Slice (The Elledge Family #1)

by L Johnson

  “I've heard some things about Lucas.” Shia mumbled. “I think you should stay away from him.”

  “Like what have you heard that could be so devastating that I should break up with the first guy that treats me like a woman is supposed to be treated?”

  “What do you mean? You can snag anyone. I know that Lucas is handsome. I know that he has everything together, but there are some guys out there that can treat you way better than him. You are just in the infatuation phase. I pray it wears off.”

  I’d had just about my limit with Shia. Friend or no friend she had just about pushed me over the edge. “What have you heard Shia while you’re playing around with this bullshit?”

  “Well, several things that ring alarm. You know there is the fact that he doesn't get along great with exes and some have come up missing or dead. I mean it's the rumor around campus. It was why he was single for so long.”

  “Shut up Shia,” I laughed. “Are you saying that Lucas killed his ex-girlfriends? God, literally shut the fuck up talking to me.”

  “No, I'm serious. A girl named Summer came up dead a few months back. They dated when she went here and she cheated on him. He took the break up well and then she came up missing, I mean it was weird. They even pulled him in for questions, but there was no proof that he had done anything.”

  “Exactly, there was no proof. You are pumping rumors from a dry well.” I placed the batter down and started to wash the meat. “How long ago was it that they dated?”

  “Three years ago.”

  “Wow, you are really trying to throw things together. Lucas is the sweetest person I know. Yeah, when he gets mad he is mad, but who isn't?”

  “I wanted you to know. People are scared for you. I’m not because I know if push comes to shove, I will fuck him up after you.”

  “Well, I appreciate your concern and theirs, but you can tell those people who fed you this bullshit to go fuck themselves. I am fine with him, to be honest, I have never felt safer than how I feel around him. And I don't believe any of the garbage that is being thrown at me.”

  “Are you offended? I was trying to help as a friend and feel you in on everything that was going on.”

  “No, I’m not mad about shit Shia. I’m just tired of having to defend him when I know that he has done nothing. There are people coming at me at every angle and there is only so much more bullshit I can take.”

  “Just be careful.” Shia nodded. “Where is the wine?”

  “No wine for you.”

  “Girl, don't make me walk across the hallway.”

  “In the cabinet,” I said.

  The front door opened and Lucas strolled through. “It smells like heaven in here.”

  “It is heaven in here.” Mark said as his eyes met Shia's. “You look so stunning…”

  Shia knocked back her wine and stared at him. “Don’t come at me with all that romantic shit. Why have you not called me?”

  “Law School is not easy.” He said simply. “And I told you this last week. I couldn’t be talking to you every day of the week. I have so much to do.”

  “Save your bullshit!” She yelled.

  Lucas pulled me closer to him. “Can we let these two talk?” His lips touched mine and I nodded in agreement. “Could you two watch the food while you bicker?”

  We stepped into the bedroom our eyes locked on one another as if we had not seen each other in days. “You look lovely.”

  “You think?” I pointed to the flour on my black shirt. “Are they okay in there?”

  “I don't care honestly.” he answered. Lucas locked the door and sat on the bed next to me. “How was your day?”

  “Ridiculously long.”

  “I can make it better.” His seductive fingers pulled at my bra strap and I pushed him away. “What baby?”

  “They are in there.” I answered quickly.

  “I don't care.” He growled.

  “No sir,” I tossed my apron at him and walked to the door. His arms circled around me as he playfully laid me on the bed.

  “They’re gonna hear me.”

  “No, they won't.” He stood in front of me and smiled. “I'm just addicted to you Cypress. And to be honest, I think you have been holding out on me…”

  “Well, I can do something for you.”

  “Yes, you actually can.” He nodded his head. “Strip... the flour is nice, but I’d rather see you naked.”

  I stared up at him. “No, they are in there.”

  “Please?”

  “I will never be able to look at them straight. I sound like a cat in heat when I’m with you. I was surprised my mother didn’t say anything.”

  “Fine, I can wait.” He pouted.

  “Thank you.” I made my way to the door and I could feel him behind me. His hands traced up my skirt and he pushed me gently against the door. He spread my legs and his index finger pushed into me with sharp movement. A gasp escaped as I threw my head back in a brief moment of ecstasy. “Luke...”

  He moaned softly in my ear. “I could wait but you feel so fucking good.” Lucas added another finger to the mix and my head fell back on his chest. “Say yes,” He chuckled and his lips traced my neck. His rough fingers circled my clit and I turned around to face him. “Please.”

  “Yes.”

  “Good,” He fell back on the bed and pulled me on top of him. “Lead the way...”

  “Alright.” His fingers slipped out of me and I unbuckled his difficult belt tossing it to the floor. I pulled his shirt over his head and my lips pecked his chest, he flinched back in pain for a second then I realized it was a new tattoo. My name etched into his perfect chest. I sat up and stared. “Is that my name?”

  “Could be… or I could really love trees.” Lucas paused. “Is it a problem?”

  “Oh my God,” I smiled. “When did you get this?”

  “I got it a week ago. I haven't had the chance to strip down for you. You have been holed up in this apartment since forever.”

