by Dakota Black
“Fuck.” She eyed the crowd of people milling through the hallway and yanked off her shoes, taking off running. There couldn’t be anything worse than this. Nothing. She weaved back and forth, her stockings no doubt ripped from the dirty floor.
“Excuse me!” Pushing past families and baby carriages, she nearly tripped twice before seeing the line of people ready to board. She hunkered over as she hit the end of the line, not even bothering to look for Snake.
“Well, I’d say it’s good to see you, but I’d be lying. My, you’re looking haggard, Katherine. Positively haggard.”
The hair standing on the back of her neck, she rose to her full height and gritted her teeth. “Going somewhere as in running away, John? Where’s your latest bimbo?” She pushed the strands of lose hair behind her ear and gave him a nasty look.
John towered over her, his suit well pressed, his red silk tie without a drop of water, his hair perfectly coifed.
Fuck, if she didn’t want to scratch out his eyes.
“I’m taking a very important business trip, you know, where I actually make money. Where are you off to, crawling in a hole somewhere?” His look of disdain as he glanced down to her bare feet was followed by a snort.
The cuts were too much for her to take. They were nothing more than a spectacle and everybody was watching, joking about the sad looking woman and the gorgeous man. “John, I—”
“Is this jerk-off bothering you, Katherine?”
Snake. She inhaled and plastered on a smile as she tipped her head. She hadn’t realized how tall the man was as he stood at least at six foot four and much taller than John. The man was wearing jeans, a tight T-shirt and a leather jacket. Given the short-cropped hair and the intense green eyes, tattoos crawling up along both sides of his neck, the man was badass in every category. “Yes, he is.”
Snap!
Snake grabbed the front of John’s shirt, twisting the crisp cotton with the tie into a ball, cutting off John’s ability to breathe. “Roaches like you shouldn’t do that to a lady,” he hissed under his breath as he walked John back toward the bathroom.
Katherine held her breath as John’s face reddened, but he was unable to make a sound. Snake’s move had been lightning-fast and not a single person was paying a damn bit of attention. Yes, she should go after them, pull Snake away, but honestly? Why bother? A smile on her face, she did her best to straighten up her clothes, easing back into her shoes as the two men disappeared into the men’s bathroom. Do it. Do it. Do it. Her little voice was far too evil.
Exhaling, she realized she was shaking. John was disgusting. Why in the hell had she ever married the prick?
Barely two minutes later, Snake walked out of the bathroom, the same expression on his face.
John didn’t follow.
She debated asking what had happened but knew better. The ex-marine had been a sharp shooter and had a black belt in karate. Dangerous. “Thank you.”
Snake remained silent, yet his eyes narrowed when he looked at the departure sign. “The Caymans?”
“Cayman Brac to be specific.” When he bristled, she studied his reaction. “Is there a problem?”
The look he gave her was intense. “None whatsoever.”
But she knew there was.
Shivering, she remained silent as they boarded the plane.
“First class?” he asked as he tossed his bag into the overhead compartment then reached for hers, taking it out of her hand without asking.
“I have points. I certainly didn’t spend any government money.” She could hear a chuckle, husky and seductive. Christ. Why were her nipples hard? She eased into the window seat, immediately staring out the window. Where was John going? She hadn’t paid enough attention to the second departure gate. Was it possible he was following her?
Snake sat down. He didn’t comment further, nor did he look in her direction.
She swallowed hard and continued to think about John. After their return, she was going to have to deal with the man once and for all.
“Ladies and gentlemen. We will be leaving the terminal in just a few minutes.”
The voice boomed over the crowded plane and she slid further against the window, watching as the last few passengers boarded.
Snake seemed to notice her gaze. “He won’t be going anywhere any time soon. That, I assure you.”
“Good. Bastard.” The words left her mouth far too easily. Now, she was curious what the man had actually done.
She winced hearing the thump as the doors closed and fastened her seat belt. Wine, champagne, a Bloody Mary. She was going to have one or all three and not necessarily in that order. Why were her nerves ragged?
“Boyfriend?” he asked, keeping his eyes pinned to the front.
“Ex-husband. Also known as a motherfucking useless piece of shit.” Biting her lower lip, she was forced to expel the single laugh.
He turned to look at her, his eyes beseeching. “I know the type. Better off dead.”
The words were chilling.
“Not worth a stay in the Red Onion,” she muttered.
He kept his gaze, a single eyebrow lifting. “You know the supermax prison?”
“I do.” When he didn’t ask why, she didn’t offer. The time she’d spent in Wise County, Virginia had been eye opening as well as terrifying. Not something she ever wanted to repeat again.
Snake exhaled and gripped the arms of the seat, his face pensive.
As they rolled back from the gate, she could tell he was uncomfortable as hell. “Don’t worry. I fly all the time. Planes are safer than cars.” He didn’t seem to care about the comfort and certainly didn’t give a shit about talking.
“Please turn off all phones and computers,” the flight attendant directed. “Be prepared for a bumpy ride but the skies are clearing and the weather in the Caymans is eighty-five with light breezes.”
