“Oh, my God. Oh...” She clung to me. “You found me.”

  “It’s okay. You’re okay.” I took several deep breaths, scanning the area in case there were other assassins.

  Francesca lifted her head and slid her hand to cup my face. “Thank you. I’m so sorry. I just... She called and I believed and...”

  For a few seconds, all time stood still as the tidal wave of emotions rocketed through me. Crushing her mouth, I allowed all the pent-up anger, the fear and frustration to flow. The passion that erupted was more powerful than before and all I could think about was how much I loved her.

  She moaned into the kiss, parting her lips as I captured her tongue. I could feel her ragged heartbeat, could smell the remaining terror within her. No one was ever going to get the chance to harm her again.

  When I broke the intimate moment, I exhaled then whispered, “I thought I’d lost you.”

  “You didn’t.”

  I glanced over at Dominick, shaking my head.

  Dominick remained on his stomach for a few seconds before climbing to his feet. “You all right, buddy?”

  I brushed my hand through her hair, glaring up at him. “Yeah. I’ll live. Glad you could make it.” Dominick had taken out the other shooter. I knew he was the only man I could completely trust. There had to be a mole in the organization and one other than Louis Saltori.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, grinning. “Francesca?”

  “And you’re Dominick Lugiano,” she answered.

  He pulled us both to our feet.

  “Careful with her. She’s a spitfire.” I walked us away from the opening, kicking the other shooter until I could see his face. The same expensive clothing.

  “Did you figure out what all this is about?” he asked as he held the assailant’s weapon in his hand. “Beretta. Nice piece. Expensive.”

  “Yeah, that fits. I have no idea at this point. Dante Massimo is the mastermind. One of the assholes mentioned finishing the hit they’d attempted several years before. Doesn’t make any sense to me.” It was something I would need to ask my father about.

  “The Massimos were responsible for the hit years ago?” he asked, shoving the gun into his pocket.

  “No one claimed responsibility but there were no signs of a foreign interference.”

  Dominick glanced over at the actress. “And the girl?”

  “Just a lure,” I said, jumping in. There were several questions to be answered, including the girl’s accusations about betrayal. That hadn’t been simply a fake comment. She’d been instructed to drop that bombshell.

  Another question of why.

  “What now?” Dominick asked.

  I patted him on the shoulder. “I need to take Francesca somewhere safe. This isn’t over.”

  He nodded. “I’ll take care of the trash. I suggest you keep this little event under wraps for now.”

  “Agreed.”

  Dominick raised an eyebrow. He bent down, searching the man’s pockets and jerking out a wallet. “Whatdya know. Jim Smith from Elm Street. My guess is we have John Doe from Oak Boulevard down on the pavement.”

  “They planned this far too carefully.” I’d thought about calling Shane but there would be no direct connections made. The two goons were expendable. Even the girl was likely a cleaned-up junkie. She certainly wasn’t trained in the art of assassination.

  “You really believe Dante is behind this?” Dominick asked, tossing the wallet on the body.

  “Or my father,” Francesca interjected.

  Dominick lifted the other eyebrow, giving me a slight nod. The situation had to be checked out. However, I had a feeling the only one with answers was my father.

  And one way or another, he was going to give them to me.

  * * *

  The hotel was as secure as I could get for now. I still had no idea of who I could trust. None of the pieces were falling into place. I’d made the reservation in an obscure name that I often used, meeting the hotel clerk in the parking lot with the key. The five hundred I’d tipped him should help in keeping his mouth shut.

  Perhaps against my better judgment, I’d decided to call in a favor, trying to at least find out the identity of the poor girl who’d gotten mixed up in all of this. Her family needed to be told that their daughter was dead. Dominick would take care of the other bodies. I couldn’t afford to have an active investigation at this time.

  We moved up the back stairs until we were required to take the elevator to our secure suite and once inside, I checked the rooms carefully, pulling the drapes after turning on a single light. Francesca watched me carefully, standing in the middle of the living room area with her arms folded.

  “It’s not over yet. Is it?” she finally asked. There was no hint of fear in her voice, just a sound level of conviction. She was through with being the victim.

  “Not by a long shot. Whoever wants me dead will try again.” I moved back toward the window, looking out at the skyline. We were on the top floor, only accessible by those able to afford the cost of the extra security. Still, I remained on edge.

  “And your father?”

  “Safe.” For now. I could only hope I’d done the right thing. Moving away from the window, I tore off my jacket then removed the holster. All the while, her eyes never left me.

  “We’ll never be free of the danger. Will we?”

  I’d never felt so exhausted in my life. “We were born into this. There is no escape, no chance at true redemption.”

  “The sins of our fathers.”

  I jerked my head toward her, remembering the very day I’d thought the same thing. “Unfortunate but true.”

  Francesca inhaled, holding her breath as she looked around the room. “Well, at least we can pretend for a little while.”

  Perhaps. I moved toward the minibar, pulling out two bottles of bourbon. “Did you know that wasn’t your sister?”

  “Not at first but she knew everything. All the information about me and our past together.”

  I brought the glass toward her, wanting nothing more than to drag her into my arms. Right now, I had to have more answers. “The picture.”