  “It's amazing and no, it’s not a problem. Now everyone in the world will know you're mine.”

  “Thank you.” He slapped my ass playfully sending a much needed sting through my body. “Fuck me.” He whispered, “Now.”

  I smiled as he kicked off his pants and I lifted my dress over my head. “I don't like being on top.”

  “It's because you are spoiled.” He chuckled. “Ride me until you can't feel your legs.”

  It was easier said than done. I stared at his dick. It was huge and I had ridden him before, but it was my least favorite position. I mounted myself onto him slowly and his eyes never left mine as I tried to find some sort of rhythm. I rocked back and forth slowly pleasuring myself with the friction of him constantly rubbing against my clit. He arched his back, sending himself deeper with every motion I had. I moaned and increased my speed. Then he began to thrust harder into me. He gripped my waist and dug his fingers into my hips. My teeth pierced into my lip as his hand slapped my ass again. I planted my hands into his chest to get a better position on him. I slowed Lucas down from the insanely fast pace he had been gone by a slow wind with my hips and my fingers pinched his nipple. He moaned as I bounced up and down on him. And finally I felt like I had it. A stream of profanity came from his mouth as I slowed down to an unbearable slow pace, even for me. My legs were weak, but I wanted him to come from me. “You like that?” I teased.

  “Fuck yes,” he hissed. His dick twitched inside of me and it almost sent me over the edge. I ground against him once more and smiled. “I like this you're bloody wild...”

  “You do,” there was a smile in his eyes.

  In one smooth motion, he flipped me over on my back and pushed my legs back. “My turn.”

  Lucas slid back into me slowly and then pulled me up to sit on his legs. He pulled me down further and his rhythm was punishing me. He didn't stop when my whole body turned into a boneless mess on top of him. He just chuckled and pounded into me relentlessly until I gushed out onto him. My le
gs shook and clenched him closer and he came instantly. He let out a melodic note in my ear and collapsed on top of me.

  “I could get used to that.”

  “You could,” he rolled off of me and nodded his head. “I want it every morning for the rest of my life.” He said bluntly.

  I had thought about long term for a while with Lucas. He was always two steps ahead of me. He was probably envisioning the second stage of marriage and I had not even got down the aisle yet. “I have to finish the dinner.” I slipped the dress back over my head. Mark and Shia probably think we are rude.”

  He slipped his boxers and pants on and followed me out into the empty living room. “Looks like they left.” Lucas sat down on the couch and turned on the television. “The apartment looks nice.”

  “I cleaned it.” My hair looked a hot mess, I frowned at the mirror over the table as I tried to make some sense over what had just happened to my hair. “We need to talk about birth control Luke. We never use any. I'm thinking about getting on the pill.”

  “You can if you would like.” He clicked on the television.

  “Are you unbothered by the fact that we could be getting knocked up right now?”

  “Children with you would not be horrible.” Lucas was in a playful mood. I was the polar opposite.

  “I'm serious!” I yelled.

  “Dear God, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to rewind time to before we fucked and slide a condom on? Shit, it’s happened. The next time we are about to fuck slip it on yourself. You are never concerned until afterwards. What can I do about afterwards Cypress?”

  “Nothing, absolutely nothing.” I nodded my head and added black pepper to the batter before I threw in the first two pork chops.

  “Bloody hell woman, let's talk. Condoms? Shall I be a condom carrier? It's fine with me although I hate them. But for you I will do anything you.” The sarcastic edge to his voice irritated me for a moment but I let it slide and ignored it.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Or you could get on birth control?” his voice was quiet.

  “Fine.” I tossed my pork chops in the pan. “But it doesn’t make sense for me to change my body when you can just slip on a damn condom.”

  “I said I would damn it.” He growled. “Must you always argue with me?”

  “Must you always give me something to argue about?” I listened to the sizzle of the oil and then the smell hit me. “Are you eating here?”

  “I can.”

  “Okay, call your brother.”

  “They are more than likely tied up.” He stared at the television with his feet propped up on the table. I liked that he was comfortable here.

  “Tell me about your exes,” Shia’s conversation with me had a million and one question in my head.

  “What about them love? What would you like to know?”

  “Why are three of them dead?”

  “Because they are.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I mean it is unfortunate, but people die every day.”

  “You know there are some people around campus that say you done it.”

  “I didn't do anything. I mean they were sluts, but I would not wish them dead.” Lucas’ eyes never left the television. “Why would you even bring this up? Did fucking Shia come over and fill your head with her gossip and shit.”

  “I've heard rumors about it. Shia had nothing to do with it.” Shia and Lucas were not close. He tolerated her because she was the closest thing that I had to family here. And she tolerated him because she had to, so they were close but hated each other. It was evident.

  “Well, forget them and don't pay them any mind. And tell Shia to keep my bloody name out of her gossip filled mouth. People always speculate when they have no real answer to it. The police don't have a suspect in any of those murders and that's their fault. They should work harder. If they wanted to truly catch the killer, they would stop investing their time in me. And you should think about making new friends.”

  “Were you not sad about any of their murders? Are you not sad that someone that you spent time with sexually, physically and mentally is dead?”

