ADRIANA~~~For a moment, I try to convince myself that I'm imagining things. There's no way my stalker followed me all the way from Australia to Los Angeles.There's no way he knows I came to LA. Maybe this is just some random stranger with a resemblance to the man who has been secretly stalking me for several months. I almost believe it, until he takes a step towards me. I take one back instinctively. Then I see it. Concealed perfectly in his hand is a knife. Even from a distance, the blade gleams. I don't stop to wonder how he found me here. I whirl around and break into a run, heading towards the large open area behind the hospital. He follows me. I can hear the heavy pounding of his footsteps, the soft whoosh of his breath as he gains on me. For some strange reason, the hospital's packing lot is totally empty. There's no one around. I try to scream, but that familiar ball of fear has settled in my throat, cutting off my air. The only sound I can let out is a hoarse, wheezing
NICK~~~I head straight to Romero's penthouse after leaving Adriana. I know she will be okay for a few hours without me. The text message he sent was straight to the point. The group of deadly thugs who had been sabotaging his drug shipment were found two days ago in Crestview, a few miles east of Los Angeles. He wanted me to get rid of them. Meticulously. When I step out of the elevator in his penthouse, I spot him standing in the middle of the large living area, sucking on a tobacco pipe. When he sees me, his expression changes. "Nick, take as many men as you want." He barks. "I want those motherfuckers dead.""On it, Don Romero." I nod. "But I don't need an army. You know I work better alone."He slides a large briefcase towards me, and the security guard beside him opens it. Arranged neatly inside the case are stacks of dollar bills filled to the brim. I slam the briefcase shut and lift it. "Consider it done." I mutter. "And Antonio's daughter?" Romero asks. "Are you gettin
ADRIANA~~~We arrive at the hospital half an hour later. The veterinary hospital is on the east side of LA, just a few distances from the main highway. I step out from the car, then lean down with a frown when Nick remains seated. "Aren't you coming with me?" I inquire. "I have a few errands to run."My suspicion arose a second time that afternoon. "What errands?" I prod. Nick's expression doesn't change, even as I watch it closely. His voice is casual as he answers. "I have a life, cupcake. I told you I work for Don Romero. I run errands for him.""I know. I just want to know what kind of errands." I insist. "Your dad is a mafia don, isn't he?" Nick asks, sidestepping my initial question. I nod. "Yes, he is." "And you know the kind of business he deals in, don't you?"I nod again. "That should give you an idea of the errands I run for Romero.""Is it a messy job?"Nick shrugs. "It's messy sometimes." Then he smiles at me. "I won't be gone long. If you're done, give me a c
ADRIANA~~~I sit quietly on the passenger's side of Nick's car as he drives me to the veterinary hospital. It's a sleek Cadillac, and the engine purrs as he steps on the gas. My thighs are tightly pressed together and I try not to squirm from the way my core keeps clenching. I still feel his cock moving inside me. I still feel his hands stroking my ass, his warm breath making me shudder as he whispers in my ear. I still feel every kiss, every touch. I can hardly concentrate on the road before me. I glance at him from the corner of my eye, admiring the way he holds the wheel expertly, the way his fingers curve around it. He's so relaxed, so comfortable. He looks towards me suddenly and I whip my eyes away. "Are you feeling okay?" He asks. He takes one hand off the wheel and gently squeezes my thigh. I slap his hand away, surprised at the tingles that run up my skin. "Keep your eyes on the road." I say. Nick chuckles, and I catch a flash of the dimple on his cheek. It's not obv
NICK~~~Hearing Adriana ask me that dreaded question, I realize it's only a matter of time before she becomes curious, or worse, suspicious about me.I have to take her mind off it, and I know exactly what to do. A neutral expression rests on my face as I reply her. "Don't tell me you're falling for Ryan's accusation. He'll do anything to paint me badly.""No, don't try to deflect." She shakes her head. "This isn't just about Ryan anymore. If we're going to be a thing, then the least you can do is tell me all about you."I arch a brow and pull her close to me. She doesn't resist. She comes willingly. I can feel her heart racing wildly at my touch. "If we're going to be a thing?" I repeat quietly. "Are you agreeing to my request, cupcake? You want me to own you?"I nuzzle the curve of her neck, feeling her shiver slightly. Her arms lock around my neck, and I smile. She's too easy. Too eager. I can have her moaning beneath me in two seconds. That's what makes her so appealing to me.
ADRIANA~~~Ryan smiles and holds the bouquet out to me. "Welcome to LA, babe. I got you flowers."The fact that he thinks everything is back to normal and that grating, patronizing voice of his infuriates me. "What are you doing here?" I yell angrily. "How did you find this place?"He looks away uncomfortably and lowers his hand. Then he sighs. "I checked your file back at the college and found your address."I'm not surprised at the extent he is willing to go to find me. He has always been that way, always getting what he wants. "Well, you found it. Now you can leave. And take your flowers with you.""Adriana, please don't do this." He protests. "You blocked me everywhere. I couldn't reach you. I panicked.""That's how I intend for everything to be, Ryan." I snap. "I told you it's over between us. Take your flowers and go."Ryan drops the bouquet on the couch beside him and walks towards me. I'm on the verge of pulling my hair out because he's not listening. "Ryan, if you don't l