His Word...Destiny

By Carol Delmornay

Samantha Barnes has been haunted by memories of her past treatment under the hands of her sadistic ex-lover Nathan Buchanan. Her brief introduction to his dominating power in his Chambers of Sin tainted her world with humiliation and pain---and nearly cost her her young life.

A billionaire property tycoon's relentless pursuit of her exp

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carol Delmornay
• Release date: Dec 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540830692

Carol Delmornay

Carol Delmornay is a married mother of three, born and raised in the beautiful city of Perth, Western Australia. She and husband Mark moved to a small town in the Goldfields region of Western Australia in December 2015 to renovate their home, and design their gardens. Always a veracious reader, the urge to write didn't hit until later in life. In between attending her children's sporting activities and running a business with her husband, Carol poured many hours, blood, sweat and tears into her first four book series---"His Word-The Trusted Saga". Carol also enjoys writing erotic short stories for her Facebook page---Seductive Angel's Devilish Desires. Carol spends all her spare time writing and listening to music, swimming, walking and enjoying the peaceful life of the country.

Book preview

Chapter Two

Nathan

Ientered Webber’s nightclub, Lucifer’s Den, half an hour ago—rigorously scanning the entire club in search of Angelica’s curvaceous form. I came up empty handed, and was becoming irate that it seemed the information Kiara supplied me with, was incorrect. She better not be playing some sort of fucking game with me—she’ll regret it, if she is .

Then, I caught a quick glimpse of my Cherub in a group that came through the entrance, and I straightened up off the wall I was leaning on, my gaze greedily drinking her in.

All her curves were accentuated in the tight little black halter-neck dress she was wearing. The neckline had a six-row silver diamante collar that secured the front of the dress around her elegantly slim throat. Her petite little shoulders were bared, and on display, with easy access for a finger to lightly tease, or a moist tongue to glide across—lips to caress her flesh, or teeth to sink into it.

The back of my neck started to bristle in irritation when I took stock of how short the hem was. Her upper thighs were blatantly laid bare, acting like a magnet for every hot-blooded male in the club to ogle.

My hand started to twitch. She requires a fucking good flogging—a necessary reminder as to what is acceptable attire, and what is not—that dress comes in under the ‘not’ heading.

Her coal black locks were gathered up in one long pony tail that hung seductively down her flawlessly tanned, and exposed back. Hanging from each of her delicate little ear lobes, was a six-column, five-inch-long diamante earring, the ends of both just whispering against her bared flaxen flesh with every movement of her head.

My gaze fixated on the gentle to and fro motion of her earrings, my tongue, and teeth desiring to follow their path along her heated skin. My cock immediately stood to attention, while I continued to keep an eye on her from where I stood obscured in the corner, concealed from view in the lounge section of the spacious club.

I was completely surprised, however at the same time, extremely appreciative, of the number of patrons cramming into Webbers new club. It was easy to remain clandestinely in the background with so many bodies wandering around. The one, and only reason I risked coming here tonight, was the knowledge Webber was in Spain until Monday morning.

Taking Kiara out last night had been fruitful. She informed me this was where they all congregated for their usual night out. It had been tricky to incorporate the conversation to include her immediate circle of friends, but once I managed to wrangle it into our quiet discourse, she was very forthcoming with information.

Kiara let it slip during our idle conversation that Webber, and Angelica met at his new club. That information made a lot of sense to me. My beautiful Angel was always listening to music in some form, or another. She always had some sort of CD playing loudly at home when I arrived when she lived with me.

Forty minutes passed, and I felt I could no longer hold back. Approaching Angelica in such a crowded place gave me the best possible chance at being able to get to her. But I kept one eye on Kiara’s whereabouts. It wouldn’t do to be seen by her when I made my move. I waited until I had the opportunity to gain Kiara’s attention, before I smiled broadly, and used my hand to beckon for her to join me on the other side of the lounge section.

Nathan. Hi. What are you doing here? she asked breathlessly with a pleased smile on her face, and a twinkle in her eye.

You mentioned last night that this was where you came with your friends on your nights out. I was in the vicinity, and thought I’d see if you were here.

You did? she questioned, while her smile broadened. Hook, line, and sinker. Excitement tinted her cheeks a pleasant rosy color.

Kiara, would you take care of acquiring some drinks for us, please?

Sure. What would you like? I reached into the back pocket of my suit pants, and extracted my leather wallet, opening it up, and extracting some cash that I put in there earlier. I held the notes out to her, indicating it was payment for the drinks I just asked her to collect.

It wasn’t normal practice for me to have cash on me, but I knew I had to have some for this place—there would be no charging drinks in this establishment. Kiara took the notes from my outstretched hand, and waited for me to answer her question.

I’ll have one of whatever you’ve been drinking tonight, I answered her in an off-hand manner.

I only requested Kiara get us the drinks, in order to keep her busy long enough for me to attempt getting closer to Angelica. She disappeared from my line of sight, swallowed up in the ever-growing crowd, and I returned my full attention to Angelica once more.

It took a few minutes before I found her curvaceous form making her way back from the bar area. My jaw hardened, and my eyes narrowed in on the tall, musclebound blonde walking with her—Chase Anderson.

His mannerisms indicated he was very protective over her, and I snorted. It seems he has a vested interest in her, too—judging from all the tense back-off-or-I’ll-break-your-neck glares he shot to various men ogling her along the route back to their group.

