“It’s Marx.”
Chapter Two
Xavier
Xavier O’Brien awoke to the feel of a soft hand on his bare skin. Bringing his hand up to his chest, he rested it atop of Aurora’s smaller one and breathed in a sigh of content. He missed having her warmth pressed to his back while he slept. The feel of her soft skin gliding along his while they made love. The soft moans of his name when he pushed her over the edge into ecstasy.
Things had been a complete clusterfuck since her abduction. Lucien Spinelli had gone to ground after ordering Aurora’s abduction and no one could find his new right-hand man, Harrison. Xavier was going crazy, tearing shit apart looking for them.
No one, but no one, hurt what was his. Not without feeling the wrath of his vengeance.
None of that mattered now—the late nights, the niggling fear in the back of his brain that he should have let Aurora and Sophie go instead of selfishly keeping them—because he had his girl right where he wanted her. Well, almost. He knew the lead up to burying his cock in her sweet cunt would be unlike anything else he’s ever experienced. Especially after weeks of not having it.
Those thoughts had his cock stirring under the sheets. With his hand on hers, he brought them down the length of his body to where he ached for her. He felt her rouse right before her fingers wrapped around his girth, sending shivers up his spine. The little moan that escaped the back of her throat as her hand began to move had his whole body tensing.
Xavier’s eyes flew open and it was then that he realized he wasn’t at home wrapped up with Aurora. No, he was in his room at The Den, which meant he had no idea who the woman currently stroking his cock and pushing her tits into his back was.
“What the fuck,” he clipped out. Rolling to his back, he gripped the surprised woman’s red-taloned hand, making her audibly wince in pain.
“You’re hurting me,” she whined with a ridiculous pout on her fake, oversized lips. Her nipples poked into his chest as she tried unsuccessfully to pull her hand from his.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked with a deceptive calm, still not releasing his grip on her. Sitting up, he forced her to her back as he loomed over her.
“Finishing what you started,” she said with a gasp as his hold tightened even further at the smugness he sensed from her.
“How the fuck did you get in here?” That was the million-dollar question. He didn’t remember going back to his room with anyone. Then again, his head was still a little muddled from all the booze he consumed after speaking with Marx the night before.
“The door was open. You were passed out on the bed so I let myself in.”
“And you thought it was okay to climb into bed with me?” His sinister tone had her face paling and her eyes widening. It seemed the bitch was finally waking up to the fact that she crawled into bed with the devil himself and she’d be lucky to get away unscathed.
“You’re really hurting me.” Tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes and he considered loosening his hold on her hand, but the fact that she didn’t answer him only served to make him angrier.
“Answer me,” he demanded of the blonde-haired tramp in his bed.
“I… I don’t know what I thought. You had been watching me while you were drinking. When I followed you, no one stopped me so I thought you wanted me.”
The woman let out a loud, relieved sigh when he released her hand, only to have it followed by a squeak of fear when his large hand wrapped around her small throat and squeezed until her face turned pink, then red, just tingeing on the edge of becoming purple. It felt good to watch. To finally be able to hurt someone after the hurt that had been inflicted on Aurora. To feel in control again.
“I’ll never want you. You get that?” When she didn’t answer, but rather clawed at his hand on her throat, he continued, “Do you get that?”
She nodded her head eagerly, still trying to get free.
“We… didn’t…do… anything,” she croaked out with shallow breaths and he felt his fingers spasm knowing she was probably telling the truth. He drank a shit ton of scotch the night before. So much it would have been a minor miracle for him to have gotten it up long enough to fuck anyone.
A knock on the door had him releasing her with a curse. He sat up on the edge of the bed and reached for his boxers on the floor. The thought that he didn’t know whether or not he went to bed with them on or if she took them off had his fingers itching to wrap around the bitch’s throat again.
Behind him she coughed and sputtered, big fat tears running down her face as she struggled out of bed and into her dress. Rather than doing what he wanted, which was backhanding her for being loud and irritating, he stood and pulled his black suit pants on over his boxers.
Another knock came and Xavier told whomever it was to come in. When the door opened, Ghost stood in the doorway, his jaw hard as he took in the sight before him. Xavier knew what he was thinking but he didn’t give a fuck. He didn’t pay Ghost to have an opinion. Not about those things anyway.
“Take care of that,” he barked as he slammed his arms into each sleeve of his wrinkled dress shirt. Giving up on getting dressed since he’d just need a shower anyway, he stood with his hands on his hips as Ghost gave instructions to someone in his cell phone after the woman practically ran from the room.
“It’s taken care of,” Ghost confirmed while slipping his phone into the pocket of his pants. “Joe’s already got her.”
With a nod, Xavier went about tucking in his shirt and attempting to release his pent-up frustration without using his normal means—fucking or fighting—but it was no use. No amount of calming breaths were going to bring him back from the edge. Unable to completely ignore the judgmental gaze of Ghost, he snapped, “If you’ve got something to say, fucking say it.”
“I’m wondering what the fuck you were thinking taking that bitch back here last night. Aurora deserves better than that.”
