C hapter Sixteen

L ivia was worried about Nox’s state of mind for the next few days and although he told her he was making good progress with Dr. Feldstein, he looked drawn and tired. Livia comforted the best way she could, spending all her spare time with him, talking, making love and hangin out .

Soon though, she felt unable to cheer him and asked him if he would like Amber to come see him .

“Amber’s out of town .”

It was Livia’s turn to look surprised. “ She is ?”

“ Yeah , why ?”

She shrugged. “It’s just, you never said .”

“Should I have?” Nox smiled at her, his expression a little confused .

“No, I guess not.” Livia brushed it off but she wondered why Nox knew exactly where Amber was at any one time and why it bothered her so much .

Nox was studying her. “She wanted to get away because Pia’s murder dragged up bad memories, sweetheart. Nothing insidious. I thought you liked Amber ?”

“I do, very much,” she reassured him, but something felt off to her. Why would Amber desert her best friend at a time like this? Even if it did bring up memories of her sister’s murder, why wouldn’t she want to be around the people she was closest to? Livia felt her skin prickle with unease. What did she really know about these people and how they operated ?

“Are you okay ?”

She nodded. “Actually, I’m pretty bushed, but I have to practice for the recital. Do you mind if I use your mother’s studio ?”

“It’s your studio now, baby, and of course. Would you like some alone time ?”

“If you don’t mind,” she smiled to soften the blow, “otherwise I’ll be distracted by your gorgeous body. I’ll make it up to you later .”

Nox grinned, his whole face lighting up, and Liv felt a frisson of desire go through her. “I’ll hold you to that .”

A t the piano, she ran through her composition again and again, concentrating on the finer details of it. She wondered if it even counted as jazz now, it was so slow and almost classical in its melody. Charvi had assured her that it still had its roots in her favorite genre .

“It’s very New Orleans jazz,” she had told Livia at their last tutorial. “Slow, sensual, laissez-faire. It’s almost listless in its sexuality, as if, yes, you desire this man, but just being with him, being still with him is enough .”

And it was true, Livia did love just being with Nox, even if they were napping on his couch or reading together, his head on her stomach. Or just being . Being in the moment with Nox felt so natural .

Maybe that’s why this thing is freaking you out, she told herself. It’s all a bit too easy, as if I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop .

She moved her fingers over the keys again and again, and when after an hour or two, she heard the music room door open, she smiled to herself. She had her eyes closed, practicing the chords as she felt his fingers sweep her hair back from her shoulder and his lips against her neck. She continued to play as he unbuttoned her dress slowly, stroking the skin of her back, then trailing his lips down her spine. Livia shivered, closing her eyes as Nox chuckled, a deep sound from the back of his throat .

“Keep playing, beautiful .”

Livia giggled softly as he lifted her and slid underneath her, perching her on his lap as he began to peel her dress away from her shoulders. Livia managed to keep playing the melody as he stripped her to the waist. She wiggled against his groin, feeling his cock long and hard against her buttocks. Nox nibbled at her earlobe as he caressed her bare breasts. “You want me inside ?”

She nodded, turning her head to kiss his mouth. Nox gently closed the piano lid and set her on top of the piano, removing the rest of her clothes. Livia kissed him as he stripped .

With him seated on the piano stool, he lifted her on top of him. Livia took his cock in her hand, marveling at the thick, hot length of it, and then guided him inside of her, moaning softly as he filled her. They rocked together, eyes locked on the other’s, their mouths hungry as they kissed .

“God, I love you,” Nox growled as their lovemaking became more intense. He swept her onto the floor and began to thrust hard as she wrapped her legs around him. The sensations he was sending through her body were intoxicating and she forgot all of her earlier irritation and misgivings, giving herself to him entirely .

Nox, knowing he had command of her body, smiled down at her as he drove her towards orgasm. “You and me forever, Livvy. Promise me .”

“I promise, god , yes. I promise…Nox …” Her back arched up and she felt him climax as she gasped through her own ecstasy, pumping thick, creamy cum deep inside her. Livia panted for air, laughing and telling him how much she loved him as they collapsed to the floor .

Nox smothered her in kisses, making her giggle, and then started to blow raspberries on her stomach, tickling her sides. Livia shrieked with laughter, twisting and turning to escape him. She turned on her side—then gasped as she saw it. At the window of the mansion, a figure .

Someone was watching them .

C hapter Seventeen

A t Livia’s scream of fright, Nox took off, immediately grabbing his pants and shoving his legs into them even as he began to run to the door. Livia followed him down the long hallway of the mansion, but she stopped as he yelled at her, “Stay inside, baby, call 911 .”

Adrenaline was spiking in her veins as she grabbed her cell phone and called, cursing for once the fact that Nox refused a security team. She got through to the emergency services, who assured her someone was on their way .

“Keep calm, ma’am, and stay on the line. Is your partner back ?”

“No,” Livia tried to stop her voice from trembling, “he’s still out there.” She went to the door, peering out into the cold night, shivering from terror and from the cold. She had only managed to grab Nox’s shirt to cover herself. She couldn’t see Nox, couldn’t hear him . “Nox !”

“Stay inside!” His voice was far away but she felt a little relief that he was still within earshot .

“He’s still looking for whoever it was,” she told the dispatcher. “Please hurry .”

“We are, sweetheart, just stay calm .”

A gunshot rang out in the night and Livia screamed, dropping the cell phone. “Nox!” Her terror made tears pour down her face as she ran out into the night, not caring about her own safety as long as she got to him. She heard shouting, and another gunshot. She ran towards the sound, screaming his name, and it was a huge relief when he came into view .

Nox looked at her, a strange expression in his eyes, and Livia stopped . “Baby ?”

“I told you to stay inside,” he said softly, and to her horror, blood began to drip from his hairline down his perfect face. He reached for her as his knees gave way, and Nox Renaud collapsed to the ground .

L ivia didn’t know how she had managed to stop screaming. After the police arrived, followed a few minutes later by a medical team, she watched Nox being loaded, unconscious, into the ambulance. A policewoman wrapped a blanket around her and when they got to the hospital, a kindly nurse gave her some scrubs to put on. They wheeled Nox straight into the emergency room and it wasn’t long before the doctor came to look for her .

“Mr. Renaud was shot in the head but, thankfully, it’s a relatively minor wound. I say relatively because, obviously, any head shot will have its complications. What’s encouraging is that the bullet took out a chunk of skull bone but didn’t penetrate his brain. We’re going to go in now and see how much damage was done, and I’ll come update you as soon as we know more .”

“Doc? Will he be okay ?”

“We’re going to do everything we can. Keep the faith .”

The police officer with Livia thanked the doctor. When they were alone, she asked Livia to go over what had happened again and Livia told her again .

“Could you make out whether the intruder was male or female ?”

“I saw them for maybe a split second before whoever it was stepped away from the window.” Livia was calm, knowing the police had to ask these questions, but desperately worried about Nox. “Nox went out after them and I called you. The next thing I know, Nox is on the ground, bleeding.” Her voice broke as the shock hit her full-force. “Oh god… oh god …”

She dropped her head into her hands and began to cry. The police officer rubbed her back, and shortly afterward, Livia heard a familiar voice as someone sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms .

“Shh, it’s okay.” Sandor held her tightly as she leaned against him. She cried herself out then looked up. Sandor, drawn and shocked, tried to smile at her. He handed her a tissue and rubbed her back. “He’s going to be okay, sweetheart .”

“You bet your ass, he is,” Amber stated determinedly was she walked into the room, nodding at the police officer. “Hey, there. Amber Duplas .”

“I know who you are, Ms. Duplas, and thanks for coming .”

“You called them?” Livia, wiping her eyes, looked surprised. The police officer nodded .

“You were in no condition and we know Mr. Renaud’s contacts. We thought it would be best to call them .”

“Thank you, you’re very kind .”

“I’m going to step out now but I’ll be back to ask more questions .”

“Of course .”

When she was alone with Sandor and Amber, she told them what had happened. “They shot him,” she said, incredulously. “They actually shot Nox .”

Amber put her arm around her. “Listen, the docs say he’ll be fine…most likely .”

“They told you that ?”

Amber smiled. “I’m legally Nox’s next of kin. We’re each other’s, actually—comes of having no living relatives .”

“I see.” Liv felt a wave of exhaustion and Sandor seemed to notice .

“Livvy, they may be hours. We can get the nurse to bring a cot in for you so you can rest .”

“Thank you, San, but I couldn’t. I just need some coffee .”

Amber stood. “I’ll go find some .”

Sandor kept his arm around Livia. “At least lean on me and try to relax some. They may be operating for a while .”

In the end, the doctor came back after a couple of hours. He was smiling, and Livia felt some of the terror lift. “Mr. Renaud will be fine. The bullet didn’t enter the brain cavity at all. As we thought, he lost a bit of skull bone but he was incredibly lucky. The bullet glanced off of him. He’ll be missing a chunk of skin and hair for a while but we were able to close the wound. He won’t even need to see the plastics team. He’s in recovery now, and then we just need to wait for the anesthetic to wear off. He might have concussion—in fact, I’d say that’s a given, so we’ll keep him in for a couple of days .”

Livia felt the tears pouring down her face. “Thank you, doctor, thank you so much .”

He patted her hand. “Get some rest. You can see him in an hour or so .”

Alone with Sandor, Livia finally broke down and sobbed, a mix of relief and terror. Sandor held her tightly and let her cry herself out before she finally fell asleep in his arms .

W aking an hour later, Livia felt her eyes were swollen and heavy with salt and tried to smile at Sandor. “I know I look like the Swamp Thing, but I need to see Nox .”

“Doc said we could go through to his room when you awoke .”

Livia stood, then felt a blood rush and wobbled. Sandor caught her and she leaned against his solid body. “Liv, have you eaten anything ?”

“Not since last night .”

“We need to get some food inside you .”

“I want to see him first .”

Sandor didn’t look happy, but he also looked resigned. “Come on then, hold onto me .”

W hen Livia saw Nox, the tears came again. His head was bandaged and Livia could see dried blood and the beginnings of a huge bruise, red, purple, black and blue, angry and vicious, on the right side of his head . “God .”

“Remember what the doc said. It looks worse than it is .”

Livia bent over her lover and kissed his lips, glad to feel that they were warm. “I love you so much,” she whispered and then smiled as Nox opened his eyes and focused on her .

“Hey, beautiful.” He gazed up at her for a few moments, a smile on his face, then his eyes closed and he fell asleep again .

Livia gave a sigh of relief and leaned her forehead gently against his. “Thank god , Nox .”

Sandor rubbed her back. “Come sit down before you fall down, Liv. I’ll grab you some hot food .”

I t was night time and Nox was still asleep. Livia stroked his curls back from his pale face and sighed. She had sent Sandor and Amber away, but she was exhausted. She got up, bending over Nox to kiss his cold lips. “Gonna go find some coffee, baby. I’ll be right back .”

