However, I'd grown weary of the drudgery of trying to live up to my father's expectations. His refusal to allow me more control had stemmed from the heat crushing down on us from the FBI as well as the Movino nightmare. Killing two birds with one stone would solve that issue.
One way or the other, Axel was going to die by my hands and while I needed a certain amount of assistance, I knew exactly who to call on.
The Sons of Darkness.
It was my time to enlist a favor or two.
I buried myself in the mundane effort of paperwork, a required effort to run my legitimate operations, but concentration was becoming an issue. After rubbing my eyes, I eased to my feet, stretching before turning toward the window. My guess was that Movino had put out a search for her, combing the streets. If so, my soldiers would at least have become aware the asshole was gunning for someone.
The early morning sun was just enough to highlight reflections behind me, the shimmer extending far enough that it illuminated Sierra's copper-colored hair as well as her stunning figure as she walked in. I'd never forgotten her, or our time spent together, but memories and fondness had no place at this point.
She belonged to me to do with what I wanted, what I'd craved since my departure. I turned slowly, finally able to drink in her exquisite features. She seemed much smaller in the daylight, almost all color faded from her face. It was as if the experience had stripped her of the vivacious personality that I'd grown to care about.
Experiencing a vicious bastard could do that to you.
"Did you get any sleep?" I asked, my tone still riddled with irritation.
"Who could sleep?" she asked defiantly.
I inched around the corner of my desk, glancing all the way down to her bare feet. "Would you like some coffee?"
"I only drink tea. That is something you should have remembered."
More rebellion. I knew her well enough to know that she was pushing every button, attempting to find out what I was made of. "Very well, Sierra. I can see that I need to make it very clear what the rules are."
"Rules. I may have entered into a deal, but I am still my own woman."
"That is where you are wrong, at least for now. Privileges are earned. That comes with total and complete respect."
"Why are you being this way? I realize I asked for your help, but I certainly didn't expect to be taken as a prisoner." She hesitated as if waiting for me to counter her comments. A few seconds later, she laughed. "Why are you such a bastard? My God, I hate you. This was a terrible mistake."
There was such venom in her eyes and while I couldn't blame her, I had to establish my control. This wasn't a game. Her life, and perhaps many others were at stake. "You can hate me, Sierra, but I suggest you remember that you came to me for help. And why? Because I have no doubt you spent time researching my family, especially given your father's hatred and determination to bring us down. Therefore, you know exactly what I can do in order to make this all go away. For that, the payment is your total surrender. I thought we were clear about the terms last night."
Her eyes flashed, her mouth twisting in rage.
I wanted nothing more than to strip her of her clothing and take every inch of what belonged to me. I had a memory of the taste of her sweet pussy and there was nothing else that would quench my thirst. And soon, I would shove my cock into every hole. My shaft ached from the thought.
"Fine." She looked away then snapped her head back in my direction. "What now? What are these rules?"
"The only place I can keep you safe is in this house. You will not attempt to leave for any reason."
Sierra nodded but rolled her eyes.
"You will answer any question I ask with the truth," I continued.
"I'll do my best."
"You'll do more than that. It's vital that I know exactly what you were working on."
"That's my private business, not yours."
"Everything about you and your work is now my business. Make no mistake about that." I gave her a stern look, making certain she knew I was serious. While she fidgeted, she didn't try to retort. "Let's start with what you were meeting with Lucas about."
Her hesitation wasn't only about her fear of me. She'd risked her life for something other than a story.
"Corruption within the FBI for one. Prominent leaders another." She said the words in a tentative manner before pursing her mouth.
Her answer didn't necessarily shock me. Everyone had a price. "Corruption," I repeated the words then began to understand why she didn't contact her father. "Within the FBI as well as stemming into our beloved community. This is what you were meeting Lucas about. Now, I'm curious. How would he know? From what I understand, he was still wet behind the ears, barely remaining in college." I chuckled. "Unless of course, he believed his father, the great senator, to be involved. Even still, why would that bother him?" Senator William Spalding was no friend to my family, his repeated accusations becoming an issue as well.
"He never told me that."
The story was fascinating but had a distinct false ring to it. There was a definite possibility the kid had been tossing her crumbs in order for her to write a story that was entirely fiction.
She blinked several times and I could tell she was doing everything in her power to remain emotionless. "That's why I had to be certain of the details and why I agreed to go with him. I just had to know what the hell he was talking about. He'd promised me what he had to show me was worth the months I spent working on this damn story. Whether you believe so or not, I'm a professional and the insinuations he made were fairly horrific."
"As in?"
"As in there are several powerful and influential people not just within the FBI who are likely funding the Movino cartel. Of course, up to that point the names he'd given me weren't earth-shattering, certainly not worthy of much of a story. However, he was going to provide actual proof including additional names, although I have no idea what that entailed. We didn't get that far."
"Do you believe that your father has a direct connection to the Movino cartel?"
"I don't know, but I pray to God he doesn't."
"That would certainly account for the reason he's been chasing my family so hard. Interesting scenario. You should have listened to that instinct of yours. You walked into a nightmare of your own accord."
She suddenly raced toward me, crowding my space. "Don't you dare think that you're going to use that against my father. He's a good man. He's worked his entire life chasing murderers and criminals just like you. I'm no fool, Lorenzo. I don't buy everything that Lucas told me, which is why I insisted on proof. I don't think he has a very good relationship with Daddy dearest given his penchant for drugs. Lucas is, or he was the black sheep of the family, supposedly cut out of his father's will, so he certainly had reasons to tell me a series of tall tales. It just can't be true. My father is a man of honor."
I certainly wasn't going to burst her bubble with my thoughts. "Then why the cloak and dagger? Why not ask your father about his involvement?"