Fourth a Lie (GODDESS ISLES Book 4)

by Pepper Winters

  “Shit.” Sully spun around, shoving me viciously behind his back.

  I battled with self-preservation and the damning world of need.

  I blinked as three men entered the villa, their lips tilting into smug smirks. Two dark-haired and one copper, they wore matching black cargos and t-shirts.

  All three held their guns pointed directly at Sully and me.

  The vulnerability of us was acute when faced with fully clad mercenaries.

  I wore nothing, and Sully had retained his black boxer-briefs, sandy and drenched from the sea. His only other wardrobe was a blood-stained bandage that made him appear easy prey.

  “Get the fuck out,” Sully snarled.

  The men laughed, eyeing us up and down. “Well, well...tried to run from Drake, did ya? Steal his fuck toy too by the looks of it.” The copper-haired man stepped to the side, peering at me hidden behind Sully’s back.

  I bared my teeth.

  I attempted to be normal.

  With every fractured heartbeat, I tried to wake myself up. To accept the seriousness of this situation. To be smart! But each time I caged my sinister libido, it sank venomous fangs into my veins and amplified.

  I need—

  You don’t!

  I swayed behind Sully, losing myself, defeated and doomed.

  “Is she naked?” A guard grunted, smiling sickly. “Willing to share, Sinclair?”

  Sully vibrated with loathing. “My brother is in Euphoria. I suggest you go find him.”

  “Oh, we know where he is. We watched him fucking that wet little minx for a while.” They chuckled as one. “We also shoved aside four corpses...and decided to come find the culprit.”

  “Leave,” Sully hissed. “Drake got what he wanted. He can have everything for all I care.”

  “See...that’s where I think you’re wrong,” the one with a scar on his cheek muttered. He pointed the gun over Sully’s shoulder, aiming for me, making my inner muscles clench with sick sensual need. “I think he wanted her.” He grinned. “And it looks like she wants something herself.”

  My knees buckled as my core clenched.

  Sully held me up, his fingers biting into me.

  His touch felt strict, severe...sexy.

  My mind was petrified. But my body? It was impatient, thirsty, irritable.

  I moaned as an indecent wave of lust lashed around my belly.

  Sully struggled to hold my weight as I crumpled against his back.

  I battled with the need to orgasm and the self-preservation not to show how unhinged I was.

  This was dangerous.

  This wasn’t a fantasy or illusion.

  These men were real.

  They were real, and their guns were real, and their threat toward Sully and me was horrifyingly real.

  It’s real!

  My lenses, fingerprint sensors, and oil had all washed off in the sea. I hadn’t been programmed into Euphoria. I didn’t have the immunity of falsehoods.

  This is real, Ellie!

  Get it together.

  Before it’s too late!

  I bit my lip as my clit throbbed, angry that I continued to ignore its demand for more.

  My heart seemed to stop with a horrifying pause before kicking back into its irregular swerving sprint.

  If I gave in, I’d unleash a nightmare.

  If I slid to the floor and fingered myself, they’d probably shoot Sully, then rape me.

  Three men.

  One of me.

  I swallowed my groan as diabolical need poured indecent gasoline on my delirious heart. Three men to pleasure me. Three men to make me come.

  No!

  Stop it.

  Enough!

  I grabbed my hair, bashing my forehead into Sully’s shoulder blades, crying quietly.

  He grunted at my torment, his violence lashing around us, on its leash for now but straining to get free. “You’re right. She does want something.” Sully’s growl sent goosebumps over me, making it almost impossible to behave. “Just like, I’m sure...you want something too.”

  The tension in the room reached a new danger, thick with war and tight with suspicion.

  My heart skipped a few fluttery beats, coughing with confusion on how to thrum.

  “Gonna let us fuck her?” The taller dark-haired one raised an eyebrow.

  “She’s not on offer.” Sully stiffened, struggling to hold me while my arms did their best to fondle my breasts.

  “Too bad ’cause we’re just gonna take her...with or without your permission.”

  “I have something better.” Sully’s voice was arctic, coating my skin with snowflakes, helping ward off the salacious heat I couldn’t ignore.