I pushed away from the wall at my back, and moved from the secluded corner of the lounge area, on my way to separate her from him, and intercept her path, when I saw Webber stalk through the door like a mad man. My jaw hardened even more, and I ground my teeth in frustration. I hurriedly retreated back into seclusion, my anger rising. What in the fuck is he doing here—he’s supposed to be in Spain! I’d taken my eyes off my beautiful little Cherub, though it wasn’t long before I found she’d re-grouped with her rowdy gang of friends on the outer edge of the dance floor.

At the exact same moment Webber saw her.

I could only stand, and watch, while he pushed his way through the dense crowd in her direction, single minded determination written all over his face.

With a snicker curling up the sides of my lips, I realized Webber was furious. With Angelica. Maybe she’s refused his advances? She knew how to push your buttons—

I knew that—I’d felt that level of anger around her more than once.

Within seconds of Webber reaching her, he swung his right fist up, and planted it in the side of Anderson’s jaw, wrenching his head around, and dropping him like a bag of shit straight down on his ass.

A smirk played at the edge of my lips for a brief moment, until he brutally grabbed Angelica’s upper arm. In a moment of blind rage, I stepped forward, prepared, and ready to take his hands away from her personally, before common sense prevailed, and I stepped back into the shadows.

I saw her struggling to release herself from Webber’s grip around her arm all the while he dragged her across the dance floor, weaving in and out of the writhing bodies swaying to the beat being played by the club DJ. My jaw flinched, and I curled my fingers into fists. She obviously didn’t want to go with him, and the urge to interrupt their passage almost had me making a grave mistake.

The adrenaline mixed with arousal at seeing Angelica again, thrummed through my body, and I knew I had to get out of here, before I wasn’t able to stay discretely in the background. But I needed a release, and if I’d interpreted her signals correctly, Kiara was more than willing to accommodate me. Perfect timing. Kiara returned with our drinks.

I’m ready to leave. Would you like to stay here with your friends, or come with me? The deliberate way my eyes travelled down her body, made it perfectly clear what would occur if she decided to take me up on my offer. And if the hardening of her pert little nipples beneath her blouse, and her choppy breath were any indication, she wanted the exact same thing.

"I’d like to—come—with you, Nathan." The double-entendre of her determined answer certainly didn’t get lost in the translation, and I grinned down at her smiling face, while I took the glasses out of her hands, and placed them down on the nearest table.

I held out my crooked arm, tucking her hand in through my arm, and placing my palm over hers on my forearm when she accepted, escorting her to the entrance, and out of the club, with Chalmers clearing the way, with his second-in-command, built-like-a-brick-shithouse, Preston Forbes, bringing up the rear. Preston remained vigilant with us on the sidewalk, while Chalmers fetched the car.

Nice Hummer, Kiara stated in an amazed whisper when Chalmers pulled the limousine up to the curb at the front of the club.

Yes, it is, I answered simply. Forbes stepped forward, and grasped the door, opening it for us to enter. I swept my arm casually out in front of me. Ladies first, I offered gallantly.

I quietly snorted at the concerted effort Kiara was using trying not to show her awe as she stepped forward, and I placed my hand in the small of her back to usher her in, following closely on her heels, before Forbes closed the door with a soft thud behind me.

Chalmers waited for Forbes to join him in the front, before he pulled away from the curb, and out into the flowing traffic. I noticed with a wry smirk that Chalmers had predicted the need for the privacy screen to be engaged.

This is like something straight out of a dream, Kiara whispered, unable to keep the awe out of her voice, while she looked around inside, her eyes bulging.

You’ve been inside a limousine before, Kiara, I stated dryly. I knew Matheson has a fleet of them at the firm. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal to be inside mine.

Yes—I have, Nathan—but they’re nothing like this. I leaned back, placing my elbow on the leather armrest, and rested my chin on the back of my folded fingers, studying her, while she excitedly examined her luxurious surroundings.

My gaze focused, and settled on her erect nipples poking enticingly out from beneath her soft blouse. It didn’t appear she was wearing a bra. My cock twitched in the front of my trousers, and I felt the steady thickening of my shaft. With narrowed eyes, I tried to gauge what reaction I would get from her, if I took her down to my chambers of sin.

She had completed her examination, and was staring at me. The wariness I saw creep into her eyes after she noticed my close scrutiny of her, almost had the decision made for me—but there was glint of mischief hidden in their depths. Perhaps she may be up to the challenge of visiting my chambers of sin. We shall see.

Relax, Kiara—I’m not going to eat you, I scoffed. Not yet, anyway. I sniggered at the skeptical way she was looking side-ways at me, not knowing if I was being serious, or whether I was joking with her. I patted the seat next to me. Why don’t you come and sit a little closer.

She hesitated slightly, before she slid across the leather seat to sit by my side, so close, her exposed outer thigh, and my trouser-clad one, were almost touching. Her bared thighs begged to be explored, and I brought my palm down to rest lightly on her warm flesh, just above her knee.

I twisted slightly her way in my seat, giving my arm the freedom to move without making the action uncomfortable for me, while my palm travelled further up to the hem of her short skirt. When my hand reached her fleshy inner thigh, I squeezed—hard. She yelped in shock at the harsh grip, and tried to move away from me.

Ow, Nathan—that hurts, she complained, and attempted to remove my hand from her inner thigh, but I caught her wrist in my free hand, halting her intention mid-rift.

There is pleasure to be sought in a little pain, Kiara.

Her eyes grew wide at my mention of the word pain, and her brow furrowed briefly in confusion, mixed with a touch of anxiety. She attempted once again with her free hand to remove my hard grip. She succeeded—only long enough for me to capture her other wrist, and place them both in the steely grip of one hand, my fingers indenting in her alabaster skin.

