by C. E. Black
He blew out a breath and shook his head, “Well, now I’m thinking it doesn’t apply to you.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Try me.”
“I don’t know,” he shook his head. “You’re pretty deep in Stone’s pocket. I don’t want to get in trouble for speaking out of turn.” His stare was intense as he added, “For my girl’s sake. I can’t let anything happen to them.” I understood.
“Listen, I’m not that deep,” I gave him my own meaningful stare. “Whatever you say to me, won’t go anywhere else.”
He hesitated before saying, “Okay, but if word gets out, I’ll know who was talking,” he threatened. I nodded and he blew out another breath and looked away. When he looked back, his expression was so full of pain, I thought he was hurt.
“Not all of us, but most, we aren’t in this organization because we want to be.”
I narrowed my eyes. “How else would you be?”
“Blackmail,” he replied simply. “He’s got one of my females.” I looked out at the dance floor, but Levi shook his head. “Not one of them. We have one more in our pride, Danika.”
“What happened?”
“He saw her one day–”
“Stone?” I interrupted.
“No, not Stone, but Stone works for him and I can’t take the chance that he’ll hear me talking.”
“I got you, don’t worry,” I soothed.
“He saw her one day. I don’t know where, I think maybe jogging near our home.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Anyway, one morning, she was just gone. We searched everywhere, and I thought she just left us, but all her things were still there. Then the note came.” Levi’s eyes glazed over, as he stared off into space, lost in his memories.
I cleared my throat, once again gaining his attention. “Do you mind me asking, where did you live?”
“Tennessee, right outside of Knoxville.”
I narrowed my eyes in thought. That was pretty damn close to where Jordan and Alex lived. “What did the note say?” I asked.
“Oh, that he had Danika and if we wanted her to live, we had to do what we were told. I didn’t believe him at first, but then a box came. Madeline’s scream had me running out of that shower still dripping wet, and when I saw what was in that box, I cried like a baby.” He looked up at me, his eyes shiny with unshed tears.
“They’d cut off her finger.” I winced, but he continued. “It looked so delicate and small laying on a white silk pillow. They even tied a pink ribbon around it, the bastards,” he growled and looked away, sniffing.
“I’m sorry,” I covered his hand with mine briefly before pulling away. “Do you know who this man is?”
Levi shook his head, “No.”
“Did he leave a signature on the letter? Anything?”
He began to shake his head and stopped. “No, he didn’t leave a name, but he signed it W.”
W... W...W... I repeated in my head. Nothing rang a bell. “Okay,” I nodded. “Thanks for telling me.” I glanced around the bar and wondered. “Hey, Levi?”
“Yeah?”
“What about the rest of these people? Same story?”
“For the most part. For some, it’s their mothers, sisters, husbands, boyfriends... You get the picture. But not all of them are here because they have to be. Some of these assholes want to be here.”
“It doesn’t look so bad.”
He shook his head and sighed, “You don’t know how it really is yet, but it’s not all drinking beer and watching fights. The real job is...” he stopped himself, looking around to make sure no one was watching, before leaning in and whispering, “I can’t say, but stuff goes down behind the scenes. Stuff I don’t want my family around,” he shrugged. “But what can I do?”
I nodded as I stood up. “Thanks for talking to me, but I got to head back, breaks over,” I smiled warmly and began walking away. “Oh,” I turned back remembering something. “Who’s Emma?”
“She’s a wolf shifter that went missing a few days ago. She was hanging out with some guy, another wolf, and then she was just gone. I think they were questioning him, but I heard he escaped.”
Hmm.. “Thanks, Levi,” I said and began to turn away, but stopped. I saw Levi’s shoulders slump and I felt bad for prying out his bad memories. “Listen Levi,” He looked up, his eyes no longer shiny, but the sadness lingered. “It’ll be okay. We’ll find Danika.”
He shook his head and frowned. “I don’t know how...”
