Master Of Sin

by Sienna Snow

  I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and hoped to get a few moments without anyone fawning over Firewater or giving me advice on my business. I knew everyone meant well, but no matter what they believed, I wasn't the naive girl they knew.

  The reaction of the party attendees and media was a mix of curiosity and speculation. From the little bits I kept hearing all night, most of the public believed I was ousted from Kipos due to a conflict of interest. However, others made not-so-subtle comments about Dara's jealousy of me and the need to get me away from her son's inheritance. It surprised me how many people didn't like Dara, even though she "lunched" with many of them.

  Overall, the night had gone better than I expected—well, outside of one irritation.

  Dara.

  In spite of Adrian saying we needed her to come to the opening, in the back of my mind, I'd hoped she'd decline. Dara had a hard-and-fast rule never to attend any event hosted by the Lykaios brothers. But of course, she decided today was the day to show up. And I knew it was because of me.

  Earlier in the day, a gossip magazine published pictures of Hagen and me from the night of the poker game and Kapok's rude appearance. The images were of Hagen holding me close against him in the casino, and then others of us eating pastries at the hotel's patisserie.

  The headline of the article said: “The Master of Sin and Indulgence Has Found His Angel.”

  I could only assume Dara wasn’t happy with the attention my relationship with Hagen was getting.

  It hadn't even taken ten minutes after entering the ballroom with Zack for Dara to approach us.

  It was as if she was waiting until we arrived to make a beeline in our direction. I'd expected a confrontation but not before the announcement.

  Her words had been full of venom when she'd spoken to me.

  "I see how far you've fallen. Not only are you Hagen's whore, now you're with Zacharias. Your father would be ashamed of you. If you ruin the sale because of your antics, I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life."

  Using Papa against me was the ultimate slap. This woman truly hated me. She would have never insulted me the way she had if Adrian was anywhere near. I'd had to dig my fingers into Zack's arm to keep him from responding. She'd wanted one of us to lash out and make a scene that the press could latch on to for the next morning’s headlines. But instead I'd only lifted a brow and said, "I suggest you don't make an enemy of me. Without my signature, you can’t do anything with Kipos but run it into the ground."

  I'd walked away with my head held high. Then, when Zack had introduced me as the owner of PSK Distilleries and Firewater, I felt a surge of triumph when Dara's face grew deathly pale.

  I set my champagne glass on the balcony ledge and closed my eyes as the breeze picked up, cooling my heated skin.

  "I've never been so jealous of the wind before. I should be the only one allowed to put that look on your face."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Hagen

  * * *

  STARLIGHT TURNED, and I nearly swallowed my tongue.

  This woman was perfection incarnate. From the view I'd had of her from the back, she looked like a petite ballerina with her wispy dress and neatly styled bun. But from the front, she was a walking wet dream.

  And what the hell was she wearing? It looked like an overly cleavage-baring leotard with a see-through skirt.

  I was the only man allowed to see that body.

  Heat flared in her eyes too as she took me in. My cock swelled, and I had visions of pinning her to the railing and fucking her senseless.

  She gripped the railing behind her and leaned back. "The breeze is all I have. You've been a bit preoccupied the last two days. I had to get my kicks some way."

  I lifted a brow as I walked toward her. "Is that right?"

  The scent of light floral perfume mixed with her own unique essence reached my nose, making my need for her rise higher.

  "I wasn't expecting you to be here until much later."

  "You should know by now that nothing would keep me from you."

  I could tell my words pleased her as a flush crept up her skin. "How was your trip? Did you resolve the crisis?"

  "For the most part. I'm just happy my flight wasn't delayed leaving Arizona."

  It was a near miss that I made it tonight. A storm had started rolling through the area around Tucson, and we'd barely made it through before the airport grounded all planes.

  I wouldn't have even left Vegas if another of our construction managers hadn't quit. However, this time it wasn't because they were caught stealing. The manager's quick departure had to do with Draco getting involved. Draco wanted my attention, and shutting down a fifty-million-dollar project was his way of getting it.

