Return to Me (Storm Lords) (3 page)

He sat for a few minutes, considering his next move. What did she want? Or more importantly, what did she believe she wanted?

Money.

He would offer her a scam she wouldn’t be able to resist.

She looked up as he returned to the room, her blue-grey eyes wary. As she crossed her legs, his eyes were drawn to their slender length revealed in the ludicrously short black skirt. The sexy boots. Heat sank to his groin. He ignored it.

“Back again? How nice.”

Sitting down on the chair opposite from hers, he looked at her, but didn’t answer.

She shifted in her seat, irritation flashing across her face. “Well?”

“Okay,” he said smoothly. “You’re obviously a woman who likes things straight-up.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she nodded warily.

“I have a job.”

“A job?”

“A job that’s right down your alley. I asked around and was told you were the woman who could help me. Unfortunately, you got arrested before we could meet.”

“Yeah. Unfortunate.”

“Well. I can get you out of here, and if you complete the job, I can make sure you disappear.”

“Disappear?” That sounded…scary.

“Somewhere the police will never find you, and with enough money to keep yourself in luxury for the rest of your life. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?”

“So, say I agree to this. What’s the job?”

“We can’t speak of it here. Agree on principle, I’ll get you out, and we can talk.”

She pursed her lips. “How? How will you get me out? Who the hell are you?”

Christ, she was wary. Torr pushed down the panic and kept his bland expression in place. “That’s not your concern. But I know people who can pull strings. We’ll get you out; afterward, it’s up to you to
stay
out. If you do as I say, that won’t be a problem.”

She studied him for a moment, and he could almost see the thoughts running through her mind. She didn’t trust him but was curious enough that she couldn’t turn him down outright. Curious and something else. Beneath the bravado, he could sense her fear, smell it in the air. What was she afraid of?

“One thing,” she said. “I don’t do sex.”

The comment brought him up short and he raised an eyebrow. “Never?”

“Never. So if this is some sort of sex scam you’re running, I’m not the person for the job.”

He presumed she meant she wouldn’t do the job if it involved sex. At least, he hoped she meant that. He had plans for the immediate future, and they involved a lot of sex, in a lot of places. Soraya had loved to make love. He’d been trying not to think of that, but his cock had been aching since he’d first caught sight of her.

“And another thing”—she dragged him from his thoughts—“I’ll have nothing to do with drugs. If your ‘job’ includes sex or drugs, you might as well piss off right now.” She sat back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest.

He didn’t know what to say. No way was he going to say ‘no sex’. He worded his answer carefully. “The job involves no sex and no drugs.”

“Good. Let’s get out of here then.”

This whole set-up seemed too good to be true. And as Justin had always told her, if it seems to be too good to be true, then it’s going to turn to crap somewhere down the line.

But fuck it, what’s the alternative? Go back to that cell?
A shudder ran through her.
No way.

Besides, once she was out of there, she could make a run for it. She was quite capable of disappearing without his help. Placing her palms flat on the table, she pushed up. “Okay. Let’s go.”

He had to be about the coolest guy she had ever come across, but at her words, relief flashed across his face and was gone. So, he isn’t entirely sure of
me
. His gaze drifted down over her, and she fought the urge to smooth down her suit, to button up the jacket. Something in his look made her think immediately of sex.
Maybe this is a mistake.
She’d told him the truth; she didn’t do sex. Many times, it might have made her work easier, but no way would she cross that line.

He remained seated, but pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and punched in the speed dial.

“Cade? Are we set?”

His gaze flickered over her as he listened to Cade, while she stood shifting from one foot to another under his golden stare. A small smile crossed his face, and he slipped the phone back in his pocket.

He rose to his feet, towering over her, and held out a hand. “So, we have a deal?”

A strange reluctance spread through her as she stared at his hand. As though, once she had shaken on this, she would be changed forever, irrevocably tied to this man in ways she couldn’t begin to understand. She shook her head to dissipate the fanciful notions. Her mother had always said she was a dreamer. That was actually one of the nicer things she had called Bella.

She wiped her palm down her thigh and reached out. His hand was huge compared to hers, the skin pale. At the last moment, she wanted to pull away, but it was too late. Their fingers touched and a lightning spark flashed between them, shooting down her nerve endings and lodging deep inside. For an instant, his eyes closed and he breathed in deeply. When he opened them, they held a sleepy, heavy-lidded look. His lips curved up in a smile, and a wave of warmth washed over her.

What the hell?

She tugged her hand free and stepped back.

He let his own hand fall to his side. “Let’s go, Belladonna.”

