I wouldn’t feel safe until the monster had been tracked down and locked away. A cold shiver trickled down my spine as I thought about how difficult it would be to go through a trial. That was if the bastard was caught. There’d been no traces of his DNA found. That was the single thing I’d learned before leaving town.

  Hearing the sharp knock on the bedroom door meant hiding from the truth was going to be even more difficult. My father wouldn’t let it go. I knew him far too well. He was as tenacious as a bulldog.

  I grabbed my ponytail holder, yanking my long hair through it as I returned to the bedroom. As soon as I opened the door, I sensed something was terribly wrong by the expression my father’s housekeeper wore.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Baxter, but your father asked me to come get you. He needs to see you in his office.”

  “Tell him I’ll be down in a few minutes, Janie.” How much longer could I keep pretending?

  She shook her head, glancing nervously over her shoulder. “He insists you head to his office right now.”

  My father had never been one for patience. Exhaling, I nodded. “Thanks, Janie.” I glanced back into my room, longing for the days when the only nightmares were in my imagination, not stalking the streets.

  I brushed my hands down my shorts, hoping my dad’s lady friend was long gone. If I knew him, she already was. There were no signs she was living with him. While I hadn’t talked to my father in months, almost a year, he’d certainly tell me if he’d become seriously involved with someone. Wouldn’t he?

  The door to his office was partially closed and I hesitated before rapping on it.

  “Come.” His voice was deeper than the night before, huskier as if he’d also had a fitful night. When I walked in, the sight of him standing by the window, staring out at his perfectly manicured backyard was enough to make me tremble. I knew my father’s moods better than most, the suave, nothing-bothered-him attitude he tried to present to his employees a direct contrast to who he really was.

  A brutal, unforgiving man.

  When he was in a pissy mood, everyone knew it.

  Dressed in his usual linen slacks, I was surprised he wasn’t already nestled inside a confining suit jacket. The fact he had his sleeves rolled up meant he’d been handling business for several hours, likely not going into the office.

  “You wanted to see me, Daddy?”

  He said nothing for a full minute, which was unnerving. When he turned around, his jaw was clenched. The shock of seeing me standing on his doorstep at ten at night had quickly been replaced with a hard, tense expression.

  Then he nodded to the Keurig machine, telling me in no uncertain terms to make myself a cup of coffee. I knew better than to argue with him, although I wasn’t certain my nauseous stomach could handle the acid. I did what he wanted, cognizant he was watching me closely.

  “I realize I haven’t always been there for you, Delaney, and I can’t blame your mother entirely.” My father’s voice was strained.

  “It’s okay, Dad. Mother didn’t make it easy.” I poured in a little cream, hopeful the coffee would calm my nerves.

  “Sit down.” He pointed toward the seat opposite his desk, not bothering to look in my direction. It wasn’t a request but a command.

  A mug in my trembling hand, I did as he asked, sitting stiffly.

  “Your mother had her reasons for leaving, Delaney. I wasn’t easy to live with. She believed she was doing the right thing removing you from my life.” He moved to the other side of his desk, easing down on the edge and peering down at me. One thing I did remember was that he’d always liked this vantage point, peering down at whatever employee had been called to his office like a bad child.

  I was more nervous than ever.

  “You don’t need to share with me what happened in your marriage. I’m a big girl. I can handle the fact you got divorced.”

  He rubbed his jaw and reached behind him, picking up a file folder. Then he opened it in such a way I couldn’t tell what he was looking at. “Apparently, I do. You arrived at my house fifteen hundred miles away unannounced, acting as if I shouldn’t be surprised to see you. You said almost nothing other than that you were headed to your old room and that you’d be staying for a while. Now, that would ordinarily not seem strange to me if it hadn’t been years since I’d last seen you.”

  “Only a couple.”

  “Five years since I ran into you at an airport, Delaney. By then you were making your own decisions, your modeling career taking off, which I’d heard nothing about up to that point. The last time you were in my house you were seventeen, a short trip allowed by your mother. I think you were actually in New Orleans for thirty-six hours.”

  “I had a call back with the modeling agency. I told you that.”

  “No, your mother did over another terse conversation. Anyway, that’s beside the point. When you arrived on my doorstep with a duffle bag full of clothes and no explanation, as you might imagine, I found it unacceptable. I might not become your best friend, but I will always be your father whether you like it or not. That’s why finding this on my own pained me greatly.”

  He handed me a picture, a gruesome snapshot of the horrific murder scene. I glanced at it then dropped my head. “How did you get that?”

  “You seem to forget I have powerful friends in almost every city in this country. They explained in detail what happened, including the fact they have no leads at the moment. Why didn’t you pick up the phone and call me?”

  “Because…” I couldn’t bear to look into his eyes. “Because I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Look at me, Delaney.”

  His voice was stern, more so than I’d heard in a long time.

  “What?”

  “Tell me the truth,” he demanded.

  “Because I knew you’d overreact, just like you’re doing now. I’m fine.”

