by Sam Crescent
Three days later, they’d been in yet another hotel room, and now were on their third different hotel, and she watched as Riley got ready.
“Do you not have your own place?”
“Yes, but I rarely go there.”
“Why?”
“Anyone could be hunting it. I’m not stupid.”
“But you’re taking advice from people who are messaging you?”
He’d gotten a text before they landed at the hotel, still within the same city run by Peace.
Riley stopped by the bed. “What’s your problem?”
“I don’t want to be left here waiting, Riley. I can help.” She didn’t want to be left alone where she was tempted to go and get a pregnancy test. Did they have ones where she’d be able to know three days after the fact? Also, why would she want to be left alone dwelling on what could never be?
Riley had said so himself—they didn’t have any future.
“You’re a high risk.”
“I’m not. Let’s face it, you’re planning on this being your final mission. Why not dress me up, you know, taunt David? It could be fun.” She wasn’t a good actress, but going into David’s lair and showing him she wasn’t dead, that she could do.
Riley frowned and watched her. “You want me to take this fight to him?”
“How about we speed things up a bit? You don’t know if he’s even aware all the things happening to him, are you? He probably thinks you’re dead. Where are you going tonight?” she asked.
He looked at her. It was one of his blank expressions that said he didn’t trust her and wouldn’t be sharing information so soon with her.
“Seriously, you’re going to do that? I’m willing to die for you. Please give me a little credit here with not luring you into some den and plot, or whatever it is you think I’m doing.”
“It is dangerous.”
“So? It’s not stopping you.”
“Because I’ve done this before.”
“Ugh, so what? Because I don’t have any experience in killing people, you think I’m not going to be good at it.”
He stepped closer, capturing her chin and forcing her to look up at him. “Taking a man’s life or even a woman’s life, it isn’t easy. When they look you in the eye, begging, giving you so many reasons why they should live.”
“You found it easy to just end them.”
“I’m trained. I’ve practiced in this field, Meghan. Not you.”
“Then don’t make it so I have to kill. Look, I can help or not, but leaving me here, doesn’t that put you at more risk?”
“Why does it?” he asked.
“I may not stay here.”
“You want me to tie you up so I know you’ll stay here.”
She rolled her eyes. “Use me, Riley.”
“Believe me, when I come back, I will.”
“Not like that. I mean actually put me to some use. I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.”
He folded his arms, and she knew she was at least a little convincing. The only reason she wanted to go with him was so she wasn’t alone.
How crazy was that?
She’d been alone her whole life. There was nothing new for her, but right now, she was a little afraid of being by herself. There was nothing wrong with wanting a little company, right?
She didn’t know who she was trying to convince right now.
“Fine. He’s got a shipment of heroin coming in by the docks. It’s always a low-key shipment. However, with this one, he’s desperate. His last supply ended up burning the night’s sky. They always come in on little speedboats. Men pretending to fish to get past the guards. This time, he’s got one of the men he paid off to keep a blind eye. The men have doubled.”
“Why do you want to take out this shipment?”
“His supply is running low. One of Peace’s big money projects is drugs. He makes more than triple the value. The product itself is worthless. He doesn’t allow anyone else to sell on his streets. It’s a lame-ass high, and if anyone complains, they end up in a dumpster or river.”
“You’re doing this to piss him off.”
“I’m doing it to create a hole in his wealth. Once his supply dries up, someone else will be there to pick up the market, and he has to split the income with another party. Peace has to start making deals, and believe me, it’s one area he fucking fails at.”
“So why not go and blow up the product, and then pay him a little visit with me?” she asked. She stood up, putting her hands on his chest.
“Do you have a death wish?”
“He had me chained up, beaten. As you can see from the evidence on my face and this trusty little friend.” She held up her arm, which was still in a cast. “He was going to rape me, kill me, and toss my body away as if it meant nothing. He messed with the wrong woman.”
“Only because I was there to keep you alive, twice.”
“Exactly. The guy he wronged and the girl he wanted. Don’t you want to really mess with him? Taking out his men and supplies are all well and good, but you’re not really getting revenge. All you’re doing is playing ghost and making him guess who he’s pissed off. Why not take it to him? Let him see who he is dealing with.”
“The purpose being?” he asked.
“Simple, a man who knows who he is dealing with, makes mistakes. He’ll become desperate as you out take things he cares about one by one. Then, when he’s made an error, you can face him, have your moment, and then finally put to bed the demons that hurt you.”
Riley stroked her arms.
His touch set her on fire.
“And what do you get out of this?”
“I get to see him die.”
“And if you die in the process?”
“I know you’ll take him out. I trust you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“And yet, you’ve saved me, twice as you’ve kindly put it, and fucked me a lot. Not to mention I let you have my ass. That’s a pretty big step for me.” She smiled, trying to make light of their situation. “Come on, Riley. Don’t tell me you’re not tempted?”
“It’s not how I play.”
