by Beth Wynne
“Are you ok?” He asked me, more tenderly than I would have thought possible for such a huge guy. For the first time I realised he was wearing a suit today rather than gym clothes.
“Yeah I’m ok.” My pride kept me talking. “I’ve had to contend with bigger bastards than him before.”
“You’re welcome.” He said, watching me closely.
I raised my chin in defiance. “Thanks for what you did. But I got myself away from him. I mean, I know a bit of self-defence. I only wish I hurt him more than I did.”
“I’m glad to see you’re ok, Bella.” He said, almost apologetically.
“I’m glad you guys were up here,” I said to them both.
“Louise, I need to cancel our meeting today. We will rearrange.” Louise took that as her cue to move away from us and right then I wanted to smack her in the face for leaving me alone with him. “Bella,” he stepped closer to me. “That guy is dangerous in all the sneakiest of ways. Be careful around him.”
“I have kept myself in one piece so far.”
“Well Bella, I guess I’m actually glad that fight never goes away, no matter what name somebody calls themselves.” He smiled knowingly and walked away. Leaving me speechless for the second time in a row. Fuck.
Chapter 5
Jake
I stalked into my home gym and straight to my treadmill. I wanted to kill someone. I knew exactly who, too. I pictured myself wrapping my hands around his neck and squeezing until his vile little life left his body. Denver was a slippery cunt who would get what was coming to him – and I would be the one to happily provide the service.
I increased the speed on my treadmill in the vain hope that the punishment my legs were now taking would help to release the anger I still felt. The worst part about today had been seeing that smug look on the bastard’s face, he knows the agreement between McCauley’s and the Kindred Sons was weakening and just wanted me to bite. We were bigger than them, with more power and more reach, but dad had let that power become lazy. Both gangs had worked together to push the triad threat out of the neighborhood, simply because our combined force and intel outweighed theirs. If our “peaceful” agreement ended, then right now, I doubted if either Family would survive. What I was certain of was that Chang was waiting for us to fight each other: it would not be my doing. Denver McCauley was pussy enough that he’d happily bow down to the Chinese and take whatever scraps they’d give him.
I was playing the long game: my quiet plans of bringing more talent into our ranks meant that once the Kindred Sons finally came into my control, we would be strong enough to not only annihilate the McCauley’s, but the triad too. This was my neighbourhood and everyone would know it.
I pressed the increase speed button again and the belt of my running machine screamed in protest as did the muscles in my thighs. I didn’t care. If I didn’t exhaust myself here I’d either end up punishing the next poor bastard who walked in front of me or finding where she lived and fucking her into next week. I needed this; I had responsibilities to the Kindred Sons now, so doing the only thing I wanted would not be the answer. Besides, her face when she saw me today told me that she was not interested.
Bella. Fucking Bella. My hunch was right – it’s not her real name. The way her eyes widened in shock, the sharp intake of breath and the slight redness that came to those cheeks all only confirmed my suspicions. But how do I recognise her? We definitely haven’t slept together – I would have remembered that body beneath me, those sweet lips wrapped around my cock, those eyes watching me as I’d fill her.
I smiled in satisfaction as I remembered the shock on her face when she literally bumped into me today. I affected her… ok, maybe not in the way I wanted to, but it was a start.
The fear that replaced her shock destroyed me. I’m the underboss of the Kindred Sons for God’s sake and I had to I let him leave. I held back today because I can’t break the treaty. Regret smothered me. I should have offed that cunt. No treaty is worth the fear I saw today in her eyes. And what would she have thought of you if you had killed him, then? Yeah, that’s real boyfriend material, dickhead. I shook myself. I’d only cast eyes on her twice, what the hell has happened to me? I’m the guy that swore off women and I was worrying about what a woman who didn’t like me and that I didn’t want. She could already be with someone for all I knew, but that thought only seemed to enrage me more.
I hit the stop button on the machine as I put my weight on my arms and rested my feet on the sides of the treadmill. It wasn’t long until I hit the shower, still frustrated I needed to try another tack to ease this frustration.
I stood under the blistering hot water as it poured over my neck, shoulders, and back. Her face came back to me again, only this time, she was smiling, feigning shock at the dirty little things I was whispering in her ear, and pushing herself against me regardless. “You’d love my cock inside you, baby, I just know it.” I’d whisper to her, “Let me try.”
For some reason in my fantasy, we were back in the Post Room where I first laid eyes on her. I’d unbutton her white blouse and her perky tits would be busting out of a white lace bra. Reaching inside the bra I’d lift both of her tits out of the lace, hearing her moans as I’d nibble on the pink buds. Suddenly my fantasy shifted to the shower, her hair soaked and her wet blouse clinging to her. I’d make her step out of her skirt to see the rest of the lace underwear ensemble: stockings, suspenders, and white lace panties. An intoxicating mix of sweet and sexy.
