Bad Men

by Stone, Piper

  Fucking me.

  Possessing me.

  There was no doubt what was in his mind, his control increasing. I broke the kiss, tossing my head as a moan rushed toward the ceiling. I was completely unleashed, no longer able to control my actions, every cell on fire.

  “That’s it,” he whispered. “Take what you want.”

  His fingers dug into my hips as he held me in place, allowing me to take that precious minute of domination, even though I knew it wouldn’t last.

  My pussy muscles clamping around the thick invasion only added to the amazing vibrations dancing through me.

  Two hands rubbed down my back, the pressure forcing another moan. Jack. Another wave of longing pulsed into me, the electricity surging. I couldn’t stop shaking as he settled behind me, prepared to take what he wanted.

  What I knew the man felt he deserved.

  And owned.

  The thought was riveting as well as terrifying. Jack would take nothing less than all of me.

  Diego pulled me forward, his fingers dancing along my arms then brushing hair from my eyes. “Are you ready for both of us?”

  The question was daunting, the answer stuck in my throat. I could only nod, blinking several times in order to drive the fog away. It was no use, my mind reeling from what I was about to experience. Two men. Two hard-bodied men fucking me at the same time.

  I whimpered as Diego lifted me off his cock, the emptiness far too revealing about the woman inside, her filthy desires finally breaking free. When I felt Jack’s cock driving inside, I could only smile, sensations exploding.

  He pumped into me hard and fast then suddenly pulled back, leaving nothing but a stark emptiness pooling deep inside.

  “Now, I take you in the ass,” Jack stated, as if there had never been any question about what belonged to him.

  As Diego pressed his cock back into my pussy, Jack slid his cockhead into the crack of my ass, finding my dark hole.

  I held my breath, stars floating in front of my eyes, tension paralyzing my muscles.

  “I can’t wait to feel your muscles wrapped around me.” Jack’s voice seemed to penetrate the room, floating around us in a magical bubble.

  Diego pulled me even closer until my breasts were crushed against his chest. “Relax, little one.”

  A part of me wanted to scream out that there was no way to relax, but I was no longer certain I could speak. The moment Jack pressed the tip of his shaft into my asshole, my muscles immediately clenched down. I gasped as he pushed another inch inside, driving past the ring of tight muscle.

  “That’s it, baby girl,” Jack whispered.

  I wanted to scream to the world, but Diego captured my mouth once again as his cock slipped further inside. Every part of me was on fire as Jack continued pushing until he was fully seated.

  Full. I was shaken at how full I felt, their cocks throbbing as I tried to get used to their girth. I snaked my tongue against Diego’s, my fingers clawing the bedding as Jack shifted over me, his arms placed next to mine.

  His heart beating against my back.

  His hot breath skipping along my neck.

  During the next several minutes we were as one, their perfect orchestration as they thrust in and out further electrifying every cell and muscle.

  The dazzling sensations only intensified as they continued, my blood pumping and my breath all but gone. I couldn’t believe the vibrant light dancing in front of my half-closed eyelids and when Diego finally broke the kiss, I gasped for air. How could anything this sinful feel so damn good?

  Growling, Jack fisted my hair, yanking my head until he managed to pull me into a slight arc. He dragged his tongue across my cheek before nipping my earlobe. When Diego cupped my breasts, pinching my nipples until a wave of pain was the only thing I could concentrate on, I realized they would likely never let me go.

  I’d become their sinful toy.

  A plaything to release their tensions.

  A way to avoid reality.

  My body shaking, I couldn’t hold back another ravaging climax, a sheer revelation of what ecstasy was supposed to feel like. Allowing myself to let go wasn’t in my best interest, the control they already had damning. Yet as my body reveled in the explosion of sheer bliss, I shoved the ugly thought aside.

  I was lost to the pleasure as another orgasm swept through me, but I could sense they were both ready to come. I wanted nothing more than for them to fill me with their seed.

