by Dani René
“I want this.” He jerks his hips, the notion clear of what he truly craves.
I lift my head to find his desire-filled stare on me. “Do it.” Two words send him over the edge, and he doesn’t ask again before thrusting deep inside me. A cry is wrenched from my throat, and I cry out his name so loudly, it echoes around us in the small glass enclosure.
It’s fast. Quick. And filled with passion.
Cassian fucks me deep, hard, and with abandon as he bounces me on his thickness, which stretches me painfully. My body tightens around him, pleasure soaring, sending me to the edge, and it doesn’t take me long to find my release. Seconds later, Cassian growls in my ear as he comes hard and loud, his mouth catching my lobe, and he bites down on the soft flesh, tearing another orgasm through me.
We stay under the water for a while longer before he lets me to my feet. Once more, he cleans me before washing himself. Once we’re wrapped in towels, Cassian leads me to the bedroom.
“I want you to get some rest. I’ll bring some food for you, and then we’ll get some sleep. Tomorrow,” he says, before turning to me, “we need to figure out the rest of Paulo’s plan. It’s not the end of him, not by a long shot, and I have a feeling he has more sinister reasons for wanting to play your fake fiancé.”
I settle on the mattress, the high from earlier slowly easing with the talk of the man I stood beside for far too long. The pain and heartbreak I went through by his hand steals my breath, and the tears burn my eyes once more.
“We will get through this.”
“You hated me at the party. When we stood there, you told me you’ll make me pay for my lie. How did you change your mind so easily?” My voice is croaky. I lift my gaze to Cassian’s, watching his expression change from affection to contemplative within a few seconds.
“For years, I hated what you did. I didn’t hate you. I could never hate you,” he tells me. “Deep down, you were always mine, and I knew it. When you left, I forced myself to be angry with you. I wanted to hate you so much, but even when I tried to, I couldn’t. And knowing the pain you’ve already endured, knowing what you’ve been through, my punishments I’ll bestow on you will be filled with pleasured pain.”
His words slowly sink in. I have no way of ever thanking him for what he’s done. Knowing that he’s paying for my father’s treatment, that he’s trying to remove Paulo from my life, is overwhelming. I blink, and the tears fall.
“I don’t know what to say,” I tell him earnestly because I truly don’t. For the first time in years, I’m utterly speechless, and Cassian smiles. “What?”
“There were so many times over the years I’ve wanted to kiss you, to touch you, to tell you how I felt, but I couldn’t because I knew it wasn’t our time.” His voice is husky as he speaks. “But this is our time now, and nothing is going to stand in our way. I’ll ensure you’re safe. And when I get the details of Paulo’s plans, I’ll make sure he can never go through with them.”
“My mother still works at one of his studios,” I tell Cass; the thought of her being stuck with Paulo makes me shudder.
“I’ll sort it out.” He’s on his feet and moving to the door in seconds, his phone in his hand. He glances over his shoulder at me, offers a wink, and then he’s gone. I don’t know what he’s planning, and I’m not sure I want to know. The Thorne family has connections that lead to dangerous men, and it’s never been a secret, but this time, I’ll happily stay in the dark about what’s happening.
I settle on the bed and snuggle into the sheets; the scent of Cassian’s cologne still lingers, and for a long moment, I breathe him in. It feels as if I’m in a dream, as if I’m about to wake up from a weekend-long high and find this was all just a fantasy gone rogue.
The fear of losing Cassian when I’ve only just found him again makes my chest ache. Even though he’s said he wants me, there’s still a small niggling of doubt that settles in my mind as my lashes flutter and I fall asleep with thoughts of my future.
28
Cassian
When I reach my office, the sun is rising on another new day. One that confirms I’ve gotten lost in Kalyn and not realized there’s work to be done. Even though I should be focused on getting Paulo out of her life, part of me just craves staying in bed and enjoying her body all day, every day.
