I tensed. This was where the conversation went from civil to littered with minefields. I refused to talk about Tess with him. Flatly fucking refused. I didn’t care how much he knew or how much he didn’t. None of it mattered because by the time dawn arrived I would either be dead—or he would be. Either way, my reputation and what I did with Tess was irrelevant.
My mind filled with blonde curls, pink lips, and a strong innocence that made me bow to the woman I missed so fucking much. I better be in one piece to marry her tomorrow.
I’d fixed her but hadn’t done the one thing I wanted above all. I wanted to call her my wife.
Hurry up, Franco.
I nodded. Once. That was all he was getting.
“I also heard you murdered Wolverine. Hardly fair since he gave you a slave you finally enjoyed.”
My skin tingled with rage, muscles locking with the need to pummel his face. A bodyguard moved closer, sensing the fraying hold I had on my emotions.
Narrowing my eyes, I said, “Yes, I murdered that cretin. Sliced his throat like fucking caviar and I did the same to his son.”
Lynx froze, his eyes fluttering as the skilled tongue of his slave worked him closer to release. “So cocky, Mercer.”
I shrugged. “It was easy. About as easy as it will be to murder you.” My temper swelled. I couldn’t do his question and answer session anymore. “Why did you drag me here? I’m done watching you get a blowjob. Fucking do something or let me go.”
I was aware the question might catapult me into the killing zone, but I couldn’t sit there any longer.
I wanted to leave. I couldn’t leave. The lack of freedom made me slip from sane to crazy.
“You came for me, Q. Je suis à toi.” Tess’s voice wouldn’t stop cutting through my thoughts.
Lynx stiffened, his mouth fell open as he rhythmically thrust into the girl’s mouth. She went slack as he came down her throat, shuddering with his orgasm. The second his hips stopped pulsing, she licked him clean.
The last sweep of her tongue, Dante shoved her away and tucked his cock into his pants. Snapping his fingers, a guard handed him a lit cigarette.
Taking a puff, he murmured to the girl, “Did you like the taste of my come, slave?”
She nodded.
“Do you think you deserve a reward?”
She froze.
“Answer me.”
Slowly, she nodded again.
Lynx smiled, lashing out with the burning ember he stabbed the cigarette into her stomach, holding it until her lips turned white from holding in her scream. Pulling back, he ordered, “Your turn on the pole.”
She gratefully spun around. Not touching the seeping wound, she took her place on the podium.
My mind churned with waves of ferocity. Images of stabbing him in the heart, chopping him up, hanging him from the ceiling for his slaves to whip and abuse were the only reason why I didn’t risk certain death by hurling myself across the couch and strangling him.
Smiling, Dante wiped his lips. Crooking a finger at the black-haired girl on the pole, he summoned her from the pole.
She let go, hopping off the platform.
But she didn’t go to Lynx.
She came for me.
Oh, fuck.
I sat taller, hating the sickening panic almost as much as I hated the growing lust.
She fell to her knees, never making eye contact.
I swallowed hard.
Five hours and thirty minutes.
“I’ve also heard you’ve fallen for the slave Wolverine gave you. Bad form to murder him after he gave you love, isn’t it?”
My concentration split between Lynx’s taunts and the girl breathing softly on my knees. Her hot breath heated through my trousers.
“I didn’t kill him for his gift. I killed him for taking it away. If he’d never interfered, I wouldn’t have had to take his life.” I looked up, hoping my anger painted every facet of my body. “I’m sure you can appreciate revenge. After all, isn’t this yours? Revenge for me not being a sick fuck like you?”
Lynx laughed. “This is just a get together amongst old associates. However, I must admit I am a little pissed at what you did to me a few years ago.” He leaned forward. “I had justifiable reasons to come after you then, but I never did. Shows I’m a better man than you. Don’t you think?”
He still hadn’t got over the incident? Idiot. “Just because I knocked you out when you tried to stop me taking fair payment for that monstrosity you built in Madrid, doesn’t mean you had reason to kill my bodyguard.” Franco had not been pleased. Needless to say others died and not him.
