Burned Deep

by Calista Fox

  I kissed his upper arm. Then he turned and led me over to one of the oversize leather chairs in front of the fireplace. He sat and pulled me into his lap, my legs curling as I huddled close and flattened my palms against his pecs.

  “What’s really going on?” I asked in a soft voice.

  “There’s so much I don’t want to tell you. To keep you safe.”

  “Seems like, after yesterday, it’s better that I know everything. Knowledge is power, haven’t you heard?”

  He chuckled, without humor.

  “How do you know a sultan? And is Nikolai Vasil Russian?”

  “Yes, he is. I met them through Ethan.”

  This confused me. “Was he really a professor at Harvard, or is that some sort of cover?”

  “You have an active imagination.”

  “Not so much. I just know there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. You and your friends spent all day discussing the Lux—”

  “It wasn’t just about the Lux. And we’re not friends. We’re associates, partners. There’s nothing social related to my acquaintances with them.”

  That sounded rather ominous. “Except with Ethan, right?”

  “He’s the one exception.”

  “Why?”

  “Ari.” His hand smoothed over my bare leg, caressing lightly.

  “You’re trying to distract me,” I murmured against his neck.

  “Why isn’t it working?”

  “Because I’m trying to learn your deepest, darkest secrets.”

  “Maybe I just need to put a little effort into this.” He unbuttoned the shirt I wore and slipped a hand inside, cupping my breast.

  “Clever. But I’m still asking questions.” Despite how torn I was, thinking I ought to say to hell with knowing what he hid from me and let him take me to bed. “How do you know these men?”

  His head fell back against the top of the chair. “Is this a ‘must know’?”

  I kissed his tight jaw and whispered, “I love you, remember?”

  His head lifted and he pinned me with a serious look. “You never actually said the words.”

  “But you already knew I felt it. And I’m telling you now. It’s only fair.”

  “You’re a little bit devious.”

  “You made me that way.”

  “Hmm.” He didn’t seem to like that reality.

  “It was the promise of hot sex from the get-go that corrupted me,” I said. “Since we’re in this boat together, tell me what’s going on.”

  “Fine.” Though he sighed miserably when it came to my logic. “Perhaps it might be best if you know what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

  What I’d been seduced into, was a bit more accurate. But I couldn’t deny my own accountability. I’d been reticent along the way, but I had willingly given this devilishly handsome man my heart.

  He posed his own query. “Have you heard of the Illuminati?”

  My brows dipped. Strange direction for him to take. “Sure. In a Lara Croft movie.”

  He gave that hollow laugh again. “Okay, that’s a start, I guess.”

  “Are you about to tell me it’s real?”

  “No … and yes.”

  “You can’t make this easy for me, can you?”

  “It’s not something I can simplify. The origins of these groups began with the Bavarian Illuminati, though it was supposedly dissolved in 1785. There have since been offshoots—descendant factions—that continue to influence the political and financial environment, worldwide.”

  I didn’t say a word. Just stared at him, knowing I was about to be blown away by the direction of this conversation. And not surprised there was so much more to him than words could describe.

  He said, “When I was at Harvard, Ethan recruited me into a poli-econ secret society. The purpose of this particular Illuminati faction is to track, trend, analyze, and predict political and economic climates, with the goal of influencing leaders to effect positive change. Positive change,” he emphasized in a tight voice.

  I was speechless for a few seconds, eventually asking, “How did Ethan get involved with these people?”

  “You were actually close to the mark when you suggested his tenure at Harvard was a cover. It was—of sorts. Ethan is a brilliant forecaster of economic trends. He studies world markets, trades, industries, and basically has a sixth sense about fiscal impacts and expectations. His great-great-grandfather formed the poli-econ group. With the exception of myself, all the nine members are descendants of the original secret society. It’s generational—or, rather, it’s supposed to be.”

  “They made an exception for you? Because you’re so brilliant?” Graduating from an Ivy League school with the highest honors and summa cum laude spoke volumes. So, too, did his success.

  “I showed potential,” he corrected. “I was recruited during my second year at Harvard. The youngest member to ever join.”

  “How, exactly, does this society work?”

  “We’re the heart of a network of global billionaires and scholars we call upon to influence the political and business realms to guide changing times. It’s very complex. Cloak-and-dagger. No one speaks outside the network of what’s to be done, what has been done. And within the inner sanctum … I took an oath to never reveal my involvement. To anyone.”

  “Oh.” I did not miss the significance there. He’d broken his promise to the society—for me. “Dane—”

  “Things have gone wrong, Ari.” His expression turned grim. “It’s a majority-rules bloc. Five of the nine members plotted a different course during a fragile economic time. We predicted another downturn, similar to that of ’08. We’ve managed to keep it from happening—that is the premise of the secret society. But the five used the intellectual property of our think tank for personal gain. Substantial personal gain.”

  “Criminal corruption.” A chill ran through me. This was growing darker by the moment.

  With a nod, he said, “Fortunes have been lost, legacies obliterated—to their benefit. And there’s some other stuff—” A sharp grunt fell from his lips. “I can’t say for sure. I have no concrete evidence, but some political changes of late and a few ‘fortuitous’ deaths make me suspicious as to how far they’ll go to increase their own empires.”

