Page 26 of Deep Within Me

Instantly, the young man turned to him. Carreon handed Ernez the phone. “Give Roberto the club’s email address and download what he’s sending. I want to see it.”

He needed proof of what Roberto had claimed. It couldn’t be true. Wasn’t possible.

Dutifully, Ernez returned to his desk and delivered the address. Trinidad studied his ass as she ran her forefinger over her clit. Carreon saw amusement, rather than desire, on her lovely face. Her expression turned to quick indifference as Carreon curled his fingers around her wrist and pulled her hand from her cunt.

If he’d annoyed her by doing so, she didn’t show it. Wise move.

“There’s a mirror in the john.” He inclined his head in the direction of the bathroom. “Bring it to me.”

She glanced that way but didn’t move.

To hurry her along, Carreon bent her hand backward. Not enough to cause true pain. Merely the right amount to get her attention and acquiescence.

She stood.

He tightened his grip and brought her wrist to his mouth, kissing the inside of it. Gently, he murmured, “Don’t make me wait.”

Trinidad’s eyes glittered with the danger in his words. She gave him a smile then strolled toward the bath as if she had all the time in the world, her behavior reminiscent of a rebellious teen. A “fuck you” in each unhurried step.

Carreon doubted pain would guarantee her obedience, at least in the long run. She’d promise anything to stop the hurt, and once it was through would revert to her true nature. Threatening her family wouldn’t do the trick either. She clearly had no use for or sentimentality toward them. The more Carreon pushed, the more recalcitrant she’d become. As stubborn as Liz had grown when she’d finally realized it hadn’t been love he’d felt for her, but need of her gift, her submission to all he demanded.

Again, Carreon recalled what Roberto had told him. The thought brought another rush of worry, along with renewed rage. A growl of frustration escaped his throat.

“The download’s slow,” Ernez said, anxiety evident in his tone. “The file’s huge. It’s going to take several minutes.”

Carreon didn’t comment.

“I’ll try to hurry it along,” Ernez promised.

Trinidad exited the bath. She held the mirror—a circular model in its own gold stand—between her thumb and forefinger, letting it swing with the movement of her arm.

She walked with the grace of a princess or a ballerina, her sweet breasts trembling with each step. Just shy of him, she stopped. However, she didn’t offer the mirror.

“Give it to me,” he ordered.

She extended her hand just a bit, still making him reach for it.

Carreon moved close and ran his fingers up the inside of her thigh. Her lips parted on her lewd moan, telling him she clearly enjoyed his touch. Slipping his hand between her legs, Carreon ignored her cleft and concentrated on her anus instead. His fingertips circled the tight ring. Trinidad’s mouth fell open in appreciation.

“The mirror,” he said as he withdrew his hand, giving her a choice. If she obeyed him, she’d know pleasure. If she didn’t…

It would be a pity to mar one inch of her delicious flesh. However, a man had to do what was necessary to insure deference, no matter how fleeting.

As though she understood his unspoken intent, Trinidad handed him the mirror.

Carreon turned it so he could see his ear. The ice he’d held to it earlier had washed away most of the blood, while her healing touch had mended the wound with the skill of a drunken surgeon. His earlobe was misshapen, the skin puffy and red fromthe injury and the ice. Perhaps the poor result was because she hadn’t had enough time or opportunity to perfect her gift. If she used it repeatedly, as he’d forced Liz and her father to do, that might strengthen what she had.

It was Carreon’s only choice at the moment, his only hope. What Roberto claimed to have seen couldn’t possibly be—

“It’s ready,” Ernez said, interrupting Carreon’s thoughts.

He pushed the mirror at Trinidad and left her without a glance. Seated at the desk, Carreon stared at the video. The still shot showed the hall outside his stronghold’s safe room, just beyond the metal detector and full body scanner so no one ever entered his hiding place armed. After he’d had his father assassinated, Carreon had made certain no one would catch him off guard. Neither his enemies, nor his own men.

He directed the mouse’s arrow to the play button, his thoughts repeating what they had earlier.It can’t be true. It just can’t.

Unsettled, he clicked the button.

Nothing happened. All he saw was a shot of the empty hall. “What happened to the sound?” He should be hearing something.