Darkest Night: Mercenaries and Magic: A scorching enemies to lovers romance

by Alessa Thorn

  Athena wasn't even listening. Her eyes were scanning the scabbard with a mixture of awe and love. If she ever looked at Kon like that, he'd probably agree to do anything she asked.

  "What are you doing hiding in a dirty drawer, my beautiful khanjar?" she crooned to the blade. She slid it free, held the naked blade at eye level. Then she licked the flat of it.

  "Hmmm, fifteenth-century Ottoman empire. Come to mommy," she purred.

  Kon didn't know whether to be disturbed or turned on. Athena balanced the dagger in her hand before shutting her eyes, tossing it up in the air, and catching it. Kon went rock hard.

  "It's yours if you want it," he said, voice shaky.

  Athena's eyes snapped open, and the tip of the blade was suddenly pressing to his bare chest. Blood oozed from the cut, but he didn't pull back.

  "Do it if you need to," he whispered. He had expected it and wasn't afraid. "I'd rather you be the one to stick a blade into me than Liddell."

  Athena's eyes narrowed, and the tip of the blade lightly traced down his chest, leaving a scratch just deep enough to draw blood. Her eyes glazed over, and for a second, Kon thought she would plunge it into his heart. Instead, Athena sheathed the dagger before stepping into his space.

  "If killing you was so easy, I would've done it years ago," she said, echoing his words back to him. Then she leaned forward and licked the blood off his chest.

  Kon whimpered at the back of his throat. "Is that two hours up yet?"

  "Why? Do you want to fuck me?" Athena asked against his lips.

  "I always want to fuck you. Even when I hate you and you've just blown twenty years of planning to shit," Kon replied and kissed her. She tasted of his blood and whiskey. She groaned against his mouth, her tongue darting against his.

  Kon slid his hand down the front of her loose pajama pants and cupped her. She ground up against him, her hand dropping to palm his hard cock. Kon hissed, the feel of her hand on him so fucking good. He forced himself to step back from her touch and dropped to his knees in front of her. His mouth skimmed her warm stomach before tugging the silk pants down.

  "Fuck, I never get tired of looking at your sweet pussy," he said and glanced up at her. Athena's smirk was like a gauntlet thrown down. Slowly, she pulled off her t-shirt and lifted her leg over his shoulder.

  "It's not going to eat itself, Konstantius," she said.

  Kon didn't need to be asked twice. He gripped her ass tight and pressed his face into her wet heat. He had wanted to do it all fucking night.

  Athena's hands threaded into his hair and hung on as he licked and sucked. She was already emitting the sweet sighs and gasps that haunted his dreams, and she tasted even better than he remembered.

  The front of his pants was getting wet with pre-cum, but he didn't stop his assault on her. He pressed a finger inside of her, and she rose up on tiptoes, a shudder running through her.

  "Fuck, Kon, more," she moaned.

  That did it. Kon was up on his feet in a blink, lifting her up and pressing her against the door of the office. He kicked his pants off and drove his aching dick inside of her tight, hot body.

  "Oh god, yes," Athena cried, her legs tightening around his hips and using them as leverage to move up and down on his cock.

  "I love the sounds you make; love the feel of you so hot around me." Kon groaned, thrusting hard into her. "It's all I've been able to think about for three fucking years." Athena's nails dug into his scalp, pulling him to her mouth in a messy kiss.

  "I never thought of you at all," she panted, purposely provoking him.

  Kon snarled wordlessly and dragged her back down onto the carpet, twisting to get her on her back. "This is where you belong, Edgeworth. Underneath me."

  Athena arched up, and he caught her hard nipple in between his teeth. She only squirmed, her hips lurching up into his. "I should've killed you on Paphos."

  Kon lifted her hips higher, so her ass left the carpet, shifting the angle enough that she gave a strangled cry of pleasure.

  "Yes, you should have, and all the other times after. But we both know you'd miss my cock inside of you too much," he said, growing harder as her inner walls gripped him.

  Athena's face was flushed and sweaty. She went up onto her elbows and hissed, "There's always another man willing to do the job. A cock is a cock."

