Vengeance (3 page)

No, that mattered, but she was sure her life was safer in his hands than anywhere else. If she kept hiding here, she would die here without living at all.

“Gladys! What the hell did you do to Genie! You better move that big ass. You’re covering all her tables, goddamn it!” Vic went full bellow from the pick-up window.

The tic returned to Azriel’s jaw.
Please don’t kill him
, she silently prayed, but didn’t dare ask.

“She quits,” Azriel bellowed right back, causing her to jump. He never looked away from her, and ignored the string of threatening curses coming from Vic at his statement. “The only reason I am allowing that man to continue breathing is because it would upset you if I killed him here and now. Consider this a gift. Now you are coming with me.”

Michelene didn’t say a word because there was nothing else to say. She was going with him.

What was she doing? Why was his angel leaving with that man—that animal? Azriel Seth was the devil incarnate. Oh, yes, he knew who that butcher was. But Michelene didn’t. She couldn’t possibly. His angel was a sensible girl. She was pure, innocent. He had watched over her; he knew that, despite the filth she’d grown up in, she had managed to remain unaffected. For years he had watched and waited, knowing she was the one for him. His unblemished bride. The dregs of humanity might have borne her, fostered her, but she she was heavenly to him. Hadn’t she run from those who would’ve corrupted her? And now she was leaving with a demon of a man?

No, it couldn’t be. But his eyes weren’t lying to him. Not this time. They sometimes lied, but he had mastered those lies. He was in control in a way he hadn’t been in years. All because of her. Because it was almost time for them to be together. Surely this development was Satan trying to keep two celestial beings apart.

Azriel had his arm around Michelene’s waist, walking her away from the diner, away from her adopted neighborhood. Of course the bastard would have a car stashed close somewhere nearby. He followed them to a parking lot just outside the seediest part of town, where Michelene had made her home. The lot had security, the real twenty-four-hour kind that did rounds around the lot and carried real guns. There was no way he could get close, no way he could stop this kidnapping. Azriel marched the woman who was his and his alone to a sleek black Jaguar. Such displays were ungodly, obscene. Right before his very eyes, the beast lifted Michelene’s chin with two fingers, leaned down and—

NO! Oh, God no! This couldn’t be happening. That gutter swine put his lips on his woman, his pure angel! Big, beefy arms engulfed her, pulling her tight against his frame. That man was unclean! He was defiling her!

The world was spinning; he couldn’t breathe. A haze of foggy red mist clouded his eyes so much he couldn’t see clearly. At least he could no longer focus on what Seth was doing to his beautiful Michelene. It wasn’t much of a blessing, as the spinning was getting progressively worse, making it impossible to stay on his feet. As the unforgiving sidewalk slammed into his knees, he heard the distinctive sound of the smooth purr of the luxury engine coming to life, heard the car’s slow roll to the gate before gaining speed as it no doubt disappeared down the street. In no time, his angel would be swallowed into morning traffic, disappearing among hundreds of metal boxes on wheels. There was no way he could know which direction.

HIs chest constricted painfully, pain piercing his skull. The pounding of his brain against the solid bone was excrutiating. He was going to lose his angel. How could this be happening? He couldn’t lose her now. Michelene was his hope, his future. They were meant to ascend together as one. So close; he’d been so very close. Seth would only defile her, mar her. Damn it, her purity belonged to him, not that monster!

“I’ll find you,” he whispered to the wind as the pitch black of nothingness reached out to embrace him. “I’ll find you and I will purify you.”

Someway, somehow, she would hear him and take heart. He knew she couldn’t have gone with that man intentionally. She’d been tricked. That was the only way she would’ve gone with him. For too many years he had watched and waited; he couldn’t give up now. Not now, not ever.

