Page 41 of Lord of Ruin
“I didn’t know that,” I told her, more impressed than before.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Let me go over the highlights with you. I speak three languages. I’m a damn good cook and not just making pizza. While I can’t afford much in the way of expensive wines, I know them very well. I ride horses, can wrestle steers to the ground in eight point nine seconds, and once considered a career in the rodeo. Would you like to know my favorite movies and music selections? I’ll give you a hint, I’m not a girlie girl. I don’t like chick flicks or rom-coms. How about you?”
Even her sultry voice was enough to draw out the beast in me all over again. “Are all those being truthful?”
“I’m not in a habit of lying, Stavros. Not only did I grow up with an Irish dad determined to treat his two daughters like sons, but I had an uncle who lived in Texas. He owned a ranch that I loved visiting. He taught me about horses and took me to rodeos every summer when I was there. I was a regular tomboy, which is one reason I can take care of myself given the opportunity.”
“You impress me very much and I’ll keep that in mind. However, until I get a handle on what we’re dealing with, I can’t risk your life any more than I already have.”
“Share with me who you think your latest, greatest enemy is.”
Walking away wasn’t easy but I felt it necessary. Not only did she need space but so did I. Around her, I could find myself losing all control.
I grabbed the mug of coffee, even though I had a feeling everything would leave a bitter taste in my mouth. “I honestly wish I knew, Jenna. But I don’t.” Sighing, I grabbed cream from the refrigerator, pouring some into my mug. When Jenna was in a room, there was a breath of fresh air.
“Russians? The asshole who attacked me was definitely Russian. His accent was pronounced.”
“No, I don’t think so. The man who hunted and found you was simply hired to do a job. There are factions all over the world intent on coming into a territory instead of respecting it as most syndicates do. There are rules in our world like in any corporate environment.” I took a sip of coffee, the same thoughts tumbling through my mind as I’d had for two days.
“Huh. That’s fascinating. Who knew criminals had any regulations.”
“You might be surprised. The shit you’ve heard or read about crime syndicates is horribly outdated. Now, when you’re with Elena, I hope you can enjoy yourself, but you will be required to remember the rules at all times. She’ll grill you because that’s what my sister does. There are no secrets in our family so feel free to express your utter hatred of me. I have thick skin. However, my beautiful enchanted one, do not try and escape. Even Elena won’t stand for it. Neither will her guards. I hope that I can place my trust in you as one day I hope you can in me. But if you fail me now, it will be a very long time until your privileges are restored. If ever.”
“I’ll keep that in the back of my mind. Anything else?”
I walked closer to her, wanting to spend the morning with her doing nothing more than breaking down her barriers. She’d been in my house for three days and it felt as if there was more life in the once cold and lonely place.
“No. Try and relax if you can. Elena will show you a good time. But you need to return prior to dark.”
“Oh, Daddy. I have a curfew.”
“Goddamn it, Jenna. I’m not fucking around with this. Do you hear me? That burly Russian was going to kill you. How many times do I need to say the same thing before you get it through your head? How many?”
She was obviously surprised I’d raised my voice. “Okay. Before dark.”
“Good. Do not fuck with me on this. I don’t want to treat you like a child, but I will if necessary.” My God, how the woman could get under my skin.
“Hmmm…” She sidestepped me, leaving her barely touched cup of coffee on the island, immediately heading toward the door.
“I want you safe,” I told her.
“And I want my life back.”
“I’m sorry but I can’t do that.”
“Then there’s nothing for us to talk about.”
When she was gone, there was nothing but emptiness.
Alone.
I’d never felt alone in my life. How could I with such a huge family hanging around me? Almost all of us now lived in the same city, my sister Alexandra the exception. She’d taken a position at a Baltimore Hospital, which meant we only saw her during the holidays. Internship was brutal on emerging doctors.
Even Elena only lived in Philly part time, returning to Washington State every few weeks to tend to her beloved winery. I was glad my sisters had found happiness doing what they loved. Meanwhile, the three sons had never been given a choice in what we were to accomplish in our lives.
I wasn’t certain why I was thinking about that at this point other than I’d spent two days talking with my brothers, and our most trusted outside sources from all over the world, without coming to any concrete sources for the two incidents in New York.
However, we had come to the conclusion they weren’t related.