“Bella. I hate Belladonna. And what do you mean ‘let’s go’? Just like that?”

“Just like that. And please, call me Torr.”

She followed him out of the room, down the corridor to the reception area. A tall man in a silver-grey suit, with dark red hair stood at the desk, talking to a uniformed officer. He turned as they entered, nodded at Torr, and then his attention shifted to her, wandering over her slowly. Bella refused to back down. She caught his gaze and held it. One eyebrow rose, and he smiled.

“Are we good?” Torr asked.

The man nodded. “All sorted.” He picked up a bag from the counter and handed it to Bella. “Your things.”

She took it and glanced inside. Her handbag and the other stuff she’d had with her when she’d been arrested were in there. She looked at the officer. “I’m free to go?”

“Yes, Miss.”

She shook her head, but wasn’t about to argue. Instead, she glanced at Torr. “So, get me out of here.”

As she followed him out the door, she blinked a couple of times in the bright sunshine, breathing in the fresh air. Well, relatively fresh for the city. At least, better than inside. One day, she would live in the country and have real fresh air and no people around.

Torr and the red-headed man stopped by a sleek, black sports car. “So, what now?” she asked. “Are you going to tell me what this job is?”

“Later,” Torr said.

The red-headed man held out a hand. She looked at it for a moment then took it, half-expecting another jolt. But there was nothing. “I’m Cade.”

“Bella.”

“Cade, are you coming back with us?” Torr asked.

Cade shook his head. “I’m meeting Phoebe for lunch.” He smiled at Bella again. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time with us, Bella.”

She waited until he walked away then turned back to Torr.

“Come on,” he said, opening the car door and gesturing to her.

She didn’t budge. “Where are we going?”

“Back to my office, where I’ll explain everything.”

“Will it take long?”

“Yes.”

When she still didn’t move, his lips curved down in a frown. “Is this going to be a problem?”

“I have to go see my dog.”

“You have a dog?” he asked.

“Why shouldn’t I have a dog? What’s wrong with having a dog? And he’ll be worried. I didn’t come home last night, and I’ve
never
not come home before.”

He shrugged. “Get in. We’ll pick up your dog on the way. You can get anything else you want at the same time. You won’t need many clothes as we’ll be providing those, but you won’t be going back there again, so anything you want, get it now.”

“Why?”

“You’ll be staying at headquarters.”

“Headquarters?” She knew she was sounding like a parrot, but did normal people have headquarters?

“Get in the car, Bella.”

She pursed her lips. “Okay, I’ll get in the car. But don’t think just because I said I’d work for you that you’re the boss.”

***

Exasperating. Irritating. Devious.

It was hard to believe that his Soraya could be reborn as someone so totally different. Had she always been like this, and he just hadn’t seen it?

He thought back; it was over two thousand years ago and still so clear in his mind. She’d cared for everyone, taken their pain into herself…cared for him. He could see her sweet smile, her eyes as warm as the summer sky, her soft woman’s body that had driven him wild.

There was nothing soft about Belladonna Dixon. She was hard as nails.

“Are we going to sit here all day?”

Her words cut through his thoughts. He realized he was sitting, daydreaming in the underground parking garage beneath Stormlord Securities. She was in the passenger seat beside him, her horrible dog clutched in her lap. Her hands stroked its fur as she should have been stroking him. The animal caught his eye and snarled.

The only sign he’d seen of the old Soraya was the way she treated her dog, although the animal was hardly worthy of the name. Small and white with protruding brown eyes, which gazed at her with complete devotion and cast him looks of such vicious hatred, they were worthy of a hellhound.

He climbed out of the car and went around to open her door. She glanced up at him with surprise and got out. They didn’t talk as he took her up in the elevator to the guest suite, the dog still in her arms. She only put the mongrel down when they were safe inside with the door shut behind them.

“Hey, this place is nice.”

She wandered around, peering in doors; the little dog trotting behind her, sniffing. Finally, she came back and threw herself down on the cream leather sofa.

“I’ve wanted to do this for hours.” She pulled off first one boot then the second, tossing them on the floor. Then she wriggled her stocking-clad toes into the carpet.

Torr watched her, forcing his breaths to slow and deepen. He couldn’t do anything to scare her off at this point, but he ached with the need to feel her in his arms.

Reaching up, she tugged at her hair. The long blonde tresses came away in her hand. Shock flashed through him, until he realized she’d been wearing a wig. She grinned at him and tossed it to the dog, who took it in his mouth and shook it like a rat. “Never again,” she said.

Torr simply stared.

