by A. J. Macey
“Chan is about to take a smoke break, and I think I’m going to see if he can be bought out,” she told me, starting up the stairs.
“For information on the casino?”
“On Jace Corden. I want that bastard’s dick strung up on a necklace so he can wear it while I beat him to death,” she bit out, her eyes flaring in rage.
I had to adjust myself within my jeans, need flaring in my veins as she talked about maiming Jace. Damn, she gets me so hot when she talks about killing, I mentally exclaimed, my steps getting peppier the more fiery she got. Ciar’s agreement resonated through our shared mind, appreciating her bloodthirsty rage just as much as me.
“And don’t be giving me those ‘fuck me’ eyes, my little assassin, we can’t right now.”
I pouted. Aw man. “After?” I begged quietly as she steered us into a darkened corner away from the other cars and staircase. She smirked at me, her eyes not only swirling with rage, but also desire as she agreed. We only had to wait a few minutes until the tall and lanky accountant of the Solace mob walked out of the second floor walkway and into the garage. He didn’t even notice us as he lit up a few feet from us.
“Hello again, Brian Chan,” my kittycat greeted cheerfully, the hint of ice lacing the happy words accompanied by the barrel of her gun glimmering when the one overhead light caught it.
“Oh god,” he breathed, dropping his cigarette, “you again.” Kiera’s laugh was biting as she strode forward. Hanging back, I leaned against the cement wall, but my senses were on high alert, both scanning the area around us in case someone came over as well as watching Chan to make sure he didn’t do something stupid.
“Yes, me,” she cooed as she stalked closer, every inch of her a beautiful predator. “I have a request to ask of you. I assume I don’t have to remind you of what will happen if you don’t do as I say.” He nodded fervently, his golden skin taking on a green tint as his hands shook in fear.
What a pussy, I thought, she’s barely threatened him, and he’s already shaking like a leaf. Pathetic.
“Good, I will pay you ten grand for anything and everything you have on Jace Corden, but you need to do it for me right here and right now.”
“I don’t have that information on me!” he squeaked in a ramble. “I mean, I can go get the file. Mr. Casterelli keeps a file on all of his men, but he never checks it, so I can get it easily.” Kiera scoffed, rolling her eyes as she looked back at me.
“Of course he does,” she mumbled, giving me an unsurprised eyebrow raise. “Very good, go on now. I’ll have your money when you’re back.” He had practically scurried away before she called out in a sickly-sweet voice. I didn’t have to see her face to know her eyes were spitting fire and her luscious lips were curled into a deadly smile. “Don’t forget about what I said, Bry.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back.”
“Gross, did he seriously just call me ma’am?” Kiera asked in shock, looking over at me. “Do I look like a ma’am to you?” I smirked at her before closing the distance between us and snatching her in my arms.
“You look absolutely fuckable to me, Kittycat,” I murmured, burying my nose in her hair as my hands roamed her curves. Her berry and grease scent went straight to my already hard cock, making it strain even more painfully against the tight confines of my jeans as she rocked into me.
“I can’t wait, my little assassin, especially knowing you’re hard as fuck just for me,” she whispered against my jaw line, her fingers barely brushing against my aching erection as she pulled back.
“All for you,” I responded, my voice low and husky. It was damn near impossible to not take her, throw her up against the nearest car, and fuck her into oblivion, but I knew I didn’t have long to wait as I took up my previous spot against the wall.
“All right, here you go,” Chan huffed as he returned, completely out of breath. A Manila folder was clutched in his trembling hands. Kiera flashed a bright smile, trading the file for the wad of cash she had stashed in her jacket pocket.
“Very good,” she said with a pleased hum. “I’ll be back if I need anything else.” He nodded shakily before pulling out another cigarette and smoking rapidly as we turned to walk away. “Come on, my little assassin,” Kiera whispered when we were far enough away. “Let’s go home.”
We had barely made it to the car before Kiera had me pinned against the side of it, her hands roving my chest frantically as we devoured each other. Her grease and berry scent invaded my senses, and the stroke of her hand against the front of my jeans had me grinding against her touch as she cupped my straining cock. Tangling my fingers in her hair, I held her steady against me, drinking her in as we battled with darting tongues and sharp nips.
“Fuck me, Kittycat,” I groaned as she freed my cock from behind the tight denim, the calluses of her fingers and palms a delicious contrast to the leisurely pace she pumped me at.
“That’s what I plan on doing,” she sassed softly, trailing her kisses down my jaw to whisper in my ear, the feeling of her breath against my skin making me shudder as goosebumps spread down my neck. Taking care of her bruises and injuries, I cupped her luscious ass in a firm grip to pull her flush against me. I shifted my focus from massaging her sexy as hell body to peppering kisses down her neck until I fused my lips on the erratically throbbing vein. Kiera shifted, turning to try and open the car door, but when she reached too far, her face scrunched up and a soft but pained noise reached my ears.
“Okay, Kittycat, that’s enough of that for right now,” I soothed quietly, maneuvering until she was seated in the passenger seat. Her face was flat, but I could see how her lips thinned slightly and the skin around her eyes tightened. “Here”—I held up a finger as I darted around the car to hop into the driver seat—“take your medicine and get some rest.” Pulling out her prescription, I shook the dosage out into my palm and held it out for her. She whined inaudibly before trying to reassure me.
