***
‘Just taking these down to the car,’ called River, from the landing.
‘Okay. Thank you,’ replied Kerry.
She waited for the footsteps upon the stairs before returning her attention to the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door. She had changed her attire to something more fitting for the occasion. It was a low-cut nightgown, which was hung up by two thin shoulder straps. The silky fabric hung loose and seemed to bounce when she moved. The base of the gown barely reached half-way down her smooth thighs. Makeup had been applied and for the first time in nearly a year she wore her hair up. This really helped showcase the elegant curve of her swan-like neck. The whole piece was designed for attention. Perky breasts were practically spilling out. No bra was required. It didn’t matter how loyal River was to Ariel; he was bound to be drawn towards Kerry. Any man would be. She looked stunning, and she knew it.
‘Time to go to work,’ she told her reflection.
She reached for the door handle.
***
Bright lights flashed, music throbbed, and the women danced. Travis worked his way through the club, constantly keeping an eye out for more security. The revolver was in his hand but held low to the ground. The club was so vibrant and full of energy that it was unlikely that anyone would spot it. He spotted Elizabeth’s fuck buddy at the bar. The woman spotted him, as he pushed through the crowds. A frown etched her brow. A nod of the head ordered her to meet him towards the back door. She tapped the shoulder of the other barmaid and then headed for the makeshift meeting point. Travis could see movement on the far side of the club. Suited and booted Riggs Crew soldiers were spreading out at the main entrance. Time was not on his side.
Claire met him by the fire escape.
The barmaid was in her early twenties. Blonde hair flowed down her shoulders. She was wearing a short skirt, knee high boots and a skimpy little top that showed off her slim frame. Blue eyes looked worried to see Travis here. She had met him a few times already and knew that he was someone important in the Murdock Crew.
‘What are you doing here, Travis?’
‘I need to know where Elizabeth is.’
He had to shout to be heard over the music.
‘I haven’t seen her in days. I thought she was with you.’
Travis watched the men searching the club.
‘Did you have an argument, or did she say anything?’
‘No. It’s been great, but sometimes she goes away for days at a time.’
Travis understood that. He could be gone for weeks on some jobs.
‘Has something happened? Is this okay?’ Claire was now looking frightened.
‘I don’t know,’ admitted Travis. ‘Shit. I got to go.’ He pushed open the fire exit and disappeared out into an alleyway. Claire stood her ground, looking nervous and frightened, but purposely blocking the men trying to follow.
***
Her beauty was captivating. It was pointless to attempt to look away. Marcus was drawn to her. A dancing bear could walk by and still he wouldn’t even gift it with a slight look. Melissa was the most incredible woman he had ever seen. She even made eating food cute and sexy by the little nibbles she would take. The siblings were sat in the corner both of the most expensive restaurant in North City. A few V.I.P’s, sports stars and upcoming movies stars were in the establishment, but everyone understood that the booth was reserved for the new President of North City.
‘What is our next step?’ asked Melissa, as she nibbled on her pasta.
‘I want JR dealt with,’ replied Marcus, sipping his whisky-coke.
‘What about father?’
‘He is in no position to do anything against us, yet. JR is the immediate worry, but I will leave him in the capable hands of Abraham and Axel.’
‘Can we trust them?’
Marcus said nothing in reply.
Could he trust anyone anymore?
Yes. He could trust Melissa. There was no doubt about this.
‘We are going to have new enemies coming after us.’
‘It is a small price. Do you regret our actions?’
‘No,’ she said. It sounded like he had just got told off. ‘I believe in you and what we are doing.’
‘Good,’ he smiled a charming smile. ‘Tell me something, Melissa, what do you want?’
‘What do I want?’ she repeated the question back to him.
‘Yes.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘You are the most powerful woman in North City. You can have anything you desire. This isn’t about me rising to power. This is about us. I want you to be able to experience everything you want from life. There is nothing you can’t do. You are my family, and I love you. I want you to be happy. So, what do you want?’
‘I don’t know,’ she admitted. ‘I never really thought about it.’
‘Think about,’ he said, ‘I will give you anything.’
Melissa was the one smiling now.
‘You always did take care of me, Marcus.’
‘I love you.’
‘I know you do. I love you, too.’
‘No.’ He slid his hand across the table and placed it on the back of her palm. ‘I love you.’ Melissa swallowed hard, as she looked into those deep brown eyes. The intensity was something she had never seen before. She could see the wildfire of love burning in the windows of his soul. He was not extending his feelings to a sibling. He was confessing his feelings as a man. It was causing a strange tingling sensation to rush down her spine and a warm sensation to gather between her thighs. She swallowed hard, as he gave her hand a squeeze. He really meant it. Marcus was in love with her.