I couldn’t help myself, so I reached down and started stroking my rock hard shaft, imagining her mouth accepting me at the same pace. In my mind’s eye, I was stroking her hair away from her face so I could watch her cheeks rise and fall with her efforts. She’d stand up and pull the white lace to one side, giving me a glimpse of the sweet heaven beneath. Her hand would reach around and her nails dig into my ass cheek as she’d pull me closer. “Fuck me, Jake. I need you inside me.”
My fist pumped harder around my cock and I felt my whole body tensing, the water running over my skin only adding to the sensations. I imagined sliding into her tight wet hole.
She had spread her legs wider, wanting more of me, wanting me deeper. Of course, I’d honour her unspoken request, she’s hungry for me and she would be satisfied. I’d pound against the tiles of the shower and as I heard her moans of joy, my balls tightened and I cum in the shower. Spurts of hot white release hitting the tiles where my fantasy Bella had just been.
Chapter 6
Bella
After Jake walked off Louise rushed over to me again, fussing over me and apologising that she wasn’t up here already. We slipped into an empty meeting room so I could collect my thoughts and clean myself up – apparently, I had been shaken up more than I thought.
“How can a guy like that work here?” I spoke, not really expecting an answer. “I mean, it’s like he’s some sort of…”
“Shh… Bella, you can’t let anyone hear you say anything bad about Denver.”
Before I responded she moved closer. “He’s connected. And that makes him pretty untouchable.” She shook her head. “The last girl who reported him ended up with a burnt out car and a dead dog when she got home. Suddenly Sawyer’s didn’t need her anymore and she was let go.”
“So I’m supposed to just let him get away with that?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Fuck no,” she replied, “I just need you to bide your time. Haven’t you noticed that practically no one actually talks with him unless they have to for work stuff? Yeah, he’s got a couple of lackeys who think he’s great, but you won’t see one woman speak to him unless she needs to - even Mildred doesn’t like him.”
“Seriously?”
“Well, their offices are at opposite ends of the floor and even though they both do similar jobs, have you seen her speak to him at any time?”
I thought for a moment. “No. She’s phoned him a few times but that’s it.” Realisation poured over me. “Why is she letting him act like
that? Surely she has a duty to report him?”
“It’s not common knowledge but I happen to know that he’s got something on her eldest daughter – that’s why Mildred is keeping quiet.”
“Oh.” I thought the woman had more nerve than that. “Whatever he has on her must be pretty bad then?”
“No idea.” She said as she stood up again. “I really wanted to warn you about him the first day we met, but I couldn’t get a chance. Then when you’d met, I knew he would suspect if you changed the way you were with him. Ever since I’ve been trying to be nearby if I can. I feel like I’ve let you down.”
The pain on her face was clear; she really did think that somehow it had been her job to keep me safe here. That made no sense. “Hey, it’s not your fault. You’ve been a good friend to me since I started here. It’s not your job to protect me, and anyways, I’ve learned a few self-defense moves.”
“I’m glad you have. Most people freeze the first time they need to defend themselves, but you didn’t.”
“I guess so,” I said as I stood up and fixed my blouse. I only wished that had been the first time I’d had to defend myself. I shuddered as thoughts about the last time I saw Robert ran through my head. Louise must have assumed I was still thinking about Denver.
“Do you want me to say you’ve gone home sick? I can cover for you?” She offered, placing a supportive hand on my arm.
“Nah, I’m fine… honestly.”
When I finally got home that evening I took a long, hot shower. The scalding water still didn’t help me feel that his sweaty hands were still all over me. I kept myself busy by tackling the grout between the bathroom tiles. I felt surrounded by mould and dirt: I needed everything to feel fresh and clean. The smell of the bleach and the job itself helped keep me distracted until it was time to fall into bed and try to sleep.
Louise was waiting for me a few doors down from the office as I walked in the next morning. “Hey, how are you? I was gonna phone last night but didn’t want to smother you.” She had a regretful smile on her face, eyes surveying me for weakness.
“Me? I’m fine… tough as old boots. That douche isn’t going to stop me doing my work – besides, I really need this job.” I replied as lightly as I could muster. “Anyway, you never said why you were with your non-boyfriend again yesterday.”
“Ha! As if. He’s so not my boyfriend.” She joked. Glad we had moved on from talking about me I teased her more.
“Ok ok, if he’s not your boyfriend." I said with air quotes, “I bet you want him to be. God those eyes and the muscles. You’ve got to admit he’s easy on the eyes… if not a bit…” I struggled to put a word to describe Jake.
“Intense?” she offered.
We dropped the topic as soon as we got into the building but were still laughing by the time she left me to go to her desk. There was a note waiting for me on my desk. Mildred had already been into the office and left again since her youngest was ill, but my duties for the day were scrawled on the page in front of me. “Shit.” I said aloud to myself, “I’ll never get that all done today!” With that, I removed my jacket and went straight to work.
