Watch Me Burn

by Nikki Drost

  And what would this do to our sister? After my abduction, Izzy had experienced panic attacks when either Adam or I were out of her sight for more than five minutes. For weeks, she endured nightmares of both of us dying. My sister has been through enough lately, thanks to her vindictive mother and psychotic half brother. As it is, she lives in constant fear that something will happen to our father. It’s been heartbreaking to watch my normally vibrant and happy-go-lucky sister revert to an almost childlike state.

  “There has to be something that we can do. Perhaps if we try to reason with Michael—”

  “Do you think I didn’t try that, pup?” Jamie snarls at me. “Michael doesn’t give a shit if any of us lives or dies. Do you want to know why angels are still at war with demons? Because you can’t have the good without the bad, it’s a game and we’re nothing but fucking pawns.”

  Jamie shakes his head, and then stares up into the starlit sky. “We put our lives on the line every single day and for what? We don’t accomplish anything so what are we actually fighting for? It’s sure as shit ain’t for world peace, cause that’s never going to happen. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m tired. Tired of the endless battles, tired of watching people that I care about suffer or die for no good reason. I’m just…tired.”

  “Jamie—” Lincoln starts to speak only to be interrupted.

  “Don’t,” Cass growls, “he’s not the only one who feels that way, I haven’t said anything, but I’m tired too, tired of this whole damn thing.”

  Murmurs of agreement emanate from several others.

  “Alright, I don’t know what the hell as gotten into all of you, but you need to snap out of it. We’re all burnt out and when this is all over with we’ll each take a vacation, but first we need to deal with our current problem. If what you are saying is true, then this prophet will find us. Now if I can manage to haul my ass out of bed each day knowing I was responsible for getting my girlfriend killed, then the rest of you can put on your big girl panties and stop whining long enough to do your damn jobs.” Lincoln’s stern expression turns devilish as he turns toward the only female in the group.

  “I meant everyone but you, Hannah. I actually prefer it when you don’t wear underwear.” He offers her a boyish smile which of course causes the she wolf to giggle like a schoolgirl.

  I just shake my head at the both of them, although Lincoln did make a good point. We have all lost people that we cared about, but that doesn’t mean we should throw in the towel and just give up. It’s ingrained in our DNA to protect the innocent, to fight for justice and the pursuit of happiness. Great, now I sound like I’m running for congress or some shit.

  I notice Micah pacing back and forth. I bet he is formulating some sort of kick ass plan just like he always does. If anyone could come up with a way for all of us to come out on top it’s that man.

  “Alright, Boston Enforcers, I want you to stick to the plan while the rest of us deal with this angel bullshit on our end.”

  “Ah, uh and how do you suppose you’ll do that, pup?” Gunnar asks. A look of concern passes across his face.

  “We’re going to send them a message because I for one am sick of being threatened. They made us Horsemen for a reason and I say it’s about damn time we embrace our destinies.”

  ***

  Less than a half an hour later we all pull into the parking lot of The Boondocks. Micah must be off his rocker, not only is this plan of his beyond dangerous it’s insane. The moment we make it through the doorway, Finn McDermott comes into view. The Irishman places the fist of his right hand over his heart and offers the Enforcers a friendly smile.

  After a series of fist bumps, the bartender goes about making our drinks. He sets a gin and tonic in front of me and I promptly order another before taking my first sip. After scanning the room, I notice a few patrons finishing up their last drink of the night. It’s getting late and the bar should be closing soon. I watch silently as Finn escorts Micah and Jamie to a room in back most likely his office.

  “This is insane, Adam, I wish you would reconsider.”

  Adam tosses back a shot of southern comfort, his honey-colored eyes that match my own stare straight ahead. “It’s done, Landon. This is the only way to guarantee that those bastards will take us seriously.”

  “All of you are signing your death warrants, and you know it. What do you think Andy will have to say about all of this?”

