Forced to Cooperate

by Piper Stone

  As he pinched my sensitive buds, twisting and pulling gently at first then with enough pressure, I issued a string of moans. The electricity soared, singing every nerve ending, pulling me into such a delicious state of bliss.

  “Are you wet for me?” he asked, every syllable floating in a husky vibe.

  “Yes.”

  “Are you hungry for me?”

  “Oh, yes.” Even my legs were quivering in response to his touch.

  “Mmmm...” He shifted one hand down my tummy, digging his fingers into my skin until he reached the tender skin just above my clit.

  I bucked my hips, another invitation, a moment of self-indulgence yet he teased me, barely swirling a single finger around my clit then pulling back.

  “Please,” I whispered, barely able to recognize my own voice.

  “Please what?”

  “Please fuck me. I need you inside of me.”

  “All good things come to perfect little girls,” he muttered, growling as he dropped his head, licking and nipping the side of my neck.

  I would never be perfect. I was just as damaged as the man holding me, but together, we would be able to heal. The bond forged was more powerful than those attempting to drag us into hell.

  And I would fight to keep it that way.

  He chuckled darkly as he used two fingers to swirl and circle my clit, pinching the swollen nub not once but twice before sliding them further down. Until he breached my swollen folds.

  Panting, I was so wet and hot, beads of perspiration formed along my hairline, steam adding to the combustion. I bucked my hips once again, forcing his fingers to thrust inside.

  “Such a bad girl.” He bit my earlobe as he plunged several fingers inside my pussy.

  “Oh!” The scream was ragged, forcing vibrant colors to dance in front of my eyes. As he drove in and out, taking his time and flexing his fingers, I met every thrust with one of my own.

  The sensations were like bottle rockets, leaving my body and mind in a state of nirvana. I was lost in the moment, enjoying the dazzling tension building, another wave of intense heat.

  “So wet. So tight. All mine.”

  I adored his barbaric words, the hunger that emulated from every action he made. All I wanted to do was please him. Using the strength of my leg muscles, I pushed him back, turning swiftly until I was able to face him. “This morning, you don’t have control.”

  “Is that what you think?” he asked as he raked his hand down my wet strands of hair. The way the beads of water accentuated his eyelashes was stunning, drawing me in. It was as if he was vulnerable at this moment, not the savvy and dangerous man I’d come to know.

  “That’s what I know.” Purring, I kissed his cheek, brushing my open mouth to his jaw, barely darting my tongue against his skin. I could never get enough of the taste, so manly, so evocative.

  “Be care, little girl. You forget who I am.” While he issued the words in a commanding tone, his shuddering body and closed eyes gave him away. He was finally letting go, allowing the shared moment to occur.

  My eyes never left him as I pressed a series of kisses down his neck to his chest, using my fingers to caress his hard-bodied muscles as I dragged my tongue in exploration.

  He murmured several words in Russian, further encouraging me in what I was doing. Even his mouth was twitching, as if the anticipation was driving him to madness.

  I slowly dropped to my knees, blowing across the bulbous tip of his cock. So swollen. So infused with blood, veins popping out along both sides of his shaft.

  “Do not tease me,” he instructed, his hand finally fisting my hair.

  I merely laughed and repeated the move before darting my tongue across his sensitive slit. His legs were split apart, his chest heaving as I rubbed my fingers up and down his thighs. As I licked down the side of his cock, merely darting a single swipe across his balls, his grip tightened.

  “Fuck. You are one...” Unable to finish his sentence, he lolled his head against the marble, his muscles tensing.

  “I know,” I breathed and eased my hand around his swollen testicles, rolling them between my fingers, squeezing until he moaned. I couldn’t wait to wrap my lips around his cock. My heart racing, I slid my lips down the underside of his shaft until I took a portion of his sac into my mouth. The taste of him was even sweeter.

  “Jesus!” he exclaimed, issuing a series of animalistic sounds.

