Inferno Anthology

by Gow, Kailin

  “Really? That’s so sweet.”

  “So my performing there doesn’t bother you?” I asked again, needing to clarify.

  “Does it sound bad if I say I love that women swoon over you, but it’s me you come home to?”

  I laughed, surprised by that. “No. It’s not bad.”

  She shrugged. “I used to cheer in a short skimpy outfit in front of giant crowds of people. Performing is performing if you ask me. It’s not that different.”

  “Well, it’s a little different. My job is definitely more sexual in nature.”

  “I guess I could go get a job as a pole dancer after I graduate, then.”

  Jealousy and desired flared through me at the thought. “Like hell!” I growled and she giggled. “There’s no way I’m letting all that Vegas scum get a look at you like that. I’ll buy you a pole for the bedroom, though. You can dance to your heart’s content.”

  She snorted. “I wouldn’t even know the first thing about exotic dancing. I’d look like a bumbling idiot and then you’d start wearing eye masks to bed so you wouldn’t have to inflict your eyes to anymore damage.”

  Grinning at the word picture she’d painted, I grabbed her hand and pulled her off the bed. “Guess I’ll have to teach you, then.” Turning her, so her back was against my chest, my hands went to her hips. “Damn. I wish you had some of your heels here. We’d fit together better.”

  “Bailey was wearing a pair, earlier. Brandon likes them. She took them off by the couch before you got here. Let me go see if they’re there.”

  I watched as she quietly opened the door, carefully peeking out to make sure she wasn’t interrupting anything before darting out. A few seconds later, she reappeared with a pair of high heels in hand; quickly shutting the door behind her.

  “Oh my gosh!” she gasped. “At first I didn’t see them out there, but they were still on the couch together, in the dark. I think I saw Brandon’s bare butt! I’m dying.” She sat on the bed and began fastening on the shoes.

  “Isn’t there another bedroom in this place?” I asked.

  “Yes, but you don’t know Bailey. She’s all about sex in places that she might get caught. Trust me when I say she has no qualms about doing it anywhere and everywhere, or in front of anybody. I’m talking in front of everybody…like groups of people at parties.”

  I chuckled. “I knew what you meant.”

  That made her halt and she stared at me, eyes narrowing. “Have you been to parties like that?”

  Damn. “First, you probably shouldn’t ask questions about things you don’t really want to know the answer to. And second, yes. But they all happened before I ever laid eyes on you. Dumb stuff, when I was younger, before I realized that real relationships could be so much better.”

  Glancing down, she finished latching her shoes and then she stood and walked over, a little better matched for my height. “I want to know everything about you. Even the things you think are dumb. I’m not some stupid jealous girl who is going to get upset over people you knew before me. Besides, it’s the people who touch our lives that make us into who we are. So, I should be thanking everyone in your past, because you seem pretty perfect to me.”

  Turning her around, I pulled her back against me, my hands traveling down to her hips once more. “I’m not perfect, sweetheart,” I whispered next to her ear. “I’m far from it. But you make me want to be that way—just for you.” Lifting a hand, I brushed her hair away from her neck and placed a kiss just below her ear. “Do you have any idea how beautiful and smart you are? You’re wise beyond your years and I love your kind heart.”

  “I love you,” she murmured in reply.

  Taking her arm, I guided it to drape around my neck. “Have you ever seen the movie, Dirty Dancing?” I asked, running the back of my hand down the side of her body, much like in the movie. She didn’t laugh or jerk away, though; instead, she leaned her head back against my shoulder, naturally.

  “I have.”

  “We’re going to do like that. I want you to relax your body and stay fitted with mine. You move the way I move. Got it?”

  “Got it,” she replied, the two of us still speaking in low tones, as if we were afraid our voices would break the magic between us.

  Holding her hips, I began grinding against her. Her body moved in time with mine. “Perfect,” I said, loving the feel of her limber body moving like this against my already raging hard on. “The trick to exotic dancing is to remember that it’s meant to incite sexual desire in someone else. So, your movements should be like sex.” I thrust hard against her butt and she groaned.

