The Devil's Daughter

by Ophelia Bell

  I give him a sly smile. “Let me guess, you want to watch when it happens, don’t you?”

  He taps his temple. “You’re catching on quick as always, Miss Flores.”

  My cheeks heat, but I play off my excitement, stashing the object back in its bag.

  “Is that who I am to you?” I ask, meeting his gaze again. “Am I only Arturo’s daughter? Because I’m not even sure what that means yet.”

  A dark look bordering on fear crosses his face for a split-second before it disappears. “I… I guess I forget that you had another identity before I met you. When it became apparent you were his daughter, that was all I could think about. So many things made sense when I found out. But I know more now. I’m sorry if I keep using that name. If you want me to call you Elle Santos, I will.”

  I don’t answer, because I’m truly at a loss. Do I claim the identity Drake seems to want to give me? Or do I maintain the one that I’m not sure has any meaning for me anymore?

  When I just stare at him, struggling to decide, he reaches out and squeezes my arm. “You don’t have to answer that now.”

  “I just don’t know what I’m supposed to say. If I decide that yes, I’m Elle Flores, am I disrespecting my family? I would no longer share a name with Mom, or my brothers. I don’t want them to think they don’t matter to me.”

  “I doubt they’d think that,” Drake says. “And the last time I checked, the Santos family was pretty tangled up with the Flores family. Two of your brothers are involved with your half-sisters. I didn’t get the sense that either of those relationships were casual, either.”

  “They aren’t,” I say, shaking my head. “I’ve never seen Sam or Maddox so happy and in love before, and Sam even dated a girl all through high school. He’s been in love with Toni his whole life, and I think Maddy has felt the same way about Celeste. It’s like… fate wants our families to be entwined this way.”

  “Is there any reason you can’t be both?” he asks. “No one said you had to choose one identity over the other. You can forge your own. If anyone is strong enough to claim that, you are. I mean, look at us…” He makes a sweeping motion encompassing the twins, who are somewhere else on the boat right now. “The twins and I were merely civil to each other last week. Our relationship was no more than professional. We’d do anything to be with you now. To make this work.”

  I cock my head. “So you and Ben… that’s only for my benefit?”

  He lowers his lashes and smirks. “Well, there are obvious bonuses for the two of us. Getting to have you and him has been a surprising coup on my part. Getting to share you with him would be even more fun.” He glances at the plug in my hand and lifts an eyebrow.

  My cheeks heat, but I hold his gaze, marveling at how different things between us are now than they were mere days ago. “I would love that.”

  “Then I don’t think you’ll have any trouble figuring out how to bridge the gap in your identity dilemma.”

  An involuntary laugh bubbles up from inside me. “Did you seriously just draw a parallel between my name issue and having sex with you and Ben?”

  “Did it help ease your mind? If so, that’s all that matters. My point is that you can be whoever you want. You can have whoever you want. If you only wanted one of us, I think we’d be disappointed, but we’d deal. But you don’t have to choose, Elle. There are no rules here but the ones we decide to set.”

  My stomach flutters at how earnest and considerate he’s been all along. Even the sex toy is evidence of his need to ensure my comfort, my pleasure. And not just his, but the twins’ too.

  I lean up and whisper, “Thank you,” before pressing my lips to his. He eases close, pulling me in tight as we deepen the kiss and I twine my arms around his neck, the heavy weight in the satin bag clutched in my hand.

  Then he releases me, and I’m about to head out the door back to my room to dress when he grabs my wrist and pulls me back.

  “It isn’t just about prepping you for us,” he says into my ear. “I hope it’s okay if I think about you using that plug in your ass. It’ll help me get through the day until I can fuck you again.”

  “I like knowing you’ll be thinking about me,” I tell him. “I’ll be thinking about you too.”

  In the privacy of my own bathroom, I strip and take my time, testing my limits a little with the plug. It’s big, but not as big as any of the guys when they’re fully hard. It’s also perfectly smooth, but doesn’t immediately glide in when I try to use it without lube.

