I frown. I haven’t heard a thing from Tiffani in weeks, and the couple of times I’ve bumped into her on campus, she’s purposely gone the opposite way. I thought all that was behind me, and I really don’t have time to deal with her shit today. Not when Eva’s most likely already on her way. “Damn it. I’d better go face her.”
“No need, man. She’s gone. She flipped her shit when she saw me and took off running before I even opened my mouth. Total nut job.”
I frown again. “That’s … weird.”
He lounges against the wall. “Or maybe not. She was at the bar last weekend, smashed and falling all over the place. A couple of the guys overheard her talking to some of the girls, and she was crying over how much she loves you, telling them she was going to win you back. I’m guessing she’s getting ready to make her play.”
I shrug, opening the door, and Duke steps out into the corridor. “I hate to shove you out the door, but I’m really running late. If Tiff has something to say to me, she’ll be back.”
“No doubt.” He props against the doorframe. “Anyway, I just wanted to warn you she was hanging about.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” I slap him on the back, somehow managing to speak over the sudden lump wedged in my throat. This is most likely the last time I’ll speak to Duke. I left a letter for him too, but he’ll be so pissed I bailed without a word. There is a lot I’d like to say to him in person, but I can’t risk it. Instead I throw out a casual statement. “Catch you later, dude.”
All concerns about Tiffani, and nostalgic thoughts about Duke, evaporate once I’m in the chauffeur-driven car with Eva a half hour later. The privacy screen is up, and we spend most of the journey draped around one another, making out like we’re teenagers. I’m tempted to pull her into my lap for a quick fuck before we get to the restaurant, but I manage to restrain myself. We never get to do this, and tonight is important.
It’s the start of the rest of our lives, and I want it to mean something. I don’t want to reduce it to hot sex in the back of a hired car, when tonight symbolizes all the other ways in which our relationship is important. Eva deserves to be treated like a goddess, and that’s what I’m going to do tonight.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asks as we make our way inside the exclusive members-only restaurant. I understand her concern, and it took a colossal amount of skill to coax her into agreeing to this tonight. But, between the tinted windows of the Merc, the shielded underground entrance to La Grotte Secrete, and this establishment’s notoriety for protecting the privacy of their patrons, I’m confident we won’t be recognized.
I lift her hand to my lips, kissing her delicate skin. I’ve always been fascinated with Eva’s hands, and now I know how exquisite they feel exploring my body I’m an addict for life. “I wouldn’t bring you here if I thought it placed you in any kind of risk. Your husband is out of state, his bodyguards think you’re with Renee, and this restaurant doesn’t approve membership for known criminals, so no one will see us. But, to be on the safe side, I had my guy hack into their system and vet the bookings list to ensure there was no one here tonight with any connection to your husband or any of his rivals. He confirmed we’re safe. You can relax, baby.” I kiss her cheek as the waitresses guides us to our table.
I hold out Eva’s chair and then sit down across from her, taking a moment to appreciate how fucking amazing she looks tonight. She’s wearing a sophisticated, strapless black dress that could be considered plain on anyone else. But, on Eva, it glides over her stunning curves like a glove, accentuating her beautiful body to perfection. With her hair down, and minimal makeup, she’s naturally stunning, carrying herself with a quiet confidence I find very attractive. God, she’s incredibly gorgeous, and I can’t believe she’s going to be mine.
“I would just prefer to celebrate after we’re out of the country,” she whispers, anxiously knotting her hands in her lap and glancing warily around the room.
Fuck, maybe I made a mistake doing this tonight, but we could both use the distraction, and I thought going out for dinner, in a safe, private, environment, would help put us at ease. If I sit at home, I’ll just be thinking of my family and how horrified they’re going to be in a couple of days when they receive my letters and realize I’ve left the country with no intention of coming back anytime soon. And, despite the calm façade I’m presenting to Eva, I am worried about the plans for tomorrow and constantly praying nothing goes wrong.