“The way you’re playing it now, it’s not going to give you what you want.”
“How do you know this will work?”
“You think I didn’t pick up a few things living on the streets and how this whole revenge dish works? I know how it works, and I’ve watched people do shit like this. It’s why I didn’t want to get muddled up in Peace’s world. It never ends well.”
“It won’t end well now. There is no walking away from this.”
“The moment he sent guys after me, twice, I knew there was no walking away. It’s why I don’t have a problem fighting him now. If he wants to take me out, then he can, but I’m not going to go down screaming like a girl. I will go down fighting, and I’ll do so on your side.” She pointed at his chest. “What do you say?”
He looked at her. “You won’t impress him dressed like that.”
“Then make me slutty or whatever it is you think is going to work.” She put her hands on her hips.
She wore the marks of Riley’s fuck fest. She nearly thought of it as lovemaking, but it was far from love.
“I know what to do,” he said. “You cannot do anything stupid. No lashing out. No doing anything but following my lead.”
“Do I get a gun?”
“No.”
“Come on.”
“I don’t know how well you can control a gun, Meghan. I’m not going to rush you to the hospital because you shot yourself or killed yourself. We do this my way. In the meantime, I want you to have this.”
“What is it?”
“A pocketknife. In case of emergencies. It won’t kill an attacker, but if they get too close, always have this on hand, and that way, you’ll always be protected in some way. I don’t want you to die on my watch.”
“Yes, sir.” She glared at him, but deep down, she was a little excited, taking the knife a
s well. She would face that asshole David Peace, and then she’d help Riley every single step of the way. She didn’t like bullies or assholes or monsters. David was all three and more. Soon, he’d get what was coming to him, and she hoped to be there when he died.
****
Getting to the supply had been a lot easier than Riley anticipated. David hadn’t doubled up the team to make sure they came in safe and sound. He truly believed he’d be able to get his product in using trained boys.
Riley had no problems killing the five men involved in the operation and setting fire to the heroin.
He was already driving away when he saw the fire in the distance and then the sounds of sirens coming toward them.
By the time the fire crew turned up, the drugs would be gone.
He smiled.
David had once told him one of his biggest earners was his drugs. The next one was the sex shops. Girls paid to give pleasure in any form. He’d already exposed one of the brothels. Next, he intended to expose the men who used them, so one by one, David became nothing more than a name without any credit.
Glancing to his passenger, he smiled.
Meghan cleaned up nicely. They had gotten her hair done. He’d waited in the car as Meghan went in the salon. She had advised him to stay outside, but he’d put a listening device on her so he knew if she blabbed to the stylist. The woman had asked her if she was in trouble. Meghan had handled it like a pro.
“No, I’m not in trouble, but believe me, the guy responsible for this, he will be. Don’t you think I’m a victim here, sweetheart. I’m not. I’m going to make sure he pays.”
He would have preferred her to keep her mouth shut, but the last thing he needed was the woman trying to run his plates. The car wasn’t registered to him, but to one of Peace’s dead men. He’d stolen the car and the ammo for himself.
After her hair and makeup, their next stop had been a dress. This time, he did come in with her, and they picked her a nice, deep red, figure-hugging dress. Her neck was exposed, showing off his love bites. Also a few strips were missing at the hips, tantalizing and showing the bruises he’d left there.
To go to any other benefit or social event, it was deeply inappropriate. For what they wanted, it drew the eye, and gave a nice big “fuck you” to the guy they were hoping to hurt.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
He chanced another look at her, to see if he could detect any nerves.
Nothing.
“We don’t have to do this,” he said.
David would be at one of the clubs he didn’t actually own. It was a BDSM club, one that was exclusive and owned by a very powerful man who didn’t like to have his generosity taken advantage of. Buckle was an ex-Marine turned hitman. He’d served his country before taking jobs that involved killing people who posed any kind of threat. Riley had trained with him before, and the man, he was a machine. He didn’t allow anyone in his club to kill.
This would be his only chance of confronting David and coming out alive. The man would only be allowed two guards maximum.
Buckle would have his own security, and he’d be the one to take care of any problems. No one messed with him; Riley didn’t have his membership revoked ten years ago, and well, he was about to let people know he was very much alive.
He wondered if John would be the guard next to David.
Only one way to find out.
This was also where he’d be able to get Meghan in and out without a problem.
He parked the car in the private area, which was also protected. Buckle, when Riley had been David’s main protector, had taken him on a tour. The man believed there should be a place men and women could go and allow themselves to release their darkest, most hidden desires.
The club catered to BDSM and every kind of sin that was legal. Riley had never been tempted by the club. He’d stood by David as he liked to play with the submissives. In Buckle’s club, he couldn’t abuse them or hurt them, only play and give them the pleasure a true master could.
Looking back, he had to wonder why David would even go to such a place, especially knowing how he liked to break them out in the real world.
