Dark Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel

by India Kells

  She was curious to know if she could darken his mood more, push him to unleash that part of himself he held so tight, that he was so weary of, to prove to him that even in the throes of passion, he could never hurt her.

  Her free hand grabbed his ankle, massaging his calf and swirled over the skin behind his knee before venturing up. His thighs quivered just before the muscles tightened again as her fingertips traced small patterns up to his balls. It was when she cupped them and massaged them that she knew she’d pushed him past the point of no return.

  “Ellie...”

  Threat was an undeniable undertone to his words, but she was too intrigued and only sucked him harder.

  The grip on her hair stung a little, but he didn’t force her movement. His hips jerked, but it was clear that despite the lust, he still had her wellbeing in mind.

  His body twisted as if trying to get out of her grasp, but she hooked her arm around his legs and lavished him until his body quaked in orgasm. His taste filled her mouth, and she released her grip.

  Strung tight, her body on fire despite being drenched by the shower and steam, Ellie slowly leaned back, sitting more comfortably as Sam towered over her, one hand against the wall to keep himself upright.

  Eyes closed, his body slowly calming, Ellie smiled, both admiring the man and feeling physical frustration. With the taste of Sam still on her tongue, she cupped her breast as she watched him come down from bliss. She wasn’t an exhibitionist in the least, but it was impossible to sit still or stop touching herself. The smell of sex grew stronger with the steam and battering spray, and she felt her fingers slipping through her folds before realizing she’d moved at all.

  Wet, she snaked a couple digits around her entrance before pressing her palm against her clit. The rise of pleasure felt like a release, and she’d started to lose focus when hands grabbed her hips.

  Head spinning, with water blinding her, Ellie yelped when her ass slid forward. Just as she blinked the water away, a warm tongue gave a wicked flick on her clit. As she gasped, water almost made her sputter. Only after blinking away the water she saw Sam kneeling before her, his mouth buried between her legs.

  “Shit.”

  The low growl sounded like an evil laugh, but she didn’t care if the devil had materialized before her if he could eat her pussy like that.

  His hands held her tight, his mouth skilled, he seemed to want to push her over the edge as fast and hard as possible.

  Ellie was losing control over her contorting body, attempting to get away from his assault, but surrendering to it by grabbing his slick hair and shoving his face closer.

  It didn’t take much for pleasure to explode, shattering her body and mind. Overwhelmed, Ellie barely noticed Sam abandoning his feast, but the slow breach of his cock reignited dwindling sensations.

  With a wicked twist of his hips, Sam buried himself inside her, robbing Ellie of breath. Slipping and sliding, at the mercy of the warrior, she held on to him as he pounded into her without mercy. Feet braced against the walls, Sam grunted at each thrust, his pubic bone smashing Ellie’s clit over and over again until the combined stimulation with her sensitized g-spot forced her body to succumb to another wave of mind-blowing pleasure.

  Holding onto Sam, it felt as if she were flying and falling all at the same time, and he was the only anchor to save her.

  It was the sting of Sam biting her shoulder as his orgasm took hold of him that brought her back. Ellie felt his cock jerking inside her until his muscles unlocked one by on top of her.

  His weight was soothing, reassuring, and cut too short when he disengaged, twisting to pull her on top of him.

  In the small enclosure, Ellie relaxed with the hot water pummeling her back and the still shivering male body under her.

  It was tempting to remain in this paradise and ignore reality, but Ellie remembered why she’d stepped into the shower in the first place and looked at him. “Are you reassured now?”

  It took a moment for Sam to stir, his scruffy jaw unclenching into a lopsided smile. “What?”

  It was her turn to smile and she indulged in a kiss on his pectoral. “I can survive your dark side. And to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever come that hard.”

  His silver eyes shadowed. “I held back, angel.”

  “And that proves that even when trapped in darkness, you could never hurt me. You can’t forget who you are, Sam. Deep down, I trust your heart. You forged it in the fires of hell, and it can survive anything and anyone. Please never forget that, Sam.”

  Ellie poured all the sincerity in her heart into her words, hoping they would make their way into his thick skull.

  “You’re wrong, angel. I survived my past and my father, but you’re the only one capable of wrenching my heart out of my chest and bringing me to my knees. I love you, my fairy Ellie.”

  There Sam lay, naked and expectant, and Ellie knew that even in the short time she’d known him, Sam Sarkhan had found a way through all her despair and hurt, offering her heart a haven she’d never thought possible to find.

  “I love you, too.”

  Sam gathered her up and kissed the top of her head. Ellie basked in the contact until a giggle bubbled up.

  “What?”

  Sam sounded grumpy, which only made Ellie laugh harder. “One thing’s for sure, living in luxury helps with having endless hot water in the shower. I like the idea of Finch footing that bill!”

  Sam rolled his eyes, and started to get up, steadying Ellie as she got to her feet. As he shut off the water, she grabbed a fresh towel, offering Sam one too. His smile back, he wrapped himself in a towel before reaching for her, but she evaded his hand and his eyes shone in anticipation.

  “Why don’t we verify my conclusion, over and over and over again?”

