by Ellie Jean
Her heart thumps rapidly and strongly. “My heart is now your heart.”
Kissing her greedily, my hand stills on her chest, on top of her heart, while the other wraps in her hair, closing any distance between our faces.
“You don’t know what this means to me.”
“Yes, I know exactly, ‘cause it’s what it means to me. You, me, together, forever.”
“I love you, Tiger.”
“I love you.” Her hands clasp my face and she looks seriously at me. “It also means as much fucking as I need, right? So let’s get our asses out of your death can on wheels so we can fuck before you drag me to this hideous wedding. That way, I can show you properly how much I love you.”
“There’s nothing sweeter to my ears, except perhaps your screams.”
With a wicked grin, she opens the door. “As much as it pains me to admit it, I agree with you on that.”
“All eyes will be on you.” Driving through the gates of my family home, the black suit and black shirt I’m wearing strangles me. Sweat runs down my back with my growing body temperature. Each breath gets louder and louder. “Red is your color. Fuck, every color looks good on you.”
“It’s crimson.” She grins and continues. “Don’t kid yourself. Tonight whoever is here will be watching the main attraction; You.” Sliding her legs out of the beast, her long flowing dress falls down to her ankles. “And then me by your side.”
“Fuck.” I hitch a breath.
“What’s wrong?” She swivels her head around, looking into the night air lit with small lights. A few security guards ahead.
“Why did I let you out of the house like that? The split covers nothing of your fine leg and that fucking V that goes down to within millimeters of your belly button, baring your naked flesh is pushing my blood limits to a near explosion.” Stiff neck and shoulders, taut face, I’m ready to get this done.
“You let me out, ‘cause you want the world to know I belong to you. And there’s no chance any other motherfucker can put his hands on me now without you breaking his hands and then ultimately them.”
“You know me so well.” I smirk and my chest expands for a whole new reason.
My arm slides across her back, touching her bare skin and I pull her close. She’s going to need to be strong tonight. Dad’s reaction to his new wife and her slutting around is unknown. Drawing closer to the house, there are not as many people here as what I imagined. Elektra and her socialite profile, the President was probably on the guest list thinking she’s that fucking important.
Flashes catch us as we walk together. Entwined in each other’s arms, dominance and strength radiate from us. I’m impatient to get this night over, but I let Crystal glow. In front of the cameras is where she thinks she shines brightest. I know better. But this is her domain, her life. Which is the polar opposite to The Savage Shadows. Our intent to stay out of the light seems to be unraveling fast of late.
I stay with my standard severe look, Crystal doesn’t smile but looks demanding, commanding to be noticed. She doesn’t have to worry her pretty little head about that, all eyes are set her way. Strolling forward, neither of us lead, instead together we continue toward the house.
“There’s a lot of people gathered outside. I take it the wedding will be held here.” Her hand points to the garden where bodies are gathered, talking and blowing crap up each other’s asses, no doubt.
My head swings to the roped off area lit up with thousands of tiny garden lights. My teeth grit and I beeline to the gold rope. “There’s no fucking way.” Low and guttural, my nostrils flare and I drag air in. A large archway blinking with sparkles stands serenely in the distance, rows of covered chairs are lined on the grass surrounded by my mother’s perfect roses. Tall gold singular lights shine from the end of each row, casting a delicate light over where the guests will sit. Blood red fills my eyes and my head pounds like I’m being pummeled by lucky punches.
“Tanner?” Her hands press on the back of my shoulders. Warmth at my back gives me comfort, but there’s no way, two despicable people, will be getting married in my mother’s place of serenity. The one area that gave her solace.
Turning, I see blue eyes scanning me, her naked chest holding in a breath. “I need to speak to my dad. Alone.”
Nodding, she removes her hand. “I don’t like this. I should be with you, but I will respect it.”
Kissing her deeply, fury pulses through me, I break and launch up the pathway.
A mean looking son of a bitch greets me with a snarl. “Can’t go in there.”
Slam.
My ready fist connects with the security’s head, sending him down to the ground. “Can’t I.”