  Adam turns to face me. A profound sadness is evident in his brown orbs. “My wife knows how dangerous my job is, she has always known that this day would come that’s why we’re—” Adam takes a deep cleansing breath, “let’s just say I’ve been working overtime to insure a piece of me is left behind.”

  It takes a few moments for my brother’s words to sink in. “You’re trying to have a baby?”

  A feeling of joy washes over me at the thought of having a niece or nephew.

  “This is wonderful news, brother, is there anything I can do to help?”

  Adam cocks an eyebrow as his lips twist in wry amusement. That’s when I realize what I had said. “Ugh, I didn’t mean…you know that I would never… Christ, just forget that I said anything.”

  God, I can be such a bonehead at times. Luckily, my brother knows this and on the rare occasions when I stick my own foot in my mouth, he graciously helps me remove it.

  “Actually, there is something you could do to help.” Adam chuckles, “Promise me that when the time comes, you’ll take care of my family. I need to know that my wife has someone who will help and support her. My pup will need an honorable man to guide him, and if I’m unable to do so, there is only one other person I would consider for the job.”

  I don’t know what to say to that, of course it’s an honor to be chosen as a surrogate father. I’m just not convinced I am the right man for the job. What do I know about raising a baby?

  “You know I would protect your family with my life, but how about we focus on keeping you alive instead.”

  “None of us can predict the future, Landon, but I can tell you I’m not about to sacrifice a child’s future happiness for my own. I might be a lot of things, but selfish is not one of them.”

  “I was afraid you’d say that.” I sigh.

  My brother has always done the right thing, no matter the cost, it’s just who he is. I may not like it, but I have to respect his principles. Our father may have taught Adam how to be a formidable warrior, but it was Raphael’s guidance that made Adam the man he is today. No matter what happens or what he decides, I am honored to call him my brother.

  “We need to talk about your new job.” Adam holds his hand up at my protest. “No, Landon, I need to get this off my chest just in case I don’t have the opportunity to later on.”

  I know we’ve put this off long enough, but I hate how final he makes this all sound.

  “You know I love you, Landon, and my only concern is for your safety. I admit that I have a tendency to overreact and I can be a tad over protective, but I’m your big brother, it’s sort of goes along with the title.”

  I have to laugh at that statement. When Adam was just a small boy, our father told him it was his job to keep me safe and out of trouble and to this day, he still watches over me.

  “I love you too, and I may be your younger brother, but as you can see I’m not so little anymore. You have gone above and beyond any of our father’s expectations and I admit at times it’s hard to compete with the likes of you, but I have to do this, Adam. I need to find my place in this world and I can’t do that if I am hiding behind our family name.”

  Some people believe it is an honor to be related to Dominick and Adam Stone, but the truth is sometimes it feels like a burden. Sure, I’m treated with a certain level of respect and fear, but the problem is I didn’t earn it on my own. This is the reason I accepted a position with the council. One way or another I will earn the respect of my peers.

  “I get it, Landon,” Adam sighs, “it’s a tough gig being the
offspring of a living legend. No matter what either of us does, we will always be compared to our father. The trick is finding something you believe in and fighting for it with everything that you have. Own up to your mistakes, ask for help when you need it, and never take the easy way out.”

  Adam slams back a shot of amber liquid, then turns to face me. “There will be times you’ll have to make some hard decisions, cross over lines that you never thought you would. Innocent lives will depend on you and sometimes you’ll fail them. It is a burden that comes along with this life, little brother. Trust me when I say it never gets easier.”

  My brother squeezes my shoulder before leaving me alone with my thoughts. Adam has given me plenty to think about, but right now, all I want to do is go home and sleep. I gulp down the rest of my drink and leave the bar.

  By now, Micah and Jamie have convinced Finn to help them with their plan. I hope they know what they’re doing because once this information gets out it will spread like a wildfire. Every evil son of a bitch will be hunting them down. By this time tomorrow, the Four Horsemen will be the most wanted shifters in the world.

