Covetous

by Natalie Bennett

  I told her how much of a dirty slut she was and fucked her mouth until I came all over her perfect plump lips. I got off on damaging my father’s property.

  Glancing left and then right, I still saw nothing but snow-covered cars and shitty apartment buildings.

  I hoped like fuck whoever I was waiting for made an appearance soon. No matter what happened, whether Jax and I had killed someone, buried a body, or assisted in a brutal shakedown, we had to go to mass every Sunday. Ten A.M sharp.

  My father had a skewed logic and my mother was no longer around to attempt to put him on the straight and narrow.

  Some higher power must have heard my inner ramblings because a woman came stumbling around the corner. She was dressed uncomfortably skimpily for the weather. On closer inspection, she looked like the doped-up whores my father sold on cold winter nights just like this one.

  She wore nothing but tall, knee-high black boots, a leopard print jacket, and a white dress that barely covered her ass. Dark hair was in total disarray around her face. It didn't take her long to notice me, and by the way her dark eyes widened in shock, she remembered exactly who I was. The surprise was mutual. No wonder he’d told me not to kill her.

  "P...Pierce. How are you?" she stuttered, giving me a pained smile and stopping a safe distance from where I stood.

  "This isn't a social call. Get over here!" I snapped.

  I wanted nothing more than to put a bullet in her worthless brain, but I couldn't. Not yet, at least.

  She made a sound in her throat and slowly crept forward, eyeing me with trepidation.

  "Do you know how long I've been out here?"

  Before she could respond, a piece of her dingy coat was balled in my hand and I was pulling her closer to me.

  "Wait...don't—”

  "Shut the fuck up."

  I reached inside my jacket and removed the thick envelope my father had given me to deliver. "If I could kill you, I'd have done it the second you came around the corner." I thrust the parcel into her chest, making her lose balance and stumble.

  Shaking my head, I stepped over her and made my way down the barren street, gritting my teeth.

  My greedy snake of a father was still paying her to do his bidding. I knew what he was after the same thing I was.

  Little did he know his associates were desperate for me to take his place.

  And I would.

  I was going to kill my father.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  When I woke the next morning, warm sunlight was streaming into the room, and unsurprisingly, Pierce was gone.

  The clock said it was seven-thirty, but it felt much later than that. Brushing strands of dark hair from my face, I yawned and sat up. Pierce's voice came from down the hall.

  Presumably, he was on the phone, as I couldn’t hear any other voices.

  Slowly climbing out of bed, I crept towards the door and tried to pick up on what he was saying.

  He never told me anything, never elaborated on what he wanted from me. I always got some cryptic ass response, so I had no qualms about eavesdropping.

  "That's not what we discussed," he hissed just as I slipped out into the hall.

  When I was almost at the top of the stairs, I peered down at him from over the banister. His body language screamed that someone was about to get hurt.

  A loud apology burst through the speaker, a man’s distraught voice practically begging for forgiveness. I had no idea who he was, but I instantly felt for the guy. I'd heard many rumors about the Serbans—how brutal they could be, how unforgiving they were. Pierce kidnapping me was proof enough of that.

  "You have until the end of the day to fix the problem." He damn near snarled at the man, cutting off his fourth apology. After he hung up the phone, his indigo eyes darted up, locking with mine.

  By the unsurprised look on his face, he'd known I was there the whole time. The cold, frigid disposition I was used to was back. Talk about a split personality.

  "Get down here," he commanded, snapping his fingers at me as if I were a dog.

  "Don't be a dick to me because you're having a shitty morning."

  Crossing my arms over my chest, I tried to match the icy look he was so good at giving. His eyes narrowed as he slowly made his way to the bottom of the long staircase.

  We stared at one another for what seemed like hours. Unable to keep my face as stoic as his, I looked away first.

  "Get the fuck down here. Please,” he sighed in exasperation.

  Grinding my teeth, I reluctantly went down the stairs, pausing when our chests were almost touching

  "How did you sleep?" he asked after a beat.

