by A. A. Dark
Peter immediately sat straight up in his seat, “What do you mean by kinky, princess?” He always took Lauren to be rather vanilla and he’d spent their time together trying to broaden her horizons. Now he looked at her hopefully as she spoke his language.
Lauren looked around to make sure no one could hear, “Well, I have to meet with Darla and then do a quick background check on something that popped up about Lucas Jackson …” She was bluffing, “But then I think I’ll ask Darla if I can leave a little early, you know – since I was working so late last night. How would you like to come home to me wearing something leathery and … strappy?”
Peter shifted in his seat, “Strappy on you or strappy on me?” He lifted his brows in anticipation.
Lauren smiled, “Well, you know that thing you’ve always wanted me to do to you? I think I’m ready. You know, I see Darla and how confident and sexy she is, and I want to be like that too.”
She crinkled her nose as she smiled at him thinking about it. Inside, he repulsed her and not because of the kinky sex. She had no issue with kinky things. Her problem was that the veil was lifted and now she saw Peter for what he truly was – a lapdog panting at any bone he could get. How easy it must have been for Darla to manipulate him. He was so utterly transparent now that he was no longer Prince Charming.
“Lauren, you’re driving me crazy. What time will you be home? I’ll free up all my late appointments.” His fingers were gripping the edge of the table thinking of it.
“I’ll be home as soon as I get my verifications done. I need to see if Lucas has any ownership in the Triumph Towers deal and then I’ll be on my way.” She smiled now as she lifted her toes to his crotch but instead of playing with his cock, she slipped them underneath his scrotum toward his ass.
Peter’s eyes fluttered and he moaned softly, “No, I told you. He was just a pawn.” Images of Lauren behind him, taking control were already clouding his mind. That’s when Lauren realized, if she did just bend Peter over like he’d been fantasizing about, he’d probably tell her everything.
“I’ll be home no later than 7 pm. Be ready handsome.”
CHAPTER 19
Georgie kicked the small pebbles in the exercise yard as he walked nonchalantly next to Jasper, “So about a year ago, Whitey decided he wanted the new warden on his side. Makes sense with the rate our guys are running in and out of here. So he sends me in to deliver a message. Can you guess what that message is?” Georgie looked straight ahead as he questioned Jasper, whom he had out for his daily 15 minutes of fresh air. They were walking the track. It was a nice day, blue skies, warm weather – a good day to be a free man.
“No idea, but knowing Whitey, I hope the warden is single.” Jasper stopped walking for a moment to stretch. Georgie had to push him to keep moving. The guards in the towers were not all on Whitey’s payroll.
“Bingo. We both know the only thing Whitey likes better than guns and drugs is pussy, especially the kind that belongs to another man.” Georgie gave Jasper a little shove for good measure.
Jasper stumbled a step and gave Georgie a look, “Easy on the shoving. So what did Whitey do, fuck the warden’s wife?” They both kept moving around the track.
“Not quite.” Georgie kept walking but really wanted to stop so he could concentrate, “He breaks into the warden’s house and lays out the wife’s lingerie on the bed. Then, being the incomparable Whitey Smith, he ejaculates on the lingerie and their marital bed. Basically tells the warden that all he needs to do is play ball and he’ll leave – and I quote – the warden’s ‘brown sugar’ alone.”
Jasper rolls his eyes, “Yep, sounds like Whitey. So what did the warden do?”
Georgie smiles, “The warden says he’ll play ball. He knows who Whitey is and what he’s capable of.”
Jasper looked confused, “Yeah but Whitey just left DNA all of the warden’s house. Why not just get Wilkes in there too arrest him?”
Georgie smiles again, “Because Whitey took photos and removed everything he, um, soiled, and his face was masked.”
“Ok … ok, but can’t they just identify his dick?” Jasper looked at Georgie with a look that spoke volumes as to how ridiculous this conversation was.
Georgie laughed but quickly covered his mouth with his hand and coughed, “What’s the warden gonna do? Go to the sheriff and show him a dick? And then, how they gonna prove it? Imagine getting that warrant.”
