‘This war is nearly over. We just have to wait. The Riggs Crew will fall apart, and we will move in.’
‘Just like you said about the wanderers of the north,’ mocked someone else.
Jasmine’s face tensed up.
She had attempted to attain the services of the nomadic cannibal tribes in the barbaric north, but all her negotiators had come back in a body bag. The wanderers of the north had no desire to take part in politics or petty wars.
‘You said we would have an army, but we have been getting battered left, right and centre.’
‘You wiped out one of the twelve families yourself.’
‘They had defected to the Riggs Crew.’
‘And what if we want to accept peace, will you kill us, too?’
Jasmine paused for a moment.
This situation had to be handled delicately.
‘No,’ she replied, but they all knew she was lying. ‘This is not a dictatorship. If you want to join forces with the Riggs Crew, then you are more than welcomed, but let me tell you this. I will remember my friends. The Riggs Crew are in turmoil. We don’t even have to lift a finger. That family is going to destroy itself and then we can move in and take over. If you are short-sighted, then I suggest you run to the Riggs Crew right now, but if you want wealth, security and peace then stay where you are and do nothing.’
***
Horror filled her heart.
A sickening sensation pulled down on the pit of the stomach.
The movie continued to play, but she hadn’t a clue what it was about. Her mind hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything apart from the realisation of what terrible thing she had just done. River gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Ariel could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest. She actually felt like she was going to vomit.
How could she have been so unfaithful?
How could she do this to River?
It was the drugs. It was the lust dust.
No.
She wanted it. She wanted to feel wanted. She wanted to feel sexy. She wanted some male attention for once. It felt like forever since River ever looked at her with those big loving eyes. The two of them hadn’t been the same since that incident with Alisha. River stayed out of loyalty, but he had stayed with his father out of loyalty, too. Did he even love her anymore? Did that even matter? There was no justification for doing what she did. She had cheated on him. How is she ever going to be able to look him in the eye? How are the two of them ever going to have any form of relationship? Everything is ruined.
***
The laughter echoed throughout the living room. Kerry had to wipe a tear away from her eye. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed so hard. Chelsea was in hysterics on the other end of the phone. She always used to say that laughter was the best medicine and it truly was. Kerry was feeling better already.
‘I needed this,’ she said.
‘I did, too.’
‘When can I see you?’
‘How about we meet up Friday night?’ asked Chelsea.
‘That is perfect. I will make us a nice dinner. It will be like old times.’
‘I would like that.’
‘So, I will see you then?’
‘Yes. You will...’ a silence fell between them. ‘I love you, Kerry. You are the best family a woman could ever hope to have.’
Kerry allowed herself a brief smile. The feel was mutual.
‘I love you, too, Chelsea.’
‘Goodnight,’ she replied, ‘I can’t wait for Friday.’
‘Night,’ Kerry blew some kisses down the phone line. And then the line went dead. Kerry chuckled to herself, as she put down the phone. Chelsea was the best friend she could ever hope to have. And the two of them were finally going to get to have a night together. She would have to pick up something special from the shop. It had been too long since they done something nice together.
***
Silently, she pretended to sleep.
JR was practically purring like a kitten beside her.
Jillian looked at the young man for one long moment. He looked even younger when he wasn’t trying to be all cocky and strong. He actually looked like he was about seventeen years old. He had the type of face that would be instantly asked for I.D if he attempted to buy alcohol from a store. And now the two of them are lovers, or at least that is what he thinks. Was this really the right choice? Was there such a thing as the right choice anymore?
It was survival.
Jillian had to survive.
Jillian would do anything to ensure her survival.
JR was young and arrogant, but he needed help. He was craving support and guidance. Could she do that for him? If she proved her worth, then she would be more than arm candy. Her eyes fell upon the map spread across the wall. It was the map of North City. Liam had highlighted all his vaults and drug operations. It was a gold mine. She began to study each and every location. She had to memorise where they were. This week could end in numerous ways. JR could march out with an army and start a war with North City, or the whole lot of them could be dead. Jillian had to make sure she had a backup plan. Money and information were the only way to survive. She had to learn every single location of Liam’s secret hideouts.
***
The car pulled out through the fortified gates and began to speed away from the make-shift palace/fortress. Travis gave his head a quick shake. It was all going to shit. The eleven families were in turmoil. The majority wanted peace. They wanted the money that came with that peace, but more than anything they liked the idea of actually having a life to live. Day by day the Murdock Empire was losing more and more territory. Soldiers were defecting, as families began to bicker amongst themselves. There was going to be a backlash. There was no doubt about this. The time was coming. The eleven families would not stand for Jasmine’s dictatorship. Travis had to make a decision. Did he stand by her side, or did he walk away?
He would have to talk to Anne.
She would know what to do.
They were fifty-fifty partners after all.
They would make a decision together.
***
River stepped out of the bathroom, still brushing his teeth.
‘I think we should move,’ announced Ariel, she was already in bed.
