Alluring - Suzanne Steele Page 0,11

to live together. Calix had a house that was more like a multimillion-dollar mansion—complete with a mother-in-law quarters where his mother lived. Calix had remodeled the basement, complete with a kitchen and master bathroom fit to be in a five-star hotel. He had moved from the home they were living in and purchased a new one on ten acres of secluded property. She wouldn’t be shocked if it was part of his plan to move her and Saint in. She’d been around the man long enough to know he never did anything without having a reason. He was calculating, and his reputation for being able to outmaneuver his enemies kept even the most dangerous of cartel from crossing him. His mother had bonded with Saint, and Rum adored his little brother Junior. It made her feel safer, knowing she wouldn’t have to endure Calix’s intense personality alone. She couldn’t imagine being subjected to his obsession with her alone. His family would help to take the edge off Calix’s razor-sharp scrutiny of her. He watched her as if he feared she would bolt and run, and sometimes she felt like she wanted to.

Calix had taken her under his wing after the incident with Maury. It didn’t matter how much she resisted. Calix had a way of inserting his way into her life. It didn’t help that Saint was crazy about him. She still hadn’t figured out why he had such an allegiance to protect them. She might never figure it out because Calix was a complicated man on a good day. She didn’t even want to think about a bad one. She wasn’t a woman who believed in fate or luck. The words people used when they couldn’t find the answers to life’s ironies. All the things people can’t wrap their brains around when life pulls out the rug and leaves you in a heap of disbelief. Those minutes when one decision nullified everything you thought you believed. Decisions made by some asshole you didn’t even know. A villain who came into your life and ripped it apart with no remorse—a soulless monster who enjoyed seeing others torn apart inside and out, all so they could be entertained. Sick fucks who played on the system by telling anyone who would listen that they were rehabilitated. Wolves who would tear and rip up again, and again. Because like animals, it’s in their nature, and no amount of rehabilitation would change that. People who didn’t deserve to live. People like Maury.

Chapter Six

Calix handed the baby to Rum and turned without a word. He was glad he’d worn his shit-kicking biker boots today because he had business to tend to. He turned and spoke over his shoulder as she watched him from the doorway, “Have the boys load the box I brought with your other stuff. I don’t want you lifting it.” His eyes bored through her, holding her to the spot she felt like her feet were glued to. He waited until she nodded before he continued walking down the hallway. He acted like he was going to his car until her door closed. When he was sure she was back in her apartment, he trotted up the stairs two at a time.

When he banged his fist on the landlord’s door, it sounded more like the police than a tenant. He could hear the drunk bastard cussing before he ever opened the door.

The landlord’s eyes bulged in fear when Calix pushed past him and slammed him into the opposite wall. When the beer he was holding sloshed onto Calix’s long-sleeved T-shirt, it pissed him off. Calix’s lip spread across his teeth in a feral smile, only enhancing his ominous expression. He was here for blood.

The offender never saw the fist of fury coming, but he did feel the agonizing pain of the blow when it connected with stained teeth, one of which bounced off the dirty flooring.

When the man dropped to the floor, Calix placed a boot on his neck and put enough pressure to make him wonder if he was going to finish him off by crushing his windpipe.

“You stay the fuck away from my woman. Rum’s paid up as far as you’re concerned. If you ever try to threaten her again…, I’ll kill ya” Calix snickered, “If I were you, I wouldn’t try to shake your head, yeah, you’re already missing a tooth dickwad. I’d love nothing more than to crush your windpipe under these shitkickers I purposely wore. Don’t ever