Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  Picking my phone up from the desk I stand and press a few buttons. We’ll kill two birds with one stone.

  When the door opens and two of my men toss two of Carr’s guards on the floor. I unsheathe my favorite knife.

  “Prove it.” I say, holding the blade out for her to take.

  Hand shaking she retrieves the knife. Expression cold she moves towards the men who are now on their knees.

  Grabbing the first one by the hair she yanks his head back exposing his throat. Then raising her eyes her gaze meets mine.

  “Do you think I’m not capable of it, Damien? Do you think I’m too soft to get my hands dirty?”

  With one flick of her wrist she slices the man’s left ear clean off. Blood pours from the wound as he screams.

  Tightening her hold keeps him in position as she moves to the other side.

  “I lived with Jonathan Carr by whole life. You think I was a spoilt little princess. But do you know what my father’s idea of a fun day out was?” She asks softly. “Making me watch him torture those fuckers who really pissed him off for hours and hours on end since I was six-years-old.”

  Another slash of her knife and the man’s right ear is on the ground.

  “Stop.” I command softly. Intrigued and pissed.

  My men take the condemned ones away so my brothers can get rid of them. “So you can kill a man. Brilliant. But do you have the strength to stand up to the man who tortured you all those years?

  Remember, princess, I’ve been inside your head. I know all about your little acts of rebellion. And you might think you’re ready, but it takes a lot to ask a person to kill their sperm donor. No matter how shitty they were.

  Do you think it’s going to be easy to slit my mother’s throat? To finally kill Lucius?

  No. Incredibly satisfying yes. But not easy.” Snatching my blade from her hand I resheath it and then pull my suit jacket over the holster. “Why are you here?

  What is it that you want from me? Truly want from me.”

  “I want your respect.

  If you wanted a whore to enjoy every night then you didn’t need to take me as your wife.

  I want to be part of this family. I’ve never had that. My mother was killed when I was six. My father is a monster. Now I’m bound to you.

  I want, no need to feel more than just an outsider and the woman warming your bed, Damien.”

  Sitting on the edge of my desk I cross my legs in front of me. Now we’re getting somewhere.

  So the princess doesn’t like how I’m running my family. I can practically hear everything Sheila told her. But I don’t know if she got through to this princess. “What did our sister tell you?”

  One of her eyebrows raises slightly and for a second I don’t think she’s going to answer.

  “That I should stop being scared. That if I want something then I have to prove myself to you all. To stop being meek and start taking what I want.”

  The bitch knows me too well. I almost smile. But that’s giving my hand away too early. “What else? Don’t hold back, princess. I know Sheila too well.”

  “That I have to make you listen, even if that means doing it by any means necessary.”

  “So do it,” I say lowly. “Make me give in.”

  She hesitates. Then as if she’s made an internal decision she moves towards me. Stopping beside me she places her hands against my shoulder.

  If she thinks sex is going to sway me she’s wrong. I know I can have her flat on her back whenever I please. If she wants to prove herself it has to be more.

  Slowly she slides her arms around me until I’m in her embrace. The action makes me freeze. A hug isn’t what I’ve been expecting. After all her words and actions this is too soft.

  Stunned I don’t realize what’s happening until my gun is already out of it’s holster. Taking a step back the princess presses the barrel firmly to my forehead.

  “You will listen to me, Damien Rochester. If you don’t I swear to God I will torture you until you do.” She means what she says, it’s there on her face. “And I don’t mean a simple bullet in the head.” Lowering the gun she takes aim at my crotch.

  Now I smile. “Welcome to the family, princess. It seems you have what it takes to be a Rochester after all.” Quickly and effortlessly I disarm her. “We’ll have to work on your skills. I shouldn’t have been able to get this gun away from you.

  But job well done on getting it away from me.

  Now, you want to be included in the family meetings? Done.

  Is there anything else? We have a meeting with the allies in twenty minutes.”

  Ava

  My heart is pounding in my chest and I can still feel the adrenaline tingling through my veins. Having Damien at gunpoint felt strangely liberating. Seeing his approval and hearing his words has given me the confidence I need.

  “Yes there is something else.” Grabbing his tie I drag him towards me. “I want you to fuck me over the desk.”

  I haven’t been this forward since before what happened with Ivan. Damien has always been the one to initiate sex since our mating. Always the dominant one.

  Silver eyes narrow on mine. “So you like giving orders now do you?”

  “Yes.” I hiss unable to resist nipping at his lips. Although I know he could have disarmed me it was hot watching his surprise. It turned me on.

  Before I can gasp I find myself face down across the desk.

  With quick, confident hands Damien efficiently strips me of my jeans, panties and shoes.

  “Don’t think you’re always going to get your way princess. I’m the one in charge, not you.”

  Forcing my legs wider he stands between my spread thighs.

  Lifting up my arse in invitation I can’t stop my needy moan. “Give me your cock.”

  The feel of his hand slapping one rounded cheek makes me squeal.

  “You can wait for it like a good girl.”

