Cruel Masters

by Stone, Piper

“I don’t know.”

  “I’ve followed their business transactions where I could,” Dax intervened. “Nothing seems out of the ordinary.”

  I laughed heartedly. “As if we’d know. Come on.” My gut told me that what had occurred didn’t have the Gambinis’ usual savage mark.

  Chase and Dax shared the same look I’d seen before. Worry. The kind of concern indicating a lack of trust. Hell, I didn’t blame them. My behavior had been erratic over the last few weeks.

  And I hadn’t told them about the threat I’d received. It was something I wasn’t prepared to talk about.

  I hated the silence, but it settled into the room along with a heightened tension.

  “Then we need to find out why Kendra had set her sights on destroying our reputation,” Dax said defiantly, another surprise.

  “Agreed,” Chase said, nodding his head.

  “And who she really is.”

  Chase narrowed his eyes. “Meaning what?”

  “Meaning there are no school records before the age of seven, no addresses. Nothing.”

  Dax walked closer. “Jesus. You did a deep dive on her identity.”

  “Yeah, I did. And I’m telling you that Kendra Sheffield doesn’t really exist. That’s the kind of coincidence that I refuse to believe.”

  Whistling, Chase went to retrieve his drink. “There are no such things as coincidences, Sebastian. Only truths hiding behind secrets. The Gambinis are certainly capable of something like this.”

  Secrets.

  We all had them.

  “I don’t think they had anything to do with Kendra or her insistence on hiding her identity. I’ll retrieve our lovely guest. It’s about time for a full discussion. And this time. She. Will. Talk.” Every word I said was laced with contempt.

  “Sebastian. Why do I have the distinct feeling that you haven’t been honest with us?” Chase asked nonchalantly, likely prepared for me to bristle.

  He’d always been able to see through any deception, his uncanny ability curtailing numerous decisions in the past.

  “There’s nothing to tell.” At least for the time being. However, I had a feeling that my past and our company’s future were about ready to collide.

  I left my drink, moving toward the main cabin, hesitating before unlocking the door. I wasn’t certain what I would find. I also wasn’t certain how I’d react. It was as if spending time with her was distant from the everyday world of high-pressure business. I’d even taken a deep breath.

  Then the anger had returned in full force. Taking it out on Dax even surprised the hell out of me. While I didn’t like to be challenged by anyone, he’d been nothing but a trusted friend, a man I considered a brother. Both he and Chase were my only family, what little I’d had stripped away from me, the aunt who raised me certainly not happy about the required situation.

  But she’d had no choice.

  When I walked inside, there was no sight of her. My initial reaction was, as always, furious. Then I almost panicked when I walked into the bedroom and it was empty, the bathroom the same. What the fuck? Where could she have gone?

  Whipping around, I finally caught a glimpse of her sitting in one of the chairs on the balcony, a glass of wine in her hand. She’d changed, the emerald green dress accentuating her copper hair, the waning sunlight casting a glow all around her as if she wasn’t real. I moved slowly, taking my time to enjoy her lovely features, the way the wind swept through her long hair. She remained barefoot, resting both feet on the thick iron bars surrounding the balcony. I found it surprising that she had a serene look on her face.

  As soon as she sensed my presence, she tensed, lowering her legs and moving to the edge of the chair. “Is it time?”

  I eased into the chair beside her, taking a few precious minutes to watch as the sun slowly began to fade, strings of colors still remaining in the sky. “Time?”

  “Interrogation then drinks and dinner. I suppose you must maintain some kind of hospitable decorum if only for appearances.”

  Just as I’d deserved the hard punch from Dax, I certainly deserved her brazen attitude. “We are going to have a discussion over drinks.”

  “I don’t have anything to say to you.”

  I remained frustrated as fuck, uncertain of how to get through to her. “You don’t get how much danger you could be in.”

