“O-kay. Then what are you doing? Are you going to cook something, highlight your delightful culinary skills?”

  “Not me, kitten. Us. We’re going to cook dinner. Together.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Havros

  My little kitten was hiding something. I’d seen a flash of a memory surfacing unexpectedly that had troubled her for a few minutes. She’d regrouped, but wasn’t the same. Whatever she’d remembered had remained almost an hour and a half later.

  I wanted to yank apart her armor, finding the source of her discomfort. This time, it had nothing to do with me. “Are you alright?”

  “I think the wine might have gotten to me a little. Jet lag and all.” Her voice was suddenly sheepish, also not like her in the least.

  While the flight was almost ten hours, I wasn’t buying it, but I wasn’t ready to call her on any concerns just yet. She was still trying to determine whether I would make her disappear if I didn’t like something she wrote in her article. I was seeing myself entirely differently through her eyes. Truth be told, I wasn’t certain I liked what I was seeing. “You’ll have time to rest before we meet tomorrow.”

  “At your office?”

  “I’ll pick you up at your hotel. I’ll have you attend a meeting with me. You should get a very strong feel of what my family really does in a week’s time.”

  “With a single meeting?”

  “They can be… time consuming.” I laughed because almost all my meetings as of late had become arduous. Tomorrow’s was no different. But it would be good information without delving into the very darkness she seemed so terrified of.

  “Tell me about Leandro.”

  Kara’s question caught me off guard, although I’d anticipated she’d bring up the subject at some point during her interview. It had eventually been all over the news, which had created an outpouring of condolences as well as a few attempts to overthrow our operations.

  All had failed.

  Blood had been shed.

  But months had gone by without another threat. They’d been peaceful weeks, something the entire family had needed.

  I thought of demanding she take the topic off the table, but I knew enough about her to realize she’d never let the subject die. She’d continue coming back to it. “Leandro was a bright soul in a sea of darkness.”

  While she wasn’t taking physical notes, I had no doubt she’d remember every word of our conversation.

  “You continue to drive yourself back to the word darkness. Do you know that?”

  “Isn’t that the only thing my world is about?”

  “Don’t patronize me. I’ve been to baseball games and recitals with the syndicate leaders I’ve interviewed. I was even invited to a birthday party for one man’s thirteen-year-old daughter. Yes, I’m certain some if not all wanted me to believe they were normal people, but I witnessed the very normalcy every other mother and dad, sister and brother likely share in their lives. I have no doubt you enjoy holidays and birthdays, daily adventures. That’s what life is truly about. The little joys and big deals, the quiet nights and roaring fires. Friends. Family. I’m asking you about yours.”

  There was such fire in her eyes, I was enflamed from her words alone. “Leandro was the baby brother. He had an artist’s soul and a mindset of caring about animals and people in need. Hell, as a kid he’d talked about going to work for the Ministry of Civil Protection. Who does that? He was a good soul. My older brother coined it perfectly at his funeral. He was born into the wrong family. He got caught up in a war no one wanted, but one that had been fought on and off for years. He was made an example and trust me, it was a painful one.”

  I didn’t expect her to reach out, placing her hand over mine. The sensations were both immediate and overwhelming. After easing the fork onto my plate, I placed my other hand over both of ours.

  “Losing someone you care about is life altering. It changes your perception of what you believe in and what you thought you wanted out of life. Just don’t allow his death to condemn the good part of you.”

  “You’re assuming I have a good side.”

  She immediately jerked her hand away. “Why do you do that? You invite me to your house. You ply me with wine. You cook me a fabulous dinner, yet you want me to think you’re a horrible person. Why? Is it easier to push people away when you make them hate you? No. That’s not it.”

  “Meaning?”

  “People fear you and you like it that way. You gain great pleasure in everyone either kowtowing to your needs or praying you won’t address them directly. I know I’m right.”

  The woman was more than a handful.

  I gave her my attention briefly before pushing my plate away. “Fear has a place in every organization no matter which side of the gray line the company walks.”

  “You didn’t answer the question.” She continued to twirl her linguine in a spoon, darting me quick looks every few seconds.

  “The quick and easy answer is yes, my entire family is feared.”

  “Because of what you’ve done or what you could do?”

  I grabbed my glass of wine, contemplating the answer. She’d caused me to do that on several occasions. While our conversation had been light while making dinner, mostly discussing diving experiences, she’d turned serious once we’d crowded around the island. I’d found it interesting she hadn’t wanted to use the dining room, specifically requesting we have dinner in the kitchen.

  She was surprising in several ways, which caused my possessive nature to spiral into a very dark territory in my mind. I’d surprised myself when she’d mentioned some deadbeats had placed their paws on her. My instinct had been to hunt them down, ending their miserable lives.

  The reaction hadn’t been something I’d felt in a very long time.

  “A little of both, Kara.”

  “Do you intentionally set out to intimidate your opponents or does that come naturally?”

