by LP Lovell
"Oh, don't be a pussy," I say with a growl as I grab his hair and yank his head back. Ella's gaze locks with mine and she nods. In one swift movement, I slice the blade over the front of his throat as I bury my dick deep inside him. Blood spurts from the cut, splattering Ella but she doesn't flinch. She simply watches Sawyer—the man who once hung her moon—gurgle and gasp for air. I pull out of him and push to my feet.
Sawyer chokes on his blood as he falls to his back on the floor. Ella sits up and crawls toward him until she’s right over him, her eyes flickering with that darkness that lives within the recesses of all mankind. I stand silently next to her watching and waiting for that darkness, that little monster to claw its way out.
Without a word, Ella takes the knife from my hand and scoots toward him. "I hate you for what you've done," she whispers with an eerie calm before she straddles his naked body. The weakening arterial spray drenches her as she takes the knife in both hands, raises her arms above her head, and plunges the blade deep into his chest. Her chest heaves. Her body trembles. There she is covered in blood. My little lamb. Oh, how far she's come.
"Little lamb," I say with a smile. "What have you done?" I kneel in front of her and wipe the blood spatter from her cheek.
"What you taught me to do." She clamors to her feet and walks around me. "Make sure that money goes into my account, Tobias. I didn't sell my soul for nothing."
Oh, but little lamb you cannot leave the flock. Not now…Grabbing her wrist, I yank her back to me. "And where do you think you're going?" She's barely holding on and I revel in that spark that threatens to ignite and consume us both.
"I'm done. The game is over." Tears swim in her eyes and her beautiful lips tremble. Throughout these seven days with her I’ve seen her cry and beg and bargain, and it’s never bothered me. But these tears damn near destroy me because they are for me.
"A little lamb can't leave her shepherd. The Big Bad Wolf will surely get her."
"The Big Bad Wolf is dead, Tobias."
Laughing, I tug her to my chest and stare down at her bright blue eyes. "That he may be, but I will haunt your every dream. You'll toss and turn with my name on your lips, Ella. You belong to me."
She swallows, fixing her gaze on my chest. "I don't want to be your possession. I'm done being a toy. The things you made me do..." Her eyes lift to my face and I can see the questions swimming in her eyes. "Why do you do this? These games? What is the point?"
I shrug. "Because I can. Because it's fascinating to see how many days it takes the human mind to change. It excites me to watch someone break free from the moral constructs of society." A moment of doubt dances through her eyes and I revel in it. "I taught you to do what most people wish they could but refuse to because they are taught it is wrong. Right and wrong, those are human constructs. They are not real; they chain you to some idea that should not exist."
"Murder, Tobias—"
I hold a finger up. "Survival of the fittest. The superior. Those people you killed, they would have put a knife in your back the second you turned around. All of existence is a test. A game." A slow laugh rumbles from my chest. "Manipulation."
"And Maria?"
"To test your desire for revenge."
"The bridge?"
I smirk. "To determine your will to live."
"My apartment? Making me think I was insane? Did that 'break me free from the moral constructs of society' or just my own sane mind?" She glares at me. "Or did you need me to think I was insane? Maybe I am insane." She laughs.
"It was all a test, Ella. All part of the game to see how strong you are. To tell us whether you were truly superior or not. To test the bounds of love and loyalty, greed. To make sure you were the perfect fit."
“Perfect fit for what?” she shouts.
"Do you feel free, or do you feel like a prisoner?"
"I feel like a monster!"
"By whose definition, though Ella?"
She looks up at me, a frown line sinking between her brows. “And you expect me to stay with you?”
“You love me. I love you. It makes perfect sense.”
"How can I love you after everything you've done to me? Is this part of your game? One last laugh at my expense because you manipulated me so easily."
"Love, Ella, is the one thing you have no control over. You never should have loved me and I never should have loved you, yet..." I push a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Here we are."
She closes her eyes for a second and nods slowly. "Would you love me if you hadn't turned me into this?" She waves a hand down her bloodied body.
I sigh. "We'll never know, will we?"
She leans into me, pressing her body against mine until our lips are barely an inch apart. "I should hate you," she breathes.
"You should, but there's such a thin, fragile line between love and hate now, isn't there?" I fist her hair and drag her to me. "What is love worth to you, Ella? It is the one thing we seek. The one thing we will kill for and steal for—die for. And what is that worth to you?" I run my nose along her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin mixed with Sawyer's blood. "Is it worth this?"
Her hand glides over my chest until her fingers thread through my hair. She presses her cheek to mine. Each breath that leaves her lips is staggered. The tension builds as I wait for her to answer, and I realize that I'm far too invested in this, in her, but I'm also too far gone to turn back now.
