Blackness Within (The Blackness Series Book 5)

by Norma Jeanne Karlsson

  Blake nods minutely his understanding. He wants his sister alive and safe. If he could trade himself for Natasha, he’d be out the door already. He knows there’s no trade to be made. Whatever Roman Vojtech has planned for Natasha is out of all our hands.

  “Let’s go talk to the guys,” I grumble, hating the idea of waiting as much as Blake.

  When we enter the office, fury is peeling the wallpaper. Kieran is on the phone snarling like a rabid dog. Cooper is much the same, pacing as he does. Finn, Kav, Cal, Kellerman and Aidan are huddled around the desk plotting something.

  Everyone halts when they catch us moving into their war room.

  “Bry,” Kieran breathes out, dropping his head to his chest, ending his call.

  “No need, cuz. What’s the plan?” I avoid anyone in the room trying to make me feel better or comfort me.

  “DCA won’t make a move. They’ve got people inside Vojtech Bratva and aren’t willing to compromise the op to go on a rescue mission. I’m putting in calls to see if we can get together a small grab team, but it’s not lookin’ good,” Cooper informs me dejectedly.

  “I can’t go to war with ’em, Bry. I don’t have the manpower to take on an organization as big as them. I could pull in other families and make a move, but no one’s gonna agree to that for one woman. I’m fuckin’ sorry,” Kieran groans in frustration.

  “I’ve got contacts in the FBI and KCPD. I’ve talked to everyone I know, man. I’m gettin’ nowhere. No help. I have gotten multiple warnings to back the fuck off,” Finn grumbles, running his hand through his seriously fucked up hair.

  “I’m goin’,” Blake announces.

  “Dude, that’s a bad fuckin’ move,” Kieran warns.

  “Sittin’ around here while you can’t do anything is a worse one,” Blake retorts pointedly.

  “We’ll figure somethin’ out. It’s four in the morning. We need clear heads and people awake to make a plan,” Kieran says with a small amount of conviction. He knows we’re in a bad spot with little hope of improvement.

  “I’m not leaving Natasha there. This is my fuck up. I’m gonna get my sister!”

  His weak frame crumbles during his protest, leaving him to lean against the wall for support.

  “You won’t do anything other than get you both killed. You want your sister dead? Or worse, livin’ a life with Vojtech after watchin’ him torture and kill you? Keep your fuckin’ head in the game, man. Vojtech made the smart move takin’ her. He’s got you captive right along with Natasha and anything you do to get in this, he wins.”

  “I can’t,” Blake whispers. “She’s all I’ve got. How the fuck do I leave her there?”

  Blake’s grey eyes shoot to mine begging for an answer.

  “We keep her alive until we can get her out safely. We’re smart, connected people, Blake. We’ll find a way,” I assure him, hoping like hell I’m not lying.

  “I’m gonna work with Kat to make a plan for her and I to go in,” Kid pipes in.

  “Kiddo,” Kellerman warns in a low growl.

  “Kel, I can’t leave her there. Kat and I haven’t been seen. We can get in and get Natasha out.”

  Her voice is strong and assured, but her eyes hold hurt. She’s been held against her will before and knows the devastation that follows. There’s no way Kid can stand idly by while someone else is in the same position.

  “You’re pregnant,” Kel snarls as the room collectively gasps.

  “Kel!” Kid yells.

  “Kid,” Kav steps in for the group. “No way you’re goin’ in. No fuckin’ way.”

  A throat clears behind us as Kat enters the room. Gorgeous and effortless, her strides to her husband are purposeful.

  “We’ve got the same problem,” Cooper announces, wrapping Kat beneath his arm.

  “Jesus,” Finn huffs, flopping back in the desk chair.

  “Brian, I’ll go in. I can keep myself safe,” Kat says forcefully.

  “Kat,” Cooper warns.

  She stiffens at the tone.

  “How far along are you both?” Blake asks a strange question.

  “Thirteen weeks,” Kat says quietly.

  “Eleven weeks,” Kid grumbles.

  “So you’re both outta the game for at least six months. I’m supposed to leave my sister for half a year with Roman Vojtech? Really?” he barks.

