by Linzi Basset
“I hadn’t planned on expanding. Not with the economy as it is, but I’ll look into it.”
“Good.” Burgess turned to the door. “Was it you?” He asked with his hand on the door handle.
Adam frowned. “Me?”
“Who got rid of Baxter? It was a stroke of genius. He had turned into a liability and you did us a favor. And him too, for that matter,” Burgess said with a snort.
“What do you mean?”
“He wouldn’t have died as painlessly if we had done the deed. I guess for that, he has you to thank.”
Adam didn’t hear the door close. He was too shaken by the fact that the Sixth Order had been in the process of eliminating him—Adam Baxter. He thought he’d been an asset to them. It was a shock to realize otherwise.
Maybe Vitale had actually done him a favor by turning him into Damien Whittaker.
The smile curved Adam’s lips when the realization took root in his mind. He had it all now; respect and the ability to gain access into the Sixth Order quickly. On top of that, he had more money at his disposal than he would ever be able to spend. A frown pulled his bushy eyebrows together.
My own money? What about that? And my properties?
He pulled out the cellphone Vitale had given him. It was encrypted, calls to and from it would be untraceable and was to be used only to contact him.
“Yes, Damien. How is the first day back?” Vito answered the phone. It was weird, answering to a different name—Damien. But Vito insisted on it.
“Good,” he snapped shortly. He dragged in a deep breath and then asked without preamble. “My properties, my money. How do I gain access to it? I didn’t have a will, so if it’s not claimed, the state will seize all my assets.” His voice rose in panic as he spoke, only just realizing the impact of this change. He had close to two-hundred million in cash and assets.
“Oh, but you did have a will, my dear man.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
An evil laugh echoed in his ear. Dread filled his mind. He knew he’d lost it all before Vitale intoned in an amused tone, “I thought it was only fair that the family you had kept apart for sixteen years should benefit from your deviousness.”
“What do you mean?” he managed to croak.
“Do I have to spell it out to you, Damien? Very well. The Francis sisters are the sole beneficiaries of your entire estate.” He laughed at the row of expletives that erupted in his ear. “Lock, stock and barrel. Clever of me, don’t you think? Now, Rhone Greer and Keon LeLuc might just start believing in your death and stop searching for answers.”
“You had no fucking right to do that!” Adam exploded.
“I eliminated the threat. Something, you seemed incapable of doing over the years under the tutelage of the Sixth Order. It’s time you realize just who and what I am, my dear man.”
“It is my house! My money! I will not allow you to hand it on a platter to those two bitches. Especially that fucking redhead. It’s her fault that you had the opportunity to use me like this. Hers! And you gave everything I worked so hard for, to her. You had no fucking right!”
“You won’t allow? Hm. In case you’ve forgotten, Adam Baxter doesn’t exist anymore. Much like Lauren Francis. Remember, the woman you used and abused as your slave for six years, forcing her to submit. Yes, I know all about it. Now, I have to tell you, Adam. It’s something I can’t stand. Using the BDSM lifestyle to turn an unwilling victim into your own personal sex-slave and then manipulating an innocent child in the process? That was the final nail in your coffin.” He laughed. “Literally. So, let me spell it out to you. You do not have a life of your own anymore. You, your life, your entire existence, belong to me. I call the shots and you, my puppet, will dance every time I pull the cords.”
Adam sagged into the chair. Despair threatened to pull him into a pit of darkness.
“If you are stupid enough to try and extract revenge from Lauren Francis or her sister, I suggest you forget it. Immediately. Because this is your only chance to redeem yourself in my eyes, Adam. Fuck up again and you are a dead man.”
Adam knew it wasn’t an idle threat. Vito Vitale didn’t just threaten. He made promises.
* * * * * * * *
“Who is this attorney, Rhone, and why does he want to see Lauren and Samantha?” Keon asked with a concerned frown.
“I had Samantha investigate him. He’s legit and specializes in deceased estates.”
This time, Keon was the one pacing in front of the windows. Lauren watched the muscles in his thighs flex with every step he took. She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly felt dry. She wanted this man. Not just as a lover but in her life. Instinct was driving her to fight for a future with him. Sometimes fate is a cruel taskmaster, but destiny is the driver. For some reason, their paths had crossed . . . their lives had linked.
It was up to her to strengthen these silky cords into an unbreakable chain. And love was the key. It was too soon to believe this emotion was love, but Lauren had never backed down from a challenge.
“What deviousness is swirling inside your mind, sis?” Samantha whispered in her ear.
Lauren started. She’d forgotten how astute her sister was. She’d always been tuned in to her emotions. It seemed that years apart hadn’t severed the bonds of sisterhood.
“I’m just thinking how blessed I am to have found you and Beckie, her father.”
Samantha picked up on the undertone of uncertainty in her voice.
“But you’re worried that Keon is going to kick you out? Is that it?”
Lauren dragged her gaze from Keon, who was now in an earnest discussion with his team. They were gathered around a large boardroom table in Rhone’s office. The two women sat in a sofa, in front of the windows, basking in the sun.