“You think I don’t fucking know that?”
“I’m beginning to doubt it,” Ghost murmured under his breath and Xavier balled his fists, itching to pound the shit out of something.
“Well you can stop thinking about it at all because it’s none of your fucking business. Any word on Spinelli?”
Lucien Spinelli was Xavier’s biggest rival in the underworld. Responsible for the deaths of his sister and ultimately his mother, Xavier wanted nothing more than to see the man with a bullet between his eyes, especially now that he was behind Aurora’s kidnap and rape. For too many years, he had bided his time, letting Spinelli go about his business thinking Xavier had forgotten about him. But now, Xavier had no other choice but to take him out and make an example out of him. With Sophie and Aurora in his life, the scum he came into contact with on a daily basis needed to know the lengths he would go to in order to keep his girls safe.
“Nothing.”
“Fuck!” Losing his battle with keeping calm, Xavier punched the wall next to where he stood, leaving a hole in the drywall.
“I know you don’t want to hear it, but you need to consider partnering with Marx. He has ways of getting information that we can’t.”
The mention of Marx brought back the memory of Xavier’s encounter with him the night before, only serving to fuel his frustration and anger.
“I knew about Aurora before she ever hit my doorstep that night. Word spread quickly. Why do you think I took her to your house? I wanted people to know she was with me. It was the best way to keep her out of the crosshairs,” Marx attempted to explain.
“Fuck that. If what you say is true, then you were forcing my hand. You knew damn well I wouldn’t want her with you and would move to make that happen.” Xavier fought the urge to slam Marx’s head into the wall. This fight had been a long time coming and no one would be surprised if they didn’t both walk away from it not breathing.
“Maybe. Or maybe I knew what a class act she was and wanted that in my bed every night. It doesn’t matter now. All that I give a
shit about is making her safe.”
“Oh, you give a shit. Every time you look at her it’s written all over your face how bad you want to fuck her. Too bad you never got your chance.” His words were nothing more than a bluff to see if Marx had already been inside Aurora. Xavier knew all about Marx’s kink. But kink or not, he would be a dumb fuck to have not seen that through.
A slow taunting grin spread across Xavier’s face when Marx’s jaw ticked and his eyes said it all—he had not one clue the heaven that existed inside Aurora and it was eating him up inside. And that was exactly the way X wanted it.
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have gotten her back as quickly as you did,” Marx rallied in an effort to save face.
Xavier could give him that. He was the one Aurora chose after all, so he could allow himself to feel sorry for the bastard who would never know the kind of light she shined into her man’s life.
“I know how to find Harrison,” Marx continued, bringing Xavier from his thoughts. “You find him and you’ll find Lucien. The question is how bad do you want to find them?”
That was the million-dollar question. He wanted it bad enough to taste, but he didn’t want to admit he needed Marx to make it happen. Xavier didn’t trust the man as far as Aurora was concerned. As long as he had feelings for her, Marx would always be a threat.
“Boss, we need to bring Marx in on this,” Ghost urged. “Boys are scrambling. No one can find shit. The longer we sit on it, the worse it looks to the people watching. You know as well as I do that every day that goes by and no one feels retribution, you look like a weak pussy.”
“I killed Spencer and Cherry. Sent their heads in a box to Spinelli’s house. You think people don’t know about that shit? It was a taunt for him to come out of hiding and deal with his problems like a fucking man.”
“And now that he hasn’t answered it, you look like the pussy who can’t back his shit up.”
“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath. Ghost was right. He needed action.
Even though Aurora would never know the lengths he’d go to protect to her, he would go to the grave eating shit if it meant her and Sophie breathed soundly for the rest of their lives.
“Fine. Set up the meet with Marx and fucking bring me Spinelli already.”
Ghost gave him a relieved look before leaving to follow out his orders. Too bad Xavier didn’t feel relieved at all.
Chapter Three
Aurora
My shock at seeing Marx had me momentarily speechless, standing at the door like an idiot while he smirked down at me. Finally shaking from my stupor and finding my voice, I asked, “What are you doing here?”
As he continued to stand in front of me looking gorgeous as ever with lust-filled eyes raking over my body, I found myself feeling completely self-conscious. Which was why my hands flew to the neck of my robe, closing it in an attempt to conceal any part of me that I could.
“I needed to see you.” His deep voice wrapped around me like the finest silk, sending a tremor down my spine. But it was the pads of his fingers tenderly tracing what remained of the bruises on my cheek that had me ready to melt into a puddle at his feet. And if I was being honest, I nearly came on the spot when he leaned forward and gently kissed the scar on my neck.
I took a swift step back, putting some much needed distance between us, at the same time Candy cleared her throat behind us. Turning my head, I met her smiling face with a scowl. The last thing I needed was her witnessing any affectionate moments between Marx and me.
“Hey, Marx! I was just getting ready to leave. It was good seeing you. Call me tomorrow, A,” Candy spoke just as swiftly as her feet took her out the door.
“She wasn’t really leaving, was she?” Marx asked with a knowing grin on his face.