  Fingers slide through my wetness, testing my readiness and I can’t stop myself pressing back into them.

  The sound of a zipper being lowered follows and foil being torn.

  I can’t stop my long oooh of pleasure as the bulbous head of my husband’s cock glides teasingly along my slit.

  Instead of taking me Damien sets out to torment me. Pushing himself in an inch he then pulls back. Controlled, slow, he repeats the process again and again each time filling me a little further.

  “Damien.” I growl as my frustration builds. “If you don’t fuck me right now I will take a gun and carry out my threat on your crown jewels.”

  “If you want it so bad then take it.” He tells me as he grips my hips tight.

  Pushing myself back hard I spear myself on his waiting shaft. Our pleasured groans mingling I begin to work myself up and down his length as he remains still.

  With the desk as leverage it doesn’t take long to find a satisfying rhythm. I don’t care that he’s making me do all the work. I’m taking what I want. Using his body to give myself the release I crave. He’s letting me take charge for once and I like it.

  Guiding me with his hold on my hips he builds our tempo until I’m writhing and panting.

  As my orgasm hits I scream out his name.

  Behind me Damien continues to pump into me like a man possessed. Thrust after thrust, his grunts and the sound of our flesh slapping together is the only sound.

  With a sharp intake of breath he suddenly finds his own release.

  Within my tight sheath I feel his cock pulse before he begins to come.

  Spent, tired, and feeling a sense of contentment I’ve never felt before I lay under his weight as he collapses on top of me.

  Breathing hard his face pressed against the back of my neck he places a lingering kiss on my skin.

  “Now we have five minutes until the meeting and if you want to be part of it you better be ready.” He growls in my ear.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  Damien

  SO MY WIFE WANTS TO CHANGE THINGS
around here. Can’t say I’m surprised. I knew she had it in her. She just had to want it. I of course am curious to know what brought about the change, yet now is not the time.

  Seems my family figured to have her talk to me instead of me talking to her. Bastards know me too well.

  Ava walks back into the library wearing new clothes just before the rest of our family.

  “Couldn’t open a window, brother?” Michael quips. “It smells like blood and sex in here.”

  “This floor is stained,” Sheila frowns at the new blood marks on the hardwood thanks to Ava’s little demonstration.

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing we don’t plan to keep this house for much longer.” I reply.

  “Nice to see you, princess.” Oscar tells Ava as he takes a seat in front of the desk.

  She doesn’t reply. Still bitter, I wonder?

  “So your head isn’t that far up your ass after all, brother.” Phillip says.

  “Shut up. Now is not the time nor the place. Though I don’t appreciate how you all ganged up on me with my own wife.”

  “Someone had to.” He replies. “The last thing we need is the two of you on opposite sides.”

  “Are we interrupting?” Malcolm asks from the doorway.

  “Not at all.” I motion him to enter along with the rest of our allies.

  The large room feels smaller with my family, Malcolm, Argo, Dominic, Vega, Rodriguez, and the Chevaliers.

  “I assume you’re all aware I plan on luring Carr here. My lovely wife has requested to kill him. I am not the type of man to deny someone their revenge.

  Everyone needs to be ready to move out once the bastard is dead. Once Lucius learns of our location, he won’t be far behind.

  I know most of you need to get back to your own covens. Help get my family to safety and we won’t call you again until we need to kill someone else.”

  “You really think it’s safe to put her in front of Carr?” This is from Magar.

  “It doesn’t matter what I think or how I feel about it. She made a request and we’re going to grant it.

  The princess has proven she can handle herself.”

  I do not agree with this. Garron says. Carr will have his Russian bastard with him. We all know he won’t go down easily.

  “That’s where we’ll come in. You doubt my abilities? You doubt my family? Allies, remember? Friends. With that comes trust.”

  You’re not the only one who cares about family.

  “Do not, underestimate me,” Ava glares at her uncle. “I can and I will kill my bastard father.”

  I watch through narrow eyes as niece and uncle silently communicate with each other. I don’t worry over it though. Oscar is still monitoring her, if I need to be alerted he would speak up.

  “Good. Now that’s all taken care of. I want to thank you all.

  I know the past few weeks have been tense. I know you all have your own covens to deal with. But you’re here standing with my family. We wouldn’t be doing this unless we had legit reasons, and we do.

  Some of you, like Argo have known us for years.

  Others, like Garron, are just getting to know who we are and what we stand for.

  I will do anything for my family. I will not hesitate, ever, to take an adversary out if it means saving my family.

  That extends to everyone in this room now.

  Our lives are essentially in your hands. We cannot do this alone.”

  “How badly does it hurt you to say that?” Vega asks.

  “It burns like fucking fire.”

  That gets a smile out of the normally stoic man.

  “Are there any other issues that need to be addressed? Vega, Rodriguez, and Argo are arranging transport. Sheila and her brothers are prepared to help control the madness here on the ground.

  Oscar and Phillip will be with Magar and Malcolm. The four of you are in charge of blowing shit up.

  Ava stays with me and Garron.

