Stark Shadows (Stark Trilogy Book 2)

by Bradley,CD

  Kira realized he was right. Why didn’t she just leave right then? She had stayed and watched and moved room by room. Kira sat now with Lysander so close he was almost touching her and they watched her expressions as she visited each room. Kira drew in a deep breath as they reached the final room. She could see herself being drawn into the moment with Lysander and Paige, just before the screens of that room all changed to various videos of Stark.

  Kira pulled back from Lysander with tears in her eyes. “Why did you do it? Was it some kind of sick joke the three of you wanted to play on me? Watch me get all sucked in and the pull the rug out from under me. Embarrass and humiliate me? What was it? Why is this fun for you people?” She wanted to punch him in the face.

  “Kira no. I didn’t have anything to do with that. I swear to you. Neither did Page or Zoe. I still don’t know how that happened. We suspected Lilah had a part in it. Video shows her other places in the club during that time so if she did she didn’t act alone.” Lysander’s eyebrow furrowed into angry lines. “We had no intentions of harming you in anyway.”

  “Who had access to this room? Surely you don’t let just anyone in here. Why aren’t any damn cameras in here?” She hissed still fighting mad.

  “I love your feistiness. Access to the room is limited to a few technicians and myself. I fired those on duty that night. They were responsible for keeping this room and the information in here safe. There are cameras for this room but the time frame from that night is wiped clean. I have had multiple professionals trying to retrieve it. So far nothing.” His voice grew darker. “Privacy is absolutely vital to the existence of this club. We cannot have a breach of this kind. Ever.”

  Kira turned back to the screen and saw herself running down the massive wooden staircase. She saw her toe catch a step and pitch her body forward. Her arms waved frantically in search of something to keep her from falling but it was too late. Just as she was becoming air born the man in the white suit and hat stepped forward and caught her from falling. It was odd to see a man in this day and age with an all-white suit and matching fedora. He fit perfectly though with the 20s grandeur of the club. His back was to the camera as was Kira’s face. Kira watched her eyes fly open wide in recognition as she looked up into the face of the man who saved her. The horror on her own face made her sick. Kira wracked her brain for some trigger of a memory.

  “What is it?” Lysander asked. “I never could figure out that look on your face. We searched the tapes but don’t have a good visual of the guy’s front. Did he have on makeup that scared you? What about him freaked you out even more than you already were?”

  “I think I knew him.” She barely squeaked out the words. Her hands trembled in her lap. She didn’t know how it could even be possible. They watched on the video as she disappeared down the steps. The man in white stood at the door way, back to the camera watching her. A cold chill ran over Kira and she thought she might vomit. As Paige and Lysander made it to the doorway, the man slipped off into the shadows unnoticed.

  Chapter 7

  Stark drummed his fingers on the arm of the airplane seat. He had tried to reach Paige all day. He didn’t know where the fuck she was or why she wasn’t answering but he was going to find out. He had gotten a partial message from her about Kira being in the hospital but the message was so broken he couldn’t get exactly what happened or if she was ok and now Paige wasn’t answering any calls. He broke down and tried Kira too but nothing. He wasn’t surprised that she didn’t answer but he had to try. Damn these women. He called the hospital but all they would tell him is that Kira had been discharged and they didn’t have any patients by that name. He wanted to reach through the phone and choke the uppity little bitch on the other end blabbing on about HIPPA or some stupid shit. What the fuck? He didn’t understand why they couldn’t just say if someone was ok. Fuck he hated feeling this helpless. That was over now. As the plane touched down he grabbed his bag and was ready to bolt. The waiting truck took them to their Iso Fac. He quickly followed protocol and stored his A and B bags making sure that everything was ready to go when called. Then like a shot he jumped on his bike. He rode passed Kira’s apartment but the lights were off and he didn’t see a vehicle out front. He wondered if she was still driving the jeep. He raced on to his house. The night air was so much cooler here. The crispness felt so fucking good compared to the stale desert air. Like jumping into a swimming pool on a hot summer day. As he approached the house he saw the jeep in the drive. For a moment he had hope. Mabey Kira was here. He entered the dark house and only Mags was there to greet him. She seemed even more excited and upset than usual. What’s wrong girl? Mags jumped on him over and over, barking like crazy.