  I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever have been ready to talk to him if he hadn't forced me to meet with him. When it came to Draco, I’d always taken things head-on, but this time, the betrayal felt worse than what Collin had done to me and my brothers.

  Draco had arrived at the construction site with five of his grandsons, all men I'd grown up with. And all men who knew what Draco had done while I was oblivious. He'd looked so fragile as he walked the property, making me realize that even though Draco looked younger than his seventy-five years, in fact, he was very old.

  Meeting with him was better than dealing with more problems for HPZ. And I knew without a doubt, Draco would orchestrate the shutdown of every one of our projects to get his way. The conversation had been surprisingly easy, and in the end, I realized Draco had actually viewed me as another of his grandsons. He may not have had those expectations in the beginning, but I had the feeling that he regretted the past. Nothing could change what happened, but Draco agreed to give me full disclosure when it came to anything to do with my family or Starlight.

  I wouldn't say all was forgiven, but we'd come to an understanding and could move on from there.

  Now I had to take the step to talk to Collin. I owed him that much. Whatever his actions were toward his sons, he'd protected two innocent girls, one of them being the product of his wife's affair with his best friend.

  But that was for another day and time.

  Right now, my attention was on the nature goddess dressed in scraps of cloth disguised as a dress.

  "Just for the record, I hate that dress. It shows off too much of what is mine." My hands went around her slim waist. "Remind me to tell Henna she isn't allowed to pick any more dresses for you."

  "It's haute couture. I like it." She tried to give me a stern glare, but the breathiness of her voice gave away the arousal she felt with me near her.

  "It's a barely there leotard with a completely see-through skirt."

  "You know what else it is?"

  My lips grazed her ear, eliciting an almost purr. "What?"

  She shifted her face until our noses were almost touching. "Easy access."

  My mouth quirked at the corners. "Anyone could come out here and find us."

  "I've already been corrupted thoroughly. It would only add to the rumors that I was under the control of the Master of Sin."

  "For the first time, I don't mind that stupid title."

  I slowly lowered to my knees. "Hold on tight. I'm about to feast on your beautiful cunt and then once I'm done, we’re going home so I can fuck you so hard my cock imprints itself in your pussy."

  Her breath came out in shallow pants, and I could see her nipples pebble and strain through the thin silk of her gown.

  My focus moved to the tiny swatch of fabric covering her crotch. Licking my lips, I slid my hand up the slit of skirt that ran from the bottom of one leg to the juncture of her bodysuit-covered pussy.

  I pushed the sheer ivory fabric to the side.

  "Now I see what you meant by easy access."

  I snapped open the buttons holding the crotch closed, exposing her beautiful, glistening pussy. "God, you’re so wet."

  I slid my fingers through the slit of her soaked lower lips, spreading them until I exposed her swollen
clitoral nub. I blew onto the sensitized flesh a second before my mouth descended, sucking the bundle of nerves into my mouth.

  Fuck, I was in heaven. Nothing tasted as good as her arousal. It was like an addictive ambrosia.

  Her body bowed as my tongue thrust deep into her soaked channel.

  "Hagen," she moaned as her hands gripped the railing tighter. "Oh God, Hagen."

  I needed to hear more of her pleasure. Grabbing the backs of her thighs, I spread her legs wider and feasted on the delicious pussy. My tongue circled, licked, and flicked her dripping core.

  "I love tasting you," I growled as I continued to devour her. "I will never stop craving you on my lips."

  I pressed a finger into her slick heat, and her orgasm erupted.

  "Oh, God. Yes." She moaned, biting her lip to keep from screaming her pleasure.

  Her eyes squeezed tight, and she writhed under the pleasurable torture. Her swollen tissue spasmed and clamped down on my pistioning fingers, and her arousal flooded my mouth, making me want to prolong the ecstasy coursing through her. But I knew we had to stop.

