You’re certain you want to do this?” Camden sat back, his fingers remaining wrapped around the glass of scotch.

Snake pushed back his drink and studied the ominous looking sky. The last thing he needed was to spend two weeks with a woman he barely knew, one who was hell bent on pushing every button. If he had to admit the truth, he’d expected Senator Wallace to laugh in his face, sputtering like a terrified little girl. The acceptance and the subsequent demand was formidable. He’d given the women an ounce of respect. “Thought the idea was good at the time.”

“And now?”

Shrugging, he didn’t give a shit about the chit chat, or the concerns Camden had raised. He was here to do his job. Period. “I’ll handle it.” The fact Camden Dane had insisted he meet with Snake, evening coming halfway to Houston before the flight left had sent a message. Rush Enterprises and the powers that be were scared of the senator, or perhaps her constant digging.

Camden snorted. “Senator Wallace is due back in Washington in a few days. Did she tell you how she’s planning on getting out of her requirement?”

“Not my position to ask nor do I care. She accepted the proposal, made me a counter offer and we’re leaving for her chosen location in roughly five hours.”

“Uh-huh. You have no idea where?” Camden laughed.

“Didn’t ask and she didn’t tell.”

“Trusting. I’m surprised.” When Snake gave him a harsh sneer, he shook his head. “She’s a beautiful woman.”

“And I care, why?”

“Wow. You are a hard ass.”

“Mr. Dane. This is business and I never mix business with my rather intense needs. Never. You hired me to do a job because this particular senator, this beautiful woman as you call her, has decided to make you public enemy number one.” Snake kept his voice low, the tone dark and cold. He also wasn’t here to make any friends. He sure as shit didn’t need any.

Camden lifted his glass. “Well said and understood. We are all over the news again today and it’s not a place Rush Enterprises wants to be. There’s too much at stake.” After taking a sip, a slow and strangled breath was followed by a wave of his hand. “Here are the credit cards you requested and cash. You have a line of credit at the bank, but don’t overuse.”

He resisted lashing out as he grabbed the envelope, shoving it into the inside pocket of his jacket. He knew exactly what was at stake. A brand new offshore rig. “I do know what I’m doing.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.” Camden took another sip of his drink. “You know she has a hidden agenda.”

He toyed with his glass, pushing the shot of bourbon back and forth across the table before tossing the entire contents back. The expensive whiskey was more of a soothing mechanism than anything else, but he wouldn’t have another until he was on the ground. “Women always have a hidden agenda, Mr. Dane. Always. When you stop understanding this, you’re fucked.”

“Words said from an angry man and no doubt one who’s been shafted more than once.”

Snake pushed back from the table, rising to his feet. “If there’s nothing else you learn about me, know this, I’ve never been shafted by men, business or especially by a woman. I take what I want when I want.” He grabbed his keys. “I’ll give you a report in a couple of days.” He turned to leave.

“Mr. Driscoll, I may not be an expert with anything, including women, but I do know this, being lonely and alone is a long, hard road. One that leaves you bitter and asking why bother living.”

Glancing over his shoulder, he could see a single flash of pain in Camden’s eyes. Without saying anything, he walked out of the corner pub, heading to his car. When he was safely away from prying eyes or ears, he hissed. That’s why he’d had a death wish for several years. What the hell did he care about living?

Jumping into the Charger, he was on the interstate in less than five minutes. He had just enough time to grab his bags from the house, as well as spend some time on the ranch before he left. The time alone in the car was good for him, allowing his disciplined mind to process what he was going to do. The first leg of the trip belonged to the senator. He’d allowed her enough of a leash to hang herself.

The second was all about the grunt work. If she wanted to be a part of the oil rigger world, she was getting it in spades.

Pressing down on the accelerator, he pushed the speed limit, jockeying around the heavy line of traffic. The rain was following him, the blackened sky darkening, the wind whipping the trees along the highway. His thoughts drifted, his mind wandering to the night that had changed his life. Her face. Her bloody face.

Fuck no! He wasn’t going down this road. Never again. He stepped on the gas, going seventy, then eighty, the car picking up speed. When he hit ninety, he let out an anguished cry and eased off the gas, panting as several vehicles around him blasted their horns, drivers giving him the finger.