Of course he wouldn’t. He had no clue who I really was. “I know, but keep hope, okay?” He didn’t say anything as I walked away, but I was determined to find that son of a bitch and get these people’s families back.
Chapter 23
Walking into my hotel room, I smiled when I noticed Paul waiting for me. “Hi,” I said, as I shut the door behind me. “I’m glad you waited up for me. I have to tell you–”
“Come here, Foxy,” Paul interrupted, holding out his hand. At first, I stiffened, thinking he was mad at me again, but I hadn’t done anything wrong.
My brows furrowed, “I called and checked in, just like you asked,” I reminded him.
“I know,” he replied. “Come here.” His eyes were dark with lust, not anger, I realized and grinned. “Hold your horses, I have to tell you something,” I said, as I began to walk past him.
His arm stretched out and grasped me around the waist, pulling me flush against his body. I opened my mouth to protest, but was cut off by his hush. “Shh, Terry, just come here a minute. You did good today, calling me like you did.”
I narrowed my eyes, “I’m not a child, Paul. I understand why I needed to call, but I don’t like it.”
“I know,” he said simply and leaned down to capture my lips.
The kiss was slow and sweet, immediately causing me to melt. I fell into the kiss, wrapping my arms around him, as he licked across the seam of my mouth. I opened for him and savored his taste, as our tongues slid together.
Breaking the kiss, Paul’s lips rained kisses down my jaw until he reached my neck, then he buried his face in my throat and breathed deeply. The action made me freeze, knowing what he smelled. I hadn’t showered after my time with Stone.
Paul leaned back and looked at my face, his eyes searching mine. Guilt, shame, I don’t know what I felt, but I lowered my eyes, afraid to see his anger at me. I didn’t regret being with Stone, but I would never throw it in Paul’s face either.
Long fingers clasped my chin, gently lifting my face until our eyes met. His expression was soft, accepting, not an ounce of anger could be seen and I frowned.
Opening my mouth to say something, though, I wasn’t sure what, I blinked in surprise when he shook his head. “Shh,” he whispered again and kissed me softly, before he took my hand and lead me into the bathroom.
He stripped me slowly, carefully. His fingers caressing me as he removed each piece of clothing, left my skin tingling in their wake. Once I was naked, he removed his clothes and turned on the shower, gesturing for me to get in. I wasn’t sure if I was in a state of shock or what, but I did as I was told, feeling like putty in his hands, as he climbed in after me.
He started with my hair and my head fell back, as he scrubbed my scalp with his strong fingers, taking his time, washing it twice before adding conditioner. I could have fallen asleep beneath the warm spray, if it wasn’t for my curiosity. Why was he being so gentle with me? Did he just want me clean or was it something else?
My musings were thrown to the wayside, as he picked up a washcloth, adding body wash before running it over my skin from top to bottom, taking special care around my breasts. He didn’t outright fondle me, but the way the cloth brushed against my nipples had them hardening, begging for more attention. My easy, relaxed breathing began to accelerate, the fresh smell of soap mixed with our arousal filled the steam that clouded around us and I sighed contentedly, as he rubbed slow circles across my stomach and headed south.
Spreading my legs, I allowed him to wash me thoroug
hly, moaning as the cloth stroked across my sensitive flesh. My arousal mixed with the soap, making the cloth slide with ease and I bucked my hips, seeking more friction. To my surprise and utter delight, he didn’t stop, continuing his slow and torturous caresses. His other hand trailed down my arm, sending goose bumps sweeping across my skin, before he found his way to my breast, his thumb brushing along my tight nipple. His lips found their way to my neck, kissing me softly. The wet slide of his tongue caused a whimper to pass my lips.
I fell backwards, landing on his hard chest, my hips rotating against his erection, begging him to bend me over and take me, but he never took me up on the offer.
“Please, Paul,” I whimpered, my temperature reaching fever pitch. “I need...” I trailed off with a moan, as his finger flicked my clit.
“Let go, Terry. Just let go,” he whispered in my ear, before sucking on the skin of my neck. My head tilted, allowing him to do what he pleased.
