chapter twelve
Diana had already mapped the hallway. She knew exactly where the floor creaked. She knew exactly what would make a sound. First rule when you were following a known killer down the hallway while he was having a conversation he obviously did not want you to hear—discretion.
On tiptoes, she crept toward his office door.
But what doesn’t he want you to hear? Honestly, it could be anything. It could be his doctor. It could be some ex. Oh shit. Did he have children?
Hello, focus.
She leaned closer and realized it was someone from Blake Security on the phone. They wanted him to check files on someone. Why was he the one checking files?
Wasn’t that what Matthias was for? She’d never seen a hacker with such defined muscles before in her life. The guy was smoking hot. Yes, but why does he have the same tattoos as Noah and Rafe? Why did no one else at the party have them?
Never mind all that. His sole purpose was to look things up, right? They’d all been teasing him at the party. If he could find anything on anyone, why was he calling Rafe?
“Yeah, I’d say take him on, but on a probationary period. No access to anything. Biometrics in the house, obviously. We’ll only give him access in certain areas and limit his exposure to the baby until we dig deeper and he’s seen the shrink. I mean, the guy is ex-ORUS, and given our recent experience, he’s an unknown quantity.”
ORUS? What the hell was ORUS? But she was too distracted by what Rafe was doing to dig down that rabbit hole. Through the crack in the door, she watched as he walked to the far wall and then gently pressed part of the painting.
Holy shit.
She’d been trying to see behind the damn thing. There’d been no buttons on the sides or hidden in the frame. She hadn’t thought to actually physically touch the painting. When the painting slid up, it revealed a complicated-looking safe. It looked like the kind of thing that drug dealers in movies kept their cash in.
So if I were an assassin, what would I keep hidden away?
The possibilities were endless. Endlessly terrifying. Her mind helpfully conjured up images of monsters from movies and fiction. Everyone from Dexter to Corleone to Escobar. For all she knew, he was some insane version of all three. There could be a horse’s head and cocaine in there.
Which is why you need to be sure.
Clearly, with that kind of security measure, he didn’t want anyone accessing whatever it was. And that was precisely why she needed access to whatever the hell was in there. She was no safe expert, but when she was preparing for this little walk on the get-her-ass-killed side, she’d asked Charisse to contact her brother, who was some kind of computer expert. He’d reached out to some contract technical geniuses. For a hefty price, they’d found her an encryption device that could crack most security panels and safe keys. All that was needed was time—lots and lots of time. But maybe she’d get lucky. At least she knew where the safe was now. All she had to do was go get the decoder from Charisse’s.
As Rafe wrapped up his conversation, she tiptoed back down the hall. Then once she hit the living room, she catapulted herself over the couch. The man was huge, but he moved quick. She didn’t want to be up and about, giving him a reason to be suspicious.
You mean like he already is? Those little innocuous questions, the gentle probing—he knew something was up. Or suspected she wasn’t being truthful. Either way, she needed to watch her step or she was going to end up like her father.
Good thing she had moved quickly too, because less than a minute later, Rafe was back in the living room.
His voice was a low, amused rumble. “There you are. Looking for something to watch?”
“No, not really. All that’s on are crappy reality shows. And let me tell you, the Kardashians aren’t so interesting that I need to keep up with them in reruns too. I have my credit cards, so it’s probably time to head to the bookstore. I’ll need a permanent address to get a library card.”
He frowned. “I’ll give you whatever you need.”
“Rafe, you’ve already been generous enough. You’ve given me everything. I’m not one of those women who needs someone to take care of her. At least not before—” She deliberately cut herself off and didn’t reveal too much. “I can stand on my own two feet.”
“No one’s saying you can’t. I’m just saying if you want to get some books, we can make that happen.”
“Thank you. I—” She sighed and wrapped her arms around her knees, tucking them under her chin. “I’m really grateful. I’m fumbling the gratitude, I know. I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I don’t know where I would be if you hadn’t come along. Things probably would have turned out much, much worse.”
Diana watched him warily. Did he suspect? Did he believe her? The man was like the sphinx, so goddamn difficult to read. Well, that’s what happens when you get in the den with killers. They were really good at lying. And they made excellent hunters. Right now, she didn’t know if she was the hunter or the hunted.
He cocked his head. “Is everything okay?”