"Yes," she whispers. "It's worth everything."
I slam my lips over hers, kissing her hard and deep. Ruthlessly...just like I love her. "Come," I pull her towards the bathroom.
"We need to leave."
"You're covered in blood." I lead her through to the bathroom. In the very middle of the room is a tub with three steps leading up to the basin. I move us around to one side, turning her back to the room Sawyer's body lies in. Leaning over the edge of the marble tub, I plug the drain and twist the taps before I turn back to her. Her skin is stained with blood and, as sick of a man as it may make me, my cock swells at the sight.
Without a word, I pick her up and set her on the side of the tub. I kneel between her legs, rubbing my palms over her smooth skin as I lean toward her. "I'm so proud of you," I breathe against her. The muscles of her thigh twitch beneath my hold. "So proud of my little lamb." Slowly, I place the tip of my tongue against her. I lick over her clit and coax a soft moan from her. "And you should be rewarded, after all," I whisper before I flatten my tongue out and swipe it over her. She grabs at my hair, pulling and tugging. Opening my eyes, I glance around the dip of her waist at Sawyer sprawled out dead on the bedroom floor, there is the sacrifice of our love. The door to the bedroom creaks and soon a shadow steps into the bathroom doorway, and a small smile works over my lips.
"Having fun without me?" Preston asks. He walks around the tub, stepping behind me before he kneels.
"Preston," Ella breathes, reaching for him and scratching her nails over the side of his jaw.
His warm lips press against my throat. "I will miss this, Tobias," he whispers. My chest grows tight and I reach up, winding my arm around the back of his neck. Everything has changed, but isn't that how life goes? One game ends and another begins...
Warm water trickles over the edge of the tub, splashing to the floor. I press my lips to his mouth, kissing him with raw want and need. For this. For her. For us.
"She is perfect," he says against my lips. "Sweet Ella, you are so perfect."
She sits up and grabs the collar of his shirt, dragging his mouth to hers over my shoulder in a greedy kiss. He breaks away from her and pushes to his feet. I unfasten Preston's fly and wrap my fingers around his hardening cock as he shoves his pants to the floor. I find Ella's pussy with my other hand and slip my fingers inside her, thrusting hard and determined. Preston pulls back from my grip and reaches for me. When I stand, he drops to his knees. I close my eyes the moment I feel his hot lips close around my cock. A groan works up my throat, and I fist Ella's hair, tugging her hea
d down next to Preston's.
"Help him suck me, little lamb."
Batting her eyes seductively, she lowers her mouth to my cock and licks along the side of it as Preston works at my head. I fall back against the edge of the bath, bracing my palms on the cool tile as they both work me over, sucking and licking and occasionally kissing each other. My muscles tense. All I want is to be inside them, touching them. Owning them.
"Come here, Ella," I say, grabbing her wrist and pulling her up. I kiss her as I guide her down onto the tiled floor. I glance at Preston still on his knees, patiently waiting. "Fuck her for me," I say. He grins and crawls over her body. Their lips meet as he presses between her thighs, and then, in one thrust, he's inside her. She throws her head back on a moan, her body bowing so beautifully for him, like a serpent dancing for her charmer.
I position myself behind Preston and place the tip of my cock on his tight asshole that’s begging for me.
"How does he feel, little lamb, so deep inside your greedy little cunt?"
She moans and wraps her arms around Preston as I sink so deep and hard into Preston's asshole. The pressure causes my dick to twitch with excitement and a feral heat to course through my veins. Ella kisses over Preston's neck. He groans as I fuck him. She nips and bites, pleading against his throat as he drives into her.
"I want to come," she whispers, and I fuck Preston harder, in turn forcing him to fuck her with more force.
"Not until he does, little lamb. Not until I do."
A sweet moan falls from her lips as she tosses her head back. Preston groans, his asshole tightening around me as she rolls her hips against him. Tension winds through my muscles as I seek a release. Preston stiffens on top of her and clenches around me. Heat spreads through my body and my fingers tighten on Preston's hips. A deep groan rumbles from his chest, and Ella pushes up onto her elbows. I fold myself over Preston’s body and violently kiss her over his shoulder. Breaking away from Ella, I pull out of Preston and grab his hips, dragging him back away from Ella. She lets out a little whimper and I grin. "Patience, little lamb." I slam back inside Preston. He lets out a staggered groan and grips Ella's thighs before he lowers his face to her pussy. I fuck him and with every thrust, she moans.
