‘Austin, good to see you man,’ Troy Kane, pumps the hand of his fellow veteran.
They chat good-naturedly about their time in the armed forces over a beer before Kyle gets to the point. ‘Got a problem, man,’ he watches as Kane’s face goes blank.
‘As long as it’s not to do with my current employer, we are good, fella,’ Kane responds, plainly picking up the vibes.
‘Come on man, you have to know what he is doing to that woman is wrong,’ his blue eyes fall on the broad-shouldered soldier. ‘That’s someone’s daughter, Kane.’
‘Not my business,’ he tips his glass back, emptying the amber liquid into his throat.
‘You know that my brother’s in love with her?’ Kyle probes.
Kane double takes a look, ‘your brother is her detective?’ This was evidently news to him.
Kyle nods, ‘yeah, he’s cut up Kane, refuses to move on.’
Kane shakes his head in a warning, ‘tell him to move on, Austin. Seriously, man, the guy has got it bad, absolutely idolizes her. Never seen it before, normally he fucks them a few times and leaves them wanting more,’ he signals to the barman for another two beers. ‘He’s never going to let her go, fella. Takes her everywhere with him, can’t bear it when she leaves the room.’
Kyle blows out a deep breath, ‘he’s not going to like that,’ he knows his brother is relentless, he has also never seen him so infatuated with a woman, not even his wife.
‘Like it or not, he starts interfering, he’s history, man. Know he’s your brother and all, but he will as soon as put a bullet in his brain he even looks in her direction.’
Kyle’s stomach twists as he nods, ‘cheers,’ he picks up the bottle of beer and swigs a mouthful. ‘What she like with him?’ He asks, curiously.
He shrugs, ‘gives him what he wants, whenever he wants. A stunning woman,’ he adds, before he expels a breath, ‘between you and me, man,’ he shakes his head, ‘I’ve watched, I’m her protection, she is slowly losing all that made her what she is. All her spunk is slowly dying off; she is becoming compliant to his demands. She loses her sparkle, not sure what her prospects are. You tell your brother, he values his life, back off man.’
‘She free to walk away?’ Kyle checks.
‘Is she fuck!’ he scoffs. ‘She was initially on his hit list, she knows that. She walked in looking as she does, gave him a bit of soft, he instantly fell for her. She never stood a chance. Thought he’d fuck her and get rid, can’t seem to get enough of her,’ he turns to face Kyle. ‘Fucks her everywhere and anywhere, man. Found myself a woman like that, I’d worship the fucking ground she walked on.’
‘Thanks, man, for giving me this,’ Kyle nods.
‘No comeback, Austin,’ Kane reminds him.
‘Goes without saying. Got to tell you man, I’m apprehensive, my brother worships the ground she walks on,’ he eyes his pal.
‘Won’t end well,’ Kane shakes his head.
‘How you get mixed up with the likes of him, fella?’ As disrespectable as it sounds, Kyle knows that Kane is better than protection for some high-class drug king.
Kane just eyes him, ‘leave it, man.’
‘Starting up my own business, now I’m back, you want in you let me know,’ Kyle offers.
‘What you doing, security?’ He probes, his interest piqued.
‘With a bit of PI work thrown in, could do with your expertise man, get you out of all that angst.’ He tempts.
‘Not sure how easy it would be to get out of my current situation,’ he frowns. It's then that he realises, they were all prisoners, every single one of them.
********
Chapter Sixteen
SOPHIE
‘Everything okay, Sophie?’ Kane’s head appears around the library door.
‘All fine, thanks, Kane,’ I turn and provide him a small smile.
I had asked to be left behind today, not for a minute expecting to be permitted. I had got my period and had cried off with cramps. Surprisingly, Luke had acquiesced and left Kane to watch over me while he went about his daily business. He had already had his morning fuck, so was in more of a relaxed state by the time I approached the subject, during breakfast.
I didn’t get regular periods as I had the contraceptive implant fitted, which leads to less or no periods, thankfully. It appearing this morning had given me a day to breathe, a much-needed break. Luke had mentioned he would try to be home early, but personally, I was hoping that he got caught up and gave me my much-needed reprieve.
