by Linzi Basset
“I have some more good news.”
Zee and Dexter looked at Gun.
“MPD has closed the case on the bombing at Blackmore’s house. They’ve declared him dead.”
Dexter felt the pleasure start deep at the bottom of his soul until it burst to the surface in a wide smile on his face. “Now, that’s the best fucking news I’ve had in a very long time.”
Zee returned his smile. “One down, buddy.”
“Yeah, and even though I wasn’t the one who snuffed his miserable life, it fills me with such pleasure to know he finally got what he deserved. It’s just a pity he never knew why,” Dexter said as the anger that had been the driver of his hatred for Jack Blackmore boiled to the surface. “I would’ve loved to look into his eyes and watched the life slowly drift out of his body as I told him why he had to die. Why he didn’t deserve to have a happy ever after. Not after he took everything from me.”
“He’s gonna burn in hell, buddy. Make no mistake about that.” Gun laid a consoling hand on Dexter’s shoulder. He’d never forget how devastated Dexter had been when Maureen DuBois had driven off a cliff, drunk as a skunk and killed herself and his little baby girl in the process. All because she had been unable to accept that Jack Blackmore never loved or wanted her. Little Rose had been the result of her turning back to Dexter, who had been in love with her since high school. She’d married him within two months of Jack dropping her like a sack of potatoes and disappearing for almost two years in a covert undercover operation. He hadn’t even blinked as much as an eyelid when he returned and heard the news. That had been the catalyst to feed Dexter’s desire to make Jack pay for what he’d done.
“I never understood why you waited this long, Dex? It’s been fifteen years,” Gun prodded gently.
“You have no idea how hard it’s been to wait, but we had just started the Sixth Order and it took all our time. Besides, he never committed to anyone before, until Jordan Clark. I needed to make him suffer like I have been for all these years. At least it’s a consolation that she’s now the one burdened with the same pain I suffered.”
“And it’s time to end it for once and for all. Rhone Greer is next.” Zee’s voice sounded raw and dark. “But first, we need to eliminate Flores. He’s the immediate threat. If the Russians catch wind of his knowledge of our dealings with them, there’ll be an even bigger pile of shit on our doorstep.”
“Yeah, they’re becoming restless and we’re no closer to finding anyone who can get that file decrypted.” Dexter poured himself another stiff whiskey. “I thought Jessica would be able to get it done but she can’t even get into the server we hid in the Cheyenne Mountain Nuclear Bunker to access the file. Something is blocking her. She might have to get inside the facility to work directly on the server.”
“That can be arranged. Give me a day or two and I’ll make the necessary arrangements. She can go in as a temporary IT technician.” Zee regarded his two friends. “Do we have any further intel on the murders of the engineer Edward Delaware that helped to design the MOKV?”
“No, apart from the fact that the DNA trace they found on his bones belonged to a CIA operative, Xavier Dunn,” Gun reported.
“Xavier Dunn.” Zee rolled the name over his tongue, his expression pensive. “Don’t know the name.”
“He’s a senior operative in the cyber division, which in itself poses a question. Why would anyone in the CIA cyber division be involved at all?” Gun leaned back in his chair, watching Zee expectantly. He was the one with the sharpest mind of the three of them when it came to connecting the dots.
“Perhaps Edward Delaware was trying to make an extra buck on the side and offered the designs on the black market,” Zee said with his brows drawn together. “It’s worth pursuing. If that is the case, Dunn might be involved with another crime organization and was trying to get the blueprints off him. That’s what we need to find out. I don’t want to be caught by surprise again. Flores knowing about it is already a clusterfuck.”
“I’ll get Jessica to search the dark web. If he went wide on the black market, he would’ve used some form of electronic means to get the word out.” Dexter made a mental note. “It feels like we’re finally gaining some ground again, buds.”
“Don’t get excited too soon. There are too many obstacles happening daily. We need to be vigilant at all times,” Zee said as he took the chair opposite Dexter. He nodded to the vacant one. “Sit down, Gun, we need to figure out how to find Hank Shutto before he causes us more losses, or god forbid, leads them to us.”