You knew the deal when you accepted my invitation, Kiara—do not try and prevent me from following though. She flinched a little into the back of the seat when I raised her arms above her head, her elbows pointing to the ceiling when I pinned her captured wrists to the top of the seat behind her head.

She was startled—wary—but she also had a curious glint in her eye. My hand returned to her inner thigh, and I felt her leg tense in expectation beneath my palm. I spread my fingers out along her supple flesh, and my thumb brushed up against her panties.

Hmmm—so warm—and a little damp. My cock surged, and thickened within the confines of my trousers, while I moved my wide thumb teasingly up, and down her warm cleft. She sucked in a quick, small breath when I increased the pressure of my thumb, separating her outer lips, and locating the nub of her clit through the thin crutch of her panties. I leaned in, and slid the tip of my tongue along her lips, while my thumb

circled around her hardening bud, and her breath started to become choppy.

"Would you like to come, Kiara?" I whispered along her lips, while I increased the pressure right over her little clit. She moaned with anticipation.

Yes, she whispered heatedly, her breath flowing across my lips.

If you’re good—you shall. Her moan of despair increased when I increased the pressure on her tense bundle of nerves. The crotch of her panties was drenched with her sticky juices. I pinched her bottom lip between my teeth when I edged my thumb underneath the side of the soaked piece of cotton, and moved it to expose her exquisitely wet slit.

She sucked in a hissed breath between her teeth, and arched the small of her back away from the back of the seat when I slid my thumb down through her swelling folds, and inserted the thick tip of it into her tight, hot little channel. Using my forefinger, I spread some of her slick crème downward, and across the round of her anus. I felt her forbidden hole pucker in response to my fingertip touch, right before she jerked uncomfortably.

Not there, Nathan, she twisted her head, wrenching her mouth away from my lazy exploration of her plump lips, to protest hastily.

"Oh—really—no anal? It can be very pleasurable, Kiara." When I allow it to be.

Not something I’m into, she responded matter-of-factly, pressing her lips together in a thin line.

I bet I can change your point of view, I countered challengingly. She snorted dismissively.

Huh—you won’t get the chance. We’ll see about that. Her thighs were starting to nervously harden, and her knees were beginning to close together. I moved my wide thumb in, and out of her opening, alternating with a back, and forth movement to stretch her, and take her mind off of my desire to penetrate her ass with the tip of my finger.

Reluctantly, I removed my fingertip from her puckered hole, and I felt her muscles begin to relax. I put a lid on my desire—for now.

I released the fierce hold I had on her wrists behind her head, and she sighed a small sigh of relief when she brought her arms back over her shoulders, and straightened her arms out in front of her.

I removed my thumb from her tight entrance long enough to replace it with two of my fingers. I reached into the inner pocket of my jacket with my free hand, and extracted a foil packet containing a condom, while I slowly finger fucked her. Kiara smiled slowly when she saw what I had between my fingers. I extended it out to her, and after a small hesitation, she took it, her lips parting slightly, and her brows drawing together in pleasure as I hit a sweet spot up inside her.

I assume you know what to do with that, I nodded my head at the condom she was now holding in her hand, and her lips curled up in an eager grin, while my fingers continued with an enticing exploration inside her.

I may have some idea, she answered playfully with a quirky slant on her lips, and a twinkle of excited anticipation in her eye.

She gasped quietly, and moaned in disappointment when I slid my fingers out of her liquid heat, then sucked in a startled gasp when I used both hands to rip her cotton panties from her pussy. Her widened eyes locked on, and followed the path of my hand, when I discarded the torn remnants down at my feet on the floor.

Straddle me, Kiara—facing me, I ordered firmly. She moved to the edge of the seat, while I unbuttoned my pants, and slid the zipper down. Her gaze flickered down to my groin when I dove one hand inside my boxers. Her lips parted, and her tongue darted out to lick hungrily along their length when I released my solid, stiffened cock from the confines of my trousers, and I tucked my boxers in underneath my balls.

Leaning back, I stretched one arm across the back of the seat, and leaned my other elbow on the arm rest, while I raised my brows questioningly at Kiara. She hurriedly tore the top of the foil packet open, and plucked the condom out, dropping the opened wrapper on the top of the seat, before she eagerly rolled it down over my thickening shaft.

Without a moment of hesitation, she straddled my thighs, and positioned herself to hover over my throbbing erection, poising her slick entrance over the smooth head of my cock.

Once her slick pussy was gloving my cockhead, I moved both hands to firmly grasp her hips, my thumbs digging in just under her protruding hip bones, and my fingertips pressing into the soft flesh of her lower back.

With one fluid movement, I forced her down on my hardened length, at the same time I flexed my groin upward. She cried out at the unexpected, and harsh impalement, and her hands landed on my forearms in an automatic reaction to my sharp intrusion, her nails digging into my skin with an anguished grip.

Her cry of surprise soon turned into a purr of pleasure when I ground her down on my cock, moving her hips around in a small circular motion. She rewarded me with a trickle of her liquid heat, coating my shaft when her inner walls rippled over my hard-as-steel stem. I gripped her hips harder, and lifted her up, and down, my gaze dropping down to watch my staff repeatedly withdrawing, and plunging back inside her clenching heat, setting a steady, rhythmic pace.