  As Jack threw his head back and roared, Diego howling from the intensity of his pleasure, a single memory slithered into my mind.

  The Serpent.

  A cigar in his hand, a deep laugh erupting from the bowels of his being, the sound straight from hell after the single time I’d attempted to escape.

  “No man will ever touch you again. If they do, they will die. And trust me, my beautiful American doctor, there is no place on Earth where they will be able to hide.”

  Chapter 6

  Jack

  Liquor.

  There wasn’t enough in the damn world to keep my nerves in check. Hell, I’d fallen as far as I could go with this assignment, including fucking the package I was supposed to protect. Hissing, I swirled the glass of whatever rotgut bourbon I’d found in the cabinet, taking another swig. I no longer cared the taste was bitter, burning the back of my throat from its harshness. I wanted to feel some kind of discomfort to drag me back into reality.

  I’d fucked up.

  Then again, so had the man who was supposed to have my back, another member of the organization I should be able to trust. Snickering, I shifted against the doorjamb of the French door, staring at the star-filled sky. Diego was a wildcard, a man on his own mission, but not one I had enough information about. Yeah, he’d been up front about his prison term, but that was public record, something I already knew. Even his employment by the Cartel had been well documented.

  I swirled the glass, trying to remember every word I’d read in the file Dante had provided. Of course, his assignments with the organization were considered top secret, just like all the operatives were, but I still had lingering doubts that there was something even more damning. I bit back bile before taking another gulp. The Specialists hadn’t sought out Eagle Scouts. That was for certain. They’d wanted men and women who’d fallen through the cracks, those who were considered unredeemable.

  After all, the men who ran the organization were brutal monsters in their own right.

  While every operative within the Specialists had their own set of secrets, some worse than others, Diego’s was well hidden. I’d once considered myself an expert with regard to reading people. Not with him. He was smooth as well as resilient, refusing to fall prey to his emotions. Unlike me. I held up the glass in a toast to the stupidity of my actions. I’d allowed myself to actually care about the woman, if only for a short period of time.

  As I licked the glass, taking another gulp, I couldn’t seem to get Lindsey out of my mind. If only I hadn’t accepted the damn assignment.

  But I had.

  One day, I was going to take out my wrath on our handler. My gut told me it was necessary as well as well deserved. Dante had played Russian roulette with the one weakness he knew would force me to stumble. And I had. While the bastard might have his reasons, no one used me for any reason. I finished the drink then reached for the bottle.

  The bitter taste was growing on me.

  * * *

  Four Days Earlier

  As the ocean waves splashed over me, I threw my head back, savoring the sun’s rays even on a partly cloudy day. At least the water was warm, the salty content soothing, the grueling workout taking more of a toll than normal. I ran my hands through my hair as I trudged through the wet sand and onto the beach, grabbing the towel I’d left along with my other things. As I shifted back to face the water, I began to dry off, the swim invigorating.

  The single odd sound was enough to put me on edge, my extensive training taking over. Within two seconds, I had
my weapon in my hand, jerking around to face whatever intruder had ventured onto my property. Hissing, I kept my arms extended, fully prepared to shoot as I glared at the man.

  “Whoa. Christ, Rivers. Be careful where you point that thing.”

  The sight of my handler standing in front of me not only didn’t bode well for the usual method of operations, but quite frankly, it pissed me off. This was my private space, a world I’d created to get the hell away from the job as well as the viciousness of the profession I’d ventured into.

  And the man the experience had turned me into.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” I barked, still keeping the Glock pointed in his direction as I scanned the beach. The last thing I needed was any locals asking questions. I kept out of their world and they stayed out of mine. That’s the way I liked it.

  Dante lifted his eyebrows as he glared at the gun then walked closer. “If you’d answer your phone once in a while, I wouldn’t be forced to travel thousands of miles in order to have a conversation with you.”

