Den Of Desire

by Shauna Hart

  “Look, Dan, whatever you're thinking about doing, don't. Joe will be home soon,” she informed him, hoping that he would relent.

  He let out a howl of laughter that was anything but normal. Taking a step forward, he reached out to stroke her cheek. “We don't have to worry about him. I've made sure that he will be tied up for the rest of the night.”

  Her eyes narrowed, her chest constricting in fear. “If you've done something to him...”

  He shook his head. “Don't worry. He's not the one I want,” he reminded her grimly.

  The truth of the statement was there in his eyes. In his sick mind, she was the one who had wronged him, and she would be the one to pay the price. At least she could take comfort in knowing that Joe wouldn't be hurt because of her stupid mistakes.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

  He turned, his gaze immediately finding the pink bag from the lingerie store. He walked over to it, lifting the edge to look inside.

  “I have to admit that I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to think that the person I knew could sink to such a low. Then I thought maybe you were trying to make me jealous.”

  Gathering her resolve, she responded, “What I do with my life has nothing to do with you.”

  She couldn't stop the fear from racing up her spine, but she would be damned if he thought that she had any thoughts of him. He could do what he wanted with her tonight, but he would do it with the knowledge that she was in love with another man.

  His gaze took in the silk robe before moving over her trim figure.

  Her stomach rolled at his appraisal.

  “That's where you're wrong.”

  He crossed the room to stand before her. He reached out for her, but she evaded his grasp.

  “Damn it, Mara! It's over! The game you've been playing is going to end tonight.”

  She tried to dart around him, but he grabbed her around the waist.

  “You're coming with me so we can finish this once and for all.”

  She struggled against his hold, but he was too strong. She kicked at his shins, but he dodged the blows. Furious, she threw her elbow back as hard as she could, feeling triumphant when it connected with his midsection.

  He grunted, his arms losing their strength.

  She moved away from him as quickly as she could.

  Before she could get around him, he backhanded her. The blow knocked her across the room where she huddled on the floor, stunned by the impact. Tears slid down her cheeks.

  “Why?” she asked, her voice hoarse.

  He grabbed the rope as he walked toward her, holding it up menacingly. “Because you're mine! You always will be.”

  He is crazy!

  The look in his eyes confirmed it.

  She had no doubt that whatever he planned for her would be slow torture. Unable to think of anything else, she tried reason.

  “Dan, you don't want me. You didn't even want me when we were together. Think about Crystal,” she pleaded.

  He let out a snort of laughter. “Crystal is nothing but a slut. She deserved what she got,” he said more to himself than to her.

  A chill crept up her spine. “What did you do to her?”

  He bent down before her, one eyebrow arched. “I gave her a chance. She thought she could sneak around behind my back. Just like you. Acting like a whore in front of everyone. She won't make that mistake again.”

  He reached for her legs, but she kicked him frantically. A low growl escaped his throat as he threw himself at her. She felt his fingers close around her neck, his weight pinning her down.

  “Don't push me, bitch!” he spat out, his face so close to hers she felt nauseous.

  He hauled her to her feet, causing her robe to fall open. When he saw her attire, he snarled.

  “You really have turned into a slut, haven't you?” His fingers bit into her arms. “Well, that will change now. I'll show you what happens to stupid little whores who try to leave.”

  He began dragging her across the floor, her feet sticking to the hard wood.

  “Dan, you don't want to do this. The police know that you've been stalking me. They'll find you!” she screamed, trying to appeal to his sense of self-preservation.

  He turned to stare at her, a cruel smile twisting his mouth. “No one knows about me. Not even your precious Joe Gates, unless you've been giving him some bedtime confessions?” he challenged.

  Color crept into her cheeks.

  He smiled. “I didn't think so.”

  He was right.

  No one knew about him.

  And no one would suspect that he was the one stalking her.

  He had planned her demise perfectly.

  And there was no way out.

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  * * *

  Chapter 26

  With all of her strength, she tried to break free. But her struggles were useless as he pulled her across the room. When they reached the door, she tried to hold onto the doorjamb, but he was too strong. He pried her fingers away with little effort.

  “Come on, Mara. We have to hurry. We wouldn't want anything to spoil our little reunion.”

  Her stomach rolled at the thought of what he had in store for her. Her eyes widened. They were almost to the top of the stairs. As soon as they left the house, she knew it would be all over.

  Suddenly, she heard the door open below.

  “Mara!”

  His voice sounded like the call of a thousand angels. But as quickly as relief spread through her, a new fear pierced her heart. She was the one who had been stupid enough to believe that Dan was decent. For that, she was willing to give up her life. But she wouldn't lose Joe.

  She couldn't.

  Dan turned to face her, an evil grin easing across his mouth. Reaching behind him, he withdrew a large knife. It glinted in the light.

  “I guess I get to have a little fun before we leave,” he said.

  She couldn't let it happen.

  Even if it killed her.

