Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) (18 page)

“What did you come to see me for?” My words stopped his path, and his smile dropped.

“Do I need to have a reason?” The edge in his voice made my skin tingle with warning.

“No, you don’t.” I tried to bring down his anger. “But I didn’t expect you. I just got back from the gym. Can you give me a minute to shower and change?” I shifted on my feet. He was the type of person I needed to mentally prepare for, and I wasn’t prepared for this right now.

His gaze slid over me, and it took all my strength not to run away or cover up, to stand still and let him devour me with his eyes.

“A minute? Sure.” But he didn’t move.

“You can wait in the living room.” I put authority in my voice as I walked past him and opened the door for him to leave. It was bad enough I was about to get in the shower with him in the apartment, but I couldn’t handle him waiting in my room.

His smile returned at my demand and he bowed slightly towards me with a soundless laugh. “Whatever you wish.”

I closed and locked the door the second he crossed through. Then I grabbed my baggiest sweater, shirt, and jeans outfit I had and locked myself in the bathroom. Every sound I heard in the shower had me pulling the curtain aside to see if he was entering, but he never did. It wasn’t till I was dressed that my jumpiness eased some. But anxiety still swirled in me, making me feel sick. I brushed my hair, but left it wet as I walked out into my empty room.

I know I was trying to make myself undesirable in my attire, but I was also psyching myself up for him to touch me. I wasn’t sure if I could let him, but if it felt like a move that could get me anywhere, I might have to. Gage’s face was tattooed in my thoughts, a constant that I tried to block. There was no room for him right now. I couldn’t let him and my irrational feelings control my decisions.

I gave a second thought to concealing my gun on me, but dismissed it. That would only get me in trouble since I knew I wouldn’t shoot him. I couldn’t. I’d never get away with it.

Walking back out in the living room, I watched him, watching me. He was sitting back, relaxed in the corner of the couch, arms draped along the back. His long legs were stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles on the floor. His grey suit looked tailored for him, but he dressed it down with a black button up shirt, top buttons undone. If I had any doubt about why he came to see me, the look in his eyes and the way his teeth drug over his bottom lip as I walked closer eliminated it.

I stopped on the other side of the coffee table, my heart about to drill through my chest, and slid my hands in my pockets to cover their shaking. I was frozen, unsure what the next move should be.

He cocked his head at me as he sat up. “Are you feeling all right?” There was concern in his voice.

I swallowed and nodded, throat dry.

He shook his head, with a hesitant grin. “Then have a seat. Relax.”

My stomach flopped, threatening to expel my light breakfast while my feet carried me to the other side of the couch and I sat. But it was impossible to relax.

He clicked his tongue as his fingers stretched, lightly moving over the ends of my wet hair.

I closed my eyes, waiting for his next move, forcing myself to sit still.

But his hand dropped away with a sigh. “Have I gotten it all wrong?”

I popped my eyes back open and looked to him.

He shifted in the seat and sat up as he turned towards me. “I thought after Friday things might have changed. I didn’t intend to act that way but you were pushing me. And then, I thought you were into it. But now…” His hand floated between us, confusion wrinkling his forehead. “I don’t force myself on anyone Regan. This won’t happen till you want it to.”

His words lifted a heavy weight from my chest and the room spun with the sudden lightness. But I didn’t let the relief get too far and reminded myself of who was speaking.

“Okay.” I nodded to him, acknowledging his words. As much as I wanted to tell him I’d never want him, I stopped myself. Letting him think he was getting somewhere, but not giving in, seemed the most powerful position I could take at the moment. I knew enough about men to know it would only get me so far, for so long. But I’d stretch it for as long as possible, until more was required.

I gave him a little smile and dropped my eyes to my lap, playing shy, and hating myself for the act.

The sound of water ran through the walls as the shower in Kiera’s room turned on. So she was here, probably just waking up.

He scooted close to me. One arm stretched behind me and the other slid to my cheek, turning my head to face him. “Why don’t you change into something nice, and I’ll take you to lunch.” His hazel eyes pleaded, with an urgent look.