  “Oh, I think I might. I’m standing here on a yacht in the waters of a foreign country because of you and against my will I might add.”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “Then what are you talking about?” she demanded in her usual rebellious manner.

  “Our company has significant and very powerful enemies, Kendra. They would use anything they could for a chance to take us down and that includes hurting or even killing anyone that any of the three of us care about.” I sighed, uncertain why I’d even said the words.

  Because you care about her.

  I was surprised there was no reaction. She kept her gaze locked onto the ocean waters, sighing although a slight smile remained on her face. “It’s beautiful here, the water the bluest I’ve ever seen. I would love to take a swim, even if only to float on my back.” She laughed and pulled her feet onto the chair.

  “We can certainly allow you to take a swim.”

  “We can. You mean if I ask nicely like a good little girl?” she asked, tossing me a hateful look. “Not possible. I never learned how to swim, at least not good enough to attempt swimming in the ocean. And I love the beach. Isn’t that ridiculous that I can’t swim?”

  “It’s not ridiculous, Kendra. We all have things we can’t do but would love to accomplish. Perhaps it’s time you learn.” I studied her myriad expressions for a few seconds, almost feeling guilt for taking her away from her life. Almost. “While I know you’re uncomfortable being here, I never said—”

  “I honestly don’t want to hear the same speech that Dax gave me that you never promised to be a good man. Or that you can’t because it’s far too late. I also don’t want excuses for why you handle your business in such a brutal manner and that it’s perfectly okay. I know what happens when people are destroyed. Okay? I understand exactly what it feels like to lose something precious even though you don’t know how or why it happened. That’s what all those employees must have felt over the years when you took away their lives.”

  Whatever Dax had said had obviously jarred a past experience, perhaps the reason for her disdain against anyone she considered evil.

  “That’s not something you could understand, Sebastian. I’m certain you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, hand fed until you left for Yale, likely driving yourself in a brand new Mercedes.”

  She laughed, unable to look in my direction.

  I moved toward the railing, leaning over, enjoying the sound of the waves crashing against the hull. After a few minutes, I was pulled into a vacuum, the pain of remembering becoming a necessity. “When I was seven, my entire world collapsed, Kendra. My mother died just after I was born from complications of delivering her only child. It was devastating for my father. All he could do to mask his pain was work. That left him little time to spend with me, a son who couldn’t understand why Daddy didn’t give a damn. Did I have everything I needed when I was that age? Yes. I’m not going to lie to you about that. A big house, a room full of toys. All my needs were taken care of. But that all ended the day after I turned seven years old.”

  “Okay, I’ll bite. Why?”

  I turned toward her, my eyes locking with hers. “Because my father killed himself and I was the one who found him.”

  Kendra opened her mouth wide, putting her wineglass on the table then slowly moving to a standing position. She inched closer, tentatively pressing the palms of her hands against my chest.

  The simple touch was overwhelming, the tenderness she was showing unlike anything that I’d experienced before. I took several deep breaths as she gently rubbed her hands up and down, sending a series of tremors into m
y body. Everything about her aroused my cock at that moment.

  The curve of her hips in the body-hugging dress.

  The scent of her perfume as it wafted into my nostrils.

  The shape of her chin moving into a long, gorgeous neck.

  The desire that pulsed through both of us.

  When she threw her arms around me, I was shocked, her hold nothing to do with passion. She was comforting me.

  Feeling pity for me.

  I found it impossible to react, remaining unmoving as she tightened her hold.

  “I’m so sorry, Sebastian. How horrible for a little boy to go through.”

  The feeling of hunger was snapped in two, yanking me out of my haze. I gripped her arms, pulling them down, keeping my hold strong as I lowered my head. “Don’t feel sorry for me. I got over it. Now, it’s time for you to tell me the reason you decided to make Extreme your enemy.”

  Her expression harbored her confusion, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to figure out why I was being so damn harsh.

  Because that’s the man I’d become.

  I didn’t know nor did I want to be anything else.