“I’m all right, my little assassin, I prom—”
“Normally, I wouldn’t press, but you’re not okay, Kittycat. Please just take these, for me?” I half-pleaded half-whined, shaking my hand at her. She sighed, gave in, downing the pills without any water before nestling into her seat. Satisfied that she would be feeling better after the medicine kicked in and she got some rest, I pulled out of the slot and made my way away from the casino’s parking garage.
“Fuck…” she mumbled sleepily. “Forgot to… tell… the guys about… meeting…” At least that’s what I thought she said, but in her exhausted state it came out jumbled.
“Shh,” I said softly. “It’ll be all right, just rest. All of that can wait until tomorrow.” Her little snores filled the car, and I couldn’t help but smile the entire drive home.
My vicious little kittycat is a softie at heart.
May 30th
Thursday Midday
Kiera
“Miss Casterelli,” Agent Venry greeted with a smug smile. I plastered a bright grin on my face despite being irritated as fuck that she was at my house. Again. Didn’t she have bigger fish to fry or better targets to hunt than little ol’ me?
“Agent Venry, Agent Samson, what a surprise to see you again. Is there anything I can help you with?” I questioned, as if I was a normal person who hadn’t done anything wrong. Gross, normal. I nearly shuddered at the thought.
“We were wondering if you could accompany us to the police station, we have a few questions for you.” My brow raised.
“Am I under arrest for something?” I questioned, grabbing the keys for my decoy car, a sleek SUV that rarely saw the light of day unless I absolutely needed it. Stepping out onto the patio, I walked toward the garage, hitting the button on the key fob as I waited for her to explain. I better fucking not be under arrest, that’ll put a major damper on my plans today.
“You’re not under arrest, we just have some questions.” Nodding, I slipped into the garage, shooting a text to the guys about the change, and backed out of th
e space. Rolling down my window, I looked over at her still standing in my driveway with her creepy silent partner.
“I’ll follow you,” I suggested pointedly, and twenty minutes later, we both pulled into the parking lot of the Reno Police Department. The smell of cleaner, paperwork, and coffee permeated the bland space. I scanned the room, noting the amount of police, exits, windows, and any type of security measures. I had to actively keep my face flat and my body from buzzing with adrenaline. Too many cops in one space, makes me all fucking itchy.
“In here, if you will, Miss Casterelli.” Agent Venry corralled me into one of the interview rooms. I sank into the side opposite her and her partner, the metal chair and table ice cold through my pants and shirt. “We have a few questions, but to start, do you know anything about the bust that occurred a few days ago with the motorcycle gang the Alloy Kings?”
“Uh, no? Should I?” I played dumb, my eyes darting between them.
“Are you aware your stepbrother is a member of a rival motorcycle gang known as The Aces?”
“The Aces aren’t a gang.” I chuckled in response, lying like a pro. I deserve an award for all the times I have to do this because this performance is Academy Award level acting here, people. “Garrett wouldn’t be in a gang.”
“All right,” Agent Venry said skeptically but didn’t push, much to my surprise. “Why were you at your father’s casino yesterday?”
“I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m doing very well from my investments, and unless I wanted to drive almost seven hours down to Vegas, the Solace is, unfortunately, the nicest casino around here,” I explained easily, and by some magical intervention I didn’t retch or feel the blood drain from my face as I said it. So, go me!
“Why do you say ‘unfortunately’?” Agent Venry immediately latched onto my bait, her eyes lighting up at the ‘slip.’
“I don’t like my father, as I’ve told you before. He was cold and mean when I was growing up. I mean, you are investigating him for a reason, aren’t you?” I asked with a sassy tone.
“Yes, but you said you didn’t know about any of his business dealings last we asked,” she pushed.
“I don’t, I just know that it doesn’t surprise me that he would be doing something shady. Is that all?” I asked, directing the interrogation to an end. I mean, come on, I have shit I have to do today and prancing around in the police station is not on my list.
“One last question before you go,” she tossed out as I started getting up. I didn’t stop moving, but I looked at her as I waited. “You seem to have more bruising and injuries to your face, care to tell me what that’s about? Does Garrett hurt you?” Her question had me stopping dead, my eyes hardening as I glared her down.
“Garrett would never lay a hand on me. He never has and never will. Well, except when it’s on my ass because he’s very much the dominant type. This though”―I waved to my face―“got a bit rough during jazzercise, there was a pineapple snafu and little rat dog. It was crazy. But are we good here?” I asked pointing toward the door. She ground her teeth and nodded as I started out of the room, seemingly letting it go... at least for now.
That was a close one.
But Hawaiian pizza sounds fucking bomb now though.
Brooks
“Fucking great,” I groaned. Showing the text I had just gotten from Kiera about her meeting with the FBI to my officers, I rubbed my eyes in irritation.
“It could have been worse,” Nate countered. “Kiera said it was mainly about her father, and that it was a pretty quick meeting.”
I sighed, my road captain was right, but I still felt edgy and irritated about the entire situation. They’re too close.
