“Keep her safe. Do not leave her alone,” I told him as I tried to rub the ache from my eyes.

  “I don’t plan on it.”

  “Did she give you any insight to Theodore?”

  “No. She’s still surprised she didn’t detect his treachery sooner,” he answered. “Are you on the train?”

  “A stopover in St. Louis.”

  “You’re with her.”

  “Yes, I’m with Whitney. Anything else with the man’s accounts?”

  “No. He was careful. I confirmed Ms. Canfield didn’t meet with him prior to his death. She was in LA attending a business conference, not leaving until after receiving notice of his death.”

  “That means he possibly mailed the information to her. I’m following through on the initial plans. Check the hotel where she was staying to make certain she didn’t receive a package there.”

  “I already did. Nothing. I found no signs he used a service to send anything.”

  Snorting, I shook my head. “For all we know, he stuck an envelope in his mailbox. It means nothing.” Or he’d left it for her inside his house, hidden in a secret compartment. I wouldn’t put anything past the man.

  “What now?”

  That was the daunting question at this point. If I’d learned of her existence, then there was no doubt Zakaryan had as well.

  Exhaling, I turned around, expecting to see her face. Instead, there was an empty chair. “I’m following through with my original plans. I will be bringing someone with me.”

  He chuckled. “Would you like me to make arrangements at your house?”

  Arrangements. His word for asking if I wanted a cage brought into my home. “I’m many things, Jonas, but not a barbarian. I’ll handle her discipline as necessary. Make certain we’re not under attack. I’ve sent Nico and Stavros to the streets. Keep an eye out for any unusual activity.”

  “Will do, boss. I don’t know what Stavros told you, but the informant working in Zakaryan’s employ insists an attack has been planned.”

  “Where?”

  “Out of town. He had no additional details.”

  Out of town? The fucker never went anywhere, fearful several syndicates would use his departure as an opportunity to eliminate a possible threat. If what Jonas told me was true, the planned attack was bigger than I’d originally thought.

  “Find out more, Jonas. I want details or he’ll face my wrath.”

  Jonas snorted. “I’ll do what I can but from what he said, Zakaryan has suddenly become a loose cannon.”

  Out of town. The bastard had known I’d immediately come to the aid of my sister. That meant he’d expected me to travel in my usual method. By jet. I hadn’t hidden behind a façade of fear, worrying that either my facilities or methods of transportation would be hijacked or worse. I had the best security equipment available, soldiers guarding my most valuable assets.

  But I hadn’t anticipated the length the Armenian would go to in order to destroy my regime. I’d need to expedite my plans, taking her early. “Keep your phone with you at all times. There might be a change in plans.”

  “I’ll have the pilot on standby.”

  “Good. Call me if there are any other developments.”

  Fuck. With me dead, either Stavros would be forced to take a leadership position he wasn’t ready for, or my father would be pulled out of retirement. Neither situation was optimal. As much as I hated to admit it, my father’s mind was fading.

  Perhaps my method of obtaining what I wanted would need to be altered.

  I ended the call, scanning the area. That’s when I realized if she’d gone to the restroom, she’d have gotten within a few yards of where I was standing. I wasn’t in the habit of taking phone calls in the open, which could lead to conversations being overheard. Jonas wasn’t fluent in Greek, or the cover of another language would have been used. I only hoped she hadn’t paid any attention. I moved from where I was standing, scanning the entire patio. Unless she’d left, which I doubted, she was in the restroom.

  As I headed down the small corridor toward several doors, she bounded out from the women’s room, not paying attention to where she was going until she bumped into me.

  She gasped at first then started to laugh. “Now, you’ve found out I’m also clumsy.”

  Chuckling, I held her arms as if to keep her from falling. Then I dragged them over her head, wrapping one hand around both wrists as I pushed her against the wall. “A woman so beautiful clumsy? Forgive me if I don’t believe you.” I lowered my head, the flickering light of an old bulb providing enough of a shimmer to study her eyes. I’d considered myself observant over the years, easily discovering a lie. She was taken aback but showed no fear.

  “You’d be surprised,” she cooed.

  “Would I now?”

  Breathless, she involuntarily dragged the tip of her tongue across her pert lips. There was no mistaking the scent of her desire, a need that burned as brightly as it had the night before. “I have many undesirable traits. I’m certain you do as well.” Her whisper created a haze of need that could become uncontrollable.

  I lowered my head even more, shifting until I brushed my cheek across hers. Then I returned the whisper, allowing the words to flow gently into her ear. “You’re right, my beauty, only mine can create nightmares.” I remained hovering close to her face, drinking in her perfume. She was already like a drug to me, the insatiable need far too uncomfortable for what I had planned.

  She trembled in my hold, making her first attempt at pulling her arms free. I refused to allow it, not until I’d gotten my fix. As I rubbed my lips across her jaw, she shuddered audibly. Every sound she made was sweet, every breathless moment igniting something salacious within the dark cavern of my mind.

  “Are you trying to scare me, Phoenix?”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “To prove your point that you’re a dangerous man.”

