by Never, M.
“Shit,” he hisses, sliding both hands into my hair. I suck him off just long enough to slather his cock with my saliva. I want him inside of me. I miss him filling me up and pushing my body past the breaking point.
I release his cock with a pop, and he groans in protest. Ignoring his reaction, I climb up his torso and settle my starving pussy on top of his thick, wet, rigid length.
“I need to fuck you.” I lean over and bite his neck, buzzing with need, want, and desperate desire. “I need you inside me.”
Baz clutches my face and kisses me with the force of ten men. I slide over his cock until the tip penetrates my entrance. I push my hips down slowly, savoring the feel of him sinking inside me. Stretching, sliding, stimulating me at my very core. Oh, God, it’s so good. The head pushes past my belly button, and my entire body tightens. My pussy throbs around him as the sensations seize me like a prisoner.
“Oh, fuck.” I push up, throwing my head back in sheer ecstasy.
“Ride me, Stevie.” Baz grabs my ass and looks up at me with smoldering green eyes.
I rock my hips, my insides as sensitive as a land mine. Every movement setting off another tiny explosion. I grab hold of the headboard as I slowly unravel. Huffing and puffing as we fuck, Baz’s erection charges the dull ache growing rapidly between my thighs.
He can’t decide where to put his hands, so they jump all over me in different directions. Pinching my ass, squeezing my tits, trapping my waist as my body undulates.
His cock swells, elevating my excitement to a new level. I try to keep my voice down and my moans low, but he feels too good, and I need the release so fucking bad. I need to be connected to Baz in just our way. The way only the two of us can share.
“I’m gonna come,” I barely voice. My pussy throbbing and tingling with each stroke over his cock. I grip the headboard, completely a goner.
“That’s it, baby, let go.” Baz is right there with me, breathing hard and flexing his hips from his own impending climax. Looking down at him, I watch engrossed as he wets his fingertips and slips them between my legs. He massages my clit and a bomb goes off.
“Ah!” I cry out off-pitch as my head and my core simultaneously pound like a jackhammer. My muscles seize and prevent me from moving. I’m a marble statue trapped in an enchanted realm of pleasure. Baz thrusts his pelvis beneath me, relentlessly rubbing my clit through my entire orgasm. The sensations steamroll me, back and forth, like a two-ton machine, hitting me hard.
“Fuck!” He finally explodes, crunching off the mattress as he comes. I watch the whole thing like it’s a dream. The way his veins bulge, and his jaw clenches, and his cheeks turn an angry shade of red. He becomes trapped, just like me. In a blinding sandstorm of ecstasy.
Like someone injected me with a muscle relaxer, I collapse on top of Baz. Our skin is slick with sweat, our hair is matted, and we’re sticky from the flash flood of our arousal. We’re a mess. A hot damn mess, and neither of us could be happier about it.
I feel it in the way Baz wraps his arms around me and holds me close. I’m entirely his, and he’s entirely mine. And no one is going to change that.
“I love you.” He breathes laboriously, pressing a firm kiss on my head.
“I love you, too, all of you.” I return the sentiment, tattooing a kiss right over his heart.
I MEANT IT when I told Baz I loved him.
I mean it every time I say it.
I stand over Audie’s bassinet, twisting my rings apprehensively. Everything that’s important to me is represented on these two hands. My past, my future, and all my love.
I watch my daughter sleep. I just fed her, so she’s sated and full, her cheeks the perfect shade of satisfied pink.
“Watch your daddy while I’m gone,” I whisper in the darkness, kissing her little head.
One day she’ll learn that sometimes a woman just needs to take care of business. Like I’m about to do. My message was clear. I’ve had enough. I’m ending this tonight. My way. Quickly, quietly, savagely. If I can get close enough, I’m going to gut Regina then spill her blood all over her shoes. If I can’t get close enough, unloading an entire chamber of bullets will just have to do.
Tomorrow, my family is going to walk in the sunlight without having to look over their shoulders.
I pull the gold ring off my index finger and place it on the nightstand. I fully intend to make it back alive and unharmed, but I want Audie to have a piece of me while I’m gone. Even if she doesn’t know what it is or even if it’s there.