She hadn’t even allowed River to see her get changed. It felt wrong to be naked around him.
‘You think we should move?’ he replied, with a mouthful of toothpaste.
‘Yes. I think new energy will do us good.’
She couldn’t really explain her real motivation. It wasn’t like she could say she gave the landlord a blowjob, and now things are a little too complicated here. River disappeared back into the bathroom.
‘Why the sudden desire to move?’
‘I have been thinking about it for a while. It might be good for us, you know? It would be a fresh start. We could use it as an opportunity to rebuild some of our damaged bridges.’
‘It’s a good idea.’
‘What about West Valley?’
River poked his head back around the doorway.
‘You want to leave North City completely?’
‘Yes,’ she replied, flatly.
‘Well, I could put in for a transfer to the West Valley superstore.’
‘Do it. I want to get out of here as soon as possible.’
‘Are you sure everything is okay?’
‘Yes.’ She rolled over onto her side and pulled the quilt up to her chin. She didn’t like the way his big teddy bear eyes were examining her face. Sometimes she actually believed he could read her mind. How disappointed he would be if he could. He would learn that she was raped by his father and had now cheated on him with the landlord. River would learn that she was a bitch. All he did was attempt to make her happy and provide her with a great life, and this is how she repaid him.
‘Okay. I will look into it.’
‘Thank you.’
River finished off what he was doing in the bathroom
and switched off the light.
‘I know things have been awkward between us, River, but I do love you.’
A sweet smile split his lips.
‘I love you, too.’
Ariel was suddenly feeling very sick.
***
Travis shuffled on the doorstep and rubbed his cold hands together. The street was vacant of any activity, but that was mostly down to the roaming security patrols in this section of town. The Borini Family controlled this area, and you got what you paid for when it came to home security. The door opened with a click.
His smile said it all.
Anne was stood before him.
She was naked.
Her nipples were already erect from the cold air.
She didn’t care who could see her. She loved doing this for him. She loved that look of surprise on his face and the whirlwind of lust that swirled behind his eyes. She stepped out and kissed him. Delicate fingers began to massage his manhood over his trousers. It was growing harder by the second. Travis opened his mouth first and welcomed her tongue inside. This is the reason he was no longer with Kerry. Anne made him happy. Anne made him feel drunk with love. Anne fucked him like no other woman could.
They headed inside.
***
A sweet kiss was placed on Nicola’s brow. Chelsea stood up straight and stepped towards the wooden shelf upon the wall. A picture with a floral silver frame was taken by her hand. The photograph was of Riley, Cassie and Chelsea. Her young lover had the biggest smile she had ever seen. His eyes were projecting out pure love. A kiss was placed upon Riley’s image. A kiss was then placed upon Cassie.
A tear ran down her cheek, as the swelling in her heart grew.
‘Goodnight, my loves.’
***
Darkness consumed the room. The warmth of the whisky tickled his throat, as he took another sip. He had never found silence so calming. His wife was gone. His father was now his enemy. Soon his baby brother would be dead. Marcus Riggs was the new Kingpin of North City.
‘There is no going back,’ he told himself. ‘There is no going back...’
***
Her talented tongue teased his most sensitive area, as she took him in her mouth. Travis let out a deep manly moan. It was the type of moan that was filled with triumph. It was almost as if he wanted other people to hear so that they would know that Anne was his. He stroked his fingers through her gorgeous blonde hair, as she began to bob her head up and down. Never had he known a woman that loved sucking cock so much. She seemed to prefer to act to sex. Travis didn’t care. He loved it. He loved everything she did to him. There was just something about Anne that captivated him. Without question, she was the sexiest woman in North City. For a time, he had thought that title belonged to Kerry, but then Jasmine had stolen the crown, but its rightful place belonged to Anne. She was hot, she was sexy, she was good in the bedroom, she was funny, but she was also dangerous, skilled and the best partner he could ever hope for.
She sucked hard on the tip.
‘I love it when you do that,’ he told her.
‘I know,’ she giggled.
She did it a second time.
His hips squirmed, as if with a mind of their own.
It was going to be a long and passionate night.
***
Ariel examined his sleeping face. River had crashed out straight away. The store did that to you. He was sleeping so peacefully. Pain stabbed at her heart at the memory of what she did with the landlord. That was never supposed to happen. It was meant to be a laugh. The lust dust was a good escape from the horrible thoughts within her mind. It helped keep the memories of River’s father at bay. When she had lust dust, she no longer thought about being raped. She no longer had to worry about who Alisha’s real father was. The depression after Alisha’s birth had nearly crushed her. She had been forced to quit the store. She received help from psychiatrists. The doctor prescribed anti-depressants. These things didn’t help. Lust dust was the cure. It made her feel good. That is what the drug did. The problem was that her relationship with River was falling apart. They tried to make it work, but all that happened was that they ended up bitching at each other. Never did she plan to cheat on him. She wasn’t even that overly attracted to Karl. Deep down inside she really did love River. He was her soul mate. Ariel had crossed a line. The guilt within her chest was squeezing her heart. How would she continue to live with him now? How could she pretend that nothing happened with Karl? How could she go on living a lie?
