Luck of the Devil

by March, Meghan

  “The others?” I ask her.

  “In place or will be shortly, as you requested, sir.”

  Indy frowns at me, looking as if she has a hundred questions swirling in her brain. “What’s happening?”

  “Nothing. We’re just making sure the building is locked down, and we see everything and everyone coming and going tonight.”

  “Do you think someone will try to come back tonight?” Indy asks, concern once again lining her forehead.

  “I don’t know what they plan to do, but there’s no question that Alanna and your sister are completely safe.” I grip her hand and squeeze.

  What I don’t tell her is that my security detail isn’t only watching her sister and Alanna. They’re also there to watch Koba.

  As much as it pains me to distrust one of my own, especially someone whose loyalty I believed was unquestionable, I’m not taking any more chances. Koba was on duty when Indy got slashed and purse-snatched in Saint-Tropez, and when Bastien grabbed Indy off the dock. And now tonight, with him letting that fucker Alfie Littleton, someone with connections to de Vere, get away . . . it’s all too convenient, and I don’t believe in coincidences.

  If I have a traitor within my organization, I will find out and I’ll deal with him accordingly. When I’m done, whatever de Vere’s paying him won’t have been enough, because the price of betrayal will be his life.

  “Are you ready to depart, sir?” Dorsey asks, waving to one of the nondescript black sedans I keep on the island.

  “Yes, we’re ready.”

  She loads the suitcase into the sedan, and I keep an eye out for cops who might have been conveniently tipped off and ready to strike. I have enough of the department on my payroll that it shouldn’t be an issue, but I’m not taking any chances.

  I open the back door for Indy and wait until Dorsey closes the trunk to slide inside.

  “De Vere is behind this. I don’t know what the fuck his angle is right now, but he’s changed tactics.”

  “He was in Mallorca last night,” Indy says as Dorsey starts the car, and I wonder why it took her so long to tell me.

  “I know. Bates reported in. Belevich was there as well.”

  She presses back into the seat and sharpens her gaze on me. “I should’ve figured you already knew. Did they tell you he only approached me once and then backed off?”

  I incline my head. “But he watched you all night. They weren’t able to identify who he was calling, though.”

  “Do you think it’s possible he set this all up?” she asks as Dorsey drives us to the quay.

  “It’s possible. De Vere isn’t stupid, and if he wanted to cause trouble, this was a good enough plan. Even if it was sloppily executed.”

  “Did Batman tell you about what Belevich said? That he knew about my sister’s kidnapping?”

  “Batman?” I ask as Dorsey slows the car at the quay where Goliath waits by the boat.

  “Sorry, Bates. Batman is easier to remember, though. He’s got that Bruce Wayne aura about him in a suit.”

  I raise an eyebrow as a blush rises on her cheeks. “Is that right?”

  “Anyway, that’s not the point. Did he tell you what Belevich said?”

  “No, but you should’ve.”

  She glances down. “Sorry, I was a bit distracted. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.”

  Indy quickly runs down everything the Russian told her, and I agree with her—we have to find out where he’s getting his information. I have one guess, and I don’t want to voice it right now. The last topic I want to discuss is Indy’s father. Tomorrow morning, though . . . the man will be hearing from me.

  Dorsey opens Indy’s door and she climbs out. I push open my own and step out of the car.

  “Hey there, high roller. You looking for more company tonight?”

  Two women wearing short dresses and sky-high heels stroll toward me.

  Indy’s breath catches, and I’m sure she’s thinking of the two girls who ran from the apartment.

  “Sorry, ladies. We’re not interested.”

  The bolder one of the pair struts forward until her hand brushes my arm. “But you look like you’d be a real fun time.”

  “We’re good,” Indy says. “Thanks, though.”

  “You sure?” the girl asks her. “He looks like a lot of man to handle. We can help.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of handling my husband.” Indy emphasizes the word as she wraps herself around me, twining her fingers into mine. It’s impossible to miss the jealousy in her tone, and I can’t deny the satisfaction it gives me.

