Seized: A Rough Romance

by Piper Stone

  “Is that why you accepted work from Carter?” he asked gently.

  They were on a first name basis. That confirmed this was entirely personal. I doubted Mr. Bradley would be best buddies with the three of them. “If by accepting work you mean taking the job that he offered me to be his assistant, then yes. Well, mostly yes. The diner was... difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind hard work of any kind, but the kind of people I met were horrible. I knew the end was close. I’m not cut out to take abuse from men.” I shoved yet another nasty thought aside. Rafael certainly wasn’t going to be my friend.

  “Carter is certainly a tough man.”

  “I think you’re being far too kind. You should try working for him. He’s a bastard,” I stated without giving my words a second thought then laughed, my reaction allowing him to do the same. “I’m not sorry. He’s insufferable and rude, nasty to everyone, including his clients. I have no idea how he became a multimillionaire.”

  “You don’t have to be sorry. I’ve wondered that myself as well as why Sawyer wanted to go into business with him.”

  I was shocked that he’d allowed some information to escape. “I had no idea.”

  “I believe you.” He gave me a heated look.

  Maybe I could glean enough information to figure out what the hell was going on. “From what I can tell about Sawyer, he’s not in the same class as Mr. Bradley. And I don’t mean that in a negative manner. Carter is pompous, enjoying all the perks that he’s provided. Sawyer seems more down to earth. I’ve never heard his name mentioned, although Carter doesn’t consider me a part of his inner sanctum.”

  “Inner sanctum. A fascinating choice of words. I know exactly what Carter does for a living, Delaney. I also know that he prefers to crush his competition if not steal from them, even if that’s from someone who trusted him. That’s how he made his millions.” He took a long swig of his drink, the action allowing me to glance in his direction.

  His anger was evident, the veins on the side of his neck popping.

  “What did he do to Sawyer?” I dared to ask. “I’d like to help if I can. There’s no love lost with my relationship with Carter. If he’s done something wrong, I’ll do what is necessary to make him pay.”

  “Nice try.” His words were almost inaudible.

  “I’m serious. I know you don’t know me, but I am an honorable person.”

  He took a few seconds before answering, crowding closer to me, his expression harsh. “I’m no longer certain there is such a thing as honor. Make no mistake, Delaney. We’re not your friends. In fact, we’re very bad men who attempted to make something good out of the shit lives we’d been dealt. All three of us. Unfortunately, Sawyer got the rug pulled out from under him and we’re going to help him right wrongs. You can pretend that you’re not special to Carter if you want to. I would do the same. What I do know is that you’re just a possession to him, something you should keep in mind.”

  “You don’t understand my relationship with him at all.”

  “I think I do. You’re trying to save your ass and I don’t blame you.” He took a deep breath before gazing all the way down to my bare feet. “You have a nice ass to save, but unless you tell us something useful, that’s not likely to happen. I suggest you answer Sawyer’s questions when he asks them. That will make it go a lot easier for you.”

  “And you can threaten me all you want, but I have no idea what might have happened to Sawyer. Carter doesn’t allow me to be privy to any secured information on his company and I assure you that almost no one talks to me inside the hallowed walls of the corporate building. The employees see me as his righthand lady, just like you do, which is ridiculous. However, I might be able to help your predicament if you tell me who the fuck you really are. Who knows?”

  He kept his eyes on me as he polished off the drink, leaning over until he was able to whisper in my ear, “I hope you can provide something that will help us. People like Carter squash anyone who attempts to take away their power and glory. He deserves to be brought down. Crushed.”

  When he walked toward the door, my frustration flew off the charts even as I shivered. “The entire world isn’t full of assholes and thieves. Well, at least not all of it. Some of us still have honor and a belief in the good of mankind. Maybe all three of you have lost your way, but I refuse to, even though the hand I was dealt wasn’t exactly what I wanted either. My parents weren’t even thrilled that I was born. I made my way in the world and I still intend on doing so. There’s nothing you or the others can do to break me.”

