by M. S. Parker
Forcing my eyes open, I stared at him, whimpering as he twisted his hips and sent the head of his cock sliding and rubbing over my already sensitive G-spot. Grabbing for him, I clutched at his sides, my nails sinking in deep.
“I don’t want to think about being without you,” he said against my lips, only a second before he kissed me.
I caught the words, clung to them. I wanted to ask him what they meant – did they mean anything at all?
But he was stealing the breath and soul from me, riding me fast, and I couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe.
“Come again for me, Piety…come.”
Like I had any other choice.
We lay curled against each other, the room dim and quiet, sweat drying on our bodies as we stared at each other in silence.
It should have been awkward.
There were no words spoken, nothing that I could think needed to be said in that very moment.
I’d come to need him, and it could either be the best thing that had ever happened…or the very stupidest thing I’d ever done.
I didn’t yet know which.
But right then, I didn’t care.
Snuggling in closer, I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed in satisfaction as he curled his arm around my shoulders.
The silence, warm and comfortable as it was, stretched out, but it couldn’t last forever.
Finally, he said the words. “We need to talk.”
“I know.” Rubbing my cheek against his chest, I slid my hand up, then down his abdomen. Muscles jumped and clenched under my touch. Lifting up on my elbow, I stared down in his eyes. “But do we have to do it now?”
“No.” He cupped my cheek and kissed my forehead. “We don’t have to do it now.”
“Good. Because I’m not ready to.”
“Me neither.”
Seven
Kaleb
The earth had moved.
Okay, maybe not literally.
It wasn’t like there was an earthquake shaking Las Vegas.
But as I laid there with Piety wrapped around me, I understood why some people talked about how being with a certain person made the world shake under their feet.
She’d changed something in me.
She’d changed me.
I didn't know if this was what it was like to fall in love – maybe it was the start of it. Maybe it was something else entirely.
I don’t know, but things felt…different.
And I couldn’t tell her any of it.
Whatever it was between us, it was only temporary, and I would be an idiot to think otherwise.
Maybe I was an idiot anyway because, instead of keeping whatever distance between us I could, all I wanted to do was grab up every second possible.
My hand was in her hair, and I could feel her breasts moving against me with every breath. She fit perfectly against my side, as if she had been made specifically for me. Nothing had ever felt so good in my life. Her hair was silky smooth, her body soft and warm.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked, her voice drowsy and soft.
“The same thing I think about a lot these days,” I replied honestly.
“Your sister.” There was a world of understanding in her voice.
I should have felt more than a little guilty.
Camry should have been on my mind.
She hadn't been though. Not when I was with Piety.
Turning toward her, I met Piety’s eyes. “I’m thinking about you.”
She pushed up onto her elbow and looked at me. “Really?” Her eyes glowed as she smiled, and it sent a jolt of heat right through me.
“Yeah. I like thinking about you.”
She laughed, and the sound was bubbly and soft. “I like thinking about you too.”
There were a hundred other things I wanted to say, but before I had the chance to put even the first one into words, my cell buzzed, letting me know I had a call.
Sighing, I reached for it.
It showed only a number, but I recognized it. Setting my jaw, I answered, careful to keep my voice neutral.
Stefano’s voice came through as lazy and arrogant as always. “Kaleb, you don’t sound too happy to hear from me. Why is that?”
Because now I’m thinking about you instead of the woman in bed with me, I thought. I didn’t say it though. “Don’t know what you mean, Stefano. It’s a delight to hear your voice.”
“Yeah, I can tell.” He laughed, amused. “Look, I was just…you know, checking in. Wanted to make sure you hadn’t thought about taking off and leaving your sister to hold the bag. You wouldn’t want to do that, would you? Leave your sister to fend for herself in this big, bad world?”
Fury flooded me. I fought the need to hit something. “I don’t plan on leaving her, Stefano. I’m working on the problem.”