  I squeeze her hand. “I’ve got all the woman I need right here, ladies. Better luck elsewhere.”

  They pout but back off. Indy doesn’t release me, though. She keeps a tight grip on me as we reach Goliath and the boat.

  “I don’t share,” she says under her breath. “And that includes with women you have to pay for.”

  I stare down at her face, still gorgeous, even if her lips are pressed into a hard line. “We’ve covered this ground before, and I was being completely honest. You’re everything I need.”

  42

  India

  Brick by brick, the wall around my heart is crumbling. I can’t build it back up quickly enough to protect myself from the jealousy that ripped through me at the thought of Jericho taking up either or both of those women on their offer.

  This isn’t something I’ve ever felt before, as irrational as it was. Well, except when it came to Juliette . . .

  But the green-eyed monster that clawed its way out of my gut this time was even stronger. Because I’m feeling things I shouldn’t feel.

  I shouldn’t care what or who Forge does. But I do care, desperately. And the way he rushed to Alanna’s rescue and handled everything . . . If I were capable of swooning in such a situation, I would have.

  Which puts me in a very precarious position, watching the walls I’ve tended so faithfully turn to dust. Once they’re gone, there’s nothing to protect me from tumbling headfirst in love with this man, which would absolutely be the most idiotic thing I could do, because I already told him I want a divorce.

  The salt spray off the ocean should help clear my head as we make our way back to Isla del Cielo, but it doesn’t do the trick. When we dock and Forge helps me out of the boat, I’m still a complete mess. I don’t know whether I want to pull away or hold on tighter. My instincts are going haywire, and I don’t know what the right answer is anymore.

  Who would have thought this would be my problem?

  I pull my hand free of his as we walk toward the villa, even though I don’t want to. I have to. I need to put some space between us after this whirlwind of a night so I can sort out how I’m feeling and find some solid ground. My emotions are running too high right now, and I’m not sure I want to face them.

  “I’m going to shower and get ready for bed. I’m beat.” I toss the words over my shoulder and attempt to make my escape, but Forge snags my hand again.

  “What’s wrong?” The lines around his eyes deepen as he studies me.

  “Nothing,” I say, but it sounds like a lie, even to myself. I tug at his hand, but he tightens his grip and forces me to a halt.

  “When a woman says nothing is wrong, something is generally very wrong . . . Is this about de Vere and what he did tonight?” My husband’s voice takes on a sharper tone when he says Bastien’s name.

  “What? No. Of course not.” At least that much of my answer is honest, because until this moment, I haven’t thought about Bastien’s next level of attempted betrayal. But now that I am, a tidal wave of emotion swamps me.

  Bastien sent people to destroy Alanna’s flat. He tried to get me arrested for drug trafficking. He’s trying to destroy me because I’m linked to Jericho, and there’s nothing I can do about any of it.

  “What is it then?” The pale light from the moon glints off Jericho’s messy black hair, and I can’t bring myself to meet his eyes. He’ll see right through me.


  I tug my fingers out of his grip and cover my face with both hands. “I don’t know. I need some time and space to figure out what the fuck is going on, because I sure as hell don’t know how to process all of this. It’s too much. I don’t even recognize my life anymore. It’s all just too fucking much!”

  My voice sounds ragged and tears burn my eyes. I’m not going to cry in front of him. I’m not going to break down again.

  I take two steps to escape, my lungs heaving as I suck in breath after breath, making my head spin, but Jericho’s hands land on either side of my waist and he pulls me back against him, then wraps his hands over my stomach.

  “Let me go!” I shove at his hands, even though part of me feels steadier in his arms.

  “I won’t let you go, Indy. Not like this.”

  My hands drop lifelessly and I stand still, as if I’m afraid to move because I’ll shatter into a hundred pieces like my life has, and I’ll never be able to put myself back together again.

