“I’m so sorry your homecoming wasn’t what you’d hoped. What you may or may not know is that things are entirely different than when you left years ago.”

  “How so?” I might as well learn as much as I could about the landscape of monsters.

  “There are dozens of factions from other countries, inside Spain. They handle everything from drugs and illegal arms to slave trading. They are fighting amongst each other, almost in a feeding frenzy to gain more territory. They will see your father’s murder as an opportunity they can’t pass up.”

  I stared at him, trying to keep my hand from shaking. “You’re really hoping I’ll believe you didn’t have anything to do with my father’s death.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Then why were you at the restaurant at the same time? I find it curious that you managed to leave just minutes before all hell broke loose.”

  “A fortunate occurrence, likely because my meeting didn’t go as planned.”

  “And meeting me? That was simply an accident?”

  He grinned and rubbed his jaw. “A very pleasant one. I had no idea who you were.”

  “So you just randomly kiss strangers.”

  “I was drawn to you as you were to me. You can’t lie to me and tell me you didn’t feel the explosion we shared.”

  “I felt nothing but contempt as I do right now.”

  Every time he laughed, another shiver danced down the back of my legs. “You’ll need to forgive me if I don’t buy what you’re saying. I am a man, after all.”

  “Yes, you are. A dangerous, arrogant man with a desire to be king of Spain.”

  “I’ll just accept the prince’s position.”

  He was infuriating, so much so I could easily lose my cool around him. “If you didn’t have my father killed, then who did? I have been away from my father’s world for several years. Why don’t you share your insight with me? Men talk. They can’t keep their mouths shut.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping, but honestly, at this point I don’t know.”

  “But you have your suspicions.”

  “Yes, but I’m not ready to talk about it until I know for certain.”

  I decided to crowd his space this time, but as soon as I did, I caught a strong whiff of his aftershave. Just like everything else with the man, the scent was pure power and raw animal magnetism. I licked my lips without realizing what I was doing and he caught the gesture, narrowing his eyes.

  “Let’s just say I give you the benefit of the doubt; what is the offer you’re prepared to make me?”

  “Such a businesswoman. I thought we could get to know each other better first.”

  “This isn’t a social call.” I glanced into my glass, suddenly wondering if he had spiked it with anything. What would be the point? Keeping me locked away so he could burn down my house? The thought brought a slight moan up from my throat.

  “Relax, Genevieve. As you said, this is a meeting. It would do me no favors to hurt you.”

  I took a deep breath. “Tell me what your offer is.”

  “My suggestion is that I give you a fair price for your father’s business holdings. You can keep the estate, of course, as I won’t be needing the property.”

  “And my men?”

  “Your father’s men will be provided with exit money, but they are of no use to me.”

  “No use to you. Of course not. I’m certain you discard men right and left, women too.”

  “I don’t employ many women in my organization.”

  Was he saying this just to get a rise out of me? I had to admit it was close to working, but I refused to be conned by a man who flaunted his murders. He had no respect for life and obviously no conscience. I laughed in spite of the tense conversation. “I get it. You can’t handle a woman being in a position to challenge you. Tiny little balls to match a minuscule dick?”

  The flash returned in his dark eyes, amusement quickly following. “I have a figure for you. Would you like to hear it?”

  I allowed myself to take a sip of the drink, savoring the flavor by closing my eyes. I might as well provide him with the sense he didn’t bother me. “Why not?”

  “Fifty million dollars.”

  “Fifty million?” I couldn’t have heard him correctly.

  “That will go a long way in ensuring your family has an amazing life.”

  I had no idea that he’d thought me so damn stupid. Or maybe he was actually cunning enough to think I’d throw out a number, which would provide him with a more accurate glance at what the business was actually worth.

  Which was at least ten times what he’d tossed on the table like trash.

  “Yes, it would.” I was able to keep a smile on my face and even found the chutzpa to take another sip of my drink without launching into him as I wanted. I carefully placed the glass on one of the tables and squared my shoulders when I faced him. “I realize you’re not used to dealing with smart, successful woman given your Neanderthal status, Jago. I can understand and even somewhat appreciate the fact you have no couth because you were simply never taught any manners, so I’ll make this as easy for you as possible. I’m not interested in your pittance or your pity. I am my father’s daughter, which means I’m a merciless businesswoman who will have no issue wiping the floor with you if necessary. Now, if you’ll excuse me, this meeting is over. Thank you for the opportunity and for the whiskey. Delicious. As for the company? I’m afraid I can’t say the same.”

  With that, I headed for the door.

  Just before I walked outside, I heard his throaty laugh, the sound creating a flutter in my stomach.

  “Make no mistake, Genevieve. You’ve crossed me. Not a good thing for you to do and I assure you that your punishment will be harsh. And very, very personal.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Jago

  Hell wasn’t nearly as sticky and sizzling hot as the woman attempting to walk away from me.

  No one did that.

  Genevieve was a spitfire through and through. She was the kind of woman with curves in all the right places and long legs meant for wrapping around my hips as I fucked her long and hard.