***

Yeah, he’d been pissed by the skank back at the diner. Stomping down the street with Michelene in tow, Azriel gritted his teeth, wanting nothing more than to eradicate the diner from the face of the earth. It was laughable that the slattern had believed herself to be more desirable than Michelene. Why the hell would he ever want someone who was so obviously well used compared to a woman who was as fresh as spring’s first blooms? Azriel could smell a pro at fifty paces; that the woman had approached him like she was honestly interested in more than a transaction was fucking offensive. He wasn’t a wet-behind-the-ears boy, and he’d had his fair share of call girls. He didn’t judge, but he wouldn’t be played. He had a healthy respect for women who were forthright with what they wanted. Given the diner’s usual clientele, he could fully understand a working girl wanting a john with a big fat wallet. Azriel was the last one to begrudge the hustle; hell, everyone had to hustle once in a while. Only he was no one’s mark. And the woman had dared to place her hands on him
…

While his parents were alive, Azriel had kept up the pretense of having relationships with women, when really, he didn’t understand the attraction. From the time his parents died up until today, every sexual experience had been with professionals, though ones of a much higher calibre than the woman from the diner. Conversations, going places, pretending to care had always been tedious to him. All the while he was usually thinking of anything else. Planning an assignation in a backward third-world country ruled by a paranoid tyrant was less taxing.

Then came Michelene. It was like the universe had waited to dump a shit load of caring into this tiny, curvaceous package. He was caring too much, about every part of her life, and that just wasn’t how he was.

Fury had blazed when both the fat cook and the skinny hooker had demeaned her. God, how he wanted to wrap his hands around each of their necks! Anyone insulting her, anyone yelling at her as if they were better than her—it couldn’t be allowed to stand. He was going to have to go back there. Otherwise that fat, sweaty man might think he had a right to yell at Michelene. And the waitress
…
He would think of something. Her audacity at believing herself to be better than Michelene was bad enough. He had to wonder what her cruel words had done to the woman he had taken an obsessive interest in.

If he cared to be honest, he would have to admit some of his anger stemmed from the fact that he was so interested in this woman. He was pissed that she needed him to protect her. Pissed that she worked a series of shitty jobs from the crack of dawn to well after nightfall just to make ends meet. And she didn’t fucking belong in that neighborhood. She hadn’t grown up there, but she managed to fit in as if she had. That was worrisome. But not so much so he wasn’t taking her to one of his homes now. And it should’ve given him enough pause to never risk what he was doing now.

“I can’t walk as fast as you can. I need to slow down.”

The clear, sweet feminine voice held no coquettishness, no artifice. Just a simple statement of fact. Azriel slowed his steps immediately. Thankfully, they were approaching the parking lot where he’d left his car while watching over her. Located just outside her neighborhood, it offered twenty-four-hour roaming security camera surveillance and easy, quick access to the freeway.

“We’re here,” he found himself uttering unnecessarily as they stopped right next to his Jag. Until that moment he’d had no real explanation why he chose to drive this car here during the early hours before he knew she left her first job. Generally he would drive a dark blue or gray compact car when surveilling anyone. They were harder for anyone to identify or even remember. Just like generally he would’ve dressed down for days when he planned on interacting, wearing cheap jeans and a cheaper shirt, cheap shoes, maybe a baseball cap. Today he was in high-end wear from top to bottom. For her—he did this all to impress her. On some level he’d known he would be taking her with him today. He just hadn’t wanted to admit it.

And she hadn’t so much as batted an eyelash. Even now, standing right next to his Jag, she didn’t even glance at the car. He wasn’t foolish enough to think she didn’t know what it was. She just wasn’t impressed. Or even surprised. Looking him straight in the eye, she waited for him to make a move, nothing but patience in her gaze.

Aww, hell!

Kissing those full, pouty lips was his only option. So that was exactly what he did and
…

Sweet holy fuck, her lips were soft! He’d meant to take them forcefully, to exert his dominance. But as soon as his lips touched hers, all he could think about was getting a deeper, fuller taste. Slanting his head, he did just that, sliding his tongue inside her mouth. God, he just wanted to push her up against the car, rip off her panties and bury his bare cock so far inside her that he could lick his own tip with his tongue in her mouth. That was going to have to wait because he’d be damned if he would do that here. Just because the taste a public fucking would afford him wouldn’t be nearly enough.

Because her hair was caught up in a tight, unforgiving bun, he couldn’t spear his hands through the tight coils of her natural curls. Instead, his hand held her by the neck, forcing her to tilt backward. It gave him deeper access to her mouth, which was equal parts heaven and hell. Fuck, he just wanted her in the worst way. He had to keep his other hand tight against his own side or else he would probably rip that ugly-ass uniform off what he knew to be a gorgeous body.

Home. He needed to get her home. Somewhere far away from here, far away from whoever was following her, away from the shitty-ass apartment she used to live in, away from the crappy jobs. All that rage he’d felt earlier had transformed into something else, something far more urgent. Now all he felt was lust. His entire being was one giant ball of need. There wasn’t a thing on him that didn’t throb with the urgency to mark her, make her his.

