No Promises: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance by Michelle Love (2)

Chapter Fifteen

It began the morning Noosh returned to work after her vacation. Held up by Liam at reception, who wanted to know every detail of her ‘sex-a-thon’ (Liam’s description, but she couldn’t disagree), she finally managed to make it upstairs to her office. In the elevator up, she closed her eyes, remembering making love with Christo that morning, waking up next to him. His mouth on her lips, then on her breasts, her belly, and finally closing over her clit. He’d brought her to the point of orgasm before slamming his huge cock deep into her. Her cunt, her thighs still ached from the pounding of his lovemaking. Noosh bit her lip, trying not to moan aloud at the memory.

She was still smiling when she pushed her way into her office and dumped her bag on her desk. Allison poked her head out of her own office, smiling at her. “Hey, good morning. Great to see you. Have you got a moment for me?”

Noosh grinned at her. “Sure thing, boss, I’ve missed you.”

She walked into Ally’s office…and her smile disappeared. Her body went cold, and every instinct told her to run.

Destry Papps stood in Allison’s office. “Miss Marsh, how good to meet you. Allison has been singing your praises.” And he leaned forward to shake her hand, this man, this man who had stalked, raped, beaten, and shot her – he smiled at her as if he was, for all the world, a stranger to her, and not her worst nightmare come true.

Noosh felt numb as the three of them sat in the office, discussing the upcoming interview.

Noosh realized she’d been kidding herself, thinking that anything could have kept her safe from Destry. Lying low, trying to act non-threatening – not even the notoriety associated with Christo’s last name would keep Destry from her. But still, what could she have done differently these last few months?

She still didn’t think the police would help her. Hell, they’d been investigating the shooting and hadn’t gotten any answers – for all she knew they had already figure out it was Destry and weren’t going to do a damn thing about it.

She should have run away again? No. Even if she ended up dead at the end of this, at least she had gotten the opportunity to spend this time with Christo – she couldn’t regret that.

Allison didn’t notice the tension between Noosh and Destry, or if she did, she was obviously putting it down to Noosh’s apprehension about working with the politician.

So Noosh went along with discussing the interview. She could feel Destry’s eyes on her, but she barely glanced in his direction, letting Ally take the lead.

“I think this will be great for your campaign, great for the station. Look, why don’t I run and get Seth? He’ll want to see you, Senator. Noosh, why don’t you run through dates with the Senator and narrow down some windows where we can record the interview?”

No, don’t leave me alone with him… But Allison was already out of the door, closing it behind her. Noosh didn’t look at Destry.

“You’re even more beautiful than I remember.”

“Go fuck yourself,” Noosh shot back, and Destry laughed.

“I’d much rather fuck you, Anoushka, and in fact, before long, I’ll get to do just that.”

Noosh gritted her teeth and looked at him. Destry wore a supercilious smile, arrogant, utterly certain. “You’ll never touch me again, Papps. Ever.”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s true. Before long, my cock will be inside your heavenly cunt again, Anoushka, and I will fuck every memory of that criminal you’re screwing out of your pretty head.”

“Christo isn’t a criminal, and I’d rather be dead. But of course, you’ve already tried that, haven’t you?”

Destry laughed. “I have to admit, putting that lead in your belly was almost as much of a turn on as fucking you. But you lived.” His smile disappeared. “Or should I say, you’ll get to live as long as I decide to bestow life on you, Anoushka. You belong to me, and you need reminding of that fact.”

Noosh’s eye narrowed, his threats merely making her angry. “What’s to stop me from going to the press about you? From telling everyone that you shot me – after you had raped me on multiple occasions? Where would your campaign be then, Senator?”

He moved so quickly that she had no time to react. He trapped her in the cage of his arms, and she struggled to get away from him. Destry kissed her neck, her cheek before his lips went to her ear. “My campaign would be over. But remember this, Anoushka, you’d be dead.”

Noosh felt something cold and hard press into her belly. Something sharp. A knife. God.

Destry laughed. “That’s right, my darling, I’ll gut you without even thinking about it. When you’re living with me permanently, by my side, I want you to know that this knife will always be at hand, that I’ll kill you whenever it takes my fancy. I’d rather go to prison for life than let you live without me.”

He released her, and she skittered away from him, her eyes wide with horror, anger, and terror. Destry smiled his too-white smile at her. “I’ll leave you alone for now, Anoushka, but I’ll be in touch with instructions soon. Believe me, my darling, you’ll follow them.”

Noosh couldn’t speak. Was this really happening?

Allison returned then, with Seth at her side, and they and Destry began to talk schedules. Noosh stayed silent. What the fuck was she going to do?

Tell Christo.

She closed her eyes. No. She couldn’t, she didn’t want to drag him into this, drag him into something where he could get hurt. But she didn’t know who else to turn to. But given his history with Destry…what was his history? She needed to know before she asked him for help.

Later, at dinner, she asked him. Christo looked surprised. “Why do you ask?”

“The dirt bag was at the office today, sucking up to Ally and Seth. He’s obsequious and I realized I never asked you what your actual history with him was.”

Christo nodded. “Before I tell you, he didn’t upset you, did he? Because if he did, I’ll fucking kill him.”

No, he just threatened my life…again. “No, I just think he’s a sleaze.” These lies were coming too easily. “Tell me.”

Christo sighed, putting down his fork. “He came to my college as an associate professor in my last year.”

Noosh blinked. “Papps? A professor? Of what, cuntiness?”

Christo snorted with laughter. “That wasn’t his official title, but yes. Anyway, he and I didn’t see eye-to-eye from the start. He was sexist, misogynistic, and unprofessional. He targeted the women in our class and spent his time belittling them. I took him to task, and he failed me. Luckily for him, the faculty reversed the decision. I was, after all, a Fulbright scholar, and my grade point average was 4.0 from the start.”

“Nerd.”

Christo grinned. “You know it. Anyway, if it had just been that, then maybe I could just put it down to egos clashing. I was somewhat of a player back then. Anyway, there were rumors, many rumors, about him working his way through the female students. And then there were the rumors that he got violent with some.”

Noosh’s heart felt frozen. Oh, I believe it. She waited for Christo to continue.

Christo sighed. “And then there was a friend of mine, Jasmine. She was amazing, Noosh, you would have loved her.”

“Did you and she…?”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t Jas’s type. You might have been.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Come to think of it…” Christo broke off, staring at her, and Noosh frowned.

“What?”

Christo was silent for a moment. “You look like her. It’s never occurred to me before, but you do. You look like Jas. Both biracial, with part-Indian heritage. Both beautiful, long dark hair, big brown eyes…God.”

“Focus.” She gave him a small smile, rubbed his arm. Christo gathered himself.

“He pursued her, quite blatantly, after graduation. She complained to the authorities, but he already had so much influence that they did nothing.” Christo’s voice broke. “She disappeared, Noosh. I’ll never know whether she went into hiding, or if he had something to do with it. I know what I think, but I can’t prove it.”

Noosh closed her eyes. She would bet her life Jasmine was dead, killed by the monster that was Destry Papps – and he was going to kill her too.

Well, Destry, even if you manage to kill me, I’m going to go out fighting. Fighting to live, fighting for a future with this incredible man…

“Christo?”

Christo, lost in his own memories, blinked and smiled at her, touching her face. “Yes, darling?”

“I love you. I’m in love with you.” Her voice was strong, not wavering in the least, her gaze steady on his. His answering smile was all the proof she needed, even before he spoke.

“I am so in love with you, Noosh Taylor. I have been, I think, since the start. I think about you every moment. When we’re apart, my whole body aches for you. When we’re together, I just want to hold you, kiss you, make love to you. You are my world.”

She couldn’t stop the tears then, and he pulled her into his arms. “This is endgame, right? You and me? We can get through anything as long as we’re together.”

Noosh nodded, pressing her lips to his. “I just love you so much,” she whispered, leaning her forehead against his, drinking him in. “I’ve wanted to tell you for such a long time, but I didn’t want you to think I was just some silly schoolgirl with a crush. With you, I’ve never felt more like a woman, like an adult, with my own agency. You’ve given me that.”

“I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world.”

“No,” she said suddenly. “No promises. Let’s not make promises to each other. Not while…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Not while my life is in danger, not while I could be killed at any moment. “No promises. Deal?”

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded. “Deal. No promises…for now.”

“For now. It doesn’t change how I feel about you.” She looked at him, her warm brown eyes wide and serious.

“God, Noosh…” He swept her up into his arms and to their bedroom – and it was their bedroom now, Noosh knew – and onto their bed. He lay on top of her, stroking her face, his eyes full of love and incredulity that she was his, and Noosh knew it was a reflection of her own eyes. Screw the rest of the world. This was real, was the happily ever after she was owed. Here, with this beautiful man.

They made slowly, forging a deeper connection than ever before, knowing that the rest of the world would soon interfere again and that stress and worry would invade.

But not this night. This night was about the two of them, and love and being together. As dawn broke over Manhattan, they finally broke apart, gasping for air, laughing, and knowing that just for this night, no one could touch them.

Chapter Sixteen

Allison sighed but nodded. “If that’s how you feel, Noosh, then so be it.”

“I’m sorry, Ally. I just can’t be impartial towards the Senator. I find him…objectionable. If you want to fire me, then it’s your right. I just don’t feel comfortable working so closely with him.”

“I’m not going to fire you, Noosh, don’t be silly. I would never make you work with someone you’re obviously uneasy with. To be honest, and don’t tell anyone I said this, I’m not wild about the man.”

Noosh’s eyebrows shot up. “Then why…?”

“Because that’s journalism, Noosh. More often than not, we have to deal with subjects and people we’re not comfortable with. And getting a presidential candidate, especially a popular one, is a huge coup for the station.”

Noosh felt a little ashamed. “I guess I’m showing I’m not cut out for this job. The story I canned, the BDSM one…what if I told you I was thinking about finishing it?”

Allison perked up. “Really?” She grinned. “And it has nothing to do with that gorgeous man of yours?”

Noosh laughed, her chest lightening. “Actually, it has everything to do with him. You asked me how we knew each other…remember when I went to that club back then? Before the shooting?”

“Of course.” Realization dawned. “Oh! He was the guy?”

Noosh nodded. “Cards on the table. He was there and I wanted him. So, I slept with him, but then…he was in a bad place. He wasn’t ready for me. I could see it in his eyes, Ally, he was in so much pain. But he never forgot me.” Her voice was soft and Ally smiled gently at her.

“You love him.”

“I do. So much, Ally. He really is the best man I’ve ever known.”

Ally got up and hugged her friend. “I’m very happy for you, sweetheart. Christo is the polar opposite of his father – and of someone like Papps. Don’t worry, when the Senator comes to the station, I’ll make sure you’re out on assignment or something.”

“You’re the best.”

Ally grinned. “I really am. Now, let’s get to work.”

In their favorite bar downtown, Christo greeted Bertie with a hug. “Been a while.”

Bertie gave a filthy laugh. “And how is the delectable Noosh?”

“Gorgeous, beautiful, sexy, wonderful. All the adjectives.” Christo laughed. “She sends her love, tells you she owes you an ‘ass-whooping’ at poker the next time you’re free.”

“She actually said ‘ass-whopping?’”

“Okay then, ‘arse-whooping.’ How are things with you? Any progress with Helena?”

Bertie made a face as the bartender brought their drinks over. “Helena is seeing a hedge fund director from Paris,” he said with undisguised disgust. “Bertie, darling, you simply must come and meet Holland. He’s ex-twor-dinawy.”

“Oh dear,” Christo said with a grin, “someone’s jealous. You don’t break out the speech impediment unless you’re really pissed off.”

Bertie shrugged grumpily. At almost forty, with short mid-brown hair and a neatly shaped beard, Bertie was handsome and attractive, but had the unfortunate luck to be friends with Christo. Christo’s overwhelming physical beauty put everyone else in the shade, but Bertie never held that against his friend – Christo didn’t give two craps about his appearance.

“Anyway, I’m beginning to think there are other fish in the sea.”

“There are, and plenty who deserve you more than Helena.”

“Let’s change the subject, bro.”

Christo’s smile faded. “What did your guy find out?”

Bertie filled him in on what Alan had told him. “So, there’s this big gap where no one knows – or is telling. Noosh was in a relationship with this man, but whether or not she wanted to be…we just don’t know.”

“No one is spilling the tea?”

“No one. And Alan would have found out if they were. Shifty.”

“I’ll say.” Christo was lost in thought, a horrific idea floating around the back of his head. “Okay, if you don’t mind, ask Alan to keep digging. I want to know for certain who this guy is.”

Bertie frowned. “For certain? You mean you have an idea?”

“I do, but I’m not comfortable sharing it just yet. If I’m wrong, it could have serious consequences. If I’m right…god help us.”

Bertie looked alarmed. “Christo…are you telling me Noosh could be in danger?”

Christo nodded grimly. “Very much so. But Bertie…I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Anything.”

And for the first time, Bertie saw a bit of Fogliano in his friend’s expression, and he shivered.

When Christo said goodbye to his friend an hour later, he stepped out onto the street and pulled out his cellphone. He called a number he knew by heart, that he would never forget as long as he lived, and when a woman’s voice answered, he identified himself merely by saying, “It’s me. Can we meet? I need to ask you something.”

He listened to her answer then nodded to himself and told her, “Okay, an hour. Bethesda Terrace. See you there. Thanks.”

He had an hour to kill, but he knew exactly where to go. He’d placed an order for something at a high-end store in the city a couple of weeks ago for Noosh, and now he was going to pick it up. It helped clear his palette for the conversation he was soon to have.

The flowers came as Noosh was helping Ally polish up a segment for the night’s show. Liam brought, and she could see by his face that he was disturbed by something. “What is it?”

“Someone sent flowers to you, Ally, and forgive me, you know I can’t resist a peak at the card. Only…it’s not a card. It’s a photograph.”

Ally picked up on Liam’s distress and stood, taking the flowers from him and holding onto the photograph. Her face paled, and Noosh stood. “What is it?”

Ally hesitated, then handed her the photo. For a second, she didn’t understand. Two blood patches on… Oh god. She thought she might throw up. It was her, it was her belly, shot – newly shot – blood pouring from the first shot an inch above her navel, which was ringed with soot, and the impression of a muzzle, the deep indentation filled with her blood. The bullet wounds were framed carefully. Underneath, the caption read, “It could happen to anyone.”

Destry was threatening Ally. Bastard.

“Sick fuck!” Noosh was apoplectic with anger. Ally put a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Noosh.”

“Why are you apologizing to me?” Noosh said incredulously.

“Because he’s taunting you through me. We need to call the police.”