  What?

  I blinked twice before slowly responding, "Good?”

  The corner of his mouth tilted up. He ran a finger down my cheek, further confusing me with his odd behavior.

  "Excellent. We can eat while we're out, after we go shopping."

  "You're taking me out of the house to go shopping?" My tone was incredulous.

  Pierce raised his dark brows at me, a skewed smirk still painting his handsome face.

  "I can't have my wife wearing pajamas twenty-four seven."

  "Pajamas? These are called sweatpants."

  Gesturing up and down my body, ignoring his wife comment, I watched his expression change to one of distaste.

  "I know what they are. Did you not just sleep in them?"

  "Well, what would you like me to sleep in?"

  He reached up and cupped the back of my neck, gently pressing his forehead against mine.

  "You're not going to sleep in anything. When I want to fuck you, I don't want any barriers between us. I want nothing in the way of my cock sliding into your pussy." He pressed his lips to my forehead and stepped away. "Get ready to leave."

  He left me standing on the stairs, staring dumbfounded at his retreating back. I hoped he knew I wasn't buying his bullshit for a minute. He was up to something.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  The car ride was uneventful.

  Pierce only spoke for the last five minutes. Of course, he made sure to make up for the lost time with one hell of a lecture.

  "I don't think I need to remind you of what happens if you run. My brother really likes Abbi; I'd hate to have him hurt her because you decide to make a foolish decision. I wanted to wait for this, but there's been a schedule change.”

  At the end of his rant, he looked at me with an inexpressive look on his face, giving nothing away.

  "Why do I feel like you aren't telling me something? We’re just here to buy clothes, right?"

  He gave me a smile full of mischief and got out of the car.

  "Oh, look, you're playing the role of a gentleman. How sweet," I deadpanned when he opened my door for me. He grabbed my hand and yanked me from my seat. I found myself pinned between him and the smooth black machine behind me.

  He smelled like himself again, a potent old spice fragrance. His hardened body pressing against the front of mine had an all too familiar desire stirring between my thighs.

  "You have a lot of confidence for a woman stuck with the man who wanted to kill her."

  "And you have a lot of confidence to keep sleeping with your dick within my reach at night."

  I wouldn't have pushed this hard before, but I knew despite everything he was saying that he wouldn't kill me. He needed me for something, and I understood whatever it was could very well be the only thing keeping me alive.

  He leaned into me, ghosting his soft lips over mine before whispering in my ear. "You're going to pay for every smartass comment you've made to me."

  I swallowed, knowing he meant every word.

  I was one hundred percent certain Pierce had slept with the woman trying to dress me like a cheap whore. Well, cheap couldn't really be used to describe the racks of clothes in front of me, but the whore part was spot on.

  Pierce sat on a black sofa chatting with the pretty redhead while I tossed random pieces of clothing over the door. />
  I was hungry, horny, and a little hurt. It was another misjudgment on my part to think he would take me to a public place. I was his best kept dirty secret—a pawn he was just waiting to reveal.

  This whole situation started with someone who was dead. Why was I paying for what my sister had done?

  When the dressing room door was abruptly pulled open, I yelped, damn near jumping out of my skin.

  . "What the hell are you doing?" I covered my chest and glared.

  "You didn't answer me," he shrugged, looking everywhere on my body but my face. From over his shoulder, I saw the redhead peering in at me. Pierce's gaze followed mine and whatever look he gave her had her eyes darting to the floor.

  "Why is there nothing but short dresses and heels in everything you’ve had her give me?"

  "Get dressed. We need to go." He ignored my question, giving my body one last scrutinizing look before stepping back out of the tiny cubicle. I rigged the door shut and rolled my eyes at the ceiling. He was so fucking frustrating.

  Putting my clothes on as fast as I could, I stepped out of the dressing room and found myself alone. We were in a private upper-level boutique and I knew Pierce wouldn't leave me behind, so where did he go?