***
Pressure was applied to the clutch, as he shifted into fifth gear. The red sports car flashed through North City’s streets at close to fifty miles per hour. It was stupid and dangerous considering how poor the snowy conditions were. Travis switched lanes, as he overtook some of the slower motorists and sped off towards the south side. His eyes watched the road, whilst his brain tried to work out what had happened. A picture was starting to be painted. The last person to see Elizabeth was Travis. They had just finished a clear up operation involving another crew when he had got a phone call from Fiona, but what happened to Elizabeth after that? Where did she go? It didn’t look like she went home. She hadn’t been to see her girlfriend. Jasmine hadn’t heard from her. No one in the Murdock Crew had seen her. Where had Elizabeth gone?
‘Could one of our own taken her out?’ he asked the world.
***
River had never really understood what people meant when they said they were, ‘hot under the collar,’ but now he got it. He fully appreciated the saying completely. His internal thermometer was rising by the second. Never had he seen Kerry wear something so sexy. He hadn’t even thought about her that way. Yes. She was hot. Anyone with eyes could see that she was hot. He would be lying if he said he hadn’t checked out her ass, or glanced at her tits from time to time, but never had he been tempted to act on those primal feelings. That was until this exact moment. Kerry’s breasts were practically falling out of her top. The two of them were sat either end of the small kitchen table having a bowl of pasta mixed into a chicken sauce. Kerry had thrown it together, but it tasted pretty damn good. They were talking and laughing, which only made it worse. Every laugh caused her breasts to bounce. He could feel himself turning red through embarrassment. He was sure she had seen the lustful glances he was making. It was pretty obvious that he was attracted to her. The conversation had moved from work to friendship, to what they did outside of work and then somehow looped around to relationships. River was so distracted by the show of skin that he wasn’t even aware that the entire conversation had been constructed to get to this point and the line that Kerry said next.
‘Ariel is so lucky to have you, River.’
‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ he blushed.
‘It’s true. You are such a good man, and you try so damn
hard all the time.’
It was true.
He always tried his best.
‘I wish I had a man like you.’
‘I don’t really know what to say to that,’ he admitted.
‘You don’t have to say anything. I am just being honest. You are a good guy.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I am a bit frustrated that I let Ariel get to you first,’ she giggled. It was a fake laugh.
‘I very much doubt you would have gone for me,’ he laughed the comment off.
‘Oh? Why do you say that?’ she replied, genuinely interested.
‘Have you seen you, Kerry? You are way out of my league.’
It was her turn to laugh. ‘I very much doubt that.’
‘No. I wouldn’t have stood a chance with you.’
‘I don’t know why you are saying that, as I wouldn’t have turned you down.’
This time, she acted embarrassed and looked away.
‘You wouldn’t have turned me down?’
‘No. I have always had a bit of a crush on you, River.’
River couldn’t think what to say. What could he say? Kerry was gorgeous, and looking pretty damn hot at this moment in time, and now she was confessing that she liked him? What did he say to that? In fact, should he even be having this type of conversation with her? He is with Ariel. Yes. Things are not great right now, but he shouldn’t be doing this. Maybe, it was time to end this night.
‘Would you have turned me down?’ she asked.
‘Eh?’
Kerry laughed again. Her tits bounced. He enjoyed the show.
‘You are sweet. Would you have turned me down?’
River swallowed, hard.
‘Tell me,’ she was smiling from ear to ear.
‘No. I wouldn’t have been able to.’
Her smile spread even wider.
‘Would you be able to turn me down, right now?’
***
The lights were out when he got home. Removing of the heavy boots was the first job on his internal checklist. Anne was a light sleeper. He half-expected the woman slept with one eye open at all times. His jacket was next to go. It wouldn’t be needed in here. Anne had numerous heaters running in every room. It kept the house nice and toasty from the icy conditions outside. Normal people wouldn’t be able to afford the electricity bills, but the two of them were making more money than they knew what to do with. Slowly, he crept up the stairs, avoiding the creaking parts, and reached the landing. A quick peek proved that Hazel and Samantha were fast asleep and out for the count. Travis moved for the master bedroom. He moved with ninja-like stealth, like a ghost in the night.
‘Hey,’ Anne’s voice reached out through the darkness.
‘I wake you?’
‘I was only dozing,’ she replied. ‘You were out late.’
‘Yeah,’ he sighed, undoing his belt buckle.
‘You got problems?’
‘Yes. Elizabeth has gone missing.’
‘Elizabeth is missing?’ she sounded pretty surprised.
Elizabeth was perhaps the most dangerous and calculated soldier Jasmine had. Her reputation was spreading further every single day. It was well known the part she played in the murder of Jasmine’s husband and the youngest of the Riggs brothers. If she had gone missing, then something serious was happening in North City.
‘Yes. No one has seen her since yesterday.’
‘You think she defected?’
‘No.’
‘Is she dead?’
‘I think so.’
‘Should we be worried?’
‘No, but let’s just be careful.’
‘Okay.’