  Reluctantly I pulled from her body, licking my fingers and wiping my drenched mouth against her thigh, then refastened the snaps between her legs. Rising slowly to my feet, I pulled her against me.

  Her head tumbled to my shoulder in satiated pleasure. "I can't believe we just did that."

  " We’re on a balcony the public can’t access or see." I stared down at her dazed face. “We could have gone much further and no one would ever know.”

  God, she was beautiful.

  "In that case.” She gave me a wicked smile. “Let's do it again soon."

  Penny

  * * *

  "JUST KEEP THINKING of your cunt wrapped around my cock," Hagen said with a smirk as I walked with him through the doors of Kipos International on Monday morning.

  I elbowed him in the stomach. "You are so crude. Most women are offended by that word."

  "Good thing you aren't one of them."

  My cheeks heated. He was well aware that the dirtier he talked to me the more aroused I became.

  "You're the one who wanted me to corrupt you." He ran a thumb across my lips, making a shiver run down my spine. "I plan to enjoy every moment we have together."

  A look passed in his eyes that made my heart clench. It was as if he thought I was going to leave him.

  "Hagen, is there something you're not telling me?"

  "I…" He hesitated. "Forget it. We'll talk about it after the meeting."

  Before I could argue, Jeffery, one of the longtime Kipos security leads, came toward us.

  "Penny. It's good to see you." He kissed my cheek. "Are you really going to let her sell the company?"

  I expected this question. I would sell the company today, just not to the bidder Dara had arranged.

  "It's for the best," I said and then sighed as Papa's giant portrait came into view on one of the walls of the lobby.

  I'm sorry Papa. But Kipos is your dream, not your children's. I hope you can understand.

  "At least I can say I stayed with the company for its entire history." Jeffery gave me a melancholy smile and pushed the button to the elevator. "Head on up. They’re in the large conference room."

  The second the doors opened on the executive floor, Adrian appeared and began to speak. "When we go in, make sure you keep to script."

  "Well, hello to you too," I said and moved past him. "I'm not an idiot."

  "I didn't say you were." His defensive and defiant tone made me want to laugh.

  No matter the fact he towered over me, he was still the baby brother rebelling against any criticism.

  "Does she know Hagen’s coming with me or is she expecting me alone?" I looked in Hagen's direction but asked Adrian the question.

  "She knows one of the Lykaios brothers is always with you."

  I'd said to Adrian it was better for Dara to continue the assumption that I was with all of the brothers. Going by the pissed-off glare Hagen was giving me now, he was still mad at me for the suggestion. But he knew it was necessary as part of the plan Adrian had concocted.

  As we approached the glass-walled conference room, I noticed Dara with her attorney, Trey Ritchman, and the usual entourage of minions sitting on one side of the table. On the other end was Carter Jones, my attorney. He wasn't pleased I was selling but accepted my decision. As far as Carter knew, the newly discovered will would cement my and Adrian's claim to the company without the need for Dara. He'd gone as far as advising us to contact the board and oust Dara from her role as CEO.

  What I couldn't tell him was that if we got rid of Dara, then I would be responsible for the mess Dara had made of the company.

  Right before we entered the room, Hagen turned to me and said, "I'm here to support you, but this is your fight. Remember, no matter what Dara says, stay calm. Her goal is to hurt you. It's time you took the reins of your life, Starlight."

  I nodded and held in the tears that burned the backs of my eyes. He truly accepted me. He knew this was something I had to handle.

  Leaning up, I kissed his cheek. "I love you, Hagen Lykaios. Thanks for having my back."

  "You're welcome." He gave me a shy smile.

  He still hadn't told me he loved me, but I knew it was under there. For a man with a reputation as a cold-as-ice hardass, he rarely showed me that side of him. Outside of being a dominant lover, he was considerate, funny, and a romantic, even if he wouldn't admit it.

  "Let's go, baby. Time to face the dragon." Hagen pushed the door open.

