“I see,” I say with far more composure than I feel at the moment. “Leave us.”
“Boss?” Emilio chimes in this time.
“I said leave!” I shout, making my men jump. The woman, however, doesn’t move. Her muscles are tense, but her stance is defensive and resolute. She thinks she’s about to die at my hands, but she’s still facing me with more courage than most would have in her position.
Of course, I'm not going to kill her. Just the thought of harming one hair on her head makes me sick to my stomach. At first glance, she might seem timid, mousy even, but right here, right now, this angel is exuding strength and grace beyond anything I've ever seen. I don't think she's even aware of it herself, but it's there all the same.
I watch as the three men file out of the room, leaving me with my pretty little prisoner. I take a step closer, circling around her and biting back a groan when I see her round, juicy ass. But then my attention is drawn to the zip tie digging into her wrists.
I grunt and take out the switchblade I always keep on me, cutting the plastic and releasing her wrists. She immediately massages the delicate skin on one tiny wrist, and then the other. Again, I find myself fighting the urge to touch her, to soothe her aches and pains, and scare away anything and anyone that might do her harm. Even if it's my own men.
“What’s your name?” I ask, stepping in front of her once again, but closer this time.
“D-Darlene,” she murmurs. “But you can call me Leena. Everyone does.”
“I will do no such thing,” I grunt out. Without thinking, I reach out and tuck some of her wild, golden-brown locks behind her ear. “Your name is beautiful,” I say softly.
A pretty pink blush blooms across her face as she dips her head down, staring at the floor. I pull my hand back quickly, shoving it into the pocket of my pants to try and control my actions. It’s not something I’m used to. Usually, I’m in absolute command of every aspect of my life – words, urges, emotions, and instincts. But Darlene has unraveled me in less than an hour.
What the fuck am I supposed to do with her now?
I can’t want her, I can’t have her, but I also can’t let her go out into the world unprotected. It takes me a few minutes to work out the details in my mind, but soon a plan forms. It’s not the best solution, but it’s the only one I can think of.
I turn away from the woman who has shaken me to my core in an attempt to get away from the magnetic pull she seems to have on me.
“You will stay here as part of my staff,” I tell her casually, even though I’m feeling anything but. “A maid, to be exact. I assume you are up to the task?”
“Um...I...I’m confused. Am I your slave now?”
My dick pulses at the thought of keeping her chained to my bed, my face buried between her thighs until she begs me to fuck her rough and dirty. I clear my throat and adjust myself while my back is still turned towards her.
I’ve mostly regained my composure by the time I face her again. “It’s more like an arrangement. Your safety in exchange for housework. You’ll have a suite to yourself, access to everything you need, and you won’t have to fear for your life or look over your shoulder. Everyone here will treat you with respect. You will not be harmed so long as you stay at the compound.”
"I can't just leave my life behind," she whispers like she's not sure if it's a good idea to confront me. Normally, it wouldn't be, but with Darlene, I'll answer every single one of her concerns.
“The choice is yours,” I tell her, even though it’s not. There’s no way I can let her walk away. For her safety, of course. Not for me. She has no place in my life, but that doesn’t mean she deserves to die for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I watch as she nibbles on the corner of her bottom lip and weighs her options. I want to suck on that plump bottom lip and then sink my teeth into her flesh before licking away the sting. Instead, I glance at my watch, noting that I have a meeting in twenty minutes.
“Did I mention I have an extensive library?”
Her eyes light up in a way that tugs at my gut and makes my chest nearly cave in. She’s so fucking beautiful.
“Why are you doing this?” She questions, her radiant blue eyes changing from interest to skepticism. Fair enough.
I shrug, buying time while I try to find the words to answer her. “I may be a cold-hearted criminal, but that doesn't mean I toss away human life or enjoy watching the innocent suffer.” It’s not a lie, but it doesn’t come close to the truth. I can’t stand to watch her suffer. I couldn’t live with myself if her life was tossed away.
Darlene nods slowly, once again taking her time digesting everything I’ve said. She’s a smart girl, I can already tell. I know she’ll make the right choice.
“Fine. I suppose I can handle a temporary career change,” she concludes with a decisive nod of her head.
My lips curl upwards in a victorious smirk, though I hide it just as quickly as it appeared. I return her serious nod with one of my own. Without further conversation, I lead her out of the basement, up to the second floor where I’m sure Luca, my second in command, is already anticipating our arrival. Nothing escapes his attention.
Right before we reach the door to Luca's office, I turn to address Darlene. She looks up at me, piercing me with those baby blues of hers. I see so many questions swimming around in her eyes, doubts and uncertainties that I long to clear away for her. But I can't. I won't. She's not mine to care for, she's only under my protection. Luca will handle everything else.
“Thank you,” Darlene whispers, darting her eyes towards the ground as she wraps her arms around herself. I almost don’t hear her, but when the words reach my ears, I’m nearly brought to my knees by her unexpected gratitude.
Once again, my hand moves on its own to tip her chin up. I don’t say anything as I study her face, committing every detail to memory. Darlene is full of contradictions that only draw me closer to her. She is vulnerable and guarded. Shy and brave. Dangerous. Helpless. Cautious. Bold.
I see all of these things engraved on her fucking soul. For a brief second, I let her see me as the man I am rather than the persona I project. It’s all I’m able to give her. I drop my hand and lean in, close enough to smell her sweet skin and the floral scent of her shampoo. Darlene doesn’t back down. In fact, her pupils dilate and her perfect lips part ever so slightly. I inhale every tiny breath that escapes her mouth, drinking down the air from her lungs without so much as touching her.
And then I reach behind her and open the door.
Darlene’s face turns bright red, causing a sinister smile to spread across my lips. I can’t help it. She brings out the vicious predator in me, as well as a fierce protective streak I didn’t know I had.
I break eye contact with her, even though it physically pains me to do so.
“Luca,” I address my second in command. “Darlene will be filling a housekeeping position here on the compound until further notice. Have Margret do a clean sweep. Protocol seven. Set Darlene up with a phone so she can make the necessary calls and arrangements. I will also need a new phone,” I add, ignoring the flare of annoyance in his eyes. “Inform me when everything is done.”