“At first he resented the role I played in Beckie’s life. But he told me a few days ago that he was over it. That he’ll be forever grateful she had someone like me care for her. No, he offered that I can stay but . . .” She hesitated. Not sure how much she wanted Samantha to know about her own desires.
“But it would never be more than that? Right?”
Lauren smiled. “You know him better than I do.”
“Not really. I’ve only known them a couple of weeks longer than you, but Keon is a very passionate man. And it’s a known fact how much Keon adored Amelia.”
“Yeah.”
Samantha searched her expression as she took her hand and rubbed the scar of her severed finger.
“But, I’ve come to realize that love happens when you least expect it. He’s a lot like Rhone in that aspect. I know he loves me but he has yet to admit it and sometimes I doubt he ever will. He’s seen too much deviousness, hate and betrayal to trust in something like love. Keon will fight it, sis. Not because he doesn’t believe in it but because he doesn’t want to hurt again. It’s as simple as that. To Keon loving a woman means the possibility of pain and loss. It sucks, I know,” she said with a smile at the expression on Lauren’s face.
“But, that doesn’t mean you can’t change the way he thinks. It’s hard, ask me, I know. Somedays I am satisfied with just the knowledge that Rhone loves me.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek. “I have . . . we have suffered enough at the hands of Adam Baxter, sis. It’s time for us to grasp the chance at happiness with both hands. If Keon is yours, don’t let doubts hold you back. Fight for what you believe in. Make him see the wonderful person that you are. Use his attraction toward you, even if it’s only sexual at this stage, to your benefit.”
“What do you mean?” Lauren asked, confused.
“His lust for you is obvious, especially at the club. And, like Rhone, he’s possessive as hell. He can’t take it when other Doms approach you. Why do you think he hasn’t allowed anyone to scene with you?”
“Are you saying I should make him jealous?” Lauren asked incredulously. It was something she’d not even considered.
“Jealousy sometimes triggers emotions
we tend to keep locked away.” She shrugged. “Remember what I said, Lauren. Keon is a passionate man and you are an equally passionate woman. Why do you think you’re so drawn to each other? Know what I think?”
“What?”
“You two were fated to meet. Use the passion, sis. Let it work for you. Keon won’t be able to resist. If he’s your future, go at it with all guns blazing.”
A knock on the door ended their conversation. Rhone’s assistant, Savannah ushered a distinguished looking older man into the room.
“Mr. Greer. Thank you for allowing us to meet here. I am Ronald Calvert, attorney at law.”
“Mr. Calvert,” Rhone acknowledged him as they shook hands. He introduced him around and finally led him to where the two women were seated.
“This is Samantha Frazer and Lauren Francis.”
A frown appeared between the attorney’s eyes. “Samantha Frazer?”
“She had to change her name when she left the secret services a couple of years ago,” Rhone explained.
With Max and Alex White’s assistance, Lauren’s identity had been restored and she now had her legitimate name back.
“Do you have proof of your original identity, Ms. Frazer?” Ronald asked Samantha.
“Yes, but not right now,” she confirmed. “What is this about, Mr. Calvert? My parents’ estate had been finalized fifteen years ago. We have no other family who we could be beneficiaries for. I’m afraid I don’t understand why you’re here.”
Ronald Calvert looked around. “I need to request that everyone leave the office, please, Mr. Greer. It’s a matter I need to discuss with the two ladies in private.”
“No. Rhone and Keon stay,” Samantha asserted. She held up her hand when Ronald began to protest. “Or you can leave, Mr. Calvert.”
“Very well,” he consented when the other three men quietly left the office. He took a seat across the sisters. Keon and Rhone remained standing.
He opened the folder he had in his hands, clearing his throat before he looked at them and said: “This is regarding the two of you being sole beneficiaries of Adam Benedict Baxter’s estate.”
A shocked silence ascended in the office. Rhone glanced at Keon. Disbelief was clear on their faces.
“Say that again,” Samantha croaked. Rhone and Keon had kept the news of Baxter’s death from the sisters. They’d only found out about it last week.
“You are aware of Mr. Baxter’s death? It was widely televised. It was a gruesome death.” Ronald intoned with a shudder.
“Yes, we heard the news but I’m afraid I don’t understand. You said sole beneficiaries? Why? It’s not as though we were close. Quite the opposite, in fact.” Samantha sneered at him.
“What does his estate entail,” Lauren whispered. She was struggling to contain the hatred that intensified every time she heard Adam’s name.
“The total value of his estate, including properties and investments, is about two-hundred million dollars.”
“You’re not serious,” Samantha puffed out in shock.
“If you choose to have the investments paid out, it might be higher than that,” he confirmed, handing them each a thin folder with documents detailing the bequeath.
“Of course, if one of you declines the inheritance, the other loses it as well and the entire estate will become state property.”
“Well, I don’t want shit from that bastard,” Samantha seethed.
“But I do.”
“Lauren! How can you even—”
“Easy.” Her eyes were bright on her pale face. “He took so much form us, Samantha. I don’t even know what hold he had over your life, but me . . . he almost destroyed me. The person I used to be, died that day our family did. He did that. He made me into something . . . something I detest. You have no idea . . .” She swallowed hard and rubbed the fresh scar on her finger furiously. “No idea just how much he took from me.”
