Selene

I rushed out of the hospital in a hurry, looking around like a crazed woman. Not sure where I was going, just that I had to get away. It was a foolish thing to do and I learned quickly how dumb I’d been to do it. I didn’t make it far when I was grabbed by a man and tossed into the back of a black unmarked car, who then jumped into the front seat. I thought Ken had gotten to me, and I started to squirm and fight.

“Calm down, Miss West. You’re not going to be hurt. I can promise you that,” he said, pulling out of the parking lot.

“Who are you?” I muttered to my captor, trusting no stranger. He was fast for someone that big and strong.

He turned to answer me. “I’m Reggie, Mr. Devlin asked me to protect you.”

“That was fast. I heard him say something like that about ten minutes ago,” I said.

“I was waiting in the car for Devlin while he stood outside the school. I saw it happen and made the call to the medics, then his family. You were so focused on Devlin that you didn’t even notice me.”

“Where are you taking me?” My emotions were running high, but I suddenly felt safe. I was still worried about Devlin. Ken was nuttier than all get out and needed to be locked away because he would never stop until I was dead.

“Somewhere safe,” he said as he continued to look at his mirrors.

“Are we being followed?” I panicked, twisting in my seat, looking out all the windows. My heart hadn’t stopped pounding in my ears, but now it felt amplified.

“It doesn’t look like it, but we can’t be too careful,” he admitted frankly. He seemed to drive around for about an hour before finally going into a building in the heart of downtown. We were in an underground parking garage. Once he parked, he got out and looked around before he opened the door for me. He never stopped even though we were in a private, gated garage.

“Come, Miss West.” He grabbed my hand, tucking me tightly to his side, and walked me to the bank of elevators. I realized how large he was. He and Devlin had to work out together. They both had broad shoulders and a large frame.

“Mr. Kind, the elevator is secure,” said another big man in camo pants and a tight black fitted shirt with a gun at his waist.

“Are you running a military operation here?” I asked.

“No. Mr. Jacobs specified that I be extremely careful with you,” Reggie said. How did they round up a crew that fast?

“Devlin is the one who needs to be careful.” My fear nearly tore through me again.

“It was Mr. Jacobs Sr. who told me to protect you. Devlin is safe, and he’ll be on his way tomorrow,” he informed me. His dad was trying to protect me.

“Oh…” We entered a private elevator that had a special key to get to the only floor it seemed to go to.

The elevator opened into the entrance of a beautiful and spacious foyer. I walked in, full of trepidation. I’d never been in a place this nice. It was extremely modern, the dark hardwood floors looked brand new, and though the walls were all white, everything else was either gray or black. It was like something you’d see in a magazine. An orchid plant sat in a matte gray vase on a dark wooden table.

“Is this your place?” I turned to ask Reggie.

“No, this is Devlin’s,” he replied. His hand pressed on the small of my back as he walked me toward the kitchen.

“Oh,” I murmured. Instantly, I thought this was where he kept his mistresses or took them to have sex. I didn’t care for that notion one bit. It burned in my gut and my eyes unexpectedly welled with unshed tears. I tried to hide it, but Reggie saw it.

“Miss West,” he called, looking down at me.

“Selene,” I told him. I didn’t like the formality. After having to keep people at a distance for so long, I felt safe enough to be real.

“Selene, Devlin is not as bad as he seems. He may not have had a serious relationship in the past, but it’s not like you’ve read about,” he said. I arched my brow at him and huffed. I didn’t buy that, not after the conversation we’d had yesterday.

“I call bullshit. Maybe you don’t know what he does when you’re not around, but he propositioned me. And that’s very telling.”

“Devlin doesn’t pay for a woman’s company. They have their own places, and none have ever been here. I can assure you of that.” I wanted to believe that, but I couldn’t shake his words. “If it counts for anything, he regretted what he said to you. He’d kill me for saying anything to you about it, but he really cares for you. He wanted you to move in with him.”

“He wasn’t trying to buy me?” I questioned.

“You’re different to him. You make him different.” Reggie looked at me sincerely. He walked to the cabinet and grabbed a couple glasses. “Please take a seat wherever you like. I’ll get you something to drink and eat. I know you’ve got to be hungry and thirsty right now.”

“I am, thank you.”

“How’s a pop and some leftover pizza sound? That’s all that’s here and fast.”

“That works. He heated up the slices and handed me one. It was cheese and sausage, and smelled so good. “Thanks.”

We were eating and talking about everything. I liked Reggie. “So how long have you worked for Devlin?”

“About six years. We’ve been friends a lot longer, but I was in the Marines for eight years. When I retired, Devlin offered me a job. I’ve been working for him ever since.” I was really getting calm and sleepy. We had moved to the sofa so I could relax and then my cell rang. I blanched when I saw Ken’s name and started shaking so much that Reggie took it from me. He did something with his own phone before handing mine back to me.

“Get him to talk,” he whispered.

“Hello,” I stammered after I hit the green button.

“Hello, my love.” I shivered in revulsion with that endearment.

