Bang Lords Box Set (4 Book Series includes All Bonus Chapters)

by Dani Stowe

  Pulling my torn dress higher up over my shoulders, I manage to stumble out the door.

  Chapter 10

  Nicholas

  I wait a few minutes to see if maybe Taloulah will come back, come prancing back down the hall, ponytail swinging. I think, if I wait here long enough, savoring the taste of her in my mouth, she’ll come to me—drop on her knees like she did on the night of the fire, and cry to me, beg to take care of me...

  “Nick,” she whined, sniffling and shuffling her bare feet across the dusty garage floor to fall on her knees next to me.

  Once my father left after beating my ass, I fell forward to my knees and crouched. My back hurt, even more so when Taloulah touched it. I unavoidably snapped at her with the sting of her dirty hands covered in salt and ash as they brushed over the open wounds.

  “Fuck, Lou!”

  She clenched her fists against her swollen wet cheeks. “I’m so sorry. What can I do, Nick? What can I do?”

  Kiss it. Make it better, I thought. But the moment was too soon. I did, however, like that she was fumbling over me. “Grab my shirt, will you?”

  Taloulah hastily pulled my shirt up off the floor and pulled it over my head. I was beaming inside, completely full of joy to have her whole attention as she gently helped me thread each arm through the arm holes.

  “Help me up,” I told her, though I didn’t need any help—I just wanted to lean up on her.

  Taloulah pulled on my arm to help me stand. “You’re bleeding, Nick,” she muttered. “I think it’s going to scar. Why didn’t you just tell your father I was a whore?”

  Feeling a bit unexpectedly lightheaded, I opted to keep my mouth shut before I said something stupid, like because no girl of mine would ever be considered anything less than special.

  I needed to sit down, so I headed back towards the limousine. I crawled in and told Taloulah to get in with me and shut the door, which she did at my command, except she scooted to the opposite end of the limo.

  “Hey, c’mere.” I patted the open seat next to me. “Come sit by me.”

  Taloulah did as I instructed, coming over to sit nearby but still afraid to touch me, her head hanging low. It irritated me slightly that she didn’t immediately jump at my commands like most chicks and come to me when I demanded, especially after the beating I just took for her—her honor. In truth, it was the first time I’d felt proud and less ashamed to take a beating.

  I slid down in my seat to keep my lower back from making contact with the seat’s surface. It was a pain to be touched, though I still wanted Taloulah near me.

  She clenched her hands together between her thighs. Smooth. Virgin. Thighs. I cocked my head in her direction. She was mine now. Forever. “Move closer.”

  “Nick,” Taloulah mumbled my name, wide-eyed. “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

  “I don’t want to talk.” I leaned in. I wanted to suck on her. I wanted her to suck me. I wanted to bite her but something—an echo in my head—said I couldn’t do that to her.

  She leaned back. “Maybe I should call someone—get you some help. I’m really sorry, Nick. I feel like this is all my fault.” She started crying. “Look at you. You’re shaking.”

  Shaking? I looked down at my hands at my sides. I was shaking. My knees, my hips—they were also twitching. It was all out of my control. I lost control of a lot things that night.

  Taloulah put her hand on my shoulder. “Nick, let’s get out of here. I want to take you somewhere safe before your dad decides to come back.”

  I laughed and she frowned so I felt the need to deliver the reality that existed. “There’s no place safe, no place in all the world that’s safe for people like us.”

  She batted her eyes apologetically. “People like us?”

  “You and me—we’re a lot alike, you know.”

  “You and me?” she smiled warmly with a twinkle in her eye. “You’re a resourceful young man. Maybe one day, you can build us someplace safe.”

  I wanted to hold her. Us, she said. I knew she was like me. Meant for me. Mine. My Lou.

  And she was right. One hundred percent right as she always was. Taloulah and I were meant to be together, somewhere we could keep each other safe, except perhaps not on a secluded island like I’d dreamed. I was going to have to build us a place where no one could touch us, especially not her, except for me, of course. I had every intention of putting my claws all over her and keeping her all to myself...