His head was killing him, throbbing to the point his vision was blurry. This was the second time this week. Stress of the new position was kicking his ass. Shaking it off, he headed off the interstate, checking the time. He was still on schedule. If not? The bitch would wait.

As he turned down the last road, he realized his hands were white knuckled from clenching the steering wheel. He took several deep breaths, the exercise the only thing that killed the anxiety and could see the ranch in the distance. A smile crossed his face. This was the only place he cared about, the only location on this earth that would allow him any comfort.

As if he deserved a single minute.

He passed by the various pastures, looking to see if he could spot a rider. No one was out given the approaching storm. Even the cows and horses seemed spooked. The various ranch hands had secured the livestock and were no doubt huddled in the bunkers, waiting for the weather to pass.

The gravel road leading to the old farmhouse seemed bumpier than normal, forcing the Charger’s oversized tires to skid on the surface. Or maybe he was just driving too damn fast. He pulled beside the gleaming Dodge Ram, his brother’s favorite vehicle and sighed. The man would no doubt have something to say about his business trip.

He walked into the house and immediately heard the sound of video games, the chirping and booming noises he’d become accustomed to. The noise was coming from the den, what had been affectionately termed ‘the fun zone’. He was glad to have semi-permanent visitors staying in his house, even though he and Logan had a tumultuous relationship. The damn place was too big for just one man.

After grabbing a bottle of water, he headed into the den, standing in the doorway as he watched the only two people in his life sitting side by side. The tiny giggles and fist pumping into the air gave him a smile. Tyler, was the joy of the house, although the almost five-year-old had decided fairly recently to use the name ‘Tiger’ in deference to his game playing skills. Then again, the little man had difficulty saying his real name. “How you guys doing?”

“Unkie!” Dropping the controller, Tiger bounded off the couch, scrambling to get to him, pressing his face into Snake’s legs.

Snake rubbed the little boy’s head as he nodded to his brother. “I see my favorite boy is playing video games again. What about school work?” The kid was brilliant, already in first grade and no doubt destined to become a doctor, or perhaps an attorney. He had to smile at the thought.

Tiger pushed away from his legs and huffed. “Done that. Through.”

Logan eased off the couch. “He did very well today, and especially in spelling. Didn’t you, Tiger?”

“Got. A. B plus.” The words said empathically, Tiger’s eyes flashed, pride brimming in his contorted face.

“That’s fantastic! I think that deserves some ice cream. Don’t you think so, Daddy?” Snake eyed his brother, the almost hurt look on his face. Times had been difficult for the entire family.

“I think ice cream is a great idea. Do you think you can get it out of the freezer?” Logan turned his attention to Tiger.

“Duh. I’m five years old. I can do lots of things now.” Huffing, Tiger stomped out of the room, the sound echoing.

Logan placed the controller on the coffee table, the simple move exaggerated. “I guess you don’t have much time before you leave.”

“An hour or so.”

“Yeah. I guessed.”

“Don’t start!” Snake snapped, hissing under his breath.

Walking around the back of the couch, Logan sighed. “I’m not starting anything. You’re never home any longer, which is what you told me you wanted. No, you insisted. You took a goddamn job that’s going to take you away for weeks at a time and now this.”

“This is my job. I have to go.”

“Right.” Logan moved to walk past him.

Snake grabbed his arm. “I do. You know why.”

His body sagged, his head lowering. “I get it, but I don’t think Tiger does.”

“He has you.”

After a few seconds, he finally looked into Snake’s eyes. “He needs his entire family. He misses you so much when you’re gone.”

“And I… I miss him too. And I’m grateful you’re here. More than you know.” Snake hated this shit more than anything. Logan had looked up to him as a little boy. Then they’d refused to talk to each other for years. Now? The man could barely stand to be in the same room with him.

“Yeah. I get it. We’ll be here when you get back. Just like always. Can you at least have ice cream with us?”

Snake blinked several times, the headache remaining but he was no longer certain it had anything to do with stress. His heart was breaking. “You bet.”

“Good.” Logan offered a waning smile and walked toward the kitchen, the sound of his well-worn cowboy boots clicking against the wooden floor.

