Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) (16 page)

“Please, can we go back, James?” she whispered up at him, clasping a hand onto his jacket fearfully.

“Home, Candy, not back, and not yet. These are our bodyguards, impressive aren’t they? None would dare harm you while in their capable care. You’re safe; I’d never allow a daughter of mine to be harmed.”

“He doesn’t want me.”

“Perhaps not, but regardless he has you. We’ll make the best of it.”

James had been in deep thought most of the night. Candy was beautiful and young and innocent. He decided her seeming defiance was based on unrestrained youthful emotion and truth. He felt certain his son would turn to her eventually from need, if she encouraged his touch even with hesitance; he knew Dirk would become enchanted. She’d be around him every day, assessable. She would seek acceptance over time, James had no doubt his compassionate son would offer it. Perhaps he would start by feeling a sense of guilt and responsibility, soon his possessiveness would take hold, she was his after all. If Candy could be made to feel safe within the folds of his walls, she might even seek Dirk out from interest. James planned on fueling that interest.

* * * *

A small cluster of boutiques appeared shortly after. They were nestled in a quaint section of a quiet town. None of the street signs were familiar, and Candy wondered where she was. James took her hand and led her from the vehicle into a beautiful shop that reeked expense. Candy was shown an array of beautiful clothing in a reserved kind of way. James might have been in an expensive suit, but Candy was wearing an outfit that basically said she was living hand to mouth. Dirk’s idea of what a woman in the twenty-first century wore on a daily basis was tacky. Or he didn’t care; she was locked away after all. He had Carrie and his grandkids, who cared what Candy dressed in?

The saleswoman seemed to know James and when she produced a few items for Candy’s pleasure, James scowled at her, his expression thunderous, sending her scurrying to produce different items of a much finer quality. The saleswoman then spared her more than a second glance. Candy could see the woman now understood she was of importance, but James was of greater importance. The woman strove to please him.

Garment after garment was offered up for her inspection. James originally left the purchases up to her; yet obviously seeing her confusion and reluctance, he stepped in and grandly took over. Elaborate gowns were selected, shoes of all sorts were chosen to match, a multitude of lingerie, purses, silk nylons and lace panties. Makeup that would enhance the appearance. She’d never seen so many beautiful things, and she still couldn’t believe they were all for her. When the bill was produced, Candy’s eyes widened. In one short hour, James spent more than the equivalent of one of her full year’s paychecks. James didn’t bat an eye.

Candy was ushered back into the limousine. “Now my dear, let’s put all of this to work,” James said, looking smug.

She offered him a confused look, but said not one word. James had an idea; she wasn’t so naïve as to not see it. Candy remained openmouthed and awed. The two huge men seated across from her were now the ones who seemed minuscule; her new father-in-law was the one to be reckoned with. She realized he meant her no harm. Candy settled back close to him; she felt safe under his protection.

* * * *

Dirk was livid. He paced back and forth erratically around the room. Candy was gone, his father was gone. She was supposed to be safely sequestered within his locked room waiting for him. His father never mentioned he was going to take her out. James should’ve consulted him, confided in him.
Asked him.
He should’ve known his father would try something. Candy was
his
, and his father should know Dirk would go to extremes to get her back. Carrie and the babies were doing well, he could go look for her without feeling guilty. He would go look for her, find her. Dirk knew his father wouldn’t cause Candy any great harm, she was his wife after all, James’ daughter-in-law, whether he approved or not.

Racing for the front door, he was intent on beginning the search. His father couldn’t have gone far with her. Dirk jerked to a halt when the door opened and his father strolled in casually, followed by the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. His mouth almost hit the floor when he realized it was his wife that stood before him. Candy offered him a shy glance while hanging back.

Dirk moved forward and took her hand in his own, turning her. She was dressed in a beautiful short dress of deep blue with matching high heels making her appear taller. Her slender legs were well defined and adorned by a sparkling diamond anklet. Her hair was loose and curly, hanging in a riot of ringlets flowing down her back, and the makeup she wore was slight, as her face already possessed great beauty. Tiny diamonds dangled from her ears with an emerald centered on her neck as a pendant nestled within a cluster of more diamonds. His breath caught with pride knowing this exquisite female was his.

