“You know I’m right!” I realized my voice had carried, Rose turning her head in our direction.

  “Keep your damn voice down,” Hunter hissed.

  “All I’m saying, Cain, is that I find it hard to believe, because it’s been ten years if he’s reenergized his earlier career.” Cristiano wasn’t easily shaken, but I could sense he was being more tentative than usual.

  “I understand what you’re saying. We’ll need to be cautious. Keep the security tight around you. However, you know I don’t buy it when things look too easy or if they appear to be a coincidence. That being said. We could have another problem,” I said as I shoved my hands into my pockets, purposely watching the beautiful woman enjoying the bright sun.

  “Spill it,” Hunter demanded.

  “I had to deal with an unruly employee last night. In his quest for salvation, he tossed out that people knew about what happened years ago. When pressed, he said several employees received a cryptic email less than a week ago.” I hated to admit it and had spent part of the night working with the computer technicians and the two hackers I’d recently hired to try and locate the source.

  “Is that the truth?” Now, Cristiano seemed interested.

  “Yeah, twenty-two emails were sent, five going into spam, two going to employees who no longer work at the resort. It appears the emails were sent from a bogus Gmail, the IP address somewhere in Brazil, China, the Soviet Union. You get the drill.”

  “A hack job for certain,” Cristiano agreed. “Why? To make you look bad? I doubt your employees give a shit. They know what you really do for a living.”

  Chuckling, I scratched my jaw. “They do. I have a feeling whoever sent it knew at least one of them would mention it to me.”

  “Interesting scare tactic.”

  Hunter took a deep breath, half laughing before asking a question. “Do I want to know what these emails said?”

  “Simple and to the point. ‘Ten years ago, three men of the Elite including Cain Cross murdered a bright rising star. Her soul has yet to be freed.’ Poetic.”

  The two men sucked in their breaths. “Someone is playing a game,” Cristiano said. “We need to find out who.”

  Hunter took a deep breath. “Did either one of you get a strange text last night?”

  I couldn’t help laughing. “One word. Soon?”

  When Hunter nodded, Cristiano exhaled. “Yeah, I tried calling the number. Not in service.”

  “Yeah, well, don’t bother. Burner phone. No doubt,” I told them.

  “Meaning you’ve gotten more than one text.” Hunter lifted his eyebrows.

  “Yes, I have.” I scanned the restaurant, almost laughing when I saw Rose’s personal assistant watching her from a distance. The woman certainly didn’t like me very much. As if I cared.

  “Well, ain’t this peachy,” Cristiano growled. “I think we’re being set up. Why Chicago, Hunter? New business?”

  Hunter’s expression went from confusion to disgust. “Yeah. Bart Coplan is supposed to sell his textile firm, but he’s having seller’s remorse.”

  I rubbed my jaw. “Strong company with tremendous profits. Why try and sell?”

  “Why does the name Coplan sound familiar?” Cristiano asked.

  “You’re right, it does,” I said in passing.

  “He’s legit,” Hunter insisted. “But the change in his attitude was unexpected, forcing me to come to Chicago.”

  Too many things were out of place, leaving a trail of bloody breadcrumbs. I glanced at Cristiano.

  “You mentioned earlier that we needed to talk. What other joyful information did you bring us?” Whatever game was being played was already taxing.

  He nodded, obviously mulling over everything that was going on. “William Watkins is determined to ruin us one way or another. An article came out in the Times in New York. Somehow, he either convinced or bought off a reporter to tell his story regarding the Elite. It’s a doozy. I took the liberty of printing a copy of the article for you. While he’s careful not to commit himself to a libel suit by mentioning us specifically, he paints an ugly picture of the university and the Elite.”

  After he handed us a copy, I scanned it briefly. Then I balled the two sheets of paper into my fist. “The motherfucker needs to pay.” Why would he attempt to do this now? It didn’t make a lot of sense.

  “Maybe that’s why the contract I came here to finalize has a chance of going south,” Hunter hissed. “It would seem to me a plan is in motion to destroy us one way or another.”

  We can’t allow that to happen, gentlemen,” Cristiano said as he looked from one to the other.

  “At least it’s the university a-holes who’ll be forced to deal with this. I bet their attorneys will have this article retracted within a week, maybe sooner.” Hunter folded it neatly, shoving it into his jacket pocket.

  “That’s not the point, and you know it. However, if anyone asks us questions, then we’ll deal with it. Until then, we watch and wait to see who rears their ugly heads. And I assure you that they will.” Still, I was furious to the point additional security was in the process of being installed on every computer and communications system.

  If the fucker wanted to play hardball, then so be it.

  “Go enjoy your day,” I told Hunter, although the jealous beast wasn’t too far under the surface.

  He suddenly had the same look cross his face that he’d expressed before. “There’s no reason we can’t enjoy her together.”

  Cristiano snorted. “Are you suggesting we could share a woman for real?”

  “Are you dating anyone?” he asked. “Are you, Cain?”

  I shrugged.

  Cristiano slowly turned his head towards Rose. “I’ve been busy with building the business.”

  “Why do I have a feeling you’re going to say the same thing, Cain?”

