My Everything, page 29
Tears sprang to my eyes and my throat closed off so much I had to choke out the next words. “Shut me out.” I reached for him, but he shifted away. “Marc, please!” I cried. “You’re so cold, as if I don’t mean anything—”
My words died in my throat as his head jerked around to stare at me. “I’m shutting you out,” he growled, “because I can’t fucking stand the thought of you—” he cut himself off, shaking his head. A harsh laugh. Then his gaze was back, burning into mine. “The thought of you with anyone else other than me.”
I blinked in stunned wonder. Then it dawned on me, and my mouth dropped open. Was he jealous? Did he think I had feelings for Alex? Did he think, even a small part of him, that I somehow wouldn’t mind going back there and being his fake wife?
“Marc,” I breathed. “I’d never…” Words couldn’t fix this. He needed more. Hell, I did too. If there was even the slightest chance I’d never see him again I needed him now. To feel him. All of him. I needed him with me—inside me.
“I love you,” I whispered, shifting closer. “Only you.”
“Kaylie. I—”
I shut him up with a kiss, channeling all the desperation and passion into it. His lips parted for me, and I took the invitation.
“Kay—” he rasped against my mouth. Then he gripped my hair, holding me inches from his face. His hot breath caressed my lips, making me strain against the grip.
“Say you’re mine,” he growled. “Say it.”
I gasped at his possessiveness, but God did I like it. “I’m yours,” I breathed, and he grinned, adding in a husky tone that made me shiver.
“Now show me.”
I couldn’t hide from her. I said things I never would have. Did things I never should. Felt things I never dared to think I’d feel again. With her, it was all or nothing, and I needed it all.
My damn shoulder screamed in protest as I threw her down onto the bed and ripped off my towel and her clothes. She cried out as I took her, one hard thrust making her mine. Her tightness clenched around me as I moved, drawing a deep groan from my throat. She wrapped her legs around me, pulling me deeper, and I cried out from the sudden feeling. Her hands roamed over me, nails digging into my ass and back as she clung to me, gasping for air between thrusts. Her moan-mixed screams were too damn hot, making it impossible to slow down. My arm shook with the effort of holding my weight. The frayed nerves in the shoulder shot pain through the other arm with each jerk. I couldn’t care about anything but her. Of the overwhelming need to feel her. To have her.
Sweat coated my skin. My heart hammered in my chest. Her moans turned to cries. Sharp nails dug into my back, drawing blood. My body tensed, breath stopping from the sudden tightness in my chest. I could barely move. Barely think.
Kaylie’s hips rocked against me, one leg around my hips, pulling me into her to meet her moves. Then again. And again. Each time harder. Faster. Until I couldn’t take it. I gasped for air, crying out as pain-tinged pleasure exploded within me.
Then I collapsed as the arm gave out. Rolling onto my back, I lay panting for air while my muscles cramped and shuddered in the aftermath.
“Wow.” She sounded as breathless as I felt. A lazy smile crept on my lips. If we could stay like this, and forget about the world, I’d be in fucking heaven.
“You’re a machine,” she breathed. She rolled over to her side, gently running a hand over the slinged arm, and I winced from the way the muscles flexed under her fingers. She held still, giving me a bittersweet smile. “My warrior,” she murmured. “I have no doubt that hurt you.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “It was fucking worth it.”
She smiled, leaning in to kiss my shoulder. “You’re worth it.”
I lifted an eyebrow in question. “Worth what?”
“Everything. You’re my everything. Don’t ever doubt that.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, trapping the sudden emotion inside.
*
A woman wearing all black caught my attention the moment I came downstairs into the foyer the next morning. She was covered from head to toe in a loose-fitted fabric, making it impossible to see more than her eyes. I couldn’t help but stare. She looked so out of place here with the fucking Latino mob, I wanted to laugh. She was the last thing I expected to see, and the way Kaylie’s eyes widened as she came to a halt next to me at the bottom step told me she had the exact same thought.
Dominic strolled up to the mystery woman, lifting the headpiece off her, letting loose a cascade of blood-red hair.