He didn’t want Kiera to see us together. I looked toward her door. “I don’t know.” I wanted to test his reactions, get a better read on this new situation.

He dropped his hand from my cheek. “I only want to talk” His smile was back, the one that masked so much, so effectively. “And you need to eat, don’t you?”

I could say no. I saw that now, he gave me that option. But where would that get me?

“Okay.” I stood up and went to my room to get ready.

WHEN I CAME OUT, KIERA WAS SITTING on the couch and Rusnak was standing over her, his voice too low to hear as he scolded her. Or at least that’s what I assumed he was doing; she certainly looked like a kid getting in trouble. Her eyes were rimmed red and face crumpled as she sunk into the couch.

He glanced towards me as I walked into the room and her hand shot up, grabbing his. He glared back down at her, flicking her hand off like dirt.

“We’ll talk about this later.” He stepped away from her, warning clear in his voice. Then he walked past me down the hall and paused at the front door, holding it open for me.

The look in Kiera’s eyes as she swept them towards me tugged on my guilt, but I walked away. She wasn’t my concern.

The tension between us was thick and the conversation was sparse on the way to the restaurant. It was at a business club in the city, on the top floor of a tall building. The room had a waterfall in the center and glass walls that gave a stunning view of the city skyline. Even though there were only a few other patrons, I knew immediately I wasn’t dressed up enough. I’m surprised they even let me in with jeans on.

But Rusnak hadn’t commented about my clothes, except to say he liked the color of my top, a dark blue chiffon blouse that hung loosely on me.

He ordered our meals, not even giving me a chance to look at the menu. But I finally spoke up when he ordered a glass of wine for me.

“I don’t drink.” I waited for the server to leave before correcting him, but his face still tightened in agitation.

His fingers tapped on the thick white tablecloth. “You need to relax, Regan. You take things too seriously.”

I straightened up at the insult. “Are you relaxed?” I immediately regretted my tone.

His answering smile gave me some relief. “Touché. But that’s what I want, for you to be able to relax around me.” He drew a small circle on the table with the tip of one long finger and then leaned back, looking around the area. “What do you think of this place?”

“It’s nice.” The look in his eyes made me hesitate.

“It was your mothers favorite place to come.” His voice was distant and soft, but his words were ice running in my veins.

“Talking about her doesn’t help me relax.”

His eyes narrowed at me, drilling into me, but I stood strong. This was an area I wouldn’t give in. It might have been a card I should be using, but I couldn’t. I wanted to burn any memory of her.

“I’m not her.” I met his eyes, sure mine were equally as intense.

The room froze for a minute, holding us in place. And then his smile spread, sickly slow.

“Yes, you are. You’re exactly like her, you just don’t realize it.”

“Go to hell.”

“Sit back down,” his voice was quiet but sharp with demand.

I hadn’t even realized I stood up, but he’s lucky I hadn’t hit him.

His eyes drilled into me, his anger clear under his cool surface.

I wasn’t anything like her—he had to see that. My blood raced hot through me and I wanted to choke him until he took back those words. I needed to leave before I acted on the impulse.

The elevator was already open when I reached the lobby of the restaurant; a group of men in suits were walking out. I slid in and pressed the button to close the door the second it was cleared. I didn’t see Rusnak following, but rushed all the same.

Panic flooded in as the elevator descended to the first floor. I had just ruined everything, my only chance. I had just pissed off the only person who could help me. My body vibrated with nerves, but they burst when the phone in my pocket vibrated as well.

The number that lit up the screen was unknown. Rusnak had never called me personally before. I didn’t want to answer, but I did. I couldn’t risk making this situation worse.

I reluctantly slid the phone to my ear.

“You need to come back. Now.” I could picture his calm, but dominate face as he spoke.

I’d already gone this far, if I went back now he would know he had full control.

“I think I should go. I’ll take a cab back.” I wasn’t completely running, I hoped that was enough.

“Fine.” The way he said it made it clear it was not fine, and then he hung up the phone.