  “Did I say dangerous?” I leaned back, taking another deep breath, allowing her fragrance to tickle the insides of my nose. As I cocked my head, trailing my fingers down her side, I followed it with my gaze. Was I trying to intimidate her? Yes. It was time to push her boundaries. If she knew who I was then it would change the outcome.

  For now, I was content with playing a little longer.

  “It’s not going to work, Phoenix. I don’t scare easily.” She purposely jutted her hips forward, yanking away from the wall just enough our lips finally touched. The woman knew exactly what she did to me, the temptation far too intoxicating to resist. I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, dragging her close enough so she could feel the effect of what she did to me.

  I took my time kissing her, peeling her lips open with mine, accepting the way she darted her tongue just inside. She tasted like cherries and sunshine, a dangerous combination. As she shifted her hips back and forth, the friction became intolerable. I came close to dragging her into the bathroom, fucking her until I was finally satisfied.

  She mewed into the moment of intimacy, tasting me so tentatively that every muscle in my body tensed. I could do this for hours, which wasn’t like me. As I slowly crawled my hand down her dress, curling the hem in my hand, she managed to free one arm, pushing her palm against my chest.

  “Very bad boy.”

  “You have no idea.”

  A crashing sound drew our attention and I almost reached for the weapon I had strapped to my leg. Her breath was ragged, her fingers clinging to my shirt. A waiter had dropped an entire tray of drinks, shattering several glasses. I could have killed him without thinking. My control was slipping.

  All because she was my possession.

  “It’s okay, my beauty. No one will hurt you. If anyone, especially a man even touches you, they’ll face my wrath,” I told her, surprised when the words left my mouth. It disturbed the hell out of me that I meant them. I shouldn’t care anything about her well-being. But I knew exactly what would happen if the Armenians got ahold of her. Their methods of handling interrogations were repulsive. She wouldn’t survive.

  The thought was daunting.

  “Why would you think anyone would be interested in hurting me?”

  “There will always be danger, Whitney.”

  “Because of you?” she asked in a playful tone.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. But since you’re planning on protecting me, I guess I don’t need to worry.”

  As soon as I let go of her arms, she slid away, backing down the corridor. The twinkling micro lights captured her essence perfectly. Perhaps she was the one I should consider dangerous.

  Instead of doing my job and tossing her aside. I had no plans on letting her go.

  CHAPTER 9

  Whitney

  Sleeping with the enemy.

  Odd sensations had prickled my skin since the passionate kiss in the hallway. I’d overheard enough of his conversation to know he was no typical businessman frustrated over a cancelled contract or issue with a disgruntled customer. He’d been furious to the point several people on the patio had turned their attention in his direction.

  That left me hoping Elizabeth would confirm or deny my suspicions. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but Phoenix was lying to me. No, that wasn’t technically correct. He was using the terms of the agreement we made to hide behind his persona. Not only did I not like it, I had a bad feeling the accidental meeting had everything to do with my father.

  As if the man was trying to ascertain if I knew who he was.

  If that was the case, there was a possibility that Phoenix had ill intent in mind. As we waited for the cab, I realized my nerves were creeping to the surface. The last thing I needed to do was alarm him. After all, I had two more days of being on the same train with him. What if I didn’t get back on that train? What then?

  “The cab should be here in a few minutes,” he said as he studied me. He’d been doing a lot of that since he’d found me outside the restaurant’s bathroom. He was worried I’d overheard something I wasn’t supposed to.

  I looked around the busy street, trying to think of an excuse to make a call. What if I wasn’t right about this? My belongings including my laptop were on board. I could replace the clothes, but some pieces of jewelry were special to me. No, maybe the best thing to do was to talk to the conductor and arrange to get off at the next stop. Then what?

  There was no perfect scenario, but I needed to give Elizabeth time before I jumped to conclusions. Maybe I could give her a quick call. “I’m going to run across the street to the drugstore. I need a couple things.”

  “We’re running close on time,” Phoenix told me as he walked closer.

  I checked my watch. He was right. “I’ll just be a second. I promise.”

  “Okay. I’ll hold the cab.” He shoved his hands into his pockets as I moved to the crosswalk, waiting for the sign to change.

  I could feel his eyes on me the entire time. By the time I reached the other side, my breathing was labored. If only I’d asked my father some questions. If only I hadn’t shut him down when he was trying to warn me. From what? I had no clue where he worked. I did know he was an accountant, but that told me nothing. However, I’d met Phoenix on a train that departed from Napa, the coincidence disconcerting. My mind was fuzzy but as soon as I walked in the door of the small store, I headed down one of the aisles.

  As I dialed her number, I was afraid she wasn’t going to answer. When she did, I was relieved. “Please tell me you didn’t find anything horrible.”

  She laughed. “You’re very impatient. No. Nothing has come up on him. That likely means he’s just an average Joe businessman who wanted a hot fling.”

  “Did your friend run it through the big database that’s interconnected with all the various law enforcement agencies?”

  “Girl, it won’t matter unless your guy has a record. But yes, he did. Nothing came up.”

