Hell (Black Heart Romance)

Though he would be careful about that, wouldn’t he? He would prey on women like Rowan, the ones with no family or friends. The ones who’ve been alienated from the world for one reason or another. A part of me knows that I’ve done the same, preying on women who are down and need money, but at least I don’t enjoy their misery.

She deserves better than that and a hell of a lot better than him. I might be a hypocrite, but I can’t help it when it comes to Rowan. She is mine.

Mine. He touched what’s mine. I take another sip of my whiskey and will myself to be calm. The son of a bitch doesn’t deserve for this to end quickly. I want to take it slow with him. I want to make sure to create plenty of memories worth savoring. By the time it’s finished, he’ll regret ever drawing his first breath.

I’m seated behind my desk again by the time Alexei’s knock rings out. I open the door using the remote, then remind myself to take a deep breath. To calm down and enjoy this.

A man who can only be Eric stumbles into the room with Alexei on one side, Rick on the other. “What’s this all about?” He pulls his arms away from the guys, making sure to snarl at both of them. The big man, so strong, so frightening.

He doesn’t frighten me. He didn’t before I laid eyes on him, and he certainly doesn’t now. A pretty boy? I’m almost disappointed in Rowan for falling for somebody like him. All surface flash—blond hair, blue eyes, a square jaw. White teeth, which he bares in a snarl. “Well? Who are you? What’s going on? Why did these two grab me when I was getting in my car?”

I lean back in my chair, satisfied to stare at him silently for a while. How many times did he drive those fists into her face, her body? How many times did he wrap his hands around her throat and squeeze until she was at the edge of consciousness?

He snaps his fingers. “Hello? Are you deaf or something? You send your goons after me but won’t bother telling me why?”

Finally, I sigh. “Let me ask you a question, Eric Walters. Why do you think you’re here?”

It’s delicious, the flash of fear in his eyes when I call him by his full name. He’s asking himself how I could possibly know who he is.

He lowers his brow, his expression hardening. “I don’t have the first fucking clue, which is why I asked you. Why did you have them bring me here?”

“I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“About me?” He points at himself and smiles like this is all a big misunderstanding. “Sorry, pal, but you got the wrong guy. I’ve never laid eyes on you in my life.”

“I know all about you, just the same. I know you came to town for a particular purpose.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah? And what purpose is that?” The fact that he hasn’t yet dropped this act of false bravado is partly admirable, partly pitiable.

“Stop.” I hold up a hand, shaking my head. “You’re making a fool out of yourself. Stop pretending. We both know you came here for her.”

It’s incredible, really. Watching him shift the way he does until he might as well be a different person. “That’s what this is about?” he growls. “What, did she hire you to take care of me? You don’t know the first thing about her.”

“Don’t I?” I tent my fingers beneath my chin. “Please, enlighten me.”

“For one thing, she ran off on me. She stole my money, and she ran.”

I know this is a lie, but I pretend to buy into it. “I can imagine. It looks like you resorted to going through clothing donation boxes to put your outfit together.”

He looks down at himself, scowling. “Okay, big joke. Whatever. You don’t know me, and you don’t know what I went through with that girl. Here I was, thinking she might be dead or something.”

“Which is it? Did you come after her because she stole from you, or because you wanted to be sure she wasn’t dead or something?”

“Both. And I don’t have to explain myself to you.” He straightens out his jacket, which wasn’t very rumpled to begin with. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m leaving.” He turns toward the door, only to find my guys blocking the way.

“I’m afraid it’s not that easy. I can’t let you walk out of here.”

“And why not?” He glares at me over his shoulder. “I don’t owe you anything. And whatever she told you, it’s probably all a bunch of lies anyway. You can’t trust a person like that.”

“Right, because she did steal from you.”

“Exactly! I’m out with my buddies. I come home, and she’s gone.”