“Goddamnit!” Keon cursed when he noticed the redness of her finger and rushed to her side. He wrapped her hand in his. “Shh, enough, Lauren. Calm down,” he soothed her gently. She hardly noticed him.
“He owes me, Samantha. He owes us! For keeping us apart. It’s not about the money, it’s about taking something from him for a change. It doesn’t matter what we do with it. We can burn it for all I care.” She ignored Ronald’s shocked gasp. “But we’re taking it, Samantha. It’s our due. It’s Beckie’s due. Everyone who has suffered because of him!”
Samantha looked into her fevered eyes, took in her pallor and the way she clutched at Keon’s hands.
Oh god, what did he do to her? Will she ever tell me? Do I even want to know?
“Very well, sis. You are right. It is our due.” Samantha squared her shoulders and glanced at Rhone. “Do you understand, honey?”
Rhone was humbled by her question. It detached another bracket that had been keeping the cage intact around his emotions.
“I do, luv and it’s your choice,” he said after a brief look at Keon, who nodded his acquiescence.
“Very well. I will leave all the documents with you. It lists the requirements for you to lay claim to the inheritance and the documentation you need to supply.” Richard placed the thick folder on the table in front of him. “Miss Frazer, that includes the proof of your name change. Good. I’ll leave you then and will wait for you to contact me to set up an appointment for finalizing the estate.”
Rhone escorted him to the door. “Oh, Mr. Calvert, could you tell me when this will was drawn up?”
“Usually it’s not something I’d be willing to disclose but I suppose it hardly matters now.” He opened his folder and paged through it. “Four weeks ago.”
“I see. Thank you. We’ll be in touch.”
Keon joined Rhone at the door. They shared a silent look of agreement. “That would coincide with the night Lauren crashed the van. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Yeah, Keon. Someone is going out of their way to make us believe Adam Baxter is dead.”
“I agree, Chuck. On the other hand, it could be a clever ploy.”
“My thoughts exactly. He can hardly lay claim to his fortune as a dead man. What better way to bequeath it to the two women he’d been able to control for years,” Rhone contemplated.
“Yeah and once we back off and stop asking questions, he swoops in and demands his money back from them.”
“He’s not working alone, Keon. Fuck! If only there was a way to identify whose body was in that wreck.”
“Ah yes, of course! He needed a new identity! Two flies with one swat. He gives the authority his corpse and then he takes over the dead man’s life. It’s fucking genius, even if I have to say so myself.”
“Yeah, which makes me believe he wasn’t working alone. Might not even be the mastermind, for that matter.”
“Someone like Vito Vitale. It makes perfect sense, Rhone. Jesus! Now he has the Don to protect his hide.”
“Or use him as a pawn.” Rhone turned and stared at the two women who were studying the files Calvert had left.
“The plot thickens,” Rhone muttered.
Chapter Ten
“Wipe that smirk off your face, LeLuc! I don’t think this is remotely funny,” Lauren snapped at the amused expression on Keon’s face as he stood watching Max and Jack tying her to the spider web.
“That’s five.”
Lauren narrowed her eyes on the formidable Dom leaning against the wall in the discipline chamber, as they’d named this room.
“How can you allow them to punish me? I’m supposed to be your sub,” she protested loudly and yanked her arms but to no avail. The two Doms had effectively cuffed her wrists to the hooks on the spider web. She was spread eagled in front of them as they stepped back and stood next to Keon.
“Beautiful. Although she would’ve looked more enticing naked,” Max said contemplatively.
“How, you ask, Red? Didn’t I warn you about sassing the Senior Masters?”
“Yes, but—”
<
br /> “And didn’t I repeat that warning when we walked into the club this evening?”
“Yes, but—”
“Quiet, sub,” he thundered. Lauren’s lips snapped together. He appeared ruthless when he walked closer. “Not another word. You are way too blasé about the rules of the club.”
“But I—”
“Do you want to make your punishment worse, Red? Because I’ll gladly comply, once these two Masters are done with you.”
Lauren shook her head. She glanced furtively toward the two men watching silently. Keon had been bringing her to the club every Friday and Saturday. He’d been easing her into the lifestyle with gentle coaching but he’d not scened with her. Not like she’d seen the other couples do. It was becoming harder to hold back that demand.
Because whether she liked to admit it or not, she craved his body. To feel his hard length forcing open her pussy lips and go deep inside her. She pulled in a ragged breath as that mere thought caused her loins to tighten.
“The only word you speak during the next thirty minutes is ‘red’. And only if it becomes too much to bear. You will answer when asked a question. Say one more word and you won’t be able to sit on that delectable ass of yours for a week. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Now, why are you being punished?”
“Because I was disrespectful toward Master Jag and Master Black.”
Her eyes widened when Keon reached out and slowly unhooked her corset. He pulled it away from her body and folded it neatly. When he traced her rosy nipples, watching as they turned to hard stones, she battled to keep her breathing even.
“So responsive to my touch,” he said under his breath. He looked into her eyes and with a wicked grin, gripped her thong in his fist.