  “You think quite badly of me. Would you like my complete history to prove my worthiness?” I grabbed the open bottle of wine, refreshing both our glasses.

  “I know enough to realize you’re highly calculating. A graduate of the University of Oxford with honors, doing so in three years instead of four. Becoming a part of your father’s corporation at the age of twenty-three after serving as a soldier in his organization after your college graduation. Since joining the Nomikos Corporation, you’ve gone from being an assistant all the way to now serving as first vice president. You and your brothers have increased profits by over forty percent since taking the helm from your father. You’re an international firm considered highly respected with plans to continue expanding, which is what you told me yourself. Did I miss anything?”

  “You have far too much time to do research on your hands, kitten. You’re correct in your boring dossier. Do I use methods of intimidation to accomplish the regular goals I establish for myself? Only in the sense of ensuring the information I’ve been provided is one hundred percent accurate. My brothers and I agree that the key to becoming highly successful and extremely wealthy is knowledge. I don’t shy away from the fact people are very terrified when they face any member of my family. I’m not ashamed of admitting it or using every attribute I have in my bag of tricks to win the deal. And I assure you that I always win.”

  “Eloquently said.” She pulled the napkin to her lips, taking her time blotting them. Yet when she pulled the linen away, I noticed a remaining spot of marinara. When I reached over, she flinched. Her fear was more palpable than I’d anticipated.

  Or intended.

  “No matter what you think or perhaps what you’ve read in some godforsaken tabloid, I’m not in the business of hurting women. That much I can promise you.” She remained stiff, but didn’t try to pull away when I swiped the tip of my finger through it. As I brought my finger to my mouth, she dragged her tongue over her bottom lip.

  My cock instantly twitched.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t need to. The look on your face gave you away. Trust is something you find very difficult.”

  A slight hue of rose crossed from one side of her jaw to the other. “We all have reasons why trust is difficult. You’re not the only one who’s ever been betrayed. And I don’t know you at all, Havros. For all I know, this beautiful glance into your life could be fake.” She had her legs crossed, swinging the one on top up and down nervously. She’d removed her high heels, her bare feet as sexy as the rest of her.

  The bright red toenail polish was another insight into the personality hidden underneath a coat of armor. My thoughts drifted to all the filthy things I wanted to do to and with her.

  Kissing every inch of her body.

  Licking her heated skin.

  Sucking on her sweet clit.

  And fucking her until she screamed from sheer ecstasy.

  Kara was the first woman to push me away. As with any red-blooded male, that only made me want her all the more.

  I sensed she was furious with herself for saying anything. She had no intention of allowing herself to become personal with me. That had the effect of requiring me to learn more about her.

  “I have no reason to lie to you and I’m sorry to hear someone you cared about led you down a bad path,” I told her and meant it. No one as sweet and beautiful as she was should ever be forced to feel the burn of betrayal. “You believe me to be a dangerous man.”

  “Without a doubt. There’s nothing you can say that will alter my opinion. However, we need to change the subject.”

  “Perhaps we do.”

  The way she studied me was as if picking me apart. If she thought she’d find a decent man inside, she’d be wrong. That had been tossed the moment I’d heard about Leandro’s death.

  “Okay. Tell me this. Other than diving, which you’ve admitted you haven’t done for a long time, what do you like to do for fun?” She slowly pulled her hand free from mine and I noticed she’d curled her finger, nonchalantly bringing it to her mouth and nose.

  I did believe she was inhaling my aftershave. Everything the woman did had the same effect on me. My balls were now tight, so much so I had to shift in my seat.

  “Sailing. Pool. I play a mean game of darts. I also enjoy racetracks.”

  “Like with real cars or the kiddie car ones?” At least my answer brought a smile to her face. I wasn’t certain where this was going or if I would participate but so long for her interview, but I needed to break the ice. What I needed was for her to trust me.

  Although I wasn’t certain yet of the reason why.

  Laughing around her was easy, also something I hadn’t indulged in for months. “Both, but I prefer the real thing. A buddy of mine is a driver for a team in Italy. Every once in a while, he allows me to take a ride around the track.”

  “You also have influential friends.”

  “The truth is that I have very few friends.”

  “The trust factor?” she asked as she ran the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass as she’d done the night before. I watched the subtle action, mesmerized by the simplicity and her charm.

  “Exactly. Perhaps we’re more alike than you think we are.” I tossed my napkin on the island, standing and reaching for her plate.

  “I’ll help, but I don’t think we’re anything alike.”

  “You’re my guest. Relax and enjoy your wine. Why do you say that?”

  “You’re rich and powerful. I’m attempting to be both.” Her laugh highlighted the brightness in her eyes. They were a deep blue, so much so a man could get lost in them for hours. They matched both her personality and her long raven hair. My body was keenly aware of just how attractive she was.

  “I have no doubt you will be if that’s what you want, but keep in mind there are pitfalls.”

  “Such as needing a bodyguard?”