She had short, dark red hair, flattened by the wig, but she ran her hands through it, fluffing it up so it spiked at the front.

“That feels so good,” she murmured. “I didn’t want to take it off at the police station—they’d have been pissed about the mug shots—but it was itching like hell.”

She shrugged out of her jacket. Beneath it, she wore a fitted white shirt, which clung to her small breasts. “You know, I think I’m going to like it here.” She leaned back and stretched. “Hey, is there anything to eat in this place? I’m starving.”

He realized she had no clue of the effect she was having on him. That had to be a good thing though, because he was hot and hard as steel. He sucked in a breath and swung around. He had to get out of there. “There’s food in the kitchen. I’ll speak with you later.”

He paused at the door. He might have to get out of there, but that didn’t mean he wanted to. What reason could he give to stay? Did he
have
to give a reason? His cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket, glanced at the screen, and cursed softly.

Bella raised an eyebrow. “Something up?”

“Nothing important, I have to go.”

She shrugged. “I’m not keeping you.”

He looked at her one last time and turned away, shutting the door gently behind him.  

***

Bella stared at the closed door. She’d thought he would tell her what the job was once they were at ‘headquarters’. Obviously, there was no rush.

She’d been thinking about heading out once she was left alone, vanishing into the city. She was pretty sure she could stay out of sight. If she could contact Justin, he’d get her some money and she could lie low for a while.

But this place was nice. Better than nice—it was fabulous. She’d probably stay just for the bathroom. She’d never seen anything like it, with its huge Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower. No, she might stick around for a while.

“What do you think, Skip?”

The little dog jumped up beside her, leaned up, and licked her face. She pulled him onto her knee and hugged him tight, a sense of comfort filling her at the touch.

Still, she should contact Justin. She pulled her cell phone out of her bag and punched in his number. He didn’t pick up and voicemail kicked in.

“I’m out,” she said. “This guy made some sort of deal with the cops. And he’s offered me a job. Not sure what yet, but I’ll see if there’s something in it for you. I’ll be in touch.”

As she switched the phone off and sat back, her stomach groaned. She hadn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours.

The kitchen was fantastic. Bella had never been particularly domesticated, but even she was impressed. And the fridge was well stocked, not only with food, though that was amazing—smoked salmon, rolls, pâté, and things she didn’t even recognize—but also with bottles of chardonnay and champagne.

Her past had taught her to be cautious, but it had also shown her to make the most of the good things when they came along. Who knew what the future held? But for tonight, at least, she wouldn’t be locked away in a tiny cell with only her nightmares for company.

Food, champagne, and a long, bubbly bath.

She was out of jail.

***

Three floors above her, Torr was in Hell. He swore softly.

She was in the bathroom, in the bath, no doubt naked, and he was a pervert for even knowing that. He’d switched on the monitor when he’d gotten up to his office. He couldn’t be with her, but he couldn’t resist watching her. He’d promised himself he would just check to make sure she was okay.

He’d flicked between cameras as she moved from room to room. Finally, when she disappeared into the bathroom, he forced himself to switch off the monitor.

Sinking into his chair, he rubbed his face.

How could he feel so euphoric and so terrified at the same time?

And on top of everything else, he had a summons from Lilith. Twice in two days. Could she be aware that he’d found Bella?

Lilith wasn’t allowed to interfere directly, but that wouldn’t stop her doing her best to meddle. He’d hoped to keep it from her until it was too late, but that had always been a vain hope. She had spies everywhere. Also, he’d expected Bella to take one look at him and realize she loved him straight away. It looked like it was going to take considerably longer than anticipated.

Still, he couldn’t ignore Lilith’s summons. While she held his soul, she had some power over him.

He closed his eyes and opened a portal between the worlds. Stepping through, he found himself deep in the Abyss. He was on the banks of a wide, slow-moving river, and he breathed in the cool, clean air. As usual, the light was dim, glowing orange as though in a perpetual twilight. The sand beneath his feet was black, but glittered with specks of jeweled colors. Lilith was seated on a boulder, her bare feet dangling in the water. She stood and sauntered over to him.

“What is it?” he asked.

“No ‘hello’?” she murmured. “Are you not going to kneel before your queen?” A pout formed on her full lips as she smoothed down her black silk skirt and tossed her loose hair over her shoulder. She appeared young, carefree, beautiful—all an act. He needed to get back to Bella. He didn’t have time to play Lilith’s games. Did she know? Her eyes gave nothing away except for a slightly malicious amusement.

“Cut the crap and tell me why I’m here.”