She went to turn away and Storm grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him.
“He wants you. Will take everything, even this body from you against your will.”
“He’ll have to kill me first.”
“You don’t think he won’t?”
“I don’t care either way.”
“What?” Winter said from behind Storm.
She looked away. She was angry, wanted revenge, and York could understand that.
Storm reached forward and cupped her cheek. He gripped her chin to force her to look up into his eyes. “I don’t believe you.”
“That I could care less about living or dying?” She snorted softly under her breath. “Why do you care?
Storm’s eyes darkened, his grip tightened, and he covered her mouth and kissed her.
In a flash Winter was behind her supporting her back, running his hands along her shoulders and arms as Storm devoured her moans and stroked his tongue in exploration in her mouth. She gripped his tux. His hands dug into her hair, her scalp and both men pressed their bodies against hers when suddenly he pulled back gasping for breath. She nearly lost her balance but Winter was there to steady her.
“You aren’t resistant to any male who wants to take from you what he wants. He won’t accept no. You’re too weak to handle men as powerful as Andrei.”
Her anger rose and York was shocked too. Storm just made her feel used. He was showing her how weak she was under a man’s control.
“You’re such an asshole.”
“I’m proving a point. You’re not meant for this type of life. Dealing with mobsters, being threatened and used for your body. He’ll make you spread your legs and he’ll take your soul.”
She took a deep breath and then released it.
“I’m not going round and round with you over this. What’s done is done. Now please leave. I’m tired, I have an early meeting in the morning and I need my mind fresh, not boggled down with your hysterics and your mind games. I appreciate the escort home, the assistance with Andrei, but it ends here. I don’t need your protection. I don’t need you playing games with my head, taking what you want from me to show me how weak I am and how easily a man can use me and trick me. I’ve been dealing with men like you for years. I can handle this myself. I’m glad we’re clear that I mean nothing to you either. Get out.”
“Aspen, please listen to us.” York tried to calm the situation but one look into Aspen’s eyes and he knew that Storm had truly hurt her.
They watched her walk away and go into her bedroom way across the room in the upscale pent house.
“That’s what she thinks,” Winter said under his breath.
“Let’s go. We’re done here,” Storm said and turned to leave.
“Are we leaving her unattended?” York asked, fully concerned for her well-being.
“She doesn’t want our help York,” Storm snapped at him as they all headed out of her penthouse.
York was fuming. As much as Storm tried to deny his feelings for Aspen, it was obvious that he cared about her. He was suffering as m
uch as the rest of them were. They all had enemies similar and even worse than Andrei. They would think nothing of hurting Aspen, taking her, torturing her or even killing her to get back at any of them. What kind of life would that be for Aspen?
But the fact that Storm was going to leave her place with her unguarded wasn’t right. His persistence to pretend he didn’t have feelings was getting in front of his better judgment. Aspen was still important to them and was Porter’s sister.
“She needs protection,” York said aloud in the elevator. They were squeezed into the small box. They were all too big, too tall for such small spaces.
“She made her decision.” Storm snapped. York looked at the others. They kept their faces forward but he could see the change of emotion in their eyes. Aspen did that to them.
“I don’t think your right. I think she needs protection. Andrei could come here or send some of his guys to mess with her and scare her further.”
“I’m the commander. I give the orders,” Storm snapped.