I was chilling in the library, a book in my hand that I had no intention of reading, it was a prop to prevent people from speaking to me or asking me where my mind was, and it seemed to work, up until now.
As soon as Luke had left, I had put on my jogging bottoms and a tank, and finally felt myself physically relax.
I felt Kane’s gaze still on me as he loitered in the doorway. He normally provided me some space if he minded me.
‘Everything okay with you?’ I asked, softly.
He stepped into the room and approached me, stopping directly in front of me.
‘You happy, Sophie, or is that a silly question?’ He enquires, quietly.
My mouth opens before immediately closing, is it a trick?
He glances at the door, ‘it’s a silly question, I know,’ he continues. ‘Your detective?’ He almost whispers.
Again, I gaze blankly at his brown eyes, had Luke put him up to this? Is it a pass or fail test, that decides whether I die or not die?
‘He’s going to get himself killed he gets in between this with you and Ericson,’ he informs me as if I don’t know. ‘He’s trying to get between this,’ he notifies me, ‘his brother and I, we served together,’ he confides. ‘He’s asking questions, so answer me here and now Sophie, you happy with the current situation?’
I begin to tremble, the mention of Nate and the knowledge that he is trying to find me hitting me deep down somewhere I haven’t felt for a while. Kane drops to his knees in front of me, ‘I need you to speak, Sophie,’ he urges.
I hear a scuffle in the hall and instantly Kane stands and the mask of impassiveness on my face shifts into place, covering my vulnerability.
‘There you are,’ Luke glares at Kane standing so close to me before his eyes fall to me evaluating my expression.
‘What you doing, Kane?’ His gaze moves to the man before me.
‘Just checking to see if I can get Miss Parker anything, sir,’ he explains, respectfully.
‘Well, I am here now, you are relieved of your duties,’ he insists, dismissing him. ‘I’m perfectly capable of taking care of my woman’s needs,’ Kane nods and instantly departs the library.
I fall into character easily, much practised now. ‘You're home early,’ I smile up as if his appearance makes me incredibly happy.
‘I was worried about my woman,’ he shrugs off his jacket and drops beside me on the sofa. ‘You feeling any better?’ He questions.
‘A bit,’ I cup his jaw, ‘thank you for worrying,’ I move to place my lips on his, ‘I hope I haven’t interrupted your day?’
‘You can interrupt my day, anytime,’ his mouth crushes to mine, as he pulls me into his lap. I feel his hardness at my hip. He wants to fuck. ‘Don’t like not having you to hand,’ he complains.
‘I got cramps, Luke,’ I exclaim, softly.
‘You got another hole down there, baby, bedroom now!’ He commands, unsympathetically.
********
NATE
‘Thanks for seeing us, Kane,’ Nate shakes the big man’s hand with vigour.
‘Putting a lot at risk here,’ Kane feels torn between loyalty to his employer and doing what’s right for the stunning woman with the huge hazel eyes.
‘Appreciate that, man,’ Kyle slaps a hand on his back. ‘What you got for us?’
‘She trusts no one, not even me. I told her you,’ nodding to Nate, ‘would get yourself killed if you kept up trying to find her,’ he shakes his head, �
��went as white as a sheet, and shook man like she was naked in the middle of Alaska. She’s at the point of no return, disappearing inside herself. We need to get her out, don’t know how, don’t know when, but if we don’t, he’s gonna kill her one way or another. She stayed at home, one day, not feeling good, he couldn’t even give her that.’
‘What’s wrong with her?’ Nate asked, his voice tight.
‘Nothing bad, period cramps. The bastard came home after a couple of hours, fucked her for hours. That’s the price she paid for daring to ask for a day to herself.’
‘Jesus, fuck!’ Nate paced up and down, his gut churning with rage. ‘I’m going to fucking kill him,’ he growled. Pain tears through him at the thought of that animal touching the woman he loves.
‘Calm down, Nate,’ Kyle called, ‘we do this, we need to do it with clear heads, fella.’
‘What’s she doing there?’ Nate roared, ‘why is she putting up with this?’
‘She’s keeping you alive,’ Kane snapped. ‘She had a choice, your life or hers; she chose yours.’