  She launched herself at him, throwing her body weight against him as hard as she could. His surprise was evident as he landed on the ground with a thump. The knife slid across the floor with a clatter. She scrambled for it in a desperate attempt to grab it, but his fingers gripped her hand, pulling her away. She could hear Joe's footsteps as he raced up the stairs, and panic seized her heart. Dan reached for the knife before hauling her to her feet and pressed it to her throat as he spun to face Joe.

  * * * *

  Joe reached the top of the stairs, his heart doing double-time. What he saw when he got there made it stop altogether. A man was standing behind Mara, holding a knife to her throat. He took a step toward them.

  “One more step and I'll kill her,” the man warned him ominously.

  The look in his eyes left little doubt that he would do just that.

  He held up his hands as he took a step closer. “Whoa! Just calm down. You can have whatever you want, just don't hurt her.”

  Hollow laughter filled the hallway. “You don't get it, do you? She is what I want.”

  Joe took a deep breath as he tried to move closer.

  “Stay where you are or your girlfriend won't be so pretty anymore.”

  He stopped, his gaze centered on the knife. Mentally, he tried to find a way out of the situation, a way to get her out of danger. His hands clenched at his sides. More than anything he wanted to run across the room and strangle the other man with his bare hands, but doing that might harm her.

  And that was something that he wasn't willing to risk.

  The man jerked her against him. “Well, Mara, why don't you introduce us?” he snarled.

  When she didn't respond, he pressed the knife to her throat, causing a small drop of blood to slide down the side of her neck. She moaned.

  “What's wrong?” he prodded. “Cat got your tongue? Okay, I'll do it for you. Number two,” the man said, gesturing to Joe. With a wide sweep of his hand in front of him, he finished. “I
t's time to meet number one, Dan Taylor.”

  His eyes narrowed as he tried to recall the memory. Then it hit him. “The guy she left in Indiana?”

  A satisfied smile crept across his face as he pulled her back against him. “So, you did talk about me. That's good. It will make things much easier,” he boasted.

  “You're the guy who cheated on her?”

  A scowl formed on the other man's face for a moment, but he quickly disguised it. “Cheated is such an ugly word. Besides, Mara and I have worked everything out. She realizes that it was a mistake to leave me. Don't you, honey?” he asked, his arm tightening around her.

  The man leaned in to kiss her cheek, and she whimpered as she tried to pull away. Tears streamed down her cheeks, making him want to tear the other man apart.

  “So, you see, that leaves just one little problem ... You!”

  The sound of the door opening downstairs broke Dan's concentration, giving Joe the opening that he needed. He lunged at Dan, pushing Mara out of the way, his hand creating an iron vise around the hand that held the knife. They fell to the floor, each man struggling for control.

  * * * *

  Mara watched as Joe's fist connected with Dan's jaw several times. The sickening sound of flesh connecting with flesh made her stomach churn. Dan managed to get his hand away, swinging the knife wildly at Joe.

  Her heart jumped in her chest as she watched his movements get dangerously close. She heard Joe grunt in pain as the knife finally connected with its desired target. Her eyes widened as Joe slid to the ground, a red stain forming on the back of his shirt.

  She let out a cry of terror as she tried to move toward him. Dan stopped her, his fingers twisting painfully in her hair. He dragged her across the floor.

  “Stupid bitch! Now, it's time to watch your lover die.”

  Her sobs filled the air, her eyes still focused on the man she loved, the man whose blood was now seeping into the carpet.

  “Let her go.”

  The voice was shaky, but she knew in an instant whom it belonged to. Her terrified gaze flew to the top of the stairs. James stood before them, a gun in his hand.

  No!

  This couldn't be happening!

  She wouldn't let anyone else get hurt because of her stupid mistakes.

  If only she had been able to see through Dan's careful façade, everyone would be okay. She looked at James, his hand shaking, his eyes wide with terror. She had wronged them both, and now they were going to pay for her lack of judgment.

  Dan let out a heavy sigh as he released his grip on her hair. He looked down at her, a cruel sneer of derision twisting his mouth. “Do you see the trouble you're causing?” he asked her.

  She knew he was right.

  If not for her, Joe and his grandfather would be safe.

  Dan glanced at James. “Look, old man, I really don't want to have to hurt you. Why don't you just walk away and pretend that none of this ever happened?”

  When James didn't relax his defensive stance, Dan held the knife up, cleaning the blood off with two fingers.

  Her gaze flickered back and forth between the two of them.

  At that moment, she knew only one thing.

  She would not let anything happen to James if she could stop it. She threw herself at Dan, struggling with him as she attempted to grab for the knife. The back of his hand connected with her cheek, the impact throwing her back against the wall, her vision of James blocked by Dan's menacing figure. In a rage, he raised the knife high, and she knew that the fight was over.

  A gunshot pierced the stillness of the hall.

  Dan looked down at her, his surprise evident. He reached down to touch the hole in his chest, his eyes wide. When he pulled his hand back, his fingers were red. His eyes narrowed as they met hers, his hand rising again.

  The sound of the second shot seemed to reverberate through her chest. He collapsed in front of her, his head hitting the floor with a sickening thud. Her gaze flew to James, his eyes wide with shock. The gun fell to the floor.

