by Sam Crescent
She swallowed hard, not willing to give him the satisfaction. Inside, she was screaming, yes, yes, yes!
He began teasing the shell of her ear with his tongue. “You tell me when you’re ready, baby girl. I promise you won’t regret it.” He moved his hands, cupping her ass with both of them, pulling her against his impressive cock. He never stopped kissing her—her jaw, her neck, then back to her lips. This time, she draped her arms around him, their kiss deepening. She panted and mewled, rubbing her body against him, not to seduce, but because she needed more of him.
She was close to begging, her entire body craving everything Boss.
“It’s a long flight. How about you take a quick shower?” He unzipped the front of her leather corset, taking his time, revealing her satin bra. He trailed a finger down the center of her cleavage and she shivered involuntarily. “Such a beautiful body. I want it to be mine.”
Graciella looked down. What was he talking about? There were so many old cigarette burns on her breasts. All her confidence was a façade.
He peeled the cup of one bra down, giving her time to protest—she didn’t. Her nipple was pebbled and aching for attention. She held her breath as he went down on her, covering her breast with his hot mouth. The strength in her legs gave out, so he hoisted her up. She wrapped herself around him as he carried her back to the counter. Why wasn’t he continuing what he started? She felt like she’d spontaneously combust at any second.
“I want to fuck you so bad right now,” he said. Instead of bringing her to his bed as she hoped he would, he combed both hands into her hair, securing her head. That fire was back in his eyes. “But business first. What did you tell Viko?”
Disappointment assaulted her.
She exhaled and panted for breath. There was no disguising her need.
“He’s taking the next flight to the Dominican. He wants to ensure the hit is done. He needs to satisfy his own demons.”
“Next time, keep him out of it. Do you understand? The only reason he allows you to live is out of pity. If you think otherwise, you’re living a pipe dream.”
“I’m not in love with Viko.”
She wasn’t.
He was a means to get what she needed, and there were many days she regretted asking for his help. Being indebted to anyone was the last thing she wanted in her life.
“I never said you were. But I don’t want you disillusioned by him.”
“What about you, Boss? Should I trust you with my body? With my heart?”
There were heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, stealing the moment.
Boss frowned then zipped up her shirt for her. “Your brother is really starting to piss me off.”
Chapter Eight
“I’m sorry,” Graciella said a couple of hours later, not for the first time. She even clenched her teeth when she said it. No matter how she spoke, she always seemed to struggle with those two simple words. Now, he just found it funny to actually listen to her struggle.
It was cute.
While the rest of his men had gotten a hotel room, Graciella included, she’d snuck into his.
Standing at the bar in his hotel room, Boss stared at his problem. He took a cleansing breath and dropped two ice cubes into a glass with a clink. He should have known to quickly check his flight to see if there was a problem the moment he got wind of Viko knowing about the scientist. He was pissed.
This was his hit, his plan. His everything. He’d wanted to be the one to save her. To finally end the demons chasing her. She was a woman made of ice but there was a heart in there somewhere. It was killing her to know people were dying. People like Bain who might mistake the drugs for mints and take them.
It was so fucking stupid. When he did save Bain, he was going to put him through an intense course of “don’t fucking take shit you don’t recognize.”
“Boss, come on,” she said.
“What do you want from me?” he asked. “You called Viko. He decided to ground me, to take out my pilot, our flight, and to deal with this shit on his own. The last time I checked, the Circle of Monsters didn’t have our finesse, so our scientist would get wind of not one, but two organizations after him. He’s probably already fleeing the country. My element of surprise is fucked!”
“Boss, I’m sorry.”
He advanced toward her. “You’re used to being on your own.” She took a step back. “When you’re in my world, you work as a team.”
“Working as a team gets you dead.”
“Xavier used to think that and now he’s a team player. You should try it sometime.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you.” The wall stopped her leave. He slammed his hands at either side of her head. He knew they weren’t evenly matched. The Widow Maker was good, but she wasn’t him. Not even close. He was the best. He’d owned the title for many years, and he would continue to do so until someone put a bullet in his head.
“No, like always, you’re going to piss me off and run away. That’s your MO. It’s what you do, always. All you will do. You know why? Because you’re afraid.”
“How dare you.”
“How dare I? How fucking dare you,” he said. “You come into my world. Turn it fucking upside down, and now the kill I can make to help you, you turn it over to a man who doesn’t have my skill.”
She paused. “What?”
“You heard me.” He wasn’t in the habit of repeating himself and he wasn’t about to start now.
He was so close to offering her salvation. Damn it, he could taste it. This science guy, he had a reputation for dirty deals. Did Graciella even know that? Was she aware that there was a reason the son of bitch was willing to make her drugs?
Staring at her now, he wanted to hold her. To kiss her. To fuck her senseless. It was on her. He wouldn’t touch her again, not until she begged him for it.
“This is all for Bain,” she said.
“Not all of it. Capturing your scientist, getting the antidote from him, that will be saving Bain. Killing him is all for you. I hunted him for you.”