  The room stays silent as we consider his question. I don’t know what to do. I’m fucking lost, distraught and worn out. I don’t have an answer. I’m afraid of the answer.

  “We’ll keep workin’. Figure it out,” Kieran answers for the room.

  “I don’t think you will,” Blake states coolly.

  “I will. I just need a little time.”

  “I’m goin’. You can’t stop me. I can live with the consequences. She’s my sister. She may not mean shit to you people, but she means everything to me. I’m gettin’ my sister back.”

  With that, he turns on his heel and moments later, we hear the front door slam. That thud sealed his fate along with Natasha’s. And we all stand here doing nothing about it. There’s nothing to be done. Vojtech will kill him and do it in a way that will keep Natasha right where she is…in hell. I can only hope she’s as strong as I believe she is. The fight I’ve seen in her eyes tells me she’s got it in her. Vojtech will do everything in his power to break that. I’ll get her before he does.

  Natasha

  As soon as the arena is emptied of the people that came to save me, Roman grabs my bicep and hauls me to his room. I don’t utter a word as I stumble and struggle to keep up. I don’t breathe a ragged breath as he slams the copper door, causing my ears to ring. I don’t protest as he yanks my wrist, dragging me to his bedroom. I don’t tremble as he locks me in the room, leaving me alone in his palatial prison.

  I sit on the edge of the bed and listen to him screaming, roaring and barking on the other side of the door. I’ve never seen him lose control since he’s had me. Everything Roman does is with purpose and forethought. Tonight, or rather this morning since his bedside clock reads 3:07 am, caught him off guard. Roman doesn’t like being caught off guard. I’m sure I’ll pay for this.

  I slip off my heels and curl into a ball on top of his deep crimson duvet. He’ll come for me soon. I can’t fight him. Sully and his friends aren’t coming back for me. Blake can’t be sober enough to come for me yet. I’m completely alone.

  “Zeus.” As I whisper his name, I begin to silently weep. Not long after, exhaustion pulls me into a deep sleep.

  “Natasha,” Roman’s low timbre filters into my dreams.

  “Hmm?”

  His lips begin to caress my neck as his arms reach around me from behind. He threads his hands inside my barely there dress and palms my breasts, pinching and rolling my nipples. I don’t want it to, but it feels good. I hate myself even more for enjoying his hands on my body, his mouth warming my skin.

  My back arches of its own accord while a moan breaks from my throat. Roman quickly rolls me to my back and then crawls on top of me. He captures my mouth in a searing kiss, devouring me. His large rough hand slides down my side until he reaches the tiny zipper holding my dress together. Slowly, he unzips it, all the while kissing me.

  My arms reach around his shoulders as my fingers dig into his hair. My mind recoils at the feel just as my body craves more. If I’m going to do this, I have to shut my mind off. I have to let the physical drive me. At the slightest hesitation, this experience will become torture. And my body wants Roman’s. If it can’t have Sully—it can’t—it wants Roman.

  He stops the kiss and sits up on his knees with want and lust vibrating in his dark eyes as he drags his gaze down my naked body. I wasn’t given any underwear and I couldn’t wear a bra with the dress. Now that the zipper has been released, I’m completely exposed.

  Roman’s gaze heats me everywhere it touches, as I watch his control dissolving. I’m bringing this man to his knees and that brings me a small victory. I reach up and gently begin to un
do his buttons.

  I keep my gaze on his as I work. His breathing is picking up and his jaw is tensing and relaxing with every brush of my fingers against his built chest. When I get halfway, Roman’s last bit of patience dies and he grasps the fabric, ripping it away. Buttons fly and tick as they hit the floor, some peppering me and the bed.

  My eyes take in the man above me. The dragon I’ve been studying on his neck sweeps down his chest back and forth, its wings wrapping around his ribs. Roman’s heaving breaths are giving the dragon life. With each draw and exhale, the winged creature gains strength.

  Roman ends my perusal as he reaches up and undoes the clasp at my shoulder holding the last of the dress intact. He reaches around my back and rips the fabric from beneath me and then proceeds to divest himself of his pants and boxer briefs.

