TheNewYorkTimesandUSATodaybestsellingseriescontinuesintheexplosivesixthpart!

EnigmaticbillionaireJeremiahHamiltonpluckedtwenty-fouryearoldLucyDelacourtfromanexistencespiralingdownintodarkness.Seducedandbroughtintotheextravagantlifestyleoftherichandpowerful,Lucywassweptupintothehighesthighs,andexperienceddangerouslows,butalwaystherewasherbillionaireprotector.Safeinhisarms,shethoughtforsureherlifehad

finallyfoundtherighttrack.

Untilshecouldn’tholdbacksayingthosethreelittlewords,andfoundouthowfragilehernewpositionwas.

Heraffectionsspurnedbythemansheloves,thedejectedyoungwomaniskidnappedfrom

Jeremiah’shomeanddiscoversmoreaboutanotherfacetoftheHamiltonfamilylegacy.LucasHamilton,knownindarkercompanyasLoki,isanarmsdealerandJeremiah'sbrother.HeneedsLucyforhisownpurposes,butmakesitnosecretthathewantstogetbackathisbrotheranywayhecanforstealingthefamilyempire.DangerousoutsideforcesseemintentontakingtheproudandwealthyNewYorkfamilydown.Butwhatwillbroken-heartedLucydowhenhernew

captorsetshissightsonseduction?

Nomatterwhathappens,Lucy’slifewillneveragainbethesame.

Anything He Wants: Castaway

BySaraFawkes

BarnesandNobleedition

Copyright2013.Allrightsreserved.

CHAPTER1

Sweat linedthebrowofthesmallmansittingacrossfromme.Thethincomb-overlay

plasteredtohisforeheaddespitethecoolair lowingthroughanearbyairvent.Hehuggedabriefcasecloseinhislap,notlookingatanyofthemenwhostoodaroundthetable.Hiseyeskept glancing toward the exit, as if all hewanted todowasbolt andmake a run from thetensionslowlyescalatingwithinthedarkroom.

Itotallyunderstoodthesentiment.“Wehaven’tgotallday,”muttered adark-hairedScotsmanleaningagainstthefarwall,

buthewassilencedbythemoroseglareoftheblondmanbesidehim.HandsclappeddownonmyshouldersandI linched.“Rightthen,”camea cheeryvoice

frombehindmeasmyhandscurledinto istsbeneaththetable.“Nowthatwe’reallhere,let’sgetonwiththeshow.Whowantstostart?”

Nobody sharedhis enthusiasm.Across fromme, the thinman linched at eachword,lookinglikehewantedtomeltintotheflooranddisappear.Iswallowednervouslyassilenceagainpermeatedtheroom.Finallyonelargemanleaningagainstanearbywallpulledhimselfupright.Everyoneelseintheroomroseslightlyinattention,unconsciouslydeferringtohisleadership.“Loki,”herumbled,thethickRussianaccentlendingweighttohiswords,“nowisnotthetimeforyourgames.”

“Ifnotnow,Vasili,thenwhen?”Inoticedseveralothers in theroomgrit their teethat the jovialreply.Vasili grunted,

then looked across the table from me. “Doctor Marchand,” the large Russian murmured,“makeyourrequest.”

The thinmanstarted,glancingblanklyupat theRussian.Thehandsonmyshoulderssqueezedenoughtogetmyattention.“Yourturn.”

Myturn?Ihalf-turnedtowardthemanbehindme.“Todowhat?”Itensedasseveralsetsofeyesintheroomturnedtowardme.

“Translation,mydear.Dr.MarchandhereisFrench.”I gavethearmsdealerbehindme a sharp look.If thishadbeenanyother situation, I

mightalsohavegivenLucasHamiltonapieceofmymind.I’dbeenborninCanadaandspokefluentFrench,butIdidn’tlikebeingforcedintothings.Thedark-hairedmanbehindmesmiledplacidly,quirkingoneeyebrow.Hismomentaryglanceabouttheroomtookintheothermenbeforereturningbacktome–asifIneededareminder.

Ididn’tevenknowwhereIwasorwhyIwasthere;thiswasthe irsttimeanyonehadaddressedmesincewe’denteredtheroom.I’dbeengivenaseatwhiletheothersglaredatoneanother,clearlytryingtoseewhohadthebiggest…well. IfacedtheFrenchman,pursingmylips.“Theysaytomakeyourrequest,” Itranslatedinadullvoice.Thepainofmy ingernailsbitingintomypalmwastheonlythingkeepingmecalm.

Marchandturnedwideeyesatme,thenlickedhislips.Hismouthworkedforamoment,asifworkingupthecourage,thenhemurmured,“Ineedhelp…smugglingmedicines.”

“They’llwantmore thanthat,Doctor,” Ireplied,tryingtoignoretheeyesonme.Those

slim hands never left my shoulder, but for nowtheir owner wasas much the enemy aseveryoneelseintheroom.“Whereisthemedicinegoing?”

De iancesparkedintheman’seyesforabriefmoment,thendiedashelookedaroundtheroom.“ToAfrica.Myhospitalneedsthesesupplies.”

I frowned.Hesounded likeanhonestenoughman, sowhywas he here?Probably thesamereasonI’mhere,Ithought,swallowingabitterpill.BecauseIhavenochoice.“HewantstosmugglesomemedicinetoAfrica.”

“Whatmedicines?”“AIDSmedication,” I repliedafterabriefpause, translating the reluctantanswer from

theFrenchman.“Africa might bedifficult,” Lucas murmured, and I translated. “Greasing all the right

palmstherecanbeanexpensiveproposition.”“IfyoucangetthemtotheCaribbean,hecantakecareoftherest.”Mystomachroiledas

Ilistenedtomyselfspeak,andIforcedmyselftobreatheslowly.Theurgetohyperventilateand panic waspowerful. I glancedup to see someof themen eyeingme, and I turnedmyattentionbacktothetable.

Theblondmanagainstthefarwallwhistled.“That’sexpensivestuff,”hesaid,hisvoicearoughAustralianaccent.“Worthalotontheblackmarkettoo.”

WhenItranslatedthis,theFrenchmanbecameincensed.“Heinsistsit’sforhisvillageand surrounding areas,” Iexplained asthedoctor continued to gesticulatewildly. “He isn’tgoingtosellanyofitforprofit.”

“Toobad.”TheAustralian’slaughwasanuglysound.“He’dgettopdollarforit,especiallydowninAfrica.”

DoctorMarchandseemedtounderstandthegistof theconversationbecausehis faceturnedredinself-righteousanger,buthestayedquiet.Hesentanaccusinggazetome ,asifIwastheonewhogavethemtheidea,andIglaredback.IwantedtotellhimthatIwasasmuch,if notmore so, the victim here, but I doubted he’d believeme. I didn’t asked for this job, Ithoughtsilently,tryingtoshrugoffthehandsonmyshoulders.Blametheslick-tonguedsnakebehindmeforthatprivilege.

ThebigRussianinchargeturnedtothemanbehindme.“Youcandothis,Loki?”“Indeed.”Lucasmovedtomysidebuthisonehandstayedonmyshoulder.Ilookedup

to seehisscarred face studyeveryone else in the room. “However,” he added, quirking aneyebrow,“Idon’tthinkthat’sthewholeoffer.AmIcorrect,gentlemen?”

“Rightyouare,mate.”TheblondAustraliansteppedforward.“We’dliketoaddabitofourowncargotothelot,sinceyou’dalreadybeheadingthatwayanyway.”

ThedoctorglancedupattheAustralian,thenturnedtome.“Whataretheysaying?”heaskedinFrench.Iheldupa inger,silentlyaskinghimtowait,astheconversationcontinuedaroundme.

“Andwhatwouldyoubetransporting?”Lokiasked.

“Theusual.” Niall grinned. “May aswell kill two birdswith one stonewith this littlejaunt.”

Lucaseyedtheblondman.“YourealizedthisisonlytotheCaribbean,right?”“Yup. I justneed toget this lotoutof thecountry;distributionshouldbeeasierafter

that.”Lokinodded,asifthatexplainedeverything.“I’llneedafullinventory.”TheAustralianman snappedhis ingers, and a sheet of paperwaspassed across the

table.DoctorMarchand followedtheexchange,darkbrows furrowed.Lokireadthe listandwhistled.“Impressive.Valuabletoo.”

“What is it?” the doctor hissed, leaning forward toward me.“What are they talkingabout?”

Istaredatthedoctor,unsurehowtorespond.Surelyheknewwhatmanneroffolkhe’dfalleninwith.“Howdidyoumeetthesemen?”

“WhenIwasn’tabletogetenoughmedicinethroughapprovedchannels,Iapproachedoneofmybenefactorsforhelp.Hesetupthemeetin,gbutIhavenotmetthemeninthisroombeforetoday.”The thin man slapped one hand on the table,inadvertently drawing attention tohimself.“Whatisittheysay?”

“Weapons,” Ireplied,sicktomystomach.“Gunsmorethanlikely.They’llbeaddedtoyourshipment.”

“Non!”Marchand bangedboth ists on the table and stood suddenly.“Tell themthis isunacceptable,”he insisted, gesticulatingwildly, thebriefcasewavingabout like abludgeon.“Thiswastobeamedicaloperation;Icannotallowthemto…”

Aroundtheroom,guns appeared inseveralhands.TheFrenchmanstutteredtoahalt,hiseyesgoingwide.Myheartclenchedinsharedterrorasthemenintheroomtrainedtheirweaponsonthedoctor.“No,wait,”Iexclaimed,risingtomyfeet,onlytobepushedbackintomyseatbythehandgrippingmyshoulder.“Please,Imisinterpretedsomething.”TurningtoMarchand,Isaid,“Please,thinkaboutyourpatients.Ifyoudienow,they’llneverhavehelp.”

“If I allow this to happen,”the doctor replied, voice high and fearful, his gazemovingbetweeneachofthemenholdinggunsonhim,“thenIwillbetoblameforthosewhocomeintomyclinicbecauseoftheseweapons.”

Hiswordswerelikeasuckerpunchtothegut.“Mr.Marchand,” Ibegged,“pleasesit.Thiswillhappennowwhetheryouwantitornot,andallwecandoismakethebestofit.”

Thedoctor’seyesswungbetweenthemenandmyface,thenwithhishandsstilluponeithersideofhisheadheslowlyloweredhimselfbackintotheseat.Thedefeatonhisfacewasheartbreaking;hehuggedthebriefcasetohischestand,fromtheglarehegaveme,IknewIwasnowfirmlylumpedinwiththe“badguys”category.

Ifeltlikeone,too.“Whatdidhesay?”theAustralianasked,watchingmeintently.“He,um,didn’tknowabouttheadditiontotheshipment.”

Theothermansnorted.“Ofcoursehedidn’t,love,orhe’dneverhaveagreedtothrowhismoneyinthepot.Aslongashedoesn’tdothatagain.”

“Hewon’t,Ipromise.”Iglancedatthedoctor.Thethinman’s glarenailedmetomyseat,andIprayedhewouldkeepquiet.

TheScotsmansteppedforwardatsomesilentorder,wrenchingthebriefcaseoutoftheFrenchdoctor’sarmsandsettingitonthetable.Heunlockedandopenedit,andmybreathstutteredasIbeheldmoremoneythanI’deverseeninoneplacebefore.“Thisshouldcovertheup-frontcosts,”theAustraliancontinued.“Iam,however,opentocertain…negotiations.”

Therewasasmugnoteintheman’svoice,andwhenIlookedupIsawhimwatchingme,a lascivious lookonhis face.Hiseyesdarteddowntomychest,hisgrinwidening, thenhebarkedalaughwhenIadjustedtheshirthigher.“Yourlittletranslatoramusesme,”hesaid,glancingbrie lyatLucas.“Givehertomefortwenty-fourhours,andyoucanhavetenpercentoftheprofits.”

Myheartfroze,iceshardstearingthroughmybody.Idugmyfingersintomythighsuntiloneofthenailsbroke.Thepainjoltedmeupright,andthehandonmyshouldertightened.

“Tenpercent?That’sagenerousoffer.”ItwistedmyheadtoseeifLucasmeantwhathesaid,butthearmsdealerdidn’tlookat

me.HisgazewassetontheAustralian,whowasinturnwatchingme.Theblondmanleanedclose,hishazeleyessearchingmine.Thisclose,Icouldseeeveninthelowlightthatfightingandagehaddestroyedthe ineredgesofhis face.Hisnosewascrooked, thewhite linesofscarsstoodoutonhischinandforehead,andoneearsportedathicklayerofcartilageI’dseeno nboxers. Even then, he might have been consideredruggedlyhandsome if not for thedecidedlyeviltwinkleinhiseye,ruininganalreadydamagedvisage.Iimmediatelydroppedmyeyes,andheardhimgruntinapproval.“Shewearsfearwell.”

Behindme,Lucasshifted,cluckinghistongue.“AndhereIthoughtyouwereamarriedman.”

“Mywifeknowsherplace, andknowsbetter than toquestionwhat Iwant.Whether Itakesomeonthesideisnobusinessofhers.”

“Ah.Thenyouwouldn’tmindatradethen?”Theblondmanblinked,thesmirkslippingfromhisface.Abandoningme,hepeeredup

atLucas.JealousyflickeredacrosstheAustralian’sface.“Whatareyousaying?”hegrowled.“Yourwife formy little translator.”When theotherman’s facemottled inrage,Lucas

smiled.“What,areyouafraidwhatyourwifemightthinkaboutarealman?”“Yousonofa…” TheAustraliangrabbedat thegunonhiship, then thegiantRussian

manwasthere.“Enough,”hestated,musclesinhisarmsbulgingashecrossedthemoverawidechest .

Vasili leaned down until he was face to face with the blond man. “Niall,” hemurmured,addressingtheAustralian.“Dowehaveadeal?”

Niall glared at Lucas, then down at me. The hand on my shoulder clenched ever soslightly,theonlysignofLucas’strainovertheargument .Niallsubsided.“Wehaveadeal,”he

saidbitterly.Not speaking anotherword, he signaled tohismen.The Scotsmanpulled theFrenchdoctorupright,draggingthemanoutoftheroomwitheveryoneelse.

I sagged inmy chair, rollingmy headbackwards in relief. I didn’t even realize IwasleaningintoLucas’hipuntilhemoved,liftingthehandoffmyshoulder.Untilhepulledaway,Ihadn’trealizedhowmuchhispresencestabilizedme.Swallowinghard,Igrippedmyknees,gratefulwhenhemovedawaybutironicallymissinghisstrength.

“Thatwasn’tsobadnow,wasit?”Vasiliignoredhim,studyingmeforamoment.TheRussian’sstonygazewasn’tasscary

asthelasciviouslooktheAustralianhadgivenme,butwasunnervingnonetheless.“WhereisAnya?”heaskedfinally,thickaccentrollingthelettersoftheotherwoman’sname.

Emotionalmemoriesofabeautifulblondewomandyingonthegroundresurfaced,andIbowedmyhead.Besideme,Lucas’smilefaltered,then inallyfellfromhislips.“Irequiredanewtranslator.”

Vasili paused, then nodded. “Too bad,” the big man murmured, expression neverchanging, “I likedher.” Hewavedtowardthedoor. “Youmay l eave. Iwill contactyouwhenready.”

LucaspulledmychairbackandIstood,skitteringawaywhenIfelthishandonthesmallofmyback.Hisresponsewastopullmetightbesidehimasdeep,thumpingmusicwashedoverus.Wereachedtheendofthestairs.Asonemaninabouncershirtpulledtheropegateopenforus,weexitedoutintothechaosofmusicandflesh.

Beforetoday,I’dneverbeeninsideastripclub.Twoplatformsconnectedbothsidesoftheroom,withnakedwomenclimbingtallpolesateachend.Additionalpolesrosearoundtheroom, butmost of theaction here was doneoff the stages.Topless ladies entertained thevariousmenseatedinplushcouchesdottingtheroom.Wemovedslowlyaroundthebackoft h eclub, Lucas keeping me in front of him, and I watched as two women led olderbusinessmenbehindcurtainstoourright.Neitherwomanwassmiling,butthatdidn’tseemtobotherthemen,whosegazeswereverymuchnotfocusedonthestrippers’faces.

Thewomenwereallbeautiful,butnoneofthemseemedhappytobethere.Theyignoredmypresencecompletely,andIstayedtenseandnervousuntilwegotoutside.

Lucas’bigdrivermetusnear thedoorwiththecar.After so long inadarkplace, thebrightsunlightmomentarilyblindedme. IshieldedmyeyeswithonehandasLucas letmeforwardtowardthecar.Iclimbedinsidethelimo irstandcrawledtothefarend,whileLucassatinhisnormalseatnearthedoor.Istudiouslyignoredtheman,staringoutthewindow.