I’ve set the pace—keep the same rhythm, and I’ll acquiesce to your desire to come—but you vary the rhythm in any way, and I’ll make you wait until I decide you’ve earned an orgasm from me—got it, Kiara? I waited for her to answer me, her startled expression indicating her shock, and confusion at my harsh instruction. Answer me, I ordered sternly. Her eyes widened slightly in alarm at the steely tone I used, but she answered.

Yes—got it, her voice trembled slightly, and her breath was becoming slightly ragged. I let go of the fierce hold I had on her hips, and she maintained the rhythmic swaying motion I set for her, without skipping a beat. Her plump breasts were bouncing freely under the soft restraint of her blouse in front of my face, and her nipples were hardened points straining enticingly against the sapphire blue silk material.

I reached up, and agilely popped the buttons free, until her blouse hung open, revealing the magnificent sight of her jiggling creamy mounds for my visual enjoyment. Capturing one bouncing breast in each hand, I squeezed her shapely globes, feeling her engorged peaks poking into the palms of my hands.

Kiara was starting to pant, her breath coming in faster, and harder, a small whimper passing through her lips, while her lids hung heavy with lust. I released the hold I had of her plump mounds, and cupped them from beneath, along their lower curve.

Using my thumbs, I brushed back, and forth across the tips of her stiffened nipples, eliciting a moan of longing from the depths of her throat, and another deluge of her heated crème bathed my shaft.

Her grip on my forearms was now relaxed, her palms languidly gliding up, and down, from my wrists to my elbows, and back again, while she maintained the rhythm I’d set with ease. I released her enticing breasts, and twisted my arms so her hands fell away from their erotic rubbing along my hardened flesh, and I trapped one of her wrists in each hand.

Maintain the rhythm, I warned sternly when she almost faltered. I pushed her arms around her back, bending them at her elbows, and laying them one on top of the other at the middle of her back, in a position I was able to grasp both at once with one hand. My free hand landed a sharp crack on her taut butt, and she yelped, grinding down a little harder on her downward thrust on my cock.

What are you doing? she squeaked indignantly, while my fingers dug into the tight flesh of her buttock, massaging the area where my palm had slapped.

"You may think you don’t like what I’m doing, but your juicy little pussy tightened over my cock, and told me otherwise," I growled in response. And just for good measure, I slapped her ass again, this time a little harder.

Nathan..., she panted my name, trying to sound annoyed with my heavy-handed treatment, but not pulling it off in the slightest when her little moan of pleasure accompanied it, and I chuckled.

You can’t deny what that delicious body of yours wants. I gave her ass one last slap, pulling back at the last minute to allay the severity of my hand. It would be detrimental to my situation to incorporate some of my usual treatment on someone who was so inexperienced.

I splayed my hand across her heated cheek, and slowly massaged the warm area where my hand had landed. She impressed me with her continued dedication to the rhythm I’d set for her—she was displaying remarkable control, and concentration—especially for someone so green. She deserves a little reward for such devout commitment. I moved my mouth down, and flicked my pointed tongue across the tip of her engorged peaks, capturing the stiffened rigid nub between my teeth when she moaned with enjoyment, turning her moans into cries of bliss.

Her breath was coming in fast, and shallow, her eyes heavy with lust, while she rode my cock. I let her protruding point pop from my mouth, and whispered along her heating flesh, while my finger slid down into the crevice between her buttocks, inching ever closer to her puckered little hole.

Come over my cock, Kiara. She increased the tempo, riding my cock faster, and harder, giving herself over to the ecstasy of her imminent release, while my fingertip closed in on her anus. She was swiveling her hips, and grinding down on my dick in a mindless frenzy, trying to tip herself over the edge.

Her mouth opened, and her eyes closed, her head lolling backwards when her tight warm channel began to ripple over my swollen shaft, and I knew her orgasm was starting to crash through her. Her body quivered, and shuddered over my throbbing dick, and she cried out in euphoria when I inserted the tip of my finger inside her ass, prolonging the jolts of pleasure to rock her over my rigid flesh.

I felt my own climax building rapidly. Within seconds, I bucked up against her convulsing body, slamming up into her liquid heat, and gave in to the flood of ecstasy rolling through me as I shoved my finger further up inside her ass, spilling my seed inside the condom with an uninhibited growl of appreciation.

By the time we reached the front gates of my estate, her breathing had returned to normal, and she had straightened her clothing, minus the torn remnants lying on the floor that had previously been her panties, available, and bare beneath that short skirt of hers as a result.

Her initial irritation over my penetration of her anus determined my reluctance to introduce her to my chambers of sin. She wasn’t ready for that experience. But an enjoyable night was shared, until the early hours of the morning, nonetheless.

AS A RESULT OF SUCH a pleasant encounter with her, I agreed to see her again when she phoned earlier. A new toy is always a delightful distraction. But when she arrived at my residence, she was absolutely furious, and I immediately sensed it had something to do with Angelica. I walked down to help her alight from her little red sport car, and raised an amused eyebrow at the enraged look on her face.

You look really pissed off about something, I commented bluntly. What’s got your knickers in a twist?

Nothing, she declared irritably. She clearly didn’t want to talk about it. So, I persisted.

Something’s clearly pissed you off—get it out, and move on, I said sharply. I placed a hand in the small of her back, and urged her to walk toward the front door.

I just had an altercation—sort of. My ears pricked up.

An altercation with whom? I questioned idly, while I escorted her through the doorway, and closed the door behind us. Has she hurt Angelica?

"With someone who was a friend, she laughed bitterly, and I heard the cynicism in her voice. Actually—I’ve probably just lost two friends."

Oh? I continued to guide her through to my kitchen, and out to the courtyard, before I pulled out a chair for her to sit on. After seating her, I took the opposing seat.