  I was on fire, sucking on his balls as I pumped the base of his cock, twisting my hand and creating the kind of friction I knew was driving him crazy. When I knew he couldn’t take much more, only then did I drag my lips and tongue along his shaft, engulfing his cockhead, sucking with verve.

  As I took him down an inch at a time, his cock swelled even more. My jaws ached as my tongue never stopped moving back and forth. When the tip hit the back of my throat, he thrust his hips forward, refusing to give up any concept of control.

  I gripped his leg with one hand, digging my fingers in as he fucked my mouth, the action brutal but beautiful in nature. As I wrapped my hand around the base, pumping in rapid actions, I knew he was already close to coming.

  Aleksei dropped his head, his wide eyes staring at me. He’d become the primitive animal, a man hungering for his mate.

  His cock filled my throat and as I tightened my jaws around his shaft, he let out an intense roar.

  “Not. This. Way.” His dark words echoed in the dense space as he reached down, grasping me under my arms and yanking me into the air. He jerked me closer, the tip of his cock easily sliding into my pussy.

  “Oh. Oh!” I wrapped my legs around him, struggling to hold on as he pumped several times, using every ounce of his upper body strength. Then he flipped me around, shoving me hard against the marble, stealing my breath.

  “I take you my way.”

  I planted my feet against the shower door, one hand gripped on his shoulder, the other thrown back, clawing at the wall. Stars floated in front of my eyes as I continued to try to catch my breath. Everything about this was primal, the lust I felt boiling over.

  For the next few minutes, he drove long and hard, pulling out almost completely then slamming back inside. The brutality of his actions was powerful, his strength heightened by a heavy dose of adrenaline.

  And raging desire.

  Nothing was going to stop him as he filled me, and the ticking seconds were like flashes of ecstasy.

  “Oh, God. Oh...” I struggled to keep my hold, my hair a tangled mass, falling into my eyes. Even as my feet slipped, I smashed them against the glass, gasping for air.

  My pussy muscles ached from the thick invasion, yet I squeezed, clamping around him.

  He placed his hands on either side of my head, lowering his until our lips were almost touching. “Never forget how much I love you.”

  I couldn’t help but feel a hint of sadness in his words. Another goodbye. Another stolen moment.

  I wound my fingers in his hair as he crushed his mouth against mine, simply holding me as he bucked harder and faster.

  Our combined moans as the orgasm swept through me were enigmatic, my body tingling and my mind rushing to the exacting moment of raw ecstasy. As he exploded deep inside, the rush filling me with his seed, I’d never felt happier or more terrified in my life.

  The hell wasn’t over.

  * * *

  I heard the same giggles as the night before floating through the house. The shock of learning he had a child had certainly shifted our relationship. I hadn’t expected anything of that nature, but so many of Aleksei’s behaviors made complete sense. He was a very protective man.

  “Are you ready?” Aleksei asked as he carried a single suitcase down the stairs.

  “As I can be.” I had no idea what I was doing or how I was going to get through the next few days; hell, even weeks. I’d been given no additional details.

  “Then we should get going.” He eased the suitcase on the foyer floor, lifting Dimitri into his arms. “You’re going on a
trip, little buddy. I know how much you love the beach.”

  “Yay! Can we play in the water, Papa?”

  My heart nearly broke in two seeing the way Aleksei held him close, his face pinched.

  “We will soon, son. We will. I can’t go right away but I promise I’ll join you as soon as I can.”

  Maksim walked in through the front door, shaking his head. “The police commissioner is on the phone for you.”

  “Tell him I’ll call him later.” Aleksei was obviously annoyed.

  “He said he tried you a couple of times. It’s urgent.” Maksim gave me a respective nod. “I can take Willow to the airport.”

  “It’s all right. Just take care of your business. We’ll be just fine.” While the last thing I wanted was to take the ride without him, he had to finish this damning agenda in order for us to be together.