“Nice outfit, Roni.” He continued undressing her, and I was torn between staring and punching him in the face. “Care to take it off for me?”
Not until I saw the skintight leather pants and a black tank top hidden underneath her clothing did I realize it was a scam. The redhead wasn’t dressed like that for religious purposes. Far from it by the way she eyed Dom as he circled her. She was the girl he fucked at the party. And she seemed to be up for a rerun.
“I can take off more if you want,” she winked, and he let out a dark chuckle.
“Later.” Dom’s gaze roamed over her curves, then he turned and strode over to us. He handed the black fabric to Kaylie, who took it by reflex, then stared at it hanging from her hands.
“The fuck’s this for?” I asked for her.
Izzy strolled into the room, giving Roni a tight hug before addressing us. “One Muslim woman coming in, one going out.” She nodded toward Kaylie as she said it, and she blinked up at Izzy in confusion.
“Why a Muslim?”
Izzy grinned. “What other dress will hide your whole body without it looking suspicious?”
I scoffed, but couldn’t help but appreciate the idea. It provided extra safety for Kaylie, that was sure. Even if X’s men had eyes on who came and went. They’d never suspect Kaylie hiding under all that black. Not when one with the same fashion already entered. I had to hand it to them, it was fucking brilliant.
“Put it on,” Dominic ordered. “There’s no time to waste.”
Kaylie looked at me, worry flashing through her eyes. Then she did as she was told, and all I could do was watch her transform. If it wasn’t for her ocean-blue eyes shining like two sapphires back at me, I would have had a hard time recognizing her.
“How do I look?” she asked, awkwardness clear in her voice.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, and I meant it. It wasn’t what she hid under that black fabric that made her shine. Her beauty was deeper than her skin.
She snorted. “You can’t even see me.”
I resisted telling her what was in my heart. Now was not the time. If I went soft on her, I’d never be able to let her go. I had to keep up my fucking walls. Even if they were weak and easily penetrable.
“You look perfect,” Roni said, and Izzy backed her, nodding her approval.
“Alex won’t know what hit him.” She grinned. Grabbing Kaylie by her shoulders, she pinned her with her dark eyes. “Do you remember the plan?”
Kaylie nodded. “I do. I’ve got this.”
Dominic handed her a bag, a black thing, a little bigger than a standard woman’s purse, but not too big to draw attention. Kaylie slung it over her shoulder.
Fuck. This was it. She turned to me, lifting her blue gaze to meet my eyes, and I suckled in a deep breath. I wanted to fight this. To grab her and never let her go. To deck anyone who came near. Instead, I clenched my fists and stood tall while pretending this wasn’t killing me.
“I’ll be okay,” she said. “Don’t worry about me, okay?”
I let out a harsh laugh. Don’t worry. Don’t fucking worry? Was she insane? How could I not, when she was putting herself out there, ready to be snatched by the one man we were in refuge from?
“Relax, Maddox,” Dominic sneered. “It’s not the first time we’ve done this.”
Done this? As in what? Smuggling people? Sending innocent people to do their dirty work? Risking their lives?
I took a step forward, fixing him with a hard stare. “If something happens to her, I’ll fucking kill you.”
He lifted a dark brow but didn’t comment. Instead, he turned to Kaylie. “Make sure to activate the mic once you’re dressed. I’ll guide you through.”
She managed a trembling nod. One more look my way, then she turned and stood with her back to me.
Dominic placed a hand on her back, guiding her to the entrance. Another man, dressed in black and sporting a heavy black beard greeted them. Then she disappeared through the door. It shut with a finality that reverberated through me. I looked away, letting my gaze skim over the group of people left in the room. Dominic. Izzy. The redhead, Roni. The two guards posted by the door.
“If she’s not back before—”
Dominic held up a hand, silencing me. “Your girl will be back. You have my word.”
I scoffed. His word meant nothing.
“I protect our people, that includes her.” He eyed me with a sneer. “And you, Maddox.”
