by Ciana Stone
“No. What was contained within the briefcase was information I specifically provided Christian with should such an eventuality as this arise. The enemy will think they have gained valuable data, but in time they will discover that they have been duped. Christian gave them nothing.”
“Then he died for nothing?”
“Hardly. He died to protect that which each of us have sworn to give our lives for. His life was given in service. He will be remembered as a hero.”
“Perhaps. There’s more.”
Simon’s eyebrows rose at the tone of Gaspar’s voice. “I don’t have all of the details, but witnesses saw a dark sedan pull up to a bus stop and a man jump out who grabbed a dark-haired woman and shoved her inside the car. Minutes later, a woman was either thrown or jumped out of a speeding vehicle.”
“Nikki Morgan?” Simon asked in a strained voice.
Gaspar nodded. “She was taken to the hospital where she’s being treated for head injuries. As yet she hasn’t regained consciousness.”
“Is she expected to recover?”
“Yes, from the injuries. But she was with Christian and Robinson knows it. He’ll go to Richard and our final and best chance at uncovering the truth will more than likely end up alongside Christian.”
Simon shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Would you like to fill me in?”
“Simple,” Simon replied. “Robinson has an agenda of his own. I suspect he’ll hold the information he has on Nikki in reserve. It might prove valuable to him.”
“Simon, please tell me you aren’t setting that young woman up.”
Simon regarded him solemnly. “Do you think me so callous and uncaring that I’d cavalierly sacrifice the life of an innocent?”
“No, but I fear you may unwittingly place her in an untenable position with Robinson and your son.”
“Have no fear, my friend. Our young protégé will have my full protection. Make sure she has the best medical care available, and arrange for round-the-clock protection while she’s in the hospital. Discreetly, of course.”
Gaspar nodded and stood. “Let us hope that will be enough.”
Simon watched Gaspar leave then went to the phone. “This is Simon. Tell him I will meet with him at midnight. The usual place.”
Hanging up, Simon steepled his hands in front of him, his index fingers tapping on his chin as his mind turned to new intricacies in his strategy.
—
Nikki parked her car behind the long limousine in front of the Weston mansion. She wondered if the Westons would give her a hard time for not showing up until the morning of their departure.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Christian was dead. What was more unbelievable was that everyone thought he’d killed himself. She was terrified and confused. Why hadn’t the police come to question her while she was in the hospital? Surely getting grabbed and tossed into a car was a crime?
But then maybe she should be grateful. If she told the police what had happened when she went to see Christian, and how that led to her being grabbed it would sound insane. And she’d have to show them the pendants.
She felt for the cloth bag in the pocket of her cargo shorts. Even though she was afraid to wear them, she felt she had to keep the pendants close.
No, she decided. She’d never go to the authorities. Talking to the police about it would only draw attention to herself and she wasn’t about to do that. If the men who had chased her and Christian were responsible for his death, then she sure didn’t want to turn their attention to her.
She brushed away the tears from her eyes. She shouldn’t have any left. She’d cried a river. It was probably guilt. Christian had called her for a reason. If only she’d been able to find out what the reason was. Now she would never know.
Her hand went to her pocket again. Why had the necklace been so important to Christian? It seemed that suddenly her life was filled with questions that had no answers.
Like this job she’d taken. If she had any sense she would forget about the job, Maxwell Weston, Gaspar and his stories, and get the hell far away from there. Regardless of what Danu had said.
However, now she was convinced that Christian’s death was connected to Gaspar, who in turn was connected to the Westons. The only way she was going to get to the truth was to take the job and hope she could ignore the feelings Maxwell Weston inspired in her.
A man in a dark suit greeted her as she got out. “I’m sorry, but you can’t park here.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She hadn’t stopped to think that the Westons wouldn’t want her leaving her ratty old car parked in front of their house. “Where should I park?”
“That depends. Who are you?”
“Nikki Morgan. I was hired to watch Maxwell while the Westons are in Europe.”
“Yes, of course. I’m Steve, Mr. Weston’s driver.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Same here. If you’ll pull around to the left side of the house and follow the drive, you’ll pass a tall hedge to your right that has a drive winding behind it. The staff parking garage is located in the second garage. You can’t miss it. You can take the walkway from the garage to the servant’s entrance in the back. Someone’ll direct you from there.”
“Okay, thanks.”
After locating the garage and parking her car, Nikki got her bags and walked to the house. She paused at the door and knocked.
An older, heavyset woman with thick white hair pinned up in a bun opened the door. “Yes?”
“Hi, I’m Nikki Morgan. I’m here to—”
“Oh yes, come in, come in. I’m Louise, Louise Gaynor, head housekeeper. The Westons are expecting you. Put your bags down right here, dear. We’ll attend to them shortly. Right now you should hurry to the conservatory.”
“Where’s that?”
Louise chuckled. “Come with me.”
Following Louise through the house, Nikki was once again struck by how large and luxurious the mansion was. She couldn’t imagine ever being comfortable in such a place. She’d be scared to death she’d mess something up.
Helen was finishing her coffee and croissant when Louise announced her.
