by Dakota Black
Snarling, she dragged the brush through her hair and realized she wasn’t going to take this. Not from any man. Ready to toss the piece, she caught herself and couldn’t help but rub the smooth wood between her fingers. She slunk back against the counter. Trust. He needed her trust in order to be able to move forward, but she sensed the need had much more to do with acceptance. He was a haunted man, demons driving him to the brink.
The question remained. What was he capable of? Violence, yes. But murder? She rubbed her arm as a chill slipped down from her neck. Tossing the brush, she walked into the bedroom. Her dress shifted back and forth across her bruised ass and she held her breath. My God. She’d been closer to him than she had ever been to John. Confronting Snake wasn’t going to do her any good. She knew this type of man. He would clam up or worse. But she had to figure this out.
Katherine smoothed down her dress and reached for the doorknob. Hearing her phone, she grimaced as she looked at the display. Shit. For him to call meant… “I told you not to call me here.”
“I think you’re going to want to hear this, Katherine. Remember, I’m doing you a damn favor. There are some things you need to know about this man you’re with.”
His voice was terse, clipped and laced with the nastiness she’d become accustomed to. Then again, the man was almost always full of anger. She wasn’t entirely certain she should have asked for his help for any reason, no matter how tenacious he could be. “What did you find?” As quietly as possible, she opened the door, peering out into the hallway. She could hear music, the notes melodic and beautiful. And there was something else, an amazing scent. Garlic and onion, other herbs and chicken wafted into the small space. Good God, the man was cooking. Slinking back into the room, she closed the door with a soft click. Why did this feel like betrayal? Stop this. Stop this shit. As if she could stop him from doing anything. “You know what? I don’t care what you found. I have everything I need to know.”
“I don’t think you do and in fact, you need to get away from him.”
“And why the hell is that?”
“Just listen to me. He’s dangerous. I had to dig in order to find out the real story,” he snorted. “He was stationed on an oil rig several years ago when he was in the Marines. He was the man responsible for killing his entire team.”
The words hit her hard. “What rig?”
“They were stationed near the Caymans. I don’t have all of the information because their particular mission was considered top secret, but I have friends at the Pentagon, so I will learn the details.”
The coincidence was almost too much. Could he have been on the rig that cause the spill? She’d never heard that any of the men on the rig had lost their lives. Something didn’t ring true. “Good to know. I have to go. He can’t know I’m on the phone. This work is important to me.”
“He’s killed other people as well.”
“Cut with the crap and the melodrama. I know about his military experience. I understand he was Special Ops. Of course, he’s killed people.” What the fuck was the man trying to get at?
“That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“I’m hanging up now. I have things to do.”
“His name is William Driscoll. His given name and the name he used to marry his wife.”
Her entire skin began to crawl. She eased down on the edge of the bed, her pulse racing. “Okay, so he’s been married.”
“Ask him about Kaylee. See what he says.” He chuckled. “Are you involved with this man?”
“None of your goddamn business.”
“I believe there’s more to the story as well.”
Katherine was growing weary, angry with herself for making the call. “I’m going now.”
“Fine. You can be such a bitch. Just remember, you owe me.”
She swallowed and had no idea what to think. None. Okay, so Snake had been married but was he trying to allude to the fact Snake has something to do with her death? Shivering, she rubbed her arm. When the phone rang again, she answered without looking. “Do you want to add more insult to injury?”
“Katherine? Christ. What the hell is wrong with you?”
She groaned and slapped her forehead. The day couldn’t get any better. This time Frank was calling. “I’m fine. Why are you calling?”
“There’s been someone looking for you. Several phone calls. Wouldn’t say who he was, but I have a bad feeling.”
The way Frank said the words gave her a chill. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that your past may be coming back to haunt you. Remember the case you tried ten years ago? Who was the asshole who sent the roses to his victims?”
Oh. My. God. Her instincts had been right. The man she’d convicted was a monster, even taunting her from his prison cell. And he’d sent her roses before he was convicted. “Are you talking about Ramone Chivas?”
“I am. He was let out of prison two months ago.”
She dropped her head into her hands. “What? How the fuck could that have happened?” She’d never forget his last threat. That he’d hunt her down no matter where she was and no matter how long it took.” The note. The phone calls. Everything made sense. Ramone was determined to make good on his threat.
“Well, he found a new attorney. Some of the evidence was evidently tainted. He had a new trial.”
“Why the hell wasn’t I notified of this?”
“I guess it slipped through the cracks,” Frank said then laughed. “Be careful, Katherine. You just might wind up dead. Oh, and you might want to ask your husband what he knows given the man’s ability to get prisoners released early.”
She wasn’t surprised at his grandstanding or the fact he’d ended the call after suggesting such an explosive concept. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Frank had left far too many items on the table, as if she was required to figure out the puzzle. What did John have to do with this? Yeah, he’d been responsible for several new trials for innocent men and women sent to prison, but… There was no way John would try and get Ramone off. He’d known how the vicious freak had terrified her. Angry with herself, she held the phone to her head. Think. Think! She knew she’d been followed, but this? And what the hell was he talking about with Snake’s ex-wife?