“Youdidwellinthere,”hesaidafteramoment.“Not like I hada choice,” I repliedbitterly,watching aswe left this areaof the city. I

didn’tevenknowwherewewere;buildingsroseupallaroundme,blockingoutanylandmarksthatcouldtellmemylocation.IntheshorttimeI’dlivedinNewYorkCityanditssurroundingareas,Ihadn’tgivenmyselftimetoexplore,sothestreetsignsmeantlittletome.

“Thereisalwaysachoice,”Lucasreplied,hisvoiceeven.“Sometimes,therejustisn’tagoodone.”

Iturnedtolookatmyerstwhilecaptor,buthewasstaringoutawindowatthepassingcity,notatme.Lucaswassomber,anexpressionIhadn’tseenontheman’sfacebefore.Therewasalwaysasneer,asnideremarkorsomesarcasticcomment,butneverthiskindofquietintrospection.Thechangethrewmeforaloopandremindedmeofanothermanwholookedsosimilar.

MyheartclenchedatthethoughtofJeremiah,andIstareddownatmyhands.Iwonderifhe’ssearching for me.Not even fourhoursbefore, I’d been snuggled inbedwith theman Iloved,andmylifecouldn’thavebeenmoreperfect.

NowIwashere.“Whydidyoukidnapme?”Iaskedsuddenly,searchingforsomethingtodriveawaythe

achingloneliness.AghostofasmiledancedacrossLucas’lips.“Wouldyoubelieveit’sbecauseIenjoyyour

company?”heasked.Isnorted.Heshruggedoneshoulder.“Ithoughtnot.”“If youneededan interpreter, youcouldhaveasked.” Preferablysomeoneelse, I added

silently,crossingmyarms.Helookedatme.“WhatwouldyouhavesaidifIhadasked?”“No.”AtruesmilegracedLucas’lips.Evenfromacrossthecarthefamiliarityofthoseblue-

greeneyesonthesomberfacestruckme.Helookssomuchlikehisbrother.Beyondtheirappearancehowever,thetwomenwereasdifferentascouldbe.Thescar

bisectingthefaceofthemanbeforemewasonlyoneoutwardrepresentation.Lucaswaslean,lackingthebroadnessofhisex-Armybrother.Hishands ,Inotedabsently,werenothinglikeJeremiah’s. Thebillionaire’swere rough, aworkingman’s hand,while Lucas’swere smoothandwellmanicured.Theywerethekindthat,tomymind,hadneverbeforeseenadayofhardlabor.

“Whatdoyouwant,Lucas?”Iasked,suddenlytiredofeverything.“Whatdoyouwant,Ms.Delacourt?”hemused,watchingmeintently.“Iwanttogohome.”“AsdoI.”AsnideremarkwasonthetipofmytonguebutIbititbackasIsawtheruefullookon

his face. Ignoringhimagain, I staredout thewindow. “You couldhave at leastwarnedmeaboutwhatwashappeninginthere.”

He said nothing to that and we lapsed back intosilence. I watched the city pass bywithoutreallynoticinganythinguntilfinally,weturneddownanalleyandintoagatedparkinggarage.Sometrepidationcreptovermeaswepulledthroughanotherinnergateandparkedbesideanelevator.

“Ah, inally.”Thelighttonewasback,and whenthedoortothelimowasopenedLucasscootedsidewaysandout. “Coming?”headdedamoment later,pokinghishead inside thevehicle.

Theurgetostayinmyseatcameovermeagain–ourlaststophadbeenanunwelcomesurprise–butafteramoment’scontemplationIwalkedhunchedoverthroughthelongcabtothedoor. IgnoringLucas’hand, Ipulledmyselfout into thecoolair,but insteadofbackingawaytogivemesomespace,thewretchedmanmovedinclose.

Unable to back away,I turnedmy head, irritated by hisproximity, as he ran a ingerdownmyface.Hishandcameundermychin,tiltingmyheadbackaroundtofacehim.“Anger,notfear,”hemurmured,andthenaself-satisfiedsmilesplithisface.“Icanworkwiththat.”

Hesteppedaway,givingmesomespace,andIbreathedasighofrelief.Thedriverclosedthedoor andpulled the car away as Ireluctantly followed thedark-hairedman toward theelevator.Lucasranacardthroughaslotandinputtedacodeofsomekind,andthenIheardthecontraptionstartitsdescent.

“Wherearewenow?”Iaskedasheheldthedooropenforme.Ikeptontheoppositeendofthesmallroom,andthankfullyhedidn’ttrytoinvademyspaceagain.“SomeothermeetingwhereImightgetshot?”

“Notquite.”Theelevatorwentupandup,andIwonderedhowtallthebuildingwas.Thepanelhada

single loorbuttonlabeledPenthouse,andIrealizedthiselevatorwasmeantonlyforthetoploor. Eventually, the lift slowed, then with a ding the doors openeddirectly into a bright,thoroughlymodernlivingroom.

Hmm.NotquitewhatIwasexpecting.“Afteryou,”Lucassaid.Isteppedoutoftheelevator,gazingaroundthespaciousroom.Theceilingsweretall,

with lightshangingdownon thinwires to justabovehead level.Twoskylights let sunlightstreaminside,buttheroomwaslinedwithwindowsthatoverlookedtheNewYorkskyline.The furniturewasapalecream,almostwhite,andall leatherwitha fewcoloredaccents. Itcertainlydidn’tlooklikemuchofabachelorpad.

Thedoorsclosedbehindme,andafaintclickcamefromthepanelbesidetheelevator.Aquickglanceshowed the red lightglowing,andIguessedthat Iwasstuckhere for thetimebeing. Swallowing backmynervousness, Ifollowedslowlyas Lucasmoved further into theroom,disappearingbrie lyaroundacorner.Steppingforward,Ilookedaroundandsawthatthekitchenwasnearlyasbigasthelivingroom.Therewasaclinkofglass,thenhecalledout,“Wine?”

“Um.”HewasactinglikeIwashishouseguest,notacaptive,anditthrewmeoff.“Waterplease.”

“Comingrightup.”While he moved around the kitchen, I shiftedfurther into the living room. The

penthousewasmodern,with thinstepsbeside thekitchen, leadingup to another loor. I’dspentthe last fewweekslivinginsideahugehouseintheHamptons,andwhilethiswasn’tquiteasluxuriousnoraslarge,itcameverycloseinfeel.“Isthisplaceyours?”Iasked.

“Oneofthem,yes.”

Iwasn’tsurewhatIexpectedfromthegunrunner’shome,butitcertainlywasn’tthis.AsfarasIcouldtell,LucasHamiltonhadasarcastic,colorfulpersonality.Iwouldhavethoughthishomewouldbejustasostentatiousasthemanhimself.Thisloft,however,lookedmorelikesomethingoutofIkeathanCirquedeSoleil.

“WhyamIhere?”Thequestionpouredoutofmymouth,allofmyfrustrationbehindthesimplephrase.

Lucashandedmeabottleofwater.“Becausewebothhavesomethingtoprovetomybrother.”

“CanIleave?”“No.”“Please?”Lucassighed.“Wouldyoulikeatouroftheplace?”“No,I’dliketogohome.”“TothatlittleJerseyCityapartment,orbacktomybrotherwhorejectedyou?”IwishIhadn’ttoldhimthat.Mywordshadbeenanaccident,butthedamagewasdone.

ThereminderstillstungandIswallowed,mouthdry.“Hedidn’trejectme,”Imurmured,buttherewasnoconvictionbehindmylie.

Lucasputahandonmyelbow,guidingmearoundtheleathercouch.“Sit,”hesaid,andsatdownonamatchingchairacrossfromme.“Whetherherejectedyouisbesidethepoint.Heneedstolearnhowtoappreciateyou,andIneedyourlanguageskills.Ifonecanhelptheother,whereistheproblem?”

Istaredathimincredulously.“Whatworlddoyouliveinwhereyoucankidnappeopleandforcethemtohelpyou?”

“Myworld.”Iunscrewedthecapoffthewater,takinganangryswigandwishingitwassomething

stronger.“Forsomeonewhosaystheywanttogohome,”Isaidbitterly,“yousureseemintentonbarrelingdownthewrongroad.”

Lucas said nothing to that, andwhen I inally looked up I foundhewas studyingmeintently.Ilookedaway,notwishinghimtoseehowbadlyIwantedtogetaway.Notjustfromhim,butfromeverything.

“It’sbeenalongday,”hesaidafteramoment,standingup.“The irstbedroomupstairsontherightismadeupforyou.Letmeknowifyouneedanything.”

Ididn’tpausetoconsidertheoddstatementbutstoodupquickly,notwantingto studyittooclosely.Almosttothestairs,Iheardhimcallmynameandturnedaround.Hewatchedmeforamomentbeforespeaking.“YouknowIneverwouldhavegivenyoutoNiall.”

Iswallowed,wantingonlytobegone.“Iknow,”Imurmuredsoftly.EvenwhenI’dbeensittinginthatchairsurroundedbythestrangemen,I’dknownthescarredmanhadmyback.Itmadenosensetrustinghim,butIdid,atleastthattinybit.Notwantingtotalkanylonger,Iledupthestepsandboltedmyselfinsidethebedroom.Thetallbedhadbeenturneddownfor

me, and the shutters to the windowswere all closed. Not bothering to really takefurthernoticeofmysurroundings,Iclimbedintothebedandpulledthecoversaroundme.

The cocoon of blanketswasn’t themost perfect shield from the scaryworld I’d beenthrustinto,butitwouldhavetodofornow.

ImusthavedozedoffbecausewhenI inallythrewoffthesheets,Icouldseethatitwas

alreadydarkoutside.Thewintersunsetearly,and itdidn’t feel like I’dslept toomuch,butthere were no clocks around to tell me the time. I discovered my room had its own fullbathroom,whichwasarelief,asIdidn’twanttogooutsidethatdooranytimesoon.

I thoughtIheardvoicesdownstairsbut ignoredthem,surveyingwhatwaslaidoutonthegranitecountertops.Lucashadpreparedformyarrival.Thebathroomhadhairbrushesandcurlingirons,aswellasafullystockedmedicinecabinet.Ipickedupabrushand,lookingclose,sawapaleblondestrandcurlingaroundthehandle.Itwasn’tmuchlighterthanmine,andIquicklysetthebrushdownasIrealizedtowhomithadbelonged,andwhosebedroomIwasnowoccupying.

A quick stroll through the walk-in closet con irmed my suspicions. Gowns, dresses,shirts,pants,allinsizesfartoosmallformy igure,hunginneatrowsseparatedbycolorandtype. I even identi ied the dress Anya Petrovski hadwornwhen I irstmet her, the lashynumberaneye-catcherdespitethelowlight.

Okay,yeah,thisisweird.TherewasaknockatthedoorandIswungaroundasifcaughtsnooping.Don’tbesilly,

Lucy, I chastisedmyself, still closing the closet behindme.Heput you in here.Obviously heexpected you to lookaround. There was something not rightaboutlooking through a deadwoman’sthings,however.AsmuchasI’ddislikeAnyainthebriefmomentsI’dknownher,allIcouldseenowwhenIthoughtofherwasthepale,tear-streakedfacelyinginapoolofblood.

“Knock-knock?”Lucascalled,breakingmeoutofmyreverie.After amoment’s hesitation I unlocked thedoor andpeekedoutside. Lucas illed the

entryway,leaningcasuallyagainstthedoorframe.Inonehandheheldahalf-emptybottleofwine,intheothertwoglasses.“MayIcomein?”

Theurgetosay“No”wasonthetipofmytongue.Thisisabadidea,IthoughtevenasIsteppedaside,allowinghiminsidetheroom.“Youhereto letmego?” Iasked,crossingmyarms.

“Nope,justwantedtotalk.”Heseemedmomentarilydistracted,lookingallaroundtheroomasiftakingitin.Icouldn’tseehisfacesohadnoideawhathewasthinking,butgotacluewhenhepickedup thepictureofAnya I’dbeenstaringat. Sympathycurled insidemyheart as I remembered that, right behind the Russian girl’s tearful face, I’d also seen hisdesperateone.He’dtriedtosaveher,buttherehadn’tbeenanychance,andAnyahaddiedinhisarms.

Iputmyhandouttowardshisarmashelaidthepicturefacedown,thenpulleditbackashe turned around. “Thirsty?” he asked, holding out the glasses.When I shookmyhead, heshrugged.“Moreformethen.”

“You’redrunk,”Isaid,givinghimawideberth.Lucas held up a inger. “Not drunk. Buzzed.” He stumbled, leaning against a nearby

dresser.“Okay,maybeatinybitdrunk.”Thebottlehecarriedwasnearlyempty,andIstaredatitdisapprovingly.“Isthisnormal

foryou?”Lucasshookhishead,pausedtothinkaboutthequestion,thenshookhisheadagain.Irolledmyeyes,thelastvestigesofsympathyburningaway.“Thisisn’twinningyouany

browniepoints,”Isaid,butmytraitorousmouthtippedupintoasmallgrindespitemyself.“I’mcuriouswhatmybrothersawinyou.”Mysmilevanished,asdidanypatiencefordealingwiththeman.“Youcanleavenow.”I

marchedacrosstheroomandopenedthedoor.“I’dlike…”Iturnedtoseehimstandingonlyinchesbehindme,andmywordsstutteredintosilence.

Ihadn’tevenheardhimmove.Ipulledbackastepandcameup lushagainstthewallbetweenthebathroomandbedroomdoors.Lucaspushedforward,fartoocloseformycomfort,andIputahandagainsthischesttokeephimback.

It’s a curious thing, havingsomeone this attractivestandingso close. Even though Ididn’tparticularlyliketheman,therewasnodenyinghewashandsome,orthathisproximitymademystomachdoflip-flops.Thescaracrosshisnoseandcheekonlyservedtoaccentuatehisfeatures.Thesmellofexpensivewinewaslikefaintcologne,notatallthecloyingodorIwouldhaveexpected.Beneathmyhand,Ifelttheplayofmusclesbeneathwarmskinandsilk,andIswallowed.

His fingers pushed a strand of hair out of my face, running along my brow, and Ishivered.Ipressedbackagainstthewallandhefollowed,myhandtheonlythingkeepinghimatbay.“You’rebeautiful,”hemurmured,dippinghisfacedownnearmytemple.Warmbreathflowedagainstmycheek.“Andsmart.Andfearless.Isthatwhatmybrothersaw?”

Insteadofoffendingme,hiswordscreatedajumbleinmyhead.Istared ixedlyathisshoulder,refusingtomeethisgaze.Hisotherhandcameuptocaressmyshoulder.Thetouchburneddownmyarm,leavingawhite-hottrailacrossmyskin,andthehandholdinghimawayweakeneditshold,allowinghimtopresscloser.

Perhapsifhe’dtriedtokissmeortouchmeinanywaythatcouldbedeemedimproper,Imighthavefoundthewilltopushhimoff,butheseemedcontenttostandthisclose.Certainlythatmorethananythingleftmeconfusedabouthowtorespond.Whenthebackofhishandsliddownmyneckandacrossoneshoulder,Itrembled,mybellyclenching.

RememberAnya,partofmewhispered.Atthatmomenthowever,i twasdif iculttoholdmythoughtstogetherenoughtoremembermyownname,letalonethebedroom’spreviousoccupant.Ileanedmyheadbackagainstthewallasanotherhandglideacrossmycollarbone,thetouchfeatherlight.Myeyesflutteredshut,givingintothefragilegraceofskinonskin.

UntilImetJeremiah,Ihadn’trealizedhowdesperatelyIcravedcontact.Myfamilywasgone;Iwasaloneintheworld.Forthreeyears,I’dpushedasideallelse,strivingtopreservetheirlegacytome,untilI’dlostmyfamilyhometothecreditors.Afterthat,myexistencewasastruggletosurvive,tostayonestepaheadofhomelessness.JeremiahHamiltonhadpluckedmefromthatreality,his touchmakingmefeelmorealive thanIhad inyears.Nowhewasgone,butthatburningdesire,theneedforhumancontact,remainedstronginme,alivewireIcouldn’tyetcap.

Lucas leanedhis forehead againstmine, andas Iopenedmy eyesIsaw full lipsmereinches from mine. Looking up into blue-green eyeswith dark lashes rimming andaccentuatingthecolor, I feltmy insidesmelt. “Sobeautiful,”hemurmuredagain, tiltinghisheadtolookatme.Thenheleanedforward,warmlipspressingagainstmine.

Therewasnodemandtothekiss,soforamomentIdidnothing.Hesuckedonmylowerlip,grazingthesoft leshwithhisteeth.Ididn’tkisshimback,mybodystiffwithindecision,butLucasdidn’tseemtomind.WhenIfeltthe irstdartofhistonguehowever,mylipspartedoftheirownaccord,instinctivelyallowinghimaccess.Myhandonhistorso,whichhadkepthimatbaybefore,grippedtightlyatthedarksilk,pullinghimagainstmybody.

