“Translation—big dick.”
“There’s that, too.” She put the kettle down and handed the mug to Izzy. “Look, Izzy, I know you don’t understand—probably never will—but Isaac and I, we’ve got a lot in common.”
Her sister snorted before ducking her head to blow over the top of her tea.
“It’s true.” She stopped as Jacob walked into the room, but then thought better of keeping silent. She needed her sister with her on this one. Too much was at stake. “I not only trusted but supported your decision to marry a human. You owe me.”
“You aren’t seriously comparing your fling to my marriage, are you?”
Jacob sat down next to Izzy, but wisely decided to keep his silence.
“No. And that you thought I was, means you’ve totally missed the point.” She handed a mug to Jacob before picking up the last one for herself.
Jacob looked down at the tea, and then found a spot on the wall behind Nikki to focus on. “She’s just worried about you, Nic. We both are. Isaac is…” He paused as if looking for the right word. “Intimidating, even for someone like me.”
She wanted to glare at the man, but couldn’t. She didn’t have enough people in her life who gave a damn about her to start alienating the few who did. “And I appreciate the concern—for the most part. But he’s a good guy.”
Jacob opened his mouth but whatever he was about to say was silenced by a knock at the door. Instantly, he had his gun out and pointed in the general direction of the front of the house as he started to walk cautiously across the room.
“Good grief!” Nikki walked around him, ignoring his hissed curse.
“The day my father knocks is the day the Earth stops spinning.” Still, as she moved to open the door, she noted that Jacob was standing behind her, his gun held steady and aimed just over her shoulder. She shook her head, but almost wished he’d fired it as she opened the door. But he didn’t. “Good evening, Mrs. Marrow.”
The woman arched one delicately shaped eyebrow at Jacob, but then brushed past Nikki into the house. “Not really, Ms. Rathe.” Her gaze slid down Nikki, making her feel slimy somehow. “I see you’re making yourself at home.”
For the sake of Jacob’s comfort, Nikki had changed into a pair of soft flannel pajama pants and a cami, but now she wished she’d stayed in Isaac’s shirt. “Be thankful you didn’t show up here an hour ago when your son had me in nothing but handcuffs.” Izzy gasped behind her, but Nikki pretended she didn’t hear it. Right now she was too busy facing down the ice queen to worry about her little sister’s image of her.
“Why am I not surprised?” Mrs. Marrow rolled her eyes in an obvious display of distaste. “I’m not here to talk about what you’re doing with my son in the bedroom, however.”
“No? That’s a shame,” Nikki replied.
“I’m here to talk about what you’re doing to his life.”
That was an interesting subject for the woman to broach. “Which would be?”
“Putting it in danger.”
“Says the woman who wants to make him powerless against my father.” Nikki had seen her fair share of hypocrites in her life, but none so huge as the woman standing in front of her.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mrs. Marrow snapped.
“So you don’t want him to get my family’s raven?”
Isaac’s mother looked at Nikki with open contempt. “You don’t know enough about our world or politics to understand.”
“I don’t give a flying monkey fuck what world you’re living in, lady. He gets that ink, he’s as good as dead.”
“No,” she said with an exasperated sigh. “He gets the ink and he’s no longer a threat. He won’t be worth Rathe’s time or energy.”
Nikki wasn’t sure if she’d just gone a little crazy or if Isaac’s mother actually made some sense. Not that she agreed with her either way. “Oh. My. God. All that ink.” Nikki couldn’t help but visualize Isaac’s body as she said the words. “You honestly thought you were protecting him, didn’t you?”
“He’s my son. I don’t think I was protecting him, I know he’s alive today because of me and that ink.”
“The only thing you’ve done is made him powerless against half the families in the Community.”
“How can you not get it? He was born with a bull’s-eye on his back. I did what I had to do.”
“I don’t think he’d agree.” Nikki took a step back as the horror of it came crashing around her. “And I don’t think he realizes you have such a low opinion of his abilities.”