  “My God.” My stomach roiled. “Dane. That’s a huge assumption.”

  “That’s why it’s currently just speculation on my part. Like I said, I can’t confirm anything. But what I do know—from the resources I’ve provided for the society—gives me a strong enough indication of the direction the five have taken so that I am carefully trying to extract myself before their course becomes more destructive.”

  “And part of the extrication is cutting these people out as investors in the Lux.”

  “Yes. But it hasn’t gone over well.”

  “How did you manage it?”

  “I had a legitimate loophole. Thanks to my legal team.”

  “Okay, maybe I didn’t need to know all of this.” Christ, the implications were enormous—and dangerous. “Dane, their retaliation is already wreaking havoc—and is dangerous to the people who work for you. They could come after you, or anyone else, with something much stronger if you refuse to bring them back into the Lux fold. They could—”

  “Ari, stop.” He caught my chin gently between his thumb and forefinger and stared into my eyes. “Don’t start worrying like that. Don’t worry about anything. We’re taking care of it.”

  “How?” I demanded.

  “We have our ways.”

  “Are they legal ways?”

  “Don’t ask me that. The less you know about our plan, the better.”

  I gaped. How could it be that behind all the luster and beauty of 10,000 Lux lay something sinister and foreboding?

  Worse … could it be deadly?

  I slipped from Dane’s grip and his lap. I stood in front of the fire, trying to warm the frigid blood in my veins. Dane joined me, his large hands clasping my biceps.
/>   “Ari, don’t let this upset you. We’ll get it under control.”

  “By whatever means necessary?”

  “I have the right to protect my empire. To protect everything that’s mine—I told you that before.”

  “But within the limitations of the law. Right, Dane?”

  “Of course, Ethan, Qadir, Nik, and I want to rectify this as simply and efficiently as possible. Understand, though, that when people of this magnitude strike, you have to strike back. It’s the only way they’ll respect our power.”

  I didn’t want to hear any more. I didn’t want to agonize over what lengths they might go to save 10,000 Lux from shady poachers.

  So much of me believed that Dane was correct—he’d had good intentions with the secret society. He’d had good intentions with the Lux. It was perfectly within his realm to want to defend and safeguard what he’d worked so hard to build. I didn’t doubt that for a second.

  The terrifying part was that I truly did support him, because he deserved to be able to fight for his own legacy. It was the darkness around the fringes that tore at me. What was he willing to do? How far were he and the others willing to go—on both sides?

  And why did I feel I was somehow caught in the middle?

  That incident in the stairwell … Had it been all coincidence and really bad timing on my behalf? Or had that snake been lying in wait for me? The one person who used that emergency exit more than anyone else—maybe the only one to use it.

  What about the fire? I’d been the only one around the media room at the time.

  I shivered. Dane wound his strong arms around me.

  “I will take care of this, baby. You just have to trust me. Do as I ask.”

  “Stay out of stairwells and the media room?”

  “For now.”

  “Damn it, Dane.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” He held me a bit tighter. “Believe me, I’m not happy about any of this. But when you’re dealing with the sort of capital wrapped up in the Lux, investors getting greedy isn’t uncommon. When it’s within their reach, these men are like junkies, Ari. Money is their drug. It’s never enough. They want more and more. It’s a natural rush, a high they don’t want to come down from, so they need bigger and bigger deals. No matter what they have to do to acquire them.”

  “That’s what scares me. If they’re so bent on owning the Lux, won’t they do anything to get their hands on it?”

  “Something tells me we’re about to find out.”

  I wiggled out of his embrace and faced him. “Dane. This is serious.”

  “Yes.”

  Okay, he already knew that, but still.

  His hands cupped my face. “You’ll be safe. Here with me.”

  “I’m not quitting my job to be some caged animal, no matter how beautiful the house.”

  “I didn’t suggest that. I agreed to let you return to the hotel. You just have to allow Amano to stay close.”

  I nodded.

  Dane said, “It’ll be okay, baby. I promise.”

  I wasn’t wholly convinced. But I believed in him. So I said, “All right. Whatever you want me to do. Please don’t worry about me.”

  “Impossible. I love you, remember?” He mimicked my words.

  “Now’s not exactly the time to joke.”

  “No joke,” he said in a fierce tone. “I love you, Ari. And no one’s going to hurt you or take you away from me. Ever.”

  That riveting sentiment elicited a thrill as much as it alarmed me as to the lengths he’d go to keep me from becoming a victim of the Lux’s troubles. But the former turned out to be a much stronger sensation and I told him, “I trust you. Thank you for telling me everything—and for standing your ground. It scares me, but you’ve worked too hard to let anyone steal your glory. I love 10,000 Lux, too, Dane. I don’t want you to lose it.”

  “I won’t.”

  His confidence was reassuring. Yet there was one more tidbit that burned in the back of my brain.

  Given that Dane was currently being forthcoming with information, I took the opportunity to ask, “What about Mikaela? How does she factor into your life?”