She went to find a vending machine but the one on Nox’s floor was out of service. She walked down the stairs, hoping the exercise would wake her up. Now that she knew Nox was out of danger, her adrenaline had disappeared and her body felt heavy and listless. Who the hell would shoot her beloved Nox? Who had been watching them? Her flesh crawled at the thought of it. How did the evening go from one of sensuality and love, to horror ?

She tried the door to the floor below and went into the corridor. It was silent, and Livia could see that some sort of remodeling was being carried out. No one was around. To her relief, the vending machines were working and she quickly purchased a strong black coffee and a power bar. She snagged some fresh cold water from the cooler and drained the plastic cup .

A breeze blew cool against her back and she heard a door slam. Turning, the breath caught in her throat as she saw a figure in shadow standing at the end of the corridor, watching her. Livia took a shaky breath in. “Sorry if I’m not supposed to be down here, but the coffee machine on …”

She trailed off as the figure started to walk towards her without speaking, and that’s when she saw it. The knife in his hand .

Jesus , no …

She dropped the hot coffee and turned and ran. The intruder was between her and the staircase, so she darted deeper into the corridors, looking for any other way out. She heard him behind her, could hear his breathing as he ran after her. She weaved and slammed through any open door she found until, as she opened a final door, she realized she had run out of luck .

In a second, she felt him grab her shoulders and pull her back towards him. Livia screamed, kicked, and struggled with her attacker, determined to fight until either she escaped or he killed her .

He was strong, too strong, and when he slammed his fist into her temple, Livia crumpled to the ground, dazed, terrified, and knowing she could do no more .

She lay on her back and felt her attacker pushing her top up, exposing her abdomen. She saw the flash of the blade once before she passed out .

C hapter Eighteen

“L ivia? Livvy, sweetheart, wake up .”

She could hear Sandor’s voice but was confused. Why was he telling her to wake up? Wasn’t she dead? Her murder had been surprisingly painless, she had to admit, but now her head screeched with agony. She opened her eyes. White light. Blinding .

“Ouch,” she said, and heard Sandor’s relieved chuckle .

“Hello again, beauty. You had us scared .”

“Livia? I’m Dr. Ford. We found you unconscious on the floor below. What happened, my dear ?”

Livia blinked and immediately reached down and ran her hand over her stomach. There were no stab wounds. She reached up and touched her temple. Her hand came away bloody. “He chased me and hit me. I think he wanted to kill me…why didn’t he ?”

She saw the doctor and Sandor exchange a skeptical glance and felt idiotic. She pushed herself up into a seated position. “Who’s with Nox? If someone tried to kill me, then he’s not safe either .”

“Amber’s with him, sweetheart. Now, the doc’s going to fix your head right up and the police want to talk to you , okay ?”

“Sure.” Livia felt as if they were humoring her. “Maybe they’ll believe me.” She couldn’t help the snippiness that flooded her tone. The doctor said nothing but Sandor smiled at her .

“It’s not that we don’t believe you. It’s that when I found you downstairs, it clearly looked like you’d fallen and hit your head, is all. There were no signs of a struggle. Are you sure you didn’t just panic? You’re very tired, honey. It’s been a long night .”

When he put it like that…could she have imagined it? Livia closed her eyes and felt her head spinning. The doctor was cleaning up her head wound. “You won’t even need stitches .”

Livia thanked him. When she and Sandor were alone, she felt tears in her eyes. “I don’t know what to think, San. I was so sure…he had a knife. I saw it .”

Sandor sat on the edge of the gurney and put his arm around her. “Why were you down there ?”

“Coffee. The vending machine on this floor isn’t working. Hey, I remember dropping the cup of coffee when I was being chased.” She looked at him hopefully but he shook his head. “We didn’t find any spilled liquid, honey .”

Fuck. Was she going crazy? “I want to go see Nox .”

“Of course .”

L ivia walked a little unsteadily back to Nox’s room. When she pushed open the door, a shot of jealousy flooded through her when she saw Amber stroking Nox’s forehead. He was awake, and when he saw her, he smiled such a sweet smile that her heart lifted .

“Hey, you. They told me you had a fall .”

Livia smiled at him cautiously, shooting a glance at Amber, who gave up her bedside seat for Livia. “We’ll give you two some space,” she said and took Sandor out of the room, closing the door behind them. Livia leaned over and kissed Nox’s mouth .

“You gave me such a scare , baby .”

“I’m sorry, honey. You didn’t answer my question—you had a fall ?”

Livia hesitated, not knowing what to tell him, but then nodded. They had more important things to talk about right now. “I’m fine…but, Nox, do you remember what happened before you were shot ?”

She couldn’t help touching the bandage on his head. He caught her hand and pressed it to his face. “I can. We were making love; some creep was watching us. When I was outside, I heard something and went towards it. I saw…something—a figure—and went after them.” He sighed, closing his eyes as she stroked his face. “When you called out, I saw the figure turn towards the sound of your voice and I was so scared he’d come after you. I almost caught up with him, then he—or she—shot me. I remember not knowing if I was a dead man walking—I just wanted to see you one last time so I came back for you .”

He opened his eyes and met her gaze. “Sweetheart, I was dazed and concussed, but in the moment before I passed out…I saw someone behind you. God…” His expression was guilt-ridden and Livia felt her throat close .

“He followed us here,” she said softly, “and he attacked me. I didn’t fall . San and the doctor don’t believe me. Who the hell is coming after us , Nox ?”

Nox shook his head grimly, and he reached for her. She crawled into the bed with him and he wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but I can tell you this. He won’t get near us again.” He kissed her forehead. “I know you hate the idea, but first thing in the morning I’m arranging an entire security detail. Agreed ?”

And Livia could not argue with him. “Fine. Whatever you think, honey .”

Nox kissed her forehead. “Does it hurt ?”

She shook her head and smiled. “Not as much as yours, I’ll bet .”

“They’ve got me hopped up on morphine .”

Livia chuckled. “Things are about to get wild .”

Nox laughed. “Actually, I’m beat. I could do with some more sleep and by the looks of it, so could you .”

L ivia slept in the bed with Nox, despite the disapproving glance of the nurses who came in to check his vitals. When they awoke, it was evening again. Livia kissed his mouth tenderly .

“Thank god you’re okay, Nox. I don’t know what I would have done .”

He stroked her face. “Now you know how I feel. Whatever is going down, we’ll beat it, Liv. I want my happily ever after with you .”

They heard raised voices outside in the hallway. Nox and Livia looked at each other as Roan and Odelle, both looking angry and scared, came in. Odelle gave a huge sigh of relief. “ Thank god .”

Roan, who looked worse for wear, clutched his friend’s hand. “Jesus, Nox, when they said on the news you’d been shot …”

“It’s on the news ?”

Odelle nodded. “That’s how we found out .”

Livia got up. “I’m sorry, that’s my fault. I should have called you.” She wobbled and Odelle stepped forward to steady her .

“No, Amber and Sandor should have called us. You had this to deal with…what happened to your head? They didn’t mention you being hurt , too .”

“This happened in the hospital. I’ll tell you about it later.” Livia glanced at Roan, who looked distraught. “Is he okay?” She lowered her voice and Odelle shook her head .

“No, he isn’t. Look, we have to talk you, and I…let me just have a moment with Nox and we’ll go for some coffee and some hot food. You look like you could do with some .”

Livia nodded, and turned to kiss Nox. “I’m going to give you a moment with your friends, darling, I’ll be right back .”

She looked back and saw Nox open his arm and hug Odelle. Livia was astonished to hear the other woman crying. Odelle was so emotionless most of the time that it came as a shock to hear her upset. Livia realized how much Nox meant to Odelle then, and it warmed her even more to the other woman .

And Roan…there was something going on with him, something that made him look like a man who was barely hanging on. It was beyond being upset about his friend being shot .

Livia went to the restroom to freshen up, using one of the disposable toothbrushes to brush her teeth. She felt dirty, itchy, the scrubs she had been given were spotted with dried blood. A bruise was forming over her temple and she could now see the outline of knuckles in the wound. She gritted her teeth. She hadn’t been hallucinating or imagining the intruder coming after her .

So why hadn’t he killed her? She pulled her top up and examined her abdomen. Nothing, not even a scratch. She was about to drop the top when something caught her eye. A small cut on the inside of her navel. A speck of dried blood. What the hell? Was it a warning, or had the man intended to carve her up slowly but got interrupted? Maybe by Sandor looking for her? It made her flesh crawl and her breath quicken to realize that if Sandor hadn’t looked for her, she could be dead right now. Lying disemboweled, her blood pooled around her, forgotten on the floor below until Nox asked where she was. The assailant had shot Nox in the head then came for her – si why didn’t he fiish the job? She had been utterly vunerable .

Everyone you love … The warning from Pia’s murder scene hit her again. Who was he talking to? Nox? But why? What on Earth had triggered this vendetta twenty years after his family and his lover had all died ?

Livia stared into the mirror. What the hell was going on? And why did she feel so sure—overwhelmingly sure—that Amber had something to do with it all? Amber and Roan…both of them, she felt sure, knew more than they were saying. Was Amber looking for revenge for Ariel’s death now that Nox had finally moved on and fallen in love with another woman? Or was it just that she wanted Nox for herself ?

What about Roan? He looked like a man destroyed. She couldn’t quite believe it had been Roan stalking and attacking her…but then again, Roan was a passionate man. Would he have hesitated to kill her quickly and brutally, no matter who was coming? She didn’t think so .

Livia shook herself. “And it could be just some random psycho who killed Pia, and no more than an intruder staking out Nox’s mansion to rob it.” She spoke the words aloud to try and reassure herself, but faltered. No, it was something more insidious, she knew it in her bones .

She jumped as the restroom door slammed behind her and turned. No one. Which meant someone had been watching her? She darted to the door and looked out. Whoever it was, they were long gone. Livia gritted her teeth, but as she looked down, she saw it. A long red hair on the linoleum floor. Amber .

Livia went back to Nox’s room, hearing him speaking in a loving, tender tone. “It’s okay, Odelle, I’m fine. I’ll be out of here in a couple of days .”

“I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you or Livia. You’re my family .”

Livia was unbelievably touched. Who would have thought she meant so much to the ice queen? She knocked gently at the door and poked her head in, smiling at them both. Roan had disappeared. “I hope I’m not intruding .”

“Not at all , baby .”

Odelle came to her and hugged her, and Livia returned the embrace. “We’re okay, Odelle, really .”

Odelle sniffed and Livia realized she was crying again. The other woman drew away finally, wiping her eyes. “Sorry .”

“Don’t worry about it.” Livia smiled at her then went to Nox, taking his hand. Odelle gathered herself .

“Look, I can get on the phone right now and have protection set up here, at the home, at the restaurant and your office , Nox .”

Nox nodded. “That would be a weight off, thanks Odie .”

Odelle got straight on her cell phone, stepping out into the hallway. Livia nudged Nox . “Odie ?”

He grinned. “I’m the only one she lets call her that. And then, only on special occasions .”

“Like being shot in the head ?”