  In truth, her cavalier attitude and dismissal of me flared my anger while my cock was fully aroused. I’d also never had a woman outsmart me. I’d expected her to take the bait, naïve enough to shout out what the property was worth, so I knew how best to handle the business venture. I’d underestimated her and that irritated the hell out of me.

  Unfortunately, when I was enraged or pushed by anyone, I usually reacted without thinking. Tonight wasn’t going to be any different.

  Besides, I wanted… no, I needed her to know that not only would her reckless behavior not be acceptable, but that she’d never win in the game of power and fury.

  She’d stared at me with the most sensual pair of blue eyes, her defiance nothing but a turn-on. At that moment, I knew I couldn’t let her walk out that door.

  I slammed my drink on the table, taking two long strides in her direction. When I snapped my fingers around her wrist, she yelped from shock. I spun her around, not expecting her quick reaction.

  She punched me in the face with enough force my head was snapped back.

  My training as an MMA fighter kicked in and I had my hand wrapped around her throat in seconds, forcefully pushing her against the wall.

  But she wasn’t finished, able to get off a hard thrust of her knee, hitting me just above my groin. The pain was significant, but I kept my hold, driving her against the wall. Her breath stuttered into a gasp, the light in her eyes even more fiery than before.

  Before she had a chance to call for her men, I did something I knew I’d likely regret. I captured her mouth, pinning her with the full weight of my body.

  While she squirmed and moaned into the kiss, I managed to jerk one arm over her head. The feel of having her in my arms was the same as it had been from the night before, only the electricity was even more powerful.

  She truly thought she could overpower me with her keen wit and obvious intelligence, but she had no clue of the kind of man I’d become.

  Or the fact that when I saw something I wanted, I took it.

  I thrust my tongue inside, almost daring her to bite it. As if reading my mind, she did and the instant taste of blood in my mouth wasn’t a deterrent, but an intense aphrodisiac. The rush of vibrations kept my dick at full attention, eager to have her luscious mouth wrapped around it sucking like a good little girl.

  She continued fighting me, driving her fist into my side several times. The woman had been trained, although she certainly had no idea about the skills her opponent had. While she was furious, hatred running through her veins, there was no denying the explosive heat between us.

  With another brutal jab of her hand, I was forced to break the kiss, but didn’t stop there, pushing my thumb under her chin and lifting her head as we both gasped for air.

  “Do you like it rough, Genevieve? Do you crave what only I can give you? Did you think about me last night?”

  “Fuck you. You’re a ridiculous man, a horrible piece of trash, and I will ruin you.”

  As I ground my hips back and forth, I sucked on her lower lip and her body betrayed her. She arched her back, the fingers of the same hand she’d used to punch me now clinging to my shirt.

  Panting, she was struggling in her mind with the current and chemistry, her eyes becoming dilated as the rush of lust intensified. I was almost out of control, ripping at her blouse until I was able to jerk it from the waistband of her slender trousers. I shoved my hand underneath, cupping and squeezing her breast. With the lace of her bra tickling my fingers, it felt as if I’d just walked into a slice of heaven.

  I’d been with many women, but none had been this incredible, pushing me to the point of some beastlike madness. The last thing I’d wanted was to lose control around her.

  She threw back her head, once again pushing her palm against me, but her moans weren’t ones of anger or even hatred. They were whispered sounds of longing. Her hunger was as significant as mine.

  I yanked her blouse up further, almost ripping her bra when I jerked it away, exposing her incredible hardened nipple. Her areole was the most perfect shade of rose. My mouth watered from the sight and I dropped my head, pulling the tender bud into my mouth.

  “Fuck,” she managed, her voice breathless. When she brushed her hand across my jaw, her touch left burning in its wake.

  A growl rushed up from my throat as I pulled her nipple between my teeth. I’d known she would taste sweet. Her mouth. Her skin. Soon, I would feast on her delicious pussy. I was almost consumed by desire, immediately reaching for the button and zipper on her pants.

  As I fought to unfasten them, I lifted my head, once again crushing my lips over hers. This time, she swept her tongue inside, dancing hers with mine. When she reached between us, placing her hand on the thick bulge between my legs, I realized how little I cared about business and how much I wanted to make the woman surrender to my every need.

  No matter how twisted.

  I should have known taking and breaking her wouldn’t be that easy. She squeezed her hand around my cock with enough force the breath was ripped from my lungs. As I dealt with the rush of pain, she managed to drive the base of both palms against my chest.

  That broke my hold and I toppled backward, the momentum pitching me to the floor.

  She wasted no time, straddling my body and lifting her leg. I’d be damned if she wasn’t going to play dirty and drive the pointed heel of her stiletto into my face.

  Hell, no.

  If she wanted to get down in the filth, then so be it. I grabbed her leg, easily jerking her to the floor. I managed to drag her closer and onto my lap.

  “Get the fuck off me!” she yelled, both her legs kicking and flailing.

  “Not a chance. You need to learn some manners.” I didn’t have the opportunity to jerk down her trousers, but I knew the force of my palm alone would provide her with a decent understanding. Playing games with the big boys wasn’t in her best interest.