  "She's finally here. Thought you were going to make us wait all morning. Take a seat and let's get to it." The sneer in Dara’s voice almost made me flinch.

  Almost.

  "Sorry." I looked in Dara's direction and then at Hagen. "It was his fault."

  Hagen smirked and lifted a brow as we moved to our seats.

  "What is he doing here?"

  Hagen answered, "I'm sure you've heard, I go where she goes."

  "If you think to make her change her mind, I'd think twice. I won't let anyone mess with my son's future."

  I nearly choked on her false sense of parental worry. Where was this concern when Adrian was a child?

  "I'm only here as moral support. It's a shame to see what has become of Uncle Jacob's company. I guess the strip club industry doesn't teach one how to run a multinational organization." Hagen sat back in his seat.

  When Hagen had told me all that he'd discovered about Dara's past, I nearly fell out of my chair. She'd been a topless dancer for years before she married her first husband, a car dealership owner who'd been one of her best customers. After that, she'd put on the persona of a super puritan and proper lady. That was probably what had lured Papa to her.

  Surprise crossed Dara's face and then she glanced in my direction.

  Yes, bitch. We know all your secrets.

  "Let's begin," Trey said and started detailing all the logistics of the sale, including the division of assets and the parties involved in the deal. Many times, during his delineation I wanted to ask a question and put the smug asshole on the spot, but held back.

  This was Adrian's to handle. I had to trust him. I had a role to play, and so did he. Right now, I was on the stage.

  My heart ached for him. He was about to take down his own mother.

  Who was I kidding? Adrian was mine. The brother I'd raised.

  Trey's voice broke into my thoughts. "As you can see, once you sign, you will be richer than you could ever imagine."

  He set a stack of papers in front of me. Was this guy for real? He really thought I would sign a hundred-page contract without having it reviewed.

  I thumbed through the documents and frowned. "This looks nothing like the papers you sent to Carter." I pushed the documents in Trey’s direction.

  Carter had the same reaction I'd had. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Kipos. I cannot advise my client to sign anything without proper due diligence."

  From the corner of my eye
, I noticed Dara fidget with her bracelet. It was her first sign she was irritated and on the verge of blowing up. I'd been on the receiving end of it countless times over the years.

  "There are a few last-minute revisions. I'm sure a quick review will suffice to satisfy you," Trey said in a sickly sweet, condescending way as if Carter knew nothing about law.

  Boy, where had Papa found this guy? I couldn't believe Papa had trusted him for so many years. Well, I guessed, in the end, he hadn't, since he'd hired Carter's father to take over any legal proceedings before his death.

  "I'd like to go through it in detail. I won't advise Ms. Kipos to sign anything unless she’s completely aware of all changes and clauses."

  All of a sudden, Dara shouted in my direction, "I swear, if you don't sign the papers, I will make your life a living hell, Persephone Kipos. I will make it so no one will ever work with you or buy your cheap alcohol."

  Fuck this shit. I was not going to let her talk to me like this ever again.

  I gave Adrian an apologetic shoulder shrug and stood. "Are you threatening me? I'm not signing anything until I know all the changes you've made. I don't trust you."

  "What have I done that is so untrustworthy? I'm not the one who’s a whore to three men."

  I saw Hagen shift, and I shook my head. This was my fight, as he'd said. He gave me a nod and leaned back in his chair, but there was an edge to the set of his shoulders that told me he’d jump in at any moment if he thought I was in danger.

  "Let me make this clear. You need me more than I need you. Without my approval, this deal you have will crumble to dust."

  "The only thing I need is your signature," Dara countered, rising to her feet.

  "Mother, what are you doing?" Adrian jumped forward but stopped when Trey grabbed Dara’s arm and pulled her back down.

  "Stay out of this, Adrian. Don't think I don’t know that your loyalties are to her. I have reports telling me you spend all your free time with her and at his property.” She shot daggers at Hagen, who seemed unfazed. “I'm your mother. Your loyalties are supposed to be to me."