Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (13 page)

“I can.” Candy looked up at Dirk who gazed at her with a soft expression.

* * * *

Dirk had been listening to their encounter. Candy was no match for the Iron Hand, who also possessed an iron mind. He knew immediately where his father’s thoughts were headed. Not once had he made it seem he was protecting Damien, yet was concerned for Candy’s well-being. Dirk knew better. Damien was to come first. His father didn’t want his household disrupted by a disgruntled female who would make it her mission to disturb everyone. There was about to be a new baby in the home, after all. Dirk stood up and picked up Candy’s mug of coffee. He left the room, leaving her alone with his father.

Candy studied the older man. He was an older version of his son, still very powerful and strong looking. His mind was no doubt as sharp as a tack. He regarded her just as intently.

“You don’t want me here, do you?” she finally asked.

“Whether I want you here or not is a moot point. You belong to my son. You will obey him and me and Damien unconditionally. You will not cause any distress to my granddaughter. Follow the rules of my home, and we’ll get along fine. Trust me, my dear; I am
the
very last person on this earth you would want as an enemy.”

Though his voice was light, Candy shuddered at the unveiled threat. His blue eyes, like hardened icicles, pierced her soul leaving her thoughts wounded. Without a doubt, she would never want a man in charge of an army of assassins as her enemy. To her relief, Dirk returned and placed a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front her. Candy’s eyes widened in surprise that he remembered.

“Thank you,” she stammered and at once picked up her drink and sipped it. It was lightly laced with Bailey’s, a dollop of whipped cream nestled on top.

“You’ll be taken care of here, Candy,” Dirk said. “I know you’re afraid of me and I know I gave you good reason, but there’s worse out there than me. You told me what Tyler was like. You told me what you think his brother is capable of. I’ll tell you, Tyler wasn’t killed over rape alone. I don’t condone it and would’ve definitely beaten the shit out of him for it, but I wouldn’t kill him over it...unless it involved one of my own.

“Our organization has been aware of Tyler for some time. He’s proved to be more than a menace. He was killed because he murdered five defenseless women over the course of eight years; the last was the daughter of a very close personal friend of the family. His time was over. I stop people like him, and I’m damned good at it. If I were just some thug who enjoyed taking lives I would’ve taken yours already.”

“Tyler murdered five women?”

Candy swallowed heavily remembering the night she hid from Tyler. She remembered hearing the sharp snap of his tie when he wound it around his knuckles. She was right in her assumption, rape hadn’t been the only reason Damien had been sent after him.

“I thought he was going to kill me. I suspected. After I hit him in his face with the stapler, he changed. His voice turned eerie, beyond creepy. He wasn’t just after sex anymore, he was out for blood, mine. Now I’m certain.”

“Well it would seem my murdering son saved your life, you’re lucky Damien’s fearless,” James declared a bit smugly.

Dirk snorted. Candy could tell what Dirk was thinking—she bet he could still see Mr. Bug Bite fearless, bouncing like a big baby with leeches stuck to him, howling at the invasion as if he were about to die. She wisely remained quiet though, and hid a small smile behind her mug.

“Eat something, Candy,” Dirk said grinning broadly.

* * * *

James watched as Candy dutifully picked up her fork and took a bite of pheasant. He was pleased at her immediate compliance of his son’s command. A plan began to form in his mind. Perhaps he could use the girl to seek out his own best interests; his powers of manipulation were surpassed by no other. She might just prove useful.

“Please Dirk, it was different before. I didn’t know you were here, I didn’t know
I was
here,” Candy said warily.

She watched as Dirk removed his clothing, preparing to climb into bed beside her. He stripped off his shirt and tossed it onto a nearby chair. His jeans were next. When his erection sprang from his boxers, Candy looked away as a heated blush crept up her jaw line. The previous night Dirk had been occupied with business and Candy remained alone in the locked room. She assumed now that she was well he would stay in another room to sleep.

She didn’t have night clothes. All she owned had been washed out by hand before she climbed into bed and was drying over the tub. Though bare, she was suddenly uncomfortably warm. Peeking up at him was a mistake. He was naked from head to toe. Her heart began to pound. Clothed he was scary, but unclothed he was deadly.