  Rafael exhaled, narrowing his eyes. “I have no intention of allowing Sawyer to break you, but you will provide every detail that you know.”

  “Damn you,” I hissed, raking my hand through my hair. There was nothing I could say to convince them. If only I could confront Carter myself. “Maybe you can tell your buddy that I’m not your enemy.”

  “At this point, everyone is our enemy, including you.”

  The anger continued to build within me. Fuck him. Fuck all of them.

  “Can I at least take a damn shower or a bath? I’d like to wash the wretched stink of the three of you off my body. Or is that too intimate for you to hear?”

  I was surprised when he didn’t yank me by the neck or even worse.

  “That’s acceptable. I’ll take you to your room where you will stay until summoned,” he said in an almost perfunctory manner.

  Summoned. I glared at him, trying to find some reason that was acceptable as to why he was a part of this. I couldn’t. “Fine,” I snarked.

  I trailed behind him and into the same bedroom where I’d been allowed to change. When he closed the door, I realized the lock I’d seen was on the outside. They’d even altered the house, preparing for me to be captured like some wretched criminal. I stood in the same place for a full two minutes before gulping the rest of my drink and slamming the glass down onto what had to be a terribly expensive dresser. Then I lunged for the door, banging my hands against the solid wood.

  “Let me out of here!” My shouts would go nowhere in a house of this size. A single tear slipped past my lashes as I slowly slid to the floor. I had no idea what to do. I wrapped my arms around my knees, slowly going through the mental exercise of what I’d been working on at the office.

  Sawyer’s name continued to ring a bell, but for what reason? Maybe I was just a naïve and stupid girl, accepting a position when I’d learned only surface information about the company. Bradley Enterprises had been highlighted in various upscale magazines, the product they were selling considered topnotch. I’d had no reason to look for dirty little secrets.

  And obviously there were several.

  After a few seconds, I realized chastising myself wasn’t getting me anywhere. I shifted toward my suitcase, yanking out my toiletry bag. At least I would be able to take a bath. I rushed into the bathroom, continuing to marvel at the way people lived. A lush lifestyle for the rich and famous. A house with at least ten bedrooms for a man who didn’t have a wife or children. That was little more than greed.

  I allowed my anger to remain as I turned on water in the massive soaking tub, digging through the cabinets until I found bubble bath, one of four bottles. Somehow, I doubted Carter actually took a bath. Maybe he had lady friends here on a regular basis.

  Like his damn girlfriend.

  After finding the softest and largest towel, I stripped away my clothes, tossing them into a corner. I would burn every single piece before wearing them again. The moment I stepped into the tub, I regretted not asking for a refill on the drink.

  Even sinking down into the water was nothing but an ugly reminder of what I’d been through, my bottom instantly on fire. Another round of anger surfaced within me, my cheeks flaring from the same level of embarrassment as I’d felt before. Why? Why in God’s name should I have any reason to feel that way?

  Because you enjoyed their rough treatment.

  The words popped into my mind, still managing to catch me of
f guard. Was that truly accurate? Was I some kind of weirdo chick who’d fantasized about not just one but three men stealing her innocence? I laughed bitterly, sinking further into the water. As if anyone could call me innocent.

  Still shuddering, I closed my eyes, finding the ability to languish in the warm water, even if my butt continued to sting. My thoughts drifted to one of the statements I’d overheard in Carter’s office.

  “No one threatens me, Bart. No one. I’m finished with playing these fucking games, which is why I also refuse to accept any additional incompetence, lies, or criminal activities from our employees. You know exactly how I deal with threats.”

  I’d suspected that Carter was even more ruthless in his activities than he’d allowed me to see. However, he’d done nothing overt since I’d been hired. Had he? While Carter and Bart had been working on garnering some new account for a solid three weeks, only what I’d found on the financials seemed out of the ordinary. Even then, it could have been nothing more than a software glitch.

