by Leah Brooke
Ian glanced at his watch. “Alastair, you’d better disappear before they get here.”
Alastair shook his head. “I think I should be the one to play host tonight. I’m better at it than you are, and I’ve already worked with Serena and suppressing her abilities.”
Ian sat forward, his eyes holding hers. “Yeah, and from what I heard, suppressing them a little too well. She’s got to be able to see the threat coming. She’s going to have to learn to tone them down on her own, to block out interference, and sharpen them when she needs them. I’ll handle Carello tonight. For all his money and showiness, he’s nothing but a glorified street thug. I’m going to enjoy tonight, and see if I can have a little fun with Anthony Carello and his new bride.”
Wary of the threat in Ian’s tone, Serena started to dread the night ahead.
Alastair scowled at his brother, clearly insulted. “This isn’t my first trip around the block, Ian. I’m perfectly capable of dealing with Carello.”
Ian grinned and got to his feet. “Yes, but I like dealing with men like Carello as much as you like dealing with those high society snobs. We have to play to our strengths. Tonight, I’ll take care of Serena.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he studied her, his eyes narrowed. “It appears both of us are going to have to learn how to handle her.”
Serena blinked, bristling. “Handle me?”
Alastair rose gracefully, running a hand over her hair before bending to touch his lips to her. Straightening, he smiled, his eyes lit with amusement. “I believe he’s talking about your abilities, darling.”
Ian grinned, his eyes raking over her. “Sure.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he studied her thoughtfully. “I think my brother and I are both going to end up handling you in all ways.”
Meeting Ian’s mocking smile, Serena drew in a shaky breath, need slamming into her at the thought of Ian handling her.
When Ian’s phone made a beeping noise, he took it out of his pocket and glanced at the display, his expression never changing.
“The clothes you ordered for Serena are here.” Smiling, he held her gaze. “I think I’m going to like taking care of you.”
She had to brace herself against the almost painful hunger to have a life with them. It could never be, and she had to stop wishing for something she could never have.
Alastair nodded, offering his hand and helping her from the chair. “Hell, it’s a relief just to be able to relax around her.” He smiled, a satisfied smile that made his eyes sparkle. “Come on, darling. I’ll help you pick something out before I make myself scarce. There’s a control room upstairs where I can monitor the cameras down here. I’ll be watching and taping everything.”
He surprised her by pulling her close. “Hell, it’s nice to be around a woman I don’t have to hide things from. Hurry up, honey. We’ll pick out several outfits for you. You’re going to need a lot of things for appearances you’ll have to make.”
Serena frowned. “I don’t want to have to make appearances, and I can buy my own clothes. I’m going to leave just as soon as Anthony Carello’s in jail.”
Alastair shook his head. “We’ll talk about it after Carello’s locked away.”
He gathered her close, running a hand down her back to cup her bottom. “In the meantime, I’m going to do everything I can to get you to stay.”
Chapter Seven
“I can’t believe I’m wearing this. I never wear anything like this. It’s downright…sinful.” The silky black pants and long vest moved against her skin like an erotic, sensuous caress. The outfit Alastair had picked out for her made her feel beautiful and very sexy, the appreciation in his eyes, and in Ian’s, making her feel even more desirable.
It gave her an added confidence to face the night ahead, like a suit of armor that she could hide inside, something she suspected Alastair understood very well. Others would look at her clothing, her body, and her face, and see only an attractive woman.
Most wouldn’t even look deeper to the woman beneath, which was just the way she wanted it.
Ian ran a hand over her breast, pausing to toy with her nipple, his eyes flaring when she moaned as his touch ignited her senses. “You look incredible. You and Alastair chose well. Carello’s not going to be able to take his eyes off of you. He couldn’t stop looking at you at the reception, like he was trying to figure out how to have you living in his house and fucking you without his new bride finding out about it.”
Running his finger over the single jeweled button that held the two halves of her long vest together, he grinned. “Elise is going to be furious that you’re getting all the attention and is bound to do or say something stupid. I think you’re going to end up being our secret weapon, babe. One look at you and our targets are going to be so distracted that they’ll get careless. I know I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes off that button and hoping for it to come loose. Every time you move, I can’t help but hope for a glimpse of those gorgeous breasts. Carello’s going to be licking his lips and trying his best to get a glimpse of nipple.”
Gripping her chin, he caressed her nipple through her vest, his expression hard. “Make sure he doesn’t get one.”
Delighted, but a little unnerved at his possessiveness, Serena smiled. “I won’t.”
Ian nodded once, and with a slick move, he unbuttoned her vest and reached a hand inside.
“You want me. I can actually feel your desire.” His voice had a low, gravelly quality that danced over her skin like thousands of erotic fingers. “So can Alastair, and it’s driving him as crazy as it drove me this afternoon. This outfit is sexy as hell, but it doesn’t seem to matter what the hell you’re wearing. Your name suits you, babe.”
Sliding a hand over her hair, he studied her features. “You always look so serene as though nothing touches you. That kind of thing’ll drive a man crazy. The three of us know differently, don’t we, babe? As soon as our guests leave, I’m taking you to bed, getting you naked, and pleasuring that look of serenity right off your face.”