  Exhaling, I turned my head toward the street. “I guess I’m glad to hear that.” Was I? Or was I the kind of person always anticipating bad news? I was still tingling from the passionate kiss, the roughness he used exciting. Controlling.

  Possessive.

  Get a grip, Whitney. Enjoy yourself. There’s nothing wrong.

  The knot in my stomach told me otherwise. If only I could put my finger on why.

  “Are you okay?” she asked, the tension remaining in her tone.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I wanted to make certain he was on the up and up.”

  “You really like him. Don’t you?”

  The truth was not something I couldn’t hide, even from myself. “I do.”

  “Then have a wonderful time together. Stop worrying so much.”

  I took another few deep breaths. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

  “Always, girl. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally get you on that double date after all.”

  “Never,” I teased.

  “What wickedness have you two been up to?” Her cooing voice made me laugh.

  “Sharing dinner in a beautiful town before embarking on another leg of our trip. Champagne, smoked salmon. Fresh fruit.”

  “He’s spoiling you.”

  I thought about the way he’d introduced the champagne, my mind ticking away. “Find out what you can about Diamondis wines.”

  “Never heard of them.”

  “I haven’t either. Phoenix wanted me to taste a particular champagne.”

  “Okay. Why don’t you just ask him?”

  “It’s a game we’re playing.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “A mystery man with hot sex. What could be better? I’ll see what I can find.”

  As soon as I ended the call, goosebumps popped across my arms. He was here, his possessive nature on overload. I took a deep breath, my skin tingling.

  “Did you find what you were looking for?” The deep timber of his voice created a wave of desire more intense than before.

  As I turned around, I let the ugliness of my thoughts go. “No, but that’s entirely okay by me.”

  “Then we need to get going.” When he scanned the store, my heart raced. What was he searching for? He touched my arm, narrowing his eyes. “We don’t want to miss the train.” As he guided me from the store, pressing his palm against the small of my back, I felt both safe and in danger, which was an explosive combination. While I didn’t think he’d hurt me, I had a gut-wrenching feeling that being with him put a target on my back.

  But exactly who was the enemy?

  Phoenix hustled me to the cab, taking another five seconds to study the surrounding area before climbing inside. “Step on it,” he told the driver. “Train station.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As the driver pressed his foot on the accelerator, Phoenix crowded closer. The heat of his body was oppressive, my mind spinning with thoughts of lust and questions that I doubted would be answered. He kept his hand on my knee, the grip firm, his touch searing every nerve ending. Just being near him kept the embers ignited.

  He glanced at his watch three times, hissing after the third. “This will be tight.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make us late.”

  The way he slowly turned his head, shifting his gaze to my lap was a clear indication of his filthy thoughts. They undoubtedly matched mine. I couldn’t wait to rip off his clothes. What was wrong with me? Was I finally able to enjoy myself, excited at the prospects? Or was the dangerous mystery the reason for my complete arousal?

  The cabbie flew around a corner and by that point, Phoenix was sitting on the edge of his seat. Then he jerked out his wallet, pulling several bills into his hand. I was able to see the wad of money he carried. There was no reason for that to surprise me, but it did.

  He tossed the money onto the seat in front of us. “Drop us off as close to terminal seven as possible.”

  “You got it,” the man said, staring into the rearview mirror as if he recognized Phoenix. The cabbie pulled to a screeching halt in front of the building and Phoenix wasted no time throwing open the door, grabbing my hand, and whisking me from the car.

  I could hear train whistles in the background. “We’ll need to run,” he told me.

  While I didn’t want to miss the train either, I sensed his urgency. We took off running through the station, Phoenix pushing through crowds of people, his hand tightly wrapped around mine.

  The moment we were stuck behind a large group of people, he snarled, more forceful in his actions. When we were close to the doors leading out to the platform, I noticed the train had already started to move.

  “We’re not going to make it,” I told him.

  “Like hell we aren’t.”

  I felt like I was flying as he pulled me toward the moving train. Everything was a complete blur, my pulse pushed to the limit. There was no way we were going to make it. Yet there was no stopping the man. He shoved his way through the last few people, grabbing the handle on the steps leading to the train.

  Without any struggle his body twisted, a wide grin crossing his face as he pulled me off my feet and into his arms. It took a few seconds to realize we were safe on the bottom step. The train had picked up speed, flashes of the station and covered platform drifting into a blur of buildings. As he wrapped both arms around me, I rolled my arms around his neck, the breeze from the still open door floating around us.

  “I told you we’d make it,” he said gruffly as he lowered his head, pressing his forehead against mine.

  “You’re crazy,” I managed, half laughing.

  “You have no idea, baby. Come on. Let’s get inside.” He pulled me further into the train, the door finally closing. I noticed the chastising look of one of the conductors, the older man shaking his head. Phoenix didn’t bother looking in his direction, leading us through the passenger car. When several people clapped because of our grand entrance, I couldn’t help but laugh.

  He pushed his way through two more cars, leading us both to my cabin. There was an urgency to his actions, his chest rising and falling. But it wasn’t from exertion. He was wired, the electricity crackling between us combustible.