Page 11 of Savage Roses

First, lockup. Every night I ensure the place is secure. I double, triple, check the locks on the windows and the doors. I verify the alarm system is on. I check in with my security crew that surveils the property so long as we’re staying here.

No one but my crew and inner circle know about this vacation.

But you can never be too cautious.

I check the windows in the living room and flip off the light and the TV. In the hall I find a surprise waiting for me—Delphine’s tiny cotton shorts. A short chuckle leaves me as I pick them up and continue my security measures.

A gingerbread trail of her clothes.

The imagery of entering the bedroom to a naked Delphine only motivates me to hurry.

Once the first floor is good to go, I start up the staircase and find her panties. Soaked through from all our heavy kissing. A groan vibrates form deep inside my chest. These get stashed in my pocket.

I make it up the rest of the stairs like a man on the hunt.

Outside, the rain shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Thepitter-patterbeat echoes into the night.

The master bedroom is at the end of the hall. The light’s on. The door hangs open. Knowing her, she’s probably lying in bed waiting for me.

I’m walking down the hall when the loudest crash of thunder yet booms, and the ceiling lights flicker.

A second later, the lights go out completely. Everything’s plunged into total darkness.

The storm’s caused a power outage.

It’s unplanned, which leaves no room for control, and plenty of room for error.

“Delphine,” I call out, speed-walking the rest of the way down the hall.

The pulse in my veins goes cold when she takes too long to answer. She’s supposed to be in our bedroom. Why the fuck wouldn’t she answer? Why wouldn’t she—

I rush over to the doorway of our bedroom and it’s like a nightmare come to life.

No one’s inside.

“Delphine?!” I yell, my panic immediate.

I’m spinning back around to launch into a full-scale search when I almost collide with her behind me. She jumps back and drops the laundry basket that’s in her grasp. She’s wearing one of my shirts, eyes wide and alarmed.

“Jon, what’s going on?” she asks. “I realized I didn’t have anything to wear to bed, so I was grabbing the laundry out of the dryer when the lights went out.”

For a moment, I’m lightheaded, so relieved to see her, I don’t answer. I breathe raggedly and scrub a hand over my jaw.

Fuck. I’ve got to work on that. Not flipping my shit so easily.

Since she was badly injured, almost killed in a recent explosion orchestrated by the Belinis, I’ve been on edge as far as her safety’s concerned.

Grabbing her by the wrist, I wrench her toward me. “Stay with me.”

A loud thud sounds from downstairs. Both our heads snap in the direction it comes from, our gazes falling on the staircase, seeking it out despite the heavy shadows.

“What was that?” Delphine whispers.

I draw the Glock I have on me and step forward, with her behind me. “I don’t know. But I’m going to find out.”

salvatore

Ieasedown the staircase one careful step at a time. Slow and measured as I keep my eyes peeled for anything amiss.