She nodded. “It is. Thanks to you, I now have everything I need.” And she did. As soon as he was at Blake Security, she was getting into that safe. Thanks to letting her vajayjay do the thinking, she’d lost sight of who she was and what she’d come to do.
She’d been distracted by his tongue and his fingers, and well, all that. Getting that close to him had been a mistake. But she was going to remedy that.
She knew where the safe was now. And it was just the reminder that she needed that Rafe DeMarco was a killer, not someone she could make into her boyfriend. “Everything is exactly as it should be.”
Rafe watched Diana as she pushed her hips back and up into downward dog.
Damn. Way to get a rise out of him. He’d just showered after his conversation with Noah, but he was so down for another shower. “You know, you could have worked out with me.”
She laughed. “Uh, how do you think that would have turned out?” she asked him as she pushed her hips back again.
Oh fuck. His cock pressed against the fly of his jeans as if hearing his call to arms. “Well, I have one or two ideas.”
“I’m sure you do. I actually wanted to get some yoga in. If I’d gone with you, you would have had your hands on my ass, and neither of us would have gotten a workout.”
He grinned. “Oh, we’d have gotten a workout all right. And you would have been just as relaxed as with yoga.”
She snorted and fluidly switched into triangle pose. “I’m trying to concentrate here. You’re distracting me.”
He chuckled. “Not yet, but that can be arranged. How do you feel about naked yoga?”
She slid him some serious side-eye. She was clearly teasing, but there was some tension to her posture. Something was off. She’d been fine before he left for the gym. Was she really fine? Had that asshole contacted her?
He’d been tracking her. She’d gone out to a couple of shops but had stayed in the neighborhood or at the apartment. She hadn’t been far. Maybe she was scared like Noah had suggested.
Rafe’s anger bubbled just under the surface. What had that piece of shit done to her that she was too scared to venture out? When he got his hands on that asshole, he was going to kill him.
Careful. You don’t do that anymore, remember? Well for some cases, Libra could be resurrected.
When she shifted into a position on the floor, facing him with her legs up and open in a V, he groaned. “Seriously, are you trying to kill me?”
Her lips tipped up in a smirk. “Do you feel like you’re dying? How do I intensify that feeling? Do you think I could kill you with sex?”
Cock… steel. Her voice dripped with pure sex and… a hint of danger. Like she might be a little serious. And shit, that just turned him on more. There was something so seriously wrong with him that he got off on the fact that she might try to kill him.
Sleep with the devil and you become a demon yourself.
Rafe stalked over to her and bent to kiss her. There was a challenge in her eyes, but as soon as his lips touched hers, she went pliant and soft.
“I’d die happy,” he mumbled against her lips.
He could feel it then, the tension easing out of her body. She gave him a soft moan and he eased her back, covering her body with his. God, she was so sexy.
She was hesitant at first, but then she looped her arms around his neck and splayed her thighs to make room for him. Rafe slid a hand into her hair and gave her a gentle tug to angle her the way he wanted.
He could feel it the moment desire tripped over her skin. She arched into him and moaned as he rocked his hips into her. “Fuck, that’s it. Give it to me. Stop fighting it.”
Suddenly she’d gone from cool to desperate as she met the shallow rocks of his hips. Her hands threaded through his hair and she held his head to her as if she’d given herself permission to want him.
Diana met each lick of his tongue with one of her own. She followed his lead but gave as good as she got. She wanted this. She tasted like honey and vanilla. She tasted like home.
Soon they were going to talk about next steps. Because he’d be damned if he was going to keep wondering if she’d be there when he came home. He’d gotten so used to having her around, letting go was going to be a bitch. And maybe you don’t have to. He was going to fight to make that a reality. He just had to get her used to the idea.
Diana moaned, her hands roaming over his shoulders. His blood simmered just under his skin. Hell yes. This was what he needed. Find out the truth before it’s too late. He shoved away that thought. For once he wasn’t going to overthink everything.
She slid her hand between them and palmed his dick. It felt so good he saw stars. “Fuck, Diana—”
Naked, you have to get her naked. Right the fuck now.
His thumb rolled over her nipple and gently plucked the tight bud.
“Oh God, Rafe. Right there, just, please.”
There was a distant ding that barely registered in his consciousness. Diana was in his blood, under his skin. Clawing her way into his soul. There was another ding and then a sharp rapping at his door.
Fuck. Who the hell was at his door?