The woman took advantage of Nikki’s retreat and took two steps forward. “In a fair fight, I’d never doubt him. But we aren’t exactly talking about a fair fight, now are we? Which, conveniently enough, brings me to the reason for my visit.”
Izzy placed her hand on Nikki’s back, the contact comforting Nikki and giving her more strength. “Please do tell. We’re all dying to know why you decided to grace us with your presence,” Izzy said sharply.
“Have Isaac remove the bond,” Mrs. Marrow said bluntly.
Nikki’s back went cold as Izzy’s hand was suddenly removed. “Bond?”
Mrs. Marrow raised one eyebrow as she looked between Nikki and Izzy. “So, you haven’t told her?”
“What my sister and I choose to discuss is none of your business,” Nikki snapped.
“Of course. You’re absolutely right.” Still, the woman’s smile was sickeningly victorious. “You’re relationship with her is of no importance to me. With my son, however…”
“Isaac makes his own decisions.”
“I saw the way he looks at you. If you asked him to remove it, he would.”
She could feel the press on her mind, feel her own desire to give in to the woman. “Get the fuck out of my head.”
“So you know.” The pressure lessened, but didn’t go away altogether.
“You want to play, I can play.”
“Your ability won’t work on me,” Mrs. Marrow reminded her.
“No, you’re right. It wouldn’t.” Nikki winked at the shrew. “But it’ll work on your husband. How is Mr. Marrow doing these days? Does he need to take those little blue pills to fuck you? ’Cause he won’t with me.”
The woman actually turned white and started to shake with rage. “You bitch.”
“Oh, hi kettle. Are we just meeting?” Nikki smiled sweetly, just to piss her off a little more.
“Yeah, so clever and quick with the quips. I’m sure I’m supposed to be impressed. Keep this in mind, though. As long as you’re in his home, under his protection, you put him at risk.”
“He’s a big boy. He knew what he was doing when he bound me to him.”
“I only want what’s best for my son.”
“Then you should try working with him for once.” Isaac’s mother opened her mouth to argue, but Nikki stopped her. “And by that, I mean find out what he’s planning and do everything you can to make sure it succeeds, not manipulate him into doing what you think is best.”
The woman glared at her, but then turned to leave. “I’m sorry we couldn’t reach some sort of arrangement.”
“Oh, we reached an arrangement, just not the one you wanted,” Nikki corrected.
Mrs. Marrow didn’t acknowledge the words as she left. She didn’t even slam the door behind her, which Nikki was secretly hoping for. She wanted to slam a couple of doors just to have the satisfaction of hearing the noise. It would’ve been nice to know Mrs. Marrow had left as riled as Nikki was.
“So, should we talk about this bond now?” The hurt and anger in Izzy’s voice was reflected in the still-darkening of her eyes.
Turning away from her sister, Nikki took a deep breath to settle her nerves before noting Jacob’s absence. Smart man. “It wasn’t important.” It was a weak argument—more importantly it was an outright lie, and Nikki regretted the words as soon as she spoke them.
“Not important? You essentially belong to him but that isn’t importa
nt?” Izzy’s tone was sharp, but she appeared to still be calm. Yes, her eyes were almost black, but she hadn’t sprouted wings or horns so Nikki was counting it as good.
“No. Of course you’re right. It was important.”
“Was?”
“When it first happened. I was terrified. I thought he might be one of our father’s men.” Nikki shuddered again at the thought. “But then I found out who he is and why he had done it and…” She shrugged, the gesture as weak as her logic. “It wasn’t so important anymore.”
“That is the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard you say, Nic. And I’ve heard some pretty stupid things come out of your mouth over the years.”
“I know. It sounds stupid to me. But it’s the truth. He just wants his sister back. I get it.”
“No. Do not make this about me.”
“It’s not about you, Izzy. But it is about loving and protecting your sister. Plus, how long have we talked about bringing down our father?”