I have this friend—two friends, she amended with a grimace. They were both in the group at the club with me the other night when you came in. You may have noticed them, she was watching me closely now, totally focused on every emotion crossing my face, or at least one of them—one has really long straight black hair that she was wearing up in a ponytail, and the other one has short black hair cut in an angular bob.

Angelica, and Toni. I made sure to keep my facial features impassive, while she assiduously studied my every feature. Finally, with a sigh, she eventually relaxed back

into her chair, silently conceding I probably had no clue to whom she was referring to.

You’re probably not even interested, she lamented. How wrong you are. I couldn’t be more interested. Acting the concerned lover wasn’t really my scene. And if the subject was anyone other than my gorgeous Cherub, I wouldn’t have hesitated in showing Kiara the door. Under normal circumstances, the front door would hit her on the ass on the way out when I slammed it shut behind her. I remained silent, and she continued with her grievance.

I don’t think either of them will remain my friends, she said, her voice laced with dejection, but her head was held high in a but-I-don’t-really-give-a-shit attitude.

Sounds like you could use a drink. Chalmers appeared in my line of vision, and I barked his name to gain his attention. I sniggered at the narrowing of his eyes while I gave him our drinks order, and he reluctantly retreated to get them. When we were settled out under the warm sun, I prompted her to continue.

Why don’t you think they’ll remain your friends? She glanced sideways at me, suddenly wary of me again, like she was having an inner debate on whether, or not, she wanted to continue with the topic of conversation. She finally reached a reluctant conclusion.

Humph—Let me see—one reason would be the one with the long black hair lunged at me, and physically pulled me up out of chair by the front of my shirt, and threatened to throw me the fuck out of their house—and the other girl probably for the same reason.

That sounds a little extreme. Angelica physically pulled her up to throw her out? That shocked me. She hadn’t been at all physical when she was living with me. What happened? I encouraged her to talk. With a gentle snort of disgust, she answered.

Levi Webber happened, that’s what. She paused when Chalmers came in with our drinks, and didn’t continue, until he disappeared.

Nathan—um—there’s something I should tell you. I raised my brows in expectation, waiting for her to tell me something important. I know who you are. I forced a smile on my lips.

Of course you know who I am.

No, I mean—I knew who you were that first time—when you came into the office.

You did?

"You—um—know one of the friend’s I’m talking about. At least, that’s what I’ve been led to believe, anyway."

Oh?

She—I think, she was glued to watching my reaction. I think she’s someone you maybe, used to date?

I haven’t dated anyone in quite a while, Kiara, I answered cautiously.

It was a few years ago...

Well, if it was a few years ago, there could be any number of possible suspects. Although I smiled warmly, hers in return seemed to be forced.

She—doesn’t have pleasant things to say about you. I made an effort to look away before she saw the flicker of regret in my eyes. Getting Angelica back in my life just got a whole lot more complex.

Her name’s Samantha—well—that’s what it is now, anyway. It used to be Angelica. Do you remember her? Her baby blue eyes focused all their attention on mine, searching for a deeper answer in their depths than what I have revealed. I haven’t forgotten one single thing about her.

Mmm, Angelica—The name seems familiar... She was genuinely smiling at the distracted way I was referring to my Cherub. Where does Webber fit into all of this?

You know him, don’t you? she laughed, idiotically. Of course you do—I think everyone knows who Levi Webber is.

Our paths have crossed from time to time, I replied evasively. So how is he involved in this altercation you’ve told me about?

He wasn’t actually involved in the altercation, she clarified. He wants Samantha. Tell me something I don’t know. And now that he’s thawed the ice queen, he’s claiming her. My fingers tightened their grip around my glass.

Thawed the ice queen?

Oh—long story—she’s been known for being so cold, we dubbed her the ice queen. But it seems Levi Webber has been able to achieve melting through her defenses. He spent the night with her.

I drew my glass up to my mouth, and drained the contents in one foul swoop, then slammed the empty glass none-too-gently back down on the table.

You want another drink, Kiara? I sure as hell can do with one.

Um, yeah, okay. I needed to get away from her—to regain my control. I snatched up her glass, and my empty one, and headed into the house, stalking to the liquor cabinet.

Hurling one of the glasses at the wall, and hearing it smash into a million pieces, didn’t help. Webber has gone after her with the same dogged determination he went after anything he wanted. And the fucker has succeeded.

I tried to remain calm when I returned to Kiara with our drinks. She was eyeing me curiously as I handed her a glass. Calm the fuck down.

You, and Webber, don’t like each other much, do you? She was inquisitive, and intuitive. That would be the understatement of the century.

There’s not a lot we see eye to eye about, no. But now I was curious how she’d come to that conclusion. Why do you ask?

You just seem to tense up whenever his name gets mentioned, she started to squirm uncomfortably in her seat, like she had something on her mind. I—um—may have done something a little irrational. Whatever it was, it was clearly distressing her. My brows rose in anticipation, expecting her to continue. She finally cleared her throat, and sat up straighter in her chair.

I may have said something to Samantha out of spite, she paused again, unsure whether to say anything further. But she had piqued my curiosity now.

Spit it out, Kiara, I demanded.

I did something stupid through jealousy, and it created a chain of events, she conceded dejectedly. I waited, but my patience for her to get to the point was wearing

thin.