"Come for him, little lamb." My fingers dig into Preston’s hips. "Come for me."
She grabs Preston’s head, riding his face as his tongue lashes over her. This, the three of us like this, is the most sordid form of bliss I could want for. Perfect and orchestrated. I fuck Preston harder and her mouth falls open on a silent scream. That’s all it takes. I come forcefully inside Preston, my body jerking and muscles twitching as I come down from the high, the possession.
I pull out of Preston and stand, making my way to the tub and shutting off the water. I hold my hand out for Ella and she takes it as I lead her up the steps and help her down into the full tub. Steaming water laps over the sides and spills onto the floor. I step in and sink down behind her, wrapping my arms around her body as I glance back at Preston. "Come, Preston. Be with us."
He gets to his feet and makes his way up the steps and into the tub, taking a seat on the other side of Ella. "You did so good, sweet Ella," he whispers as he pushes her hair behind her ear.
"You've made us so proud," I say, and she smiles.
"Oh, how I'll miss you," Preston says.
"Miss me?" she says as she turns to face him.
"Little lamb," I cup water in my hand and slowly wash the blood from her shoulder, "Preston has a new game to play."
Preston washes her other arm as she continues to stare at him. "I'll come back though, sweet Ella, don't worry. I just have to win first."
"Why? Don't go." There's a panicked edge to her voice.
"It's all part of the game," Preston says. “I have to make someone lose.”
"But what if you don't win? What if something happens to you?"
"You must have faith, little lamb," I whisper.
Her chin drops to her chest and her shoulders fall slightly. Preston's gaze meets mine and a small smile works over his lips as he reaches for her. Stroking her hair away from her cheek, he kisses her gently. "I promise I'll be back. I couldn't lie to you, sweet Ella, and besides, Tobias would find me." He smirks as he stands up in the water, steps out, and grabs a towel.
I turn to Ella. "Now, little lamb, you belong to me. And the only question left is," I kiss her jaw. "Are you game?"
Epilogue
Alec
1801 Vanderbilt Avenue. I take a breath and ring the bell and a man in a tuxedo opens the door.
"I'm here to see Mr. Benton," I say.
The man glances over me quickly before stepping to the side and allowing me in. "Yes, right this way."
He leads me to an elevator and presses a button. When the doors open, I step in and he selects the 37th floor before stepping back out. "If it stops on any other floors, don't get off. You won't be able to get back on." And the door slides shut.
This is the weirdest interview I've ever been on, and if I wasn't desperate for a job, I'd probably tell this guy to go fuck himself. The elevator quickly reaches the top floor and the doors open to a rooftop patio. Straightening the collar to my jacket, I step out and cross the empty rooftop. "Hello," I say, but am only greeting by the wind and the sounds of the city traffic 37 floors below. And then I see the red glow of a cigarette followed by a white puff of smoke.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Dawson," Tobias says. He moves into the dim light and a woman in a long, flowing white dress steps up beside him. They look like a power couple. Dominant and soft. The perfect compliment to one another. Her heels click over the concrete as she approaches me and her long blonde hair catches in the breeze. I swear, she looks familiar. "Didn't I see you on the subway yesterday?" I ask.
A smirk settles over her red lips.
"This is my associate," Tobias says as he waves toward her, "Ella Taylor."
She stops in front of me and holds out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Alec." Her eyes flash with something seductive and wild and my dick stirs to life.
"I have a proposition for you," Tobias says. "One million dollars."
My brow wrinkles and I shake my head. "I'm sorry. What?"
"What would you do," Ella leans in next to me, the sweet scent of her perfume making me drunk, "for a million dollars?"
"Or better yet," Tobias laughs, "what would you not do?"
Smiling, Ella glances at Tobias then back at me. "Would you kill someone?"
"Would you submit yourself?" Tobias asks.
"Fuck no," I say, taking a step back, but Ella grabs my wrist and pulls me toward her, pressing her warm, tight body against mine.
"We're offering you one million dollars for a week of your time," she whispers.
"Let's be honest," Tobias says as he circles around me, "it’s not like you have anything to live for."
"Seven days," Ella sweetly says, trailing her warm fingertip over my arm. "Only seven days and your life will forever be changed."
"Think of the possibilities."
"The freedom," Ella says.
"What the fuck is going on? Is this some sick fucking game?" I ask, tearing away from her hold.
"Why yes," he says, "yes, it is."
"And all we want is for you to play with us," she says.
"One million dollars," Tobias says, brushing Ella’s hair away from her neck.
Her eyes lock with mine. "Now all you have to decide is: Are you game?"
The End