“You stole an extra girl—that wasn’t the agreement.”
“The agreement was you wouldn’t torture the ones I left behind. I needed more collateral. You’re a high risk client, Dante. I’m sure you can appreciate that.”
“Was a client, Mercer. Don’t forget this conversation focuses on the termination of our association. Ending with a few severe penalties than just parting of business.” He chuckled. “Parting of a few other important things, too, I can assure you.”
My gunshot twinged but I kept the flash of fear hidden.
“If you felt so unjustly dealt with, why didn’t you come after me then?” I grinned. “That’s right—because you know the truth. I have more power than you.”
He chuckled, tilting his head. “That might’ve been the case, but my how the tables have turned.”
You’re scum. Worse than scum. You’re the disease that grows on scum.
I muttered, “If you want the award of being the biggest, baddest asshole then sure. You win.” I saluted him. “Now fucking stop with the mind-games. I’m done.”
Lynx grinned. “Sure. By all means.” Nodding at the girl between my legs, he ordered, “Do it.”
She sat up on her knees, reaching for my hastily buttoned blazer. The only thing keeping my naked chest from being on display. My throat closed at the memory of Tess ripping my shirt, ruining the buttons in her need. It felt like centuries ago.
“I love you so much, Q. I trust you.”
Fuck. Tess.
I was so glad she couldn’t see me now. See a whore fumbling at my belt, her hands brushing a hard cock that I wanted to cut off for being so twisted.
Pain echoed, amplifying the punches and kicks, hacking at my willpower to keep going. Five hours was an eternity. It was life-changing—or ending. So much could happen in that time.
I shuddered with violence as the girl’s hands undid my jacket, spreading it open. The moment my tattoo was visible Lynx clapped his hands. “It’s a lot different than the rumour. I’d heard it was bats not birds.”
Who the fuck had spread my secrets? Only a select few knew. A few paid prostitutes at the beginning of my career—they were the only ones who would tell. I trusted my staff and confidants completely.
I couldn’t speak through my tight jaw. I refused to utter a word.
“What do you think of her?” Lynx motioned to the girl now bowing at my feet. My fly hung open, revealing the waist band of my boxers.
A sickly spasm filled me. I hated where this was going.
“She’s underfed, sad, and no doubt thinking of ways to murder us.”
Dante glowered. His mohawk bristled with gel as he stood. “I suppose you prefer overfed women who don’t obey, is that it?”
I thought of Tess. Her incredible curves. Her feisty strength. My lips twitched, allowing one ray of light into my soul. “Yes. One in particular.”
Lynx’s face darkened. “You might as well get her out of your thoughts. You won’t be seeing her again.”
I sat solid, unmovable. Not rising to the bait.
Five hours and twenty minutes.
“Tell you what…I’ll let you survive—after I take payment for what you cost me—if you can do one thing.” His eyes flickered to the slave, filling with smug pride.
My heart splattered into my feet.
Shit.
I looked at the gi
rl; her eyes flickered to mine. Her plea for help pierced around the room—I heard it so clearly I was surprised the windows and mirrors didn’t shatter with her high-pitched sorrow.
“Want to know what it is?” Dante prodded.
I didn’t need to know. I already did.
“Blow down her throat. Use her like I know you want to. And I’ll let you live.”
My lungs stuck together.
And there it was.
The crux of my life. The one thing that would end up killing me. Not only my vow never to be my father but also my vow to a woman who held my fucking heart.
Either I had to hurt this woman and desecrate a body that now belonged to Tess or die.
The decision crippled me.
I would never be able to explain either situation. I wouldn’t be able to soothe Tess’s tears when she found me murdered for honouring my loyalty to her. And I wouldn’t be able to fan her happiness when she found me alive, knowing what I’d done to stay that way.
Honour was a bitch but there was no other way. I would die with no regrets. I would die being loyal.
Cursing the forming headache, I said, “If you ask your men, they’ll kindly inform you I came rather well a few hours ago. They saw the event. I’m wrung dry.” My eyes sparked, hot anger trickled down my back in a droplet of sweat. Nothing hurt anymore—only my heart. “But thanks for the offer.”