“And William Seely. I don’t like that he disappeared under Precision Secure’s noses. Who has that much knowledge about their organization and what the fuck do they want with Seely?” Dexter interjected.
“Which is why I’m concerned that it might be another syndicate, or for all we know, one of the five US Cosa Nostras. Any of them would have the manpower and skills in their organizations to have aided in his escape. If he flaps his lips, they will get to us. Has Jessica found anything on the in-depth background check I’ve asked for?” Zee asked with a sharp look at Dexter.
“On the surface, nothing. I’ve told her to dig deeper. If he has any skeletons in his closet, she’ll find it.”
“Good.” Zee frowned as another thought crossed his mind. “What about Emily Sanchez? She’s probably in custody too.”
“Not according to the news reports. She probably managed to go into hiding when she heard they were raiding the lab. She knows nothing. Seely and Shutto are the only ones she was in contact with, so they won’t get anything out of her.”
“That may be but no more loose ends. Blade Runner can take care of her.”
“I’ll get Jessica to find her location.”
“Good. Now, let’s begin with a strategy how to get this court case off our back,” Zee sat back in the chair. He rubbed his eyebrow in thought.
“Are we gonna use Alex’s connection with Pamela Seeger?” Gun interjected.
“Oh, yes, buddy. It’s time the Governor realizes his interference in our business hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s more of a thorn in my side at the moment than any of Greer’s team. It’s because of him and his promise to clean up DC, like his campaign slogan says, that we’ve had so many losses lately, I’m sure of it.”
Zee felt no remorse for anything he’d done or the lives that had been lost since he’d made the decision to live a double life and turned to crime. He had a long-term goal and nothing and no one would stand in his way to achieve it. He smirked inside himself. He enjoyed the challenges of the sideline projects, as he preferred to call the human trafficking, cybercrime, and all the other aspects of their organization. That would never bring him the power he was after. Oh, yes, it brought in huge amounts of cash but it would never be on the scale he had always envisioned where his ruling would take him. No, it was the poor sods out there who thrived on getting high who was his sole target and had already, over the years, paved the gateway to what he aimed to achieve.
Mr. Zee, the Kingpin every living and breathing soul would come to fear.
World dominator of the illegal drug industry.
Chapter Fifteen
“It’s about time we got rid of the scumbags who don’t give a shit about the people whose lives they destroy with those fucking drugs they keep pushing on the streets,” Richard said as he lifted his glass in victory.
The entire team was gathered in Rhone’s office in Club Devil’s Cove for their customary feedback session before playtime.
“You’ve got that right, mate,” Max agreed. “Have they processed all the perps, yet?” he asked Alex.
“Yes, I spoke to MPD chief, Larry Brock, this afternoon. They’re all behind bars in various undisclosed penitentiaries to await the trials.”
“We need to be alert at all times from this point on. Those bastards will find out we headed the sting and they will retaliate,” Rhone said.
“When are we starting with the interrogation of Emily Sanchez?” Keon si
pped his drink as he slouched lower in the chair. “Lauren is due to deliver soon and I don't want all this crap to sour the excitement.”
“I totally agree,” Max interjected, who was also due to become a father.
“I want her to steam, build up worry and fear. It's been two days and she's definitely fired up. I thought we’ll all relax today, enjoy the club and our subs for once, and try and make them forget about everything. I’m talking to her tomorrow. Bruce, I'd like you to be there as well.” His lips twisted in an apologetic smile. “I know it's Sunday, but—”
“I'll be there.” Bruce turned to Alex. “Any word from Sean on the Bratva? It's gone very quiet on that front.”
Alex sat forward. “He contacted me while I was in the hospital. They’ve accepted him in their circle as the lover of Tasha Alenichev.”
“That’s Vladimir, the daughter of the assumed dead leader of the Bratva, correct?” Keon said.
