to make certain Savannah hadn’t been a leak, a mole sent to simply gather information, was to strip her down to the very basics of the woman she was, taking away all her defenses.
And it was time to start.
I slid my glass onto the desk, taking my time to unfasten my holster, placing my weapon on the wooden surface. No one knew where I lived with the exception of my soldiers. At least I could take a certain amount of time necessary to get everything I needed. I’d broken many an enemy during my years, the experiences leaving me with a vile taste in my mouth. However, breaking an enemy was often necessary in order to obtain the truth.
I’d purchased the house almost ten years before, determined to make it a home. As if I was the kind of man to settle down. I realized the entire estate meant little to me. Maybe my brother was lucky, his carefree lifestyle and attitude becoming more appealing every day.
What had attracted me to the gothic and sweeping building dating back to the early nineteen hundreds had little to do with the medieval-style architecture or the acres of land allowing me privacy as well as security. What had fascinated me was the simple fact there’d been a dungeon in the basement, one complete with rusting shackles.
The previous owner had barely mentioned the area in passing, obviously fearful I would refuse to go through with the purchase. However, the lovely older couple hadn’t been the people utilizing the two rooms. I dared to think what the area had been used for decades before. Perhaps one day I should find out.
After a certain level of... renovation, I’d used the area twice out of necessity, the two traitors providing invaluable information.
Savannah would do the same.
I tore off my jacket, rolling up my sleeves as I walked down the long hallway, standing in front of the door leading to the basement for a full two minutes. She’d been in the dark for long enough. Hopefully she was ready to answer some questions.
If not, she would be punished.
As I walked down the stairs, I was forced to face two facts, and both would ultimately haunt me.
The monster still lived within, the beast threatening to surface, something I refused to allow to happen. Not now. Not in this way.
I would discipline her as necessary.
I would protect her against the enemy.
I would keep her as mine.
The second fact was even uglier, something that had never happened before. I’d fallen in love with the lovely American girl who’d snagged my heart and had already begun to fill my ugly, black soul.
Chapter Eleven
Savannah
Fear.
The dark ugliness had crawled inside of me, stripping me of any rational thoughts. I held my hands over my head as I struggled to process what had happened. I couldn’t believe what I’d seen, the horror of several men being shot in front of me. I could still hear the popping of the guns as they’d gone off, the hard thumps as bodies fell.
Shuddering, I rubbed my arms, listening for any sounds, half expecting there to be rats or other creatures slithering on the cold stone floor. There was nothing but a tremendous vacuum. I was Rafael’s prisoner because of what I’d seen.
I couldn’t believe how dangerous he was, the lengths he would go to in order to get his way. I bit back a nervous laugh. I should have followed my instincts, refusing to go to his beach house. Refusing his incredible seduction. Refusing to... want more.
I refused the tears that threatened to come, trying my best to shut down all emotions. I’d been used, but to what purpose? To buy time?
I had no idea what was in store for my future, but one thing was certain. The gorgeous Spaniard with the velveteen voice and chiseled body believed I harbored some kind of information. I was no fool. I’d been around the block enough to realize there were scores of criminal families even in such a beautiful country. Mafia.
I’d read the news since my early teens. I’d seen pictures through the years. Organized crime was everywhere. That was the only explanation, the murders an actual hit on some enemy. If Rafael truly believed I’d been a mole, then my life would end quickly.
The murders were too fresh in my mind. I could see the faces, men who didn’t seem like anything but guys out for a good time. A single tear slipped past my lashes, the cold chill