Hijacked (A Retribution Novel) (15 page)

She nodded, wanting to be in his safe apartment above the bar, needing that haven more than anything.

He helped her into her car after kissing her senseless, as promised. The silence and calmness inside her vehicle offered encouragement to hold on a little longer. A whisper in her heart promised better things were to come.

She could only pray and hold onto those intangible but precious thoughts.

Christian followed closely behind Eliana’s Challenger, not allowing yellow lights or other cars to come between him and the woman he so fiercely wanted to protect.

She parked in the lot behind his bar, and he pulled up next to her. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but right now, he needed to hold her, to know she was safe from Hardy’s clutches. He exited his Mustang fast enough to help her from her car.

Even in the darkness, the strain of the evening showed on her weary features. “You’re not okay.”

She shook her head.

Her vulnerability burrowed deep into his soul. “We’ll make it okay.” He tugged her against him again, seeking the warmth from her body. When he’d watched her emerge from her car at the warehouse with a gun in her hand, his heart had stopped. If she’d made it inside, she would have been the next victim wrapped in cellophane that Hardy would want him to dump.

Christian shoved the horrifying thought from his head, knowing he needed to focus on Eliana right now.

He gently led her up the metal staircase and opened the door to his home, guiding her inside. She seemed so fragile, so vulnerable…so broken, and that killed him most of all.

Her fire and flash had faded to something dull and lifeless, and he couldn’t let that happen.

He led her inside and kicked the door shut. “Bathroom,” he commanded though she was too withdrawn to refuse.

The room wasn’t large, barely big enough for the two of them to fit. He lifted the faucet handle, allowing water to splash into the basin. The water from his sink always needed a few minutes to warm up.

“How do I fix all this?” she asked in soft tones.

He glanced from the jagged, bloody cut on her arm to her wide, distressed eyes. The vision ripped at his heart. “You don’t, love. Not alone anyway.”

“But my brother. I need to save him.”

Christian tested the water. Warm. He glanced back to Eliana, paused long enough to draw a thumb down the soft skin of her cheek. “I promise I’ll do whatever I can to help, okay?”

“Thank you.” Her words were barely audible, her gaze intently fixated on his.

He sighed as he reached out and began to unbutton her once-white blouse. “What did you do for Hardy today? I caught enough to know he’d given you a task, but what was it?” He prayed it was something more civil than dumping a dead prostitute’s body. Sam and his men would be crawling around the place by now thanks to a discreet phone call.

“Felony distribution of brown Mexican tar heroin.” She inhaled a sharp breath when his knuckles grazed her bare stomach.

He met her gaze, and something feral leapt inside him. This was not the time to remember how good she’d tasted.

“Fucker,” he hissed as he peeled the ruined shirt from her shoulders. He wished he could have resisted the urge to visually feast on her body, but he wasn’t that strong. He traced the defined hollows of her collarbone and the enticing swells of her breasts as they peeked from her light pink bra. Her nipples strained against the lace, and he ached to slip the straps from her shoulders.

Focus.

He met her gaze again. “He knows exactly what he’s doing by implicating us in these crimes.”

“I know,” she whispered as she stared into his eyes. “I don’t care. I was willing to do whatever it took if it would give me deeper access into the organization.”

He nodded. “Me, too. Especially if it would get me closer to you.” He gently placed her arm beneath the running water. Streams of watered-down blood spattered into the sink. “I thought you were one of them.” Even now, he felt guilty for thinking it.

“I thought you were, too.” She tensed as he rubbed lathered soap over her wound.

“Sorry.” He slowed the scrubbing motion, not wanting to hurt her further. “I need to make sure I clean it well. Have you had a recent tetanus?”

She averted her eyes from his ministrations and nodded. “How do you know I’m
not
one of them? What changed your mind?” she asked and winced.

He stopped cleaning and ran her forearm beneath the water. “A friend of mine told me. Sam Holden.”

Her gaze flew to him. “You know Sam?”

