“So how is North doing?” Watson asked, and Mike nodded his head.

  “Okay, change of subject. She’s doing okay but is pushing herself a lot. Wants to go back to work full time.”

  “Seriously? Is that a good idea? Her shoulder okay? What about emotionally?” he asked.

  “Exactly, but she’s damn stubborn,” Turner said.

  “Shit, you telling me that pint-size blonde is running the show in your roost?” Watson asked then chugged down some beer.

  “Don’t even go there. You don’t have a clue. You’re still living the single life not caring about what’s happening next and taking it one day, one experience at a time.”

  “Ain’t that the way it’s supposed to be, Mike?” Dell asked.

  “Not since North came into our lives. No. It isn’t. There’s more to it. In fact, we should get together to discuss some more changes,” Mike said and Watson nodded.

  He knew what those changes would be. Them calling it quits and retiring for good. Watson looked toward Amelia again. God, she was young, beautiful, sweet, and he suddenly felt old, used up, and tired. What was up with that?

  * * * *

  “Are you okay? You seem out of it,” Kai said to Amelia.

  Amelia glanced once again toward Fogerty, Watson, and Dell, and she shouldn’t be looking. She was in no position to look, to feel anything. It wouldn’t be smart.

  “I’m okay.”

  “No you aren’t. You haven’t been okay for over a month now,” Kai whispered.

  Amelia stared at Kai. She had it together. She was so strong and had gone through a lot in her life. She would surely understand Amelia’s fears, and so would North considering that her ex-boyfriend had held her hostage and had been abusive, but Amelia couldn’t admit to the control Cavanaugh had over her or how easily he got into her head.

  She swallowed hard. “It’s hard, Kai. I just don’t feel normal.” Kai squinted her eyes and then stood closer. They were near the wall by themselves talking, and no one was really looking except for a glance from Watson, Dell, and Fogerty. They definitely were attracted to her, and that was going to cause problems.

  “What do you mean, normal?”

  “I…it’s hard to explain. I just feel like I’m a little lost I guess. You know trying to find my way back to focusing on me, what I want, what I need, and not be in a negative state.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that Cavanaugh did more to you than you ever let on?” Kai asked.

  Amelia worried her bottom lip. “He did, but I need to deal with it.”

  “Well, I’m here for you if you need to talk or anything else for that matter. So what about those three soldiers that just so happened to be there to come to your aid on the side of the road? Pretty hot, aren’t they?” Kai asked and winked.

  Amelia blushed.

  “Intimidating is more like it,” Amelia said, and Kai smiled.

  “Yup, they sure are, but I’m glad it was them and not some creepy guy or guys. I hope you’ll heed Mike’s advice about getting that car looked at.”

  “I will. I’ve been putting money aside for a while now. There’s some work needing to be done, but I was trying to hold off. My work schedule and all, you know?”

  “Well, I could give you a ride to and from.

  “Really?”

  “Sure, let’s see what Tony says about the car and take it from there. We’ll give you a ride home tonight unless, of course, your Good Samaritans insist on doing that.” Kai winked.

  Amelia shook her head. “I don’t need a ride from them. I can always call someone.”

  “April and Casey are here, plus Melina, too.”

  “Melina is here? Where?” Amelia asked, and then Kai pointed and Amelia saw her right between Watson and Dell talking a mile a minute. Amelia couldn’t believe the instantaneous jealous feeling she had, and she shouldn’t. Those weren’t her men. She couldn’t entertain some attraction. Not now. Not with Cavanaugh threatening her and wanting her back in his life. No way.

  Chapter Two

  “What do you mean she had a flat tire and three men helped her?” Cavanaugh asked, raising his voice before slamming his fist down on the table.

  “They pulled up with her at Corporal’s, and she was in their truck.”

  “Did they touch her?” he asked through clenched teeth.

  “The one guy helped her down, but once she was inside, she avoided them.”

  “Did they avoid her?”

  “No. They had their eyes on her all night.”

