by Tara Rose
Jesse and Wendy had raised her, but look at the mess they’d made of their lives. Deliberately going back on his word, Jesse had turned away from his family and made Wendy an unwilling partner in both his defiance of the Durantes and in his extracurricular activities. Wendy was an adult and she’d gone along with it, but that didn’t make her a saint. It only made her a fool.
Kai was so tired of being wracked with guilt over her obligation to them for taking her in and giving her a home. She hadn’t had an idyllic childhood, although she was grateful for what they’d given her. They hadn’t mistreated her. They’d simply overlooked her. That dichotomy led to a great deal of confusion and conflict whenever she realized how much she didn’t like the people they were.
And as for their sons, she hadn’t been mistreated by them when they were kids, but she also hadn’t been included in their games or day-to-day activities. She wasn’t their sister. It was never said out loud, but always present, just the same. And while they’d never intentionally left her out of anything, they also didn’t go out of their way to make sure she was never alone or had plenty to do. She’d been left to her own devices a lot. She’d had a lonely life.
As adults, she barely knew her cousins now. The only one who seemed to have a brain in his head was Merrick. Gary was a mess. He ploughed through his life like a tornado, flitting from one interest to another. And Owen…had she ever known him, deep down inside? Had anyone? Did Jesse and Wendy know their son was a compulsive gambler and may have been stealing from them for years? And if they had known, would the cops decide they were just as culpable?
They could all end up in prison. They’d lose the business. Even Davis could be implicated. What would that do to Jagger? Or to Brett and Asa? When this played out, what effect would the shit that trickled down have on Phoebe’s Playthings?
Even after Jagger and Ian were asleep, Kai lay awake while horrible scenarios played out in her mind. When she did fall asleep, fire-breathing monsters chased her in dreams that left her bathed in sweat and panting when she woke from them.
Finally, she crawled out of bed and sat on the sofa, curled up in a blanket. She’d have a rough day at work because of this, but she didn’t want to keep Jagger and Ian awake simply because she couldn’t sleep.
She only wanted to spend whatever time she had left with them without angst and drama. When they were forced to dump her ass once this mess was finally resolved, she wanted their memories of their time together to be pleasant, not tear-filled and heavy.
By the time Kai went to take a shower and get ready for work, she was convinced of two things. The cops would find enough evidence to charge Owen, at the very least, with arson and murder, and when the news hit the media, Jagger and Ian would be forced to stop seeing her.
Chapter Sixteen
Jagger had so much to do for the party on Friday that he didn’t have time the remainder of the week to pay attention to what went on behind the scenes. He knew that Asa had found out the cops were going over Merrick’s, Gary’s, and Owen’s computers, as well as Wendy’s and even Kai’s. She’d volunteered it. Asa had asked him only once if he and Ian believed Kai had anything to do with this, and after they told him not a chance, he’d dropped it.
Right now, Jagger didn’t give a fuck if Asa did think she was involved. The truth would come out soon now. He felt it in his soul. The only thing he wasn’t certain of was how he and Ian would get Kai through this when it did.
He and Ian had considered inviting Gary and Merrick to the party, but finally decided it wouldn’t be a good idea to invite any of her cousins. Kai had enough to deal with right now, and seeing them at a party would only keep her mind on this. They didn’t want that for her.
This year’s party would be smaller than previous ones, but he and Ian wanted it that way. They were using it for Kai to get to know the other triads on the island, and as a way to help her become part of their circle of friends. She needed to distance herself now from Jesse, Wendy, and their sons. It wouldn’t change anything once this news story broke, but it was their hope she’d at least realize how many people were behind her when the shit hit the fan.
Thursday afternoon, Asa summoned him and Ian to his office. When they arrived, Santos was there too. They shook his hand, and then took a seat to hear what he had to say.
“I wanted to give you two a heads-up about this. We found nothing on Kai’s computer, but I didn’t anticipate that we would. Kate is returning it to her today.” Kate Morgan was a detective at the station, and if rumors were true, she was dating Santos. “And there was nothing on Wendy’s either, although you might want to let Kai know that her aunt has a serious addiction to eBay.”
“Is that really any of your business?” asked Ian.
Santos glared at him. “No. Not really.”
“Then why would it be Kai’s business?”
Jagger resisted the urge to high five Ian. There were disadvantages to living on an island and being related to a man who had the cops in his back pocket. In any other community, what the police found in a computer search wouldn’t be gossip that they could spread around.
“Point taken. Anyway, our focus is now on Owen, as I’m sure you three already suspected it would be. Merrick’s and Gary’s computers gave us no cause for suspicion or alarm. We’re very close to an arrest. I would suspect sometime this weekend we’ll have the documentation in order.”
“Nice to know you’re following procedure on that, at least,” said Ian.
Santos frowned. “I didn’t have to tell you anything. I’m here as a courtesy.”
“How will this impact Kai?” asked Jagger. The focus needed to be on her, not on how much Santos might be bending the rules. “Is there anything we can tell her today? She’s torn up about this.”