  She nodded, immediately pulling the drink to her mouth.

  “So you called her number after seeing the picture.”

  “Yes, the likeness was uncanny. You can only imagine what that did to me. All the years of suffering since her body was never found. I was able to believe she’d been searching for me. She acted so surprised but happy to talk to me.” She shivered then walked toward the couch, easing down and holding her head in her hand. “I fell for it. I was such a fool. I gave her the address. I wanted to confront her about being in the picture. Hell, I thought she was my long-lost sister after all.”

  “They played you well,” I suggested. “The question is whom?”

  “I don’t know. Bastards. How could they do something like that? Why? What is the point?”

  I moved closer but kept my distance. “I think you already know the answer.”

  “No!” She slowly lifted her head, searching my eyes. “I... I’m not certain. Okay?” Her retraction was interesting.

  “The actress mentioned betrayal. Why would your real sister have believed you betrayed her? And how would two fuck-heads know that?”

  “I don’t know. Okay? I have no idea.”

  I closed my eyes, counting to five. “You need to listen to me very carefully. I have no way of knowing whether your father was involved, or if Dante Massimo is entirely the person responsible for this charade, but I am certain that there are two distinct reasons for what has occurred. Revenge and betrayal. If you know anything that could have happened to allow someone like Dante or even your father to believe you betrayed your sister in any manner, I need to know.”

  “I just...”

  I waited, hoping she would fill in the blanks. She didn’t. While I knew that Dante had soldiers positioned in almost every country, his reach and his power unequaled, I wasn’t set on buying he’d gone out of his way to try to annihilate another powerful mafia family. Not with the limited information I’d heard from several accounts. There was one other source to try to obtain information.

  “Secrets and lies, Francesca. That could mean our certain death.”

  Before she had a chance to retort, my phone rang. “Grinder. I’m alive.”

  “Boss. Where you been? Worried sick about you.”

  “The situation is taken care of.”

  “You found her,” he huffed.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off her, the beautiful woman with the beguiling actions. What was she hiding from me and why? “I did. Do not make that public to anyone. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, of course, boss. What’s wrong?”

  “This isn’t over,” I huffed.

  “Well, I may have good news.” He seemed elated.

  I remained quiet.

  “Word on the wire is that Dante Massimo passed away in his sleep. The nightmare just may be over, boss.”

  Then why did I have a feeling the nightmare was just beginning?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Francesca

  Dante Massimo was dead. The news should have pleased me. I knew that he’d pressured my father for years, even using force to get what he wanted. I’d heard the vicious stories about his brutality, the way he treated even his closest soldiers that he pretended to call family.

  But the news had affected both Michael and me in the same way.

  No emotion.

  I rubbed my arms and grabbed my drink, trying to salvage the conversation. I adored the way he clenched his jaw when he was frustrated, and he was extremely aggravated by my lack of answers. Instead of pushing me, he simply stood watch at the window, as if the world were going by and we’d never have a chance to enjoy it.

  The most handsome man in the world had saved my life. I was mortified that I’d bought the crap from the woman pretending to be my sister. Was I any better? I continued to lie to the man that I... Fuck. I’d fallen in love with Michael.

  I held the glass to my head, an ugly memory washing in.

  “You’re a beautiful woman and one I could lavish with gifts every day.” His smile was charming, his voice captivating. He held a power over me, a bird in a gilded cage. I was enraptured by his stunning good looks; the three-day stubble that could only look sexy on a man with a chiseled and perfect face. Even the jeans he was wearing had a love affair with him, caressing his hips and languishing over his thick thighs.

  But he was all wrong for me. He was also off limits. If only I’d known before I’d fallen hopelessly in love with him.

  “I can’t see you anymore.” I half whispered the words, terrified of his reaction. I didn’t want to hurt him in any manner.

  “What?” he asked, taken aback. His beautiful brown eyes opened wide, the sexy dimple on his chin drawing me further into his web.

  “I’m sorry but I need to concentrate on my studies.” The lie seemed plausible enough.

  He sat still, unblinking. He was never quiet, always joking and laughing. Always teasing me.

  “I will always love the time we shared together.” I reached over, trying to place my hand on his.

  He pulled away, sitting back, exhaling.

  “I’m really sorry. You’re very special. Maybe if we’d met at another time.” When he still didn’t say anything, I reached down, grabbing my purse.

  That’s the very moment he snapped his hand around my arm, twisting until I yelped as he dragged me halfway over the table. Plates crashed to the floor, other patrons in the restaurant gasping. “You bitch.”

  “What?” It was my turn to be shocked. “You’re hurting me.”

  He kept his voice low as he spoke, his once dancing eyes now pools of pure evil. “I’m going to do a lot more than this. You belong to me. You’re my property and I’ll do anything I want with you. Fuck you. Beat you. Tie you up and leave you in the dark. Burn you. Whatever. I. Desire. And you’re going to like it!”

  The memory was raw, so ugly. I didn’t realize I’d moaned until Michael snapped his head in my direction.

  “Are you hurt? Are you okay?”

  “I’m...” I couldn’t even answer. My hands and arms were shaking uncontrollably, enough so I dropped the glass.

