by Piper Stone
From boats to fast cars, beachside condos I’d never visited to expensive works of art I’d spent a fortune over the years, none of them had made me happy. That had allowed the continued anger furrowing in my gut to feast as well as driving me into other sadistic needs.
Even the women I’d kept for short periods of time, chaining their lovely bodies to my bed as I’d inflicted whatever method of pain suited my needs no longer held any pleasure. It was obvious nothing interested me.
Until I’d heard Rebel sing.
While her gravelly voice belting out over the crowd held no real appeal on the surface, I could tell she was doing her job of performing. She’d become damn good at providing the audience with exactly what they craved.
Anger.
Power.
Dominance.
Only she held none of those aspects, unless I should consider the draw of her feminine wiles powerful. What I’d easily been able to tell about her was that she was desperately seeking something in her life, a fulfillment that she’d yet to find even with her music.
She had no idea what I had in mind for her, but she would soon learn.
I took my time climbing out, watching as two SUVs trailed behind, each parking on different sides of the lot. My soldiers had been instructed to remain close. If Pedro was audacious enough to strike, he’d do it when he thought I was the most vulnerable. A part of me hoped the man would dare try. I was finished with dealing with the criminal element on several levels. Whether or not Cristiano approved I wasn’t certain I cared.
My brother certainly had an entirely different way of handling business.
It was my time to step up to the plate and I had no intention of allowing my kingdom to be rebuffed in any way. What had become clear to me by the look in Pedro’s eyes is that Acadia was more important to the club than she’d been willing to share with me. That would have to change. If she had more information, I would be forced to do what was necessary in order to extract the details.
No matter if it meant destroying my prized toy.
I handed the keys to the valet. There was no need to explain what was required in keeping my vehicle without incident during the night. He’d been paid well to provide extra care, even if the piece of shit Mercedes wasn’t the kind of car I’d purchase. There were too many opportunities to plant a bomb given the hotel’s inadequate security.
As Alejandro approached, I walked closer, still scanning the parking lot. From what I’d been able to tell, we hadn’t been followed. Hell, even the majority of Los Pirados members who’d remained outside had nodded in reverence as we’d left. At least some of them had common sense.
“Any additional orders, boss?” he asked quietly.
“Just ensure there aren’t any issues. I want absolute peace for a few hours.”
“And the meeting tomorrow?”
I thought about the meeting I had planned with Gio De Luca. While he was still considered a low-level player within the party favor industry, he had connections and insights to activity from California all the way to Philadelphia. His family’s influence in Italy had provided him with several open doors. Although I had no intention of bringing him into the family fold, his information could prove vital given what I was facing.
“Still on. However, we will need to ensure there are no intrusions.”
Alejandro nodded. “Maybe we change the meeting location.”
“Not a bad idea. Make it somewhere quiet and open.”
“Will do, boss. I’ll call you if there are any issues.”
“Yeah, you do that.” I took a deep breath of the night air, still angry over the events of the evening. Given I was used to getting what I wanted, the fact the asshole buyer remained in the shadows didn’t sit well with me. For all I knew the bastard could be watching.
Planning.
Waiting for the ideal moment to strike.
My calculated guess was that Pedro had required Angel to do his bidding.
Hissing, I headed into the hotel, moving into the elevator, my thoughts drifting to Acadia. I could only imagine what Cristiano and Lucian would say when I brought home my new plaything. Just thinking about the expressions on my brothers’ faces was enough to give me a needed smile.
There was something to be said for the home turf advantage.
I moved down the hallway, stopping just outside the door, addressing my soldier. “Issues?”
“None. She’s been playing music. Thought I was going to have to instruct her to turn it down, but it wasn’t necessary.”
Music. Once in the blood, always in the blood. “One of the others will relieve you in about thirty minutes. Get some sleep after that. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
“Will do, boss.”
As I walked inside, I wasn’t certain whether to expect to see she’d destroyed the room in a burst of anger. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. I dropped the card, taking a few minutes to remove my jacket, tossing it across the back of the couch. After entering the bedroom portion of the suite, I removed my cufflinks, placing them on the dresser as well as my holster. There was no sense in shoving another reminder of the night’s incidents in her face.
Yet.
However, that might be necessary at some point if she couldn’t learn to behave and get with the program.
The bathroom door remained closed, but I was still able to hear the music, some melodic-sounding ballad. I chuckled to myself. She had varied tastes. After rolling up my sleeves, I hesitated, almost knocking. What the hell was I doing? I walked inside, instantly realizing there was no music. She was singing, her voice akin to an angel. I stood silently for a few seconds then my gaze was drawn to the bathroom counter and the platinum wig that had been carefully positioned in the corner on a folded group of towels.
When I shifted my head in her direction, I realized her natural color was flaming red. While she’d piled her locks on top of her head, several curls trickled down both sides of her face. I was taken aback, shocked I hadn’t even realized she’d been wearing a wig. Jesus. I was losing my touch.
