by Lia Ellison
“A party for rich criminals. Hmm.” I scratched the back of my head. “I suppose if you wanted to attend, Zavarelli would be alerted of it. And if you posed as someone else, they’d probably figure you out.”
“Exactly, and not only that. Creating a fake identity wouldn’t work because they’re going to check everything.”
“But if everyone’s going to wear masks, how they’re going to know? Why are they even wearing masks?”
“You’re only supposed to reveal your face to the person who you agree to strike a deal with.”
“Ah. Well, that makes sense. But isn’t there a way for us to slip inside? Crash the party somehow? Pretend to be one of the staff?”
“Nope. The security is too good.”
“Then we should steal someone’s invitations,” I said. “And make sure those people don’t show up at the party or tell anyone about it.”
“Impossible. The fingerprints in their systems needs to match with the ones coded on the invitations, and of course, with the fingerprints of the person who shows up with those invitations.”
“Okay. I’m dizzy now.” I groaned. “That sounds super complicated.”
“That’s because it is.”
“But I know someone who might be able to figure it out,” I said. “Nia.”
“Are you sure she’s that good? My men said that this was very hard to hack into because it was made by criminals.”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to call and explain all that her, and we’ll see what she says.” I pulled out my phone.
If Zavarelli was going to be at the party, then we had to do anything we could to get there too.
“If she manages to get those invitations for us, then my men can figure out how we can get a weapon inside,” he said.
“We? Does that mean you actually won’t protest me going there with you?”
“Why would I? You’re a Cobra now.” He winked at me. “And I know that if I tried to talk you out of it, I’d just be wasting my breath.”
“You’re right about that. Let me just give Nia a call.”
“Hey, Lexi. What’s up?” she asked as soon as answered.
“Hey. There’s going to be some special party for criminals, and Zavarelli is going to be there. But getting the invitations is a problem. It looks like there’s a whole system and people say it’s unhackable.”
Nia let out a laugh. “Unhackable you say? Ha! We’ll see about that. Send all the details over to me.”
“Great. I’ll do that. I’ll call you later.” I turned toward Ryker with a smile on my face. “She’s going to try, and I think she’s going to succeed. I mean, it’s Nia we’re talking about. If she can’t do it, she’s going to find someone who’s going to help her do it.”
“Let’s hope you’re right. If we miss this opportunity, I don’t think we’ll ever get another.” Ryker’s face grew pensive, and I went over to him, wrapping my arms around him.
“We’ll get him this time. I promise. That bastard will regret ever laying a finger on you.” I planted a soft kiss on Ryker’s lips.
Zavarelli was going down.
He was going to pay for what he’d done with his life. All we needed was to get to that damn party.
I really hoped Nia could find a way for us to get in there.
Chapter 35
MY HAND TREMBLED A little as I pressed my invitation to the scanner.
I half expected all alarms would start blaring, but that didn’t happen. Then I pressed my finger to the scanner, and the light turned green.
A small smile curved my lips. Nia was goddamn genius. I had no idea what she’d done, but somehow she’d managed to create special invitations for both Ryker and me, and she’d gotten our fingerprints into the system too.
I looped my arm through Ryker’s, and then we made our way inside. We entered a huge mansion with marble floor.
The walls were way too white, but at least there were colorful paintings everywhere. As we strolled forward, we found ourselves in a room full of masked people. Everyone was busy talking and drinking.
It was actually just like any other business party, except everyone was wearing masks. Some people were going upstairs, and I assumed they were the ones who’d decided to strike a deal, so they were going to one of the rooms to finalize it and sign everything.
“Do you see him?” I whispered to Ryker, wondering if we were going to recognize Zavarelli behind his mask.
But I was sure Ryker would be able to do it, just as I knew that he probably remembered his voice very well too.
“Not yet,” he said.
I wondered if there was a way for Zavarelli to recognize us.
But I was wearing a blonde wig, and Ryker had colored contacts. Our masks were also very elaborate, and we’d made sure they completely hid our faces.
Ryker’s body stiffened, and I instantly knew that he’d spotted Zavarelli.
I followed his gaze, and there he was. Zavarelli was laughing with someone, only half of his face covered. I supposed he didn’t give a shit if anyone recognized him, or maybe he was only pretend to be brave.
Ryker and I both knew that he’d never dare to face us, but he wanted everyone to believe that he wasn’t afraid of anyone.
Ridiculous.
Now all we had to do was find a way to get him away from everyone.
But how were we going to do that? We couldn’t exactly go up to him and ask him to come with us.
Or at least, Ryker couldn’t, because as soon as he opened his mouth, Zavarelli was going to recognize him.
We waited for a while, but Zavarelli was never alone.
“I should approach him,” I said.
“No. He might recognize you.”
“He won’t. I don’t he’s ever heard my voice. I didn’t speak at that auction, and I look different now. It was dark in there anyway. I don’t think he could’ve gotten a good look, and if he saw some photos of me, that still won’t help him recognize me. I don’t look like me at all.” My disguise was good enough.
“What are you going to tell him?”