Noosh shook her head, dropping the flowers in the trash. “No. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

“But…”

“No, don’t engage.”

Ally disappeared back into her office, and then Liam and Noosh could hear her crying softly.

Noosh looked helplessly at Liam, who shook his head, answering her unspoken question.

“Well, I’m hanging on to this.” She waved the photo. “Whoever took it has made his first mistake.”

“How so?”

She smiled. “He’s admitting guilt. Who else could have taken this picture?”

Liam, after giving her a hug, disappeared back down to reception and Noosh studied the photograph. Destry was tormenting her through Ally – his determination to invade every part of her life in full swing.

“Well, you won’t win, jackass.” She wouldn’t react to Destry’s latest tricks – instead she would quietly gather her evidence and drop it on him at the worst moment of his campaign. She’d had enough….and she knew just who to contact to help her protect Christo in all of this.

His father.

Christo saw her approach and stepped out of the shadows to greet her. The woman, her red hair cut in a bob, her clothes expensive and efficient, nodded at him, unsmiling. “Christo.”

“Telly.” He kissed her cheek, and she offered a small smile.

“Still handsome as fuck.”

“Still beautiful as fuck. Shall we sit?” He grinned at her, and she gave him a genuine smile and nodded.

They found two free seats on a bench outside the Terrace. “So, why the call? I’m surprised – we haven’t talked in years. I heard you had a nutty and went to rehab and now you’re in love with some British girl.”

“All true.” Christo studied her. “Telly, I have to ask you about something. When we…were together…you said your husband was screwing around with someone.”

Telly nodded. “Someones. I heard he had a girl in every major city. I had stopped caring by then. I was happy enough to screw you, even though I knew you were just fucking me to get revenge on him.”

Christo had the grace to look ashamed. “I’m sorry, Telly.”

She touched his cheek. “Don’t be. I got to fuck you, that was enough for me. I didn’t need the feelings that went along with it. But you…that isn’t you. It wasn’t you then or now. Look at you…you’re in love. I can see it.”

“I am. Very much so. But I need to know something about her past – something I think you can tell me.”

Telly looked surprised. “Why? Who is she?”

Christo watched her expression carefully. “Anoushka Taylor.”

Telly paled and stood. “And that’s where this conversation ends.” She began to walk away, but Christo caught up with her, taking her arm.

“Telly, this is important, please.”

She rounded on him, her face full of fear. “You don’t understand. My alimony, my very large alimony, is only mine on the condition that I never ever talk about that period of Destry’s life. And believe me, it’s not just the money.”

Christo’s heart sank. So his guess was right. “So, he did know her. Telly, please. I understand, but this is my love we’re talking about. What was she to him?”

Telly looked around the crowded park. “Not here.” She said it in a low voice. “Not in public.”

Christo nodded. In twenty minutes they were in the darkest corner of a random bar. Telly was trembling, and it distressed Christo to see her so scared. God, what kind of monster was Papps? He and Telly had been divorced for nearly two years. “Telly, tell me.”

She hesitated, and when she spoke, her voice was low, terrified. “She was different than the others. The others were just easy fucks. The Taylor girl…she didn’t want anything to do with him at first. He stalked her, bombarded her with affection, and, I believe, eventually wore her down, so she agreed to go on a date with him. Her first mistake. He controlled everything, and she tried to leave. So he beat her, threatened to kill her if she ever left.”

Christo felt as if a wrecking ball had hit him in the chest, not only fear for his love, but a twisted kind of jealousy that Noosh had ever slept with Destry Papps. “How do you know all of this?”

“I was having him followed,” Telly smiled without humor. “I had his place wired. I saw the photos, heard the arguments, the beatings. The things he threatened to do to her.”

“He shot her.” Christo blurted out. “About a year ago. He shot her, or had her shot.”

Telly shook her head. “Oh, no, if your girl was shot, believe me, Destry did it himself. Can she prove it?”

Christo shook his head. “Or won’t. She’s terrified, I think.”

“With good reason. Christo, believe me, I don’t bear any resentment towards the girl, in fact, I felt sorry for her even then. He is obsessed with her. I have no doubt he will try again if she doesn’t go back to him – and even if she does, he’ll eventually kill her. The best thing you can do is get her far away from him.”

Christo felt wrecked. “She tried running away before, I think.”

“Not far enough.”

“God.”

Telly studied him. “If he finds out I talked to you, I’m a dead woman.”

“I’ll hire you protection, around the clock. Or set you up somewhere else. I can’t thank you enough for this, Telly.”

She touched his cheek. “Beautiful boy. You gave me something Destry could never have given me in a million years.”

“What was that?”

“Myself.” She hugged him. “Darling, I’d help you bring him down if I could, but we need to be realistic. You, me, your girl…all our lives are forfeit if it means we’re a risk to Destry’s campaign – and god help us all if he gets in.”

“I mean it, Tels. I will protect you. However much it costs, wherever you want to go.”

She smiled at him and kissed him full on the mouth quickly. “You would have been easy to fall in love with, kid. Look after your girl. Look after yourself.”

And she got up and walked away, with Christo staring unhappily after her.

Chapter Seventeen

They were both putting on a performance, Noosh could tell. Something was bothering Christo, but she couldn’t reasonably ask him to dish when she had secrets of her own. Instead, they both pretended nothing was wrong, and for now, she’d take it. They shared a meal they’d cooked together, and then Christo asked her to sit with him on the couch in his living room.

“I have something for you.”

He brought out a Tiffany bag, and Noosh looked vaguely alarmed. He saw her expression and chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not proposing…yet.” Noosh looked relieved. “But,” he added with a grin, “it’s gonna happen sometime in the near future, so suck it up.”

She giggled.

“Close your eyes, beautiful.”

She felt him fasten something around her neck. “Okay, you can look.”

Noosh opened her eyes. A delicate white gold chain hung around her neck, a charm nestled between her breasts. She picked it up. A tiny dragonfly picked out in diamonds. She felt tears in her eyes. “Oh, Christo, it’s perfect.”

He swept her hair back behind her ear. “I wanted to get you something, but I know you’re not into big, flashy jewelry. I love you, little one.”

Noosh pressed her lips against his, and they kissed for a long moment. “I love you too, big guy. Thank you for my present.”

She stroked his face, gazing into his eyes for a long moment, then grinned. She got up. “Come on, I have an idea. We’re going out.”

“Where are we going?”

Noosh kissed him again as she pulled him into their bedroom to change. “You’ll see.”

Destry called his detective from the burner phone. “You’re following her?”

“Yup. She and the Don’s son just got in a cab. We’re heading in the direction of the city. What do you want me to do?”

“Just follow them, get photos if you can.” Destry’s gut roiled with jealousy. “What’s she wearing?”

“Red dress, one of the wraparound things. I gotta give it to you, she’s stunning.”

“Mind on the job, please.”

His detective gave a dark chuckle. “Just saying, man. Hang on, the cab’s pulling up.” He started to laugh. “Oh, my my.”

“What?” Destry was getting irritated by the man now. “What is it?”

The detective laughed. “Boss…you’re never going to believe where they are.”

Christo’s eyes widened when he saw they were back at the club where they met. He looked at Noosh, who was blushing but smiling at him. “Are you sure, baby?”

She nodded. “I keep thinking about what we could do here, and I want to try it all with you. Properly, this time. What do you say?”

Christo crushed his lips against hers. “I say,” he said when they came up for air, “let’s go for it.”

He took her hand and they walked into the club together. The doorman, who had been so polite to Noosh the first time around, nodded again and smiled. “Welcome back.”

She grinned shyly. “You remember me?”

“Of course, ma’am. I think it would be hard to find a man who wouldn’t remember you. No disrespect, sir.”

Christo grinned at him. “None taken, you’re absolutely right.”

As they walked into the club, Christo nodded at the people who knew him well and felt a surge of pride when they looked at Noosh with admiration and unconcealed desire. And she’s with me, he thought, feeling wiped out by love for this woman, this brave, generous woman.

“I love you,” he murmured into her ear, and she pressed her body against his, swaying to the slow beat of the sensual music playing in the club.

Noosh looked up at him from underneath her lashes, and he felt his body react to her, her beauty, the desire in her eyes. “I love you,” she whispered and pressed her lips to his. God, she drove him crazy; he could feel his cock harden, pressing against her belly.

“Come with me.” He led her to a small room, and for a moment she looked confused. In it, there was no bed, no equipment, and it was barely large enough to fit more than two people. One wall was glass and, grinning, Christo flicked a switch. Suddenly, the rest of the club was visible through the window.

“They call this The Box. It’s so people can watch us fucking – if that’s what you want. I’d like to fuck you against that window, let everyone see your spectacular body, your tits, your belly, your cunt as I take you from behind.”

Noosh gave a soft moan of desire, and he pulled her into his arms, grinding his mouth down on hers. “Fuck me, Christo,” she gasped. “Fuck me hard. Make everyone in that room jealous, every woman desperate for your glorious cock as you ream me into submission…”

She didn’t finish, as with a feral growl, Christo tore her dress open, dropping to his knees and burying his face in her belly, his fingers tugging at her panties. He drew them down her legs and his tongue found her sex, lashing around her clit, his fingers biting into the soft flesh of her thighs. He ate her hungrily, Noosh quivering and gasping.

She wanted to return his generosity. “I want to taste your cock,” she said, and Christo swept her to the floor and turned around so that she could take him into her mouth as he licked and dipped his tongue into her convulsing cunt.

They came quickly, and then Christo was stripping the rest of her clothes off and pressing her against the window. Her breasts, her belly against the cold glass, Noosh had never felt more beautiful than when Christo flicked the switch on the window and the whole club could see her. Before she closed her eyes, she saw the lascivious looks of the men – and some of the women – as they gazed at her. Then Christo’s cock was thrusting into her cunt, his hands spreading her legs wide. She leaned her head back on his shoulder as he fucked her, and Christo kept up a stream of filthy talk that made her wetter and wetter.

“I’m going to fuck your perfect cunt until you beg me to stop, beautiful, and then I’m going to take you in the ass. Let the people see you come for me, see that beautiful color in your cheeks as you scream my name over and over.”

He pressed her hands above her head, flat against the glass, his lips on her neck as he slammed his hips against hers. “Look at all those men who want you, Noosh, all of them. They all want to kill me because I’m the one fucking you…imagine if they each had the chance to fuck you…does that turn you? Being fucked by two men at the same time?”

Noosh groaned, delirious with pleasure, and Christo laughed. “If you wanted to try it…I’d be okay with it. There are professionals here. I’d make sure it was safe.”

Noosh wanted to deny that she found the thought erotic and exciting, but she couldn’t. “I love you,” she said, searching his eyes for any sign of unhappiness. Instead, she found nothing but lust and excitement. She gave a little nod, and he grinned.

He nodded out at the crowd. “Pick someone.”

She picked out a young man who had been staring at them the whole time. “Him.”

Christo nodded and pointed at the man, beckoning at him to come inside. The man grinned. “He’s a pro,” Christo said, “one of the club’s best. But remember, darling, the safe word. If you change your mind at any time, just say it. I’ll tell Reece the safe word too, and believe me, he’ll stop immediately if you use it.”

Reece knocked at the door and Christo let him in, shaking his hand. It seemed an oddly formal thing to do – especially seeing as both men were naked. Recce was younger than Christo, but his body was softer, not as well honed. He had a sweet face, friendly smile, and a large cock. Noosh felt a wave of apprehension, which Christo saw. “Safe word is dragonfly, Reece.” The young man nodded.

“Understood. Hello.” He kissed Noosh’s hand. “I’m Reece. You’re exquisite.”

Noosh grinned. “Noosh, and thank you.”

“First time doing this?”

She nodded and felt Christo slide his arms around her. “Baby, relax. Do you want Reece to fuck your cunt while I take you from behind?”

She let out a shaky breath but nodded. She was almost unbearably excited about the thought of doing this. For her, as nice as Reece was, she could only imagine that it was Christo’s cock inside her cunt and her ass. As Christo eased into her ass, and then Reece thrust into her cunt, she closed her eyes and let the sheer pleasure of it all take over.

Both men began thrusting gently, but soon she was screaming at them to go harder, faster, deeper, until she came explosively and with a scream of pleasure. She heard Christo’s deep, low chuckle. “Good, baby?”

“So good….so good…” She panted for air as Reece withdrew, smiling.

“You are beautiful,” he said, then nodded to Christo. “You are a lucky man.”

Christo nodded at him. “Thank you, Reece. There will be an extra something for you at the reception.”

“Thanks, man.” Reece gave them both a smile before disappearing.

Noosh was still coming down from her high, but she turned and kissed Christo. “You are the most generous, most loving man. Now…I want to do something. Let’s go to one of the other rooms…and we can play master and servant…or mistress and servant, whichever you’re into tonight.”

“Hmm.” Christo grinned as he picked up their clothes, but didn’t attempt to dress – why bother? Everyone had already seen all of both of them. They walked hand-in-hand to one of the pleasure and pain rooms.

Inside, Noosh raised an eyebrow at him. “Well?”

Christo chuckled. “I think I know who’s in charge tonight…Ma’am.”

Noosh grinned widely. “Damn right. Now…” She looked around the room. “So many toys to play with.” She plucked out a long strip of leather and nodded at a chair. “Sit down, Serf.”

Christo obeyed, and she wound the leather strip around his body and bound his hands behind him. She straddled him, taking his cock in her hands and rubbing the tip up and down her damp sex. “You like this?”

“Hell, yes.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Did I say you could enjoy this?”

Christo hid a grin. “No, Ma’am.”

“Hmm.” She got up and went to the cabinet again, choosing a riding crop. She flicked it lightly against his chest, but then felt a little unsure of what to do. Christo met her gaze.

“Perhaps, Ma’am, would like to use that on my chest, or my thighs, or my back? I feel I need to be punished for enjoying myself. I am guilty of so many things.”

Noosh smiled a quick grateful smile, then smoothed her expression out. She flicked the crop at his thighs. “Tell me the things you are guilty of.”

“Of desiring Ma’am’s delicious body at every moment.”

Flick. “More.”

“Of dreaming of Ma’am’s sweet cunt wrapped around this cock.”

A harder flick. “And?”

“Of wanting to fuck Ma’am so hard that she screams.” Flick. A red welt appeared across his pecs. “God, yes…”

“Silence.”

Christo grinned. “My apologies, Ma’am.” His cock was rock-hard, and it was all Noosh could do to keep herself from dropping to her knees and taking it in her mouth. Instead, she teased him, straddling him, letting him notch the end into the entrance of her cunt – then pulling away. Christo groaned.

“Tell me you want me.”