Travis removed his boxer shorts and climbed into bed.
He preferred to sleep naked.
Anne rolled over and cuddled into him, nuzzling her head into his hairy chest.
Her beautiful scent teased his nostrils, as he wrapped strong arms around her.
Their legs intertwined, as Anne relaxed into him.
‘Travis?’
‘Yes, baby?’
‘I have to tell you something.’
‘What is it?’
‘It’s about Kerry,’ said Anne.
It was time to tell him about the job transfer she was after.
***
A quick glance confirmed that he hadn’t followed her out into the kitchen. River was busy laughing at something on the television. The alcohol had really helped him come out of his shell. Her boss was always so polite and reserved. She had never heard him laugh like that. It was the type of laugh that started deep down in your belly. It was the sort of laugh that was just begging to get out. It was the laugh that River had forgotten he had.
Kerry rummaged in her handbag and found the plastic bag of white powder.
She held it up before her eyes.
It looked like nothing more than a pinch of sugar, but looks were deceiving.
Carefully, she ripped open the bag and poured the contents into River’s new wine glass.
A teaspoon stirred the powder until it faded away into the colour of the red wine.
Kerry released a deep sigh.
It was done.
She had brought this drug only this morning. It was all part of her plan. She was doing this for Samantha. She had to get her out of North City. There was just one final thing left to do, and the transfer would be hers. The lust dust would push River over the edge. The wine had weakened his mind, but the lust dust would turn him into a sexual monster. Kerry would let him have her. For one night, she would give herself to River. He wouldn’t know anything about the drug. He would think they got drunk and fucked. The fear of Ariel finding out would inspire him to put her forward for the transfer. It was a dark and horrible plan, but it would work.
Kerry picked up the glasses and headed for the living room.
***
It was an emotional cocktail of shock, disappointment and confusion. He had held her close, as she spoke, slowly digesting every single word. Anne could feel how upset he was by how tense and rigid his body had become.
‘She plans to move away?’ he asked a question but was speaking more to himself.
Anne said nothing.
She wasn’t exactly sure how he would handle this news.
She knew he wouldn’t be happy, but how far would Travis go for his daughter?
‘I can’t let her do it,’ he said. ‘I will lose Samantha all over again.’
‘She can always stay with us.’
‘And what can I do about Kerry?’
‘What do you want to happen to her?’ said Anne, with a dark undertone.
‘Not that,’ he was quick to counter. ‘She may be planning to leave with my daughter, but Kerry has raised Samantha. We are not going to do anything to her.’
‘How about I lean on the manager of the store?’
‘Make sure he doesn’t give her the job transfer.’
‘I will take care of it,’ said Anne. ‘Would you like me to take care of you?’
Her hand discovered her favourite toy down between his legs.
***
River placed the empty wine glass down on the table and sank back into the couch. He was giggling at nothing and looked drunk out of his skull. Kerry sipped at her wine, as she picked a more inviting position to move into. The two of them were sitting side by side on the couch. She had turned to face him. Carefully, she placed one smooth, elegant leg over the other, as she leaned in close, giving him a bird’s eye view of her tits.
River was looking directly at her breasts.
He was not being subtle. He thought he was being subtle, but he wasn’t.
The lust dust had kicked in.
His libido would be increased, as the sexual truth serum-controlled his mind. River couldn’t lie even if he wanted to. Kerry nearly gasped at the bulge protruding from his trousers. It had just appeared out of nowhere. Typically, an aroused man would attempt to hide his erection, but River wasn’t thinking stra
ight anymore. The euphoria had taken over.
‘How are you feeling, River?’
‘I feel good,’ he smiled, like a mad drunk.
Kerry giggled. She had never seen this side of him.
‘You want me to take you home?’
‘No,’ he replied.
He licked his lips and looked down at her tits.
‘You want to stay here with me?’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘And why is that?’
‘I’m enjoying myself,’ he admitted. ‘And I look looking at your tits.’
‘You like them?’ she asked, a blush now appearing on her face.
‘I love them. I always have.’
‘Do you look at them?’
‘Yes.’
‘That is naughty.’
‘I think I like being naughty.’
‘I think I do, too,’ replied Kerry. ‘Do you ever think of me when you are with Ariel?’
‘I have.’
‘When you were having sex?’
‘Yes.’
She didn’t know why, but Kerry was actually getting turned on by this information.
‘I think that is hot, River.’
Kerry got to her feet. River’s eyes were locked onto her. He was mapping out every single sensual curve of her body. It had been a long time since a man had looked at her like this. Malcolm used to have those same eyes. It was like she was some kind of goddess. Yes. It was the drug, but it didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the attention. Did that make her a bad person? Of course, it did. This entire situation was rotten to the core.
‘I think we should get you to bed,’ said Kerry.
‘I don’t want to sleep, yet.’
‘I didn’t mention going to sleep,’ she replied, with a naughty smile.
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