Forever Marked (Marked Series Book 1)

by Jesse Lorenzo

  After Ellora’s heavenly, steaming hot shower had calmed and soothed her rattled nerves enough, letting the water slowly turn cold, she reluctantly stepped out. With the speed of a stubborn turtle, Ellora got ready for bed. Finally. She was more than ready to turn in, and her dated bed looked like a precious gift sent down from heaven. Her lids drooped heavily, and her full stomach had her practically falling asleep while standing. As she crawled into bed, a knock at the door sent her jumping out of the bed and hiding in the corner. She let the dark shadows hide her as she sat shivering with her adrenaline kicked into high gear. Ellora looked around the second floor apartment, frantically looking for a way out.

  Another knock sounded. “It’s just me, love. Sorry if I woke you.”

  Behr. “Oh thank God!” Ellora whispered to herself, sagging against the wall. It took a minute to relax her breathing and regulate her heart enough that Behr wouldn’t notice her moment of panic. She walked on shaky legs to the door. Opening it a tiny hairline crack, Ellora peeked out of it. Behr was running his hand through his hair, his roped muscles flexing with every move. He leaned on the door jam with the other. He was obviously deep in thought, because he hadn’t noticed her peering out at him. After another moment and one more deep breath, Ellora cleared her throat, capturing his attention. “Yes, Behr?”

  Behr snapped his head up at the sound of her soft voice. He dropped his hands and straightened his posture. “Is everything all right, love? I thought I heard you cry out. I hope it wasnae me who frightened you?” He narrowed his eyes through the tiny slit in the door, worry written all over his face.

  “No, everything is fine, Behr. Thank you for asking. Can I help you with something?” Ellora added the last question quickly, because it looked like he was going to drill her with more concerned inquiries and she didn’t want him to be distracted. She wanted to know why he was back up here.

  Behr lifted up one dark brow, knowing full well that she was avoiding his concern. He let it drop. “Well, I thought, after all the excitement from today and overwhelming people downstairs, that you’d be reluctant in coming down the stairs in the morning.” He paused for a moment and smiled up at her. “So I thought you might ’ave a need for your very own coffee maker.” She watched as the large man bent down to pick up the beloved machine. That machine paired with his smile did funny things deep in her stomach.

  Ellora couldn’t hide the extremely elated smile that spread across her face. How did he know that coffee was her obsession in life? Caffeine was a necessary evil if she even wanted to think about starting her day off on the right track. “Oh, Behr! Thank you so much. This is perfect. I appreciate this more than you know.”

  Ellora was going to tell him that he didn’t have to do this, but quickly kept that to herself. She didn’t want him taking it away from her. After all, coffee early in the morning was a necessity. Behr lifted an eyebrow as he stood there holding the machine, waiting. She didn’t want to let him in this time. What if he started in on the intense questions and concerns? He obviously saw through all her bullshit stories, and she was too tired to make one up on the fly. “Umm, could you just leave it by the door? I’m in my PJs over here.” Ellora cracked a satisfied grin when Behr’s face reddened.

  “Oh, yeah, o’ course, love. My apologies. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

  Ellora giggled breathlessly at the sight of Behr. He was obviously beating himself up. “No, I was headed there… but, hadn’t quite made it there yet.” Ellora watched as Behr nodded and set her heavenly machine on the floor. When he stood, he was rubbing the thick stubble on his chin, looking like he was having an internal debate about something. Her curiosity got the better of her. Besides, she didn’t want him scaring the crap out of her later, if or when he decided to come knocking to ask. “What’s on your mind, Behr?” Her voice was a soft whisper, as sleep was pulling her under even as she stood.

  “Ellora, I will be right down stairs with Grady for most o’ the night… If you need anything, anything at all, coffee filters, mugs…” They both smiled at his attempt to lighten his very serious offer. “Please, dinnae hesitate. Just ask me, and it’s yours. Whatever you’re going through, you dinnae ’ave to go it alone. I’m ’ere for you, to help in any way I can. All right, love? ’Ave a good night’s sleep Lor. I will see you t’morrow.”