He studied the planks, the selection one that had taken almost two weeks. Two weeks of going from store to store from Houston to Dallas. Two weeks of fretting over the color, the angle and the size. Two weeks of precious time spent. God. He hated the fucking floor. He hated the house. All because she was no longer there. He walked toward the oversized mantel and ran his hand over the carved piece of stone. Also hand selected. Also, a two-or-more week project. He groaned and rolled his eyes. All the time spent on refurbishing a hundred-year-old house.

And for what?

The picture was there, the faces glaring at him. He hated it as he did almost everything else in the house, but no one could touch even the frame. He’d beaten a man unconscious for something less. Just as he was about to ease the photograph from the mantel, he heard the sound of little feet, the huge stomp in the background.

“Unkie. The ice cream is melting.”

Cocking his head, Snake adored the way Tiger reacted, his actions that were a mirror to the way he and Logan had been as kids. Their mother had been a saint. “I am so right there. If you eat my portion, I’m going to tickle you to death!” He took off running, following the squealing Tiger just on the little boy’s heels.

When he entered the kitchen, he realized he had tears in his eyes.

* * *

Katherine tossed her bags into the trunk and eyed the wretched looking sky. The weather was getting worse by the minute, clouds swirling and the wind creating flying debris. If the damn plane was delayed, she was going to be pissed off. Frank’s call hadn’t offered her too many additional details. Snake Driscoll was an ex-Marine and from what she’d been told, a man who’d been highly trained then left after only serving four years. So what? There were many military men who decided their calling wasn’t what they’d thought.

She unlocked the car door and eased inside, now happy that she’d decided to stay in a hotel in Houston. The extra uninterrupted sleep had been worth the price of a hotel room.

That wasn’t even close to being the truth. She hadn’t wanted to stay at her condo. Her mind had been working overtime, fear keeping her on edge. The last threatening phone call had taken her over the top.

The phone call from John’s attorney had also been a disaster. She wanted to accuse John of stalking her, but she had no proof. The fucking attorney must be getting paid a hell of a lot of money to try and convince her to leave the ugliness out of the courtroom.

Nope. She was going to make certain John got his just desserts. She headed for the airport and even though she’d be there far too early, she didn’t want to sit around the dank and depressing hotel room for another hour.

Traffic was surprisingly light but as soon as she got on the interstate, the storm rolled into the area, rain pelting almost sideways. Perhaps she wasn’t going to be early at all.

She was only five miles from the airport and the next time she looked down at the clock, twenty minutes had gone by. This was no way to start out a… What was she doing? This wasn’t a vacation by any stretch of the imagination nor was it a conventional business trip. Research. She’d called what they were doing research.

Another ten minutes went by then fifteen and the traffic was still crawling. By the time she pulled into the extended trip parking lot, she was barely going to be on time. When she managed to get into the terminal, she was drenched, her crisp white shirt and tailored skirt a complete mess.

While she’d never been argumentative with airport employees, everything they did or said got on her nerves, to the point she was nasty, and dragged off to the side for a full body scan. The trek through the terminal couldn’t have been any worse. She was freezing, her hair sticking to her face and her carry-on bag wobbling, the right wheel finally falling off.

The last escalator ride was the worst and she debated very seriously yelling at the minions in front of her, who didn’t seem to want to budge even a single stair. Jerking the heavy bag into her hand, she glanced at the departure time and gasped. The plane was leaving earlier than she’d remembered or paid any attention to. She’d planned the entire trip and she’d gotten it wrong? Which meant she’d told Snake the wrong time as well. Shit. And she didn’t have the man’s cell phone number. She was insane.

“Fuck.” She eyed the crowd of people milling through the hallway and yanked off her shoes, taking off running. There couldn’t be anything worse than this. Nothing. She weaved back and forth, her stockings no doubt ripped from the dirty floor.

“Excuse me!” Pushing past families and baby carriages, she nearly tripped twice before seeing the line of people ready to board. She hunkered over as she hit the end of the line, not even bothering to look for Snake.

“Well, I’d say it’s good to see you, but I’d be lying. My, you’re looking haggard, Katherine. Positively haggard.”