  “Better than fucking a girl who’s dripping for it?” The copper-haired one lowered his gun. “Go on, I fancy a laugh. Tell us what we want more than that whore hiding behind your back.”

  “Money,” he snapped. “Lots and lots of fucking money.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  I HAD NOTHING ELSE to play.

  No way to stop what could be potentially become a mass fucking orgy.

  The one saving grace was if I failed to protect Eleanor, at least elixir would keep her cushioned from her sins. She’d enjoy it. Her lust would provide a buffer between reality and myth.

  She would survive being taken by them.

  But me?

  Fuck.

  I would die.

  I would die a million crucifixions if I had to watch one man lay a hand upon her.

  Just the thought drove me mad.

  Watching it?

  Yeah, I can’t.

  I would sign over every penny and deliver any demand before I let that happen.

  She writhed against my back, doing what I asked and fighting. I was so fucking proud of her for that—so grateful for her attempts—but I was also realistic. She couldn’t keep battling. Her tenacity would fail soon, and the torment would begin anew.

  For now, I kept her imprisoned behind me and worked against a rapidly ticking clock. I spread my legs for balance while my depleted system begged to sit and rest, and acted as if I wore my suit and Hawk diamonds, ready to interrogate three new guests onto my shores.

  I stared past their hazel, brown, and blue eyes.

  I rifled through their secrets and picked apart their transgressions.

  Each one was lacking.

  Each one wasn’t worthy being afraid of.

  They were just men. Men hired by my brother. Men who’d proven they could be bought, and luckily for me, I had untapped wealth just begging to be spent. Jinx had become the most important person in the world to me. Therefore, there was no amount I wouldn’t offer.

  “Name your price.” I narrowed my hazy, hurting eyes. “Tell me what you want to walk away.”

  The tall dark one snickered. “Her. Give us her.”

  “She’s mine, and I don’t share.”

  Eleanor flinched behind me, a soft puff of need hitting between my shoulder blades. She still fought, but soon, she’d resort to begging. In a few minutes, she’d be on her knees again, scratching at my control, pleading with me to fill her.

  These men couldn’t fucking be here when that happened.

  “How much?”

  “Think we’ll just take what we want.” The copper-haired one waved his gun. “After all, you’re not the one making the rules here. Your brother is, and he’s paid us well. I’d rather have some pussy, thanks.”

  I bared my teeth, doing my best not to launch at him and leave Eleanor unchaperoned. “I’ll pay you more than he ever could. I’ll make you rich, then you can afford to buy plenty of pussy. This one is used. I’ve already fucked her. Don’t you want your own?”

  The filth falling from my mouth made them pause. I sensed a weakness and used it to my full advantage. “One million to walk out that door and leave. Get on a boat and never come back. You won’t die. I won’t come after you and extract retribution for what you’ve done. I give you my word that I’ll fo
rget about you. I’ll even clean up your mess by killing my brother. Leave him in Euphoria, and I’ll dispose of him.”

  “You’ll dispose of him?” the shorter dark-haired guy snickered. “Yeah, right. Look at the mess you’re in.”

  “I’ve been in worse where my brother’s concerned and won.”

  “You’re not exactly winning right now.”

  “I’m stubborn.” I smiled savagely. “I have a knack for coming back from the dead.”

  The men shared a look, their guns wavering. “Why should we believe you? You could be a penniless little fucker—”

  “I’m worth a thousand times more than my brother in assets. If I give you my word that I’ll pay, I’ll pay.”

  The copper-haired one wrinkled his nose. “Think we’ll still help ourselves to that whore behind you. Her moans are making me hard.”

  I clutched Jinx tighter to my spine, my biceps bunching from holding her weight awkwardly behind me. “One million. That’s generous.”

  “It’s insulting,” the taller one muttered. “A million split three ways? Fuck off and step aside. She’s ours.”

  “How many of your men are left?” I backed up a little, keeping Eleanor’s nakedness hidden behind mine, closing the gap between us and the wall.