This was insane. This couldn’t be happening. Nothing made any sense. She needed someone in her corner. That much she knew, and she certainly couldn’t trust Frank or John.
Brushing her hands down her dress, she checked her hair in the mirror and tried to smile. Snake. Could she trust him? Would he continue to be her protector?
She found Snake in the kitchen, opening a bottle of wine. The change in him was dramatic, as if he’d forgotten all about what he’d said to her. “Something smells fantastic.”
Snake tipped his head and grabbed a towel, wiping his hands. “I thought you might enjoy having a nice dinner.”
“You thought right.” She moved closer to the marble island. He’d opened the windows, allowing in the fresh air. The scent of gardenias mixed in with the incredible fragrances of gourmet food. She remained tense, her mind reeling.
“Wine?” He studied her face before allowing his eyes to roam, offering her a smile of approval.
“I’d love some.”
“I took the liberty of opening a nice cabernet.” He poured two glasses and walked around the island, coming closer. As he handed her a glass, their fingers touched, and he inhaled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” The entire conversation was easy, as if they’d simply made love for hours. Even his simple and gentle touch seemed commanding. She licked the rim of the glass before taking a sip, delighting in the way his eyes twinkled.
“I hope you enjoy chicken marsala with fresh pasta.”
“You’re also an accomplished cook.” She was surprised he seemed so relaxed, even wearing shorts.
Laughing, he shook his head. “I normally grab a quick bite to eat. My brother usually handles the cooking.”
“Tell me about him.” His
laughter was surprising. She was so used to his dark personality, his anger.
“Logan? He’s a good friend, a great businessman and I love having family at the house.”
Family? That meant more than one. Was there a note of sadness in his voice? “Is he married?”
“Um, no. Just the two of us.” Turning away, he checked the items on the stove. “We’re almost ready. Do you mind taking the wine to the table?”
Just the two of them? The words were stilted. She could sense he wasn’t ready to talk about any of his personal life. “Not at all.” She remained quiet as he served. The salad was crisp, the chicken succulent and the candlelight far too romantic for the man who’d left her bathroom only two hours before.
After serving, he eased down on his chair. “I’m sorry about what I said earlier.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me. We all have our demons regarding relationships of any kind. You already know mine.”
“I guess I do, but my concerns have very little to do with any past relationships as there have only been a couple in my life.”
Katherine resisted asking the question. “Work?”
He twirled his wine glass and glanced into the flickering flame. “I left Texas when I was eighteen. I gave myself a break after graduation. The vacation was only supposed to be for three weeks. I stayed for two years. I enjoyed spending time with a girl who didn’t turn out to be on the right side of the law. Let’s just say, I found myself in some significant trouble and I was in a country where jail meant torture. That’s why I joined the Marines. And there is no time for a relationship.” He smiled and shook his head.
“Then who else?”
Snake picked at his food, taking a bite before answering. “There was a very special woman in my life once, but she couldn’t handle the darkness, at least not completely.”
“Your sadistic tendencies?”
“You do understand.”
“Probably more than you know.” She took a sip of wine, hiding behind the glass. Trust him. Confide in him.
“Why have you used a sadist for relief?”
She knew the question was going to come. There was no judging, no sense of disgust. Just a simple question. “I guess after my father’s abuse, I was curious. I gravitated toward darker relationships when I was younger, and I had no clue. I met a man almost two years ago that awakened the woman inside.” Darting her eyes to the floor, she could remember the exact night she’d met him, could almost smell his exotic cologne. What few words he said were always intense, drawing her into his web.
“He taught you about pain?”
Exhaling, she wasn’t certain how to answer the question. “He was demanding. He didn’t ask. He took what he wanted. The very night I met him, he took me to the bathroom of the club, stripped me of my clothes and whipped me. I had never been so mortified and excited in my entire life. I simply allowed it to happen. No, that’s not entirely true. I craved what he’d offered, unbridled anguish with no connections, no binding ties.”
“And what did you do? What were you thinking?”
The question made her sweat. “I was thinking that I wanted more, that I had to have more. I didn’t care how I could get it, but I had to. The pain was a drug for me. The desire continued to build, and I begged him for more.” She hadn’t realized how much she needed their sessions until this very moment. “You see, I’m not the woman you think that I am. I need specific things that few men can provide and fewer still have the balls to grasp.”
Snake breathed in, swirling the glass as he gave her a heated and demanding look. “You can’t live without more.”
She waited, her mind grasping the question. “I’m not entirely certain. I can’t figure that area of my psyche out at this point, but it’s what I’m afraid of.”
“That’s not what you’re afraid of, Katherine,” Snake stated, his words drawn out. “You’re afraid of admitting that you’ve found exactly what you’re looking for.”