  My answer came in the form of a light giggle from the back hall.

  I made a beeline for it, my irritation rising with every step. Their conversation ceased the moment I turned the corner.

  "What the hell are you doing?" I repeated, ignoring the chick at his side and focusing solely on him. Pierce turned his head and blinked at me; the redhead smirked.

  "I was paying Julie for the clothes," he explained slowly, like I was thick. His tone only pissed me off more.

  "Paying her in a dark, empty hall?"

  Of all the ways I expected him to react, laughing wasn't one of them. I narrowed my eyes, hoping they conveyed how big of an asshole I thought he was.

  "Well, don't let me interrupt. I'll be in the car." I spun on my heel to go back the way I came, but his arm wrapped around my bicep, halting me before I managed to take one step.

  "Excuse us," he directed to Julie, giving her a panty-melting smile. She returned it and mumbled something about gathering the bags as she brushed past us.

  I wanted to be petty and trip her, but she was gone before I got the chance. As soon as she rounded the corner, Pierce brought his intense gaze back to me.

  “Is this you being jealous, Rebel?"

  "Don't flatter yourself."

  "I think I like it," he murmured in my ear, pressing his torso against my back. I could feel his hard cock in the groove of my ass. With one hand across my chest to hold me in place, he slid the other to the hem of my skirt.

  "Do you want me inside you, Rebel?" His hand disappeared, moving up my inner thigh. I kept quiet, not answering him. I wasn't sure if I wanted him to stop or not.

  No, that was a lie.

  I wanted him to bend me over and fuck me in that very hallway.

  It went against everything I should have felt towards him—wanting what I should hate—but I couldn’t help myself. His touch was a sedative full of seduction. He left me wanting him in ways that shouldn't have ever crossed my mind. I slowly inhaled, feeling him move my thong to the side.

  With two thick fingers, he spread the lips of my labia. I exhaled a shaky breath and relaxed into his strong embrace.

  "Your pussy is telling me everything you won't. You're soaking wet." He didn't lower his voice this time, speaking loud enough that Julie could hear as he slid two fingers inside me, slowly pulled them back out, and then repeated the motion.

  "Pierce.” His name left my mouth on a quiet, needy plea. He began to pump his digits inside me, adding another and placing the pad of his thumb on my clit.

  "Let her hear you, Rebel," he breathed in my ear, sinking his teeth into my lobe. I whimpered, spreading my thighs wider.

  Somewhere, some far off voice in my head was screaming at me to stop this, to push away from him and remember who this man was, to get his hands off me. But I didn't care right then. He hadn't touched me like this in what felt like months. All rationale evaporated as a slow burning heat pervaded through my body.

  Pierce sucked on my neck, curving his fingers inside me, continuing to hit a sweet spot until I came apart around him. A half squeak, half moan escaped from my mouth, echoing down the hall. If it weren't for Pierce holding me up, I would have crumbled. He rolled my clit, pushing me into another tiny orbit, making my thighs tremble.

  He held me for a minute then kissed my temple before letting me stand upright to try and regain my composure.

  "What you just did…that wasn't acting," he stated, transforming my pleasure into a state of shame and confusion.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Willow had been quiet since we left the boutique, pulling her sexy bottom lip between her teeth every few minutes. Her chocolate eyes roamed over the restaurant's menu, but I was positive she wasn't reading it. I could practically see the chaotic thoughts whipping around inside her head, making a brief appearance in her troubled hues.

  She was too young and beautiful to be plagued by the reality of my cold world. Someone should have protected her.

  I couldn't be the redeeming hero in her life. It was only a matter of time before she was stuck in an endless vortex of darkness right beside me. But she would be beside me. And she might eventually hate me. Everyone did. No matter how she felt in the end, Willow was mine. It was as simple as that.

  Unfortunately, that didn't excuse what had to be done or what I needed her for. When the waitress returned, I tugged the menu from Willow's hands and handed it back. "Two of the scramblers and an iced tea for her." I nodded my head towards Willow.