“Ah yes.” Helen patted her perfectly painted lips daintily with a linen napkin, leaving a red smear on the pristine white surface. “Nikki. How considerate of you to be on time, dear. I was just preparing to depart. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to go to Louise or Osgood.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Helen gathered up her purse and smoothed out her skirt as she stood. “Is the car ready?”
Nikki didn’t know who Helen was addressing. A voice from the doorway let her know. The driver, Steve, was waiting. Having no idea what she was expected to do, Nikki stood rooted in place.
Helen ignored her and looked at Louise as she started for the door. “Please tell Richard I’m leaving.”
“Yes, Mrs. Weston.”
Nikki watched everyone leave the room then looked around. “What now?”
“I’d think the first order of business would be to get you settled in your suite.” Richard’s voice behind her made her jump.
“Oh! Mr. Weston. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“That’s perfectly all right, my dear. Now why don’t I show you to the guest suite?” He reached out and took her arm at the elbow.
Nikki didn’t budge when he started for the door. “Uh, um, excuse me, but I believe your wife’s waiting for you. She just left with the driver and told Louise to let you know she was ready.”
Richard’s finger moved on Nikki’s arm for a moment before he released her. “Yes, of course. Please, have Louise or Osgood show you to your suite. I’ll check in with you later.”
“You— But I thought…”
Richard chuckled at her dilemma. “Forgive me, of course you didn’t know. Business demands that I delay my departure for a week. Mrs. Weston is going ahead of me to make sure the staff has the villa properly pre
pared before she begins entertaining.”
“Oh, well, should I go? I mean if you’re not leaving there’s no reason for me to be here.”
“Nonsense. In fact, I think it’s much better that I be here for the first week of your stay. This way if you have questions you can come to me. And I do want you to feel free to do that. With anything at all.”
Nikki was very relieved that he didn’t want her to leave. After the scene when she left the apartment, with Mr. Sprull yelling and threatening to have her arrested, there was no way she could go back there. And imposing on friends wasn’t an idea she relished.
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. And I guess I’ll see you around.”
Richard looked into her eyes for a moment. “Yes. Now if you’ll please excuse me, I should bid Helen farewell.”
Helen’s voice preceded her appearance into the room, “Richard!”
Richard gave Nikki a shrug before answering, “Here, darling.”
Helen stopped at the door, looked from Richard to Nikki and then back to Richard. Richard tilted his chin up slightly then took Helen’s arm and turned her back the direction she’d come.
“Goodbye, Mrs. Weston,” Nikki called. “Have a wonderful time.”
“If I ever get out of this house, I’m sure I will,” Helen tossed coolly over her shoulder.
Nikki watched them leave, wondering if they even knew what fun was. The sounds of voices bidding farewell fell silent and suddenly it was like being in a museum after closing—a big empty building full of silence. With a small shudder, Nikki made her way to the kitchen to retrieve her bags.
Osgood was waiting, as was most of the staff. After being introduced to everyone, Osgood told her that Mr. Weston had requested that Nikki be settled in the main house instead of the servant’s quarters.
Nikki noticed the looks of surprise that generated from the rest of the staff, but didn’t comment. Osgood asked her to follow him.
As they made their way upstairs and down a long hall, Nikki looked into the vacant rooms. “Where’s Maxwell’s room?”
Osgood stopped to turn to her. “Maxwell has separate quarters in the west wing.”
“Where’s that?”
Osgood pointed to the opposite side of the house. Nikki considered it for a moment and made a spur-of-the-moment decision. “Are there empty rooms in the west wing?”
“Yes.”
“Would it be okay if I stayed there? That way I’d be closer to Maxwell.”
Osgood seemed to hesitate for a moment then nodded. “Very well. If you’ll follow me.”
The west wing was easily as large as the east, a full three stories. The ground level contained various sitting rooms, an enormous home theater, a billiard room, bar, library, arboretum, as well as several enormous guest suites. Osgood showed her to one with a private entrance to the terrace.
“Where’s Maxwell’s room?” she asked as she set her bags down beside the bed.
“The second floor has been renovated for his use.”
“Is it okay if I go up there?”
“Certainly.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Would you like someone to help you fetch the rest of your belongings?”
Nikki laughed at the question. “This is it,” she gestured to the worn luggage.
“Very well.” Osgood moved to the door. “If you need anything, there’s a directory in the top drawer of the nightstand with everyone’s extensions. Lunch will be served at precisely noon. You’re invited to dine with the Westons on the terrace. Until then, feel free to make yourself familiar with the house and grounds. Mr. Weston gave specific instructions that you’re to have exclusive use of all facilities.”
“Thanks, Mr. Gaynor. I appreciate it.”
“Certainly.” He turned to leave then stopped. “One more thing, Ms. Morgan. The third floor is off limits to everyone save the family.”
“Oh, okay, but can I ask why?”
“Mr. Weston’s father Simon inhabits the third floor and he dislikes being disturbed.”
“All right, thanks.”
