The Price Of Secrecy (8 page)

But
no one leaves a crime family. Not really. Not forever. While Dominic built his
empire above ground, he watched his back constantly. It wasn’t until Tommy
Twister sent The Madeline Project running amok that he began to believe he
might be safe one day. In the panic that followed for two years, he moved
underground and built extra layers of protection between him and his former
family.

Then
one stupid argument with a woman named Becca Stowe had nearly cost him all the
work he’d put into hiding from a family who wanted him dead. Dominic shook his
head as he walked back to his desk. It had been a mistake because he had let
things go too far with Becca. As soon as she’d started trying to redecorate his
apartment and made the quip about him not having to use condoms every time, he
should have ended it.

Dominic
had always been upfront and honest about what he wanted out of a relationship.
Becca had a volatile personality that at first had excited him. She was a hellcat
in bed, but he soon realized her temper wasn’t going to soften, and he couldn’t
deal with the constant fights.

He
also caught her snooping in his browser history more than once, with the
excuses she’d been looking for a restaurant they’d recently gone to or an event
they’d attended. He’d known she’d been lying, and still he kept seeing her.

Then
when he’d ended it, she’d quit her job with his company and threatened him. She’d
told him she had taken information with her from work, and it was only then he realized
how easily she could ruin everything for him. He’d been blindsided.

Just like you are now with Angela.

No.
He sighed and rested his chin in
his hands. Angela wasn’t Becca. Becca had been different from the start. She’d
had an agenda, and it hadn’t been too difficult to spot. Angela wasn’t like her
at all, except in looks. Dark hair and dark eyes. He’d never been able to
resist a girl with both. Becca’s strong personality had clouded his usually
rational mind.

This
time was different. Angela had a secret of her own. She wasn’t out to dig up
dirt on him. She wouldn’t threaten him or try to betray him.

There
were three more names he always typed in, and he did so now. The Rossi
brothers. All three had survived the storms above ground and were in three different
federal pens, or had been the last time he’d checked. Frank had a recent parole
hearing, but he had them annually, and he’d never been released. So Dominic had
no reason to believe he’d find out tonight that Frank Rossi was no longer in
jail.

A
noise reached his ears. The rest of his weekly search would have to wait. He
closed the windows because he didn’t want Angela to see where he was searching,
and then he went out to meet her. She wore nothing but one of his shirts, and
his dick jumped to attention as he watched her walk down the stairs. “Did you
get some sleep?”

“I
did. Thank you, but now I’m starving and I missed your warm body next to mine.”

Oh Lord…
“It’s not unusual for me to work
late at night, or at any time actually.”

She
sauntered up to him and put her arms around his shoulders. “I understand.
Should I let you get back to work?”

He
chuckled softly and kissed her. “Right. As if I could concentrate on anything
else now after seeing you in nothing but a shirt.”

“I
hope it’s all right I wore one.”

“Absolutely.”

“I
wasn’t sure if anyone else was in the apartment.”

“Only
on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, but don’t worry. Judy and Burt have worked
for me for a long time. They’re married to each other, and they’re very
discreet. So even if they catch us in the act one day, it won’t matter.”

She
smiled at him in a decidedly wicked way, and he let out a shaky breath at the
look of desire in her dark eyes. “That means we’re alone all night.”

“Yes,
it does.”

“Too
bad we have to work in the morning.”

“I’m
the boss, and we have our laptops here. We can work in bed.”

Angela
giggled, and then she ran a finger over his chest and down his abdomen,
stopping just short of touching his cock.

“Where
did this bold streak come from? I love it.”

She
circled her finger around his lower abdomen forcing him to bite back a moan.
“I’m glad to hear you say that because I love it, too. It’s wonderful to feel
this way. Confident enough to flirt.”

“Oh
Angela…” He grabbed her hand and placed it over his dick. “I wish you knew how
damn beautiful and sexy you are.”

“You
make me feel that way.”

“It’s
about time.” He couldn’t stand it any longer. He pulled her into a rough
embrace and kissed her, shoving his tongue into her mouth. She moaned loudly
and pushed up against his erection, grinding her hips into it.
Whoa!
He’d unleashed a beast, and
Dominic couldn’t be happier about that.

Chapter
Twelve

Angela
had no idea where this wantonness came from, but she didn’t care. She wanted
him again. He captured her mouth in a kiss so hot she was sure they’d both
combust. When he released it, his grin sent fresh wetness to her pussy. “I
never did punish you for coming without permission earlier.”

Chills
ran down her spine. “No, you didn’t. You should take care of that as soon as
possible before I do it again.”

He
shook his head slightly. “What are you doing to me?”

She
didn’t understand the question, but she loved the look of lust and admiration
in his eyes. “I’ve never had this much fun.” It was true. She’d spent a
lifetime hiding from unknown assailants. All she knew about them was that they
wanted her father and both uncles dead, and if they found her or her mother,
they’d kill them, too. She didn’t even know their names.