“We…” He hesitated, not knowing exactly what to say. “We work together on projects occasionally.”

“Projects?”

He smiled as she immediately picked up on that word. Her intelligence intrigued him as much or more than her looks. “Yes, love. Projects. Things we don’t talk about around most people.”

“But you’re going to tell me, aren’t you?” Already, she had more strength in her voice.

He shut off the water and dried her arm with a fresh towel. Blotches of red rushed to the surface as he surveyed the damage under the bright lights. “Shallow wound for the most part,” he said, changing the subject. “I don’t think you’ll need stitches.”

She glanced down and took a deep breath. “I can’t believe my brother would do this to me.” Tears hovered in her eyes when she refocused on him. “We were always so close.”

Christian slowly shook his head, mimicking her disappointment before he pulled the first aid kit from beneath the sink. “I wish I could tell you why. Could be his mental illness like you’d mentioned. Could be the effects of drugs. I know they can cause people to behave irrationally. Could be a bad combination of the two, you know?” He opened two large bandages and squirted antibiotic ointment on them. Gently, he placed them over her wounds.

“He needs help.” Her mesmerizing eyes pleaded with him.

Somehow, she’d snuck in under his radar, and he knew it wouldn’t matter what she’d asked of him. He’d never be able to refuse her. “We’ll figure out a way to help him. I promise you that.”

A painfully beautiful smile lit her face. “Thank you.” She cradled his cheeks between her palms and leaned against him as she stood on tiptoe. She pulled his head toward her, giving him a soft yet powerful kiss.

She ended it, gazed into his eyes with a wondering look, and then crushed her mouth against his.

Ah, shit.
The words vibrated through his mind. He’d wanted to steer away from sexual activity to give her time and space to heal. Then again, connection and comfort might be part of the process, he realized.

What better way to be grounded than engaging in an act that left both parties open and vulnerable? It was what she wanted. Maybe what she needed.

He sure as hell wasn’t going to complain.

He gently tightened his arms around her, not wanting to overwhelm. She sighed in approval and pushed against him until he bumped backward into the door.

“Eliana,” he whispered in warning. He could only hold back for so long. Her hands were on him…everywhere, trailing down his neck, over his biceps, pressing against his pecs. He tensed as she found her way beneath his shirt, her fingertips grazing his abs, forcing his shirt upward.

He released her long enough to tug his shirt over his head and toss it.

“I want this,” she whispered, grazing her nails over his exposed skin, igniting his pulse. “I want you.” She met and held his gaze, hers once again full of fire and passion. “Make me forget today.”

He groaned in pleasure as he dug his hands into her luxurious hair and fisted, tugging her head backward to expose her throat.

She purred in pleasure.

He trailed soft kisses down her neck to her shoulder.

“No,” she said more forcefully. “Not like that. Like this.”

*        *        *

When he’d spent every last bit of energy he’d had, and Eliana had collapsed in his arms, Christian lifted her and carried her to his bed. “You’re staying with me tonight.”

“Yes,” she whispered as she snuggled against him.

“All night. For breakfast, too, love,” he reiterated, needing to make sure she understood he wasn’t letting her leave early this time.

“Okay.” Her lips caressed his neck as she spoke, and he tightened his hold on her. “I want to be here.”

He closed his eyes, took her words deep into his soul and cherished them as her breaths grew deeper and more even. A soft, floral scent from her hair wafted toward him, and he inhaled deeply. Whatever they had was right.

So right.

“I did something else bad,” Eliana said quietly in the darkness.

He’d thought she’d fallen asleep, but she must have been thinking like he was. “What’s that?” He worried that Hardy had already had too much influence over her.

“You know Lorenzo? The tall, creepy kid who works for Gideon?”

“The cocky slime ball who thinks he’s Hardy’s and Gideon’s prized pupil?”

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I pled a deal for him to keep him out of jail so he could continue to move massive amounts of drugs onto the streets of Portland.”