If I thought the soft seduction was all Lucas had, his sudden hunger surprised me.Pressingmehardagainstthewall,hismouthburnedacrossmylips,andIgaveasmallsigh.Ahandslidaroundthesmallofmyback,pullingmeagainsthisbodyasthekissdeepened,histongueteasingme,encouragingmetobeabitbolder.Ithadthedesiredeffect.Islidmyarmsaroundhisneck,archinguptohim,openingmymouthandallowinghimaccesswhileatthesametimemeetinghisownardentadvances.Handscurlingthroughhislongerhair,Imoanedintohismouth,fingersdancingdownalonghisearsandacrosstheroughstubbleonhisjaw.

“God,you’rehot,”hemurmuredagainstmylips,handsslippingbeneaththewaistlineofmypantstogripmyhips.Ireveledinhistouch,wantingeverythingsuddenly,wanting…

Jeremiah.Guiltstabbedmethroughtheheart,theeffectlikeabucketoficewateroverme.Ibroke

off the kiss with a gasp. Lucas didn’tnoticethe change, his lips falling to nibbletemptingpatternsonmyneck,andananswering irerosewithinmybelly.Mybodyseemedcontenttocontinuewhatwashappeningnow,whilemybrainpleadedwithmetoendthis.Irolledmyheadsideways, and caught theimageofthe blondeRussianwomanstaring atme from theframedpicture.“IsthiswhatyoudidwithAnya?”

Thereaction tomyquestionwas immediate.Lucas stoppedwhathewasdoing, thenstumbledback,staringdownatmeforamoment.Theswipeofcoldairthatsweptacrossmeinhisabsencemademeshiver, andsuddenly tears threatened to overwhelmme.His eyesfollowed minedown to the picture beside us, and emotion twisted his face. “Yes,” Lucasmuttered,staringblanklydownatme.“ThisisexactlywhatIdid.”

He stumbled sideways,wrenching thedooropenbesideus, thendisappearedaroundtheframe.I slammed thedoorbehindhim,bolting it shut, anddoveback into thebed.Myhearthurtbadly, andtearsstreameddownmyfaceasItriedtodrownouttheworldaroundme.Jeremiah, I thoughtagain, imagining theman’s face,his thickarmsaroundme.I shouldhavegivenyouachancetoexplain…Explainwhatthough?I’dwhisperedmyloveinamoment

ofcandor,andhe’drunfromthehouseasifchasedbybees.Muf led thumps and crashes came from downstairs, but I didn’t pay attention, too

caughtup inmyownmisery.Howdidthishappentome?Iwondered, theeventsof thedayracingthroughmymind.

WhatmadnesshaveIgottenmyselfinto?

CHAPTER2Ahighpitchshriekingjoltedmefromafitfulslumber.Joltedawake,Iscrabbledatmysheets,gropingfortheedgeofthebed.Thegroundwas

furtherawaythanIthought,andIstumbledbutmanagedtostayuprightasIrantothedoor.Rippingitopen,Iimmediatelysmelledsmoke,andracedtowardthestairs,notknowingwhattoexpect.

Lucaspeeredupatmefromthekitchen.Sunglassescoveredhiseyes,buthegavemeabrightsmile.“Goodmorning,sunshine.I’mmakingbreakfast.Careforsome?”Hehadaforkinonehandandanunpluggedtoasterunderhisotherarm,likelythereasonforthe irealarm.Settingthechromeappliancebackontothecounter,hemovedtowardtherefrigerator.“Howabouteggs?”

I watched him,stillmomentarily stunned bymy impromptu alarm clock. He bustledaround the large kitchen, whistling a bright tune as he pulled the eggs out of the fridge.Shakingmyhead,mygazetravelledtothelivingroomandmyeyeswidenedinshock.“Whathappened?”Iexclaimed,movingdownthestairsslowly.

“Oh,this?Iredecorated.”Theroomlookedasthoughatornadohadcomethroughsometimeduringthenight.One

chairwaslyingonitsside,severalpaintingshadbeendislodgedfromthewall,andthewoodcoffeetablehadbeen lippedontoitstop.NothinglookedbrokenasfarasIcouldtell.Itwasamess,but ixable.Eyingitdubiously,Ikeptmymouthshutandavoidedtheroomas Ituggedononeofthekitchenstools.

Sittingat thebarandkeepingthegranitesurfacebetweenme andmyfartoochippercaptor, Ipulled the toaster towardmeandpeered inside.Frowning, Igrabbedthe forkandishedouttwooftheblackestlumpsoftoastI’deverseen.“Youdon’tcookmuch,doyou?”Isaiddrolly,pushingthelumpstowardhim.

“Don’tbesilly.”Lucassetthefryingpanatopthestove,turningthegasburneronhigh,

thenbegancrackingeggs.“I’veseenalltheshows.Itisn’tthathard.”Iwatchedsilently,myeyebrowsgoingupasIrealizedhehadnobutteroroiltogrease

thestainlesspan.“Uhhuh,”Isaid,resigningmyselftomorefirealarms.As the last vestiges of sleep leftmy system, I sobered up. “Sowhat happens now?” I

asked,leaningoneelbowonthegranite.“Whatdoyoumean?”“CanIgohome?”Icouldn’tquitereadhisexpressionfrommyvantagepoint.Heseemed ixatedon the

eggs,althoughhewasn’treallystirringthem.“It’snotthateasy,”hesaidafteramoment.“Letmego,”Ipleaded,givingmyprideabreak.“Itranslatedforyouinthatdirtylittle

room,whichprobablymakesmeacriminalinsomeway.”Thethoughtmademychinwobble.“Lucasplease,letmego.Idon’twanttobecomelikeAnya.”

There,I’dsaidit.Lyinginbedlastnight,itoccurredtomethattheotherwoman’sdeath,and possibly her life, was a sore spot for the gunrunner. His reaction now con irmedmysuspicion:theknucklesaroundthespatulainhishandwhitenedandhesighed.“Allright,”hefinallymurmured,butheldupafingerbeforeIcouldstartcheering.“Butononecondition:youhavetoattendthislastmeetingwithme.”

“What’sgoingtohappen?”“It’s cargo transfer, paperwork mostly. They requested everything be expedited, so

everything ishappeningtoday.IwantyoutheretomakesureanythinginFrenchiscorrect,thenoncethat’sdoneyou’refreetogo.”

Isaggedinrelief.“Thankyou,”Isaid,smilingingratitude.BehindLucas,the irsttendrilsofsmokewaftedfromthepan.Imotionedtowardtheoven.“You’reburningtheeggs.”

Lucasletoutacurseandpulledthepanoffthe ire.Hequicklyswitchedontheexhaustfanas smokebillowedout fromthe frypan,but itwas too late.Fiveseconds later, the irealarmwentoffagain,andLucascursedagain.

Thewholescenewascomical,andIbitmyliptokeepfromsmiling,tonoavail.MymoodmuchlightersinceIwassettobefreedsoon,Ipushedbackthestoolandroundedthecornerintothekitchen.“Putthatinthesink,”Isaid,wrinklingmynoseatthesulfursmellofburnedeggs. “Don’t runwater on it,” I addedquickly, stoppinghim just in time from ensuring thesmellwouldneverleave.

AquickcheckofthepantryandrefrigeratorgavemethetoolsIneeded. TwominuteslaterIwaswhiskingtogethersomebatter.

“Whatareyoumaking?”heasked,peeringovermyshoulder.“Pancakes.Andyouareherebybanishedfromthekitchen.”Ipointedthewhiskathim,

carefultokeepitoverthebowl.“Shoo!”“Ooh,Ilikeabossywoman,”hemurmured,then ledasIpretendedtogoafterhimwith

thewoodenspoonstillcoveredinburnedegg.

Four hours later, Iwasn’t smilinganymorewhen the limo stopped along thewater’s

edge.Lucasexitedthevehicle irstandIfollowedbehind,stayingasclosetohimasIcould.IfithadbeenJeremiahthere,Iwouldhaveheldhisarmforsupport,butthiswasn’tthesortofsituationthebusinessmanwouldhavewillinglyputmeinto.Myonlycomfortwasthat,afterthispart,Iwasdone.

Ihadnocluewherewewere.We’d leftNewYorkCityfarbehindus;myapprehensionrosethefurtherwemovedfromthebigcity.AnyhopeofJeremiahswoopingintorescuemediedaslowdeathduringthatjourney.ItriedtocomfortmyselfthatI’dseehimsoon,providedLucaskepthisendofourdeal.Iwisheditdidn’tcomeatthecostofhavingtodothisagain.

Niall andhismenwere standingahead,with a large ship sitting in thewaterdownashortpierbehindthem.Iwasnonauticalexpert,butwhilethiswasn’tasbigassomeofthecargovesselsI’dseenpassingalongtheHudsonRiver,itwasstilllargeenoughtocarryjustaboutanything.Theshipwasold.Linesofrustrandownfrombetweentheplatesandrivetsholdingthehulltogether. Itlookedlikeatonetimeitmayhavebeena ishingboat,withthebulkofitsstorageinthebelly.Ifitwashere,Idoubtedthatwasitsuseanylonger.

“What’sthispieceofgarbage?”Nialldidn’tlookhappywiththeship,jerkinghisthumbderisivelytowardthehunkofmetal.

“You wanted a transport, here it is.” Lucas didn’t seem fazed by the other man’sirritation.He turnedtoanotheroldermanstandingapart fromtheAustralian’sgroup.“Haseverythingbeenloadedaboard?”

“Loadedandawaitingyourorders.”Lucas nodded, but Niall wasn’t inished with his tirade. “Mate, if I wanted a bloody

lifeboat,Iwouldhaveboughtonemyself!”“TheshipissoundandCaptainMatthewswilltakegoodcareofyourcargo.Andifyou

wantmy help getting yourmerchandise into the country, you’ll usemy ship.” He grinnedbroadlyatNiall.“Trustme,shegrowsonyou.”

TheAustraliandidn’tseematallconvinced,butLucasobviouslydidn’tcare.“Andwhereisthegooddoctor?”heasked.

Niall grunted.“He’stakingadifferentroutetoourdestination.We’llberidingwiththecargo.”

Fromthesatis iedgrinontheotherman’sface,Igotasickfeelingtherewasmoretoitthanthat,butLucas’smileneverwavered.“Ah.Wellgentlemen,let’smakesureeverythingistoyoursatisfactionthenwecanleaveand…”

“Ohno,wegototherbusinesstodiscuss.”Niallpointedatme.“She’scomingwithus.”Myheartstopped,butLucasgavea light laugh. “I’mafraid thegirlstayswithme,”he

said,takingmyarm,butstoppedwhenthemenatNiall’sbackpulledouttheirguns.“Youdidn’ttellmethislittlesheilabelongstoyourbrother.Tellme,howmuchdoyou

thinkhe’dpaytogetherbacksafely?”Iswallowed,fearcausingmystomachtoheaveandroil.Thegunsweren’tpointingatus,

yet,butthethreatwasobvious.Lucas’smileneverlefthisface,butittookona latnoteashestudiedNiallandhis thugs. “Quiteabit, I’d imagine.”Lucasclappedhishands.Thesuddensoundcausedtwoofthegoonstoraisetheirweapons.“Wellthen,Captain,”hesaidtothemanstill standing next to him, “it seems like we’ll be having a few guests. Make sure extraaccommodationsareprepared.”

“Yessir.”“Bloody right.” Grinning at having won this argument, Niall stepped forward and

reachedformyarm.“You’recomingwithme.”Icringedback,preparedtofighttoothandnail,butLucassteppedbetweenus.Hemoved

soquicklyIdidn’tevenseehimpull thegununtil itwasalreadyunderNiall’schin.ThebigAustralian jerked to a stop, rage and sudden fearmaking his facego loridas he glared atLucas.

“Ms.Delacourtstayswithme.”TherewasnothingjovialaboutLucasnow.Heleanedinclosetotheotherman’sface.“Myship,myrules.DoImakemyselfclear,Mr.Jackson?”

Nialllookedlikehewassuckingonalemon.Behindhim,hismenhadtheirgunstrainedonLucasandme.Iprayedthegunrunnerknewwhathewasdoing.

“They’llkillyouandthegirl,”Niallhissed,thengruntedasLucaspushedthegunharderagainstthetenderfleshofhischin.

“Perhaps.”Lucassmiled,ahintofamusementinhistone.“Butyou’llstillbedead.”Thetwomenglaredatoneanother,neitherwillingtobackdown.WhenLucasmanually

cockedtheweaponthe irediedinNiall’seyes.“Gunsdown,”hecalled,andhismenloweredtheir weapons. The blond man stepped back and Lucas lowered the weapon, although itremainedtrainedontheotherman.“You’llpayforthat.”

“Ihavemanythingstopayfor,”Lucas said.“Thisrankslowonmylist.”Puttinghishandagainonmyelbow,he steeredmeawayand towardanearbygangplank.When I struggledagainsthisgrip,hedidn’twaver,forcingmeupthenarrowpathwaytotheship.

“YoupromisedmeIcouldgo,”Ihissed,tryingunsuccessfullytowrenchmyarmfree.“Yes I did.” Lucas’ lipswerepressed in a grim lineashepulledmealongbehindhim

down the side of theship. Much ofit looked like a walking tetanus trap, despite obviousattemptsatwhitewashingandotherpaintjobs.Theboatdippedandswayed,rockingintheturbulentwinterwaters.Asweroundedthemainpartoftheship,acabindoorloomedintothedarkness.“Downhere,butwatchyourstep.”

Water drippedfromsomewhereinside,butthestairwayledintoacavernousopeningwithinthebowelsoftheship.Menwerehardatworkmovingcratesaroundonthebottomfloor.Stairsandmetalgangwayswoundaroundtheopenarea,leadingtodifferentlevels.Ourstaircasewas long,runningall thewayto thecargoholdbelow.Lucas letmedownasingleflightthenturnedmeontoalandingabouthalfwaydown.WepassedseveraldoorsontheleftbeforeLucaspushedoneopen,gesturingmeinside.

Theroomwasinmuchbetterconditionthantherestoftheship.Whilesmall,itstillhadaqueensizebed,acouplepiecesoffurnitureand,tomyrelief,itsownbathroom.“Yourhome

sweethomeforthenextfewdays,”LucassaidasIexaminedtheroom.Heranahandthroughhishair,theonlyindicationthathewasagitated.Likehisbrother,hisfacewashardtoread,foroncelackingitsnormalcockygrin.“There’stabletsinthebathroomcupboardsifyougetseasick.Keepthedoorslockedtoeverybodybutmyself,andyou’llbesafehere.”

“Oh, you promise?” I snapped sarcastically. “Likehow youpromised I could go homeafterthis?”

Heconcededmypointwithatipofhishead.“Touché.”“Lucas?”Icalledashewasclosingthedoor.Hepausedandlookedatme.“Isthiswhat

happenedtoAnya?”“No.Shethoughtthedangerwasromantic.”Heshookhisheadandsighed.“AndI,great

foolthatIwas,lethercomewithme.”I digested that as he shut the door, then hurried to lock it behind him. Collapsing

backwardsontothehardmattress, Igrabbedapillowfromabovemyheadandcoveredmyface. Oh,what amessmy life had become!Only amonth ago, Iwas an of ice tempbarelymanagingtogetbylivinginthecity.HowonearthdidImanagetogetaboardagunrunner’sboat?

Iwasstilllyingthereseveralminuteslater,staringatthewoodceiling,whenIfeltthejoltoftheshiptakingoff.Closingmyeyes,Iturnedmyheadintothepillows,wishingferventlymylifewasn’tsuchadisaster.

Now that we were moving and away from the shore, the rocking surf grew morepronounced.Myfamilyhadneverbeenthekindtotakeboattours,soIhadn’tdevelopedmuchinthewayofaseastomach.Iwasokaysofar,butdecideditwasbettersafethansorryandheadedtothebathroomtochewatablet.

Unlikemyroomintheloft,thisonehadobviouslyneverseenawoman’stouch.Spartanandthreadbare,almosteverythingintheroomwaseitherbolteddownorbraced,whichmadesenseforaseafaringvessel.Eventheshelfnearbyhadatallliptokeepthebooksfrom lyingfree,andIpeekedthroughthetitles.Allofthemwereweatheredandbeaten,asifthey’dseenextensiveuse.SomeIexpected,suchasSunTzu’s“ArtofWar”andMachiavelli’s“ThePrince .”Others weren’t what I imagined to ind in Lucas’ room, such asTolkien and C.S. Lewis.Interestingselection,Ithought,thumbingthroughthevarioustitles,andthenIabandonedthatareatolookaroundsomemore.

Asinglepicturesatonthenarrowdresser.WhenItriedtopickitup, Irealizeditwasgluedtothesurface,soIleanedforwardtopeerclosely.Itwasimpossibletotelljusthowoldthepicturewas,butIhazardedaguessthatthetwoboyswereLucasandJeremiahHamilton.TheshorelinelookedlikethatoftheirHamptonshome,towhichI’drecentlybeenareluctantvisitor. Therewere no smiles on their faces, but theway they stood close to one anotherspokeofabondthathadapparentlybrokenatsomepointbetweenthenandnow.