  Ellora watched him walk down the hall through the crack in the door. When he was out of sight, she opened the door and picked up the glorious liquid-heaven maker. She couldn’t help but think about the big magnificent man that just marched his way into her life. Her stomach flipped nervously when his smiling face entered her thoughts again. She hugged her present tightly in her arms. What was she going to do about him? She couldn’t wait to find out!

  Symphony Place Hotel and Condominiums, Downtown Syracuse (Former Hotel Syracuse)

  Top floor high rise office

  10:37pm

  Dalton

  A buzzer sounds.

  “Yes, Susan?” he barked into the line.

  “Mr. Antonelli is here to see you, sir.”

  “Thank you, Susan. Show him in.”

  A tall blond in a light grey blouse and pinstripe pencil skirt led the gentleman into the office. “Mr. Antonelli, Dalton Ramsey Claiborne III.” Susan made the introductions.

  “Aaah, Dominick Antonelli, thank you for coming so late, and on such short notice.” Dalton clapped him on the shoulder.

  Dominick nodded with authority. “Mr. Claiborne.” They shook hands firmly, and Dalton turned to the blonde.

  “Thank you, Susan. You may go home for the night.”

  “Yes, sir.” She hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  “Come, Mr. Antonelli, have a seat. I’ve called you here today as a matter of extreme importance. You have always been my top investigator for high risk business negotiations, but now I need your services on a personal matter.”

  “Whatever you ask of me, Mr. Claiborne, I am at your disposal. What do you need me to find for you, sir?”

  “Not a what… a whom,” Dalton corrected. “She's the daughter of the recently deceased CEO of Downtown Renovations and Corporate Development Opportunities Group. We were planning a nineteen-million dollar rehabilitation project, using a former office building that was scheduled to be refurbished into Metropolitan Lifestyle condos. He was the best corporate rehab developer in the city. When he died, all my investors walked away, fearing incompletion, and took my initial investment with them. I have planned assets that are tied up with that girl. Unfortunately, she has disappeared. I need you to track down her whereabouts immediately!” With an arrogant stride, Dalton walked over to his desk and grabbed an envelope.

  “Yes, sir, I'll start tonight,” Dominick agreed. He could always use the money. It’d been a while since Dalton called on him for anything.

  “Excellent.” The self-important suited man tossed the thick manila envelope at Dominick. “Everything you need to know about her is in there.” He crossed his arms over his chest with confidence.

  Dominick opened the envelope and took a quick look inside. “Ellora Belle Sutherland. Hmm… not a problem, sir. I’ll get right on it.” This case already sounded more interesting than what he usually did for him.

  “Thank you, Mr. Antonelli. I trust you can see yourself out.” Dalton pointed at the door, not caring in the least if he came across rude. Dominick was beneath him, after all, and Dalton loved to go out of his way to make that clear with everyone he came into contact with.

  “Of course, sir. I will contact you when I have any new leads or news.” With that, they shook hands, concluding their meeting. Dominick swiftly marched out, happy to be out of the presence of this asshole.

  Dalton walked around his chair, behind the immense mahogany desk, dragging his fingers aimlessly along the massive expanse of bookshelves, deep in thought. He strode past the entire wall of books behind him, where he paced methodically back and forth along the wall of windows at the back of his office. Irritati
on morphed into blind anger, his blood pressure rising as well as his temper. His rage sent a prickling sensation up the length of his spine and into his scalp. Seething, Dalton ran both hands through his hair, slicking it back in frustration.

  “Damn bitch!” he hissed through clenched teeth.

  Dalton took his frustrations out on his expensive suit, attacking the buttons roughly. Stripped out of it, he tossed the jacket over the back of the club chair in the center of the room.

  “You just wait until I find you, Ellora. You’ll learn what happens when you try to run from me!” he gritted out through clenched teeth. He rolled up the sleeves of his designer shirt, anger elevating his temperature.