  I brought my hand down several times, forced to fist her hair and grapple one leg over hers as I peppered both sides of her bottom.

  She continued squirming and moaning, the movement driving my cock to full attention and to an uncomfortable point.

  “I’ll get you for this.”

  “I’m certain you’ll try.” When she tried to push off, I locked down my hold, making certain every crack of my hand was more brutal than the one before. I refused to stop, doing my best to wear her down.

  After a full two minutes, she was panting, barely moving at all. “Just stop.”

  I considered her request, smashing my hand down a few more times before releasing my hold on her hair.

  While I was more cautionary in my use of trained moves given she was more delicate, she chose not to play by those rules. She wasn’t going down that easily, jerking up, tossing me down and crawling over me. What the fuck?

  I’d completely underestimated her abilities. That left me with a need to win as well as a sense of amusement. If the lady wanted to tumble, I had no issue giving her exactly what she wanted.

  Even though I managed to pitch her onto her back, she threw her legs up, wrapping one around my neck.

  I was shocked when she managed to pull herself up, twisting her body so she was pressing her full weight against me. It wasn’t just a defensive move learned in some cheap classes, instead a crude but effective MMA move.

  The shock wore off and I grabbed her arm, able to twist it just enough her concentration was blown.

  Her cry was more primal than one of pain or fear. When I pushed her once again, she crouched on bent legs. What the hell was she doing?

  Before I realized and put two and two together, she lunged forward, toppling me back to the floor, pressing her full weight down on my chest as she drove the blade of a knife against my jugular.

  We were both panting, but I could tell by the gleam in her eyes that she was in her element, thrilled that she’d gotten the better of me.

  She licked her lips and damn if I didn’t crave kissing them once again.

  “I don’t think you want to do that, Genevieve.”

  “Oh, yeah?” she barked and I was almost mesmerized by the determined look in her eyes. I’d known no woman like this one in my entire life.

  That made me hunger for her that much more.

  “Yes. And do you want to know why?”

  “Sure. Humor me.” She twisted the blade and there was no doubt she’d pricked my skin.

  “Because my men will come through that door and they won’t take kindly to seeing you attempting to kill me. From there, things will get very ugly. I don’t think you want that either.”

  She acted as if she was debating the thought. After wiping her face, she jammed her hand under my throat, turning my head slightly. “But that won’t be until after I cut through your carotid artery. At that point, there will be nothing anyone can do to save your sorry ass. Let’s get something straight, Jago. The Morales Empire isn’t for sale.”

  I’ll be damned if she didn’t nick me again before pulling away, scrambling until she was clearly out of my reach. I had no intention of going anywhere at this point.

  She held up the knife, twisting it in the light. I was shocked as hell and also more turned on than ever when she licked the tip of the knife before bending over, jerking up the leg of her trousers, and driving the knife back into the sheath.

  She’d outsmarted my men and me.

  After adjusting her clothes, she ran her fingers through her long dark curls while flashing her eyes and a wide smile at me before heading to the door.

  “Lovely not doing business with you. Thank you for the dinner offer, but I’d rather eat with poisonous snakes. They’re less venomous.”

  This time, she walked out the door and I didn’t try to stop her.

  When my two men rushed inside, all I could do was laugh.

  She might have won this round, but the sexy woman with the body made for sin had no idea she’d awakened something that had long since been dormant. She’d met her match in business and in pleasure. In doing so, she’d not only made an enemy, but she’d ensured her fate.

  Within a few days, the dark-haired beauty would learn her fate and her punishment for daring to defy me.

  After that? She’d learn a valuable lesson on the art of possession.

  CHAPTER 8

  Jago

  Baris Demirci was a businessman. He dressed as such, his suits of the designer variety. The watch on his wrist cost more than people in Spain made in a year. He had an air about him that reeked of money, but I knew he was only a two-bit henchman for the Turkish mafia, poised at all times to pull out his weapon of choice and end whatever life he deemed annoying.

  That was something I’d tried to overlook, but no longer.

  His boss, Hamza Bata, was a twisted fuck of a man who enjoyed abusing women. I knew that by reputation and the propaganda pictures offered up as a warning to anyone who crossed him.

  I was angry that Baris had all but laughed at my offer to do business with his boss, much like the beautiful and sassy Genevieve. Only I could forgive her for her act of insolence, simply because in the back of my mind I knew I’d insulted her with the figure I’d offered.

  With this prick, nothing was forgivable.

  He’d made the mistake of not returning to his private jet, preferring to spend a couple of nights in Barcelona drinking our liquor and using our women. As I’d discovered with every man, they each had their weaknesses.

  There was no denying that the touch and taste of a woman was a powerful draw, yet he’d been a fool to think I didn’t have control over dozens of operations.

  Including the brothel he’d opted to visit prior to returning home to whatever cave he lived in.

  With Kruz and two other men by my side, we headed into the facility. One carried a bag of instruments I often used in the kills I considered personal. I thought about Genevieve and the nicknames she’d used for me.

  Yes, I was considered a butcher with my skills, the grim reaper often whispered on the street. The term wasn’t a slight, but stated in a moment of respect.