“I don’t know. What do you think will intrigue him enough to follow me?” I asked.
“Be mysterious and give him just enough to get him interested.”
“Where should I lead him? Upstairs?”
“No. The guards are there. Better head to that hallway over there.” He nodded toward it. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Okay.” I took a deep breath.
His grip on my arm tightened. “You don’t have to do this. We can find another way. I don’t really want you to go anywhere near that sick son of a bitch.”
“I know, but it will fine. I can do this. I promise.” It was a bit weird to look into his eyes when their color was different, but I could still see him behind his disguise.
He was worried about me, and I was sure that didn’t want to let me out of his sight, especially with Zavarelli here. But me going over to Zavarelli was the best thing we could do right now.
“Wish me luck,” I said, and then I let go of him and headed toward Zavarelli.
Lifting my chin and straightening my shoulders, I strode forward.
“Hello,” I said as I approached him. “I have a very special offer for you. I don’t you’ll be able to refuse.”
“Well, hello there.” Zavarelli took a good look at me, his gaze focusing on my breasts. “And what exactly are you offering?”
“I don’t want to say it out here where everyone might overhear us. Come with me. I assure you it’s something you’re going to like. It involves a lot of money, and well, human flesh,” I said in my sweetest voice, and then I walked away from him.
Hopefully, he’d follow me. But I was sure he had to be at least a bit intrigued.
When I glanced over my shoulder, he was right behind me. I fought the urge to smile.
Good. Good.
Come with me.
Follow me to your death.
“Hey, where are you going?�
�� he asked.
I just kept walking down the hallway.
“Hey!” Zavarelli shouted as his footsteps quickened, but I didn’t look back.
Then I heard a muffled groan, and when I turned around, Ryker was holding Zavarelli in a tight grip, his hand clamped over Zavarelli’s mouth.
Zavarelli’s eyes were wide as he stared at Ryker’s face. Ryker had removed his mask. Blood was pooling on Zavarelli’s white dress shirt. Ryker had stabbed him in the stomach.
More than once.
I just stood there, watching as life left Zavarelli’s eyes, and I didn’t feel a damn thing.
When Ryker lowered Zavarelli’s body to the floor, his eyes were as cold as ice, even with the contacts and everything. Ryker wiped the knife on Zavarelli’s shirt, and then he tossed it on top of Zavarelli’s body.
It was a good thing Marcos and the rest of the Cobras had found a special sheath that could prevent the detectors at the door from detecting the knife.
“We should get out of here,” Ryker said, putting his mask back on.
He extended his hand toward me, and I took it.
And then we were racing away from there.
Chapter 36
“WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE celebrating?” I asked I entered the room, which was full of candles and scented rose petals.
“Do we need to have a reason?” Ryker said, giving me a look through his eyelashes as he wrapped his arms around me. “How about life? Can we celebrate that?”
“Yeah, totally.” I pressed my lips against his. “Oh, can we also celebrate the fact that no one attacked us for more than three months?”
Once everyone had heard that Zavarelli was dead, his men had run away. We’d expected that they’d find a new boss, but it didn’t look like that was what they wanted, and now the Cobras ruled their territory too.
I supposed we were too strong for someone to make a move against us.
“This is so nice,” I said as I looked around the room. “But you’re way overdressed.”
“Why don’t I take off your clothes first?” He nipped at my earlobe.
“Hmm. Okay,” I said, and he pushed the strap of my dress down my shoulder, placing a soft kiss on my skin.
My dress fell down my body and pooled at my feet. Ryker’s fingers traced circles over my skin as he kept leaving small kisses all over my back, and then he unhooked my bra. His hands cupped my breasts as I tossed away my bra, and I leaned into him.
He kneaded my breasts, his fingers trailing a path around my nipples. He pinched my hard buds, and I let out a moan. His hand moved down my body and tugged my panties down. I turned around in his embrace as I stepped out of them.
Winding my arms around his neck, I pulled him to me and kissed him until we were both breathless.
“Your turn,” I said. “Take off your clothes.”
As he hurried to obey, I made my way toward the closet, swaying my hips.
Once I found exactly what I was looking for, I turned toward him. His cock was already rock hard, and he was looking at me with hunger and lust in his eyes.
A small smile curved my lips.
“Lie down on the bed,” I said.
When he settled himself on the pillows, I took hold of his wrist and tied my scarf around it, and then I attached it to the headboard.
It would be just strong enough to keep him in place, but if he wanted to, he could always free himself. I’d been avoiding doing any kinky stuff with him because I wasn’t sure how he’d take it after what had happened to him, but he’d told me that he’d be fine.
Still, if for some reason he wasn’t comfortable, he could easily stop what we were doing.
“Are you okay?” I asked after I finished tying up his ankles. He was spread-eagled on the bed, and my core was tingling with need.
“Yeah,” he said, giving me a small smile.
“Good.” I went back to the closet and picked up a riding crop.
Slapping it against my palm, I turned toward Ryker with a grin on my face. Desire was evident in his eyes as I approached him.
