by Ella Miles
I put my hand on his hard chest, but I don’t push away, even though I should.
“I can’t stay.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can’t be Black. And you can’t lead either if you’re still in love with me. The team won’t allow it.”
“They just need time to adjust and realize it won’t mean their lives are in danger.”
I shake my head. He’s so wrong about this. Felix is just as smart and cunning as Enzo. He may not have been raised by Enzo’s father. But he shares the same blood, and he learned the same tactics. He fooled Enzo; he almost fooled me. And he will convince the team he’s a better leader if we fall into his trap. I may not want to lead, but I don’t want the billions of dollars, technology, and thousands of lives to fall into the hands of an evil monster.
Enzo strokes my face again, and I close my eyes, feeling his warmth. And before I realize what is happening, his lips are on mine and I’m wrapping my arms around his neck. I kiss him back, wrap my leg around his and grind against it.
The kiss is hot and intoxicating. I feel drunk on Enzo as I kiss him. My thoughts vanish, my worries fade. The moans leaving my throat are driving Enzo wild based on the way he’s devouring my lips with his hard body pressing harder against me. He sets me on the table, spreading my legs as his body rests between them. I can feel his hard cock even between the two layers of jeans separating us.
I want him.
I want this.
I love him.
He starts kissing down my neck, finding every sweet delicious spot that makes my toes curl and my inhibitions leave.
His hand slides under my shirt, running it over my tight belly up to my sore breasts.
And my reality comes flashing back.
I’m pregnant.
And this is risking my baby’s life.
I push against his chest hard.
“No,” I say.
Enzo pants.
I pant in return.
Our eyes are filled with pain and torture.
He wants this.
I want this.
And for a single moment, I let our eyes fuck each other. I tell him how I want him to take me on the table. He shows me how he’d flip me over and take me from behind.
But then I close my eyes, and the images of us fucking are gone.
When I open them, I realize I need him gone.
“Go help the boy look at Surrender. It should be your decision anyway.”
Enzo steps back, giving me a silent plea to let him stay.
“But what if another attack happens?” he asks.
“Langston will be here to protect me.”
He nods. “Are you sure? I’d rather stay—”
“I gave you an order. I’m Black. You ensured that. Now go,” I say, my voice trembling with power.
Enzo’s jaw ticks, but he doesn’t fight me. He leaves.
And I feel broken without him near.
I need a plan.
But instead, I spend most of my day sulking that I don’t get to spend it near Enzo.
The team all comes back to the ship and surrounds me, waiting for orders. But I have no desire to boss any of them around. I just want a way out. And I don’t see the answer.
A large crowd has gathered by afternoon. Everyone is on edge, thinking about the looming attack. I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already.
“So what’s the relationship between you and Enzo?” a random voice in the crowd says.
My ears perk up, because although I didn’t see who spoke, the voice sounds very familiar.
All conversations in the room fall silent, and all eyes focus on me, waiting for an answer.
“We are both competing for the same job. We spend a lot of time together because of it, that’s all,” I say searching for the voice.
Langston makes his way over next to me. “Felix is here,” I whisper into his ear.
His body tightens.
“Go find him,” I say.
“I’m not leaving your side if Felix is here.”
I tense not sure what to do. I could order Langston to go find Felix, but he’s probably right to stay by my side.
“Bullshit!” Felix says in the crowd. My eyes search, but I can’t find him. “We all see how you act together. You can’t take your eyes off each other. You got married for goodness sake!”
“That was a fake marriage so I would have some authority in the company, people wouldn’t question it, and our enemies wouldn’t see us as weak while we compete in these games.”
“It doesn’t explain the sex then,” he says.
“Just because we fuck doesn’t mean we love each other. It doesn’t mean we mean anything to each other.”
“Prove it,” Felix says.
I finally spot him. He’s at the back of the crowd with a smug grin, darting quietly behind the scenes. I want to out him. To tell everyone he’s a weasel trying to make his way to become leader himself. But I’m not sure they’d believe me. I’ve only been their leader for a day myself. This is a test. One Enzo’s father set up. And I will pass it.
I fold my arms over my chest. Langston rests a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down, but I don’t need to be calmed down. I need to shut up the rumors about Enzo and me once and for all. Enzo may think the best way to protect our position in the company is to convince them us being together is a good thing. I disagree. It only takes one person to think it’s a bad idea for us to be together to corrupt the entire group. Felix is proving the point right now.
“Enzo is nothing more than a good fuck to me. I don’t love him. I don’t care about him. He’s my competition. And yes, he’s good looking, and the only person here who understands my position. So yes, we hate fuck each other. And yes, Enzo didn’t want me to die the other day. But it’s not because he loves me, it’s because he wants to win fair and square. And of course, us fucking has led to some level of feelings for each other. But it’s not love. We would never put each other before all of you.”
The crowd continues to stare, and I know I haven’t convinced them yet. I need more.