The girl’s face paled. She curled her shoulders, expecting a beating for no longer having the task assigned to her.
I wanted to pick her up and drape my jacket over her nakedness. Shit, I wanted her away from this creep and safe.
Lynx’s fingers cracked, forming into fists—the first sign of aggression. “This isn’t a negotiation, Mercer.”
“I thought that’s exactly what it was. A negotiation for my life.” Glaring, I added, “Let’s cut the crap. Name a price. Wouldn’t you rather a fat cheque rather than a messy corpse to clean?”
He laughed. “Who said I’d be the one cleaning afterward?”
The tension in the room thickened. Dante lost his joviality, pointing at the girl. “Do it. Otherwise this nice little conversation will end, and you’ll wish you’d taken the offer.”
The girl suddenly reached for my waistband, tugging it away from my tight, unwilling body. I stiffened as her small hand dove into my boxer-briefs, grabbing hold of a cock that had no fucking right to be hard.
Five hours and ten minutes.
I grabbed her wrists, shaking my head. “No, thank you. Stop.”
A cold muzzle pushed against my temple. Angry breathing hit the side of my face. “You don’t have a choice, asshole.”
Two options: die here with my pants undone and my skull shattered, or give myself another five hours for a chance at living.
A howl resonated in my soul. The monster inside couldn’t understand my hesitation but my love for Tess was stronger. It didn’t help when voices whispered permission.
“I’d rather you live, Q. Do whatever’s necessary to survive.”
“Do it, Q. I understand.”
Tess’s voice cajoled and danced, stealing everything.
Goddammit.
Removing my hands, I shut my eyes, allowing the girl to pull my cock out with her cold fingers.
Her touch was so different. Weak, unsure, full of history of other men she’d held—other bastards who’d used her body against her will.
Tess, fuck I’m sorry.
“Suck him,” Lynx demanded.
My stomach curled as the girl bowed over my hips—her breath hot on my length. My cock lurched at the subtle sensation. That piece of meat was the reason I’d been conflicted all my life—driven by genetics I wished I could delete.
I can’t do this.
I couldn’t use a slave. It would be the slippery slope hurtling my soul to hell.
My hand landed on her chin, holding her a millimetre from sucking me. “Arrêt.” Stop.
Let her blow you. Buy some time.
No matter the voices inside my head making it okay, I couldn’t.
The gun on my temple pressed harder. Lynx demanded. “You would rather die than have some woman’s spit on your cock?” He laughed. “You’re fucking unbelievable.”
A fist landed on my cheekbone, snapping my neck to the side. Two men grabbed my arms, jerking them behind my head.
“Do it.” Lynx snapped his fingers again. The girl grabbed my cock, her mouth descending, sinking down my length.
“Fuck. Stop!” I thrashed in the chair, not caring how much I hurt. I couldn’t let this woman suck me off. I couldn’t do that to her, to me, to Tess. Fuck, Tess. I’m sorry!
I bit my split lip as the girl sucked. Her teeth stayed sheathed, her tongue shy. My hands twitched, trying to get free. “Let me go, Lynx!”
My eyes closed, fighting the beast in my blood. It couldn’t be fucking happier to have a woman on her knees against her will. My cock grew harder, swelling under her licking tongue.
I want to die. I couldn’t do this.
I turned manic, thrusting up, trying to dislodge her lips. The girl moaned as I smashed against the back of her throat. In that moment I didn’t have any urge to save her. She was on their side. Fucking raping me of any choice or honour.
Lynx clapped his hands. “That’s it. Use her, Mercer. Let yourself go. You know you want to. Look how much your cock wants to.” He pressed on the girl’s neck, forcing her to sink lower, swallowing all of me—right to the base.
Fuck. Me.
My eyes wanted to roll. My balls wanted to explode. My heart wanted to fucking die.
The beast inside bayed in rapture—finally it said—finally I get a taste of the life I’ve always wanted.
It didn’t compute to the inner bastard inside that this was all against my will. I was the victim—just as much as she.
