His hesitation meant he was pissed, but I did understand at least part of the reason she wanted full autonomy over her life. And I wanted nothing more than to give that to her.
“You’re with her right now?”
“Not right now, although I’m close. She all but pushed me away, threatening to leave and she’ll go to any length to get away, including drugging me if possible.” I headed to the railing, leaning over the metal bar. Savannah. Why did the city come to mind?
His laugh was full of disbelief. “She wouldn’t do that.”
“Apparently, you don’t know her as well as you believe you do, which is another point she made. She is highly skilled. So much so I fear anyone’s safety who crosses her.”
“Oh, come on, now.”
“Do not say she’s a girl because she’s much more than that.”
Jaxon huffed. “She’s supposed to be here. This is where we can all best protect her.”
“I can protect her!” Said with a little too much vehemence, but at this point, I didn’t care.
“Jesus. You’re damn good at what you do, Donatello, but you’re one man.”
“Maybe that’s all that’s needed. There’s something about the city of Savannah that doesn’t sit right with me. Do you remember the Brotherhood? While they’re everywhere throughout the world, the city of Savannah holds significant meaning as to why I’m asking.”
It took him a few seconds to remember why the name was important. “You mean the rather radical group of rich kids who believe they own the world?”
If the Prince family members had a single connecting foible, it was that they believed they were invincible.
“You know exactly with what happened with Sinclair and Josette and why the ruthless and secretive organization could be of some importance.”
The men involved in the Brotherhood were powerful and controlled several companies worldwide. While they weren’t involved per se in politics, they certainly had control over certain prominent members of various law agencies and even a few inside the Senate. All under the radar. One connection I rarely used, an old college buddy of mine in a high-ranking position in the military, had discovered they had several offshore bank accounts and had strong-armed their way into various land deals.
Their claim to fame.
They were all rich and powerful.
But in an entirely different way than the Prince family.
Land acquisition by way of contractual force using whatever method necessary.
They had various building contractors on their payroll and had been the silent investor in hundreds of profitable land deals. Resorts. Hotel chains. Retail. Housing developments. Given they also hadn’t concentrated their operations to one location in the country, no one had been the wiser it was a group working in tandem.
They also treated women as objects and nothing else, considering them second-class citizens. Just after their father’s murder, the Brotherhood had come into play in attempting to destroy the Prince family, almost killing Sinclair’s wife in the process.
While they hadn’t reared their ugly heads since then, that didn’t mean their organization had collapsed. They’d simply gone on about their business, buying properties, making money, and owning one too many corporations. However, for as smart as they liked to think of themselves, their greed made them weak.
“Yeah, I remember them,” he finally answered.
“Then maybe it’s worth you and Alexander looking into.”
“Alright. Your instinct is usually on the money. We can do that. Maybe it’s in both your best interests to bring her home.”
“I will. I’m just the hired help, but I see the problem. She can’t date a single man. There is no romance in her life and do you know why?”
“Because she’s picky.”
Laughing, I rubbed my eyes, which were as exhausted as the rest of me since we’d gone round and round in sharing passion. I’d delivered on the promise I’d made, leaving her sore and covered in my scent.
I’d almost marked her and right now, my palm itched to do so again. My, oh, my. I’d crossed the line how many times and not a single part of me was sorry.
“No. First, you or Alexander or both would have one of our computer experts check her date out with every freaking database to ensure he wasn’t a criminal or otherwise considered unacceptable to the family’s honor. Then you’d have her tailed, as you guys do on a regular basis, to ensure that the asshole wasn’t too forward. If he was, you’d send me out to kick his ass or worse.”