“Like that.” They both laughed, the tension being lifted by the joke. Nox kissed her .

“By the way, I’m liking the hot scrubs look .”

Livia rolled her eyes. “I’m filthy .”

“Look, baby, I’ll get Sandor to take you home. Eat proper food, grab a shower and some sleep. I’m not going anywhere .”

It did sound tempting and after a while, Livia agreed. “As long as someone is with you .”

“I don’t think Odelle is going anywhere .”

“Where did Roan go ?”

Nox shook his head. “He got choked, mumbled something about being sorry and left. Odelle is annoyed with him about something .”

The sat in silence for a while, holding hands. Livia cleared her throat. “Nox…I have this feeling. A feeling that whoever is behind all this…is close to us. To you .”

“I agree .”

She studied him. “Do you think …Roan ?”

Nox sighed. “I hate saying this, but I can’t imagine anyone else. He’s been drinking, he’s broke …”

“Isn’t he marrying Odelle ?”

Nox’s mouth set in a straight line. “He is. And he should think himself lucky. But it still doesn’t guarantee him any money. Odelle’s father won’t permit it .”

Livia looked at him askance. “Odelle’s father realizes this is the twenty-first century, right ?”

“I don’t mean he’ll not consent to the marriage, but Odelle is an heiress. She doesn’t have money of her own—it’s all tied up in her trust fund, which her father can withdraw at any time .”

“So, why is Odelle marrying him anyway ?”

Nox gave her a strange, half-sad smile. “Because she loves him .”

“Nox, would Roan shoot you ?”

“I can only tell you that Roan is a superb marksman. If it was him, then he didn’t intend to kill me.” Nox looked sick at having to say the words. “When I get out of here, beautiful…we need to talk about a lot of things. Your safety is paramount. Our future, too. Odelle tells me they have your name in the press. They’ll be hounding you at the college, at the restaurant too .”

“I can cope with that .”

Nox studied her. “You have no idea what they’re like. Vultures. They’ll dig up anything on you .”

Livia shrugged. “I have no skeletons .”

“Then I have to warn you,” Nox said, his handsome face serious, “they’ll make some up, just for you. Things really are about to get crazy .”

O delle thanked the doorman as she made her way into her apartment building. He called her back. “Mr. Saintmarc is waiting upstairs for you .”

Odelle nodded, her face impassive. “Thank you , Glen .”

She took the elevator up to her penthouse and stepped out into the atrium. Roan was slumped against the wall. He looked up at her, desperation in his eyes, and Odelle’s plan to send him away evaporated. She had never seen him look so desolate. She crouched next him. “What is it, Roan? What’s the matter ?”

Roan began to sob as he blurted out the words. “They’re going to say it was me, Odelle…they’re going to say it was me…that girl, Pia…I was with her the night she was killed…and they’re going to say it was me …”

C hapter Nineteen

T he police investigation brought up nothing, and as it drew nearer to Christmas and the weather finally turned cold, Livia and Nox holed up in his mansion. Livia only left for work or school, and Nox for any business meetings he couldn’t do from home. Neither of them said it, but the self-imposed nearness seemed to have opened up a new element to their relationship, a new intimacy—a closeness they had not known was missing .

Of course, their more adventurous sexual exploits had now been restricted to their bedroom. Odelle had hired what appeared to be an army of protection for Nox and Livia, and even they were a little stunned by how much of their lives were restricted now .

“I can’t send them away. Odelle would kill me…and I like to restrict being murdered to just once a year.” Nox grinned at Livia, who laughed .

“It does get in the way of stuff, doesn’t it? I mean, I was just murdered the other day, and I had a whole bunch of laundry to do .”

“How inconvenient .”

“ Isn’t it ?”

They had been joking with each other like this since Odelle had told them about Roan. He had been sleeping with Pia and had been with her the night she was killed. Odelle had persuaded him to go to the police and speak to them. He had been questioned and then charged on suspicion of murder. Odelle had paid the two-million-dollar bail money, and now Roan was locked away in her apartment until the trial .

Neither Nox nor Livia could believe the turn of events. Worse, when Roan was questioned about the night Nox and Livia had been attacked, he couldn’t provide an alibi. The police, desperate to find someone guilty for Pia’s murder, had used Nox’s rejection of Roan’s business proposition as motive .

“Their case is weak,” Roan’s lawyer, William Corcoran, told them when they met at Nox and Sandor’s offices, “but at the moment, he is the only person with motive and we know he was with the girl. I understand you have arranged a twenty-four-hour guard on him, Ms. Griffongy ?”

Odelle, pale and drawn, nodded. “He’s not going anywhere, Mr. Corcoran. He wants to be proved innocent .”

Livia took Odelle’s hand and squeezed it. “We’re here for you, Odelle.” She couldn’t bring herself to say that she was there for Roan too—she could well believe that he would hurt Nox, and Pia, to keep her from telling Odelle about their affair. Odelle looked shattered and Livia’s heart went out to her .

“We never did get our girl talk, did we?” She said in a low voice to Odelle as Nox and Sandor were talking to the lawyer. “We should do that . Soon .”

Odelle nodded. “I’ll come by your restaurant around lunchtime tomorrow, if that’s okay ?”

“Sure .”

T he next day, Moriko and Marcel gave her a hard time and she couldn’t blame them. She had called them from the hospital, but wouldn’t allow them to visit. She told them it was because Nox had too many visitors already, but truthfully, she didn’t want Moriko and Marcel on the killer’s radar any more than they already were by associating with her. Pia had barely been a part of the circle and now she was dead. No one was safe .

Moriko took one look at the cut on Livia’s head and her mouth set in an angry line. “And you didn’t mention that , either .”

“I slipped on some water at the hospital. No biggie.” She hadn’t told them about being attacked. Marcel shook his head at her .

“This is serious, Liv. I don’t want you hurt .”

Livia nodded back at the two huge bodyguards sitting in the restaurant. “It’s okay, those two are always with me—unfortunately .”

She dumped her bag in the backroom and went into the kitchen to wash her hands. She felt tired and drained, but at least she was back to doing something familiar. Nox had been reluctant to see her back at work, but couldn’t dissuade her. “I have responsibilities , baby .”

Now she tied her apron around her dress and went out front. The restaurant was quiet, the lunchtime rush a way off yet, and Moriko and Livia polished wine glasses and chatted as they laid out the tables .

“So, I have news.” Moriko said with a grin and Livia’s eyebrows shot up. She glanced at Marcel, which made Moriko roll her eyes .

“Will you stop with that? I adore Marcel, but I also work for him. No, it’s not Marcel, but I did meet someone .”

“Who ?”

“Not ready to say yet. But I am giving up the apartment. I thought you should know .”

“You’re moving in with whoever it is?” Livia was shocked but Moriko just stuck her tongue in her cheek and gave her friend a defiant stare. Livia grinned sheepishly. Yep, she had no right to be scandalized. “Sorry. Where are you moving to ?”

Moriko told her and Livia whistled. It was an upscale apartment building in the city, a block or two from where Odelle lived. “ Very nice .”

“It has one of those old-fashioned elevators, like you see in French movies. All wrought iron and fancy schmancy.” Moriko sounded so proud that Livia couldn’t help but giggle .

“Fancy .”

“You bet your ass it’s fancy. Hey, maybe we’ll have to do soirees like you do with all your fancy new friends .”

Livia grinned. “Shut up. Well, I’m happy for you, boo. When do we get to meet Captain Elevator ?”

“Ha ha. And soon, hopefully .”

“At least tell me his first name .”

“Nope. Live with it .”

“Spoilsport .”

O delle arrived just after one p.m. and Livia took her break. They sat two tables away from Livia’s conspicuous bodyguards. Odelle looked amused. “It must be strange for you to have them around .”

Livia nodded. “It is, but don’t think I’m not grateful, Odelle .”

“You can call me Odie, if you like .”

Livia smiled at her. “You’ve been a true friend to me and Nox , Odie .”

The other woman flushed a little. “I’m not good at making friends,” she said, “especially with women. They don’t trust me, for some reason. I don’t know why, it’s not like I’m sleeping around with their men. Unlike Amber .”

Livia sighed. “I’ve been having doubts about her, tracing back to what you said. But at the same time, she hasn’t done anything wrong—I don’t think. Certainly, Nox doesn’t see anything amiss and I’m hesitant to say anything negative. They’re so close .”

“Understandable. Look, maybe I’m biased. I’ve never liked the woman, and now that I know she was sleeping with Roan …”

“Was ?”

Odelle smiled. “As soon as she knew I found out, she dumped him. Amber has no use for men after the wife or girlfriend finds out.” She looked at Livia. “Does that upset you ?”

Livia nodded. “I wanted to believe she was a good one. I thought that she was .”

“Livvy, you’re your own woman. Do I think Amber is malicious? Not where Nox is concerned, certainly, and to be fair, she’s seemed to take to you too .”

“So, if we rule out Amber and Roan, who else would have a grudge against Nox?” Even saying the words made Livia tremble .

“I honestly don’t know. We both know Sandor is straight as a die .”

“He’s a teddy bear .”

Odelle smiled. “He is. He’s a good one. If only I’d fallen for him instead .”

Livia chuckled. “I would pay to see that. So, anyone else ?”

“Well, there is someone. An ex-girlfriend of Nox’s. Well, not really a girlfriend, but a fling. At least for Nox. Janine Dupois. Has Nox mentioned her ?”

Livia shook her head. “No, but we’ve never actually had the ‘ex’ talk, so I don’t blame him for not doing so. Who is she ?”

“Fashion editor and socialite. I heard she moved to New York, but made the mistake of trying to break into the scene up there without proving herself .”

Livia rolled her eyes and Odelle laughed. “It’s the way it works, I’m afraid .”

“If Nox and I are going to be long-term—and I hope so—I do hope I won’t be expected to become …”

“Like me?” But Odelle was smiling and Livia squeezed her hand .

“You know what I mean. I’m not a socialite. I don’t know anything about that world .”

Odelle studied her. “You know, Nox is a pretty down-to-earth guy. He wouldn’t—couldn’t —have fallen for someone who wasn’t suited to him. Don’t ever be afraid you won’t fit in, Livvy .”

W hen Livia arrived home later, she was feeling more optimistic than she had in weeks. Nox arrived a little after her and she went to greet him at the door. She kissed him tenderly. “I missed you .”

She took his hand and immediately led him up the stairs. Nox was grinning. “Well, if this is how you miss me …”

In their bedroom, Livia pulled his tie from his neck, kissing his chest as she unbuttoned his shirt. Nox slowly unzipped her dress, his fingertips trailing up and down her spine. As she pushed his shirt aside, her tongue found his nipple as her fingers unzipped his fly and reached into his pants. His cock was already hard as she freed it from his pants and she chuckled as she heard his sharp intake of breath. She pushed him down on the bed and tugged his pants off .