Aroused by his words, she leaned into him, the flash of answering heat in his eyes making her wonder just how much of the sensations racing through her that he actually felt.
Thankful that at least her thoughts and emotions remained private, she smiled coolly to hide the fact that her body already hummed with anticipation.
“You’re such a romantic. What am I supposed to do about tonight? Am I supposed to try to convince my cousin’s husband that I don’t have any psychic powers at all, or admit that I have them and promise that I won’t use them against him?”
Ian took her hand and led her to the bar. “Neither. What would you like to drink?”
Serena wrinkled her nose. “I really don’t drink. Maybe just some ginger ale. What do you mean—neither? How am I supposed to get him off my back if I don’t do one or the other?”
Ian poured her drink and handed it to her. “If your cousin and your aunt have already told him about your abilities, he won’t believe it when you deny it, and he’ll think you’re scared of him. He also won’t believe you when you say you won’t tell anyone anything you know about him. He’ll think you’re saying that because you’re scared of him. He expects you to be afraid of him. He can’t have that kind of threat hanging over his head, so he’s scared, and doesn’t like it. So, you say nothing, and make him wonder.”
Serena grimaced, setting the glass on the bar to button her vest. “He’s not going to be happy until I’m dead, is he? My aunt and cousin have pretty much thrown me to the wolves.”
With a glass of water in his hand, he came around the bar, wrapping an arm around her waist and tugging her against him.
“The only wolf you need to worry about is me.”
The friction against her nipples and the heat of his chest burning them had her wiggling against him. “I’ve already told you that I’m not afraid of you. I know you won’t hurt me.”
Mentally reminding herself that although he wouldn’t phys
ically hurt her, the emotional damage he could do if she remained here much longer could destroy her.
Turning away, she bit back a moan at the slide of his fingers over her waist. “So what am I supposed to tell him if he asks?”
“You can tell him whatever you want to tell him, but as long as you don’t deny being psychic, or promise not to tell anything to anyone, you’ll confuse him. Hopefully, he’ll say something stupid. No matter what he promises you, he has to kill you. He won’t get the chance, but he’s arrogant enough to believe that he’ll win.”
Serena couldn’t help but smile at that. “And you’re arrogant enough to believe you will. One of you is wrong, and it’s my life on the line, isn’t it?”
Ian set his glass aside and searched her features, his eyes unreadable. “Yes, but I’m better. You don’t seem to be worried, though. Is that a vote of confidence in my ability to protect you, or do you know something I don’t?”
Serena stiffened, turning away, thankful for the distraction. “They’re coming up the road to the house.”
“You didn’t answer me.”
Serena shrugged, nervous about the next few minutes. “I know that I’m going to live long enough to go home again.” Sliding a glance at Ian, she smiled. “That should tell you a lot.”
She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, watching as Ian opened the gate while keeping his eye on the monitor by the door.
He kept glancing at her, his face like stone. “I’m not giving you up without a fight, so it appears we have quite a fight ahead of us, doesn’t it?”
Watching the monitor, Serena stiffened again at the way her cousin fussed with her hair as they approached, her expression one of excitement.
“You never know. If her husband’s put away, she may just come after you. She certainly dressed for the occasion.”
Ian pushed a button to close the gate again.
“She’s tried for years. Neither one of us can stomach her. Smile, babe. With a body like yours, that long curtain of silky, black hair, you’re going to have Carello drooling and your cousin mad as hell. I know he’ll be armed, but searching him would be going against character. If there’s trouble, Serena, duck, and get behind me.”
Turning off the monitor, he smiled. “Alastair will watch everything from upstairs. Physically, I can shield you, but mentally, I don’t know. I’ll hold on to you and try to shield you the way Alastair did, but if it doesn’t work, make an excuse to leave and go upstairs to Alastair. If it works, when you feel comfortable trying to see what Carello’s thinking, let me know.”
Serena nodded, touched that he cared more about her distress than he did about getting information from Anthony Carello.
Ian wrapped an arm around her shoulder and guided her to the front door. “I don’t have any idea how strong your abilities are yet, but you probably don’t either. It’ll be interesting to see what you can do once you learn to control them.”
The ringing of the doorbell prevented her from answering him, but she figured it was just as well. She liked her privacy and didn’t intend to reveal everything to them or anyone else.
Ian swung the heavy door open, his cold smile sending a chill through her.
“Carello. Hello, Elise. Congratulations to both of you on your recent marriage. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay at your reception long enough to toast you.”
Serena blinked, surprised at the change in Ian’s tone and even his body language.
All of a sudden, she found herself in the company of a stranger.
Elise smiled flirtatiously and stepped through the doorway, her sequined blue dress just long enough to be decent.
Serena didn’t know a lot about fashion, but figured her cousin’s outfit was entirely inappropriate for a quiet drink with her cousin.
Elise ignored her completely, breezing right past her to greet Ian and lifting her face for his kiss.
“Wyn, darling! You look as handsome as ever.”
Tamping down her jealousy at the way Elise wrapped herself around Ian, Serena hid a smile of relief and amusement at the disgust coming from him.