  Jericho closes his arms tighter around me, pulling my back to his front until the heat radiating off his body warms my skin. With his chin pressing against the top of my head, he speaks in a calming tone.

  “I know you’ve had to shoulder everything yourself for a long time. But you’re not alone anymore, and you don’t have to hold it all in because you’re afraid the people who rely on you can’t handle the truth. I’m here, and I’m strong enough to carry every burden weighing you down. If you’d just fucking trust me, you’d know that I’ve got you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your sister or Alanna. I’ll keep you all safe. I swear.”

  He has no idea how seductive those words are to a girl like me. Someone who has never had someone to lean on without being afraid I might break them too.

  I steady my breathing and take two slow, deep breaths.

  “That’s right. Just breathe.”

  I want to believe him. I want to let go of all the craziness swirling in my head. All the worries and fears and insane theories. I just want to let it all go for one fucking night.

  One heartbeat at a time, I relax into the curve of his body, soaking up his heat and strength. Part of my mind is protesting that I shouldn’t get used to this.

  “I feel like my life isn’t my own anymore,” I confess on another ragged breath. “I don’t even fucking recognize it. It’s like I’m standing on the edge of a cliff, and everything is crumbling beneath me.”

  Forge’s arms wrap around me even tighter. “I’m not going to let you fall. We’re going to take this one day at a time, okay?”

  One day at a time.

  God, that sounds amazing. I could just soak up this moment, let him take my troubles away, and not worry about every little thing that could possibly happen next. If I don’t try, I’ll drive myself insane.

  I take another deep breath and picture myself exhaling all the stress and pressure. With Forge’s arms wrapped around me, I feel lighter than I did a moment before. I try it again and again, and with each breath, I pull myself together. My edges are still tattered, but I’m not in danger of shattering right now.

  “Thank you. I think I’m good.” I straighten, but he doesn’t let go.

  “I know what you need.”

  I turn to glance over my shoulder and up at his face. “A hot shower and some sleep?”

  “Almost. Come with me.”

  I lose his arms, and a chill takes their place. I’m not too proud to admit that I don’t like it. He takes my hand instead and leads me into the villa and his bedroom.

  Instead of stripping or going into the bathroom to turn on the shower, he goes to the far side of the room and pushes the curtain back to reveal floor-to-ceiling glass doors. He slides one open and disappears outside.

  A moment later, water splashes into something, and I move toward the noise. “What’s that?”

  “An outdoor tub. You’ll have plenty of privacy. You can soak and just . . . rest.”

  I follow his voice and peek beyond the billowing curtain to see him leaning over a tub and testing the temperature.

  Jericho Forge is running me a bath?

  It seems so completely out of character, but then again . . . lately I feel like I don’t have a solid grip on this enigma of a man.

  “A bath?”

  He straightens, and the sound of running water continues. “I’ll get you a robe and a towel. It shouldn’t be too hot, but you can adjust it.”

  I track him as he walks by me and back into the master bathroom before I turn around to survey this hidden gem. A small wall wraps around the outdoor lounge space, high enough to give some privacy for the tub, but it still allows a view of the sea beyond from the chairs. A small table sits between them, and on it rests a stubbed-out cigar in a crystal ashtray.

  He sits out here at night? I had no idea he knew how to relax. Apparently, there’s a lot I still need to learn about Jericho Forge.

  He returns with a towel and a robe. “How’s the water?”

  I shake off my momentary stupor and reach over to put my hand under one of the three faucets. “Perfect.”

  He nods. “It’ll fill quickly. There’s a remote for the jets, and even some color-changing lights built in if you want to get crazy.”

  “I think I’ll pass on the lights tonight,” I say, and my voice doesn’t sound as desperate as it did before. Maybe he’s right. Maybe this is exactly what I need.

