by Piper Stone
“Be careful, Gregory. You need certain influencers in your corner. I’d keep that in mind,” the senator said before snorting.
I turned my head slowly, allowing him to fully understand my irritation.
His eyes opened wide, an actual quiver occurring in the corner of his mouth. After a few seconds, he released his hold, acting as if he wanted to rub his fingerprints off my suit jacket. I lifted my glass in appreciation, giving him my million-dollar smile.
I hated assholes who assumed.
When he moved away, I tossed back the rest of my drink, slamming the glass onto the nearest table before walking closer to the stage. During the next few minutes, I was completely pulled into the dancer’s performance, the woman capable of stirring a desire I rarely experienced. My cock ached, the intense throb painful. Even my breath was scattered, my desire yanking the ugly beast from its cocoon.
I found myself moving closer, the electricity soaring through my veins searing every nerve ending. Valentina was stunning with her striking platinum hair and voluptuous physique, her outfit alluring and seductive while being tasteful. Her skills equaled her beauty, although I could sense she was nervous as fuck.
When she eased onto a chair, opening her legs wide and allowing the gawking men to gather a glimpse of her lace panties, the crowd went wild. As the intense music reached a pinnacle, she leaned back, wrapping her hand around a cord dangling from the ceiling. As the last rumbling drumbeats pulsed throughout the club, she yanked on the chain.
Gallons of water rained down over her, the liquid splashing over her heated skin and for a few seconds, I could swear there was actual steam lifting toward the ceiling. While the crowd went ballistic, all I could hear was the rapid hammering of my heart, my hunger knowing no bounds.
As a rush of adrenaline flowed into my muscles, I realized the hunt had already ensued and she was my prey.
I would tease her.
Taste her.
Train her.
Fuck her.
Own her.
Then I would destroy her.
After all, she’d made the mistake of entering my world. The undercover cop had no idea that she’d just unleashed a beast.
She would soon learn.
Chapter Two
Autumn
Fear.
Adrenaline.
Excitement.
The hard deluge of sensations was a complete rush, keeping my heart racing and my entire mind spinning from what I’d just done on stage. I’d never danced in front of anyone before, let alone performing erotic seduction in close proximity to hundreds of hungry men. I was lightheaded, even giddy, although I had to remind myself that this was just an ugly game. As I walked off the platform and into the employee area behind the stage, I was surprised at the number of people behind the scenes.
I shuddered, rolling my hands through my wet hair. At least I’d adapted to the new persona, Valentina performing as the vixen hundreds of men hungered for. None of them had been able to ascertain how terrified I’d been on stage, pretending to be a talented performer.
Instead of a rather green undercover officer. I had to push my fears aside. This was a job and one I was determined to tackle. Club Darkness. I had to admit I was impressed with the operation as well as the influential clients. Various members were the who’s who of anyone important in the city.
I’d seen the tax returns of the corporation prior to my arrival, although I had to wonder how much money the club really made, likely the majority under the table. At least according to my captain. I’d been assigned to infiltrate the operation. The entire situation was one I thought I’d never find myself in. Within seconds, the high shifted into another round of anxiety, my stomach aching from embarrassment and shame.
This wasn’t me, the good girl who followed every rule, living a clean life.
Still, I had a job to do and nothing more. I wasn’t the woman who’d just bared more than her soul on stage. I was a professional who’d been tasked to bring the monsters into the light of day, ensnaring them so they could face consequences for their heinous acts. I grabbed a towel, pulling it around me. I was freezing cold, but it was all about the nerves that had finally settled in.
This entire situation was terrifying. I had no idea why I’d allowed myself to be talked into going undercover. Oh, God. What the hell was I doing here? I hated my fears, the ugly reservations that haunted me. I’d been eager at first, assuring my new captain I was right for the job. Now? Ugh.