I arranged for some photographs to be released to the media, Ahhh—The pictures from the marina. I gave her a little more of my attention. ...and Levi Webber paid me a visit telling me in no uncertain terms to stay away from Samantha. Talking about Webber was boring me, and my attention was starting to wane, again. If she didn’t get to the point promptly, I’ll be waving her goodbye. When in the fuck is she going to get to the irrational, spiteful part?

I leapt to your defense. What? Leapt to my defense? Oh, fuck—no. I told her you were nothing like she’s painted you out to be, and that you came into the firm to take some kind of action against her for all her lies about you. The rage building up inside of me was almost at the point of ignition. And I told her you were considering paying her a visit to discuss it. Stupid fucking bitch. She needs to be taught a lesson. I drained what was left in my glass.

Drink up, Kiara. She picked up her glass, and finished off what was left as I stood towering over her. When she put her empty glass back down on the table, I grasped her wrist in a grip that conveyed no amount of wriggling would loosen.

Come with me. I dragged her behind me to the locked door at the end of the long hallway. Taking the key out of my pocket, I inserted it in the lock, and proceeded to pull open the door.

Time to atone for your irrational spitefulness. I dragged a reluctant Kiara down the steps to my chambers of sin.

Chapter Three

Levi

Fucking Kiara. She’s going to regret the decision she made to go against my warning. Did she think I was kidding? The spiteful blonde has no idea who the fuck she’s dealing with—and to threaten Angelica—she’s just made herself one hell of an enemy. Swift action is what’s required. But the commencement of Kiara’s downfall will have to be put on hold until the middle of the week—any action at all has to be put on the back burner, until I can get Angelica’s personal security back here.

I’m kicking myself for letting them go in the first place. After receiving an angry text from a very pissed off Angelica when I was in Spain, I relented, and disengaged their services, leaving Clive, and his cousin, Dillon Parkes, to keep watch over her from a distance, instead. Just to appease her. No more. Angelica will have no say in her personal protection, again.

Seeing those photographs made me sick. To see with my own eyes what that bastard had done to my beautiful girl, brought out my murderous side. I had to use every ounce of self-control within me to keep outward appearances calm. My mind, however, was racing with a million ways I could think up, of how to make Nathan Buchanan suffer a painfully agonizing death at my hands.

Although Anderson has seen the same images, he’s absolutely clueless. He automatically jumped to the conclusion Angelica starred in a porno. I was pretty sure

from the look on her face that Toni knew the truth, but she kept her mouth shut. I wasn’t going to waste my time in correcting his assumption. From the look of him, he

wasn’t ready to process the truth of the content of the movies.

Angelica seemed flabbergasted when I insinuated there was more than one movie. Does she really think there is only one?

I need to get Simon to ramp up his efforts to find Anne, and hope Chelsea comes good with a plea on my behalf to get Jacqueline to speak with me.

My brows creased in thought. Simon hasn’t told me how his meeting with Therese went. That’s unusual for him. He normally keeps me abreast of everything. I reached forward, and snatched my cell up from the table, while Angelica was in her room dealing with those sickening photographs.

I noticed Anderson top his Jacks up again, while I waited for Simon to answer for the second time.

They’re getting here as fast as they can, Levi. His assumption for my call led him to have an answer roll off his tongue as soon as he accepted the call.

Not why I’m calling, I paused slightly, and almost heard the crisp snap of attention come from his brain. Did you meet with Therese? I asked sharply.

"She cancelled the meeting—she got called in by Buchanan—but I have another one for the end of the week."

Good. I want to know every single detail. And double your efforts to get hold of Anne, too.

Will do. And Jacqueline? Simon queried.

Leave her to me—I’ve got Chelsea putting in a good word for me. I chose to ignore Simon’s knowing chuckle that said I’ll-bet-she-is. Goodbye, Simon, I said pointedly, before I ended the call, and leaned forward, dropping my cell back on the little table.

Angelica furiously refused to entertain the idea of taking any legal response to deal with Buchanan’s actions. Somehow, I was going to need to convince her that’s what she needed to do—and that I’d be there for her every step of the way.

That bastard has to pay for what he did to her. And despite my yearning to watch the life slowly dwindle right out of his eyes, letting him feel the full weight of the justice system come down on him like a ton of bricks would be the better option. That would be the ultimate in suffering for him.

Anderson, and Toni continued to top up their glasses. When Angelica came back from disposing of the disturbing images, she sat stiffly next to me on the sofa. Leaning forward, she grasped her glass in a two-handed death grip, and slowly, but methodically sipped at her Jacks.

She seemed to be shooting Toni the evil eye, and seething with anger one minute, then zone out, and be off in a distant realm of her tormenting memories the next.

Anderson offered me the bottle of Jacks when he went in for his third refill, but I declined, thanking him for the offer. He was earning a little of my respect by not being so obnoxious, and annoying as usual under the circumstances.

I reached out, and placed my arm around Angelica’s shoulder, causing her to jump at my unexpected touch. She resisted the pull of my arm momentarily, before she leaned in against me, burrowing comfortably into my side, and pulling her legs up to curl beside her on the sofa.

IT WAS LATE IN THE evening when I decided I needed to leave. I was reluctant to leave Angelica high and dry, but I needed to put some things in motion for the onset of Kiara’s demise.

Angelica’s friend Elaine turned up with her boyfriend Daniel after speaking with her on her cell, bringing food with them when they arrived. They both offered to stay the night, willing to risk sleeping on an airbed on the lounge room floor. If she wasn’t surrounded

by so many of her friends, I would have reconsidered leaving.

I urged Angelica to stay inside with her friends, giving her a lingering kiss goodbye at her front door. I almost changed my mind about staying.