The hair standing on the back of her neck, she rose to her full height and gritted her teeth. “Going somewhere as in running away, John? Where’s your latest bimbo?” She pushed the strands of lose hair behind her ear and gave him a nasty look.

John towered over her, his suit well pressed, his red silk tie without a drop of water, his hair perfectly coifed.

Fuck, if she didn’t want to scratch out his eyes.

“I’m taking a very important business trip, you know, where I actually make money. Where are you off to, crawling in a hole somewhere?” His look of disdain as he glanced down to her bare feet was followed by a snort.

The cuts were too much for her to take. They were nothing more than a spectacle and everybody was watching, joking about the sad looking woman and the gorgeous man. “John, I—”

“Is this jerk-off bothering you, Katherine?”

Snake. She inhaled and plastered on a smile as she tipped her head. She hadn’t realized how tall the man was as he stood at least at six foot four and much taller than John. The man was wearing jeans, a tight T-shirt and a leather jacket. Given the short-cropped hair and the intense green eyes, tattoos crawling up along both sides of his neck, the man was badass in every category. “Yes, he is.”

Snap!

Snake grabbed the front of John’s shirt, twisting the crisp cotton with the tie into a ball, cutting off John’s ability to breathe. “Roaches like you shouldn’t do that to a lady,” he hissed under his breath as he walked John back toward the bathroom.

Katherine held her breath as John’s face reddened, but he was unable to make a sound. Snake’s move had been lightning-fast and not a single person was paying a damn bit of attention. Yes, she should go after them, pull Snake away, but honestly? Why bother? A smile on her face, she did her best to straighten up her clothes, easing back into her shoes as the two men disappeared into the men’s bathroom. Do it. Do it. Do it. Her little voice was far too evil.

Exhaling, she realized she was shaking. John was disgusting. Why in the hell had she ever married the prick?

Barely two minutes later, Snake walked out of the bathroom, the same expression on his face.

John didn’t follow.

She debated asking what had happened but knew better. The ex-marine had been a sharp shooter and had a black belt in karate. Dangerous. “Thank you.”

Snake remained silent, yet his eyes narrowed when he looked at the departure sign. “The Caymans?”

“Cayman Brac to be specific.” When he bristled, she studied his reaction. “Is there a problem?”

The look he gave her was intense. “None whatsoever.”

But she knew there was.

Shivering, she remained silent as they boarded the plane.

“First class?” he asked as he tossed his bag into the overhead compartment then reached for hers, taking it out of her hand without asking.

“I have points. I certainly didn’t spend any government money.” She could hear a chuckle, husky and seductive. Christ. Why were her nipples hard? She eased into the window seat, immediately staring out the window. Where was John going? She hadn’t paid enough attention to the second departure gate. Was it possible he was following her?

Snake sat down. He didn’t comment further, nor did he look in her direction.

She swallowed hard and continued to think about John. After their return, she was going to have to deal with the man once and for all.

“Ladies and gentlemen. We will be leaving the terminal in just a few minutes.”

The voice boomed over the crowded plane and she slid further against the window, watching as the last few passengers boarded.

Snake seemed to notice her gaze. “He won’t be going anywhere any time soon. That, I assure you.”

“Good. Bastard.” The words left her mouth far too easily. Now, she was curious what the man had actually done.

She winced hearing the thump as the doors closed and fastened her seat belt. Wine, champagne, a Bloody Mary. She was going to have one or all three and not necessarily in that order. Why were her nerves ragged?

“Boyfriend?” he asked, keeping his eyes pinned to the front.

“Ex-husband. Also known as a motherfucking useless piece of shit.” Biting her lower lip, she was forced to expel the single laugh.

He turned to look at her, his eyes beseeching. “I know the type. Better off dead.”

The words were chilling.

“Not worth a stay in the Red Onion,” she muttered.

He kept his gaze, a single eyebrow lifting. “You know the supermax prison?”

“I do.” When he didn’t ask why, she didn’t offer. The time she’d spent in Wise County, Virginia had been eye opening as well as terrifying. Not something she ever wanted to repeat again.

Snake exhaled and gripped the arms of the seat, his face pensive.