  Or so I thought.

  Staring at the Bank door, I cross my arms. I don’t think she’s coming back.

  I sigh. I always feared this day might come. I built that girl a safe place and she left me. I ate her cunt against my better judgement and she left me. I kept the darkness at bay—my monster on a leash—for all this time and she still. Fucking. Left me.

  After everything I went through for that girl! It pisses me off.

  “Lou!” I yell, marching out of the Bank and to my office door, swinging it open. “Taloulah!” I shout into the empty hall that echoes her name. “LOULAAAAAH!” I roar once more, which no one hears so I slam the door shut.

  Turning around, I notice the letter opener on the floor and pick it up before I head towards my desk and slide my ass into my chair. Twirling the piece of silver between my fingers, I try to recollect where I got this. This doesn’t look like something Taloulah would purchase for me. I’m sure it was a gift. A gift I couldn’t bother with because it didn’t come from my Lou.

  I reach to the side of my desk to pick up my cell and poke at the screen. Scrolling through the messages, I check to see if there’s anything I missed from Taloulah, anything that might indicate I should go after her, tie her up, and bring her back. But there is only the same ol’, same ol’:

  Mr. Nine, I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.

  Hi, Mr. Nine, Are we still on?

  Mr. Nine, I want you to tie me up and fuck me like a dirty slut.

  Your current library overdue fees total $8.10. Please submit payment by logging into your account at....

  Scroll down...

  Mr. Nine, I’m dripping for you.

  Mr. Nine, do you want to hear me scream?

  Scroll...

  Your current library overdue fees total $7.20...

  There is nothing from Taloulah, except reminders that she’s been slowly slipping from my grasp, forgetting to return my books. There is also an insatiable need to call her—to dial her number. The feeling is automatic. My fingers itch to push the buttons that will alert her to my needs and there’s a voice within egging me on, which I can’t seem to ignore. It’s begging me to scold Taloulah for forgetting something as simple as returning my books. The voice is overwhelming—needy—and I want to give into it like a bad habit.

  Shit. I twiddle my fingers before I access my most recently used contacts and scroll way down to see her name, Lou. I can’t even remember what the last thing was I called to scold her about on my cellphone. She’s normally at my side or right out my door inside her office all day until my driver takes her home most nights.

  I feel empty and at the same time, I’m filled with tremendous angst. The need to call and curse at someone is ridiculously consuming. I call Elliot.

  “Mr. Nine,” he answers.

  “I want to see you and the rest of the geeks in my office right now.”

  “I’m in the middle of—”

  “Now.”

  Elliot clears his throat. “We’ll be right there.”

  I put my foot on my seat and swivel as I wait for the rest of NIM to show. One-by-one they enter my office. One-by-one they suspect something is up and not one of them has the balls to man up and look me in the eye. They’re hiding something.

  They knew! They knew about Taloulah’s wedding.

  I plant my foot on the floor, scooting my chair forward. “I’d like to do an assessment of the lab tomorrow. I want to know what you geeks have been up to down there. My mind has been preoccupied as of late and I want to know
what you three have been working on because I know you’re not just working on the shit I tell you to. I never got those reports on my assistant like I asked months ago.”

  “But tomorrow is Saturday,” Jaxon grimaces. “We normally close up the lab for the weekend.”

  I shift in my seat and flare my fingers like a magician. “So, open it.”

  “Mmm,” Elliot spies the others and shakes his head. “We can’t come in tomorrow.”

  I lean forward. “Why not?”

  Don attempts to change the subject. “What happened in here?”

  I put the letter opener down. “Nothing happened in here.”

  “Why are some of your clothes on the floor?” Don’s brows furrow. “And where’s Loulah?”

  “Lou quit.” Their faces don’t seem as solemn or as surprised as I anticipate they should be. “Aaand since I have no assistant that means you fucks have to report everything straight to me starting tomorrow.”

  “I’m not opening the lab tomorrow.” Jaxon sounds adamant.

  I rock back in my chair. “And why the fuck not?”

