Sweet Retribution, page 17
Everything is a mindfuck, and I long for the days when life is simple. When all I have to worry about is what I’m cooking for dinner or whether I need to put another load of laundry in.
Mundane sounds absolutely blissful, but it’s a long, long way off.
Especially with Charlie acting in a way that makes him unreadable.
And that worries me.
He still refuses to tell me who he was fucking the night of our wedding, and I’m sensing there’s more to this story. If we weren’t already too freaking busy with everything else, I might try to investigate it. But, unless it becomes a necessity, it will have to remain on my “like to do” list.
Slowly, I climb the steps, as Charlie drives off, glad the new elite have vanished into the building because I can’t look at Kai after that blatant PDA in the car.
“Do you always let him maul you in public like that?” Alessandra sneers, standing alongside my brother and fixing me with a derogatory look. “Or was that just for shits and giggles?”
“Why don’t you do us all a solid and fuck off back to whatever shithole you crawled out of,” I retort. Unfortunately, Alessandra has transferred here now. She is also staying at my old house and doing her best to infiltrate our lives. She’s a Class-A bitch, and Drew says she’s all up in his business, and it’s driving him insane. “It’s not as if any of us want you here. Least of all my brother.”
At least her annoying cousin has gone back home, and I don’t have to stomach her every day. If I had to show up to school and see Giselle draping herself all over my man, I’d be up on a murder charge in next to no time.
“You’d better get used to me, sister,” she drawls, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. “Because I’m going nowhere.”
Drew steps right up into her face. The neutral expression he’s wearing gives nothing away, but the lethal chill in his voice even scares me a little. “You will speak respectfully to my twin sister, or I’ll be forced to show you exactly how the elite ensure females toe the line.”
All the blood drains from her face, and she takes a step back. “You can’t threaten me.”
“Oh, honey,” Drew says, his lips curving into a smug smile as he leans casually against the door frame, looking like an angel while spewing venom from his mouth. “That wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.”
“Get over there and bend over the desk now, firecracker,” Kai commands while locking the classroom door and pulling the blinds down. Sawyer and Jackson are keeping watch out in the empty hallway. This part of the building is usually like a ghost town during lunch break, but we can’t take any chances even though I issued a warning this morning, through my network of trusted crew, reminding everyone I hold their dirty little secrets in the palm of my hand.
If anyone spills anything to Charlie, they are going down.
And I’m not afraid to make an example of someone to prove my point.
I think about fighting Kai on his demands, but he’s hurting, and I want to help ease his pain. I knew that shit this morning would be playing on his mind all day, so him grabbing me in here wasn’t completely unexpected. I saunter toward the desk and lean over it, like a good little wifey.
He pulls up my skirt and yanks my panties down. “Kai, I…” I start to say, remembering my period when he cuts me off mid-speech by yanking the tampon out of my pussy and tossing it in the trash can. My mouth hangs open, and shock splays across my face at the casual way he did that. Honestly, I have no words.
His hand comes down, slapping me once across the ass, and pure liquid lust floods my core. That’s the only warning I get before he’s thrusting inside me with his bare cock, slamming into my pussy repeatedly, reminding me I am his. Not that I need the reminder. But I think he needs the reassurance, and I won’t deny him that. He plunders me, drilling me with all his pent-up rage, and I take it like a dutiful wife, pressing my ass back, urging him to go harder and deeper.
My orgasm creeps up on me out of nowhere, and Kai holds his hand over my mouth, stifling my screams of pleasure. He grunts when he comes, and I feel his hot cum filling me up, cranking my arousal to new heights because there is something so fucking hot about feeling him release inside me with no barrier. He cleans me up with some tissues, and I grab a fresh tampon from my purse, locking eyes with Kai as I turn around, splay my legs, and let him watch me pushing it up inside me.
“I’m a sick bastard,” he admits, “because that seriously fucking turns me on.”
I grab some wipes from my bag, sterilizing my hands and watching as Kai cleans my blood off his dick before tucking himself back inside his pants. “I guess I’m a sick bitch, because watching you wipe my blood off your dick fucking turns me on,” I say, pulling my panties back up and fixing my skirt into place.
He laughs, and it’s so rare to see these days that it warms all the frozen parts of me. My stomach flip-flops, and my heart starts beating to a new rhythm. “Sounds like a match made in heaven,” he purrs, opening his arms. “Come here, Mrs. Anderson. I need to kiss you.”
I swoon at his words and float into his welcoming arms. His kiss is tender, and I melt against him, closing my eyes and savoring his taste and his touch. He must have vanquished his demons with our fast, hard fuck because he’s taking his time kissing me, making love to my mouth, and I’m drowning in him, never wanting to come up for air.
But we do. Because we know our time is limited.
“I’m so sorry about this morning.”
“Shush.” He places a finger over my mouth. “Don’t apologize. I should have left the instant he pulled up.” He rests his forehead against mine. “We both know what we signed up for.”
I ease back. “I was just thinking this morning how fantastic it would be to just have normal mundane shit to worry about.”