Swallowing, I wasn’t certain I could do a second show, but if I wanted to gather any useful information tonight, I’d need to mingle with the clients. The club and all the wealthy people disgusted me. Was there anything normal in love and relationships any longer? As if I was some expert. Men weren’t my favorite topic.
I ran my hands through my wet hair for a second time, taking several deep breaths before entering into the main portion of the club. I was almost instantly paralyzed, my entire body swaying. I could feel leering eyes, men desperate to paw me. Terror gripped every nerve, ripping them apart. There were too many things that could go wrong.
Go. Go. Go.
“Fuck,” I whispered, my vision suddenly out of focus.
No, I couldn’t do this. I had no business being here. None. I was so far out of my element that I wouldn’t be able to keep up the charade. Sadly, I could hear my captain’s words in the back of my mind.
“You’re going to be made to do some uncomfortable things, possibly including aspects of BDSM. Do you think you can handle it?”
Of course, I’d assured him that I could. Being undercover meant stretching certain boundaries. My stomach lurched at the thought.
I rushed back into the employee area, heading straight for the lockers. My captain could find someone else to do this. I grabbed my purse and clothes, not bothering to change out of the ridiculous costume. Keeping my head low and holding my breath, I made my way around the stage and toward the rear exit.
The hard snag of my wrist was shocking, my yelp immediately suffocated by a large hand covering my mouth. I dropped my things, struggling against my attacker.
“I don’t think we need to cause a scene. Do you, Valentina?” His voice was husky, so seductive that the smooth velvety tones trickled along my arms and legs, wrapping around me like a heated blanket.
I shook my head, realizing exactly who he was. Oh, my God. I’d attracted the attention of one of the owners. I was in the dark and very much alone, unable to call out for help.
As if anyone would go against the ruthless Gregory Dunmore.
“I’m going to let you go. Then we’re going to have a chat, you and I. If you scream, I will resort to other methods of restraining you. If you attempt to run, trust me, you will be punished, and I don’t think you’ll enjoy what my firm hand will do to your unblemished skin. Now, my guess is that you can be a good little girl. If that’s impossible then I will have to resort to other methods of dealing with you.” The arrogant jerk did as he said, releasing his hold.
I took several shallow breaths before turning around to face him, forced to return to the act I’d been assigned to. You can do this. You can. “Mr. Dunmore. I’m sorry. Did I do something wrong?” Seeing Gregory Dunmore standing in front of me, a wry grin on his face, his chiseled features and the damn dimple in his chin, pulled me into a dangerous web. Yet his eyes were cold and unforgiving, anger represented by the way he clenched his jaw. Fuck. Had I already blown my cover? There was no way that could happen. None.
Or so I’d been assured after two full weeks of preparation, learning enough about the industry to pass for an expert. I’d been disguised and taught, given additional dance lessons and days of basic protocol within the world of men’s entertainment. As if I could consider myself ready for such a dramatic change in my lifestyle. Who was I trying to fool?
“Wrong. The word has certain difficult connotations, Valentina. Would you agree?” he asked, his heated gaze dropping to the floor. Not only was he looking at my personal items, he�
�d was studying every inch of me.
I’d never felt so vulnerable or exposed. I knew the man’s reputation, was keenly aware of what he could do. He was a violent, nasty man, one who could snap a man’s neck with a simple twist of his hand. I knew in my gut I was in over my head; however, the assignment was important to the department, and I was about ready to fuck it up. I had to find the courage that dwelled somewhere deep inside. If I didn’t, our law enforcement agency would likely never get another chance. I’d also been offered more important assignments, possibly leading to a promotion. But only if I solved this case. I’d made a single mistake and it wasn’t going to happen again. “Wrongs usually mean that the behavior or incident can be corrected. Wouldn’t you also agree?”
Inhaling, he shifted his gaze back to my eyes, studying me intently. When he smiled, the electricity crackling between us grabbed my breath, yanking me into a vacuum and one that I’d been warned about. He was far too attractive, his square jaw and the slight dimple creating a playboy vibe. Even the way he wore the dark suit couldn’t hide his incredible physique, the man rock-hard solid.