  Michael pulled me into his arms, lifting and cradling me against his chest as he stormed into the bedroom portion.

  “I’m fine, Michael. I’m just a little frightened.”

  He yanked down the covers, easing me onto the bed. “You’re going to rest, and trust me, nothing will happen to you.”

  I did trust him, even though I’d sworn never to trust a man in his position again, not for any reason.

  “I’m going to be right here. I’ll sit in the chair and watch you sleep.” He pressed his hand on my forehead.

  “Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”

  “I’m just going right over there.” His smile was one of the few I remembered that seemed so genuine, almost boyish.

  He was my hero; arrogant and rude, frustrating and dangerous. But he’d bridged the fine line between good and evil, allowing his humanity to surface.

  The gorgeous man slumped against the back of the chair, his legs spread wide open, his eyes narrowing. I watched his ragged breathing as I inhaled, drinking in the all-male scent of him. I was thoroughly aroused, longing for more than just a watchdog.

  “That’s not close enough.” I eased off the bed, slowly removing my clothes, quivering from excitement every second. I’d never seen a man look at me with such lust in his eyes. But there was more. He’d become my protector, the man I could lean on, the very man I could surrender to.

  Body and soul.

  When I was naked, I crawled under the covers, turning on my side. “Please.”

  Michael looked away then simply walked out of the room.

  Whoa. Wait a minute.

  I was stunned. How could he do this to me? He didn’t want me any longer? He’d gotten everything he wanted then was planning on tossing me away. Anger began to swell until I caught a glimpse of his gorgeous physique once again.

  He returned with the holster in his hand. He gave me a slight smile as he placed the weapon on the table then pulled the shirt off over his head.

  I bit back a whimper, more out of anger at myself. I was always thinking the worst in people. Well, in men. Sadly, I’d had no other role models but assholes. Even my father, as much as I loved him, had never been able to shower me with adoration or even attention. I was simply his spawn.

  Pushing aside the ugliness was easy to do when given I had the sexiest eye candy in front of me. There was a slight hint of the moonlight coming in through the slits in the blind, highlighting his broad shoulders and long legs. When he reached for the drapes, I held out my hand. “Don’t. No one can see in through the windows. There are no close buildings. I want to be able to see everything.”

  “I’m just being cautious.”

  “I know and I love you for it, but I want to see you.” I’d blurted out the word. Love. L. O. V. E. That alone gave me a cold shiver.

  Michael kept a sly smile on his face as he dropped his arm, kicking off his shoes before unbuckling his belt. Hearing the clinking sound of brass gave me such a warm yet odd thrill, my mind rushing to the first time he’d used the belt for disciplining me.

  That seemed like a lifetime ago instead of a couple of days.

  When he was completely naked, he eased his head back, his long fingers raking through his full hair. He was teasing me, something he hadn’t done before and I was taking full and delightful advantage of it.

  I pulled down the sheet, running my fingers under my chin and down between my breasts. The expression on his face became ravenous, a slight growl slipping past his luscious lips.

  He walked closer, still just out of my reach. “If we do this, there is no turning back. I don’t want this to end. No, this won’t end. You will belong to me.”

  “Then so be it.”

  Tilting his head, he exhaled before crawling into bed, easing me down onto my back. He held himself aloft on his elbows, able to rub the pads of his fingers across my face. The touch was gentle, not the dominating man who’d taken me before. He lowered his head, blowing a swath of hot air across my lips. “Then so be it.” The repetition was more possessive, a man ready to take on the responsibility.

  I arched my back as he captured my mouth, holding his lips against mine then slowly opening them. The feel of his tongue dancing back and forth ignited the fire, sizzling my skin. I wrapped my arms around him, simply holding him in place. I wanted this to last. Not just for a single night. Not for a weekend.

  For eternity.

  The realization was an awakening, relaxing my tense muscles as he crushed his lips against mine. Everything about this man was all about control, but I was allowed to see, if only briefly, his vulnerable side. He was allowing me into his soul and quite possibly his heart.

  He shifted his hand down the length of my neck as he devoured my mouth, thrusting his tongue all the way inside. I was lightheaded, my only thoughts about this man and this moment. I wrapped my leg around his hip, pulling him closer until his throbbing cock slipped between my legs.

  I was tingling all over, undulating my hips as I moaned into the kiss. Nothing had prepared me for the excitement surging through me, the desire so great I could no longer think clearly. I raked my nails down his back as he French kissed me, taking his time to explore the dark recesses of my mouth.

  He was glorious in his mannerisms, his demand for me increasing. He yanked my other leg up, holding it next to him as he broke the kiss, his every sound savage in nature as he dragged his tongue along my jawline then to my neck.

  When he bit down, I whimpered; my entire world shattered from the closeness I felt.

  I shifted, grinding my hips and within seconds, his cock had slipped inside. I was so wet and the moment his cockhead pushed past my pussy lips, I fell into utter rapture.

  “You feel so good,” he whispered, licking and nipping as he worked his way up my neck. He lifted my legs further up, peering down at me with a carnal expression, his eyes never leaving me as he kissed the inside of my thigh.