  “I want names.”

  “I think it would be wiser to move your plan along quicker. Those men are soldiers or something. Can’t get shit on them, but they seemed close to the Mike and the others.”

  “Shit. Those guys were Special Forces.”

  “By the looks of these three, they probably are, too.”

  “I can’t let them get a hold of my woman. Amelia is mine.”

  “Then go make a move, man.”

  Cavanaugh thought about that. It was too soon. He was breaking her down and enjoying watching her on the cameras without her knowing.

  “I have a better idea. Give her the package to deliver to Herbano.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah, let her get her hands dirty a little, and then when she tries to resist, I can remind her that she’ll get busted, as well. It will all help to break her down. I’ll call her now and then tell you where to meet her and pass over the stuff.”

  “Whatever you want, boss.”

  He ended the call and exhaled. He knew she hadn’t taken the men home. She’d gone home alone, but she had looked into the mirror at her body and stared a few moments. Could she have been thinking about the three men? Fantasizing about them? His temper grew fierce. “I’ll beat her. Fucking beat her if she cheats on me. Fuck.”

  * * * *

  Amelia had just finished grabbing a few groceries at the store. It was dark out, and she was heading home, having gotten her car back yesterday afternoon. When she walked out of the store and to her car, she noticed the sports car beside it with the dark-tinted windows. Before she even reached her car, someone got out, and she stopped short. Turbin, one of Cavanaugh’s buddies. She started to walk backward.

  “Don’t, Amelia. He’ll be pissed. Just come to your car and I’ll tell you what he wants.”

  She swallowed hard, unlocked her door, and held the bag against her chest.

  He eyed her over as usual. The men Cavanaugh hung with were womanizers. All of them.

  “Put the stuff in the car,” he said, and she did. She was shaking. What did he mean what Cavanaugh wanted from her? She turned to look up at him.

  “You look good. Everything going okay?” he asked.

  She just stared at him, not giving a response. Did this jerk think she would converse with him all casually like they were friends?

  “I have a package for you to deliver. A gift to someone from Cavanaugh. They know that you’re coming. You don’t need to do much but cooperate and listen.”

  “Why me?” she asked.

  “Cavanaugh only trusts you to make sure this delivery goes through. It’s important.”

  “Is it illegal?”

  “Just deliver it.”

  “To who?”

  He looked at his watch. “Cavanaugh will call you in just a few minutes. Get it done.”

  He reached into his car and pulled out a box that looked like a gift. She took it even though she didn’t want to. He got back into his car and drove away. She stood there holding the gift box wondering what was really inside before she got into her car. She was upset, wondering what the hell she should do when her cell phone rang. It was Cavanaugh.

  “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Why are you doing this to me? I’m not your girlfriend anymore. I don’t need to do these things.”

  “Oh, you think you aren’t, but you are. You’re going to make this delivery. It’s important for a lot of reasons.”

  “Why can’t someone else do it? I don’t need to be involved in anything with you. Leave me alone, Cavanaugh.”

  “Watch that tone. We’ll be together soon enough. Now make the fucking delivery. I’ll send the address and the name of the guy. Be nice and don’t let him touch you.”

  “Oh God.”

  “Don’t worry. He knows where your destiny lies,” he said to her, and she was shocked.

  “Where is that?” she snapped at him.

  “Underneath me in my bed. Now deliver the fucking package and don’t fuck up. You do and it will cost ya. Big time.”

  He ended the call, and a tear fell from her eye. She was stuck. She was never going to get out of this situation. There was no one who could help her. The police wouldn’t believe her because Cavanaugh owned people and he would destroy any stories, any proof she had about his illegal activities. He was smart, made sure his hands never touched a thing. He scared her in so many ways. She feared his strikes, his control, and no matter how hard she tried to be strong and to resist her own thoughts and his threats, they ruled her mind. All her life she struggled to get away from men like Cavanaugh. Men who manipulated a woman who was just looking for love, for compassion, and to feel safe. He played her for months—made her fall in love with him, and when he showed his true colors, she felt stuck. As things progressed and he beat her—mentally and physically—down, she lost her will to fight.