“We’re not your people,” I snapped. “The moment it’s—”
Izzy slapped a hand to my mouth, grinning at my annoyed expression.
I stepped away with a scoff.
She grabbed my arms, then let go of the bad one just as fast. Flashing me an apologetic smile, she tightened the hold of the one she still gripped, tugging me into motion. “Come with me, tough guy.”
I strode past her to the other room, shaking off her hand as I went. She caught up, laying a hand on my arm, this time not biting into my skin with her ridiculously long nails.
“Listen,” her voice was soft, and so were her big black eyes searching mine. “He meant that. Dom may be an ass most of the time. But he’s honest. He’d never do anything to endanger Kaylie. I wouldn’t.”
She smiled at my scowl. Shaking her head, she added. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”
I sighed. Looking around, I found a couch, as black and expensive-looking as the set of furniture circling the round table opposite side of the room. I sat, resisting the urge to throw my legs up onto the coffee table. I studied the flames dancing in the fireplace while the silence wrapped around us. It was already warm; damp summer heat seeping through the open windows. Why did they need a fire? And why the fuck did I care?
Tearing my gaze away, I let it skip over the arched windows, huffing at the black vertical bars casting long shadows onto the floor. Dominic promised we were free to go, but the feeling of being locked in only intensified at the sight of the damn rods disturbing the view.
“What happens if he refuses?” I asked at last. It was what I needed to focus on. Why their windows were barred like a fucking prison wasn’t.
Izzy sat in a chair opposite of me, crossing her legs. Her dress slid up, exposing more of her long legs than I wanted to see, but her seductive clothing wasn’t my main focus. If she thought she had a shot at me, she was dead wrong.
“That’s not an option.”
I scoffed. “You can’t base the whole operation on a what if.”
She grinned. “It’s not a what if. The guy will agree. He’d be a fool not to.”
She was right. If it was me in Alex’s shoes, I would have signed my soul to the goddamn devil if it meant guaranteeing the safety of the one I loved. If Alex was too dumb to take this chance, he’d not only fuck his own life but his boyfriend’s. And Kaylie’s and mine too. I had no doubt he couldn’t care less about ours. But the boyfriend… he already risked it all for him. What was one more move against his father? I fucking prayed Izzy was right. If not… I might never see Kaylie again.
“Try not to act weird.”
It was easier said than done as I walked past the reception across the main entrance of the Black River Hospital. Eyes were on me. I tried not to shrink under the hateful eyes of an older woman as I brushed past her. Freaking racist, I yelled inside. So what if I don’t look like you?
Other eyes were curious. A little girl followed her father while clutching a stuffed unicorn to her chest. She bumped into me before I moved out of her way, and I smiled at her before realizing she couldn’t see my face.
“Be careful, sweetie.” The dad grabbed her hand and pulled her away from me. “Let’s go see Mommy.”
I quickly looked away as the joy on the little girl’s face made me want to cry for what I’d never have. A mom and a dad who loved me. A family…
Once I reached the restrooms, I slipped inside a stall and locked the door. Leaning against the wall, I sucked in deep breaths to calm my pulse.
Dom’s words echoed in my mind.
“Change your clothes the first moment you get. Save them for when you’re leaving. Max will find you.”
The driver, Max, seemed to be a nice guy under all that fake beard. He had a white smile and light brown eyes, matching his hair. It was pretty much all I saw of him as I tried to not pass out from nerves as he pulled up outside the hospital. He accompanied me to the entrance, walking past an endless row of taxis waiting on a buzzing street. Then, I was on my own.
Fumbling with the zipper of the bag, I pulled out a nurse’s uniform and couldn’t help but grin. Nothing against the burka. But if I was ever doing role-play, the nurse was the sexier option. I dressed in a rush, stuffing the black clothes into the bag and throwing it over my shoulder. Slipping out of the bathroom, I looked around, scanning an endless hall with people of all shapes and colors rushing by. No one gave me a second glance, and after a few hesitating steps into the flow of the crowd, I started to relax, letting my eyes scan the signs hanging from the ceiling.
