There was nothing decent to say to her at this point. It also wasn’t the time to interrogate her about her past. That would be done in private.

  “Leandro was a special man. I’m nothing like him and that’s fine with me.”

  “Do you see the way he’s looking at you in the photograph?”

  I hadn’t really paid attention to it in a long time. She backed away so I had a direct line of sight. Leandro was staring at me.

  “That’s a look of admiration. Something you should think about. There’s a lot to admire about you.”

  Smirking, I beckoned her with a single finger. “And according to you, a lot to despise.”

  “All true.” A laugh bubbled up from her throat. Even her eyes flashed in amusement at my expense. She was a woman refusing to be tamed or controlled.

  She was even more incredibly gorgeous when she laughed. The sound always brought a series of chills down my spine. Her rounded hips shifted back and forth as she walked toward me, lifting her glass as soon as she was only a few inches away.

  I allowed mine to clink against hers, watching her intently as she pulled the glass to her lips. I longed to devour her here inside my office. Even that would need to wait.

  She said nothing as we moved toward the elevator. This time as she backed in, she never blinked. The apprehension had disappeared and for the first time, I couldn’t read her expression.

  The crowd was lively, the music pumping, and as I led her through the club, she constantly scanned the perimeter. I stopped near the dance floor. When she stepped around me, swinging back and forth to the music, the strobe lights captured her scintillating essence.

  The way she danced was sensual and I sensed she was allowing herself to get lost in the music. Perhaps she was attempting to block out the strong connection between us. I allowed her to enjoy herself, remaining by her side while offering a certain amount of space.

  Even with her wearing heels, I still towered over her, able to notice a group of men standing at one of the few tables located next to the dance floor. They were actively staring at her. None of them was able to conceal their obvious hunger for her, one whispering to the other something that immediately raised my hackles. While they were regulars and harmless, their attention to her flashed a warning.

  Soon, one of the three noticed my intimidating glare that would terrify most men, no matter how powerful they considered themselves to be. Within seconds, they turned their attention to anything but the prize they were hoping to taste.

  By the smile on her face, I could easily tell she’d noticed my moment of jealousy. My arousal was intense, creating an urgent pulse in my cock. The moment had felt primal in its necessity.

  “Do you always do that?” she asked, this time being the one to crowd my space.

  “Do what exactly?”

  “Make people feel small and unnecessary.”

  “If needed, then yes.”

  Her sharp breath and the way she looked at me was a clear indication she wasn’t immune to her dark cravings or to the man determined to unravel her.

  I raked my eyes down the length of her body before taking her drink away. Just to make an additional point with the men still being stupid enough to toss glances in our direction, I slammed the tumblers on the edge of the table. I’d been able to smell the fear rolling off their heated bodies.

  After taking her hand, I walked us toward the center of the dance floor. She swung her arms over my shoulders while I held her hips. As we moved together, the desire was nearly explosive.

  “You’re the most possessive man I’ve ever met,” she told me. Her eyes were glassy, her lush lips pursed.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.” I would never consider myself a dancer. I’d never cared for the activity, but she felt good in my arms whether on the dance floor or in my bed.

  “Of course you do. Tell me why I shouldn’t hate you.”

  “Does that mean there’s a chance you don’t?”

  She tilted her head. “Maybe, but I’ll need convincing.”

  “I should tell you to keep hating me. In the end, that will be much better for you.”

  “But you don’t really want that. Do you?”

  No, I didn’t. In fact, I needed her to trust me more than she had with anyone. “Let me think about this.” As I rolled my knuckles across her burning cheek, a tiny moan escaped her mouth. It was all too intense, fueling the fire to the point I’d need to get the hell out of there very soon.

  “Don’t think too hard.”

  “Because I’m the only man who’s ever taken you to bed who ever took the time to learn your body. I’m the only man who allowed you the freedom to be yourself. Because the moment I drove my cock deep inside your tight little pussy, you experienced your first true experience of sheer ecstasy. Because you’re aware I think of you as the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And lastly, because you know when you’re around me, there is no other woman who could ever entice me nearly as much.”