I kiss Baz lightly on the cheek. He doesn’t even stir. We made love several times through the night, so he is also sated and full.
I creep out of the room soundlessly, like the ghost I am.
This hit was premeditated, so I collected what I needed throughout the day. Being confined to the house, I learned a few things. Like where extra ammo is stashed, and what kind of toys are parked in the garage. Gianni has an insane collection. There’s everything from a classic Mustang to a brand-new Rolls Royce.
I stashed what I needed in the little two-door Audi. A black hoodie, two handguns, and a couple of kitchen knives. When you are trying to soothe a fussy baby in a house full of men, you get free range. No one questioned my trails around the side of the house, as I bounced her while she screamed.
Sneaking down the stairs and into the garage, I snatch the TTs keys off the wall and head for the car.
That’s when the lights flicker on. “Going somewhere?” Gianni’s voice echoes around the vast garage.
Shit.
I only turn my head. “To live up to the name Ghostface Killer.” Gianni grunts, and I spin to face him. Bull and Gun are also in the room. “What gave me away?”
“Nothing gave you away. I just had a hunch.”
“Hunch?” I repeat.
“The way you looked at me this morning. After everything was said and done. It was vicious and vacant all at the same time. The only other woman to ever look at me like that was my ex-wife. And let me tell you, that woman was a piranha.” He laughs, but the sound is empty. Not an ounce of humor. “It’s a good thing I’m surrounded by bodyguards.” He thumbs behind him.
“Are you here to stop me?” I question.
“Not at all. If you feel this is something you need to do, far be it from me to stand in your way. I just have one request. Take these two chuckleheads with you.”
Gun and Bull both cross their arms intimidatingly.
“With all due respect, I usually work alone.”
“With all due respect, you used to be alone. You could afford to be reckless. But now you have a husband and child to consider. A husband and child who both need you. I saw what it did to Baz when he lost you the first time. He won’t survive it if it happens again.”
I sigh as Gianni’s words seep in.
“Are either one of you good with a rifle?” I succumb.
“Gun is ex-military. Ranger,” Bull informs me. “I’m just a hell of a shot.” He leers arrogantly.
My focus flip-flops from Gianni to Gun to Bull, and then the tiny Audi.
I emit a low, throaty groan of resignation. “We’re gonna need a bigger car.”
The drive from Long Island to Staten Island at three o’clock in the morning is a breeze. Not an inkling of traffic. We ended up switching the TT for a Range Rover. More room for Gun, Bull, and the arsenal they packed in the trunk. There’s enough ammo back there we could go to war with Mexico. And win.
The ride is quiet but not sinisterly so. It’s a mental preparation.
I direct Gun where to park by Benny and Regina’s mansion. There are side streets behind the house that the cameras don’t pick up. I know all the blind spots. Every single one. This house was my playground for nearly ten years. My prison, my protection.
Gun and Bull follow my lead as we come to the base of the hill the house sits on. It will be a climb, but nothing unmanageable.
With the darkness shadowing us, we trek upwards until we come to a chain link fence covered i
n ivy.
“You didn’t tell us we needed bolt cutters,” Bull whispers in the dark.
“We don’t.” I sidestep ten feet until I feel what I’m looking for. “Ah.” I pull on the fence, and it separates. I had cut a line through the metal when I was sixteen. It was my escape. It wasn’t that I wanted to run away, but sometimes I just wanted a change of scenery. I would walk the side streets in the middle of the night just to clear my head. Benny never knew. At least, if he did, he never let on.
I squeeze through the opening first. It’s tight for me—it’s going to be a bitch for Bull and Gun.
Gun barrages his way through next, both Bull and I forcing the metal to give enough so he can squeak through.
“That sucked.” Gun cracks his neck.
“Sorry. I wasn’t expecting company on this little run. If I had, I would have come up with a different plan.”
Gun and I take the rifles Bull hands us, and the grenades. I thought they were a little much, but Gun insisted. Cause how often do you get to throw a grenade, right?