  “Well, yes. For one. There’s always knowing you have a target on your back, at least in certain difficult situations.”

  She rose from the barstool, crowding me out of the way of the sink. I decided to let her do what she wanted. I’d never had a woman inside the apartment. I’d never shared space with anyone in a residence for longer than part of one night. This felt… different. Real.

  Almost too perfect.

  “That’s very sad,” she said after a few seconds. “To never know if you’re safe.”

  “You learn to accept it and take precautions. I’m certain you’ve been required to do that over time.”

  The look she gave me sent a wave of longing into every cell and muscle. “Yes, which is why I learned martial arts and weaponry years ago.”

  I coughed on purpose. “A tiny thing like you?”

  “I’m hardly tiny.”

  A part of me still couldn’t figure out why I’d allowed her into my life, either in business or my personal space, but I was warming up to her being around. Maybe too much so.

  “You very much fit your kitten persona.”

  She gave me a side-eye as she continued to rinse the plates, even placing them in the dishwasher. After running water in the pots, she pulled the scrubby brush from the container and that’s when I stopped her.

  “You’re eager to continue on an adventure, I assume,” I told her.

  I was surprised seeing her playful side as she rose onto her tiptoes, trying her best to grab the rough pad from my hand.

  “Answer the question, Kara. Can you handle an adventure?”

  “That depends on what you have in mind.”

  “As you mentioned, there is more to life than work and maintaining whatever persona you believe must be projected. If you can’t trust me, trust your intuition. Come with me.”

  “Not unless you tell me where you’re going.”

  “To a location I’ve never taken anyone else before. You might find my choice as pleasant as it is surprising.”

  “Would I?” My words intrigued her. I could tell by the look in her eyes. Even though it took a few seconds, she finally nodded.

  Another sea of filth slithered through my brain.

  Dismissing her from my life was the best option all the way around. She was too tempting. Too intuitive. Too determined.

  But I’d made up my mind and nothing and no one would force me to change it.

  Tonight, she’d learn just how correct her beliefs were about me.

  This dangerous man was about to take what he wanted. The subject of his near obsession?

  One dark-haired beauty. Soon, she would be writhing underneath me, offering her full surrender.

  CHAPTER 10

  Kara

  Surprises happened often in my line of work and usually they weren’t pleasant ones. To find myself having flown halfway across the country for a single interview only to be turned down at the airport upon landing topped the list.

  And moving in with an asshole who’d stolen my notes and made a name for himself was a great reminder of how conniving men could be. Was there any difference between Havros and my asshole ex? I honestly didn’t know the answer, but the handsome Greek would not pull the wool over my eyes. It wasn’t happening.

  I’d suffered through backlash from articles written that hadn’t seemed controversial at the time. That one had almost cost me my job. The insults I’d endured while interviewing a boxing champion had forced me to retaliate in a not-so-nice way. I’d hurled some fairly nasty accusations at the man and it had been caught on camera.

  That was the one where I had lost my job. I’d thought my career was in the toilet at that point. Yet when I turned freelance and decided to capture the truth about criminals? That was when my career had zoomed up a notch or five.

  The surprise Havros had instigated was so unexpected, I wasn’t certain how I felt or how to react.

  “A scuba shop?” I asked as I stared out the windshield. If the man expected me to go diving with him, he was out of his mind. I wasn’t going ten feet under, let alone any deeper. For all I knew, he was finished with the interview and was planning on disposing my body on the ocean floor. Perhaps I was being somewhat dramatic, but the moment of shock and excitement was quickly wearing off.

  But the terrible fear won out and I was immediately perspiring all over. It was close to impossible to keep from whimpering like a child. I’d prided myself that I’d gotten over the fear, but that obviously wasn’t the case.

  “We do have them in Kolonaki.”

  “I can’t go diving with you. I mean I won’t. Do you understand me?”

  He obviously wasn’t listening since he’d already stopped the engine and had opened his door. We were parked directly in front of the quaint-looking store and I was hesitant to climb out, clutching my purse like it would help me get out of this mess.

  I was also almost certain I was going to faint.

  You can do this. It’s safe. It’s normal to be apprehensive.

  The pep talk wasn’t one I’d been prepared for or accepted.

  When he opened my door, I cringed deep inside. He was making some point and while a small part of me believed him when he said he wasn’t into hurting women, I was a cautious woman. My ex had taught me that valuable lesson.

  “Come, Kara. This isn’t going to be tough.”

  “I’m not going diving.” Why was he staring at me like something was wrong?

  “Something happened on a dive.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.”

  He sounded so sincere. “I just can’t do it. I’m sorry. If that makes you think less of me, then so be it.”

  Only because I was about ready to have a panic attack. Oh, good going. I was trying my best to act tough and self-preserving and I might faint at his feet.

  “I would never think less of you and I never said we were.” He held out his hand in such a way I knew he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I finally accepted it, hating myself for doing so almost immediately.

  “Then what are we doing?”

  “We’re going night snorkeling.”