Jasper laughed! He had to hand it to Whitey. He was such a degenerate that he knew the people with morals would choose the morals and avoid embarrassment than actually try to take Whitey down. “Ok, Georgie. What’s the plan then?”
Georgie smiled, “Get the warden on your side. Should be easy enough to do and he’s not so clean he wouldn’t take advantage of a little side favor.”
Jasper stopped walking and stretched again, “Explain.” He looked up at Georgie a bit suspicious.
Georgie made some generic, “Hurry up let’s go” motion with his hand, “Ok well hear me out. You’re a walking dead man. The courthouse is going to see to it or Whitey is. You know something about this Lucas Jackson deal that you have yet to discuss, am I right? I mean, there’s gotta be a reason for Whitey coming after you – you’re like his friggin son, Jasper.”
Jasper stood up fully and nodded, “Yes. It’s true. Wilkes wants me to fry for killing his princess of a niece’s fiancé, even though I didn’t do it and Lucas was deep in the muck with Whitey. The sheriff is only seeing it one way … his. I’m sure he thinks one less biker, guilty or not, is a societal improvement.”
Georgie nodded and continued, “And Whitey … well, he doesn’t need you anyway. You know too many secrets, right?”
Jasper nodded too and kept moving. They were circling the track a second time now, “Yeah, Whitey is better off with me dead. There is something more about Lucas’ murder and you’re right, I’m the only one that knows the real reason that man was killed.”
Georgie nodded again, “Exactly. And why not just sell out Whitey?”
Jasper stopped walking and looked at Georgie not wanting to answer.
Georgie stopped walking and stared him down, “Why not just sell Whitey up the river right now, Jas. You know he did it, and maybe you can’t prove it – but why not, at least, get the police involved? He’s gonna kill you one way or another. So, why not just take him down with you?”
Jasper started walking away from Georgie, “Walk's over. Guard, take me back to my cell!”
Georgie was walking quickly to catch up. His eyes shifting from Jasper to the guard towers, “Jasper Connor, stop where you are.”
Jasper clenched his jaw and stopped walking. Georgie said it loud enough that the other guards would get involved if he just said the word. He put his hands up behind his head and stared straight ahead.
Georgie walked up to him and lowered his arms to cuff him for the walk back to his 6 x 8 cell. When he finally spoke he kept his voice low, “Fine. You don’t want to say it? You think not talking about it will make her invisible? I’ll say it. You won’t sell out Whitey and take this death sentence because you think he’s going to kill your mother.” Georgie roughed up Jasper’s arms a bit as he led him back toward the main building entrance, “You think he knows where your mother is and that if you fuck him over, he’ll find her and kill her. Hate to tell you this, Jas, but I know she didn’t die that night.”
Jasper growled low under his breath, “My mother is dead. It has nothing to do with that.”
Georgie laughed, “Jasper, you think I’m just a legacy in the MC? Stop bullshitting me, I’m your best fucking friend and I know you better than you know yourself. You’ve done a good job so far. Your mom is nice and safe and I know because I checked on her.”
Jasper stopped short and tried to pull away from Georgie. His eyes were slits of anger and hatred and his voice was pure poison as he spat the words at Georgie, “You are my brother, but you stay the fuck away from my mother or so help me, Georgie, I’ll make sure I�
�m the one that helps your soul leave your body … and slowly.”
Georgie smiled, “Good, now that I’ve got your attention, let’s go see the warden.”
CHAPTER 20
Lauren pushed her way through the big glass doors. Her eyes darted all over the place. Her stomach was doing somersaults as she made her way toward her office. Marta was waiting for her inside, “You’re late. Darla is waiting.”
Lauren pushed past Marta and hung up her coat, “Yes. I know. Thank you, Marta. You are ever so helpful.” She forced a smile at Marta grabbed her tablet and headed directly to Darla’s office.
Darla’s office was huge, probably too big for what she needed but it was impressive. It was a mix of old hardwood that screamed, ‘I’m a lawyer!’ with a touch of high femininity in the fabric textures of the chairs, drapes and carpet. One would think a politician’s wife decorated the office.
