Power Desired (D.C. Power Games Book 1) Read online

  That moment, a cab pulled up to the curb. Bradley jumped out and tossed cash at the driver. He rushed into the building and pulled her into his arms. “Are you OK?” His voice was full of concern.

  “Bradley, I'm all right,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder. She couldn’t ignore the sense of calm that washed over her as he tightened his hold.

  The police arrived a few moments later and asked for her key. “I’m not sure if I locked it,” she said as she handed them her keyring.

  They asked her to wait downstairs while they went to check and make sure the apartment was empty. Bradley led her to a couch in the lobby. “Darci you're shaking. Please sit down.”

  She did as he asked, not realizing until then that her whole body was trembling.

  “I don't understand how anyone got in here,” she whispered after several minutes.

  “You're not staying here tonight.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Bradley don't. I'm sure whoever it was won't come back.”

  “Don't argue with me on this, Darci.” He sounded like he had more to say but a police officer returned, cutting him off.

  “It's all clear, Miss Sanders. We need you to come take a look at the place and answer a few questions if you would.”

  “You're sure it's clear?” Bradley asked.

  “Yes, Sir, you can come with her if you would like.”

  She stood and looked down at him. “You don't have to go with me.”

  “Don't even think about it,” he warned as he rose to accompany her. She shook her head but didn’t argue. It would be a comfort to have him near.

  “It looks like the intruder only went into your living room and office, ma'am,” the officer said as they made their way upstairs. “We'll need you to see if you can tell us if anything is missing.”

  Darci took a deep breath as they stepped into the apartment. The officer stayed close while she studied the living room. “As far as I can tell, nothing was taken.”

  She entered her office and looked around. The drawers of her desk and filing cabinet were empty, and the contents were now scattered on the floor. The intruder must have broken the locks. “I'll need time to go through my files to determine if anything is missing, but nothing seems to be.” She bent to rifle through the files scattered on the floor, but it was impossible to tell if everything was there in the chaos.

  As she straightened, she glanced at her laptop and noticed that the screen was on. She had it set to go to sleep after an hour of no activity, and she hadn’t been home all day. “Did either of you touch the computer?” she asked as she moved closer to inspect the machine.

  “No, ma'am,” the officer replied. When she saw what was on the screen, she felt the blood drain from her face.

  “Darci, what is It?” Bradley asked. He was at her side in an instant. On the screen her word processor was open. Pasted into it was a photo of her speaking during the munch this afternoon. Underneath in big red letters it read,

  NOTHING CAN KEEP YOU SAFE

  Detective Michael Silas came bursting into the apartment. “Darci! Are you OK?” he asked when he saw her.

  “I'm fine, I promise.” She paused a moment and looked at him anxiously. “It might be connected to the murders, Michael.” He looked at the screen and then turned to glare at her.

  “I told you to be more careful about the information you put online damn it.” She could tell he was fighting to keep the growl out of his voice.

  “Calm down, Detective.” She glared right back. “I've been doing this munch for two years, it's common knowledge.”

  He shook his head. “I'll need to ask you more questions, but you look exhausted. Why don't we finish your statement tomorrow? There’s a Crime Scene Response team on its way to gather evidence.”

  “Fine, we'll wait downstairs for you. Let me know when I can come back up.”

  “You're not staying here tonight,” Bradley and Michael said in unison.

  “Just great. Now I have two overprotective men in my life.”

  Bradley gripped her arm and scowled at her. “Don't be a fucking idiot, Darci. It's not safe here.” She cringed at his harsh tone.

  “He's right, Darci. Stay with a friend tonight. I’m declaring your apartment a crime scene until further notice. Legally you can’t stay here,” Michael said smugly. “And for the love of God, don't talk about this on your blog.”

  “I won't, Michael. Jesus, I’m not that stupid.” Now they were just insulting her and Darci didn’t appreciate it.

  “I know you’re not stupid, sweetheart. I'm just trying to watch out for you. I'm sorry. Just let me know where you're staying.” Michael’s tone was kinder this time, and she offered him a small smile. It didn’t last long though.