I only stopped to eat at lunchtime, returning back early to get my work finished. About twenty minutes before home time, I got a phone call from Denver.
“Good afternoon, Bella.” He cooed, innocently.
Bastard I thought. “Yes Denver, how can I help you?”
“My assistant, Jessica has had to go home early today; she was supposed to make up some empty files for me to bring with me to the meeting on Monday. Could you spare me 10 minutes and do them for me?”
What I really wanted to say was, “Do them yourself, dickhead.” But my actual response was, “Sure, no problem. I’ll get right on that now for you.” I really couldn’t afford to lose this job, and as a partner in the business, Denver could really mess things up for me. I just needed to keep the boat very un-rocked until I got a job elsewhere.
Louise stopped by my desk as I had the folders in my hand, ready to leave into Denver’s office. When I explained what I was doing her mouth formed a flat line across her face.
“I don’t like it,” she bristled. “I can take them for you.” She reached for the files.
“No!” I said a bit too loudly. “Look, if he thinks he can intimidate me, I need to show him that he can’t.”
“Well at least let me come with you.”
“And how would that look?” I questioned. “I’ll be fine; it’s a two-second job.”
“Well, if you’re sure. Hey, how about meeting up with us when you come out? I’m going for drinks with a couple of the others. You’re very welcome to join us in Flanagan's?”
I didn’t like the thought of going straight back to my lonely flat so I agreed that I’d see her shortly. Denver’s office door was shut, so I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders before knocking.
“Come in.”
Chapter 7
Bella
I held my breath as I went into the office. I’d half imagined something overly opulent, or something creepy, but I was disappointed as it was neither. His office was just an ordinary office, filing cabinets against the walls, and a large desk with a computer and overflowing with papers.
“Thank you, Bella.” Denver said as he looked up from his computer screen.
“You’re welcome.” I spat.
“Y’know Bella, I was just being polite. Putting together some stationery isn’t exactly the hardest job in the world… I mean, just about anyone could do it.” He steepled his fingers and rested his chin on them. “I mean, yes, it seems like you’ve worked well, but what true value do you bring to Sawyer’s or are you easily replaced?”
My resolve wobbled – was he threatening my job? “Mildred has been very happy with my work.”
“Yes yes,” he said dismissively. “But Mildred’s planning to be away for a little while now, isn’t she?”
I didn’t speak, I couldn’t breathe. What was supposed to be an in-out job to leave some files into his office was taking a turn for the worse. Eventually, he broke the silence.
“I believe you have some keys.”
“Keys?”
“Yes, dear, keys.” Patronising bastard, but I already knew what he was talking about. “The ones Mildred gave you for her office that you’ve had since you started here?” There, he went straight to the point.
“What about them?” my mouth was dry and I thought I could guess what was coming.
“You’ll make me a copy of the full set.” The arrogance! Not only did he want copies, he expected me to present them to him on a silver platter.
“Mildred made it very clear my keys were for emergencies only. That her office contains many confidential client files.”
“Tsk, tsk. You are a slow learner, aren’t you?” he shook his head slowly and retrieved his mobile phone from the table. A few seconds later he’d brought something up on the screen. “Look, Bella, do you recognise anyone?”
The sound was low, but I heard the moans before I even seen the screen. A sex tape? What the fuck? Why was he showing me a sex tape? “Mmm, Denver!” a woman’s voice whimpered out of the phone’s speaker. The camera was shot in first person, from behind the woman who was bent over a table, her dark hair covering her face.
“Yeah, baby, you like that?” Denver’s voice spoke on the video and the shot moved to pan over the back of her head, down to her naked back and further down to where her skirt was hitched up and where the person taking the video was watching himself slide into the woman. I looked away in disgust, handing the phone back to him as I heard the video version of Denver telling the woman she was a dirty girl, then the sharp sound of a smack and her moaning in pleasure.
“What the fuck are you showing me that for?” I raged.
“Well, baby, you’re here after work time… the guys knew we met last week and had drinks, they were in one of the other booths when we arrived.” He stood up, stretching. “So what if we’d decided to st
ay a little late at work tonight. I mean, it’s easy to change the time and date on this so everyone thinks it’s you.”
“You wouldn’t…”
“Well, you see, I need the keys.”
“Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“Or, you could just give me the Chester file and we could have a little fun when we’re here – I promise I’ll not to make a video this time.” He moved around the table, resting on the edge of it. “I hear it’s a comfy table to bend over – just the right height.”
“Go fuck yourself, Denver.” With angry tears in my eyes, I stormed out of the room, glad that the only one in the building now was the domestic who I heard vacuuming one of the meeting rooms. I quickly collected my things at my desk before running home.