I push open the door to find Finn sitting at my desk, his fingers flying across the keyboard of his laptop. He casts a quick glance at me before turning his attention back to the screen.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I settle on the edge of my desk beside him. He’s typing out an email with a list of orders, which he hits send on before he leans back in my chair.
“It turns out Paulo isn’t the one running things,” he informs me. “Harris spent some time with our guest, and he’s confessed a few more truths that make more sense.” Finn is focused when I lean closer to peer at the screen. There’s no telling how much he’s done throughout the night.
“Okay…” I draw the word out because I’m tense enough, and I don’t need Finn fucking around with information on this bastard. “Have you slept?”
He shakes his head. “Listen to this. He’s linked to an infamous ringleader of a drug trade that has moved its way from Cuba to LA over the past few years. This came to the forefront of his confession.” Finn opens a browser of news articles before turning the laptop toward me. I scan the headlines, and my chest tightens with anxiety.
“Jesus.” The word falls free before I have time to consider my response. Looks like the man who’s in our basement is merely a lackey of a crime boss. “So, why did he target Kalyn? I mean, it doesn’t look like her father has any links to this man.”
“He doesn’t.” Finn’s agreement has me pushing to my feet. If my brother doesn’t tell me what’s going on, I’m going to lift him by his neck and shake the information out of him. “The leader, whatever you want to call him, was running drugs, and Kalyn’s little addiction got her caught up in his web when she was spotted in one of his nightclubs. Hence, Paulo jumped at the chance to pull her in and get her hooked. The shit that Paulo was giving her was from his boss. This guy’s MO is to get girls thoroughly hooked, bring them back time and again until they’re lost to it. And then…” Finn’s words trail off, and my stomach drops when he looks at me.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with the drugs. Does it?” I don’t need him to answer me because when he shakes his head, the realization that my ideas are correct has my blood boiling. “He’s selling these girls.”
Kalyn is young, beautiful, and loved by men, which means she’d be easy to get money for. That thought doesn’t calm me.
“But can we take this bastard on? I mean… This isn’t some jealous ex or abusive fiancé. This is a criminal organization.”
“It is,” Finn agrees. “I’ve spoken to Harris; we need to sit down with him and talk to him. He has his men who can help. Dad doesn’t know anything yet. We have to do something. Girls are going missing every day. He sends his men out to lure the women with drugs, promises of diamond rings, and lavish weddings. Every house and club Paulo took Kalyn to—”
“Were this bastard’s properties.” I finish Finn’s sentence as the pieces fall into place. “Fuck.” My fist makes contact with the desk as anger surges through me at the thought of Kalyn almost being sold to some fucker who’d only break her further.
“We’ll sort this out,” Finn says, his gaze filled with conviction, and I wonder how my little brother turned into such an adult without me noticing. He’s always been the kid who fucked up shit, and now he’s the one telling me what our plans are. “Oh, and Damien is coming home in a couple of days. Hopefully, we can sort this out before our brother arrives.”
“I doubt it will be over by then. Perhaps he can help.” I stare at nothing in particular, my mind playing through all the scenarios. If we can get this crime boss in here, under the guise that we want to speak to him, perhaps get into the trade, we can take him down.
He n
ods. “I’m sure he’ll happily step in if needed,” he says, and I should know our brother will never let us face this shit alone. “Harris has the team in. They’re being briefed on this leader we’re going after.”
“Manny Lopez?” I sneer his name with venom lacing every syllable as if it will kill him. I wish it would because I’d love to see the fucker take his last breath.
“He’s pure filth from what I’ve read up on,” Finn informs me when he pulls up an article, and I lean in to quickly scan some of it. By the time I get halfway through, my stomach churns with disgust.
“I’ve seen enough.”
“How’s your girl?” Finn asks, thankfully changing the subject. “Any more shakes?”
“I didn’t even notice when I left her now. I’ve been distracted,” I tell my brother who offers me a knowing smirk.
