Boss - Killer of Kings

They were so close. The scent of his cologne, the heat of his words, the fire in his eyes.

“I know where you come from—every detail. You deserve better than this bullshit. Cut the suit loose.”

She tried to jerk out of his grip, but he was like a brick house. “You know nothing,” she said. “And you don’t get a say in my life.”

“You can’t even let your own brother into your life. You going to die a miserable, spiteful bitch?”

Graciella smacked him hard across the face.

He stared at her without reacting. Without budging.

The next moment, his lips were on hers, his hand in her hair. She closed her eyes, completely taken by the rush of passion. They kissed long and hard. The entire world went away as they devoured each other, unable to get enough. All the sexual tension between them came rushing to the surface and couldn’t be contained.

She lifted her leg against his side, the slit in her dress giving her full range of motion. He grabbed her hip, grinding against her. She was completely breathless, unable to get enough of this man.

When he pulled away, she was left wanton, her entire body quaking with need. She touched her lips. Her red lipstick had to be a disaster.

“I should freshen up,” she said dismissively. Graciella didn’t like how much Boss affected her. He brought out too much vulnerability, in her opinion.

He caged her in with an arm to each side of her head. She wanted to feel those thick muscles for herself but fought for composure.

“Am I your prisoner now?” she asked.

Boss just stared, his jaw clenched.

“Our dates are waiting.” The intimacy was more than she could handle—the look in his eyes, the fact he knew about her fucked-up childhood.

“I don’t want you in his bed tonight,” he said. “I want you in mine.”

When Viko asked her to do something, she had to do it. Until her debt was paid in full, she had little choice in the matter. Luckily, she trusted him not to abuse her.

“I can’t…”

“Why not? How much is the contract? I’ll pay you,” he said. “Cut him loose.”

“You don’t understand. I said I can’t.” She ducked away and disappeared into the bathroom. Emotions bubbled up because the truth was she’d much rather be in Boss’s bed. A job was a job, and if she started feeling sorry for herself, it wouldn’t turn out well.

He appeared in the reflection of the mirror.

“This is the ladies’ room, Boss. Get out.”

“Tell me why you won’t let this go. You like him?”

She smirked, turning around as she leaned on the counter. “It’s blackmail. My contact needs pics of him screwing a woman who’s not his wife.”

“Then we swap. My girl’s begging to get laid. We hook them up.”

“It’ll be a sad night for you then. I don’t have sex for pleasure. Only for business.”

“Call it whatever you want.” He cupped her face, using his thumb to wipe at some of the smeared lipstick. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Graciella.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. God, how perfect would it be to be wanted, loved, and protected by Boss. But she’d never trust a man. Never. She could take care of herself.

“You can get any woman you want,” she said.

“I can say the same thing about you. Every head turns in your direction when you enter a room.”

“It’s not real,” she said. “This body is a guise. There’s nothing under this skin.” It wasn’t a lie. Her confidence, her sexuality—it was all a game, all part of being the perfect assassin. The real woman was hollow, a little girl shattered into a million pieces.

“Give me one night.”

She swallowed hard, tempted to take his offer, to feel like Cinderella for one night.

“You’re a good kisser. But that’s where this has to end.” She turned, fixed her makeup, and returned to her table. Her heart raced. She wanted to go back to being the bitch, but Boss had awoken something inside of her.

Her mark wasn’t bad-looking. At least she didn’t have to kill him. She needed to get this over with so she’d have the pictures to give Viko tomorrow night. If she showed up empty-handed, there was no way he’d agree to help her out of this drug mess.

“I was getting worried about you,” he said, reaching for her hand. She cringed but allowed it.

“Can we skip dessert?” She bit her lip slowly, sensually, to show her intention. He took the bait, immediately requesting the check. Graciella didn’t even bother to look at Boss or his sexy little plaything again. She ducked out with her date, and they walked out to the lot to find his car. She was anxious to get the hell out of there.

The sound of burning rubber made them both look up. A car raced down the street, braking right in front of them. It was dark out, only a few streetlights helping them to find their way. Killian leapt out of the driver’s seat, leaned over the top of the car, and aimed a gun.