She watched him leave then turned to the task of unpacking. With so few belongings, it didn’t take long. Stowing her luggage in the massive closet, she walked out onto the patio and looked around. It was much too beautiful a day to be cooped up inside, and until Richard left there was no way she could snoop around. Maybe the best thing for her to do was face Maxwell right away so she could be sure she was over whatever infatuation she’d formerly felt.
Leaving her room, she went in search of him, wondering if he would seem any different at their second meeting.
All of the doors on the second floor were closed. Having no idea which one was Maxwell’s, Nikki started at one end, knocking on each door. By the time she reached the last door her knuckles were sensitive.
She could hear music from inside the room. She knocked softly and waited. There was no answer. She knocked again, a little louder. Again, no answer. Thinking that either he didn’t hear the knock or didn’t want to answer the door, she hesitated, trying to decide whether to try again. In the end, she decided not to. She was going to be there all summer, no need to push things.
Nikki shoved her right hand into her pocket, touching the bag with the pendants as she turned to leave. A creak made her stop and look back. The door was ajar and Maxwell was looking out of the two-inch crack. She walked back to the door and looked up at him. Their eyes met and locked. Like a chalkboard being wiped clean, reality vanished.
He opened the door for her to enter. She’d taken only two steps into the room when her heart leapt into her throat and her stomach did a strange little flutter. What kind of place was this?
There was a round bed in the center of the room, circled by metal rods from floor to ceiling. On one wall was a collection of whips and paddles hanging from wooden pegs. Beside it was a collection of dildos. Every size imaginable. Some double-headed, some with straps, all colors and materials.
It made her nervous and also a little excited. She’d never imagined him to be into such things. All of their other encounters had been exciting and erotic, but straight sex, nothing kinky or unusual.
She was so caught up in looking at all the strange devices that she jumped when she felt his hand on the back of her neck. She looked over her shoulder at him. There was a hungry, intense look on his face that was sexy and a little intimidating.
With steady pressure on the back of her neck, he guided her toward what looked like a strange stockade in one corner. It was raised off the floor to about the height of a chair and padded.
She had no time to ask what he intended before he turned her around, took hold of her shirt and stripped it up over her head. She almost protested when he undid her pants, but part of her wanted to know what would happen next. This was a side of him she’d never seen. He’d always been dominant, but gentle and slow. This was new. There seemed to be an urgency about him.
Once she was naked, he urged her into the raised stockade. It was built so that she had to get on hands and knees. It held her head and wrists immobile, as well as her ankles, leaving her in a kneeling pose in which her chest was pressed against the thick padding, leaving her truly buns up, spread wide and unable to move.
A ripple of panic spread through her as he walked around in front of her and took a curious device from the wall. It had padded straps and a rubber dildo. He got a tube of lubricant from a table near the stockade and slowly lubed the dildo as she watched with wide eyes.
To her surprise, watching him lubricate the dildo made her sex burn and grow wet. She wondered what it would feel like inside her.
He gave her a smile and circled behind her. She gave a shocked gasp when she felt something cool and slippery on her anus. A moment later his finger circled her tight hole then worked inside.
She tightened her anus against the invasion, a bit unsettled at how it made her clit throb and her sex clench. He withdrew his finger and she was certain that the next touch she’d
feel would be on her vagina.
Such was not the case. Something cold pressed against her anus. She gasped, realizing what was happening. He was sticking that dildo inside her. She’d never had anal sex and wasn’t at all sure she wanted to. That thing was far larger than his finger.
She whimpered as the head of the dildo pushed past the tight circle of her sphincter. It hurt but it also felt strangely good.
He didn’t stop but slowly, inch by inch, eased the entire length of it inside her. She was whimpering and moaning, and not entirely from pain. It hurt a bit, but in a way that her body welcomed. She’d never felt anything like it. She could barely even tighten or push her anus against it, she was so full, but she did push and felt it ease out a bit.
He smacked her on the rump and began arranging the straps. Two straps ran between her legs. He positioned them so that they spread her open wide, exposing her clit and inner lips. These fastened to a thicker strap that circled her waist. The final strap ran up the crack of her behind. When he pulled it tight, the dildo sank back up full hilt, eliciting a moan from her.
He walked around her, surveying her from all angles. She could do nothing, trapped as she was, but endure it. He’d know by the way her sex was standing open and wet that she was aroused. Know that she liked being helpless, bound and vulnerable, her anus full and vagina wanting.
He disappeared behind her and suddenly something new was happening in her ass. It felt like a ring appeared on the dildo and it was working its way from base to head, vibrating as it traveled.
She couldn’t stop the increase in her breath, the small pants and moans. Before she could adjust to what was happening inside her ass, a new sensation joined in. She felt his fingers on her clit, something fastening around her clit, pinching the flesh together at its base and pushing the head out to expose it completely.
She felt his finger move over her clit, circling it, and nearly came. He stopped and slapped her on the ass again. It stung, but left a tingle in its wake that was erotic. He seemed to sense it and his hand came down on her ass again.
Her anus tightened on the plug as the spanking continued. Her skin burned and her soft gasps turned to whimpers. Finally she could take no more. Her clit was throbbing, her ass was pulsing and her pussy was so wet she could feel it dripping from her.