He didn’t have to guess why. “So that you could get closer to Hardy.”

She nodded, her head brushing his chin.

“You did what you had to do to find your brother.”

“Finding my brother’s not my only motivation.”

“Okay…” He struggled to follow her thought process. “Are you going to tell me why?”

She remained quiet for a long time, and he wondered again if she’d fallen asleep.

Finally, she released a deep sigh, which hitched on what sounded like a sob. “Do you remember when we walked along the riverside, beneath Burnside Bridge?”

“I do.” He waited for her to expound, wondering if she’d changed the subject.

“Remember when I asked if you’d heard about the man who’d been knifed?”

A chill crept over him. “Yes.” He wanted to tell her he already knew, but he sensed she needed to talk.

“He was my friend.” A stronger sob escaped her.

“I’m so sorry.”

“I used to bake cookies for him, and we’d talk. He was the only person besides my brother, and now besides you, who cared about me.”

He hugged her tighter, grateful that she realized he truly did care. “I’m really sorry, Eliana. I had no idea.”

“I watched him die, Christian. I watched…” She paused to exhale a ragged breath. “I watched Lorenzo kill him and then walk away like it meant nothing in the world.”

“Oh…fuck.” That was some bad shit. “And then you had to defend him.” That must have been so unbelievably difficult for her. “I’m not sure I could have.”

“I had to.” She looked at him with wet eyes. “It was the only way to infiltrate Hardy’s group.”

“And now you’re feeling guilty.”

Her expression broke, and she nodded.

He gathered her into his arms. “Ah, love.” He stroked her hair and allowed her to release her tears. “This is going to be okay. I promise. Just rest now. You’re safe.”

Tomorrow, he’d call the guys and figure out a better place for Eliana to disappear. Somewhere far away from Hardy and his men.

Ethereal shivers of delight encircled and twisted through Eliana. Warmth. Love. Touch. Everything good and wonderful. She moaned from sheer pleasure, until the sound of her voice echoing through the room roused her from her dream-like state.

She blinked to find Christian lying next to her, raised on one elbow and smiling down at her. He drew a lazy finger around one nipple, drawing a sharp intake of breath from her.

“Good morning.” He leaned forward and kissed her, further clouding her mind with sensual thoughts.

She wrapped her arms around him, languishing in the feel of his naked body against hers.

“It most definitely is,” she said when he broke the kiss.

He held her gaze as his finger trailed past her stomach and lower. The physical and emotional connection decimated boundaries, leaving her in a state of wonder.

She arched involuntarily as he slipped a hand between her thighs and found her most sensitive spot. His fingers slid easily between her already-wet folds, and she gasped as he crested her bud.

“Oh, yeah,” he whispered as he gathered her in his arms and rolled on top of her. She didn’t have time to protest before he was inside.

He groaned with pleasure, and she tried to breathe through the sensation of pure rapture.

“God, love. You feel good.”

She wrapped her legs around him and held him tight. He seemed content to stay put, buried deep within her, but not moving. She tightened her muscles, causing him to chuckle.

“Felt that.”

“Did you now?” She smiled, thinking how absolutely wonderful it was to be with someone who wanted and cherished her.

“Mmm-hmm.” He moved out slowly, forcing her to experience each delicious inch of him before he settled inside her again.

“We have things to discuss, love.” He nuzzled the sensitive spot beneath her ear.

“We do?” His warm lips on her neck pushed away every rational thought.

He nibbled lower until he reached the curve of her shoulder. “When we’re done here, I’m going to drive you home.” He nipped lightly, coaxing another gasp from her. “You can pack some clothes and basic essentials, and then I’m getting you the hell out of town.”

She stopped as his words filtered through the haze. “Wait a minute. I’m not going anywhere. Not now that I’ve found my brother.” She pushed at his shoulders, and he raised his head to meet her gaze.

“I need you to be safe.” Hard determination rested in his eyes, but she wouldn’t be bullied by it.

