Boss Read online

  “I could kill you,” Boss said. “If that’s what you’re hoping for.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to die.”

  “You’re not really living.”

  “Look around you, I can do whatever I want.”

  “You go home alone every single night, eat takeout, watch movies. You’re telling me you’re not lonely?”

  “Takes one to know one, Boss.” She pulled out of his arms. “Stay away from me.”

  “You’re not going anywhere,” he said.

  “You can keep at your desk, going through the same old bullshit reports all you want, but the real answers come from ground work. That’s what I’m going to be doing.” She opened his door and was gone. She didn’t immediately leave. Boss’s office was full of weaponry and clothing. She went to one of the supply closets and found some sweatpants and a shirt in her size. She’d just finished getting dressed when El Diablo came in. He stood at the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest.

  “You don’t have to keep on running,” he said.

  “I don’t have time for the brotherly rant.”

  “Damn it, Graciella. I want us to be a family.”

  She flicked her hair out from her shirt. “We’ll always be a family. We’re just not going to be the kind that share postcards and Christmas gifts. We’re just a brother and a sister by blood.”

  “You know not a day went by when I didn’t think about you,” El Diablo said.

  She shrugged. “And I guess it didn’t work out too badly for you. I’m not doing this with you, Xavier.” She spoke his name, hoping to hurt him enough for him to shut up and let her leave.

  “I don’t want you to go,” he said. “Let us help you.”

  “I got into this mess and I’ll find a way out of it. It’s what I’m good at.” Someone had a main lab. She had to locate it, destroy it, kill the fucking scientist and every single person who was in on the distribution, and then remove all of the product. Piece of cake, just so long as she stayed away from Boss, she’d be fine.

  Chapter Five

  He dropped the file folder on the corner of his desk. “Don’t fuck this one up,” Boss said.

  Bain groaned and snatched the file.

  “How was I supposed to know that bitch was tailing my mark?” Bain said.

  Boss cringed. “Don’t call her a bitch.”

  Bain narrowed his eyes but kept his mouth shut. He leafed through the folder. “Piece of cake.” He kept tugging at his collar, and Boss noticed sweat beaded on his forehead.

  Boss cocked an eyebrow. “You feeling okay?”

  “What?” Bain was a cold motherfucker. He’d had a hellish childhood, but now he was happily married. He deserved it. Boss personally invested himself in the people he invited to work for him. Killer of Kings was more than just a group of hitmen. It was much more than the Circle of Monsters.

  “Nothing. Call me when it’s done.”

  Once Bain left, he sat in his office chair and tapped a pen against his lips. After everything that had gone down last week, the one thing that kept lingering in his mind was the fact Graciella thought he should be afraid of Viko. She was massively in debt to the fucker and believed he was some kind of god. It pissed him off that she hadn’t come to him first.

  He wanted to be her hero.

  Little did she know the extent of Boss’s power. The Circle of Monsters didn’t give him pause. This was his city. Killer of Kings ruled these streets.

  His cell rang.

  “What is it, Maurice?”

  “She’s on the move.”

  Of course, she is.

  He’d asked a couple of his men to keep tabs on Graciella’s movements. Not just for information on the drug shitstorm she’d started, but for her own damn good. Maybe more. “Where?”

  “She’s driving. Heading out to the beach.”

  “The beaches?”

  “Area looks deserted. Just a few structures up ahead. She’s slowing down.” After a couple of minutes, he continued, “Okay, I’m sending you the address. She’s gone inside.”

  “Good work. I’ll head out there now.”

  “Want me to send Killian or Chains with a car?”

  “No, not this time. Find out where Tyson Black will be tonight. I’ll be paying him a visit.” Boss hung up.

  Was Graciella meeting Viko? Was she hiding something? Whatever it was, he’d find out soon. With the Widow Maker on his mind, he couldn’t focus on his contract just yet. He put the address into his software, zooming in on the dilapidated cabin. Her car was parked out front. For a city girl living in an upscale condo, he doubted she enjoyed slumming it.

  It was in the middle of nowhere. No other cars in sight. He waited for his satellite to scan the house for heat signatures. She was alone. His curiosity was piqued, and that was rarely a good thing.

  He headed to his weapons room and strapped himself with firepower. He’d had enough of masquerading as the victim last week, and he had no plans on repeating it. Boss drove out to the beaches, rolling down his window as the paved roads turned to dirt. The air smelled different out here, salty and fresh. Seagulls cawed and he could already hear the waves before he saw them. He crested a low dune, and then he saw the old wooden cabin. It looked lonely and weather-beaten. The waves were rough, crashing on the shore, creating a flurry of white wash.

  As he slowly rolled toward it, his sensors went off on his dash. Interesting. He’d been picked up on surveillance. This wasn’t the first time she’d come here. What was she up to? He kept driving. The Widow Maker already knew he was there, so there’d be no surprise visit today.

  Maybe she’d planned this and wanted to assassinate him. He supposed there were worse ways to go.

  He parked his car and walked up to the front door, the old floorboards on the porch creaking with each step. Boss didn’t knock. He turned the handle and pushed open the door. The second after the gun rested against his left temple, he’d twisted her arm and taken it away.