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“But, I’m not a nice person. I’m really not.” She cleared her throat and he cupped her face.
“Look at me, Graciella.”
She tilted her head back but her eyes were closed. Always rebelling.
He pressed a kiss to each of her eyelids. As much as he was pissed off, he wasn’t going to hurt her. He couldn’t. Boss pulled away and was surprised to see tears.
“Why are you crying?”
“I can’t help it.”
Boss stepped away.
A couple of tears slowly traced down her cheeks but she gave no other sign of emotion.
“I don’t know what’s going on right now,” he said.
“I … no one has ever done anything like that for me before. I’m not used to it.” She licked her lips. “I’ve been on my own for so long.”
“You’re not on your own.”
“All you want from me is to join you.” She swiped at her cheeks as if the tears offended her. “This is so stupid.”
“You think that’s all I care about?” he asked.
“Isn’t it? You’re not trying to grow your little clique?”
He scoffed. “We’re not in high school. Yes, I want you as part of Killer of Kings, but not just because you’re a good assassin.” He had to touch her. Running his thumb across her bottom lip, he wanted to taste her. Instead, he stared into her eyes, trying to keep his wits about him. “I want to keep an eye on you, Graciella. I don’t know what it is you’ve done to me, but I can’t help but want to take care of you.”
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
He laughed. “I don’t think of you as a child. Believe me, I don’t.” He pressed his rock-hard cock against her. “Feel that. Feel me. This is what you do to me. I can’t seem to control myself around you and it fucking does my head in. I’m a man of self-control.”
She took him b
y surprise as she wrapped her arms around his neck and slammed her lips against his. He tasted the saltiness of her tears. He wrapped his arms around her, one going to her ass, lifting her up, and resting her against the wall.
Her legs went around his waist and he was nestled right against her core. She felt so fucking good.
She traced her tongue across his lips and he opened up, deepening the kiss. This woman was running riot with his emotions. One moment he was pissed and wanted to throttle her, the next, he couldn’t get enough of her and wanted nothing more than to fuck her.
The kiss slowly eased, the passion not dying but Graciella pulling away. She released his waist, putting her legs back to the ground.
“I’ve never had a man put my needs first,” she said. Her hand touched his lips. “I enjoy kissing you. I think you’re the first man in my entire life that I’ve kissed and really enjoyed it.”
“Graciella?”
“I told Viko because I want him to be in your debt. I don’t want him to put your head up for bounty and if you piss him off, he will do it.” She licked her lips and stepped back. “I don’t … I’m not used to having people care. I know my brother does and I … I love him too, but it’s not the same.” She took a deep breath. “I hope one day you can understand, and I’m sorry. If Viko gets the scientist, he did promise he’d give you the antidote.”
“You shouldn’t have done it.”
“I know, but for your safety, I’d do it again.” She walked away and headed to the door.
He wanted to stop her but knew that kiss alone was more than she’d been willing to give at some point. Beneath all the confidence was a broken soul. This was her attempt to reach out.
She opened the door.
“Thank you,” he said.
She lifted her head and nodded.
“Let’s hope you didn’t fuck up and kill Bain in the process.”
He watched her take a deep breath. “I … I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t believe in him, Boss. I know he’s an asshole and he does things differently, but he’s a good man. To a certain extent.”
Boss watched her as she closed the door.
When he got his hands on Viko, that fucker was going to die.
Just as he was about to finish dressing, another knock came at his door. He wasn’t in the mood for company. He was already on a clock, and right now, he was behind schedule. His arms dealer was calling him within the hour to make new arrangements. There was a lot to get done before they stormed the warehouse.
Bain’s life hung in the balance.
“Come in,” he said.
Xavier entered.
“What now?” he asked.
“I saw my sister leave.”
“And if you have an issue, go and see her.”
“I know something’s going on between the two of you.”
Boss laughed, but it wasn’t a happy sound.
“And? What do you want me to do? I’m your boss and the last time I checked, your sister was of age. If she didn’t want anything to happen, she could end my fucking life.” He was done playing nice.
“Boss, I get that she can handle herself. I’ve only just got her back and I’m worried.”
“You really think I’m going to be the one to drive her away?” Boss asked.
“It’s what I’m worried about.”
“Look, Xavier, I get it. You’re worried about her, but right now, Bain’s in the hospital dying. My guys are doing everything they can to try and prolong his life. What happens between Graciella and me is our business. I’m not going to confer with you, but what I will tell you is everything I do with her, I will never hurt her. You have my word.”
“The thing is, Boss, you use people.”
“And you think the Widow Maker doesn’t?” he asked. He was fast losing patience. All he wanted to do was have a drink and reorganize his plan. None of that was working for him right now.
“She’s more than that,” Xavier said.
“I know. Now get the fuck out of my room so I can clean up her mess and whatever fuckup Viko has made.” He went to his door, opened it, determined to clean everything so everyone fucking lived.