Acadia was sunken in the tub, only her head and one knee visible through the copious amount of bubbles. Her eyes were closed and her mouth twisting as she continued providing the sweetest concert of all. I allowed myself to become mesmerized by her beautiful voice, the words just as haunting as the sudden joy I felt in some ugly pit in my heart.
“You are my everything, the only one who could lift me up.”
As both her hands fluttered from the water, moving in time to the words, I leaned against the counter, folding my arms. There were few people who ever grabbed at a portion of my mind, forcing me to look into my soul. For some insane reason, she was one of them.
The concert went on for a full minute longer. Then she sensed my presence, snapping open her eyes and jerking up when she saw me. Immediately embarrassed, she shoved her arm across her chest, taking several deep breaths.
Yet she remained quiet, her eyes darting back and forth across mine. There was a hint of fear, but there was something else as well.
The same desire I’d seen before.
“You don’t have to stop,” I said in a low and husky voice, uncertain she’d heard me.
“Of course I do.”
I chuckled as I moved away from the counter. “Your voice is incredible.”
“I’m certain that doesn’t matter.”
She was pushing me once again, forever defiant. At some point, I would lose my patience.
“Are you planning on joining me?” she asked, although every word dripped with venom.
The thought was sinful and delicious, but not on my radar for the evening. “Finish your bath. Have you eaten anything tonight?”
It was obvious she wasn’t expecting the question. “No. How was I going to be able to do that?”
“I’m not going to starve you to death. I’ll order room service.”
“It’s after three in the morning. They’re closed.”
I moved clo
ser, giving her a smile. “I assure you, Acadia, I’m the kind of man who gets what he wants.”
Her lower lip trembled and she slunk back into the tub, still giving me a hateful look. “I’m certain that’s the case since you’re a brute.”
I shook my head before walking toward the door, noticing one of the hotel robes on the hook. I snagged and tossed it near the tub. “Wear this. We’ll need to get your things at some point.”
“Why? I guess I won’t need anything at all where I’m going.”
“And where do you think you’re going?”
“Straight to hell.”
She continued to infuriate as well as entice every part of me. I closed the door halfway, forced to adjust my cock, my shaft already aching from an intense burning need. I headed for one of the phones, tugging the cord from my pocket and reattaching it. Huffing, I made a call to the front desk.
“Yes, sir? What can I do for you?”
“While I understand your kitchen is likely closed, you’ll need to reopen it. I want to order some food.”
The young man on the other end of the line had the good sense not to push my buttons, answering with little hesitation. “Yes, sir. I can make that happen. Do you want anything in particular?”
“Fruits. Cheeses. Breads. Hell, I don’t care. Just bring a feast of your finest foods.”
“Yes, sir. It might take a little time.”
“Thirty minutes. No longer. Am I clear?”
I heard the young man swallowing. “Yes, sir. I can make that happen.”
“I’m certain you can.” After hanging up the phone, I moved toward the window, studying the darkened night. There were too many loose strings for my comfort. I rubbed my eyes, no longer able to concentrate as I usually did. Perhaps part of the evening off would do me some good.
She’d stopped singing. While I wanted to require her to continue, I shoved the sadistic bastard I’d become aside, if only for a little while.
Instead, I made a drink, holding the dense crystal in my hand as I glanced around the room, my eyes settling on the television. What the hell? Given my lack of patience, I needed something to bide the time. Grabbing the remote, I sat down, flicking through several channels as I thought about what little I’d enjoyed over the past few years.
That had never included a quiet, romantic night with someone I cared about doing nothing more than watching a movie. I wasn’t the kind of man to sit by a roaring fire enjoying a glass of wine. No, I wasn’t that kind of man at all.
There were no movies I’d hungered to watch, no concept of wishing for a romantic evening. I was nothing but a businessman, determined to boost the King fortune. I fingered my glass, unable to keep a wry smile off my face. Maybe I had been missing out on what my brothers had found, something more than making money and keeping the enemies at bay. Their recent indulgences in enjoying actual relationships remained perplexing, a concept I’d made fun of over the months.
As I took a swig of my drink, I realized that maybe they were far more intelligent and savvier than I’d always proclaimed myself to be.
Ah, fuck, no.
In my mind, they were missing out on what was really important.
There was no sound as she approached, but as her scent wafted into my nostrils, another jolt of adrenaline rushed into my system. I was hungrier than ever.
Acadia shifted closer, the bulky terrycloth robe hiding her voluptuous features, but scandalous images continued to float in my mind. As I tipped my head, my balls tightened at the sight of her waist-length curly red hair. She’d removed her makeup, her gorgeous porcelain skin luminescent in the lighting. She’d appeared much older in the costume, hard edged and unforgiving. The woman standing in front of me exemplified innocence, a delicate flower to protect from wind and harsh conditions.
The savage beast dwelling inside wanted to pluck every petal, leaving her naked and vulnerable. I closed my eyes briefly, trying to shove the sadist aside.
At least for now.
I’d learned many aspects of peeling away layers of an enemy, my father’s reputation notorious for the ability to break anyone who’d crossed him. He’d enjoyed every aspect of tearing someone down, reveling in what he called the soft-boiled egg in the center. While I’d balked at the kind of brutality he’d used, I’d learned the hard way it was necessary, especially in order to maintain control.