  “We have an event we’ve been invited to attend,” Don confesses.

  I pick up the letter opener once again to twiddle it between my fingers. “So, you fucks are all going to her wedding.”

  They say nothing—just look at one another. I don’t really give a shit that they’re grown men, I’d still beat each one of them with my damn belt.

  Seconds pass and I can’t contain myself. “You pieces of shit! You all knew she was getting married and not one of you thought to mention it to me? What kind of fucking friends are you?” I get up out of my chair.

  Elliot snaps. “She’s our friend, too. Loulah was our friend before we even met you. When we were younger, she was one of the crew. The chem lab crew. She was a brilliant girl but your sick twisted obsession to control things turned her into someone not one of us can recognize. She didn’t even go to college because of you.”

  “That was her choice.” I point and Elliot comes off of his seat.

  Don walks over to calmly put his hand on Elliot’s shoulder. “When Loulah gave us our invitations, she asked us each not to tell you. I’m sorry, Nick, but there’s a glow in that girl that we haven’t seen in a long time.”

  “And we’re not going to stand by and let you take that from her.” Jaxon comes to standing. It’s peculiar the way he also positions himself next to the others.

  “Stand by?” I question.

  Stand by? What the fuck are these pussies talking about? They’re not going to stand by against what?

  I pause for a moment to look at them—all three of them—standing united, shoulder to shoulder, and it hits me. “You three think I’m behaving like a bully.”

  “You are a bully, Nick,” asserts Elliot. “At least to Loulah, you are.”

  Bile rises from the pit of my stomach, making me woozy, so I sit for a moment until I find myself pouting like a damn child. I’m losing everything I’ve ever worked for. Everything I’ve ever wanted, including these nerds. “I swear that was never my intent.”

  “So, why do you treat her so poorly?” questions Jaxon.

  I scratch my head trying to find an answer. “Our relationship just... sorta... evolved that way, because I can’t... because I...”

  “Because what?” Don’s voice is low.

  I can’t fuck her. How the hell am I supposed to admit that?

  “I love her.”

  The three sigh in unison and I can sense the tension in the room dissipate.

  “Well, have you told her?” asks Don. “We all know she’s in love with you.”

  “She knows,” I acknowledge, “but there’s more to it than that. You see, I can’t...” I blush from the embarrassment. In no way do I want to confess to these three dingleberries that I’m a dud.

  “Can’t what?” Elliot pries with a fix of his glasses and I’m reminded of how genuinely warmhearted these men are despite their total geekiness.

  The truth flows from my mouth. “I can’t have sex with her even though I know she wants to.”

  Elliot’s brow raises. “Why not?”

  They all move in a little closer and I’m even more embarrassed to say.

  “We’re all friends here, Nick. You can talk to us,” nods Don.

  “Ugh,” I groan, pointing the letter opener up in the air then flopping the tip to point downwards. “I can’t get it up unless I feel like the person I’m with is in pain in some way and usually screaming, but you know Lou she’s... a mess when it comes to... I can’t do that to her.”

  “Wow.” Jaxon’s eyes widen. “That explains a lot.”

  “Why didn’t you come to us?” questions Elliot. “You’re the CEO of a pharmaceutical company. And you have us as your best friends. This is what we excel at. We could’ve helped you.”

  “Jesus Christ, Nick. For fuck’s sake, I could’ve gotten you a prescription for—”

  “Sorry, man.” Don sounds hopeful and I hate to crush his expertise, but, “Drugs don’t work. Nothing works for me. It’s a mental thing.”

  “My friend, you still should’ve come to us. We could’ve—”

  My phone rings, interrupting Don.

  I don’t hesitate to answer or check to see who it is just in case its Taloulah. If it’s her, I’ll apologize for behaving like a bully. I might even beg her to come back.

  It’s only been minutes and I already miss her, which is painful beyond belief.

  Putting the phone to my ear, I hear yelling in the background. “Hello.”

  “Hi, Mr. Rohr, this is Ajax, calling from security downstairs.”

  “Go on.”

