Hostages of Love (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Sophie del Mar

  “I hope you're right. I never want him to see the light of day again.”

  He held her against his chest as he stroked her hair. “We won't let him ruin our evening, will we?”

  “No.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I hope you'll be proud of me tonight.”

  “I'm already so proud I could burst.” He traced the line of her cheek with his finger. “I'm the luckiest man in New York because I'm escorting the most beautiful girl in the city.”

  She lowered her gaze. “You say the sweetest things.”

  “I mean every word of it.” His voice grew serious. “I've waited for you my entire life, and I've never been happier than I am at this moment.”

  She slid her arms around his neck. “I love you so much, my Heathcliff.”

  “If I'm Heathcliff, then you're my Kathy.” His voice was a possessive growl. “And Heathcliff never loved Kathy more than I love you.”

  Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “My handsome, brooding hero.”

  He gave her a roguish grin. “Just wait till the premiere is over, Kathy my love. Heathcliff requests the pleasure of your company for an evening of amusement.”

  She giggled. “Whatever Heathcliff wants.”

  * * * *

  Sean and Larissa walked out of the hotel and made their way toward the waiting limousine. Suddenly, they were surrounded by photographers as flashbulbs went off in their faces.

  “Here we go,” he said.

  She nodded. “Just keep smiling.”

  “I think I can handle that. After all, I have so much to smile about these days.”

  They climbed into the limousine, and Larissa's eyes widened when she saw Dina and Lloyd Carstairs already seated in the vehicle.

  “Dina!” Larissa threw her arms around her friend. “Finally, a friendly face. Are you riding with us?”

  “I arranged it so we could all go together. I wanted to surprise you.”

  “What a wonderful idea.”

  Sean looked over at his friend's pale face and stiff posture. “Lloyd, how are you holding up?”

  Lloyd gave him a shaky smile. “This is kind of overwhelming, don't you think?”

  “Isn't that the truth? But I've just learned something which might help.”

  “What's that?”

  Sean took Larissa's hand in his. “Just remember to keep smiling.”

  They laughed as the limo pulled away from the curb.

  * * * *

  Brian sat in his jail cell staring at the wall in front of him. There was nothing to break the monotony, and he had nothing to look forward to except his dinner. He had to make plans because his attorney was trying to broker a deal for him. If he gave them Mr. Stavros, they might let him walk free and enter the Witness Protection Program.

  Why shouldn't he give them the billionaire? Even if they indicted the man, Stavros was untouchable and safe on his island retreat. Brian considered the deal from every angle. By this time next week, he could be a free man. Then he would set his new plans in motion. It would be so satisfying to take revenge on the two bitches he hated more than anything on earth. First he would kill their men, then he would—

  “Your dinner is here.” The guard's voice interrupted his fantasy.

  Brian smiled. “Hey Bobby, how's it going?”

  “Pretty slow tonight, Brian. You have the place all to yourself.”

  “You up for a game of cards later?”

  “Well, it's against the rules.” Bobby looked around. “But ain't no one around to complain.”

  Brian ate quickly because he was famished. His new plan was a boost of adrenaline to his system, and he wouldn't be in this rathole much longer. Only a few more days of eating this stinking food. Tonight it was even worse than usual.

  Brian grimaced. “You guys need a new chef.”

  Bobby laughed. “You think so?”

  “Yeah, I mean this shit tastes like—” Suddenly Brian could no longer speak. He looked up at Bobby as he struggled to catch his breath.

  Bobby gave him an evil smile as he pulled out a small video camera and pointed it at Brian. His good ole' boy accent disappeared, replaced by a cold modulated voice.

  “This meal is compliments of Mr. Stavros,” he said. “Sort of a last supper for a condemned man. He wishes he could be here to watch you die, but since he can't have that pleasure, he asked me to film it for him.”