Inside, the large room is deserted. My eyes scan for more, but I only hear fast footsteps shuffling around outside, trying to get to me, I’d say.
“Dad, Elektra?” a roar erupts, swallowing the silence of the house. I work fast, deciding they must be in a room getting dressed. Or if I know anything, Dad will be in the office. Which is exactly where I want him.
Behind me, a body slams into mine. Elbowing him, he grunts and another punches me in the kidney, sending me sideways. This fucking suit, I cannot move like I should. My arms connect a few more times, blood spilling from one asshole’s nose.
“Son. Stop this.”
My knee connects with the useless fighter’s balls and he drops.
“I need to talk to you and Elektra, together, now.” Pulling my jacket in place, I move toward my prey.
“What’s the meaning of this?” The poisonous woman struts down the stairs with a black silk wrap loosely tied around her near naked body. Her fake hair swaying over her shoulders. White stockings held by suspenders are revealed with each step.
“Get your ass in the office. We all need to have a chat.”
The guards who have come to supposedly protect them, shuffle and murmur. My eyes challenge any of them to try and touch me again.
“This is my fucking wedding day. Get out.” Spit flies from her mouth. Towering above her, I grab her diseased arm and drag her ass into the office.
Dad follows behind me. “Take your hand off my wife.” His voice is weak, pathetic even. There’s no conviction in his tone. If someone manhandled Crystal like this, my fingers would have strangled the life out of them in less than thirty seconds.
“She’s not your wifey just yet.” My arm recoils and I fling her across to the chair. Dad stands there, scrutinizing each move I make. The computer’s on, which makes this faster. I plug the USB in, turning the screen so they can both see the edited handiwork of Elektra’s infidelity.
“What is this about?” His firm voice is laced with anger.
“Thought you should see something. I was going to leave it as a wedding present for you, but…” Shrugging my shoulders, her venomous voice fills the room coming from the screen.
My feet stride to her chair and I play bodyguard. I wouldn’t want the lead performer to leave before the end. Dad could dismiss it, like everything else in his life, and marry the bitch. Or he may leave. Either way, they both know how fucked up they are, and how Mom felt when her husband cheated on her time and time and again. If Dad feels a sliver of what Mom and I felt, my mission will be accomplished. Well, part of it. I will be tearing down the motherfucking arch and removing the chairs from the garden before I leave tonight.
“I want your cock inside me,” brings me back to the scene unfolding here. Elektra has tried to move under my grip, but I push back. Dad’s eyes look like they are falling from his ashen, wrinkled face. My legs stand wide, I shove her shirt from her shoulders exposing her lace bra and fake tits. We move to the edits where she’s touching herself. Moaning through the speakers makes my stomach heave. Watching Dad’s eyes, his focus is on my hands, her fingers on her pussy and each sound falling from her mouth, a tick thumps in his neck.
“Interesting viewing, eh Pops?”
Considering I didn’t go near her pussy with my cock, the editing our gu
y did for me makes it look all too real. I’d left as I pulled my zipper down. Exposing my cock to my father’s mistress, Mom’s arch-enemy, and the bile that rose only thinking about it ensured it wouldn’t happen. But this video footage, cut and edited is so fucking believable. If I wasn’t there, I’d have a hard time spotting its authenticity.
Dad’s breathing is loud. Elektra has gone quiet.
My eyes flit from side to side. Their facial features tell me it’s hitting them where I hoped it would.
My phone pings in my pocket and I look at it. Although, I don’t think Crystal has hers to message me.
Caden: Liza’s moving. If I’m not mistaken, the way she’s headed is toward your mother’s house. I’m right behind her.
Motherfucker. Shit, Crystal. Why the fuck is she so infatuated with my woman? Rising on my toes, I turn. The coldness that instantly froze my blood when I read the message, now freezes my heart.
“You can’t be here,” loud and abrupt, a man’s voice yells. A hand grips my Tiger’s arm.
Tears slide down her cheeks, her pink lips wet. Shoulders heavy, her wet eyes meet mine.
“It’s not what it looks like.” My hand reaches to take hers, but she’s feet from me.