********
SOPHIE
Kane is sticking close, I was used to him always being within distance, but now I am tripping over him. Neither of us mentions the conversation of the other day, I am too scared of the consequences, and it seems he is also wary about being overheard.
I thought about it in the dark of the night and convinced myself that Kane wasn’t trying to trap me into saying something that I would regret. Luke’s behaviour didn’t suggest he was impressed with the way Kane stood over me in the library, when he walked in unexpectedly, which is why I think he made me fuck all afternoon, despite the cramps. It was a punishment, for what, I don’t know, but I took it like I do, the pain of his punishments at least reminds me I can still feel.
I was in the library, before dinner one evening, when I glance up to see Kane beside me. I frown up at him, and he puts his finger to his lips. I stay motionless as he glances to the door. Luke is in his office, shouting at someone on the phone. I tend to use the library as an excuse to escape the aggression. I never read the books, so chose ones that I have read beforehand in case he questions me on the plotline.
‘You want to get out; I have to know one thing?’ Kane whispers.
‘What?’ I glance nervously to the door.
‘Will you testify against him about things you have witnessed? It could be the only way out, lock him up?’ He presses, urgently.
Again, I can’t bring myself to answer, the niggle of distrust curling in my stomach.
‘I know you don’t trust me,’ he reads me, ‘Nate said to tell you that the boxes have arrived, and he is waiting for you to reorganise the loft with your girlie shit.’ A hot poker pain sears through me at the mention of Nate and our various playful arguments on me bringing my girlie shit. I double up to stop myself from collapsing into an emotional heap and I can hardly breathe.
‘Sophie!’ He stands me up, ‘you have to hold on to the strength,’ his voice is panicked, ‘just a bit longer.’
I take a deep breath as I try to bat away the emotions that run deep.
‘What’s going on here?’ Luke is in the doorway, his voice like a slap in the face, it’s cold, accusatory tone cutting through the haze of emotion.
‘Miss Parker had a funny turn, Mr. Ericson.’ Kane pretends to help me over to the sofa, where I allow my legs to give out as I fight to regain my control. I push my head between my legs, to even out my breathing.
‘What is it, baby?’ Luke is at my side, his perceptive eyes watching Kane’s hand on my arm. ‘Get your fucking hands off of her,’ he growls. Straightway, Kane drops my arm and inches away.
‘Sorry sir, she seemed to almost faint,’ he excuses.
‘Call the doctor,’ he directs and taking my jaw, lifts my eyes to his. ‘What is it, Sophie?’
‘I think I’m just hungry, honestly, don’t get the doctor. I didn’t eat much lunch is all, maybe we can have an early dinner?’ I suggest.
He nods, ‘okay,’ he calls Kane, who appears in the doorway. ‘Cancel the doctor, tell the cook that we will eat in my suite, immediately.’
‘Yes, sir,’ he turns away.
‘And Kane!’ He calls him back.
‘Yes, sir?’ His eyes hold Luke’s steady.
‘Manhandle my woman again and I’ll have your hands cut off, you understand?’ His voice is callous and threatening.
‘He was helping me, Luke,’ I touch a hand to his face.
‘Yes sir!’ Kane dips his head and straightway moves into the hallway.
‘Don’t ever do that again,’ Luke growls to me, his teeth gritted, his fingers grasp my chin, painfully.
‘What?’ I attempt to speak, but he is holding my face tightly.
‘Defend the fucking staff!’ He glares at me, ‘no one touches you, but me, you hear?’
‘I’m sorry, baby,’ I murmur, softly.
‘Up to the bedroom, now!’ He releases me and leaves the room, leaving me shaky and nauseous as I make my way to the bedroom. Another punishment.
Tonight was the worse it’s ever been, the pain in my backside and back still stinging like fuck, despite me showering in cool water. He was making me pay for daring to question his word in front of Kane. He couldn’t have heard any of our conversation; he would have done worse than belt the life out of me before fucking me stupid.
I lay in the darkness, tears leaking out of the corner of my eyes, silently. I can’t allow my mind to go over Kane’s words. if I did, I would crumple and die. Nate will get killed if he attempts to rescue me. Kane knows it, and I know it. I can’t let that happen.
