by D. L. Raver
THE SOUND OF Zolt coming in broke my reverie, leaving the memories of my first encounter with Kenna lingering in my mind.
Zolt’s downtrodden expression made me sympathize with the poor bloke; he looked completely knackered and somewhat hung over. But beyond that, I knew how it felt to break the heart of the woman you loved.
“I’ve called Irelyn at least ten times or more,” Rachel said, her hand squeezing Cory’s.
“More,” Cory said. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“She hasn’t called me back. Nothing. This isn’t Irelyn. Is it true she told you Marcus proposed and she accepted?”
“That’s what she said,” Zolt bit out coldly, and I could tell he didn’t want to elaborate.
“Marcus must be forcing her. She wouldn’t marry him, Zolt.” Rachel glanced at Cory, and they shared an unspoken conversation.
Cory gave a one-shoulder shrug.
“Zolt, before Irelyn went for her dress fitting, she said she planned to come here right after. She wanted to be here when you woke from being sedated. Staying away from you wasn’t her intention. Obviously, Marcus cornered her at the dress salon.”
“Which is where they arrested me,” I said, beyond irritated. My hand clenched into fists, and I wanted desperately to hit something or someone. “I should have guessed Xavier orchestrated it.”
“Whatever he said to her, or threatened her with, must have been major. She’s going to kill me for telling you, but here it goes: Irelyn is in love with you. I guarantee that didn’t change in less than twenty-four hours,” Rachel said to Zolt.
“Oh,” Zolt mumbled, staring at Rachel. He pinched the bridge of his nose, and I could see him fighting with the regret that must be flaying him. He scrubbed at his face with both hands. “This is my fault.”
“Yeah, you fucked up, Z-man.” T-bone squeezed Zolt’s shoulder. “But we can’t dwell on who is to blame. We need to figure out where Irelyn is and how to get her away from Marcus.”
Cory stared down at his phone and frowned.
“What’s wrong, baby?” Rachel asked, pushing her shoulder length hair behind one ear.
“It’s Kenna. I’ve called her and messaged her. Nothing. You dropped her off, right Sloan?” Cory asked, his green eyes narrowed with concern.
“I did.” I kept my tone as level as I could muster. The knot of dread in my stomach bloomed into the size of a baseball. Not only had I dropped her off, we’d been together. But like I always do, I left without saying goodbye.
“Kenna can be flighty, Cory,” Rachel soothed. “She’s probably hanging out with her friends and lost her phone again. She can be kind of ditsy on occasion.”
“Yeah, maybe. But Mom said she didn’t show up for her dress fitting. The salon called and asked if she wanted to reschedule.”
I growled, my body tensing with fear. Zolt and I looked at each other, and I knew then exactly what had happened.
“You don’t think…do you, Sloan?” Zolt asked me.
My stomach began to roil and I clutched at the leather cushion of the couch. I could feel myself grow pale, but I had to keep it together. They would never understand if I lost it. No one knew about us, and I wasn’t about to tell them now.
“Think what?” Brody asked.
“Kenna. Marcus has Kenna,” Zolt answered. “Fuck!”
T-bone glanced at his phone and tapped out a message. “I’m contacting Jackson to see if he’s heard anything.”
“We have to find out,” Cory said, standing up. “If he has Kenna and he has harmed her, I’ll fucking kill him. I need to contact my dad.”
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! My brain began to spin with scenarios of what happened.
Why didn’t I just stay? Why was I always such a wanker?
“Hold on, Cory,” T said, scrolling through his phone. “Jackson says he’s heard rumors about a new woman Marcus plans to auction off to the highest bidder. Apparently, he has several houses. Jackson is trying to find out their locations now. Marcus isn’t stupid enough to keep them at main his residence.”
I wanted to hurl at the implication. T-bone had discovered Marcus’ plans to auction off Irelyn after Zolt had hired him to look into Chris Wilke’s death. We had concentrated on keeping Irelyn safe, never dreaming Marcus would take Kenna as T’s man on the inside confirmed. There was only one reason for him to take Kenna; he thought she was still a virgin and would make the perfect addition to his perverted auction. Rachel and Irelyn, well mostly Rachel, were always teasing her about holding on to her V card. Certainly, Marcus had been privy to that information.