“Shit.” Grabbing her phone, she’d slid her finger across the screen. The text message was there, the blip unheard in the melee at the terminal.
I’m coming for you…
Blinking, she hadn’t realized she’d issued any sound until he looked over her shoulder. Fumbling to turn on the airport mode, she tried to swallow several times, her throat threatening to close on her.
“Who’s threatening you?”
“You mean besides you?” Katherine shoved her phone into her purse and refused to admit that she was terrified. This was getting out of hand.
“Senator Wallace. If I wanted to hurt you, you’d already be dead.”
She thought about his words, the direct meaning and eased her head back against the seat. “Why are you here?” The plane lurched as a flash of lightning pulsated just outside the window.
“Why am I here?”
“Yes. You don’t give a rat’s ass about anything. That’s easy to tell. You prefer making certain people know you’re a badass rather than a good guy, if you even have a good bone in your body. You don’t mind roughing people up and you have a nasty attitude. Why bother? Why not make your innuendoes and be done with it, leaving me to pick up the pieces?”
Snake exhaled and moved in his seat, the leather on his jacket making a crunching sound.
The scent of this man was intense, powerful and very alluring, but the way he acted, responded to people in general should be considered horrific. Unfortunately, she was as turned on as she’d ever been. Being attracted to him was almost funny because there was no way a man like him could want her. She glared down at her ripped stockings, her disheveled appearance and remained angry, bitter. She’d turned into nothing but a bitter woman. “You didn’t answer the question.”
The plane began to taxi down the runway.
She could see lightning flashes in the distance and wanted nothing more than time on a sandy beach, a tropical drink in her hand.
“The reason is simple, Senator Wallace.”
“Yeah? Why is that?” She could tell he’d turned his head again and this time, when she stared into his eyes
, she could see right through to his tortured soul. And the man, the monster lurking inside wanted her. All of her.
“Because I’m nothing to nobody.”
There was no reason for Snake to have told her anything. Not a damn word. He hadn’t planned on talking to her on the plane or getting remotely close to her, but the moment the asshole had harassed her, the anger had turned into rage. The prick was lucky Snake hadn’t snapped his neck in two, dumping him into the garbage.
Explaining things had at least been enough. The man with the perfect manicure, a suit that cost more than he made in a week had been afraid of him, enough so he’d pissed in his pants.
The Cayman Islands. He held his breath at the thought. The chances of running into trouble were slim, especially after all these years, but something to consider. Revenge never died. He sighed and knew he was going to have to make a plan. Being here, on this island brought back too many memories. Handling the concept was something he would have to do carefully. Twelve years might not be enough.
He thought about his reactions to her and the information he’d found easily enough. She was hiding a second personality from her family and friends. The realization had been intriguing, enough so he’d allowed his guard down, even for a few minutes. But she was scared, unsure of the woman inside, the one fighting to be free. Perhaps he’d be able to show her, to guide her through the shadows. If only he could let go of the past. Hissing, he looked away. This wasn’t going to happen.
“Where are we going?” The cab ride was interesting, the calypso music and open windows creating a festive atmosphere, yet he could tell the area remained poor, tourism one of the few methods for making money. The sun was starting to set, various colors of tangerine and swirls of purple mixing with the clouds. A far cry from the storm they’d left behind.
“A villa. Secluded and private. There is also some of the best reef diving around. That’s what we’re doing here. Research, Mr. Driscoll.” Katherine pulled the pin out of her hair, allowing her long locks to fall.
He’d been intrigued with her reaction to the ex and even more so given the text, which he’d been able to read. The text had been more terrifying for her than the man at the airport. While he certainly knew she’d been under fire for her flagrant allegations regarding various corporations, there was nothing she’d said to warrant being killed. Would Rush consider her enough of an enemy? Greed certainly changed a man.
His investigation into her background had given him no cause for worry. He also knew all about John Wallace, a man so many feared given his influential friends. The coupling must have been a powerhouse, at least for the two years they’d been married. As the driver continued, moving quickly through the streets, he made mental notes of various operations. He would need protection for her. There was no doubt in his mind.
Whatever Katherine Wallace was facing, he was already facing a disconcerting fact. He wanted to keep her safe. No, he wanted more from the statuesque woman who had no idea how beautiful she truly was.
He wanted to seduce her, fuck her, take her in every manner possible.
“Shit.” Holding his breath, he yanked off his jacket, shoving the unwanted piece into his bag. The heat and humidity were high, the scenery and landscaping breathtaking, and the area far too similar to one from many years ago. Still, this was a different time, a different place. Leaning his elbow against the window, he was able to study her face, the way she lit up as they drove past several luscious gardens, villas with tile roofs and various shops catering to the rich and famous.
For a hard woman, she was soft inside. He rolled his eyes and realized this had been a mistake.
“You can call me Katherine. Or Katy. My friends call me Katy.”
Even the sound of her voice was alluring in a way he hadn’t experienced in years. “All right, Katherine.”
“May I call you Snake?”
Why was his initial thought to tell her she was required to call him ‘Sir’? “That will be fine.”