Therewas a knock at the door, and I bolted upright as if I’d been caught snooping.Rollingmyeyesandblowingoutaquickbreath,IunboltedthedoorandopenedittoseeLucasstandinginthedoorway.

“Didn’tItellyoutoaskbeforeopening?”hesaid,irritatedatmylapseashestrodepast

meintotheroom.“Yes,Master,”Isaidsarcastically,gettinganexasperatedlookfromhim.“What’sthis?”I

pointedtothebundlehesetontothebed.“Clothing,” he replied,for themomentletting thematterofsecuritydrop. “Ihad them

picked up beforewe left. And no, they are not Anya’s old clothes. I sent aman to pick upsomethinginyoursizelastnight.”

Igavehimasuspiciouslook.“Howlongwereyouplanningonkeepingmewithyou?”“Ihavenoideawhatyou’retalkingabout,”hesaid,gracingmewithabigsmile.“So,how

doyoulikeyournewroom?”Hewastalkingtomelikewewerebestfriends,whichmademeevenmoresuspicious.

Thenagain,I thought,that’sprobablyhowhetalkstoeveryone.“Notbad,”Isaidinaguardedvoice.

“Good.BecauseI’mgoingtobestayingherewithyou.”“Oh no you’re not.” The words poured out of mymouth, a kneejerk response to his

assumption.Theideaofsleepinginthesameroomasthemanletalonethesamebed…“Nope,noway.”

“Yesway.”HepokedthetipofmynosebeforeIcouldpullaway.“Andyou’llthankmeforit.Besides,thisismyroom.Youwouldn’texpectmetobunkinacotwithmymen,doyou?”

“Yes,”Iblurtedout,andLucasrolledhiseyes.“Ineedtogomakesurewemakeitawayfromthemainlandalright.HopefullyIgreased

therightpalmsthistime.”Hegesturedaroundthecabin.“Makeyourselfathome.”“This time?” I echoed, but Lucas was already heading out the door. Letting out a

frustrated groan, I locked it behind him, determined to keep it closed the next time heknocked.ThenIwentandgrabbedabook,resigningmyselftoboredom.

Anindeterminateamountoftimelater,therecameaknockatthedoor.Iwasaquarter

ofthewaythrough“ArtofWar”,havinggivenuponTolkienbythesecondchapter.I flippedthepage,ignoringwhoeverwasatthedoor.Wehadn’tmadeanystopssinceleaving,andIstillwasn’tinanymoodtoentertainvisitors.

Anotherrapatthedoor,thisonelouder,hadmerollingmyeyesandputtingthebookdownonthebed.“Whoisit?”Icalledinaboredvoice.

“Muchbetterthistime.”Icrossedmyarms.“Youknow,sarcasmwon’tgetyouthroughthisdoor.”“Whataboutfood?”Mystomachrumbledatthemention,andIquicklyunboltedthelocks.Lucasstoodinthe

entrance,atrayinhishand.“MindifIjoinyoufordinner?”heasked.Thepolitequestionstartledme,and I shrugged. “Sure.” Imoved aside ashebrushed

past.Smellsreachedmynose,makingmymouthwater,andItrailedafterhimashesetthetrayon thedresser. “I take it Iwon’tbeeating inwhateverpassesas thecafeteriahere?” Ipeeredoverhisshouldertoseewhathebrought.

“Thecorrecttermis‘galley’,andprobablynot.Itrustmymennottotouchyou,butNiallbroughtalonganumberofhisownguards.I’mstillnotaltogethercertainoftheirintentions.”

Thethoughtofbeingtheonlywomanaboardashipfullofmenhitme,andIshivered.“DidAnyaevercomeaboardship?”

Lucasnodded. “Not often, but on at least two occasions.She liked the attention.”Hethrewmeadrollgaze.“Idon’tthinkyou’dappreciateitasmuch.”

Weateinsilence,whichIwashappyfor.Thefoodwasdecentandfairlyhealthy,evenifthegreenbeanswereflavoredwithbaconfat.“Who’syourcook?”

“Alexei.Claimshewenttoaculinaryschool,butIdon’tseeit.”“Oh.” The ensuing silence was awkward, buttolerable enough. Lucas seemed lost in

thought,whichgavemeararemomenttojustwatchhim.Somberlikethis,helookedsomuchlikehisbrother.IfoundithardtobelieveLucaswasolderthanJeremiah.Themanbeforemewas slimmer and shorter than his ex-Army brother, but had the same features and darkcoloring.Thepalescaralonghisfacestoodoutagainsttheoliveskin,differentiatinghimfromhisbrothermorethananythingelse.

Itamazedmehowdifferentthetwomenwere.Jeremiahhadthebroody,torturedthinggoingforhim,whileLucas…Iwasn’tsure.Heheldadifferenttypeofmaskinplace,onethatIfoundhardtopierce.Therewasn’tmuchbroodinghere,at leastnotonthesurface;his lipsmoreoftenthannotwere locked ina Joker-likesmile,as if sarcasmandpleasantriescouldkeeppeopleaway.

AsmuchasIenjoyedpuzzles,theHamiltonmenwereabitoutofmyleague.“SoamIstuckinhereuntilwereachwhereverwe’regoing?”Thequestionwasmatterof

fact; I’d resigned myself to another bout of imprisonment by a Hamilton brother.Theycertainlyhadthatincommontoo.

Tomy surprise, Lucas shook his head. “You’re safest in here, certainly, but you canexplore the ship if you’d like. Provided,” he added, holding up a hand to keep me fromspeaking,“oneofmymeniswithyouatalltimes.”

I frowned at him, which he appeared to ignore. “From one prison to another,” Imuttered,pokingattheremainsofmygreenbeans.I’dbeena“guest”attheHamiltonfamily’shouse in the Hamptons for nearly two weeks, forced to stay inside the palatial mansion.Despitemycaptivity,Ihadn’tfaredwell;Iwas shotat,kidnapped,andalmostkilledbeforemylover,anex-Rangersniper,hadtakenoutmyassailantrightbeforemyeyes.

Thememorykilledmyappetite,and Ipushedtheplateof foodacross thebed. “Whatnow?”

Lucasshrugged.“Idon’tusuallycomealongfortherideonthiskindoftrip.I’mmorea‘privatecharteracrossthesea’kindofguywho’dratherenjoysometropicalsceneryandaMaiTai.”Hewinkedatme.“Ilikethelittleumbrellas.”

“Ofcourse.”Conversationswiththescarredmanwereliketalkingtoachildrunningincirclesaroundyourlegs:twisted,butoddlyamusing.“Fivedays,right?”

“Right.I’llthinkofsomethingtogetyouhomebetweennowandthen.”Iwantedtobelievehim,butjustnoddedglumly.Lucaspickedupthebookoffthebed,

lea ingthroughthepages.“Goodchoice,”hesaid.“There’salotofpracticalknowledgeinherethatdoesn’thavetoapplytowaronly.”

“Yeah,”Imuttered,takingthebookawayfromhimandstaringatitinmyhands.“Allwarfare isbasedondeception.”His ingerundermychinbroughtmyheadup to

lookathim.“Appearweakwhenyouarestrong,andstrongwhenyouareweak.Theartofwaristosubduetheenemywithoutfighting.”

BythethirdsentenceIrealizedhewasquotingthebook.“Supremeexcellenceconsistsofbreaking theenemy’s resistancewithout ighting,”Lucascontinued,his tonesoft. Thoseblue-greeneyesdippedlower,lookingatmymouth.“Allisfairinloveandwar.”

“Toknowyourenemy,youmustbecomeyourenemy.”Lucasblinkedatmyquote,thenlookedbackupintomyeyes.Asmile,probablythemost

honestI’dseenonhisface,creasedhislips.“Verytrue.”Suddenly shy, I broke off our gaze and rolled sideways off the bed. “Thank you for

bringingmedinner.”Iwascarefultokeepthebedbetweenthetwoofus.“Noproblem.Getsomerest,andI’llseeyouinthemorning.”Hewinked.“Don’twaitup

forme.”My eyes grew wide in alarm as Lucas, whistling now, moved over toward the door.

“Sleeptight,”headded,smirking,beforelettinghimselfout.I puffed out a breath, exasperated.Men.Pushing the clothes to the ground in a heap

besidethebed,I loppedbackontothemattress,staringattheceiling.Iwasn’ttheleastbittired,but Istillpulled thecomforteroverme,grabbing thebookandthumbingback tomyplace.Thisisgoingtobealongweek.

CHAPTER3

Therewasno light fromwithinthewindowlessroomwhenIawoke,save for thedimglowfromanearbynightlight.Thebedbobbedandswayedbeneathme,remindingmeviaasuddenly queasy stomach that I was aboard a ship. I lopped an arm sideways and wasrelievedtofindmyselfaloneinthebed.

Pullingthesheets frommybody, IpausedwhenIheardafaintsnortcomingfromthemiddleoftheroom.Crawlingquietlyacrossthebed, IpeekedovertheedgeandsawLucaslyingontheground,fastasleep.ThedimlightstillmanagedtooutlinehisshapeandIbitmyliptokeepfromsmiling.Themanwaslyingspread-eagleonthefloor,takingupasmuchspaceashe could.Theblanketshehadused for cover andpaddingwere twistedaroundhis slimbody,andfromtheamountofskinshowing…Blushing,Irolledoverinthebed,notwantingtodiscoverwhetherhereallywasasnakedashelooked.

Iwaitedamomentbeforepullingthesheetsfromaroundmybody,movingasquietlyasIcouldoutofbedandontomyfeet.Grabbingtheentirepileofclothingonthe loor,Itiptoedaround thedarkman’sprone form.The thin carpetwas cool, the creakingofmy footstepsblendinginwiththerestoftheship’snoises.IbreathedasighofreliefwhenIlockedmyselfinside thebathroomandquicklychangedclothes,washingmy faceandpullingmy frazzledhairback intoaquickponytail.Peekingoutof thebathroom, Imovedasquietlyas I couldtowardthedoor,slippingintomyshoesandawoolpeacoat,thensnuckoutofthebedroom.

There wasn’t a soul in sight, and Ilet out a relievedbreath. From far below I heardsomeonecough,andtherewasalowdinofvoicescomingfromnearby.Itentativelymademywayalongthemetalground,movingtowardthevoices.Thelastroomdoorwasopen,andasIpokedmyheadinsidealltalkingceased.Aroomfuloflargemenstaredatme.

Cafeteria,mymind registered, but the rest ofme froze. I tried to speak but nothingwouldcomeout,soIjustwaved.Thatseemedtobreakthesilence,andtheyturnedbacktotheirmealsasIpulledmyheadbackoutofthedoorway.Lucy,Ithought,youaresuchaninny.

Decidingagainstgoingdownstairs, Iheadedtowards theupperdeckandhad topushhardagainstthedoortogetittoopen.Greycloudscoveredthesun,soIhadnoideawhattimeI’dawoken.Thewindblewacrossthedecksomethingfierce,thedeckbeneathmyfeetbuckinganddiving.Oceanspray illedtheair,coveringmewitha ine layerofmistwithinseconds.Pullingmycoattightaroundme,Iheldtightlytothethinrailingalongsidetheship,watchingtheoceanheavearoundme.I’dgrabbedanotherseasicknesstabearlierinthebathroomandwasgladItooktheaddedprecaution.Mystomachdidn’tliketherollingseasallthatmuch,butotherwiseIthoughtthewholethingfantastic.

Iwas theonlyone foolish enough to be outsidethis early in themorning.While thatmeantIhadthedecktomyself,I couldalsounderstand whyeveryoneelsepreferredtostayinsideasthecoldpenetratedmythickcoat.Lookingaround,Inoticedanotherentranceatopthedeckand,stayingclosetothewalls,mademywaytothedoor.Pullingitopen,Igotadraftofwarmairacrossmyfrozennose,andquicklyhustledinside.Thestepshereledupwards,andIclimbedthemhesitantly,peekingtoseewhowasinside.

Smokyair illedthenarrowcabin,thetelltalesmelloftobaccolettingmeknowIwasn’talone. Voices mumbledoverhead, and I pokedmy head above loor level to see twomensittinginstoolsboltedtothe loor,lookingoutofwindowsliningthedash.Irecognizedthe

captainfromyesterday,butnotthemanbesidehim.Bothhadthesamelookaboutthem,gruffandweatherworn,butneitherexudedthedangerofthemenI’dseenbelow.

“Well,lookitwhatthecatdrugin.”Iduckedmyhead,givingashywaveasbothmenturnedintheirseatstolookatme.The

captain gestured for me to come up. “Well don’t just stand there,” he continued, old facewrinklinginasmile.“Ipromiseya,wedon’tbite.”

“Iusedto,”themanbesidethecaptainsaid,thengavemeagap-toothedgrin.“ButI’vealreadylostmostoftheworstoffenders.”

The captain gave the otherman aslapupside thehead, eliciting an amused squawk.Bitingmyliptokeepfromsmiling,Iclimbedtheremainingstairsandintothecaptain’sarea.Frommynewposition,Isawafoldouttablesittingbetweenthem,withpenniessittinginawidebowlatthecenter.Theshiplistedsidetosidemoreupherethandowninmyroom,andIheldontothethickrailingbesidethestairs.

The captainheldouthis hand. “SethMatthews,” he said in a gruff voice asI steppedforward,“althoughnobodycallsmebymy irstname.”Hejerkedathumbtowardtheotherman.“Thisrowdyassismyfirstmate,FrancisButtercup.”

“Bouchard,”theothermanpipedup,elbowinghiscaptainthenshakingmyhand.“CallmeFrank.”Hishands ,likethecaptain’s,wereasroughasrawhide.Hegesturedtothetable.“YouplayPoker,hon?”

Notwaitingforananswer,themen ishedout astoolfromthecaptain’squartersrightbehind the wheelhouse, and I was dealt a hand of cards. The pennies wereredistributedevenlybetweenthethreeofus;apparentlythetwomenweren’tsocutthroatasnottosharetheirwealth.Thecaptainkepthiseyeontheoceanahead,aswellasthemonitorsandgaugesonhisdash,butwasasactiveaparticipantinthegameasanyone.

“Doyougetmanypeoplecominguphere?”Iaskedatonepoint,pickingupaQueenofHeartsfromthedeal.

“Not really, andwe try todiscourage itwhen theydo.” CaptainMatthews rubbedhishead.“Wedon’taimtoassociatewithmostofthefolkswhocomeonthisship,ifyouknowwhatImean.”

I letoutarelievedsigh,gladnottobetheonlyonewhothoughtthesamething.“I’veneverbeenonaboatthisbigbefore,”Isaid.

“First timeatsea then?”When Inodded, thecaptainwaggledhiseyebrows. “Want tosteer?”

MyanswerwasabiggrinandIwassoonbehindthewheelofthesmallbarge,learningthenot-so-subtletricksofkeepingaboatontrack.“Oh,youshould’veseenmyfishingship,”Matthewssaid,grinningatthememory.“She handledlikeadream,cuttingthroughthewaterlikenobody’sbusiness.Fastestshipinthe leet,andwiththebestcrewtoboot.Nothinglikethishunkofrust.”

“Thisisn’tyourship?”“No,itis.”Matthewsdidn’tsoundallthatenthusiasticaboutthefact,buthestillpatted

thedashasifcomfortingapet.“We’veputsomeseriousbloodandsweatintohertomakeherbetterandfaster,soshe’sabitofasleeper.Shemaynotlooklikemuch,butshecanoutrunmostvesselshersize.Still,it’llalwaysbelikecomparingatanktoahigh-endsportscar.”

HiswistfultonemademesmileandIwasabouttoaskhimtotellmemorewhenachillblastcamefromthelowerentrance.IfrozeasIheardaScottishvoicesay,“IthoughtIsawhercomeupthisway,boss.”

Niall’sheadpokedabovethedeck,andawickedgrinsplithisface.“Wellwell,ifitisn’tthelittlesheilaherself.We’vebeenlookingalloverforyou,darlin’.”Hewaveddismissivelyatthemenbesideme.“Youmatesstandaside,she’scomingwithme.”

“Yeah,”Matthewsmurmured,“Idon’tthinkso.”Bothmenmovedinfrontofme,formingathickwall.“She’sstayingrighthere.”

Niall’s angry gaze switched to the twomen as I sawMatthews reachunder the tablebehindhim.“You’lldoasIsay,”theAustraliandemanded,buthisthreatsdidn’tseemtofazetheseamenintheslightest.

“Yougonnalethimtalktoyoulikethat?”Frankaskedcalmly,nottakinghiseyesoffthetwomen.

