by Linzi Basset
“You’re right. They didn’t seem at all surprised that we still hadn’t been able to unlock that folder.” Jaden watched Reece pace the room. “Come to think of it, Tasha Alenichev kept glancing at her watch, like she was expecting something.”
“Or someone.” Reece nodded in agreement. “Yes! And when I rushed to conclude the meeting and left, she was highly pissed. Unbeknownst to us, we obviously foiled their plan that day … whatever the fuck it was.” His sharp gaze pierced Jaden in place. “We have to get to the bottom of this and fast. Something tells me there’s a lot more at stake.”
“Like what?”
Reece stabbed the cigar in the ashtray, watching as the red glowing tip turned to ash.
“Like we’ve been the game piece in this entire operation from the start.”
“But we were the ones who approached them with the idea.”
“Maybe, but I’ve been questioning how the information came to us in the first place.” Reece shook his head. “I should’ve seen it earlier. More importantly, I should’ve done proper due diligence before I acted with such haste. This one is all on me. I saw the best opportunity to gain an upper hand in this country. To have the Russians backing us … fuck, we would never have had to worry about the U.S. mafia ever again.”
“I still don’t see why they’d backstab us. They stand to gain as much, if not more than us from getting the MOKV designs.”
“Yeah … except if I’m right, we’re the puppets to their mastery, which means we, my dear friend, have become a liability to them, especially if they have managed to get their hands on the designs already.”
“Are you referring to the death of Edward Delaware? The Engineer who was involved in developing the MOKV?”
“Yes. We had nothing to do with that, so who else but them?”
“In other words, Xavier Dunn, the Cyber Division operative in the CIA whose DNA they found on his body, works for them?”
“It’s all speculation and until your IT girl can find anything to substantiate my suspicions, I prefer to err on the side of caution.” Reece’s expression turned pensive.
“There’s something you’re not telling me.” Jaden stared at him, an uneasy feeling in his gut. It was the first time in all the years he’d known Reece, that he was questioning his loyalty to him as a friend and partner in crime. He’d met a different side to Reece that he’d always only guessed at. A side that wouldn’t hesitate to throw his best friend to the wolves if it meant he would benefit from it.
“William Seely was the right-hand man of Vito Vitale, Jaden, the Don of the Occhipinti mafia and the leader of the combined big five crime families in the U.S.A coalition Damiano Vitale secured before he handed over to him.”
“Yeah, that fucked us over real well at the time but what are you getting at?”
“What if the Occhipintis are involved in all this?”
Jaden turned pale. “As far as I know, no one has stepped into Vitale’s place.”
“Exactly, and have you ever asked yourself why?”
“Jesus, Reece. That’s a stretch, even for you. It was all over the news, the pictures of his corpse were splashed on social media for all to see. There’s no fucking way he’s still alive.”
“Maybe not, but if he is, who do you think he blames for the attempt on his life?”
Jaden plonked down into the chair. “The Sixth Order.”
“Aka, the two of us.” His gaze seared through Jaden. “We can’t afford to waste more time here, Jaden. I won’t be caught on the back foot again because of your desire for vengeance.”
Jaden didn’t respond but his flashing eyes spoke volumes.
“I’m serious, Jaden. Tomorrow at six PM we’re leaving, whether or not you’re done with Jack Blackmore.”
Chapter Seven
“Have you made contact yet?”
Morgan breathed in slowly, forcing her body to relax and her mind to focus. She couldn’t afford to slip up, there was just too much at stake.
“Yes, personal and up close. We signed a D/s agreement last night and—”
“How the fuck is that up close and personal? I need you to stick to him like glue, not entertain him at night at Club Devil’s Cove.”
“If you weren’t so rude to interrupt me, you wouldn’t need to be on the verge of bursting a vein,” Morgan snapped. She could feel her hands start to tremble as she listened to her voice echo back at her. She imagined the silence in her ear was filled with violent intent.
Fuck, Morgan, ease up. You know what this man is capable of!
“I demanded a full time live in arrangement,” she continued in a breathy voice. He didn’t need to know it was Bruce who added that stipulation.
“And are you? Living with him?” he clipped snidely.
“I’m packing as we speak. I should be safely secured in his bed by tonight.”
“You better be. I’m not happy with the way you slogged in following orders. What else have you got?”
“Not much, except that the entire Precision Secure team met up at the Club last night behind closed doors. When they came out, they appeared somber and distracted.”
“You better get your ass in gear. I want results and I wanted them yesterday. You have a lot to make up for. Is that clear?”
“You’ll get all that’s due to you, that I promise.” Her voice quivered around the last word.
“Don’t give me lip, bitch. I have a very small margin of patience at the moment.” A brief silence followed. “I have my eye on you, remember that. If you don’t give me what I want, the next bounty will be on your head … with a very detailed list of what to do to you before your light is snuffed for good.”
A snorting laugh triggered a memory in the back of Morgan’s mind. The same demonic laugh when he’d watched her as he fucked her, knowing she hated every moment of it. She forced down the bile that filled her throat.
