Stand Of Redemption(24)

He took a step forward, but a hand on his chest held him back. “My mother lives with me, and she hasn’t been feeling well.”

His eyes searched hers before Nicholas moved away. “Perhaps another night, then. I’ll give you a call.”

“Goodbye, Nicholas.”

“Night, Ria.”

She knew, when he walked away, he wouldn’t be calling again. He probably thought she led him on to shut him down.

Before she could change her mind and run after him, making a fool of herself, she quickly went inside her apartment where she leaned her head against the door. She had just wanted one real kiss from him before her life intruded, but when he had moved closer, some instinct within her had told her to run. Her head told her she had made a wise decision, yet her body had wanted to be held by the gorgeous Nicholas, and to touch the flames she had seen burning in his blue eyes.

* * *

Nicholas started his car, coldly furious at himself. He had dropped his guard during dinner, and had actually enjoyed spending time with Ria. She was funny and very similar to his sister Melanie, making it easy to relax. He had already told himself before dinner was over that he wouldn’t be seeing Ria again, though. She was the type of woman who would become too serious and get hurt.

When she had looked up at him with those soulful eyes at her door, he had felt a burst of desire so strong it had almost undermined the stringent control he kept himself under unless he was in the ring.

Thank God she had been smart enough to pull back and bring a halt to the evening, dousing the flames in his cock by telling him her mother was inside the apartment.

His instinct told him to stop seeing her, and he always listened to his instincts; that was how he had remained a champion for so long.

He pulled out into traffic. He had stopped seeing the waitress when he had shown up at her apartment, and she had prepared a candlelit dinner. Her romantic overture had him leaving without touching her.

Nick sighed. Perhaps it was time he took a break from women until he could find one that understood he had nothing to give other than his body. Recovering from his broken arm and taking back his title was where his mind needed to be. Still, he couldn’t keep from thinking about Ria as he drove home.

First thing in the morning, he would call and set up a training session. It would take his mind off her.

* * *

Ria turned from the door, flipping up the light switch. Her heart went to her throat. Her apartment was a mess; chairs had been overturned and her small television lay broken on the floor. Her dishes had been smashed, and glass was shattered on her floor.

“Mama!” Ria went running to the small bedroom she shared with her mother, frantically turning the knob. The light was on, showing the empty, trashed room. The sheets and mattress had been taken off the bed and thrown onto the floor, her cheap dresser overturned. Her clothes were ripped and torn thrown down as if they were trash. Her nightstand had been broken into several pieces. Her books and papers had been tossed around the room.

“Mama.” Ria sank to the floor, her hands covering her face. Her mother was gone and Ria knew who was responsible. Emiliano hadn’t liked his order being ignored. He had taken her mother to insure that she came to him.

Shakily getting to her feet, she searched her destroyed apartment until she found her car keys. Ria had no option. She was going to have to go see him and step back into the hell she had escaped.





Chapter 10



Ria sat outside the electronic gates of Emiliano’s home, waiting for them to open. The security guarding the gate didn’t even ask who she was as they opened it.

As she got out of the car, the front door opened. A muscular man came out and waited for her with sympathy in his eyes. She recognized him as one of the men who had taken her the night Alejandro had been killed.

“This way.”

She followed him through the massive house until he came to a door, opening it for her after a brief knock.

Ria straightened her shoulders, going inside. She felt her stomach bottom out as Emiliano stood from behind his desk.

He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair carefully groomed. His expensive suit and shoes couldn’t hide the ruthless expression on his face, though. The sensuous mouth, which gave her a smile, didn’t hide the hint of cruelty, either.

“Ariel, it’s good to see you again.” He came to her, bending down to brush his firm lips against her pale cheek. “You’ve grown into a beautiful woman since I’ve last seen you.”

Ria, at first, didn’t know how to respond to his friendly greeting. She came to the conclusion that it would be best to play along with his courteous behavior.

“Emiliano.” Ria cleared her throat before continuing. “It’s good to see you again, too.” She should have known better. He shook his head at her, leaning against his huge desk. “If that is true, why didn’t you come when I sent for you?” His cold, black eyes stared into hers.