He nods slowly. “Like bringing the car in for an oil change or getting the furnace serviced,” he says.
“Like anything normal,” I say, rubbing my thumbs against the side of his neck.
“We will have that one day soon. I promise.” He dots little kisses all over my face.
“Where do you think we’ll be this time next year?” I ask.
“Living in our own house together. Going to bed wrapped up in you and waking up with your scent all over my skin,” he says without hesitation, and I melt again.
“God, I want that so bad.”
“I will give that to you. That’s a solemn promise.”
“Where?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Wherever you like. Here. Another part of the US. Abroad.” He shoots me a wistful smile. “We can go anywhere, and I don’t care where it is as long as I’m with you.”
Tears spill out of my eyes. “I can’t believe this big old softie lives underneath this rugged exterior,” I say, trying to laugh over the messy ball of emotion in my throat, as I run my hands up and down his impressive chest. “I’m so proud to be your wife, Kai.” I clasp his face in my minds. “And I can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops.”
A rap sounds on the door, and we both sigh in unison. He presses a firm kiss to my lips. “Love you, baby. Be safe.”
“Love you too.” I fling my arms around his neck, clinging to him, not ready to let him go. “You’ll always be my caveman, and I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth. All you have to do is ask.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“You look absolutely stunning, Abby,” Shandra says as I peer at my reflection in the mirror during my scheduled appointment at the haute couture wedding store. I run my fingers along the tight corset top and full-bodied skirt. This dress is not something I would ever pick for my wedding day. But it’s perfect for what I have planned.
“I agree.” The store owner appears on my other side, beaming. No doubt, dollar signs are flashing before her eyes.
“I’ll take it,” I confirm.
Her grin expands. “Excellent.”
“But I’ll need a few alterations.”
Shandra quirks an eye. “What are you up to?”
I sway my hips, twirling in the dress, watching the slow smile spread across my mouth in the mirror. “Ensuring my gown is elite-worthy.”
“Do I want to know?”
My lips tip up. “The less you know, the better.”
The run up to the wedding party flies by, because I’m crazy busy organizing it with the wedding planner I hired, supervising Chad and the team as they build dossiers on our targets, sneaking time with Kai behind Charlie’s back, attending school and ballet classes, hanging out with Shandra, bonding with Lillian, and worrying about Elizabeth, who has become a virtual recluse. Charlie is going out of his mind, and it’s cruel to say it, but at least it keeps him distracted.
I nearly puked when I opened his gift to discover three flimsy silk and lace nightgowns, and my stomach roiled at his subtle way of trying to move our relationship forward. I suppose I should consider myself lucky it wasn’t lingerie, because the thought of Charlie shopping for bras and panties for me breaks me out in a cold sweat.
But it’s getting harder and harder to hold him off. I’m still playing the betrayed wife card, but I can only get away with that for so long.
It’s the night of the party, and I’m seriously on edge. Because there’s a lot riding on tonight. And I fucking hate being back in this mausoleum. Hate being back in my childhood bedroom where the memories are more bad than good, and I detest being back under his roof. At least I’m not staying the night although it’s of little consolation, because I’m also scared of what Charlie expects when we get home after the party.
He’s been dropping hints about tonight being our proper wedding, and I know what he’s implying. The only way I can think of getting out of it is to drug him again, and it’s most likely what I’ll end up doing.
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, happy I at least appear composed on the outside. All eyes will be on me tonight, and I want to really give them something to stare at. My hair is in a classic chignon, and it’s the only part of my outfit that could be described as traditionally elegant. My scarlet lips match my black and red dress, and they give me a much-needed boost of confidence. The makeup artist gave me heavy smoky eyes rimmed in lashings of thick, black mascara. I have naturally long lashes, and they frame my eyes perfectly. None of those fake spider-web lashes for this girl.
I run my hands down over the black and red taffeta of my dress, smirking as I think of Father’s expression when he sees me. I’m sure he expects me to turn up in virginal white.
But fuck that.
I’m going into the lion’s den, and I need to show them I mean business.
Showing up like the virgin bride would only have them frothing at the mouth.
I’m not naïve. I know what’s going to happen tonight.
Father is testing me.
And I fully expect to see doped-up girls in cages and men old enough to be their fathers abusing and debasing them.
I rub a hand along my stomach, fortifying it, because I can’t break tonight. Otherwise, arriving like this has all been for nothing.
I need to show up there like a boss. To show them I belong in this world. But not as a puppet on a string.
I’m the daughter of a founding member, and I know that gets me automatic special privileges.
But I know it doesn’t protect me from evil.
There are men gunning for my father. Men he doesn’t know the identity of, so it’s quite likely some of them will be in that room.
None of them will think twice about using me to get to him.
Which is why I have my small handgun strapped to my left thigh and a pen knife strapped to my right one.
If any of those men dare come at me, I will fight back. I’m quick on my feet, thanks to years of ballet and self-defense lessons, and no one is putting their hands on me tonight. I don’t care about the consequences.
The bastard will be furious.
He’ll want to discipline me.
And Charlie might be willing to go there again.
But it will be worth it.