Darla was on the phone yes’ing whoever was on the other end of the line. When Lauren entered, Darla turned to face her and motioned for Lauren to sit. Lauren took note of her facial expression. It wasn’t kind, nor angry. Yet, Lauren had no idea of what to expect from this meeting. She took the time to study Darla, her appearance, her mannerisms, even her tone of voice as she spoke to the person on the phone.
Darla was wearing a beautiful ultramarine blue dress. The color was hot this season. Lauren had seen it everywhere – it was the “power” color of choice amongst the white-collared world. The dress was form fitting. It hugged every curve of Darla’s Old Hollywood body. Her legs were sheathed in a sheer stocking, with the seam up the center of the back of her shapely legs. Her legs were not as long as Lauren’s and for the first time, Lauren noticed Darla’s ankles, they were a little on the thick side, but not quite ‘cankles’. Lauren smiled thinking of the perfect Darla Lovell with cankles.
As Darla hung up the phone, she took a seat behind her massive mahogany desk. “Well that was Judge Rei. He’s prepared to review a new appeal on the Jasper Conner case.” She folded her long, well-manicured fingers and rested on them on the black leather blotter of the desk.
Lauren offered very little expression in response, “That’s good news.” She answered flatly and tapped her tablet to turn it on, “I suppose you’ll want me to prepare the brief?”
Darla frowned. She knew Lauren was playing passive, “Lauren, listen. You hold a great deal of promise and talent. I’m sorry for what our client, Whitey Smith, put you through yesterday. It was completely unacceptable behavior. I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to be removed from the case entirely, and I wouldn’t hold it against you.”
Lauren smiled to Darla and spoke softly, “Oh no, Mrs. Lovell. I wouldn’t dream of it. I mean, yes, that was my first simulated kidnapping but it taught me something about myself and I understand that Mr. Smith is a bit on the eccentric side.” She smiled and prepared to take notes, “So when will you need the brief by? Will tomorrow do?” Lauren looked at Darla anticipating her response.
While Lauren maintained an expression of all business, her mind was racing. So, Darla you whore, how long have you been fucking my fiance? Bet you strap it on for him. He’s such a prick, the next time you fuck him in the ass, please give him one good thrust for me.
Darla stared at Lauren trying to access her body language. For all intents and purposes, Lauren appeared unfazed. Darla inhaled and held her breath a moment. As she was about to open her mouth, Lauren interrupted her, “Oh! You are not wearing that beautiful ring! The sapphire one!” Lauren looked from Darla’s hand to her face, “Did you lose it?”
Darla immediately touched the finger that was missing the ring, “Oh! You know I don’t remember the last time I wore it. Isn’t that funny? I must have left it home on my bathroom sink …” She paused realizing where she left her ring … yes it was on a sink but not her own. Then she forced a smile toward Lauren’s expressionless face, “You know, Lauren, maybe you should take the day off.”
Lauren didn’t smile. In fact, her eyes were in a dead, cold stare. “I’d much rather work, Darla. In fact, I was hoping to visit Whitey Smith. I have some questions regarding the ring he gave you – the one you lost.” It could have been a completely stupid move, but Lauren went for it. She was done with the charade.
Darla narrowed her eyes at Lauren, the cobra inside of her about to emerge spitting venom. She leaned forward on the desk and pressed her palms down hard on the blotter, “You listen to me. You stay away from Whitey Smith. You stay away from Jasper Conner and you will put your head down and remember who you are dealing with. I’m not a first year, Lauren. I know exactly how to ruin your life before the day is over.” She snapped her fingers in Lauren’s face.
Lauren surprisingly didn’t blink. Instead, she pulled out her cell phone and sent Darla a photo via text. “I’m going to take a wild guess, Ms. Lovell. I’m going to take a wild guess that Whitey Smith gave you that ring.” Darla’s phone beeped with a text alert. Lauren continued, “I’m going to guess he won’t be happy to know I found it in my bathroom. However do you find time to slum it with my fiancé?”
Darla didn’t bother to look at her phone, steam emitting from her ears, yet her face was smooth as stone.