“Just lay back, baby. I’m in charge.” She wiggled out of her dress and Nox wolf-whistled at her. Livia grinned but then knelt between his legs and took him in her mouth. Tracing the veins along the silky, thick shaft, she tasted the salty pre-cum then flicked her tongue on the sensitive tip to drive him crazy. She heard his long groan of desire as she sucked, tasted and teased him, and when he was close and tried to pull away, she shook her head. He came in her mouth, groaning her name over and over .

Livia swallowed his seed down, and then shrieked with laughter as he swept her onto the floor and started to kiss her furiously, as if an animal had been unleashed inside him. He sucked at her nipples until they were rock hard and she was writhing beneath him, so turned on she thought she might pass out. Then, as he moved down her body, licking, tasting, biting at her breasts, her belly, she moaned as his mouth found her sex. “ God , Nox …”

He pleasured her until she was begging him to fuck her, and then he launched his diamond-hard cock into her, pressing her knees to her chest and slamming his hips against hers. Livia screamed her pleasure, not caring if every security guard in the place heard her. She lost herself in this heady delirium, kissing him, telling him again and again how much she loved him .

Finally, exhausted, they climbed into bed and wrapped themselves around the other. They kissed and chatted quietly, enjoying the time together .

“Odelle called me ‘Livvy’ and I get to call her ‘Odie,’” Liv said with wide eyes, making Nox laugh .

“She told me she adores you. You don’t bullshit—she likes that .”

“You are lot closer to her than I first thought,” Liv observed, “which makes me think we—you and I, that is—should spend more time getting to know each other in addition to fucking each other’s brain out .”

Nox laughed. “As long as we can keep doing that too .”

“Hell, yes . So …”

“So, what do you want to know ?”

“More about Ariel, if it’s not too painful .”

Nox was silent for a while then nodded . “Okay .”

Livia stroked his face. “In your own time , baby .”

“It’s alright, Livvy, I’m not going to break down. The psychiatrist I’ve been seeing has helped me immeasurably.” He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. “Here goes. We met when we were kids, when Ariel and Amber’s family moved here. Their parents were nice people, moderately wealthy like us, and Amber’s father was a business associate of my dad’s. Ariel and I hit it off straight away. You know she and Amber were twins? Non-identical. Ariel had dark brown hair and dark eyes like yours. She always thought she was the plain one, which was a joke .”

Livia remembered seeing the photographs of Ariel. “She was lovely. I know you’ve told me how she died…maybe it would help to talk through what happened in the days leading up to her death .”

Nox looked at her for a long time then nodded. “Okay. Okay then, let’s talk .”

C hapter Nineteen

T wenty years ago …

A riel fixed Nox with a determined stare, trying not to giggle. “I’ve thought long and hard about it and I think I know the perfect outfit for prom for both of us .”

Nox grinned at her, knowing well the look of mischief in her eyes. “Oh yeah? Hit me with it .”

Ariel stood, and proceeded to shuffle sideways then back again rapidly on her carpeted floor. Nox burst out laughing. “What the hell ?”

“I’m giving you a clue,” she said breathlessly, then started to do ‘The Running Man,’ moving her arms and legs energetically .

“You are quite insane, Miss Duplas—and I have no earthly idea what’s going on here .”

“Imagine baggy pants.” Ariel moved up and down her bedroom, flailing her arms and urging him to guess. “Maybe if I sing …”

She began to intone ‘oh-uh’ repeatedly as she moved, then came to an abrupt halt, shouting “Stop !”

Nox finally got it. “Hammertime!” He collapsed with laughter as Ariel cheered, then collapsed on the bed beside him, panting for air .

“So, what do you think? We both go in Hammer pants and fuck the patriarchy. Why should I wear a dress ?”

“You could wear anything and still be the Queen of the Ball .”

Ariel pretended to puke and Nox laughed. “You really can’t take a compliment, Ari, you know that ?”

“You know me, Noxxy. I leave the cotillions and debutante stuff to Amber. It’s her thing .”

Nox sensed an undercurrent in her voice. “ What’s up ?”

Ariel shrugged. “Nothing, really. We’re just having one of our time-outs. We’re not getting on particularly well at the moment .”

“Any reason ?”

Ariel hesitated, then shrugged. “Just reasons .”

Nox wound a long lock of her hair around his fingers. “You don’t want to talk about it ?”

“Not really. So, now you know what I’ve planned for prom …”

Nox grinned. “You think I don’t know you by now? You say that, then I turn up in Hammer pants, and you’ll look like some ethereal goddess in a perfect gown. I still remember Junior prom. Remember ?”

“That was hilarious .”

“For you . My mom spent weeks on my sailor costume .”

Ariel giggled. “So, so gullible, Mr. Renaud.” She bent her head and kissed him, lingering over his lips. “Now, seriously…do you want to see my dress? I ask because…it has some complicated fastening and you may need to practice if you want to get it off me .”

Nox’s smile widened. Like most couples, they had planned for prom night to be the first time they slept together…even though they’d done practically everything else already. Neither of them could wait. “You know, it might be a good idea .”

Ariel sent him out of the room while she changed and when she was ready, called him back .

Nox pushed the door open and his breath caught in his throat. The pale grey chiffon draped beautifully over her body, clinging to her curves and setting off the pink tones in her creamy white skin .

“Wow. Wow.” Nox walked to her, cupping her face in his. “You look insanely gorgeous .”

Ariel blushed, but laughed. “That is the correct answer. You may kiss me now .”

The kiss went on for so long that Ariel, laughing, had to push him away. “One more day, Nox, and we’ll finish that kiss and then some .”

Nox nodded. “Then I’d better get out of here before you make it impossible for me .”

“And your blue balls .”

“And my blue balls.” He grinned as she squeezed his groin. “Damn, woman, you’re impossible .”

“You know it.” She stood on her toes to kiss him. “Tomorrow, Nox Renaud .”

P rom night. Ariel and Amber got ready separately—each in their own rooms, not communicating at all. As she finished her makeup and slipped into the grey dress, Ariel considered going to see her sister, trying to bridge the strange chasm that had opened up between them lately. She had lied to Nox yesterday about what was causing the void—it was Nox himself. Ariel knew Amber was in love with him, and did not blame her sister—or Nox—for it. Nox was easy to love. Amber knew she would never be with him, and to her credit, she didn’t even try to take him from her sister, but…her way of dealing with it was to keep her distance from both of them .

Ariel tapped cautiously on her sister’s door . “Ambs ?”

“Still changing.” Flat tone, no invitation in it. Ariel sighed .

“Okay…well, I’m just going to grab a smoke outside. Distract Mom if she comes to look for me ?”

“ I will .”

A riel stepped out into the sultry Louisiana evening. Sweat popped up on her skin immediately and she cursed, hoping she wouldn’t end up with pit stains—this chiffon was too good for that kind of treatment. Not that Nox would give a crap , she smiled to herself fondly, shaking a cigarette from her pack. Her mother probably knew she smoked, but it was a strict don’t-ask-don’t-tell policy in her house .

She walked around the main house to where she sneaked her smokes, out of sight of the house. Hidden by the trees draped with Spanish moss, she breathed in the night air. The bayou was extra smelly on nights like this, the stench of rot creeping across the night. Ariel flicked her butt to the ground and, using the toe of her shoe to stub it out, she turned to go back in .

The first thing she registered was a stinging in her neck then a wave of breathlessness as whatever had been injected into her flooded her veins. She barely had time to acknowledge that someone had grabbed her before everything went dark and she passed out .

C old. She was lying down and whatever it was, it was cold against her back. She shivered despite the heat of the night, and then opened her eyes. Her head whirled, her eyes were blurry and her chest felt heavy. Focusing, she saw him…she assumed it was a him. He was sitting on her legs, straddling her. He was so still that it frightened her, as if he had been waiting for her to wake. Ariel looked around and felt a wave of panic. They were in a graveyard .

“What the hell is going on?” Her voice trembled as the black-hooded figure seemed to look right at her. She couldn’t see any features, and the stranger’s silence was making her panic even more. “Please…whatever you want…” Her voice trailed off when she saw the knife in his hand, and she knew. “Oh, god, please…please don’t …”

He didn’t listen. Before Ariel could scream, he clamped a gloved hand over her mouth and plunged the knife into her belly over and over. Ariel’s back arched up as she moaned in agony as he murdered her. His hand fell away from her mouth when he saw she was struggling to breath .

“Why?” Ariel gasped as her killer sat back to watch her bleed out. A tear ran down her cheek. “Please tell me … why ?”

But he never answered her .

N ox was getting into his car when his mother called him back. Her face was tense. “Amber’s on the telephone. She’s hysterical, and I can’t understand what she’s saying.” It took Nox a few moments to realize Amber was telling her Ariel was missing .

T hey found her body the next morning and a devastated, distraught Nox drove straight to the cemetery. He fought with a police officer who wouldn’t let him near her, so much so that they had to cuff him to calm him down. “Please, please let me see her .”

In the end, to appease him—he was the son of a powerful New Orleans scion, after all—and possibly to gauge his reaction, they let him see her .

The sight of Ariel, gutted and broken, her grey chiffon soaked in blood, lying pale and dead on the grave brought Nox to his knees. Something inside him died .

The funeral was hell for Nox. He barely acknowledged anyone else, not even Amber or Teague when they tried to reach him. Amber was destroyed by her sister’s death—she was changed forever by it .

Eventually, the society around them got back to normal, but Nox and Amber spent more time together, feeling disenfranchised from everyone. The police had no leads. Nox had a water-tight alibi, and so the police quickly ran out of clues. The case got put on the backburner, much to the rage of Duplas and Renaud families. Then almost exactly a year later, Tynan Renaud murdered his wife and son and shot himself, and Ariel’s case was pushed even further to the background .

N ow

L ivia stroked Nox’s face as he told her everything. “I always felt guilty because when my family died, Ariel was almost forgotten by our circle, by the press, by the police.” He sighed, leaning his forehead against hers. “I swore I would never let that happen and yet I was so utterly destroyed by what my father had done… It was almost as if Ariel had been relegated to a place where young, beautiful women are viewed as ‘probable targets’ just by being young, beautiful, and female .”

Livia kissed his eyelids. “Sadly, though, it does seem to be a truth. We women always have to be careful. Don’t go out alone at night, because a man might rape or kill you. Don’t dress a certain way, we’re told, as if we’re the ones responsible for not ‘making’ a man rape or kill us. It’s sick and disgusting, but it is how we live in this world .”

Nox shook his head. “Christ. What a messed-up way to live .”

“And yet normal for every woman on the planet.” She sighed, thinking about the terror of her recent assault. How close she had come to death .

“Can I just apologize for my gender ?”

Livia laughed. “No, you cannot. You’re one of the good ones, Nox, and don’t forget it. Don’t take the responsibility of others on your shoulders. Just promise me we’ll raise our sons not to think of women solely as sexual beings .”

Nox kissed the tips of her fingers. “Absolutely promise…and, our sons ?”

Livia flushed. “I’m not presuming anything, just…if it happens .”

“God, I hope so.” He pressed his lips to hers, pulling her close. “I want a bunch of them with you, Livia. But you’re young and you have your career in front of you .”

