Hitman's Revenge (a Forbidden Bad Boy Romance) (15 page)

I
moved carefully
around in the cabin, putting the covers back on the food to give me something to do to calm my nerves. We had been in the air for about thirty minutes, and the majority of that had been spent scarfing down the wonderful food that Jack had so graciously ordered. Now my belly was stuffed, but my nerves were still on edge. I didn’t understand why we were going back to Louisiana, but I intended to find out before the plane trip was over.

Satiated, I turned and moved back into my seat under the glare of Jack’s eyes. “Are you going to explain this to me now?” I asked as he stretched out his long legs before him.

“I’ve got a plan,” he started, taking in a deep breath. “A crazy plan, but I think it will work.”

“You think or you know?” I asked. “Because it’s important that you know it will work.”

He chuckled and leaned forward, his hands on his thighs. “I’m almost ninety-nine percent sure. Is that good enough?”

“Just tell me the plan,” I muttered.

“I’m going to kill you.”

“What?” I exploded, sitting up in my seat. “Kill me?” Had he been after the money all along? Oh god, not Jack!

“Relax,” he replied, reaching for my hands and holding them in his own warm ones. “It won’t be real. I have to make them believe you are dead, Hazel, or they are never going to rest until you are. I’ll get you a new identity, and finally you will be safe. By killing you, I can control what happens next.”

“And what is that?” I asked hesitantly, not sure if I wanted to know.

“I can trap both Romano and Colt, set them up. Once they are dead, the contract will be null and void anyway. Everyone will back off, and you can start over again wherever you want.”

I swallowed hard, thinking that I wasn’t scared of anything that he was saying except the part where I was to start over. I didn’t want to start over and certainly not alone, which is what it sounded like. I wanted to stay right where I was, and that was with him. “What about you?”

“Me?” he scoffed, squeezing my hands lightly. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got a friend—a real friend I can trust to help us with this. She can ensure that if something, well, if I’m not able to pull this off that you have a place to go and all the money you will need, Hazel.”

I wasn’t worried about money or a place to go. I didn’t want to have Jack hurt any more than he already was. I didn’t want him to risk his life to save me anymore. Let the bastards come for me, I didn’t care.

“What do you say? Think you can do this?”

“On one condition,” I replied softly, seeing the opportunity. He wanted to use me as a scapegoat? Fine. But he was going to pay dearly for it.

“Anything,’ he said softly, his eyes a steely blue.

“If you are going to send me away and discard me after all of this, then I want you,” I answered, my insides trembling. “I want you for one final night, Jack. A way to say goodbye.”

I had no intention of saying goodbye, but maybe, just maybe I could make him see reason if the warm, kind-hearted Jack reappeared again. I could maybe talk some sense into that Jack.

He clamped his mouth shut and mulled over my condition while I waited with bated breath for his answer. This was going to be my last chance of trying to reel him in and keep him forever. “One night?”

“One night,” I said firmly, though in my heart I wanted more than one night. I needed forever.

“Fine,” he finally said, no emotion on his face. “As soon as we land, you get tonight. It’s all I can give you.”

“I’ll take it,” I said, anticipation drumming through my veins at the thought of Jack in my bed once again. I had to show Jack what he would be missing, provided I survived his crazy plan. I loved him too damn much not to try.

I tried not to look like a gawking tourist as we entered the lobby of the hotel, its lush surroundings making me feel wholly inadequate in my t-shirt and worn jeans. Jack, however, strode up to the desk like it was nothing, talking to the man behind the desk and waving around a wad of cash that appeared out of his pocket. I watched as the man’s smile grew wider and he picked up the phone, talking rapidly to someone on the other end. Jack looked back and winked, and I couldn’t help but giggle. Money really did talk and rather well, apparently.

It wasn’t long before we were following the manager of the opulent hotel to a penthouse suite, the little man chattering with Jack the entire way about the amenities the hotel offered. “And I will arrange everything you have requested, Mr. Smith, free of charge, of course. We appreciate that you would choose our fine establishment tonight.”

“Thank you,” Jack replied taking the slim card out of the man’s hand. “Just have it all delivered here. My wife and I will not want to be disturbed otherwise.”

I arched my brow at the word he’d bestowed upon me, and he gave me a half-shrug, the smoldering look on his face making my heart do double time.

“Of course not,” the man said, nearly bowing as he backed down the hall. Jack turned and inserted the key into the lock, stepping aside to allow me the first glimpse of the room. It was more like a large apartment, twice the size of the house back home. The furniture in the living area was very modern. The balcony was all glass and showed a spectacular view of the skyline, the lights twinkling in the night sky. A full kitchen was in another alcove, and beyond that a series of doors led to multiple bedrooms and their adjoining baths. It was by far the nicest place I had ever stayed.