“I’m a woman. I have needs. Enzo is a very attractive man.” Several of the women in the crowd nod in agreement. “And I need an heir. I wasn’t thinking when I was fucking Enzo that having his child wouldn’t be the best way to get an heir. But I’d like to open up applications. If you want to fuck me, to help me produce an heir that would be worthy of this company, then step forward and tell me. I’ll be waiting in my office for a man who thinks he’s worthy of the job.” My eyes shoot daggers into all of their eyes. Letting them know I will only take the best, the most qualified for the job.
What am I doing?
I don’t want to fuck anyone other than Enzo. I don’t want to have any man’s child other than Enzo’s. But I can tell my speech did the job. Everyone believes I don’t love Enzo. So for now, it’s a win.
“Make sure Felix finds his way into Enzo’s bedroom,” I tell Langston.
His jaw tightens, but he nods.
And then I walk quickly to Enzo’s bedroom and wait.
A few minutes later, the door opens, and Langston has a gun pointed at a smiling Felix’s head.
“Should I kill him?” Langston asks.
“No. We need to have a little chat, him and I. Guard the door, Langston,” I say.
“But—”
“That’s an order,” I say, sterner than I mean.
Langston gives Felix a warning look. “I’ll be right outside. And if I hear one single noise, I will come in here and shoot you dead. I won’t wait for Kai’s order.”
Felix grins wider.
“He’s unarmed,” Langston says, before shutting the door, leaving Felix and me alone.
“Are you done playing games?” I ask.
“No, but that was some speech back there. I didn’t think you had it in you. Men will be lining up soon for a chance to plant their seed in you.”
I try not to look revolted at that thought, b
ut I know I fail.
Felix looks pleased at my disgust.
“I always knew you were the stronger one. You would go to great lengths to protect Enzo. And even now, I have no doubt you would fuck a random man to keep Enzo safe.”
“Maybe Enzo isn’t the one I’m protecting.” Fuck, why did I say that?
Felix looks at me curiously. “You’re the smart one. You didn’t trust me from the start. You’re the only one who didn’t fall for my tricks.”
“It’s easy to spot the devil when he looks like a snake,” I say.
He smirks. “It should be you and I competing to become Black. We are the strongest two.”
“The correct two people are playing. But Enzo was always the one meant to be Black. He was born to be a leader. He is the only one of us capable of doing the job,” I say.
“So little confidence in yourself,” Felix reaches out to caress my face.
I slap his cheek.
He laughs as his face slowly turns back to face me. “There is the girl I met in the prison cell. The one who was determined to defeat my brother.”
“What do you want, Felix? This isn’t going to end well for you. No matter what you do, the men will never follow you. Not long term. They will eventually see you for the devil that you are.”
He shrugs. “Maybe. Or maybe you are the only one who can see my true colors. I can see why both of my brothers have been so fascinated with you.”
I growl. “And how did that turn out for the brother who decided I was his property? His to do what he wanted with? He’s dead now.”
Felix grins. “Yes, but he got what he wanted first, didn’t he? You, my lovely, might be worth the cost. Even death to taste what is forbidden.”
I pull out my gun and aim it at Felix. I will never be raped again. I will never let a man take from me again. And I don’t need Langston or Enzo to prevent it from happening.
“I suggest you start thinking differently, before I shoot off your balls.”
Felix just stretches his neck back and forth; the gun not even fazing him. “I like your threats. They’re cute. But you can’t threaten someone who has nothing to live for anymore. Yes, I would love to lead the Black empire, but I’d also settle for breaking up your love. Because even if one of you wins and you rule without the other, your lives will be miserable. Seems like a fair trade, since you killed Milo and Enzo killed Pietro.”
I search his eyes, but I know his words are true. There is nothing that will make him stop. Only death. He wants to make us both suffer for hurting him.
“What else do you have planned? What’s coming?”
“Like I would tell you. Where’s the fun in that?”
Fuck, I need to tie him up and torture him to get the answers. I’m afraid if I kill him there will be some hidden booby trap we won’t be prepared for. He’s prepared for his death. Nothing will stop him from hurting Enzo and me.
“Lang—” I start to yell for Langston.
But Felix’s words stop me. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m going to let you live, for now. I’m even going to let you win this round. Because I know what the final game is. And I can’t wait to watch.”
“What is the final game?” I beg, even though I know he won’t answer.
“My money is on you winning the whole thing, that is if you are strong enough to fight for it,” Felix says.
I’m stunned. I try to understand his words, but I can’t decipher them. And before I can react, Felix has popped the window open and is jumping out. I fire the gun, but I already know it’s too late.
Langston runs inside.
“He’s gone,” I say.
Langston runs to the window, aiming his gun out and he trying to get a look at where Felix went.
But before either of us can decide what to do an explosion rocks the boat. Langston grabs onto me, and my hand instinctively goes to my stomach, like my hand alone is enough to protect my baby.
Langston grabs Enzo’s phone from my pocket and pulls up the security cameras. There is a large hole in the bottom of the yacht. Water is flowing in. Men are running around, guns drawn. Some look bloodied and injured. We are going to sink. Men are going to die. And I have no idea what to do. We are in the middle of the fucking ocean. Miles away from land. And I sent Enzo away. I can either lead and find a way out, or run away and leave the team to die.