“Spot on and the reason why I chose Sean for the op, remember? Anyway, it's confirmed, it was the Sixth Order who was the brains behind the MOKV theft. They approached the Bratva with the deal.”
“In return for what?” Lance asked.
“A coalition and to assist the Sixth Order to grow their power in the U.S.”
“Strange isn't it? The Russian mob knows better than to infiltrate the Cosa Nostra territory. There has to be something more to their involvement,” Ethan mused.
“Yeah, I have the same feeling. Sean is still in contact with Vladimir. He suspects he knows more than he's letting on.”
“He better be on alert. He might get caught between two sides of the Russian mafia. The old leader and those who are loyal to him versus the eager younger ones wanting to rule.”
“Sean is sharp, Ethan,” Alex assured him. “He’s one of our best black op covert operatives. His sixth sense is off the charts and he picks up on vibes before they happen.”
“I fucking hope so. I don't want to be the one to tell Paige her brother is another victim of the Syndicate or the mob for that matter.”
“Okay, mates, enough doom and gloom. Let's show our women a good time ... for tonight at least," Lance said. “I finally feel up to something a little vigorous tonight.”
“Just don’t overdo it, mate. You’re far from healed,” Ethan warned with a sharp look.
“Yeah, Doctor, and I’m sure you’ll be standing watching Alex and I the entire night just to make sure.”
Everyone laughed as they started to filter out the door.
“Alex, a word, please,” Rhone said before he could leave. He turned back with raised eyebrows.
“How’s Pamela doing with the training?”
“Surprisingly well. I expected her to be hard-assed about it but she's rather accommodating. Most of the time.”
Rhone studied him. “Do you think she's using this opportunity to get to you?”
Alex sighed. “I know she is.”
“But you're not ready to trust her?”
Alex went to stand at the large window and looked down into the Entertainment Room. Pamela was sitting on one of the barstools at the counter. He could see she was peeved even over the distance. He'd chained her ankles to the legs of the chair. Her leather wrist cuffs were linked at the back of the wide leather collar he'd secured around her neck. He loved pushing her boundaries. What had annoyed her the most, was that he'd removed the halter top she'd worn with the black mini skirt, once he'd tied her in place. To add insult to injury, he'd instructed Wade to announce that her tits were very eager to be sucked. From the pinched look on her face, the Doms had been feasting on them with lascivious pleasure. Her nipples were her Achilles heel. Play with, suck, and bite them and she got aroused in a blink of an eye.
“I want a wife and kids, Rhone. She made it clear she'll never marry again.”
“Come on, Alex. What else did you expect after her husband's death? You can't hold something she said then against her now.”
Alex's eyes darkened. He turned to look at Rhone. “She told me this a year ago, Rhone, when I approached her to try again.”
His gaze swung back down below. He grinned as he watched Bruce and Richard both latching onto her nipples simultaneously. They had her twisting on the barstool in seconds.
“She also told me there was nothing to rekindle, directly before the explosion, mate.” He shook his head. “I'm done being used. All she's doing now is trying to assuage another misplaced guilt trip by pretending to love me.”
“I don't follow.”
“She believes if she hadn’t told me off at the wedding, I wouldn't have followed Jack and Lance into the house.”
Rhone didn't respond immediately. His gaze was penetrating as he asked, “And why did you?”
Alex shot him a questioning look. “Follow them?”
Rhone nodded and listened attentively as Alex relayed the same story he'd heard before. He watched his expression, his eyes, and knew he had been right. He knew more than he was admitting.
“You saw what happened to Jack, Alex, and I'm not an idiot. Why were the three of you really going inside?”
“Rhone, my apologies for interrupting,” Wade said from the doorway. He looked between the two men who stood deep in discussion at the window.
“What's up, Wade?”
“There’s a problem in the dungeon that needs your attention. Keon and the other Masters are all in scenes already, so—”
“I'll be right there.” Rhone smiled at Alex. “As far as Pamela is concerned, mate, don't close that door. Don't be a fool ass bastard like I've been with Samantha. You've got a chance at happiness. Don't throw it away because of your pride.”
