I focus on giving Rayne the ride of her life. I adjust my rhythm and settle in for the ride. Rayne instantly adjusts her pace to match mine. I almost come apart at the seams. I grab and tip her ass, deepening the connection as our bodies fuse. Her deep breaths return to panting. The volume of her moans increases until she’s screaming for release. And still, she doesn’t come.
I persevere, alternating a slow, steady pace with fast, hard plunges. Rayne’s eyes remain tightly closed as her body becomes one perpetual motion. Her mouth parts as she pants and groans out a whisper.
“Please, Jaden. Please. Now.” Or at least that what I think she says. There is nothing left for her but the ecstasy of the moment. She is mine.
Her eyes fly open and fasten on mine. She licks her lips and smiles as she tries to pull away, but I hold her fast. I quicken, and she responds. She loses the battle to watch me, and her lids drift closed. Once again, she submits to the depths of her desire.
I bring her close to the edge once again. Now, I’m panting with exertion. This woman is hard work, and I love it. I reach down and squeeze her clit. She screams, arches, and becomes statue still. I jackhammer into her. Strong vaginal muscles squeeze around my erupting dick. Together we ride the waves that carry me over the crest of ecstasy.
Her cunt still licks my cock as my orgasm tapers off. Emotion floods through me as I watch her come down. This woman is having far too much effect on me, and it scares me.
Savannah’s ghost hovers, a constant reminder of the emotional pain that changed me. Everything I knew, worked for, no longer holds any meaning for me. I hide away in what became a meaningless existence. I became obsessed with the phone call telling me she was a victim. Taken and abused by the scum in the human trafficking underworld. I remember every second as her warm body grew cold in my arms. My God, I’m a doctor, and I couldn’t save her.
For months, I lived isolated and depressed. Then, I got mad. I became a man whose existence depends on retaliation against this sick underworld. It remains the only way I can keep the constant rage at bay. I stand stock still, eyes closed tight, as Savannah’s ghost tightens her grip on me.
I remove the cuffs from Rayne’s wrists. She lies there, looking up at me. The satisfied smile starts to fade as I throw on my pants.
“I’ve got some work to do. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I refuse to look back as I retie the chains around my heart and walk out.
My computer will help me forget.
Joker d00dz: Intercepted Viper call. Hook into feed.
Blade d00dz: The son of a bitch is alive?
Joker d00dz: Roger that.
“Don’t worry. We’ll mess her up some. She’ll be real sorry she messed with the man.”
I recognize the voice of the head goon Viper sent to my compound, the guy who calls himself Rambo. Although I’ve missed the beginning of the conversation, I know beyond a doubt he’s talking about Rayne.
“You’re not to touch her. Not one little hair on her head.” Every nerve ending in my system vibrates as Viper’s distinct voice comes through loud and clear. He’s alive. What the hell? No time to focus on that now.
“Got it.”
“Got it, boss. But I thought—”
“I don’t pay you to think. Ten grand to anyone who brings her to me unharmed. That little bitch tried to make me look like a fool. For that she’ll pay, big-time. What about that bastard, Blade?”
“We found him, boss. He’s holed up with his friends at the Masquerade Club in Toronto. And you can bet your ass he’s got her with him.”
I imagine Viper resting his chin on tented fingers while he studies Rambo. He rules by fear. Rambo’d piss himself before he’d move unless ordered.
“Put the sister to work. Use a motel in Milton or Mississauga. Make sure it’s someplace scuzzy, or Blade won’t fall for it. Put three guys to grab the bastards.”
“But, boss, we’re down—”
I hear the distinctive sound of the hammer cocking on a .44 Magnum. Story has it Viper shoots any man who questions his authority.
“Tell Whippo there’s a hundred bucks in it for him if he leaks the message to Blade. Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
Rambo clears his throat.
“You need something?” Viper asks.
“Where do you want us to take her?”
“The Manor in Inverhuron.”
“If we’re lucky, we’ll take down Blade’s entire organization.”