It didn’t matter anymore.
He climbed out of the car and rounded to Meghan.
“You don’t leave my side while we’re here. You stay with me, and don’t even be tempted to go to the bathroom.”
“Believe me, if I could, I’d find some kind of way to tie myself to you. This will have to do.” She held his hand, locking their fingers together. “Do you have a gun?”
“Not on me.”
“Why the hell not?”
“There is a reason I’m willing to give your plan even a little thought. I know we can get in and out without any threat. That’s all. You will follow my lead. Do you understand me?” he said.
“Fine. You really think you won’t get killed?”
“Not here, but we’ve just put a time limit on how long we can stay in one place.” He held her hand tightly as he knocked on the door.
Buckle opened it, and Riley smiled.
He saw the brief flash of shock.
“Well, well, well, as I live and breathe,” he said.
“So do I,” Riley said.
“You know I will have to check you down.” He glanced at Meghan. “Your girl too.”
He saw the surprise. Riley had never taken another woman with him. Bethany had been his world, and now, he had Meghan.
“Sure. Believe me, she’s not hiding anything.”
The door opened, and Buckle allowed him in.
“I’m not stupid. I know why you’ve come. David is here, but you know my rules. I will kill you, Riley, if you break them.”
“I have no intention of killing him tonight. You’re not his lap dog. I respect your … rules. This is your club. But he can’t stay here forever. You and I both know you close your doors and everyone has to leave. You’re not a hotel.”
“No, I’m merely a club for men to enjoy. I thought you were dead.”
“So did a lot of people. I do have one question. Is John in there with him? I need to know.”
“You didn’t hear? John was killed. David shot him for betraying him many nine years ago, not long after your death.”
It would explain why Riley had never heard anything about him, and in the past few years, he’d not seen him. Now his need to kill David heightened a little more.
He held his arms open and allowed Buckle to pat him down. He’d kept all weapons back at the car. He wouldn’t use them until he had to on the streets.
“You’re done. You’re fine.” Buckle turned toward Meghan. “Who did that to your face and hand?”
Meghan looked toward Riley, brow raised. “I don’t answer to him.”
“This is his club.”
“Don’t care.”
“She’s got a smart mouth,” Buckle said, amused.
Riley smiled. “She is far from submissive.” He thought about the way she had come on his cock, how open and free she’d been. She had been more than he could have imagined, and she had given him so much of herself. “He’s a friend.”
“I don’t allow anyone to hurt each other in my club.”
“It’s a BDSM club,” she said. “Doesn’t that, like, hurt people?”
Buckle laughed. “I like you. You’ve got fire and spirit. It means a great many things for people. However, this is my club. I make the rules and kill those who don’t abide by them. I believe it is essential in life to have a place anyone can go where they can … relax, enjoy the simple pleasures in life.”
“You give comfort to men who would rape and murder women just because they don’t want to have sex with them,” Meghan said.
Riley saw her hands were clenched, her anger simmering beneath the surface. He wasn’t about to stop her.
He’d had the same argument with Buckle before, or similar.
“My face,” she said, “was done on the orders of Dav
id Peace. You know why?” She didn’t give Buckle time to answer. “Because I turned him down. He wanted me in his bed, and I told him no. Riley saved me, not once, but twice. You think you’re doing the right thing, creating this safe environment. You’re merely a guy who houses monsters for a few hours.”
“Well, sweetheart, those few hours will grant you your chance to laugh in the bastard’s face, and walk out of here alive. What happens when you get past my gates is up to you. But there are reasons I do what I do. Believe me, I’m more than happy you’re here, and I welcome you both with open arms. No killing on my property and you both will leave with your lives.” Buckle turned to him. “I expected you to come to me, but I can see this is something you had to do on your own. We should catch up sometime.”
Riley got the message and nodded.
“Enjoy your night,” Buckle said, and turned back toward his own door. He was the one who controlled everything, and he’d be watching as well.
Chapter Nine
“What’s the plan?” Meghan asked the moment they were alone. She doubted they ever would be in a place like this. Cameras were everywhere, and it concerned her.
“You look sexy and happy. Hang off my every word and let me be the one in charge.”
“You knew that man?” She pointed to where Buckle had disappeared.
“Yes.”
“That’s all I’m going to get?” she asked when he made no move to tell her anything.
“There’s nothing you need to know.”
“I find that a little hard to believe.”
“I’ll tell you when we’re in a safe location. Believe me when I say this isn’t safe. It’s far from safe. Now, come.”
She was a little offended with his commands, but they were here for a reason, and besides, if she didn’t follow him, she was going to die. There was no choice here, or at least what little choice she had, had just been taken out of her control.
Riley wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. She liked the way he held her. It made her think things between them could be … normal. Would it ever be possible for Riley to consider a normal life? To not die?
No, she wouldn’t allow herself to even hope. Not even a little bit. It was stupid to think anything like that could happen between them.