“This is the type of place you deserve. Why don’t you take advantage of the tub in there while I make some phone calls?” Jack suggested, closing the door behind him. “Relax, enjoy yourself, Hazel. I told you I would give you one night, and I don’t go back on my word.”

“I think I will do just that,” I said, my nerves high-strung.

He nodded, and I walked to the master bedroom, taking in the king-sized bed with some trepidation. I had once again thrown down the gauntlet, and Jack had accepted it, but now I was extremely nervous and unsure of myself. What if this night was a complete and utter disaster? With a sigh I walked into the bathroom and saw the massive tub in the middle of the room, ready for me to relax in it.

Though, I doubted there would be any relaxation going on tonight if I had my way.

I
ended
the call and threw the phone onto the counter, reaching into my bag to remove my cache of weapons that I would hide around the place tonight. It was the one methodical piece of me that Hazel hadn’t picked up on, but I had to always be prepared for the worst. If I didn’t, we could die. Everything was set up for tomorrow, where we would go to visit an old friend and set up the trap, provided nothing happened tonight.

Stowing the gun under the coffee table, I thought about what was to happen later. Of all the things Hazel could have picked to demand of me, she actually chose me. It didn’t make a lick of sense. I was so undeserving of her, my hands soiled more times than I could count. I wasn’t worthy to even touch her soft skin. I actually trembled when I thought about touching her again. She was under my skin, which made tomorrow night even harder for me to try and pull off. Hazel was going to be in the line of fire, and I had to pretend I didn’t care. It would be the single hardest thing I had done in my worthless existence. Was it going to work? Hell, I didn’t know, but I was certain of one thing. I wasn’t going to let her get hurt anymore.

A knock sounded on the door, and I reached for my knife, tucking it under my shirt in case word had already gotten out. “Who is it?”

“Delivery for Mr. Smith,” came the reply. I opened the door and took the boxes from the waiting delivery man, allowing him to roll in the cart of food so that the chef behind him could get set up. When Hazel had said she wanted this night, I had sprung into action to make it the best damn night of her entire life. I was going to wine and dine her, make it special so that she would remember it long after I was gone. I’d made my decision—if tomorrow was a success I would be leaving soon after. All of this had proven, without a doubt in my mind, that my life was too dangerous, and I couldn’t afford to have her in it.

Taking the boxes to the bedroom, I laid them on the bed and quickly walked out so that I wouldn’t be tempted to join Hazel in that tub. I had to prepare myself for the emotions tonight was going to bring. I was going to give Hazel everything she could ever want in one singular night, show her I knew how to be something other than a killer.

And then I would be forced to break her heart. She knew it and I knew it, and there was nothing we could do to stop it.

I
walked
out of the bathroom feeling a bit like myself again. The hour-long soak had been good for my sore muscles and my psyche, allowing me to plot out the night. I wished that I had a way to get really dressed up for Jack, to make an imprint that he wouldn’t soon forget, but the circumstances didn’t allow for it. He would just have to take me naked.

I crossed the large bedroom and was surprised to see two large boxes on the bed, tied with a red ribbon. The bedroom door was shut, giving me no indication of whether Jack put them there, but deep down I knew he had.

Like a child on Christmas morning I tore into the boxes, a gasp escaping my lips as I pulled out a gauzy wrap dress, matching lace bra, thong, garter, and thigh-high stockings so sheer I could nearly see through them. In the bottom of the box was a pair of killer heels that would make my legs look longer than ever, the red bottoms telling me they cost more than my college tuition had.

With some excitement, I stripped off my robe and hastily donned the clothing, enjoying the feel of expensive threads on my body. I left my hair down, the dry tresses floating around my shoulders as I nervously approached the closed door. What would I find? Whatever it was, I didn’t care as long as Jack was waiting for me.

I turned the knob and stepped out into the living room area; soft music played in the background. The lights had been dimmed and the balcony door opened. The cool night air was perfect for my overacting nerves. A table was set, the candles glowing softly with plates of various foods waiting for us to dine. It was perfect.

I crossed the living room and walked out onto the balcony, a bit unsteady on the heels, since I had no need to wear them in the garage or around school. Jack’s back was to me, and when he turned, every thought, every nervous feeling fled my body. I always thought he was sexy enough in those t-shirts and jeans he favored, but this Jack was wearing a tux and rocking every inch of it. He was reminiscent of James Bond, oozing sex appeal and confidence at every turn. And when he smiled, well, I nearly became a puddle on the floor.

“You look gorgeous, Hazel.”