  “I think it’s working,” she said with a moan. “I’m feeling pretty sexual at the moment.”

  Chuckling, I slipped my hands over the top of hers, moving them both to her neck. “A man wants to see a woman caressing herself like a lover would.” Lightly, I guided her hands over her neck, across her chest to her breasts, pausing slightly before trailing them down over her stomach and guiding them to the apex of her thighs. “See that? Your hands just sent a direct messaged to me, traveling over every place on your body that I want to kiss. Now shimmy down my body like you’re leaning back against the pole. When you get to a crouch, grab your knees and open them wide and close them again. That gives the guy you’re dancing for a peek at the place he wants to sink into. You want to tease him.”

  She did as I asked and I groaned. I’d seen plenty of exotic dancers in my time, but none had ever turned me on like this.

  “But the guy I want to tease is standing behind me,” she said, turning to face me and I anchored her hips back to mine.

  “Trust me, sweetheart. You’re teasing him just fine.” She had no idea how hot she made me burn. “Now, slowly, take your shirt off. Keep it seductive.”

  Releasing her for a moment, I ripped my shirt off as I watch her inch hers up, her hips still continuing in the action I’d showed her. As soon as it was over her head, she held her arm out straight and dropped it on the floor. I couldn’t pull my eyes away as she reached behind and undid her bra too, leaning forward as she shimmied out of it, letting it fall.

  I couldn’t take the show anymore. “You’re a natural, sweetheart,” I said, scooping her up and plopping her on the edge of the high bed. Reaching for her shorts, I pulled them, along with her panties, off in one fell swoop. I left her borrowed shoes on, though. She looked fuckin’ hot wearing nothing but those heels.

  “But I’m not finished with my dance!” she protested with a giggle.

  Unbuttoning my jeans, I slid them and my boxers down, freeing my cock and plunging it inside her. “You can show me the rest later,” I huffed out, holding her legs into the air as I drove into her over and over again, needing to lose myself inside her.

  She was my drug. My addiction. My love. She spoke to my soul and heated my body like no other. A lifetime spent with her wasn’t long enough. I’d never be able to get enough of her.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Brooklyn

  “What the fuck is going on here?” My dad’s voice crashed loudly into my dreams and I bolted up, snatching the covers to my bare chest when I saw both him and Bailey’s dad standing at the foot of the bed. If there had ever been a moment that my dad looked like Satan ready to strike vengeance, it was now.

  “Dad…I—I can explain!” I cried out, trembling as Six placed his arm over me, leaning in front of me slightly, as he tried to shield me with his body.

  “I think I can tell what’s happening here without any explanation! Damn it, John!” he shouted. “What the hell has been happening here right under your nose?” He glared at Bailey’s father.

  “Calm down, Scott. They’re young. Kids have sex. It’s not the end of the world.”

  “The hell it isn’t! If this got out, the press would have a field day with it!” Marching around to the side of the bed, he grabbed my arm, yanking me roughly. “Get up! You’re coming with me, now!”

  “Let go of her!” Six yelled in a menacing tone,
taking hold of my other arm. “Can’t you see she isn’t dressed? Let her get some clothes on, at least!”

  “A fuckin’ whore doesn’t need to worry about clothes!” Dad said, pulling on me even harder and I fell to the floor, tangled in the sheet.

  Instantly, Six was on his feet, stark naked. Swinging back, he landed a punch right against my dad’s jaw. His head snapped back and he staggered before regaining his balance and barreling into Six, hitting him in the mid-section, the two of them toppling over on the bed, before falling to the floor.

  “Stop it! I screamed, tears leaking down my face as I attempted to rise, but I was caught in the sheet.

  “Here!” John said, thrusting some of my clothing at me. “Get dressed!” Joining the fray, he attempted to pull my dad off of Six.

  Brandon burst into the room, wearing only a pair of underwear as Bailey stumbled to the door wrapped in a sheet, as well. Brandon jumped straight into the fight.