“God, I want you, so, so badly…”

She stood close to him. “Lick my pussy, Serf.”

Christo obliged, and Noosh sighed as his tongue lashed around her clit. “Do you want to fuck me, Serf?”

“God, yes.” His voice was muffled, his enjoyment at eating her out obvious. Noosh smiled.

“If I set you free, will you fuck me until I scream for mercy?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“You’ll have to be punished afterward.”

“My pleasure.”

She loosened his bindings, and he took her on the floor, thrusting hard into her, his gaze never leaving hers. God, he was the sexiest fucking man she had ever known. She crushed her lips against his then nibbled his ear, whispering, “Switch.”

Christo understood immediately, his grin widening. “You want this cock, baby girl?”

“Yes, Master.”

He slammed his hips harder, pinning her hands to the floor, taking control. “You’re mine, you understand?”

“I do. I’m yours.”

“What would you like me to do, baby girl?”

Noosh nipped at his bottom lip. “If Master pleases…he could hurt me.”

Christo smiled. He ran his hand down her body. “Hurt this beautiful body?” He dipped his thumb into her navel and pressed down hard, surprising her, but Noosh found her cunt responding to the sharp pain. Christo finger-fucked her belly-button as his cock reamed her cunt so hard that she screamed out. His free hand clamped over her mouth and he nuzzled at her ear. “I’m going to blindfold you, baby, and then your body is my playground, understand?”

He made her come again then lifted her into the chair he had vacated. He wrapped a blindfold around her eyes. “You won’t know what’s coming, pretty girl.”

Noosh shivered in anticipation as he trailed a crop over her skin then gasped as he brought it down hard across her belly. The sweet pain made her cunt quiver, her legs tremble.

“Good,” Christo said approvingly, “good. Tell me who you belong to, pretty girl.”

“You, Master, always you.”

Crack! The crop came down on her inner thigh, and she moaned.

“Spread those sensational legs for me, woman. Wider. Wider. Until your hips burn.”

Noosh complied, lost in the moment, in the role-play. She felt something push into her cunt – a dildo? His lips met hers, and he kissed her deeply, his tongue delving deep inside her mouth as he fucked her with the dildo. “Are you wishing that was my cock?” He asked, murmuring to her as he kissed her.

Noosh nodded. “But I am yours to do with as you will, Master.”

He pinched her nipples. “That’s right…”

She felt his tongue sweep over her nipples, and then he began to suck as he pushed the dildo in and out of her. Noosh felt her climax building and building until she groaned and shivered and felt her cunt flood with her arousal.

“That’s it, pretty girl, get nice and wet for me. In a moment, I will release you, and you will straddle me and ride me hard, understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

Eventually, he released her and she straddled him and guided him inside her. Christo’s eyes were shining. “Equals?” He asked, as a way of finishing the role play.

Noosh grinned down at him, her breasts bouncing against her chest as she thrust harder onto his cock. “Equals.”

“I love you, pretty girl.”

“I love you too, handsome. How did I do for my first time?”

Christo laughed. “Wonderfully. Thank you for indulging me.”

“It was honestly my pleasure. Damn, that was intense.”

They finished making love and lay for a few minutes. Noosh grinned over at her lover. “I’m actually exhausted.”

Christo laughed. “Always a sign of a good night. Shall we go home, baby?”

Noosh rolled onto her side and snuggled into his chest. “Pizza first?” She said hopefully, and he laughed.

“You got it, sweetheart.”

Destry watched them sit in the pizza place, sharing pizza slices and laughing together. When his guy had called him and told him they were at a BDSM club, he could hardly believe it.

He hadn’t believed it until he saw them leaving, disheveled and obviously post-coital. So the little slut was into pleasure and pain, huh?

Whore.

Jealousy twisted in Destry’s gut and he fingered the gun he always carried with him – not the one he’d shot Noosh with, of course – that one was hidden far, far away from here. He could hunt them down now, shoot them both dead. But it would be disastrous for his long-term plans.

No, he would kill Noosh soon enough, but he would do it how he wanted to. Slowly, agonizingly…and now he knew what he would do with the Montecito kid. God, that little shit had been the bane of his life for too long, and now he had his hands on Destry’s property?

He would force him to watch Noosh’s murder before putting a bullet in that stupidly good-looking head of his. He would make Montecito watch Noosh scream as he gutted her slowly, as she bled out in front of him.

Destry rolled up the window and drove away, smiling.

Chapter Eighteen

Noosh felt her face burning as Allison read through the new story she had written, and when Allison gave a hoot of approval, she could have died from embarrassment. Allison took her spectacles off. “Noosh…do you know how good this is?”

Noosh chuckled. “I hope so. It was…well researched.”

Allison laughed, looking at her with new respect. “I’ll say. Lucky girl. With that gorgeous man? I’m very happy for you, Noosh. And this…” she waved the story in her hand. “This is perfect for your debut story. I take it Christo’s okay with you telling this story?”

“He is. He supports me one hundred percent.” Noosh couldn’t help smiling at the thought of Christo.

“Good. Then work on your soundbites, get them processed and you can head into the editing suite once we’re done with the senator’s interview. Sure you don’t want to stick around for him?”

Noosh’s smile had faded at the mention of Destry. “Definitely not. I don’t mean to let you down, but I can’t be around the man.”

Ally nodded. “One day, you’ll tell me the real story, but for now, I respect your wishes.” She handed the story back to Noosh and smiled at her. “Great job though, Noosh. Congrats.”

“Thanks, boss.”

Having made appointments for future interviews, Noosh was on her way out of the building when Liam stopped her to talk. “Nice diamonds,” he said, nodding approvingly at her dragonfly necklace. “Looks like Tiffany’s. Custom-made?”

Noosh flushed and nodded. “It was a gift from Christo.”

Liam smiled. “That man is crazy-go-nuts for you, Nooshy.”

“And I, him. How’s your love life?”

“Hectic and complicated, but that’s nothing new. You know, we haven’t been out for drinks for weeks.”

Noosh looked ashamed. “I know, and I am sorry, Li. Look, how about a double date? Me and Christo, you and whichever man you choose. Friday?”

“Friday is good. La Forge?”

“La Forge.”

“Making plans without me?”

Noosh froze. Behind her, Destry and his entourage were piling through the doors. Destry wore a supercilious smile that made Noosh want to punch it right off his smug face. He had the nerve to put a hand on the small of her back as he greeted Liam. Noosh moved away, not caring if she looked rude.

“Oh, are you leaving us, Miss Marsh?”

Fuck off, creep. “They’re waiting upstairs for you, Senator.”

“I wonder,” Destry looked around, bestowing his best politician smile on the others, “would you mind giving me and Miss Marsh a moment? I’d like to ask her about her story, and I think we’d better do that in private.”

God, no, please. But everyone nodded and drifted away, even Liam, although he shot a strange look towards Destry.

As soon as they were alone, Destry’s smile vanished. “I had hoped that by now, Anoushka, you would realize that avoiding me isn’t an option. You are mine, remember?”

“Shove it, arsehole,” she shot back, “you don’t frighten me.”

“I should. I really should.” He prodded his finger hard into her belly, and she winced. “Those three bullets I put in you will be nothing to what’s coming, Anoushka. And who knows? Maybe it won’t be only your life that is forfeit.”

Noosh froze. “What?”

Destry’s smile was chilly, his eyes cold and dead. “Break up with Montecito or find out exactly what. You have a week, Anoushka, and then I expect you to deliver yourself to my hotel room, ready to be at my side as I reach the highest office in this country.”

Noosh felt sick. “And then what?”

“Then, just as reelection looms, a tragedy. You will be found stabbed to death, and my approval ratings will go through the roof out of sympathy, and I’ll be returned for a second term. So, you have a choice, Anoushka. You die soon, along with your family, your friends, your lover…or I give you two years to live. Don’t think I’m serious? Watch me.”

He walked away, leaving Noosh frozen and terrified. So…her destiny was to die at his hand, was it?

No. Fuck you, Destry.

She knew exactly what to do.

In the cab she called her interviewees and rearranged her schedule, then sat back in the cab, running through what she would say, how she would approach the meeting she was about to have.

As she pulled up to the mansion, she felt a wave of nervousness. When he walked out of the house and down the steps to meet her, she wondered if she was doing the right thing.

She stepped out of the cab, and Fogliano Montecito smiled at her. “My dear, what a pleasure.”

She shook his hand. “Mr. Montecito, thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”

He was studying her closely with that same intense stare his son had. “What is it, Noosh? What is troubling you, my dear?”

Noosh felt close to tears. “Mr. Montecito, I need your help. I think Christo and I might be in terrible danger and I don’t know what to do.

Chapter Nineteen

Christo tried to call Telly again, but it kept going to voicemail. He hissed in frustration. Bertie glanced over at him. “Nothing?”

Christo shook his head. “I hope she’s okay. Papps’s spies are everywhere.”

“Well, so are ours. Word is Papps is at the radio station being interviewed as we speak. Is Noosh there?”

“No, thank god. She’s out doing interviews for her story. Listen, Bert…we need to stop Papps from terrorizing her, and with any luck, the whole country by becoming president.”

“Does she know you know?”

“No, and I want it to stay like that. I don’t want her to think I’m snooping on her, or sully our time together with his bullshit. God, what am I talking about – bullshit? He fucking shot her, for chrissakes.” He felt sick.

Bertie sat down next to his friend. “We don’t know that for sure, Christo. I mean, yes, probably based on what we know, but we can’t go all in on him without proof. We’ll lose credibility, and it could put Noosh more at risk.”

The friends sat silently in Bertie’s palatial penthouse overlooking Central Park. Christo stared out at the people below. “Some days,” he said, “I just want to take her and get away from all of this. Go find our little piece of heaven where no one knows us.” He looked back and saw the concerned look on Bertie’s face and smiled sadly. “Oh, I know, running away would be a bad idea. We need to make sure Noosh is safe. She’s still young, still has her career, her whole life in front of her. And I never want to be one of those men who shut their love up in an ivory tower.”

“No, you don’t. We both know that’s just another type of abuse.” Bertie was quiet for a moment, considering. “There is someone we could go to for help.”

Christo was confused for a moment, then his expression cleared. “No. No way. Bringing my father into this would be disastrous, Bert, and you know it.”

“Would it, though?”

Christo turned away from his friend, not wanting Bertie to see the desperation in his eyes. Because he too had wondered if his father could do something about Destry Papps. He certainly had the connections. Christo sighed. No. It would mean going back on everything he had ever fought for, all his autonomy, his independence from Fogliano and his business. No, he, Christo, would figure this out. He and he alone would bring down Papps and give Noosh her life back.

He turned to Bertie. “No, Bert. This stays between you and me. Understood?”

Bertie nodded but looked unhappy. “What are you going to do, Christo?”

Christo shook his head, his eyes full of misery. “I don’t know, Bert. I have no fucking clue what to do. How the hell am I going to save her?”

Fogliano sat with Noosh, holding her hands as she explained everything about Destry Papps’s threats. His eyes were full of sympathy, and Noosh began to feel better as she described her predicament.

“And my son knows nothing of this.”

Noosh shook her head. “I’m scared that if I tell him, he’ll do something brave and stupid, and it’ll cost him everything.” She searched Fogliano’s eyes. “Can you help me? I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate.”

Fogliano got up and paced around the room for a few moments before sitting down again. “My dear.”

A thrill of hope ran through her. “Yes?”

“I cannot help you.”

The weight of disappointment and grief came crashing down on her. “I understand.”

He smiled a little. “I know it’s not what you wanted to hear, but hear me out. I cannot help you while Christo remains in the dark about this situation. I won’t lie to him anymore. Lies and secrets have already cost me his love.” He reached over and patted her hand. “What I will do is provide discreet protection for you.”

Noosh felt hopeless. “But you can’t protect everyone all the time. My parents, my colleagues…no. It’s okay, I’ll figure this out. Thanks for your time.”

Fogliano studied her. “You are a very brave woman, except for one thing. You need to trust that Christo will do the right thing by you. Even seeing you together for that short time the night I came to his apartment, I could see it. You belong together. He loves you with the same kind of intensity that I loved his mother. And I know you feel the same way.”

“If it were just my life, I would never have bothered you,” Noosh said quietly. “But the thought of anything happening to Christo…”

“Tell him, sweet girl. Tell him, and we’ll figure this out together.”

Noosh half-smiled. “You want him back.”

“I do. In that way, I think we can help each other. In the meantime, stay safe.”

“I’ll try.”

In the cab on the way back into the city, she reflected. She knew what Fogliano was doing – he was using the situation she was in to try and get his son’s love back. Did she blame him?

No. In the meantime, he was right. She needed to tell Christo everything. If they were to have any kind of future together, she needed to learn how to trust. It was just…she knew how passionate Christo was – he would fight his way through fields of Secret Service agents to get to Destry if he knew she was in danger – and get himself killed in the process.

Damn it. She touched the little dragonfly at her throat, her chest pounding with sadness. Why couldn’t the universe give her this happiness? Why was it always tempered with fear or upset?

Noosh leaned her hot forehead against the window and prayed the cab driver didn’t see her silent tears fall.

When she got back to the radio station, Liam was uncharacteristically quiet. She frowned at him. “What’s up?”

“Shit’s hit the fan,” he said, then pulled her aside. “The interview did not go well. Ally asked him about the stuff that’s been going on in Washington, about the sex scandals, and he went crazy. Absolutely freaked out on her. Walked out. Ally’s in shock, Seth is fuming.”

“Oh, god. What on earth did she say to him?”

“Not sure. Maybe you should go up. Ally probably needs to see a friendly face at the moment.”

Noosh nodded. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just… What a prick.”

You have no idea. She hugged him. “Come up in a while when things have settled.”

“Laters.”

She rode the elevator up to the studio, dumping her bag on her desk. It was too quiet. She went to find Ally. Her boss was in her office, her face pale, but Noosh could see the anger still in her eyes. She knocked tentatively at the door, and Ally waved her in.

“I want to congratulate you,” Ally began, making adrenaline spike through Noosh’s system. Was she in trouble? “On your incredible judgment of character. Destry Papps is an asshole.”

Noosh breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, he is. What the hell happened?”

Ally tapped her pencil on the desk in annoyance. “I asked him a question that hadn’t been cleared. I always do that – the people who come on my show expect the difficult questions. And the question I asked…Noosh, it wasn’t even personally directed at him. I asked the other candidates the same question.”

“The sexual harassment question? That’s pretty standard nowadays, isn’t it? Colbert, John Oliver, those late-night guys are asking the same thing.”

“Right? And Papps went ballistic. I just don’t get it.”