Only Kenna and I knew the truth.
“We’re forgetting about Friday night,” Rachel said, standing up to take Cory’s hand. “Marcus is on the board of the Arizona Cardinals’ Charity Ball. He’ll be there, and he’ll bring Irelyn. It just makes sense if he’s going to perpetuate this farce about them getting married. Marcus’ pride will dictate that they be seen together in society.”
“Put me on the guest list, Rachel,” Zolt said, running his hand through his dark wavy hair. “I’m going, and I’m not leaving without Irelyn.”
Irelyn and Kenna! How the fuck had I allowed this to happen? I needed to clear my head and think not only about Kenna, but my cousin, as well.
“Not a good idea, Z-man,” T said, giving Zolt a discerning look.
“I don’t care, T. I’m going,” Zolt retorted. “If I knew the damn location of the house, I would go there now.”
“Me, too,” Cory agreed, his blond brows pulling together as he scowled.
“Fine. Maybe you’re right, Z.” T-bone squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them. “The best place to recover Irelyn will be in a public forum. Cory, we need to meet with your father. I need to brief him on what’s going on. I don’t want him to do anything stupid like involve the authorities. I’ve laid the groundwork from the inside out. That’s our advantage, and we need to keep it.”
“Done,” Cory agreed. “We’ll go home now and talk with Dad. You’ll follow behind us?”
“Let’s roll,” T said.
“Wait, I’ll go too,” Zolt said. “We should tell your father about Jacob’s involvement. It’s possible the firm may have some liability regarding the Aspen Holdings/Black Swan settlement.”
Zolt glanced over at me as I quietly freaked the fuck out; my jaw muscle worked, clenching and unclenching. He gave me a sad smile, then left.
I stood up and grabbed T-bone’s arm as he walked past. “T, wait.”
T-bone stopped and gave me a hurry-the-fuck-up look.
“I want to be part of your team that looks for Irelyn and Kenna.”
“I appreciate that Sloan but it’s not necessary.”
“It is for me.” My eyes dropped to my feet before finding their way back to T’s questioning gaze.
“Okay,” he said impatiently.
“It’s my fault. I left Kenna alone last night, and I shouldn’t have.”
“It’s not your job to stay with her, Sloan.” I don’t know what he saw in my face, but understanding dawned in his chocolate brown eyes. “Oh. You and Kenna are together?”
I nodded, unable to say the words.
“Since when?”
“That doesn’t matter. But we are, together. Or rather…” I paused, the words staying unsaid. I couldn’t tell him we were only together when I was too weak to stay away from her. But regardless, Kenna was mine!
T’s gaze narrowed, and he rubbed his bald head. “Let me guess, no one knows, right?”
“Right.”
“Wait just one fucking minute. This isn’t just some infatuation; you’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
My mouth opened to answer in the affirmative but nothing came out.
“You don’t have to answer that, Sloan. I can see it in your face. Hold up, if Marcus’ intent is to auction off her virginity, he’s going to be sorely disappointed, isn’t he?” T’s gaze widened as the implications of what this new information meant for Kenna.
; “I’ll fucking kill him, T. I swear to the All Mighty above, if he lays a finger on her, or Irelyn for that matter, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.” I let out a long breath and shook out my hands. “So, can I work with your team, or not?”
“Yeah. I’ll text Grant and give him your phone number so you all can coordinate.”
“Thanks T. I can’t sit back and do nothing. I’m already going crazy.”
“Be smart, Sloan. Be the badass your reputation says you are, but be smart about it.”
I nodded then walked out with him. Climbing into my Challenger, I watched everyone leave, then I started the car and drove back to my loft.
The first thing I needed to do was contact Kieran and let him know I needed some personal time away from the Ceilte. I couldn’t allow for my duties with them to get in the way of finding Kenna. I had one free exemption I had yet to use. I could go off radar for several months without Kieran asking for details. Undoubtedly, this was the time to use it.