“That’s what they all say.” She turns and knocks the guard out of the way. Elektra’s high pitched squealing from the camera echoes out the door. She finished herself off as I knew she would so her orgasm had been real.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Motherfucking, fuck.
Liza is on her way, probably to finish us all off. I have to get to Crystal.
“Crystal. Stop.”
My legs carry me from the office, her heels click on the floor rapidly, matching my thumping head. I routinely pound the guard in the face, snapping his head to the side for touching my woman.
Stopping, she turns. “I won’t be like your mother, Tanner. I can’t. Don’t ask me to.”
Reaching her, my arms pull her waist. She’s rigid, and I cup her face in between my hands. “My cock went nowhere near her.” Brushing my thumb over her lips and chin, I take a deep breath. “Don’t you get it, you’re the only one, Crystal. The one my day starts with and ends with. My heart hasn’t been complete for the longest of time. You make it whole. You’re the only fucking woman that I depend on for air and life itself. You’re my Tiger in this dangerous jungle we call Earth. The only person who possesses me and will fucking hold my heart hostage.”
The front door opens, a gust of wind sweeps in, clawing at my soul, but my eyes stay on hers, pleading with her to ignore what she saw.
“Surprise.”
Both our faces turn to the voice I had said would be erased.
A gurgling sound swims up my throat. Air is depleted. I’m hit with a wave of lightheadedness. Crystal grasps my waist.
Blinking, my knees weaken, and I drop.
“Mom?”
Agony gripped the man I loved.
The internal torment, twisting and gut-wrenching suffering was plastered on his face, his body shut down. Shoulders sag and tremors wrack through him. Tanner’s eyes are glassy, hands surround his head.
Silence encased us. Kneeling in front of the strongest man I know, it was me and him in this minute. My hand touches his face, I run a finger over his lips. He stares ahead. A million emotions crossing his rugged face.
“Tanner?” I line my eyes up with his so I’m all he can see. “Come on, Muscles, I need you to come back to me. To us.” My head swivels over my shoulder, and Liza, the wicked witch, is grinning and the disheveled woman next to her looks haunted and suffering like my monster.
Caden strides through the open door, and within a second, sizes up the situation. “Everyone out now.” His gun points to the guards who look quickly at their employer before systematically leaving the room through the front door, closing it behind them. “Bitch, you’ve got some explaining to do.” The gun stays trained on Liza. Caden is ready to end her life now.
Running my hand through Tanner’s thick hair, a flicker of movement across his face gives me hope. “I’m here, right by your side. We can do this.” Brown pits search mine and I nod. “I’m not going anywhere.” My hand reaches for his. Broken from deep within, he is on autopilot. “Let’s get this evil out of our lives, once and for all. It’s time.” Something clicks and Tanner straightens. His sad eyes roam over the thin woman, his breaths shallow. The urge to go and touch her is great, but he holds back.
“Someone had better start explaining what the fuck is going on here. ‘Cause I’m ready to shoot up this joint and I don’t care who gets a bullet between the fucking eyes.” Caden wants this piece of scum as much as we do.
Eric and Elektra have moved to the side. The shock still evident on Tanner’s dad’s face. Elektra’s lip trembles and she grips his hand like she’s seeing a ghost.
And, we are.
Clutching Tanner’s hand, I squeeze it. There’s a light behind his eyes scanning the room, his shoulders square and he grips my fingers tighter. My man is back. Caden steps to the right of him and they chin lift each other.
“I told you I had something you would want. Sorry we didn’t get properly dressed for the occasion.” Venom drips from each word. “Time schedule and all.”
Her less than glamorous pair of black pants and leopard print top looks like she’s ready to go for a quick shop down to the minimart. I notice the lack of jewelry and over the top makeup. An older woman is in old black clothing, baggy and crumpled. Her hair has seen better days, her eyes sunken and dark-rimmed but still sparking within their brown orbs.
“And I told you, I would kill you.” Raw and gruff, The Savage Shadow, the fighter is back. “That hasn’t changed.”
“What the fuck have you done, Liza?” Elektra yells across the small distance between us all.