  As she disappeared into the room in a mad dash, with Sam on her heels, Ellie felt light for the first time in her life. Sam turned this lightness into newfound intensity when his fist closed on her towel before snatching it away and the lust between them burned again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was impossible for Ellie to conceive that another week had passed. Was it two or three? Or even four? This dull routine was hell on the memory and her only anchor was the movement of the sun and returning to Sam every night.

  In any other situation, she would’ve gone mad, but Ellie discovered that having a mission, even a tiny one, was enough to sustain her. Difficult didn’t begin to describe the entire situation. At first it was physically hard, as Finch through Panem, extended her task of cleaning the manor. Another crew did a lot of the work at night, but it was clear Finch liked to see her reduced to this being on her knees. When she was hard at work in some employees’ bathroom or on the dirty kitchen floor, he’d turn up and observe her with that despicable grin on his face and always departed after a lewd comment to her.

  Panem did something even worse by standing at her side and watching her work. He creeped her out even more than his boss. Both men made her shiver, but she didn’t tell Sam as he had enough to worry about, including his own sanity.

  The more time passed, the more Finch became demanding, turning into a dictator over his son. Sam was internally fighting it every step of the way, but it didn’t lessen the impact of being so close to the deranged man from sunup to sundown. Finch didn’t offer any useful information which was the biggest frustration but had started to ramble about the past. Past conquests, murders, and especially reminiscing over the times he’d abused Sam and it was tearing at the man she loved. Every night, she did all she could to erase the hardships of the day and lift his spirits, knowing that when the sun lightened the horizon, he’d walk straight back into hellfire.

  Ellie knew she had to find a way out soon. All this servitude had to show results, anything that would give them an opportunity to escape.

  On that front, she’d made some headway by being allowed access to other parts of the manor, including Finch’s quarters. It wasn’t that useful as Panem shadow
ed her every move, not letting her out of his sight.

  Even though she was under surveillance, Ellie tried to notice everything such as entrances, windows, and computers. Apart from the guards’ section, she only found two laptops: one in Finch’s office, one in Panem’s. She wasn’t surprised to discover both laptops had a password and she didn’t have the skill to do any kind of hacking. If there was anything useful in there, she hoped that Sam could find it.

  Her stomach grumbling, she looked at one of the clocks and decided to return to her room. By now, Panem had normally brought her a tray for lunch, and Ellie could use the break. A power nap normally gave her enough energy to attack the rest of the day’s work with a clear head.

  True to routine, Panem had left a covered tray on the low coffee table. The man never did anything fancy, normally cold cuts from leftovers. Not that Ellie minded, she wasn’t picky, but she had to admit, she longed for chocolate. It had been her go-to comfort food, a sort of soother. Maybe she hadn’t thought about it so far because she had Sam as her rock. As usual when her thoughts went to him, her heart warmed, and a sense of peace descended upon her.

  As if she’d conjured him up once again, Sam strolled inside their quarters, which was unusual during the day. Clad in a perfect three-piece suit that enhanced his delectable body, Ellie felt the familiar sizzle between her legs. His eyes searched for her and Sam frowned when he saw her sitting cross-legged on the floor, almost done with her food. Somehow, it always triggered him to see Ellie on her knees, especially if it wasn’t in a sexual scenario.

  “You know we have a table.”

  Ellie couldn’t help but smile as she shook her head. “Sitting on the floor on my own accord isn’t a sin. I like it, it stretches my legs and back. And if I feel too lazy, I can just roll over and fall asleep.”

  A low grumble was his answer as he sat behind her on the couch and after a quick kiss to the top of her head, started kneading her shoulders. All thoughts of food were pushed aside as she leaned into his touch. “Oh, that feels nice.”

  The male snicker behind her melted her heart. It was amazing how quickly they’d bonded. Normally, it would’ve worried her as she’d never been that close with, or open to, a man before.

  “What’s wrong? You’re tensing up. Am I hurting you?”

  Immediately, she put her hand on one of his. “No, I didn’t know I needed a back rub that much.”

  “So if it’s not the backrub, what’s going on?”

  They’d been physically open to each other, but it was still a little uncomfortable to open her heart, even if she knew that this man would never do anything to hurt her. “I was thinking that under normal circumstances we wouldn’t be together.”

  His fingers continued their delightful massage as Sam seemed to ponder her words. “Maybe you’re right. Is it serendipity, coincidence, fate? I don’t know. I’m just grateful I have you for myself.”

  He was such a caveman sometimes. “Free and depressed. Those are my strong attraction points.”

  “I think I was lucky there wasn’t a man in your life. Although I may have been tempted to snatch you anyway.”

  It was Ellie’s turn to snicker. “You’re just lucky I suck at relationships. Be warned.”

  That lightened his touch. “I disagree, but what makes you think you suck at relationships, my fairy angel?”

  Ellie could lose herself in that low comforting voice, but still, she forced an answer out. “My parents never really cared about me. It was never a family, more like an arrangement. My mother had me when she was really young, too young, and my father dropped out of school to start working. I think that in the beginning, they cared for each other, in what I imagine was puppy love, they were high school sweethearts. But as time went by, I believe they grew dissatisfied, frustrated with their situation. I was the obvious reason for their situation... I’m not saying I lacked the important stuff, but they lacked warmth, compassion. Maybe it was a blessing they placed me in foster care.”