To claim this one small victory
A rap on the door rouses me from my inner monologue. “Come in, Drew.” I know it’s my brother because he’s escorting me to the dungeon. This isn’t a traditional wedding ceremony because we’ve already said our vows. This is just the celebration part although I use that word in extremely loose terms, because there is zero to celebrate.
Still, we have roles to play.
Drew will escort me to Charlie in the dungeon, and we will then be announced into the room.
The party kicked off an hour ago, and everyone should be in attendance by now. My black, red, and gold gothic-themed décor downstairs might have already given the game away, but I guess I’m about to find out.
Drew sucks in a sharp breath. “Abby,” he whispers, as I turn around to face him.
I jut my leg out, planting my hands on my hips as I strike a pose. The slit in my dress runs to just above my knee, so it’s not indecent, and it hides the weapons I’m concealing, yet it gives me easy access to them too. The bottom half of my dress is made up of layers and layers of black and red taffeta, with subtle applique accents. It swishes around my legs as I sway my hips, grinning at my brother. His eyes drop to the wide blood-red sash tied at my waist, drifting quickly over the fitted black corset-style top with the slightly plunging neckline that showcases the hideous melons on my chest.
If I’m regretting anything, it’s that I didn’t get the neckline moved up higher. The point of this is not to have the men tripping over themselves but to demonstrate I’m a force to be reckoned with and not one to be pushed around so easily.
I know how to conduct myself, and I’ll be the epitome of the well-brought up young lady.
Unless I’m crossed.
And then my claws will come out.
“Holy fuck. You look magnificent.” He kisses my cheek. “That dress is … wow, and you look beautiful, but he’s going to blow a gasket when he sees you’re not wearing white.”
“I know. But I’m not walking down there in sheep’s clothing.”
He nods. “I get your point, but I’m not sure it’s wise.” Little beads of sweat form on his brow. “Keeping the elite away from you is one of our biggest challenges tonight, and you’ve just made that harder.
“Don’t.” I lift my hand. “Don’t ruin my mojo. I did this for me, Drew. To take back some control. And even if I’m punished for it, it will be worth it. No one will come near me, because I have you, Kai, Rick, Charlie, and Chad, and some of the others there, watching my every move, and I know how to protect myself.”
There is safety in numbers, and I managed to convince Father to let me invite a couple of the guys from the inner circle to the party. It’s not the done thing. Events in the dungeon are usually reserved for the higher-ranking elite, but Charlie supported my call, staying true to his word to give me whatever I wanted. I did a number on him with my whole dream wedding bullshit, and he fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
Of course, I couldn’t get Father to agree to let the girls attend. Sexist pig. I’m betting he only declined because he knows he can’t touch any of them. Not without causing a backlash within Rydeville, so he has no use for them.
But they are all here tonight anyway—the girls from our investigative crew. Working as part of the catering company staff. Xavier falsified paperwork and got them hired, much to my relief. I feel more secure knowing we have eyes and ears dotted around the room.
Drew steps closer. “It’s not too late to call it off. We can say you have food poisoning or make up some other excuse.”
I cup his face. “I’m not backing out of this. It’s too important. We have planned this well, and you and I are the only ones who stand a chance at getting into the back offices to snoop. Going it alone is too risky. We all agreed it takes two. One to snoop and one to take point guard.” I tweak his nose. “Stop worrying. I’ve got this.” I realize it’s the truth as the words leave my mouth, and a layer of anxiety flitters away.
I’m on edge, yes, but a lot of it is adrenaline. And I’d think there was something wrong if I wasn’t feeling antsy.
“It’s not you I’m worrying about,” Drew says, sighing. “It’s all those other fuckers.”
“You won’t let anything happen to me.”
He nods, breathing heavily. “Here.” He pulls a small plastic pouch from his inner jacket pocket. “I almost forgot about this.” He takes out a small egg-shaped thin silver object. “This part goes in your ear.” I take it from him, fitting it in easily. “And this part needs to be concealed somewhere on your upper torso so we can all hear you,” he adds, holding out a flat round silver disc.
I slip it in under my corset top, pressing it down, and it instantly adheres to my flesh. “At least these boobs are good for something,” I mutter.
“The ear bud is active, but you need to press the communication chip if you want to speak or you want others to hear the conversation you are in. It will feel warm against your skin when it’s active and cool when it’s not.”
“It’s warm,” I say, feeling a little heat spot on my boob.
“You activated it when you were putting it on.” Drew chuckles.
“What’s so funny?”
“Atticus is trying to give Kai a pep talk about how to conduct himself tonight except it hasn’t gone down too well.”
My lips tip up. “What did he do?”
“He punched him in the face.”
I grin. “That’s my man.”
“Thank you, baby.” Kai’s dulcet tone filters through my ear like warm chocolate.
“I can hear you!” I exclaim.
Kai quietly laughs. “At least we know it’s working.”
“I can’t believe you punched him. Or, actually, I can. He’s long overdue a punch or ten.”
“He’s overdue a lot more than that, and if you’d heard the shit he was spouting, you’d have wanted to punch his lights out too.”