Her sister’s glare was the only answer Nikki got.
“For years. You’ve had a taste of vengeance.” There was no way Izzy could tell her bringing down their drug-dealing half brother, Alex, a year ago hadn’t felt good. “I want that, too.”
“I only did that to protect Jacob.” Despite her argument, Izzy’s voice had softened considerably.
“But it felt good, protecting Jacob and at the same time knowing Alex couldn’t hurt anyone else ever again, didn’t it?”
Izzy sighed heavily. “A little.”
“And if I try to bring down our father, I’d be safer doing it while bound to someone, wouldn’t I?”
Her sister started chewing on her bottom lip, a clear tell that Nikki was winning her over. “I don’t like it, Nic.”
“I know, and I understand. But this is our best chance.”
“You’ll let me help?”
It’d been Izzy’s dream to bring down their father since she’d gotten sober, but this one wasn’t up to Nikki. “How does Jacob feel about it?”
Jacob picked that moment to materialize out of one of the rooms off the hallway. “I’m smart enough to know it’s too important to Izzy for me to stand in her way. She’ll either do it with my knowledge or behind my back.”
“Have you talked to Isaac?” Nikki asked him.
“Not yet. I was hoping you might be able to warm him up to the idea a little before I jumped in. The last thing I want him to think is I want to take the lead on this.”
“So you and Izzy want supporting roles, then?” How the hell was she going to phrase that with Isaac?
“The DEA would be happy to help in the arrest of one of the most notorious figures in the drug world of this generation. And, of course, Izzy’s knowledge and expertise would be invaluable as an independent consultant.”
Not only was he smart, he was a hell of a diplomat. No wonder he’d managed to win Izzy over. “Let me talk to him. I’ll let you know what he says.”
“Thanks, Nic,” Jacob said with a decisive nod.
“I haven’t promised anything,” she reminded him.
He smiled and looked pointedly at Izzy. “You’re a lot like your sister. I’ve had enough arguments with her to be pretty certain as to how this is going to end. You girls are nothing if not persuasive.”
Izzy’s smile returned in full at the comment and she moved to stand at her husband’s side so he could wrap a protective arm around her waist. “You really don’t mind the bond?” Izzy asked softly.
“I know it’s crazy and I know I should, but I don’t. He never pushes me or forces me to do anything I don’t want to.”
“I don’t like it,” Izzy said, her voice wary.
“Neither does he. But, for now at least, it serves to further both of our causes, so it’s staying.”
She led them back to the kitchen only to discover their tea had gotten cold. “Would you like another cup?” She would make it for them, but she hoped they wouldn’t want it. Her run-in with first Mrs. Marrow and then Izzy had left her exhausted.
“No,” Izzy answered. “Why don’t you go lay down. Jacob and I will manage just fine until Isaac gets back.”
“Are you sure?” Nikki asked around a yawn.
“I am capable of working a microwave,” Izzy argued. “Probably better than you.”
“Okay.” Nikki headed upstairs only to then have to face the decision of whose room to go to. She stood in the hall as the seconds ticked by, glancing between the two closed doors. Sex was one thing. Sharing a room was something completely different, she finally decided as she pushed open the door to the guest room. If he wanted her to share his room, he would’ve said something.
Relieved at having made a decision, she fell across the bed and went to asleep. The bed was just too soft—her surroundings too familiar and comforting—for her to fight against the exhaustion that tugged at her.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept, but she wasn’t feeling completely rested when she woke, which left her wondering why she was suddenly awake. That is, until she felt the bed dip as Isaac lay down next to her. “You aren’t going to sleep in your bed?”
“Not if you aren’t. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
She scooted over to give him space. “It’s okay. I’ve never really been that deep of a sleeper. I wake up to just about any noise.” And that’d saved her skin several times while in foster homes. “What was the message?” She probably should ask about her uncle or even his bar, make sure they were okay, but she found she just didn’t care.
