My Monster

by Ellie Jean

  “He’s on his honeymoon. Why would you disturb him?” Emerald paces the kitchen and I go and find something to clean the glass up with.

  “We need everyone. Liza is a slippery piece of scum. I don’t take chances, especially with our family.”

  “I’m going to make a few calls.” Removing myself from their view, I stride into their main living room. Agitation writhes through every limb. I’ve fucking lost her before I had her.

  Thud…Thud…Thud…

  My chest is ready to explode with the adrenaline surging through me. I don’t want Slate and Emerald looking at me too closely as I feel like I am falling fucking apart.

  Crystal will be freed.

  Someone had touched her.

  She will get medical help.

  What is she battling by herself?

  I will kill Liza and the piece of dirt who dared lay a hand on my property.

  No one touches what’s mine.

  We will take Liza’s empire down. It has limited hours left.

  Everyone associated with the evil Amari family was going to die by my hands.

  I’m claiming her sexy ass.

  “I need info.” Ringing a contact we frequently use, he answered the first ring. “Crystal Harding. Twenty-seven years old. Born in the US. I need her medical records asap.”

  Slate would be organizing where to locate Liza and where she was holding Kyle and Crystal. I needed to find out what I was dealing with. Was it life threatening? How had I never noticed anything before? Am I that much of an idiot that I don’t notice other’s illness?

  Fuck…

  “Message them to me.”

  Wiping my face, I breathe in deep.

  There’s banging on the door, so I let Ocean in.

  Anger rolls off him. “Liza’s taking her last breaths, T.”

  “We’re on the same page, I see.” Stretching my neck side to side, I’m ready for bloodshed.

  “We head out now. Emerald, you need to stay here.” Slate keeps moving without looking at his wildcat.

  “No fucking way.” Crossing her arms, she eyeballs us all.

  “We can’t have you there. It’s that simple.”

  “I don’t care what you think. I’m going to get my brother and best friend.”

  “You’ve just earned yourself a punishment when I get back. Now get that delectable ass of yours on that chair. Lace will be here soon. I need you to watch her and you are both to stay inside this apartment. Do you hear me? No heroics like saving Lace. Understand?”

  “I hear you loud and clear, Mr. Bossy. But it doesn’t mean anything.”

  Slate walks over to her and cups her chin. “You are mine. No one hurts what’s mine and you do as I say so I can protect you.” His voice calms. “That means everything.”

  Ocean and I leave them both. Slate will win. When it comes to the one who allows him to exist in this world, he will protect her at any cost. Even if he has to chain her up, she won’t be coming with us.

  “We will need a few guns and I’ve already got my knife. Grab a few for S.”

  Placing them in my jeans, we head back out to see how their conversation is progressing.

  They are practically fucking on the counter.

  “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” Slate kisses Emerald on her swollen lips one last time, we head toward the door finding Caden and Lace ready to knock.

  “Behave.”

  “Always…” She smirks that sly grin. “And Tanner, bring our girl and my brother home, safe. Please?” Sincerity and sadness flood her.

  “You know I will.”

  I don’t miss the look Lace and Emerald send to each other. So fucking mischievous.

  Slate alarms the apartment and rings through for the extra security to be placed downstairs. It’s unclear if it’s to keep the girls in or the problems out.

  “I hope Liza and her minions are enjoying their last few minutes on this earth.”

  Climbing in my Camaro, I ease out of the parking garage. Slate’s a car length in front. A sense of patience washes over my clammy skin as a thundering cyclone whips through me. We only get one chance at this.

  “Which direction, O?”

  Time to go get my Tiger.

  A battle was brewing in my stomach.

  I would go down with a fight.

  “We have to do something.” Time had passed after my medical episode and my body had bounced back. “We can’t sit here and do nothing.”

  “Your body isn’t coping already. We have to let Emerald and Slate work this out. You know they will.”

  Kyle was right, they would find us. Slate would use his authority and power. But would it be before the bitch let more guys in here to use me? Would she take Kyle away, breaking something inside him that may never be fixed?