“No,”Matthewsreplied,“Idon’tthinkImuchlikehistone.”Facemottlingwithrageatthede iance,Niallpushedhisthickcoataside,showingthe

handgunathiship.“She’scoming,”hebitoutslowly,“withus.”Frankwhistled.“Hethinkshe’sagunslinger,captain.”Matthewsgrinned.“That’snotagun.”HeglancedoveratFrank.“I’vealwayswantedto

saythistoanAustralian.”Hepulledoutwhathewashidingbeneaththetable,pointingtheshotgunstraightatNiall.“Now,there’sagun,”hesaid,lipspulledbackinagrimsmile.

Immediatelybothsetsofhandsacross frommewentup. “What is itwith thisbloodyship?”Niallraged.“Ididn’tpaygoodmoneytogettreatedlikethis.Youworkforme!”

“Thesemen aremine, not yours,” Lucas’ cheery voice called up from the base of thestairs.Ibreathedasighofreliefasheascended,brushingpastthetwoiratemen.“Whydon’tyougetdownstairsandseewhatyourownboysareupto?”

“Boss,”theScotsmanwarned,blockingNiall’spathwhentheAustralianlookedreadytolunge.

Niallshovedhismanoutofthewayandpointeda ingeratLucas.“Thatgirl’sransomismine,Loki.”Niallslappedawaytheotherman’sgripbutleftwithoutanotherword,bangingthedoorshutbehindhim.

“Ransom?”Matthewslookedatme.“Youmustbeimportanttosomeonebigtogetthatman’spantiesinsuchatwist.”

“Mybrother.”Lucascockedhisheadatme.“Whodoesn’tknowshe’sherewithme.”Matthewswhistled.“You’reonyourownthere ,”hesaid, snorting.“I’mnotgettinginthe

middleofthatone.” Thecaptainpointedathick thumbtowardLucas.“DidheevermentionhowImetthiscityslicker?”

Igrinned,sensingagoodstory.Thetensionintheroom inallyeasedasLucasrolledhiseyesandleanedagainsttheconsole.“Yougoingtotelleveryonethatstory?”

“OnlytheonesI’msurewillholditoveryourhead.”Thecaptaingavemeawink.“I’mjustoffthejob,atmyfavoriteholeinthegroundlookingtounwindandgetalittledrunk.Sothismancomesuptomeinabar,dressedinasuitandtie,andasksmeifI’mlookingforwork.Mindyou,Istinkof ish,haven’thadagoodshowerinweeks,justgotoffmyboat.Hadto ireafriend’s son from mycrew because I caught him smokingweed, so Iwasn’t in the best ofmoodsanyhow.

“Heoffersmebigmoney,enoughtogetmyattention.Istillthinkhe’sapretentiouslittleassthoughsoImakehimadeal:ifheworksformeontheboat,I’lllistentowhateverhehastosay.LadheretriestoplayuphissmirkybullshitbutI’mnothavingit;frankly,IwashappytoseehisbacksoIcouldgetbacktodrinking.Well,imaginemysurprisewhenheshowsupthenextmorningatmyboat ready towork.Totallyunprepared too,but still there.”Matthewssnorted.“Iimmediatelyregrettedmyoffer,butI’dgivenhimmyword.”

“Youworkedmetothebone,”Lucasadded,crossinghisarms. Theslightsmileonhisfacetookoutanybitefromhiswords,however.

“IworkedyoulikeIworkanyofmyothergreenies.Itwastheboysthatgaveyoumostofthe lack.”Thecaptainlookedoveratme.“Butwouldn’tyouknowit,thelittleshitmanagedtogetthroughitwithoutbreakinglikealittlegirl.Evenwontherespectofmymenforgivingasgoodashegotwhileworkinghard.Meansalotwhenyou’reonthewater.SowhenwegettolandandIofferedhimhisshareofthetake,hetellsmetokeepitandoffersmeajob.”

“Whichyoutook,ifIremembercorrectly.”The captain shrugged. “Mademore off that one little run than I’d brought homemy

previous season of ishing.” His face turned introspective. “I miss the men, but they hadfamiliestotakecareofandIdidn’twantanyofthisshittowashoverontothem.Frankhere,”henudgedthefirstmatewithhiselbow,“wouldn’tleavetheboat,sohecamealong.Hell,we’reoldwithex-wivesandnokids,perfectforthiskindoflife.”

PicturingLucasinbrightwaders,handling ishguts,provedimpossibleformybraintofathom.Hesawmewatchinghimandgavemethattrademarksmirk.“What,”heasked,“don’tthinkIcanhandlemyselfwiththebigboys?”

Iwas saved fromhaving toanswerwhenamuf ledbangcame frombelow.Matthewsimmediatelyswiveledaroundinhischairandgrabbedthewheel,givingitafewsteers,thenchecked his instruments. “I’ve lostthe engines,” he said, amusement gone. “Rudder’s stillthere,butwe’vegotnopower.”

“CanIhelp?”IaskedasLucashustledmedownthestairs.“Sure.Doyouknowmuchaboutdieselmechanics?”Disappointmentstabbedthroughme.“No,”Imutteredaswequicklymovedtothestairs

leadingdowntoourroom.Theunfairnessofmysituationwasgettingtome:notonlywasIaprisoner,Iwasauselessprisoner.

Some of my frustrationmust have shown because when we got to the room, Lucaspaused. “I need to keepyouhere fornow.Allmy focus has to be on this, but I’ll keep you

updatedonwhateverwefind.Willthatwork?”Slightlymolli iedInodded,andLucas lashedmeasmilethatmademyinsidessuddenly

meltalittle.“Don’tforgettolockthedoorbehindme,”hesaid,steppingoutoftheroom.“Yessir,”Isaid, salutingsmartly. MylipstwitchedintoasmileasIslammedthedoorin

hisface.Ilockedit,truetomyword,thenwentandsatdownonthebed.Myeyesranacrossthenarrowcon inesoftheroom.Wouldn’t itbefunnyifIendedup

dyinghere?Themorbidthoughtshookme,andIlayonthethinmattress,staringatthebackwall.

IwishedIcouldtracebackwhathadcausedmetobecometwistedupinthissituation.Lucaswastheeasiestonetoblame.He’dbroughtmeontothisship.Myparents’deathshadkickedmeoffmycollegepath,butIcouldn’tbeartoblamethem.Evennow,severalyearslater,theirdeathsstungtoomuchtolingeron.Mylifehadbeenspiralingdownwardsforsolong,andjustasIthoughtmyluckhadchanged…

Whyruinwhatwehavewithplatitudes?ThememoryofJeremiah’swords,spokentomeonlyafewdaysbefore,dashedacross

my heart likeascaldingacid. I closedmyeyes tight, ightingagainst tears thathad alreadyspilledtoomanytimes.Hisresponsetomyaccidentalsliphadmademeleavethemansion,drivingmeintomycurrentsituation.Ihadn’tmeanttosaythewordsaloud;theyjustcameout.Iloveyou.

Likeaslaptotheface,he’drejectedthewords,toldmenottosaythemagain,andthenleftthehouse.

WasIreallysowrongtospeakmyfeeling?Thequestionbuggedmemorethananything.Ihadn’texpectedtohearhimsaythewordsback.Iwasarationalgirl:we’dbeentogetherlessthanamonth,andthatwasn’tlongenoughforeveryone.Therehadbeennostipulationsthatthewordwasoff limits; if I’dknownhepreferred thoseemotions leftunsaid, Iwouldhavestayedsilent.

Thewholesituationhadblindsidedme,buttoblamehimformycurrentsituation?Thatwould be so nice, to lay all the blame at his feet. I sighed. Sometimes I wished Iwere lessrational.

Therewasaknockatthedoor.Isatup,thengottomyfeetandslowlypaddedtoit.“Whoisit?”Iasked.

“Lucas.”Thevoicewasmuf ledbythedoorbutIgrinned.“Figureoutsomethingformetodo?”I

askedloudly,unboltingthelatchandswingingthedooropen.Yellowteethgrinnedatme.“Hello,love.”I tried to slam the door shut but suddenly therewas a large body blockingmyway.

Abandoningthedoor,Iracedforthebed,Niallonlyinchesbehindme.Hegrabbedatmyhairbut Imanaged towrestmyself free, runningacross theroomonly tobe trappedby the farcorner.Niallpaused,seemingtogloryinmyhelplessness,butwhenheroundedthecornerofthebedIleaptatopthethinmattress,sprintingforthedoor.

I was in the open doorway, almost free, when a large hand grabbed around mymidsectionandhauledmeback.“Lucas!”Iscreamed,andthenIwasknockedsidewaysintothebathroomdoorframe,andthedoorslammedshut.

“Loverboy’sontheotherendoftheship.”Hegrinned,teethglintinginthelowlight.“I’dliketohearyouscreammyname.”

Hepressedmebackwardsand I rolled sidewaysoff thedoorframe,myhip slamminghard against the edgeof the lowdresser. Thepicture frame, previously stuck to the woodsurface,brokefree.AsNiallleanedin,presumablyforakiss,Igrabbedtheframeupwithonehandandbroughtitacrossmyassailant’sface.Mygripontheitemwas limsyandtheblowglancingatbest,buthestillpulledbackfarenoughformetodartintothebathroom.

Therewasapauseashesurveyedthedamage,thenaroarofoutrage.Itriedtoclosethedoor buthadno leverage, andNiall barged into the narrow room.The Australian’s earlieramusementwasgone;onehandgrippedmythroatandheslammedmehardagainstthebackwalloftheshower.Offbalanceandheldupbyonemeatyarm,Iscrabbledathishandandherepeated themove twicemoreuntil starsdancedacrossmyvision.Withhis freehand,hewipedthesideofhishead,thensnarledandshowedmethebloodonhis ingers.“Youlittlebitch.”

He dragged me out of the bathroom and pushed me back toward the bed. Groggy,struggling to breathe, I fell backward across it and tried to pullmyself away fromhim.Hegrabbedmylegs,holdingmetotheedgeofthemattress,thenbackhandedmeacrossthefacewhenItriedtositup.Ilaythere,painradiatingthroughmybody,asIheardthejingleofabeltbeingloosened.No,please…

What happened next was a blur. There was a crash and abang, then Niall collapsedsideways,squealinglikeapig.Hecrashedtothegroundattheendofthebed,andI lookedovertoseeLucasadvancingonhim,gundrawn.

“Youshotme!”“YesIdid,andnowyouhavethreesecondstogivemeareasonnottodoitagain.”Reeling, I struggled upright to watch the entire scene. Behind Lucas, the Scotsman

backed into the room with his hands up. Frankfollowed, holding the shotgun on thebodyguard.CaptainMatthewsstoodbesidethem,hiseyesfocusedonLucas.

Niallmoaned,rockingonthefloor.“Yousonofabitch!”Lucas iredagain,andI linchedastheAustralianhowled.Thebedhidthedamagefrom

me,butIheardthepaininNiall’svoice.“You’reright aboutmymother,”Lucas said,hisvoicedangerously light, “butgiveme

somethingbetter.”“Whatdoyouwanttohear?”theblondmansaidthroughgrittedteeth.“Whydidyousabotagemyship?”Niall lookedperplexed.“Sabo…whythehellwouldIdothat?No,no,”hehastilyadded,

wavinghisarmsasLucassteppedcloser.“Iswear, Ididn’tsabotageanything!WhywouldIjeopardizemyowncargo?”

“ThenI’mtobelieveyourvisitherewastotallybychance?”Lucassounded likehewas talking about theweatherbut, like I’d often seenwithhis

brother,Isensedsomethingdangerousbehindthewords.Niallontheotherhand,didn’tseemquiteastunedin.“Isawachance,andItookit?”

Thegunrose,thistimeaimingstraightatNiall’shead.GonewasLucas’happy-go-luckypersona.Thechangewaslike lippingaswitch;furysuffusedthescarredface.Lucassteppedforward,layingthebarrelagainstNiall’sforeheadastheAustralianbabbled,fallingbacktothefloorandoutofmysightcompletely.

“Son.” AtMatthews’ gruff call, Lucasfroze.Thegrizzled sea captainwaswatching theyoungermanclosely.“Don’tdoit.Notinanger,andnotherewherethegirlcanseeit.”

ForahandfulofsecondsitlookedasthoughLucaswasn’tgoingtolisten.Istaredatthescene in shock;Niall had disappeared from view, cowering on the loor at Lucas’ feet andbeggingforhis life.Thegunshookforasplit instantandIsawthetrigger ingercompress,then thesmilingmaskcamebackoverLucas’ face. “You’re luckythat I’maniceperson,”hesaid,raisingthegunsoitpointedattheceiling.Hesignaledbehindhim.“Lethismantakehimdownstairs,thenlockthembothintheholdwithafirstaidkit.”

“You’regoingtopayforthis,”Niallmutteredas theScotsmanhelpedhimtohisfeet.ItlookedasthoughLucashadonlyshothiminonelegbothtimes.“Iknowpeopleontheoutsidethatwon’ttakekindlywhenItellthem…”

Lucasloweredhisgunagain,casually iringatthegoodleg,andNiallhowled,collapsingintohisbodyguard.“Okay,soI’mnotthatnice.”Thescarredmanshookhishe ad.“Lordsavemefromamateurs,”hemutteredasasobbingNiallwasledoutoftheroom.Frankfollowedclosely behind, shotgun trained at their backs. Lucaswatched them leave,and then inallylookedatme.“Howdidhegetin?”WhenIdidn’tanswer,hecontinuedinanirritatedvoice,“Itoldyoutoaskwheneversomeoneknocks.”

“Hesaidyourname.”Ihunchedin,huggingmyknees.“Ididlikeyousaid,askedwhowasthere.Ithoughthewasyou,then…”

Therewasaclunkasthegunwassetdown,thenarmsencircledme.I linchedbuttheydidn’tletgo,andastheadrenalineleftmeashiveringmessIclungtothatanchor.“I’msorry,”hemurmuredagainstmyhairasIleanedmyheadagainsthisshoulder.

Matthews’voicewaftedtowardus.“I’llheaddownandkeepaneyeonrepairs.”Ididn’tbotherto look,butLucasnoddedhishead.“Thatboytookoff likeabatouttahellwhenheheardyou,” the sea captain continued,obviously formybene it, beforehe closed thedoorwithasoftclick.

IclungtoLucas,hidingmyfacewhenthesobshit.Attemptsattryingtostopthecryingonlymade it louder, so I gave in to the anger and relief and rage, letting itwashover andthroughme.LucasrockedmeasIwept,thesobsthreateningtotearmeapart.

EventuallytheemotionssubsidedenoughthatIcouldgetagriponmyselfagain,butIdidn’treleasemyholdontheotherman.WhenhemadetopullawayIclungtighter.“Don’tgo,”Iwhispered.“Notyet.”

He subsided, his hand strokingovermy hair. Fingers skimmed downmy back and I

shivered,butheplayedthegentleman,keepinghishandfromdippinglower.“Ishouldn’thavebroughtyouaboard,”hemuttered,andIcouldheartheself-recriminationinhisvoice.“Hell,Ishouldn’thaveevenbroughtyouintothis.TherewereotherarrangementsIcouldhavemade,onesthatwouldhavekeptyouwith…”

LucasbrokeoffandIraisedmyheadoffhischesttolookathim.Hewasstaringoffintonothing,mouthpursedinagrimline,butmetmygazeafteramoment.Isawsomethingsparkinhiseyes,andfeltmyownbellyclenchasIrealized howintimatelyweweretouching.Myistscurledaroundthethinmaterialofhisshirt,holdinghimclose.“Thankyou,”Imurmured,pushingintothewarmthandsafetyofhisbody.Hisscentandproximityoverwhelmedme,butanythingwaspreferabletorememberingtheday–no,week–I’ddealtwiththusfar.

“No problem.” Lucas’ voicewasstrained. Ilooked up into his face and instinctivelyunderstoodthe hungerI sawinhiseyes.Memoriesofourkiss in thepenthouseapartmentintruded:thefeelofhislipsagainstmine,thescentthatwashisalonefillingmynostrils.

“Lucy,”hebegan,butIneverknewwhathewasgoingtosaybecauseItiltedmyheadupandlaidmylipsagainsthis.

Hedidnothingforamoment,anddesperationtookholdofme.Helpmeforget.Twistinginhisarms,Iwoundmyarmsaroundhisbody,pullinghimclose…thenhetookover,hislipspartingagainstmymouth.Asighescapedmeasheboremebackon thebed,pressingmeagainstthemattress.Hegrabbedmywrists,bringingthemabovemyhead,andImoaned.Heteasedmewithhistongue,asmilespreadingacrosshismouth.“Youlikethat,don’tyou?”

Yes.Myhandsclenchedinto ists,wantingdesperatelytotouchhimbutrelishinginthepossession.Lucas’kneeslidbetweenmylegs,pressingagainstmycore,andIjerked,archingintohimfrantically.Foraninstant,thefaceofNiallloomedinmymindandIbrokeoffthekisswithagasp.Lucaslaidhisforeheadagainstmine.“Wecanstopifyou…”hestarted,butIshuthimupwithmymouth,andhedidn’tprotest.