We haul Bull through the sliver, ripping his shirt and some skin on the rough metal.
“Aw, crap. I liked this shirt.” He slips his finger into the hole. I roll my eyes. It’s a black T-shirt. The same kind he wears every day.
“I’ll buy you ten new ones when we get out of here.” I start walking up the lawn. The back of the property is situated on a set of rolling hills. The one we just climbed and the one in front of us that will lead to the back of the house.
“So, what’s the plan exactly?” Bull rests his rifle on his shoulder as we move forward. “Are we just going in there and shooting the place up?”
“No. Shit like that is how you get yourself killed.”
“I like a good ambush in the morning.” His voice is laced with amusement.
“Oh, it’ll be an ambush,” I promise. “We’re just going to make them come to us.”
The sound of barking echoes in the distance.
“Dogs.” Gun spit’s, lifting his rifle.
“No.” I grab the neck and yank it down as two pit bulls haul ass into view.
“Stevie,” Gun mutters my name, worried.
“Trust me, please.”
Seconds later, I’m knocked to the ground by the two stocky dogs.
“Puppies, puppies, puppies.” I pet them as they whine and lick my face. “Aww, I missed you, too.” I sit up, scratching their clipped ears. They look mean as hell, but they’re big babies.
I stand up and wipe the slobber off my face as Doom and Hades jump excitedly around us.
“Sit,” I command, and their butts hit the grass. “Let them smell you,” I tell Bull and Gun as I pull out a handful of M&Ms from my front pocket. I told you, this whole night was premeditated.
Bull instantly connects with the two dogs. Gun, not so much.
“Don’t you like dogs?” I ask.
“I’m more of a cat person.” He groans as he pats Dooms head lightly.
“Here.” I hand Bull and Gun some of the M&Ms. “Feed them. They’ll love you forever.”
They both do as instructed, and soon the two beasts are on their backs begging for belly rubs. Once we are all acquainted, I send the dogs away.
“Go to bed!” I order, and they take off for the house. They shouldn’t be a bother. Baz and I are totally getting a pit when this is all said and done. I miss my puppies.
“Okay, so now what, pit bull whisperer?” Gun asks.
“Now, you two find a perch in the trees.” I point to the cherry blossoms lining the side of the house. “I’m going to cause a distraction and draw everyone out.”
“How?” Gun questions.
“I’m going to set the alarm off. At five forty-five, the guards change shifts. It’s when the house is most vulnerable. Regina’s escape route is out the back of the house. There are getaway cars stashed behind the pool house.” I point to the little house in the distance. Well, it’s little compared to the main house. A family of four could live in it comfortably.
“And what do you want us to do?”
“Pick off the guards as they filter out. I’ll take care of Regina.”
“What if she runs?” Bull asks.
“She can run, but it won’t be faster than my bullet.”
“How many bodyguards do you think are in there?”
“Five, usually. She has this one who never leaves her side, Krueger. More than likely, he’ll be the one pulling her out.”
“Got it. Kill Krueger,” Gun affirms.
“Kill them fucking all,” I order.
“Oooh,” Bull elevates his voice excitedly. “It’s gonna be fun working with you.”
My heart deflates a little. I wish this was the last time. I wish Ghostface Killer would die with Regina. I just want to be the person Baz wants. A woman. A wife. A mother. Not a killer anymore.
“I can expect you guys to cover me once the shit hits the fan?”
Bull grunts. “Girlie, you don’t even know who you’re talking to. We have a shit load of slugs that all need good homes. And we’re gonna give’em one.”
That comment makes me grin. Gun, Bull, and I may have had a rocky start, but it’s good to know they have my back now.
“Okay, I’m going to get this ball rolling. Find your spots. Stay down. Once you reach the edge of the property, the cameras will pick you up.”
“We got this.” Gun and Bull fist bump, then Gun raises his hand to me. I bump my tiny fist against his massive one. I can’t see his smile clearly in the early morning dusk, but I know it’s there.
Gun, Bull, and I part ways, the impending future a muddy one.