“Oh, I’m sure you have.” He chuckles. “I guess the years of waiting have paid off?” He laughs, and I’m tempted to punch him in the face.
“Shut it, pretty boy. Get your work done; I need the office.”
“Go to your girl,” Finn tells me, his tone turning serious. “She needs you. Harris and I have this. Damien will be here soon. He’s taken the jet, so it won’t be long until we’re all together. We need to focus, and if you still have sweet pussy on the brain, we’re not going to get through this.”
Before I turn away, I slap him upside the head. “I told you to shut it. Don’t talk about her like that.”
“Hey, man, I’m joking. She’s a nice girl. It’s good to see you happy.” His remark has me halting for a moment. “I can see it. I’m sure everyone can. There may have been years of issues between you two, baggage, but now that you have her, don’t fucking let her go.”
“When the fuck did you get so wise, kiddo?” I use the nickname Damien and I gave Finn when we were still children.
“Get the fuck out of here,” he bites out with amused frustration, and I obey my brother. I head out of the office and down the hall to find Harris.
“Cassian,” he greets. “I’ve got the men ready. This job won’t take us long. We have far too much evidence, but we need the man in question before we can take him to the FBI.”
“They’ve been looking for him?” I guess easily.
He nods. “For a few years. Now that we have an informant who’s willing to talk, it will make things a lot easier. He’s given us information on where Manny will be tomorrow night.”
“Then we’ll be ready,” I tell him. I don’t want to wait on this. The sooner we get it done, the sooner I get to spend time with my girl. She needs to know I love her, but I’m not going to tell her that just yet. When the time is right, when the moment is perfect, I’ll finally admit my feelings for her.
“We will,” Harris says, dragging me back to the present. “I’m going to let Finn know before I leave for the day.”
“Thank you.” I offer him a handshake before I head up to my bedroom. I wanted to bring Kalyn in here earlier, but I wanted to make sure she wanted it as much as I did. Now that we’ve taken the next step, she’ll be sleeping beside me tonight.
I can’t go to her just yet, though. I need some space to think. I spent the last five years wanting to make her pay for her little lie, but right now, I want to do more than that; I want to make sure she loves me like I love her.
When I told her I didn’t hate her, it was the truth. Anger blinded me for a while, but hate was never in the equation. Instead of feeling that dark emotion, I knew I loved her, even before she left. Our friendship had bloomed; it was so much more.
In my room, I settle at my desk, open my laptop and start doing some research. If Finn has Harris on this, I need to educate myself on what we’re in for. The more I know, the better I can protect Kalyn, and help take this asshole down.
The sun is low in the sky by the time I look up from my computer. Another day gone, and yet, I still feel anxious having Kalyn here. Perhaps it’s because I’ve locked her away like a prisoner. Maybe it’s because I haven’t told her everything about me.
I pull open the drawer to my cupboard, and I pull out the sleek velvet box. The birthday gift I had for Kalyn on her seventeenth birthday that I never got to give her sits nestled in the black material. I finger the pendant, and my mind flicks back to the moment I realized she was mine.
The sun is setting on another day in Thorne Haven, and the Havens are here with a few girls from school. My senior year, the last day of school. I should be drinking and enjoying myself, but I’m tense.
Finn slaps me on the shoulder when he steps up beside me. “Looks like the pool is going to be the place to be tonight.” Since the water is heated, we always end up in the pool after a party. “Wowzer,” Finn remarks, causing me to turn to see what’s caught his attention.
When my gaze lands on the woman walking through the patio doors, my mouth falls open in shock. The speakers that surround the party area blare as Bebe Rexha sings about Sabotage, and the lyrics hit home when I look at Kalyn.
Kalyn makes a beeline for me. When she reaches me, my hand comes out instinctively as usual with her, and I pull her into the crook of my arm. Her white dress is short, hitting just under her ass, with a halter neckline that shows off her perfect tits.