  “There’s a gentleman here. He’s requesting you come downstairs to... uh... ‘step outside’ is what he is requesting. I would’ve turned him away but he’s made some threats about calling the police. He claims you assaulted Ms. Berkeley. I thought I should call and inform you before—”

  “Hold on a minute.” I point to the geeks and then to the door. “I have to take this call in private. Can we resume this conversation later? I need you three to get out and return to what you were doing.”

  “Nick,” replies Don, “I think we should continue this conversation. You need to talk.”

  “Listen Doc, this is really important. I’ll come downstairs to your office later, if that’s all right? I’ll sit in the chair, finally. Let you get in my head like you’re always asking.”

  Don nods reluctantly along with the others. They are slow to move until I motion for them to hurry and I wave goodbye as they exit.

  “Mr. Rohr,” interrupts Ajax. “This gentleman is causing quite a scene. He’s very upset. What would you like for us to do?”

  “Can you escort him up, please? Bring the man to my office but keep your hands off him. Whatever happens, I don’t want him hurt. Make sure everyone knows under no circumstance is he to be handled. Is that clear, Ajax?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Rohr. I’ll bring him right up.”

  Leaning back, I hang up the phone. When my bare back touches the smooth leather of my chair I realize I’m shirtless. Looking down at my bare chest, I figure being half naked is not the way I should greet Taloulah’s fiancé, despite the fact I know he’s coming to beef with me.

  I walk about my office picking up my clothes. I head into the Bank and pull out an extra T shirt—a V-neck in black, just in case I get a little blood on it, then grab my belt off the floor to reloop. Before I head back out, I put on my shoes and tighten my belt, pulling it taut. I shut the Bank door behind me, locking it. I don’t want Taloulah’s fiancé getting any more ideas about what happened to her this morning and I pull on my office door, propping it open.

  The elevator bell rings and a man, curiously familiar and about my height with a brawny build, thick blond hair and blue eyes, exits. He turns in my direction, shouting, “You son of a bitch!”

  I sigh as he comes charging down the hall straight towards me. By instinct, my hand reaches for t
he clasp of my belt. But I drop my hand to my side and steady my stance. I’m about to get my ass kicked, which I’m not going to stand against.

  I notice his fist comes up as he charges so I try to think of something pleasant to ease the situation. Of course, I can’t think about anything more pleasant than Taloulah.

  Every smile she let loose, I was there. Every bounce in her ponytail, I admired. Every hastening of her feet, dropping of a coffee pot, scribbling hearts on a notepad, dribbling of hot coffee down her chin, and laugh at her own awkward misstep due to clumsiness was mine to watch and witness. I’ve been happy to supply her with nothing more than money and what I believed was a safe place because I’ve been happy in being entertained.

  Remember boy, we don’t owe them anything. They’re all for show. It’s they who are here for our entertainment.

  I’ve never physically hurt Taloulah but somehow, I still turned out like my father.

  The geeks are right. They’re always right. I’m a bully. I deserve to get my ass kicked.

  The first punch lands squarely over my left jaw and I immediately fall hard to the ground.

  “You fucking asshole!” the fiancé yells and drills another fist into my left cheek bone.

  My left eye squints in reaction but my right eye catches sight of the guy, who I recognize as the private investigator I hired to get me information on her. No wonder he gave me back the twenty grand I gave him upfront, reporting he couldn’t find anything on her, which was a lie. I’m sure he easily found what I knew existed beneath those glasses and found her as irresistible as I do and was unable to keep his hands off her.

  I should be upset but I laugh at myself. As usual, it’s completely my fault I’m losing Taloulah because I was distracted, distracted with my own needs. It’s ironic how hard I’ve tried to keep Taloulah locked up at the top of NIM only to lead the object of my fear—a true hero, a white knight—straight to her.

  The fiancé doesn’t seem too thrilled that I am laughing about the whole thing and I take another punch to my gut and then my temple, which knocks me real good to the point I’m seeing spots... or stars... or glitter... I don’t know. Something’s twinkling.