“Candy, this is the way it’ll be, forever. This is my room, you’re mine, and you’re my responsibility until the day you die. You’re going to be my wife. You’ll sleep with me. You’ll spend time with me. See the pattern forming? I swore to my father I’d keep an eye on you, and I never forget a promise,” Dirk said.

“You promised you wouldn’t hurt me.”

She cowered back under the sheets at his approach. Her back pressed heavily against the massive headboard. When he walked, his motion was predatory, stealthy, with calm deadly assurance.

“I promised I wouldn’t hurt you if you obeyed me. You pissed me off that night. I understand you had no idea you were treading on such a touchy subject. We both made a mistake. You think my mistake is worse because you suffered longer, but did you, Candy? My daughter means the world to me; she is my everything. Accusing me like you did ran me through with a dagger. We have a lot to learn about each other. Keep that lesson in mind; Carrie and my relationship is a no-go zone.”

Dirk climbed into bed beside her. His arm settled for a moment onto her hip, his heat sizzled through her. He lay down on his back with his fingers laced behind his head in an unthreatening gesture, the sheets rising just past his hips. The outline of his body visible. She could see a small spattering of dark blond hair on the wide span of his chest. Candy could see a mixture of emotions cross his face.

“Why are you doing this?” Candy whispered. She sat up closely beside him, knees drawn up, as he’d settled right beside her. She stared down into his serious expression.

“I don’t really know why. I guess I broke down the pros and cons until one outweighed the other. I didn’t want you to retreat back into yourself. I’ll be damned if I allow you to die. I worked too fucking hard to get you back. To release you would bring about your death and wouldn’t benefit my brother. There was no other alternative.

“Sweetheart, I’ve seen death. Senseless death, evil the likes you could never imagine. Tyler was a proverbial drop in the bucket. If I were to tell you how many men I’ve targeted because of their evilness and their crimes, you’d be comatose by the end of the night. I couldn’t let you suffer a far worse fate. Your innocent face would haunt me for the rest of my life like no other. I guess I have a conscience; although, I’m betting you don’t believe that. Sometimes I feel so damned old.”

Candy thought about that for a moment. Even though the man before her was older and claimed he felt old, he suddenly seemed so much younger and vulnerable. His features relaxed except a fine line to mar his brow. He admitted he was a killer, and of that she had no doubt. Now she understood why he hadn’t killed her. Though she posed a nominal threat to his family, her life was still important to him; she was important to him. And yes, she realized he did in fact have a conscience, he must have, because here she sat.

“Why do you care if I live or die?”

“I’m humane, regardless of my profession. We all have certain bridges we cross leading us farther into the roles in our lives. I feel I’m at a crossroads. You being here is setting precedence. My father is right that I don’t want a hundred wives because I possess compassion, and yet I can’t help but feel this is important in my transition from son to leader. I also possess a great deal of mercy…most of the time. Other innocents’ lives or deaths will be in my hands someday, well more of them. From now on, I’ll consider who I promise what with a great deal more care and consideration.” He sighed heavily and muttered under his breath. “I’ll be damned if I go through this shit again.”

“Are you sorry you promised me safety?” Candy asked with misgiving. Realizing she might not be the only one who harbored feelings of anger and resentment. What if he grew to hate her? He would soon be her husband. She didn’t want to spend eternity wondering if one day he’d drive her into the desert and do away with her.

“I’m sorry I frightened you so badly you escaped into your mind. Believe it or not, I’m not usually such an asshole. Well, I can be an ass but not like that,” Dirk replied, looking up at her earnestly.

“Dirk, this is forever. Love, honor and cherish. You don’t love me, honor me or cherish me. For me it’s obey, submit and be fearful. For you it’s command, support and keep silenced. I’m afraid, I’m afraid of you. I’m afraid of this place and everyone in it. I’m in a house full of mafia assassins. What’s not to love?”

Candy groaned and rubbed a hand over her face wondering if he’d be pissed at her sarcasm. It was that or scream.