“Yeah, all right,” I agreed before tucking my phone away. “What turned up with the ledger you got from Bryce Hill?” I asked Garrett, not liking the way he ground his teeth in response.
“It was a dead end. Kiera and I got it decoded, but it was just numbers on their money sent to the casino for laundering, nothing more.”
“We need to dig into Frankie’s past, see if we can turn something loose for Kiera. Stone, you try seeing what you can find through your contacts. Garrett, go double check with a few of the guys that the Alloy Kings haven’t returned to their compound. I want to make sure those fucking bastards don’t reappear. Nate, you’re leaving for that ride early on Saturday, so make sure all that shit is ready to go. I’ll see if I can dig something up about the Casterelli family and Frankie’s mob,” I directed each of my officers to their tasks before sinking into the chair next to the old, dented metal desk. This was going to be a long fucking road, but at least it was back to being somewhat normal.
Aren’t those famous last words....
Chapter 17
May 31st
Friday Afternoon
Kiera
The low modern lighting of the Solace casino cast a purple glow throughout the fancy-schmancy interior as I wandered leisurely through the rows of slot machines and tables. Reaching one of the lower bet tables, I sank onto the pleather stool and placed my chips onto the felt top. The table wasn’t empty, but it wasn’t full either since I wanted to be able to blend in and still see my surroundings. I had considered the higher bet tables but decided against it in case my father was patrolling the floors and greeting his higher end patrons.
An hour passed quickly as I alternated between playing blackjack and scanning the security through the space. The VIP area held two bouncers at any given time while the door to the staircase that led to the upper level office and my father’s office was guarded by another two. I knew three of the four bouncers from my childhood, so I was thankful for the disguise I was wearing. Even though this wig is itchy as fuck and I have to be wary that the sleeves don’t expose my tattoos. I didn’t think my father had any idea of what I looked like after four years away, but I couldn’t be too careful.
Another hour passed and my legs were starting to grow stiff from not moving. Finally calling it quits at the table, I stood up and made my way toward the payout window. Over two hours in the lion’s den might just be pushing it for one night. The woman working the station didn’t recognize me, and I didn’t recognize her, meaning she was just a mere employee of the Solace Casino and Resort, not someone involved in Frankie’s real business dealings. I thanked her, remembering I was supposed to be acting like a normal person, and started back through the casino. I had made it three-quarters to the exit when I felt my steps falter and my chest seize, my eyes landing on one of the people I hated most in the world.
Lorenzo Bianchi.
My former prison keeper stared right at me with a narrowed gaze.
Fuck! I mentally screamed as I tried to save face and continue toward the exit. You’re wearing a disguise, they don’t know it’s you, I kept chanting as I walked confidently toward the exit. My fingers had just wrapped around the handle when a rough hand landed on my shoulder stopping my escape.
“Excuse me, Miss,” Lorenzo’s cold voice filtered through my ears, digging up a wave of unwanted memories. “I believe you dropped this.” Turning, I saw the watch I had been wearing clutched in his hand. The clasp had broken as I walked and fallen to the carpet.
“Ah, yes,” I tried to seem unaffected by his presence even though I felt the acid stirring in my stomach mix with the fury as I met his gaze. “Thank you.”
“Do I know you?” he started as I reached for the watch. I opened my mouth to respond with a hell to the fucking no when his fingers tightened against my shoulder in a painful grip. “Kiera Casterelli,” he hissed with a cruel smile. “I knew you looked familiar. Nice to see you again, you little bitch.”
Fuck.
No time for subtlety now.
I punched him in the solar plexus and kicked him in the knee without hesitating, not even trying to talk my way out of whatever was coming next. When his grip loosened, I whipped away from him and sprinted through the door. Adrenaline surged through me as I ran, the sound of my heeled boots against the
pavement drowned out as my thundering heartbeat pounded in my ears. My gaze tunneled on my bike when the sounds of shouting echoed against the stone face of the casino. I peeled out as quickly as I could without wrecking before speeding away. Circle around and go to the Aces, was all I could think in my panic.
They weren’t getting me.
Never again.
Stone
What.
The.
Fuck.
I felt my heart clench tightly within my chest as I stared at the glossy photographs crumpling in my hands. My brain refused to process what I was seeing, the colors blending together in a wash of red as rage filled me. The anger, the protector, the enforcer blinding the half of my mind that tried to convince me that what I was seeing wasn’t real. That Kiera wouldn’t be talking with one of Frankie ‘Smokes’ men behind our backs.
She wouldn’t do this. Couldn’t do this. Could she? Could I really have fucked up so badly again? Let an enemy get close?
Yet here was proof that she was doing just that. She was standing alone in a shadowed corner of the underground parking garage of the Solace Casino and Resort talking with Brian Chan, the Casterelli mob accountant. Threat. My body thrummed with rage as I flipped through the stack once more. The one that set me off the most was them exchanging some kind of file before she left. Kiera always told us what moves she was making when and why she was doing it. Except this.
Traitor.
Why didn’t she say something about a meeting? Did the assassin know?
Threat.
Has she been playing us this whole time? What the fuck kind of game is this?