  The short dark-haired one seemed most open to my offer. His sneer had gone, calculations running through his eyes. He mulled over my question before answering, “We came as a team of ten. Why? Think you can kill all of us?”

  “Already said goodbye to four.” I grinned even though I wanted to trip to the floor and sleep for days. “What’s another six?”

  “Cocky bastard.”

  “Like I said, I won’t kill you if you leave now.”

  Eleanor flinched, her body no longer just fighting against mine but seducing it. She rubbed against me. She pressed lusty kisses down my spine. She’d lost any sense of calmness, drowning beneath another wave of elixir.

  “And by the way, I didn’t mean a million total.” I nodded like the unflappable hotelier that I was. “I meant a million. Each.”

  A spark of interest finally arrived, followed by humour. “Expect us to believe you’ll wire a million into our accounts in a week if we leave?” the tall one stepped forward, making Eleanor moan behind me.

  Moan with need not fear.

  Fuck.

  “Sorry, mate, we’re not idiots. We don’t take IOUs. We take cash.” He licked his lips as Eleanor writhed harder against me, forcing me to dig my fingernails into her arms, doing my best to keep her protected despite her undoing my control. “Hard, cold cash—”

  “I have cash. In my office. Go see for yourself. The safe is hidden behind a painting of a caique parrot in the corridor. The combination is 44884.”

  The copper-haired one laughed coldly. “Just have a measly three million sitting around in a safe, huh? Yeah, right. We’re not leaving. Not until we fuck that tasty thing behind you. We’ll even be nice. We’ll let you watch. And then we’ll take you to Drake to finish what he started.”

  All three men stepped toward me.

  Eleanor groaned, terror tangling with her thirst.

  My muscles bunched with rage, preparing to take on three men regardless of my current condition. I might win another battle. I’d won the last one through sheer adrenaline. Tritec-87 had helped but keeping Eleanor away from my brother had been the reason for my invincibility.

  This would be no different.

  My heart pumped as they took another step.

  Eleanor tried to get away from me, her skin flushed and sticky against mine. I wanted to snarl at her to quit it. To listen to me. To help me. Instead, I kept my entire attention on the pack of men slowly backing us into a corner.

  “There’s five million in there, not three,” I hissed. “It’s a bolt fund.”

  All three men froze. They shared a look.

  “Five?” The copper-haired guy’s eyebrows shot up. “You have five fucking million just sitting there.”

  “In cash and diamonds.” I struggled to stay human and not crouch ready to attack. I hated that I bargained with these assholes. It felt weak, wrong. I wanted their blood on the floor and their hearts in my hands.

  But...Eleanor.

  She’s worth more than my idiotic pride.

  She moaned, wrenching their attention back to her.

  Goddammit, woman.

  Raising my voice over her debauchery, I growled, “You can have the lot. Every goddamn penny. Just leave.”

  “Sully...please...” Jinx’s lips kissed along my shoulder, her teeth sinking into the sensitive flesh of my trapezius muscle.

  My heart thundered; my own lust re-ignited. “Take the deal, gentlemen. It’s the best you’re going to get.”

  They eyed each other.

  Stress poured through my veins, feeding fury and fatigue in equal measure. I’d never been so on edge—never so hung up on a business negotiation. Never wanted anything this much. Never needed a girl this much.

  Finally, the tall one nodded on behalf of the pack and holstered his gun. “If what you say is true, you have a deal.” He pointed a finger at me. “But if I find out you’re lying, I’m gonna fuck that goddess of yours until she’s in pieces, and then, I’ll personally save your cock and balls as souvenirs when your brother cuts them clean off your bullshitting corpse.”

  My lips thinned. My nostrils flared. I’d never permitted such disrespect, such fucking insubordination. A few months ago, if anyone had ever dared speak to me that way their tongue would’ve been shoved up their ass. Literally.

  Turned out being in love had made me goddamn weak.

  Swallowing back my rage, I snapped, “Go to my safe and then you’ll owe me a fucking apology.”

  “We’ll see.” The guy snorted. “You two stay here. Watch them. I’ll go see if he’s telling the truth.”