  When he really hurt her one night before he left for some business trip, she told him she was done with him, that she wanted nothing to do with him. He was gone for two weeks, and she thought she was finally free.

  Then he was everywhere. Stalking her, having people follow her and then threaten her friends. He knew their schedules, too, and she feared what men like Turbin or the others could do to her friends. It was a mess, and soon she was accepting his orders to make some deliveries, and to not date or see any men. She knew he was watching. He was everywhere. She couldn’t do a damn thing without him knowing, and she didn’t know how he did it, but he did.

  He even knew when she had a bad night and cried herself to sleep. She wondered how, and then did what she had been doing since she was a kid—a victim of her mother’s boyfriends disgusting actions—she pretended to not feel, to not be under Cavanaugh’s control, and soon enough she believed things were normal. They weren’t, and she wondered if she would ever be free.

  She dropped her groceries off at home, and when the address arrived via text, she prepared to leave. She hoped this was nothing that could get her arrested. She never knew with Cavanaugh. She didn’t dare ask questions about his businesses and what he did. She just knew that they weren’t legit. Her hands were shaking as she grabbed her small wristlet and keys. The gift box, all wrapped up, was on the table. She took a few unsteady breaths. When was this going to end? How could she make it end?

  She got the box and headed out of her apartment locking it up behind her, including the top lock.

  She got to her car and headed out of the parking lot feeling like eyes were on her. She knew that Cavanaugh somehow watched her every move. She hadn’t been thinking the other night when she had the flat tire and Watson, Dell, and Fogerty stopped to help her. Had he known about that? About them staying close? Or maybe he’d seen her attraction to the men? Oh God, she was stupid. She had gotten caught up in her attraction and being normal, well, acting normal, and she’d screwed up. She needed to do this right.

  Thirty minutes later she got to the address. An upscale restaurant and club, a pretty well-known one, and there was a line, too. She had done something like this before. Had gone up to the bouncers and said she was expected by whatever name she had been given. This time it was a guy named Herbano. She didn’t know who he was, what he looked like, nothing at all. She locked up her car, straightened out her shoulders, and headed toward the bouncers and security. People made comments, but she ignored them.

  “The line is back there,” one of the guys said to her.

  She gave a soft smile. “I know, but Mr. Herbano is expecting me.”

  He eyed her over as well as the gift. “What’s the name?”

  “Amelia. Cavanaugh sent me.”

  He nodded, and then she was escorted through the security area and into the club. “Follow me this way.” He glanced at her again.

  She wasn’t dressed for the club scene, but she did wear a short black skirt and a sleeveless blouse that she kept unbuttoned low like Cavanaugh liked it. She knew if she was meeting an associate that it would be expected and Cavanaugh would be informed about her looks, her attitude, and everything she did here. She was trying to keep him off her back, but it seemed like she was digging herself deeper.

  When they got to an area that was secured and separated from the rest of the club, she realized that this Herbano guy was wealthy and important. Maybe he even owned the place. She wasn’t certain but noticed several guys looking at her, and then she spotted Dominga. He was a bad man. A man capable of beating the hell out of men or women, never mind killing them. He was a sadist and was known to be into crazy things, including being hired to kill. She swallowed hard as he recognized her, eyed her over, then licked his lips. She never had liked the way that man looked at her and surprisingly she almost wished that Cavanaugh were here to protect her from him. He’d been the only thing that ever stood in the way of Dominga touching her. She wanted to get this over with and was grateful when the guy who escorted her pointed toward Herbano. He was a tan, older man with black hair and dark brown eyes. He looked her over, and she walked closer.

  She bowed her head. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Herbano. I have a special delivery for you from Cavanaugh.” She went to place the package down, only for a guy next to Dominga to grab it from her.