To my surprise, the nurses passing by looked exactly like me. The same color, the same cut of the gown. Even the same logo stitched onto the chest. Dom knew what he was doing. I never doubted it, but now I started to really understand the power of contacts. How he got these clothes, which was clearly a real outfit around here and not some Halloween costume, I didn’t want to know. But the little hope of pulling this off grew until I felt brave enough to push my luck.
It was time to find Alex.
The directions were fresh in my brain.
Third floor. The corridor on the north side.
It wasn’t hard finding an elevator that took me to the right floor. I stood facing an endless corridor on what I guessed was the north side. Please let this work. I started walking.
Walk past the waiting room. Turn left.
An old couple looked up at me as I rushed past their seats, and I had to suppress the need to ask them if I was on the right side of the freaking building. I turned left at the first intersection of corridors.
Straight ahead.
My heart was in my throat as I jogged along the corridor. Meeting another nurse made me hold my breath and slow down. She smiled and nodded as she passed me, and I let my breath out in a rush.
Take a left by the wending machine that’s out of order.
I glanced at the machine, surprised to find the handwritten note taped to the glass. How did he know?
Room 305.
Walk straight.
You’ll find it.
I read the number on the doors. And there, 305. I gulped. This was it. I threw a quick glance at my watch. I was guaranteed ten minutes before anyone would come. So far, everything he said panned out.
I fumbled with the little knob attached to my collar, whispering into the air. “Can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear. Good girl.” Dom’s voice echoed in my head, and somehow, I felt less alone. If only it had been Marc. What wouldn’t I do to hear his deep, sexy voice now.
“Are you in?”
“Outside the room,” I whispered. “Going in.” I pushed the door open slowly, peeking inside, and froze. My eyes skipped over the machines, focusing on the man stuck in a narrow white bed. His face was a canvas of red and blue. One eye swollen shut. A split lip and bruised jaw. I winced, inching closer, trying not to let the sight affect me. They said he was beaten up, but no one warned me it was this bad. I must have let a gasp slip because he peeled one of his eyes open to gaze up at me.
“Nurse?” he rasped, surprise, and a tinge of fear clear on his torn face.
“No.” I stepped closer, scanning the room before leaning in to show him my face. “It’s me.”
“Kay—”
I shushed him, shaking my head as he tried to speak. “Listen to me,” I hissed. “I don’t have much time.”
He stared up at me, mixed emotions on his face.
“Who did this?” I needed to know. I needed to confirm.
“I don’t know.”
I frowned. Was he telling the truth? Or was he simply scared to tell? I decided it didn’t matter and asked about what did.
“You’re outed?”
He shook his head, confusion clear on his bruised face. “No, no one knows.”
Riiight. I drew the word out in my head. Then it occurred to me that he might not be lying. He was not beaten black and blue because his gay secret was out. He was here because he needed to be. Because it was the only way to reach him. To lie to him. I cursed mentally, wishing I could tell Dominic just what I thought of his mind games. But there was no time. I had to play along. I didn’t have a choice either. Not if I wanted to survive this and make it back to Marc.
“You’re out of the closet, Alex,” I lied. “Mr. X knows. And your boyfriend will die.” I was in awe of how cold I managed to sound. Where was the compassion for another human being? Where was my heart? Back with Marc, something inside reminded me. I did this for him. For us.
“No,” he rasped.
“Yes!” I hissed. “It’s a bullet to the head. He’ll be dead and it’ll be your fault.”
Dom chuckled in my ear, and I winced at the cruelty I was capable of. But time was running out. I could apologize later when we were safe. Right now, I needed him onboard fast.
“I’m with Dominic and Izzy. They can help. They can save him, Alex. And you. You’ll get new identities somewhere abroad. You can finally be together. No more hiding. No more looking over your shoulder. You can be free, Alex. You and your boyfriend.”
Maybe the lies and games were worth it? Even if his secret wasn’t exposed now, there was only a matter of time before it would be. And if he was with his father when that happened… I shuddered. If Dom was telling the truth, he’d make the couple disappear, if Alex gave him what he needed.