  “Fine? From what the detective on the case told me over the phone, you walked in to find your roommate murdered after being hunted and fleeing some stalker. Now, that in itself is horrible but the fact you only briefly mentioned that you’d been stalked outside of a club a couple nights before, not bothering to contact the police is unacceptable. You’re a public figure, Delaney. You were out alone without any escort or even a friend.”

  “I’m twenty-four, Dad. I go out to clubs all the time.”

  “Alone? To a kink club?”

  He’d certainly done his investigation. Why did I think otherwise? Why did I possibly think I could slide into town, remaining under the radar? “It’s one of the hottest clubs in LA, a suggestion made by my roommate. That’s why I went.”

  “Alone.”

  “Yes, alone.”

  “They haven’t caught the guy yet and from what the detective tells me, they’re no closer than they were at the beginning. That concerns me greatly, especially if you saw his face.”

  “I didn’t see his face. We were both wearing masks and I didn’t get that close.”

  He took a deep breath. “That doesn’t change anything. Monsters are real.”

  “I know that, Dad. Stop worrying. It’s only been a few days. They’ll catch him.”

  He tossed the file, leaning forward. “Do you have any idea who the man was?”

  “No. As I said, I didn’t get to see his face and he certainly didn’t offer his name.”

  “But he followed you home.”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t think so. I wasn’t driving my car. I tried to warn her in case. I had a shoot the next day. When I came home…” The words caught in my throat, tears drifting into my eyes. I swallowed hard. “That’s why my roommate is dead.”

  My father had aged by a couple of years in a single night. “Your roommate is dead because a very bad man made that happen. That wasn’t your fault. However, you should have gone to the police and let them know what happened immediately.”

  “I assure you, Daddy, that Ginny’s death weighs heavily on my mind.”

  “Not heavily enough that you could tell your father the truth.”

  I wanted to retort but how could I? My father was right, the very reason for the guilt was because I hadn’t gone to the police immediately. Chills ran down my spine, but the iciness didn’t take away from the flush creeping up my cheeks or the continued discomfort I felt from my father’s heavy scrutiny. Yes, I deserved it, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

  “I’m sorry, Dad. I wanted to tell you last night, but you were busy with your… date. Barbie? Bambi maybe?” He certainly didn’t deserve my disdain but that was my usual reaction when I was backed into a corner.

  “Bullshit and you know it. Her name is Alisa and she’s a very nice girl.”

  “A little young for you, isn’t she?”

  What in God’s name was I doing?”

  He shook his head. “I guess I deserved that. I told you a long time ago that family always comes first. Period.” He closed his eyes. “You’re going to stay here indefinitely, or at least until the killer is found.”

  “I can’t, Dad. I have work. Photo shoots. I can’t just walk away. My freaking agent won’t let me.” But right now, that’s exactly what I wanted to do. “And no, you didn’t deserve my hateful comment. You deserve a life. We both do.”

  “True. I’m still your father and plan on doing everything I can to protect my little girl. To that end, I have an important business meeting I’m leaving for tomorrow. I’d push it off, but people are coming in from several countries. It’s a make it or break it kind of deal.”

  I could sense he was under significant pressure.

  “I’ll be fine here by myself. If you’re going to allow me to stay,” I said, trying to put a lilt in my voice.

  “This is your home and you will always be welcome, but you’re not staying here all alone.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning I’ve hired someone to ensure your safety while I’m gone.”

  “Dad. I don’t need a babysitter. The killer doesn’t know who I am. He couldn’t.”

  My father gave me another stern look, which meant he wasn’t budging on his decision. “You have no understanding of what’s possible these days and the lengths a monster will go to destroy you. My decision is final. While I can’t lock you inside my house and force you to stay here, this bodyguard will be with you everywhere you go. You’ll need to do exactly what he says.”

  “Dad. Did you hire some agency? That’s silly. I won’t leave the house. I promise. Although I need to get a few new clothes.”

  “I’m not putting you at risk right now. It’s entirely possible that you were targeted on purpose.”

  I’d thought about the fact the stalker had seemed to know who I was from the beginning more times than I could count but had neglected mentioning it to the detective. I doubted the man would have believed me. However, if my father was right, the bastard had killed Ginny because I’d managed to get away. My gut told me that. My father was a gazillionaire, the kind of man whose daughter would be kidnapped for the sole person of ransom. Wait. Why murder Ginny? To teach me a lesson? Did my father have enemies? “Please, Dad. I’ll be fine.” I heard the exasperation in my voice and gritted my teeth.

  “It’s final, Delaney.”

  We both heard a knock on the door, and I exhaled. I’d had zero say in the matter.

  “At least he won’t be a stranger to you, which should provide some comfort,” he continued.

  Automatically bristling, I stood, hating almost everything about my life. As I turned around, I realized my life was going straight to hell.

  The visitor walked closer, his eyes opening wide in recognition. I shuddered to my core, trying to keep from reacting. His eyes pierced mine, his entire expression hardening. I’d lied to him by not revealing who I was.

  “Hello, Delaney. It’s good to see you again after all these years.”