  My words weren’t meant to impress her, but as we locked eyes as we’d done so many times before, I could tell I’d caused a hard fluttering of her heart. I sensed her increased arousal, the sweet fragrance of her tight pussy a powerful aphrodisiac. We might be considered toxic together, but as she licked her glossy lips, we both knew where this night would lead.

  “Tell me, sweet kitten. Did that convince you that I’m the only man who you should ever consider allowing into your bed?” Or your life?

  “Yes,” she whispered in a breathless tone, but I captured it, the desire inside becoming uncontainable.

  In that moment, I couldn’t stop thinking about having her luscious body underneath me, our sweat-slicked bodies becoming as one. The heavy beat of the bass was incapable of drowning out the roaring hunger in me, the thunderous sounds as my rapid heartbeat sent echoes into my ears.

  Her gaze flitted to mine, her chest rising and falling from her ragged breathing. I slipped my hand around the back of her neck, bringing her onto her toes. She trembled out of her own heightened level of desire.

  “I keep telling myself we can’t be doing this,” she added.

  “But you can’t push me away because that’s not what you truly want.”

  “No, it isn’t. What are you doing to me?”

  “Bringing you back to life.” I was finished with talking for now. I had all the time in the world to grill her about her past, her present, and her future. What I had on my mind was entirely carnal.

  I took her by the hand, pulling her through the club to the main entrance. She kept up with my long strides, the two of us drawing the attention of several people as they allowed us to pass through. I pushed my way out the door, the two bouncers forced to scramble to unfasten the velvet ropes. Now all eyes were on us, the only two celebrities entering the club that meant anything. The merciless man in me allowed a smile.

  The air was crisp, the night sky brightened by the moon and a cloudless night. Her heels clipped quickly on the sidewalk before I walked us across the street where I’d parked. She’d picked up speed, hopping onto the sidewalk. I released her hand, grabbing the key fob from my trousers, the single flick unlocking the doors.

  Just before I opened the passenger door, I heard the screech of tires. I jerked my head toward the sound, instantly noticing a dark vehicle careening around the corner. My instincts kicked in. This was a hit. “Get down!” I pushed her onto the concrete, immediately reaching for my weapon.

  Shots were fired, two pinging against the back of my Ferrari.

  “Havros,” Kara screamed as she grabbed the edge of my jacket, trying to pull me out of harm’s way.

  The vehicle slowed, allowing me to catch sight of a man in the passenger seat, a weapon pointed in our direction. “Stay down.” I took aim, firing off several rounds before he had a chance.

  At least one was a direct shot, but the driver wasn’t stopping. Yet I felt the pressure of Kara’s body close and I’ll be damned if she didn’t attempt to get up. The moment her face appeared above the roof of my car, the asshole took another shot.

  I pummeled her to the sidewalk, collapsing on top of her. Tires screeched again, the driver gunning the engine.

  Gasping, I lifted my weight. Her eyes were closed, her head lolled to the side.

  “No!”

  CHAPTER 22

  Havros

  “You were fucking lucky the two of you weren’t killed,” Dimitrios barked. He was pacing the floor as he usually did when he was overwrought, rubbing his forehead as he’d been doing for the last five minutes.

  My mind was still processing what had occurred barely an hour before, but I was currently thinking at some point he would eventually rub his skin off. The thought was ridiculous, but allowed me to breathe.

  Something I’d barely done since gathering Kara into my arms. She’d felt so tiny, so lifeless. I’d cradled her as the worry had slowly turned to rage. She’d almost been killed because of my world. My fucking life.

  The decisions I’d made.

  I sat back in the chair, rolling the glass of whiskey across my eyes. I’d added ice in hopes the cool surface would help the brutal headache.

  It wasn’t working.