“I can’t command you not to be afraid. It would be stupid to try. But I promise I’d never cause you to be so fearful of me you’ll retreat back into yourself. I’m sorry you’ll never know love. It fucking sucks, sweetheart. I understand that sadness better than anyone, it can’t be helped. I’m hopeful in time we can at least be friends. Come lay beside me, I’m tired and I need some sleep. Try not to be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Candy hesitantly moved beside the powerful man, knowing it would be useless and perhaps dangerous to disobey him. Though her fear was great, she was tired and weary. His words were calm and unthreatening. She stiffened when he rolled toward her and he pulled her closely. Her arms immediately pushed at his chest.

“Don’t.”

“Relax. You’re beautiful, and I’m sure as hell interested, what man wouldn’t be? But I’ll wait until we’re married. I also won’t force you. But I’m aware of the power of need. One day you may just discover sex isn’t overrated. You might be afraid of me now; you may not always feel the same way. Don’t worry if it’s only the sex you want; I understand the need for intimacy. My heart wasn’t just battered a long time ago; it was torn from my chest. I’ll never love another woman again. I won’t expect any type of commitment from you and don’t expect any from me. Except loyalty, and it works both ways. I’ve never been married, but a vow is a vow. I’d never kill my wife.”

Candy’s heart saddened at his words. No love? The thought attacked her emotions, it was incomprehensible. Yet, he was right. She’d never love a man she was afraid of no matter what he said, and he would never love a woman he’d been pitied into caring for. Candy quieted beneath his powerful arm. Whether he attacked her or not, what did it matter? She was his now, trapped in his home. In his home, hopefully, she wouldn’t be murdered. Taylor would kill her if he ever found her. Every thought no matter what led to death.

“Dirk, I’m scared.”

Dirk pulled her closer. He was hot and heavy. His breath seared her flesh. His hands squeezed carefully, roaming over her body. Candy was afraid of him, she was afraid of Taylor’s family, she was afraid she’d end up back in the solitude of her mind. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Dirk was the only constant in her life, the thought terrified her.

“Afraid of me?” Dirk asked; his whispered words ruffled her hair.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I could kill you, right here and now, couldn’t I?”

“Yes.” Instead of retreating from him she pulled him closer. Her face pressed to his chest.

“I won’t hurt you. We spoke of vows. Yes, ours will be different, but I take care of what’s mine. No one is allowed to touch you, or I’ll kill them. Remember my profession. I seem dangerous to you, but to some others I’m deadly. Sometimes when a killer protects you, the idea of safety becomes confused. Imagine someone so powerful who takes lives with passion is turning that passion into keeping you alive. I’m omnipotent. You’ll exist because I demand no less. You’re mine, you belong to me; you may as well learn I have issues with possession. Whether or not I love you, I’ll keep you safe, and close. Go to sleep. You’re safe because I say so.”

Candy didn’t know if she felt better or worse. She realized she could spend all night analyzing his words, and his arrogance.
He certainly is full of himself
. Her thoughts centered on one thing. She was alive; she would stay alive as long as Dirk permitted it. The thought that you should never bite the hand that feeds you came to mind. Candy trembled, she would never bite him.

Dirk relaxed beside her. His breathing evened. His broad chest was warm against her and she calmed her erratic heartbeat. She could hear the large grandfather clock ticking quietly from the wall across the room. In her tiny home, she’d been lulled to sleep with the heavy traffic outside her window, blaring horns, people yelling. It was so quiet here. It made her even more aware of the man beside her. How could she ever hope to get any sleep in the arms of an assassin?

Candy tensed when Dirk pulled her closer, turning her in his arms until she was almost beneath him, she groaned feeling his generous erection press painfully against her. She felt her panic flood her thoughts, she was certain he was about to rape her. A scream was building, until he mumbled something about her not leaving him. His words were desperate. Confused, she listened intently and realized he was already asleep. Dirk promised, raggedly, he’d keep her safe; he wanted his baby, he pleaded in an agonized voice. Candy suddenly understood he was remembering Carrie’s mother, dreaming about her. He must have been so terribly young. The woman must have hurt him a great deal. She felt great pity for the tortured boy he must have been. Candy wasn’t without compassion, even for a killer. She rubbed a careful hand over his broad shoulder intent on calming him, shushing him with quiet words, wanting him to relax, as his grip intensified. She couldn’t suppress a loud, painful groan when he pressed her deeper into the mattress. Her hands tightened onto his shoulders.