Once I’d arrange for my leave of absence, I changed into all black—T-shirt and jeans—then left for the one bar I knew might give me a heads up on what was going on. For the last year, I’d studied Marcus, keeping an eye on the men that worked for him. I’d always felt there was something fucked up about that man. Unfortunately, I didn’t follow my instincts in time to stop him from murdering Chris. Once again, the asshole had gotten the upper hand and taken both my woman and my cousin.
But not for long. Tonight, I would fade into the woodwork—one of my best skills—and hopefully get a lead on Irelyn and Kenna’s location.
I scrolled through the pictures on my phone, stopping when I came to the first one of many Kenna had sent me. This one was one of my favorites. In it she and I were in bed after she had given me the sweetest of gifts. Her strawberry blonde waves were splayed beneath her head, and she looked beyond beautiful with a sated look curving her sweet lips into a smile.
Every time we were together, she’d taken pictures of us with her phone, then she’d send them to me. I had stealthily insinuated my way into her life for all the important events from her high school graduation to her passing her Tae Kwon Do red belt test. We had pictures to commemorate them all, and I treasured every one of them.
Although I told myself every time that this was the last time, that I didn’t belong in her life, I always came back—pulled to her by a force greater then I could resist. Too many nights, I stared at the digital memories while I lay in my empty bed, wishing she was with me.
God, she looked so happy in this picture, and my heart squeezed painfully knowing, at this very moment, Kenna would be anything but happy. She was probably terrified and worried, and it was my fucking fault.
“Fuck it all to hell!” I screamed, running my finger over her image.
I had to find a way to get Kenna back, and when I did, I’d make her a permanent part of my life no matter what it cost me.
Chapter Three
Kenna
Present Day
I WOKE ON a cold concrete floor in a dimly lit room. My head throbbed with a headache that turned my stomach, threatening a violent expulsion.
Pulling myself upright, I leaned against the wall and tried to orient myself to my new surroundings as I searched my mind for what had happened.
I remembered waking up alone after Sloan and I had made love, and feeling pissed and disappointed that Sloan had, once again, pulled his disappearing act. Stupid me for thinking maybe this time would be different. But acknowledging that didn’t stop me from putting my clothes on and going outside to make sure he had left.
That’s when it happened. Strong arms grabbed me from behind and placed a cloth over my mouth, holding me firmly in place. A sweet and pungent smell filled my nostrils, immediately making my limbs weaken, dimming my sight, and lessening my hearing.
I didn’t have a clue how long I’d been here. The stark room had no bed, no table, no furniture of any kind, and no clock. Even the walls were clean.
Who the hell would do this to me?
Ransom. It must be the reason.
My parents were loaded, and my father was a high-profile lawyer. Whoever did this must know my parents would pay handsomely to get me back.
At least I hope that was their MO, because any other alternative turned my blood cold.
I was terrified, mad, and desperate. What if nobody figured out I was gone until it was too late? What if ransom wasn’t the goal?
I closed my eyes and thought of Sloan. Fuck, he was going to be pissed at himself for leaving me alone. If he had stayed after making the sweetest love to me, I wouldn’t have gone outside to make sure he had left.
“Why Sloan? Why did you let this happen to me?”
Heavy, fat tears streaked down my face as I considered the man who refused to make me a real part of his life. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him when I was sixteen. I became instantly smitten with the black-haired man with the incredibly soulful gunmetal gray eyes and a swoon-worthy body.
The door opened and I jumped, gasping when I saw the man stride in my cell like he owned the world and everything in it.
Marcus Xavier! Irelyn’s ex-boyfriend.
“Marcus.” I put my hand over my mouth. It shouldn’t surprise me he was the one behind this. He’d always given me the heebie jeebies, and I hated that Chris, my best friend Irelyn’s brother, had been friends with him; they made an odd pair. Chris enjoyed life and took the world by storm. Marcus was an uptight asshole no one liked. I hated him even more when Irelyn became involved with Marcus after Chris’ murder.
