The Brit

Danny’s eyes close, his chest expanding from an inhale. Even his jaw is tight. “But they found you.”

“I was in labor. Couldn’t fight, couldn’t run. They took me back to the hostel and I had my baby.” For the first time, my voice cracks, and I fight fiercely to keep my emotions in check. “I held him for a few minutes, and they were the best minutes of my entire life. Then they took him away.”

His head shake is mild as he scans my face. “How did you get away?”

“I didn’t. After I gave birth, I hemorrhaged. I was broken. They had no need for me anymore. But . . .” I pause a beat. “But I still had my looks and my body, even if I’d lost my soul. Nox took a liking to me. I was given to him as part of a deal. Nox was young. He dealt in women and drugs but he had no money. No respect. No power. I helped change that.” I take a breath. “He blackmailed people. I was his secret weapon. It was all I was good for. Dazzling men. Making them stupid. Distracting them. He’s so hungry for power and respect, Danny. He’s evil. Dangerous.”

“And my family killed his family.”

“What?”

“Fifteen years ago. Carlo went to Romania. He’d heard the Dimitri family were planning on moving into America. He went and killed the problem. He killed Nox’s father. I killed his brother.” He swallows, his eyes darting, and I don’t like it. “He wants me dead. He wants my world.”

I lose my breath. This is worse than I ever imagined. This isn’t only business. It’s revenge.

“You could have run, Rose. Why didn’t you run?”

“Because I want my son to live and be happy,” I say, and Danny looks at me, the pain in his eyes unbearable to see. “Every time I needed putting in my place, if a good punch or slap didn’t work, then a reminder that his happiness was in my hands did. That’s how it’s been. I crave pictures of him. I need to see how he’s doing, that he’s safe and happy, away from this evil world. Those pictures have been . . . my reward. I also get them as a reminder that failure to comply won’t just result in me being hurt. So, you see, it’s been very easy to do as I’m told. Because even if I am beyond hope, he is not.”

Danny’s stunned. It’s not a look that suits him. But it tells me that he comprehends the true gravity of my situation. He comprehends the real risk I’m willing to take to be with him. He comprehends that I need his help. “I’m here,” he says simply, like he is the answer to all my troubles.

“Can you find my son? Protect him?”

“Yes.”

“Can you protect me?”

He sits up on his knees, pulling me up to straddle his naked lap. Both of his hands start in my hair and stroke their way down to the small of my back. “I can protect you from anything, Rose.” He rubs his nose with mine. “Except me.”

My smile is small as I slip my arms under his and cling to him, keeping our eyes together. “I’m not scared of you, Danny Black,” I whisper, quiet but sure, as I push my lips to his, feeding off the heat that our touching mouths create.

His low moan is packed with an appetite I’m desperate to feed. “I won’t rest until I have justice for you,” he murmurs. “Your dreams will be happy, I promise you.” Breaking our kiss, he looks at me with serious eyes. There’s a need in them. A need for vengeance. “Where was this hostel?”

“The east side of town. I can’t remember exactly.”

“And what happened? Tell me everything.”

He wants more. Not just how I came to be me, but everything in between. I swallow, looking away, and Danny nudges me.

“Everything, Rose.”

I dig deep for the strength I need. “After I was given to Nox, he took me to Romania. I was young, still growing into my body. He used me for himself for a few years. Then when I was eighteen, he took me to a charity event. The Romanian president at the time was there. Nox saw the way he looked at me.” I swallow. “It was so easy to get what he wanted. So, so easy. And when he gave me a picture of my son as a reward, it became easier. Nox brought me back to the States a few years ago.”

“The man’s name?” Danny pushes, his jaw about ready to snap. “The one who gave you to Nox?”

I shake my head. “They only ever called him sir.”

Danny’s frustration is clear. “Do you remember anything, Rose? Anything at all that could lead me to him?”