SIMON WAS WAITING FOR me in my office when I arrived back at my apartment. He watched me closely when I stalked in, and went straight for the bottle he had waiting for me on my desk. He sat silently in his chair, and waited for me to pour two fingers of scotch in my glass.

She was seventeen, Simon—fucking seventeen. I put my glass up to my lips, and tipped my head back in one swift movement, emptying the contents of my glass, and grimacing from the burn down my throat when I swallowed. Angelica was there that night—she was fucking there. Images of her bloodied body swam through my consciousness. I could have fucking stopped it.

What are talking about—stopped what, Levi?

Buchanan’s—that night I went to one of his fucking soirees—she was there. That was her eighteenth birthday—the night she found out about the movie—the same night he fucking nearly killed her. Jesus—why didn’t I stay? I could have protected her—I could have stopped it from happening. Simon stood up out of his chair, and came to a stop right in front of me.

You weren’t there. Fact of the matter is—others were there who probably could have stopped it, but didn’t step in to help her. And that’s a sickening fact. I poured another two fingers of scotch in my glass, and turned around to lean my ass against the edge of my desk, holding my glass in one hand, while I folded my other arm across my chest.

Kiara’s hooked up with him. Simon’s eyes widened with shock.

Hooked up?

Yeah—she visited Angelia. Simon interrupted me.

I thought you told her to stay away from Angelica.

I did, I answered with a snarl. She obviously didn’t think I was serious—an error of judgement on her part. She apparently told Angelica she didn’t believe all her lies about Buchanan, and he was thinking of paying her a visit to discuss them.

Now I understand the urgency of getting Turner, and Hollingsworth, back here, Simon mumbled quietly in return.

Dave Turner, and Tony Hollingsworth, were the two hand-picked by Simon to protect Angelica. They better be up to the fucking task. I placed my drink on the desk, and walked around to my desk drawer, pulling it open to extract my contacts list. Simon watched with a curious furrowing of his brow. I answered his unasked question.

I’m going to phone Mueller—get Angelica the day off tomorrow. I want to take her up to the estate. Having Angelica with me, and out of the city, will lessen the chances of Buchanan having the opportunity of getting to her. Then, I have a text to send, I grinned. Simon grinned back.

Poor Kiara—she has absolutely no idea how big of a target she’s painted on her back. Simon picked up my glass with a lift of his brows in an are-you-finished-with-this? look. I nodded, and he made his way to the door with both our glasses in his hands, leaving me to my phone calls.

After I secured the day off for Angelica, and sent some photographs to Matheson starring his personal secretary to get the ball rolling, I dialed Angelica’s number. An automatic smile stretched my lips when I heard her answer.

Hello? Her voice was almost drowned out by the hum of all her friend’s voices in the background.

Hello, Angelica. I heard some rustling—like the phone moving against her ear—and then the drone in the background began to fade, and I heard the click of a door closing. Angelica’s going to be pissed when I tell her I’ve been in touch with Martin.

I’m going to come and collect you early in the morning, and take you to my estate in the country for the day. I heard the sharp inhale of her breath, and I knew she was ready to utter a refusal, so I got in first. I’ve spoken at length with Martin, and cleared you to have the day off. Complete silence greeted me from the other end of the phone, and I sighed audibly.

You’ve spoken to my boss? she asked icily, clearly pissed off. Then I heard her gasp suddenly when she obviously thought of something. You didn’t call me Angelica, did you? she blurted out hurriedly.

I’m a smart man—of course I didn’t refer to you as Angelica.

Oh, thank God, she sighed in relief. Wait—you know Martin?

I know a lot of people, Angelica, I replied patiently. I’ll be there at six in the morning. Be ready.

Chapter Four

Samantha/Angelica

Levi arrived right on time. It was as if he’d calculated it down to the last minute. I tried to tip toe to the front door to open it, before he knocked, so he didn’t wake Chase, Elaine, and Danny, but I wasn’t quick enough. He knocked firmly, and loudly, rousing all three of them. I opened the door, and pressed my finger up against my pursed lips.

Shhh—you’ll wake everyone up, I whispered hurriedly.

I want to speak with Chase, before we leave, he announced, and I drew my head back, my eyes widening in astonishment. Levi wants to speak to Chase?

What do you need to speak with me for? Chase asked grumpily from the sofa, his voice husky, and infused with sleep. He was clearly not impressed with being woken so early. He blinked his eyes against the light flooding in through the opened front door, and draped one arm across his forehead to shield them.

I understand you’re scheduled to leave sometime today. I’m asking you to stay another day. My mouth dropped open, and Elaine shuffled curiously up on her elbows to listen in with wacky bed hair that was sticking up, like she’d stuck her finger in a power socket, and her eyebrows raised questioningly.

As much as you and I will never be best buddies, I know you’re important to Angelica. She’ll be pissed off at me if you leave, and she’s not here to say goodbye. I was flabbergasted that Levi would actually consider that. Chase stared at him with a suspicious look on his face, before he eventually answered.

Okay—I’ll wait for you to bring her back to me. Levi rolled his eyes in exasperation, and released a small sigh of annoyance, while I stifled a nervous giggle.

"I’ll be bringing her home—not back to you, Anderson," he stated clearly.

LEVI WAS IN CONTROL of the black Range Rover we were travelling in. How many cars does this guy own? The interior was very luxurious, and I have to admit it was a very smooth, and comfortable ride. It was, without a doubt, a lot more comfortable than Toni’s beat up Toyota, or my humble little Hyundai.