  “You made a big mistake turning down my proposition... No. One. Refuses. Me. If it's a game of cat and mouse you want to play, let the games begin! I never lose.”

  Stalking over to the windows, Dalton clenched his fists into tight balls. Staring outside, he watched the busy people flood the downtown hotspots, cutting loose after a long work week. Lifting his arm above him, Dalton leaned on the glass, gazing at the men and women crowding the sidewalks below. He thought back to when Joseph first introduced him to Ellora, when they decided to merge their businesses together.

  She was fresh out of high school, full of ambition and driven to help her father's business grow more successful. Joseph was taking her out on the job with him and teaching her all she would need to know, teaching her all he had learned. At first, Dalton didn’t think much of her besides, of course, how stunning she was. Plenty of glamorously stunning women threw themselves at him all the time, though, and Ellora was hardly lady-like or glamorous. Their first project finished successfully; the newly renovated factory they had turned into apartments sold to the highest bidder. To celebrate, Dalton arranged for both companies to come together for an early Christmas party.

  Dalton was running fashionably late. Once he strolled into the convention center, there she was -- a crimson silk strappy dress wrapped around her irresistible body, ending just above her knees. It swished and swayed with every move she made. Her hair, not in the usual messy ponytail, cascaded down her back like a forbidden black waterfall. The darkness of her outer appearance, mixed with her fiery spirit, was what awoke his carnal desire for her. She was sultry, alluring. Her astonishingly brilliant green eyes were intense and mysterious, drawing him into their tantalizing depths.

  Dalton was used to seeing her wear the usual contractors’ garb of steel-toed boots, cargos, hardhat, and gloves. He’d never really paid her that much attention, but at that moment, he wanted nothing else in the world more than to have Ellora underneath him. How could he have overlooked such a desirably enticing masterpiece? She was the center of attention, and everyone flocked around her, listening intently to her stories and laughing at her jokes. Needless to say, her drink never ran dry that night, and she was endlessly being offered up every appetizer they had.

  There was just something about her that made him want to take her, possess her, and show everyone there that he always got what he wanted. Dalton knew that he was the best man to be had, and she would soon belong to him.

  Sure, she was pure and innocent as a result of an overprotective father, but it didn’t take much to destroy innocence. Even a light as bright as Ellora's could be dimmed. Maybe there was a little wild cat hidden deep down that would fight him. The challenge and the promise of a fight was what excited him the most. Dalton would enjoy breaking her into becoming his docile little pussycat.

  Dalton strolled with a suave gait, right over to where she stood. He made his way through the throng of guys that surrounded her. Leaning in as close as she would allow, he brushed a finger down the length of her arm. Ellora’s skin was exceptionally soft, and Dalton couldn't help but press against her side suggestively. He wanted all of her, underneath him, right there. He asked if she wanted to go somewhere, someplace where they could be naked and alone. This became a pissing contest. He wanted to make it obvious to her and everyone else what he wanted from the start. As he followed the lines and contours of her delicious body, he licked his lips with hungry desire. Dalton nodded his head toward the exit. Damn, he was eager to taste her.

  Being in his uniquely well-off position, getting girls had always been relatively easy for him. All he had to do was just show off the wealth and the panties start dropping. So Dalton didn’t think the daughter of an extremely fortunate contractor, a glorified handyman, was going to be any different. They were beneath him, after all.

  Even now, his blood boiled, remembering the look on her face -- a look of complete and utter disgust.

  She made a noise in her throat, mocking a gag. “You have got to be kidding me right now. I don't know what kind of easy bimbos you hang out with, where acting like a sleazy, arrogant, socially desperate pervert actually works enough to get them to leave with you, but I'm not one of them. I wouldn't step foot outside of work with you, even if you paid me to do it.” Giving him a final look of distain, she pushed past Dalton and walked off, aiming for the refreshments table, when he caught up to her.

