Page 12 of Mafia Tales

“But he didn’t touch you?” I rub put my hands back in my pockets to stop myself from pulling her back towards me.

“No.” She frowns. “You think it’s connected then? The rogue, the murder, the smuggling. The Syndicate. You.” She says the last piece and draws her brows together. Rowan always was smart. Then she surprises me as she angles her head and pauses for a moment as if she is thinking.

“I’m coming with you,” Rowan says decisively, just as I’m trying to figure out how to phrase my demand that she joins us for safety reasons. There is no way in hell I’m leaving her alone here in the mountains. My mouth snaps closed and then quirks into a smile.

“Certainly. Pack your things.” My shoulders lift into a shrug. “It may take a while, so pack accordingly.” I cannot help but to feel satisfaction when she eyes me with trepidation and scurries from the room.

Chapter Nine

ROWAN

My bag still lies on the chair in my old bedroom where I left it, the sides split open at the zipper, its contents spilling out on the floor. Riven has never been the type of man to wait and I doubt he has changed so I stuff items back in pell-mell, not taking much care as I cram everything back in. Taking another cursory glance around the room and the bathroom, I hurry through the house, closing up windows and dumping the bucket into the sink. I’d like to leave things tidy, but I don’t want to be left behind.

Riven and James linger in the living room having a hushed conversation, but his eyes are on me. I can feel them following me as I hurry around like a madwoman. He didn’t seem annoyed when I said that I’d come along. He seemed … pleased. I puzzle that over as I set the kitchen to rights. I’m not totally sure that I have thought this plan through. More than anything, I mean it when I say that I want to find who murdered Lillian. I want that person to pay. I’ll make it happen, even if I have to align with the devil to do it. That Marco is involved makes me want to puke, but the thought of putting a bullet in him would be extra satisfying.

“Are you ready then, Red?” His voice is just over my shoulder, the timber low, growly. It licks through me, hot and wicked. I shiver, but not from fear. Trying to sort through the whole scene in the living room is difficult. Calling Riven was a desperate move. I’m not sure what I had expected from him — I didn’t expect him to actually come up here. Our relationship ended as quickly as it had begun. He wanted a future in the Syndicate and that couldn’t include me. He made his choice. The few days we were together were hot, fast, and furious - the best sex I’d ever had. I squeeze my thighs together just thinking about it. The only time I’d tried dating since had ended in an abysmal failure. I haven’t been able to even think about being with anyone since.

Turning, I paste a blank look on my face. “Yes. I’m ready. Why are you skulking about then?” I inject scorn into my voice, but he doesn’t seem to be bothered.

“Skulking?” His look is more amused than insulted as he steps forward. Ugh. Why is he so handsome with his cheekbones and his shoulders? I frown at him. He even smells the same, like cedars and smoke. For years I’ve hung onto one of his old shirts, pressed it into my pillows until the smell faded. I remind myself that heleftme.

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” He seems larger as he moves forward and I can’t help the fact that I can already feel my nipples pebbling, the heat pooling between my thighs.

I back up, stumbling slightly as he walks forward. “Scared Red?” His tone is mocking as he reaches out a hand to snake it around my waist.

“Of you?” I wish I sounded convincing, but my voice is trembling.

“Never.” I raise my chin.

“You should be.” Riven’s voice is silken and deadly, his eyes black as he pulls me close. “You’re all grown up now.” He considers me. I don’t even fight or explain that I’m not scared of him — I’m scared of how he still makes me feel. My hands creep up to clutch at the fabric of his suit jacket. His lips trail kisses on my neck, his teeth nippingfirst softly and then with more force. The moan that sounds is all mine as he pulls me against his length.

As his hands roam across my body, I can't help but give in to the sensation. Every touch, every kiss feels like fire, and I'm powerless to resist. Every nerve ending is on high alert as Riven's hands glide over my curves, his fingers tracing the outline of my breasts. I let out a gasp of pleasure as he pinches my nipple, his lips still teasing my neck. I'm lost, unable to resist his powerful hold over me.

“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he murmurs against my skin anchoring me against him.

It isn’t fear that runs through me, but desire. Riven’s touch is addictive, and I can’t get enough. I reach up and tangle my fingers in his hair, pulling him close as his lips find mine. His kiss is fierce, possessive, and I melt into him. He tastes the same and I almost sigh with the relief of it.

He pulls back for a moment, his eyes locked on mine. "You'remine," he says, his voice low and possessive. "Say it."

I hesitate, the desire burning inside me to do as he says is strong, but I won’t say it. "No," I barely get the word out. Belonging to Riven isn’t an option. The fact that he left the way he did still burns. He can’t just waltz in.

The word hangs in the air for just a moment, and then Riven’s arms tighten around me as he slams his lips back on mine. The kiss is searing, possessive, his mouth ravaging mine. I let out a soft moan as he pushes me against the wall behind me, his body pressing me against it, his hand creeping up against my throat.

A minute later, we hear footsteps coming down the hall and Riven breaks away from me. His breath coming in pants and his eyes glowing like coals. I let my eyes fall close against his glare for a moment’s reprieve.

“Don’t think I’m forgetting about this,” he whispers into my ear. “Oh, and Red.” I open my eyes and look at him. “You are mine. You’ll admit it too.” I can barely breathe from the kiss, and the lust flooding my veins. His eyes are blazing with desire, and I know it won’t be long before he makes good on his promise.

I can’t wait.

“Pretty sure that James is ready to go,” I say as casually as I can. I am sure he doesn’t give two fucks about his friend waiting for him, but it’s as good a reason as any for us to move along.

“I’m only riding along so I can catch Lillian's killer,” I say, swiping up my bag as I go and smoothing down my clothes. Even before I reach the door Riven is smoothly pulling the bag from my hand, his rough callused fingers brushing up against the edges of my softer smaller ones.

“I’ll take that Red.” His hand propels me forward, his palm secure against the small of my back, burning through my t-shirt, settling on the bones of my vertebrae and caressing them softly through the fabric of my shirt. My breath catches. I remember what those hands are capable of. I take one long look at the rooms that Lillian lived in. That I lived in for years. I feel now that this is a moment that will change me forever.

“Don’t call me that,” I snap back, tucking away my sorrow into a box and closing the lid gently, twisting the key. Since I was young, it has always been an effective strategy. Unpleasant things go into a box to be examined later. I push myself and my feet to move and shake Riven’s hand off, stalking towards his waiting car, giving no thought to my vehicle, the things that I’m leaving behind or when I’ll be back. There is only forward. Turn the key—lock the box.

Sitting in the car as we move through the forest, I can feel James’ eyes drilling into the back of my head. Pivoting so that I face him, I send him an equally annoyed look. “What the fuck is your problem, exactly?” I ask, injecting a bit of venom into the words.

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