Perhaps it’s time you look past your inhibitions, Miss Banks.
Being ambitious and keeping what I worked my ass off for has nothing to do with inhibitions, she scorned her inner voice.
Really? Where is it written that you can’t have a successful career and be in love; married even for that matter.
Just shut up. You’re giving me a headache.
Better re-evaluate your aspirations in life, Miss Banks. You’re not getting any younger. Except if it’s part of your career path to become a spinster and grow old alone … with ten cats.
Shut the fuck up!
“Would you mind if I excuse myself? I’m in the need of a long, hot bubble bath,” she lilted as they walked into the penthouse apartment.
Zeke brushed a finger over her cheek. Her insides sparked to life at the sensual smile he bestowed on her. How the devil man always looked so damn hot and fuckable was beyond her. It was exceedingly difficult to keep her libido under control with him in the vicinity.
“Take your time, love.” He winked at her as he dropped his hand. “I wouldn’t mind joining you once I’ve caught up with the developments.”
Taylor cast a glance at the patio where Stone and the others were lounging with drinks in their hands.
“Forget it, Sinclair. Not with your cousins within hearing distance.” She gestured around them. “This isn’t the castle or a BDSM club, so don’t even think of mentioning they’re used to it. I’ll never be able to look them in the eyes again.” Her cheeks heated even more at his knowing look. He’d learned firsthand that she was a rather loud lover, especially when he teased and tormented her ruthlessly until she was ready to combust. “Exactly,” she snapped and with his deep chuckle echoing in her ears, she rushed toward the main bedroom which had been graciously offered to them upon arrival that morning.
She began shedding her clothes as she walked into the room and ran a bath. She needed to cool down and quickly.
“Ah, heaven,” she sighed as she slipped lower until her entire body was covered by the fragrant bubbles. It didn’t take long for her strung-up body to be soothed by the warm water. Her relaxation didn’t last since curiosity about what the cousins were discussing got the better of her. She’d seen a stranger leaning against the balustrade and wondered if it was Roy Simmons.
Five minutes later, she walked out onto the patio, only to be shocked to a halt by the words the sinister looking man uttered.
“I’ve been commissioned to assassinate Taylor Banks.”
“W-what did you just say?”
“Ah, shit,” Zeke muttered as he noticed her pasty complexion and the way she cast a hurt look his way. “Don’t jump to conclusions, Taylor,” he warned with darkened eyes.
“Really? He’s been paid to kill me and he’s lounging there like he’s your best buddy.” She heaved in a deep breath and her voice rose shrilly. “What the fucking hell else am I supposed to think?”
“For one thing, you should trust me to keep you safe.”
“Which is a little difficult to do with an assassin watching my every move,” she snapped as she glowered at the tall man looking at her unflinchingly. It annoyed the hell out of her that an amused smile played on his lips. “Exactly what do you find so funny, Mr. Killer?”
“Seems your little sub is quite a handful, Zeke.”
Taylor’s eyes narrowed as the men chuckled in response. Little did she realize how enamored they all were with how passionately sensual she appeared in her anger.
“She is,” he shrugged with a crooked smile, “but I don’t mind at all.”
“I’m right here, Zeke Sinclair. Don’t you dare talk about me like I’m invisible.” She shot a searing look at Billy. “Who the hell are you?”
“Billy Hewitt at your service.”
“And that’s supposed to mean anything to me? I’ve never heard of you before, but lemme guess; you’re one of Kezzler’s henchmen.”
“I’m no one’s lackey, squirt.” Billy didn’t appear at all taken aback which spurred her anger higher, but a half smile sat on his face like a casual piece of armor.
“Taylor, relax. Come, sit down.”
She reacted instinctively to the deep order from her Dom and sank into the chair next to him. He took her hand and drew soothing circles on her palm with his thumb. The warm caress and his calmness managed to soothe her ire a tad.
“What’s going on? Who is he and why are you in cahoots with an assassin?”
“Billy is Ava’s father. You met her, remember? Parker’s sub.”
“Yes and she’s way too nice to have a killer as a father,” she snubbed, still watching Billy cautiously. It came as quite a shock to realize to what extent Kezzler would go to shut her up. She detected a flash of regret in the tall man’s eyes. It was so fleeting, she thought it was her imagination, but the way his lips tightened confirmed it. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you but it’s quite a shock to hear I’m about to be killed.”
“I have no intention of killing you, snip.” Billy glanced between the men. “But they sure as hell expect to see proof of her corpse.”
“Is there a time limit on the job?” Zeke asked brusquely.
“I don’t work like that. No one knows how or when I hit.” He shrugged. “At least, it’s how I used to work.”
“Billy decided to retire not too long ago,” Zeke volunteered the information to Taylor. “He didn’t know Ava was his daughter but he met her at a time when he was ready to walk away from the life he lived. He infiltrated a crime syndicate and is helping us to expose and put an end to their reign of terror and death.” Zeke hesitated and looked at Stone.
“You might as well tell her,” he rasped.
“Kezzler is one of the leaders of the group. They obtained the land because they built secure operation bunkers below ground. The restaurants are the access points, which is why he’d do anything to keep ownership of it.” Zeke squeezed her hand at the shocked look on her face.
“Fuck me,” she whispered. “And now he wants me dead because I interfered with his plans.”
“You did your job, Taylor, and from what my father told me, a very good one at that.” Hawk offered a gentle smile that managed to calm her frayed nerves slightly.
“To what purpose? I mean, why now? The court case is over and your father is about to rule. My death would serve absolutely no purpose to change his mind at this late stage.” She glanced from Hawk to Zeke. “Right?”
“You’re right. My father won’t be swayed by any ways or means. They’re grasping at straws and would do anything to turn the odds in their favor. We expected them to play dirty, which is why we took the precaution with all the added security to everyone involved in the case.” Hawk took a sip of his drink. “As far as you’re concerned, it’ll soothe his bruised ego.”
“It still leaves us with a conundrum. We need Billy on the inside to keep us in the loop of developments. If he doesn’t produce proof of a successful hit and have it splattered all over the media, it will jeopardize his position with SPEONUS.” Stone tapped his fingers on the arm of the chair. “Any suggestions.”