“Tell her to get ready to talk to reporters. We aren’t saying anything to the media, but I’m sure Jesse’s attorney will be defending Owen shortly. And we all know how much he has to say.”
“Good luck on that one,” said Asa.
“Well, he is entitled to a defense,” said Santos, “even if it’s a pointless one.”
“All hail the US justice system,” said Jagger. “How bad will this be? Are we talking a murder indictment in addition to the arson?”
“No. The DA said we’d have a tough time proving intent to kill. More than likely we’re talking involuntary manslaughter for the people who died. And he’ll face numerous civil suits for the ones who were injured.”
Asa snorted. “I’m surprised I haven’t been served yet for those.”
“I think everyone was waiting to see if you actually set the fires. It wouldn’t have been profitable for them to sue the wrong person.”
“Yeah, but I have the deep pockets.”
“Owen is ruined,” said Ian. “Can they go after the construction company as well?”
Santos nodded. “Yes.”
Jagger shook his head. “My father and Jesse are done, then.”
“No they’re not,” said Asa. “We’ll back them on this. They won’t lose their business. You have my word on that.”
Jagger, Ian, and even Santos stared at Asa as if he’d just announced he intended to build a rocket ship and fly it to Mars.
“Don’t look at me like that. You think I’d let family go under for this? Jesse and Davis didn’t do this. Owen did.”
“But you hate Jesse,” said Jagger.
“It’s an old fight. And if it was only his company, I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass. But Davis and I have no beef. I won’t let your father go under for something his idiot nephew did.”
Jagger reached over and shook Asa’s hand. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”
“I know it does.”
“I suppose I owe you one for this.”
“Just do your job and keep your nose clean. That’s all I ask in return.”
* * * *
As the three dressed for the party, Kai couldn’t seem to make her fingers work. She kept dropping things,
and even buttons and snaps were difficult. Ian and Jagger had her sit down at one point and just breathe.
“I’m cursed tonight,” she said. “This party is going to be a disaster. I’ve never been this nervous.”
Ian knelt in front of her and took her hands. “Everything is going to be all right.”
“No it won’t. Any day now they’re going to arrest Owen.”
“And we will deal with that. Together. We promise you that.” They’d told her Thursday what Santos had said, as soon as they got home from work. But she’d already known most of it because Kate was at her apartment when she got home from her shift, waiting with her computer.
“And you’re not cursed,” said Jagger, grinning. “We are.”
She couldn’t help but smile. He always had a way of taking something she said and placing a humorous spin on it. “Okay, Sir. You’re right. You are.”
Jagger exchanged a glance with Ian and then turned his attention back to her, stooping so he was eye level with her. “I never did show you the clue I have to the curse, did I? I think since it’s Halloween night, this might be the perfect time. Would you like to see it?”
The hair on her arms prickled. “I don’t know. Will I be freaked out?”
“Maybe. A little.” He nuzzled her neck, and there was no stopping her body’s response. “But we’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
“Only you two could turn my apprehension into horniness.”
Jagger chuckled as he slipped a hand into her cleavage. “We aim to please.”
Ian brushed his hand up her inner thigh, parting her legs as he climbed higher. “Our only mission is to make you wet, sweetheart.”
She giggled and fell back onto the sofa cushions. “Do we have time? The party is—”
“Still two hours away,” said Jagger, unhooking the intricate tiny hooks on the bodice they’d just finished closing for her a few moments ago. “Plenty of time.”
She gazed into his eyes, so head-over-heels in love it sent her heart fluttering. “Do I still get to see the clue you have?”
He placed her hand on his crotch, where she wasn’t surprised to find his dick was rock hard. “Only if you give us what we want first.”
“What do you want, Sir?”
Ian slid down her panties. “One guess.”
Kai giggled as waves of desire spread through her limbs. “Well, all right. I suppose I can make the sacrifice.”
“Oh good.” Ian spread her legs wider and bent his head to lick her pussy in long, slow strokes, while Jagger freed her breasts from the dress and teased her nipples with his teeth and tongue.
Kai closed her eyes and let the emotions wash over her. Being with both men was unlike anything else. She craved their touch, and whether they took her fast and furious or slow and torturous, she loved it. She loved them. Both of them. And they didn’t even know it yet.
Ian undid his pants and slipped his dick into her pussy, forcing cries of pleasure from her throat. She opened her eyes and gazed into his, so in love with him that the words were right there, on the tip of her tongue. He fucked her slowly, massaging her clit and watching her face the entire time. When he withdrew, Jagger took his place, and Ian played with her breasts.
Her climax was swift and powerful, but still the men fucked her, changing places every few moments. She never got enough of them. Never. Forget the party. She’d rather lie here on the sofa and let them take her all night.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” said Ian, his voice reverent.
“So are you, Sir,” she whispered.
“I can’t get enough of you, Kai.” Jagger gazed at her with nothing short of love in his eyes.
“Same here, Sir.”
They removed the dress now, and flipped her over to fuck her pussy from behind. She loved it this way. The contractions from her orgasm went on and on as each man took a turn, fucking her rough and deep now. She clutched the sofa fabric and moaned loudly as their thrusting became desperate and jerky. When they each came, they filled her with their cum, crying out and clutching her hair.
