by Blue Saffire
“Is that…” his eyes bounce between the phone and my face.
I nod.
“I don’t like thieves. Especially, those that rob good people of their chance to better themselves.”
His eyes lock on my face. He’s silent as he stares back at me. I wait. I know what I did to his ex was sick and sadistic. Chopping off her thieving hands was the least of the shit I did to her. She pissed me off. She had no remorse for the situation she left Dallas in. Not even after I told her about the shit he’s had to live through.
For the first time, he had something to hope for and be proud of. She took that from him. The filthy mess sitting before me is not Dallas. He’d become this after giving up hope. I can restore that hope if he’ll help me.
“What if there’s no baby?” he grumbles quietly.
“The other two hundred and fifty million disappears. Help me, I’ll give you five million after the year instead of two,” I lift a brow.
“Why tell me that you stand to lose two hundred and fifty million, but only offer me five? Ain’t you worried about me asking for more or trying to take you for more than half?” his brows draw together and his eyes fill with curiosity.
I tilt my head and watch him. The boy I knew is still in there. I can see it. I may be a different person. Anita has been stripped away. She’ll never come back, but Dallas is still Dallas.
I reach out to comb his damp hair to the side, the way I remember it as a little boy. He captures my wrist again, but with none of the force from before.
“Do you remember me?” I ask softly.
“Yeah,” he grunts and nods.
“I remember you. It’s weird because you’re my only memories from back then. I don’t remember my family or anything else from before the accident.
“But I’ve always remembered the little boy that was my best friend. I remember…you always let me eat most of the ice cream. We couldn’t afford two cones. We had to share one every time. You never failed to let me have more, including letting me finish the cone.
“You’re smart enough to make a life with five million. You wouldn’t ask for more. It’s why I chose you. You’re one of the few people in my life that never betrayed me,” I clamp my mouth shut, pulling my hand back and clearing my throat.
I reach into the water for the sponge floating on the surface. My eyes widen when I feel my fingers brush his length. My cheeks warm.
“I’m not promising you anything I can’t give,” he rasps. “I…I don’t know if I can help you. Do I have time to think about this? Does Skull know I’m here?”
No and no.
I want to tell him that we’re out of time. I need to free up those funds yesterday. Skull doesn’t know I have him, but after tomorrow, I have a week and a half to send proof that I settled the mark. We could both be dead after that.
“We don’t have long. I need to settle with Skull one way or the other by Friday after next,” I reply.
“Alright,” he frowns. “I’ll answer by Friday.”
Fuck!
“Fine,” I murmur.
I reach for the soap to squeeze into the sponge and start to bath his shoulders. He’s stiff as a board at first but soon begins to relax. When I finish with his body, I squeeze the shampoo into my palms and start to massage it into his hair.
“I should charge you another million for the free feels,” he groans as I scratch his scalp.
“Can’t trust my brothers not to kill you and I can’t afford you running on me. You’ll be sleeping with me until I know we’re in this together. I don’t want bedbugs or lice in my bed,” I taunt.
“Fuck you,” he mutters sounding hurt.
“Maybe, if this dirt washes off,” I say with a smile in my voice.
His eyes lift to mine. I see the heat and lust there. Maybe playing with this man isn’t such a good idea. I’ll have to uncuff him sooner or later.
Chapter 4
What I do
Havana
It’s been two days and Dallas hasn’t given me an answer. The stress and tension has mounted to a point of choking me. Between the sexual tension between us and the unknown factor of my future, I needed to get out of the house.
I was grateful for the little hit that dropped into my lap. This guy I’d kill happily. He’s been beating his wife within an inch of her life on a regular and has started in on the kids.
His mother in law saved up her money and pulled some from her pension to put out this hit. I’d have done it for free, if I didn’t need the money. I already decided that if Dallas agrees to help me, I’ll be dropping a package on her doorstep in the form of a refund.
This mark was easy to get close to. He nearly jumped my bones in the bar I so happened to run into him at. I didn’t have to suggest going to my place twice.
Once in the parking lot his hands were all over me. In the locks of my lace front, gripping my ass. Not the actions of a devoted husband and loving father.
I giggled like an airhead while whispering dirty things in his ear. It was what I needed for him to change his mind from wanting a quickie in the parking lot. Instead, he opted to get in my car in hopes of a real deal night of the best sex of his life.
I’m sure he’s regretting that car ride now, with both eyes swollen shut as he hangs upside down in my version of a playroom. I always love watching their faces when they think I’m into some kinky shit and they’re about to get dominated. They make my job easy, practically tossing their own asses into my restraints and contraptions.
They never take note of the plastic lining the floor or the knife display along the wall on the far side of the room. They always say to be careful what you wish for. I only come here when I want to drag a hit out.
This was one I wanted to drag out as long as I could. I wanted him to feel the searing pain his wife has felt each of the four times he’s broken her collarbone. Not to mention the ten wrist fractures, a broken nose and countless busted lips.