Women were the most difficult to break as they had the kind of defenses that were wrapped in a web of their own creation. Their ability to keep an enemy at bay while using their feminine wiles had always fascinated me, pushing me into using harsher methods of ripping apart the layers. Acadia was no exception, although I’d begun to doubt that she had any idea how strong her resolution truly was.
However, there wasn’t a woman I couldn’t break. While I suspected my father would call my methods abominable, I found them delicious in their depth of evil.
Tonight was just the beginning.
She stared at the television, her hands in the pockets of the robe she wore. Her face was as pensive as before.
“Are we having a party?” she asked in a subtle voice.
“I’ve ordered some food. Why don’t you make yourself a drink and relax?”
“Don’t you want to grill me? Or just issue another round of punishment?”
I took a swig of my drink, studying her intently. “Believe it or not, I don’t enjoy punishing you, Acadia. As far as our continued discussion, that will come.”
“No, I don’t believe it. I think you’re a very sadistic man who gets off on torturing others.”
“Astute of you, but not entirely correct. I enjoy giving a woman pleasure, the kind of sheer bliss that will drag her into nirvana, never letting her go.” I was almost forced to adjust my cock again, the ache building to the point my balls were blue.
She darted a look in my direction, holding her head high, but I could see the shimmer in her eyes. I licked the rim of my glass, unable to stop thinking about feasting on her pretty pink pussy. I could only imagine how glorious she tasted. That would come. She would service my needs in any way I desired.
Yeah, I did get off on inflicting pain, but at this moment, the thought of hurting her left a strange taste in my mouth. Maybe I was getting soft as I aged. I almost laughed out loud. Not a chance.
As she moved toward the bar, I checked my watch. The bastards had better get the goddamn food here as directed. They had six minutes to go. I shifted my attention back to the television. I had no idea what I’d selected, other than it was a movie of some kind, dramatic from what I could tell.
When she returned, she held a bottle of water in her hand, purposely avoiding the perfectly good end of the couch I was sitting on, easing to the floor instead. Within seconds, I could tell she was in rapt attention of the show.
I was unable to take my eyes away from her, enjoying the various expressions that crossed her face. She was obviously absorbed in the movie, which was yet another surprise. She was worried I was planning on dragging her to hell, but she managed to act as if this was a moment of respite. I glared at my watch again, snarling as the clock continued to click.
Three minutes.
Bored and agitated, I jerked to my feet, taking long strides toward the bar. While I had no intentions of allowing myself to become intoxicated, I certainly needed to get the kinks of the day out of my system. The slight rapping on the door barely caused a reaction in Acadia at first.
Then she glanced in my direction.
“Do you want me to get the door?” she asked, a wry smile on her face.
“Yes, but I wouldn’t think about expressing your disinterest in being here. If you do, you’ll spend the rest of the night in darkness, cold and hungry.”
“Whatever,” she mumbled, leaving her bottled water on the floor then clamoring to her feet.
I studied her carefully as she opened the door, allowing both the hotel employee and the cart inside. The truth was, I couldn’t give a shit what the chef had prepared, bu
t I could easily tell Acadia was intrigued, her eyes shimmering as the cart was pushed further into the room. The employee kept his focus on the cart, barely glancing in my direction and keeping his head down.
He’d been warned to provide the food then leave like a good boy.
I’d be certain to leave a generous tip.
I moved back to the couch, sitting down on the edge, my eyes never leaving her. As she lifted the various silver domes, pushing them aside, her eyes glistened from the sight of each steaming dish. There was a platter of artistically arranged fruits and cheeses, as well as shrimp and what appeared to be caviar. The various other dishes didn’t draw my interest, although I had no doubt the staff had spared no expense at providing items for such an audacious request. I laughed at the thought of how much I’d spent on a late-night treat.
She studied the feast for a few seconds before grabbing a plate and utensils, making her selections very carefully. Sighing, she held her hand over the mound of strawberries before using two fingers, pinching them around the stem. As she brought the juicy piece of fruit to her mouth, she tilted her head, darting her tongue back and forth before taking a nibble. Her audible sigh seemed to indicate her satisfaction.
The second she wrapped her lips around the entire strawberry, a jolt of electricity pounded into my system, every synapse on fire.
Everything about the girl screamed of innocence, a smile meant for no one but her inner being witnessed by a monster. Taking small steps, she headed back in front of the television, finally darting a glance in my direction. “Don’t you eat?”
“I’m not hungry. Please enjoy.”
“Of course you don’t eat. Why would you?” Her response did nothing but continue to build the raging desire snaking its way around my muscles and tendons. She sat down with a huff, crossing her legs and arranging her fork and knife on her napkin not once but twice. Only when she was happy with the position did she turn her attention back to the television.
I held the glass in front of my lips, licking the rim. There was nothing pretentious about her, especially now. Still, I was forced to remind myself that she was the enemy. Claiming her meant little more than doing what was necessary to get to the truth.
