“Andrew?” I call. “Gerard?”
No answer. Something about the way my voice echoes in the empty house is starting to give me the chills. I walk faster now, practically jogging, all the way back to the garage. But when I wrench open the door, it’s empty too. No cars; not Gerard’s or Andrew’s, or even Dad’s Corvette.
I back away from the door, my stomach curling. Something is wrong.
There’s a sharp buzz, and I let out a yelp. Then I laugh, my heart still pounding, trying to relax.
The doorbell.
Gerard probably just went to look for me and got locked out, that’s all. Or maybe they went to run an errand and my taxi finally arrived.
Shaking my head, internally chiding myself for getting spooked so easily, I hurry back through the long hallways of the house to the front door.
“What happened?” I ask as I fling it open, expecting Gerard’s smiling face.
Instead, I’m greeted by a stranger.
He’s tall, almost a head taller than me, with muscles visible through his tight black T-shirt—not the bulky, bulging kind, but the lean, trim muscles of someone who’s strong by necessity, not choice. His pale blue eyes catch my attention immediately, even with how distractingly handsome the rest of his face is. There’s something familiar about those eyes… About the way he smiles, slow and dangerous, and his gaze tracks down my body. Bold and possessive, like he knows he can get away with it.
I take a step back into the foyer. “Can I help you?” I ask, remembering where we are. Remembering there’s nobody else in this house and this guy does not look like a cab driver.
He laughs, a low, cruel sound that sends another shiver down my spine, sharper this time. “You can help me by coming quietly to my car,” he says. “But if you want to fight, that’s fine with me too.”
Adrenaline shoots through my veins, and I back away another step, raising my voice. “Gerard!” I shout. “We have a guest.” I try to keep my voice steady, act like I’m not terrified. Act like there’s someone else here who could come to help me at any moment.
But the man just laughs again, in a knowing way that chills my blood. “No one is coming to help you. Everyone knows that it’s finally time for Calvin Badiary to pay the price for his wicked ways.”
I freeze halfway to the staircase. Take him in again, slower this time. Those cut-glass cheekbones, the dark stubble across his strong jawline. The fire in his deceptively ice-cool eyes.
I know this man.
Five years ago, he saved my life. Five years ago, he rescued me, and then scared me half to death.
Five years ago, I spent the better part of a summer dreaming of this man every night. When I first slid my hand down my panties and started to explore myself, learning just how good it could feel, he’s the one who drifted into my fantasies every time. In those fantasies, though, he didn’t leave me alone in that dark alley. In my fantasies, he pushed me up against the wall and took what he wanted. He claimed me as his prize, and I loved every second of it.
My face flushes, and he lifts his eyebrows, noticing.
I shake my head to snap out of it. “You need to leave,” I say, putting on my best haughty rich-girl voice, a tone I’ve perfected over the years.
“If you don’t come willingly, I have no problem throwing you over my shoulder and dragging you out of here,” he replies, his voice level and unconcerned. Like we’re talking about the weather or a casual stroll. Not him showing up at my father’s house to try and kidnap me.
“Like hell you will.” I spin on my heel then, my brain already racing. I can sprint to the kitchen, grab the phone and dial the police. Maybe by the time they come, Gerard or Andrew will have returned too.
But before I can make it even a few steps down the hall, a firm hand closes around my wrist and yanks me backward.
“You’re coming with me, Pamona,” he growls, his breath hot against my cheek as he pulls me against him. The moment our bodies touch, a flush spreads across my face. His hand is gripping my wrist hard enough to hurt, but I can’t help the way my heart rate speeds up and my breath goes shallow with desire. I want him just as much as I hate him right now.