Under the dress is a bright pink bikini that doesn’t look like it’s covering anything at all. If I say anything about it, she’ll read too much into it. But then again, I’m feeling far too much seeing her in this outfit.
I’ve denied my feelings for her for a year. She’s almost seventeen, and yet, I can’t deny I want her. She’s grown-up, more so than the other girls in our school.
“You’re… I mean, you look nice.” I somehow find words, but me stumbling over what I want to say to her is obvious.
“Thank you,” she says with a smile that lights up the night. I’ve kept guys at school off her with threats, but when Brody Haven saunters up to her, offering her a look of interest, it’s then that I step around her and keep her in my arms.
Kalyn’s shocked gasp warms me as her head tips back, and those pretty eyes lock on mine. “What are you doing?”
“He was looking at you,” I bite out, my teeth gritting in frustration because I can’t keep her for myself. She’s too young for me. But Brody is her age. They’d be perfect together.
“And?” Kalyn challenges, and I know what she wants. She’s wanted me to admit my feelings for the past year, but I haven’t. Instead, I’ve been the best friend. I’ve been there to listen to her cry at night after losing her grandmother. I’ve been there when she’s been depressed about her family wanting to leave Thorne Haven. Each event that’s happened in her life, I’ve been her rock.
But she doesn’t realize just how much she’s healed me. And she’ll never know because if I told her just what she did for me the day we met, she might change her mind about me. There were times I felt more broken than a shattered vase hitting the expensive tiles of our home. But when Kalyn walked into my life, she did something. She showed me what true strength was. Even though she does stupid shit to deal with her agony, she hasn’t taken the step I almost did.
And that’s why I’ll always be there for her. No matter what she needs, I’ll be beside her. And if I can’t do it as a partner, it will be as her best friend.
When I finally step away, the rest of the guys have joined us; two of them have girls hanging off their arms, which calms me somewhat. However, I don’t miss the interest in their gazes as they look at my girl.
“Hey, girl,” Brody greets, offering a hand instead of trying to hug her. She shakes his hand, a smile on her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Once again, I’ve sabotaged the chance to tell her how I feel.
Fireworks explode and light up the sky from where the school is located. We should be there, but a private party was more appealing than spending the night with the rest of the students.
“That’s amazing!” Kalyn’s voice is filled with awe when a golden star, the size of the sun, fills the sky. It light
s up her face, and I want so much to tell her how amazing she is, but I don’t. Instead, I smile and turn my attention to the colorful display.
She is my star. My north star. Offering me direction when I was most lost. She’s the reason I am still here today. But that’s far too much information to tell her tonight. So, I grab a beer, hand her one, and tug her down to the pool to join the rest of our friends.
One day I’ll tell her.
One day when I’m stronger.
29
Kalyn
It’s dark. So fucking dark I can’t even see my hand in front of my face. The pain that lances through every inch of me steals my breath. There have been times in my life where I’ve had a stomach ache, or hurt myself, but this is excruciating.
The pain radiates through me, twisting in my belly, but as I roll over, the agony in my back and pelvis seem to steal my breath. Something is wrong.
My eyes snap open, and I try to move from the bed; my legs feel like jelly as I wobble to the bathroom. My body is heavy, and I struggle to hold myself up. My steps are weak, and my knees are ready to give out. I feel as if I’m about to tumble over. When I glance down in the harsh light of the bathroom, I see it—blood.
“No.” The word is merely a breath on my lips when the realization hits me hard. “Paulo!” I cry out as my head spins, and I drop to my knees. I hear him pad into the bathroom, but he doesn’t rush to me. The urge to cry, to scream, to puke overtakes me, and I know it’s whatever he gave me earlier. “Please,” I plead, meeting those malevolent eyes, but he only stares at me with sick satisfaction as if he wanted this to happen. His unwillingness to help, to do something, cements my thoughts about what kind of man he truly is. Not that I didn’t know it before, but right now, I know I’m engaged to a monster.