“How does it feel,” I growl at him as I hold the pliers with another of his bloody teeth in my hand. “You like beating on helpless women and children? How does it feel to be the helpless one?”
“P…pl…please,” he pleads through a mouth full of blood.
I move to the table, tossing the last of his teeth down along with the pliers, I reach for the tape. I turn back for his beaten body, squatting before him. I peel a piece of tape away, allowing him to see the roll in my hand.
“At this moment, all of your blood and fluids are rushing to your lungs and brain. All of those girly little martinis you were sucking down are going to fill your lungs,” I purr, ripping off a piece of tape.
I slap it across his mouth, shutting up his whimpers. He pisses himself, pulling a hiss of disgust from me. I stand and move to sit in the chair I placed across from him. I stare into his eyes and watch the panic in them. Eventually, the life will start to drain from them nice and slow.
“We’ll be here for a while,” I croon.
His face is beet red, graduating to a shade of purple. His eyes are yellow and red, bulging. Tears soak his skin, rolling into his hairline.
I take out my phone and open my kindle app. I flip through my to be read list and find the book I’ve been meaning to read. I make myself comfortable and start reading. I feel the tension leave my body with each page, each minute, each hour.
I make it through three books before I get to watch the light drain from this piece of shit’s eyes. I look up just in time to see it happen. A smile spreads across my face.
“All in a day’s work.”
Chapter 5
Keep Cover
Havana
“Stop fidgeting,” I snap at Dallas.
“You put me in this monkey suit,” he growls pulling at the collar of his dress shirt.
I try not to laugh. He’s been whining like a baby since we left the house. Sad part is, if he would stop fidgeting, he looks fine as hell. Dallas cleans up nicely. The difference is like night and day. If I didn’t k
now better I would certainly think that my date tonight was an above board real estate mogul—just like myself, if you ask the right people.
“Blue or brown?”
“What? Blue, I guess. What kind of question is that?” He grumbles.
I dig into my bag, pulling out the contact lens case. I hold it out to him. Dallas looks at it curiously.
“The blue contact is in the right side. Put it in. Tonight, you’re Dallas Steel. No one here needs to know the name Echoes,” I say.
“I never use that name,” he grunts.
“Exactly. I don’t know why and this isn’t share time,” I say pointedly. “We need to make you blend into this world. In this circle, I run a multi-million dollar real estate company. You are now a part of that. You’ve just relocated and you’re bringing your experience to my team.”
I inform him. I need him to fit in seamlessly. I plan to steer this night just as I need it.
“If you have this company, why not take the money from there?” he inquires.
“Lower your voice,” I hiss.
“Well?” he whispers back.
“Because I’ve taken all I can without it becoming a problem. I touch one more dime and I’ll bring hell down on everyone’s head. I need you tonight, Dallas. This party is important. Appearances need to look just so,” I whisper harshly.
He’s silent as he looks over my face. I hate when he does that. He’s been doing it since he woke in my tub. Whenever I don’t tell him everything, he looks for the parts I’m leaving out. I feel bare each time he does it.
“You have the weight of the world on your shoulders, kitten,” he grumbles in a low deep voice.
“You wouldn’t understand,” I turn away.
“Try me,” he places a finger under my chin, turning my face back towards him.
“We’re here,” I say as the car stops.
I hand him a compact to use to get the contact in. I feel a ping in my chest when he slips the little lens in place. I prefer him without it, but tonight we need to recreate the man before me.
I move to slide out of the car, but Dallas’s hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn to look back at him. He gives me that gorgeous smile, causing me to involuntarily squeeze my thighs together.
“You said I need to blend in,” he murmurs.
He shifts to climb out of the limo before me. His large hand reaches back into the car for mine. I wrap my fingers around his and climb out.
Dallas looks down at me and winks. I can’t help the shock that covers my face. His smile turns up a few notches.
“You remember old lady Parish?”
My brows knit. I shake my head at him. He reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“She was the nice lady next door. We would go to her house for cookies. She would have us sit for tea, even taught us to dance together. Always said I could be a gentleman no matter where I came from,” he says fondly of the memory.
“I looked after her until she passed a few years back. We continued to have tea and she continued to try to make a gentleman out of me. Never had use for any of it until now.”
“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” I smile back.
He leans into my ear, pausing for a beat.
“You have no idea, kitten,” he croons.
“Watch it, Dallas. I have claws,” I warn.
“Trust me, I know,” he chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist.
~B~
Dallas
I’ve been collecting questions in my head. I’m watching her. She has more secrets than one little kitten should hold alone. I can see the weight that’s placed on her. She’s hurting, which leaves her in a position to hurt others.
The trust she has in me floors me. She may not remember the past but she remembers us. She remembers who I once was. I don’t know if she’s so right about giving her trust to me now, but I want her to be.
I see it when she lets it slip through. The look in her eyes that makes me feel like someone else. It’s like being a kid again, when she made me feel like somebody. She sees something in me others don’t see.