“So you’ve found a way to come up with the rest of the money you owe me?”
The money I owed him? He was fucking unbelievable.
Slowly, I sat up, easing away from Piety and staring at the wall as I willed myself to stay calm.
Completely unaware of the anger simmering inside me – or simply not caring – Stefano continued, “See, you better work fast. Otherwise, the price will just keep going up and up.”
“I want to see my sister.” My eyes burned, and the fury bubbled in me like acid. “I want to see my sister and make sure she’s okay before this goes any further.”
“Nah, that ain’t going to happen,” Stefano said confidently.
“Then…” I sucked in a breath, blew it out through my teeth. “You know what? Fuck you. You’ve got my sister dancing like a puppet on your strings, but I’m not your puppet, Stefano. I’ll help her, but I want to make sure she’s okay first. If you can’t make that happen, then shove that money I gave you up your ass and don’t expect to see a penny more.”
I disconnected the call, feeling sick as I rubbed my shaking hands over my face, wondering how bad I’d just fucked things up.
“What did I do?” I whispered. The bed shifted behind me and I turned toward Piety. “What the fuck did I just do?” The words came out in a shout this time.
She didn't even blink as she rose from the bed and came to me, reaching down to cup my face in her hands.
“I think…” she said slowly. “You did exactly what you had to.”
“No, I…I…” A torrent of disjointed words came bubbling out, and she leaned in, kissing me softly.
“You did what you had to,” she repeated more firmly. “You want to make sure he’s not screwing you over, and you want her safe. If that’s her pimp, then that’s what they do. He’ll push you as far as he can. You just made it damn clear you’re nothing like your sister.”
She sounded calm, strangely grounded, and I felt like I’d explode into a thousand sharp, jagged bits.
I started to say…something, but the words died as the phone rang. I went to grab it, but my fumbling fingers knocked it to the floor. I didn’t answer until the third ring. “Yes.”
Stefano was laughing. “Well, I’ll say this, mate…you’ve got balls. Tell you what. I’ll let you see your sister. Then you pay me my money.”
“I’ve still got to collect it,” I said, my mouth going dry. I’d see Camry, know she was okay.
“That’s fine, that’s fine. But you keep this shit up, boy, and the price will continue to rise. You got me?”
“I got it.” Swiping the back of my hand over my forehead, I looked at Piety.
She met my eyes, her strength holding me steady.
“Where do you want to meet?” I asked. “Somewhere public. No offense, but I’d rather swim bloody and mangled with a great white than be someplace private with you.”
“Aw, I’m hurt, Kaleb. And here I thought we could be friends. But that’s fine. I’ll text you the place. But Kaleb…?”
I started to lower the phone, but now I pressed it hard against my ear. “Yeah?”
“You bring a cop, and you’ll be sorry.
But Camry will be even more sorry.”
“What if he freaks about you being here?”
The cooler night air whipped my hair back from my face while blowing Piety’s long locks into hers. She spoke in a calm, sure voice. “He told you not to bring a cop. I’m not. You brought your wife. And trust me, he won’t mistake me for a cop.”
Taking my hand, we started walking in a circle around the top of the hotel. We were back at the ride where we’d come the day after our crazy wedding. Our impromptu, insane honeymoon.
Abruptly, somebody stepped in front of us, half crashing into Piety.
“Hey, watch…”
The words died in my throat as I realized who it was.
“Camry,” I whispered.
My sister gave me a sharp smile and then looked over at Piety, contempt written across her face. “Ditch the rich bitch, and we can go talk, Kaleb.”
“Hi.” Piety ignored the insult and held out a hand. “I’m Piety. Your sister-in-law.”
Camry looked at her for a long moment, then at me. Finally, she shook her head and muttered, “Whatever. Come on. I don’t have much time.”
We ended up in the nearest restaurant, sitting in a booth with Piety next to me, Camry across from us.
“What do you want, Kaleb?” she asked, her voice cool.