“What do you want, Ken?” I asked indignantly.

“I want to know where the fuck you cut out to. Blowing up your boyfriend wasn’t enough, was it?”

“The bomb wasn’t meant for him, and you damn well know it.”

“No, it was in case you tried to run again. I told you earlier I wasn’t going to let you get away. All you had to do was surrender to me, instead you chose to run.” His words were frightening, but I had to stand my ground. “What makes you think you’re going to get away this time?”

“I was one of the many bystanders. I was treated for shock, too.”

“You were just too quick for me. I won’t let that happen again.”

“You won’t get another chance. I’m well protected.”

“We’ll see and this time, I’ll aim for his head. Jimmy boy was lucky he moved along, or I’d finish the job. This one doesn’t seem so smart.”

“I knew it was you who shot James, you lying son of a bitch.”

“That’s not a nice thing to call my mother, and she wouldn’t appreciate you speaking about her that way.” God, this guy was psychotic.

“You tried to kill me, and now you’re worried about how I speak about your mother? Ken, I wish you would just leave me be.” I was so drained.

Reggie took the phone and clicked the end call button before giving it back to me. “We have more than enough to nail his ass, and I also have a lead on his location. Excuse me.” He got up while I held my phone in my hands, lost in Ken’s threat. After a few minutes, I woke from my dazed mind and looked around. I didn’t hear him walking around and started to panic.

I searched from room to room, wondering where he went. He said he’d be right back. Twenty minutes passed after I realized he’d left and still nothing. I hoped Ken hadn’t gotten into the building and somehow past the guards. I would be dead if he did and so would Reggie. Needing something to calm me down, I went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. The warmth from it settled my racing heart. I was halfway done when I heard the elevator ping. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a kitchen knife. I looked down at it and realized I was shaking terribly. I can’t show fear.

“Selene,” I heard my name called out. It was Devlin. I blew out a harsh breath.

I ran out of the kitchen to see Devlin standing there with his coat on looking like he’d been through hell. I dropped the knife and rushed to him. “What are you doing out of the hospital?”

“What are you doing with a big ass kitchen knife?”

“I got scared when Reggie left me alone. I panicked and grabbed it,” I said shakily as he wrapped his arms around me.

He brushed his hand over my hair, cradling me in his embrace. “Babe, I’m not going to let anybody get to you. Come, let’s go sit down.” He walked us slowly to the nice brown leather sofa. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. I hadn’t expected it, although with him, I should have. I blushed when I felt the ridge of his cock on my ass. How could he be so turned on at a time like this?

“Maybe I should get off you. Aren’t you sore?”

“No, babe, don’t get up. I like you right there,” he whispered gruffly against my ear.

“You have a lavish home,” I said, trying to distract the conversation that seemed to be going to sex.

“Yes, this is my place, and before you ask, no other woman has been here.”

“I wasn’t going to,” I lied.

“Bullshit, Selene. I know when a woman is jealous.”

I pushed up and off his lap. I wasn’t in any humor to tolerate his teasing. “I think I should leave. It’s late, and I need to find a place to stay.”

“You don’t. You’re staying here and don’t think of arguing with me.” He grabbed my waist and pulled me back down. “Tell me; is he the reason you don’t want me?”

“Ken? He’s not the only reason.” I wasn’t going to lie about my feelings.

“Thanks, babe. That makes me feel good,” he replied sarcastically.

“What would you like me to say? I like that you fucked the whole city or that you offered me a position as your mistress.”

“I wasn’t very nice that day. I didn’t take your rejection very well. For that, I apologize. Secondly, it isn’t like the media plays out. There are definitely not that many women in my past. I just never found one I wanted to keep around until a trip to the museum.” He gave me a gentle kiss before adding, “I wanted you even though you had kids, and not as a mistress, but to be with me, living here. You’ve got no idea how I wanted to kill the man who’d put babies in you.”

“No man has.”

“Not yet, but I will. I want you swollen with my seed. I want you bred with a little Devlin.”

“The third?” I asked, half-jokingly. This man must be on a lot of meds because he was talking out of his ass. We barely knew each other, and he almost died because of me.

“You bet, baby,” he said before kissing me again. I moaned as his soft but firm lips pressed against mine. “I want you so bad,” he groaned as his lips moved down to my neck, breaking down any barriers I’ve built these past two years. “But it’s going to have to wait. We both need rest. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be one hell of a busy day.”

I only nodded as we walked to his bedroom. “Here, change into these for the night.” He tossed me a pair of pajama bottoms that would probably float on me and a tee shirt. “Seeing as you had all your things packed in your car today, I think it’s best if we get you some new stuff tomorrow.” I took the clothes and went into his large bathroom. After about ten minutes, I came out to a nervous looking Devlin. “I was worried you were going to sleep in there.”

“Sorry, just a little lost in thought.”

“That I understand, my sweet Selene. Come let’s get cozy and sleep as long as we can.”  I wanted this; I needed his intimate tender touch. I climbed into bed beside him. He reached over me and hit the lights, then pulled me into his strong, warm embrace.