  “Damn girl, I missed you too. Did Paige forget to feed you this morning?” He hugged Mags and followed her into the kitchen. The empty water bowl and food dish told the story. “Sorry girl. Where’s Paige? Huh girl where’s Paige?” He ruffled the dog’s fur and filled her dishes. Stark reached for the phone and tried to call Paige again. No answer. He was starting to get really pissed. He sent her a text.

  I need to talk to you. CALL ME.

  If she wasn’t answering he knew where she would be. Stark ran upstairs and changed into the first jeans he could find. The ratty pair was old but comfortable. Every rip and diesel stain told a story. He quickly grabbed a clean white t shirt and threw it on then raced back to his bike. He was going to find Paige. If she wasn’t going to answer him he was going to her and he knew exactly where she would be. In his haste his phone slid out of his back pocket just as he started to back out of the drive and he ran it over. MOTHER FUCKER! Stark cursed into the night. God Damn it! The phone was smashed into a tiny pile of roadkill. He left it lay and took off down the road. This night could not get any fucking worse. Thunder echoed across the sky. He turned on to the main highway just as large rain drops started to fall. The huge drops felt like cannon balls as he rode. Pelting him in the face and chest. He rode on, slower than he would have liked but he was getting to that club one way or the fucking other. By the time he pulled up to the main gate he was drenched.

  “Hey Owen! Nice to see you.” James welcomed. James was about to retire from the military when Stark began. They had become fast friends and when the club opened Stark had helped him get a job as head of security. James was one of the good ones.

  “Hey man how have you been? Say have you seen Paige? I can’t get a hold of her.” Stark asked quickly as he took the steps two at a time shaking the man’s hand.

  “Wow Miss Paige is a popular lady tonight. Everybody coming up these steps is asking about her. Even that sweet little new girl Kira.”

  Stark stopped dead in his tracks. Ice water flowed through his veins. “Who did you say came looking for her?” Starks voice was low and cold.

  “Kira. I don’t know her last name, little thing, cute at hell. She’s a friend of Paige’s”

  “How long ago was she here?”

  “She’s still here. She went with Lysander bout an hour ago.”

  Stark’s eyes glazed over and he saw red. He dropped his helmet and burst through the large doors. His heart was beating out of his chest and the ice water turned to fire.

  “Owen!” Lilah’s drunken scream slurred across the room. “Baby yourrrre back!” she came out of one shoe while crossing the floor and fell into him grabbing his shirt. The Fabric tore but he caught her. She squealed with delight and planted a big wet kiss on his face. Stark pulled her off and set her down. Lilah got caught on the shirt ripping it further.

  “Have you seen Kira or Paige?” he demanded removing the sopping torn shirt and throwing it to the ground.

  “What do you want that uptight little bitch for?” Lilah stuck out her lower lip pouting, “She can’t doo half of what I can do for you baby. Come plaaaay with Liiilah. Have you been a baaad boy?” Lilah had clearly had way too much to drink again. She wobbled, one shoe on, hanging on him for support smearing the crimson lipstick on his bare arms and chest as she s
truggled to stand and talk. Her black strapless jumper revealed too much of once perky breasts.

  “Have you seen either of them?” On the inside he was screaming. He wanted to shake the shit out of her until she told him where Kira was. That’s not how operators work. He pulled Lilah close to his face and with the cold steel voice he used for enemy interrogations he instructed, “Tell me where Kira is now.”

  Lilah visibly melted in his arms. “I haven’t seen Paige all night, but the little prude disappeared with Lysander upstairs about an hour ago. I’ll bet she’s not so pristine now.”

  “Show me.” He growled and took Lilah by the hand forcing her up the stairs. She kicked off her other shoe grinning wickedly. “Which Room?” He demanded when they reached the landing.

  “I think that one but I’m not sure. Stark are you sure you want to go in there? Wouldn’t you rather take some of that frustration out on me?” Her eyes beamed wildly like a drug addict about to get their fix.