Alex snorted. “If only it was my pride.”
“I'll see you down there.”
Alex didn't watch Rhone and Wade walk off. Instead, he stared at Pamela, twisting and jagging under the ministrations of the two powerful Doms. She was even more beautiful now than when they'd met. Getting older suited her and he could envision that she'd continue to age very gracefully too. What kind of a mother would she be? He banned the thought at birth, refusing to give the possibility any consideration. His kids won't be born out of wedlock. Seeing as she had no interest in getting married, there was no chance of that.
Not with him, at any rate.
Alex found Lance in the dungeon where he had just assisted his sub, Lexi, onto a Saint Andrew’s cross.
“Is there a problem?” Lance noticed the tension in Alex’s rigid jaw.
"Rhone has a suspicion there was more to our involvement when the bomb exploded.”
“Yeah, I've noticed him studying me a few times. He's not an idiot, Alex, and we might as well come clean. Besides, we don't know all that much apart from the little Jack shared with us. It might be better if they are all aware of his suspicions.”
“You're right. I'll chat with him on Monday.” He gestured toward Lexi. “Enjoy.”
“Ditto, mate.”
Alex didn’t respond. It would be a lie to say he wouldn’t because he couldn’t wait to get Pamela alone in the Devil’s Den later. He had a special treat in store for her. One that might just push her to run for the hills. A squeak from the bar drew his attention to Pamela who appeared even more distressed than earlier. She wouldn't dare climax, and from the rosy tint that covered her face, neck, and chest, she was struggling to control it.
“Yes, Peaches, this is how you atone for your actions toward the trainees and it’s only the start,” he said sotto voce as he strolled closer. He waited until the Dom sucking her tits was done before he stepped in front of her.
“I fucking hate you,” she whispered heatedly.
Alex brushed back the tendrils of hair that stuck to her sweaty forehead. “Now is that the way to greet your Master, my pet?” He brushed his palms over her taut nipples. “You know how I feel about insolence.” She hissed and tried to avoid his touch. “No,” he snapped. “Did I give you permission to move?”
“No, Sir,” she all but sneered.
<
br /> “Better check your attitude, sub, or I see a dour evening ahead of you.” He leaned in to whisper against her ear. “You don't want the trainees to think you don't know how to act like a proper sub, now do you?”
Pamela bit into her cheek and didn't respond. His lips traced the scallop of her ear, ending with a soft nibble on the lobe.
“Keep still,” he warned when she shifted on the chair. His lips tested her already tightly strung loins with a torturously seductive lick along her chin. His eyes glinted as he looked at her.
“You did well, Peaches. Much better than I expected.”
“Thank you, Master Rage,” she bit out in a sarcastic voice.
“It seems you're not taking heed of my advice. Very well,” he sighed elaborately and turned to Wade. “How do you feel about offering a snack on your bar, Master Wade?”
Wade's eyes glowed with expectation. “I'd be delighted, Master Rage. Certain snacks draw a lot more thirsty members to the bar.”
“Indeed, they do.”
Before Pamela knew what he intended, he'd loosened the rope around her ankles, grasped her around the waist and lifted her on top of the counter.
“What—”
“Quiet. This is punishment for your continued insolence. You don't get to talk from this point on. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.” This time she kept her tone in check and watched him warily.
“Good. Now, lie back.”
Pamela refused to budge apart from her eyes that turned into shooting daggers.
“It seems Peaches needs a little assistance, Master Wade. Be so kind and attach her wrist cuffs to the steel bar on your end, while I do the same with her legs.”
Pamela twisted and turned but to no avail. Wade easily unclipped the cuffs from the collar from the other side of the counter. He yanked on her arms, forcing her to lie on her back. Angry words sprang to her lips but she bit them back in time. She could only guess what Alex intended and she had no intention of exacerbating the position she found herself in. She could handle her arms tied above her head, but when Alex dragged her down until her hips rested at the edge of the counter and spread her legs wide, she lifted her head to protest.