“Waitressing? Yeah, I’ll get right on that .”

Nox laughed. “I meant your music career .”

“Oh, that. Nox, I love music, it is my passion. But I never envisioned a career in music as such. I wanted to be good enough to teach it, like Charvi. I would love that. Maybe play some small concerts here and there, but as far as a fully-fledged career as a musician—I think that’s a pipe dream .”

“You don’t want to be famous ?”

“Good god, no. No, ugh , can you imagine? The press everywhere… Wait. Yeah, you can imagine. God, I’m dense. Sorry .”

Nox laughed. “It’s okay. You know, once they get hold of the fact we’re dating, you have them to look forward to .”

Livia groaned and rolled on top of him. “Let’s not worry about that at the moment. I’m hoping to put that off for as long as we can. Agreed ?”

“Promise .”

N ox didn’t realize just how soon that promise would be broken .

Chapter Twenty

A t work the next day, the restaurant was so full of customers that Livia and Moriko didn’t have time to catch their breath, let alone catch up. Livia had mentioned to Nox that she wanted to see more of Moriko. “I feel since I moved out that we’ve been drifting apart, and I would hate that. Morry’s my girl, you know ?”

She said as much to Moriko when they were finally relieved of duty by the evening staff. Moriko asked Livia to come back to her new apartment, wanting to show off, she said with a grin. Shadowed discreetly by Livia’s bodyguard, they went to Moriko’s new apartment building, travelling up to the seventh floor in the wrought iron old-fashioned elevator .

“Fancy,” Livia said with a wink at Moriko, who grinned .

“Jealous? Not that you need to be, living in a freaking mansion .”

“Ha. Listen to us, we’re both kept women. What happened to the Sisterhood?” Livia sat down on a vast dark blue couch. “God, this is heavenly .”

Moriko laughed. “I know, right? And speak for yourself—I pay Lucas rent .”

“Lucas, is it? Tell me more, girl. You’ve been keeping this Lucas secret for too long .”

Moriko handed Livia a bottle of beer and sat down next to her. “Well, if I saw more of you …”

Livia punched her shoulder lightly. “I know, I’m sorry. I always swore I wouldn’t be one of those women who deserted her friends when she fell in love, but I seem to be doing just that. I am sorry, Morry. I’ll do better .”

“How are things out on the bayou ?”

Livia talked to Moriko about her life with Nox, about how close they had become, and her friend listened with a frown on her face. “Sure you two aren’t becoming co-dependent ?”

Livia was stung. “What do you mean ?”

Moriko sighed. “I mean, how long have you actually known each other? Not even two months, right? You moved in with him—less than a day after giving him the whole ‘I’m an independent woman’ speech, I might add—and now you’re practically imprisoned in that place. The place where your boyfriend got shot, for crissakes…” Moriko stopped, dragging a shaky breath into her lungs. Livia had never seen her so riled up before .

“Morry? Where’s this coming from? I mean , I — ”

“No, let me finish. I’m scared, Liv, I’m terrified. I feel like something bad is going to happen to you, like you might die. Like Nox is a dangerous person to be around, and something—someone—could hurt you and then his circle of friends will close ranks and we’ll never really find out what happened .”

Livia was stunned for a long moment. “I know the thing with Pia is horrific, and yeah, we got assaulted but — ”

“And his girlfriend was murdered and his family got killed. Jesus. Death follows him around, Livia. Look, I like Nox, I do…I just don’t think he’s good for you .”

Livia felt her eyes fill with tears. Having Morry’s blessing for her relationship was important to her, and she hadn’t seen this coming. “So, what? You want me to leave him ?”

“Yes .”

“Are you kidding me?” Livia blinked at the sudden change in the atmosphere between them, and looking closely at her friend, she could see the strain on her face, the dark circles under her eyes. “Morry, is something else going on? Are you okay ?”

“No, I’m not okay,” Morry yelled suddenly, making Livia jump. “Jesus, every time I get a phone call, I think it’s the police telling me you’re dead .”

“Dude, you are way overreacting .”

“No, I’m not. Someone shot your boyfriend, attacked you in a freaking hospital, butchered a young girl to send Nox a message. ‘Everyone you love’ ? Jesus . Liv …”

Morry was trembling, but she backed away when Livia tried to hug her. “I had no idea you felt this way .”

“You are my family,” Moriko said fiercely, “My sister. I’m scared , Liv .”

This time she let Livia hug her. “It’s okay, Morry, really. Look at the hulking slab of beef I have outside the door. Actually, that’s mean, Jason is very nice and he’s protecting me .”

“Don’t you see how messed up it is that you have a bodyguard?” Morry clearly wasn’t going to let this go, Livia thought in dismay .

“Look, I get it, I do. But it’s only until they catch the guy, Morry. Nox is a powerful man, he’s bound to attract weirdos.” Even to Livia’s ears that sounded like a feeble way to describe what they were going through .

Moriko looked at her with cold eyes for a long minute, then stood and went into her bedroom. Livia heard her moving around, then she re-emerged carrying a stuffed manila folder. She flung it at Livia. “Just a weirdo , huh ?”

Livia caught the folder, papers scattering everywhere. She slid down to the carpet to spread them out. Old police reports, clippings from newspapers. Livia saw the photographs of a young Nox, dressed in an exquisite suit being comforted by his mother as a medical examiner and his team removed Ariel’s body from the cemetery. The photos of the funeral, the intrusion even into this most private of days jarring and sickening. All of the photos accompanied by sensationalist press, condemning the young man before Ariel’s body was even cold. The blood on the gravestone .

Then later, Nox alone at a funeral service, standing in front of the caskets of his mother and his brother. The look in his eyes was searing, and Livia couldn’t help the sob that escaped her. Moriko didn’t attempt to comfort her. Again, the press eviscerated Nox, the only survivor. Had he been in it with his father? He was the only heir now, after all …

“Moriko, if you believe any of these lies about Nox…I don’t see how we can continue to be friends .”

She looked up to see Morry’s eyes soften. “Of course, I don’t. The press is, and were, scum. I want to kill them for what they did to that poor boy. But, Liv, you have to see… Darkness follows Nox. He couldn’t have a more appropriate name, could he ?”

“I can’t leave him. I love him so much. He really is a good man. What kind of person would I be to leave him now ?”

“A person who stays alive.” The coldness was back .

Livia closed her eyes and rubbed her face with her hands. To say she felt as if her equilibrium was smashed was an understatement. Moriko was the balls-out one of them, the ride-or-die girl, and now she was telling Livia to cut and run .

No. Livia stood, gathering the folder to her. “Can I keep this for a while ?”

“Sure .”

A long silence, then Livia sighed. “I better go .”

“Okay .”

Moriko didn’t follow her to the door, and Livia felt her heart falter as she turned to look at her friend . “Soon ?”

Moriko gave a stiff nod. “Stay safe , babe .”

L ivia made it back into Nox’s town car before she burst into tears .

N ox was actually finding success in putting everything to the back of his mind, although not for the greatest reason. Sandor had come to him that morning and said two words that made him sit up and take notice .

“Hostile takeover .”

Nox looked up sharply as Sandor came into the room. “What did you say ?”

“You heard, Nox.” Sandor sat down heavily. “I can’t believe we didn’t see this .”

“Woah, back up. What are you talking about ?”

“I’m talking about Roderick LeFevre and his gang of merry men .”

“So? They only have thirty percent share in the company .”

“Not any more. Seems Rod has been quietly buying up every last share that you and I don’t own .”

“What the actual fuck?” Nox’s adrenaline pumped through his veins. “How do you know ?”

Sandor smiled without humor. “Rod had one hold-out. Zeke Manners. Zeke called me and told me Rod was offering him three times market price. Zeke told him to drop dead.” He sighed. “I blame myself. If I hadn’t urged you to float the company, we would still retain overall control .”

“Wait,” Nox looked aghast, “you’re saying we don’t ?”

“Do the math, Nox. We gave up fifty-one percent.” Sandor sighed and leaned forward. “Look, whatever Rod’s planning, we’ve still got, with Zeke’s shares, a majority. It just means we have to bring Rod in as partner due to the deal we made. It’s not the end of the world .”

W hen Nox got home that night, he heard Livia playing piano and went to the music room to find her. He stood at the door watching her, her fingers moving lightly over the keyboard, her body swaying to the melody. He went to her, bending to kiss the soft skin of her shoulder .

“Don’t stop,” he said as she started slightly, so Livia continued to play while he sat down beside her. He put his arms around her waist and buried his face in her hair. Fuck work, fuck everything else, he thought. This is all I want, this woman. She and I —us. Nothing else matters .

“Come away with me for Christmas,” he murmured. “We’ll go somewhere where no one can find us, nothing can bother us. You and me and a log cabin in the mountains. A white Christmas .”

His lips were at her ear, then they trailed down her neck and he felt her shiver. She stopped playing and turned to kiss him. “That sounds perfect. Just perfect .”

“I’m just so sick of everyone interfering in our relationship, in our lives, our work. All I want is you, Livia…for all time .”

She wound her arms around his neck. “And I, you. Just you .”

He kissed her deeply, pouring all the love he felt for her into the kiss, leaving them both breathless. “I love you,” Livia whispered, brushing her lips back and forth against his. Nox smiled and, standing, pulled her to her feet .

“Come with me.” He led her into his study and to the huge globe he kept in there. “Pick somewhere, anywhere in the world, and that’s where we’ll go. Anywhere. I know you won’t let me splurge on you often …”

“Unless it’s to buy freakin’ Steinways for my college,” she interrupted, grinning, and Nox inclined his head with a grin .

“Touché , but please, let me do this. Let me give you the most romantic, over-the-top Christmas. It’s our first one together. Let this be my gift to you .”

Livia studied him for a long moment then smiled. “I guess, for our first one, it would be Grinchy of me to decline. Okay then, Nox Renaud, this one’s on you…with two conditions .”

By the grin on her face, he knew she was about to make a joke. “Go ahead .”

“One…next year, it’s my choice, my budget .”

“As long as you promise there will be a next year, and a year after that, and after that, and so on .”

She kissed him tenderly. “God, yes, I promise .”

His arms tightened around her and he gazed down at her lovely face. “And the second one?” He deliberately pressed his erection against her, making her sigh happily .

“That you never, ever make me listen to that god-awful Mariah Carey song .”

Nox laughed. “What? “We Belong Together ?””

“Ha ha, no, I actually love that one. And we do .”

Nox kissed her again. “Yes, we do. Now, stop prevaricating and choose somewhere to go on vacation .”

Livia hummed over the globe, spinning it gently. “What about you? Where do you want to go for Christmas ?”

“All I want for Christmas is you,” Nox said innocently, then laughed as she punched his arm. “Ouch, devil woman. Have you made up your mind ?”

“Okay,” Livia said, closing her eyes and spinning the globe. “Wherever I put my finger, we go there .”

“Deal .”

She let the globe spin a couple of times before pushing her finger against it .