“Luck will have nothing to do with it. Good planning, Rambo. That’s what it takes. And I’ve got a good plan. We’ll take down his bastard friend, Connor. Three cats in one bag. Do you know that son of a bitch refused me a membership in his sordid little clubs?”
“No!” Despite probably having heard the story repeatedly, Rambo manages to sound shocked. “What’s that all about?”
“Fucker said I wasn’t the right flavor for their club. Like I was some kind of worm or something. Well, I have news for him.”
“Want us to mess the club up while we’re there?”
“Take a seat.”
Silence reigns. I imagine Viper staring out of his office’s window wall view of downtown Toronto. Several minutes pass before we hear a loud sigh.
“No. Not a good idea. Good as it sounds. Grab the girl and get the hell out of there. He’ll follow the girl.”
“Gotcha, boss. Too bad. Would have had some fun.”
“Tell you what. Pull this job off, and you can do whatever you want with the club. It will be my gift to you.” A cell phone vibrates loudly in the background. “Yeah … give me a minute, sweetheart.” Text me when you’re done.”
34
Rayne
Baby, pick up what you found …
A ringing phone jars me out of deep sleep.
“Hello.”
“We’re joining Kat and Connor for brunch. Meet me in their suite in ten minutes.” Jaden is all business; he makes this pronouncement and hangs up. No “Is that okay with you?” or “Do you mind?” Nope; he just says jump. He’s about to find out I’m not a “how high?” kind of gal.
I check the time—almost noon. I yawn and stretch my pleasantly sore muscles as memories of last night ignite my nervous system. It quite possibly was the best night of my life. The sexual spark between Jaden and me turned into a solid blue flame. Now, if only he didn’t act like such a bastard. That isn’t the vibe I get from him, but it sure is the face he puts on things. Mostly what I get from him is a layer of determination covering roiling emotions and mixed messages. I sense confusion … and desire, but there are too many feelings to identify.
I scramble to get washed and dressed while I try to sort out my feelings. Something passed between us. It isn’t just my imagination. But the fucker walked out on me. Again. Un-fucking-believable. I run a comb through my short curls and stick my tongue out at the freckled reflection staring back at me.
Jaden’s obviously going to pull the stranger act again. Time to put on my big girl pants.
I pull on a pair of tight black jeans and a tee. I cinch my twenty-one-inch waist—something I’m proud of—with a black leather belt. Black Doc Martens complete the outfit. I turn in front of the closet mirror. For all my faults, I do look damned good. Black is my favorite color and makes me feel kick-ass.
I’ll show Jaden. What he can do, I will do better. The problem is, there might be no point. I’m not sure he even likes me, sex aside. One minute, he acts as if he does like me, the next he acts as if I barely exist in his world. I wish he’d try harder to be nice.
I’m not responsible for your happiness. Jaden’s voice echoes in my head, albeit in a rather random fashion. If I focus really hard, his emotions wash over me, sucking me under like a whirlpool. I shake it off.
Jaden doesn’t even look up when I join them at the round table. An impenetrable layer of distance shields his emotions. I can’t get a read at all.
“Good morning, Drake,” Kat says. “Sleep well?”<
br />
The question is innocent enough, but I go beet purple. “Ah … yes, thanks.” I make busy pouring a cup of tea. “Everything’s great.” Could you say anything more stupid?
“That’s good to hear.” Connor’s deep voice makes me feel all gooshy. Kind of like listening to Darth Vader. Never mind that the guy looks like a movie star. I glance at Kat, embarrassed. She grabs my hand and laughs. “Don’t worry. Everyone has that reaction.”
Connor frowns. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing, sweetheart.” She gives Connor a huge smile. He makes a noise that sounds a lot like a harrumph. She winks and turns back to me. “Don’t mind these two. They’re both acting like they got out of prison with no place to go. Jaden was just sharing your plans for today.”
I sneak a look at Jaden, but he’s digging for gold in his pancakes. Fine. He’s not the boss of me. “I’m going to visit Sasha this afternoon, but I’ll be back for tonight’s class.”