  "How did you know I wanted iced tea?" she asked as soon as our waitress walked off.

  "Because I know you."

  She frowned. I could tell that made her uncomfortable, maybe even a tad weary.

  Good. It was in her best interest to always be on her toes in my presence Sometimes, I think she saw it—the part of me I tried to keep in check for her benefit. But she never seemed afraid. If anything, she'd grown bolder and a fuck-load nosier.

  When our food was delivered, we sat in silence, the sound of our forks hitting the white ceramic plates the only noise between us. The cozy restaurant had few other patrons and it was out of the way. I knew I could bring her here without having to make a scene if caught together, though none of that would matter after tonight.

  It was time to tell Seth exactly what was going on.

  There was something about her anger that always turned my cock to stone—the way her eyes lit up and she held her ground. Any other time, I'd be bending her over the bed, but we were on a tight schedule.

  She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring daggers dipped in poison at me. I was questioning how to handle this and it shouldn't have been debatable. As sexy as she was riled up, her ill-tempered attitude didn't mix well with mine. We were like vinegar and oil.

  "You're wearing the fucking dress. If it were a yes or no option, I would've asked you a yes or no question," I explained as calmly as I could.

  "I'm not—"

  Before she could spew any more bullshit, I had my hand around her throat, pressing her into the bedroom wall.

  "Do you remember a talk we once had? I said, when I tell you to do something, you just do it. Do you need a reminder?"

  "No," she growled at me.

  "Good. Then get dressed."

  As soon as I let her go, she slipped past me and snatched the dress off the bed, refusing to make eye contact. I may have felt a minuscule twinge of regret. I may have even wanted to utter the two words that burned like acid when I thought about them, but this was how things needed to be. Actions fueled by emotions were dangerous.

  The sound of running water was my cue to slip away and make a private phone call.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  I looked like a goddamn floozy.

  My breasts—which weren'
t very big—were pushed up as high as they could go, my hair was twisted up in a chignon, and the tight, blood red dress I had on was sticking to me like adhesive.

  If I attempted to bend down, everyone would get a good look at my vagina because I couldn't wear any underwear.

  What was even more infuriating were the black fuck-me heels Pierce told me to wear. They were a whole other level of ho-dom. There was this small feeling of dread in my stomach about the unknown that awaited me. Pierce wouldn't tell me anything. I was blindly wandering around in the dark and relying on him to be my guiding light.

  I walked out of the bathroom and headed down the hall. Pausing on the top step, I stared down at the man in the dapper black suit. His midnight hair was in its usual sleek yet messy style. He had on a tie that matched my dress, and his dark blue eyes were looking back into mine. My insides did a weird little flip the longer we stared.

  "You look..."

  "Like an expensive good time?"

  "You look perfect," he softly corrected me.

  I didn’t know what to say back to that; he never complimented me.

  "Come on," he finally said after a spell of silence. He turned away and opened the front door, crooking a finger at me over his shoulder.

  Sighing, I padded down the stairs and slipped my pumps on before trailing after him. It was dark out, and the tall trees surrounding his house only made it seem ten times darker. He wordlessly opened the passenger side door of a silver Jaguar and I slid in.

  "Open the glove box,” he told me once we were on the road.

  Without asking why, I leaned forward and pulled the compartment door down. My mouth dried at the sight of a square velvet box.

  "Do I really need to tell you what to do?" he asked when I made no effort to retrieve it, never taking his eyes off the road.

  Picking up the small box that felt as heavy as a brick, I opened it. I wasn't sure what I'd been expecting, but a giant ring that had to have cost a nice fortune wasn't it. I slid the square diamond on without uttering a word.

  This moment had played out much differently in my head when I thought about it as a little girl. That was before Pierce entered my life. Now that an actual ring was on my finger, I couldn’t stop myself from staring at it. Fuck bricks, the thing weighed more than a house.