I stroke my stomach one more time. I’m a horrible mother, and this baby isn’t even here yet. How am I supposed to protect my baby from danger when peril is all around me?
By being a badass that takes out Felix and any other person standing in my way. If they all thought they saw me as a leader before, they have no idea what I’m capable of. They just pissed of momma bear. And I’m about to destroy every person that stands in the way of giving my child his happily ever after.
17
ENZO
WHY THE HELL did I give Kai my cell phone?
I realize my mistake as soon as I arrive at Surrender—the site that once contained the building I despised almost as much as my childhood home.
Now, I’m miles away from Kai with no way to contact her.
I spot Chad, surveying the damage and speaking with a construction manager about what it would cost to rebuild. Except there will be no rebuilding. At least not on this site. Not if I have anything to do with it.
I walk over to Chad. “I’ll take it from here.”
“Kai Black told me to get her the information about the cost of rebuilding here,” Chad says, folding his arms across his chest, eyebrows raised in defiance.
A delicious simmering shoots through me when he calls Kai, Kai Black. I love hearing my last name following hers. I’m a caveman like that. But instead of dwelling on the nice feeling, I roll my eyes. He would have never defied me like this when I was his boss because he knew I’d dismiss him immediately.
“I said you are done here,” I repeat, my voice deepening into the voice I only use when I mean business.
The boy doesn’t back down. He has a spine, I’ll give him that. But his spine is going to get him killed.
I grab him by the collar of his shirt. “You. Are. Done. Here.”
“I don’t take orders from you. I take them from Black. That’s not you.”
I sigh, I’m not going to get anywhere by trying to order him around, not unless I want to kill him. And I don’t kill people who are innocent and loyal. He’s loyal to Kai, so he gets to live.
I change my tactic. “Kai sent me to tell you she has another assignment for you. I will be taking over your assignment now.”
He studies me, not sure he believes me. But I was once his boss, and he knows I could kill him here and now if I wanted to. Plus I never lied to my men if I could help it. They gave me their loyalty; I gave them my honesty. So he has no reason to believe I’m lying now.
“Fine,” he says, looking from the contractor watching us back to me. I release him, and he starts to walk away.
“I need your cell phone as well,” I say.
“What? Why?”
“My phone died, and I need to contact Ms. Black to let her know I took over the assignment and sent you back for a new one.”
He frowns but hands over his phone and disappears.
“Are you ready to talk numbers? I don’t have all day,” the contractor says.
“One minute,” I say, holding up my finger as I dial my cell. I have a strange inkling something isn’t right with Kai. And I need to confirm she is fine.
Ring.
Ring.
Ring.
Finally, on the last ring, I hear her voice. “Chad? Are you still in Miami? If so, arrange for everyone to get a ship and get to my coordinates immediately. We are under attack.” Her voice is so calm and strong. She was born to be a leader. She’s my other half. We just need to prove to the company we are better off together than apart. Maybe generations ago they were too sexist to believe a woman could rule or that a man could lead without thinking with his dick instead of his
head. But times have changed. We would make a great team.
“I’ll be right there.”
I hear her gasp at the sound of her voice.
“Is Langston at your side?” I ask, hating I’m so far away when danger struck. Why the hell did I listen to her? I should have stayed on that yacht. I knew another attack was coming.
“Yes, he’s here. And he won’t let anything happen to us.”
The phone goes silent then.
Us?
Does she mean me and her? Or her and the crew? It doesn’t matter. I’m on my way.
I drive to the docks in record time and grab the fastest speedboat I can find. I don’t even think it’s one of ours, but it doesn’t matter. I just need to get to her. Now.
I drive to the last coordinates, and I see the smoke before I see the damage.
Fuck no.
This can’t be happening. I’ve had too many nightmares of Kai's death. Too many times she has been taken from me. Sometimes due to my own stupidity. Sometimes because of how dangerous our life is. But this can’t be happening.
As I approach, I realize most of the yacht is underwater; the part remaining is on fire. There are men and women swimming in the water. There are other yachts of ours approaching, trying to put the fire out and dragging injured crew out of the water.
The scene is organized chaos. And for a second, I can breathe a little easier. I just talked to her on the phone less than twenty minutes ago. She was calm and already taking action. She is the reason for the organization.
But my heart won’t stop hurting until I see her. Until I can touch her with my own hands.
I carefully inch my speedboat closer to the sinking yacht. The only plus is I don’t see any enemies attacking. This was a hit from afar, a bomb from the looks of it. And Kai was on the yacht when it happened.
Jesus Christ, this woman knows how to attract danger to her. And she knows how to stop my heart.
But then I see her, her hair blowing in the wind, her face covered in dirt, blood staining her shirt. She has a phone to one ear and alternates barking orders into it and the men who surround her. She’s not afraid. Most people would be terrified in this moment. She doesn’t know if another explosion is coming or not. She doesn’t know if she is safe. Men will die all around her if she doesn’t do something to help them. But that doesn’t stop my girl. She takes the lead. She doesn’t let the chaos or lurking danger stop her.