“No,” I muttered before holding out an arm and gesturing him further into the house. “Want some coffee?”
“No, I’m good.” He brushed past me then stopped in his tracks when he was met with my tiny little bodyguard.
With her hands on her hips, Sophie stood planted in the doorway, demanding to know, “Who are you?”
“Hello there. I’m Marx.” He knelt down in front of her and held his hand out. She raised an eyebrow and studied him for a moment before placing her hand in his. Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his mouth and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles, making her blush and giggle. “And who may I ask are you? Other than the most beautiful young lady I’ve ever seen?”
“I’m Sophie.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Sophie.” Marx released her hand, unfolded his body and gave me a panty-melting grin. I forced myself to stop mooning over how good he was with my daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Go play in your room while Mr. Marx and I have a grown-up conversation in the kitchen.”
“But Mommy,” she whined.
“Do I need to remind you that good girls get ice cream and bad girls get naps?” Just as I knew it would, my favorite threat worked. Sophie darted down the hall. The sound of her door slamming shut let me know that she wouldn’t be eavesdropping anytime soon.
“You might not need coffee but I sure could use some more,” I informed him as I shuffled past him into the kitchen where I set about pouring myself a refill. His suit coat lay on the center island next to where he leaned with his hip propped against the granite, watching me move.
“Your daughter is beautiful. The spitting image of you, save the blonde hair,” Marx casually remarked while I got the creamer from the fridge. The whole time I could feel his eyes tracking my movements like a hot brand against my skin. My face flushed with the knowledge of it.
“Thank you,” I finally answered. “But that isn’t why you came, is it?”
“Meeting your daughter was a pleasant surprise, but no, that’s not why I’m here.”
When several moments passed without him elaborating, I decided to try sarcasm on for size in an effort to hide how uncomfortable I felt having him there. Watching me. “Are you going to speak or are you planning on standing there and staring at me?”
His chuckle made my toes curl and I could just picture him standing behind me, shaking his head, his dirty-blond hair falling across his forehead. “While I’m rather enjoying the view of your delectable legs, in the interest of saving time I should probably explain why I came here.”
“To enemy territory,” I added before spinning around and leaning against the opposite counter from where he stood. Sipping my coffee, I waited to see what he had to say to that. After the story Candy had given me about his and Xavier’s fight the night before, there was no way I would believe they were anything but adversaries at this point.
“I suppose one might think that, but of all the things Xavier is, an enemy isn’t one of them. Let’s just say he and I don’t see eye to eye on a few key topics.”
“Namely me, right?” I prodded.
Marx inclined his head in answer causing me to shake mine at how silly it was for them to be fighting over me. “I’m not territory you guys can piss all over.”
He straightened from the counter and moved closer until mere inches separated our bodies. “Oh, I’m well aware of what you are.”
“And what exactly is that?” I demanded to know. His charisma was not going to lead me down the dumb and mute path again. I was a strong woman, standing in my lover’s kitchen, not some young girl he could charm with just a smile. Or at least that was what I was telling myself.
“A beautiful, smart and caring woman who deserves the world to be handed to her. The last thing I consider you is property.”
“You need to stop confusing me.”
“How am I doing that?”
I threw my hands up at my sides in exasperation. I couldn’t believe he was going to make me try and explain it to him. “By being here. Being nice. Being you. You know I have a soft spot for you.”
He moved even closer and his voice dropped an octave when he informed me, “I think we sho
uld explore that spot, Aurora. It isn’t every day that one human being can make another feel this strongly.”
My stomach flipped like it would on a rollercoaster ride. What was I supposed to say to that? He was putting me in a horrible position. Even though I was flattered as hell that someone like Marx could feel that way about me, I couldn’t even imagine leaving Xavier to take up with him. It seemed wrong.
“I think you’re crazy. You do realize I’m living here now. With Xavier.”
Marx sighed heavily and moved to put some distance between us. Standing in front of the window over the sink, he gazed out at the lake as if trying to collect his thoughts. When he turned back to me, his face was wiped of any sign of ardent emotion toward me, holding only friendly concern.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. Instead of pressing myself on you, I should be asking you how you’re doing since the… incident. I’ve been worried about how you’ve been coping.”
I slumped a little at the mention of the attack. I really hated talking about it, with anyone. Dredging up all that emotion and fear often left me shaky and off-kilter. Not knowing when or if I’d see Xavier that day only made the thought of sharing seem more daunting.
“I’m fine. Trying to move forward and not think about it. Focus on Sophie and the future.”
“You’re sure about that?” He pressed in a gentle tone.
“Most days,” I admitted.
“Oh, Aurora,” he whispered. Closing the distance between us again, he placed his hands on either side of my neck. His eyes scanned my face as I held my breath, wondering what he was doing. Being in this close a proximity to each other was not a good idea. I was still attracted to him, regardless of the fact that I loved Xavier with all my heart. I didn’t want him to take that to mean more than what it did.
“Answer me one question.”
“Okay,” I breathed.
“Do you feel safe? After everything that’s happened, can you honestly tell me you feel secure?”
Xavier O’Brien Page 2