“I don’t think you’re who you pretend to be, Valentina, and that pisses me off. I assure you that you wouldn’t like that kind of rage that exudes through every pore.”
I noticed he’d lifted his gaze toward the bouncer who was obviously checking on his boss. No. No. I couldn’t have this happen. I couldn’t fail. You can do this. You can. What if they were going to make me disappear? I’d heard rumors of that nature, bits of information suggesting that the Dunmore brothers had no issue eliminating anyone who went against them. I bit my lower lip to keep from crying out.
“I’m a woman just trying to make something of herself, Mr. Dunmore. I have lots of bills, which I would hope you can understand. This is a job to me and one I take seriously. I can’t afford to lose it. That’s not a game and the only pretending I’m doing is up on that stage. I apologize if you thought otherwise. Maybe I’m just a little nervous being in a new environment.” When he said nothing, the bouncer moving in our direction, I pushed the envelope as far as I could stand to. “It’s obvious I have to prove my worth to you. What can I do? There has to be something.”
Five seconds passed and I was still holding my breath.
Ten seconds and a bead of perspiration tried to slither down the side of my face. A cold shiver trickled down my spine as I studied his hard expression. I refused to blink or show any sign of weakness.
“Interesting that you were leaving,” he stated as he moved to collect my things. When he handed them to me, our fingers touched, and I was forced to suck in my breath.
“I was only required to dance one time tonight.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Even if that were true, you are required to ignite the audience further, enticing their every raging desire. Our clients have very specialized tastes, Valentina. You didn’t follow the rules.”
“I’m... sorry. I must have gotten confused.”
“Hhhmmm...” After waving off the burly man, Gregory inched closer, brushing a strand of wet hair from my face. I could smell the scotch he’d been drinking as well as the musky cologne, both scents filling my nostrils and fueling the embers hiding in the darkest pit of my body.
I shouldn’t be attracted to him, yet my body was screaming for him to touch me.
“Have a drink with me,” he whispered, but his words weren’t a request. They were a command.
“Of course.” I offered a slight smile when he eased back, the tips of his fingers trailing down the side of my face.
He walked ahead, nodding to several of the customers out of respect before heading to a larger table.
I sensed we were being watched and not only by the bouncers and other employees. While I hadn’t been in town long, I’d been a quick study in the major players, able to recognize a significant number of them. The room was filled with an astonishing number of the rich and famous.
And the notorious.
I’d already made mental note about several of them and I would finish my report later. For now, I would continue pretending I wasn’t an undercover officer with the Washington DC police department. I placed my things on the floor since there were only two chairs at the table.
Within seconds, two drinks were placed on the table, including a glass of red wine. My favorite. Nowhere on any of the multiple applications and pieces of papers that I’d been forced to sign before being hired had it asked about my taste in drinks. Even through Gregory continued scanning the perimeter, there was no doubt he was watching my every move.
Looking for a mistake.
All I wanted to do was get out of the costume and hunker down in the shared dressing room until I was required to go back on stage. I had a feeling neither was going to happen.
“I don’t like liars, Valentina, above all things. I find them reprehensible,” he said in a perfunctory manner.
“I’m not lying to you, Mr. Dunmore. I’ve been trying to find another job, but DC certainly isn’t friendly to newcomers.”
He turned his head slowly to face me. “You’re forthright without bullshit, traits I find surprising and admirable. However, if I find out you are lying to me, you will face a level of punishment that you certainly won’t like. With that being said, you made a serious mistake, one that you are going to have to pay for.”
My heart shifted into my throat, my mouth suddenly dry. “I don’t understand.”
“I think that you do. In fact, I think you’re a woman who not only respects rules and regulations but requires them in her life. If you’re who you say you are, you will accept your punishment then we will move on.”