  “Hello, Uncle Francois. It’s been a long time.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Francois

  Fucking hell.

  I’d engaged in a monstrous sin.

  Uncle.

  The beautiful doll had used the term of endearment on purpose, the term she’d used for years. Brandon had been like a brother to me. We’d acted like it. People had mistaken us for being kin. Now I felt sick inside, the mortal sin something that would keep me burning in the fires of hell for all eternity.

  She’d tossed out the term as a reminder that she’d played a dangerous little game with me. It didn’t suit her being the black widow, which was what her behavior reminded me of. The question was why, but at this point, it wasn’t a part of the reason I was here. Nor would it become an issue. As of now, the sexual incident we’d shared would be shoved aside.

  Permanently.

  As if it had never occurred.

  It had to be.

  Whether or not I wanted another taste no longer mattered.

  She’d known exactly who I was two nights before at the club. My club. She’d allowed the filthy moment to continue, even though she was fully aware that her father wouldn’t approve. It would seem the innocent flower standing in front of me had a wicked side of her own. There were no words for what I was thinking, or the continued hunger that I felt. At least none that came to mind.

  However, what did was a deep resonating anger at myself for not recognizing her the moment I’d laid eyes on her. I could allow myself the luxury of using the excuse she’d been behind glittery costume-like makeup or that it had been almost ten years since I’d seen her. Both true, but I’d spent enough time around her that I should have recognized her vocal inflections, her laugh.

  Maybe I’d unconsciously pushed all reasoning aside for a single taste of the forbidden.

  “How are you?” Delaney asked, her wide eyes reflecting her obvious surprise that we’d been forced together. She dragged her tongue across her bottom lip nervously, her eyes flitting toward her father. That meant she certainly hadn’t shared the news she’d run into me before.

  Fuck. How had I gotten myself into this fucking mess in the first place?

  “Busy. I understand you’re a model.” I tried my best to keep my tone impassive. It was almost impossible.

  She nodded. “A very successful one. Perhaps you’ve seen me on a magazine cover or two. I was on Vogue six months ago.”

  Smirking, I glanced at Brandon, who was watching, his arms folded and a slight scowl on his face. I knew what it had taken for him to ask me to protect his only daughter. We’d had more than one ugly conversation about the reasons our friendship had tanked for a couple of years. He hadn’t approved of my risky, dangerous lifestyle. Or the fact I’d killed or had had killed more than a couple of people.

  That had been only one of the reasons. If he ever found out I’d fucked his daughter, the man would attempt to kill me with his bare hands. That would force me to do something I didn’t want to.

  He’d grown up in what my family had affectionately called a white-bread world where rules were followed and men like me were considered bastard scum. Only he’d adopted several of my methods of handling business associates over the years, making him an extremely wealthy and powerful man. That had required him to cross more than one morally gray line, which was something he refused to embrace or even acknowledge.

  But he and I knew the truth.

  If there was a fine line between love and hate, there was a much finer one between right and wrong. Once stepping across that line, it was next to impossible to pull back from it. That pissed him off more than the fact I was still involved in the uglier sides of my family’s business. I was the one who cleaned up the garbage from every walk of life.

  And yet he hungered to cross the line on a more permanent basis.

  “Unfortunately, I have little time for such frivolous hobbies, Delaney. But I’m certain your success had brought you great happiness.”

  She shifted her expression of surprise to one of intense loathing, which was exactly what I was going for. She needed to hate me, or this twisted arrangement wouldn’t work. And a favor was a favor, something that I refused to ignore. I owed the man.

  “You’re still a pompous asshole, I see. I wonder how many people you’ve killed lately. Ten. Fifteen? Oh, who’s counting.”

  She’d obviously overheard my conversation, coming to her own conclusions.

  “I do what’s necessary in my line of work.”

  “Like slaughtering people. You’re not much different than the asshole who tried to kill me. Are you?”

  “That’s enough!” Brandon hissed. “You will not talk to Francois that way. As you so aptly put it, he is to be considered your uncle. Remember that. And as family, you will have respect.”

  I wasn’t certain whether he was taking the time to remind me about my place in his household or doing so strictly for his daughter, but the flush creeping up both sides of her face told me many things.

  Including the fact she’d enjoyed our time together.

  Too bad.

  “I don’t want him in this house, Father,” she countered.

  “You came to me seeking protection. Therefore, you will follow my rules, dear daughter of mine. Francois is the only man who can make certain nothing happens to you while I’m gone.” He turned his head slowly, waiting for her reaction.

  She threw me another hateful look, slamming her coffee cup onto his desk. “Fine. But I don’t have to like it. I have friends I plan on seeing while I’m here.”

  “Then I’ll ensure at least one of my men remain with you at all times.”

  Snorting, she shook her head, and I could almost make out the curse words she said under her breath. She hated being caught in the game she’d played. In the truths she’d kept from me. The spanking I’d given her was nothing like the one she deserved for her insolence and the temptation she’d offered.

  Damn it. My cock was already twitching.

  “We’ll work out the details,” Brandon said more in passing.

  “How long will you be gone, Father?”