  There’s a small tube of it in the bag, so I coat it first, then for good measure coat my fingers and insert two into my ass to make sure everything’s well-lubricated. The sensation of my own fingers in there is almost as galvanizing as it was to have Drake’s in me. It feels so good I’m wet within seconds, my clit throbbing enough that I regret not taking him up on his offer to take care of me earlier. But it’ll be even better if I wait, so I restrain myself.

  When I place the tapered tip of the plug to my tight ring, it doesn’t want to go in at first. It isn’t until I bear down and relax that it pops in easily—so easily I let out an involuntary “oh!” once it’s seated, the heavy, thick weight of it filling me in a not-unpleasant way. The outer part fits snugly between my cheeks, and I’m hyperaware of it as I dress, putting on panties and a bra, followed by denim shorts and a tank top.

  It’s a struggle not to walk funny, so I practice by pacing the room a few times to get used to it. The pleasure is distracting, but by the time I make it up to breakfast, I’m starting to get used to it, forgetting it’s there except when I move just right.

  After breakfast, I join Baz and try to concentrate on finishing the research while Duffy flies Ben back down to Balboa Park where the gala is set to take place tomorrow at one of the museums. Even after keeping this thing inside me for a day, I don’t think I’ll be ready for anal with any of the guys tonight, but maybe tomorrow after the gala. I hope Drake doesn’t mind waiting.

  I redouble my efforts on the deep-dive into the guest list, following the leads we landed on yesterday. We need to find something concrete soon so we can protect Drake, and the urgency of my task manages to distract me from the intermittent zings of pleasure and the wetness in my panties.

  24

  Elle

  Unable to find a solid link between Curt and Miles, we switch gears again. We’ve been cross-referencing the names on the guest list with the faces from Drake’s videos that we managed to identify. Unfortunately, the money trail of clients to his dad’s establishment is too murky to trace, since he took payments in cryptocurrency rather than cash. Baz is still trying to track down those links to see if they lead anywhere new.

  “It’s probably not even a client,” I say.

  Baz shakes his head. “No, it’s about money, which is why I have to get these changes to the algorithm finalized so we can find a link to someone real. Chances are they weren’t even a customer. They just facilitated the transfer of goods.”

  “That’s a rather detached way of thinking about it. The victims were people.”

  He gives me an agonized look. “I know that,” he snaps, “but I can’t focus if I’m too angry to see straight.”

  “Okay, I get it. Is there anything I can do?”

  “You can check my code. Here, I’ll share the file so you can start at the top. Make any adjustments you think are relevant.”

  I open the file, but before I dive in, something occurs to me.

  “We should ask my father for help. He’s the one who helped Drake destroy his dad. He must know something.”

  Baz’s fingers stop tapping at his keyboard and several expressions cross his face before he shakes his head. “Fuck that. I’m not letting that desgraciado into my business ever again, and I know Ben will agree. Also, I’m pretty sure none of us want him finding out about this.” He makes a wide circle with his hand, indicating our whole situation, but I don’t buy it.

  Narrowing my eyes, I stand and grab my phone. “Fine.
You don’t have to talk to him. I’ll do it.”

  He stares at me as I start walking away, and finally rises when he realizes I’m not bluffing. I hiss when the plug in my ass rubs in just the right way. I don’t need to be turned on during this conversation. Scowling at my phone, I realize it’s the burner they gave me and my contacts aren’t on it. I start to dial Maddox, since his is one of the few numbers I know by heart.

  “Elle, no!” Baz yells behind me, but I speed up my pace, the friction in my ass eroding my focus, and step into the elevator, the doors closing before he can reach me. He slams his palm on the door.

  “Fucking hell, Elle. Don’t call Flores!”

  Maddox picks up on the second ring. “Hello?”

  I try to get my panting under control before I answer. “Hey, Maddy, it’s Elle.”

  “Heya, Bean. How’re things? You hanging in there in that swanky penthouse Papá sent you to?”

