Secret Obsession (Carder Texas Connections #6)(48)

Alessandra belonged to Archimedes now. She would finally be his. Once Alessandra came to him, she would never run from him again.

As of thirty minutes ago, he knew exactly how to control her.

Reid Nichols’s computer monitor blinked at him. He grinned again. He had everything he needed.

“Did you find something?” Rose’s eyes were wide with hope. “Could you get at the files?”

“Oh, yes, my dear. I have exactly what I need now. Thank you.”

Her brow wrinkled. “I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t.” He sighed, memorized an address then turned off the computer. “You really shouldn’t be so trusting, Rose. It’s a flaw.”

“But I love you. We’re going to be together. Of course I trust you.”

“Rose, Rose, Rose.” Archimedes pulled a garrote from his pocket, his weapon of choice for those who talked too much—or not enough.

She stared down at the metal in his hand, utterly confused. The poor dear.

Then, as if she suddenly realized she should be very afraid, she stepped back.

Archimedes smiled. “Didn’t you wonder why, after no one caring about you for the first thirty-five years of your life, I happened to sweep you into my arms? Didn’t it give you pause that a few weeks after we began dating and I came to your office, Alessandra Cummings was found?”

Slowly, Rose shook her head. “No. You love me. I know you do.”

“I don’t love anyone except Alessandra.” He could see the truth seeping into her limited brain. He stepped closer. “I do, however, enjoy a woman’s fear and watching the life drain from her eyes as I kill her.”

Rose whirled around and grabbed the doorknob. He smiled at her struggle with the brass handle. Before she could undo the lock, he gripped her by the hair and shoved her up against the wall.

“Please, don’t do this,” she whispered. “Please, Todd.”

“Never say my name,” he rasped into her ear.

“Todd, you don’t want to hurt me,” she whispered.

“Yes, Rose, I do.”

She tried to shove her knee against his groin, but she obviously had no idea how. He plunged a hypodermic into her skin. Within seconds she sagged against him, sliding down the wall. “Please. What did I do?”

“You know me,” he said softly, looping the metal wire around her throat. “Surely by now, you know who I am.”

He tightened the noose. Her eyes widened. She gasped. Her hands clutched at his coat.

“Todd.” She choked, sucking in breaths. “Please.”

“Beg me, Rose. Beg for your life.”

Her grip loosened. “P-please.”

“Say my name. The name the entire world fears.”

“A...Archimedes.” A tear rolled down her cheek.

“Yes.” He tightened the wire. “Can you feel the ecstasy, Rose? Give me what I want, because you will die.”

Terrified, her gaze darted around the room. A shiver of pleasure ran through him. “Yes, my dear. You’re dying now.”

Thirty seconds more and the life faded from her eyes.

He shuddered in satisfaction as the last glimmer vanished.

“Thank you, Rose.”

He pocketed the garrote, let her drop to the ground and without a backward glance walked out the door.





Chapter Eleven

Noah couldn’t get Lyssa out of the UN building fast enough. He bundled her into a cab before ordering the driver to take the long way back to the motel. Zane would have to charm the Crime Scene Unit then find his own way. They had some symbols to decipher.

By the time they made it to the motel it was two in the morning. Noah paid off the taxi, watching the vehicle disappear into the night so he could be certain no one could connect them to the room number. After a quick scan of the door and room, Noah entered, finally motioning Lyssa inside. She couldn’t stop the shivering. He turned up the heat and pulled her against him, rubbing her arms and back to warm her up.

He’d intended to get right to work, but she huddled against him, seeking warmth and something more.

“How soon will Zane be here?” she asked, looking first at him then the unmade bed, her green eyes dark with longing.

No way could Noah resist the invitation. He lowered his mouth to hers, wanting just a sweet taste. But her lips parted eagerly beneath his and a low rumble sounded from within his chest.

Her arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer. Noah didn’t hesitate. He explored her mouth, needed to feel her. She was his dream. He backed her to the bed and she sank into the mattress. He followed her down, and she cradled his weight as if they were meant to be together.

They fit.

Lyssa arched against him, pulling him closer. He could lose himself so easily. He wanted the world to disappear, just for a while.

As if the universe laughed at his hopes, Noah’s phone intruded once again. His body straining against hers, he kissed her one last time then sighed, taking a few calming deep breaths before pulling away. “Zane will be here soon. That was his text.”

He shifted his hips off hers, propped himself on his arm and kissed her nose. “You’re dangerous to my equilibrium.”

She stroked his arm, looking up at him. “I needed to know if what happened between us was real.”