“That’s the middle of the Pacific Ocean, doofus, spin again .”

“Darn it.” She repeated her process, but before she could open her eyes to see where she had landed this time, Nox turned her and spun the globe around. “I didn’t see where I landed,” she complained to him but he just smiled .

“I know…I’m going to leave it as a surprise until the day. Can you get the time off work ?”

She nodded. “Marcel closes for five days over Christmas, but he’ll need me back for New Year’s Eve .”

“Understandable. I’ll be partying at your place that night too.” They wandered slowly to the kitchen, hand-in-hand, and Nox pulled open the refrigerator. “Pasta ?”

“That’s good.” Livia sat on the tallest stool and watched him prepare their meal. “So, yeah…you’re really not going to tell me where we’re going ?”

“For as long as I can keep it secret. We’ll use my private jet…yes, we will, just this once,” he shot her a glare. “I know, the environment, yadda, yadda, but this will be the last time. I’m selling it afterward, so allow me this one last play with my boy toy .”

Livia grinned. “I like playing with your boy toy .”

“ Rude girl .”

“You’re really selling it?” Livia was impressed. Nox grinned ruefully .

“Your guilt-tripping worked, Enviro-woman .”

Livia snorted with laughter. “Seriously the dullest sounding superhero name .”

“Isn’t it?” Nox dumped some onion and garlic into a pan, and chopped some herbs .

“Where did you learn to cook, Renaud?” Livia reached over to steal a piece of Parmesan cheese, grinning when Nox batted her hand away .

“Mom. Italian, you see ?”

“Did you ever spend a lot of time in Italy ?”

Nox nodded as he expertly skinned some tomatoes. “Long summer vacations. The heat is intense, drier than here, but still. Dad owned some olive groves and vineyards, which we spent hours in, picking fruit. We stayed in rustic villas and drank wine with every meal, and it was heaven. Simple life .”

Livia tugged on a lock of his hair gently. “You sound as if you want to go back .”

“I haven’t been since my parents died. I was waiting for you to come along. I can see us spending summers like that, making love and walking around the hills of Tuscany. Florence is beautiful. Or watching our kids run and play.” He stopped and gave a little laugh. “Doesn’t it seem surreal to you that we’ve only known each other this short time and yet, we’re talking about kids and the future ?”

Livia successfully stole another piece of cheese. Popping it into her mouth, she grinned. “I think it’s what happens in all relationships. Right now, I can’t imagine doing that with anyone else .”

He kissed her, brushing her lips with his. “Me either .”

T hey ate together then shared a long soak in the tub. Livia leaned back against his chest as he traced patterns with the soap bubbles along her body . “Nox ?”

“ Yeah , babe ?”

“Do you think we’re co-dependent ?”

Nox looked askance. “No, what the hell ?”

“Just something Moriko said .”

Nox was silent for a while. “She doesn’t like me .”

“She does,” Livia sat up and turned to face him. “She does, she just thinks…with all that’s going on, that…god, I don’t know .”

He cupped her face in his hand. “This is really worrying you, right ?”

She nodded. “We didn’t leave things in the best place but I don’t know how to fix it. She wants me to break up with you and there’s no way that’s happening .”

“She actually said that?” Nox rocked back a little , hurt .

Livia nodded, her face miserable. “She’s worried someone’s going to kill me because of our relationship .”

Nox sighed. “Well, I can’t blame her for thinking that. It’s something I wrestle with every day. Why should I force all this shit on you ?”

Livia shook her head. “Don’t go falling into the trap of thinking you have any responsibility for this. I just wish that we knew who and why this was happening. Nox…I think we should look into things ourselves. I just have this feeling, and I don’t know where it comes from, that there are things from Ariel’s murder and your family’s deaths that are right in front of us and yet we can’t see. Everyone said they couldn’t believe your dad would turn on his family…well, I believe that too. Even though I never met him, anyone who could bring a man like you into the world couldn’t be bad .”

Nox’s eyes were soft. “I love you for saying that .”

“But do you feel it too ?”

Slowly he began to nod. “I do. I always have, it’s just I’ve never had someone in my corner. I never had you. I think we were destined to meet, Livvy, not just because we fell in love, but because we were meant to heal each other. Dang,” he added with a grin, “that was cheesy. Maybe we are co-dependent .”

Livia laughed and kissed him. “Yep, let’s not get too intense here. All I’m saying is…let’s be proactive and look at everything—and everyone—who could be behind this. Because one thing is for sure …”

“ What’s that ?”

Her smile faded, but she looked at him steadily. “It’s someone we know .”

And with a sinking heart, Nox nodded. “I know. I know it is .”

C hapter Twenty - One

T wo days before they were due to fly out to wherever Nox was taking Livia for Christmas, Livia had to perform at her end-of-semester concert. She sat in the dressing room now, surrounded by her fellow students as they got ready. She felt sick to her stomach. Charvi had decided that Livia would finish the show with her new composition, and worse, every single one of her friends would be there to watch…except Moriko .

“I have to work, sweetie,” Moriko had apologized to her over the phone. “Both Marcel and I wanted to come but one of us has to be here. He won. I’m sorry , boo .”

Livia had reassured her that it was okay, but she knew Moriko had probably volunteered to stay behind at the restaurant. Things hadn’t been the same since they had last seen each other .

Livia took a deep breath in, listening to the music from the concert hall as it was piped back through the speakers into the dressing room. As each performer was called, the room got emptier until Liv was left alone. Because she was in college, she had asked Jason to stay outside, not wanting the extra attention of a bodyguard around her. She needed to breathe, to get herself into a space where she could perform .

She went to splash her face in the small restroom. Looking in the vanity mirror, she saw how pale she was—she hadn’t slept well the night before. She rubbed her cheeks to get some color into them, hearing the dressing room door open. Expecting the stagehand coming to call her, she was surprised when there was silence. She walked back into the dressing room .

A hand was clamped over her face, an arm hooked around her waist and she was thrown to the floor. Not having time to scream, Livia kicked out at her attacker. Not again, no way. But this time, he was so much stronger, pressing his forearm against her throat, choking off her air supply .

In horror, Livia felt him push up her dress, tug at her panties. Oh god, please no …

She kicked out again, her head whirling from lack of oxygen, but desperate to keep him away. He slammed his clenched fist into her stomach and she gasped, doubling up in pain. He ripped her panties from her and forced her legs apart .

“No, please, please, don’t…” Her voice was cracked, barely a whisper despite the fact that she was screaming inside her head. She felt him touch her, but to her great relief, he didn’t try to rape her. She felt him pulling and jerking at his penis and realized he was masturbating. He gave a grunt and she groaned in horror as she felt his semen cover her skin. The knife was in his hand then, pressing against her throat. “Tell anyone, and I’ll kill all of them. Nox, Amber, Sandor, and your pretty little Asian friend. I will be back for you, Livia, don’t forget it. The next time you see me…this ,” he brandished the knife, “will be buried deep inside you, like it was inside of that whore Ariel .”

Then he was gone. The whole attack had taken less than three minutes. Livia lay for a few moments, deeply in shock, before dragging herself up and tidying her clothing. She felt numb. She sat down on the chair again, smoothing the skirt of her dress. She couldn’t even cry .

A knock at the door and the stage hand, Jim, stuck his head in and beamed at her. “Hey, Livvy, two minutes and you’re on .”

“ Thanks , Jim .”

He didn’t notice her voice was faint, and cracking. Livia blinked a couple of times, and then moved like an automaton through the hallways to the wings. Her ears rang, her body trembled and she felt colder than she ever had in her life. She barely registered when she was announced, and she walked onto the stage to applause and whoops of delight from her friends .

Automatically her eyes searched the room until she saw Nox—and immediately wished she hadn’t. She wanted to scream, to cry, to run into his arms. He was smiling and cheering her, but as she stood still, she saw his expression change to one of concern. The audience had stopped applauding and were now murmuring, wondering what was going on .

Nox started to stand up but Livia shook her head and went to sit at the piano. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. She began to play, her fingers moving across the keyboard, a slowed down version of her piece, channeling all her shock, her fear, her pain into the recital. She had no awareness of the audience or anyone else as she played, only wanting to reach one person, wanting him to know just how much she loved and needed him .

She played for nearly an hour, cycling through every section easily. Her fingers ached, her back was sore as she finished and sat, numb still .

The audience broke out into rapturous applause, which broke Livia out of her reverie. Shakily, she stood and moved to the microphone at the front of the stage, opened her mouth to speak…and passed out cold .

Chapter Twenty -Two

N ox looked over at Livia as they flew across the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe. Livia had hardly said a word since the attack at the concert. After she’d collapsed, he’d been the first to reach her, clambering over the seats to get to her. Charvi, Amber, and Sandor had looked on in shock as he’d carried Livia off stage and to the dressing room. She awoke in his arms, then screamed when she saw where they were. He’d looked around and noticed signs of a struggle, her torn panties, and his weeping love, and he knew what had happened .

At the hospital, they did a rape kit, even though she told them her attacker did not penetrate her. “This is still a serious sexual assault, Ms. Chatelaine. Let us care for you .”

Nox insisted she let them tend to her, and then the police came. A kind female police officer took her statement. “The rape kit shows he did ejaculate on you, I’m sorry to tell you, so we’ll need to ask you for a DNA sample. And Mr. Renaud , too .”

“Of course,” Nox told her calmly, “anything to help .”

Livia didn’t want to stay in the hospital overnight and so Nox brought her home, putting her to bed and lying down next to her. He stroked her face. “If you want me to go sleep somewhere else tonight,” he said gently, “I won’t be offended. Anything you need, baby, just ask .”

Livia gazed at him. “Just hold me, please, Nox. I’m so cold .”

And so, he did, wrapping his arms around her. Neither of them slept. “Do you want me to cancel our vacation plans? We can always reschedule .”

“No,” she said quickly, “I want to go far away. Far, far away , Nox .”

“Is Europe far enough ?”

She half-smiled. “Europe, is it?” He felt her body relax. “Yes, that’s perfect .”

He pressed his lips to her forehead. “You want me to tell you where ?”

“No, keep it a surprise .”

He studied her face. Her eyes were haunted. “I’m so sorry this happened to you, baby. I would do anything to turn back time and prevent it. I swear, the day we find out who it is …”

Livia shook her head. “Please, don’t. Don’t stoop to his level .”

She hadn’t yet told him everything she’d told the police. “What aren’t you telling me? What did he say to you ?”

Livia hesitated for a long moment. “That he was going to kill me the next time he saw me. Like Ariel .”

“Jesus .” Nox closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “That’s it. No more sending Jason away. No more late shifts at the restaurant. Liv, please…won’t you consider taking a leave of absence? We could stay in Europe as long as it takes to get the asshole. I want you safe .”

“I’ll quit my job at the restaurant. I’m no good to Marcel if I’m behaving like a scared rabbit every time a stranger comes in. I think he’s kind of expecting it anyway. But after New Year’s—I don’t want to abandon him at his busiest time .”