  “James?” she heard Ellen cry out from below.

  In seconds, the other woman was up the stairs. The scream she released sent a shiver down Mara's spine. “Oh my God!” she cried out, her eyes wide.

  She took James's hand. “We have to call 911.”

  Mara scrambled across the floor, her hands searching for the man she loved. She reached out to him, praying that he would be alright.

  “It's over,” she murmured.

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  * * *

  Chapter 27

  Mara placed another stack of clothing into the small suitcase laid out on the bed. She still couldn't believe the events that had taken place just two weeks ago. Thank God that Joe was alright. The knife had narrowly missed several vital organs.

  He had been lucky.

  And so had she.

  She turned to glance around the room. Leaving him today was tearing her apart, but she had no excuse to stay. Not anymore. Now that his wounds had healed. She zipped the bag closed, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

  He hadn't told her to leave.

  But he hadn't asked her to say.

  That was what cut deep.

  Deep down, she had been hoping that he would. She had even held out the last week under the pretense of making sure that he was okay.

  But she couldn't hold out any longer.

  Not without making a bigger fool of herself.

  Her fingers twisted in the linen sheets as she fought for the courage to pick up her suitcase and walk down those stairs. When she'd told him she was leaving, she had hoped, prayed that he would stop her.

  But despite the look of confusion on his face, he had said nothing. And his silence had been worse than she could imagine. Even now, he was waiting downstairs.

  Waiting for her to leave.

  She took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut tight.

  She had to do this.

  If she didn't, she would never know if he really wanted her or if he got stuck with her.

  She couldn't bear that.

  She pushed to her feet, reaching for her suitcase. Walking across the room, she kept her gaze focused on the door. She didn't dare look back. If she did, she might falter. And that was something she could not do.

  At the top of the stairs, she stopped. It felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest. But she had to push on.

  She could do this.

  She had to.

  She took a deep breath and started down the stairs.

  * * * *

  Joe paced back and forth in the living room. Hearing her move around upstairs was torture. He had tried to tell himself that this was for the best ever since she told him that she was leaving.

  So, why did he have this tight pain in his chest?

  Why did he want to run upstairs and beg her to stay?

  The thought of her leaving, of her not being here with him, was killing him. He heard her steps on the stairs and turned in time to see her reach the bottom. Her eyes met his hesitantly before looking away.

  “I think I got everything,” she explained.

  He took a step toward her, but his throat wouldn't work.

  Her gaze flickered to his for a brief moment. “Lexi should be here soon.”

  He watched as she took a step toward the door. He felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest.

  “Wait.” He heard the word come out and was as surprised as she was.

  She turned to face him, a look of hope dashing across her face, before hiding behind the guard.

  “Do you want to leave?” he asked, knowing that it might kill him to hear the answer.

  Her gaze met his. The look in her eyes took his breath away. “I want to stay because you want me here,” she confessed in a small voice.

  He crossed the room in two long strides, taking her face in his hands. “I do want you here.”

  “It's not just because of what happened?” she asked soft
ly.

  He shook his head, releasing a low chuckle. “No, it's not just because of what happened. It's because I want you with me. I've always wanted you,” he confessed, his voice husky.

  Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You have?”

  He grinned sheepishly. “Why do you think I was so bad at staying away from you?” he countered, his thumb wiping away the lone tear that escaped.

  “I don't want you to stay away,” she said softly. “I love you, Joe.”

  He looked down at her. His heart felt like it would burst right out of his chest.

  They were just three little words.

  Three little words that could mean everything.

  And they did.

  He knew that now.

  He also knew that with Mara, they wouldn't be just words. They would be a solemn vow, a promise of things to come.

  For once, he was ready to take that chance.

  “I love you, too.”

  He had thought that saying it would leave him feeling vulnerable, exposed, but instead he felt just the opposite.

  He felt whole.

  Like he could begin again.

  With her.

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  * * *

  Epilogue

  Cal stared at the monitors, leaning back in the leather chair.

  It was inevitable, he supposed.

  Married men weren't the type of people who would own a sex club, even if the ownership part was a secret. Not that Joe had actually made the leap yet.

  But he knew it was only a matter of time.

  He had spent enough time with the happy couple to know that was where their track was heading.

  Hell, he couldn't even blame the guy.

  Mara was an unbelievable woman. The kind of woman a man didn't get over. Joe was one lucky son of a bitch. He couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if he had been the one to give her the tour.

  Not that he was jealous.

  He wasn't.

  He had enough in his life to worry about just keeping his family safe. Of course, their safety was nothing compared to what Mara and Joe had faced with the psycho who came after her. His family's danger was in their own stupidity.

  He still couldn't believe what had happened. Thinking that the man who had tried to end both of their lives had spent time in the club sent a shiver up his spine. The worst part was knowing that the sick, sadistic bastard had a man on the inside. Even with a knife wound, Joe had been there to help the police track Curtis down. Then Joe had walked away with a jagged scar on his abdomen—and the girl.