Although I'd been told the nightmare was over.
The moment the bastard had taken me from William's house, I thought I'd never see Lorenzo again. While the monster hadn't made good on his threat, simply leaving me locked in a cage until he'd dragged me to the club, I hadn't been able to get his cowardly face out of my mind.
No matter the visions that I knew would eventually fade, I'd heard Lorenzo's heartfelt words. I'd seen the look of horror on his face the moment he'd laid eyes on me. I knew at that moment that he would turn over heaven and hell to find me if necessary.
I sat huddled underneath a blanket with my legs curled under me in on the couch, staring at the fire he'd made. The unusual cold snap had given him an excuse to ply me with hot chocolate, the fire constantly going. I would have never expected he'd actually dote on me, treating me as if I was fragile. I laughed softly to myself at the thought.
That is, when he'd been home. I'd been left alone during long hours, still completely protected by at least three of his soldiers. He and the men in what he'd called an alliance had taken to the Chicago streets during the first two days after the event, cleaning house. Or so Lorenzo had told me. While he hadn't provided many details, I'd known dozens of Russian soldiers had been killed, hundreds if not thousands driven away. With the death of both Axel and Konstantin, there was a chance that order could be restored.
I'd seen the news coverage both locally and on the national stage. Several turf wars had broken out as far away as Los Angeles, prompting various law enforcement officers, including my father to take action, making too many arrests to count. What I'd thought was interesting was the fact my father was actually working with Lorenzo. My father had been threatened by Axel but had never turned against his own people. In fact, I'd seen them in several discussions, all of a friendly nature. The burden he'd harbored had been horrific.
I certainly knew my father had been grateful for my rescue.
I knew it was only a matter of time before there was some other war, another faction attempting to move in. There would always be danger. There would always be bloodshed. No matter the intense love I felt for him, I wasn't certain I was capable of handling the life.
At least everything that had occurred only a few days before had increased my resolve, fueling the strong woman in ways I didn't even know existed.
As usual, I felt his presence before I actually heard him. The scent of him was even more powerful tonight, a delicious reminder of the man I was sharing a bed with.
"Do you need anything?" he asked as he eased onto the couch.
"You've asked me that six times today. I'm fine."
He chuckled as he adjusted the blanket over my legs. I could tell there were several things weighing on his mind. "I wanted to let you know that the senator is going to recover."
"I'm glad to hear that." I thought about the information that had been provided, the various names that if leaked, could bring down dozens of powerful people. "What about your brother?"
His face clouded over, the extreme sadness like a foggy haze in his eyes. "Touch and go."
"I'm so sorry."
"He's strong, just like some bratty girl I know." He attempted to laugh off his concern, although I knew what was at stake. Difficult decisions would need to be made soon.
We sat in silence for a few minutes. "Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask. That doesn't mean I will answer," Lorenzo said in a half joking manner.
"Dante said you understood loss very well. What does that mean? A girlfriend?"
He exhaled, looking away briefly. "My sister. I didn't know her very well. I was four when she was killed. Stefan was one."
"Oh, my God." I placed my hand on his. "What happened?"
"I was too young to understand so my father waited until I was ten to tell me that one of our enemies abducted her from school, seeking ransom." His voice seemed so far away.
"Jesus."
"Anyway, my father refused to pay and the bastards killed her. My mother never forgave him. After that, my parents were never the same, my father turning brutal and harsh, as if his two sons no longer mattered."
I pulled his hand to my lips, tears forming in my eyes. "He loves you and your brother. He's just hurting inside, just like you are."
Lowering his head, an exaggerated breath escaped his mouth. "I don't know, Sierra. She didn't deserve to die, not because of my father."
"Your sister was killed by a monster. Sadly, your family has to deal with that forever."
"Yeah, I know."
There was suddenly so much tension between us. There were no right words, nothing that would comfort him, but I did understand him more than before. His armor held many layers of cold steel.
"What about the jump drive?" I asked innocently, attempting to change the subject.
He lifted a single eyebrow, giving me a heated look. "Well, I don't think it would be in anyone's best interest to release the names."
"What about my article?" I teased, giving him a mischievous smile.
"Not gonna happen, doll."
"Does that mean you're going to keep me locked away?"
"Absolutely. For my use only." He grinned, brushing his thumb across my cheek. "I'll also be the only one to discipline you." With that, he winked, forcing a groan from my throat.
"I've been a good girl." He'd made no bones about the fact I deserved a hard spanking for making him worry. Worry. He'd been in a murderous rage.
He leaned over, issuing a single growl. "Do I need to remind you that you evaded Dante, placing your life in immediate danger?"
"I have a feeling you're going to remind me of that every day."
Lust crowded his expression and using just his index finger, he slowly trailed it down the long line of my neck, sliding it between my breasts. When he eased his hand under my blouse and the thin lace of my bra, I shivered. "As your master, that's my God-given right."