“You’ll find out soon enough. Get dressed,” I tell her before shutting the door so she can’t ask me anything more. She’s alluring. There’s something about her which has monsters craving her, monsters like us. Falcon wants her, and Hawk has made it clear he does too. My own feelings of desire are burning through me like a wildfire.
It’s time she pays her dues. When the door opens, she’s dressed, and her hair is slowly drying which turns the white to a soft golden color. I turn and head down the hall, her footsteps behind me the only clue she’s following. I take her into the kitchen.
“It’s almost lunch time, we’ll want something to eat. Help yourself to anything,” I tell her. “But remember, you’re here to do as we say.”
“And if I don’t?”
I spin on my heel and lean into her. She’s tiny, which has me looming over her like a shadow. But she doesn’t cower, she merely arches a brow at me which makes my dick hard. Her fire is a turn on, and now she’s all fresh and smelling like a goddamned snack, I want to devour her.
“Stop asking questions,” I tell her firmly. Lifting my hand, I run my knuckles over her cheek, the soft skin making my blood boil. “And you won’t get hurt. But if you continue to fight back,” I whisper, keeping my voice low and threatening, “we will be forced to use violence to make you submit.”
“I could run,” she tells me adamantly.
I laugh out loud. The thought of her even trying to get out of this house, and off the property is not a worry I have. There is no way she’ll make it to the property line, let alone beyond.
“I’d like to see you try,” I inform her, tipping my head to the side as I regard the feisty little mouse. “Because if you haven’t garnered this from us yet, we love the chase.”
Lucille steps back from me, putting space between us and moves around the counter to the fridge. She doesn’t respond, and I doubt she will. What she does need to do is accept her place in this house. For now, she’s nothing more than a maid, someone to do things for us. Anything we ask of her.
I leave her be and head to Falcon’s office. I find him leaning back in his seat, on a call. Settling into the armchair opposite his desk, I wait until he hangs up.
“That was Drake,” he tells me. “He’s figured out the connection to the Bratva. Apparently, Mahoney got involved with them about twenty years ago, before Lucille was born. Between us, we’ve nailed it down to the fact her father had promised the Pakhan his daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“So it was while his wife was pregnant?”
Falcon nods. “It seems so. But then he went back on his word when Lucille was born. This meant he pissed off one of the most dangerous men in the world. It’s when he went to the Cartel for protection, leaving the Bratva angry and out for revenge.”
“But it still doesn’t explain Lucille’s involvement in the—”
“This bastard who runs the Cartel who Mahoney was working for was into trafficking. He was making bank on it. Any age welcome. The deal was Mahoney gets these kids, sends them off to Mexico, and his daughter is kept safe from harm.”
“So how are they keeping an eye on her when she’s here?” I ask, confusion still blurring the edges of my focus.
Falcon leans forward and says, “They’re not, because the men were called off when Mahoney was incarcerated.”
“But what about the rumors the Bratva were going to bust him out?”
“New deal,” Falcon announces with a grin of pure satisfaction. He’s always enjoyed puzzles, this is no different. Figuring out what is going on in a job gets him excited. “Mahoney contacted them, begged forgiveness, and told them he’ll bring his daughter in.”
It all clicks into place. “Because she testified against her father in court.” Falcon nods. Of course the man is angry. His only child made sure he was sent to prison. “That means he’ll come after her the moment he’s out.”
“Exactly, and I have a feeling he knows she’s in England. There’s no way he won’t know. He’ll be on a private plane heading this way the moment he steps foot out of prison. I’m not sure how they plan to break him out, but it will be worldwide news.”
“Then we need to keep tabs on him. I don’t want her finding out about this,” I inform Falcon. “If she’s aware of his plan, she’ll try to run and it will only put her in more danger.”
“Are you worried about her now?” Falcon’s brow arches as he regards me. I’ve been too open about my concern for her. I should have known one of my best friends will notice it. Generally I’m good at keeping my emotions in cheek, but the thought of Lucille’ being sold off to some bastard doesn’t sit well with me. I realize it’s because I want to be the one to make her cry, I want to hurt her.