  Chapter 9

  Kelsey

  I struggle against my restraints to no avail. How did I allow myself to be put into this compromising position? Both my wrists and ankles are bound, forcing my body in a spread eagle fashion. A silk tie has been secured over my eyes stealing my sight. I’m naked as the day I was born, and can feel his hungry eyes on me, roaming over the expanse of my flesh.

  Though my captor has yet to voice a single word, I know he is taking great pleasure in my torment. I’ve been waiting patiently for him to make a move, to touch me, to take what I am so readily offering, but still he does nothing. I feel more than hear his approach over the sultry music pumping into the room. This man ignites a fire within me just by being near.

  His powerful aura seems to pulse around me in waves causing the fine hair on my body to stand at attention. A soft moan escapes my lips as I imagine his dark eyes appraising my body, the tip of his tongue shooting out to moisten his full bottom lip. I want his mouth on me, kissing me, biting me, licking every inch of me, but he is making me wait. We are playing a game, one I want to win desperately, but the need to be with this man is overriding my self-preservation. The sound of clinking ice against glass is the only indication that he has moved.

  “Do you know how long I have wanted this, wanted you? La mia bella principessa, tu sei il mio cuore, la mia anima, tu sei il mio tutto.” My beautiful princess, you are my heart, my soul, you are my everything. His gravel-laced voice sends chills over my skin.

  My nipples harden and begin to ache, liquid fire pools between my legs in anticipation for what is to come. I love a man who can speak Italian, it’s so sexy.

  “So responsive.” He chuckles. “Do you know why your body reacts to my voice, princess? It is because you are mine, your body longs for my touch, and your soul craves my attention. I am the only man in the world and beyond that can make you feel this way.”

  I don’t doubt what he’s saying for a minute. No one has ever made me feel this alive. It’s as if every other lover I’ve had was a prelude to something bigger. Every lust fueled fantasy pales in comparison to what this man does to me.

  The bed dips with his weight, heat sears into my skin as he places himself between my thighs. His body presses seductively against my own. My nipples scrap against his hard chest, causing an explosion of need to travel throughout my body. I bite my bottom lip to stifle my wanton moans from escaping.

  “If you keep biting your lip, I will have to find another use for your pretty mouth. Do not hold back with me, I want to hear every sound you make as I take what is mine.”

  His tongue licks along the seam of my lips coaxing me to open my mouth.

  “Jamie, please,” I moan loudly, I don’t care if every shifter in the house knows what we are about to do, my only concern is moving this thing along.

  “Please what? Do you want me to kiss your lips until you’re gasping for air?”

  Jamie presses forward; his lips meet mine in a kiss so hot my toes curl.

  “Maybe you’d like it if I licked and sucked on your perfect nipples until they were red from my attention.”

  My back arches off the bed the moment his mouth makes contact with my nipple. My head thrashes back and forth with every flick of his talented tongue. His callused hand cups my other breast. His thumb sweeps over the hardened peak, a strangled cry rips from my throat when his teeth sink into my sensitive flesh.

  “Stop toying with me, wolf, and just fuck me already.”

  I can’t take anymore, my entire body aches with the need for this man. If I don’t get some relief soon, I might go insane. His lips press against my ear. I can almost feel the smirk on his rugged face.

  “My bossy little princess, you actually believe you have a say in this don’t you? I hate to point out the obvious, but you are in no position to make demands. I have you right where I want you, and I will toy with you for as long as I see fit. You belong to me, Kelsey. Mind, body, and soul, and you will never forget the things I am going to do to you tonight. Now where was I?”

  I groan in frustration because he’s right. I am at his mercy, unable to do anything except lay here and take whatever he dishes out. His mouth returns to my breasts, licking and sucking on them until they pebble against his warm tongue. His fingers skim over my ribs down my torso and along my hip, his muscular thighs push against my legs spreading them open further.