“We can leave right now, honey, if you’re not comfortable. I wanted to do something special because I never get to spoil you, but you only have to say the word and we can go.”
“No, it’s okay.” She sends me a tentative smile. “I trust you, and it’s better than sitting in an empty house fretting over everything.”
I order a bottle of the most expensive champagne, and we chat quietly over our drinks, holding hands the entire time. “I can’t believe this time tomorrow we’ll be far, far away,” she whispers, after the waitress has cleared away our entrees. “I’m so excited and completely on edge too.”
I rub soothing circles across the back of her hand. “I’m feeling all that too, but it’s going to be fine. The guys have done this countless times. They’re pros at this stuff, and we’re in safe hands. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Her eyes glisten as she leans across the table toward me. “When I was a little girl, this was the type of love I dreamed about—finding a man who consumed my world, who I lived and breathed for. Someone who loved me back with the same intensity. Someone I visualized myself growing old with. A man who would do anything for me, be anything for me, as I would do for him.” A little tear sneaks out of the corner of one eye. “I gave up believing in that dream a long time ago, but here you are. Here we are. And I find myself believing again.”
She reaches across the table, kissing me passionately. “I thank whoever brought you into my life, Kaden Kennedy. Someone up there was looking out for me.” She caresses my cheek affectionately, and the adoring look in her eyes almost undoes me. “Thank you for loving me enough to risk everything for me. And, for as long as I live, I will do everything in my power to make sure you know your sacrifice wasn’t in vain. I will love you so completely, as long as there is breath in my lungs and blood flowing through my veins. You never have to doubt that.”
“Eva.” My voice is gruff, and I wish I could take her into my arms right now. “You complete me, in every way, and I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another person. Never doubt that you have my full heart and you have it for life.”
Eva is laughing freely by the time dessert arrives, buoyed up by a couple of glasses of champagne, and a fabulous meal. I’d like to think my charming company was a factor too, but that could be my healthy ego speaking.
I’m glad we did this tonight.
That I’ll be sending her home for the last time tonight more relaxed than when she left.
“I don’t think I can stomach another bite,” she moans as I raise my spoon to her mouth.
“You have to try this. It’s to die for. Best chocolate mousse I’ve ever tasted.” I feed it to her, and the little sounds she makes has me instantly hard. Reaching across the table, I capture her lips in a demanding kiss, swirling my tongue around her mouth, tasting the creamy, rich chocolatey flavors still lingering in her mouth.
“Wow!” Her face is flushed as she looks at me. “Your kisses are to die for. I’ve never enjoyed kissing anyone as much as I love kissing you.”
“I should hope so,” I tease as prickles of apprehension crest over me. I discreetly check out my surroundings, catching the eye of someone familiar. Twisting my head, I lock eyes with Brad McConaughey. Brad is my brother Kyler’s best friend and someone who practically grew up in our house. He’s virtually gained adopted Kennedy brother status by this stage. His hand rests on the back of his date, a girl I also know. Rachel
is Faye’s best friend from Ireland and now Brad’s girlfriend and roommate.
Brad glances briefly at Eva and then back at me. I know he knows who she is and that he’s wondering what the hell is going on. I send him a pleading look, and he nods, letting me know he’ll keep my secret safe.
“Who is that?” Eva whispers, her voice trembling as panic takes hold.
I send Brad one final nod, before focusing on the love of my life. “No one you need to worry about.” I cup her face, rubbing her cheek tenderly. “He’s one of my brother’s best friends, but he won’t say anything. I promise. He’s a good guy, and he won’t get involved.”
Eva is still worried when the car drops me back at my place. I wanted to drop her home first, but she won’t hear of it. It’s too risky with the guards on the gate. So, the driver will drop her home last. I took the precaution of booking a new car company this time, and I made the reservation in a fake name, so if anyone questions Eva or the driver, nothing will lead back to me.