  “Ah, about that—I’m not there anymore. Something happened, and Drake moved us to his yacht because it’s more secure. It’s a long story, but I need your help. I need to talk to my father.”

  I exit the elevator and rush out, aiming for my bedroom. Somewhere in the stern of the ship I hear footsteps banging down a stairwell and a steel door slamming open. I speed up, waiting for my brother to answer, but he’s silent for so long I think the call might’ve dropped.

  “Elle! Hang up the goddamn phone!” Baz yells down the long hallway. He starts to run toward me and I sprint to my room, surprised that the plug merely increases my arousal and doesn’t seem to be at risk of sliding out. Once I’m inside, I slam the door and lock it.

  “Um, by father you’re referring to…”

  “Papá Flores. Yes. Who else? Julian Santos is not, and never was, my dad.”

  I walk to the bathroom and contemplate removing the plug, but I’m enjoying it a bit too much, so I opt to keep it in as long as I can today.

  “Fair enough. Wish I could disown the motherfucker too. Why do you need to talk to Flores? Does this have anything to do with why you’re calling from a different number?”

  “It’s kind of a long story, and I don’t want you to worry …”

  “Bean,” Maddox admonishes, “now I am going to worry, especially if you don’t tell me. Does it have anything to do with this gala Stavros invited us to tomorrow night? I’m guessing since he invited our entire family, that means he’s letting you come too. I’m trying not to read anything into the gesture, but I’m also trying not to be a nosy big brother. I didn’t tell Mason about my suspicion, but he’s probably drawn his own conclusions.”

  “Oh god, seriously? Why would either of you be suspicious?”

  “The man was clearly checking you out last week when we were at his place. It didn’t cross the line, otherwise I’d have confronted him. But you’ve caught his eye. So yeah, this gesture feels a bit too timely, especially since you’ve been living under his roof for a little while now.”

  “I’ve also been living with Baz and Ben, who Sam likes to get into fights with over me, in case you’ve forgotten. Why aren’t you worried about them?”

  “Fuck, should I be? Who else is on that yacht with the four of you?”

  “Lots of people. Staff…”

  Drake said there are a dozen other people living on his yacht, but I’ve barely seen signs of most of them over the past two days. The captain’s quarters are on the bridge deck, so he keeps to himself, but Drake disappeared for a little while last night to go check in with the older man. And I’ve seen the chef when he serves us dinner. I’ve chatted briefly with one of the maids, an amiable middle-aged Greek woman—and the chef’s wife—who seems more than happy to be here.

  Drake is evidently an amazing man to work for, which I agree with, aside from his penchant for spying on my work. But now that I know him better, I think I can forgive that impulse.

  My brother grunts as if he doesn’t quite believe me, and I worry for a second that he’s going to demand I leave and come live at the Flores estate instead. Or press me for more details about the guys, which I won’t be able to hide because I refuse to lie to my brothers.

  He surprises me when he sighs and says, “I trust the twins to keep you safe, and I trust you to let me know if you ever need out. Now fill me in on what you need from Flores, and I’ll relay the message. Is this the number where he can reach you?”

  “Yeah, and I’d honestly rather not tell you all the details. Just tell him we need to talk to him about the favor he did for Drake, to find out if he knows who might be trying to get back at Drake for what happened. Someone with the connections to plant wireless cameras all over Drake’s penthouse.”

  “Jesus. Are you serious? What kind of sick fuck…”

  “Maddy, please just tell Papá Flores? We need to find out who it is before tomorrow.”

  “Fine. No wonder he moved you to the yacht—that was good thinking. I’ll relay the message and tell Arturo to call you back.”

  Relieved, I thank him, then hang up. Baz is no longer banging on the door. Hopefully he’s given up, but I have a feeling I’ll catch hell from both brothers before too long.

  I go back to the bathroom and debate taking the plug out again. If Drake keeps doing what he did last night, his fingers will be enough preparation. But I want him to know I’m all-in with his fantasy of sharing me with Ben, and of watching me with the twins.