I do. Ask a rapist, on the record, about sexual harassment when he’s running for the highest office in the land? Of course he’s going to flip out. “He was arrogant enough to believe you wouldn’t dare ask the great Destry Papps about it. Arsehole.”

“You told me he was a nightmare, and I didn’t realize how right you were.” Ally studied her for a minute then got up and shut the office door. “Noosh…there’s more to your hatred of Destry Papps than just instinct, isn’t there?” She sat down on the corner of her desk, and Noosh met her gaze without saying anything.

A strange expression crossed her boss’s face, and she drew in a shaky breath as she looked at her young friend. “My god, Noosh…what the hell did he do to you?”

Chapter Twenty

Christo was already waiting in reception at five p.m., and suddenly Noosh felt shy. She had gone to see his father without telling him. Would Fogliano have told him?

By the sweet smile on Christo’s face when he saw, Noosh guessed not.

“Hey, lovers, have a good night.” Liam waved at them as he made his way out of the reception area.

“Bye, mate.”

“Night, Liam.”

“Don’t forget La Forge!”

Christo looked at her, a question in his eyes. Noosh kissed him, smiling. “We have a double date on Friday.”

Christo grinned. “Cool. How are you, my darling?”

Terrified. But she kept the smile on her face. “Better now that you’re here. Ally had a difficult day, so I spent most of the afternoon trying to cheer her up.”

“Good friend.”

“And as such, I think you should feed me.” She dragged him out towards the car. “I am starving.”

“When aren’t you?” Christo rolled his eyes, and she backed up and kissed him, then put her mouth to his ear.

“When your huge cock is nailing me to the bed or the floor or against a window. Then all I’m hungry for is you…only you.”

She reached down, squeezing his cock through his jeans, and he groaned. “Such a tease. Now I have to go eat with a hard-on.”

Noosh grinned at him. “Not necessarily.”

“Oh?”

“Get in the car and drive, Montecito.”

She went down on him in the car, sucking and teasing his cock until he came, swallowing his seed down. Christo somehow managed to keep control of the car, and then as he pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, he got out of the car and took her hand.

“My turn,” he said and led her into a dark alleyway at the rear of the restaurant. He pushed up her dress and ripped her panties from her. Lifting her up, he fucked her against the wall, clamping a hand over her mouth to muffle her cries. Noosh let her hair fall over both of them as she kissed him. God, would she ever get tired of this? Ever?

“God, I love you so much,” she whispered then came, shivering and shuddering as Christo pumped his seed deep into her belly.

Giggling, they went to eat, then went home and made love again. Noosh pushed every other thought away and just memorized every moment with this incredible man.

They fell asleep just after midnight, but were woken at three o’clock by a call from a sobbing, hysterical Allison, calling them to tell them Liam was dead.

Outside, the pre-dawn New York sky was a sickly shade of yellow, but Noosh stared at it unseeing. She felt numb and cold, even Christo’s arms around her didn’t help.

Liam had been mugged, or so the police said, on his way home from work. He’d tried to fight them off and they had stabbed him to death. Liam, her buddy, her pal, was gone – and in her bones, Noosh knew this was Destry sending her a warning sign. It was too coincidental.

For fuck’s sake, she berated herself, not everything is about you, woman. It wasn’t unheard of, after all, for people to be mugged in this city. Jesus.

She told herself that a few times before the message pinged on her phone, and with a sinking heart, she realized she had been right.

One down, six to go. Days that is…you know what to do.

Bastard. She wanted to scream, but she knew he had her. His meaning was clear. Break it off with the man you love and be mine…or I’ll kill them all. Another message came soon after.

Make an excuse and meet me in the alleyway next to the hospital in ten minutes. Be even a second late, and I’ll give the order for your mother to be killed.

All the air was pushed from her lungs, and reigning in all the panic she felt, she turned to Christo. “I need a minute. I need some air.”

“It’s not safe out there alone.”

She tried to smile at him. “It’ll just be for a minute.”

Reluctantly he let her go. Like an automaton, Noosh walked down the stairs and to the alleyway behind the hospital.

“Good. You’re early.”

Noosh walked straight up to him. “Kill me. Now. This minute. Because I would rather die than spend a moment longer being hunted by you.”

Destry smiled. “You’re under the impression you’re in charge here. In case you still think that…” He handed her his phone. On it, a video was playing, a live stream. Two people tied to chairs, beaten and bloody. Noosh almost passed out. Her parents.

“No…no…please…let them go.”

“My pleasure. You just have to do one thing. Break up with your boyfriend. But here’s the rub, Noosh. You’ll be wearing a wire because I want to hear it. I want to hear you break his heart. I want to hear you tell him you don’t love him, that you never did.”

Noosh gasped. “You really are a psychopath. Did you have Liam killed or are you just using a tragedy for your own purposes?”

“You know the answer to that, Anoushka.” Destry touched her face, and she winced away from him. He looked over her shoulder. “Do it.”

Noosh turned to see one of Destry’s goons behind her. Helpless, she let him wire her. This was really happening, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Oh god…

Destry’s expression was hard as stone. “When you go home, tell your boyfriend you’re leaving. I’ll send Gerry to pick you up. You know what to do.” He grabbed her face, pinching it hard between his fingers. “I’ll be listening. When I think you’ve done a good enough job, I’ll release your father. When you’re at my apartment, I’ll give the order to release your mother.”

“How do I know you’re not lying?”

Destry gave her a wintry smile. “You don’t.”

He turned and got back into the blacked-out sedan, leaving Noosh to stare in horror after him.

Christo was getting antsy waiting for her, so when Noosh reappeared, he breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled at her, but her face was drawn and pale. “Are you okay?”

Noosh didn’t answer and wouldn’t meet his eye. Instead, she went to Allison, who was sitting, mute with shock, and put her arms around her. “I think you need to go home now, Ally. There’s nothing more we can do here. Liam’s family will be here soon.”

Allison shook her head. “I want to wait for them. You and Christo should go. Seth is on his way too.”

Allison wouldn’t take any argument, so ten minutes later they were back in Christo’s car, heading for the apartment. Noosh said nothing, just stared out of the window. Christo took her hand with his free one, but she didn’t wrap her fingers around his like she normally did. Christo felt a ribbon of unease curl in his stomach, and when they were back in his apartment, he took her in his arms.

“I know this must be diffi –”

“Christofalo, we need to talk.” Her voice, normally so warm with a current of humor in it, was cold and dead. Christo nodded, his heart beginning to beat uncomfortably against his ribs.

“Okay.”

Noosh stepped away from the circle of his arms. “Christofalo…I don’t want this anymore.”

He was confused. “Want what?”

She met his gaze. “This. Us.”

It took a moment for her words to sink it. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“It’s over. It’s done.”

Christo shook his head as if to shake her words from his brain. “Noosh, you’re upset. Please, let’s just calm down, regroup.”

“I don’t love you, Christofalo.”

It was like a sledgehammer to the heart. Christo stared at her in disbelief. “What?”

“I don’t love you. I don’t think I ever did. This was a fantasy. I don’t belong in your world. I thought I did, but you see…I was only ever interested in your money.”

“Bullshit. That’s not you. Why are you doing this?” He cursed the fact that his voice broke, and he stepped towards her.

“I went to see your father.”

That floored him. “Why?”

Noosh gave him a wan smile. “I told him that unless he gave me what I wanted, I would be gone. He didn’t give me what I wanted, so I’m gone.”

Christo ran his hands through his hair, staring at the women he thought he knew, and didn’t recognize her. “Who are you?”

For the first time, her voice shook. “To you, I am the past now, Christofalo. Forget me.”

Christo stepped towards her, but Noosh stepped back and held her hands up. “Please,” she whispered. “Please, don’t.”

“I love you, goddammit, and I know you love me. Whatever this is…it’s bullshit. You and me forever, remember? You said that!”

“I lied.”

“No.”

Noosh turned away from him. “I’ll get my things. You never have to see me again.”

Christo grabbed her arm. “Don’t walk away from me! This is… I mean, what the fuck, Noosh? Was that not you and me fucking in the alleyway tonight? Laughing, kissing, making love? Jesus Christ, I know you love me.”

Noosh snatched her arm away from him. “Forget me, Christofalo. Forget me.”

“Noosh…”

She suddenly stepped towards him and pressed her lips to his. She grabbed his hand and drew something on his palm, an outline of something – a cross? What the hell? He could feel her tears on her cheeks as she rested her cheek against his for a second. “Don’t follow me.”

Christo closed his eyes for a long moment, and when he opened them, she was gone.

Chapter Twenty-One

One month later…

Destry Papps, his face triumphant, spoke to his campaign team as they all raised their glasses. “Friends, we’re way ahead in the exit polls. When the nation goes to the vote in a month’s time, I have no doubt we will soon be having this meeting in the White House. Tomorrow, we begin a week of campaigning in the key states, and I am very excited to introduce the world to my partner in this. Ladies and gentlemen, my fiancée, Miss Sarah Marsh.”

The room erupted in applause as Destry took Noosh by the hand. She didn’t smile or react – how could she? Destry had her pumped so full of sedatives that she could barely function. Underneath the beautiful Elie Saab dress she wore, her body was black and blue from his beatings. It had almost become a routine. Jacked up from campaigning, he would return to their hotel and use her as a punching bag. Thankfully, so far, he hadn’t raped her, but Noosh knew it wouldn’t be long before he grew tired of waiting for her to agree to have sex with him.

He’d lied, of course. He hadn’t released her parents, but at least the beatings had stopped, and they were being cared for, albeit as hostages. “They’re being kept in a facility where they will be very comfortable.”

“For how long? You can’t keep them prisoner forever.”

“Can’t I?” Destry laughed, then his smile faded. “Just until you’re dead, Noosh. So, if you’re good, two years.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, nuzzling her ear. “Or until I can’t wait any longer to slide that knife into your belly. I must admit, it excites me almost as much as fucking you would.”

“You’re a sick fuck.” She’d slapped his face, and he’d gone to town on her, punching her to the floor (careful not to bruise her face, of course) and kicked her viciously in the stomach.

That had been last night, and now he was expecting her to play nice with his cronies. He’d obviously expected her to act up, so he had his personal physician prescribe her sedatives. Now she felt as if she were in a different world.

The only faint glimmer of hope was Gerry Noll. When Destry had introduced her to his executive team, Gerry had looked surprised to see her – astonished, actually. Destry had known to keep them apart, however, but Noosh had seen the questions in Gerry’s eyes. She longed for the day when she could talk to Gerry alone. Maybe he would help her.

Because she felt utterly hopeless. On the few occasions when Destry left her alone, she thought only of Christo, how heartbroken he had been. She would never forget that beautiful face broken with grief. Oh, how I love you. I love you, she thought, I’m so sorry. She had tried to give him as many clues that something wasn’t right during that last conversation – using his full name and drawing on his hand. She hadn’t dared write anything down – she didn’t know if Destry had cameras in their apartment, but she wouldn’t put it past the bastard to do so.

But she guessed Christo hadn’t picked up on her clues. If only she could get a message to him. She figured Gerry was her best shot, but she would have to be entirely sure.

Destry was guiding her around the room, introducing her to various people who she barely registered. She shook their hands, unsmiling, and kept quiet as Destry had instructed her to. The silent candidate for First Lady.

First Lady…how ridiculous that sounded to her, but Noosh couldn’t comprehend that Destry would actually win the presidency. But stranger things had happened. And it’s not as if I have anything better to do. Destry had made her quit her job at the radio station and wouldn’t even allow her to speak directly to any of her former coworkers.

In the morning, they would hold their first photo call as a ‘couple.’ Noosh felt sick at the thought of it, knowing Christo, Ally, all her friends would see her at Destry’s side and condemn her. Destry might control her outward behavior, the way she was to dress, what she said, but he couldn’t control the misery in her eyes, and she intended to let them do her talking for her.

Please, Christo, my love, my heart, watch my eyes – in them, you’ll find everything you need to know.

Please…

The next morning, Christo sat in his farmhouse, where he had retreated after Noosh had left, and watched the morning news, torturing himself by watching every story on Papps and Noosh. Christo could barely stand to look at her; so beautiful, so cowed by her abuser. What the hell was wrong that she would go back to him?

“He shot you, for chrissakes, Noosh. I know you hate him as much as I do…”

“I might have some news on that front.”

Christo jumped as Bertie’s voice came from behind him, then he got up to hug his friend. Bertie had been his rock for the last month, the only reason he hadn’t fallen off the wagon or offed himself. Bertie had been the one to calm his pain, his anger, and had been unwavering in his belief that Noosh had not left Christo voluntarily. “That girl loves you with all her heart, Christo. There’s more to this than we know.”

And now he gave Christo a folder. “What we’ve found out so far. Her parents have been missing for six weeks, and what do you know, powerful people within the Met have sidelined the inquiry into their disappearance.”

“God.” Christo looked through the papers. “So, Papps had them snatched?”

“Looks like, and if he threatened them…”

Christo nodded. “But it doesn’t make sense that Noosh wouldn’t come to me. And why the hell did she go see my father behind my back?”

Bertie held his hands up. “That you’re going to ask him yourself, buddy. He won’t talk to me.” He gave a small grin. “Fog and I have never gotten along.”

“Because you don’t take his crap,” Christo said darkly, and then sighed. “But if Noosh went to him asking for money…”

“She said that?”

“Well, no, but the inference was there.”

Bertie’s mouth set in a grim line. “What were her exact words?”

“That she went to my father and asked him to give her what she wanted or she, and I remember this, she said she was ‘gone,’ and that he didn’t give her what she asked for.”

Bertie was quiet for a long moment. “Well, it certainly doesn’t sound good, but Christo, we need to know what she asked for. I’d bet my life it isn’t what we think.”

“So…I’m going to have to see my father.”

“If you want your lovely girl back, yes.”

It was Christo’s turn to be quiet. “I just have this feeling… Papps will kill her, Bertie. It’s what he wants. He wants to control her life, and then he wants to kill her. We have to do something.”

Another story flashed up about Destry and Noosh, closeups of them. Bertie and Christo watched, and then Bertie gave a small laugh. “Look what she’s doing, Christo.”

Noosh, pale and drawn, had her fingers at her throat, playing with her necklace as the cameras zoomed in. She was tapping the dragonfly pendent, subtly but repeatedly. Christo thought back to when he had given it to her, then the terrible day she’d left him.

“Shit.”

“What?”

Christo turned to his friend, life coming back into his eyes. “She was telling me, even then, that what she was saying wasn’t real. Shit, I never got it.”

Bertie looked confused and even more so when Christo grabbed his hand and traced a pattern on his palm. “What the hell?”

“What was that? What shape?”