Her head bobbed up and down, her nose pressing against my belly.
“Stop. Just please—stop.” My quads tensed as the monster inside stole all decency. It wanted her. It wanted to abuse her. It wanted to come. So. Fucking. Bad.
I can’t!
I’m better than that. I’m better than him.
My stomach clenched with nausea. I was sick, an adulterer, the worst kind of man.
Her mouth increased pressure, her fingers circling below, grabbing my balls.
Two urges ran like raging rapids in my blood. One was the master I always kept buried who wanted to thrust into this slave and take. The other screamed for retribution. I wouldn’t stoop to his level—not even if it meant I might save my worthless fucking excuse for a life.
Tess deserved better. I would happily sign my death warrant if it meant I never had to cheat or lie or steal.
“Make him come, girl. Hurry up.” Lynx dictated her speed, wrenching her up and down by her hair, faster and faster until the prickles and tingles of an orgasm grew unwillingly in my blood.
My eyes widened as the beast growled inside, salivating at the thought of painting this slave’s throat in a way I’d never done.
I’d been so strong. Always saying no. Turning down offers. Refusing to destroy women.
You’re breaking every code you live by.
A groan tore from my lips as the suction from her mouth grew. The intensity of the inner fight between me and demon radiated outward. I fought harder, tearing my arms.
It didn’t do any good.
“Suck. Faster, girl!” Dante never took his eyes off my undoing as my hips surged upward involuntarily. Handing control over to the monster inside—the monster I wasn’t strong enough to fight.
The girl’s tongue swirled around the tip. So different to Tess. So unskilled and unloving compared to Tess.
My eyes burned with self-hatred. A ripple of pre-cum worked up my shaft. The girl worked harder, tasting the end, working me closer to the finish line.
The two men holding me chuckled, relaxing their hold. For a moment I hung suspended in a horrible place of ignoring my inner righteousness and comin
g.
It would be so easy. One thrust. Possibly two. Into the hot, wet, slippery mouth of the girl using me.
But I wouldn’t be able to live with the aftermath. I’d never forgive myself. I’d never be able to look Tess in the eye again and believe I had any goodness left for her.
The girl swivelled her head, a slice of teeth hurtling me closer to coming.
I let the monster free—but not to climax. To hunt.
Ripping my arms from the men, I kicked up at the same time. My knee connected with the girl’s chest, sending her sprawling to the floor. My glistening hard cock stood like a traitor between my legs but I didn’t give a fucking damn because all I wanted was Lynx to die. Horribly. Drastically. Excruciatingly.
I hurled myself at him, sending us both to the floor. The orgasm that lived in my body switched to lustful need for his death.
We rolled, punching, shouting. He fought hard but he didn’t have a beast riding him—a beast that desperately wanted to come and now was fucking angry.
Lynx’s bodyguards dragged me off him, slamming me onto my back. Dante scrambled to his feet, throwing a painful kick to my ribs. “You’re a dead man. Fucking dead—you hear me?”
I shrugged. “I already was. Least this way I can die knowing I kept my morals.” My eyes landed on the girl. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, holding her stomach where I kneed her.
“Je suis désolée. Ce n’est pas toi.” I’m sorry. It wasn’t you. I did up my trousers, tucking away the piece of my body that’d almost ruined me.
Her hazel eyes widened. I doubted she understood, but at least I’d said what I needed to. It would haunt me that I wasn’t able to save her.
Turns out, I couldn’t even save myself. Playing along with Lynx’s games should’ve been easy—if it wasn’t for the sins in my soul just waiting to strike me down. I couldn’t afford to enter the darkness. I couldn’t afford to slip—regardless if it meant life or death.
I wouldn’t save my life by doing the one thing that would destroy it. Not when I’d planned on getting married tomorrow. Not when I’d had some small chance at getting into heaven.
Shoving the two idiots away from me, I stood. Facing Dante, I ignored the pain in my thigh, thankful at least that soon I wouldn’t have to suffer the slick heat from the wound. “Enough. Let’s get this over with.”
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