The emptiness had me aching, but I couldn’t hold back my climax, as his skillful fingers took the place of the washcloth and I shuddered my release, panting hard as he wrapped his arms around me. I stayed there, in his arms, boneless and breathing hard, my racing heart slowing, as he rinsed the suds and turned off the water.
Suddenly I was wrapped in a towel and being carried into the room. I looked up with heavy lidded eyes, as Paul laid me carefully on the bed. His expression was almost reverent, as he unwrapped the towel and followed me down. His fingers laced with mine, lifting my arms above my head, as he placed himself between my thighs and thrust into me gradually. So slow, I almost screamed in frustration, but his eyes holding mine kept me silent. They held too much emotion, so much it scared me and my chest heaved, as panic began to set in.
His repeated thrusts were measured, allowing me to feel the exact shape and texture of his penis, as it slid in and out. The pleasure overwhelmed me and as he leaned in to capture my lips, I realized we were making love, sending my panic sky rocketing. I tore my lips away from his and shook my head, trying to pull my hands away from his, then squeezing tightly. I wasn’t sure if I was holding on or trying to push him away.
“Shh,” he whispered again. “It’s okay, Terry. I got you.” Our eyes met and though my breaths continued to come out in harsh pants, the connection calmed me enough and my hips began lifting to meet his thrusts.
Never in my life had I been so intimate with someone, the way he looked at me, the way he touched me... As if he loved me. No, not possible, I thought, as tears burned behind my eyes and I shut them tight, refusing to allow them to fall. But as Paul’s thrusts picked up speed and began hitting that elusive spot inside me, my eyes snapped open, colliding with his just as the mother of all climaxes slammed into me.
Paul’s lips latched onto one of my breasts, as I screamed out his name, the tears I could no longer hold back rolled down my cheeks. The grip he had on my hands loosened to trail down my body lovingly and I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him as close to me as possible.
Paul licked away my tears, trailing kisses across my face, over my brow and eyelids before burying his face in my neck and plunging into me once more, as he found his own release.
I gasped and choked on a sob. That had been the most beautiful experience of my life. And the most terrifying.
I ran my fingers through his short hair, smiling slightly, as he purred against my throat and wondered what the hell I was going to do now. My heart had just leaped into the fire and getting singed was the least of my worries. I was afraid I’d end up reduced to ashes.
Pulling my hands from his hair, I trailed my fingers lightly down his back, up and down, as I thought through my feelings. I’d never felt so overwhelmed before and I wished my thoughts would just take a hike.
Paul shuddered above me and slid out gently, before rolling to his side and taking me with him. Wrapped in his arms, I laid my head on his chest and sighed contentedly. Through my confusing emotions, I still enjoyed the feel of his tight embrace and kissed him on the chest, as he sighed happily.
Should we talk? I thought, my brows pulling together. Did this night mean something and was I ready for that? I didn’t know.
“Paul,” I began, but the room’s phone rang loudly, cutting me off. Groaning, Paul reached over, grabbed the phone and handed it to me. “Hello?” I asked.
“Foxy, it’s Stone. I need you to come down to my office when you get a chance.” Stunned to silence at hearing Stone’s voice while wrapped in the arms of my other lover, I didn’t respond. “Foxy? You there?”
“Yeah,” I croaked. “I’m just surprised you called.”
“Well, I felt like I hit the jackpot when you spared my men last time and I didn’t want to tempt my luck,” he chuckled, but I didn’t have it in me to smile along, and when I stayed silent, his voice turned cold, “I expect you to report to me within the hour,” he demanded.
Report to him? Who was this guy? “Yes, sir,” I replied sarcastically, before handing the phone back to Paul. He hung it up and asked, “What was that about?”
“Stone wants to see me,” I sighed. “He made it clear a few nights ago that I was to take his orders if I wanted to stay in the organization, so I guess I better head out.” Paul nodded and kissed me sweetly before letting me go.