  “Wait. What?” she managed, finally struggling to get out of my hold. “Let go of me. Just fucking let go of me.”

  “That I can’t do. It’s been proven. Come on.” I dragged her inside the room, not bothering to close the balcony door. She continued fighting me as I pulled her into the living area.

  “You bastard. Why the hell did you even tell me that? Was that even a real story or just some evil concoction you use when there’s no other choice?”

  I didn’t bother answering her. I couldn’t. Yet my heart was racing, my nerves on edge. I hadn’t told anyone else that story, with the exception of Dax and Chase. Why in God’s name had I picked that moment to say a damn thing?

  “It’s real all right, but it no longer matters.”

  “Yes, it does,” she retorted, finally managing to jerk all the way out of my hold, scampering backwards. When I took a long stride in her direction, she shook her head. “You know what? Dax thinks very highly of you. In fact, he thinks you’re one hell of a friend, a good man who just lost his way. Well, he’s wrong. You are evil and conniving, but now I know I’m right about you. Thank God for small favors.”

  I yanked her into my arms, fisting her hair with one hand as I gripped her bottom with the other, dragging her onto her toes. “You don’t know me at all, little pet.”

  “And I never want to. I’ve seen enough.”

  The fire in her eyes matched the firestorm in my soul, the almost desperate need to have her making rational thinking an impossibility. I crushed my mouth over hers, enjoying the combination of bourbon and wine, the mixture just as intoxicating as the woman herself. She was breathtaking, driving me to the point of madness. I had to have more.

  Mine. Mine…

  The word made me crazy, the thought of keeping her locked away ridiculous but something I craved more than anything.

  She slammed her fists against me over and over again, but I refused to let her go. She was everything I craved yet the very thing I couldn’t have. I swept my tongue inside, taking full control, exploring the dark recesses. The taste of her was so damn sweet, pushing my cock against my zipper. I wanted to ravage her right here, taking her forcefully, but that would have to wait.

  After a few seconds, I pulled away, taking deep breaths as I stared into her eyes. They were just as cold as mine, but the spark of combustion was unmistakable.

  “Get the hell away from me,” she hissed.

  After a few seconds, the spell was broken and I chuckled before taking her hand, leading her out of the cabin. The connection was just as strong as before, her fingers fitting perfectly in mine. She kept up with me, her breath ragged. As I dragged her into the salon, the others cocked their heads.

  “You need to sit down, Kendra,” Chase commanded.

  “And you need to start telling us the truth,” Dax added.

  I pulled her toward the couch, forcing her to sit down, planting my hands on either side of her. “And you will do exactly what you’re told, answering every single question honestly. Is that clear?”

  “Perfectly,” she chided.

  “Good.” I eased back, walking toward the window. “Let’s start with who you really are.”

  “You already found that out. Didn’t you?”

  I laughed as I gazed toward the city. “Let’s start with an easier question. Why did you decide to go undercover to investigate Extreme?” When she didn’t answer immediately, I sighed. “Answer the question, Kendra.”

  “I was given a tip,” she stated with certainty.

  For some reason I believed her. It also raised my hackles.

  “When did this happen?” Chase asked in a demanding tone.

  “A few months ago.”

  Months. Interesting.

  “You need to be more specific than that, Kendra. Think. How long?” I asked as calmly as possible.

  From the reflection in the window, I could see her squirming in her seat.

  “Five and a half months ago,” she answered.

  “Interesting timing,” Dax huffed. “About the time the first deal fell through.”

  Dax was correct. Should I consider it a coincidence? Hell, no.

  “Fascinating. We aren’t mafia kingpins or senators with gambling problems. We aren’t serial killers disguised as elementary school teachers. Isn’t that the kind of true predators that you write articles on? I have to wonder, Kendra, why you’re determined to bring down some of the most horrible and dangerous people on the face of this earth.” I allowed the words to linger.