  He crossed the large hallway and threw open the third set of doors. The room was dark. Strobe lights and mist made it difficult to see details of the patrons. Moans and shrieks filled the air. The sharp crack of leather caught his attention and he turned toward a couple in the shadows. He stormed over and threw back the man between the small woman’s legs. The petite brunette looked up.

  “Well hello!” She cooed. Both legs open, the woman was on display. She smiled up at him, eyes wide with anticipation. She bit her lip and her small breasts heaved. Definitely not Kira. He turned without saying a word and scanned the room. There in the corner he saw a small framed woman bent over a plush chair. The tall thin man behind her raised a paddle with his right hand.

  “Stop!” Stark commanded and tried to push his way through the crowd to reach her. The music was deafening and the man couldn’t hear him. Crack! The paddle came down and the woman moaned loudly. Women latched on to Stark as he moved through the bodies. Hands groping, Lips grazing as they promised and offered. One woman got a hold of his zipper as he pushed another woman off him. He pushed her aside too and finally reached the woman in the corner.

  She looked up, her big brown eyes meeting his. “You can be next if you want.” She said smiling. Stark Whirled around furious and bumped into Lilah. She was not in here. “Where is Kira?”

  ***

  Lysander hit a button when the video ended and took it back to the main screen. Twenty mini pornos popped back onto the screen. Each room worse than the one before.

  “Kira, I will do everything I can to find this guy. Can you think where you have…” Lysander was still talking or at least his lips were still moving. One particular screen caught her eye. Through the mist she thought she saw him. Kira reached passed Lysander and clicked on the screen. His back was turned to her and he disappeared into the darkness. Maybe she was mistaken. Women were all over him. Then all at once he turned and stepped out of the shadows. It was him. Owen Stark. Shirtless with tags gleaming, his rippled chest and massive arms were marked from the ink of his past. The strobe light illuminated every flawless detail in broken flashes. Her eyes were drawn to the ripped and partially undone jeans. Head turned down at first, He scanned the room then looked up slowly meeting the camera. His eyes blazed wildly and he seemed to be looking directly at her. Kira’s heart stopped She turned and looked at Lysander with tears in her eyes and bolted from the room.

  ***

  Lilah stumbled and fell to her knees directly in front of Stark. She held onto his hips as he started to help her back up. She giggled and grabbed the open fly of his pants with her teeth. Suddenly the heavy doors flew open. Stark looked up. There in the light of the hallway was Kira. From across the room he knew it had to be her. He could feel her presence. She emanated through every fiber of him. Everything and everyone else faded away. He let Lilah fall to the floor and pushed back across the room with the speed and stealth of an NFL running back.

  “Kira!” he started as he reached out for her. She took a step back shaking her head from side to side. Her hair was up tight in a military bun but she still looked so delicate more like a ballet dancer than a soldier. Her bright eyes were wide with horror and brimmed with tears. He couldn’t stand seeing her this way. Her resistance shattered his soul into the million stars of the desert sky. She started to speak but the tears began free fall. She put her delicate hands over her face and closed her eyes and stepped back again.

  “Kira, Don’t. Listen to me it’s not what it looks like.” Stark began. Fucking Hell!

  Her eyes flashed with fire and a new hatred spread over her face like a wave “Are you out of your man whore head? This is the other life of Owen Fucking Stark right? Special Ops fucking bad boy.” She took another step back but Stark closed the distance between them with one step and put his hand on the door to block her retreat.

  “I told you it’s not what it looks like. I came here to...” Before he could finish she cut him off.

  “Not what it looks like? Seriously? Seriously? You are half naked, with a woman’s face between your legs and covered in lipstick and god only knows what else in a Sex Club for god’s sake. It’s exactly what it looks like. I may be new to your sordid little world but I’m not stupid.” She hissed the words into his face and reached behind her for the door.

  “Not this time.” Stark began quietly. He held the door firmly with one hand and wrapped the other arm around Kira and pulled her to him in one quick moment, crashing her body into his. “I am not letting you go.” He let go of the door, tilted her head up to his and kissed her with every shred of lost time and heartache between them. Her soft lips resisted him at first. Her body stiffened, but he wasn’t letting go. He would be damned before he let her go again.