  “I’m not going to sit and wait. We can overpower them if we have a plan.” I sit on the floor with my legs crossed. “With your huge muscles and my brain, surely we can come up with something.”

  “And what if you have another seizure? What then? You’re already in a precarious state ‘cause you haven’t had your meds. I’m not willing to chance that.” Worry forms on his face. I get it, but I also am not one to rely on others. Mom and Dad were good to me. Still are. But once I left their home, my family home, I grew and spread my wings. I wanted to take control of my life. Do things that made me, me. Boundaries and rules were only important if I made them. The rest were made to be broken.

  “But you’re willing to wait until they come again, and she has another guy ready to rape me? Or you?” My muscles tense and Kyle paces the room with fury.

  “Shit, Crystal. You know I will do anything to stop that.” A roar swamps the room, his fist lands on the wall, crushing it. “Fuck…”

  He looks defeated. Kyle’s normal alpha appearance had gone. Shoulders slumped, head hanging, I walk toward him.

  “I know.” Cupping his chin so I can see his eyes, I kiss his cheek. “You’d never willingly let someone, or something hurt me. Just like I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you. I’m sorry I said that.”

  Our minds are going crazy with the unknown.

  Will they kill us next?

  Do they intend to give us back for a ransom?

  What will come through that door next?

  What do they gain from taking us?

  Can we be the same if we get out of this hole?

  “No, you’re right. We have to try.” Wrapping his large arms around my waist, I lean into his warmth and cuddle him back. Together, we will stay strong and we will get through each hurdle. “I’ll stop anything bad from hurting you.” His hand takes the back of my head and steers me to his lips. Soft and gentle, he kisses me. I kiss him back slowly. This could be our last one.

  “Kyle,” I whisper. My shoulder is tucked in under his arm and my arms keep hold. “We both chose not to go down the friends with benefits road. Tell me why again, before I do something insane?”

  This situation tossed us together again. My heart rate thudded fast and Kyle’s scent reminded me of being free. Away from here, with him. My naked body covered by his athletic one. Fucking each other until the sun broke from behind the darkness of the night. Hooking up for a quickie just because we needed to relieve stress from our daily lives or an alcohol-infused sex workout rendering us incapable of moving from one of our clutches. It had been good. We had been good.

  “Because of Emerald.” Running his finger over my jaw and lips, there’s a sparkle of mischief in his eyes. “’Cause of the complication it would create.”

  “That’s right.” It had been weird talking to Emerald about how fantastic the sex was with her brother. Not to mention the whining I did when I caught him with other chicks. We weren’t exclusive, yet it still hurt. We didn’t want to damage our friendship. “It didn’t have anything to do with your wandering eyes?”

  His grip tightened on me. “Or your flirting with any guy who had arm tattoos?”

  “Hmm…” I lift my finger to my mou
th as though I’m thinking. “That’s silly. You know darn well a piercing is more important.” I laugh.

  Bastard…

  Now my thoughts were on Tanner.

  Rugged.

  Hard.

  Imposing.

  Possessive.

  Intoxicating.

  Formidable.

  My pulse thundered. My pussy clenched. Heat surged. My skin prickled.

  I couldn’t refute the effect he had on me. He had infected me with his boldness and charm. His sexual prowess and explosive kisses that commanded and stole the breath out of my lungs.

  Accepting our decision, I smile.

  “So, I guess we’re back to devising the plan.”

  Walking back to the bed, arm in arm we resume our spots, except I’m sitting on him, curling against him for security. “Guess so.”

  Discussing how to escape a kidnapping is surreal. Whispering ideas in case the room was bugged or most likely had cameras taping us, we shielded our words. The plan we thought out was simple. Pretend to be kissing, wrapped up in each other near the door. Not paying anyone attention when they came in. Kyle would use his muscle to bulldoze them before weapons were drawn. I would take the main woman, gouge her eyes and strip her head of hair if needed. I could fight, albeit catfight material, but effective. The spike on her shoe would be my weapon of choice if I could get to it. All going to plan, we would be free to find our way out of this hideous building.