By the time they finished, all three were bathed in a fine sheen of sweat, and the men helped her to Jagger’s bathroom so they could clean up again and put their costumes back on. Once they had her in her dress again, Jagger led her to the room he used as an office when he worked from home.
He opened the wall safe and took out a black leather pouch. “Don’t touch anything except the chain. It’s been blessed by Phyllis.” He handed her a medallion on a thick, silver chain. “Estevan has one nearly identical to this, but Phyllis said this one has female magick, whereas Estevan’s has male.”
Phyllis Trudeaux was a voodoo priestess who had a shop downtown. Kai had visited there a few times, but in truth Phyllis freaked her out a bit. “What is it?”
“The medallions allegedly contain the names of the demon or demons who cursed William, Robert, Iago, and Agapito. But no one can confirm that because we can’t read the language on it. And when Estevan and I touch the medallions themselves, we’re plagued by horrible nightmares.”
Kai tried to hand it back to him. “Then I don’t want to touch the chain even.”
“It won’t hurt you. Put the medallion close to your ear, but don’t let it touch your skin.”
“Why?”
“It hums.”
She stared at the image on the medallion itself, but blinked when she swore a monster’s face started to emerge. She didn’t want to move it closer to her ear, but felt compelled to do so. When it did indeed hum, however, she moved it away and once again held it out toward Jagger. “I’m done. Thanks for showing it to me.”
“Creepy, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Sir. It is. Why do you keep it?”
He placed it back in the pouch. “Because it’s a clue. And one day we’ll all figure this out.”
“I hope you’re right. Where did you get it?”
He closed the wall safe. “Emilio gave it to me, and he gave Estevan the one he has as well.”
“Why? I mean, why did he give them to you two?”
Jagger shrugged. “Because we were both very interested in the curse when we were kids.” He pulled her close. “Enough of this curse talk. Let’s finish dressing again and get this party started.”
Chapter Seventeen
Kai was thrilled to meet so many members of the BDSM community on the island. Giselle, Kade, and Elliot arrived first, and she admired their costumes as she thanked Giselle again for making hers, Jagger’s, and Ian’s.
“She made all of them,” said Kade. “That’s all she’s been working on for weeks.”
“How is the construction going on the club?”
“Not well,” said Elliot. “Until this mess is resolved for Jesse and Davis, they aren’t taking on any new projects. We don’t want to hire anyone else, but we might have to.”
Kai nodded, not knowing what to say. To think her uncles could lose their business was too much for her to wrap her head around right now.
Jade, Estevan, and Liam arrived, dressed as pirates. Estevan even had a cutlass that he said was authentic from 1692.
“Why did you bring it here?” asked Jagger.
Estevan shrugged. “It fit the costume. I’ll be careful with it.”
“Well then, let’s see it,” said Ian.
While the men admired Estevan’s sword, Jade took Kai aside and asked if she was all right.
“I will be once this is over.”
“Santos told me about Owen. I don’t know what to say. You must be so confused.”
“Very. But more than that, I’m afraid for what will happen to my uncle’s business.”
“Oh, nothing will.”
Kai frowned. “What do you mean?”
A look of uncertainty passed over Jade’s face as she cut her gaze toward the men. They were still busy admiring Estevan’s cutlass. “Didn’t they tell you what Asa said when Santos came to Phoebe’s Playthings to tell them about Owen?”
“The
y told me his arrest was imminent, but that’s about it.”
“Asa told Jagger not to worry about the construction company. That he would back it if necessary. They won’t lose it.”
“Asa said that?”
Jade nodded.
“Holy shit.” She watched the men, wondering why Ian and Jagger hadn’t mentioned that to her, and then it hit her. They must not believe him. Words were cheap. And they probably hadn’t wanted her to get her hopes up, so they’d decided not to say anything. But Kai didn’t want to share any of that with Jade, so she thanked her for the info and returned to admiring her pirate wench costume instead.
Arizona, Dallas, and Celina showed up dressed in traditional clothing of brilliant colors, reflecting the multiple cultures of the natives of the island. Celina, with her dark hair and exotic eyes, looked like she’d stepped out of time. The Vallee family, of which she was a descendant, had worked for the Durantes and Raleighs since the original four bought the island.
“I’m so happy you three were able to come.”
Celina surprised Kai by hugging her. “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Us natives have to stick together.” She winked. “And Arizona and Dallas wanted to show their support to you, Jagger, and Ian.”
“Thank you. That means so much.”
When Arizona shook her hand, Kai reflected how she’d never noticed before the uncanny resemblance to his father. But whereas Asa’s eyes were always cold and hard, Arizona exuded warmth and passion. “We’re happy you’re with them. You’re good for them both. And you have our backing, as well as Asa’s. Don’t worry about a thing, okay?”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say. If Arizona believed that Asa would save Jesse and Davis’s company, maybe it was true? Had she misjudged Asa all these years because of her uncle’s hatred of him? Or had Asa softened toward her because he’d accepted her being a sub to Jagger and Ian?