  “You can’t just kiss me and expect me to melt in your arms like one of your little bimbos.” Kira struggled against his embrace. “You investigated me and treated me like a gold digging piece of trash mean while you are some kind of secret sex club freak.”

  “We need to talk about this. Come with me.” He started to scoop her up and opened the door.

  Kira fought to escape his grip. “We were supposed to talk about it remember? You stood me up!” Kira pushed against his massive chest, but he was carrying her down the hall.

  “I was sent on an emergency deployment! It happens with this line of work. Damn it Kira! I love you.” His admission stopped them both in their tracks.

  “You what?” Kira asked softly her voice barely audible. She stared up into his eyes. Her eyes shown like the brightest star in the sky. Stark had the overwhelming urge to keep her protect her and ravage her all at the same time. She was his life.

  “I Love you Kira. Beyond words, beyond mountains, oceans or continents that divide us. There will always be obstacles but there will never be another love like this. I have stood in the depths of hell and looked up to the stars and whispered your name. You are my heaven, my life.” He pulled her to him again. This time as his lips crashed down onto hers, she softened. Her sweet lips caressed his. Still holding her off the ground he began walking down the hall. He could not wait to get back to his house. He didn’t want to put her down until they could be alone. He took his lips off hers for a moment and looked at a security camera as they passed. “Open the door to my suite Lysander if you know what’s fucking good for you.” He was going to take Kira into his room and remind her exactly why she was his and his alone.

  ***

  “Your suite? Wait. What? You have a suite? Why do you have a suite? Seriously?” Kira’s head was reeling. How many women had been in here? Gross! Her momentary lapse of judgement faded and she looked at him with renewed fury.

  “I’m part owner of the club. I gave Paige and Lysander the money to get started. I’m not involved with any of the actual business. But I have a suite and an office here.” He paused in front of the mahogany doors waiting for them to open.

  “So you don’t do any of the work you just devour the fringe benefits?” She countered and tried to pull away from him.<
br />
  “It’s not like that….at least not anymore.” He looked down at the floor and then into her eyes. The door opened. The more she found out about Owen Stark the more she wanted to run for the hills. How many more layers were there to this man?

  Stark carried her across the threshold into the darkness. “Kira, before I met you, I just didn’t give a fuck. Nothing really mattered. Whether I fucked 2 girls or 20. Whether I made it out of the god forsaken desert on the next mission or not. Nothing. I was dead on the inside, a machine of war.” He turned on the light and shut the door behind them muffling out all sounds of the club. They were in a large sitting room with an office off to one side and a bedroom to the other. Kira was taken back by the noir furnishings and mood. This suite had to have been decorated by Paige. The walls were black brocade and the floors were a dark rich hardwood deep gray almost black. A white leather sofa with small black and red pillows sat on a thick black rug. Kira almost vomited in her mouth thinking of what he had done in this room. How special to be brought to the private office of Owen Stark!

  He bypassed the living room and carried her straight into the bedroom. The walls were the same black brocade. Against the far wall was a stark white bed with black pillows and two small deep red ones. Folded across the end was a plush black velour blanket. Same as the couch the bed sat on a deep black rug over the hardwood floor. A heavy black curtain covered one entire wall. Kira cringed to think what was behind it.

  He was not messing around tonight. Fire burned in his eyes and a determined frown displayed every ounce of frustration. “Kira...” He started as he set her down on the end of the bed and kneeled on the floor in front of her so they were eye to eye. His voice was strong and urgent. “I am not letting you go again. Without you I’m just sleepwalking. So you can hate me, or laugh at me or love me. It doesn’t matter. Even if we go up in smoke, I am going to be right here holding you long after the flames die out.” He took her hands in his and kissed them and laid his face into them. They sat there in the quiet of his room. The only sound was their breathing and the rapid pounding of her heart. Kira had wanted so badly to forget him. Move on with her life. Let all this go and focus on what she was doing in the army in the first place. Her eyes fell over his hands and arms. The sleeve of immaculate art work down his left arm was a mixture of rockabilly charm and military carnage that told the story of his life. The playing cards with corazon agotado (exhausted heart) across them nearly broke hers. Here sat this beautiful broken man who could walk into the depths of hell and challenge the devil himself, but would kneel on the floor and ask her to love him.