  “What the fuck?” she said, holding her wrist.

  “Is that how you welcome guests?”

  “Guest? As far as I’m concerned, you’re breaking and entering. Don’t you know how to knock?” she asked.

  He walked in, tossing her gun on a low dresser. Boss checked out the small, open-concept cabin. It was a lot more presentable inside than out. There was a double bed, nightstand, dresser, and oversized wicker chair with a big floral cushion. It didn’t look like Widow Maker’s style. “What is this place?”

  “None of your business.”

  He shrugged. Boss never expected a straight answer from her. She was the most difficult female he’d ever dealt with. “This where you fuck your marks?”

  “Bastard.” She lunged at him and he grabbed both her wrists. He loved pushing her buttons. There was something deeply satisfying about toying with Graciella.

  “You should really learn to control that Latina temper of yours. It’ll be your downfall.”

  “Funny how you’re the only one who manages to piss me off.” She struggled to free her arms but she wasn’t going anywhere until he decided so. “What do you want from me now?”

  “I want to know why you drove all the way out to this piece-of-shit cabin. You’re hiding something.”

  She shook her head. “What you see is what you get. I’m not hiding anything.”

  “You met with Viko a few days ago. Don’t forget I’m watching him. And you. What did you talk about?”

  Graciella huffed. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”

  “I thought I’d ask you. He’s your master, after all. Like he said, you’ll be in debt to him for the rest of your life. That what you like? Being a slave to a man like him?”

  Her eyes narrowed, but that was all the emotion he could get out of her. He knew he’d hit a sore spot, but she managed to keep up her iron walls.

  “You like being put on show for piece-of-shit assholes like Viko? He said that wasn’t the first time he’s had you stripped n
aked.”

  “So what? I’ve told you before it’s only a body.”

  “And I’ve told you you’re better than this.”

  Her figure was fucking perfection. Thick thighs, rounded hips, and a killer ass. She filled out everything she wore in an unholy way. And she knew exactly how she affected men. Graciella was the whole package. Only she wasn’t. Her beauty was skin-deep, the rest a dark abyss of pain she lived to keep buried. Boss was convinced he was the only man who could handle a woman like her.

  But he wasn’t looking to settle down. Not now. Not ever.

  Only the distant sound of waves and their combined breathing could be heard. They were so close. “You came here for a reason,” she finally said.

  “I don’t like secrets. Yours tend to be deadly.”

  “Again, I didn’t plan on this happening,” she said. “And I’ll clean everything up. I’m working on it.”

  “Where does this cabin come in?”

  She exhaled. “It’s mine, okay? A place I like to come to sometimes. It helps me think.”

  Even the heartless Widow Maker needed an escape. Boss never granted himself such liberties. Too dangerous.

  “You like the ocean?” he asked. Graciella was cold, calculating, and ruthless. Discovering she had hidden passions was worth the drive out to the beach.

  She didn’t answer him, but he expected no less.

  “Mind if I have a seat?”

  “Make yourself at home,” she said, snatching her hands away once he relaxed his grip. He sat on the edge of the bed, the springs squeaking slightly from his weight.

  “I never thought of you as a floral girl,” he teased.

  “You know so little about me, Boss. You think you know everything, but you can never get in here.” She used two fingers to tap her head.

  “I want in there.”

  She sauntered toward him, standing directly in front of where he sat. Her legs were bare. She only wore a short white sundress, and it highlighted her golden skin. “You get everything you want, don’t you?” she asked.

  “Almost.”

  He ran both his hands up the backs of her legs. She didn’t flinch away.

  Boss groaned, his cock already stiff and uncomfortable.

  “Have you had many dinner dates lately? I’m sure you can have any woman you want. You’re the great Boss of Killer of Kings, after all.”

  “No dates. And the only woman I’m interested in right now is already here.”

  “Now I’m the conquest of the week. I suppose I should be flattered.”

  “You should,” he said.

  “I guess I’m good for one night,” she said. “But men like you don’t settle for women like me. You want virgins. Young, sweet things to balance out the darkness. I know how it works,” she said.

  “What happens to women like you?” he asked. There was pain in her words. He wasn’t used to getting an emotional response out of the raven-haired beauty.

  “We become forgotten. Lost. Nobody really cares about the broken ones.”

  His hands drifted higher up her thighs. Fuck, her legs were smooth. He felt the edge of her panties.

  “I’m not most men. And, sweetheart, a virgin would never be able to handle me.”

  ****

  Graciella had come here specifically because she knew Boss would follow. She hated the fact he’d outsmarted her last week with Viko. She couldn’t get him off her mind.

  There was no way she’d admit she was in way over her head. There was only so much Viko could or would do to help her. Knowing Boss was invested in ending the drug problem was like having an insurance policy, and it brought her a measure of comfort.

  She rested her hands on his shoulders. Seducing men was her specialty, but touching Boss was no ordinary day on the job. He was hard and corded with muscle, a beast of a man. He alone brought out her vulnerabilities and she hated it.

  “What’s your real name?” she asked.

  He smirked.

  “You know mine.”

  “I have no name,” he said.