  Brian struggled for breath. He cried out for help, but was amazed when no words came from his mouth. The muscles in his throat seemed paralyzed. Catching a breath was nearly impossible, and the constriction around his chest tightened as his lungs screamed for oxygen.

  Then the pain in his stomach began. Tears spilled from his eyes as he clutched his abdomen. It was as if some hideous monster clawed its way out of his body, tearing a hole in his sternum as it did so. He looked down, surprised to see there was no bloody, gaping hole in his chest. Still, the creature kept clawing and Brian screamed in agony, but no sound escaped his lips. He realized he'd evacuated his bowels. As he lay in his own filth, his eyes begged Bobby to help him.

  As if understanding what Brian couldn't put into words, Bobby gave him a sad smile. “Sorry, man. You did this to yourself, and Mr. Stavros instructed me to say there's no forgiveness for traitors.”

  Brian clutched his stomach as he rode another wave of agony. Fiona's childhood face floated above him as she watched in silent judgment. He stared at the camera with wild, tormented eyes because he smelled the fires of Hell creeping up on him.

  It took an eternity for Brian McCabe to die.

  Chapter 34

  “We need to make one stop before the premiere,” Larissa explained to Dina and Lloyd. “That's why I asked the limo to arrive early.”

  Dina raised an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”

  “You'll see. It was Sean's idea.”

  The vehicle pulled up in front of Friendship House. Larissa and the others walked into the building where the director greeted them warmly, and then gave them a tour of the facility. He brought them into the hospital ward and announced to the children that they would have the opportunity to meet Captain Merrick, the hero of Flight 75. The look on the children’s faces filled Larissa's heart with happiness. Sean might be uncomfortable with the hero label, but he was using it to give pleasure to those less fortunate.

  She had never loved him more than she did at that moment.

  He answered questions from his enthusiastic audience, and then a delivery van arrived from a downtown toy store. Larissa and the others helped distribute toys, puzzles, and books to the children.

  She squeezed a plump teddy bear as her gaze roamed across Sean's broad shoulders, over the rough planes of his face, and finally lingered on his sensuous mouth.

  She smiled. “Thank you for this.”

  He shrugged. “I figured I could put all this media attention to some good use.”

  After saying their goodbyes to everyone, they were back in the limo and on their way to the premiere.

  * * * *

  Sean stared in fascination as Larissa demonstrated her acting range in Primal Urge. The character on the big screen was her, and yet not her. It was like watching someone with a different personality who looked exactly like the woman he loved.

  He grimaced as her character seduced Ian and then had rough sex with him. That was a little too real for his taste.

  She reached for his hand and squeezed it. He realized this was the REAL Larissa, not the woman on the movie screen. He brought her soft fingers to his lips and kissed them.

  After the movie, they mingled with the other guests while posing for photographers. Sean was surprised to see Gabe approaching them, followed by Delilah, DesaRay, and Devon.

  “What are they doing here?” he said under his breath.

  “I invited him,” said Larissa. “After all, he saved your life or at the very least your virtue. And he said he never goes anywhere without his girlfriends, so I invited them as well.”

  Gabe was clea
n-shaven and elegant in a tuxedo.

  “Hello, captain,” he greeted Sean and then turned to Larissa. “Thanks for the invitation, Miss Christie.”

  “You're welcome, Gabe. And please call me Larissa.” She gave him a warm smile. “Thank you again for saving Sean's life.”

  Gabe lowered his gaze. “It was nothing.”

  “Did you see Gabe get a medal from the president?” asked Delilah.

  Larissa nodded. “It was nice to see Gabe, Ian, and Lloyd receive medals alongside Sean.”

  “I think Gabe is prouder of the award he won at the Adult Film Awards,” said Devon. “He won Best Actor in a Gay Porn Film.”

  Larissa smiled. “Oh, then I guess congratulations are in order for that as well.”

  “He's going to be impossible to live with,” said DesaRay. “An acting award and a medal from the president all in the same week.”

