When she leaves the office, I get up and walk towards the windows. The ocean is dark, filtered only by little pockets of waves. I’ve always loved the sea at night. The shifting darkness speaks to me.
So many missing people out in that darkness. Drago. Aisling’s family. Countless other women who’ve been ripped from their homes by men like Giorgio Lombardi. I’ve made it my job in this world to comb through the shadows, find those women, return them where they belong. But I’m starting to think that the darkness is infecting me. Burrowing its way inside, to a place where I can’t get it back out again.
And if the darkness swallows me up… who will come search through it for me?
* * *
Still wired by the events of the day, I change into sweats and head down to the beach for a run. The salt air fills my lungs as I start off jogging down the shore. The moon hangs precariously in the sky, partially hidden by a bunch of grey-blue clouds.
I consider wading out and swimming until my muscles burn. The waves are strong, but then, I’m a strong swimmer. I decide not to, though. Not tonight.
Tonight, my mind is too distracted by the dark-haired beauty lying on the cold floor of my basement cell.
I’m not entirely comfortable leaving her there. But a lesson needs to be taught. I have to meet her fire with strength. Otherwise, she’ll never respect me. Her stubbornness is as irritating as it is impressive.
My cock stiffens slightly, despite the bite in the air. I should leave her in the fucking cell for a few more days until she starts begging for food. I should stay away from her. Make her feel as though I’ve forgotten her entirely.
But I’m not sure my will is that strong.
In the end, I cut my jog short and head back into the house. The plan is to go straight to bed and get some much-needed sleep, but I find myself changing course and heading down to the basement instead.
I don’t know why, but the woman calls to me like a fucking siren.
There was only one woman I’ve spent significant time and energy on in the past. One woman. And even that had not felt like this.
All is quiet when I enter the cold basement. I walk over to her cell and slide the partition open. It takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the light, but then I see her. She’s curled up in one corner of the cell. Resting her head on her hands with her knees drawn up into a fetal position. She’s still wearing the sheer nude dress I’d picked for her. It doesn’t exactly provide very much coverage.
Every so often, her body shivers as though there’s an independent breeze fluttering around her cell. Her eyelashes flutter slightly and I realize she’s probably dreaming again.
I’ve been plagued by dreams for most of my life. I know firsthand how unwelcome they can be.
I clench my jaw. I should leave her here for a few more days. If she were anyone else, I would. But there’s just something about this fucking woman.
I can’t stay away.
I can’t resist.
Even when I can feel the danger hurtling towards us both.