his debt to a bunch of goons?”

  “Is that what you believe?”

  “That’s what I was told, and the man telling the story sounded pretty convincing. I don’t know what Nikon has gotten himself into, but for you to agree and put me in danger is unacceptable and unforgivable.”

  “You were never in danger, Celine. Nikon assured me that you wouldn’t be.”

  “And you believed him?”

  “I saw no reason not to, since he’s your fiancé.”

  Celine saw red. “Nikon is not my fiancé and you know it! The only reason I was dating him was because you asked me to. But now both you and Nikon have crossed the line. Tonight I was kidnapped, Dad. Do you hear me? I was kidnapped. I was being held until Nikon paid off his debt, and these men weren’t lightweights. They were professionals. And honestly, I don’t feel safe going to the authorities here.”

  “Please don’t go to the authorities, Celine. Just be at the airport in the morning. I will send Ulysses with the jet for you.” Ulysses was her father’s personal pilot.

  “Don’t bother. Right now I’m having a problem believing those men won’t be at the airport instead of Ulysses. I won’t take that chance.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m not saying. I can’t believe it’s come to this, but I can’t trust you right now, Dad. I don’t know why you went along with Nikon and why you put your only daughter’s life in danger.”

  “I told you. Your life was never in danger and I am not mixed up in anything. If you won’t tell me where you are, will you at least assure me that you’re safe?”

  “I am safe for now.” She regretted she couldn’t be more forthcoming with him than that.

  “I still wish you would come home. Even if you don’t want Ulysses to come for you, book your own flight and come home.”

  “Right now I don’t feel safe doing that, either. Bye, Dad.” She clicked off the phone and handed it back to Zion.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she said, “If I can crash on your sofa tonight, I promise to leave first thing in the morning.”

  “And go where?”

  She shrugged. “Not sure yet. I wish I could get my things from the hotel, but I’m too afraid to go back there.”

  “What hotel were you staying at?”

  “The Inspiron.”

  He nodded. “Don’t worry about sleeping on the sofa. I have guest rooms, and tonight, Celine Michaels, you are my houseguest.”

  Chapter 10

  “Thanks, Alessandro. I owe you one,” Zion said to the friend he was talking to on his cell phone.

  “No problem, Zion. I’ll take Isabella with me to pack up everything. I don’t feel comfortable touching all that feminine stuff.”

  Zion rolled his eyes. Isabella was Alessandro Rossi’s younger sister. “Whatever. Just be careful. There’s a chance the place is being watched.”

  Alessandro chuckled. “Have you forgotten that cautious is my middle name? I should be at your place before breakfast time.”

  Zion checked the clock on the wall. It was almost four in the morning now. “Okay. I’ll see you then.”

  He clicked off the phone and sighed deeply. It was a stroke of luck that Alessandro’s family owned the Inspiron Hotel, and he figured Celine would be happy to get her things back. He had loaned her one of his T-shirts to sleep in tonight and had told her about the toiletry kits in each vanity.

  Zion could hear the shower going, which meant she was getting ready for bed. After her ordeal tonight, he figured she would be both mentally and physically drained. He could only wonder what in the world Nikon Anastas was involved in. And although Levy Michaels tried convincing his daughter otherwise, Zion wasn’t sure her father could be trusted, either. What man would go along with something so crazy? But then, to give the man credit, it sounded as if Nikon had outright lied to Michaels as to what was going down. Why? And just what was going down? After listening to that conversation between Celine and her father, Zion couldn’t help but be curious. And why did knowing she was not an engaged woman, had never been one, make him feel good inside?

  He stretched, deciding that, in all reality, none of it was his business. In fact, he appreciated that Celine did not involve him by letting her father know she was at his place. There was no reason for Levy Michaels to think Celine would seek shelter with him. In the morning, once she got her luggage, she could be on her merry little way and his life could get back to normal. Right now, it was anything but that.

  For starters, just listening to the sound of the water running for her shower was making him do crazy things. Like standing in his living room envisioning her naked. He wanted her. God, he wanted her, and the way his body was throbbing below the waist was letting him know how much. The sooner she left, the better. He would give her a place to stay tonight, but that was all she would get from him.

  But, boy, would he like to give her more. Like the feel of him sliding inside her. The feel of him thrusting in and out of her. The feel of—

  “Oops. I didn’t know you were still up.”

  He glanced over at Celine, realizing he hadn’t heard the shower stop. She was standing in the hallway that led from the guest room, wearing his T-shirt, a black custom design with the words By Zion sprawled across the front in huge, bold white letters that stretched across her breasts. The shirt hit her midway down her curvy thighs and highlighted a pair of gorgeous legs. She looked too damn sexy for her good or his.

  “Yes, I’m still up.” In more ways than one, he thought, feeling his hard erection throb against the zipper of his jeans. “I wanted to make sure you were all settled in before I go back to bed.”