  Very little would stop the rush of adrenaline or the anger except tearing the heads off the two men who’d attempted the assassination.

  “We survived.” My words were bland. Yes, other than bumps and bruises from me shoving her to the hard surface, she was fine. Yes, a part of me was furious with her for not following my orders. When she’d opened her eyes just outside the club, the crowd staring at us in near panic, I’d fallen into their haunted depths.

  She’d pawed at my chest, whispering she was thankful I was alive. Me. She’d almost lost her life and she’d been worried about me more than her own safety. I wanted to squeeze her in my arms and punish her at the same time. How could she be so selfish? No, that wasn’t the correct word. Selfless. As if the woman had no self-preservation skills.

  I pulled out my phone, downloading the photograph Kara had taken of the unknown man inside the club. The moment I’d seen it, my instincts had screamed he was an enemy, yet I hadn’t done a goddamn thing about it. I rose from the chair, showing both brothers the picture. “Does this guy look familiar? Have you seen him inside the club at any point?”

  “Not that I can remember, but I don’t make a point of studying everyone who walks through our doors,” Christos offered.

  “No, he doesn’t look familiar. Why are you asking?” Dimitrios asked. “We can check the cameras, but there are enough dark areas he might not appear.”

  I returned to the seat, sitting down slowly. “A photograph Kara took at the club tonight. Something about him seems off. Like he was casing the place.”

  “Entirely possible. Did he look like the shooter?”

  Glancing at Christos, I shook my head. “No, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have been the driver.”

  “We can run that through the international database I have access to.” Dimitrios had more tricks up his sleeve than almost anyone I knew. He seemed to sense I was questioning with whom. “A couple of people in Interpol owe me a favor.”

  “And we should make them pay up. I’ll send a copy to you.”

  Jonas knocked before he and Tobias walked into my apartment. Guards were posted just outside my place, the club and both Christos’ and Dimitrios’ houses as well since we had no way of knowing if I’d been the target or the shooter had been hoping to catch any one of us.

  Willow was with them, Dimitrios requesting she be brought to us. His concern was as deep as mine. She rushed to him, throwing her arms around his waist.

  “Thank God you’re all okay,” she said in her sweet, caring voice.

  Dimitrios kissed the top of her head. “I wasn’t the target.”

  She tipped her head. “Jonas told me. How’s Kara? I know you’re worried about her.”

  It would seem everyone in the family and the upper-level soldiers knew what I was sharing with Kara was more involved than just a business relationship. If only I hadn’t lost my mind, allowing my dick to make the last few decisions.

  “She’s resting, but only because I insisted that she do so. She’s pigheaded, but she’ll be fine. I’m glad you’re here.” Maybe Willow could talk some sense into Kara about her reckless behavior. Or maybe not. Willow was as tenacious as Kara. She’d almost lost her entire family, yet she’d fought like a warrior to learn the truth. She’d also provided valuable assistance to Dimitrios, which had enabled him to find Leandro’s killer.

  Just like how Kara would help me now.

  She’d tried to remain in the meeting, but I’d forbidden it, shocked as hell that she’d turned around and stormed off. We were both teetering on the edge.

  “Do you think I should go and talk with her?” she asked.

  “Maybe that will calm her down. Keep her occupied as well. Just remember, whatever you say to her might be used in a story against us.”

  She smacked Dimitrios’ chest. “None of you have any faith in humanity. I don’t think that’s what she’s doing. I’ve read her articles. They’re fantastic.”

  I shook my head. “She’s in my bedroom.” Willow had an entirely different take on the world. It was useless to argue with her.

  “I’ll grab something to drink and stay with her,” Willow said as she squeezed Dimitrios’ arm and walked off.

  “What is going on, boss? Did you get a good look at the shooter?” Tobias asked.