  Kon pinched her ass, making her yelp. "I bet you've told yourself that over and over, even as you finger fucked yourself, imagining it was me inside of you."

  Athena's eyes rolled in the back of her head, coming hard enough that warm wetness rushed over his dick.

  "Fucking hell," Kon snarled, dragging her up into his lap so he could bite into her breast, marking her as he blew deep and hot inside of her. Stars exploded behind his eyelids, and he almost lost his grip on her.

  Athena was hanging onto him, shaking and sweating. Her lips captured his mouth to give him a punishing kiss. "I do think about you when I masturbate."

  Kon groaned at the admission, wishing he could come all over again. "You really are going to kill me if you keep talking."

  Athena licked the sweat on his neck. "I like the way you taste after I've made you come undone. Everything about you is so fucking sexy that I can't help but provoke you."

  Kon brushed her damp hair back from her face. "I think I just came so hard, I've begun to hallucinate you saying nice things to me."

  Athena smiled, a kind of sweet and goofy grin he had never seen before. "Don't get used to it. It's only because you bought me a pretty knife."

  If that was all it took to get her to look at him like that, he would buy her one every week. He kissed her gently. "I think we should have something to eat, and then I'm going to make you scream all over again."

  Athena laughed. "You better because as soon as Silas gets here, there will be no more fucking."

  "He can stay somewhere else then," Kon pouted.

  Her fingers trailed through his sweaty hair. "You should've thought of that before you got your psycho boss onto us."

  10

  Despite the hit out on her life and all the revelations about Kon, Athena ended up passing out in his bed, full of manti dumplings, and had slept the night through. She woke up with Kon's warm, naked body pressed into her back and his hand between her legs. She was barely awake, and she was coming in shivering electric waves.

  "Good morning, güzelim," he purred in her ear.

  "Hmph," she replied, trying and failing to find words. Kon slid his hard dick into her, and she cried out, pussy sensitive and body thrumming. "Kon…"

  "Yes?" he asked, gently working in and out of her, his hand gripping her hip to stop her from moving any faster.

  Athena couldn't remember what she was going to say, just let him slip in and out of her until she was crying out into her pillow.

  "That's my vicious goddess. Maybe I should have stayed all those other times. You sing so sweetly in the morning." Kon nibbled on her neck before rolling her onto her stomach.

  Athena let him maneuver her, too blissed out and boneless to want to fight him. He pinned her wrists above her head, his mouth working a fiery path down her spine.

  Kon lifted her hips up with his other hand, thrusting in and out of her in an almost gentle rhythm, making her orgasm build all over again. He went with her when she came again, nuzzling her neck as she tried to catch her breath. He rolled onto his side and traced her back lightly with his fingertips.

  "Can you talk yet?"

  Athena huffed a small laugh and buried her face into her pillow. "No."

  Kon chuckled and brushed the hair from her face. He looked tousled and ridiculously good in the morning, but Athena couldn't find it in her to resent him for it.

  "Not that I'm complaining, but what did I do to deserve that wake-up?" she asked when speech finally returned to her.

  "You said that I can't fuck you when Silas arrives, so I thought I better get one more in," Kon said, his hand drifting to her ass and giving it a pat. "I also like the idea of
you feeling me inside of you for the rest of the day."

  Fucking hell. She would be feeling him alright. She would be walking funny for days.

  "Could tea also be a part of this nice side you are showing me?" she asked hopefully.

  Kon gripped her ass tight enough to make her groan. "Don't get used to it. I'm only being nice so you give me what I want."

  Athena rolled her eyes at him. "Is that a yes to tea?"

  "Come downstairs when you want. Clothing optional."

  Athena laughed and found her phone, then she checked her messages from Silas and Izabella. "You better put your pants on, Basty. We are going to have visitors soon."

  "You are determined to ruin my fun," he said, climbing out of bed.

  Athena rolled over and tucked her hand behind her head, loving the way Kon's eyes moved over her hungrily. "You call having a hit out on you and having to make a new plan to kill Liddell a fun time?"

  Kon's smile was deviant. "Don't you?"