As they rolled back from the gate, she could tell he was uncomfortable as hell. “Don’t worry. I fly all the time. Planes are safer than cars.” He didn’t seem to care about the comfort and certainly didn’t give a shit about talking.

“Please turn off all phones and computers,” the flight attendant directed. “Be prepared for a bumpy ride but the skies are clearing and the weather in the Caymans is eighty-five with light breezes.”

“Shit.” Grabbing her phone, she’d slid her finger across the screen. The text message was there, the blip unheard in the melee at the terminal.

I’m coming for you…

Blinking, she hadn’t realized she’d issued any sound until he looked over her shoulder. Fumbling to turn on the airport mode, she tried to swallow several times, her throat threatening to close on her.

“Who’s threatening you?”

“You mean besides you?” Katherine shoved her phone into her purse and refused to admit that she was terrified. This was getting out of hand.

“Senator Wallace. If I wanted to hurt you, you’d already be dead.”

She thought about his words, the direct meaning and eased her head back against the seat. “Why are you here?” The plane lurched as a flash of lightning pulsated just outside the window.

“Why am I here?”

“Yes. You don’t give a rat’s ass about anything. That’s easy to tell. You prefer making certain people know you’re a badass rather than a good guy, if you even have a good bone in your body. You don’t mind roughing people up and you have a nasty attitude. Why bother? Why not make your innuendoes and be done with it, leaving me to pick up the pieces?”

Snake exhaled and moved in his seat, the leather on his jacket making a crunching sound.

The scent of this man was intense, powerful and very alluring, but the way he acted, responded to people in general should be considered horrific. Unfortunately, she was as turned on as she’d ever been. Being attracted to him was almost funny because there was no way a man like him could want her. She glared down at her ripped stockings, her disheveled appearance and remained angry, bitter. She’d turned into nothing but a bitter woman. “You didn’t answer the question.”

The plane began to taxi down the runway.

She could see lightning flashes in the distance and wanted nothing more than time on a sandy beach, a tropical drink in her hand.

“The reason is simple, Senator Wallace.”

“Yeah? Why is that?” She could tell he’d turned his head again and this time, when she stared into his eyes, she could see right through to his tortured soul. And the man, the monster lurking inside wanted her. All of her.

“Because I’m nothing to nobody.”

* * *

There was no reason for Snake to have told her anything. Not a damn word. He hadn’t planned on talking to her on the plane or getting remotely close to her, but the moment the asshole had harassed her, the anger had turned into rage. The prick was lucky Snake hadn’t snapped his neck in two, dumping him into the garbage.

Explaining things had at least been enough. The man with the perfect manicure, a suit that cost more than he made in a week had been afraid of him, enough so he’d pissed in his pants.

The Cayman Islands. He held his breath at the thought. The chances of running into trouble were slim, especially after all these years, but something to consider. Revenge never died. He sighed and knew he was going to have to make a plan. Being here, on this island brought back too many memories. Handling the concept was something he would have to do carefully. Twelve years might not be enough.

He thought about his reactions to her and the information he’d found easily enough. She was hiding a second personality from her family and friends. The realization had been intriguing, enough so he’d allowed his guard down, even for a few minutes. But she was scared, unsure of the woman inside, the one fighting to be free. Perhaps he’d be able to show her, to guide her through the shadows. If only he could let go of the past. Hissing, he looked away. This wasn’t going to happen.

“Where are we going?” The cab ride was interesting, the calypso music and open windows creating a festive atmosphere, yet he could tell the area remained poor, tourism one of the few methods for making money. The sun was starting to set, various colors of tangerine and swirls of purple mixing with the clouds. A far cry from the storm they’d left behind.

“A villa. Secluded and private. There is also some of the best reef diving around. That’s what we’re doing here. Research, Mr. Driscoll.” Katherine pulled the pin out of her hair, allowing her long locks to fall.

He’d been intrigued with her reaction to the ex and even more so given the text, which he’d been able to read. The text had been more terrifying for her than the man at the airport. While he certainly knew she’d been under fire for her flagrant allegations regarding various corporations, there was nothing she’d said to warrant being killed. Would Rush consider her enough of an enemy? Greed certainly changed a man.