  This time I lifted my eyebrow. “We live in different parts of the country, gentlemen. Unless she’s interested in a few nights of passion only, I’m not certain what our attraction could matter.” We barely knew the girl, but she had certainly sparked all our interests.

  “It could be fascinating to see if it could work out. She does travel more than we do.” Cristiano chuckled. “But we can’t be serious. We’re grown men who need to eventually settle down.”

  “Who said anything about settling down?” Hunter threw in. “As mentioned, the girl is tough. What makes you think she’d want anything other than a casual fling?”

  “Notice our boy here is certain he’s going to get her between the sheets. Talk about over confidence,” Cristiano said, laughing.

  Cristiano had lightened up in the years that had followed our graduation. It was good to see the banter between us was the same. “Let’s face it, gentlemen. One night destroyed a huge part of us. Whether we want to admit it or not.”

  Hunter shook his head.

  When neither one of them said anything, I thought about the suggestion. “But we could see what happens for old times’ sake. Rose has the night off. I know the perfect place where we can spend some quality time while engaging in pure sin. Are the two of you game?”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” Hunter answered.

  I folded my arms and walked closer by a few feet. She seemed to be eyeing us carefully. When she removed her sunglasses, giving all three of us a onceover, I decided to take matters into my hands.

  “All kidding aside. What would you think about keeping her?”

  Hunter flanked my side. “Are you being serious?”

  “I am.”

  “As a pet?” Cristiano asked.

  “Perhaps. Perhaps more.” I mulled over the idea. Suddenly, a risky scenario slipped into the back of my mind. I wanted the crap with both The Iceman and Theo’s dad to be finished with once and for all. There was one way to ensure that happened.

  To use a lure.

  “And the logistics?” Hunter asked.

  I tipped my head towards Hunter. “We’re three of the most powerful and wealthiest men in the world. I think we can handle logistics when they arise.”

  He laughed. “You’re right, my friend. And I must admit, even though I’ve spent only a little time around her, she would be incredible to own.”

  “There’s another reason,” Cristiano said as he studied my expression. “Isn’t there?

  The deep breath I took didn’t fill my lungs. I had an ache inside for the woman and the thought of putting her in harm’s way was damning, yet it might be the single time we could effectively work together to eliminate our enemy. If things worked out, then we’d own a beautiful pet. “The obvious objective of both The Iceman, if he still exists or handed his legacy to someone else, as well as that of William Watkins is to either destroy or kill all three of us.”

  Hunter got in my face. “You want to use her as bait. You son of a bitch.”

  “Not bait exactly.”

  “Then what the fuck do you call it?”

  I shifted my gaze towards him first, then to Cristiano. “She won’t be of interest to either one of them. Only the three of us will be.”

  “And what if something happens when she’s with us?” Hunter asked through gritted teeth.

  “It won’t because we won’t allow it to.”

  Cristiano laughed, the sound bitter. “Same old Cain. He thinks he can control the world.”

  “Do you really want to spend your life wondering when or if you’re going to be shot at or arrested?”

  Hunter dropped his head, cursing under his breath.

  “I hear what you’re saying, Cain, but that beautiful woman doesn’t deserve to be used.” Cristiano was adamant. “I thought you were interested in Rose, not in the fact she’s simply someone we can share. That’s no longer acceptable. I want to spend time with someone I care about, not just want to fuck. I’m ready to share my life with a special lady. Maybe have a few kids. The three of us talked about sharing someone for a long damn time. And you know? The idea was ridiculous to me at first. Then the more I thought about it, the better I liked it. But I will not use her. No fucking way.”

  “Ditto,” Hunter snarled.

  There was no denying what I’d wanted. I glanced in her direction, overwhelmed with the kind of desire that would never leave. I’d experienced it once in my life and lost it. I wouldn’t do it again. “I care about very few people. You both know that. Women matter little in my life, or at least they haven’t up to this point. Like you, Cristiano, I long for more than just a night or a weekend of fucking. It was fun while we were younger. It’s not fun any longer, just… it simply satisfies a physical need. I want her. Rose. The woman. The beautiful talent with a laugh that can light up a room. I want her body and soul, but yes, I want her damn love as well.”

  The two men were silent for a few seconds. Then Hunter moved in front of me once again. “Maybe you do have a heart after all, Cain. If you really feel that way, then fine, we will enjoy getting to know her, hoping for more. But you will fucking promise me that you’ll do everything in your power to keep her safe. If anything happens to her, I’ll fucking kill you myself.”

  I knew in my blackened heart that I would do anything to protect her, no matter the circumstances or the cost.

  “Then so be it. We begin the process. Within a few days, the lovely Rose Sadler will belong to us.”

  CHAPTER 16

  Rose

  “Imagine what else we’re going to do to you, little pet? In the end, we’re going to fuck every hole, taking you over and over again.”

  I could hear Cain’s voice in the back of my mind, the promise sounding more like a warning during the middle of passion. While it should be unnerving as hell given the dream I’d had, my skin continued to tingle from the thought.

  Déjà vu.