Angela’s
mother had refused to tell her any information, explaining it was for her own
safety, but Angela was tired of hiding from unknown phantoms. She wouldn’t do
anything foolish or break the WITSEC rules, but she also didn’t want to live
without passion and maybe even love in her life. It was time to crawl out of the
darkness and take a chance on someone for longer than a few dates.

“Neither
have I,” said Dominic, his voice soft and full of awe. “I swear to you that’s
the truth.” He sighed loudly and then planted a hand on each shoulder. “I want
to explain something to you. I know I have a reputation of being a player, and
there was a time I was, but I’m not that man anymore. The truth … I can’t
believe I’m admitting this.”

She
searched his beautiful face for any hint of bullshit, but all she saw was
sincerity.

“The
truth is that it’s been five years since I’ve had any real relationship. Oh,
I’ve dated, but the relationships were casual and brief. Nothing more. I was
burned badly by a woman who tried to hurt me and my company, and I’ve been gun-shy
ever since.”

Wow.
She hadn’t been expecting that.
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”

He
shook his head. “It’s over and done with. I don’t want to hide anymore. It’s
time to let someone in again.”

She
swallowed hard as his words eerily echoed her own thoughts. What had this woman
done to him that he’d hidden from a serious relationship for that long? Angela
wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but she certainly understood what it was like
to wrap oneself in a cocoon and never want to leave. It was safer that way.
Horribly lonely, but safe.

“I
don’t want to hide either.”

He
frowned, and concern filled his dark eyes. “What are you hiding from, Angela?
Maybe I can help.”

Oh lord...
It would be so easy to let him. It
would make everything simple, and it would free her of the burden. He had
unlimited resources and could likely find out who these men were, and whether
they were still a threat. The DOJ and her WITSEC inspectors were supposed to do
that, too, but she and her mother had so many contacts in both departments over
the years that Angela didn’t feel she knew any of them. Certainly she trusted
them, but couldn’t she also trust Dominic?

“I
wish you could.”

Instead
of satisfying him, her answer only further increased the worry on his face. “I
don’t mean to imply I’m accusing you, but if there’s something you need to tell
me that will impact me or my company, now is the time to do it.”

She
shook her head. “No. Absolutely not. Nothing like that.” Not unless she was
stupid enough to give this man her heart as well as her body. Even then, her
first WITSEC inspector had told her that people in witness protection get
married and have children, and they keep their secret for the rest of their
lives. She couldn’t imagine becoming close enough to any man where she’d entertain
the idea of marriage and children, but not tell him who she really was.

It
seemed impossible for her to consider living a lie for the rest of her life.
She’d discussed it with her mother once, and had been told it was only a name.
No different than if she’d decided voluntarily to change her name for another
reason.

To
Angela’s mind, it wasn’t only the new name. It was everything that went with
it. She’d be pulling the threat that hung over her head onto another person,
and onto any children she had with that man. How could she do something like
that?

Dominic
was watching her closely. He’d just told her he hadn’t had a serious relationship
in five years because a woman had tried to hurt him and his company, so she had
to say something. “It’s in the past, and has to do with my mother’s family. I
don’t have a lot of information, but I know it still worries her. That’s all. I
just wish I could take that from her and give her some peace.”

He
nodded slightly, and the muscles in his face relaxed. He brushed a finger along
her mouth. “You’re a good person. Thank you for telling me.”

She
smiled to cover up the horrible guilt. It wasn’t a lie, per se, but neither was
it the complete truth. Angela couldn’t face this right now. She wanted to bury
it for tonight. Dominic was here, dressed in only a robe, and she wanted him
inside her again. She needed him like she’d never needed any man before.

Angela
kissed him, hard and rough, shoving her tongue into his mouth. She loved his
full lips and the way he moved them and his tongue over hers. He had a
commanding, possessive way of kissing that left her breathless and ready to
fall to her knees.

He
groaned deeply, tangling his fingers in her hair and pulling her head closer.
She released her embrace to unbutton the shirt she wore, letting it fall open.
As soon as he realized what she’d done, he pulled it off her shoulders and
arms, and let it drop to the floor. “You know, I’ve always wanted to fuck in my
office.”

She
giggled. “You mean here, right?”

He
gave her a droll look. “Yes. Unless you want to walk down the street naked so
we can fuck in my office at work.”

“I
think I’ll pass. For tonight, at least.” She winked at him, eliciting another
loud moan, and then grabbed the belt on his robe and pulled it as she turned to
walk toward his office.

He
caught her around the waist as she crossed the threshold, and then pulled the
belt from her grip and lifted her into his arms. When he placed her on her feet
again, they stood in front of the sofa in his office. “I’ve decided how I’m
going to punish you.”

Shivers
ran down her spine at the tone in his voice, humorous and wicked. “I’m all
ears, boss.”

He
pulled a cushion off the sofa and tossed it on the floor, and then he removed
his robe. Her gaze traveled over his hard body while her nipples grew taut and
her pussy became even wetter than it already had been. He was truly
magnificent.

Dominic
took a seat in front of the cushion and grinned at her, pointing toward the
floor. “On your knees, beautiful.”

