She could have left it for the concierge to take a look in the morning, but curiosity overtook her fatigue and common sense. The side door beside the elevators led to the parking lot downstairs. Orla wasn’t scared as the camera system had a clear view of every inch of the place, and the alarm was one of the best around. Calling for help if this was a prank would be easy.
The place was partially lit with wavering neon lights and silence surrounded her. Somewhat reassured, she wandered around, trying to find the car that matched the key, but had no luck until she reached her parking spot. There was a car there, and as it wasn’t hers, it stopped her in her tracks. It was a stocky, outdated black car that had definitely seen better days with a tad less rust than hers had. What was all this about?
“I thought you’d need a ride as good as your previous car. As it’s been blown to smithereens, I mean.”
Orla jumped at the modulated voice and turned to see her car’s license plate thrown at her feet. Twisted and partly burnt, it was clear the explosion she’d heard had been her old heap. The electronically modified voice caused her heart to flip, and he appeared before her, leaning against one of the concrete pillars.
The vigilante had changed from his black combat gear and was now sporting dark wash jeans and boots, with a dark blue hoodie over his head. His hood mostly kept his head in the shadows, but she could see something covering the upper part of his face, which left his jaw and mouth uncovered. He was a little more than twelve feet away, but she could see some golden whiskers on his chin, and his lips hinted at a smile.
“How is your voice still changed without the mask covering your mouth?”
He shrugged slightly. “Technology stuff. Nothing to worry yourself about.”
“You bought me a car?”
“It didn’t cost much, and as I’m responsible for destroying your car, I felt obligated to find you a replacement. The registration papers are in your name and are in the glove compartment. You’re good to go.
She couldn’t decide how to react. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t buy herself a new car, especially an older car like this. “How were you able to do this so quickly? It’s been only a few hours.”
“It’s not as if I’m giving you a Ferrari. That might have required a bit more time. And I’m sure you’d prefer to have a car for your breakfast date with Evans tomorrow morning instead of taking a cab. You seem to be the kind of woman who likes to be in control.”
It was tempting to pull her hair in frustration at his words, but she took a deep breath. “You have to stop doing that.”
“Doing what?”
His changed voice irritated her even more. “Spying on me, hacking into my phone, following me around, buying me a car. What are you trying to do?”
He pushed himself away from the column, and she noticed once more how tall and built he was. And dangerous. He took a few steps in her direction, and seeing the black neoprene gloves on his hands, she shivered in fright. He looked ready to attack and strangle her before shoving her dead carcass into the trunk of her new car. Standing her ground had never been tougher.
“I don’t think so. You’re making headway, and I want to be there all the way. It’s not a partnership, think of it more as close protection for you and fact gathering for me.” He took two more steps and stopped a foot from her. It was impossible not to take a step back. She couldn’t see his eyes, only a deep black space. She was a tall woman, but he was even taller, more imposing, and the energy coming from him was overwhelming. He smelled of gasoline, leather, and man. It was the same scent she had detected outside of Freckles’ place and later at the back of the building. He’d been there many times, lurking like a ghost.
“You want to use me to kill whoever distributes the drug. I’m telling you now, I won’t be an accomplice to murder. I’m working with the police on this so they can arrest them. You think killing the manufactures will stop this insanity?”
He took a step, then another as she retreated. It looked like a dance until her back hit a concrete column. Her body reacted, and she retrieved the blade she had hidden, but the vigilante didn’t hesitate. He moved closer until his chest pressed against the tip of the blade. “Dead bodies will make a statement to whoever is trying to sully this city. I won’t stand by and wait for the police to screw it up.”
Slowly, his gloved hand rose and circled her wrist. At first, she thought he’d force her to release her weapon, but he only pushed her hand down a few inches. “If you use that blade on someone, make sure your strike counts. Unless it’s with force, the blade must slide under the breastplate and up, so you can reach the heart.”
Orla knew she didn’t have it in her to kill the man who didn’t appear to be an immediate threat, and she lowered her blade. “You’re giving me lessons on how to kill?”
Now she could clearly see his gorgeous smile. Enticing lips, bright teeth. When he leaned forward even more, her stomach clenched, a flare of arousal taking her by surprise. She was out of her mind lusting after a masked killer who concealed his identity and voice. It was crazy, but something buzzed in the air between them.
“It’s a lesson in survival. Sometimes, you have to kill to keep breathing, and sometimes, a few must die for the greater good. You were a war reporter, haven’t you seen it? Desired it? One bullet to make it stop, so innocent people stop suffering?”
Now her body wanted to lean forward as her mind debated the century-long question. “You’re twisting what’s right and wrong.”
He was close now, his face level with hers. As it was impossible to lock eyes with his, hers went to his mouth. “Our world doesn’t have a definitive line dividing good and bad. I’m not a knight in shining armor or a hero. I’m not playing by the rules, and that includes you and your privacy, especially if it means keeping you and others safe.”
It was her turn to lean forward. Partly to provoke him, and partly to satisfy her sudden need to get closer. “Keeping me safe until I’m no more use to you?”
Having the upper hand on the stranger, even for a single second, was exhilarating, Orla didn’t realize her body had blindsided her until her lips crashed onto the stranger’s and she was caught in the most dangerous kiss of her life.
Chapter Six
How this situationhad turned around so quickly, Sam had no fucking idea. His original intention was to tease and taunt, but not indulge, not even when his cock twitched each time she swayed her hips or drew closer.
Now he was in overdrive as Orla kissed him. Although kiss was too tame a word for the raw and electrifying connection that exploded between them.
Far from sex-starved, Sam wondered for a brief moment why this simple kiss had turned him into a horny teenager. What was happening between them was the worst idea ever, but instead of stepping back, Sam pushed her against the pillar, pressing his body against hers, and groaned. Without his combat gear, all the soft flesh and curves he’d imagined while having her on the back of his bike now aroused his body and hunger clawed at him.