“Do I look okay?” Candy asked him.

Dirk’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Okay
? She was stunning. The ill-fitting clothes he acquired haphazardly for her did nothing to enhance her figure, but he thought she would feel safer in them. They resembled the awful track suit he’d found her in. The baggy nightclothes she insisted on left much to the imagination. It took a moment before he realized she was speaking to him again.

“Dirk?”

“You’re beautiful,” he croaked.

“Well, hey baby, if you’re tired of the old man I’d be happy to take you for a spin,” Damien said suggestively as he walked into the room. His interested gaze trailed a hungry path over her young body that was well defined by the revealing dress.

“Back off,” Dirk snarled. His brother looked about to pounce on
his
wife.

“This must be your new wife, Candy, right?”

Dirk looked around Damien and watched as his son-in-law’s brother strode into the room. He saw Candy’s eyes suddenly widen in fright when a man she never saw before caught her eye. He was as large as Tyr, the build identical, yet this man had dark-as-night hair that curled at his ears, his black soulless eyes stared at her impassively. Candy took an involuntary step back and reached unconsciously for Dirk’s hand. She clutched at him in fear. The man then settled his dark eyes onto Dirk; it was apparent he held certain contempt of him. Dirk knew this man feared no one.

Dirk pulled Candy to his chest. He understood her apprehension. The man before them was indeed intimidating—except not to him. Dirk also feared no one.

“Candy, this is Tyr’s older brother, Wolf,” Dirk explained.

Candy was staring up at him openmouthed. Wolf was regarding her as intently. Though his face remained impassive, his jaw twitched. Dirk had a suspicion Wolf was furiously angry.

“Welcome to the family, Candy,” Wolf said, his low pitched voice held the faintest hint of an accent. His eyes softened onto her with sincerity.

“Thank you,” she stammered, her dark eyes glistened with gratitude.

Wolf’s gaze then turned to Dirk. “It’s interesting don’t you think, that you fucking condemn my brother for stealing your daughter and then hiding her away in a home he thinks safe. His hope was to spare her life from certain pain. Yet his intent was to release Carrie into freedom, while you keep Candy a prisoner, with no hope of freedom. You’re a damned hypocrite.”

Dirk’s was outraged. “I married her.”

“No doubt, so you could justify your actions in your own eyes, thinking yourself better than Tyr. Make no mistake, Dirk; you are as guilty of a worse offense. What Tyr did, he did for love. What you do is because of guilt to ease your conscience, nothing more. At least Carrie had no fear of Tyr, she loves him. This girl has no one, nothing. Is she scared shitless of you, Dirk? Because she holds to you feeling frightened, do you think it means she feels safe? Not bloody likely. If I offered her a simple kindness, she’d cower from
you
behind
me
. Think long and hard of Tyr’s so called offenses before you judge my brother again. If not, I’ll be forced to reconsider my thoughts of respect I held for you in the past.” Wolf then offered a scathing glance to James before he stormed off, leaving the now quiet room.

Furious, Dirk glared down at Candy. She trembled against him. She looked confused and alone, her gaze dancing from one man to the next, as though she felt this was somehow her fault. Dirk gripped her to him, and then leveled an angry look at his father.

“I appreciate you keeping my wife company while I’m away. In the future, I request you ask my permission first before you leave the house with her. I was worried for her safety.”

Dirk spun on his heels taking Candy with him. Dirk missed the surprised look his father shot to Damien who had been standing quietly during the entire confrontation.

“Since when have I ever needed permission for anything?” James asked amazed. He was unsure if he felt angry or not.

Damien chuckled. “I guess Dirk just discovered the little treasure at the bottom of his crackerjack box. Not just a new toy, but
Candy!
” he exclaimed.

* * * *

Dirk was angrily throwing items of his clothing onto the bed from dresser drawers. Candy sat wondering if they’d had a fight she was unaware of and he was leaving her. She could hear Dirk muttering under his breath about this situation being entirely different. Just barely could she make out his words that Carrie had been afraid of Tyr to begin with, she told him so. It wasn’t until she learned to trust him that her fear had faded.