  Both naked, Roman lowers his head to my neck as his hand traces down the side of my ribs. His other arm settles at the side of my head, powerful and tense as he supports his weight. When he reaches my hip, he stops and rubs tiny circles against my skin. Intimate and tender, I feel myself caving to my captor. If only he’d be violent and harsh with me. Instead, his head begins to move to my collarbone, nibbling and savoring. He continues his descent groaning in appreciation as he tastes the valley of my chest. Roman’s tongue darts out, licking a trail across my breast before flicking my peaked nipple.

  I press into him for more contact and he gives it to me. His hot mouth pulls me in while his other hand snakes back up my ribs until he finds my hand. When he does, he interlaces our fingers, holding my hand to the mattress near my ear. Intimate.

  I thread my free hand into his hair and encourage his ravishing of my nipples as he switches to the other. I moan as he pulls the tip between his teeth and tugs gently.

  Roman releases my hand as he descends the soft plane of my stomach, paying attention to the small pooch that at one point in my life caused me to be insecure. I’m comfortable in my own skin now and apparently Roman is enjoying it as well.

  His dick is rock hard, bobbing against my leg. I’m not able to pay attention to it for long as Roman’s broad shoulders push my thighs apart and his face settles just in front of my pussy. His breath is skittering across me, sending chills up my spine.

  His tongue sneaks out and takes a long slow lick as my eyes roll back in my head. Brain be damned, my body has taken over. Roman’s lapping becomes more fevered as I begin to thrash and quiver. When he settles on my clit, my orgasm builds at my toes. He sucks me deep in between his lips before nipping and I burst. I scream out, “Ahhhhh!” And then jerk my hips off the bed when Roman shoves a finger in me, intensifying my ecstasy.

  The man that kidnapped me, threatened me, hurt me, told me he’ll allow men to rape me if I don’t obey him and is planning to murder my brother is giving me the best orgasm of my life. I’m so ashamed when the glow wears off I begin to sob uncontrollably.

  “Shhhh,” Roman purrs in my ear after climbing up my body.

  I cling to him for comfort. I’m his now and if he wants to give me orgasms or murder me I have no choice. I’m at his mercy.

  He peppers my face with kisses, wiping away my tears with his lips. Intimate. Comforting. Once I calm down, Roman reaches into the bedside table drawer and retrieves a condom. Pushing up to his knees, he quickly sheathes himself. Palming his dick, he rubs the head against me and then moves inside.

  Slowly, he breaches my entrance. I hiss at the full feeling until he bottoms out and stops. Roman lowers his winged chest to mine and captures my mouth in a passionate kiss. My flavor mixed with his arouses me and pushes my emotions to the back of my mind. There’s no point crying. This is my life now.

  I drag my nails down his back before wrapping my legs around his waist. A growl bubbles from his throat as he begins to slowly thrust. In and out, his strokes are long and deliberate. I begin to meet him as he powers forward and that control he was exercising fades.

  Roman’s powerful arm reaches around my waist as he pulls me up to meet him. The strength his body possesses amazes me as I slide back and forth on his cock. He drops his head to my shoulder and my mouth latches onto his ear, teasing and sucking.

  “Natasha,” he groans, thundering into me.

  Abruptly, he sits up on his knees and pulls me into his lap. I hold on tightly to his shoulders as he lifts me. Seated within me completely, he locks eyes with mine. I wait. I want to move my hips, rub my tits against his sculpted chest, but I don’t. I remain motionless waiting.

  “You’re mine,” Roman growls.

  “Yes,” I agree immediately.

  Whether by choice or not, I’m his. I know this. I understand.

  I rock myself against him slightly and a small smile breaks across his impassive face. His hands fall to my hips and he guides me up and down the length of him. He rests his forehead against mine and I do the same, looking down at where we’re connected. Pumping in and out of me, he murmurs, “Mine.” Then he plants me on my back and thrusts deeply, driving my body toward the ebony headboard.

  Reaching between us, he tweaks and rubs my clit.

  “Yes,” I moan.

  He picks up his pace another gear and I grasp the ornate wood behind my head to steady myself. Roman places his hand over mine, interlacing our fingers as his mouth plunders mine. His tongue mimicking the motion within me. Intimate.