“Okay. First names are better.” She remained silent, yet she continued to dart glances, her eyes falling from his face to his lap.
Snake wanted nothing more than to wrap his hand around her wrist, yank her forward, telling her in no uncertain terms that she was going to obey his every command. He wanted to explain to her what would occur once they arrived at the villa. He wanted her to succumb to his every desire. Goddamn. What the hell was wrong with him?
“You do know the villa you rented is very private and a distance away from anything else?” the driver called from the front.
“I know. That’s what we want,” Katherine answered. “We’re here to dive.”
“Ah, good location. Lots of ocean life. Just be careful, the road leading to the villa gets washed out with any hard storm.”
She leaned forward, her hand resting on the seat in front of her. “I know.”
He could see the hint of her lace bra, the white almost melting into her porcelain like skin. His cock was aching, pushing hard against his jeans.
“There’s talk of tropical storms. Just make certain you’re stocked with food and drink. Could be days before anyone comes to find you.” The driver peered into the rearview mirror, studying Snake.
Snake heard the words, the warning issued and sighed. This was going to be a fascinating trip.
“We’re almost there,” the driver said as he began to sing, belting out the words of the island song.
The road leading to the villa was dilapidated by any standards, rocks and pot holes creating a jarring ride, water lapping against the both sides. He made another turn and trees buffeted the slender path, barely wide enough for a single car.
He could tell she was apprehensive yet eager, her eyes never blinking.
By the time the driver pulled up to the darkened villa, the sun had slid into the ocean.
“Beautiful,” she whispered as the man stopped the car just in front of the two-story building.
“The best sunset in all de world,” the driver laughed as his accent suddenly changed.
“Yes.” Her voice filled with excitement, she climbed out, immediately heading toward the ocean.
Snake eased out and watched as she walked down to the water’s edge before grabbing the bags from the trunk. From what he could tell, the villa was a good twenty years old, the front facing the ocean, several decks located just on the one side. “What do I owe you?”
“Twenty dollars, man.”
He yanked out two twenties, stuffing the cash into the man’s hand. “Where would I go if I need fire power?”
His eyes opening wide, the driver darted a look in Katherine’s direction. “You need to be careful.”
“I do understand.” Snake gave him a reassuring look.
The cabbie rubbed his jaw before answering. “In town. There is one place where de don’t ask any questions, man. Island Café. Ask for Julio. You can tell him Jerry sent you but bring cash.”
“Thank you, Jerry.” Snake pulled out another twenty then nodded to the man. There was no need to worry about whether the man would talk. After all, if he did, Snake would slit his throat.
Snake left the bags by the front door and waited, as if anticipating she’d leave her perch. She didn’t. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he moved to just behind her. The ocean waves were at high tide, cresting against the shoreline, the sound and the smell invigorating.
“This is the only place I feel alive,” she whispered, as if knowing he was watching her. “And I need to feel alive again. Just once.”
It was at that moment, the very second standing on the beach that he knew.
He would become her Master.
Chapter 4
Katherine turned on a single light in the bedroom and smiled, trying her best to relax. The entire house was beautiful, the space filled with every needed creature comfort. Dropping her bags on the floor, she glanced around the room and nodded. This would do nicely.
Her work with Snake was going to be difficult at be
st, but she was determined to enjoy the stay to whatever capacity possible. Her attraction to the man wasn’t going to get in the way of the very reason she was here – to bring notice regarding the lies provided to the government, false reports regarding the level of contamination and the person or persons helping the corporate conglomerates fool the public. The file she’d amassed was over two inches thick, information gathered during several months. Secret meetings. Paid informants. Solid evidence that Canfield Oil Refinery had been involved in payoffs.
Speculation regarding Rush had surfaced almost three months before. What she didn’t know is if the leaked information was entirely accurate. Then again, Snake’s reaction to her comment about a new rig was suspect, his presence and his recent hire a curiosity. Either Rush Enterprises had an inside source in the Federal Government and enjoyed laughing in her face, or they were utterly in the dark. Her mind had yet to be made up. Was Snake perhaps nothing more than a pawn? That couldn’t be, not a man as commanding and authoritative as Mr. Driscoll. Her contact hadn’t found anything damaging about his past, but his secret work with the Marines left her curious. At least she’d been warned of his particular skillset.
Goosebumps suddenly appeared on her arms, creating a chill sliding down her spine. Was she already too far in over her head? No. She could do this. At this point, she had to.
She opened the set of French doors and walked out onto the balcony, studying the full moon in the sky. The house was almost perfect. Gazing down at the shimmering pool, she exhaled, wanting nothing more than to take a relaxing swim. The LED lighting was soft, highlighting the rounded concrete curves, the small waterfall positioned on one end. Even the palm trees surrounding the edges, their fronds swaying in the light breeze, was picturesque, the landscaping out of a travel magazine.
Laughing, she reminded herself this wasn’t a vacation by any sense of the word. Still, she could dream and enjoy the scenery.
She’d paid top dollar to have the cabinets and refrigerator filled, let alone the hefty price paid for the equipment rental. Well, she was trying to prove a point after all.