“Get in,” he growled, clicking the automatic lock and opening the door for her in one smooth move. “I am taking you home.”

I am taking you home
.

A lump formed in Michelene’s throat when she heard those words in that deliciously dark snarl. They made her want to cry. However, she didn’t dare. She sensed that would probably freak him out. Still, his words washed over her like a gentle wave propelling her to safe harbor—finally. Sure, she was aware he simply meant he was taking her to his home. But she was also aware there was meaning in the fact he didn’t specify that. Men like Azriel tended to be very careful with their words. The slip couldn't have possibly been unintentional, but he still was saying a lot.

Finally, after four long years, she was going somewhere she could let her guard down, somewhere she would be completely protected. Maybe even cherished, if the look in his eyes were to be believed, and Michelene was choosing to believe.

So she got in the car. There was no need to ask where they were going because it didn’t matter. When she’d run from home so long ago, she hadn’t had a plan. Never in a million years had she dared to dream she’d be rescued. At least not by a stranger—a sexy, enigmatic stranger who would kill someone for merely annoying her.

Keeping her head down, she’d worked, even tried to go to school. The school part hadn’t worked out so well. But she hadn’t given up and done something stupid that would’ve gotten her caught. Instead she just kept slogging on day and night, saving what tiny bit she could in hopes one day she would be able to really escape. Far away where there was no chance of being caught.

That too hadn’t been working out so well. She’d never known how hard it was for the average person to scratch up enough money just to survive. Time had been running out; she knew that when she had caught the eye of whoever else had been stalking her.

But then she’d felt Azriel’s presence. Only then had she known it would be okay. Honestly, she’d expected one of the smarter neighborhood goons to recognize her long before now. Then it would’ve been over. How close she had been to just giving up. Then there he was—her very own angel haunting her every step. Making sure she was safe.

As far as Michelene was concerned, they had already had a courtship, though not a conventional one. There didn’t need to be flowers, movies or dinners. She would give Azriel whatever he asked for, because he would give her everything. Funny how he didn’t even know that yet, but he would. Being with her would be a test, but she had a feeling he wouldn’t bat an eyelash. This was no knight in shining armour—they both knew that. Those kind of men just didn’t exist in her world. There was no way she would’ve survived this long without recognizing the wolf inside the man. She’d grown up around such types; she knew what they preyed on. Only Azriel was far more dangerous than anyone she’d ever met, and that was perfect in her eyes. Thrilling, even. This was the wolf that hunted other wolves. The perfect hunter. Another woman would be wise to be terrified. But not her. Especially not after that kiss.

When his body had been so tantalizingly close to hers, she felt the barely suppressed violence in him. Like he couldn’t decide whether to kill her or fuck her right there. But she knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

“You should be scared.” As if he could read her thoughts, he succinctly expressed what she was feeling.

A serene smile that started deep in her core radiated outward long before it showed on her lips. She didn’t answer because it wasn’t a question. Watching as he sped through the crowded streets, zipping in and out of lanes as if he couldn’t get to his destination fast enough, Michelene took the time to study him covertly. He was bold, she’d give him that. Completely unafraid of being stopped. In so much of a hurry to get her alone. That was the best turn-on ever. Knowing she was driving this urgency in him was making her wetter than she already was. Not to mention the rough beauty of his him—all of him. He looked like a cardinal sin, one she was going to love committing.

God, how she burned watching that tic in his jaw. That seemed to be his only tell; she noticed it back in the diner. The way his eyes narrowed as he navigated, pushing the car as fast as traffic would allow, caused her nipples to tighten painfully. Would his hands grip her as hard as he was gripping the steering wheel? Would his eyes have that burning glow as he watched her undress? Would he even be patient enough to allow her to? God, her panties grew even wetter at the prospect. Sexual frustration was emanating from him in waves, filling the vehicle and wrapping all around her body. It was hard not to rip off her clothes right then and there.

“You haven’t asked where I’m taking you.” Azriel turned that eerie gaze on her for a few heartbeats before turning back to the road. The tic in his jaw began to pulsate in earnest. It was cute that he was irritated by her acceptance. Like he would’ve accepted anything less. “Why?”