  Except it had been only hours before having been called into Carter’s office. While I was no sleuth, there was no doubt my boss had been agitated. His voice also had held a hint of... fear. There was no other word to describe the odd tone, one I’d never heard before. Even the single bead of sweat on his forehead I’d seen after walking into his office had indicated a man on the edge.

  Was Sawyer the reason? Beautiful blond, buff Sawyer?

  “Stop,” I hissed out loud, loathing my constant draw to the three burly men.

  I tried to relax my mind, even drifting off to another place if only for a few seconds.

  A place of fantasies and pristine beaches.

  Island music.

  Rugged men.

  “Do you hunger for all three of us? Do you long to have our cocks filling every tight hole?”

  A smile crossed my face involuntarily and I didn’t realize that my hand had slipped into the water until my finger rested on my clit. I dragged my tongue across my lips as I swirled my finger around my tight bud, the dazzling sensations immediate, shooting down my legs and into my pussy. I even realized that I’d parted my legs, visions of all three men crowding my conscience.

  A single muffled moan slipped past my lips as I added a second finger, sliding it down the length of my pussy. I couldn’t stop trembling, my entire body on fire. I could almost feel the roughness of their callused fingers dancing across every inch of my skin, their heated breath drifting over my nipples.

  Electricity shot through me as I remembered Sawyer’s intense growl. The second I shoved my fingers deep into my tight channel, I bucked in the water, a new wave of current jetting through me like wildfire.

  Then there was nothing but palpable guilt soaring to an entirely new level. What the hell was I thinking? What the fuck was I doing?

  There were no sounds, no overt reason that my entire body stiffened, except I knew he was there. Watching me. Hungering for me.

  Jerking up, I gasped as I covered my breasts, glaring at the intruder with as much hatred as I could muster.

  Sawyer.

  The expression he wore was entirely different than before, more possessive, his eyes glistening as he studied me. Even the rise and fall of his chest was entirely different. There was no mistaking his desire, the bulge pushing hard against his jeans a clear indication.

  While a part of me was intrigued, the rest was incensed that he’d invaded what little space I’d been given.

  “Do you have no decency?” I barked, even folding my legs under me, the swiftness of my actions forcing a stream of water to spill over the side of the tub.

  As usual, he said very little as he stared at me, his eyes never blinking, yet they continued to roam over my body. I had no doubt he was damning me for being a part of whatever world had condemned him as well as corralling his desire.

  He remained the brooding statue, his chiseled jaw clenching as he leaned against the counter.

  “Are you here to grill me about Carter? I have nothing to say to you.” I turned away on purpose, yanking the scrubby I’d retrieved into my hands, rubbing the mesh down the length of one arm and back up the other.

  And still, he remained silent.

  “He’s not even worth talking about,” I insisted, taking shallow breaths. I made certain the water covered my aching nipples, both buds hardened by the unexplained longing that had erupted to moment I saw him. “He’s one unhappy man. That much I can tell you.”

  I heard a slight chuckle and bristled, snapping my head in his direction.

  “This isn’t funny, Sawyer. You’ve kidnapped me for reasons you won’t even disclose. Why don’t you just ask what you want to? You think I’m sleeping with him, so what does that mean even if I were? That I like some kind of kink?”

  Just the change in his expression indicated I was right.

  “You know him best,” he finally said.

  “That’s bullshit. I have no idea what Carter is into. I couldn’t care less. While you and your boys might not want to tell me anything, I couldn’t help but notice that you were searching through his things. Are you just common thieves, caught in the act by someone you didn’t expect?”

  Finally, I could see a hint of anger in his eyes. I continued to scrub, my entire body quivering from the tension sweeping into every muscle and tendon.

  “We’re no thieves,” he stated.

  “Then what are you?”

  It was apparent he had no intention of answering my questions.