  I squeeze his fingers as an orgasm takes over my core, flooding my body with heat. As I tremble beneath him, Roman releases my mouth, tips his head back and roars his own climax. It’s a heady thing to witness and extends my orgasm. I did that. I brought this powerful man to his knees with desire and passion.

  Heaving and panting, he collapses on top of me. His hands travel up my arms until they reach my aching fingers. Gently, he pulls them away and guides me around his shoulders. Intimate. The misting of sweat on his body is cooling as I rub his ridges.

  He nuzzles into my neck and begins to kiss and lick my skin. Intimate. One of his hands snakes between us and I hear the condom being snapped off. He throws it in the direction of the bathroom, never lifting his head away from me.

  I continue stroking his chiseled back until a crisp knock breaks our moment. We were having a moment. I accept the fact as opposed to fighting it. There’s no point.

  “What?” Roman barks out, making me jump.

  He kisses my cheek in an apology while he waits for a response from our visitor.

  “Blake Reynolds is here,” the man on the other side of the door announces.

  I stiffen in an instant panic. Roman pushes up on an elbow to peer down at me with enraged eyes. There’s no way Blake can get me out of here. If Sully, Kieran and the guys couldn’t, Blake certainly can’t.

  Roman’s going to kill my brother. I see it in his face as he sits up and climbs off the bed. He tugs on his pants and stalks to the door. Pulling it open only a hair, I can’t hear the whispered conversation. I have to do something. I can’t watch Blake die. I don’t want to die. We have to live. Even if I’m here with Roman, I’ll be alive. I can live this life knowing Blake’s safe.

  Roman shuts the door and spins to stare at me.

  Convince him.

  I stand from the bed and pad over to where he waits. I stop only a breath away before peering up at him from beneath my lashes.

  “He has to die,” Roman says callously.

  “I’m yours now. You having me is more punishment than death. It will break Blake and the threat of the same will keep your people in line. You took me less than twenty-four hours ago. If people in your organization believe you have the ability to take and turn their loved ones this quickly, they’ll obey you. I’ll tell Blake that I’m not leaving with him. That I’m with you now. He’ll leave crushed. Please, Roman. Let me stay with you,” I plead.

  He studies my face for a long while. A myriad of emotions and reactions skate across his striking face. The stars at the corner of his eye appear to twinkle with each crinkle that his skin moves them with.

  “
Anyone that comes for you again will die. You’re mine now,” he growls before dipping his face, his mouth possessively attacking mine.

  I enfold my arms around his shoulders as his hands glide down my back to end on my round ass. He hoists me up off the ground and I dutifully wrap around him. When he plants me on the bed beneath him, I know I’ve won.

  His dick is bobbing at my entrance and his kiss is intensifying. Roman reaches beneath my arms and drags my body up the bed where he wants me. I moan and arch into him as his fingers rub my clit before two fingers sink in me.

  “Are you on birth control?” he murmurs against my mouth, locking his midnight eyes with mine.

  “I’m on the shot,” I answer honestly.

  He growls and then spears me with his dick, setting an intense pace. His eyes don’t leave mine as he powers in me.

  “Tell me,” he demands.

  “I’m yours, Roman.”

  He groans at my admission and devours me ravenously.

  Three orgasms later, Roman empties himself inside me. His come is hot, marking me. I can barely move so when Roman rolls us, settling my body on top of him, I go with it. His dick is still inside me as exhaustion takes me over. I fall asleep gazing at the dragon beneath me, thinking of my brother and how I’m about to crush him. It’s for his own good…I’m saving his life. One day he’ll understand that. He has to. I’m destroying myself to save him. It’s my turn.

  Natasha

  Walking through the halls of the warehouse, the last hour plays in my mind over and over again.

  Roman woke me up with his face buried between my legs. It was a good way to rouse me to make me briefly forget what was waiting. It was brief. I showered in Roman’s glass encased shower and talked to myself the entire time. Convincing myself I was making the right choice…the only choice. Then Roman stepped in the shower and halted my one-sided conversation.

  He washed and conditioned my hair before he lathered my body with his hands. Covered in suds and hot water, he took me against the glass…hard. Once my feet were righted, I washed him. I trailed my hands down his sculpted inked skin. As I studied the ridges and flats of his body, he finally spoke.