  He was absolutely astonished and livid at how she had talked down to him in front of their colleagues, like she was Queen of the Nile or something. When he heard the other men snickering at his expense, it sent him over the edge. She obviously had no idea what he was capable of, or how far he was willing to go. She would learn soon enough. Reaching out, Dalton grabbed her arm and yanked her back to face him. She looked angry at first, demanding for him to let her go, asking how he dared to treat her in such a way. That is, until she saw how pissed off he was. Growling through gritted teeth, he could see the fury twisting the features on his face mirrored through her eyes. She fell quiet but lifted her chin in defiance.

  Dalton made it perfectly clear that if she ever disrespected him like that again, she would suffer for it. Her family would suffer for it. He would use every resource, every connection available to ensure her father would never get a contracting job again. No matter where they moved, or how small the job was... He didn't care how long he had to follow them or how much it'd cost. In the blink of an eye, Dalton could have their whole world crushed and crumbling down around her.

  So he mentioned that it would be in her and her father’s best interest if she played nice around him. She wouldn't, after all, want to be the one responsible for ruining her father's career, or the lifestyle he worked so hard for, just because his spoiled brat of a daughter wouldn't go out with their new partner and head of the company who was responsible for hiring her father to begin with.

  Dalton knew he had her right where he wanted her, when her eyes drifted downward and her shoulders slumped. The love she had for her father would keep her right where he wanted her. Fear and leverage were the most important tools in manipulation. This was how he ran his business and his personal life. It was the key to all his success. Finally letting go of her arm, he nodded toward the door and prompted, “So, how about that date?”

  No, he wouldn't take things too fast with Ellora. He wanted to break her will, and that would take time. He would have her. That he promised himself. Dalton wouldn’t stop until she submitted to him. He wanted her to belong to him, and him only! In the meantime, he would enjoy breaking her spirit piece by piece, until she was as dark on the inside as she was on the outside. Everyone knew that Dalton Ramsey Claiborne III never backed down from a challenge.

  Ellora raced down the hallway as fast as her legs could carry her. Dread gripped her when she heard his heavy footsteps pounding on the hardwood floors behind her. His powerful presence echoed around the eerily empty house. It didn't matter how fast she ran; he was always right on her heels.

  Ellora quaked violently when she made it to the stairs. If she couldn't make it out of there, she'd never survive. Reaching out, she gripped the railing with both hands and used the leverage to fly down the steps. She skipped so many at a time, it felt like she was flying. He thundered down the steps after her. The smell of his rancid panting snaked its wa
y over her shoulder, the stench stung her nose. Ellora risked looking back, finding his large black eyes, vicious with a murderous rage she didn’t understand, were only a few feet behind her. He was close enough to grab her.

  Oh my God, this is it. He reached out... and she lunged, taking a giant leap before she got to the last three steps. She successfully made it over the carpeted runner at the bottom. Her ankles stung as she landed hard on her bare feet. Easily ignoring the pain, Ellora sprinted to the front door. She heard him land on the runner and crash to the floor as the rug slipped out from under him.

  Shaking, she fumbled with clumsy fingers, trying to unlock the deadbolt and doorknob. After several slips from her bloodied hands, she finally heaved open the door. She skidded on her own blood, which was trickling down her legs and pooling onto the floor. The cool air rushed in, sobering her. Chills raised goosebumps on her skin as she dashed out the door.

  Ellora looked back to make sure he wasn’t behind her. This action caused her to lose her balance, tripping down the driveway and crashing right into the car. She remembered leaving it unlocked, so she wrenched the door open and jumped inside, immediately locking the doors in record speed. It took only a moment for her to get a grip on her debilitating panic. Frantically searching her pockets for the car keys, first the front then the back, Ellora froze.

  A devastating hopelessness made her stomach drop when she realized that she’d left the keys in the house. She hung her head in defeat… BANG! BANG! BANG! The sudden violent pounding sent Ellora shooting out of her seat, frightened to death as he pulverized the glass window with his fists. He stopped his onslaught abruptly and pressed his face against the window. His disturbing eyes and malicious sneer held her captive as he lifted his hand, presenting her set of keys and shaking them. ‘NO!’