Nox’s mouth had set in a thin line. “Deal—if you agree to extra protection. I’ll make sure Marcel is compensated for the lost business. I’ll have obvious guards and plain clothes men there. No one will get to you. But afterward, please, I know it’s a lot to ask, but I just want you safe .”

Livia tried to smile. “After all my independent woman rants, I’m agreeing to be a kept woman .”

“A safe woman, an alive woman. After we catch this guy, you can have at the world. Until then, I don’t think it’s wise to be that exposed .”

S o now, two days later, they were finally on their way to Europe. Livia looked healthier, at least there was that, but she was subdued. He went to sit next to her and took her hand. She turned and smiled at him. “ Hey , you .”

He leaned in to kiss her, felt her lips move against his. “I love you .”

She tangled her fingers in his curls. “Let’s make this vacation a time where we forget the horrors of the past, recent and otherwise, and just make this about us . Romance, making love .”

Nox looked vaguely surprised. “Honey, if you’re uncomfortable with sex at the moment, we don’t have to .”

She kissed him fiercely. “Nox Renaud, you better fuck me good on this vacation, because that’s what I intend to do to you .”

He laughed with a little shocked surprise. “Well, then, you have a deal.” If that what she wanted—or what she thought she might want—who was he to argue? But Nox knew, if it came down to it and she panicked, he’d be there for her any way she needed him. Hell, if she just wanted to get mad and pummel someone, he’d let her .

H e was able to distract her from brooding even more as they crossed into Europe. They flew over France and Germany before he finally relented and told her. “Vienna. Or rather, a small ski lodge just outside of it. I thought you would love the musical heritage of the city .”

Livia looked delighted. “Seriously? My god, Nox, you couldn’t have chosen better .”

“Actually, you chose it, remember ?”

Livia squinted at him. “Are you sure ?”

“I swear. Your finger landed on Austria…or near enough .”

Livia started to giggle at the mischievous expression on his face. “What does near enough mean? Where did I really point ?”

Nox shrugged. “Somewhere in Kashmir .”

Livia started to laugh and she slid over and perched on his knee. “You are a bad man.” She giggled as he blew raspberries on her shoulders. “ Crazy boy .”

Nox grinned up at her. “Your boy. Are you mine ?”

“I’m your girl always , baby .”

T he ski lodge, located halfway up a mountain, was secluded and private, and warmly lit for their arrival. Livia walked around it, her mouth open. “This is gorgeous, Nox. Just beautiful.” She shrugged out of her coat—a log fire was already burning in the grate. She grinned at Nox. “Did you have your Christmas elves come in before we arrived ?”

“Something like that,” he laughed and held out his hand. “Come with me, I have some more surprises for you .”

In the kitchen, he showed a refrigerator stuffed with every kind of food, ready for their Christmas. “And a pantry filled of things made entirely of sugar, butter and chemicals,” Nox said this with a mock serious expression on his face, knowing Livia would laugh .

She grinned. “ Good job .”

“And now the bedroom.” He led her along the hallway and pushed open the door to reveal a bedroom, fittingly all in white, with a huge bed in the middle and a glass window overlooking the mountains, the pines heavy with snow outside. “From the living room, at night, you can see the city lit up .”

“This is heavenly,” Livia enthused, then nodded at a box on the bed. “ What’s that ?”

Nox grinned a little sheepishly. “I was in two minds about this after what’s happened, but I think you’ll enjoy it. Open it .”

Livia pulled off the lid of the box and the layer of tissue paper. She began to laugh. “Oh, you dirty boy .”

Inside laid a supple leather harness, with creamy brown straps that would lie against her pale skin, crisscrossing her body. A riding crop, dildos, lube, and velvet ties were amongst the array of sex toys Nox had gathered .

He grinned. “I went shopping .”

“You certainly did.” Livia picked up the leather harness and held it against her body. She could tell it would fit perfectly. “God, Nox, even looking at this stuff is making me horny .”

Nox laughed. “Can you imagine what shopping for it was like? I did it online, of course, because I’m — ”

“Chicken.” They both laughed, and Nox curled a lock of her hair around his finger and pulled her toward him .

“You bet. But, also, in the city, there’s a very well-known and very well-stocked adult shop. One of Europe’s best. I was thinking if we need anything else …”

Livia wound her arms around his neck, feeling absurdly happy for the first time in a while. Here she could pretend nothing bad was happening to them back home, that the rest of the world was just an illusion. “Nox Renaud, you make this woman very happy.” She pressed her lips to his. “Now, what say we grab a shower and something to eat, and then plan our vacation? You want me to slip into this gorgeous harness tonight ?”

Nox grinned. “Actually, I was thinking we save it for Christmas day .”

“As that’s tomorrow, I’m okay with that. Just regular old fucking tonight then ?”

“Oh, dang it,” he said, rolling in his eyes, “if we must .” He tickled her until she cried with laughter, then they took a long bath together .

Livia was working shampoo into Nox’s dark curls, which had grown even wilder of late, studying his handsome face. “You know, when I look at us as a couple, you wouldn’t know there’s twelve years between us. You look so much younger than your age .”

Nox immediately screwed up his face and she laughed. “Now, that’s hot .”

She poured water over his head to rinse his hair. “You know, no one’s done that for me since I was a kid and my mom used to sing to me while she was washing my hair .”

“That’s sweet. Every time I see photos of her, I can see you in her features. Not so much your dad .”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone said .”

T hey ate a small supper, sitting at the large picture windows of the cabin, overlooking the lit-up city. “It’s so peaceful here, so serene .”

“As long as there isn’t an avalanche,” Nox grinned as she squeaked in alarm. “Relax, I’m kidding.” He took her hand. “I love you, Livia Chatelaine .”

She beamed at him. “Love you too, rich boy .”

He laughed. “You know, if you married me, it would be your money too .”

Livia stopped . “What ?”

Nox half-grinned. “Just something to think about .”

Livia swallowed hard. “I wouldn’t marry you for your money , Nox .”

“I know that, silly .”

There was a long silence. “Nox…it’s only been three months .”

“Which is why I’m not asking the question yet ,” he said lightly, but she could see the depth of his emotion in his eyes. “But make no mistake, I will be asking the question. This is it for me. You are the love of my life, Livia Chatelaine .”

Tears dropped from her eyes then. “And you are mine, Nox Renaud .”

He lifted her left hand and kissed her ring finger. “One day . Soon .”

L ater, after they’d made love, Nox lay with his head resting on her stomach, his hands under her hips. Livia tangled her fingers in his hair, brushed her thumbs gently over his face .

“You handsome,” she sang at him. He pulled a face and blew a raspberry on her navel. She giggled. On all fours, he climbed up the bed until their faces were level. He gently bit her bottom lip and then kissed her. She pulled him down so his whole weight was on her and sighed happily .

“What are you thinking?” he asked, kissing her neck all the way down to her shoulders .

“I’m thinking I wish I could erase the past twenty years for you and make this last forever .”

“Well,” he rolled to one side. “I can’t erase the last twenty years. But I can promise this will last forever.” He grinned at her and ran his hand down her body, splaying his long fingers over her belly. Livia wriggled with pleasure and looked at him, seeing his expression fall .

“What is it ?”

He looked away. “I wish…I wish my family could have met you. My mom, Teague…even my dad. Liv, I’ve been thinking and thinking and I’m damned if I believe he killed my mom and brother. I want the case reopened. I knew my father, knew him. There’s no way he would have done that. I think he was murdered and set up .”

Liv sat up, nodding, energized by what he said. “Good. Good, Nox, I’m glad you’re thinking like that because I agree. Let’s find out the truth. Something tells me that it’s linked to what is going on now. I’m glad, sweetheart, and I’ll be with you all the way .”

“He was a good man.” Nox said finally and Livia nodded .

She pressed her mouth against his. “So are you. The very best .”

Nox started to shake his head. “No, I screw up too often …”

She didn’t let him finish. “Everyone makes mistakes, everyone has their demons. You’re not perfect. I’m certainly not. No one is. But you and me together, well, I like those odds .”

She straddled him and he grinned up at her .

“Oh, you the boss now ?”

She laughed. “I am Chief now. You may call me Chief…Always Ready for Action .”

“A fine Native American name .”

“I thank you .”

“Chief ?”

“Yes ?”

“I think that’s my night stick you’ve got hold of .”

“ Uh -huh .”

“ Okay then …”

I t was late evening when the residential home called Sandor to tell him his father had passed. Sandor listened in silence then thanked the nurse. “I’ll make the funeral arrangements,” he told her, stoic as ever, but when he hung up the phone, he felt a shift inside him. Damn it, Dad, couldn’t you have waited until after Christmas ?

He felt bad then. He had known this was coming, that his father was spiraling downwards, but it was still a shock. His last remaining family . Shit .

His cell phone rang again and he saw it was Odelle calling. “Hi, Odie, what’s up ?”

“It’s Roan. The police just called me because Nox and Livia are out of town. The semen Livvy’s attacker left matched Roan’s DNA. God damn that man, Sandor. I’m sorry to call and interrupt you, but I didn’t know what to do .”

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Where’s Roan now ?”

“I don’t know. He’s been gone all day. I almost called Amber to see if she was with him, but then I thought I might go off on her so …”

“I get it. Look, let’s meet and talk. Are you at home ?”

“ I am .”

“I’ll come to you and we’ll figure out what to do .”

He hung up and sighed, knowing he wasn’t at all surprised that Roan’s DNA was found on Livia. He wondered how he should break the news to them, but didn’t want to interrupt their vacation. Instead, he called Amber and got her voice mail. “If you know where Roan is, Amber, tell me now. This has gone too far now. Call me back .”

C hapter Twenty- Three

I t was Christmas morning and Nox was cooking eggs for their breakfast, sipping his coffee as he gazed out over the snowy landscape. He heard the shower running and then, a few minutes later, Livia emerged, dressed in a thin white robe, her long hair damp. Nox smiled at her .

“God, what a beautiful sight. Merry Christmas , baby .”

She stood on her tip toes to kiss his mouth. “Merry Christmas, gorgeous .”

“Hungry ?”

“ God , yes .”

They ate breakfast, then as they were brushing their teeth, he saw her grinning to herself. “What are you up to with that cheeky smile ?”

She turned to him. “Want to open your Christmas present?” She nodded down at the belt of her robe and, grinning, he hooked a finger into it and pulled it open, leaving her robe to fall open .

Underneath, she was wearing the harness he had bought her, the leather crisscrossing her body, her breasts, her belly, before sweeping between her legs. Nox felt his cock harden immediately .

“My god…” His voice shook and Livia grinned, slipping the robe from her shoulders and taking his hand .

“Let’s go play , baby .”

As he followed her into the bedroom, he admired her perfectly rounded buttocks, the dimples of Venus, the smooth, flawless skin. His cock strained painfully against his linen pants and Livia cupped it in her hand. “Is that all for me?” She looked up at him from beneath her long eyelashes, her mouth parted slightly, and Nox gave a growl of desire .