“I don’t know, dude, a cross?”

Christo smiled for the first time in weeks. “No, man, it’s a dragonfly. It’s our safe word. She was trying to let me know she was in danger.” He nodded at the television. “And that’s what she’s doing there. She’s asking for my help.” He got up, grabbing his coat and heading for the door.

Bertie, still a little bemused, trailed him. “Where are we going?”

Christo, his eyes alive with anger and hope, smiled grimly at him. “We’re going to see my father.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

“You did well today,” Destry said in the car back to the hotel. “Everyone was very impressed.”

“By what?” The sedatives were wearing off now, and Noosh felt cantankerous, wanted to goad him. “The dead-eyed half smiles, the look of disgust every time your filthy hands touched me?”

Destry gave a half-smile. “It’s almost like you’re asking me to punish you. But then again, that’s what you and the criminal were into, wasn’t it? Tell me, did he spank you?”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Destry laughed. “Well, speaking of fucking, I think tonight I’ll be staying in your room.”

Noosh froze. “No.”

“It wasn’t a question. And if you know what’s good for you, Anoushka, you’ll at least pretend to enjoy it.”

Noosh turned to stare at him for a long moment. “What happened to you, Destry? What made you like this?”

Destry didn’t answer, and Noosh gave him a cruel smile. “Did Mommy not wuv wittle Destry enough?”

His fist connected with her face so hard that her head bounced into the window and cracked it. Noosh felt as if her cheekbone had shattered. Destry was on her then, unhitching his seat belt and dragging her to the floor of the limousine.

It took less than five minutes, but Noosh felt like dying the whole time. Concussed, she had no way to fight him off, and as Destry came inside her, she closed her eyes and wanted death. When she felt the steel against her skin, she opened her eyes.

“Do it. Kill me, you bastard.” She grabbed the knife in his hand and tried to stab herself. “I’d rather be dead than have you ever touch me again.”

Destry, calming from his rage now, pulled the knife away and dragged her back to the seat. “Don’t ever talk to me like that again, bitch. Here, clean yourself up.” He threw a pack of tissues at her.

Her head hurt so bad, but Noosh didn’t care. She shrank away from him and curled up on the seat, pressing a tissue to the cuts on her head. Fucker. Her anger soon gave way to shock by the time they reached the hotel and were spirited up to their suite, not through the foyer, but via the goods elevator. A practiced maneuver, Noosh thought. She swayed a little, her head spinning, but Destry made no move to steady her. Noosh stumbled out into the penthouse as the elevator reached Destry’s suite.

To her surprise, Gerry was there, and he looked up with a smile that faded when he saw her battered face, the blood on her clothes. Noosh turned her head so he could see the damaged to the right side of her face.

“What the hell?”

“Anoushka, go to your room. I’ll send Dr. Jacobs in to help you. Gerry, shut your mouth, you look like a goldfish.”

When Noosh didn’t move, Destry sighed in exasperation and grabbed her upper arm, dragging her to her room and practically throwing her in.

Noosh slammed the door behind him and pushed her dresser across the doorway. Destry wouldn’t be getting in here this night. Why would he want to? He’d taken what he wanted in the car.

Noosh went to her en-suite and cranked on the faucet on the tap. A second later, she turned it off. Evidence. She should collect as much evidence as she could of what he had done to her, but how? She didn’t have a phone or a camera to take pictures of her injuries. She sat down on the cool tile floor, tugging off her shoes, ripping her way out of the dress she had worn for the photo calls and interviews. Ha, interviews. She barely spoke, and when she did, she made sure it was in a cold, dead voice. Still, she had done what she had done from the start of this charade. Dragonfly. Dragonfly. Every time she was on camera she touched it repeatedly, hoping against hope that Christo would see it, understand.

Help me. Save me. I love you.

Noosh began to cry softly. She didn’t understand how the hell she was going to deal with what little life she had left. She was going to die, that was clear, but Destry wouldn’t hurt anyone else if she could help it.

There was a gentle tapping at her bedroom door, and she sighed. “Go away, Destry. You’ve already taken enough from me.”

“It’s Gerry, Noosh.”

She hesitated for a moment then pushed her dresser aside and let him in. He held up a first aid kit. “His majesty changed his mind about calling the doctor. So here I am.” He touched her face. “Jesus, Noosh, what happened?”

“You know what happened,” she said roughly. She walked back into her room, glancing at the first aid box he held. “Got a rape kit in there?”

Gerry’s face paled. “No,” he said quietly, “no, I haven’t. God, really? Christ.”

Noosh’s smile was unfriendly, her eyes narrowed. “You knew. You knew what he was like, what he did to me. What he did to Telly. Don’t plead ignorance now, Gerry. You were complicit.”

Gerry set the first aid box down on the bed. “Come sit, let me deal with that.”

Noosh was unwilling, but she knew her wounds needed dressing. Her wounds. Jesus. H. Christ, who lived like this? She let Gerry clean the cuts, press butterfly stiches onto them. “I wonder what lie he’ll tell the public about this.”

Gerry sighed. “He’s already put out a press statement. A car wreck.”

“Let me guess: As Senator Papps and his companion were driving back to their hotel, their car was hit by a hit-and-run driver. Both Senator Papps and his companion – I don’t merit an actual name – were slightly injured, although, miraculously, Senator Papps doesn’t have a scratch on him, and his whore looks like she’s gone five rounds with Floyd Mayweather.”

Gerry gave her a smile. “At least you still have your sense of humor.”

Noosh shot him a glare, “You think rape is funny too? Murder? Kidnapping my parents?”

“I’m sorry. Noosh,” he lowered his voice, “do you think you’re the only one he’s manipulated?”

Noosh studied him. “No, but I’m probably the only one he’s personally put three bullets into. He probably gets his goons to do everyone else.”

Gerry had gone very still. “What?”

Noosh smiled coldly. “He shot me, Gerry. In cold blood, at point-blank range.”

She saw Gerry blanch, and she gasped. “You really didn’t know?”

He shook his head. “God, no, I…never thought him capable of that.”

Noosh made a disgusted sound. “Either you’re lying, or you’re naïve.” She studied him. “He’s going to kill me, you know. He told me to my face. When the mid-terms come up, I’ll be mysteriously murdered. Sympathy for the candidate means he wins in a landslide. My life means nothing now, Gerry.”

Gerry closed his eyes. “What can I do?”

“Help me.”

“How?”

Noosh sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Hey.” They both jumped as one of Destry’s bodyguards appeared in the doorway. “The Senator asked that you both join him in the living room. There’s some breaking news.”

Noosh and Gerry looked at each other, but both obediently followed the bodyguard into the main room of the suite. Destry gave Noosh a cruel smile. “Come sit with me, Anoushka.”

Sighing, she did as she was told. No use antagonizing him now. If Gerry was going to help her, it paid to keep Destry as sweet as possible, so he didn’t suspect anything.

On the television, the news anchor was talking about a car being found by the Brooklyn Bridge.

“The vehicle was identified as belonging to Telly Wyatt, New York socialite and the former wife of presidential candidate Destry Papps. Police indicate that, sadly, they believe Ms. Wyatt jumped from the bridge to her death. A source close to the Wyatt family told AP that Ms. Wyatt has experienced depression since her divorce and that lately, she had seemed secretive and withdrawn.”

Noosh felt shock travel through her – she glanced at Gerry, who looked as if he might pass out. Of course. She’d forgotten that Gerry had loved Telly.

“Well, that’s going to save me a shit ton of money every month.” Destry sat back, grinning. Some of his security chuckled uneasily, but both Noosh and Gerry stayed silent. Destry looked at them. “Come on, that’s a little funny, at least.”

“Destry…” Gerry looked sick. He got up and went to pour himself a glass of scotch, not asking permission. Destry watched him with a smile.

“What’s the matter, Gerry? Disappointed you missed your opportunity to fuck my ex?”

Gerry downed his whiskey. “My friend just died. Have some compassion.”

Noosh was astonished. Gerry never, ever talked back to Destry. Ever. She tensed, waiting for Destry to explode. But Destry merely shrugged and ran a hand down Noosh’s back. “Don’t be sad. All this talk of ex-wives has given me an idea, something that will please our base and the more conservative members of the party. A wedding. Nothing flashy, nothing that looks like we spent campaign money on it. City Hall. Plenty of press. This week.”

“No.” Noosh shook her head, and Destry smirked.

“You really don’t have too much choice in the matter, Anoushka. Set it up,” he barked at Gerry, and then got up, pulling Noosh to her feet. “I’ll be in my fiancée’s bed until further notice.”

As she was dragged across the suite, Noosh turned to look desperately at Gerry. He gazed back – and gave an almost imperceptible nod. It could have meant anything, but a rush of adrenaline and relief flooded through Noosh’s body.

He was going to help her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Christo shifted uncomfortably in the chair in his father’s study. He shot an impatient look at Bertie. “So, this is his game now? Keeping us waiting?”

“Dude, chill. We’re here for your girl. If Fog wants to play games, let him, if it makes him feel superior, let him. Noosh’s life is at stake, not your pride. Suck it up.”

Christo’s eyebrows shot up, and he smiled for the first time in weeks. “Wow. Tough love time.”

Bertie nodded. “You betcha.”

Christo chuckled. “Well, alright then.” His phone beeped with a message, and he flicked through it. His smile faded. “No. No…oh god.”

“What?”

Christo dropped his head into his hands. “Telly. Telly’s dead.”

“What the hell?”

“Suicide. Oh fuck, oh fuck…I got her killed.”

“Yeah, not so much.”

Both men jumped and turned to see the very-much-alive Telly walk into the room, flanked by Fogliano and his lawyer. Christo gaped at her, and she laughed, coming to him and hugging the stunned man. Bertie smirked and looked at Fogliano.

“You behind this?”

Fogliano inclined his head gracefully. “It’s just the first move, my friend.” As Telly released Christo, he looked at his son. “Hello, Christofalo.”

Christo steeled himself. “Hi, Dad.”

The two men stared at each other for a long moment, then Fogliano put his hand on his son’s arm. “Why don’t we all sit and discuss how we can get your girl back?”

“I went to Fogliano because I didn’t know who else to turn to. Destry has people in his pocket in government, law enforcement and so many other places that you wouldn’t believe.” Telly looked at Bertie and Christo. “I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, that Noosh had the same idea.”

“She did.”

Christo looked at his father. “Dad, I have to ask you something. Noosh, when she left me, she told me she’d been to see you, that she’d asked you for something, and that if you didn’t give it to her, she would be gone.” He drew in a deep breath. “Dad, please tell me. Did she ask you for money?”

Fogliano smiled at his son. “No, Christofalo, she didn’t come to me for money. She came to me for protection…for you.”

Christo didn’t expect the rush of relief to hit him quite so hard, and he bent double, dragging breath into his lungs. Telly rubbed his back, and for a moment they all sat in silence.

“But you turned her down?” Bertie, this time, asking the question he knew Christo wanted to ask.

“I did,” Fogliano said carefully. “My experience told me that if Noosh were to believe I was handling it, she would become less…careful. As it turns out, I should have told her I had every intention of helping the both of you. Christofalo…Christo…I have done many things in my life, many things I regret, but none more so than the times I have brought pain to my family. You, your mother. I know you blame me for her death, and I blame myself too. I did not see how sick she was.”

He looked away from his son for a long moment. “When we met…the love, Christo, the love we had for each other. I saw it in your Noosh’s eyes. She adores you, loves you, would die for you.”

“And I for her,” Christo said quietly, and Fogliano nodded.

“I know that, son. So, quietly, I began to reach out to my contacts, to see how we could bring Papps down and set Noosh free from his influence. I asked around, especially after she left you, supposedly for him.”

“And what did you find out?”

Fogliano hesitated. “We found where her parents are being held, a small holding on the Scottish borders. My men are watching, waiting for my cue to intervene.”

Christo looked at him sharply. “Why haven’t you got them out?”

“Because, Christo, if Papps thinks he no longer has leverage over Noosh, he’ll kill her. Calm down.” Bertie’s voice was hard.

Christo sighed. “Of course, I’m sorry.” He looked at Telly. “How do you come into this…and why fake the suicide?”

Telly smiled at him. “After you and I spoke at the Bethesda Terrace, Fogliano approached me.”

“I had you and Noosh watched – merely for protection’s sake, of course,” Fogliano added. “I knew that if we were to bring Papps down, then Telly would be our way in. She could testify against him, ruin his chances in the election. Therefore, her life was in danger, so we cooked up the fake suicide. We’ll drop her on him at the most crucial moment.”

“How?”

“A press conference,” Telly said. “I’m going to tell the total truth about Destry Papps.”

“They’ll paint you as a bitter ex-wife looking for revenge.”

Telly nodded. “Quite possibly, but I have another ace up my sleeve.”

“What?”

She smiled. “Gerry Noll. Destry is convinced he is loyal to him, and he is – except for one weakness.”

“What?”

“Me. Gerry and I have been seeing each other for a year or so. I credit him with my staying alive all this time. Destry trusts him – or rather, is arrogant enough to believe Gerry won’t turn. If I go public, I guarantee Gerry will back me up.”

Christo shook his head. “That’s too flimsy for me. I need assurances.”

“There are none, son,” Fogliano said. “We’re dealing with a psychopath with immense power and reach. To him, women are objects, to own, to possess, to kill. Up until he met Noosh, he was very careful to cover his tracks, as was the case with your friend, Jasmine. But his obsession with her…”

“Is his weakness.” Christo sat up, fire raging in his eyes, and Fogliano nodded.

“And yours.”

“No,” Christo shook his head. “She is my strength.”

Fogliano smiled at his son. “For whatever has passed between us in the past, I have never been prouder of you than I am at this moment. We will fight for your love, Christo. Even if it costs us everything.”

Bertie’s phone beeped, interrupting the moment, and they looked at him as he held his phone up, grim-faced. “Looks like we’ve got a date to aim for. The Senator has just announced he’s getting married.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Noosh lay under Destry’s heavy, sweating body as he pumped away at her. She tuned out everything, wishing she could just decide to die and that would be that. He raped her every night now, and she had forced herself not to fight him. Keeping Destry sweet was one thing; however, pretending to enjoy his ‘lovemaking’ was another.

After he’d finished, he rolled off of her and got up. Thankfully, he always used a condom, and now as he went into the en-suite bathroom, he gave a long sigh.

“Anoushka, when we are married, I expect you to be a willing partner. I expect you to be present.”

No chance. Married. Fuck, no. She sat up, waiting for him to leave the bathroom before she could bathe his stink off of her. He came back but grabbed her arm as she got up and pulled her back down on the bed. He ran a finger down her belly, tracing the scars there and smirking.