Kat opens her mouth to speak.
“You two are staying here,” Jaden says. “I’m going to the hospital.”
Pissant. “No, I’m not. I promised Sasha I’d be back.”
“You’re not coming with me.”
“Fine. I’ll get there myself.” Now I’m really pissed off. It’s one thing pretending nothing happened, for whatever stupid reason he has, it’s quite another ordering me around and acting as if he runs my life. One thing is for fucking sure—he’ll have to be a lot nicer to me if he wants my cooperation.
“No, you will not.” Jaden’s quiet voice shouts with intensity.
“Listen, buster—”
Kat covers my hand once again. “Settle down, you two. How about I take her? Then you’ll be free to leave when you wish.”
“It’s not safe. Connor and I decided it’s best if you both stay here.” Jaden swivels his head and stretches.
“Yes, dear one,” Connor says. “It really is the best idea until we’ve picked up Summer. Rayne really is safer here.”
Like I’m not in the room. Then I realize what he said. Summer. Nervous energy shimmers through my system. I push my plate away, no longer hungry. “You found my sister? How?” I look directly at Jaden. He returns the glare with an even stare. He says nothing.
Connor clears his throat. “Jaden’s guys tracked her down. They’re moving her to the bucket of slime where they pimp the girls. It will be an easy snatch and grab from there.”
“Let’s make tracks.” Jaden walks out of the room without a second look. Connor and Kat pucker lips for what seems like forever before Connor follows Jaden out the door.
“What the fuck was that about?” I ask Kat.
Kat smiles. “I was hoping we’d have a little time for some girl talk. Looks like you made an impression on our Jaden last night. That makes us happy.”
“I don’t know why. He’s not acting like we even connected.”
“Even better. That tells me you really got to him. Do you mind if I give you a bit of sisterly advice?”
I shake my head. Kat’s probably old enough to be my mother, but for once in my frigging life, I keep a thought to myself.
“Jaden and Connor are carved from the same block of hardwood. They’re both hardheaded Scorpios who act like they have the world by the ass.”
“What’s there to act? They’re rich and good-looking. What else do they need?”
“Love.” Kat says it with finality. “But then, I think you know this.”
“What makes you say that?”
“The connection you have with him. No one’s been this close to Jaden—”
“Yeah, right.” I bark out a laugh. She must think I was born in a mole burrow if she thinks I believe this.
“It’s not really funny.” Kat takes a sip of her coffee. “So, you know what happened to Savannah?”
“No. Sasha mentioned something about her but didn’t tell me much. She said Jaden’s heart broke, and he’ll never love again. He must have really loved Savannah.”
“He thought he was in love with her. Yes, Jaden’s done a good job of convincing himself he’s walked away from love. And just like Connor, nothing could be farther from the truth, but that’s another story. Both of them mistook infatuation for love. We just hope that when Jaden finds someone who can get through to him, she’ll be the right one.”
“Well, good luck with that if he treats them all the same way he treats me.” I huff in self-righteous indignation.
“It’s the way he treats you that shows me you could be the one. That and that tiny little bit of abrasive attitude you have. You don’t put up with his shit.”
“Did Connor treat you like you’re some kind of virus he wants to get rid of?”
Kat laughs again. “You certainly have a dramatic flair. Don’t be put off by Jaden’s moods. Connor is even worse. But you just may have what it takes to deal.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I study my fingernails, eager to show my indifference. Kat just smiles as if she sees right through me. I wiggle in my seat.
“You’re curious, and you want more. And you’re smitten by him. I recognize the signs.”
“He doesn’t like me.” Now I’m fishing for reassurance.
“Oh, yeah. What would you say if I told you he’s never brought a woman here? He’s hooked up a few times, but that’s it. For that matter, he’s never taken anyone to his compound. You’re his first, ever.”
This pleases me no end, but I try not to get too excited. Good things don’t happen to me. “Tell me more about when you two and Connor back together. Why did you break up?”
Kat tilts her head, holding my gaze. I realize just how rude and intrusive that sounds. “That is if you don’t mind sharing.”