  I stare at my phone, waiting for it to ring again. When it does, it’s a familiar number, but when I pick up, it isn’t my father’s voice I hear.

  “Hey, sweetie. Mad said things got complicated down there, so I called to see if you need to talk.”

  I didn’t expect Celeste’s sweet, smooth voice, and I’m pissed at Mad for bringing her into this, but I’m still pleased to hear from her. It’s strange suddenly having sisters now after growing up with four older brothers.

  “Hi, Celeste,” I say, then sigh. “What did Mad tell you? If it’s what I think, then you tell him he’s no longer my favorite brother.”

  I hear her muffled voice relaying my message, then a deep male laugh in the background, and my brother retorting from a distance, “I was never her favorite brother, and she knows it!”

  “Did you hear that?” Celeste asks, laughter in her voice.

  “Fine. Second favorite.”

  “So he filled me in on your situation. I just wanted to check in, for my own reasons.” Her voice lowers and I hear a door close. “Mad seems to think something might be going on between you and Drake. He doesn’t think you’d tell him if he asked.”

  I grit my teeth. “Did he put you up to this? If he really wants to know, he should’ve just asked. I won’t lie to him.”

  “Between you and me, I don’t think he wants to know. He respects Drake, but he also loves you and has a hard time imagining you grown up. But I admit, I want to know. There were some interesting dynamics happening those few days we were there. Not just between you and Drake, but you and the twins too. If it’s what I think… well, I just want you to know that you can talk to me.”

  “So you think just because they wanted to keep me safe, that we’re, what? Having wild orgies together?” The fact that we were is beside the point. I don’t see how anyone would automatically leap to that conclusion. Except maybe Celeste—she’s crazy intuitive and observant. She once told me that she would never have pushed Leo and Maddox together if she didn’t sense Leo’s interest in the idea.

  “I didn’t say that. I know Baz and Ben have a thing for you and have for a long time. That’s why I suggested to Papá that they move down there to take over as bodyguards for you. They needed space from him after what happened, not to mention it was time for them to leave the nest, so to speak. Even though they lived in the guest house with Elena, this place was getting crowded.”

  “It was your idea?” I ask, blinking in surprise.

  “I’ve been known to have one or two good ones. So, are your brother’s instincts wrong? If so, I’ll back off.”
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  “Promise you won’t tell him, or any of my family, okay? I don’t want to deal with the judgment. Not until I’m ready, anyway. It’s all so new.”

  I move back into the bedroom and settle on the bed, picking absently at one of the embroidered gold swirls on the bedspread.

  “Sister code prevents me from saying a thing, sweetie. I’ve kept Toni’s secrets all our lives, even before I knew we were related.”

  I swallow and brace myself, but I’m comforted by her promise, and a little relieved that I can talk to her about this. “Something did happen. It wasn’t really intentional… I mean, I didn’t expect it. Drake and I started, um, playing? I guess that’s the right word. He’s a little kinky, but not in a hardcore way. It was exciting, and I feel safe with him, especially here on his yacht. But before we could do anything, Ben… He has night terrors. Did you know that? Ever since that night when Leo was shot.”

  I hear a sharp intake of breath, and Celeste says, “Ay Dios. Poor boy. It never occurred to me how that night must have affected them. Is he okay? What about Baz?”

  “Baz is fine, as far as I know. And at least Ben didn’t wake up screaming last night. I should know, because I was in bed with him. All four of us shared a bed last night, actually.”

  I dive right into more without giving her a chance to answer. “Is that completely crazy, Celeste? For me to be in love with three men? I mean, Baz and Ben seem like a no-brainer. They’re practically my best friends now and have been ever since Rose went off to school in Arizona and we lost touch. But I didn’t even know how they felt until yesterday.

  “And Drake… I was just having fun, but I really, genuinely have feelings for him too. He understands me. All three of them know me in different ways, understand different parts of me, but they all make me feel so amazing. Though Baz is super-pissed right now because I called. I don’t want Papá to know about us, but I have to find out if he can help.”