“Believe me, your visit to Saudi Arabia would seem like a romantic vacation compared to what awaits you if you defy me … again. That had been your first lesson in what happens to anyone who refuses to give in to my command. This is your opportunity to prove your value and the only chance at forgiveness. Don’t fuck it up. This is your last chance to make it up to me. I’m warning you, Morgan, darling. Fail me again … and you will beg me to kill you.”
The connection was cut, leaving Morgan in trembling despair. Her legs gave way and she sat down on the floor next to the bed. Her gaze was empty as she looked around the luxurious hotel room.
“And so, it continues,” she said in a hollow voice. With a heavy heart, she pushed to her feet. She finished packing with robotic movements, her mind blank. It served no purpose to regurgitate over past mistakes. Survival was all that mattered.
“You can do this, Morgan. You’ve gone through much worse. This is just another down payment.” Her laugh sounded almost hysterical. “Who the fuck are you fooling, woman? You’ll never get out from under his iron fist. Never! You’re his puppet and no matter what he demands, you’ll continue to bob your head up and down. You’re a pathetic excuse for a human being if you still believe the day will come that he’ll let you go.”
Her lips were pressed in a straight line as she picked up her luggage and made her way to the waiting cab. For years, she’d lived in fear that the next day would be the day he killed her. When she realized he was the one who had deliberately set her up to be sold as a sex slave, she’d believed it had been the end of their association. She should’ve known better. He always had the upper hand. He never did anything without a well thought out plan … in this case, one that had spanned over a period of over two years. To come to fruition with his latest demand. Her heart skipped a beat as the muscled body of Bruce Rickett flashed through her mind—her target—in exchange for her freedom.
She cringed as the cab came to a stop in front of the three-story mansion in Frenchman’s Point.
Time to put on your mask, Morgan. Play your part and do it well. Maybe this time—
<
br /> Maybe this time what? She had never felt about a man the way she did about Bruce. That she’d been lying to him from day one weighed heavy on her heart. She was a fool to even dream things might have a different ending than what he expected. Happy ever after wasn’t intended for her … not even in the afterlife. Hell was where she was heading. She sighed as she paid the cab driver and stood staring at the front door, silently wishing she was anywhere but there.
In her deepest dreams, she had put her hopes on this man as her salvation. The one who would save her from a fate worse than death.
“Yeah right, as if that fucking bastard hadn’t taken it into account.” She sucked in a deep breath and pushed through the door. Her chirpy voice sounded brittle to her own ears.
“Honey, I’m home!”
His movements were methodical, precise as he checked his gear. Years of hand to hand combat in war-stricken countries, like Afghanistan and Iraq, had taught Bruce how to disassociate himself from his surroundings and concentrate on what was important. In this instance, getting Jack and Jordan out of the Sauna House alive.
If they were still alive.
His mind drifted off to a telephone conversation he’d had with Rhone when he and Keon LeLuc, Bruce’s cousin, made the decision to leave L.A. to set up their business in Washington DC. Bruce had already been living there for the past four years but had been in close contact with them all the time. He’d been elated when they’d decided to move base. The fact that everyone, with the exception of Reece and Jaden, were keen to follow, was the cherry on top.
“Everyone but Reece and Jaden?” Bruce asked. His fingers tapped the desk.
“Yeah, you know Reece. He’s a surfer boy by nature and can’t see himself living in a metropolitan city,” Rhone responded with a laugh.
Bruce’s instinct warned him that there was more to their decision to stay behind. Reece had always been very close to his cousin, Lance, their relationship more that of brothers than cousins. Insisting to stay behind didn’t make sense.
“What do they intend to do when you leave?” Bruce prodded.
“Reece proposed that we leave the L.A. office open and allow him and Jaden to manage it.”
“And you’re considering it?”
“Keon and I discussed it at length with the rest of the team. It’s a perfect solution as we won’t have to lay off any staff. We’ll effectively be moving the headquarters, so to speak.”
“And you trust them?”
“Hold on, Bruce. Where is this coming from? I know Reece and Jaden are loose cannons at times but I personally trained them. Besides, they’ll still be reporting to us as on all matters. Lance will closely manage and oversee all operational issues from Washington. They won’t be left to their own devices.”
“I’m not sure, Rhone but I have a feeling in my gut that two and two doesn’t add up to four in this case.”
“Come on, mate. We’ve all been close for years. Reece got over his hang-up about Jacklyn long ago. Nothing has changed. To be honest, I didn’t think everyone would agree so readily to move with us.”
“All I’m saying, Rhone, is to keep your eyes and ears open. They’ve always been more than loose cannons, they’re leeches. Of knowledge, of taking credit, and creating discord under the team.”
Rhone didn’t respond immediately and Bruce could almost hear the wheels turning in his brain.
“You’re making some valid points. I’ll keep it in mind and set proper controls in place.”
“It’s not the business module that worries me, mate. I’m more concerned about their personal agendas. I’ve had a feeling that they’re hiding things from us for a couple of years now. To date, I’ve not been able to pinpoint anything. This sudden desire to manage the branch and stay behind when there are so many opportunities in DC? I’m sorry, it’s a red flag for me.”