  “She's staying with me,” Bradley declared. Michael frowned. Darci huffed but decided not to argue with him when Bradley threw her another glare.

  “Wait downstairs, and I'll come talk to you soon,” Michael said. Bradley steered her out of the apartment and toward the elevator with a hand on her elbow.

  “Don't fucking speak for me like that,” she hissed as they stepped onto the elevator.

  “Darci, calm down, I'm just trying to look out for you.”

  Calm down? She thought. Like that will happen. “I'm not sleeping in your bed so don't get your hopes up.” The glare on her face lasted all of five seconds as the energy in the elevator shifted, and she instantly regretted her harsh words. Bradley was angry.

  “Do you really think that little of me?” he asked in a low voice. She could tell that the anger was bubbling just beneath the surface. He stepped closer to her until their noses almost touched and placed his hands on the elevator wall on either side of her head. She stared up at him as her heart rate increased. “A man breaks into your apartment and threatens your life, and you think I'm just trying to fuck you?” He didn't bother hiding his anger now. Fury filled his dark eyes as he waited for her to answer his question.

  “I'm sorry,” she whispered, and in that instant, the dam broke, and tears streamed down her cheeks. His expression softened, and all traces of fury left his face. He pulled her into his arms. “Shhh, I'm sorry baby.” He whispered running his hand through her hair.

  The elevator doors slid open, and he walked her to the couch in the lobby, keeping her pulled tightly to him. “You scared me so bad when you called me.” He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and pressed it into her hand. As she dabbed at her eyes and nose she struggled to regain her composure.

  “I'm sorry I got mad at you,” she whispered again.

  “Shhh, it's OK. I was being pushy.” He pulled her into a hug. “Oh Darci, I just want to keep you safe, sweet girl.” She nodded into his neck and closed her eyes. His scent was wonderful and calming. She could have stayed there forever.

  “I'm glad you were close,” she murmured into his chest. Sitting back, she smiled shyly at him. He gave her a small smile of his own, but worry clouded his deep blue eyes. He brushed a wayward strand of hair out of her face.

  “Me too,” he said, his hand lingering on her cheek.

  A moment later Detective Silas stepped out of the elevator.

  “Hey, you OK?” he asked as she brushed the last of the tears from her eyes.

  “I'm fine, just overwhelmed.” She offered him a shaky smile. “Are you all done up there?”

  “Not yet. Crime Scene Response is on their way. My officers are taking pictures and closing off the scene though.”

  “Can I get some clothes and my laptop?”

  “You can get clothes, but we will need to take your computer,” he said apologetically.

  “It's fine, Michael. I've got copies of everything important at work. When can I go through my files? I need to make sure nothing is missing. There are private pieces of information I keep in that filing cabinet.”

  “Get some rest and let the investigators do their thing. I'll call you when it's OK to come back. I'd prefer you didn't stay here until we catch this guy, Da
rci. I’ll keep it designated an active crime scene if I have to,” he added when she protested. She sagged back against Bradley, too tired to argue anymore tonight.

  “Fine, I guess you can take me back upstairs to pack a bag,” she said to Michael.

  “Wait here,” she said to Bradley. He looked as if he might protest but agreed and settled onto the couch. “I'll hurry,” she promised.

  She packed several days’ worth of clothing, toiletries and a few other things she might need. At least tomorrow was Sunday, so she didn’t have to worry about work right away. Oh no, with no work in the way, Bradley would want to spend the entire day by her side in an effort to keep her safe. She sighed, zipped up her suitcase, and slung her backpack onto her shoulder. Michael leaned against her bedroom doorway watching her. “You sure you’ll be OK staying with Bradley? You can stay with me if you want.” He held out his hand for her bag.

  As he took it, she said, “That’s sweet, Michael. But I’ll be fine I promise. I trust Bradley.” He eyed her a moment longer before nodding his agreement.