“Kenna Campbell. Welcome. I hope you’re not too disappointed in your accommodations. Do as I wish without complaint or hesitation, and I’ll reward you accordingly. Fight me in anyway, and my punishment will be severe.” His lips curved into the thin smile I always hated. The man could dress in the finest suits but it didn’t make him less the slimy bastard.
“I don’t understand. Why am I here? I thought you were my friend?” I knew damn good and well we weren’t friends, but I had to appeal to whatever heart he might possess.
“Friends? No Kenna, we aren’t friends.” He moved toward me and knelt before me. I could smell his nasty cologne, and I threw up a little in my mouth.
“What we are is master and slave. But really, the cold truth of the matter is you’re my newest money-making venture. I own you.”
“I don’t understand,” I repeated, because I didn’t. “So what, you’re going to hold me for ransom?”
“No ransom. Something much more valuable that will make me a fair bit of cash. The sex club at Irelyn’s grandfather’s ranch has made me a good deal of money, but you, mmm.” He licked his thin lips then roughly took my chin in his hand, squeezing until my eyes watered. “You will make me so much more.”
I didn’t say anything since I couldn’t open my mouth while he held my chin captive.
“Your virginity, Kenna. That’s what I want. You can’t imagine how much you’ll fetch at auction. A pretty sweet, innocent thing like yourself. Yes, a fair amount indeed.”
I could feel the blood drain from my face. The virginity train had left the station and wasn’t coming back. If Marcus checked—and I couldn’t imagine he wouldn’t—that fact would be readily apparent.
He must have seen the fear widen my eyes because he squeezed my face even harder.
“You are still a virgin, aren’t you Kenna? I’ve never seen you date, or seen any man around you.”
He let go of my face and stood. Before I could react or answer his question, he pulled me up by my hair, making me cry out.
“Answer me Kenna!”
“No,” I eked out through my tears.
“You stupid little slut!” Marcus back-handed me so hard I flew back and hit the wall.
I collapsed against it, holding my face while pain and stars exploded before my eyes.
“Who Kenna? Who did you fuck?”
I shook my head. I wouldn’t say Sloan’s name no matter what h
e did to me.
“Tell me!” He leaned down and wrapped his hands around my neck, squeezing until I gasped for air. When he relaxed his hold and glared at me expectantly with his beady gray eyes, I cringed and shrunk into myself. At the same time, I couldn’t help but think of Sloan’s gorgeous gunmetal gray gaze. Though Marcus and Sloan may share the same color of eyes, the shades were very different, as were the men. In Sloan’s eyes I saw how much he cared for me, and in Marcus’ I saw nothing but ugly disappointment I didn’t have the goods he wanted to sell.
I’m fucked. Absolutely and irrevocably fucked!
“That’s none of your business Marcus,” I spat, accessing the last bit of defiance I had left.
My answer only served to piss off Marcus further. He grabbed me by the neck again, putting more pressure on my airway. I tried to struggle against his hold, but it only served to tighten it. It pissed me off all of my years of martial arts training couldn’t save me. In this moment, I was helpless.
When blackness crept in on the edge of my vision, I welcomed the reprieve and let myself slip under, clinging to the memory of Sloan’s face.
When I woke, my entire body hurt, and my dry throat longed for a drink. I looked around the room for water and found none. The small concrete space had no amenities. I didn’t even want to think about what would happen when nature called. The thought made me cringe in horror.
Marcus had stripped me of everything people who lived in civilized societies took for granted.
I thought about praying, but I was afraid God had abandoned me, though for what reason I couldn’t fathom.
More tears came—hot and stinging. All I could think about was Sloan and the first time we’d kissed almost fourteen months ago.
“Are you sure you don’t mind Sloan taking you home after me? It just makes more sense based on where Sloan lives.” Irelyn said, climbing into the back of the town car.
We’d just come from the movies, seeing the latest, hot romantic comedy, and the vodka cranberry we had snuck in left us a little on the giddy side.
“Nah, I’m cool with it,” I said, as nonchalantly as I could manage. Any time Sloan and I got to be alone was like Christmas arriving early.