His investigation into her background had given him no cause for worry. He also knew all about John Wallace, a man so many feared given his influential friends. The coupling must have been a powerhouse, at least for the two years they’d been married. As the driver continued, moving quickly through the streets, he made mental notes of various operations. He would need protection for her. There was no doubt in his mind.

Whatever Katherine Wallace was facing, he was already facing a disconcerting fact. He wanted to keep her safe. No, he wanted more from the statuesque woman who had no idea how beautiful she truly was.

He wanted to seduce her, fuck her, take her in every manner possible.

“Shit.” Holding his breath, he yanked off his jacket, shoving the unwanted piece into his bag. The heat and humidity were high, the scenery and landscaping breathtaking, and the area far too similar to one from many years ago. Still, this was a different time, a different place. Leaning his elbow against the window, he was able to study her face, the way she lit up as they drove past several luscious gardens, villas with tile roofs and various shops catering to the rich and famous.

For a hard woman, she was soft inside. He rolled his eyes and realized this had been a mistake.

“You can call me Katherine. Or Katy. My friends call me Katy.”

Even the sound of her voice was alluring in a way he hadn’t experienced in years. “All right, Katherine.”

“May I call you Snake?”

Why was his initial thought to tell her she was required to call him ‘Sir’? “That will be fine.”

“Okay. First names are better.” She remained silent, yet she continued to dart glances, her eyes falling from his face to his lap.

Snake wanted nothing more than to wrap his hand around her wrist, yank her forward, telling her in no uncertain terms that she was going to obey his every command. He wanted to explain to her what would occur once they arrived at the villa. He wanted her to succumb to his every desire. Goddamn. What the hell was wrong with him?

“You do know the villa you rented is very private and a distance away from anything else?” the driver called from the front.

“I know. That’s what we want,” Katherine answered. “We’re here to dive.”

“Ah, good location. Lots of ocean life. Just be careful, the road leading to the villa gets washed out with any hard storm.”

She leaned forward, her hand resting on the seat in front of her. “I know.”

He could see the hint of her lace bra, the white almost melting into her porcelain like skin. His cock was aching, pushing hard against his jeans.

“There’s talk of tropical storms. Just make certain you’re stocked with food and drink. Could be days before anyone comes to find you.” The driver peered into the rearview mirror, studying Snake.

Snake heard the words, the warning issued and sighed. This was going to be a fascinating trip.

“We’re almost there,” the driver said as he began to sing, belting out the words of the island song.

The road leading to the villa was dilapidated by any standards, rocks and pot holes creating a jarring ride, water lapping against the both sides. He made another turn and trees buffeted the slender path, barely wide enough for a single car.

He could tell she was apprehensive yet eager, her eyes never blinking.

By the time the driver pulled up to the darkened villa, the sun had slid into the ocean.

“Beautiful,” she whispered as the man stopped the car just in front of the two-story building.

“The best sunset in all de world,” the driver laughed as his accent suddenly changed.

“Yes.” Her voice filled with excitement, she climbed out, immediately heading toward the ocean.

Snake eased out and watched as she walked down to the water’s edge before grabbing the bags from the trunk. From what he could tell, the villa was a good twenty years old, the front facing the ocean, several decks located just on the one side. “What do I owe you?”

“Twenty dollars, man.”

He yanked out two twenties, stuffing the cash into the man’s hand. “Where would I go if I need fire power?”

His eyes opening wide, the driver darted a look in Katherine’s direction. “You need to be careful.”

“I do understand.” Snake gave him a reassuring look.

The cabbie rubbed his jaw before answering. “In town. There is one place where de don’t ask any questions, man. Island Café. Ask for Julio. You can tell him Jerry sent you but bring cash.”

“Thank you, Jerry.” Snake pulled out another twenty then nodded to the man. There was no need to worry about whether the man would talk. After all, if he did, Snake would slit his throat.

Snake left the bags by the front door and waited, as if anticipating she’d leave her perch. She didn’t. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he moved to just behind her. The ocean waves were at high tide, cresting against the shoreline, the sound and the smell invigorating.

“This is the only place I feel alive,” she whispered, as if knowing he was watching her. “And I need to feel alive again. Just once.”

It was at that moment, the very second standing on the beach that he knew.

He would become her Master.