I kiss her for way too long in the car, but I hate having to part. I wish our date was ending with her spending the night with me, so I could take my time worshiping her body, making love to her all night long. But we can’t risk it. If one of the guards reported her absence to her husband, he might return home and ruin all our plans.
“I love you,” I say, leaning into the car as I attempt to drag myself away. I kiss her one last time. “I’ll see you at the rendezvous point in the morning. If anything happens, or anything changes, call or text me. And you have the emergency number I gave you.”
She nods. “It’s on my cell, but I also memorized it, just in case.”
“Good, that’s good, baby.” I kiss her again. “God, I hate saying goodbye.”
“This is the last goodbye, and that’s something to celebrate.” She offers me a genuine smile, and I get a grip of myself.
“It definitely is. See you tomorrow, honey. Sleep well.”
I close her door and watch until the Merc is out of sight.
An ominous sense of dread skates over my skin as I step into the hallway of my apartment. The light automatically switches on when my foot hits the floor, but the illumination does little to assuage my sudden fear. All the fine hairs on my arms lift. My body is on heightened alert as I cautiously make my way to the living room, cursing the fact my gun is in my bedroom and so far out of reach.
Bile swims up my throat as I step into my living space and freeze on the spot. My mouth is frozen in horror as I stare at the three bloody bodies mounted in a sloppy heap on the hardwood floor. Instinct kicks in, and I turn around, racing for the door, but I’m a fraction too late. Someone slams into me from behind, and I crash face-first into the door. The butt of a weapon is pressed against the back of my head. “Going somewhere, asshole?” a gravelly voice says as my hands are jerked behind my back and roughly tied. I attempt to shove the jerk off, but the clicking sound of his gun stalls my movement. “Try it, jerk face. I’d love an excuse to put a hole through that pretty-boy skull of yours.”
“Fuck you.”
He viciously slams my head against the door and I see stars. Then I’m yanked back, and the gun pokes firmly into my back as a black cloth cover is placed over my head.
Pain explodes in my skull as I’m hit full force from behind, and that’s the last thing I remember before I black out.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Present Day
Evelina
I’ve had a horrible sense of foreboding from the minute I left Kaden last night, and it hasn’t gone away. Especially since I’m at the agreed meeting place, and Kade is nowhere to be found. As I watch the minutes tick by on my watch, I grow more and more distressed.
Something has happened.
I feel it in my bones.
Kade told me to give it ten minutes and if he hadn’t shown to call the emergency number and someone would come get me. It’s been twenty minutes and he’s still a no show. My hands are trembling as I stab the numbers on the phone. I won’t leave without him, but, for now, I’ll follow the agreed plan and call for backup.
Without warning, someone makes a grab for me from behind. I react instinctively, dropping down and shoving my elbow back into my assailant’s thigh while stomping on his foot. A string of colorful expletives filters through the air, and his hold on me relaxes. I wriggle out of his grip, but I lose my footing on the gravel underneath, wobbling precariously as I attempt to run way. The cell flies out of my hand, skittering across the road, and I’m powerless to stop myself from falling. I throw my palms out in front of me at the last second, holding myself up, mere inches from the stony ground.
A hand fists in my jacket before I can get away, and I’m yanked painfully to my feet.
“That wasn’t very nice, Mrs. Garcia.” His menacing tone sends chills down my spine, and my stomach lurches to my toes. Intense fear whittles through me. Holding me against him, with my back flush to his chest, he grasps my chin firmly, pinching my skin. “If you’re looking for your boy toy, I’m afraid he’s otherwise indisposed.” My breath shuttles out in panicked spurts, but I say nothing, knowing better than to antagonize hired guns. I don’t recognize the voice, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t one of Jeremy’s guys. Or it could be the same crew who tried to take me previously. I’m not sure whether it matters much—the end outcome is most likely the same.