“We’re meeting with one of your father’s men tomorrow afternoon to negotiate the deal.”
“That’s good.” She rolled over so he could snuggle up behind her.
“I don’t think Gus would agree.” His breath was warm in her ear as he spoke, sending a chill down her spine. “Your father’s men did a number on his club.”
“Was anyone killed?”
“Not that we know of.”
“Then dear Uncle Gus got off easy.”
He skimmed his hand over her hip. “I guess so.”
“Your mother stopped by while you were gone,” she said around a yawn.
His hand stilled for a second. “What’d she want?”
Nikki snuggled a little closer to him. “She was the acting welcome wagon. Stopping by to make sure I was comfortable. Had everything I needed. Oh, and she tried to convince me you’d be safer if you released me from the bond. You know, the usual.”
“Was it bad?”
“I might have threatened to seduce your father and she might have called me a bitch.” She waited nervously to see how he reacted, but he was so still it took her a minute to register he was moving at all and even longer to figure out it was him trying to stifle his amusement. “Are you laughing at me?”
“It’s just…” He had to stop speaking for a moment as he gave in to his laughter. “Have you seen my father lately?”
She slapped his hip hard enough for her hand to sting. “I wasn’t serious.”
He took a moment to catch his breath before saying, “Which is why I’m laughing. If you were serious, I’d have to find a way to convince you your time is better served with me.” The stubble on his chin scraped against her shoulder as he punctuated his words with gentle kisses.
“In that case, maybe I was serious.”
“You do realize I’m a guy, right? You don’t have to lie to get me to sleep with you.” He slid his hand under her cami and cupped one of her breasts gently.
She rocked her hips to rub her ass against his already hard cock. “Sleeping isn’t exactly what I had in mind,” she teased.
“Really?”
She moved to roll over, but he tightened his embrace as he bit down on her shoulder. The bite wasn’t painful, but it was hard enough to remind her that he had a thing for control. And, since the bond would prevent her from accidently using her magic on him, she was happy to surrender to his attention.
He rolled her nipple between his
finger and thumb as he kissed the spot that would probably bear a bruise by morning. Not that she really cared if he’d marked her. She was too caught up in the pleasure to worry about such trivial details. And this pleasure was something to be caught up in. Whereas sex had been raw and passionate earlier, now he seemed to want to take his time and explore.
His touch skimmed from her breast down her waist and to her hip. “I owe you an orgasm. Rushing off like that was unforgivable.”
She sighed as his fingers moved down the flat plane of her abdomen. “I’m not one to turn that down but, for the sake of complete disclosure, I believe I’m still ahead of you in the orgasm column if we’re keeping score.”
“Not keeping score. More like a tit for tat kind of thing.”
She laughed as she arched her back and rubbed his cock with her ass. “Really? Tit for tat? That was the best you could come up with?”
He nipped at her neck, this time sucking on the skin softly, which caused her to break out in goose bumps as her stomach twisted with hunger. “Sorry,” he whispered into her ear. “With you this close to me, I’m not thinking clearly.”
“In that case, you’re forgiven.”
His hand slipped under the waistband of her pajama pants and the panties she was wearing underneath. “You are so damn sexy you make me crazy.”
“Not to seem argumentative, but I think some would say you’re not exactly sane even in my absence.” She moaned as his fingers slid through the lips of her pussy.
“And when I feel you so very wet and hot, I can’t think of anything but stripping you naked and fucking you.” He pushed the pajama bottoms and her panties down her legs in one fluid movement and then moved away briefly as she heard the telltale sound of a foil packet being opened. She tried to turn to look at him, but again, his hand stopped her.
“Aren’t you Mr. Prepared?” she asked after he lay down and snuggled up to her back again.
“I’d make some smart-ass comment about being a scout but, truth is, they kicked me out.” He nudged her thighs apart as he positioned his cock to enter her.
“See, I knew I called it right. You were a bad boy.”
Bond Betrayed Page 10