  “Your parents may have been lacking, but your every cell is filled with compassion. You feel for others, to the point of losing yourself in the process. It’s no surprise you chose a job where you could help others.” A slight hesitation made her turn, and Sam winced. “I have something to admit. When I moved in next to you, to get closer to you, I learned you’d been put on administrative leave at work.”

  Sam didn’t ask why, but she could hear his unasked question nonetheless. Ellie didn’t want to come across as desperate to find a reason to live and have him believe she’d used him as an anchor. He’d become so much more to her than a simple mission or case. “As you said, it’s hard work. I think I overdid it.”

  With a low hum, Sam seemed to accept her explanation, but for good measure, Ellie changed the subject. “How has your day been so far? Any headway?”

  The mix of a sigh and a snort coming from behind her was revealing. “I thought so when Finch asked me to sort through some paperwork. I thought he was beginning to trust me, but I’m only given piles of bills, and the only bit of useful information was the address for this place.”

  Interested, Ellie moved from the floor to sit beside him on the more comfortable couch. “What kind of bills?”

  Sam shrugged, taking one of her hands in his, tracing the skin idly with his fingers. “Water, electricity, taxes, food... you name it, it’s probably there. What surprises me is that the house is under some obscure company name, one that probably escaped scrutiny when the authorities were hunting for Finch. He’s kept afloat despite it all, which is amazing in and of itself. He’s also owned this house for years, way before he established himself as a political and business figure in the city.”

  Ellie pondered on that. “Maybe this house means something to him. It might be the reason he’s kept it for so long.”

  This time, the derision in Sam’s tone was undeniable. “Finch is anything but sentimental.”

  “Okay, so if it’s not because he likes the place, there must be another reason. Nothing stood out to you in all those invoices and bills?”

  “It gave me the approximative number of staff he employs, which is less than what it appears, but there’s still enough that we need to have a plan before stepping out that door. I tried to memorize account numbers, but I doubt it will be worth it.” Sam hesitated for a second before continuing. “One thing caught my attention, but I don’t know what it means, or if it’s information at all. The electricity bill is high. Unusually high, even for a mansion of this size.”

  “High? The lights are on in the communal areas, but I haven’t seen anything capable of drawing a lot of energy. Although I haven’t had access to every room here.”

  “You probably know more about the layout of the building than I do. But you’re right. I haven’t seen anything justifying that expense.”

  Ellie nodded, but stayed silent, trying to come up with an idea or a suggestion. “Could other houses be connected to the mansion?”

  Sam didn’t seem to consider that option. “I don’t see why or how he’d do it. And his neighbors are quite a distance away and just as rich. Why would they want to do that?”

  “If it’s not coming from outside, it’s coming from inside. I haven’t seen any external buildings on the property, so the only place that’s left is the basement. I’ve seen what I think is the basement door. There are probably other access points, but the door I saw was in the employees’ section.”

  “Finch keeps me in his office.”

  Ellie felt an idea starting to form. “But not me. Panem has sent me to new parts of the house to clean, and his surveillance isn’t as intense as it was a few weeks back.”

  Sam’s face darkened at her suggestion. “No way. You’re not an agent. You’d be taking too high of a risk. We don’t know what’s under the house or if it’s guarded. Hell, maybe there’s guards down there.”

  It was clear that Sam was shutting the option down hard, so hard that when she opened her mouth to argue, he squeezed her han
d.

  A quick look at the clock slammed the door on their conversation. Sam stood, and with a last kiss, he was out the door.

  Ellie sat back on the floor, the last scraps of her lunch forgotten, her mind circling around that seed of an idea Sam had planted. It was a bad idea, but at least it was a possibility. And what did they have to lose?

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ellie had never felt more anxious in her life. Since her discussion with Sam a few days before, she couldn’t think about anything but exploring the basement.

  As she’d told Sam, she’d seen the door, and it wasn’t a surprise that not only was it locked, it used some sort of fob.

  It confirmed that whatever was downstairs was worth protecting. It took a lot of patience watching the guards pass through the employees’ area as she was busy cleaning to check if any of them had an access chip, but from what she could see, they appeared to use standard keys. Apart from the keypad alarm near the entrance, the remaining security was quite basic. Not that she was an expert, but Sam had reluctantly agreed with her observations in a previous discussion that he’d quickly ended for a more pleasurable form of communication.

  It wasn’t much of a leap to deduce that only Finch, and maybe Panem, had access to the basement.

  The surveillance on her had lessened. Panem was still popping out of nowhere to check on her, but it wasn’t as intense as in the beginning. They’d also assigned her new spaces including the offices, first Finch’s, then Panem’s, and finally the head of security’s office, which was further proof they thought she was under control.

  As for Finch, she knew he liked to see her in such a subservient position, especially when Sam was in the room, and it was one of the reasons why Ellie made sure to finish her work as quickly as possible in that zone. She wanted to spare him the pain of having to see her on her hands and knees.