I snatch a glance at the clock and it’s almost time for her father to come back. Damn it. I push my hearing outside, and sure enough, firm steps are sounding.
“I think someone’s coming up the stairs,” I whisper, although I know Belial could most assuredly hear me if he wanted to listen. I kiss the tender spot under her ear. She smells fresh and clean from her shower.
“No,” she says bravely. “Not yet.” She clings to my shoulders and arches her hips up to mine, and she feels so bloody good. I grind into her body one last time, and my head is spinning with desire for more.
Belial pounds on the door and we both go still. We’re panting like mad. Nothing like a dose of your girlfriend’s father to douse the kindled fires. Anna giggles in a very mischievous way and I grin.
My lovely little vixen.
Belial knocks again and Anna frowns. “I don’t want to say good-bye.”
“Then don’t,” I tell her.
“Hurry it up,” Belial shouts through the door.
Anna looks sad now, so I pull her up, taking her face in my hands.
“All right, gorgeous. No good-byes. I’ll talk to you soon.” I press my lips to hers one last time.
Belial groans against the door. “Oh, for the love of—”
“Hush, Daddy,” Anna says. She puts her hands over mine, which still cradle her face, and her eyes flutter closed. “All right. We’ll talk soon.”
I peck her lips one last time and hand her over to her father. I stand in the doorway as they head downstairs. That awful feeling of being left behind weighs me down. I have to trust that she’ll be safe in Belial’s care, and wherever he chooses for her to live now.
For the first time ever, when Anna walks away from me, she actually turns and looks back with a smile. That’s how I know this time will be different. I lift a hand, and though I miss her like mad already, I feel stronger than I ever have.
We’re stronger together than when we’re apart. It’s a state of mind. Just knowing she loves me, and she’s secure in my love for her, makes me feel bloody invincible. I feel as if I’ve been given a second chance at life, and I’m grateful.
Yes, this time will be different, because this time, I am alive.
PART THREE
SWEET RECKONING
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Most Important Job
“Everyone’s got to face down the demons
Maybe today, you could put the past away.”
—“Jumper” by Third Eye Blind
The Dukes don’t waste any time. They’re after Anna already, and it’s only been a few days since they discovered there are traitors in their midst, since they killed Flynn. Now I’ve learned from Anna that Father’s sent someone to rifle through her dirty laundry so he can get his hands on her knickers—he’s determined to find out if she’s still a virgin.
Dodgy bastard.
It’s been days since I heard from her, and I’m beginning to feel edgy. My heart leaps when my mobile dings, but it’s a text from Blake.
My pops is going thru the changing of the guard. China.
He must be jubilant. To the world it will look as though his father died of a heart attack, leaving his mansion to Blake. In reality, Duke Melchom’s spirit will be roaming his new duty station of China, searching for a new body to inhabit.
And I’m engaged.
I cringe at this. Should I send my condolences? My mobile rings and I assume it’s Blake until I see Father’s name. Great. I hesitate, but I can’t not answer.
“Hallo.”
His voice is posh, bored, and all business. “You’re needed in Atlanta straightaway. I’ve sent my jet to L.A. It will arrive in four hours and you are to be there, ready.”
I want to ask what this is about. If it’s a job for Marissa or something else. But I don’t dare. For all I know he could be suspicious of me already.
“Yes, sir,” I say.
He hangs up without another word, and my stomach sours. I immediately want to contact Anna or the others, but it’s too dangerous. If they’ve found a way to hack her phone, we’re screwed. If he’s calling to ask me to work, he’s out of luck. That’s never happening again.
I text Belial with the code we’d agreed on for when my father calls. K-611
I grab my bag and begin readying for the trip, wishing my knives could make it past security. I’ll need to stop and buy one when I get there.