SILENCE.

I didn't say a word to Ghost as we left the house, when we drove to airport or when he revealed we were going on a private jet. I was just angry. Settling in my seat, I faced the window as we waited for the plane to take off. He sat in front of me, staring intensely.

"I'll give you an offer," he started. No apology. "I'll tell you exactly where De Vil will be so you can tell your boss but only if you can wait two days. Is that okay?"

"With what phone?" I replied, narrowing my eyes at him.

Ghost pulled out a new one from his pocket. "Just say the word and it's yours."

I opened my mouth to reply but was interrupted by two men entering the plane. You could see the outline of guns in their pockets and their observant eyes landed on me.

"Who's this?" The blond man questioned.

Leaning back, Ghost raised an eyebrow. "Should I break your legs so you know who I am?"

Both of the men lowered their eyes. "No, sir."

"Then don't ask me questions and let me talk. I don't give a f*ck if Santan sent you, I will throw you off this plane if I feel like it and no one will care so follow my orders and nothing else."

I looked between the men and the dynamics were obvious. Ghost was higher up than others, seeming almost predatory as they became submissive immediately, sitting down without sound. But I had the feeling it was more to do with fear rather than respect.

"We're going to La Plaza hotel. We'll set up there then I'll tell you what the plan is. Right now, your job is to sit still for now instead of asking about my company."

"Of course."

Putting my earphones in, I decided to tune out as the tension in the air became thick, reminding me that I was in a small space with dangerous people who weren't necessarily on the same team.

*****

The journey to the hotel remained tense, Ghost placing a possessive hand on my hip until we reached the hotel. He turned to the men lingering behind us and gestured to reception.

"Get two rooms, different floors," he said shortly. They did as he asked and Ghost leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Stay away from them and be carful what you say."

I nodded just as the people he mentioned returned with sets of keys.

The blond man spoke first. "Unfortunately, the rooms are on the same floor but they're at opposite ends of the hallway."

Ghost's face remained neutral, taking the keys and leading me away. I didn't breathe properly till he finally locked our room. "Who are they?" I whispered, looking around briefly. I had a feeling we wouldn't be staying long enough for me enjoy it.

He placed a small object, the size of a coin, on the door handle then turned to me. "Santan's men. I don't know their names but he uses them a lot."

"So why are they here?"

"To watch me. Especially since we're in Italy," he muttered the last part.

"I wonder why Sophia didn't come," I said casually, opening my suitcase.

"She's staying with Santan for now."

"But he f*cked one of the girls I worked with. Are they dating? Or is she dating you?"

He raised an eyebrow at me causing me to flush red, embarrassed. "She's not dating Santan. When did I say that?"

You're the one who left me for my brother.

"But... I thought..."

"She's a childhood friend. She usually stays with me in Vegas."

"Have you f*cked her?"

The smirk on his face grew as he moved towards me. "So what if I have? Will you be jealous, angel?"

I placed my hands against his chest to keep some distance between us and glared up at him. "There's no reason to. It was just a question."

"If you say so," his voice becoming low and husky as his fingers playing with the hem of my dress then slowly sliding it up my thighs. My body heated at the lust in his eyes. "I love p*ssing you off, knowing you're still wet for me."

My breathing hitched as I tried to hold back my moan. "You're an asshole."

"I've heard."

One of his hands wrapped my hair into his fist and tugged so that my neck was exposed to him while the other cupped my ass, pulling me against him.

"Don't you have things to do?" I murmured, my chest rising and falling rapidly in anticipation.

He hummed in agreement. "Not a priority right now. You want me to f*ck you?" Ghost growled into my ear, desire clouding my judgement. "Tell me what you want, angel. I'll give it to you."

"I want to know what's actually going on."

Laughing, he moved me to the bed so I was on his lap as he laid down, looking up at me. He sat up and swiftly removed my dress then kissed me hungrily. Without realizing it, I was grinding against his hard length and moaning at the friction.

"You're so f*cking sexy," he said, the kiss becoming more desperate. I pulled at his shirt, wanting it off and he complied, revealing his muscular chest decorated with his tattoos. It was easy to forget he was an assassin when he looked unnecessarily handsome, especially as he removed my bra, throwing it on the floor.

Without breaking eye contact, Ghost ran his hand from my jaw down to my lace thong, moving it to the side before sliding two fingers inside me. My back arched in pleasure, clinging onto his shoulders as I got closer and closer to climaxing, moaning his name like it was a prayer.

"Ghost, please."

The neighbours could probably hear us but I didn't care as he pushed me towards the edge.

Faster. Harder.

I got lost in the sensation, in the feeling of Ghost. The wave of a powerful orgasm slammed into my body making me pull him even closer. He pressed his lips to mine for a moment then leaned back. "Call your boss and tell him De Vil will be at the Russo Ball tomorrow," he said, lust still in his eyes and handed me the phone from before.

I looked at him, suspicious as my heart rate returned to normal. "This isn't a trick."

"It's not a trick."

"Promise?"

My gut told me there was something he wasn't telling me despite him nodding.

"I promise."

I dialed the number, my gaze on Ghost as ran his hands over my body. After a few rings, the director picked up. "Who is this?"

"Malia, sir."

"Where's your phone?"

"I had to get rid of it," I explained vaguely.

"Fine. How's the case?"

With Ghost under me, my cheeks heated up at the question. "De Vil is going to be at the Russo Ball in Italy tomorrow. If you can-"

"I'm sending a squad there now. Good work, Malia. Once we catch him, you can return home. If we see Ghost, we can get him as well."

"Thank you."

He hung up. Then I understood what Ghost wanted. "You want them to catch De Vil for you."

"Why not? It makes it easier and less effort."

"But you could do it yourself..."

A dangerous smile appeared on his face. "I'm not going to tell you. You were going to tell them either way so anything that happens tomorrow is on you," he commented. "But right now..."

Ghost rolled us over so I was under him and pressed his lips to my jaw. "I can't be too rough with you. I need you without any marks."

"Why?"

"You have an important role in my plan and I can't let them know your mine," he muttered against the side of my throat, his warm breath fanning along my skin. "I want to be inside you, want to feel you come for me, angel."

"I'm all yours."

"More than you know."