“Do you hear this asshole?” El Diablo asked Chains. “Tell him how many men I’ve killed.”
“Let’s not start a fucking pissing contest, ladies.” Chains scrubbed his hands over his face. “Just call him Xavier. It’s his given name.”
“Motherfucker.” Xavier whirled around, a handgun outstretched in his hand. “Why’d you tell him my name?”
“I’m not crazy about calling you El Diablo either. Save it for someone who gives a shit,” said Chains. “Now, Boss is sending us encrypted files, so check your emails. Shadow, keep your woman on a tight leash. They’ll be looki
ng for her, and they won’t ask questions first.”
“They should be after me, not her. I’m the one who killed their boss. I don’t want her in danger.”
“Too late for that, big boy.” Chains opened the driver’s side door. “We’ll all be sleeping with one eye open until this shit’s cleaned up.”
Shadow watched as the car drove off, leaving him alone in the darkness. He wanted to end this, but couldn’t do it on his own. There was a network that needed to be exposed—one by one. He planned to get things started tonight, knocking a couple threats off their list. He knew where two of the mark’s bodyguards were staying from his previous intel. Since he was no longer required to play nice and keep his distance, it was time to pay a visit.
He broke into the secure lobby, pistol whipped the lobby guard, and rode the elevator up to their suite on the twenty-second floor. As he walked down the long, quiet hallway, he attached a silencer to his handgun. The shotgun over his shoulder was a last resort.
When he arrived at the room, he heard activity inside, despite the late hour. He prepared himself, picked the lock, then burst into the suite. He aimed at the first man attempting to get out of his chair, shooting him in the chest. As he moved in closer, he added another bullet to the man’s head as he continued to scan the suite. After a clean sweep, he kicked open the bedroom door. Two naked whores screamed, struggling to get off the bed. The asshole tried to reach for a gun on the bedside table. Shadow shook his head.
“I need names.”
“You’ll kill me anyway, so fuck you.”
“Wrong answer.” Shadow shot him between the eyes, a spray of blood coloring the white sheets. He holstered his weapon and rummaged through the drawers for something he could use. It would have been a waste of time to interrogate the shit.
When he stood back up, one of the women cried out. “Please, we’ll do anything…”
He briefly glanced in their direction. “Not interested.”
As Shadow drove back home, he punched the dashboard, shaking out his fist afterward. He’d worked so hard to keep his home life and work separate. Just when it looked like he’d get a chance at a real life with Riley, the worlds became blurred. Now he had to worry about assassins showing up on his street or at Riley’s bakery. It was bullshit, and seemed he just couldn’t get a break in his fucked-up life.
The closer he got to his neighborhood, the more at ease he felt because he was closer to her. All he could think about was fucking her, claiming her again and again. He needed her. Tonight, he’d keep his hands to himself, no matter how difficult. The poor little thing been through a lot and needed to rest her body and mind. He wanted to make things better for her—and he would.
****
The first night Riley arrived at Shadow’s, she’d showered—the longest shower she’d ever had. It was a symbolic cleansing, allowing all the blood and death and fear to go down the drain. She thought she’d moved on from the nightmares of her past, but it all came rushing back to the surface as soon as she was forced to use her blade again.
That was four days ago.
Riley prided herself on being resilient. She’d had to be all her life. After a day or two she was level headed and felt in charge of her emotions once again. But Shadow continued to keep his distance. At first, she appreciated the fact, knowing he’d put his needs aside for her wellbeing. But four days, four days, of watching him walk around in just his jogging pants was a cruel and unusual punishment. Her body was ripe and wanton, memories of their one night together plaguing her thoughts.
Shadow had pull-up bars set up in his bedroom. She was forced to watch him do sets of pull-ups followed by a long series of push-ups several times a day. All she could think about was sex, and licking those glistening muscles. Why was he still holding back? Was he not attracted to her anymore? Did he judge her for killing that man?
Riley finished showering, only slipping on a pair of red lace panties. She’d had enough of waiting for Shadow to make a move. Her desperation combined with being cooped up for four days straight was driving her crazy. She walked into his bedroom, her breasts swaying as she moved. The cool air made her nipples tighten into firm buds. He glanced up at her from where he lounged on the bed with a stack of files. He’d been obsessed with finding all the people that wanted her dead.
He stared, his tongue wetting his lower lip, but the bastard didn’t react. Her confidence took a hit, and she wondered where things were going between them. They’d gotten so close the past few days, sharing intimate details about their lives, and she swore they were soul mates. The emotional intimacy had made her want him even more. She was so confused now.
Riley quickly tugged on her clothes, giving up on seducing Shadow.
“I want to go to my bakery,” she said, her words clipped.
“I already told you that’s not possible. Not yet.”
She frowned. “I just want to stop by and take a quick look. I only remember how it looked that day, and I can’t get the images out of my head. I want to see it without blood and a dead body on the floor.”
“I don’t know.”
“Listen, I haven’t left your house in days. I need fresh air. You’ll be with me, so I’ll be safe … right?”