The part of him that had been trained to kill, trained to survive, twitched, wanting to reach for his gun, his knives, and a rocket launcher.
But shit, Diana was pumping his dick, and Rafe DeMarco, the man, was so fucking desperate to slide home deep. Funny thing about desire—it made you stupid.
Every man on the planet would almost always choose to fuck over his own survival.
He was almost glad ORUS had trained that out of him when the series of dings on the phone alerted him.
He dragged his lips off hers and cursed under his breath. “Fuck. I need to get that.”
“What?” Her voice was soft, breathy, and desperate. “You’re going to leave me like this?”
Dick: The hell I am.
Assassin Brain: Two bullets through the door while you’re fucking her takes care of both problems.
Rational Rafe: “I’m sorry baby, I need to get that. Hold that thought.”
“That’s not what I was holding.”
With a frustrated growl, he jogged to the door. He didn’t need to check his phone. He knew who it was. The last person he’d ever expected to find on his doorstep.
Rafe yanked the door open. “Matthias, what the fuck do you want?”
The kid smirked. “I was in the neighborhood. And I have the information you want. You left in such a hurry I didn’t get to give it to you. Noah said I’m supposed to play nice. This is me playing nice.” His gaze slid past Rafe to Diana inside and he grinned. “Did I interrupt?”
Assassin Rafe: Get out the knives and let’s play.
Rational Rafe: Punch him in the face and go fuck.
Rafe sighed. “You could have mentioned you were coming around.”
The kid shrugged. “I could have, but this way I get a chance to say hi to Diana.” He brushed past Rafe and whistled. “Nice flat, mate. Gosh, I have interrupted something. It wasn’t something important, was it?”
“Fuck you,” Rafe growled.
Matthias chuckled. “Sorry. Not sorry.” He sauntered over to a now-standing Diana and gave her a hug that lasted too long in Rafe’s opinion. “Diana, love. You all right?” Rafe knew the kid had proximity issues. He was a cagey fuck who didn’t like to be touched too often, but still, he was standing in Rafe’s living room with his arms around Rafe’s woman.
Relax. He’s trying to get a rise out of you. Rafe could only scowl.
Diana grinned up at Matthias. “I’m good. It’s good to see you.”
“You know, Rafe’s never invited any of us over before. We just show up uninvited. It’s nice to actually receive a warm welcome for once.” Matthias smirked at Rafe. “And the place looks better than ever. I don’t doubt that you had something to do with it. I can’t really see him buying pillows.”
“I thought I’d help make the place cheery since he’s been so nice to let me stay for a bit.”
That was enough. Rafe nodded at Matthias. “You need to tell me something?”
Matthias chuckled. “Yeah, let’s talk.”
Rafe inclined his head. “This way.” The kid was still angry at him. Good God, the Blake guys were such pussies. They all needed to get over the trying-to-kill-them thing.
That one time.
Okay, maybe twice. But so what? They were all friends now. Jonas and Oskar had warmed to him. But it seemed Matthias still held a grudge. Maybe because he’d bested the kid in hand-to-hand?
Rafe would never admit it to anyone, but he still felt a twinge of guilt when he thought back to the lengths he’d gone to rescue his sister… who hadn’t needed rescuing at all. He’d let out that part of himself he swore was gone for good.
Rafe led Matthias into the office and closed the door behind them. “Okay, what’s up?”
Rafe had never seen the kid smile this much. He looked positively giddy to have fucked up his night. “Okay. I did as you asked. I looked up Diana. It’s like she said. She’s from Yonkers, no points on her driver’s license, and no debt to speak of. Granted, there’s not really anything before three years ago when she graduated university. But she was a minor before that. So if there was anything, that’s a little harder to find. I can do it if you want. But I’ll only be able to find stuff specifically on her if she was registered in public school or had a run-in with law enforcement. Anything else I find will be on her parents and any family she has to speak of. You want me to dig deeper?”
Rafe frowned. She’d been telling the truth? Despite what Matthias was saying, everything in Rafe told him there was more to the story. “Yeah. Keep looking.” The words came out clipped.
“You look tense, mate.”
“Fuck you.”
“If you’re into that, I won’t judge. Maybe Diana would like—”
Rafe was across the room in seconds, ready to level the kid, but he stopped short. In a split second, the shutters had fallen over Matthias’s eyes, making them go dead. In an instant he’d gone from the teasing swagger of a friend to the cold façade of a killer. If Rafe touched him, there would be blood. A lot of it.