“In two years’ time, I will drive you to a private cabin I have on Long Island. There, I will take your life. I will stab you so many times that the medical examiner won’t bother to count the wounds. Your body will be discovered and I, devastated by my beautiful wife’s death, will order a full investigation…and Christofalo will be arrested and tried for your murder. He will be found guilty, the knife that killed you hidden in the home that you shared. He will go to prison…and be found dead soon after – shanked in the showers by some of his father’s enemies. He will get it in the gut, like you, Anoushka. That must some comfort, knowing you and your criminal will die the same way.”

Destry said this all in a sing-song voice, but his words had the opposite effect than what he wanted, to frighten her. Instead, Noosh started to laugh. Destry’s face creased in rage, but she kept on chuckling.

“You really are batshit crazy, aren’t you?” Noosh pushed him off her. She got up and went to the drawer of the bathroom, pulling out a pair of scissors. She handed them to him. “Do it now. Kill me. Stick those in my belly. Come on, you coward, what are you waiting for?”

She grabbed the hand with the scissors and pressed the sharp tip into her navel. “Push it in. Gut me. Fucking slaughter me, Destry, because I swear to god, tonight is the last night you’ll ever touch me.”

“Don’t test me, little girl.”

“No, I think I will. This is it, Destry, this is the limit to my patience. Just who the fuck do you think you are? Go on, kill me, kill my parents, Christo, everyone I care about. Because I swear to you, you won’t get away with it, you vile disgrace of a human.”

Destry grabbed her neck and forced her against the wall, choking her. Noosh felt the scissors press hard into her skin. “You fucking little whore!”

Noosh kneed him hard in the groin. She didn’t care now, she wanted him to hurt her – badly – so badly that he couldn’t write it off as an accident, that it would be obvious to the world what a monster he was.

He let her go, buckling as he rode out the pain in his balls. Noosh slid down the wall, panting hard, her throat sore. Finally, Destry stood up, looking down at her with undisguised hatred. “You will pay for that, Anoushka. But not until we are married. Our honeymoon will be nothing but unimaginable pain for you. Remember that.”

He left her alone, and Noosh curled up. What had she achieved? Not much. Too late, she saw that he had taken the scissors with him – why the fuck hadn’t she waited until he was asleep and used them on him?

Because he had her parents. If Destry turned up dead, they would be killed immediately. God, he really had her, didn’t he?

Noosh couldn’t cry – she had no tears left. She dragged her robe on and curled up in the corner, not wanting to lie in the bed where she was raped. She fell into an uneasy sleep, only to wake suddenly when a hand touched her.

Gerry put his finger to his lips. “He’s asleep, I only have a few moments.”

Noosh stared at him for a moment. “You’ll help?”

He nodded. Noosh considered, then took her necklace off and dropped it into his hand. “Take this to Christo. Tell him all you can. Tell him…I’m sorry and that…I love him. I will always love him no matter what. Make sure he gets my parents out safely. They must be his priority.”

Gerry nodded and got up to go. She grabbed his hand. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “For Telly.”

“For Telly.”

Christo was still awake. He was back in his old bedroom at his father’s mansion, which felt weird and yet…after Bertie and Telly had retired, Christo and Fogliano had talked properly for the first time since…forever. They spoke about Ornella, his father’s pain at her sickness, her passing, his guilt. He apologized over and over for beating Christo.

“I cannot pretend to be a good man,” he said. “But I can try to be a better father.”

It was almost dawn before his father retired. He tentatively hugged his son, a little awkwardly, but Christo returned the embrace. Fogliano studied his son. “Trust in her love. Trust in your love. Dream about her, son. Dream about your future, the family you will make together. Believe.”

Christo closed his eyes and imagined he and Noosh were back in their little Italian villa. He remembered how she would love to stand naked looking out over the ocean. He dreamed that he was with her now, sliding his arms around her waist, pressing his lips down on her shoulders, breathing in her skin, the scent of fresh air and clean linen.

“I love you,” he murmured, and she turned in his arms, pressing her breasts against his bare chest, her dark brown eyes soft with love as she cupped his face in her hands.

“I love you too, Christo, so, so much.”

His mouth found hers, hungry for his kiss, and they embraced until they were breathless. Christo slid his hands between her legs and smiled.

“You’re wet.”

“For you, always, baby.” She slid her hands into the waistband of his light cotton pants and stroked his cock. It quivered and stiffened in her hands, and as it hardened, she pulled on the drawstring of his pants, and they fell to the ground.

The scene shifted. They were in the bedroom, Noosh was on the bed, and as Christo watched, she slowly spread her legs, smiling at him. He gazed at the beautiful sight of her cunt – pink, swollen with arousal, glistening, damp. He gave a groan and covered her body with his, sliding his engorged cock deep inside her velvety cunt. The gasp she gave spurred him on as he moved in and out of her. She clung to him, rubbing her hard nipples against his chest, kissing him deeply, her fingernails digging into his buttocks, urging him deeper, harder, faster.

Her cry as she came was like music to him, and when he too reached his climax, pumping his seed deep into her belly, she whispered over and over how much she loved him.

The scene changed again, and this time she was barefoot, wearing the lightest white cotton dress, her belly swollen with his child. Before he knew it, there was a child, a dark-haired, caramel-skinned child with his green eyes running in the fields behind the house, he and Noosh chasing her as she giggled and screamed with joy.

Another change. A hospital bed, a new-born child, a boy with his father’s dark curls. An exhausted but elated Noosh kissing his tiny head, then pressing her lips to Christo’s.

Finally, as Christo gave into sleep, Noosh, beautiful in white, tiny flowers in her hair, walking towards him, towards the altar where he stood. “Finally,” Christo said to her just as the image dissolved and sleep took him.

When he woke in the morning, Christo knew that even if he had to kill to do it, he would make that future come true.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Noosh woke on the day of her wedding, wishing she was dead. Gerry had gone AWOL with her necklace and nothing had happened. Nothing. She felt betrayed, depressed, her last hope gone. Had Gerry changed his mind? Or had Destry discovered his lieutenant’s duplicity and killed her only ally?

It didn’t matter. In a few hours, she would be Destry’s wife – and the thought made her gag – and it would be all over. She would kill herself if it weren’t for the fact that Destry would have no reason to release her parents. She was utterly trapped.

A minion of Destry’s had brought her a dress to wear. Ivory, clinging to her every curve, but still respectable – for the photos, of course. The one thing he couldn’t make her do was smile. Fuck him.

She dressed slowly, deliberately not brushing her hair, but Destry had thought of that, of course, and sent in an army of make-up artists and hairdressers and by the time she was led – at gunpoint – to the waiting limousine, she looked nothing like herself. God, let this be over with.

At City Hall, Destry had a fleet of journalists clamoring for the first look at his new bride. Unsmiling, Noosh stepped from the limousine to flashing light bulbs. Shaking, her fingers went instinctively to her throat but found it bare. Not even her dragonfly to keep her from going insane. Destry had his hand wrapped around her upper arm as he flashed his thousand-watt smile at the reporters, answering their questions, laughing with them.

“Hey, guys, I’d love to stay and talk, but I gotta get inside and make this little beauty Mrs. Papps.”

His smile disappeared as soon as they were inside, and Noosh noticed his security team had cleared the hallways. Destry marched them towards the courtroom. Noosh balked as he opened the door, and she stopped, panic setting in.

“I can’t do this.” She looked at Destry with pleading eyes. “Please…don’t make me do this.”

Destry smirked and dragged her into the room. The court bailiff looked startled.

“Is everything okay?”

Destry gave her a sincere smile. “Oh, just being playful. That’s what we do, we joke around. Don’t we, darling?”

He looked at Noosh, and all she could see in his eyes was murder. She nodded dumbly.

The bailiff looked unsure. “Well, okay. The judge will be with you shortly.”

For a moment they were alone, and Destry grabbed Noosh’s face. “Don’t forget, slut, that it’s only due to my goodwill that you’re still alive. That I’m willing to give you two years. So make this good. Play your part. Or Mommy and Daddy might suffer the consequences.”

He let her go as the courtroom doors opened and the judge came in, along with two of Destry’s security team. Their witnesses. Noosh didn’t even know their names.

The judge ran through the procedure then began. Destry had apparently paid him to be more flowery than usual for a courtroom marriage. As they got to the “Does anyone object?” part, Noosh felt the desperate urge to scream out “Yes! Yes! I object!” but Destry was standing too close, was gazing down at her, tension rolling off of him, daring her to speak. So, she stayed silent and closed her eyes.

“I object.”

For a second, Noosh thought she had conjured his voice from her dreams. She didn’t want to open her eyes in case it wasn’t true, but something made her look towards the sound.

Christo.

He stepped towards the couple, his eyes never leaving Noosh’s face. “I object, your honor.”

“On what grounds, Mr. Montecito?”

The judge knew Christo? Noosh was confused. Christo smiled at her, and her heart soared. He was really here for her. “On the grounds, your honor, that the bride is in love with me. On the grounds that I love her more than my own life.” He paused and looked at Destry. “And on the grounds that this man is coercing the bride to marry him on threat of death. That over the last few years he has tortured, kidnapped, stalked, raped, and shot the bride because of his obsession with her. That he intends to kill her.”

Destry, stunned into silence by Christo’s arrival, now exploded. “Get him out of here. Judge, he’s a crazy man, the son of a criminal.”

Behind Christo the door opened, and a fleet of police officers moved into the room. With them, a pale-faced Gerry. Destry’s face drained of blood. “What the fuck is this?”

Christo cleared his throat. “Judge, in two minutes, there will be a press conference that you will want to see. The police here will escort us all to your chambers to watch it. I promise you, Judge, I mean no disrespect to your courtroom, I’m just asking, please indulge me.”

“Judge! Order these men out, for goodness sake!”

But the judge was studying Christo, sizing him up, and then he nodded. “I’ll allow it, Mr. Montecito, but I must warn you. Should this be merely a ploy on your behalf to stop this wedding, I will hold you in contempt.”

“Of course, your honor. Shall we?”

Destry had no choice but to join them all in the judge’s chambers. He gripped Noosh’s elbow painfully. “Don’t even think about going to your criminal,” he murmured to her. “You’ll be dead the second he touches you.”

But Noosh couldn’t take her eyes off Christo. I love you, she mouthed, and he nodded, a small smile playing around his lips. Noosh couldn’t help but feel hope for the first time in weeks.

He came for me…

But her parents were still in Destry’s custody, and there was no way she could risk doing anything until she knew what Christo’s plan was.

The judge turned on the flat screen in his office. He glanced at Noosh. “Ms. Taylor, would you like to sit?”

She smiled at him. “I’m fine, thank you, your honor.”

He nodded and gave her a sly wink when Destry wasn’t looking. He’s on my side, she thought incredulously. There are good people in this world…I’d forgotten.

She felt someone move behind her and knew it was Christo. Discreetly she reached a hand behind her and felt him squeeze her fingers. It gave her strength.

The TV flashed on a podium set up in front of a bank of photographers. It was with a gasp of shock that everyone in the room saw Telly Wyatt, very much alive, step in front of the cameras. Noosh shot a look at Gerry, who was gazing at Telly with undisguised adoration and relief that she was okay.

Destry was still, his eyes narrowing as he watched his ex-wife begin to speak. Telly’s voice was clear, and she didn’t look nervous at all.

“Obviously, contrary to recent reports, I am still here, still alive. I apologize to those I hurt by faking my suicide, but as you will see, the ruse was necessary to protect me from my ex-husband. Your presidential nominee, the Senator from New York, my ex-husband Destry Tollhunt Papps is a monster, ladies, and gentlemen. He is a domestic abuser, a stalker, and will stoop to nothing less than cold-blooded murder to get what he wants. During our marriage, he frequently beat and raped me. I finally was able to escape when he became obsessed with a young English woman named Anoushka Taylor, his current fiancée. You might know her as Sarah Marsh. That’s the name Noosh picked so that she could hide from Destry, but it didn’t work. He hunted her down, and eight months ago, he shot and almost killed her.”

Telly paused and blew out her cheeks. “Now, I can see the skepticism on some of your faces – am I just the bitter ex-wife? Sure you could think that, I wouldn’t blame you. So, I ask Ms. Taylor to come forward and tell her story. Except…she can’t. She is currently at City Hall, being forced to marry Destry against her will. Destry’s people, the kind of people you don’t see on the campaign trail, abducted her parents. They murdered her friend and co-worker. Noosh, if you’re able to see this, I swear to you, this will not go unpunished.”

“Destry, if you’re watching…time’s up, and not a moment too soon.” Telly stepped from the podium, ignoring the barrage of questions coming her way.

A man who identified himself as the head of the FBI New York field office stepped up in Telly’s place. “I can confirm that a warrant for the arrest of Senator Destry Papps has been issued, concerning some documents handed over to us by Gervais Noll, Mr. Papps’s assistant. In these documents, we have found evidence of not just coercion of government officials, but of multiple attempts to stalk, harass, and murder Miss. Anoushka Taylor, alias Sarah Marsh.”

The room was frozen for a moment then Destry was up. “This is outrageous!”

“Destry Papps, I’m arresting you for the abduction, assault, rape, and attempted murder of Anoushka Taylor.” One of the police officers, a fierce looking woman, stepped forward. “We found the gun, Mr. Papps. Or rather…we were led to it.”

He glanced at Gerry who was staring at Destry with undisguised hatred. “You bastard,” Destry said, “you sniveling little creep.”

Christo, seeing Destry was about to blow, reached out his hand to Noosh. She grasped at it – but Destry was quicker. He pulled her back against him, drawing yet another gun from his waistband and pressing it against her throat. His eyes never left Christo’s. “I’ll kill her without even thinking about it, Montecito.”

“My parents…” Noosh, ignoring the pistol pressed to her neck, looked at Christo in desperation, not concerned for her own life now.

“They’re safe,” Christo was edging closer to them now, his eyes locked on the gun. “My father’s men found them and released them. Papps, it’s over, give it up.”

Destry laughed. “It’s not over, scumbag, until I say it is. Do you honestly think anyone will come after me while I have her?” He glanced over at the police officers. “I swear I will kill her unless you clear a path out of here.”

Christo lunged for the gun, and Destry again was too quick. He shot Christo as Noosh screamed “No!” and struggled to get away from him, to go to the injured Christo who lay bleeding on the floor. Destry dragged Noosh out of the room, shooting his way out, helped by his security team as the police officers pursued them.