  "Good point." Athena watched his perfect brown ass wander into the wardrobe and come out in an open robe and a pair of pajama pants.

  "Better get that lovely ass of yours into the shower, Edgeworth. Wouldn't want my come dripping down your thighs when Daddy arrives," he teased.

  "Keep that sense of humor. You're gonna need it when he gets here," Athena called after him.

  Athena was on her second cup of strong tea when there was a knock on the warehouse door. Kon checked the cameras, a gun in his hand that he had pulled from a metal pillar near the door.

  "Do these people look familiar?" he asked.

  Athena looked at the surveillance screen just in time to see Dante stick his middle finger up at the camera. "Yeah, they do."

  She put a hand on the deadbolt before quickly turning and kissing Kon one last time. She didn't know when she was going to get another chance. His fingers lightly brushed her cheek, eyes warm in understanding.

  Athena went back to the door and opened it with her usual cocky smile. "You assholes better have brought me some clothes."

  Izabella was all curves, painted red lips, and disapproval. She pulled her sunglasses down her brown nose and gave Athena the full power of her pissed-off, kohl-lined gaze. "You are lucky I don't punch you in the tit, pendeja."

  "Cub! I haven't seen you in forever!" Dante said, pushing Izabella out of the way. He pulled Athena into his big, muscly arms and squeezed the hell out of her.

  "Hey, big guy," Athena said, ruffling his sandy blonde hair.

  His hazel eyes glittered in amusement when they landed on Kon. "Is that Turkish Delight?"

  Kon smiled in amusement. "She calls me Turkish Delight?"

  "No," Athena said, locking the door behind them. "Kon, meet Izabella Silversmith, hacker extraordinaire and acquisitions champion, and Dante Hill, the sexy muscle of the team."

  "Thanks, Cub," Dante said, making a kissing noise at her.

  "Guys, this is Kon Zalam, the Basty of Istanbul. He's not nearly as impressive as his reputation makes him out to be."

  Kon snorted. "Speak for yourself. Thank you for coming. I appreciate your help."

  "Yeah, you're gonna need it when Silas gets here," Dante said and laughed. "You got any more of that tea or, better yet, coffee?"

  "Kitchen is this way. I have some warm simit if you're hungry," Kon replied.

  Dante's smile widened. He was always hungry. "They are those doughnut things with the sesame seeds?

  "Yes. I bought a bag of them but had to stop Athena from eating them all."

  Izabella waited until they were gone before turning on Athena. "I thought this trip was going to be a simple auction," she complained, waving her tattooed fingers about in frustration.

  "It was! I didn't do anything. Guys just turned up and started shooting at me."

  "You should've let me put a curse on him three years ago. I've got a good one from my grandmother that was passed down to her from my Basque ancestors. I would have fucked him up forever," Izabella muttered.

  Athena smiled at her passion. Izabella was always threatening to invoke her Basque witch ancestors on them all.

  "He's into magic, so he probably has a talisman somewhere that would have deflected it anyway."

  "Snakes always do," Izabella sniffed.

  Athena laughed and pulled her into a hug. "I've missed you, and I'm glad you’re safe, Silver Lady. I was worried."

  "Safe, but for how long? I'm still going to deny knowing anything about you being in Istanbul." Izabella let her go and passed her a backpack. "Here, you better get changed out of the Basty's clothes before Silas gets here, or he might really lose it."

  "You're the best, Iz."

  She tossed her glossy black ringlets over her shoulder. "I know."

  Athena went upstairs to Kon's bathroom. She searched through the bag, pulling out her usual black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a pair of lace-up boots.

  Izabella had even packed her a small bag of toiletries and make-up, and Athena couldn't help but grin. Iz always thought of everything. Luckily, her t-shirt collar was high enough to cover the bite mark Kon had left on her breast the night before. Athena brushed her fingers over it, her eyes fluttering closed.

  No, no, no. No time for lustful thoughts.

  Fifteen minutes later, with her hair braided and some decent eyeliner on, Athena felt halfway normal. She strapped her new dagger to her belt, fighting the urge to pull it out and look at it. It was as long as her forearm, the tip slightly curved. It was beautiful and deadly and would have been something she would've picked out for herself. The present gave her a warm feeling in her chest that she knew was dangerous.