  “I could do with a water.” Hours had passed and still no one had come back. Silence had filled outside the door. It was a waiting game. A game I neither enjoyed nor delved into much. If I wanted something, I’d go get it. I made things happen. Passion and success drove me. A household name to many influential people, but I wanted more. I would always want more.

  “Food would be good too.”

  “Shhh… do you hear that?”

  Heels on the floor and other footsteps.

  My stomach plummets, a clamminess spreads over my flesh. Rapidly my neck pulses. Unsure of what would play out, but I could do this. We both could.

  “It’s time.” Kyle grimaced, but I pulled his arm so we were positioned behind the door. “This will work. It has to.”

  “I will protect you at any cost. I won’t risk them hurting you, even if it means we don’t escape. Okay?”

  Lucky I was being positive for both of our asses.

  “Kiss me and make it believable,” I whisper sternly.

  “That I can do.”

  I was completely armored by Kyle’s arms. His warmth surrounds me, and his lips find mine with ease. My back hits against the wall behind the door, my eyes unable to see over his wide body. Familiarity takes over and our bodies stir of their own accord. Heat flows through my veins and his length prods my stomach. We’d been good, not exceptional or mind-blowing. Convenient, easy and available.

  Nothing like the gravitational pull I had with Tanner. The instant inferno from his look alone. A bomb detonating when we combined. Together we were rare. Remarkable. Miraculous.

  This could be it. Once they work out our plan, we both could be killed. At least I was with someone who cared in their own way for me, and I for him.

  The door flung open, feet walk in. Finally I hear the heels inside the room. Fuck, it was hard to continue giving my attention to Kyle while they stride in, searching for us. Kyle’s arms try to pry from my waist, but we need them to be fully inside, we need them to believe we are in the middle of something heated.

  Slowly, I peer around the expanse of Kyle.

  “Keep going. Don’t mind us.” The door closes, but all eyes are pointed in our direction.

  “You two look like you’re having fun. A bit of foreplay won’t hurt any of us,” the hideous woman sneers and the males mumble. Christ, there were three males with her.

  Why would she bring so many in here?

  What was she up to?

  Uncertainty in our plan crept through my veins.

  We were outnumbered, but we were desperate. We had to try.

  Kyle shields me still putting his head down to mine, savoring perhaps the last kiss either of us would have. Tightening my hold on him, he does the same. Blocking our audience out for a moment. I want to remember this. Our lips reverently flew over each other’s. Tongues twined and our hearts fired. His chest is touching mine, I can feel it pumping next to mine.

  “Get on the bed. Both of you.” Her voice grates on my nerves.

  Turning slowly, Kyle keeps me plastered next to his side. I notice three men and the witch. A gun fastened to two of the guy’s sides.

  Crap…

  It wasn’t ideal, but I would still try.

  “Under me, Crystal.” Kyle looked worried, but I held his eyes.

  “It’s happening still,” I whispered to him as he laid on top of me.

  “You, take off her clothes,” a guy bellows at Kyle.

  Kyle jumps up fast. “Not while you’re here.”

  The other guy’s faster and pulls the gun up to Kyle’s temple.

  “Now look what you’ve done, you’ve upset Ben. And we can’t have that.” Heels tap on the floor. Her hand reaches my hair, pulling me up. “You do as you’re asked, or I kill you both now. You decide.”

  My arms flail around me, mania takes hold, but Kyle’s got a gun next to his skull. I can’t risk anything. “Okay…Kyle…” Tears threaten to fall. I’m burning from within, but I won’t let them break us. My eyes implore him to do this, we can fight still. As long as we are alive, we have a chance.

  Kyle’s thrown in my direction and I start to undress.

  “No. I want him to undress you,” the same younger guy, who is wearing dress pants and a button shirt, yells again. “Show us your naked body.”