  “I was for one. But I hadn't seen these girls in years. Why would I care? Why do you care?”

  “People have told me to be careful around you and that you are bad news.”

  “Who? Who are these people?” Lucas stared at me from the living room as he silenced the television. “Please tell me who they are so they can say all this shit they say to you to my bloody face.”

  “Shia,” I whispered, “some others too.”

  “Well, tell her to kiss my ass. I don't have shit to bloody hide. I would never hurt you and she should be worried about her crippling relationship with my brother rather than my exes and this relationship.”

  “Okay,” I felt the need to change the subject before everything got out of hand. “What do you want for dessert?”

  “I'm actually not hungry.” He walked to the bedroom and returned with his shirt. “I'll be back shortly.”

  Asher

  I hated I had to watch Lucas, but the agent had made sure that I reported to him daily. More importantly, Mark had made sure that I reported to him. I barely knew who I should report to. Lucas was highly temperamental. The only person that could calm him was Mark and he had kept his distance in the past few weeks. He only appeared when he was needed. I watched the empty loft and clicked through my phone. I had ordered a lock pic set to get into the apartment. He was gone and so was Mark. I could get in unnoticed through the back fire escape entrance. Perhaps if I got a sneak peek into his home I could get more into his mind. I walked lightly on the steps and got to the third floor where the entrance was. I wiggled the lock pick and unlocked the door. His apartment was a shit ton better than mine. The furniture screamed money and so did the stainless steel appliances.

  I made my way through his books and pulled out his photo album. The large leather bound book fell in my lap and I flipped through the pages admiring his mother. Luna was a stunning woman. I snapped a picture with my cell phone. I passed a picture of a baby. M. on the bottom. I snap it and turn the page… and there is another one there. A. I snap it as well and then move to the bedroom. I sift through his drawers. There was nothing there but a small journal. I flipped open to the middle of the leather journal and scan the pages.

  June, 28th

  I feel like I am alone in more than one way. This need tends to grow darker and darker and every time I try to stop it...It comes back with vengeance. It's the highest point of happiness for me.

  June 29th

  It happened today. The urge, my father was a better man at this than me, my impulses over power my common sense, all I see is red and all I know is blood. And I feel nothing.

  August 14th

  I think I met my Savior and I call her Cypress.

  I nodded my head, perhaps she could be his savior. I closed the book and snapped pictures of the entire apartment. The apartment was clean. It was so clean it made me wondering if he had hidden something more. I sat on his bed and closed my eyes. What the hell was I doing here? I pushed my hands through my hair and the outside door creaked.

  “Lucas!”

  I peered downstairs and it was Persephone. She sat down on the plush looking couch and grabbed a magazine. She looked like she had been here before. I walked down the steps. “What are you doing here?”

  “Uhm waiting on Lucas? Who the hell are you?” Her head turned and the flow of loose brown curls whipped.

  “I...” I paused. “Don't need you to tell him I was here.”

  “What were you doing here?”

  “Just looking for something.” I stared at her. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to surprise him.” Persephone opened her jacket and revealed her bare chest. “I think I can talk him out of Cypress.”

  “Best to work him up downstairs Hun.” I paused. “He could get mad with you breaking and entering.”

  “You were here first. I t
hought he was already home.”

  “Go downstairs and find him then lure him up.” Perhaps if he denied her downstairs, she would not end up drained on the floor. She rolled her shoulders. “I don't think he will notice me.”

  “Well, maybe it's a blessing in disguise.” I said.

  “No, it's not. I've wanted him for years and he won't even look at me.”

  My eyes rolled accidentally. I hated redundancy more than I hated her whining. “Well, you are a looker. Maybe he's gay?”

  “Maybe… but he has Cypress.”

  “Cypress is nice. I mean you can get anyone.”

  She turned her head at me. “I can't get him.” She snapped. “Look leave and I won't tell anyone that you were here.” She smiled.

  “Perfect,” I slid my phone in my pocket as I made my way to the exit. “Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  I looked over all the photos I took and paused on the kids. They were both babies. But my father never said anything about Luna having kids. There was only Lucas and he thrived off being the only one left.

  I dialed my father's number and drove into town so that I wouldn't linger around his place. The feds in the cars had seen me break and enter and they had said nothing. Maybe I could go rogue and just break in everywhere.

  My father answered on the third ring. “It's midnight here. I pray that you have a valid reason for calling me.” He moaned.

  “Yeah, what do you know about the kids that Luna had?”

  “What kids?” He said puzzled. “She had Lucas.”

  “And two other ones, perhaps they were stillborn. I guess I can check into it.”

  “Why?” He snapped.

  “Because it could mean something towards her feeling towards Lucas. Declan could have made her have a stillborn child. I mean… have you looked into him? I know she married three or four times before him.”

  “I think my angle with her has been construed. I think Declan is the killer... or was the killer.”

  “Why would you think that?” I knew exactly why he thought it. I had figured out more than a month ago that his father had more traits and more behavior patterns than the mother. The mother just wanted to protect her son and husband, and it didn’t matter to her how she has done it.