  His Italian accent was usually grating, but today the intonations pissed me off. I wasn’t in the mood for bullshit or another assignment. I’d worked undercover for three months, the outcome brutal as hell. I deserved some freaking time away. “I told you that I was taking a couple weeks off.” I noticed a file in his hand, which meant business. Another reason to be pissed off.

  He lifted his sunglasses, scanning the ocean. “South Carolina. I’ve never been here before. Beautiful location and excellent weather. A little solitary for my taste but breathtaking.”

  “Cut the chitchat, Dante. You didn’t come here for a weather forecast. What do you want?”

  Dante shook his head, sliding his shades back into place. “Maybe you could try not being an insufferable asshole all the time, Jack. Sullen doesn’t suit you.”

  And neither did his expensive linen suit or polished Italian loafers. He wouldn’t know how to blend in if he tried, his entire world encapsulated by a fancy mansion and millions of dollars. Ignoring him, I started walking toward my house, passing by him without so much as glancing in his direction.

  “Jesus, Jack. What the hell is up your craw?” Dante trailed behind me, his accent getting heavier due to his increasing anger.

  “I’ve worked for nine straight months with a single damn day off. I’m freaking exhausted. Plus, there’s still the question about the amount of money I received on the last gig.” Taking long strides, I knew better than to think he’d leave me alone. To travel from Italy all the way here meant whatever case he’d been authorized to assign me was worth a hell of a lot of money to the organization.

  As if I gave a fuck.

  “Uh-huh. I’ve expressed your dissatisfaction to the others. I’m certain someone will get back to you very soon.”

  I rolled my eyes from hearing his clipped words. Right. I knew better than to think I’d hear a damn thing. The creators of the organization were rarely seen, almost never addressing one of their employees. I was just a hired gun and nothing more. I jogged up the back stairs, knowing he would follow. There was no point in arguing or pushing Dante away. The man was like a dog with a bone. He wouldn’t allow that to happen.

  “Do you want a drink?” I asked as I walked to the small fridge located behind the bar I’d built myself. That had been months ago, shit, almost a full year. I’d spend little time in the house I’d purchased for a song. That was going to change. I was tired of cleaning up other people’s messes.

  “Sure. What the heck. My scheduled flight doesn’t leave for a couple hours.” Dante studied the small house in a scrutinizing manner. Right. He’d brought his private jet, which meant he could leave any damn time he pleased.

  I watched as his nostrils flared, his eyebrows lifting as if finding my tastes reprehensible. Nope. I didn’t have expensive needs, had no desire for a wine cellar the size of a condo on Miami Beach or a staff of God knows how many. I liked my privacy as well as the simple things.

  I knew what the man preferred and made two drinks of the same. Boodles with a splash of tonic. What the hell. It was a warm day after all. He remained glancing at the surroundings until I walked closer. At least he’d removed his thousand-dollar shades, even shaking the sand out of his shoes.

  “This is nice,” Dante said, accepting the drink.

  I cocked my head, staring at him, doing nothing more than taking a sip of my drink, beads of water continuing to drip down onto the tile floor.

  “Do you mind if I sit down so we can have a civil discussion?” he finally asked, obviously uncomfortable.

  “Sure. Why not?” I rubbed the towel over me before tossing it onto the seat of the leather sofa, easing down across from him. I watched as he placed the unopened file in the middle of the coffee table.

  “I know you were promised time off, but we have a special case.”

  I snorted, rolling my eyes. “I’ve heard that before. What crisis do we have this time? A missing string of pearls owned by some queen or maybe the Corvette of a rock star? Or maybe you need me to venture into Russia in order to find another gorgeous diamond.”

  “I don’t think you should be making light of the jobs that allow you to enjoy a life of… luxury.” He sighed and leaned forward, also aware that I squirreled away my earnings, my various accounts very private and inaccessible even to the Specialists. “Let’s cut to the chase, Jack. This assignment is worth a pretty penny to the organization.”

  “Aren’t they always?”