Securingmywristswithonehand,hepushedtheotherupmyshirt,hislipsmovingtomythroatashethumbedanipple.Imoanedagain,cravingmore,andwrappedmylegsaroundhisnarrowwaist.

“Godyou’rehot,”hemurmured,shovingmyshirtupandovermyhead.Ihelpedasmuchas I could,notwanting tobreakcontact,butwhen I felthiswarmthagainstmybareskin Isuddenlyneededsomuchmore.Istruggledfreeofhisholdandpulledathisshirt,tuggingatthepantsandbelt.HischuckleatmyclumsinessannoyedmesoIpushedononeshoulder,guidinghimontohisback.Withinseconds Ihadhispants free,andsomehowwasn’tatallsurprisedhewentcommando. Ipalmedhim inmyhand, runningmy thumbover the thickhead, andheardhimgaspaboveme.Refusing to thinkabout it, I shimmieddown thebed,fingernailsleavingtracksdownhistorso,andtookhiminmymouth.

Hecursedloudly,hipsjackkni ingoffthebedasIpulledhimdeep.FingerstangledinmyhairasIkissedandsucked,diggingmynailsintohishipsforpurchase.I lickedthebulboustipseveraltimeswithmytonguebeforepullinghimdeepagain,rollingmytonguearoundthethickshaft.

“Christ!”heexclaimedasIranmynailsdownhisinnerthighs,scrapingmyteethalongthetopofhismembereversolightly.Thehandinmyhairtightened,pullingmeawayandup.I

climbedbackoverhisbody,seekingoutthoselipsagain.Lucasmetmewitharenewedvigor,rollingmeoverbackwardsonthebed.“Myturn,”hemurmuredintomymouth,fumblingwithmypants then shoving themdown. I obliged, liftingmyhips off the bed as Lucas tore thegarmentsfrommyankles,thensqueakedasheflippedmeoverontomyknees.HandsgrabbedmybottomandIpressedback,mewlingwithdesire,butIwasn’tpreparedwhenhespreadmyfoldsandpressedhisfacebetweenmylegs.

Icriedout,surgingforward,buthishandsonmyhipskeptmeinplace.Buryingmyfaceinanearbypillow,Ithrashedatopthebedashelickedandsucked.Onehandmovedfrommyhip,thenlong ingersreacheddeepintomycore.Quaking,mywholebodytensedlikeacoil,Iwasasmuchaslavetothesensationsasifhehadchainedmeinplace.Nothingcouldtakemeawayfromthedelicioustorture;heplayedmelikeamaster,andmybodysang.

Thecrinkleofacondomwrapperwastheonlysignalthingswereabouttochange,butIwastoofargonetocare.Whenhismouthleftme,Igroaned,wordlesslybegginghimformore.Thelackoftouchwasunbearable,butIheardthebedcreakasherepositionedhimselfbehindme. Fingernails scraped downmy back, his hands shapingmy curves, andmy grip on thepillowtightened.

WhenI felthisblunt tipprobemyentranceIgaveanexcitedmewl,andgaspedasheenteredmewithonesurestroke.Iwaswetandprimed,andthesuddenstretchingbroughtmyorgasm racing to the surface.My crieswere comingwith eachbreathnow,muf ledby thepillowbutstillaudiblewithintheroom.Everythinginsidemetightened,andIknewfromtheerraticjackhammeringbehindmethatLucaswascloseaswell.

Thenheshiftedpositions,thenewthruststouchingjusttherightplaceinsideme,andmy orgasm rocketed through me. I gave a small scream into the pillow, waves radiatingthrough me as Lucas continued thrusting inside me. Each stab suffused me in pleasure,addingtothesensualstormthathadtakenmeover.Howeverevenhecouldnotlastforever,andwithastrangledsighhecame, ingersgrippingmyhipstight.Hisheadrestedagainstthetopofmyback,pantingbreathshotagainstmyskin.

Welaylikethatforamoment,strugglingtocatchourbreath.Finallyhepulledhimselfoutwithagroan,leavingmewhilehecleanedhimselfup.Ilaypantingonthebed,eyesclosed,waitingfortheaftershockstocease.Afteramomenthereturned,wrappinghisarmsaroundmy torso and pulling me sideways onto the bed. There was safety inside his arms, and Isnuggledbackagainsthiswarmbody.“Itmightsurpriseyoutoknow,”hemurmuredagainstmyear,“thatI’mabitofanass-man.Yoursisdefinitelyoneofmynewfavorites.”

A giggle escaped me at the unexpected compliment, and I burrowed against him,gloryinginthewayheheldmetightagainsthisbody. Itracedtheoutlineofleanmusclesonhistorsoandwatchedastheytightenedandrelaxedwithmytouch.Forthatmomentatleast,Iallowedmyselfthecomfortofhispresence,thewelcomereliefofsafety.ThegunstilllayonthesmalltablebesidethebedandIstaredatit,absentlyrunningmy ingeraroundonesmallnippleonhischest.

Westayedlikethatforseveralminutes,thepeaceablissfulrespite.Icouldhavefallenasleep like this,butall toosoon formy tasteshepulledaway,disentanglinghisarms fromaround my body. Bereft of his warmth and suddenly realizing the door to the bedroom

probably wasn’t locked, I rolled myself in the comforter and watched Lucas get dressed.Seeingtheplayofmusclesonhisleanframewasatreatallitsown;therehadn’tbeenmanybeautifulmeninmylifebefore…

Jeremiah.Thenamesoberedme,ruiningsomeoftheenjoymentandafterglowofthemoment.I

lookdownatthecoversaroundme,myskinpricklinginconfusion.“Ihavesomethingforyou.”I glanced up to see Lucas holding something long and thin out towardme. Taking it

gingerly, I turned itover inmyhands.Thegreymetalobjectwas light andcool, and tomysurprisewashingedtoopenupintoaknife.

“It’sabutter lyknife.Easytoopenandcloseonceyougetthehangofit.”Hetookitbackbrie ly, andwith a couple shakes of thewrist had it swinging around, exposing the sharpedges.Afewmore licksandthebladedisappeared,andhehandeditbacktome.“Keepitonyou andpractice. Itmaynot be useful in a gun ight, buti tmight give you enough time toescapeinhand-to-hand.”

I swallowed and nodded, my gut churning. Lucas tilted my head up to look at him,concerninhisbeautifuleyes.“I’llbebacksoon,”hepromised.“Ineedtogotakecareofthings,namely getting our ship going again.” He looked reluctant to leave, then leaned down andkissedmeagain.Forthatbriefmoment,myfearsanddoubts led,washedawaybythedesireandsecurityIfeltfromthisman.Itendedassoonasheliftedhishead,andwithoutanotherwordheturnedandlefttheroom.

Staringattheknife,I leanedbackagainstthepillowsandcontemplatedmylife.Threedaysbefore,IhadtoldanothermanthatIlovedhim.I’dneversaidthattoanyoneotherthanfamily, all ofwhomwerenowgone, neverbelievinghewould shove thewords inmy face.Now, Iwaskidnapped andaboarda smuggler’s ship,stolen awaybythebrotherofthemanwhospurnedme.Thebrotherwhosescentwasstillonmyskin.

Youwantedno love, Jeremiah,Ithought,turningtheknifeoverinmyhands.Igaveitacasual lickandwasgrati iedtoseeitopenupforme,thetwogripscomingtogetherinmypalm.Thesharpbladereflectedthelowlightfromaboveme,andthenwithanother lickofthewristitdisappearedbackbetweenthetwopiecesofperforatedmetal.

IhadneverfalleninloveuntilI’dmetJeremiah.Hisseductionoverwhelmedme,takingmetoplacesmyhearthadneverbeenbefore.Amidstthedangeranddecadenceofmynewlife,I had fallenfor the billionaire,foolishlybelieving he had similar feelings. When, at amomentofweakness, I’d spoken thewords inmyheart, he had rejectedthewholenotion.NowhereIwas,notevenahandfulofdayslater,inanotherman’sbed.

Ifsexformeequatedtolove,thenwhatexactlyhadjusthappened?

CHAPTER4Waitingaroundhadneverbeenmyspecialty,but it seemed that’swhat theHamilton

menexpected.Thatdidn’tmeanIhadtolikeit.I got dressed, played with the knife a bit, browsed books, stared at the ceiling, and

twiddledmythumbs.Asminutesturnedtohours,therumblinginmybellygrewimpossibletoignore.Ihadn’teatenallday,andasthe timewentbyIbegantowonderifLucaswasgoingtocome back before I starved. Even when the engines far beneath me inally roared to life,nobodyarrivedatmydoor.

Increasingly,itlookedlikeIwasonmyown.Istoodatthedoor,staringatthehandle.Everyonewhowantstohurtyouis lockedup.

Hopefully.TheprospectofdangerwasbecominglessimportantthehungrierIgrew.Finally,whenmystomachtwistedpainfullyatan imaginedsmell, Igained thecourage toopen thedoorandpokemyheadoutside.

Aburlymanlumberedpastthedoorway,butIwasignoredashemovedquicklyupthestairs toward the deck. The lower levels seemed to be bustling with activity, rousing mycuriosity,butI iguredIwouldlearnaboutitlaterafterI’dgrabbedabitetoeat.Tiptoeingwassilly on the exposedmetal gangway, but Imoved as quickly and surreptitiously as I could,slippinginsidethegalleytwodoorsdown.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw it was empty, andmade a beeline for the bigrefrigerator.IcringedwhenIsawwhatwasinside .Rawmeatsatopenandexposedonplates.ContainerswithnolabelsheldfoodIdidn’twanttocheck.Disappointed,Iclosedthebigdoorand rummaged through the pantry nearby. Everything was in boxes except the sandwichbread,whichIpulledoutandchecked.NomoldthatIcouldseemarredthewhitesurface,andashungryasIwasthatwasenough.

Whilenotthemostnutritiousmealintheworld,IscarfeddownthreeplainslicesbeforeIsearchedaroundforsandwichmaterial.Iquicklyruledoutanythingintherefrigeratorandbeganscanningshelveslookingforsomethingtoputonasandwich.Ifoundnopeanutbutter,whichI’dbeenhopingfor,butdid indasqueezetubeofsomethingcalledMarmite.Onewhiffof theunknowntoppinghadmequicklychangingmymind,butas I turnedtoput itback, Inoticedsomeoneacrossthecounterwatchingme.

Startled, Igavea littlesqueak,dropping theplasticcontainer inmyhands. “Um,hi,” Isaiduncertainly,bendingquicklytoretrievetheweirdspread.

Theboylookednervoustoseeme,whichcalmedmedownabit.HewasmuchyoungerthanmostoftheothersI’dseenontheboat,closertomyage,soIattemptedasmile.“Iwaslookingforsomethingtoeat.”Athisblankstare,Irealizedtherewasapossibilityhecouldn’tunderstandme.“Um…”

There was an unintelligible shout outside the door to the cafeteria, drawing myattention.Theboy’sheadsnappedaroundtowardtherisingvoices, thenbacktowardme. I

recognizedthedesperationinhiseyes.Uhoh.Iboltedtowardthedoorbutwasn’tfastenough.Theboygrabbedmyarm,spinningme

aroundandsendingmehardagainstanearbytable.Peoplebegan ilingintotheroomandhehauledmebackagainsthim.Theglintofsomethingre lectivecaughtmyeye,thenIfrozeasabutcherknifewasheldagainstmyneck.

Lucaspushedhiswaytothefront,thenstoppedwhenhesawme.Iglaredathim,andthemanhadthegalltosmile.“Youmusthavetheworstkarma.”

“Iknowright?”Ianswered,exasperated,thentheknifewaspulledharderintomy lesh.Everyemotionevaporatedexceptfear;whenIswallowed,Ifelttheknifebitintothetenderskinofmythroat.

“Alexei,”Lucassaidinalowvoice,smilefadingquickly,“putthegirldown.”TheboyspatatLucas,thenletgoastringofwordsinalanguageIdidn’tknow.Fromthe

wayhespoke,Iknewtheywerecurses,andalldirectedatLucas.“Kolya,”Lucassaidinasharpvoice,andthemanIrecognizedasLucas’driverstepped

forward.“Pleasetranslate.”“Fuckyou.”Lucas glanced at the tattooed Russian, then snorted. “I figured asmuch. Tell him to

pleaseletMs.Delacourtgo.”Thebigdrivertranslated,butAlexeishookhisheadandletlooseanotherroundofangry

words.“Hesaidno,”Kolyatranslated,obviouslyparaphrasing.“Askhimwhyhesabotagedthisship.”“Sink everything.” The words this time came from Alexei, who again spat at Lucas.

“Especiallyyou.”“Ah,theboyspeaks.”Lucasgaveagrimsmile.“Andwhat,mayIask,haveIeverdoneto

you?”“Youkillmyfamily,”theboysnarled.“Yourguns,slaughterthem.”Lucas’smileslipped.“Whotoldyouthat?”Irealizedhewasn’tevenbotheringtodenytheclaims.“Isetbomb,butitnotgoright.”AlexeiignoredLucas’question.“Youatthebottomof

thesea,thenIseemyfamilyagain.”Heindicatedtheroomwiththeknife,shoutingsomethingelseIdidn’tunderstand.

“Thatwas for us,” Kolya saidwhen Lucas glanced at him. The driver’s eyeswere onAlexei.“Forworkingwithyou.”

“Tenyears.”Alexei’sbodytensewithrageandpain,“Iwaitforrevengetenyears.Andnow,Ifail.”

Lucas’ head shot up. “Ten yearswas beforemy time,” he said, face deadlyserious. “Ididn’tsellthoseweaponsthatkilledyourfamily.”

Againstmyback,Alexei’s bodybegan to shake. “You lie,” he murmured, and I felt thetensionintheroomescalate.

Somethinginmypocketbumpedagainstmythigh,andabulbwentoffinmyhead.Theknife!Ipulleditoutslowly,lungsquakingwiththefearofbeingcaught,andunfoldeditclosetomybodywhereIprayedAlexeiwouldn’tsee.

WhenitwasopenIgrippedittightinmyhand,butpausedwhenIsawLucas’handmakeapattingmotionintheair.Don’tmakemewait.Iheldoff,hopingthegunrunnerknewwhathewasdoing.Itriednottoswallowforfearthebladewouldcutdeeperintomyskin.

LucasshookhisheadatAlexei.“WhoevertoldyouIwasthebrokertenyearsagoistheliar,notme.Tellme,boy,whogaveyouthatinformation?”

Alexeiseemedtostrugglewithananswer,andmyhandtrembledaroundtheknife.Atickle loweddownmyneck rightwhere the blade sat, and I knew Iwas bleeding. An inchdeeper,andtherewouldbeawholelotmoreblood.

“But you sellmoreweapons.” The boy seemed to rallywith this revelation. “You killmorefamilies.”Thehandsholdingmetightened.“WhyshouldInotkillyours?”

Iwasn’twaiting on Lucas anymore; I heardmy death in thosewords. You had yourchance,buddy.Shiftingsideways,IplungedmyknifebackwardsuntilIfeltthesickeningjoltofithitting lesh.Alexei’scryrangoutinmyearandwetumbledtotheground.Thearmholdingthebutcherknifetomyneckrelaxedenoughtoletmepushitaway,butIstillfeltthetipgrazemyneckaswehittheground.

Inthetangleofbodies,Ilostmygriponthebutter lyknife,andpanicscorchedthroughme.Scrabblingalongthe loor,IglancedbacktoseeAlexeistillgrippingthekitchenknife.Hegrabbedmyankle,pullingmebacktowardshim.Islippedonthedirtysurfaceasheraisedthebladeagain,loomingoverme.Thengunshots illedtheairandAlexeifellbackwards,crashingbackagainsttherefrigerator.

Whimpering,Iskitteredacrossthe loorawayfromthebody,thenbeatatthehandsthattried to help me up. “What the hell,” I screeched,jumping to my feet. Adrenaline coursedthroughmybodyandall Icoulddowaspace,heartracingandbodyjittery.“Whydoesthisalwayshappentome,”Idemanded,unabletostandstill.

Kolyareacheddown to theboy, checking for apulse, but I alreadyknew thebigmanwouldn’t ind anything. I dug my hands into my hair, pulling at it in frustration.At thatmoment,Ineededtogetaway,beanywherebutonthatship.

ThenLucaswasinfrontofme,blockinganyescape.“Holdstill.”Ifoughttogetaroundhim,andhegrabbedmyshoulders.“You’rebleeding,letmetakea

look.”His eyes narrowedwhen I stillpushedhimaway.“Would you feel better if I slappedyou?”

“Don’tyoudare,”Isaid,glaringathim.T hethreatdidmanagecalmmedownenoughforhim topress adishrag against thewound. Iwinced at the sting, andprayed the clothwasclean.