  “I’ve known her since we were kids. She was my closest neighbor in Philadelphia. Her father is gone a lot—estranged from the family, actually. He served as a U.S. ambassador in France for some time and now he’s in England. The latter assignment started not too long after 9/11, when there were numerous threats against the embassy in London. The perimeter was barricaded with a security post and armed guards were placed at all four sides. The building was difficult to get into, even if you were an American. There were even concerns about snipers on the rooftops of adjacent buildings, dignitaries and their families being their target. Mikaela wasn’t allowed to visit.”

  “I’m sure that was difficult.”

  “Yes, it was very hard on her. Maybe that was why we bonded, initially. I didn’t have a father, either.”

  I absorbed that a moment, recognizing the significance. Then I asked, “And now?”

  “Now when she needs help with something, I’m there for her.”

  I had to wonder how often she “needed help.” But then, I couldn’t bristle too much over her presence in Dane’s life. He didn’t seem to think of her as more than a friend. Maybe even a sister. I didn’t doubt for a second that Mikaela’s take on their relationship was more skewed, that their connection was more romantic than sibling-related in her mind. She was a little too touchy-feeling with him, a little too flirtatious. And for that matter …

  “Why is she in Scottsdale, rather than Philadelphia?” I asked.

  “She came out to look at the Lux when we broke ground and decided Old Town would be a great place for her new shop. She just needs to work through the politics a bit better. Mikaela’s used to getting whatever she wants. The City Council isn’t quite so accommodating.”

  And if she got her tenant issues worked out, she’d be around for the long haul. I wondered how much of her we’d be seeing.

  Dane didn’t seem to dwell on thoughts of his childhood friend. He kissed my forehead and said, “Let’s go back to bed.”

  We snuggled under the covers, me finding my happy place despite it all, now that Dane’s body surrounded me and he held me to him.

  chapter 20

  On Sunday, we played a round with my dad at his golf club. The disapproval over my and Dane’s obvious relationship radiated off him, but he kept his comments to himself. I think it disturbed him greatly that he couldn’t help but like Dane. They were constantly engaged in conversation, though I noted that my father didn’t miss the way Dane kept one eye on me. I felt their protective presence with every move I made.

  After lunch at the nineteenth hole, Dane and I parted ways with my dad and returned to the house so I could continue my research. Kyle sent me an e-mail to say he’d been offered the Marketing Specialist job.

  Like just about everyone else, Patricia apparently worked the weekends, too. There was just so much to do. And about five seconds later, she sent me a list of those candidates we’d narrowed down for my department, indicating she’d make offers in the morning. I was about to officially have a full staff. That helped to take some of the pressure off.

  I shot a note back to Kyle.

  Congrats! I suspected all along you’d slay it!

  No need to mention he was a shoo-in because it was what I wanted. I truly had been impressed with his online portfolio and didn’t want him to think I had any sway over his hiring.

  The VP of Marketing told me in the interview that my main projects, if they selected me, would be the invitations to the grand opening and all the events leading up to it. Nervous much?

  I laughed. Then sent another message.

  Please, I’m stressing out over which Christmas trees to buy for the lobby. Everything about this launch is crucial—and, yes, nerve-wracking!

  A few moments passed; then another e-mail came in from him.

  I don’t officially start until tom
orrow, but I’m off to get a jump start with some images and design work. See you in the morning?

  It would cost me succumbing to Dane’s will again—not exactly torture—but I suggested to Kyle that we meet for lunch in the main dining room. Kyle agreed, and then we both went back to our work.

  Dane spent most of the afternoon in his office. He’d offered me space in there, but I opted for the kitchen island again. I wouldn’t get anything done with him in such close proximity. If I wasn’t staring at him I’d be touching him, and that wouldn’t be productive for either of us. And too much was at stake to lose my focus.

  We did, however, knock off for dinner. Afterward, we got cozy on the sofa in front of the fireplace in the great room. Dane had just started Hawthorne’s 1851 The House of the Seven Gables, and since I hadn’t delved into it in the past, he went back to page one and read aloud.

  I missed half of what he said, too caught up in the rich, intimate tone of his voice for all the words to register. Plus, nineteenth-century literature was sometimes lost on me. I enjoyed the evening nonetheless. Especially when he swept me into his arms again and carried me off to his bed.

  The place I loved the most.

  * * *

  A week of uneventful happenings at the Lux was a huge relief. I felt the weight lift from my shoulders. I suspected Dane felt the same, tenfold. Whatever tactics he, Ethan, Qadir, and Nikolai agreed to employ against the others seemed to be working.

  All of the security systems were green-lighted. More cameras had been installed and worked properly. The IT issues had all been resolved. No more deactivations of badges occurred. Everything was progressing nicely.

  A multitude of samples arrived for me and my office dripped wreaths and garland, with decorations hanging from the walls for me to evaluate. Dane was probably right. I might be sick of Christmas before December even rolled around.

  I had lunch with Kyle in the courtyard just about every day, since Dane had meetings and was sometimes off-property. On Friday, Kyle showed me a draft of the invitation to the private party Dane wanted to host prior to the opening of the Lux. He had used the same multitextured, gray-on-gray feel as on the hotel’s business cards and incorporated a few of the professionally taken photos of the property.