  “I need to speak to your doorman and your neighbors. I just wanted to give you a heads up,” he said as they headed back downstairs.

  Bradley stood when they arrived back in the lobby.

  “All set?”

  “Let's go. I'm exhausted all of a sudden.”

  Bradley smiled. “I can’t imagine why.” He asked the doorman to get a cab for them.

  Darci hugged Michael tightly and she couldn’t help but chuckle to herself when Bradley frowned. “Thanks for coming, Michael.”

  “Anytime Darci. You know that.” He ruffled her hair and kissed her forehead. “Be safe kid. I don’t want to lose you.” She smiled and turned her attention to Bradley as Michael headed to meet the CSR team. The cab arrived a moment later, and Bradley directed the driver to take them to his apartment.

  For a moment, Darci set aside her misgivings about a relationship with Bradley Givens and settled her head on his shoulder, thankful to have him here. He shifted to wrap his arm around her.

  “Thank you for not being too stubborn about coming home with me,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “I wanted to be, but honestly, I'm terrified to stay there alone. Who is this guy, Bradley? Why is he taunting me? Did he taunt the others before he killed them?” She shuddered at the thought. His fingers pressed into her shoulder in a firm squeeze as he pulled her tighter against him.

  “Shhh don't go there. You're safe, and I'm going to make sure you stay that way.”

  “Just promise you won't be overbearing.”

  “I'll promise no such thing.” His voice was hard, and Darci could hear anger bubbling just beneath the surface again.

  It was better not to argue tonight, so she didn’t respond. She could deal with it tomorrow.

  “You're important to me, Darci.”

  “You barely know me,” she muttered.

  “But I want to know everything about you.” He whispered it, but his tone spoke volumes.

  Oh, Bradley, she thought to herself, when are you going to realize this is a terrible idea?

  “I can hear you thinking, Darci.”

  She sighed and closed her eyes thankful that it was dark so he couldn’t see her blush.

  “I don't care how bad of an idea you think this is. Until you tell me you want nothing to do with me, I'll chase you to the ends of the earth.” The cab arrived in front of his apartment and once again he ordered her to stay until he opened her door. She chuckled, amused at how easily she found herself doing what he told her. She had to work harder at making this a chase.

  He took her hand and led her through the lobby and up to his apartment, letting go only to unlock it. As soon as the door was shut behind them, he pulled her into his arms, rested his forehead on hers, and looked into her eyes. Darci’s lids fluttered shut as she reveled in the way his arms felt around her.

  “Open your eyes and look at me,” he ordered softly. She blinked them open again and stared up at him. “Good girl. I'm going to kiss you now like I should have kissed you at your door tonight.” Her lips parted to protest, but it was too late. His mouth was on hers hot and heavy and Darci could no longer resist. She returned his kiss with passion and lust as a warmth spread from her core.

  Chapter Sixteen

  She tastes so fucking fantastic, Bradley thought as he lost himself in their kiss. The tensions of the night flowed out as they embraced and locked lips. A soft moan escaped her throat as he explored her mouth with his tongue. His hands slid into her hair, and he deepened the kiss.

  “Oh Darci,” he whispered, finally releasing her. Her breathing was heavy, and if he were a betting man, he would put money on the fact that she was just as turned on as he was.

  Every part of him wanted nothing more than to carry her into his bedroom and make love to her right that moment. Something told him she would not have resisted. But they needed to take things slow, and this had been a stressful night. Instead of giving in to his urges, he turned her in his arms, so her back was to him and pushed her toward the couch. “Sit,” he ordered.

  “Bradley, I... This is too...” She was stumbling over her words unable to finish a sentence. It was kind of cute.

  “I said sit,” he repeated, raising one eyebrow as he looked down into her eyes. Darci did as he asked and sank into the couch.

  “Good girl.” He couldn't help but grin when she squirmed.

  “What are you grinning at?” she asked with a pout.

  “You like it when I call you a good girl.” He tapped the end of her nose with his forefinger and settled onto the couch next to her.