“Not at all. Like I told you, I got scared off by his moods and kink. Probably because I was embarrassed to think about my own kink meter.”
I lean forward, mesmerized by her story. I love hearing about other peoples’ sex lives. I want to know everything but hold my tongue.
“He waited twenty years for you? That’s love.” I’m so envious. No one will even date me never mind wait for twenty years.
“No, it wasn’t like that. I was separated from a common-law marriage when we met up again. Con was deeply immersed in his broken heart. Like Jaden’s Savannah, Connor’s Meredith died in his arms.”
“What happened?” I’m totally hooked into the story.
“A drunk driver hit Meredith on the day Connor was going to propose to her. She died in his arms.”
“That’s so sad. But I thought Savannah was killed by kidnappers.”
“That’s how Jaden got into the sex trade. They kidnapped Savannah from the hospital during one of her shifts, drugged her, and took her to work the trade. The police found her bleeding out in a Burlington motel room. She died in Jaden’s ER.”
“Oh my God. That’s dreadful.”
“Very, and he blames himself for her death. He confuses his guilt with fear of being hurt again. He’s got it all wound around and tied in knots to protect his heart.”
“You’re the first one who’s managed to get through to him. You scare him. It’s as simple as that.”
“How come nobody acts like the guys in the romance novels? How come I always have to meet the weird ones?”
“Am I to understand from this that you’re looking for something normal? I somehow suspect that’s not really what you’re looking for, or you wouldn’t be here.”
“I’m here because Jaden brought me here, and I need to find my sister. No other reason.”
“Oh, really? So are you saying that you’re Jaden’s captive?”
I stare at her in sheer amazement. I can’t believe that someone with her obvious smarts would talk to me this way.
“No.” I drag out the vowel as long as I can. “I’m not his prisoner. I’m here because I need his resources, and he needs help right now. Especially since Sasha got hurt.”
Kat gives me one of her Cheshire cat smiles. “
Keep telling yourself that. Now, you better get dressed if you want me to take you to the hospital.”
“Jaden said we have to stay here.”
“Yes he did, but we’ll have Brian drive us. We’ll be safe enough with him. It wasn’t worth the argument with our thick-headed men.”
I gulp the rest of my tea and head for the door.
“Oh, one other thing, Drake.”
I stop and look back. “Oh?”
“Sasha’s going to try to get you to promise to stay and look after Jaden. I ask one favor. Don’t promise unless you plan to go through with it. In fact, if you’re not willing to see this through, break it off now.”
“Don’t you worry. I’ve made it quite clear that I’ll help until Sasha recovers, then I’m out of here. It’s only fair.”
Kat’s dark eyes burn into me, searching through all my hidden crevices. Eventually, she nods. “One thing to keep in mind about our men, they take forever to commit, but once they do, it’s for life.”
Like I care. It only occurs to me later to wonder how Kat knew about Sasha. How does she know?
35
Jaden
Sometimes it gets so bad I wish I could cry …
“They’re going to be pissed when they find out we lied to them.” Connor smoothly navigates his Range Rover through traffic as he heads for the rendezvous point. “Where are we headed?”
“Mirror Motel in Burlington. We put a call out to the front desk, offering a reward for any info. According to this guy, some man dropped her off there, made a deal with a john, and took off. So, we can expect the trap to be somewhere outside. Once we’re done with them, I doubt the john will be any problem. Best that Rayne isn’t here. She’d want to kill him.”
“That little one sure is a spitfire. She reminds me of my Kat. You’ll have your hands full with her.”
“You’ve got it all wrong. Rayne’s a rescue, nothing more. If Sasha hadn’t been hurt, she would already be gone.” As the words leave my mouth, the lie bites me in the butt. I try not to admit I’m a hooked fish fighting for freedom while my captor reels me in. In one short week, Rayne has buried the barb. It’s just lust. A few more fuck sessions and she’ll be out of my system.
Rage (A Jaden Rayne Adventure Book 1) Page 22