***
Travis answered his cell phone on the third ring. He tried to steady himself by taking in a long slow controlled breath of air. Anne’s eyes were full of mischief. She continued to suck him off. It didn’t matter if he ordered her to stop. There was no stopping her now. Her lips consumed his shaft, as she pressed her nose down against his abdomen. Travis could feel the tip of his organ touching the back of her throat. His eyes practically rolled into the back of his head.
‘Travis...?’ asked Kerry, from the other end of the phone.
‘Y-yes, what’s up?’
‘I need you to take Samantha tomorrow night.’
He covered the mouthpiece with his hand, as he gasped.
His hips were moving with a mind of their own.
The pressure between his thighs was building by the second.
Anne went into overdrive.
Her lips danced up and down the shaft of his beast, as she sucked him hard and deep.
‘Okay.’
‘You will need to pick her up before school.’
‘That’s fine.’
He just wanted Kerry off the phone. He wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
‘I will pick her up the next day. I will call to arrange the time.’
‘Okay.’
‘Is everything all right?’ she asked, knowing something was up.
‘Everything is fine. I have got to go.’
He hung up.
He howled.
He erupted.
***
‘That was odd.’
Kerry placed the phone down on the kitchen table. It was done. Samantha was going to spend the day with her father. This gave Kerry the freedom of the house and all the time she needed to put her plans into motion. Tomorrow evening River will be coming back to the house with her. By tomorrow night, the two of them will end up in bed. She will betray Ariel and destroy her friendship with River, but she is doing this for Samantha. Kerry has to get her daughter out of the city. There is no limit to how far she will go to do this. Seducing River is something that needs to be done. Stage two of her plan starts tomorrow.
Chapter Three: Wednesday
The snow was relentless. The landscape felt alien to her. Kerry had lived in this house for so long now, but she hardly recognised the street outside. She hugged her thick coat around her, as she stood in the doorway. She waved, but Samantha didn’t wave back. It felt like someone was physically squeezing Kerry’s heart. With each passing day, her daughter hated her more and more. She wished she didn’t have to use Travis as a babysitter, but what option did she have? Chelsea had her own problems going on and all her other friends worked in the store. It was just for today. This would be the last time Travis would get to have Samantha. Kerry would secure her transfer and put as much distance between Samantha and Travis as possible.
Travis pulled away from the curb and headed slowly down the road.
Kerry watched them go.
The fire in her belly burned brightly, as more motivational fuel was added.
She didn’t want to seduce River, but it had to be done.
It had to be.
Samantha had to be taken out of this damn city.
***
Her smile was one of the wonders of the new world. He couldn’t help but smile back. She was a beauty like nothing in this world. His heart wanted her. His soul wanted her. He wanted her. Marcus tried to sit up, which was the catalyst of the searing pain that splintered across the
top of his skull. A groan escaped his lips, as Melissa pulled him into the sitting position.
A half-drunk bottle of whisky fell off the bed.
‘You have fun last night?’ she asked him, with a cheeky smile.
‘I was celebrating,’ he lied. It was more a case of comfort drinking, escaping reality.
‘You should have invited me over if you were celebrating.’
‘I thought you might want a break from me.’
He rubbed his temples.
His mouth felt dry and tasted like a monkey’s arsehole.
‘Why would I want a break from you?’ her response bordered on annoyance.
‘I just thought...’
‘We are in this together. I am standing by you because I love you.’
He smiled, softly. ‘I love you, too.’ If only she knew how much. ‘What time is it?’
‘Time to get up,’ she replied, as she headed towards the bathroom. Unconsciously, his eyes dropped to her ass. Her figure-hugging dress mapped out all succulent ass cheeks. ‘I am going to run you a bath and order you some breakfast.’
‘You always take care of me.’
‘That is what sisters do,’ replied Melissa.
***
Silence filled the house. A unique calmness was in the air. Chelsea inhaled deeply and forced the breath down into her abdomen. Her eyes were closed. Her body was relaxed, as she sat cross-legged in the armchair with her hands resting upon her lap. Meditation was a daily occurrence now. It helped her mind through the trouble times she was facing.
‘Things will work out,’ she whispered, softly. ‘Things are working out. Things are good.’ She repeated the positive phrases from the self-help book she purchased last week. ‘I have the strength to handle any problems that come my way. I am strong. I am happy. I am rich. I have an abundance of money. I have money coming in every single day. My life is good. I am full of energy. I am a powerful woman. My life is great.’
Every word felt like a lie.
***
Confusion blossomed on the young girl’s face.
‘Dad...?’ she asked.
‘Yes, baby?’ replied Travis, as he turned off the main road.
‘This isn’t the way to school.’
‘I know.’ He had that mischievous grin on his face.
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