  Aleksei hesitated, easing Dimitri down to the floor and crouching down. “You have to be a big boy for me. Miss Willow is going to take care of you for a few days until I can come to the islands. Will you do what she says?”

  “Papa,” Dimitri whimpered, his little face pinching.

  “Don’t worry, Dimitri. We’ll build sandcastles and splash for hours in the water. Okay?” I held out my hand, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

  “Real-ly?” he asked.

  “Absolutely. It’ll be an adventure.”

  Aleksei growled under his breath before closing the distance. “I’ll call you later today to make certain you got there okay. My men will take care of you. Lean on them for anything you need.”

  “I will.” I had no idea what else to say or how to explain my feelings. At this point, I wanted the next few days to be over with.

  Whatever the consequences.

  “Tell the commissioner I’ll call him in five minutes,” Aleksei directed. “The man can wait.”

  “You bet,” Maksim responded, grinning as he walked out of the house.

  Aleksei kissed my lips and led me out to one of the waiting SUVs, finally tousling Dimitri’s hair. “You’re the man of the house at the beach, little man. Take care of her.”

  Dimitri giggled, twisting back and forth as only a little boy could do. “Don’t be long, Papa. I miss you.”

  The rugged Russian with what turned out to be a heart of gold hunkered down, pulling his son into an embrace.

  For about a dozen reasons, I couldn’t keep the tears from forming.

  “All right. I’ll fly down as soon as I can,” Aleksei said, opening the vehicle door himself.

  “Don’t wait. We need you,” I managed to say, hiding my emotions as I eased into the car, Dimitri climbing over me. I fixed his car seat, having no freaking idea what I was doing. Thank God one of the soldiers checked what I’d done.

  I couldn’t stand to look at Aleksei as the driver pulled away. All I knew was that Aleksei was playing a dangerous game and all the players hadn’t been exposed. If this was what being involved with a mafia family was like, I wasn’t certain I had the strength to handle it.

  I sat back in the seat, listening to Dimitri as he played with one of his toys. He trusted his father implicitly, unafraid of strangers. I wasn’t certain if that was a positive attribute or something that would ultimately cause him danger.

  Either way, I’d promised to protect Dimitri with my life and I would.

  I only hoped that wouldn’t be put to the test.

  The ride was smooth, everything in order and I was able to see the signs for the airport only two miles out. I’d never been to St. Lucia. At least Aleksei had amazing tastes.

  “What the fuck.” The same Russian accent as Aleksei’s pushed past the burly driver’s lips.

  I jerked my head to the center of the SUV, unable to detect whatever they were talking about.

  Thomas stiffened and within seconds, he’d reached for his weapon. Everything seemed to flow in slow motion as he shifted in order to look at me, throwing back his hand, his command echoing.

  “Down!”

  I threw my body over Dimitri’s, the single word bouncing in my ears. “Please, God. Don’t—”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Aleksei

  Both Lorenzo and Dominick had already shut down their ports, putting a squeeze on Peter’s industry. What I’d learned from my father’s Capo had been enlightening, Paolo had hunted down and eradicated two soldiers with ties to Peter Church, but not before one of them spilled certain plans.

  The largest shipment to date was supposed to be coming into an unknown port. The soldier had no idea where, only suspected the arrival was within forty-eight hours. He’d lost his life because of what he didn’t know.

  My contacts had checked the various manifold lists, unable to determine any unusual activity. For that, I’d placed Miguel on notice. I had a feeling Peter was reacting to the heat I’d placed on his fucking head. Miami was certainly nice this time of year.

  What I did know is that meant Peter had refused to adhere to my terms. This meant war and the man certainly didn’t realize something about me.

  I never lost.

  I’d talked with Jonas, but he hadn’t seen anything before the pipe bomb went off. At least the man was going to be all right.

  “Robert, you and I both know that my father had nothing to do with the murder of the mayor.” I continued to pace the floor. I realized that the commissioner was in a tough position, fighting the news media, the local senator, other law enforcement officers, and every other politician to solve this horrific crime. I also realized that his appointment was on the horizon and he was bucking to remain in his position.