I gently traced the crop over his skin, and when I flicked it over his thigh, he let out a small gasp. His cock only grew harder.
Good.
I kept teasing him, hitting him with the crop when he least expected it. But when I trailed it over his cock, his muscles strained against his restraints.
“Do you think you can stay still?” I asked. “For me?”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice husky.
I tapped the crop against his cock, and his whole body tensed and twitched.
“Harder,” he said, closing his eyes for a moment.
I didn’t give him what he wanted.
At least not right away.
But then I brought the crop down on his tender flesh hard enough to make him yelp.
“Do you like that?” I asked, watching him carefully.
“Yeah,” he breathed, and I loved the look in his eyes.
I kept teasing and torturing him, leaving red welts on his skin. And when I thought he’d had enough, I dropped the crop to the floor.
His chest was heaving, and he seemed to be in a completely different place. A place where only pleasure existed.
“Can you release me now?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I undid the first scarf.
“I want to do something for you,” he said.
“Okay.”
He pushed himself up. “Lie down,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
I did as he asked, and I ogled his ass as he made his way toward the door.
What was that he had in mind? I had no idea, but I was sure it was going to be something I was going to enjoy.
I spread out my arms, settling myself against the pillows and closing my eyes.
When Ryker returned, he was carrying a bowl of something in his hands. He climbed on the bed, and then he tipped the bowl above my stomach.
I let out a small yelp as he let chocolate drip all over my body. And then I laughed as I scooped some onto my finger. I licked it off.
Oh hell.
That thing was so damn tasty.
“I expected you’ll clean up this mess,” I said, pointing at my body.
“Of course,” he said with a wicked smile on his face. “I won’t leave an inch of your skin untouched.”
My arousal increased tenfold as he lowered his mouth to my body, and when he started licking off the chocolate, I thought I was going to go crazy with pleasure.
I writhed on the bed, every inch of me on fire.
“Oh hell, Ryker,” I said as his tongue danced all over my skin until there was no chocolate left.
When he nudged my legs apart, I thought I was going to burst from all the pleasure. He dipped his tongue inside me then, and as he trailed his tongue over my clit, I grasped the sheets.
He pushed his tongue in and out of me, flicking it over my clit just at the right moment. The pressure inside me was increasing, and when his tongue hit just the right spot, he spilled me over the edge.
I arched my back, my need for him almost too strong to bear.
“I want you inside me. Now,” I said, surprised at the intensity of my voice.
Ryker’s mouth closed over mine as he positioned himself over me.
We both let out a hiss as he rubbed his tip against my slit, and when he finally slid himself inside me, I couldn’t think straight.
I wrapped myself around him, pulling him close to me. He started moving inside me, so slowly at first that I thought he was going to drive me crazy with pleasure, and then he increased the speed, shoving himself deep inside me.
I dug my nails into his skin, raking them down his back. He let out a small groan as he kept pumping into me.
Our bodies joined together over and over again, and I lifted my hips toward his, meeting him thrust for thrust.
My release hit me like a wave, and Ryker’s followed only a moment later.
We both cried out, and I gripped him so tightly that I
was sure I was going to leave marks on his skin. He collapsed on top of me, and then his gaze met mine, his lips brushing mine.
When he rolled off me, I settled with my head resting on his chest and pressed myself as close to him as possible.
I was finally happy.
We both were.
Chapter 37
“I LOVE IT HERE,” I said as I leaned on the railing.
Ryker and I had just had dinner on a rooftop, and now I was watching the sunset. It was the most amazing thing in the world, especially when he wound his arms around my waist and pressed himself against me.
“I’m glad you do,” he said. “We can come here as often as you want.”
“I think you’re seriously spoiling me.” I turned around in his arms so I could face him. “If you keep renting restaurants for me, I don’t know how I’ll ever settle for less.”
“You don’t have to.” He flashed me a smile. “Actually, maybe we could go on a trip. Wherever you’d like.”
“How about somewhere with a long sandy beach?” I wanted nothing more than to get out of the city for a while.
“Sure. Do you want me to send you a list so you can pick one or do you want me to surprise you?”
“Hmm.” I cocked my head at him. “Wow, so many choices. I don’t know what I’ll do with all that.”
“A surprise then.” He rubbed his forehead against mine.
“Yeah, that would be really nice. But are you sure we can just leave? Don’t the Cobras need you?”
“I’m sure they can handle things for a couple of weeks. Marcos will figure it out. He’s not as dumb as he wants to make everyone believe.”
I let out a laugh. “Okay, then. But I’ll have to figure out what to do about my club. Wendy thinks I’m away too often.”
“And what do you think?”
“I don’t know. I guess they’ll have to do without me.” They’d done just fine while I’d been away anyway, so I hoped everything would be okay.
I’d increased our security, though, just in case. I didn’t want anyone to come after my club because it was an easy target and they thought they were hurting the Cobras if they attacked it.
Maybe I was a Cobra now, but not many people actually knew about it. Hell, I had no idea if anyone aside from Marcos and a few other men knew it.
