The Ravishing

“I can see you already regret it,” I tested his reaction.

His dark glare held mine and sent a shudder through me like he had physically shot me with a poisoned dart to stun me into silence.

Then he broke into a heart-stopping smile and it looked shockingly sexy on him. It made me wonder if I’d managed to break through his walls.

Until he unleashed the words, “Getting to know you is like putting your family beneath a magnifying glass.”

“I want to leave,” I said before I could stop myself.

He pushed to his feet. “Fine.”

Cassius was shutting down on me, which was not something I wanted to happen.

“You’re upset with me?” I reasoned. “Why?”

“Upset. No, that would mean I care. Spoiler alert. I don’t.” His words hit their intended mark, but I refused to show him that.

“You’re trying to break me down.” I glared up at him. “You can’t.”

He talked through gritted teeth. “I’m not trying to do anything to you. Other than contain your sorry ass.”

“Listen, you asshole, if I can survive a Russian winter as a child with a thin coat, I can survive you.” I snapped my mouth shut.

Oh, no. . .

I’d just given away I wasn’t born in New Orleans.

Pushing myself up, I tried to hide the terror crawling beneath my skin, like a thousand ants burrowing into flesh. I refused to look him in the eyes.

He snapped his hand out toward me to demonstrate I was to take it. Instead of asking me about my outburst, Cassius just led me out of Café Du Monde, and we trekked back to the car.

I’d just handed him the mother of all clues. Coming to this café had probably been him trying to lower my defenses and getting me to talk. As though sensing my regret, his hand wrapped tighter around mine to prevent me from trying to run.

“Let’s go home,” he said. “I’ve wasted enough time.”

Cassius

After discarding the gown on Anya’s bed, I set two cream boxes beside it, then stepped back to watch her reaction to what was clearly for Mardi Gras.

She was looking at me differently since I dropped my guard and allowed a moment of weakness on my part.

I’d told myself our kiss at Café Du Monde meant nothing, but ever since, I’d felt emotions I don’t want to think about coming at me too fast.

I’d fought and lost that battle.

I kissed her.

I pressed my lips to hers. Sunk into that delicious fucking feeling. Allowed my stone-heart to finally pump.

She deserved better.

The words crashed into me again and again.

A storm in the middle of a barren ocean, the kind that drags you under. It confused the hell out of me, because she was his daughter. His blood ran through her veins.

I’d made it my life’s work to destroy each and every one of them until their bloodline was wiped from the earth. Destined to take my time and make each death count.

I was supposed to be starting with her . . .

This woman who stood before me.

This woman who was not just a beauty but also a weapon, bashing down my walls.

Anya stared back at me, an intensity in those shimmering blue eyes.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she stepped forward and peeked inside one of the boxes. She pulled out the masquerade mask. “We’re going to Mardi Gras?”

“Yes.”

The disguise was needed for us to disappear into the crowd. We’d be able to move about the revelers unnoticed until I decided otherwise.

We’d fade into the background after it happened.

Vanish into the night.

I would leave another scar on that family.

What I’d planned may be fucked up, but I was still going to do it.

She lifted the lid to the other box and found a pair of shoes to match the dress.

“Get dressed.”

She ran her fingers over the gown. “You’re seriously expecting me to put this on?”

I ignored that and headed for the door.

“I’m not wearing this.”

Pivoting, I walked back toward her. “You will.” I left no room for objection.

“After all you’ve done, you think my mom’s still going to have a float at Mardi Gras?” She looked horrified. “Just carry on as normal? Like her daughter hasn’t been kidnapped?”

“She is.”

“How do you know? You’re lying.”

“One thing I’m not is a liar. Put it on.”

“You broke our special tradition,” she whispered to herself. “You’ve torn apart my family.”

“That’s the plan.” And from what my team could tell, her family continued their lives like she’d not left in those devastating circumstances. A cruel consequence that Anya was slowly discovering.

“Each year, I help Mom decorate the float. Instead of doing that this year, I’m here.”

“I know. Which is why I invited you.”

“Fine.” Defiance burned in her eyes as she pulled her T-shirt up and over her head and off. Unzipping her jeans, she slid them down her hips.

Gesturing my hand to stop her from going any further, I was fixed where I stood as though her defiance kept me hostage. “What are you doing?”