While Rafe didn’t make a move, he kept direct eye contact and held his ground, showing him that he wasn’t fazed but also wasn’t aggressive. After several breaths, the kid seemed to shake off the killer and then averted his gaze.
Shit. Whatever had happened to the guy, that killer was never far away. He was there, always ready. Poised, waiting. The kid could be dangerous. But Rafe also saw the horror and remorse in those eyes as Matthias had wrestled the killer back into his chains. Hell, what had he survived?
Matthias’s voice was quiet as he said, “As to the boyfriend, I found him. Let me tell you, that wasn’t easy without a name, but they shared a lease together. He works at McLean Law Associates. He’s pretty much a low-level messenger. Basic courier stuff. So if he ever did find her, the job allows enough leeway for him to come after her.”
“Address?” Rafe asked through clenched teeth.
Matthias rattled it off. “I texted it to you already. You want us to handle it? This is sort of what we do, and usually no one ends up dead.”
Read: You kill too much. Yeah, but so do you, kid.
“Thanks, but I’ll be dealing with this myself.”
Read: Sometimes people need to get dead. And I’m afraid to unleash your monster.
Matthias nodded. “I’ll go.”
Before the kid opened the door, Rafe called out. “Kid, listen. I—” Fuck, what could he say? “If you need to talk to someone who gets it, I’m around.”
Matthias’s gaze met his, and Rafe saw the understanding there. “Yeah, I hear you.”
That exchange was the best either of them had to offer.
When Matthias was gone, Diana stalked up to Rafe. “So, where were we?”
“Babe, can we put this on hold?”
She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just got some information I was waiting on. It looks like I probably have to work a little tonight.” He wanted to see if he could find out any other intel the kid had missed.
She searched his gaze and narrowed her eyes. “You’re lying. What’s wrong?”
Rafe’s frown deepened. How did she know he was lying? He was a damn good liar. He’d spent years perfecting the ability.
“Did I do something wrong?”
What? Was she insane? “No. You didn’t. You, and this, are exactly what I need. I just have to work.”
She tipped her chin up. “I don’t believe you. Just tell me what’s going on. Does it involve me?”
Rafe clenched his jaw, and she took that as an affirmation.
“Okay, now you have to tell me.”
He hated to do it, to make her think that she was going crazy. But he had to because right now, they couldn’t get into it. She would worry, and she’d been through enough as it was. “Look, if you need to know something, I’ll tell you.”
She placed her hand on her hips and gave him a withering look. “Really? Now it’s ‘need to know.’ I’m the little lady, the damsel in distress? Okay, look. I needed you to rescue me down the side of a ravine. Fair enough. But since you brought me here, I’ve been pulling my weight, trying not to be a burden. Not be a bother. I appreciate it. I don’t want to impact your life more than I already have. But I thought things had changed with us. I thought maybe something was happening.”
Rafe’s frustration bubbled to the surface. “Yeah, I thought so too. But you’ve been damn secretive about your past, even knowing that I’m worried about your safety. I keep waiting to walk in here and find you gone.”
She glowered at him. “I keep waiting to be kicked out. For you to tell me I’ve overstayed my welcome. Hell, for all I know you have a girlfriend.”
Rafe threw up his hands. “Look around. Does it look like I have a girlfriend? I go to work, and I come home. Until recently, that was the extent of it. Maybe a little football on TV, pass out. Do it all again. Only lately, I’ve tacked on giving you three orgasms a night before you pass out to my list of things to do.”
“Oh, thank you for those orgasms, but if it means I can’t ask questions, if it means that I can’t know what you’re trying to do on my behalf, then I don’t want them.”
He scowled and stepped forward, crowding her. “Let’s not kid ourselves. You want it.” He licked his lips when her pupils dilated again. “But don’t think I wasn’t deadly serious when I said I would protect you.”
“I never asked you to.”
“When I’m done with this, we’re going to pick this conversation right up where we left off.”
“Yeah, some conversation. If it involves you dictating to me, then I’m not particularly interested. I think I’ll just head to bed.”
“The hell you will. We’re not done.”
The smile she gave him was evil. Then she started to strip. Sports bra first. Then yoga pants. His cerebral cortex shorted out. She didn’t give him a chance to recover. Instead, she turned on her heel and strode down the hall to the bathroom.
Fuck.