‘Sophie,’ I tense, he is awake. I wipe the tears and turn my head to face him, my stomach to the bed, laying on my back too painful.
‘I hurt you?’ His voice is soft.
‘It’s okay, I upset you,’ I whisper.
‘I don’t mean to hurt you,’ that’s as much of an apology that I imagine I will ever get. ‘The thought of you with another man destroys me,’ he admits.
‘Kane was only doing his job,’ I take a chance on defending him in the privacy of our room. ‘You asked him to watch me,’ I remind him.
‘I know, but the thought of you with another man, destroys me,’ he repeats.
‘Okay,’ I watch him in the darkness.
We never cuddle, Luke isn’t a cuddler he is a give her an orgasm to show you own her kind guy. He is on his side of the bed, but facing me.
‘I want you to have my baby,’ he reveals.
‘Luke,’ I breathe, my insides screaming, fuck no, never, bring an innocent life into all this fuckedupness?
‘I want you to have my baby,’ he repeats, he doesn’t like repeating himself.
I think on my feet, ‘I’m not ready to share you yet, Luke,’ I whisper, ‘I love that I have you to myself,’ I flirt. ‘Maybe next year?’ I suggest.
He turns and switches on the bedside light. ‘Next year?’ His eyes shine with excitement.
‘That okay with you?’ I charm.
‘Okay, baby,’ he pushes down the sheet to expose the whelps on my skin. ‘Sorry I hurt you,’ he kisses softly along the raw skin. ‘Going to make love to you, this time, Sophie,’ he turns me over onto my back, I hiss at the pain but give him an encouraging smile when his eyes shift to mine.
He kisses me gently, all over my body until he reaches my sex. After I come in his mouth, he pushes deep, his eyes on mine as he glides slowly in and out of me, keeping the connection between us with his gaze. I know he does this so that I know who I’m fucking, he knows I think of Nate when we are fucking, he can’t prove it. He may have abducted my body, but he can’t abduct my mind. When he comes, he tells me I belong to him and him alone. I am his possession. After months of brutal sex, it was a relief to experience a bit of sweet, not Nate sweet, but sweet in comparison to the past couple of months.
The following day, the sweet continued. Luke brought me breakfast in bed and told me to have a lie in
as he was working from the office this morning. I ate my breakfast and fell back into a deep slumber, my body delighting at the time out. At noon, he slipped in beside me and woke me with his mouth, eating me as if his life depended on it. After I had come hard, he pulled me on top of him and let me ride him to climax.
Two days of sweet, that’s all I got.
‘You’re coming to work with me today,’ Luke informed me at breakfast.
‘Okay,’ my heart sank.
I had been allowed to stay home yesterday, but it was Kane’s day off, so he left Bruce with me, one of his many suits. Bruce was a redhead with a face that never cracked a hint of a smile, and I mean never. After asking me whether I needed anything, he disappeared down the hall.
I had lay on the sofa in the library and slept the majority of the day away in jogging bottoms and a long sleeve t-shirt, as the weather was changing. I also hoped with all my heart that Luke’s good mood was here to stay.
I was naïve.
When Luke arrived home later that evening, he was majorly pissed. But, for once, he doesn’t take it out on me. Instead, he locks himself in his office until dinner time. When he finally came to me in our bed, he fucked me hard, but not ruthlessly.
The following day, we are eating breakfast when Luke snaps at me.
‘Dress up,’ he orders. ‘I’m fed up with you dossing around the place like a student,’ getting up he leaves the dining room without a backward glance. He’s in an atrocious mood.
I leave my breakfast and decide to make an extra effort to my appearance, the peace of the past few days had made my existence tolerable, I couldn’t take for us to revert to the aggressiveness of beforehand. I was eager to please.
When I arrive in the hall, Luke is waiting, his gaze approvingly strokes over me. I dressed in one of his favourites, a green bodycon dress that I know emphasizes my eyes. His cold gaze softens as he grasps my hand and moves us to the awaiting car. My relief is instant.
********
I stand in my usual position by the window.
Whichever office we visited, I took the opportunity to stand and look out at the sights provided. My body tenses at the sound of a gunshot, knowing this doesn’t bode well for my upcoming drugs deal fuck.
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