  Michael runs communications with Dominic and Grey. It it your job to get us all out of here safely. As you’ll have the eyes and ears when this whole place goes up.

  I swear to God if you get me killed I will come back to haunt your asses.”

  “It’s a solid plan, brother. We should be able to get rid of one of our problems without issue.” Phillip reassures.

  “Do you doubt my ability to do my job?” Michael asks. “I didn’t spend the past few years surrounded by snotty brats at MIT for nothing.”

  “I don’t doubt you brother. But our new friends may not be able to keep up with your way of thinking.”

  “Then they shouldn’t work with me.”

  “Fair enough.” Sitting back in the chair I survey the group in front of me. A year ago I couldn’t imagine being here.

  Killing Lucius and taking over was only a dream. We knew one day this would come, but never did I think I’d be married to a princess and have to fight two wars at once.

  But I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.

  And this may prove to be one of the hardest challenges I’ve faced yet.

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

  Ava

  YOU SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONTEMPLATING THIS. It is foolish and dangerous.

  Garron’s telepathic voice is loud in my head. I can sense his concern and irritation at my choice of action.

  It’s what I need to do. He murdered my mother and made me suffer all those years. I have to be the one to end this.

  I am aware of Damien watching us from where he’s sitting.

  Not once has he tried to enter my head and read my thoughts which I am grateful for. It shows trust. Something that now that I have it I don’t want to abuse.

  My uncle’s eyes narrow on my face. Are you doing this to prove something to your new husband and his family?

  Not answering I glance nervously towards the door. I can’t believe we are just sitting here waiting for my father—the man who haunts my nightmares to arrive.

  He knows our location. Garron’s spies have already told us he’s on the move with a heavily armed force. As plans go I am not sure this is going to work.

  Ava, you shouldn’t be risking your life like this. If Damien really cares for you he would not be allowing this. Garron persists.

  “Enough. Just stop. The decision has already been made. I know you are worried but I have you and Damien right here with me.” I tell him hoping he will give in.

  Stubborn, just like you mother. He mutters back in my head.

  “I won’t let anything happen to the princess.” Damien assures him as he checks a message that beeps on his phone. “We don’t have much longer to wait.”

  Everyone is in position, now this is just a waiting game. It’s making me edgy. The thought of losing Damien and the others when I am finally finding my feet in their family leaves a hollow feeling inside my chest. Everytime I think I’m settled the ones I care about get ripped away.

  Raising my gaze I find my husband watching me again.

  He looks so calm and collected. As if what is about to happen doesn’t bother him at all.

  Giving him a smile I try not to let my anxiety show. Yet my sense of foreboding only keeps growing.

  “Damien...I need to talk to you about something.” I blurt out.

  A small frown creases his brow in response. “They’ll be here any second. It will have to wait.”

  I don’t want it to wait. It can’t. If I lose him today he won’t know about the baby. Guilt worms its way through my heart. He needs to know. For better or worse he needs to know I am carrying his child.

  Heavy gunfire breaks the silence.

  Rising quickly from his chair Damien strides to the window. “It’s started. We’ll lose a few men but it’s worth it to reel them in before we spring the trap.”

  And if it all goes wrong? Garron’s tone is sardonic.

  “Then my family and I die together. If you doubt my abilities you can leave now. This plan will work.”

  As the so
unds of fighting grows nearer I check the weapons I’ve been equipped with. A knife in a leather sheath is hanging from my belt. The gun I was given is tucked beneath the pillows of one of the chairs. More weapons are concealed around the room.

  “Everyone is ready to go.” Damien turns swiftly to face the door.

  Before I can reply running footsteps echo in the hallway.

  Garron moves so fast to my side I barely register the movement. Curling his fingers around my bicep he draws me back as it smashes open.

  All in black, a dozen men with machine guns troop into the room, their weapons trained on each of us.

  “So you thought you could just take my daughter and get away with it?” My father grins as he saunters cockily into the room. “Her husband, who bought her, was very unhappy about that.”

  Just behind him and covered in blood Ivan stands. It looks like he’s been enjoying himself from the glazed look in eyes.

  “Hmm, the princess is happier here than back with you.” Damien responds as he moves to pour himself a drink.

  “With a Rochester bastard?” My father scoffs, making his way further inside. “I highly doubt that. Finally I get to put you and your brothers down and destroy Lucius’s legacy.”

  “Well as she’s a Rochester now, I think you’ll find you’re mistaken.”

  The comment makes Jonathan’s steps falter. Face going red he swings around to fix me with an accusing look. “You married him? You mated this piece of lowlife shit? You fucked him?”

  Vein bulging in his temple I can see his rage bubbling to the surface.

  Shouts erupt from outside.

  The others must have made their move.

  With a silent gesture Ivan sends most of the men out into the rest of the building.

  It’s the distraction Damien’s been waiting for. Everything happens fast.

  Going for the gun hidden beside the decanter he puts a bullet in the chest of the nearest three men.

  I don’t see the knife until it’s too late.

  Embedding in Damien’s shoulder in a flash Ivan’s blade pierces deep.