  When Gabe and the girls were out of earshot, Larissa turned to Sean. “I wonder if the president knew he was giving a medal to one of the winners of the Adult Film Awards.”

  He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “After the medal ceremony, the president confided that he's seen some of Gabe's movies.”

  Her eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

  He laughed. “I'm kidding with you.”

  She giggled. “Oh, you.”

  After a moment, she said, “Were you uncomfortable seeing those women again?”

  “Was it that obvious?”

  “I'm a bit jealous,” she admitted. “They're really hot, aren't they?”

  He looked at her in surprise. “Sweetheart, no woman in this room even comes close to your beauty. Don't you know that?”

  She laughed. “Remind me to give you something special for that compliment.”

  “I'm only telling the truth.” His gaze held hers. “But if you want to reward me, I'm looking forward to it.”

  * * * *

  Fiona stared at Ian's face on the movie screen as deep emotions filled her heart. She was happy this was her first Ian Renard film because she watched it with an open mind and a fresh perspective. His performance blew her away. That was HER man up there acting his heart out! His brooding intensity seemed to leap off the screen, and she found herself aroused at the thought of him in her bed.

  After the movie, they greeted Sean and Larissa at the party given by the producers. Since the hijacking, Fiona and Larissa's friendship had grown stronger. There was still tension between Ian and Sean, but there was also mutual respect. Whether they wanted to admit it or not, they had bonded during their ordeal on the plane and could never go back to hating one another.

  Once they were back in the limousine driving away from the premiere, Ian reached for Fiona and pulled her into his arms.

  His lips claimed hers. “I can't wait another minute to hold you.”

  “You were incredible in the movie.” Her eyes shone with enthusiasm. “I was so proud of you.”

  “Thank you, my dear. I guess that means you enjoyed your first Ian Renard film.”

  “I loved it. You're such a good actor.” She shook her head. “Not just good, but fantastic. Words can't even describe how impressed I was with your performance.”

  “I'll tell you a secret; that guy on the screen isn't really me. He looks like me, but I don't have that kind of self-confidence. I need to fake it most of the time. But if you fake something long enough, you start to believe it.”

  She smiled. “I love how honest you are with me. It just makes me love you even more.”

  He opened the sunroof and a cold, brisk breeze blew in.

  “What are you doing? It's freezing outside!” She looked up at the skyscrapers which towered above them like lighted beacons.

  “Then we'll have to do something to keep you warm, won't we?”

  He pulled the pins from her hair and it spilled across her shoulders in a soft cascade of curls. Then he took off her coat and admired her voluptuous figure in the ruby red evening gown.

  His lips caressed the delicate softness of her throat as he rained hot kisses on her flesh. Sliding his hand down the front of her dress, he stroked her hard nipple.

  “Are you cold?” he whispered. “I can close it.”

  “Not anymore,” she said. “In fact, I'm burning up.”

  Ian chuckled as he reached for the zipper. The dress fell away as his hot gaze roamed hungrily over her bare breasts. “You're so beautiful. A goddess.”

  “Coming from the sexiest man on earth, I'll take that as a compliment.” She arched an eyebrow. “Now it's my turn to admire you.”

  She reached for his shirt and unbuttoned it, then slid her hands down his broad chest until she reached his belt.

  “Let's get these pants off you,” she said quickly.

  He laughed. “My little Kathy is eager tonight.”

  “Seeing you in that movie turned me on.”

  “Shall we stop at a video store and rent my other films? I like the effect they're having on you.”

  “Oh Ian, you're so damn gorgeous.” She put her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I can never get enough of you.”

  “That goes double for me.”

  “Oh, God,” she sighed. “You drive me wild.”

  “Good.” His voice was a husky whisper. “I don't want anyone else making you feel this way.”

  “Is my Heathcliff jealous?'

  He frowned as his mouth claimed her nipple. “I'll admit I was a little jealous when I saw you talking to Sean at the premiere.”