  “I can smell your desire for me, so damn sweet, so tempting,” he growls as his fingers tease my wet folds.

  I tilt my hips in the hope that he’ll sink his fingers inside my pussy to soothe the ache that he has created.

  “You’re a greedy little thing, aren’t you? If you continue to be inpatient I’ll be forced to punish you, is that what you want?”

  Yes, no, at this point I’d say the sky is green and the grass is blue just to get some relief. I cry out in disappointment as Jamie removes himself from the bed. He wouldn’t leave me like this, would he? Oh, he better not because payback is a bitch, I’ll make sure of it. I sigh in relief as I feel the mattress dip from his weight.

  “I think you need to be cooled off, my little principessa. I’d hate for you to overheat.”

  Something hard and cold glides along my lips. I can taste the faint traces of whiskey as my tongue flicks over my bottom lip. Jamie curses under his breath.

  “Fuck you turn me on, Kelsey, so goddamn beautiful and you’re all mine.”

  I gasp when Jamie trails the frozen cube over my chin and down the column of my neck. The frozen droplets chill my skin, causing goose bumps to form.

  “Jamie!” I cry when he places the ice against my already sensitive nipple before replacing it with his molten mouth.

  He repeats the process to my other breast while his free hand caresses the curves of my body. I’m nearing my breaking point, I knew going in that this man would test my will power, but I had no idea just how much. I know what he wants to hear, he wants me to beg him for release, to hear that he is the only man that I want inside of me.

  “Please, baby, I need you. I ache.”

  Words pour out of my mouth in rapid succession. Jamie ignores my pleas, instead he places his mouth to my ear, and for a moment, I think my torture is nearing its end.

  “Come on, princess, you can do better than that. I’m not letting you off the hook that easily.” Jamie chuckles while kissing his way down my body.

  Now we’re talking. I hold my breath waiting for his mouth to make contact with my sex, my hips move of their own volition. That is until I hear the sound of ice against glass.

  He wouldn’t dare.

  “Don’t even think about it, shifter, you are not and I repeat are not putting ice anywhere near my girly bits.”

  “Just try and stop me, human.”

  Only the words sounded muffled when he said them, oh god. Without warning Jamie’s mouth clamps around my mo
und, his ice cold tongue probes my folds until he finds my clit. If it weren’t for these stupid restraints, I would have jackknifed off of his bed.

  After a moment, the pain from the cold turns into white hot pleasure, that is until Jamie inserts his fingers which are still holding that damn piece of ice into my wet core. I cry out until my throat becomes hoarse. Numbness takes over to the point where I fear there might be permanent damage.

  Jamie slows his fingers while blowing warm air on my clit before returning to his sensual assault. I try to hold back my orgasm, but it’s almost impossible. Jamie never said I couldn’t come, but I have a feeling I’ll be punished in some way if I did so without his permission. As if sensing where my train of thought was headed Jamie slows down his pace. My blindfold is removed and a very angry shifter is glaring in my direction.

  “I know what you’re doing and it’s pissing me off. I’m not the type of asshole who likes to withhold orgasms for some perverse sense of dominance, if anything, it’s my job to make sure you have as many as you possibly can. Yes, I like having control in the bedroom and I might make demands, Kelsey, but I’d never deny you pleasure. Understand?”

  I nod my head.

  “Say the words, princess,” he growls.

  “I understand.”

  “Good girl, but since you seem to want a command I’ll give you one. Come for me, now.”

  Jamie drops his head and resumes his earlier ministrations with vigor. It’s as if he had never stopped touching me, my arousal returns full force. Jamie’s free hand holds my hips in place as he dines on my flesh like he’s a dying man and I’m his last meal. My legs tremble, my body shakes, my hands pull on the leather restraints as little stars dance across my vision. I come hard and fast and it only seems to drive the man between my thighs even wilder. I’m hit with wave after wave of pleasure; they roll through me like a tsunami made of pure bliss.