Lauren continued, “I’m not sure what thrill Peter gives you. I’d put my money on your need for some connections to Triumph Tower. In fact, the only thing I haven’t figured out yet is if you fuck Peter for your sake or Whitey’s.” Then Lauren stood up and held her hand up, “No matter. I’ll get my answers tonight and after I get my answers, Peter will be of no more use to either of us.” She turned to go, confident that she was fired, even still, she would quit if she wasn’t.
Darla watched Lauren head for the door, “Oh, Lauren …” She called after her.
Lauren stopped and looked back at Darla.
“You’re right about one thing. Peter will no longer be of use to either of us. Leave your keys with Marta. You’re finished and I’ll be sure to give Jasper your regards.”
The door slammed behind Lauren as she walked out. The force caused a small camel statue on Darla’s shelf to fall and smash to the floor.
CHAPTER 21
Georgie shut the door behind them, “Take a seat, Jas.” He locked it with a thud and stood stoic in front of it with his legs planted shoulder width apart and his arms crossed in front of him.
Jasper moved to a seat in front of the desk and smiled at the man that sat behind it, “Evening, Warden Cooper.”
Warden Cooper was a big man. He was not overweight so much as he was just a big man. His body was stuffed into a leather chair too small for him. His dark skin shined with a hint of perspiration but his clothing fit him perfectly. Overall, he was put together quite well. A sharp dresser, and combined with his height and size, surely he must have spent a fortune on his wardrobe.
The warden stroked his dark mustache and stared suspiciously at Jasper. After a few heartbeats of silence, he said, “Ready to die, Jasper?” His tone was casual. It was as if he asked Jasper if he’d like a cup of coffee. Georgie stood there stone faced, just listening.
Jasper let a wide grin cross his handsome lips. He shifted in his seat a bit, “Now, now warden. We know you’ll miss me when I’m gone. I’m your best inmate. I’m quiet. I don’t throw loud parties and I haven’t shanked anyone since I got here.”
The warden nodded in approval, “That’s true. You’ve been a pillar of the criminal community, but let’s cut to the chase. Your time with us is short.”
Jasper nodded and spread his hands, “It’s your show, warden. What can I do for you while I’m still residing on your death row?”
The warden looked up at Georgie as if he was looking for one final sign that Jasper can be trusted. Georgie gave him what he needed, a simple nod. With a set stare, the warden looked into Jasper’s eyes, “Jasper, your friend here seems to think that since you’ve already got a death sentence, you might be willing to take a few down with you. Is that true?”
Georgie went to speak for Jasper but
the warden held up his hand and asked again, “Is that true, Jasper?”
Jasper thought long and hard. The air was still, hanging heavy between the two men. Georgie and Jasper had spoken of this moment in more detail as they headed to the warden’s office but now was the time for Jasper to really make the final decision – the decision as to whether or not he was indeed ready to die. The warden couldn’t offer Jasper freedom of any kind, just revenge and the opportunity to go out in a blaze of glory. Although, the thought of Michelle Lawrence, Georgie’s girl in the eighth grade came to mind, and how Georgie’s plans always panned out.
“It’s true. I’d like the opportunity to take Whitey Smith down with me, warden. I understand he’s given you some shit.” Jasper said, nodding. As soon as Jasper said it was true, the thought of Lauren raced through his mind. He watched the warden’s head slowly nod as a sly grin twisted his full brown lips, but the sound in the room was off. Jasper was thinking of Lauren and how pretty she smelled. He was envisioning her pretty eyes when she blinked, it was the softness of her lashes touching the tops of her cheeks that his mind focused on. He wondered, in that moment, if he would ever have the chance to touch her before he set out to destroy Whitey.
The warden’s lips were moving now and Jasper was nodding. The words were no longer important. Regardless of the plan, the end result was imminent so rather than focus on the large man that sat before him, regardless of his dashing big & tall men’s suit, Jasper focused on his thoughts of Lauren. He’d make it part of the deal. That’s what he would do – he’d make it so he was able to touch her, feel her lips against his, smell her hair and feel her body against his at least once before their plan went into action.
“Warden, one thing … I want to see my lawyer, Lauren Holden.” Jasper had interrupted the man causing him to stare at him confused.