“Because it doesn’t matter.” What was she supposed to do, complain if she didn’t approve of the location? Their entire situation was so far outside the norm, such concerns were completely out of place. “There’s a lot of question should’ve asked me too, but you didn’t. Like my last name, for instance.” Because that answer could make all the difference in the world.

“It doesn’t matter who you were,” he growled back without missing a beat. “You are mine now.”

***

“M-m-Madam Brown, I, uh, know you were, um, you are looking for the girl
…
”
Madam Bitch was more apt. Stupid cow shouldn
’
t be allowed to breathe, much less make him stutter like a callow youth. It galled him to have to come to her. If there had been any other way
…
If only his cousin would
’
ve agreed to help. But no
—
he had been forced on this course of action before his cousin would lift a finger. Why was a mystery.

The things he went through for his angel! He’d thought he’d lost Michelene forever, thereby losing his only salvation. But fate had brought her back to him. He was convinced it was divine intervention. There was no way he was letting her out of his sight now. So he would swallow his pride and prostrate himself before this Jezebel, this Whore of Babylon. In the end, he would have heaven and together they could vanquish this beast of a woman.

She was older than she looked, this creature in front of him. Sitting on a carved wooden chair meant to imitate a throne, she was flocked by two muscle-bound dunderheads. He could have sworn he recognized one of them, but it was difficult to see clearly. His head still ached when he thought of his angel in the hands of Azriel Seth. Another demon who needed to be disposed of.

“I know where she is—was.” It was so hard to keep up the facade of being afraid, subservient. “I know where she’s been until earlier today.”

The woman simply raised an artificial brow, not speaking. The painted, blood-red lips thinned just a bit though. Ahhh, she was interested. He was willing to bet inside she was clamoring for the information he held. But the bitch had to keep up appearances, didn’t she? Well, he could play this game too. Closing his mouth, he waited, knowing his silence was driving her crazier by the second. It was petty, but the hatred he had for this woman knew no bounds. She was pure evil; nothing more than the pus seeping from an infected wound. Any way he could make her suffer was a plus. Like staring at the five-strand pearl necklace around her throat. Oh, yes, he knew why she wore it. Did her neck ache a little? God, he prayed so.

“If you know where she is spit it out,” Madam Brown snapped, a deep frown suddenly marring her face. It gave window to her true age. “Where’s she
been
won’t help, idiot. She’s too smart to leave clues.” Her last sentence held a little pride. That was curious.

“The apartment she’s been living in is untouched, all her things still there,” he announced smugly, hoping that was still true. “She was taken—she didn’t leave voluntarily.” That he needed to believe. Desperately.

“Who would dare take her and not bring her to me? I have a fucking bounty out on her pretty little head!” Now Madam Brown was on her feet, snarling as she stomped toward him. Nails painted the same blood color as her lips curled into claws as she reached out to grab him around the neck. There was spittle in the corners of her mouth, her nostrils flaring. “Who? No one has approached me!”

“Seth,” he choked out, thankful for the physical assault. It hid his glee. All he had to do was offer to bring his angel to her, and he could find out where Seth had taken her. “Azriel Seth.”

“The angel of death?” Madam Brown actually stumbled back, releasing him entirely. How lovely it would’ve been to watch her fall on her ass. Too bad one of her flunkies stepped up to catch her. “Out! Get out!”

Shit! This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go!

“I can bring her to you,” he blurted out, his game plan falling apart in front of his eyes. “I just need a little help finding Seth—”

“And you think I know where he is? Get the fuck out before I forget what you once did for me,” she raged, her face so contorted there was none of the beauty he’d noticed before left in her visage. This was the real Maylene Brown. Ugly to her bones.

As much as he wanted to push, he knew better. The woman had no real loyalty to anything, not even her own word. Defeated, he turned to leave, one of her goons trailing behind him.

Only, once they were out of earshot of the others, the man stopped him.

“Your cousin said once you have delivered the news about the girl, I’m to tell you Seth has a place up the coast, outside of Cayucos.” The goon took a quick look over his shoulder, then lowered his voice even more. “The place is isolated, but bound to have heavy security. You are only to take the girl and make sure she is never seen or heard from again.”

Yes! He knew his cousin wouldn’t fail him! Hurrying on his way, he began to make his plans. No one could stop him now; Michelene would finally be his. It was just a matter of time.