Noosh was still struggling when Destry, cussing, growled in her ear. “He’s dead, bitch. He’s gone. Don’t worry, you’ll soon be joining him.” As she cried out, Destry brought the gun down hard on her head, and everything went black.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bedlam. The judge and Gerry went to help Christo, who was trying to get to his feet to chase after Noosh. “Hey, hey, hey, slow down.”

The judge pushed Christo to the ground. “Careful now, son, that’s a nasty wound.”

“I have to get to her,” Christo said, struggling against the hands that were trying to stem the flow of blood. The bullet had smashed through his clavicle on his left side and was bleeding like crazy, but all Christo could think of was Noosh. Destry had nothing now except his bloodlust for her. If they didn’t get to her in time…

Christo’s adrenaline was pumping, and he managed to push his way up from the floor. Gerry steadied him, his face pale. Christo turned to him. “Please. You know him better than anyone. Where would he take her?”

Gerry wrapped his arm under Christo’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you on one condition – I’m coming with you. The second we get Noosh back, you’re going to the hospital.”

“Not without me.” Bertie was there then, and Christo felt relief as he was followed in by Telly and Fogliano. Fogliano took one look at his son and turned to speak to his men. “Find the Senator and kill him. Bring my future daughter-in-law back unharmed.”

“No,” Christo gasped. “I need to do this. Dad, please…”

Fogliano sighed, knowing Christo would not be told otherwise. “Judge, do you have someone here who can travel with my son, to keep him alive while he looks for Noosh?”

In five minutes, on Gerry’s advice, several cars left New York City in different directions. Christo, his arm and shoulder heavily bandaged, was being driven by Gerry towards Westchester. “He has a small place that he thinks no one knows about. Details are buried deep in the documents I handed over to the FBI… If he’s going anywhere, it’s there, but it’s a good idea to have people go to all his places.”

Gerry looked over at Christo. “You doing okay?”

Christo nodded. “Why didn’t I get between them? God dammit, I thought we’d won. I thought…”

“Hey, all hope is not lost. Noosh knows you love her – I saw it in her eyes, she had hope again. She’s survived him once – she’ll fight like crazy to get back to you, I know it.”

Christo looked at him gratefully. “Gerry, I still can’t figure out how you stayed with him so long.”

“Would you believe me if I told you that in the beginning, he was a good man?”

“Nope.”

Gerry laughed. “Well, he was. He had vision, intelligence, and compassion. Ironic, that last one, considering what he’s become. There was no indication, you see, none. I’ve asked myself over and over what happened to change him, but I can’t figure it out. Hell, I never saw it coming. I was like one of those frogs in hot water.”

“Huh?”

“You put a frog in boiling water, it jumps out right away, right? But put a frog in cold water and gradually heat it up…it doesn’t know it’s cooking to death.”

“Gotcha.” Christo sighed. “Hell, I’m not judging you, man. How could I, being the son of Fogliano Montecito? I knew what my father did for a living, I knew most of what his organization was involved in. Did I technically do anything illegal? No, but I was complicit.”

“Yup, that about sums it up.” Gerry sighed. “By the time I realized what Destry was…I was in love with Telly. I needed to stay to keep her safe – I at least had influence in that way.” He looked over at Christo, his expression guilty. “I should have protected Noosh better. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, you gave me her necklace, and you put your own neck on the line by going to the FBI. They give you a rough time?”

Gerry laughed. “You could say that. At first, at least, but when I rolled over on Destry, they got sweet real quick. I gave them everything. The man deserves to be in prison, Christo.”

“Hey, you don’t have to tell me that.”

They drove in silence for a while before Christo’s phone began to buzz. It was Bertie. “Hey, you’re about ten minutes behind them.”

Christo sat up. “How do you know?”

“The FBI traced them to the road you’re on – we’re all turning around, but you’re the closest. The FBI is sending out helicopters now.”

“Thanks, Bert.” Christo relayed the news to Gerry, who hit the gas.

“Let’s go. Let’s go get your girl.”

Noosh came around as Destry drove over the county line into Westchester. He had the radio on and Noosh heard the announcers talking about the car chase. She sighed – they were coming after them. In a way, she felt glad that this was happening – one way or another, it would be over tonight. She might die, probably would die, but so would Destry. If he was arrested…would she ever feel safe? Would Christo ever be safe?

“What are you smiling about, bitch?” Destry had dropped all pretension of class now, reverting to the animal he was. He looked desperate, deranged.

“Just that you’re fucked, Destry. Your chickens have finally come home to roost.”

He was sweating profusely, his eyes darting to the rear-view mirrors. Above them, a helicopter could be heard, tracking them. “Fuck!”

He spun the car off the road and into a wooded area. Noosh was thrown about in her seat – only the fact that her arms were tied behind the seat kept her from flying through the windshield, especially when the car slammed into a tree.

Destry was raging. “They might catch me, but they won’t take this moment away from me, Anoushka.” He leaned over and rummaged around in the glove compartment, drawing out a lethal looking knife. He grinned then as her eyes widened. “Yes, Anoushka. They might catch me, might throw me in prison…but you’ll still be dead.”

It was over. Noosh drew in a deep breath as he raised the knife. Suddenly his face, contorted with bloodlust, was highlighted as car headlights glared behind them. Noosh gasped as she heard Christo screaming for her.

“Christo!” Her call was cut off as Destry drove the knife into her belly. God, no…please…not now…not so close….

Destry stabbed her again and again, merciless, and Noosh felt herself dying. “Please stop,” she said weakly, “I’m already dead.”

It had taken seconds to tear her open, but Destry’s maniacal grin was ripped from his face when Christo hauled him away from Noosh with every last bit of strength he had left. Noosh’s door opened, and Gerry was there, freeing her hands and pressing down on her wounds.

He lifted her out and began to carry her to the car. Noosh, barely conscious, moaned. “No…Christo…”

“He’s taking care of Destry, honey. We have to get you to a hospital. The Feds are right behind us.”

Noosh opened her eyes and looked around wildly for her lover. She saw him struggling with Destry, bleeding heavily as Destry pummeled him. With only one arm in operation, even Christo’s rage and grief couldn’t compete. Destry kicked Christo in the head, knocking him back, then he lunged for his gun.

Noosh’s eyes widened as Destry turned towards them and pulled the trigger. Gerry stumbled, bleeding from the hole in his chest, and Noosh screamed. Gerry’s eyes filled with pain. “Tell her I loved her,” he choked out before he tumbled to the forest floor, dropping Noosh.

Pain wracked her body, and she moaned, clutching at her torn belly. Destry staggered over, aiming the gun at her head. “It’s all over now, Anoushka.”

Noosh closed her eyes, but then heard a yell as Christo threw himself at Destry, forcing him to drop the gun. As Christo tumbled Destry away from her, Noosh summoned up every last bit of her strength and reached for the gun. She staggered to her feet, her free hand pressed to the stab wounds in her abdomen, and stumbled over to where the men were fighting. Christo was weakening, she could see that, and her resolve strengthened.

When she was immediately behind Destry, she aimed the gun. “Destry, look at me, you son of a bitch.”

Destry whirled around, and Noosh shot him between the eyes without hesitation. He stared at her incredulously for a moment before dropping. Noosh, feeling herself weakening from blood loss, gave him a humorless smile. “I’m glad you saw it coming, scumbag.”

Destry slumped to the ground, eyes staring blankly. Noosh bent down and pressed the gun to his skull and emptied the rest of the gun into his head. She didn’t realize she was sobbing until she felt Christo’s arms around her, pulling her away from her dead tormenter.

Christo, his face wracked in pain, wrapped his good arm around her, his lips against her forehead. “Hang on, baby, please. I can’t lose you now.”

Noosh gazed up at him, her eyes no longer full of fear or pain, but soft with love. “You came for me. After those terrible things he made me say to you…”

“Don’t think of that now.”

She heard cars approaching – help on its way – and knew she had to try to hang on. “We get our happy ending, Christo.”

He smiled down at her through his tears. “Yes, we do, baby. Yes we do.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Anoushka Taylor, would you please stop getting yourself into these situations? I just repaired you once already.”

Beth grinned at her patient as Noosh was wheeled out of surgery, dopey from the anesthesia, but still managing to smile at her friend. Beth checked her vitals and swept a hand over her forehead. “You, young lady, are a very lucky girl. The knife missed your vital organs and your arteries. The scar tissue from your shooting actually deflected the blade on some of the wounds.”

“Christo…how is he? Is he okay?”

Beth smiled. “He’s fine, sweetheart, apart from being worried about you. His surgery went well, and he’s back in his room.” She chuckled. “Damn, girl, you know how to pick them.”

“Are my mum and dad here?”

Beth’s smile faded. “They are. They’ve been worried as hell about you. Your boss is here too.”

“I don’t have a boss anymore,” Noosh said weakly, but Beth smiled.

“That’s not what she says. Anyway, for now, just rest. You’ll see all of them real soon.”

Noosh closed her eyes, the remnants of the anesthesia coursing through her veins, and sank thankfully into the darkness.

She felt his lips against hers and opened her eyes. It was nighttime, the hospital quiet, but Noosh saw his face in the soft light and thought he looked like an angel.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey, gorgeous.” She reached up and stroked his face. “How are you feeling?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“I’m okay, more than okay. Is your shoulder broken?”

“My clavicle is fractured, but apart from that, I’m dandy.”

She giggled at his mischievous smile. “Why are you so cheerful?”

Christo pulled his chair closer so he could lay his head next to hers on the pillow. “Because, against all the odds, we made it.”

Noosh smiled. “We did?” Her smile faded. “Gerry?”

Christo shook his head. “Telly’s pretty cut up.”

“Oh, god, I’m so sorry. Without him helping me…” Her voice trembled and her eyes filled with tears. “Poor Gerry. Poor Telly.”

Christo smoothed his hand over her forehead. “I will be forever grateful. And speaking of which…”

He reached into his robe pocket and brought out her necklace. Noosh smiled, holding her head up so he could fasten it around her neck. She touched the dragonfly. “Did you ever see –”

“You signaling me? Not at first, but when I did…god, Noosh, at that moment, I knew you loved me. I knew you needed my help.”

“Our safe word worked.” Noosh pressed her lips to his, lingering over the kiss. “Hey,” she said, her eyes hopeful, “when do you think they’ll let us out of here?”

Christo chuckled. “Baby. You need to recover before we even think about sexy times. Don’t rush it, we have the rest of our lives to get down and dirty. You are going to marry me, right?”

“Christofalo Montecito, are you really proposing like that?” Noosh faked her outrage, making him laugh and giggling herself, wincing when her stomach muscles protested.

“Yes and no. Believe me, when we both are out of here and healthy, I’m going to propose properly in our villa in Italia, when my cock is buried deep in your beautiful cunt, I’ll ask again.”

Noosh groaned, “Dude, you’re making me so horny.”

Christo grinned and slid his hand under the blanket, and Noosh sighed as his fingers made contact with her clit. “Let me help you out with that,” he murmured, his lips against hers, and he stroked her into the most mellow orgasm.

Endorphins flooded her system, and Noosh gazed up at her lover with shining eyes. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, my sweet darling. Rest now, baby, soon we’ll be in Italy….so very soon.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It was the way he had imagined it all those months ago when she was gone. Christo stood in the doorway of their villa and watched Noosh as she stood at the cliff edge, looking out to sea. The Mediterranean sun had turned her already caramel skin a deep russet, and her hair, long, thick and lustrous, hung in a dark curtain almost to her waist.

It had been a year and a half since Destry Papps had died, and every day since then, Christo had fallen even more in love with Noosh. Her bravery, her resilience, her huge heart. She had returned to work at the radio station and told her true story, knowing that people wanted to know. To Christo’s amusement, she had interviewed his father, and become his father’s buddy, always giggling together whenever the family was gathered.

Christo and his father had become closer than Christo ever believed they could be, and he credited Noosh entirely for that. Fogliano had all but turned into a legitimate businessman, cutting ties with some of the seedier contacts and turning towards more charitable pursuits.

Christo pushed away from the stone doorway and went to her, sliding his arms around her waist. Noosh leaned back into him, turning her head for a kiss. “Hey, gorgeous. Our last day.”

“Ha,” he nibbled at her earlobe. “Don’t put it like that. Say the final day before the wedding and we’re inundated with family and friends. Say it’s the last time we can call ourselves single people. Say it’s the last day that we have to wait to call each other Mr. and Mrs.”

Noosh giggled. “Mr. and Mrs. Montecito. I like the sound of it.”

Christo pressed his lips to her temple. “You know, I could take your name.”

Noosh smiled. “You are sweet, but I will be proud to be a Montecito.”

Christo was unbelievably touched, and he gave a bemused laugh. “I never thought I would hear anyone say that.”

Noosh turned in his arms and gazed up at him. “There’s a lot to be proud of, Christo, especially these last two years. I hope…I hope so much that you realize that.”

“If there were a way to tell you just how much I love you, Noosh, I would say it, but there are no words.” He kissed her tenderly then grinned. “Hey, kiddo, how about marrying me?”

She laughed. “What about tomorrow?”

“Done.”

Christo grinned widely and swept her up into his arms. “Did you know, in this part of Italy, it’s traditional for the bride and groom to make love for the whole day the day before their wedding?”

Noosh giggled, her arms locked around his neck. “Are you making that up?”

“Oh yes, but it’s still going to be true today.” Christo grinned down at her.

In their bedroom, a warm breeze was blowing through the sheer white drapes, billowing at the windows. Outside, they could hear the crashing of the waves on the rocks on the shore. They kissed softly as Christo unbuttoned her dress, sliding his hands inside to cup her breasts, to stroke her stomach as Noosh pushed his shirt aside. They took their time, undressing each other slowly, until – naked – they tumbled to the bed.

Christo covered her body with his, hitching her legs around his waist, his huge cock nudging against her sex. “I’m sorry, baby, I can’t wait.”

Noosh grinned as he slid into her, sighing happily. “Never apologize for that, baby. God, that feels so good. Deeper, baby, deeper.”

She rocked her hips up to meet his, allowing his cock to plunge deep inside her. Christo’s eyes never left her face as they moved together. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful sight than your face when we make love,” he murmured, trailing his lips along her jawline and thrusting harder.

Noosh tangled her fingers in his hair, crushing her lips against his as they made love, his cock growing even harder inside her as they fucked, letting themselves go, their animal need for each other feral and uninhibited.

She felt him come, sending thick streams of creamy white semen deep inside her. Noosh felt her entire body vibrating with ecstasy, that incredible feeling of being somewhere between life and death, utterly lost in the man she loved. “Ti amo, ti amo,” she whispered in his native tongue, and Christo smiled down at her.

“Bella Anoushka, my love, my heart.”