“What do I…?” I cleared my throat and tamped down the flash of temper her words had triggered. “What the hell does that mean, what do I want? I’m here to help you.”
She lifted a shoulder and started to pick at the metallic blue polish on her nails. It was a shade or two lighter than the skinny-strapped top she wore. It kept falling over one bony shoulder. She looked like she hadn’t seen a decent meal since she’d left home.
“Are – have you been sick?” I asked carefully.
“What?” She lowered her hands and stared at me, her crystal blue eyes clouded.
“You just…you look like you haven’t been eating.”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder, the light brown waves looking dull and brittle. “Oh, puh-leeze. I eat when I’m hungry, not because the clock says I should. I refuse to be one of those cows who can’t fit into a pair of skinny jeans.”
“You’re right,” I said, keeping my voice neutral. “You’re not a cow. A skeleton might work, but a cow? Not in a hundred years. I’ve seen refugees in better shape than you.”
She flinched but covered it quickly with another of those harsh smiles. “Fuck off, Kaleb.” She directed her next comment toward Piety. “So, just how did you come to be?”
Piety narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath, then seemed to relax as she exhaled. “Well, once upon a time, my mommy and daddy decided they wanted a little girl…” Piety stared at her with big, wide eyes.
The sharp retort caught Camry off guard, and I caught a flicker of my old sister in the admiration crossing her face.
“Wow. Aren’t you a bitch?” Camry said.
“Takes one to know one. Or so they say.” Piety thanked the server who appeared just then with our drinks. Beers for both of us, but a double bourbon, no ice, for Camry. “I mean, maybe I’m off base here, but I thought you’d have some appreciation for the brother who came here to help you out, but all you’re doing is being a bitch yourself. I guess they show love differently in Australia.”
For a moment, just a brief one, Camry looked shame-faced. Then she tossed her drink back. “You know, I’m pretty sure I don’t need his help.”
“So, you weren’t ten thousand dollars in debt to a drug dealer?” I snapped.
She opened her mouth, then shut it, her teeth clicking together with the gesture. She crossed her bony arms over her chest, giving me a good look at the track marks she wasn't even trying to hide. Her jaw jutted out as she glared at me.
“I gave up my job, Camry. My life. I was this close to talking Mac into letting me buy him out. It was all I’d ever wanted, and now I’ve lost my chance.” I smashed my fist into the table, the fury I’d been suppressing all this time rising and grabbing me by the throat. “This close. And now it’s gone.”
“So go back!” she shouted. “Tell him to give you your job back. I didn’t ask for your help.”
“The hell you didn’t!” I shouted back, feeling sick. “A dozen times at least. Remember all those nights when you called, half out of your mind, crying about how much trouble you were in?”
“I was high,” she said with a dismissive wave. “Just…just go.”
“I can’t.” I felt like I'd been punched in the chest. She was all the family I had, and she didn't care about how much she'd hurt me. “Hell, maybe I could, but the job’s gone. He’s already sold the store. I gave it up for you.”
She stared at me.
I waited for a sign. For something.
“Yeah, well.” She shrugged. “You didn’t have to. I’m fine.”
Piety covered my hand, squeezed. “Then I guess he doesn’t need to pay the other ten grand.” From the corner of my eye, I saw her staring at my sister. But there wasn’t disgust on her face. It was…pity. “I mean, I guess you heard that your pimp wants more than what you shot up your arm. But if you’re fine, then I guess you don’t need anything else, right?”
Camry opened her mouth, then closed it, looking at me, then at her. “Bitch, why don’t you mind your own fucking business?”
“I am.” Piety's voice was still even, controlled. “He’s my husband, and you’re jerking him around.”
I opened my mouth, but before I could say a word, Stefano arrived and sat next to my sister. He nodded at me, then eyed Piety, muddy brown eyes gleaming.