As he continued to mutter, she could make out he knew Candy still feared him, but they hadn’t had enough time together for her to get to know him, to understand he wasn’t cruel or evil.

“Dirk?”

He spun as though he finally noticed her sitting perched on the edge of the bed. She continued watching him; she could feel the color in her face draining with each passing moment. If he left, she’d no longer have any protection. James’ words came to mind; she trembled suddenly wondering if he’d give her to one of the two huge men that guarded them today. She could see their interest in her growing as the day progressed.

“Please don’t go away, Dirk.”

“Why would you think I was leaving?”

“You’re packing.”

“I’m not packing. I’m making room for some of your clothes. If my father took you shopping, I’m certain I’ll need to add a whole new wing to the house just to accommodate the closets you’ll need,” he answered with a grin. “I’m sorry, Candy. I haven’t taken the time to find out what you like to wear. The stuff I bought was new, but it was to tide you over. My dad still should have asked me before he took off with you, but he was right to take you shopping.”

Candy breathed a sigh of relief. Then held her breath when Dirk stilled, his eyes narrowed onto her. “Did my father threaten you, or frighten you in any way?” he demanded. As though it had suddenly occurred to him she was now speaking to him.

“Not exactly,” she began hesitantly.

“What exactly did he say?”

“I asked him what would happen to me if you left,” Candy admitted.

Dirk sighed. He sat beside her and took her hand, holding it between his own. “He frightened you, didn’t he?”

“He said he was too old, Damien was too much of a free spirit, and I’d fall to whomever he chose. Whoever it was might not be too happy to acquire an unwanted wife and unwanted responsibility.”

“Candy, I’ll make certain provisions for you. I have a few safe homes scattered in different countries you can be sent to if something happens to me. I have a number of close friends who can keep an eye out for you. Even in death, I’ll still keep you safe.”

And silenced
. “Dirk, why was Wolf so angry? Why did he welcome me and then make you angry with me?”

“I’m not angry with you. Wolf is claiming my anger toward my son-in-law is now unjustifiable. I feel it’s not. I know you don’t want to be here, but you aren’t being mistreated or abused.” Dirk rose to his feet looking agitated.

“Your daughter was beaten while with Tyr?” Candy asked; she felt a deep sympathy for the tiny sweet young woman who resembled her father a great deal. Although she was surprised as well, Tyr cherished Carrie. Even after knowing him for a brief time, she could see the love the two held for each other.

“No, he never allowed anyone to hurt her, but she was trained to please men in a home of bondage,” Dirk explained.

“Oh, how awful, she was raped?” Candy gasped with horror, feeling pity for the girl.

“No, Tyr allowed no other to touch her, except she was given to a man named Ace after Tyr left her, Ace fell in love with her, still he wasn’t allowed to take her fully,” Dirk replied.

Candy sat thinking. “It sounds like Tyr protected her well.”

“He is the one who took her into that awful situation in the first place,” Dirk raged.

“That was where you threatened me with,” Candy said tightly. “I had a father once, too; what do you think he would feel for you right now?”

“He would be thinking I was protecting you from a man who wouldn’t keep you as a slave, but who would rape and murder you,” Dirk replied coldly.

“If I were set free, maybe I could meet a man who’d love me and protect me from Taylor and his father.” She looked up at Dirk and was surprised to see his apparent frustration at her words.

“You are
my
wife, Candy.
Mine!
You belong to me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“You’ll never love me,” she said sadly.

Dirk took her chin in his hand and raised her eyes to his. “Never is a long time.”

To her surprise he pulled her to her feet. She stared at him wondering his intent.

“We never got to finish our marriage kiss.” Dirk gripped her to him firmly and claimed her lips in a heated possessive dance.

Candy struggled furiously with him but he was too powerful. She collapsed against his broad chest and his kiss deepened claiming more of her mouth. She whimpered as his lips made a hungry trail down her throat.

“Please Dirk, don’t hurt me.”

“I won’t force you. You’re so beautiful and my wife. I can’t help but want you,” Dirk said, his eyes were glazed with passion. He claimed her lips, stilling her pleas.