My God. The man wasn’t merely putting me on the spot. He was testing my resolve.
Gregory turned his attention toward the stage, a smirk riding his handsome face. I’d learned all about his merciless activities, his barbaric attitudes toward women in particular. I’d pushed it aside, but I was beginning to wonder whether I could tolerate his holier than thou bullshit. I had to fight the woman inside not to get up and race out of the club.
Although I had the distinct feeling that he’d follow me. Either him or one of his massive goons. I sat quickly, swirling the wine while I took several deep breaths. “I don’t know what you expect of me, Mr. Dunmore, but I’ve already apologized. If you need to dock my pay, I will certainly understand.”
“Money isn’t the reason you came to work for me, Valentina. You and I both know that. You need to experience the hidden side of you, the very darkness that has been eating at you for years. You’ve never been able to face the woman locked in a cage, the one begging to be freed. You simply go about your life playing a good girl while the woman inside slowly fades away, succumbing to the necessities of life. How very sad.”
I was shocked given his husky tone that I’d been able to hear his words, especially since he hadn’t bothered to look in my direction. But I’d heard every one of them, the sentiment slinking into all the very dark crevices he seemed to know existed. This was some kind of a cruel game to him. God, I hated him, and his bullshit already tested my resolve, yanking it back exactly where it needed to be in order to perform my job.
I refused to let the fucker hurt anyone else, including women who didn’t deserve to deal with nasty men who had to pay to keep themselves entertained.
“You know nothing about me, Mr. Dunmore. Not a single thing. I paid my way through college all on my own by taking night shifts then working my way up the ranks of a decent firm only to be tossed out. After accepting a decent position in this godforsaken town, the offer was rescinded. By that point it was too late. I was broke and living in a city that I didn’t know in hopes of making something of myself. I’m one week shy of being tossed out of my apartment, a shithole as it is anyway. Fine. This job is important to me. If I need to be punished in order to keep it, I have no problem with that. I made the mistake.”
I wasn’t certain what to expect or if he would even respond.
&
nbsp; “I appreciate your candor, Valentina, as well as your acceptance of required punishment.” His usual dark tone held something else, a vibe that I couldn’t put my finger on. He was so calm, leaning back in the chair as he sipped what was likely a hundred-dollar glass of scotch. I loathed criminals like him, the ones who truly believed their shit didn’t stink. That’s the very reason I’d accepted the opportunity.
Nothing could have prepared me for his next move; the way he shoved the glasses away before dragging me to the edge of the table. When he shoved me onto the surface, forcing me to lie down then lifting my legs, I was shaken to the utter core, unable to respond. Finally, a gasp rolled up from my throat, shock, awe, and terror rendering my training fucking useless.
Inhaling in an exaggerated fashion, he rubbed his hands on the insides of my legs as he pushed my knees against the table. Even in the shimmer of LED lighting, I was able to see his expression. Carnal. Possessive.
A man prepared to take what he wanted without hesitation.
As he wrapped his finger around my panties, snapping his wrist, I was able to figure out what he was planning.
Feasting.
No. No. The man was going to lick me here in front of everyone. I still couldn’t react although I was aware of the people around me, hungry to watch my shame. My entire body was shaking as his fingertips danced across my heated skin. Waves of goosebumps washed up from my toes and as I stared at the neon-infused lights, I let my mind leave the moment, becoming Valentina, an adaptation that I’d snagged as my own.
The woman I’d become was tough, refusing to take crap from anyone yet doing whatever it took to survive. She was bold and courageous, capable of putting a man in his place. As the tingling sensations shifted into something more heated, I closed my eyes. I would not divulge my true identity. I could do this.
Breathe and float away. Think about what you’re doing.
Gregory’s hot breath only added fuel to the fire, my skin seared from his intimate touch. When he gripped my inner thighs, holding me in position, I stiffened, biting down on my lower lip.