  “So what?” she huffed sounding defensive.

  “So? Darci, I think I'm going to win this chase, and when I do, we'll see just how much of a good girl you can be.” She rewarded him with another squirm as her cheeks turned bright red.

  “You're adorable when you blush,” he teased, causing her face to go an even deeper shade of crimson.

  “You're not playing fair.” She was frowning at him, but he could see a twinkle in her eyes.

  “I never said I would,” he teased.

  “What do you have to do tomorrow?” he asked as he tugged her closer to him on the couch.

  “Well, just lunch with you actually,” she said.

  “I want to catch the sunrise with you. If you’re going to insist on turning me into a tourist at least let me show you the one thing you haven’t seen.”

  She crinkled her nose, and he thought she might argue, but then a slow smile crept onto her face. “OK. That’s not a terrible idea. Would you mind if we also went back to my apartment to clean up my files? I’m terrified something is missing.”

  “I don’t like the idea of taking you back there, but if Michael says it’s OK, we can do that.”

  “I’m not keen about going back myself, but I’ll feel better if you’re with me. I just need to protect my clients. I’ll go call him right now.”

  While Darci was on the phone, Bradley selected a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass. When she returned, he asked if she wanted to put on a movie. “We can put it on in the bedroom if you like.”

  “I'm not sleeping with you,” she said. There was no anger in her voice this time. Only playful teasing.

  “Who said anything about sleep?” he replied with a wink.

  She punched him in the shoulder “Bradley! There's a maniac out to get me, and that’s what you're thinking about?”

  “What?” He grinned. “I was just talking about watching a movie. In fact, I was going to be a gentleman and sit in the easy chair and let you curl up in bed. I just want to sit with you while you fall asleep. I promise.”

  “Where will you sleep?”

  He patted the couch. “She's comfortable even with two people as you'll remember.” When he winked, her cheeks grew flush again.

  “I don't want to take your bed. I don’t mind the couch.” Her voice was soft, almost timid.

  “I insist. My m
other would kill me if I made a guest sleep on the sofa,” he said dramatically. Darci laughed but agreed to a movie in the bedroom.

  “You don't have to sit in the chair.” She smiled shyly at him and patted the bed next to her as she settled onto the king size bed in Bradley’s bedroom. He started to ask if she was sure but took the victory.

  “I promise to be good.” He winked as he put the DVD into the machine and settled onto the bed.

  “Thank you for rescuing me,” she whispered and laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Shhh, the movie is starting.” He kissed her hair and wrapped his arm around her as the opening credits for the film began.

  It only took her fifteen minutes to fall asleep, but he stayed where he was, enjoying the feel of her laying against him. True to his word, a half hour later he carefully lowered her onto the pillows and covered her with the blanket. After turning off the television, he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek and went to the living room to make himself comfortable on the couch.

  The next morning, he woke before his alarm and poked his head into the bedroom to check on Darci. Her red hair fanned out on the pillow as she slept, and he thought she looked like an angel. It would have been nice to climb into bed and spoon her to him. Instead, he left her to sleep a bit longer and started coffee in the kitchen.

  With two steaming mugs in hand, he made his way into the bedroom. He hated to wake her, but if they were going to make it in time for sunrise, he couldn’t let her sleep anymore. Standing next to the bed, he waved the cup of coffee under her nose and gently nudged her. “Wake up baby. It’s time to go.” Her eyes opened, barely, and she scowled.

  “Too early,” she groaned and closed her eyes again. Quiet laughter shook him as he set the coffee cup on the nightstand. He sat on the bed and nudged her a little harder this time.

  “Come on sleepy head, or I’ll have to get bossy,”

  “Fine, but this better be a damn good sunrise. This sounded like a much better idea last night.”

  “Up,” he commanded.

  “I’m up, I’m up.” Her hair fell into her eyes as she sat up in bed looking none too happy. Brushing it back, she reached for the coffee, took a long drink and groaned. “God that’s good.”