“Every inch. I’m going to fuck you so hard, pretty girl .”

Livia giggled as he swept her up into his arms and onto the bed. He kissed from her neck down to her breasts, sucking on each nipple until it was rock hard, then rimming her bellybutton with his tongue. Livia squirmed beneath him, her pleasure obvious, and when—finally—his tongue found her clit, Nox saw her sex become red and swollen, ready for him to fuck her in any way he saw fit. It made him feel like the most powerful man on Earth. To prolong their pleasure, he brought her to near orgasm then stepped back to strip .

Livia watched him, lust in her eyes, a small smile playing around her lips. Nox stripped slowly, then, reaching into the box, he slipped a cock ring around the base of his already engorged penis. “You want this?” He said to her, fisting the root of it and she nodded .

“I want to taste you .”

Nox grinned. “In time, beautiful. First…let’s tie you up, and see how you like the whip .”

Livia moaned softly. She was beyond turned on. She spread her legs so he could see how much she wanted him. “I want you so badly .”

Nox smiled. “Remember our first date? When we talked about anticipation ? Well …”

He tied her hands and feet to the bedposts, then grabbing a tube of warming lube, he slicked some into her sex. “Can you feel the tingle ?”

Livia nodded. “God, that feels so good .”

He took the riding crop out of the box. “Shall we try this? Where would you like it ?”

“Breasts and belly,” she said breathlessly, then cried out both in pain and excitement as he brought the crop down across her belly, leaving a red welt .

“ You like ?”

“More, please, baby, more…” Her back arched up as he struck her again, the crop marking a cross on her soft skin. It turned him on so much but he held back, even though his cock was straining and pulsing and aching to be inside her. He grabbed a dildo, slathered it in lube and plunged it into her cunt, making her squeal. He kissed her passionately as he fucked her with the dildo, then when he couldn’t wait any longer, he plunged his cock deep inside her, lifting her hips with one strong arm as he reamed her into ecstasy .

“Are you mine?” he said, gazing into her eyes, and Livia nodded, her face adorably flushed pink .

“For all time,” she gasped then gave a cry as she came, her body shuddering and trembling. Nox buried his face in her neck as he pumped thick creamy semen deep into her belly .

“God, I love you, Livia…so much, so, so much …”

They collapsed, breathless and sated, Nox freeing her from her binds. “Wow,” Livia breathed, “that’s definitely the way to celebrate Christmas .”

Nox laughed. “That’s probably quite tame compared to what we could do .”

“We have plenty of time.” Livia rolled onto her side, hooking her leg over his body and snuggling into his chest. They lay in companionable silence as they caught their breath, kissing softly now and then. Nox gazed down at her .

“I cannot imagine my life without you now, Liv. It just wouldn’t make any sense .”

“I feel the same. Weird when you think of the coincidences that got us here. I keep thinking, what if you had never decided on Marcel to cater your Halloween party? Or what if I had moved to Seattle instead of New Orleans ?”

Nox looked surprised. “You never mentioned Seattle before .”

Livia smiled. “It was the other option. Moriko and I had another roommate, Juno, and she’s a Washington girl. You’d like her and her family, actually. It was a toss-up between there and New Orleans. NOLA won out .”

“Any reason ?”

Livia gave a small laugh. “It was further away from my father .”

“Understood.” His arms tightened around her. “You don’t talk about him a lot .”

“Nothing to say. He’s an asshole who never gave a crap about me or Mom, so as soon as I could get away from him, I did. Worked multiple jobs at one time to get through my undergrad degree, but I tell you, it was worth every lost hour of sleep .”

Nox smoothed his hands over her face. “Have I ever told you you’re my heroine ?”

Liv smirked. “Dude, it’s not an unusual story, truth be told. So many people don’t have access to college when they show so much potential. We had a couple of people in our class who could have, and I’m not exaggerating, gone on to become world class musicians. They had to drop out after not being able to afford to eat, even working two or three jobs. It was tragic .”

An idea was forming in Nox’s head as she spoke. “You know…we could do something about that .”

Liv grinned at him. “You have that ‘I want to save the world’ look in your eyes again. What’s the idea ?”

“A charitable foundation—in your name—to help support students with musical ability but who have no means to fund their education or future .”

Nox saw Liv’s eyes fill with tears. “Nox…I’m speechless. Could we make it work ?”

“With your help? Definitely. Maybe we could get Charvi and some of the music department faculty to help. Would that be something you’d be interested in ?”

“Hell, yes! But I do have one suggestion .”

“ What’s that ?”

She touched his face. “We should do it in your mother’s name. The Gabriella Renaud Foundation .”

Nox felt his throat close. “She would have loved that. And I love you for suggesting it .”

Livia smiled, kissing him softly. “But first, Nox, we need to get this thing at home dealt with. Then we can truly move on to better things .”

“I agree .”

Liv sat up. “We should start to make a plan of how we’re going to approach this .”

Nox laughed and pulled her back into his arms. “After this vacation,” he said firmly. “Until then…this is all that matters .

R oan Saintmarc buried his head in his hands. He had heard Odelle take the call that had damned him, and he knew the police would haul him in, arrest him for assaulting Livia as well as killing Pia. He was a dead man. He walked out of Odelle’s house with nothing in his hands, nothing in the world .

He withdrew as much cash from his checking account as he could and, after debating, he went to Nox’s mansion, breaking into the basement. He knew Nox and Livia were away and that the mansion was empty. He also knew he could live down in Nox’s wine cellar, that at least he would have food, drink, and shelter. It didn’t take him long to find his way down there; he and Nox had found the hidden entrance from the garden when they were kids. He had dumped his cellphone in the city, purchased a bus ticket with his credit card to throw the police off his trail. Hopefully, they would think he was long gone .

He found his way into the wine cellar and dumped his bag. Jeez, he’d forgotten how goddamn cold it was down here in the winter. Cold and dark…he grabbed an extra torch but just as he lit it, he heard the step behind him. Whirling around, he only caught the shape of another human as something heavy connected with his head and everything went dark .

Chapter Twenty-Three

O n the last night of their vacation—their blissful, relaxing, sensual vacation—Nox and Livia shared a bath in the huge tub. The window overlooked the snow, and they’d lit a bunch of candles to make the room softer, more romantic. Livia didn’t know how this vacation, this place, this man could be any more romantic, but the candles were a nice touch. She kissed Nox’s temple. “Can we stay here forever ?”

Nox laughed. “It would be nice, huh? But I think eventually, you’d get bored. Besides, it’ll be nice to have somewhere we can always guarantee to be stress-free, a safe haven to go when things get bad .”

Livia stroked her hands down his chest as he laid his head back against her breasts. “Talking of which …”

“Yeah .”

“Back to the real world tomorrow .”

“Ugh .”

Livia laughed. “But, we have a purpose now, baby. We’re finally going to lay every single ghost to rest, however painful it is. I got your back .”

Nox wound his fingers through hers. “Couldn’t do it without you .”

“You know what surprises me ?”

“ What’s that ?”

“That none of your friends have ever suggested doing it. Really looking into the case, seeing if there’s a link between Ariel’s murder and what happened to your family. It seems to me that if they are linked, then you are at the heart of it. How come Sandor or Roan or Amber never said to you, ‘Come on, let’s find out what’s really going on here.’” She sighed and leaned her head against his. “Maybe they thought they were protecting you .”

“Maybe .”

“It’s a pity Sandor’s dad couldn’t throw some light on what was going on with your dad. I know they were close .”

Nox looked surprised. “They were business associates, but I wouldn’t say they were close. Dad was weirdly protective of Sandor, and it seemed to me that he was shielding him from things Sandor’s father did. What, I don’t know .”

“This is getting complicated .”

“Well, that’s kind of why we left things so long. Too many questions, not enough answers .”

“Was Sandor’s dad a bad man? I should say, is he a bad man, sorry ?”

Nox considered. “He’s not someone I would have chosen to hang out with .”

“I guess the apple fell far from that tree .”

Nox nodded. “Very far. Sandor is one of the best men I’ve ever known .”

She smiled fondly and pulled him back against her, kissing the top of his head, running her hands down his chest .

“You like everybody .”

He laughed. “Yeah.” He lifted himself off her and, with much splashing, turned to face her .

“I like you best.” He pulled her to him, His hand gathered up the damp hair from her neck, the other slipped between her legs. She sighed at his touch as he buried his face in her neck. He pulled the plug out and as the water drained away, they wrapped themselves around each other, tangled limbs, making love until they were both exhausted, laughing, and sweating on the bathroom floor .

L ater, as Livia slept, Nox went over what she had said. Yeah, this was going to be complicated. Back in the day when his family had died, DNA profiling wasn’t such a big thing, but now, he wondered if it would help in any way. Could he have his family exhumed and their skeletons tested? What would it prove? God, this was so confusing, but he knew in his bones that something was wrong about the accepted storyline. It was only now he had found the courage to acknowledge that he believed his father didn’t kill his mother and brother. It just wasn’t the man he had grown up with. Not even a psychotic break was believable. Tynan Renaud wasn’t a man who got depressed—he worked the problem and found a fix. No. There was no way he would kill Gabriella… Nox’s mother was the love of Tynan’s life, just as Livia was Nox’s. For a horrible moment, he pictured himself shooting Livia in the stomach and watching her die a slow, agonizing death .

“God, stop,” he muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes to scratch the image from his brain. Focus on the beginning. His father, mother, and brother had been shot dead. Who would have wanted to kill his family? Jesus, he knew why the police had questioned him for hours, he still remembered the incessant jabs .

Who did you hire to do it , Nox ?

Did you want your inheritance that much ?

Why’d you did you do it, Noxxy boy ?

It dawned on him then that even the police didn’t buy Tynan Renaud as a murderer. Why hadn’t they pursued that line of thinking even after they’d cleared Nox of all blame ?

Someone must have asked them to drop it. A shock ran through him. God, yes. That must be it. Someone paid the police off. It wouldn’t be unheard of. But why ?

He could rule Sandor out then, to his relief. Sandor might be rich now because of his own hard work, but there was no way he would have been able to afford the payoff the cops would expect. Which left Roan, Amber, and Odelle. Odelle he ruled out immediately—the woman maybe an odd ball but she truly loved Nox and his family .

He winced when he thought of Amber and Roan. They had the money, certainly, and the influence…but why would …

God. Did Amber blame him for Ariel’s death and have his family killed because of it? He shook his head. No way. No way could Amber keep that secret for twenty years. But the thought kept nagging at him .

“Nox ?”

Livia looked up sleepily from the bed and he went to her, lying down beside her. She stroked his face. “Are you okay ?”

“I am. Just thinking about what we’re about to do .”

Livia smiled, her cheek adorably crumpled from the pillow. “Sexy times ?”

Nox chuckled softly. “I actually meant our little sleuthing adventure, but I like your thinking .”

He moved on top of her as she rolled onto her back and wrapped her legs around him. “We’re going to make everything okay again,” she said softly, “I promise we will .”

And Nox believed her .