The words buzzed in her ears and she could barely breathe. He knew her. He could see right through her. There was no way she could hide any longer, no concept of running from this. “Yes.”
“And I can give that to you, Katherine. I can give you everything that you desire, but again, you have to ask.”
Nodding, she wiped the sweat from her brow, fearful of saying anything.
“Then what’s stopping you from asking for what you want, what you need?”
“Because I’m terrified of what I’ll turn into.” The words were blurted out before she could stop them. “Because I don’t know how to handle living a lie.”
“A lie. Interesting choice of words. I’ve lived with this all my life and I assure you, when you finally grasp the ability to let go, you will be free.”
“Like you’re free? I see a tortured man sitting in front of me, one who will never rid himself of the guilt.”
He seemed to bristle then took a gulp of his wine, refilling his glass. “Guilt has nothing to do with my hungers.”
“All right. I’ll accept that. Perhaps one day you’ll trust me enough to explain.”
“Perhaps I will.” He took another bite of food. “After you discovered a man who could allow you to enjoy, what happened?”
“I pushed it away for over a month. Then, he became important in my life. He offered me a way to quiet the voices inside my head, the ones nagging me constantly about the same kind of darkness you hunger for. I’ve never told anyone this.” Laughing nervously, she gulped the wine, finishing over half the glass. He seemed to study her for a time and she knew his mind was swirling, consumed by the fact she wanted this heightened level of kink. “I ended the sessions the other night. I can’t handle any more. I can’t allow myself to fall into the madness.”
“Madness. The concept is interesting. Let me ask you a question. If I were to command you to undress right now, what would you do?”
Katherine could feel her pussy clenching and knew this was a test. “I would do so immediately.”
“Then do so.”
She eased her wine down to the table and wasn’t entirely certain he was serious. When he pushed his chair back and crossed his legs, a smile remaining on his face, she stood. “Yes, sir.” Easing the dress up and over her shoulders, she shivered and rubbed her arms before sliding her fingers under the thin elastic of her panties. After shimmying them down her hips and stepping out, she gave him a nod of respect.
“Come closer, Katherine. I need to see you.”
The way his voice had changed, the commanding tone was enthralling, and she wanted nothing more than to obey. She walked toward him, her hands at her sides.
After finishing a bite, he eased his fork down to his plate and slid his hand up the outside of her thigh. “You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
“I think I do.”
“We shall see what you think you know about me.” Snake continued sliding his hand up her leg to her hip, then to her waist. “Beautiful. Turn around.”
She did so without question and this time, the way he was looking at her, studying her skin, her body and demanding her obedience was different than before.
He brushed the tips of his fingers down the length of her spine, sliding them down the crack of her ass. “The marks are mine. Just as you belong to me. This is what you want.”
“Yes, sir.” His touch alone was invigorating, driving her into a heightened state. She was almost giddy with yearning and every time he touched her, jolts of current rushed into her cells, her muscles. The control he had over her was entirely different and exactly what she needed.
“Excellent. Now, sit down and finish your dinner.”
She couldn’t believe that he had this much control, but she remained wet, her nipples hard as she tried to get comfortable, the hardback chair biting into her welts.
“He never cared to ask what you wanted, did he?” Snake finally asked after several minutes.
“That wasn’t our arrangement.”
“
Arrangement. A submissive for hire. Interesting concept.”
Katherine tried to eat, pretending his words weren’t swilling in her brain. “I gave him the ability to feed his beast. He allowed me moments of peace.”
“To keep your normal life sane and on track, even organized.” He smiled and leaned over the table. “I do see through you, Katherine. I can almost read your mind.”
As his expression changed to one of lust and darkness, she could feel her left leg shaking, her foot tapping on the floor. “Then what am I thinking?”
“That you want nothing more than to drop all your defenses with me, share in the yearning that fills your every fantasy.”
Damn if the man hadn’t grabbed onto her very soul. “Yes. Yes, sir.”
“We’ll work on the level of respect.” He took another sip of wine. “But there’s more about this man that intrigues you. I can tell.”
She had no rebuttal. Merely the truth. “You are a very astute man. Yes, he’s powerful and if anyone ever found out about his desires, he would be condemned.”
“Condemned. The word is interesting, Katherine. You speak of this darkness as if these needs, your desires are wrong. Or his.”
“Or yours?”
“I’ve lived with this for many years. This girl I mentioned allowed me to experience the joys of wielding a crop, a whip, a quirt and so many other implements. She was a true pain whore and I adored her. She was also a drug addict, something I abhor.” He continued eating, as if allowing her to absorb the information. When he placed his fork on the plate, he waited for several seconds before sitting back. “But I didn’t say that embracing my desires was wrong. I want nothing more than to own a woman, but in that owning, the connection must be strong. Few people understand.”
“Trust. Respect. Obedience. Adoration. I do understand, but I think you already know that.” The two missing years of his life.
“Yes, you do, which is why we’re drawn to each other. Which is why I’m dangerous for you.”