  For all my keen observation skills, I’d fucked up that as well. “The shooter’s face was shadowed by the dark side of the street, the license plate covered.” It was a classic assassination attempt, a method used by dozens of syndicates and hired assassins. However, the real reason I’d been unable to get a better look was because all I’d been able to think about was saving Kara.

  Then everything had turned to a blur.

  Tobias looked at Jonas who cleared his throat. “I’ve already got feelers out on the streets. We’ll hunt these bastards down.”

  “In the meantime, find Marco. I need to have a discussion with him. If he tipped off the police, he will be handled.” At least I could take out my anger on someone who deserved it.

  Jonas nodded. “Can do. He’s not tough to find.”

  “Make sure you do. We don’t need that kind of snitch on our payroll,” Christos said in reply. He was sitting on the couch, wringing his hands.

  “Retrieve Ms. Banning’s things from her hotel room. Bring them here,” I further instructed.

  “Boss?” Tobias questioned.

  “Just do it!” I wasn’t in the mood to be questioned about any order I gave.

  Jonas swallowed and Tobias shifted from foot to foot. They knew when I’d reached a point of no return. It wasn’t often, but when I did, heads usually rolled.

  Or worse.

  “I assume you haven’t had an opportunity to talk with Kara about her family?” Christos asked.

  “I certainly wasn’t going to do that in the middle of the club. I was taking her back to the apartment when the shooting occurred. I’ll do it when she feels better.”

  “You need to make it a priority.”

  “Don’t fucking tell me what to do. We have no clue if she’s involved in this. Why would she risk her life to try and save mine if she was working for Bernardi?”

  “Just stop, both of you. Havros is right in that without talking with her, we won’t know. What we can’t do is make any rash decisions. But I do think it’s a good idea if you handle the meeting in Paris. We’ll see about Milan after we discover if the recent press has altered any decisions.”

  I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Dimitrios. “I don’t think now is a good time to leave town.”

  “I think it’s a perfect time. You’re not under arrest, but I checked with my buddy at the police department. There is an active investigation. It’s only a matter of time until they believe they have enough to arrest you for Theo’s murder.”

  Christos nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. Maybe by then we’ll have a definitive answer about who hired Aldo to handle Theo’s assassination.”

  “Well, I certainly can’t tell the police the man responsible is now in several different boxes that have been disposed of.” Now I was beginning to wonder if I should have shipped the boxes straight to Bernardi’s door.

  “No, I guess not.” My younger brother chuckled. “The tangled webs we weave.”

  I glared at him. He could joke about this all he wanted, but someone wanted us dead.

  “Another reason to seriously consider leaving town at least for a few days is because you know what happened tonight was caught by several cameras. My guess is the shooting will be on the last news broadcast. You’ll be embroiled in a shutdown, and I don’t think that’s what you want. From Paris, you can head to Milan and if the information comes back that Bernardi is behind this, then things may change.” Dimitrios was becoming almost insistent.

  “I won’t leave her here,” I told him. “We have a contract. Remember? She has a deadline.” Since when would that have mattered to me in the least prior to meeting her?

  “Then don’t. Take her with you. That way, you can keep an eye on her or better yet, determine if she had an ulterior motive.”

  I took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds. “I’ll think about it.” Jerking up, I headed for the window, staring at nothing and everything. The vendetta could cost us everything. That wasn’t acceptable, at least not to me.

  As the others talked logistics, Dimitrios suddenly appeared by my side. “It’s okay to care about the woman, Havros. I just don’t want you to be surprised if she’s not the woman you believe her to be.”

  “It’s tough to see her as a traitor, but I need to stop thinking with my dick.”

  “You know what I was fearful of when Willow dropped back into my life. She was no longer the sweet, innocent preteen I’d met and enjoyed spending time with. The truth is I almost lost my mind and my way over her because I couldn’t separate my toxic desire from the reality of what we were facing. Until I pulled back, shutting down everything for a short timeframe, I couldn’t make decent decisions. Her face, her lips, and her body always got in the way. I don’t want to see that happen to you.”