  Forge hangs the robe and towel on a hook and disappears inside again. I check the water level in the tub and decide it’s deep enough, then quickly strip off my heels and dress before climbing in. The warm water covers my legs and comes almost up to my belly button already.

  Absolute heaven. I close my eyes and lean my head back as it continues to fill.

  “I’ve got some—”

  My eyes spring open at the sound of his voice.

  Forge’s broad shoulders fill the doorway and his white linen shirt hangs completely open, revealing his sculpted chest and the rippling muscles of his torso. Tan linen pants hang off his narrow hips, and I drag my gaze back up to his smoldering one.

  My first instinct is to cover myself, but he’s already seen every bit of me. Hell, he’s touched it all too. And I want him to touch me again.

  “I didn’t realize you were already . . .” He speaks slowly, as if choosing his words carefully before he trails off.

  “It’s fine,” I say, squeezing my thighs together. “What did you have?”

  He holds out the bottle. “Bath salts. I’ve never used them, but I thought you might like them.”

  The tough-as-nails pirate of a CEO has bath salts in his cabinet . . . and he brought them out for me. I don’t know why his thoughtfulness should affect me so much, but it does.

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. All of this, actually. And tonight, rushing to Alanna’s rescue.”

  He shakes his head, his dark locks catching on his collar as he steps forward. “It was nothing.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. It wasn’t nothing. It was everything. Thank you, Jericho.”

  “You’re welcome,” he says, the words clipped as he hands the jar to me. “Do you need anything else before I go?”

  One day at a time, I remind myself. One day at a time. So, why not end today the way I want and let the chips fall where they may tomorrow?

  “Yes.”

  “What?”

  “Will you join me?”

  43

  Forge

  I can’t say no to her. Not when her tanned skin is washed in the glow of moonlight, making her look like a goddess reclining in her bath. And definitely not after I felt her tremble in my arms earlier, and I would have promised her anything to get her to stop.

  I meant what I said. I can shoulder her burdens. They’re nothing compared to the weight I’ve carried all these years.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Please.”

  Fuck. Hearing that word on her lips kills me. I have to count down from a hundred as
I strip off my shirt and pants to try to keep my dick from rising the way it wants to.

  While I gave her privacy to undress, she doesn’t do the same. No, she watches my every movement.

  I’ve always kept my body strong, toned, and fit so there was no job I couldn’t tackle aboard ship, and the discipline and routine it took became part of my life. It was never to get women—because that was never a problem—but now I’m grateful that Indy likes what she sees.

  She scoots forward in the water, one arm lifting to cover her breasts, and I step into the tub behind her. It’s big enough for four people, but I’ve only used it once, when I was nursing bruised ribs from intervening in a fight.

  I sit down and lean against the curved back edge. My weight causes the level of the water to rise. Indy scoots back between my spread legs, and like it’s the most natural thing in the world, I slide an arm beneath her breasts and pull her closer.

  “Lean back. Just rest.”

  Her stiff posture relaxes as she follows my orders. Together, we watch the stars twinkle in the sky and the moon reflect on the rippling surface of the Mediterranean.

  When the tub is full, I turn off the water and reach for the remote to engage the jets.

  “Whoa!” Indy bounces up onto my lap as bubbles fill the water.

  “I can turn them off.”

  “No, I just wasn’t ready. It’s nice. This is all . . . really nice.” She leans back against me again, and I thread my fingers through hers.

  “I agree.”

  Several moments of silence pass. I let my mind wander, and of course it goes right to the woman reclined against me. My own frame relaxes in the water, and a feeling of contentment unlike anything I’ve ever experienced settles over me. This is more than nice. It’s . . . a revelation.

  This could be my future.

  The picture becomes more vivid in my mind. Indy. Me. Building a life together. Hell, if she’s pregnant, we could already be heading in that direction. She’s never known peace and security like I could give her. I’ve never given much thought to settling down or having priorities other than my business, but that’s changed too. All because of the woman in my arms.