Being the head of Killer of Kings was starting to make him feel more and more like a parent of spoiled little brats.
****
Graciella had hoped Viko wouldn’t let his emotions get the better of him, but as they arrived at the location Boss had, it looked like that was very much not the case.
Not only was there no sign of the scientist, but Viko was also there with a mostly empty bottle of whiskey, and a gun, and it was aimed at all of them.
“I should have known you’d be on their side,” Viko said.
It was rare for Viko to lose control.
She kept her gaze on him. His men stood behind him, hand on their guns, ready to shoot.
“I take it you didn’t make your fucking arrival confidential?” Boss asked, stepping away from them and glancing around the factory. There were a few packets on the floor, but it looked like it had been packed up fast.
The operation wasn’t as big as she imagined it would be. The factory itself was small compared to most.
Viko burst out laughing, the sound of a crazed man.
The journey to the Dominican had been uncomfortable. None of the Killer of Kings wanted to talk to her. Even Boss had focused on his laptop, not giving her a single glance.
She should be pissed off.
Instead, she just stared out of the window and chanted to herself how safe it was to be on the airplane. She hated flying.
Hated it, despised it, often had nightmares of the plane going down into waters and being swallowed whole by a giant octopus, or eaten by piranhas. She very much preferred driving. Something to stay on the ground. Nice firm ground.
“Go ahead, Boss, shoot me. You and your boys want to do it. Go ahead,” Viko said. “What about you, Graciella? Want to shoot me?”
“Not today.”
He snorted and lifted his gun. It was pointed at her forehead.
She looked at him. There was an especially sore spot within her when it came to drunks. Men used alcohol as an excuse for their vile behavior. There was no fear inside her, only acceptance.
“I should kill you,” he said.
Graciella didn’t need to look back to know the Killer of Kings were tensed and poised. She didn’t reach for her gun. She knew Viko, not intimately, but enough to know he wasn’t going to shoot her.
“Go ahead.”
“You told me that son of a bitch was here!”
“He was here,” Boss said. He had his gun out. “You kill her and that’s it, it’s over.”
“We’ll have a good old-fashioned shootout. You think you’ll make it out alive, Boss? You’re good. Maybe you’re better than me, but I always have a plan. I have a lot of fucking plans in place and if you kill me, I’ll make sure you don’t get to sleep without someone breathing down your neck. I wonder how the Killer leader would be after weeks of no sleep. That calm exterior would certainly crumble.”
“Viko, we will find him,” she said.
His hand hadn’t wavered.
“We will.”
His jaw clenched. She saw the man slowly falling apart. “You know it was a thing of beauty. Your plan. Killing your enemies with their own product. I never had such vision. Sure, I’ve killed a lot of people but yours, yours was poetry. They got to see you and know what you’d done. You got your perfect revenge.”
“I know.”
“I never… It was supposed to fucking end there.”
“I know. I didn’t anticipate what happened,” she said.
“I should have known. She would—” Viko didn’t finish. Still, his hand didn’t shake. She took a step toward him.
This was the first time in all the years she’d known Viko that she’d seen any kind of real emotion. He’d always been stone cold. Alcohol had a way of pulling demons to the surface.
“She’d still be alive,” sh
e finished for him.
“Graciella?” Xavier said.
She ignored her brother’s warning or Boss’s cleared throat. Going to one knee, she did something she never thought she would do, she hugged Viko. He didn’t touch her. The gun was still trained in the air.
“You!” He growled the word.
She held him a little tighter.
Boss nor Xavier understood. Yes, she hated Viko with a passion, was indebted to him, but in a weird kind of way, he was also her friend. They’d been through a lot together.
“I killed her,” he said.
“You didn’t.”
“It’s my job to save her. My job!” His gun dropped as did the bottle and his arms went limp. The scent of expensive whiskey wafted up as it spilled across the concrete floor.
“I know,” Graciella said.
She’d never met Viko’s daughter. That was how protective he was of her, but she’d gotten glimpses of his little princess. The only person close to his heart. There had been rumors he had a wife at one point, or a whore. The information about him was as vague as Boss’s.
“What is going on right now?” Killian asked.
“I don’t know,” Xavier said.
Silence rang out.
Time passed.
She didn’t know how much time but she sensed the impatience of the men, and it was increasing with every passing minute.
Bain would die.
Viko pulled away and stood up. There were no tears. Of course, there weren’t. He looked away.
“I don’t have time for this shit,” Boss said. “I get it, you lost someone important to you. You think the Circle of Monsters can handle this shit? You guys are known for creating an entrance. What this needed was fucking delicacy, which you don’t have.”
Viko glared at him.
“I heard about Bain,” Viko said. “My daughter, she was … she was young when she was given the drugs. I’ve been hunting this son of a bitch for some time.” He put his hands on his hips.
“Well, maybe it’s time for you to back away and not to do any of this shit anymore,” he said. “You’re clearly too close to it all.”