Following the tree line, I make my way to the house, the ground slowly inclining as I get closer and closer. Once I make it up to the impressive back patio, the Verrazano glitters in the distance. I stared at that bridge for years, counting the lights, contemplating my life. It’s ironic it’s going to end where it all began.
I keep close to the house and low to the ground. Behind a tall line of bushes is a security panel. It’s a secondary one that controls the whole house. It’s encased in steel bars, but I know the code. I know all the codes for this massive pile of bricks. I punch in the ten digits on the illuminated keypad, and the lock clicks. A little too loud for my liking. I open the cage, then the door to the panel. The small light inside allows me to see just what I need.
In the center of the box surrounded by wires is another keypad and display screen. I pull up the main menu and punch away. Disarming the cameras, cutting the electricity, and finally punching in the test code to set off the alarm. Benny has this place rigged. The alarm is loud and flashing and obnoxious. It will startle the whole house, which is exactly what I want it to do. I want them to scatter like chickens. I inhale a deep breath then hit the last number to the code. Sirens go off and it begins.
I skirt back down the side of the house, handgun drawn, hiding just at the edge of the back patio. I watch and wait until everyone starts flooding out of the house. It’s doesn’t take long. Three minutes, tops. The sun is rising, providing plenty of light, allowing me to make out each individual as they exit through the back.
Two nameless guards first, guns drawn. They never see the shots coming. But they’re picked off at exactly the same time. Seconds later, Krueger follows with Regina and, holy shit, Desmond right behind him. Now there’s a plot twist I didn’t foresee.
I would’ve bet money his body would be decomposing in one of the Island’s landfills by now.
Another covert shot flies, and Krueger goes down. Hard. Big lug. I’m not going to miss his surly ass at all. Regina screams, and that’s when I make my move.
“G!” I step out of the shadows with my gun pointed right at her head.
She turns, her face morphing from shock to recognition to ridicule in a nanosecond.
“I should have known it was you.”
“I told you I was coming.” I walk straight up to her, Desmond shielding her with his body. T
hey’re both half naked, Desmond in loose sweat pants, Regina in a ruffly nighty. His face is fucked up. So swollen and black and blue, he’s barely recognizable. A thick, white bandage covering the front of his neck. “Stevie,” he warns.
I laugh at him. “Seriously, Desmond? I didn’t kill you earlier, but I sure as hell will kill you now. You’re a fucking traitor! A rat. A snitch! A shitty fucking shot.”
“Stevie, back off!” Regina yells at me.
“I don’t have to listen to you anymore, G. Not after you tried to kill me. Kill my fucking family!”
“I missed on purpose,” Desmond proclaims. “Do you seriously think I couldn’t hit one person in that room from the distance I was standing?”
“I don’t know what you’re capable of. Maybe your adrenaline was running too high? Maybe the guilt of what you were about to do got to you? You looked like complete shit when you walked into that room.”
“Stevie,” Desmond takes a step toward me then hit the ground.
Regina screams again, an enraged, pained, heartbreaking shriek ripping from her throat. “Desmond, no!”
Blood oozes from his temple onto the smooth cement ground, staining it red. “Desmond.” She drops to her knees and weeps. I look out into the distant trees, but I can’t make out Bull or Gun. That was a retribution kill.
I watch Regina curiously. That’s the most emotion I’ve ever seen her display. If she wasn’t such a cunt, I might actually feel sorry for her.
“Are you happy now, you fucking bitch!” She turns her head and screeches so high the pitch could shatter glass.
“You started it, G, when you lied to me about everything. When you sent me after Baz. When you tried to finish what Benny started. When you sent Desmond to kill my family. My infant fucking daughter,” I remind her of every single heinous act.
“You don’t know shit, Stevie! I don’t give two fucks about your family. About power, about any of it! All I ever wanted was him.” Tears roll down her cheeks like a tsunami.
I stare down at Regina, a broken mess of a woman. She intimidated me once. Her poise, her beauty, her bitchy fucking attitude. But as I look at her now, all I feel is sorry for her. She’s pathetic. Weak. A waste.