“You do, too,” I breathed as he handed me a glass of cold champagne. “You didn’t have to do all of this.”

“I wanted to,” he responded, holding a snifter of amber-colored liquor in his hand. “Besides, we could both use a little R&R before tomorrow.”

My smile dimmed a little as I thought of what tomorrow would bring, and I took a sip of the champagne, the dry liquid sliding down my throat easily. I could get all dolled up and give Jack a night that he wouldn’t soon forget, but it didn’t change the fact that we both could die tomorrow. And if we happened to survive this, well, I didn’t want to think about that.

Tipping the glass back, I drained it, looking at him over the rim. “Seems you’ve planned all this. So, what’s on the agenda?” I asked, nibbling my lip.

He grinned then, and I felt my knees weaken. “Follow me.”

I gulped and followed him back indoors, where he took my glass from my trembling hand and set them both on the counter. I was startled at the feel of his hand in mine as he pulled me close, wrapping an arm around my waist to lock me in place. “I don’t think we have ever danced before,” he said softly, turning us in a slow circle.

“This is so very romantic,” I breathed, looking up at him, “and we have danced once. I think I was twelve and you tried to teach me how to shag.”

Jack laughed and spun us in a circle, his hand tightening on mine. “I remember now. I came out with a bruised forehead after you head-butted me.”

“Well, you didn’t tell me to let you go under my arm,” I grinned, the memory warming my heart. We had some great memories as kids, and I treasured every single one of them.

Jack pulled me flush with his body, his lips hovering over my ear and making me tremble in his arms. “Whatever happens, Hazel, know that every moment I spent with you has been worth it.”

Tears sprang to my eyes as he pressed a kiss into my hair, holding me against him like he never wanted to let go. The music swelled around us when he pulled back and brushed his lips over mine so tenderly that I thought I was going to burst into tears. “Jack,” I breathed as he did it again. “I don’t think I can go through with tomorrow. I can’t lose you.”

“I know, but it’s the only way,” he whispered, stepping back, his eyes bright. Our hands stayed clasped together, and for a moment I took him in, imprinting it in my memory for years to come. I couldn’t keep this man no matter how much I wanted to. I wasn’t going to be able to keep someone like him satisfied, not with his thirst for killing and the dangerous side of life instilled in his blood.

I was more of a picket fence and two point five kids kind of girl, though I had always pictured the man at my side being the man standing in front of me right now.

“You won’t lose me tonight,” he said as he pulled me toward the bedroom, past the food that would grow cold once we finished with each other.

Jack released my hand and knelt before me in his tux, his hands sliding up my silken clad leg until his hand reached the top of the stocking, his fingers electrifying on my bare skin. I let out a moan, my hand lying on his shoulder. I knew what he was going to do to me, and I could barely wait. Surprisingly, he stood up once more and pointed to the bed. “I want you there.”

With a heated look, I undid the belt on the dress and slid it off my shoulders, allowing him to see that while I’d put on the bra and garter, I conveniently forgot to put on the thong. My center was bared for him to see and touch without any barriers between us. His eyes dilated and his nostrils flared as I walked over to the bed and spread myself out on the soft comforter, opening my legs so he could see the wetness that was pooled there. “Like this?” I asked silkily.

“You are making this very difficult for me to go slow, Hazel,” he said softly, looking at me.

I grinned then and reached for him. “Who said anything about going slow?”

“One of these will be,” he remarked, grabbing the bow tie and stripping it off, his coat joining the thin black material on the floor. “But maybe not quite yet.”

He made quick work of his clothing and stood before me, his cock erect and heavy with need. “I’m going to make this a night you and your pussy won’t forget.”

“Come on then,” I whispered as he covered me with his heavy body.

“God, you’re driving me insane,” he said, nibbling on my earlobe. I sighed in contentment as his hands roamed over my body. His cock nudged at my longing pussy, waiting for the moment that he would drive into me and complete me once more.

He didn’t make me wait long. Slowly he entered me, burying himself inside until there was nowhere else to go. It was then that he reached down and kissed me softly on the lips before moving above me, the unspoken feelings and emotions hitting my very core.

I wanted so badly to tell him that I loved him, that I would take whatever he could give me, but I couldn’t get the words past the back of my throat. Instead I clung to his shoulders and angled my hips to meet his hard impatient thrusts, my eyes never leaving his. I had asked for this, and I wasn’t going to miss a single minute of it. When the orgasm started to overtake me I kept my eyes open, gritting my teeth as Jack drove into me over and over again. “Say my name,” he grunted as he gripped my hips. “Say it, Hazel.”

“Jack,” I replied. “It’s always been you, Jack.” Something flickered in his eyes as he released himself within me, collapsing on my body a second later.