My thoughts were on a downward spiral as I made my way back to the apartment. I couldn’t be anything like her. I despised her, hated her more than anyone or anything, but he was the only person that would know if I was or not. And he said I was exactly like her.

Kiera stepped out of the kitchen at the end of the hall as I closed the door to the apartment. Her sad eyes met mine for a second, glistening as tears pooled in them. “What is it, huh? What is it that he likes better about you?”

I couldn’t contain the groan and eye roll as I walked to my room. “Don’t start this shit with me right now.”

She moved with outstretched arms and braced her hand on my bedroom door to keep it from closing. “No, we need to have this talk. I’ve put it off too long.”

I rounded on her, stepping towards her. “I’m warning you Kiera, back off now.”

“I know there’s got to be something. I mean, look at you, all bruised up. He can’t find that attractive. So what is the real story?” The girl stood her ground, not budging from the door way as she gestured to me.

“Get out.” I shoved her back, forcing her out of the room.

She slapped at me, but I grabbed her wrist before she could make contact.

My blood ignited and I shoved her back until she slammed against the hall wall with a thud.

She was shrieking with anger, trying to claw at me, but I held both of her arms. I jerked her forward and back, slamming her into the wall again. Her wild eyes met mine and I saw what she was about to do the second before her spit hit my face. A spray of liquid splattered my cheek, below my eye.

I dropped her arms and released my fist like a slingshot, right in the center of her face.

Her angry shriek morphed into a crying scream and she brought her hands up to her nose as she fell onto her knees.

My muscles pulsed, wanting to let lose. Especially when I wiped her spit from my cheek. But I stepped back away from her, restraining myself.

She was crying on the ground, folded over her knees. She was in enough agony and it wasn’t me that caused it. But I had to get away from this psychotic bitch all the same.

I swung my door shut and left her crying in the hall. My destructive emotions needed a release, and I needed a distraction. There were bound to be consequences from my actions tonight with Rusnak and now Kiera. I couldn’t wait around for them. Looked like this would be a double gym day and then a trip to the gun range.

Kiera had stopped crying by time I left my room. I heard her in the kitchen but didn’t stop to check on her.

The gym released the tension in my muscles, but the gun range was a different type of stress reliever altogether. But it all came back tenfold as I exited the D.C Small Arms Range and was greeted by Boris. He took the toothpick out of his mouth and opened the back door of a town car with deeply tinted back windows.

I contemplated walking by. He hadn’t spoken to me after all.

But Rusnak’s smooth voice called out from inside the back seat of the car. “Regan, get in.”

My breathing tensed and my senses sharpened, but I slid into the back seat. The smooth leather was heated and the cab was deceptively warm, comfortable. So was Rusnak’s smile.

I didn’t speak and I didn’t look directly at him, just buckled my seat belt and focused on the dark partitioned glass blocking the front seats from view. The fact that he found me didn’t surprise me, I had been waiting for it—but that didn’t mean I was prepared.

“I’m sorry if what I said upset you earlier.” Rusnak broke the silence as the car pulled away from the curb.

I flicked my eyes to him and nodded. His eyes never left me. My skin prickled under his constant gaze.

“I’m only going to tell you this once.” He grabbed my hand in his hot ones. “Don’t ever walk away from me again.” He put pressure on my hand, squeezing the bones. “Look at me when I’m talking to you.”

I turned towards him, my teeth clamped to keep from speaking.

“Today I let you leave without permission, but never again. Do you understand?”

“I have to ask permission to leave?” I had meant to say it as a statement, but it came out like a question.

His grip eased on my hand and his thumb moved a wide arc under my wrists, tickling the skin, making it crawl and my stomach turn sour.

“Hmm hm, everyone does.” He was watching his thumb dip into the sleeve of my jacket as he caressed the skin underneath. “Only you could have gotten away with what you did today, nobody else.”

His words were added pressure on my lungs. Even though I should have felt relief that he wasn’t angrier, I was finding it hard to breath.

“Do you understand what I’m telling you?” He leaned in close, his upper body crossing the middle seat.