  “Fine.” The copper-haired one nodded. He crossed his arms, his gun dangling mockingly in his hand. “We’ll just have a nice chat while we wait.”

  Eleanor almost slipped from my grip, her legs finally giving out. I clutched her close, my belly tense and leg pounding with pain.

  Shit, I need them all to go.

  She’d reached her limit. Her heat scoured my spine. Her lewdness and longing made my own spring fierce and greedy. I couldn’t get her off this island, but I could help her escape it through an orgasm or two.

  Would she cope waiting a bit longer? Would her heart remain intact?

  Pika flew in through the open sliders, his glinting green feathers snapping with temper. He squawked, stealing the attention of the two men while the third rolled his eyes and headed to the door they’d broken down.

  Eleanor quaked behind me, her gaze tracking Pika as he flew wildly around the room. She hissed between her teeth. I didn’t know if it was in grief for Skittles or the unravelling of her self-control.

  Her weight became heavier as she tried to slither to the floor.

  Pika cawed and fluttered to the rafters, glaring at me with disapproving black eyes, almost as if he knew what I’d bribed and why.

  If I had spare energy, I’d give him the finger—for his judgment and the fact that he hadn’t stayed away like I’d hoped.

  Eleanor groaned, jerking in my hold and falling backward. I spun to catch her, ignoring the two men and their guns watching our every move.

  My heart fisted as her face scrunched up in agony. Her hands balled and wedged into her chest as if the elixir had formed a nucleus directly behind her ribs. Her skin gleamed with seawater and sweat, her hair tangled and ropy over her arms and shoulders.

  She looked as if I’d caught her in a fishing net and dragged her from the deep. Dragged her into a world where she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t function, couldn’t survive.

  Fuck, I’m so sorry, Jinx.

  Letting her fold to the floor, I glowered over my shoulder at the two remaining mercenaries, my eyesight flickered and faltered. “Do you give me your word that you won’t interfere while
you wait for your bribe?”

  They snickered as Eleanor lost another element of her control, her hands splaying from fists to squeezing her breasts. “Dunno, depends how much of a show we’re about to get.”

  “Vow you won’t touch her, and I promise I won’t kill you.”

  The copper-haired one raised his gun. “Yeah, good luck trying to kill us, mate.”

  “I killed four of you with my hands tied. I wouldn’t fucking push me where this woman is concerned.”

  Looking back at Eleanor, her skin pale and washed out, her lips bright red from being bitten, her nipples peaked, and lust gleaming on her inner thigh, I pushed damp hair behind her ears and cupped her cheeks. “I’m going to keep you safe; I swear it.”

  Her eyes flashed open with grey lightning bolts. If her body didn’t portray her need, her gaze was excruciating hunger. “Sully...”

  Her hands landed on my wrists as I held her cheeks. Her touch was fire, her skin was fire, her very fucking soul was fire, and I threw myself into it. If she could survive what I’d done to her, then I could survive taking care of her.

  With a heart-breaking groan, her hands slipped from my wrists and slid down her front. She hung her head in utmost shame, burying her face into my palms as she lost the final battle and reached to administer self-pleasure.

  I caught her hand.

  Not to prevent her from a release she so badly needed, but to protect her from the motherfucking bastards behind me.

  “Come on.” Hauling my rapidly failing frame upward, I bent and somehow found the energy to pick her up. Hoisting her higher into my arms, I glared at the two men. “Stay there.” Not waiting for their reply, I strode into the master bedroom.

  I tripped as my leg reminded me that stitches, glue, and nanobots couldn’t repair a harpoon hole in just a few hours. That I was pushing myself to a limit I might not return from.

  The bed beckoned.

  The moment Eleanor noticed it, she bucked in my embrace. “Yes, oh, God. Please. I need it. I’m not feeling...” Her eyes snapped closed before flaring wide again. “It hurts, Sully.”

  Fear filled me. “Hurts? What hurts?” I almost dropped her as she spasmed again.

  “Everything.” She stiffened as her fingers pinched her nipples and her legs scissored in my hold. “My blood, my breath, my heart.”