  Kyle looks at me directly. Worry etched over every square section of his face. Trembling hands, he draws down my skirt so I have only my panties on.

  “Hurry up. We haven’t got all day,” the other guy who held the gun joins in.

  “Shut up and enjoy the show.” Unsure where it came from, my voice sounded through the room. “This really isn’t the place to come for a vacation when I have to provide all the entertainment.” I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t stop my mouth from expelling words.

  “A smart mouth. Let’s see what else you have that your man treasures so much.”

  Going to Kyle, she takes a knife from below her tight dress, attached to her leg and uses it to slice the shirt from his body. “Keep going. I just want to see how your muscles ripple while you take her. It’s only fair I have something to look at as well, considering this is my kidnapping. Now continue.” Leaning back from Kyle, she runs her tongue over her teeth, grinning like a hyena.

  “Now.” A booming voice makes me jump and Kyle finds the bottom of my shirt, pulling it over my head. “Her bra and panties too.”

  Coldness spread over my skin. Three sets of eyes are focused on my tits and the other is spearing a predatory gaze in Kyle’s direction. I stand tall and proud. I won’t cower. My panties pool at my feet, but Kyle pushes me back on the bed and lands on me, shielding me again from their disgusting eyes. Without a thought, he kisses me hard, he needs them to stay far from me and this was one way. For now.

  Snaking his hand around my waist, I am loaded like a spring from fear. Kyle was doing all he could to protect me. My life and my virtue. Mumbling starts and movement can be heard around us. I didn’t want to look anywhere else. For the first time, I was worried what I would see. If they planned on gang raping me, I would break. There would be no coming back from that.

  “What the fuck?” the man’s voice who held the gun at Kyle’s head, yelled.

  Thunder rang through the room. There was a heavy thump, feet moved with commotion. I could hear heels. She was still here.

  Kyle stayed on top of me.

  This was our chance.

  “Now.” Lifting my head, Kyle is slow to move. His huge body weighs a ton on me. “Kyle…” Yelling in his face, he snaps out of
it and his shoulders move back and I can see the entire layout of the room.

  My eyes slam into dark black holes.

  They hold me captive. I’m transfixed.

  Tanner.

  How the hell did he get in here?

  With a twist of a neck, the body drops from Tanner’s grasp as he glares at me. Blood drips from his hands and face. Snapping his eyes to Kyle, he straightens.

  “Behind you,” I scream at him as another man enters the room, aiming a gun at the back of his head. Heels echo in the distance and Liza sneaks out the door as Tanner becomes aware of the new assailant.

  Swinging around, his hand has found a knife somewhere and he plunges it into the chest of the huge man. His body is dangerous, a weapon. Striking with his other fist and legs, he rams him up against a wall. More blood oozes down his arm, over his tattoos adding some color to the blacks and grays. Lifting the knife up, he tears the attacker’s chest apart.

  Frozen, I was watching a calculated, vicious monster. My eyes trained on each skilled movement. Muscles ripple under his black shirt, his face detached.

  This is Tanner?

  The guy was limp in his grasp. Kyle was at my side, gripping my waist. I think I was holding him up, but my mind wasn’t functioning. With a swift movement, the knife slit across the young guy’s throat, showering the room in blood.

  A predator entered our prison.

  Fear consumes me.

  Finally it came.

  Good to know that I actually had some self-preservation.

  Ice wrapped itself around my limbs.

  Uncontrollable shaking takes over. I am stuck like I’d jumped into a lake of water and it had frozen over. Trapping me.

  A supernova penetrates every cell of my body. I should be ash, not ice.

  Furious and unrestrained. Tanner looks at my body. And specifically, where Kyle’s touching me.

  “Get your hands off my woman.”

  His hands were on her skin, again.

  Naked, creamy and silken.

  She’s mine.

  Driving for twenty-four minutes, images of them together, being taken because of their association with us sent shooting lava through my veins. Motherfuckers, taking innocent friends to draw us out. Spineless, gutless weasels. They had no place being in this world.