talk. It’s clearly a way of life to you and there are obviously other families besides yours that are capable.”
“Mariko is from Japan. Her family, on her father’s side, were legendary riders. They’re all gone now, but she’s a strong rider.”
The grip grief had on him was lessening and he turned back to her. “I know Eloisa is harsh and can be as cold as ice. She shreds people and she must have done so to you when you tried working with her, but she saves her best work for us.”
Her hand cupped the side of his face and she leaned down. He kissed her. Her mouth was everything he needed. Hot and wild. Tantalizing. That elusive, incredible taste he was addicted to. She transported him instantly into a world of sensation, of feeling, every cell in his body alive. Electricity arced between them, little strikes crackling against his skin, spreading flames over him. Dark, erotic images filled his mind as a dark erotic taste filled his mouth. Heat spread throughout his body, fire burning down his spine and roaring like an inferno in his belly.
She continued cupping his face gently in her hands. He simply pulled her from the chair right onto the floor with him, kissing her over and over. She was . . . salvation. Everything good. She lit up a room just as she lit up his life.
Grace did what she always did when he kissed her—she gave herself to him. Surrendered completely. His hands moved over her body, claiming everywhere he touched and she arched her back, giving him full access to any part of her he claimed. She took away sorrow and anger, replacing it with acceptance and love.
Vittorio kissed his way down her throat to the swell of her breast before lifting his head. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Grace cuddled into him like the kitten he often called her. He loved when she did that, when she stayed close to him.
“Tell me what happens when Stefano is given the report on the criminal and petitioner,” she urged.
He knew it was important she know every detail. She had to accept their way of life, or he would have to give her up. Their shadows were tangled already, so much so he knew if she didn’t accept him and they had to be untangled, he would never be a rider again. She wouldn’t remember him or their relationship. This was the most dangerous moment of all to him, but Vittorio knew he had no choice. He kept his arms around her, holding her to him, as if he could physically keep her.
“Stefano would turn the reports over to our cousins in New York or the ones in Los Angeles. We don’t work in our own cities as a rule. There can be no ties back to our family. That’s for the protection of everyone. Obviously, it doesn’t always work that way, but for the most part, we’re careful never to have anything personal touch us.”
“I still don’t really understand.”
“If we’re called to go to New York, two of us very publicly board our private plane. A third will ride the shadows so there is no evidence of him or her ever leaving the city. The two in plain sight make certain the paparazzi take multiple pictures. Cousins meet us at the airport and escort us to some club where we party hard in front of the media. More pictures. Pictures with the cousins are taken.”
“You set up alibis.” Grace rubbed her face on his chest and then pressed her ear over his heart. “That’s why you’re always in the tabloids, you make certain you’re seen.”
“Exactly. No one would ever suspect us and if they did, we’re in plain sight. Nothing to hide. It works very well.”
Grace was silent for a very long time, staring into the fireplace. She leaned up against his chest, her head resting on the heavy muscles there, the silk of her hair sliding over his skin. It was impossible for his cock not to react to her when he was already naked, and she was in leather and lace. Her buttocks were bare and his erection immediately found the crease between her cheeks, nestling there, while his arms surrounded her, hands beneath her breasts.
“If I had come to you about Haydon, what would happen to him?”
“Once we had ascertained he was in fact a serial killer and the law couldn’t touch him and we found him, a rider