  “And I have to ask, what are you hiding? Everyone has dark and ugly secrets that threaten our way of life and our happiness. Isn’t that what you, Chase, and Dax feed off of?” Her questions weren’t surprising, although I could tell she expected answers.

  “You’re very astute, Kendra,” I said more in passing as I noticed a stream of lights off the bow. My hackles were immediately raised. I shifted to another one of the windows, trying to control my breathing.

  “What exactly are you looking for with this investigation?” Dax asked.

  “The truth,” she muttered.

  There was no doubt the boat was headed in our direction.

  “What truth?” Chase demanded. “The truth about our company, our personal life? Are you prepared to fabricate a story in order to gain fame and fortune?”

  “I couldn’t give a shit about fame and fortune,” she hissed. “Did I hope I would get more recognition? Hell, yes. But my story isn’t about money.”

  While I couldn’t tell a damn thing about the approaching boat in the dark, my instinct told me that we would soon be facing danger.

  “Then what?” Dax’s tone was much more authoritative than I was used to hearing.

  “Kendra. Do I need to remind you that you’re required to follow our rules?” I asked casually as I slid my hand into my jacket, placing my fingers on my weapon.

  “Or I’ll be punished. I got it,” she whispered.

  “Then just answer the questions,” Chase encouraged.

  “I’m trying to find my real family. Okay?” Her words were tossed out, every syllable spouted in anguish.

  I turned my head slowly to look at her. She was telling the truth.

  I heard footsteps and swung around. A single knock on the salon door was followed by an immediate entrance, Captain Heller rushing inside. “I’m sorry to interrupt but we might have an issue.”

  I glanced once again out the window, the mysterious boat coming closer. “We have visitors.”

  “Yes, sir. The French Coast Guard. And they are demanding that they be allowed to board.”

  “Fuck.” I shook my head.

  “That means they’re going to want to see credentials,” Dax said as he rose to his feet. “Passports.”

  There hadn’t been enough time to fabricate one for Kendra and I certainly hadn’t ex
pected being challenged by the Coast Guard. That had never happened before.

  Chase walked closer, hissing as the lights appeared just off the bow. “I take it the weapons are secured.”

  While he’d kept his voice low, I could tell Kendra was attempting to listen to every word. I inched closer. “I’m not a fool, Chase. Get the damn passports.”

  “What the fuck are you going to do? We can’t lie our way out of this one.”

  His challenge was based on fear. And he was right to be concerned. There was no reason for the Coast Guard to be boarding our ship at night. That’s not the way they handled their typical business.

  Which meant they were looking for something specific.

  Or someone.

  “Captain Heller. Go meet with them but stall for a few minutes. Make sure they understand that we have nothing to hide.” My orders were said with zero inflection, but I could feel the rage burning deep within. Someone was definitely out to get us.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll do my best.” He left quickly, closing the door behind him.

  I moved toward Kendra as she rose to her feet, her usually voluptuous lips twisted in frustration and anxiety.

  “Hear me very clearly, Kendra. You are to remain quiet. If you don’t, there is a distinct possibility that whoever is out to get us will have an even better chance at kidnapping you or even worse. In other words, you would be easily obtained as well as expendable. We’re the only men who can protect you. Do you understand?” Just saying the words sent a wave of electricity through me, a heightened level of concern.

  She shook her head, her eyes burning with her own level of anger. “Yes. Sir.”

  As I pressed my hand against the gun I usually wore, I heard the sound of different voices. Shit. They were already aboard. I walked toward the bar, shoving my weapon into the icemaker.

  And all the while, Kendra was watching me.

  I’d been careless in bringing her here without dotting every ‘i.’ Another clear indication of my weakness.

  I glanced at Dax, my buddy pretending as if he didn’t give a shit about the imminent danger. Chase moved to one of the small safes in the room, retrieving the passports. This was going to get dicey. I moved toward the bar, quickly pouring a glass of wine for Kendra as the voices got louder.