“Ihavea irstaidkitinmybathroom.Kolya,takecareofthebodyand igureouthow

Alexeigotabombgotontothisship.”IslappedawayLucas’handsagain,determinedtowalkbymyself.Thentheworldtilted

andIscreechedagainasheliftedmeupinhisarms.AllIwantedwastobeleftalone,buthecarriedmekickingandscreamingbacktotheroom,dumpingmeonthebedbeforeshuttingthedoor.Herummagedthroughthebathroom,andthencameoutholdingabigredbox.“Holdstill.Ineedtolookatthat.”

Stillgrumpy,Icomplied, linchingawaywithahisswhenthealcoholhitthewound.“MylifewassoboringbeforeImetyouandyourbrother,”Imuttered ,holdingpressuretothecutas Lucas rummaged through the irst aid kit. “Is this some cosmic payback for being thedullestgirlontheplanet?”

“Perhaps,”Lucasquipped,andatmydarklookhelaughed.“Gotakeashower.Iwouldn’ttouch anything that’s been on those cafeteria loors, even you, without a thoroughdecontaminationfirst.”

I agreed: the kitchen had been disgusting, and I doubted the loors were any better.Closingmyselfintothebathroom,Istrippedoutofmyclothes,startedtheshower,andthenexaminedmyneckinthemirror.Lucasusedenoughtapesowaterwouldn’tgetinside,buttheareawas tender.A faintredlinetrailedover onebreast, leftovers from theknifewound. Ishivered, partly from how close to death I’d comeand the adrenalineleaving my body.Jumpingintotheshower,Iletthewarmwaterjustflowovermeforseveralminutes

Thebathroomdoorsqueakedopen,andIheardLucasenter.“Goaway,”Isnapped,butheonlychuckled.Iheardhimtakehisclothesofftoo,thenhepushedthecurtainasideandsteppedintheshower.Tohidemynervousness,Iturnedawayandstartedsoapingmybody.

“Finishwiththat,thenhandmethesoap.”The commanding tonemademy bellyquiver, but I didn’treply.Handing the thinbar

backtohim,Irinsedoffquickly,tryingtoignorethemanbehindme.Lucaskepthishandstohimself,whichwasarelief,butIcouldn’tfaceawayfromhimforever.FinallyIturned,closingmyeyestoblockouttheviewasIrinsedmybackandhair.IheardLucasmakeanappreciativenoiseand,despitethewarmthofthewater,mynipplesprickedupinresponse.

“Myturn,”hesaid,andwhenIopenedmyeyeshehandedmeasoapyrag.Ifrownedathim.“I’mnotyourslave.”Igingerlytookthewashclothdespitemyprotest.Lucaswaggledhiseyebrowsatme.“Doyouwanttobe?”I rolledmy eyes, trying for nonchalance, but itwasdif icult. Refusing to lookdown, I

started scrubbing away aroundhis neck andupper chest andwas surprisedbyhowmuchgrimecameaway.“You’refilthy.”

“That’swhathappenswhenyou’reworkingonaboatenginealldaylong.”Indeed, the littlerag Iheldwaswoefully inadequate for the jobathand. Irinsed itoff

twice, adding soap each time, before inishing with the front of his torso. Having the jobhelpedmenotfocusonthefeelofhismusclesbeneathmyhands,orhowIwasnakedwithastrange,beautifulmaninashower.Therewassomethingintimateaboutshoweringtogether,andIwasn’tsuremybraincouldhandlemorecomplications.Istoppedscrubbingbeforehis

groin,butdidn’tmissthestiffshaftpokingouttowardme.“Turnaround.”“Heh,bossylittleslave.”HeobligedandIscrubbedathisneckandshoulders,workingmywaydown.Thisside

wasn’tnearlyasbad,andas Ireachedhis lowerbackIbitmy lip inappreciation.Hehadagorgeousbackside,andmyfingersitchedtotouchhim,butIsteppedback.“Okay,rinseoff.”

Wesqueezedpastoneanotherinthenarrowstall,myheartskitteringasour leshmetandslid.Hewashedthesoapoff,givingmeafullandunabashedview,andthistimeIcouldn’tlook away. Lucas was not as tall ormuscular as his brother Jeremiah, but he was just asbeautiful to watch in his own way. I came close to touching him a couple times, alwayssnatchingmyhandbackatthelastminute.Myheartwashammeredandadullachethrobbedbetweenmythighs.

Hiseyesopenedashepulledhisheadoutfromunderthestreamofwaterandsmirkedwhenhesawmestaringathim.“Yougoingtowashyourhair?”

“I,um.”Atalossforwords,IlookedforashampoobottlethenfrozeasLucastookasteptowardme.Hecuppedmybreasts,thumbingthenipples,andIshivered.Ididn’tknowwhattoexpectwiththisman.Hewasalternatelyagentlemanandarogue,butmybodycamealiveathistouch.

Hepeereddownatme,alopsidedsmileonhisface.“Oncewithyouisn’tnearlyenough,”hemurmured,strokingmycheek.Icouldn’tstoptheneedysighthatcameoutofmymouth,andsawanansweringspark inhiseyes.Myhandssoughtouthisbody, tracingthe linesofmusclesalonghistorso.

Lucasthrusttheshowercurtainaside.“Out,”heordered,andfollowedmeaswesteppedontothesmallrugbesidethetub.Hedidn’tbotherwithtowels.Iwassweptoffmyfeetandtakentothebed,hislongstridescoveringthedistancequickly.Wefellontothebed,eachofusseekingouttheother’smouth,handsmovingacrosswetskin.

Ourkissingwasn’tthefrenzyofearlier,butthatdidn’tmakeitanylessintense.Igaspedagainashismouthslidtomyneck,teethnibblingandbiting.Ahandmoveddownthesideofmybody,openingmylegssothathelaybetweenthem.Hislipscamebackuptomine,teasingandpromising,andImoaninsidehismouth.

Onceagainhebroughtmywrists abovemyhead, but this time I felt something looparoundthem.Ibrokeoffthekisstolookupwardsatmyboundwrists,thenbackathischeekygrin.“Ihaveafeelingyoulikethissortofthing,”hesaid,grinningasIpulledunsuccessfullyatmynewrestraints.Ididn’tevenknowwherehe’dgottenthecord,andcertainlyhadn’tnoticeditonmywaytothebed.Theropeheusedwasthick,halfaswideasmywristsbutwithenoughslackformyboundhandstohavesomefreedomofmovement.

Lucasseemedsatisfiedwithhishandiwork.“NowIcandowhatIplease.”Hewinkedatmeandloweredhismouthtosuckonenipple.ArushofairescapedmylungsandIarchedmyback,cravingmore.Hemovedtolicktheothernipple,teethgrazingthetip,thentrailedhislipsdownmyquiveringbelly.Slingingmykneesoverhisshoulder,hegazedatmeasItriedmightilytomaintainsomedignity,tonoavail.

“I love thewayyou taste,” hemurmured, igniting a lame inmyheart .Spreadingmy

kneesapart,heloweredhishead,andatthetouchofhistonguemyhipssurgedoffthebed.Istrained againstmybonds, thrashing and trembling as his tongue probed atmy entrance.Fingerspressedagainstthesensitivetissue,openingmefartherashepressedhisfaceagainstme,andIletoutaloudmoan.

“Ooh,ascreamer?Let’smaketheboysbelowjealous.”I clampedmy lips tight, clenchingmy jaw, as Lucas dipped his head again.My body

jerkedandspasmedathisministrations,smallgruntsandcriesstillworkingtheirwayfree,butnothingloudenoughtomaketheirwaypastthedoor.Lucasdidhisverybesttoworkmybody,pressingalltherightbuttonsandsecretplacesuntilIwasatense,shakymess.

Hepulledhismouthawaythenraisedhimselfupsuddenly,liftingmyhipsoffthebed.Twistingmesidewaysonthebed,heliftedonelegtorestonhisshoulderashepushedmybodyintopositionandthrustupinsideme.Ipulledagainstmyrestraints,aloudcrycomingfrommylipsbeforeIclampedthemshutagain.Hedidn’tseemtobeinanyhurry,thrustingslowlyanddeliberately,hittingapointinsidethatsentshiversupmyspine. Thenewpositionhitalltherightplaces,andmyorgasmrosequicklytowardthesurface,butLucaswasn’treadytobedonesosoon.

HepulledfreeandspunmeoveragainsoIwaslayingfacedownonthebed.Grabbingthe lobesofmybackside,hegave thema littleshake, then ateasing smackatmyannoyedlook.“Ilikeplayingwithyourass,”hesaid,givingmeacheekygrin.“Almost asmuchasIlikeplowingit.”

Histhumbstracedthecrease,spreadingmeopenasIpulledmykneesupunderme.Ipressed my face into the pillow, tensing as one inger slid over my rear opening, but hebypassedthatandmovedtothesensitive leshbelow.Hepositionedhimselfbehindme,thethicktippushingslowlyinside.MybellyclenchedinanticipationandIheardLucashiss,hishands pulling my hips back until he was sheathed fully inside me. His forehead pressedagainstmyshoulderblades,handsmovinguptomywaistashepulledoutthenbackinside,repeatingthemovementmoreforcefullyasecondtime.

Igrabbedtheextralengthofrope,holdingtightasthethrustsgrewquickerandmoreforceful.Moaningloudlyintothepillow,Itiltedmybacksidehigher,nerveendingsscreamingatthepleasurablefriction.Teethgrazedtheskinbehindmyneck,andwhenthe irstbitecamethesharppainonlyaddedtothepleasure.

“God,you’resexy,”hebreathedintomyhair.ThecomplimentmademyheartsingandIclenchedaroundhim,pushingbackagainsthiships.HecursedandIgrinned,doingitagain.HeplungedforcefullyinsideandIgroanedintothepillow.Somuchpleasure,withmyreleasejustoutofreach.

Hepulledfreeandflippedmeoverontomyback.Therewasnopausingthistime;hewasbackinsidemewithinseconds,faceonlyinchesfrommyown.Icouldn’tholdinmycriesbuthecoveredmymouthwithhis,swallowingmymoansandsounds.Mylegswrappedaroundhisnarrowwaist,lockingbehindhisback.IsobbedasIfelttheorgasmriseslowlytowardthesurface,threateningtooverwhelmmysenses.Pullingatmybonds,Iachedtotouchhim,holdhimagainstme.

“Letmeseeyoucome.”Lucas’voicewasbreathless,hisfaceinchesfrommine.Those

gorgeous eyeswere adeepblue, darkenedwith lust andneed.Thepale scar stoodout, anangry slash on his beautiful face. Thenmyworldwas consumed by thewhirlwind rippingthroughmybody,everymuscletensingasIexploded.EvenLucas’ lipscouldn’tholdmycrythistimeasImoanedandthrashed.

Thescarredmancontinued tohammer intome,hisbreathingragged,andeverystabonlymadethewavescontinuelonger.Iclosedmyeyes,bodybeyondspent,asLucas inallycamedeepinside,collapsingatopme.Myheartthunderedinmychestaswebothstruggledtocatchourbreath.“Ididn’tthinkitcouldgetmuchbetterthanearliertoday,” Lucasmurmured,notevenbotheringtolifthishead.

Ididn’tanswer,mymind tooblown to formulateaproper response.Afteramoment,Lucaspulledoutbutkeptmeclose,hiswarmbodyacomfortingweightbearingmedownonthemattress.Hereleasedtheropefromaroundmywrists,andmyarmsdroppedlimptothepillowabovemyhead.Welaythereforamoment,strugglingtobreathenormallyagain.

“Whyisit,”Iaskedafteramomentofsilence,“thatmostofyourmenareRussian?”The non sequitur comment drew a startled chuckle from Lucas. He folded his arms

acrossmybreastsandrestedhischinatoponewrist,lookingatmeinamusement.“ManyofmyearlyassociateswerefromEasternbloccountries.Also,whileAnyawaswithme,Ihadaneasytranslatorforcertainsegmentsofthatpopulation.”

HiseyescloudedatthementionoftheRussiangirl,killedbyanassassinnotevenaweekbefore.“Didyouloveher?”Iaskedbluntly,awareoftheawkwarddirectionourconversationwastaking.

Hestartedtospeak,thenpaused.“Maybeonce,”hemurmured,apparentlynotthinkingthiswasanodddiscussiontopicgivenourcurrentposition.“WhenI irstmether,shewasyoungandnaı̈ve.Iwasangryandsel ish;stealingherawayfrommybrotherwasawaytogetback at him for taking overmy life.”He sighed, staringblankly besideme. “Times change.Peoplechange. Ididn’tdoenoughtokeepAnyasheltered fromthis lifestyle,andnowshe’sdead.”Hemetmyeyesagain.“WhataboutJeremiah?Doyoulovehim?”

“I…” My heart clenched painfully. “I thought I did.” Right now, my opinions aboutJeremiahwerealljumbled,dueinnosmallparttothemanlyingnakedatopme.“Hesavedmylife.”

“Isavedyourlifetoo.Twice.”Iwincedatthereminder,handgoingtothebandageatmythroat.“Yeah,”Imumbled,

droppingmygaze.AlumpformedinmythroatandIscrewedmyfaceupagainsttears.“WhenItoldhimIlovedhim,itwasthe irsttimeI’dsaidthattoanyonesincemyparentsdied.” Thememorywaspowerfulenoughtopiercemyheartagain.“Hejustcalledthewords‘platitudes’.”

“Mybrother isan idiot.”Lucassaid it inamatterof factway,as if thephrasewasascommon to his lips as breathing. Then he sighed. “Love is a ickle and cruel mistress.Confusingashelltoo.”

“Yeah.”Westayedinamicablesilenceforanothermoment,thenIputmyhanduptomyhair.“I

shouldprobably inishmy shower,” Imuttered, grimacing as I felt thedamp, tangled locks

spreadoutoverthepillow.“I thinkyou look fantastic,”Lucas saidwitha straight face, and I swattedhimon the

shoulder.Hegrinneddownatme.“Infact…”He nudged my thigh and I realized, with some shock, that he was hard again. His

amusementgrewatmysurprise.“Iwanttotasteyouagain.”Histhroatyvoiceset iretomyinsides.

Iranmy ingersinhishairashegavemeasoftkiss,andthenclosedmyeyesashislipstraileddownmybodyonceagain.

Wemade love twicemore before falling asleep curled up around one another. Time

meantlittleinthatdarkroom.Nosunlightpiercedthegloom,andnobodydisturbedus.Madelove.WhenLucastouchedme, ingertipsburningbrandsintomyskin,Itriedhard

nottothinkaboutwhatthosewordsmeanttomeanymore.Aloudhammeringonthedoorjoltedmeawake.“Lucas,weneedyououtside,”Frank’s

voiceshouted through thedoor. “Captainswearshesawaboat cominguponus.Mightbepirates.”

Ipausedinconfusion,butLucasleapedoutofbed,turningonalampandthrowingonclothes.“Pirates?”Iasked,failingtoreconcilethepeg-legimageinmyheadwiththemodernera.

“We’regettingclosetotheCaribbean,”Lucassaid,steppingintohispants,“anda fewrovingbandsofoutlawsstillpreyonshipsdownthere.Ididn’tthinkwe’dcomeacrossanythisfarnorththough.”Helookedoveratme.“You’dbettergetdressed.”

He slipped out the door as I rolled out of bed, and I hurried to lock it behind him.Grabbingupclothesfromthebathroom,Iquicklydressed,keepinganearopenforanythingstrange.Thetampingoffeetoutsidemyroomshookthe loor,butIdidn’thearanythingelsesuspicious.ForasecondIlookedfortheknifeandthenrememberedthatI’dleftitstuckinsideAlexei’s leg. The most dangerous thing in the room was the picture frame. I clutched it,wishingI’dbeenleftsomethingwithwhichtodefendmyself.

Fromsomewhereontheship,therecameaseriesofpops.Ifroze,clutchingtheframeinbothhands,theedgescuttinglinesintomypalms.Morefootstepssoundedoutsidethedoor,quietthistimebutIcouldstillfeeleachfootfall.Don’tcomeinhere,pleasedon’tcomeinhere...

The handle shook, then a crunch as someone attempted to pound it open. I gave aterrifiedsqueak,racingforthebathroomrightasthedoorgave,slammingopen.Ablackfigureilledthedoorway,andIstopped immediatelywhenIsawthebigassaultri le inhishandsturntowardsme.

The gun lowered almost immediately, and I screamed as the igure reached for me.Battingawaythehandwiththeframe,Iturnedtoruntowardthebed,butanarmwrappedaroundmywaist,haulingmeofftheground.Thumpingatthebarearmwiththepictureframe,mysecondscreamwascutoffwhenadarkhandwrappedaroundmymouth.

“Lucy,” a familiar voice muttered in my ear, and I stopped struggling in shock. “I’mgettingyouoffthisboat.”

Theframefellfrommynumbfingers,crackingagainstthethincarpet.Thehandliftedoffmymouth.“Jeremiah?”Iwhispered,strugglingtoturnaround.

