Page 70 of Lord of Ruin

“I’ll get you what I can. Tomorrow good enough?” he laughed. “I thought you’d be snuggled up tight with that hottie you kidnapped given what happened at the club.”

“Very funny. The morning will be fine. Just make certain I have something.”

“Okay, boss. I’m on it.”

I just hoped he was. I didn’t want to feel the need to remind who worked for whom. The entire conversation with Jeff bothered the hell out of me. However, if he was connected, he might have been prodded into selling for a less than acceptable reason.

After shoving my hands into my pockets, I realized that the girl sleeping in my bed had managed to change my method of thinking in a couple of days. I could only imagine what she would do in a week or three.

Priceless.

Her sudden change in demeanor, even if it was for only one night was priceless, the way she’d fed me the first bite of pizza endearing. Gooey cheese had dripped down my chin and without hesitation, she’d run her long finger through it, gathering every tiny scrap and driving it into her mouth.

I’d almost taken her to the bathroom right then and there, fucking like animals without asking for her approval. Not that I would anyway. I laughed as I poured us both a glass of wine, checking messages first to ensure I hadn’t missed anything.

Everything appeared to be normal, even quiet. Nico had purposely gone from one casino to another, ensuring the customers were having a good time. Atlas had already headed off to our other businesses, warehouses storing the various weapons we sold, to ensure there were no break-ins or other issues.

I was more troubled from nothing occurring than if I’d heard there was a battle brewing. To me, it was the quiet before the storm. Our family had been through it before, some asshole enemy thinking they could lie in wait, then advance like an army. They’d underestimated our capabilities and the number of soldiers we had working for the regime. They also had no clue how tight our security system truly was.

As I moved into the small communications room, one of several on my estate and also at Nico’s and Phoenix’s houses, my thoughts continued to shift back to Jenna. She’d awakened something inside of me, allowing some of the darkness to fade. I’d found myself enjoying the night more than I had any in… years. That was telling in and of itself.

She’d seemed youthful, which of course she was. She’d seemed happy, which was the biggest shock of all. And she’d seemed amorous, which I’d adored. The way she’d acted in the back of the SUV kept me electrified even now.

I took a sip of wine as I flicked on the various large screens, switching to having a dozen cameras on each one. With the infrared settings and the hair trigger alarms, it was virtually impossible to break into our corporate headquarters or anywhere else. The employees and soldiers who worked at the various locations were screened thoroughly, including having our hackers get into their phones and emails, bank accounts and friends’ lists. Before they stepped foot on any one of our properties, we knew them inside and out.

However, that didn’t mean there weren’t ways of convincing our good people to betray our family and the loyalty we demanded. Or for there to be a crack thief who knew of a way to shut down our systems or mirror them. That was widely known as a resourceful way of breaking into a bank or handling an art heist. I laughed as I shifted my gaze from one screen to another.

All was quiet.

Too quiet.

My gut told me it was only a matter of time until something happened. What that would be was the question. However, I wasn’t the kind of man to spend hours or days worrying about it. When Jenna had asked me how I could live this kind of life, my answer had been truthful. As if every day was my last. It was a shame that I hadn’t followed my own advice. I simply wasn’t good at that.

Another smile crossed my lips, my cock pressing against my trousers. I couldn’t wait another minute before ravaging her again. Only this time, I’d take her my way. The thought was delicious and very evil. But I had toys, more like implements of pain leading to pleasure. Perhaps this was the night to bring them out.

And I wasn’t just talking about handcuffs.

I grabbed the bottle and both glasses of cabernet, heading out of my office. I’d kept the monitors on for later, although I’d be made aware if there was any breach of security by the sound of the alarm.

As I took the stairs two at a time, I wondered if she’d slipped into something romantic. Was it crazy to think that we could continue enjoying each other’s company? Maybe, and I wasn’t the kind of guy to believe in love at first sight or even after a few weeks. To me, love was something that occurred only after you’d spent a lengthy amount of time together.

Not that I was some expert.

The single time I’d allow myself to fall, I’d been way too young and hopeful of changing the world. Right. That hadn’t worked out well, the ugliness of what had occurred leaving more than just a bitter taste in my mouth.

It had nearly crushed me.

When I walked into the bedroom, I was surprised she wasn’t posing or jumping out of the shadows. I placed everything on the nightstand before something caught my eye. She’d casually placed the dress on the floor, her heels close by. While I still had her panties in my pocket, there was enough of a trail leading to the partially closed bathroom door that I was instantly fully aroused.

Before yanking off my jacket, I tugged her crimson thong into my fingers, bringing the lacy material to my face and inhaling. Goddamn, she smelled sweet, the powerful aphrodisiac pulling me into the moment more than before. And the taste of her, Jesus. It was something men would lay down their life to have.

Me included.

I tossed my jacket onto the chair, tossing the unwanted tie next, pitching my shoes and socks onto the floor. After grabbing the two glasses of wine in one hand, I headed toward the bathroom, noticing a flicker of light before I used my index finger to push open the door. The designer I’d hired had insisted on an oversized claw-foot bathtub that until now, I’d never used. It wasn’t my thing. A quick shower either here or at the gym was my usual method of cleaning.

Relaxing was something you did when you retired.

But seeing Jenna soaking in a tub full of bubbles, candles placed everywhere as the only light in the room, I was thrown by the need to simply bask in her beauty. I remained in the doorway as she hummed to whatever jazz piece was playing, completely content with being where she was.