All heads whip to her. The shock gone, replaced by hatred and scorn. Eyes wide, she grasps the old man’s hand like she’s panicked that he will leave.
“That old hag’s supposed to be dead.”
Liza smirks. The air is thick with shock and imminent death.
“Sister, you promised it was taken care of.”
Rocking back on my heel, the strength in Tanner’s grip keeps me upright. What the fuck is this bitch talking about? Did she say sister? Our heads flip back and forth like a tennis match.
“Collateral. Thought she’d come in handy for something.”
Tanner’s mom grumbles and winces as Liza digs her talons into her bare arm. “Eric, you always did know how to pick the crazy ones.” Strength flows through her words and the pride on Tanner’s face makes me smile.
Whack…Liza releases her fury.
“Shut up, you bitch.” The grey-haired woman’s head snaps to the side, but determination keeps her from falling. A red mark starts to color her cheek immediately.
Tanner breaks my grasp and launches toward Liza. Caden moves his gun to follow Liza who has stepped behind Iris. Fucking coward.
“I’d stop right there. ‘Cause if something happens to me, and I don’t call my associate in an hour, then Ocean dies. And your little lady’s parents will take a nasty unexpected trip to their maker as well.”
A chill binds to my spine, and my body stiffens. Tanner halts. Caden stays firm. Tanner won’t take a chance because protecting his loved ones is his number one priority. Struggling daily with the death of his mother and allowing me to be kidnapped.
Cocking her head, she rambles. “See Elektra, this is why I’m head of the family. Always have a backup plan. Money and cock isn’t everything.” Liza sneers and paces.
“You mean to tell me I’ve been enduring this fucking torture for years. Minutes away from finally being able to get my payout for putting up with such an old bastard who doesn’t know how to use his cock to satisfy anyone but himself and you keep the one thing stopping it, alive?” Bulging eyes, fake lips screeching is giving me a headache.
“So, you’re telling us that you both planned this.” My hands
fly all over the place in hysteria. “You caused an accident which was supposed to kill a beautiful woman.” I point my finger to Elektra, then Liza. “But you saved her so you could bargain with her?”
I can’t take any more of this shit, my head is thumping, Tanner’s set to attack judging by the way he’s cracking his neck side to side and the darkened look that’s taken his sparkly brown eyes from me.
“You’re both deranged.” I glare at them both. “You could have found yourself another sugar daddy and how long were you expecting to keep her for?”
“You say deranged, I say smart.” Liza moves toward the wall, taking Iris with her. “When sis told me she wanted her dead.” Tanner’s posture stiffens more, if that’s possible. “I saw an opportunity. Fake it, so I could use her to take The Savages down.”
Tanner’s ferociously clenching his fists, the tight muscle in his neck pounding.
“It became clear that big guy here and I weren’t going to be together, The Savage Shadows and my business wouldn’t join, so Plan B started.”
“Fuck. You’re delusional. Together? You, me, and The Savage Shadows? You are crazy if you thought that would ever happen.” Spit flies from Tanner’s mouth.
“Power and wealth can be gained by other means.” Liza grips Iris around the throat. “Exhibit A.” Her arm pulls back so Tanner’s mom looks upward, gasping. “I’m walking out of here alive.” She constricts Iris’s neck quickly, then lets her go making Tanner’s mother drop to the floor with no oxygen. Liza swiftly runs toward the door.
Anguish and anger roll through Tanner’s eyes. “Go, I’ll take care of your mother.”
Catapulting forward, he runs. But not toward Liza, to his mother. Crouching beside her, he lifts her head onto his lap and strokes her hair. Eyes well with tears as he checks her pulse. My eyes glass over, but I notice Elektra trying to slink out. Caden’s taken chase of Liza.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going? ‘Cause I don’t think you’re going to call a fucking ambulance for the woman you tried to already murder.”
My sight trained on her movements; I walk toward my prey like a jaguar would. My heels click with each step and my heart whizzes. Licking my lips, I see it when she realizes I’m going to pounce. She runs, I take off my shoes and hurl one in her direction. It strikes Elektra in the back, stopping her for a split second, but enough for me to catch her.