  I wasn’t certain why I had that feeling other than it had struck me the moment the three men were standing together. As if we’d been together before. But with one being from New York, another from Philadelphia and Cain from Chicago, I couldn’t imagine where I could have possibly been in the same place at the same time with them.

  Maybe I’d gotten the feeling from the intense sexual prowess they exuded, but it remained unnerving.

  Even some of the words they’d used had presented a thick fog over my mind, leaving an eerie feeling that I’d yet to shake.

  Little pet. I stared at myself, thinking about what that would mean. I was no prude. I’d seen enough movies, had read countless romance novels about BDSM and submissive women. I’d convinced myself I couldn’t stand the thought, but now, I wasn’t so certain given my reaction to being pulled into a man’s lap.

  Like I was a little girl.

  Whew, it was suddenly very hot in the bathroom. I spritzed some perfume, then grabbed my purse, uncertain why I was so nervous.

  Maybe because it wasn’t every day that a girl was asked out by three gorgeous men. At the same time. I laughed softly and returned my attention to the mirror, making faces at my reflection. I’d enjoyed a delightful lunch with them, although Cain was called away on business only minutes after sitting down at the table. What had shocked me was the intensity of the three men as well as the obvious camaraderie.

  That alone had instantly made me comfortable around them. I found them more than just pleasant to be around, their banter keeping me laughing almost the entire time. It was funny that they were so different in their actions and demeanor, yet they were also very close, even able to finish each other’s sentences.

  However, there was an electric charge humming through all three men that exuded danger, as if I were their prey. It was something else I couldn’t push aside. I knew who and what they were. Perhaps that was the only reason for feeling that way.

  The fact that they’d been college buddies and had remained friends wasn’t that unusual, but their strong connection was. Or maybe I didn’t know what I was talking about. Being in Julliard hadn’t necessarily given me a true representation of the life of a college student, especially since I’d only attended for one year. That was okay. I’d met all the right people, and here I was today, a mega star.

  It was strange, though. As I’d waited for them while they’d had a business discussion, and I’d observed their actions to try and learn more about them. There was no denying their closeness or the fact that they were attracted to me. However, their conversation had taken a darker turn. At one point, I’d been certain they were going to start fighting. The strangest thing of all was that I was certain they were arguing about me.

  As to whether they wanted to share or whether they had to fight amongst themselves for a date with me? A girl could dream that she was the object of affection for three hunky, powerful men.

  I rolled my eyes and took another look before spinning around, checking the time on my phone. I wasn’t entirely certain where we were going or who would pick me up, but I’d been told to be ready at seven sharp.

  While both Hunter and Cristiano had told me what they did for a living, I gathered a sense that both men were dangerous as well. It was the way they carried themselves, and the fact that I’d caught a glimpse of the weapon Cristiano carried. He’d also scanned the restaurant and bar several times. Maybe the dead giveaway had been the beefy looking man standing only fifteen feet from the table on the bottom deck.

  What I hadn’t told them was that during their lengthy discussion, I’d searched the internet on my phone. The information I’d found had been enough to skyrocket my pulse and should have been the reason I walked away from the table before they returned. Two were from mafia families, although Cain’s family had disguised their operations, his parents living in the lap of luxury in the Hamptons alongside senators and ‘A’ list actors. Their businesses were mostly legit, though it had been easy to sort through the glossy magazine spreads and realize that their underground businesses had made their fortune.

  Cristiano’s family either didn’t have that luxury or had never wanted to. In South America, they were gods, ruling almost everything. The fact that his father had been recently murdered had allowed for his rise to power.

  Hunter was the anomaly. His father had built a textile empire that had limited competition. However, he’d taken the massive corporation to a darker side, using blackmail on a regular basis. Or so said the single article I’d been able to scan prior to their return to the table. It had been written recently, including on a university they’d all attended. I’d tagged it as a favorite to return to at a later time.

  Everything I’d learned had given me the chills, although strangely enough, I’d been excited the entire time I’d spent with them after their return. I’d felt alive, free of the obnoxious tether to being a good girl I’d had my entire life. I had no idea what to expect for the night, but I was looking forward to it, nonetheless.

  When I heard my cellphone ring, I groaned. I was a grown woman living on my own and had been for years, yet my mother had told me more than once that she required a once-a-week check-in like I was still in high school. I adored my parents, but it was getting ridiculous.

  “Hello, Mom. Yes, I’m doing great, Mom. Of course, I’ve been eating, Mom.” I couldn’t help but laugh when she snorted.

  “Is that any way to talk to your loving mother?”

  “It depends. How are you and Dad?”

  “If the man will ever stop finding excuses to go back to work, I’d be just fine.”

  “I thought he was retired for good.”

  She sighed. The poor woman had been dealing with daddy going out of town with limited notice for years. Granted, she lived in a gorgeous estate in San Diego, but I knew how much she wanted to travel.

  “You know your father. He likes to have his hands in the middle of everything. That’s just the way he is.”

  “Oh, yes. Your daddy is an assassin for some terrible men.”

  What the hell? I glanced from one side of the room to the other. A man’s voice. Oh, God. I was absolutely losing my mind or needed some additional sleep.