  Athena had only just made it back downstairs when a heavy knock boomed against the metal door. Athena didn't risk looking at Kon, just hurried to answer it.

  Silas Edgeworth was six foot four of muscle, with grey sprinkled through his dark hair and green eyes that changed with his mood.

  "Hey, Dad," Athena said, staring up at him. He dropped his duffle bag and wrapped his arms around her. "Thanks for coming."

  "Didn't give me much of choice, Cubbie," he said, his whiskey voice tinged with worry. "You okay?"

  "Yeah. No harm done despite the kill squad in the cistern."

  "You got them?"

  "Of course I did."

  "Good girl." Silas smiled down at her, deep enough to show his dimples under his grey and black stubble. "New dagger?"

  "Got it last night," she said, pulling it free to show him.

  "Very nice." Silas's eyes zeroed in on Kon and went a flat olive color. "Are you sure I can't shoot him?"

  "Only if he deserves it," Athena said with a laugh and sheathed the dagger. Kon was smart enough to stay where he was on the other side of the room.

  "I can see where Athena gets her intimidating smile from," he said, nodding to Silas. "I've heard a lot about you."

  "All the bad things are true, so keep that in mind if you decide to try and fuck us over," Silas replied. He spotted Iz, and his pissed-off glare vanished instantly.

  "Hola, Jefe," she greeted with a knock-out smile that would have annihilated a lesser man.

  "Izabella, nice to see you made it to the party," Silas said, shooting her a wink. "Where's Dante?"

  "Here, boss, I was just making you a coffee and staying out of the firing line in case you were in a trigger-happy mood," Dante replied, pressing a mug into Silas's hand.

  "Cubbie said I can't kill her boyfriend, so what can I do?" Silas said, bumping fists with the younger merc.

  Dante clicked his tongue. "Well, he's hot and a psycho. Those kinds of men don't just fall into your lap."

  "And yet they always seem to fall into yours," Silas teased. "How did that Venezuela job go for you?"

  "Smooth enough, but the drama wasn't worth the payload," Dante griped.

  Kon sidled over to Athena as the others caught up. "Should I sleep with one eye open?"

  Athena's lips twitched. "Probably a good idea, at least for the first few days."r />
  "I like that my blade is strapped nice and close to your ass," he whispered, dark eyes dropping to it.

  "I'm keeping it within reach in case I need to stab you with it."

  Kon's gaze heated. "Like you did last night?"

  Athena's toes curled in her boots at the memory, tasted his salty blood and skin in her mouth. "Don't push your luck."

  Kon only laughed softly. "I wouldn't dream of it, güzelim."

  Athena looked up to see Silas watching them, eyes calculating and head tilted. Once, she had seen him give that look to a room full of human traffickers right before he pulled out a PKM machine gun and shot them all.

  Athena slowly stepped in front of Kon and shook her head. Silas cast his eyes to the heavens like he was praying for patience and turned his attention back to Izabella.

  Athena sighed. It was going to be a long fucking day.

  11

  The mood in the warehouse was something that Kon hadn't experienced in a long time. One look at the Edgeworths and their friends together, you could tell that they were family and treated each other as such. He didn't think that kind of camaraderie was something he missed, but seeing them made a long-dead part of him wake up. He wondered if Athena would ever want to make him a part of that circle.

  It all depends if Silas kills you first. Kon wasn't an idiot. He could see that Athena was the only one standing between him and her father.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket with a message from Frederica to say that she appreciated the warning about Liddell but would decline to throw herself into the fight at this time. Kon understood that and didn't hold it against her.

  A loud bang on the door had everyone in the warehouse pulling weapons. Kon shook his head. Mercenaries.

  "Relax, it's just Leo," Kon said. He still checked the cameras before opening the door.

  "Ciao capo," Leo greeted, "Am I late?"

  "Not at all," Kon said, letting him pass. Leo was a lean Florentine with curly, messy hair and sharp brown eyes that raked over the group sitting on the lounges.