“Honey, I’m home!”
The chirpy voice that echoed up the stairway into the spare room where he was busy packing his gear, yanked him back to the present. He blinked away the memory, unwilling to bask in the knowledge that he’d been right, especially as he’d failed to keep digging at the time to appease his suspicions. He should’ve followed his gut instinct. At least then he might have saved many lives … instead of trying to keep piecing back together broken minds and souls left behind in their reign of terror.
Morgan Adler being one of their victims of human trafficking.
He picked up the duffel bag and lifted it over his shoulder as he made his way down the stairs. His tread was silent, leaving him undetected to the woman who stood admiring the impressive entrance hall of his house. He noticed the slight twist to her mouth, the way her eyes shifted back and forth, how she clenched her hands together and then bit into her lower lip. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.
His mind turned into top gear, his hands tightened on the bag as once again realization flashed like a neon light.
She’s been lying to me. Not just now but from the first session. I knew there was more to her sudden appearance.
Maybe that was why he’d insisted on a live-in arrangement. He wanted to get inside her mind. Unlock the horror he’d seen flash there while she smiled and tried to charm her way around his questions. Always evading and awarding him the rare occasion to see the real woman in the depths of her eyes. One filled with regret, denial and more often than not, fear. His jaw turned rigid as he continued to study her during his descent.
Something had happened between when she’d left Club Devil’s Cove the previous night to now, and her complete subjugation to him had nothing to do with it. In fact, he’d realized the moment the first strike connected with her skin that she had embraced the experience … because it gave her mind something to focus on other than the demons that chased her.
Now, he only had to find out the name of whoever was behind her sudden desire to be close to him.
“Morgan.”
“Oh!” she gasped and spun around at the gruff sound of his voice. She couldn’t hide the admiration as her gaze slithered over his black combat pants and shirt. Her eyes shifted to the large duffel bag he lowered to the ground.
“I thought you were done with the military.”
Bruce noticed the slight tightening of her lips as she tried to hide her curiosity. He chose to ignore the question and gestured to the bags by her feet. “I guess you’re moving in?”
She tilted her head to the side and considered him with an impish smile. “Did I misunderstand the agreement we signed?”
Bruce might not trust her but he couldn’t deny the effect she had on him. Her sharp wit and natural sassiness attracted him like a moth to a flame. She was drop dead gorgeous, even dressed in bootlegged jeans, a checkered shirt, and sneakers. Her luxurious hair was in a loose braid that reached to her small waist. His hands itched in memory of how those tresses felt against his skin. Streaks of red gold shone in the sunlight, filtering from outside through the glass doors of the great open room, past the wide-open arch leading into the reception hall. His cock twitched at the memory of her complete submission the night before.
“No squirt, you didn’t. Unfortunately, I have somewhere to be and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
“Oh.” Her lips pursed. “Do you want me to leave?”
“No, Morgan. I’m glad you came without any prodding from me.” He walked closer, impressed when she stood her ground as he breached her personal space. Her eyes flared as the tips of her breasts brushed against his hard chest. “For future reference, my pet, I expect a proper greeting every morning and afternoon when I finish work.”
She didn’t hesitate and took the small step to press into him. Her hands spreading against his chest, caused a spark of heat to ignite in his loins.
“I might be tall but unless a kiss against your throat is what you had in mind, I’m going to need a little assistance from you.”
“In exchange for what?”
She leaned back and frowned at him. “The kiss you want of c
ourse.”
“Not the kiss, squirt. I’ll offer my assistance but it comes at a price.” Bruce felt the telltale rush of a hunter circling and taunting its prey in that final moment before he struck. He smiled within when she didn’t retreat but tilted her chin an inch higher. Her eyes glimmered with sensual delight.
My sassy sub has some spunk.
The delighted thought was immediately doused. She might have the strength of character to stand up to him but he questioned her motives once again. His rowdy cock couldn’t care less and pressed insistently against his pants as he watched her rose colored tongue take a slow foray over her lips, leaving a glistening trail that invited and teased his senses.
“How about a quickie?”
Bruce was hard pressed not to laugh as he watched her eyes widen when the words registered in her own mind. His smile was slow, sensual and filled with wicked intent.
“I mean … I …” she stuttered, her cheeks blooming with rosy embarrassment.
“Most times thoughts that make themselves known without intent are the most sincere and true.” His smile widened as the color on her cheeks deepened. The throbbing in his loins increased. He’d been walking around with a semi hard-on since last night when he’d watched her climax. It had cost a herculean effort to keep his dick in his pants and not pounce on her. Now, with the inviting flicker in her eyes …
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got time.” His voice deepened. “Are you sure about this, Morgan? You’ve told me you haven’t been intimate with a man since your return.”
Morgan shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Her breath hissed through her teeth as her nipples brushed against his chest.
“I’m sure,” she managed to croak, unable to tear her eyes from his that always managed to see what she wasn’t saying. The fear that she’d fail, like she had every time she’d tried to have sex, surfaced. It would be devastating if that happened. He was the one she wanted; she couldn’t fail him … or her own desires that had been pulsing inside her for far too long.