Sliding out of bed, I dressed and made a hasty exit. I had told Paul the truth, Stone did demand my compliance, but mostly I needed to get out of that room. It smelled of sex and Paul, tempting me to fall back into bed and pour my heart out, but I knew what would really happen. I suffered from foot-in-mouth disease whenever I became defensive, and I didn’t want to fight after the lovely night Paul had given me.
But as I walked down the main street towards the outskirts of town and the warehouse, I covered my eyes as the bright morning sun peeked over the horizon and realized that being afraid of saying something stupid in front of Paul, freaked me out all the more.
Chapter 24
Stone
Rubbing the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger, I shut my eyes and blew out a stress filled breath. The boss was down my throat about some missing crates full of product and wanted the thief in his hands yesterday. Impossible. I’d figure it out, I thought, as I shook my head. I had too.
“Come in,” I replied to the knock on my office door, as I stood in surprise. “That was quick. I just called you,” I looked down at my watch, “less than ten minutes ago.”
Foxy shrugged, her grin widening, as she sauntered across the room. My brows furrowed.
“I was in the neighborhood. So, you missed me, huh?” she asked.
Stopping in front of me, she ran a nail down the front my shirt, licking her lips seductively. My brows rose as I looked down at her. “What are you doing?” I asked, grabbing her wrist just before she unzipped my pants. Something was off with her and I didn’t like it. Not that I minded her coming on to me, but her smile was a little too bright and her actions too seductive.
Looking down, she groaned, “I love it when you get rough.” Rough? My confusion heightened, as she purred seductively.
“Have I been a bad girl?” she asked, glancing up at me through her long lashes. “Maybe I need a spanking.”
A spanking? I wasn’t new to the idea and I’d had my fair share of kink, but from experience, Foxy was a woman that wanted to be in control and I enjoyed that about her. Was this just something new she wanted to try? I would be up for that, but...
My eyes took in her appearance, from her red hair, the tips barely touching her shoulder, down to her black combat boots. My gaze connected with hers. They were bright and green and full of secrets. Nothing unusual there.
“So, you want to try something new?” I asked, pressing closer. “I can handle that.” I leaned in, capturing her lips in a hard kiss. Her tongue darted out and immediately I pulled away, my eyes narrowing, as I licked the taste of her off my lips.
“New?” She panted with with heavy lidded eyes. “Yeah, we can try something new.”
Flipping her around, I slammed her down on the desk face first and held her arms behind her back. She cried out, as I leaned down and growled, “Who are you?”
“Foxy, I’m Foxy,” her whimper told me my suspicions were true.
“No you’re not. Now fucking tell me what the hell is going on here!”
Paul
She ran. I fucking knew she would, but I’d still hoped she would stay, talk it out with me this time. The night before had been so fucking perfect. Couldn’t she see that? I sighed, running my fingers through my hair with a growl. Terry could be so frustrating. So damn frustrating! But I’d want her no other way, barbed tongue and all.
I watched as she approached the warehouse, not once looking behind her. She hadn’t noticed I’d followed. Though, as much as I wanted her, I couldn’t let her go meet Stone alone. She may have played it off as no big deal, but my gut told me something was about to go down.
I edged along the side of the warehouse, and waited until she entered the building before ducking under the office window. I gave a quick glance inside, thinking Terry hadn’t made it in yet, but I was wrong.
“What the fuck?” I whispered aloud. Stone had Terry pressed face down on his desk. She thrashed, trying to get away, as Stone twisted her arms behind her back.
“That son of a bitch,” I bit out, as I rushed around the building.
Terry
I walked in a daze, still reeling from Paul’s lovemaking. I swallowed hard just thinking the word. Love. I groaned silently. Was it love? Was I in love? With Paul?
I stopped just outside of Stone’s office, not even realizing I’d arrived at my destination. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and my shaky nerves. I was not in love with Paul, I told myself. If I was, I wouldn’t be so attracted to Stone. I grinned triumphantly. There! Can’t argue with that, I thought and opened the door, not bothering to knock.