  “I already told you.” Sawyer’s answer seemed as haunted as the look I’d seen on Rafael’s face.

  “Right. That you’re very bad men. That much is clear.”

  “Then you should understand.”

  “Understand what, Sawyer? That you’re hurting because of something Carter did to you years ago? That you enlisted the help of two friends to take down a man and his company, which seems on the up and up? That you don’t care that I’m your hostage?”

  His scattered exhale told me I was digging too close to the truth.

  He shifted toward the door, his shoulders heaving the moment he stopped short. “I’ll say it again. I am a bad man. I’ve done some horrible things in my life, but I’m not evil. I just want my life back.”

  “You were in prison.” The broken statement I’d half heard from Justine was beginning to make sense. “You escaped. Didn’t you?” Another wave of fear trickled down my spine, although I was beginning to believe that if he and the others had wanted to kill me, I’d already be dead.

  He didn’t bother looking in my direction before answering. “Very clever, Delaney, and you are correct. I served eighteen months.”

  Oh, God. I leaned over the tub, struggling to figure out what to say. What he must have endured during his incarceration. If Carter was responsible for helping to prosecute an innocent man, then no wonder Sawyer was risking everything, including returning to prison for a long time. Wait a minute. Every action Sawyer had shown me indicated he was guilty as fuck.

  Yet his eyes remained so damn haunting, tugging at my heartstrings.

  “I’m sorry. I wish I knew what to say to you.”

  Sawyer snorted. “There’s nothing to say, sweet sunshine. I’m a lost man, one you don’t want to get close to.”

  “Do you know what’s weird? I think deep inside that rough bravado you wear, the ridiculous swagger and cocky smile, you’re a nice guy.”

  This time, his laugh was genuine. “Then you have no clue about me.”

  “Same goes for your buddies? Are they truly horrible people? I heard Rafael is an assassin. I could imagine what Jax’s profession is.” When he hesitated, I almost pushed him further, but I waited, longing to hear his answer.

  “Rafael and Jax are much better men that I could ever be. I shouldn’t have... They’re also good at what they do, which includes interrogating people.”

  His answer told me so many things, including how loyal he was to his friends.

  “What happened
to you? What took away your humanity, your love of life? And I don’t believe it had anything to do with Carter or because you were in prison.”

  “Nothing that you can help with.”

  I noticed his clenched fists, could almost feel the obvious turmoil he’d been under. “Maybe I can if you’ll let me.”

  While he hesitated, when he laughed, the sound sent a wave of sadness directly into my heart.

  “You can’t help me. No one can. I’ll check on you later. You will need to eat. Then we are going to talk, Delaney. I’m finished with the lies.” He threw open the door, growling under his breath.

  “Don’t go!” The words blasted from my lips before I could stop them. I shifted backwards in the water, almost fearful he’d retaliate in some manner. He couldn’t give a shit whether or not I was telling him the truth. He was determined to get some kind of information out of me in order to use it against Carter, no matter what he had to do.

  Hate him. You have to hate him.

  Finally, my little voice was correct. I needed to block off everything I felt about him to protect my own sanity if nothing else.

  Then why was my body still betraying me?

  The next few seconds were stagnant, my air supply cut off completely as I held my breath.

  “Why would you want me to stay?” he asked. “I mean nothing to you. Nothing to anyone.”

  “Because I do.” I flipped my hand through the water in an attempt to draw his attention.

  I succeeded, his head slowly turning, his gaze mournful as well as ripped with lust. There was no logical reason for my actions or the same kind of desire burning within that I knew Sawyer felt. There was no logic to my longing, the collision with my increased level of guilt difficult to push aside. I wanted to feel his strong arms around me. I craved feeling his heated body crushed against mine.

  And there was nothing more I wanted than to taste his sweet lips.

  I would pay for my sins, but at this moment in time, I no longer cared. I moved to a kneeling position, allowing my breasts to breach the cover of water, both hands gripping the edge of the bathtub.