  Then there was the fact he was known as a close friend and basic ally of the Petrov family.

  That hadn’t won him any points.

  However, he’d promised a certain oath to my father years before, much like the mayor had. My words were to make certain that he followed the requirement as set forth. If not, I had grounds and means of ruining him. While I needed friends in high places, something the man was very well aware of, I wasn’t going to give into any level of political bullshit.

  Not on my watch.

  “Just calm down, Aleksei. I have my finest detectives looking into this. If anyone else was involved, I will figure that out. Don’t worry so much.”

  Don’t worry. He had no real understanding of what I was up against.

  “And Peter Church?”

  “He has an alibi. He wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity of the mayor’s house.”

  “Where the fuck was he?” My anger was rolling.

  “You know I can’t tell you that,” he insisted.

  I remained quiet.

  “Fine, Aleksei. He was with several of his friends at a restaurant at the time of death. That was certified by the ME.”

  “That doesn’t mean he didn’t have one of his... employees handling the kill.”

  Robert sighed. “That’s true. As I said, we’re going to find out exactly what went on.”

  I thought once again about the words my father had issued. If only I knew what the mayor had meant by club. The nagging remained, driving bile into the base of my throat.

  I heard commotion behind me and turned, a cold shiver shooting down my spine seeing Maksim’s flushed face.

  “I have to go, Commissioner. You need to contact me the moment you hear anything,” I commanded, ending the call before he had a chance to retort.

  “Boss... Aleksei...” Maksim half stumbled closer.

  “What the fuck?” As two other soldiers ran inside my office, weapons in their hands, reality slammed into my mind and my heart.

  “Boss, there’s been an accident. The SUV carrying Dimitri and Willow. There was an explosion.”

  All the rage and sadness I’d felt over the years, the majority bottled to allow me to proceed with life came unfurled. Blood rushed to my temples, spots forming in front of my eyes.

  And I made a promise, one I intended to keep regardless of the outcome.

  There would be blood spi
lled into the streets.

  * * *

  The single SUV had taken the brunt of the explosion, catapulting the massive vehicle on its side.

  I threw myself out of the car, racing toward the scene of the accident, only to be yanked by Maksim.

  “Wait. You need to listen to me,” he said as he moved in front of me.

  “What? I need to get to them. Don’t you understand?”

  He shook his head. “Dimitri is gone, taken. Thomas is going to be all right, but James was killed in the explosion. The bomb came out of nowhere, hitting the driver’s side and killing him instantly.”

  There were sirens coming from every direction, several ambulances and firetrucks positioned. As I scanned the area, trying to comprehend what he was saying, I noticed how the cops had all taken a step away. I snarled viciously, a warning that they needed to do their jobs.

  “My son.”

  “No evidence he was injured, but he was gone before anyone arrived,” Maksim said quietly. “Willow is alive.”

  Stars floated in front of my eyes for the second time in less than an hour. I broke away from him, racing past the firefighters, shoving everyone out of my way. Willow had been placed on a stretcher, her face covered in scratches, her lovely eyes open and filled with horror. My entire world had been yanked straight into hell, leaving me cold and empty inside.

  “Baby. You’re going to be all right.” I hovered over her, even as one of the EMTs continued to check her vitals.

  “She will be just fine. She’s one lucky lady. Just a few minor cuts and bruises,” the EMT said with conviction as well as a hint of fear. I could see recognition in his eyes.

  I brushed hair from her face, taking heaving breaths as I tried to control my emotions. “What happened?”

  “She needs her rest,” the EMT insisted.

  “I need to know where my son is!” I barked.

  He held up his hands, backing away. “Just a few minutes. She needs to be thoroughly checked at the hospital.”

  I ignored him, leaning over and pressing my lips against her cheek. “I’ll kill the bastards who did this. They will die.”

  “I... tried to... protect him,” she whispered, her voice almost inaudible.