“Who’s the broad, Kaleb? Are you bringing her as a trade for your sister? I might just consider that.”
I tensed, ready to break the bastard's nose. Only Piety's fingers tightening around mine kept me in my seat.
He laughed as he slung his arm around Camry's shoulders. Pulling her close, he pressed his mouth against hers. She didn’t so much as blink, and my stomach churned.
“Having a good dinner, baby?” he asked.
“Fine, thank you,” she said woodenly.
“Satisfied now?” He looked at me. “She's good.”
I just stared at him and he kept his eyes on me as he nuzzled her cheek, let his hand slide down until it covered one of her breasts. His other hand was under the table, but I didn't have to see it to know it was under my sister's skirt. I reminded myself that beating this shit out of this bastard would only land me in jail, and then probably on a plane back to Australia. I had to be smart about this.
He stood. “Now it’s time for you to quit jerking me around, or the price will just keep going up…and up…up. Fuck me over and see what happens.”
He snapped his fingers at Camry and she got up, tugging her tiny skirt back down over her ass. She took his hand when he held it out, a flush creeping over her pale skin.
“Where the hell are you going?” I said as they started to walk away.
She looked back at me.
He didn’t.
“It was good seeing you too, Camry. Always great to catch up,” I said, not raising my voice an iota.
She flinched, but still followed the asshole out the door.
Eight
Piety
“It’s not personal,” I said softly, covering his hand with mine.
He stared out the small rectangle at the world below us, although I knew he wasn’t seeing it. He'd barely acknowledged anything since we'd left the restaurant. The only time he'd even talked had been when I'd booked our flight back to Philadelphia.
I’d managed to convince him there wasn’t much he could do here that he couldn’t do back east. In fact, he might be able to do more for her if Stefano didn’t know what he was up to. Which meant that coming back to Philadelphia with me could help the situation rather than hurt it. I couldn't even imagine what he was going through right now, but I wanted to make it better, do something to comfort him. I’d been reaching, I knew, but it had gotten him
away from the people who were manipulating him so badly.
Finally, he looked over at me, anguish etched on his face.
“How can it not be personal?” he asked. “That asshole talks about her like she’s nothing more than a slab of meat, right in front of her, and she just takes it. Then she talks to me like I’m nothing to her, and I’m the one who’s supposed to get her out of the mess she’s in?”
“No.” I brushed his hair back, leaning as close to him as the seats allowed. “Maybe you’re not supposed to dig her out of this mess. It’s not easy to save someone, who doesn’t want to be saved.”
“So I shouldn’t pay Stefano off?” His jaw went tight.
I didn’t think he should, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. It wasn't my place. “That’s got to be your decision, but I can tell you that he’s jerking you around. As long as he thinks he has you on a leash, he’s going to use it. And Camry is…well, she’s your leash.”
He stared at me hard and tension pulsed, beating in cadence with my heart. Had I gone too far? I knew I was basing this on experiences I'd had at the shelter, but he didn't know that.
Finally, he looked away and swore. “Fuck. You’re right. What else am I going to do though? Leave her to deal with that prick on her own? She hasn’t been able to do it so far.”
“Maybe she hasn’t been trying.”
Icy eyes cut to me. His voice was sharp. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s just…” I sighed and looked away. I hated this. All of it. Hated that he was hurting. That his sister was caught up in drugs and whatever else Stefano had her doing. “Kaleb, did she seem like she was scared of him? Frightened? Desperate to get away?”
“She…that’s bullshit, Piety.” His voice started to rise. “She’s the one who called me.”
“I know.” The airline attendant approached, and I lapsed into silence until she’d gone by. Biting my lower lip, I struggled for the right way to explain this and hated that I felt so uncertain. “He’s got her so suckered in right now, if he asked her to dance the hula naked on the front lawn of the White House, she’d get herself shot trying. That’s how this works. She’ll do anything to keep him happy, because by keeping him happy, he keeps her happy.”