“And I need to get help for my brother. We discussed this last night.” She lowered her eyebrows in concern. “You promised.”

He pushed up so he hovered over her. His biceps bulged while his cock still laid buried deep within her. “I’m not breaking my promise. I will help him. But you, my sweet Eliana, are going to be somewhere safe where none of them can touch you.”

“No.” She drew her forefinger along the sexy curve of his solid jawline. “I am not going anywhere. Not until I know my brother is okay.”

He frowned. “You don’t have a choice.”

She scoffed. “Oh, really? You think you can tell me what to do because we’ve slept together?”

He released a frustrated breath. “I’m not trying to own you, but if something happens to you, if you get hurt any worse than you have, I won’t be able to bear it.”

The sincerity in his eyes was an arrow to her heart. “What are you saying?” She needed to hear it.

He paused a moment, then cleared his throat. “I’m saying if something bad were to happen… Those guys are beyond dangerous, you know… Dammit, Eliana, if you were seriously injured or died, it would kill me.” His voice cracked on the last sentence.

Emotion clogged her throat as well. She wouldn’t have believed they could have become so close so soon, but how could she deny what was directly in front of her? He meant every word he said. How could she think her feelings weren’t as real?

“It’s the same with me, Christian,” she forced out. “You’re the only person who’s ever cared enough to understand me and what I’ve gone through.”

“Then you understand.” He lowered, putting the full weight of his body on hers. He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I need you safe.”

“Well, I need you safe, too.” She spanned his shoulders with wide spread fingers and then lightly dug into his flesh. “I can’t lose another person I care about. I won’t. I refuse. When you’re safe, then I’ll be safe, too.”

“That’s not how it works,” he pressed.

“Who says?”

“Me, love. I say.” His expression was gentle as he studied her face.

“I appreciate your gallantry. I really do, but I’ve fought my battles too long to consider running and hiding while you put your life on the line.”

“I insist.”

She grinned then, her heart exploding with happiness. “Thank you for that, Christian. It’s a lovely gesture.”

“Good. So we’ll just…” He moved in and out of her again. “And then we’ll be on our way.”

“Except we won’t.” She covered his lips when he tried to speak. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a damn long time, Christian. I might not look it, but my street smarts were hard earned. You saw me at a low point last night. We all have them. But if you try to lock me away where I won’t get hurt and leave me to wonder if you’re okay, forget it. First chance I get, I’ll tell Gideon you’re a plant.”

“No, you won’t. You wouldn’t hurt me like that.”

“Then I’ll let him know I am.”

He punched the pillow next to her. “Fuck, Eliana. This isn’t a game.”

She took his chin between her fingers and met his gaze head on. “Do you think I don’t know that? I’ve lost one, potentially two people already. I won’t lose more. Not if I can help it. So, we can either work together, or both of us are going to give up what we’ve gained in this battle.”

His gaze clashed with hers for several long minutes. “I have half a mind to tie you up, drug you and send you in a crate to the old family in Ireland. Without a passport, you might not make it back here until this whole thing is done.”

She pushed against him, pressing until he allowed her to roll him over and climb on top. She straddled him, feeling him bump up against the very core of her. “If you send me away, I might never come back. I’ll find some strapping Irish lad to love me instead.”

Then she grinned, knowing she’d won even if he hadn’t conceded yet. “Working with me is going to be much easier than working against me.”

He slowly shook his head, his hand creeping up and caressing her breast in a tender touch. “Do what I ask, please, love?”

“No.” Her smile grew bigger. “Begging won’t help. Nothing will. If you can’t handle a strong woman, then you shouldn’t have picked me.”

“Fuck that.” His mouth twisted into a grin. “You think I can’t handle you? Think again.”

With a quick movement, he tossed her over on the bed, putting her in the submissive position. “I’ll handle you, and then some.”

Her laugh turned to a gasp as he drove deep inside her. “We’ll see who owns who.”