  “It’s okay, Yolo. I’ve been expecting her.”

  The guy—Yolo—placed the gift on the table and stepped back.

  “Amelia, right? Join me for a drink while I look this over.” He snapped his fingers, and the two women who were next to him got up, gave her dirty looks like she’d just ruined their night, and then walked away. She didn’t want to have a damn drink.

  “I’m good and actually need to get going.” She went to turn but then felt the hands on her hips.

  “Yolo, Amelia drinks coconut rum and Coke,” Dominga said and gave her hips a squeezed then slid his palm along her belly, turning her as his hand slid over her other hip. She gasped.

  “It’s so good to see you. It’s been too long.” He lowered down to kiss her cheek. She pretended respect, but she was shaking, and he knew it. “Easy. Someone so beautiful should not be out at a club all alone.”

  “I’m okay, Dominga, and was just dropping this off. Then I’ll be on my way.”

  “Come sit,” Herbano said, and a moment later, a drink was being delivered by a waiter. Yolo had his eyes glued to her chest.

  Herbano gave her a smile as he unwrapped the gift and then slid the box onto his lap to look at the contents. Before he opened it, he glanced up. The men’s backs were turned, providing coverage for the contents. Only she, Herbano, Yolo, and Dominga could see what was inside.

  She lifted the glass, her hand shaking with Dominga so close to her, his hand on her shoulders squeezing and then sliding against her neck. When they began to move lower toward her breast, she didn’t know if she should react or not, but then she did on instinct and turned to face Herbano, making Dominga’s hands move from her.

  “Ahhh, just as promised,” Herbano said, and she saw the contents of the box. Lying on black velvet were various emeralds in different sizes. Some large, some smaller, but none looked less than one karat. She widened her eyes, and Herbano closed the box then looked at her.

  “Your boyfriend is doing quite well in his businesses. Let him know that I’m on board for the next project and same payments. Now, a toast. To completed business deals and beautiful women.”

  She raised her glass, and they clinked glasses. She took a sip and debated about getting up to leave, but with Dominga next to her and then Yolo staring at her and Herbano making small talk, she had no choice but to stay.

  “Tell me, does Cavanaugh treat you well?” Herbano asked, and she felt his hand slide up her thigh under the table.

  She froze in place. She needed to be calm. She knew these types of men. She needed to pretend that she was still with Cavanaugh. It would be the only way to keep them from trying something.

  She covered his hand and gave it a soft tap as she held his gaze. “He treats me very well, sir.” She lowered her eyes.

  He squeezed her thigh and then exhaled. “Lucky fucking bastard.” He released her, and she smiled.

  “Well, I’m certain those beautiful women you had by your side earlier are just desperate to be close to you. I’m going to leave you now, but I will tell Cavanaugh what you said.”

  “Excellent. Dominga, walk her to her car.”

  “I planned on it.”

  She was instantly sick to her stomach, but she put on a fake smile and they made their way out of the private area and to the crowd. She tried pushing through, but then Dominga placed his hand on her hip and then squeezed her hipbone. She slowed down, and he pressed close up against her back. In the crowd of people dancing and moving, he began to sway with her, his hips practically gyrating against her ass. She tightened up and began to move when he slid his palm to her breast. She gasped and turned, but he pulled her into his arms and began to dance sexy with her right there with the crowd, and now there was no place to move. Bodies hit bodies, and his hands were everywhere, her ass, her back, pulling her hard against him.

  She gripped onto him. “Dominga, please. Cavanaugh,” she said, and he stopped, gripped her hips, and then practically dragged her along with him, his arm like a vise around her waist.

  They got to the side exit, and a bouncer there, who nodded at him, eyed her over, and then they were on the side of the building. He was moving so fast she nearly fell when suddenly he gripped her hard and pressed her against the side of the building, and she couldn’t hide the screech that left her lips. His hand went to her neck and jaw, forcing her to look up at him as his large body pushed her against the wall snuggly.