Noosh woke on the morning of her wedding day and felt one hundred percent different to her first wedding day. She felt alive, vital, and almost sick with excitement. There would be no hurried City Hall wedding for her and her beloved Christo. She turned on her side and watched him sleep – they’d had no time for the old custom of not seeing each other on their wedding day. He was almost forty now, only a few weeks away, but he looked no older than his late twenties. She cupped his face with her palm, tracing her thumb over his cheek, marveling at his physical beauty. It was only made more appealing by his kind heart. She barely recognized the man who had taken her and then thrown her out of that club in New York all those months ago.

“We’ve been through so much, baby,” she whispered it, so as to not wake him, but he opened those brilliant green eyes of his and smiled at her.

“I can’t wait to begin the rest of our lives together, my darling Noosh. Good morning, beautiful.” He leaned over and kissed her, gathering her to him. His cock was already hard, and she grinned as she pushed him onto his back and straddled him.

“Happy wedding day, gorgeous,” she said, guiding him inside her.

They made love quietly, drinking each other in until they both looked at the clock regretfully. Their wedding planners would be here in less than an hour.

Christo waited until Noosh’s mother, Preeti, had borne her daughter off to get ready for the wedding before he got Bertie. Bertie was leaning against the outside wall, watching Noosh’s father, Bernard, and Fogliano chuckling with each other over a bottle of very expensive scotch. Bertie nodded at them as Christo joined him.

“I hope Noosh knows she might have to support her own dad while he staggers up the aisle. Those two are already three sheets.”

Christo grinned. Noosh’s father was a quiet and staid man, but he had hit it off immediately with Fogliano, much to everyone’s surprise. Their friendship had eased the potential difficulties of being unable to pay for his daughter’s wedding himself – something Christo and Noosh had worried about. Fogliano had taken Bernard aside after their engagement party.

“My dear Bernard, there is something I must ask you, from a father to a father. Noosh tells me that you have always provided for her, no matter how strained things became, that she never wanted for anything. I see it in her personality, her warmth, her love. She credits you and Preeti for it. I wish I could have been that person for my son, especially after my wife died. But I was not, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it. Which is why I ask you now for a favor. Please, Bernard, let me pay for the wedding. It is such a small thing for me, but it would mean the world.”

Bernard Taylor had known the other reason for Fogliano to say this to him, but he was grateful that Fogliano went out of his way to make it seem as if Bernard were doing him a favor.

Now, Christo took Bertie aside. “So, the farmhouse?”

Bertie grinned. “The new buildings will be finished by the time you and Noosh get back from India. The contractors we chose are superb, I’m glad to say. Leave the rest to me, buddy.

“Thanks, man.” Christo smiled with relief. “She’s going to love it.”

Bertie laughed aloud. “You and Noosh both. Now, let’s get you ready.”

Preeti helped her daughter into a beautiful white sari, a nod to Preeti’s heritage that Noosh had insisted on. “I know you’d love me to have a traditional Indian wedding, Mum, but I think this is a good compromise, isn’t it?”

Preeti kissed her daughter’s cheek. Noosh was almost her mother’s mini-me – same warm beauty, soulful brown eyes, and caramel skin. “Darling, after the few years you have had – we have had – I wouldn’t care if you were married in a trash bag.”

Noosh laughed, then studied herself in the mirror. The sari, delicately decorated with dark gold beads, fit her body perfectly and made her dusky skin glow. “A fusion wedding,” she grinned, and Preeti laughed.

“Well, your grandmother is already in the kitchen with the caterers – god help them if they mess up the curry dishes.”

Noosh giggled and hugged her mother. Preeti had been remarkably resilient, even in the face of her own abduction and torture. Noosh had confided in her about killing Destry, how odd and distressing it had felt to take another person’s life. She told Preeti while she didn’t regret killing that monster, she didn’t want her mother to think any less of her for being a killer.

Preeti had held her daughter in her arms and whispered in a fierce voice, “Nothing, nothing could ever change my feelings for you, my precious one. You did what you had to do. You saved us all, my darling.”

Noosh remembered that now as Preeti wound her hair up into a loose bun at the nape of her neck, then fastened the wedding jewels in her hair. “I love you, Mum.”

Preeti looked close to tears. “I love you too, Anoushka. I’ve never been as proud as I am of you today.”

Noosh blinked back her own tears. “Mustn’t ruin your great make-up work.” She grinned at her mother with shining eyes.

Preeti touched her cheek. “You never needed much. Your beauty shines from inside you.”

A tear did escape then. “I get it from my mum and dad,” Noosh said softly.

The moment was ruined by the alarm clock making them both jump, then laugh. Noosh looked at Preeti and gave a shaky sigh. “It’s time.”

“It’s time.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Christo’s world became all about the beautiful woman walking towards him down the aisle. For a moment, it was as if every moment of their relationship flashed past his eyes – that first meeting at the club, their fraught parting, seeing her at the radio station and feeling utter shock and overwhelming delight as he saw her face again. The anticipation of their lovemaking as she recovered from the shooting, the miracle of their love. The horror of her stabbing, of feeling her life slip away as he held her in his arms.

They had made it. And now, in a few short minutes, they would be bound together forever.

Bernard placed Noosh’s hand in Christo’s, and Christo shot his almost-father-in-law a grateful smile before turning his attention to the women before him. Noosh smiled up at him, her face radiant with joy and love.

“God you’re beautiful,” he whispered and without thinking, pressed his lips to hers. A ripple of low laughter went through the gathered company, and Noosh giggled.

“I think we’re supposed to wait to do that part,” she said in a stage whisper, and Christo laughed.

“Oops.”

Laughing, they turned to the priest and in no time at all, the vows were spoken, rings were exchanged, and they were married.

“Now you can kiss her,” the priest laughed, and they needed no encouragement as their friends and family burst into cheers and applause.

“We. Are. Married.” Noosh said it again, still not believing it as they settled onto the private jet ready to take them on their honeymoon to India. She grinned over at her husband. “How very grown up.”

“Really quite spiffy,” he said, teasing her, and she stuck her tongue out at him and giggled. Christo leaned over to kiss her. “Wifey.”

“Hubby. Listen, how long do we have to stay belted in?”

“Just until we take off. Why?” But he was grinning – he knew exactly why.

“I had planned on today being one of the days where we slip away for a quickie, but it didn’t turn out like that.”

Christo laughed. “We almost got lucky…until your mother found us.”

“The look on her face was priceless – and a little admiring.” Noosh sniggered at the memory of her mother catching Christo with his pants around his ankles. “I don’t think she bought our explanation that you were just, um, rearranging your underwear.”

“Good god, I will never be able to look her in the eye again.”

“She only saw your perfect bubble-butt – and she is still a woman. I swear, she looked at me with new respect.” Noosh was enjoying his discomfort.

“Just for that, I’m going to do things to you that she definitely wouldn’t approve of.”

Noosh wriggled impatiently as the plane began to taxi along the runway. “Well, you’d better. What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, no.” He shook his head. “Show, not tell, today, Mrs. Montecito.” He let his fingertips drift up and down the inside of her thigh until she moaned, wanting him to touch her sex, but he merely grinned and wouldn’t. “Have patience.”

As the plane took off, they gazed at each other, then the moment the seatbelt light pinged off, Christo released his belt. “Stay where you are,” he said in a low voice as he moved onto his knees, spreading her legs and settling between them. He tugged at the belt of her ruby-red dress.

“I remember this dress. You were wearing it the first time I saw you. God, when I saw you, so innocent, so vulnerable in that seedy club, I wanted you so badly.”

Noosh smiled down at him, her eyes full of desire. “I never dreamed I would do something like that, but the sadness in your eyes…not to mention your gorgeous face,” she giggled, “and I could not have resisted for a moment. I still feel like that…except now the pain has gone.”

“For both of us.” He pushed aside the fabric, revealing her underwear, her soft skin. He pressed his lips to each of her scars – her war wounds, she called them – then looked up at her. “You blow my mind, Anoushka Montecito. My life began when I met you.”

“As did mine,” she said. Christo kissed from her belly to her breasts, then caught her lips with his.

“Noosh, every inch of your body is golden, heaven, and made for fucking.”

Noosh colored but smiled at the compliment. “Then fuck me, husband.”

Christo smiled wickedly. “All in good time…for now, I want to taste your delicious cunt.” With one movement, he ripped her panties from her, making her gasp at the quick pain, and lifted her buttocks. He smiled one last time before burying his face in her sex.

Noosh gasped as his tongue lashed mercilessly around her clit, and he slid two fingers into her sodden cunt. He brought her to an almost unbearable climax, leaving her shivering and trembling. He swept her up into his arms and to the bedroom at the back of the plane.

Noosh tore at his clothes, ripping open his shirt and taking his nipple into her mouth, nibbling and flickering her tongue around it until she felt it harden. She trailed her lips down his flat stomach and took his already tumescent cock into her mouth. Hollowing out her cheeks as she sucked him, drinking his seed down as he bucked and jerked beneath her.

Christo flipped her roughly onto her back and pinned her hands above her head. Noosh’s breath quickened as she saw the dangerous desire in his eyes. He pushed her knees up to her chest and launched his cock into the red and swollen cunt. Their eyes locked as they fucked, not two beings now, but one, completely united in their love.

They fucked until they were exhausted, then fell asleep in each other’s arms. When they awoke, the plane was flying over the subcontinent. They landed, and once they were through customs, Noosh grinned at Christo. “Now,” she said, “time to introduce you to my heritage.”

The honeymoon was as full of love, laughter, and exploration as they had planned, but the day Christo would never forget was the day they traveled to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Christo hadn’t been prepared for the majesty, the beauty of the tomb, and he knew Noosh was watching him for his reaction. He looked down at her. “There are no words.”

Noosh smiled. “I know.”

“Have you been here before?”

She nodded. “When I was a kid. I didn’t get it then. I mean, it’s beautiful, and I knew the story of Shah Jahan and his love for Mumtaz Mahal…but I couldn’t imagine a love like that.” She took his hand. “I do now.”

Christo was too moved to speak, and so Noosh led him around the mausoleum, telling him the love story between the Shah and his wife. “It’s a full moon tonight. They allow night viewing…want to stay?”

Christo wrapped his arms around her as they watched the moon soar in the night sky and give the Taj an otherworldly glow. Noosh snuggled into his embrace. “Happy?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe, baby.”

“Good. Christo?”

He smiled down at her. “Yes, baby?”

Noosh smiled at him, her eyes shining. “You’re going to be a daddy.”

Christo blinked, then gaped, then laughed. “What?”

Noosh giggled. “I found out three days ago, just before the wedding, and I was going to tell you straight away, but then I remembered we were coming here. I thought it was the perfect place to tell you that we’re going to have a baby.”

Christo was speechless for a moment then whooped loudly, hugging her tightly. They laughed together, and he apologized to some other tourists who he’d startled. “Sorry, sorry…we’re having a baby!”

His joy infected all around them, and they had to field many congratulations before they were able to be alone again.

“I can’t believe it. The doctor said…”

“The doctor said it would be difficult for me to conceive, but not impossible.” Her smile faded a little. “Papps couldn’t take that away from us, after all.”

Christo swept a hand through her hair. “I know you’ve been thinking about him lately, I mean, I could tell it was backing up on you. He’s dead, Noosh, he can’t ever hurt us again. Never, ever again.”

And finally, she believed him.

Chapter Thirty

“Mumtaz Montecito.”

“No. No way.” Noosh giggled as they drove back to the farmhouse from the airport. She stroked his cheek as he drove. The Indian sun had turned his olive skin a deep gold – it made his bright green eyes and his almost-black hair even more affecting and desirable. He grinned at her.

“Careful. Last time you looked at me like that, I done gone and got you good and knocked up.”

Noosh laughed. Their Indian honeymoon had been perfect, and now they were returning home to begin their lives together and await the birth of their first child. They had figured out – roughly – that Noosh must not be more than a couple of months pregnant.

“Which leaves seven months for us to get the farmhouse childproofed. Your workshop, for example, had better be locked. Can you imagine a baby in there, crawling around?” She shuddered.

“If it’s a boy, I’ll get to teach him wood-turning.”

“Dinosaur. What if our daughter wants to be a carpenter?”

“Her too,” Christo said hurriedly. “Sorry, that was bad.”

“You’re forgiven…this time. And besides, our daughter will be too busy curing cancer and winning Oscars to be carving wood.”

“That’s an eclectic career path you’ve chosen for her.”

They continued to rib each other, joking around until Christo pulled into the long driveway to their farmhouse. As they approached, Noosh exclaimed in surprise. “What on earth?”

There were two new buildings on the site – one next to Christo’s workshop, and one built onto the farm, next to their bedroom. Noosh looked at Christo questioningly. He grinned.

“My wedding present to you. Let’s get settled and I’ll show you around.”

The brick building next to Christo’s workshop turned out to be a recording studio – small but with state of the art equipment. Noosh couldn’t believe her eyes. Christo grinned at her. “I know you want to start doing independent documentaries for the station and for yourself. I thought this would help.”

Noosh put her hand to her mouth, so utterly shocked that she couldn’t speak for a moment. “My god, Christo…this is…incredible. Thank you, thank you.”

She threw herself into his arms, any fatigue from the journey forgotten, and kissed him madly.

“You like?”

“God, yes…can I play?”

Christo laughed. “Of course…but hold that thought. Let me show you the other room…I think you might enjoy that one even more.”

Noosh gave him a quizzical look and then began to smile. “Lead on, hubby.”

She was right, the room did lead off of their bedroom, and when Christo opened the door, Noosh saw why, and started to laugh. “Oh, you naughty, naughty boy, Mr. Montecito…”

The room featured a bed, swathed in pure white mosquito netting, but it was the only innocent-looking thing in the room. Along the walls, stocks, handcuffs hanging from the walls and racks of riding crops and whips. A white cadenza stocked with dildos, vibrators, gags, leather belts, and straps. On the nightstand next to the bed, lube, massage oil, feathers. Noosh went around the room, touching everything, a slow smile spreading across her face.

Christo waited for her reaction. Noosh went to him and stood in front of him. Slowly, she unbuttoned her dress and let it fall to the floor. Underneath, she was naked, not having bothered to put underwear on for the jet – they’d fucked their way back over India, Europe, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“You like?” Christo asked as he slid his arms around her waist, and Noosh nodded, her eyes locked on his.

“Oh, I like, Mr. Montecito… I like very much. Promise me this…even when we’re responsible parents, we’ll still make time for this.”

Christo grinned down at her. “I thought we said no promises?”

Noosh pressed her lips against his. “That was another lifetime, baby, another lifetime.” And they began to make love, knowing this was only the beginning of their beautiful story.

The End.