When he hauls me back through the gate of the abandoned warehouse, I’m almost choked as he keeps a meaty arm wrapped around my neck. Terrifying thoughts are bouncing through my brain, and I’m so scared for Kade. I know he’s strong and skillful with his hands, but none of that means shit if they crept up on him the same way they crept up on me. Because I didn’t hear a thing until they were on top of me.
My legs are kicking up dirt and dust as I’m dragged across the empty wasteland, and a strangled, gurgling sound slips from my throat. The sliding of a door pricks my ears, and I catch a glimpse of the gruesome scene before something dark is placed over my head. I’m thrust into the back of the van, stumbling in panic as I almost fall over the two dead bodies on the floor. I’m guessing they are part of the team Kaden hired to help us escape, and my anxiety reaches new heights. What if Kaden is already dead? I’ll never forgive myself if he’s lost his life because of me.
Someone shoves me onto a hard seat or bench, and my hands and feet are tied tightly. A fretful, fluttery feeling presses down on my chest, constricting the flow of oxygen to my lungs. A body drops into place alongside me, a heavy thigh resting against mine, making no effort to put any distance between us. Disgust and dread crawl over me, and I’m working hard to keep my shaking to a minimum. I’ve been around these sick bastards long enough to know they get off on obvious displays of fear. Hands brush against my breasts, and my breath falters in my chest, as all manner of hideous scenarios flit through my mind.
“Don’t touch her,” a different male voice says. “You know what we were told.”
“Be patient,” another male says. “And your reward will come.”
A few guffaws ring out, and my heart starts pounding against my ribcage as sheer terror consumes me.
I’m jostled from side to side as the van moves over uneven terrain. Apart from a few low whispers, conversation is almost nonexistent, and the silence seems even louder against the screaming in my head. Although I knew there was always a risk we’d be discovered, Kaden had been so careful, considering all the angles and hiring guys who supposedly knew what they were doing.
But none of that matters now, because someone has gotten to us.
And my money is on my husband.
The van screeches to a halt a while later, and I’m dragged outside. One of the men keeps a firm hold of my arm as I’m steered forward. The dark covering is still over my head, and I trip several times, unable to see where I’m walking. A blast of cold air swirls around me as we descend steps, going lower and lo
wer. I stumble several times, falling into the man in front of me, while the one behind me curses, roughly yanking me back.
We’re back on flat ground, and I’m being propelled forward. The air is even colder at this level and a shiver skips down my spine. I focus on making my limbs move, forcing one foot in front of the other and it feels a lot like walking to the gallows.
A piercing scream filters through the cold, dank air, and everything freezes inside me. That was a female scream, and it was full of unrestrained anguish. My stomach lurches queasily, but I draw deep breaths while counting to ten in my head, doing everything I can think of to keep my composure and my wits about me.
Something cold and hard juts into my lower back, and I’m prodded forward with more urgency. My heart is jackhammering against my ribcage, and every nerve ending on my body is primed and on high alert. My ears are pricked and paying attention, hearing the muted whimpering sounds coming from somewhere close by and the scuttling of rats racing across the floor.
A door creaks open, and I’m shoved forward. Losing my balance, I take a tumble, but someone snatches me up, at the last second, digging fingernails into my arms. Biting back a cry, I grit my teeth and mentally plead with my body to stop shaking. At this point, I can’t tell if I’m trembling from fear or the cold or a mixture of the two. My jacket is stripped off me, and then I’m manhandled into a seat. My wrists and ankles are tied to the chair, and then the cover is lifted from my head.
I blink my eyes open, shaking my head from side to side, trying to see through the messy strands of hair shielding my face. Cold, calloused fingers sweep the hair out of my eyes. I look up, wincing as the glare from the overhead light startles me. I take a quick look around, making out a few things through my blurred vision. We’re in some kind of empty cellar or basement. The exposed walls are crumbling, the brickwork cracked in several places. As my eyes slowly adjust, all the blood drains from my face.
Seducing Kaden (The Kennedy Boys Book 6) Page 20
