He drove us to his place, pulling into the underground garage before we entered his fortress.
I walked to his bedroom, my stomach stretching out my dress because I had way too much to eat. Those glasses of wine along with the bread and appetizers filled my stomach because I was distracted by the good conversation. “I liked your brother and sister-in-law.”
“Cassini is great. Balto…” He pulled his shirt over his head then removed his jeans. “He’s a drama queen.”
I chuckled. “I know you don’t really think that.”
“I do think he’s a bitch.”
“You don’t think that either.” I turned to him, unzipping the back of my dress so it could peel off my body and fall to the floor.
He sat on the edge of the bed in his boxers, his back perfectly straight because he carried himself with such discipline. His eyes immediately glanced over my body, seeing me standing in my bra and panties. He didn’t argue with me, choosing to stare at me and let the conversation die.
I stepped into his closet and opened one of his drawers, pulling out a silver handgun. I came back to him, pointing it toward the ceiling.
He watched me. “What are you doing, baby?”
“You said you would get me a gun and show me how to use it.” I moved to the spot beside him and sat down, aiming the gun at the opposite wall.
“I remember. But now that you have me, I don’t see why you need a gun.”
“You never know.” I shrugged.
He took the gun from my hand. “Alright.” He turned it on its side. “You see this black button? Slide it to the right when you want to release the safety. Do it.”
I took it from him and repeated his movements.
“Now, turn it back on.”
I slid the button back into place.
He took the gun back from me and yanked on the barrel so the gun opened, showing the bullets inside. “You just drop your bullets there to load it. I’ll give you some before you leave tomorrow.” He closed the gun again then placed it in my hand, positioning my fingers so I gripped the gun correctly. “Your forefinger goes here. Then you squeeze the trigger. Safety is on, so go ahead.”
I pulled the trigger, but nothing happened.
“And that’s about it. You can keep this gun since you picked it out.” He took the gun from my hand and placed it on his nightstand.
“You don’t want to teach me to aim?”
He turned to me, his blue eyes on mine. “Baby, if someone really threatens you, I know you won’t miss.” His arm moved around my waist, and he pulled me close, his head resting on mine. “But nothing is going to happen. I give you my word.”
I pressed my cheek against his shoulder, loving the warm heat against my skin. “No one would try to hurt me because you’re seeing me?”
He released me and looked down at me. “I don’t talk about my personal life at work.”
“So, no one knows I exist?”
“One of my guys, but that’s it.” He spotted the disappointment in my gaze. “It’s not because I want it to be that way. I just think it’s best if people know as little about my life as possible. Not everyone underneath me wants me to be the leader.”
“Really?” He was a strong, hard man. He was honest and fair. And he could be terrifying without even raising his voice.
“If everyone likes you, that means you aren’t making tough decisions. And if you aren’t making tough decisions…” He shrugged. “Then you aren’t the leader the Skull Kings need.”
His words reminded me of the conversation Damien had with Hades, a detail I’d forgotten about because it wasn’t relevant at the time. “When I overheard Damien and Hades talking, they mentioned something else…”
Heath watched me, deadly serious. His playful mood had evaporated, and it was all business now.
“I can’t remember exactly what Damien said, but Hades said if he took you out, the Skull Kings would hunt him down, but he said he made a deal with someone so that wouldn’t happen…Fox? Box? I can’t remember what he said. It was a weird name, and he said it right as Hades was leaving.”
Heath didn’t react overtly, but his entire body subtly tightened, his blue eyes focusing on a more intense level, like those names meant something to him. “Vox.”
“Yes. Something like he would take your place…”
He stared right into my eyes, but he didn’t seem to be seeing at all. Now, he was a different man, immune to my nearly naked body, no longer living in the same reality as I was. Seconds passed before he abruptly left the bed and walked into his closet.
“Heath?”
He ignored me as he got dressed. He pulled on jeans and a long-sleeved shirt before placing a black leather jacket on top, clearly intending to be outside in the cold tonight. He came back out, shoving a gun into the back of his jeans.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before—”
“I have to go.” He left the bedroom and walked down the hallway.
I didn’t have time to get dressed, so I followed after him in my underwear. “Heath, what’s happening?”
He reached the stairs that led to the basement, but he stopped to look at me. “I’ve got to take care of something. Go home. I have no idea when I’ll be back.”
“What’s happening?”
“One of my own plotted against me. I’m going to put a bullet in his fucking head.” His expression was tight, the veins noticeable on his forehead and neck. His size had increased, like an animal on the defense.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’m sorry I forgot—”
“You don’t owe me an apology.” He turned to the stairs.
I grabbed him by the arm. “Wait.”
He didn’t come back, but he didn’t keep walking.
“Are you going to be alright?”
He pulled his arm out of my grasp. “I’ll be fine.”
“But…”
He kept walking. “I’ll call you when it’s finished.” He reached the landing and