Even as he greeted Elise, he kept his arm around her the entire time.
Serena leaned into him, meeting the venomous look from her clearly irritated cousin.
Smiling, she slid a glance at Anthony Carello, the evil gleam in his eyes sending a chill through her, and making her thankful for the warmth of Ian’s body pressed against hers.
“It’s nice to see you again. Hello, Elise. You look as beautiful as always.”
Elise looked her up and down before turning, wiggling her ass, and glancing at both men as if to make sure they were both watching.
Neither was.
Carello didn’t seem able to take his eyes off of the front of Serena’s vest.
Ian had been right.
Her cousin’s new husband stared as though waiting in hope for a glimpse of her breasts, which, instead of offending her, amused Serena to no end, especially since it seemed to infuriate her cousin.
Despite his claim to want to distract Carello by dressing her in something sexy, Ian glared at the other man, his eyes icy with jealousy and warning.
Carello didn’t bother offering his hand, glancing at Ian with cold eyes.
“Wyn. You’re as cocky as ever. You kidnap my wife’s cousin in the middle of our wedding reception, worrying my wife and mother-in-law. Then you tell me if you’re going to meet us, it’s going to be at your house, and on your terms.”
His smile, pure evil, disgusted Serena.
“Scared to meet me in public?”
The contempt and derision in Anthony Carello’s tone made Serena cringe, but Ian seemed amused by it.
Tightening his arm around Serena’s waist, he pulled her closer, smiling down at her.
“I just couldn’t help myself. I took one look at this stunning woman across the room and knew I had to have her. I wanted to get her out of there so I could have her to myself, before someone else got the idea to make a play for her.”
Grinning, he toyed with the button that held such fascination for Carello. “As for the other, some men chased us before and I figured they were yours, trying to get Serena back. I admire the fact that you would try to rescue her, but she’s not in any danger. I wanted the chance to explain that to you before your men tried to take her from me again.”
Gripping her chin, Ian lifted her face as he bent to touch his lips to hers. Staring into her eyes, he smiled. “I don’t plan to let her out of my sight.”
Elise sneered and plopped onto the plush sofa where Serena had sat the night before. “How romantic. In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you this way before. Does my cousin know how quickly you go through women?”
Serena recognized the measuring look in her cousin’s eyes. She’d seen it enough in the past to know that Elise would be starting trouble any minute. To delay it, and to provoke her cousin, she turned into Ian, lifting her hands to his chest. Looking up at him through her lashes, she smiled as seductively as she knew how to. “Is that true, darling?” She figured using an endearment would keep her from making a mistake that could destroy what Ian and Alastair worked so hard to preserve.
She didn’t count on the way the endearment would feel on her tongue, nor had she anticipated Ian’s reaction to it.
Her breath caught at the flare of heat in his eyes, and she had to swallow heavily before she could continue.
“Are things different between us?” She couldn’t resist teasing him, putting him on the spot this way in front of others, but she should have known Ian couldn’t be rattled.
Holding on to her waist, he smiled tenderly, but his eyes promised retribution.
“How could you think otherwise, darling? I’ve certainly never kidnapped a woman before.”
Serena smiled, trying to ignore the butterflies in her stomach, and the press of his cock against her. “How would I know that? We just met, after all.”
Elise cleared her throat and
when Serena turned, her cousin made a production of admiring her nails. “Be careful, cousin. Wyn’s a very naughty boy. He goes through women like children go through candy. When he’s finished with you, he’ll throw you away so fast, you won’t know what hit you.”
Frowning at his wife, Carello stepped forward and took Serena’s hand. “You’ll have to excuse my wife. Sour grapes and all.” Lifting her hand to his lips, he held her gaze, but his words were for Ian.
“She was under my protection and you eluded my men when they tried to keep you from taking her.”
Taking her hand from Carello, Ian gestured for the other man to take a seat next to his wife.
“Once I saw Serena, I didn’t see anything else. What would you like to drink?” With his back to the others, he squeezed Serena’s hand until she met his questioning look.
Knowing what he wanted, she smiled and nodded, drawing a deep breath as he released her hand.
“You already know what I like.”
He waited several heartbeats, as if making sure that she could handle herself before smiling. “I certainly do.”
Serena drew on her experience at hiding her feelings and thoughts and faced her cousin and her new husband.
“I’m surprised you’re not away somewhere for your honeymoon.”
Elise’s lips thinned and she glared at her new husband. “Tony wouldn’t even think of going away until he made sure that you were safe at our estate.”
Under her husband’s warning look, she lowered her eyes, the anger in her tone trailing off at the end.
Carello took the glass Ian offered and took a healthy sip, ignoring Ian completely to stare at her.
“Does Wyn know about you?”
Since she knew Carello to be a blunt man, it didn’t surprise her that he’d brought the subject up so soon. Knowing how much it bothered him, she’d expected it.
Remembering Ian’s advice, she lifted a brow, attempting to look confused. “Know about me? What do you mean?”
Ian paused, looking from Carello to Serena as he moved toward her chair. “Darling, is there something I should know about you that you haven’t told me?”