Oh my…
Angela did as he said, and then he
scooted forward until she could easily reach his swollen cock. She smiled at
him, overcome once again with how different he was from the man she’d expected
him to be. “This will be fun.”

“Hmmm
… maybe I should have thought of a punishment that you aren’t so pleased
about?”

Angela
grasped his dick in both hands and gently stroked him from the base to the tip.
“Too late now.” She licked up and down the shaft as she continued to pull on
him, and he shifted in his seat to push his hips forward even further.

“Baby
… that is fucking incredible.”

“I
like hearing you call me ‘baby’.”

“I’ll
call you that all day long if this is how you give a blowjob.”

She
didn’t answer him, but in her mind she was thrilled that he enjoyed her so
much. No man had ever made her feel this desirable or skilled. Then again, she
hadn’t exactly opened herself up like this to any other man. Now she was glad
she’d waited, or she might not be here right now with Dominic.

Angela
licked his balls, and then she took a few inches of the tip inside, smacking
her lips at the salty, musky taste. “Yum.”

“Less
talking, more sucking, please.”

His
voice was rough and gravelly, and a shiver ran down her spine at the
realization he was barely hanging on. This time she did laugh, but only
briefly, because he tangled his fingers in her hair and gave it a good tug. Not
enough to really hurt, but it did get her attention.

“Not
kidding, Angela. This is supposed to be a punishment.”

The
combination of humor and dominance in his voice sent a fresh gush of wetness to
her pussy. She hoped he had a plan for fucking her again if he was going to
come during this, because she was ready to burst. Angela licked and sucked his
cock now, alternating between hard and gentle. The more she did, the louder he
groaned and pushed toward her.

“Angela
… I’m going to come, baby.”

That
was fine with her. She braced for it, and with a loud moan he jerked and thrust
hard. Her mouth was filled with hot cum, and she swallowed every tasty drop. He
held onto her for a few seconds, resting his forehead on top of her head, and
then he picked her up and placed her in his lap with one fluid motion.

“That
was incredible. Thank you so much.”

“I
enjoyed it, too.” His body was covered in a fine sheen of sweat, but she didn’t
care. That only meant he’d been really worked up, and she had done that for
him. Pride surged through her, along with renewed desire. “How long before
you’re ready again, because I’m dying here.”

He
snorted and pulled her close, kissing her neck. “I’ve unleashed a monster.”

She
pulled away to gaze into his eyes. “Yes, you have.”

They
stared into each other eyes for long moments while conflicting emotions washed
over her. She’d lied to him. She’d told him she wasn’t hiding, merely that she
wished she could give her mother some peace. It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it
also wasn’t the truth. He trusted her, and she’d betrayed that trust.

But
what else could she do? If she walked away now, he’d be confused and hurt.
Angela didn’t want to walk away, and she sure as hell didn’t want to hurt him.
She wanted to stay in this plush apartment with this gorgeous man until the
threat to her and her mother were gone forever.

He
kissed her again, and that pushed the doubts deep into the dark places of her
mind once more. There was no room for the past intruding on her present
tonight. She wanted to thoroughly enjoy Dominic without her fears mucking it
up.

When
he released the kiss, Dominic placed her on her feet again. “Come with me.”

He
led her upstairs to his bathroom and ran the water in the tub. It was a sunken
one, and large enough for at least four people. He added bath oil that filled
the room with the scents of lavender and sage, and she inhaled deeply. It
smelled like he did, and she knew for the rest of her life this combination of
smells would remind her of this night.

Dominic
kissed her slowly, seductively while the water filled the tub. When he released
it, he opened one of the drawers and took out a bar of soap wrapped in a paper.
“Egyptian cotton soap. This was retrieved from the surface months ago, along with
a few other items I wanted.”

He
unwrapped it, and a subtle, soothing scent wafted past her nose. “You’re the
first one to use it.” He placed it in a ceramic dish on the edge of the tub,
and then he pulled out of the drawer one of those bath scrunchies she used to
see all the time before they became impossible to find.

“Did
someone find this on the surface for you, too?”

He
grinned. “About three dozen in various colors. I thought red would be an
appropriate color for us to use tonight.”

Then
he kissed her again, and Angela could barely breathe. So much had happened
today, and she never wanted to return to the real world. This was heaven. By
the time he took her hand and helped her step down into the tub, she was putty
in his hands and she knew she’d give him anything he asked for.

He
sat down and pulled her close, facing away from him. The tub was enclosed by
windows that soared to the domed roof on three sides. The glass was frosted, so
she knew they couldn’t be seen, but right now she wouldn’t give a shit if they
could be.

Pushing
aside her hair, he nuzzled her neck. “Shall I wash you?”

“Oh
… yes, please. How sexy. Thank you.”

“Angela,
I’m the one who should be thanking you. You’ve set me free, and it’s been a
long, long time coming.”

She
closed her eyes and swallowed against the lump in her throat. Guilt consumed
her once again even while her arousal level skyrocketed at his tender words and
gentle touch. He had no idea how much he’d liberated her, and she could never
tell him.