  Quickly, I slid my shirt over my head and slipped my shorts on, not worrying about my underwear. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I brandished it like a gun. “Stop!!” I hollered at the top of my voice, brushing back my tangled hair from my face. “Stop, or I’ll call 911 and everyone will know what’s happening here!”

  Instantly, my dad stilled and the fighting stopped, everyone climbing to their feet, warily.

  “Say goodbye to your friends, Brooklyn,” my dad said, taking me by the arm. “It’s the last time you’ll ever be seeing them.”

  “Dad, please. Just listen,” I begged. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

  “I’m in love with your daughter,” Six said, and my heart swelled. The poor guy was naked in a roomful of people, and all he cared about was me. “This isn’t some crazy fling or one night stand. I really love her. We wanted to wait before things got so involved, but it just happened.”

  My dad’s jaw was set hard, his dark eyes glittering like obsidian as he stared at Six. “I’ve seen you before. Who are you?”

  “My name is Trey Jagger. I was a good friend of your son, Tommy.” Six was breathing heavily, but I could tell he was trying to maintain control.

  Disdain crossed my dad’s face. “That isn’t going to earn you any points with me. How old are you?”

  “Twenty-two,” Six replied honestly, never backing down.

  Stepping closer to him, my dad released me as he confronted Six, face to face. “She is seventeen years old.”

  “I’m aware of that, sir. According to the law, we’ve done nothing wrong. Sex between us was consensual.”

  “That may be, but she is still a minor. I promise you’ll be served a restraining order before the day is finished.” Grabbing Six by the shoulders, he kneed him hard in the balls.

  Groaning loudly, Six fell to the floor writhing. I screamed, hurrying to his side, but my dad grabbed my arm, yanking me back and holding me in front of him as Brandon rushed forward. “Stop now, or she’s only going to get it worse,” he threatened. “All of you are going to stand back and let me leave with my daughter or I’ll call the police and you’ll all end up in jail.”

  Giant sobs escaped me as he dragged me from the room and out the front door. “Six!” I screamed toward the pool house. “Six! I love you! I love you! I’m so sorry!”

  A hand clamped over my mouth. “Shut up, you little bitch, before everyone hears you! You’re going to stand up straight and walk out to the car with me, do you understand? Otherwise, I’m having your boyfriend arrested for assault.”

  Tears blinded me and he had to guide me to the car. I got inside without a fight. I didn’t want him to take his anger out on Six. Better me, than him.

  Sliding in beside me, he started the car and drove out the gate. The only sound on the short trip from Bailey’s house to ours was my hiccupping sobs. As soon as the garage door was lowered he got out. “Get inside,” he ordered. “We aren’t finished with this.” He stormed into the house.

  Slowly, I got out and followed after him.

  “Where’s mom?” I asked, not seeing her anywhere. I’d been hoping for her support through this. She’d at least act as a buffer between us.

  Leaning against the counter, he folded his arms across his chest. “You’re mom had an acute appendicitis attack in the middle of the night and is currently in surgery—something you would’ve known had you bothered to leave your phone on while you were out fucking your plaything.”

  “Dad, please,” I began, but he held up his hand.

  “Save it! I don’t want to hear it. Do you have any idea the damage you’ve done to this family? You weren’t at the hospital to support you mother. That looks bad. Now if this leaks out, people are going to think my kid is a whore.”

  “Oh, please!” I shouted back, my anger rising to the surface. “You are such a hypocrite! Why don’t you get off your high horse and quit worrying about the skeletons in everyone else’s closet and take care of your own!”

  A hard set came over his mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Says the man who has been sleeping with his publicist for years and killed his own son! People will take one look at me and think I’m just a chip off the ole block, won’t they, Mr. Righteous?”

  White-hot agony pierced my face as he slapped me, hitting me so hard I fell to the floor. A scream of pain escaped me and he kicked me in the stomach. “I said shut up!” he roared, grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me behind him, across the tile. Pulling me into his office, he fished a set of keys from his pocket, not releasing me as he slid one into the lock of a closet, opening it.