It doesn’t mean I don’t think this is all crazy. Marriage and a kid? I don’t think I can sign up for that, but what choice do I have? I’m stalling but my options aren’t too great outside of her offer.
Yet, looking around this room of shirts. I don’t know how long I can pull this off. I take a sip of the scotch in my hand. Anita’s musical laugh pulls my attention. I turn to look at her a few feet away rubbing elbows with the wealthy. This is a long way from sharing ice cream cones in the trailer park.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
I turn to my right to see a brown skin guy staring at Anita. He’s a few inches shorter than me, with caramel colored skin. His hazel eyes remain locked on Anita, sending a bolt of jealousy through me.
“Been trying to get her to settle down for years,” he says turning his eyes towards me. “Now, I’m hearing talk of you being her new boyfriend.”
“Fiancé,” I say possessively.
His eyes fill with hurt and surprise. Oh, little Anita, you were fucking this one. That knowledge burns my chest. I don’t like it one bit.
“She’s never dated. Not a committed relationship,” he says, his words tinged with disbelief.
“When it’s right, it’s right,” I shrug taking another sip of my drink.
“Where did you two meet?”
“Ross,” Anita interrupts as she slips up to my side.
I place an arm around her waist. A smile tugs at my lips when she turns into my embrace, placing a hand on my chest. Ross looks like someone just drove a stake through his heart.
“Havana, you’re looking as gorgeous as ever. I guess I see why you haven’t called me in a while,” he replies.
“I was grieving,” she says tightly. “I told you I needed time.”
“And yet, here you are engaged,” he says bitterly.
I notice the slight twitch of surprise in her eyes. She hadn’t introduced me as more than her boyfriend this evening. However, something about this guy made me say more.
“Well, then, that makes two of us. Doesn’t it?” she tosses back.
“That’s low. I explained that situation to you,” he says tightly.
“Only after hiding the fact for how long?” she tilts her head.
“Doesn’t matter now, does it?” I interject.
“Sure doesn’t,” she replies.
“Honey, I have some friends that want to meet you,” she turns that bright smile up at me.
“Of course,” I say dipping my head to kiss her cheek.
Her lashes lower shyly and it throws me back in time. She was definitely a shy little girl. I remember it clearly.
We walk off with Ross forgotten. I’m now captivated by the glow in her cheeks. When she looks up at me through her lashes, something tugs in my chest.
“You’re doing great by the way,” she whispers up at me.
“Told you not to doubt me,” I wink.
“We make the perfect couple,” she says with a little grin.
“Now, you might be going too far. I’ve seen the way men look at you. You have several options better suited for you,” I grumble.
“Now who’s underestimating you?”
“Stating facts,” I shrug.
“Looks can be deceiving. Point out one of the men here that you think would be a better choice than you and I can reveal that you’re sorely mistaken,” she retorts.
I look around the room. I don’t want to point out the men I’ve wanted to punch throughout the night, but my curiosity has gotten the best of me. I want to know what I have that in her mind these millionaires don’t.
“Him,” I nod at the blonde that would have sold his right kidney to get me out of the way earlier just so he could claim all of her attention.
“Ah, Brock Rushing. His net worth is an estimated hundred sixty million. He’s part owner of an alternative energy developmental
firm in New Castle. He also makes women disappear, literally,” she turns her face up to see my reaction.
“What?”
“Trafficking. He dates them, ties them up and has his way, then sells them to the highest bidder. All after it’s streamed live for the duration of their captivity,” I reply.
“You can’t be serious?”
“Very. He doesn’t discriminate either. If you’re in this circle and you’re dumb enough to follow him home, you asked for it.
“Look over there. Payton Crisco, notice the way he’s been glaring at Brock. A few months back Payton’s loving fiancée was seen leaving out of the backdoor with Brock. No one has seen her since.”
“You’re kidding?”
She shrugs.
“Pick someone else,” she says.
I look around again. I stop on a dark haired guy that’s currently devouring my date with his eyes. You would think he had x-ray vision. I nod toward him.
“Stevie,” she giggles. “First of all, he’s bi-sexual. Which hey, do your thing. The problem is he likes to date in triangles. That’s not for me. Secondly, while he would have everyone in this room to believe he is worth five hundred million, it hasn’t been so since his father’s death.
“Asshole gambled half of his fortune away in the first six months. He’s here looking for his next sucker to milk,” she snorts.
“How do you know all of this?”
“It’s my job to know all of this,” she replies.
“Why the cover, when these guys sound as shady as you are?”
Fuck. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.
She turns to give me a sharp look. Her eyes scan my face. A flicker of hurt flashes in her gaze for all but a second.
“You think I’m shady?”
“That’s not what I meant—”
“It is,” she cuts me off. “It’s your opinion. You don’t know or understand me. These men are in a league of their own. They all feel entitled to the debauchery they inflict on the world.