  She moaned with pleasure. “Sean who?”

  He grinned. “Remember him? The famous Captain Merrick?”

  “Sorry, but I'm only familiar with the famous Ian Renard.” She ran her fingers through his thick hair. “Besides, I wasn't exactly thrilled when I saw you in bed with Larissa.”

  “That was just acting.”

  “I know that, and I think I'm handling it pretty well. After all, I'm the one who has you.”

  “Yes, you've definitely got me.”

  He slid her dress down her hips, revealing a black garter belt and fishnet stockings. “Mmm, I have a thing for garter belts.”

  “I know.”

  “But I think you're wearing too many clothes.”

  He slid her panties slowly down her legs and tossed them aside.

  He kissed her ankle as he ran his fingers along the four inch heel of her stiletto sandals. “I love these shoes.”

  She laughed. “You love all my shoes.”

  “Maybe it's the girl in the shoes that I love.”

  “Could be.”

  He kissed her inner thigh, then the golden thatch of hair between her legs. Sliding two fingers into her soft pussy, he reveled in the warm heat of her body.

  “I've been waiting for this all evening,” he said. “I can't wait any longer.”

  “Me neither. Oh God.”

  She closed her eyes as he slid his tongue into her. He loved the expression on her beautiful face as he teased her delicious clit with the tip of his tongue until she squirmed with delight. She was a fever in his body, a hot, roiling desire which spread through his bloodstream. She was sex, she was addiction, she was passion.

  Finally, she arched her back and cried out his name.

  He pulled her towards him and kissed her. “Do you taste yourself? You taste like ambrosia from the gods.”

  “Thank you my love,” she said sleepily, “but I'd much rather taste you.”

  He lay back against the seat as she took him into her mouth. As she licked the swollen shaft of his engorged penis, a thousand exquisite sensations flooded through his body. When he couldn't stand the sensations a moment longer, he pulled her onto his lap and guided himself into her. Clamping his mouth onto her swollen nipple, he sucked and fondled her breasts as she rode him with enthusiasm. Sleepiness forgotten, Fiona's eyes held desire and love as her gaze held his. At that moment, he felt like the luckiest man on the face of the earth.

  As she moved faster, he loved the way her h
eavy, full breasts bounced with each thrust of his dick. Finally, her body shuddered as she threw back her head, crying out with the intensity of her orgasm. Her muscles tightened involuntarily around him and he grabbed her ass with both hands.

  Her voice was a sexy purr as she collapsed against him. “You're so incredibly hot.”

  He inhaled the delicious scent of her arousal as he came with a fierce groan of pure animal pleasure.

  * * * *

  Later, Fiona rested her head against his bare chest. “We should probably get dressed now,” she pointed out. “Unless you want the driver to keep circling the city in preparation for landing.”

  “Just let me hold you a little longer.”

  “We have all night to hold each other in my apartment.”

  He cleared his throat. “Fiona, when I return to England I want you to come with me.”

  “All right.”

  “I mean I want you to stay with me.”

  She lifted her head and looked at him. “Move in with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Gee, that sounds like such a chore.” She frowned. “Waking up to your handsome face every morning.”

  “Please be serious.”

  “Okay seriously, I can't think of anything I'd like more than to move in with you. Do you have an apartment in London?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Where do you live?”

  “Well, I have this estate.”

  Her eyes widened. “An estate?”

  “Yes, it's been passed down through my family. My ancestor, Sir Paladin Renard, served Her Majesty during a difficult period when pirates plied their trade on the open ocean. The queen rewarded him with Evergreen, which has been our family estate since that time.”

  “Do you have horses?” Her voice held barely contained excitement.

  “As a matter of fact, I have several.”

  She clapped her hands together. “I love horses! I can't wait to meet them.”

  “I was wondering if—”

  “Yes?”

  He reached for his jacket and dug around in the pocket. “I have a present for you.”