There was very little traffic on the freeway, which was unusual considering it was the first day of the working week. Levi put some music on to play softly in the background, and I let my mind wander, recalling Kiara’s visit.

I can’t understand the amount of animosity she seems to have toward me. Sure, I knew she was originally pissed off with me because of the amount of attention Levi paid to me instead of her, but for her to take such perverse pleasure in making my life an absolute nightmare because of it—I just didn’t get it. And I still can’t wrap my head around her saying—or at least implying—she was having some sort of relationship with Nathan. She’s gotta be seeing him. An involuntary shudder rolled through me just thinking about him, and Levi noticed.

You okay, Angelica? I bit down restlessly on my bottom lip.

Kiara’s seeing Nathan, isn’t she? Levi’s eyes left the road in front of us for a second, and flickered over to me, before returning to concentrate back on the freeway.

It appears she is. I’m waiting on confirmation, he answered drily. Chase’s voice suddenly popped up in my head. "Who was that guy in the fancy suit we saw you leave

the club with on Friday night, Kiara?" Oh, shit. All of a sudden, it became crystal clear in my mind. Nathan was at the club—he was there, and I didn’t see him. Holy fuck.

I folded my arms across my chest in an attempt to stave off the unexpected chill shooting down my spine at the thought that he had been so close to me, and I had remained so totally oblivious.

He was at the club the other night, wasn’t he? my voice wavered slightly.

Angelica—I’ll answer all your questions to the best of my knowledge, but now is not the time. Is he brushing me off?

Levi..., I didn’t get more than his name passed my lips, before he cut me off.

Patience is a virtue, Angelica. My folded arms tightened across my chest, this time in irritation at his repudiation, and I stared sullenly out of the side window.

We left the city far behind us, and were now driving through a sparsely populated area. Rolling green pastures, horses, and cows grazing in fields had taken the place of suffocating clusters of suburban dwellings. The serenity outside seemed to belie the tense atmosphere building inside the car.

Levi began to slow the vehicle down, and I saw a pair of large white gates opening up. This must be Levi’s place. Curiosity mounted inside me when we turned into a seemingly endless bitumen driveway that had tall solid trees lining both sides, their branches forming a shady canopy over our path.

In the distance, a sprawling double story home slowly came into view. Having only ever seen something so grand in movies, I sat awe struck as we came to a halt in the circular entrance at the front of the huge cream brick mansion.

A round pond, large enough I would consider it a small swimming pool, stood elegantly out in the front semi-circular garden. There were koi fish, bigger than I have ever seen before in my life, swimming lazily around through all the water lilies, and various water plants.

Taking center stage in the middle of the pond, was a massive three-tier sandstone water feature. Water was gently falling through all the scalloped edges of every tier, eventually splashing down on top of the water lilies floating around below.

A manicured green hedge grew around the entire pond with not one sprig out of place. It formed such a beautiful contrast against the sandstone feature. Levi turned the engine off, and opened his door.

When he reached my side of the car to help me out, the two enormous doors of the house were opened, and a smiling homely woman came down the steps.

Welcome home, Mr. Webber, the cheerful woman greeted Levi in an excited manner, but her inquisitive hazel eyes were pinned firmly on me.

Thank you, Alice. Alice, I’d like you to meet Angelica. We’ll be staying overnight. She raked her gaze over me from head to toe, and from her somewhat raised eyebrows, I guessed I didn’t quite look like any of the other women he may have brought here, and I started to feel a little self-conscious about my appearance. I’m betting the other women he’s brought home certainly didn’t wear jeans, and a tank top, when they visited.

It’s lovely to meet you, Angelica, she greeted me jovially with a genuine smile. I smiled in reply to the warm way she welcomed me, and made me feel at ease, dispelling the awkward self-conscious doubts beginning to swell inside my head. I decided then, and there, that I liked Levi’s friendly housekeeper. "Would you like some

refreshments, Mr. Webber?"

Not at the moment, thank you, Alice. I’ll get Angelica settled first. With a decisive nod, and sending a broad smile my way once again, she retraced her steps back up to the front doors, and disappeared behind them as they closed.

Levi reached for my hand, and laced his fingers through mine, before tugging on my arm, dragging me off around the side of the house. We came upon a large, white octagonal gazebo. Intricately patterned lattice work took up the bottom half around the entire structure, except for two unfilled sections that you walked through on either side. The lattice was topped off with a broad white railing, wider than my hand, and a canopy

of clear sheets covered the top, so the sun, or stars could be seen from inside.

Mounting the three steps at one of the unfilled openings, Levi escorted me through, and tugged me over to sit on a large comfortable day bed that had been custom made to fit snugly around one half of the gazebo, from opening to opening. He pulled me down beside him when he sat down, while I took in the breathtaking view of the rolling green pastures spread out before us. It was so beautifully quiet out here.

Levi—this place is absolutely amazing. He grinned, and placed his arm around my shoulder, urging me to snuggle in against his side.

I’m glad you like it. His arm tightened, and he pulled me closer. You want to sit here, and relax, or do you want some answers? he asked casually. I wanted both. But I chose answers.

Do you think Nathan was at the club the other night? A shiver of disgust raced down my spine when I spoke his name, and Levi’s arm tightened a little more around my shoulder.

I don’t know for sure—I’ve got Clive looking through the vision to confirm whether he was, or not.

Why do you think Kiara’s betrayed me like this, Levi?

"I’m afraid all I have is speculation in answer to that question, Angelica. My theory is, once Buchanan saw your photograph in the newspaper, he went all out to find out who helped you change your name to Samantha