  I used the distraction to climb slowly to my feet, but he threw me inside, pressing me against the wall, his hand wrapped around my throat, choking me.

  Clawing at his hand, I desperately tried to peel it away.

  “Listen, you ungrateful little bitch. I’ve given you everything. And this is how you repay me? Well, no more! I’m going to the courthouse right now to see a judge and I’m going to get that asshole you were in bed with arrested. I’m going to tear him apart piece by piece. He won’t have a life worth living when I’m finished with him! He’s gonna curse the day he ever laid eyes on you.” Spittle flew from his mouth, spraying me as he spoke, still not relinquishing his hold on me. “As for you, my sweet princess, you can be the next skeleton in my closet for all I care!”

  Black spots were swimming before my eyes and it felt like he was squeezing my neck even harder. Suddenly, he released me, stepping out of the closet and slamming the door.

  Falling to my knees, I gasped, gulping great breaths of air as I tried to refill my lungs before rolling onto my side and sobbing hysterically.

  He was evil. My dad was pure evil. I used to think he was just a jerk, but I was wrong. He was the devil incarnate.

  Trying to recover, I laid there for several minutes before I finally had enough strength to jiggle the doorknob. Locked. No surprises there. Throwing my weight against it, I tried to bust it open, much to the dismay of my protesting body.

  What now? I thought to myself.

  The doorbell rang, followed instantly by pounding. “Brooklyn! Brooklyn, are you in there?”

  “Six!” I tried to shout through my weakened voice. “Six! Help me! I’m in the office!” I pounded on the door with all my might, hoping he could hear me. “Six!”

  The sound of glass shattering filled the room and the house alarm system immediately activated, filling the air. I continued pounding on the door.

  “Stand back, Brooklyn!” he shouted. Backing away, I heard him kicking the door. Something heavier hit it and I shrieked, as the leg of a chair came through one of the panels, splintering it. “Hurry!” he shouted grabbing the part of the door and ripping it outward. “We don’t have much time!”

  Kicking at the door, I broke away a large piece. “I think I can get through now,” I said, ducking my head and shoulder through the hole as he pulled me from the other side. I winced, feeling several splinters piercing my skin and gou
ging into my back. But then I was free.

  Gathering me into his arms, he ran toward the window, not so carefully dumping me out and then jumping out after me. Grabbing my hand, we ran toward the gate toward his car, parked on the other side.

  The motion sensor opened it for us and we both ran to the opposite sides of the car climbing in. Revving the engine, he backed out of the driveway and onto the road, driving away quickly. “Do you still have your phone?” he asked, and I nodded. “Throw it out the window.”

  I didn’t question him, doing as he asked. Pulling his from his pocket, he handed it to me. “Turn this off and do the same with it.” Again, I followed his instructions.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, my voice sounding choked and scratchy.

  “To Dee Dee’s,” he replied shortly, glancing briefly at me. “Shit! Look at you sweetheart. You’re a mess. What did he do to you?” Gripping the steering wheel harder, his knuckles turned white.

  “He slapped me, and kicked me. Then almost choked me to death.” I started sobbing, the reality of what had just happened hitting me hard. Never in my life had I ever experienced something so brutal, let alone at the hands of my father.

  “Never again. You hear me?” he grabbed my hand, squeezing it. “He will never touch you, again. Not while there’s breath in my body.”

  “That hurts,” I said, gesturing to his hand and he released it immediately. “Sorry, I hurt everywhere. And I’m sorry he hurt you, too.”

  “Don’t apologize. Don’t you dare apologize. None of this is your fault.”

  Slumping back into the seat, I closed my eyes, but the tears continued to leak from them. Still, as soon as we arrived in front of Dee Dee’s house, relief poured through me. I knew she would help us; and right now, we needed all the help we could get.

  Six came around and opened my door, but then insisted on carrying me to the house like I was an invalid. I didn’t mind though, not really. There wasn’t a spot on my body that wasn’t aching.