  His tone made her want to take back the question. She didn’t pry further.

  “How’d you get this scar?” He traced an old scar on the front of her thigh. His big hands on her legs sent skitters racing all the way to her pussy, but no way would she let him know how much his touch affected her.

  “We’ll be here all night if you ask about my scars. I have too many to count. And most of them have stories I’m not interested in revisiting.”

  “You’re not the only one.”

  Boss let go of her legs and shrugged off his jacket. He was strapped with weapons. She was surprised when he slid his holsters off and set them on the nightside table. It wasn’t like him to be off guard. When he pulled off his t-shirt, tossing it on the bed, her breath caught.

  “Try and count them.” He winked.

  His body was covered in ink, rock hard and ripped. And he was right. There were scars littered all over his body. Much worse than hers. God, she wanted to touch him, but Graciella had never allowed herself to become emotionally invested in a man. Boss was the only one capable of changing that. What was happening to her?

  She knew firsthand the type of man he was. Boss fucked different women every week, and she knew that for a fact. Graciella had been attempting to watch his movements for months. It wasn’t easy. The man was like a ghost. Each time she saw him pick up different women, it gutted her, and she envisioned herself in their place.

  Only she would never be his disposable plaything. That was all a killer like Boss was interested in.

  She swallowed hard and got to her knees in front of him. This was the role she played—the seductress, the Widow Maker. It ensured she’d never be a victim. She smoothed her hands over his chest, shoulders, and along his arms. His scars weren’t a turn off. They were part of him, part of a wicked past. They showed he’d survived—same as her.

  He cupped her face and leaned over to kiss her. She attempted to back away, but it happened fast. She kissed him back, savoring the fullness of his lips and domination of her mouth. He even tasted good, a mix of mint and raw masculinity. Boss lifted her sundress up over her head, leaving her in just a pair of lace panties.

  Could she keep her heart out of this? Should she back out before it was too late?

  Part of her wanted to seduce, another part, a new untapped part, wanted to be ravaged. She’d never given in to a man, never allowed herself to become seduced or enjoy sex. Everything was business, and if things ever got personal, she knew it would destroy her. Her past would never allow her to have a normal relationship. The horrific memories would no doubt show up and ruin things, or worse, make her weak and helpless.

  “Come here, baby.”

  She straddled his lap, slowly, deliberately, feeling his hard-on through his dark jeans as it rubbed against her pussy. Graciella had to stifle a gasp. It felt so damn good. She wriggled, wanting to affect him the same way.

  “Is Killian waiting outside?”

  He shook his head. “It’s just you and me.”

  Boss kissed her jaw, his stubble scraping her skin. His hands cupped her ass, pulling her closer. He was so strong and in control. She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy his attention. Having the great Boss in her bed was indeed an accomplishment. She’d never had such a powerful man interested in her. Even Viko never cared to touch her.

  She should use this opportunity to her advantage, to wrap him around her finger. Graciella craved control, to have the upper hand. But was that even possible with Boss?

  “What are you going to do with me?”

  He smirked. “Make you love me.”

  She ran her hand through his thick hair, examining his face, the crinkles at the corners of his eyes and the intensity as he stared at her. “You’re wasting your time. That’s not possible.”

  He rose slightly, twisting her body onto the bed so he dominated. Boss stared down at her, hunger in his eyes. I
f she didn’t know men so well, she’d swear he was about to kill her. His dark eyes were always cold and flat, like a man without a conscience. He was so hard to read.

  “I’ve always loved a challenge.” He kissed her neck, trailing kisses down between her breasts, then over her stomach. Her body quivered. When he reached low enough, she braced herself, holding her breath. But he used a knee to lift himself up and stood at the edge of the bed.

  She released the breath, her pulse racing.

  “The offer’s still open if you want work.” He put his t-shirt on and started strapping on his holster as she lay there half-naked on the bed, her pussy still pulsing.

  Was he even human? She knew damn well he’d had a hard-on for her.

  Graciella leaned up on her elbows. “What the hell are you doing?”

  He smirked, a barely-there evil smirk.

  She leaned over and grabbed her dress off the floor, quickly pulling it on to cover herself. She absolutely hated how small he made her feel. “Couldn’t go through with it? Let me guess, the thought of other men fucking me was too much of a turn off.”

  He just stood there, quiet, unmoving, staring down at her.

  “I’m just a dirty whore, right?”

  This time, he inhaled and narrowed his eyes. His intensity would make most men piss themselves.

  “First of all, I don’t fuck unwilling women. Your body says you’re ready, but you’re not. Secondly, once I do claim that body, and I will, no other man will have the pleasure again. I’ll have to consider killing everyone who’s ever touched you once you’re mine.”

  “That’ll be a full-time job.”

  His rejection stung. A frog grew in her throat. What was he doing to her? Why couldn’t he just screw her like everyone else she seduced? It would have given her power and enabled her to play him for inside information. She was good at her job and never thought twice about using every situation to her advantage.

  This was different.

  No matter how hard she tried to push him, he never took the bait. He was trying to toy with her, make her feel special when she wasn’t. Boss didn’t take women seriously, so if she thought she was different, she was a fool.