Heputmebackonmyfeet,andIstaredupattheman.Blackgrimestreakedhisfaceandarms,butthoseoh-so-familiargreeneyesblazedliketorches.Iputmyhandouttotouchhisface,thencoveredmymouth,unabletobelievewhatIwasseeing.

Thenfrom the doorway camethe click of acockinggun, and Jeremiah froze, headsnappingupright.

“Hello,littlebrother.”JeremiahshovedmebehindhimasheturnedtofaceLucas.Thegunrunnerquirkedaneyebrow,thenglancedatme.“Well,isn’tthisawkward.”

Lookforpartsevenofthe“AnythingHeWants”series,comingtoallmajorebookretailersinApril2013!!BONUSSTORY–ThefacethatJeremiahHamiltonputsforthtotheworldisnotthefullmeasureoftheman.Hebelieveshimselfincharge,incontrolofhislifeandresponsibilities.Butwhathappenswhenyoutakeawaythethingmostprecioustohim,theonepersonwiththepowertoshatterhisentireworld?This bonus story takes usfrom the events at the end of the irst book through thebeginningofthecurrentstory.Jeremiahbeginstorealizethatnomanisanisland,andallwallsarebreakablebysomeonewiththerighttouch.

“Iloveyou.”Threelittlewords,buttheyhadthepowertostoptheworld.“No.”

Hehadn’tmeantforthedenialtoslipoutquitelikethat.JeremiahfeltLucytenseagainsthimandwatchedherfaceasshestruggledtospeakagain.Beneathher, Jeremiahlay silent,tryingtofigureoutawaytosalvagethesituation,butcouldn’tthinkofagoodsolution.

Whyhaditcometothis?MovinghishandsdowntoLucy’swaist,hegentlymaneuveredheroffofhimsohecould

sit up. There was a sudden clamor in his head, more of a white noise than any speci icmessageorthought.Theneedforactionkepteverymuscleinhisbodytense,yethecouldn’tmove,stucksittingonthatbed.

“Why?”Jeremiahshuthiseyes.Thebrokenwhisperbehindhimremindedhimhewasnotalone,

buthehadn’tforgotten.Forabriefinstanttheywerestillskinonskin,thenLucypulledaway,tuggingthesheetstowardher.Theseparationwaslikealancetothegut,andJeremiahbegantoshake.

Unabletoansweryet,hestoodtohisfeetandgatheredhisclothes,throwingthemonquickly.His shirt took twice as longto close, his ingers trembling and fumblingwith thebuttons.Hethrewonhispants,ignoringsocksashegrabbedhisshoes,anddidn’tlookatthewomaninhisbeduntilafterhe’dbuckledhisbelt.Thepausewasenoughtimetogethimselfundercontrol,butjustbarely.

TheopendevastationonLucy’sfacethreatenedtobreakhim.Theclamoringinhisheadgrew to a roar, but he didn’t allow it to break his stony façade. Every instinctwithin himscreamedathimtorun,thatthiswasastrugglehecouldn’twin,butlogictoldJeremiahhehadto say something.Rooted inplacebyduty,he couldnomorewalk away from this thanhecouldwalkawayfromanyotherbusinessarrangement.

Butthisisn’tbusiness.Yes, it was. Because to call it anything else wouldmean admitting to sentiments he

refusedtocategorize.“Idon’tthink…”Hepaused.Wordsinthis instancewerehard,somewordsmorethan

others.“I’dpreferitifwekeptanymentionofloveoutofourrelationshipfortheforeseeablefuture.”

“Why?”Thequestionwasademand,andheknewshedeservedaresponse.“Let’sthinkabout

thislogically.”Logicwasgood.Jeremiahdecidedhecouldbelogical,evennow.“You’veknownme for roughly two weeks now. Is that enough time to build up any type of emotionalattachment?”Hewatchedherthinkabouthiswords,obviouslystrugglingforaresponse.

“I’mnotaskingyoutosaythesame.”Jeremiahnoddedandsatdownonthebed.“Maybenot,”heconceded,thenreachedout

andcuppedherface.“Butwhyruinwhatwehavewithplatitudeslikethis?”Somethingtwistedinherface,andJeremiah’sbreathcaught.Herskinwassoftbeneath

hishand,buthecouldalmostfeelhergrowingcoldtohistouch.Theurgeforhimto lee,togetawaysomewhereneutralwherehecouldthinkproperly,roseuplikeanoverwhelmingtide.

Hefelt likearabbitstaring into theeyesofapredator,unable to thinkofanythingbut theescape.Sowhensheputoutahandtotouchhim,hedancedaway,unabletobearthecontact.

“Nowthatyou’vebeenclearedinthepreliminaryinvestigation,you’refreetoleavethegrounds.”Thewordssoundeddistant,asiftheyweren’tcomingfromhislips.“Withthepolicepresencebeingwhatit is,Ithinkwe’resafefrommoreattacks.Oneoftheguardscandriveandescortyouanywhereyouwant.Justkeepmeinformedastoyourwhereabouts.”

The journeydownstairswasmore like sleepwalking. Jeremiahmadeabeeline for thefront door, and only began to breathe again when he was outside. The nervous tensionwouldn’tleavehim,however,andhewavedoffthemanapproachinghim.“I’mdrivingmyselftoday,Jared.”

“Yessir.”Jeremiah’s longstrides tookhimquickly to the largegaragebeside thehouse,andhe

keyedinthecodeforthedoors.Thegatesliftedtooslowlyforhistaste,soheduckedbeneaththemasthelargespace illedwithlight.Therewereseveralverticaltiersofcarswithinthegarage,manyofwhichhadbeeninthefamilyfordecades.Mostweren’twhathewaslookingfor,thebulkbeingthekindofcarsmeantforpassengersandnotdrivers,butthewhiteAudiR8wouldsuithispurposesperfectly.

Hepeeledoutofthedrivewayinasprayofgravel, lyingtowardthefrontentrance.Theguards manningit barely opened the metal gates enough for him torace through, butJeremiahcouldn’tfindthewilltocare.Thewhitenoisehad illedhisbrain;theurgetorunwastoogreat.

I love you. The words reverberated in his mind, taking on an almost sinister feel.Jeremiahdroveblindly,notcaringabouttheemptyroadsother than the factthattheygavehimthemomentaryfreedomhedemanded.Distance,hequicklyfound,didn’thelp.Infactthefartherawayhewent,themoretensionsettledinsidehisbody.Thedesiretoturnaround,togobacktothatbedroomandpleadforgiveness,grewalmostasstrongastheneedtoflee.

Thatoptionwasunacceptable.Jeremiahsmackedthesteeringwheel,thenagain.Whyhadn’theinsertedaclauseabout

thisintothedamnedcontract?Ifheassignedblame,thenwhathadhappenedwashisfault.Thegirlwassmart;he’dseenherreadtheinitialcontract,knewshe’dunderstoodwhatshewasgettinginto.Iftherehadbeenaclauseforbiddingcertainwords,shewouldhaveabidedbyit.Sowhyhadn’thethoughttoincludeanythingofthesortinthecontract?

Ihadn’tthoughtitnecessarytomention.Yes,butforwhom?HadhebelievedLucyherselfwouldnotfallinlovewithhim…orthat

hewouldn’tfallinlovewithher?Itwasallsoconfusing.Jeremiahmergedontoahighway,passingcarswithlittleregardtothetraf iclaws.He

wasdrivingerraticallyandknewit,butcouldn’tmakehimselfslowdown.Fornearlyadecade,sincetakingoverHamiltonIndustries,he’dbeenforcedtothinkabouteverymove,knowingeveryonewatchinghimwouldcriticizehisdecisions.Goodorbad,everychoicewasjudged,weighed,andanothermarkfororagainsthim.Suchhadbeenlifewithhisfamilygrowingup,

suchhadbeenlifeinthemilitary,andmoresonowthathewasinsuchapublicposition.He’dmadeithismissiontopredictoutcomes,seehowhisdecisionswouldimpactthefuture.

Howcouldhehavemissedthispossibleconclusion?The phone in his pocket vibrated, but Jeremiah ignored it. Taking a deep breath, he

forcedhimselftoslowdowntothespeedlimit,andthenpulledoffthehighway.Hedroveuntiltheroadendedatthewater’sedgethenturnedright,headingtowardsthehome.TheovercastAtlanticskiesperfectlymatchedhismood,andthedrivebacktotheHamptonsmansiontooklongerthanhisinitialescape.

Thephoneinhispocketbuzzedagainand,agitated,Jeremiahswitcheditoff.Hewasn’tinterestedinwork;infact,thatwasthefurthestthingfromhismind.Rightthen,ifhe’dbeenforcedtomakeadecisionorrisk losingitall,hewouldhavesaid“screweverythingandbedonewithit.”Sobeingforced,atthatmoment,todealwiththepoliticsandbureaucraciesofthemulti-billiondollarempireheneverwantedwouldonlyleadtoruin.

Theridebacktothehousewasboringenough,buttheminutehecameinviewofthegateJeremiahknewsomethingwasamiss.Hisguardswereamassedattheentrance,andtheyhurried out tomeet him as he pulledupt oit. “Sir,” one said as Jeremiah rolled down thewindow,“wehaveasituation.”

Jeremiahcouldn’trememberatimeinhislifewhenhe’dusedsmellingsaltstowakea

manup,buttheammonia-basedcompoundhadthedesiredaffectontheunconsciousdriver.Jaredawokewithastart,clearlydisorientedbyallthefacesstaringdownathim.Hestruggledupright,andJeremiahpressedhimbackagainstthecouch.“Calmdown,”heordered,andtheyoungermansubsided.MostofthemeninJeremiah’semploywereformermilitary,usedtoobeyingacommand.

“Tellmewhathappened.”Jared licked his lips, brow furrowing in thought. “I don’t know, sir. I re member you

leavingandIheadedbacktothebunkhouse,thentheworldgotfuzzy.”Herubbedhiswrists.“WasItiedup?”

Jeremiahnodded.“DoyourememberseeingMissDelacourt?”Everynervewason ire,every iber of his being poised on this question. Somehow, he kept hisvoice steady andhimselfincontrol.Barely.

“Nosir,”Jaredsaid inally,shakinghishead.“I haven’tseenMissDelacourttoday.Why,issomethingwrong?”

“She’smissing.”Sayingthewordsbroughtbackthewhitenoise,onlythistimeitwasashrillscream,notadullbackgroundroar.Thinkingarounditwasnearly impossible,buthismenwerewelltrainedandknewtheirjobs.

“Sir,wefoundthecar.”Jeremiahturnedblindlytowardthevoice.“Whichwayisitheading?”“Accordingtotracking,it’salreadystoppedmoving.”

Jeremiahcursed.“Sendmethosecoordinates,”heorderedandthenstrodeforthedoor.AblackSUVpulleduptothefrontasJeremiahexited;hedidn’tevenwaitforittostopbeforewrenchingthedooropenandjumpinginside.Theyspedoutofthefrontdriveway,followedclosely by two other cars. As they turned out of the front gate, Jeremiah pulled up theforwardedcoordinatesontothedashboardGPS.

Thedrivebacktowardthecitywastooslow.TwiceJeremiahcameclosetoorderingthedriver topullover soas to takeover thewheel,but stoppedhimselfeach time.Therewasnothinghecoulddoexceptstareattheunmovingdotonthescreen,andpraythatthistimehewasn’ttoolate.

He was the irst one out of the vehicle when they entered the alley, but it wasimmediatelyapparentthatthecarwasempty.Therearpassenger-sidedoorwaswideopenandthedoorhandleinsidewasaskew,aclearsignofastruggletoJeremiah.Lucy’spursewasstill insideonthebackseat.Therewasnooutwardsign,however,ofwhohadtakenherorwheretheyhadgone.

“Iwanttoknoweverythingaboutthisvehicle.Tellmewhodroveitlastweek,wherethecrumbsoffoodonthecarpetcamefrom,everyoccupant.Findmesomethingthatwillgiveusaclueastowhotookher.”

Lucy.Hecouldn’tevensayhernamewithoutgaspingforbreath.Allhewantedtodowastearapartthecar,makeitgiveupitssecrets,butthatwoulddonogood.Impotentragebeatthroughhim.Therewasnothinghe coulddountilheknewmore.Hismenweregood–hewouldn’thireanythinglessthanthebest–buttheyneededtime,andevenanotherminutewastoomuch.

Everydecisionofthedaycamecrashingdownonhimatonce.Howhe’dleftLucyaloneinhisbedroom,ignoredthecallstohisphone,beensoarrogantastobelievethedangerwaspast. He was a coward, running from three little words.Now lookwhat his stupidity hadwrought.

Lucy.Hecouldstillsmellheronhisskin.She’dgivenhertrust,admittedfeelingsforhim,andhe’dthrownhertothewolves.OhGod…

Hecouldn’tbreathe.Whilehismenwerefocusedonthelimo,JeremiahmovedaroundthefarsideoftheSUVandstruggledforcontrol.Forcinghimselftotakedeepbreaths,heclungtothedoorhandle,leaninghisforeheadagainstthewindow.His iststightenedashesuckedinair,thewrenching emotion inhisgutalmost toomuchtobear.Her face illedhisvision,thosebigblueeyesradiatingacon idenceinhischaracterJeremiahneverevenrealizedheneeded.Gone.Allgone.

“Sir?”Jeremiah had no idea how long theman had been standing therewatching, and that

realizationwasthe inalpieceheneededtoregaincontrolofhimself.Showingweaknesswasnothisway,andthroughsheerforceofhabithemanagedtolockhimselfbackbehindastonyexterior.Thefaçadehadcracked,butnotshattered;hewouldn’tfallapa rt,notnowwhenheneededtofocus.

Opening thepassengerdoor of the SUV, Jeremiah grabbed a duf le andmoved back

towardthelimo.“Let’sseewhatwecanfind.”Afternoonbledintoevening,eveningintonight,andstilltherewasnonews.Nophone

calls, no demands, nothing that would give them even the slightest hint as to Lucy’swhereabouts.Thecarhadbeenthoroughlysearched,everysurfacewasbeinganalyzed,butsofarthey’d foundnothing. Whoever had takenLucy knew how to covertheir tracks: doorhandles,steeringwheel,windows,everythinghadbeenwipedclean.

Thatknowledgedidnothingtoinspirehope.TherewasnowayJeremiahcouldsleep.Anytimeheclosedhiseyes,allhesawwerethe

nightmaresofwhatmightbehappeningatthatverymoment.Hisbrain illedinallthehorri icdetails,ofwhatcouldbehappeningtotheyoungwoman.Bymidnighthewasanervouswreckinwardly,managingtoputonacalmfaçadebutstrugglingtokeepdespairfromoverwhelminghim.Itwasn’tuntilnearlydawnhoweverthatthattheycaughttheirfirstbreak.

“Collinspulledapartialprintofftheundersideofthelimobar.”Jeremiahsnatchedthepaperwithdetails as theman continued. “Wewere able to cross-reference itwithvariousfingerprintdatabasesandgot threepossiblehits.Twoof theoptionsaren’t likely .One is agovernmentworkedbasedoutofSeattle,anotherisafelondoingtimeinFolsomprison.Thethird is aUkrainianby thenameofKolyaStepanovich.Hehasties totheRussianma ia,aswellasarmsdealers…”

“Loki.”Thegrowledwordstoppedtheothermancold.Jeremiahcrumpledthepieceofpaperin

hishand.Whyhadn’thepursuedthatangle,orevenconsideredit?Somehow,thathisbrotherwasinvolveddidn’tsurprisehim.Finally,Ihaveatarget.“Getmeeverythingwehaveonthearms dealer Loki, speci ically anywhere he could be hiding in the city. Residences,warehouses, boats – I want a list of anywhere he might be holing up. Also look for anyinformants who might be part of his network; if he’s already gone, we’ll need a backupinformationresource.”

Astheothermanhastenedbacktohiscomputer, Jeremiahstaredataspotonthefarwall.Plastercoveredthebulletholenow,starkwhiteagainstthedarkershadesofpaint.Theyhadn’tyetfinishedfixingthedamagefromthesniperattack;thewallwaspatchedandsanded,awaitingthe inalcoatofpaint.Somewherebeneaththedrywall,abulletwaslodgedagainstthewoodframeofthehouse,permanentproofofeventsfromonlyahandfulofdaysago.Lokihadslippedthroughhis ingersthen,butJeremiahvowedthatwouldn’tbethecasenow.IfanyharmhadcometoLucyDelacourt…Jeremiahwaddedthepapertightinsidehisfist.

Lucasmightbefamily,butbloodwouldn’tsavehisbrotherthistime.

Copyright(c)2013SaraFawkes.Allrightsreserved.

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,distributed,ortransmittedinanyformorby

anymeans,includingphotocopying,recording,orotherelectronicormechanicalmethods,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.

Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Names,charactersandincidentsaretheproductsofthe

author’simaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4