  “Not like this. And we’re not talking money as much as… power.” Dante waited until I finally looked him in the eye.

  “Power?”

  He nodded, offering a sly smile. “The kind only found in Washington, DC.”

  “Interesting. I thought the Specialists wanted nothing to do with American politics.” I took a sip of my drink, realizing that he wasn’t going to tell me the entire reason for why the owners were interested and truthfully, I wasn’t sure I gave a shit.

  He smiled, lifting his glass in an odd toast. “Times change, my friend. The people responsible for signing our paychecks hunger on a different level.”

  “O-kay. Meaning more influence over wealthy and powerful socialites and politicians. Whatever floats their boat. So, what’s missing?”

  “A woman.”

  I almost choked on the gin. This was something different. “What happened to her?”

  “Let’s just say a very bad man has abducted her, the kind that can never be negotiated with.”

  “Who is this man?” I had to admit my curiosity was piqued.

  “Have you heard of the Serpent?” Dante asked quietly, almost as if fearing someone might be listening to our conversation.

  He had to be kidding me. The Serpent’s name came up in various areas of his world, his hunger to own all the gold in the world well known. The way he acquired his fortune was disgusting.

  “You mean the pompous asshole who traffics in human life in exchange for the vast majority of shares of gold? Yeah, I know of him.” The Serpent was a pig, the kind of monster that was on another playing field altogether.

  “Good. Then you know how dangerous he can be.”

  I narrowed my eyes, shifting my gaze toward the folder once again. “I know. He enjoys slaughtering people. His security is topnotch, the men he employs as soldiers almost as ruthless as he is. In addition, his compound located in the middle of a damn jungle can’t be breached. Others have tried it and died.”

  Dante grinned. “You never cease to amaze me, the vast amount of information that you know. You are correct.”

  “Let me guess. You expect me to take on this operation given those odds.”

  “You are the best, after all. The owners have total faith in your abilities.”

  Oh, dear God. An attempt to stroke my ego. The owners were desperately hungry. I found that fascinating.

  I chuckled, staring out at the ocean as I took another sip. The man also knew how much I enjoyed a challenge and was bankin
g on the fact I couldn’t resist. “Who is this woman?”

  “The daughter of a prominent surgeon in Washington.”

  For some crazy reason, I expected her to be Russian royalty or the daughter of the president, not a prominent doctor. That was enough to raise red flags. Something was off and Dante wasn’t authorized to tell me the truth. “I’m not interested.”

  “You don’t even know the particulars.”

  “I don’t need to know them, Dante. It’s my choice what assignments I choose. I’ve earned that right and I choose to let this one pass. I might enjoy the art of murder, but I’m not into walking into a death trap. Fact is I enjoy living at the beach. And in one piece.” I moved to a standing position, walking toward the open doors.

  I knew how Dante operated. He would enjoy the rest of his drink then quietly say a last few words before leaving. This assignment had bad news written all over it. There was also something he wasn’t prepared to tell me. Or was worried that it would push me away further. I could almost feel his tension increasing. The Specialists had a lot riding on this. Hmm…

  True to form, I heard the ice clinking in his glass a few minutes later. When he flanked my side, the file wasn’t in his hand.

  “This particular assignment is important to us, Jack.”

  “Aren’t they all?” I huffed.

  “Consider it a gesture of good will. Or you could think of it as a gift to the people who literally dragged you out of a vile prison, providing you with seed money to get your shit together. Of course, you’ll be paid handsomely. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  I remained quiet, even though I’d bristled hearing the words. I’d wondered when I would need to repay them for dragging me out of the pits of hell. I should have walked away back then but I’d had no other choices.

  “Well, I’m going to leave the file for you. Everything you need to know is inside, including the full documentation on the woman. If you’re not interested, I’ll simply try and explain to the powers that be, although that will be… difficult. However, if you are willing to handle the case, I’ve made arrangements for you to fly to Italy to receive the rest of your assignment. You’ll go from there to your destination.”