by Carrie Hogle
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Luporum Cubilia
Carrie Hogle
Self
Contents
Luporum Cubilia
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Playlist
Thank-Yous
Continued
Contact Me & Bibliography
Luporum Cubilia
Luporum Cubilia
Carrie Hogle
(PinkParadox)
Chapter 1
Two months in Hawaii had been a decadent fantasy. James and Reina had turned off their phones and immersed themselves in a private paradise. Their bungalow had been open and airy, decorated in white and light wood, with walls covered in windows. The melodious sound of tropical birds and the continuous soothing rhythm of the ocean waves as they rolled to the shore created a serene haven. One step out of the French doors led to toes in the sand, a surrounding of palm trees, tropical plants, and a majestic view of mountains in the distance. Every morning they were greeted with an incredible sunrise, like a slow fire sparking the sky; every evening ended with sunsets in every hue as the sun kissed the water.
The nights were filled with salty skin, sandy escapades, and a sky of endless stars that seemed to be a promise of a magical eternity just beyond the horizon. The ocean breeze carried the scent of lush greenery, sweet exotic flowers, and tangy fruits. Among the myriad of delicious scents was the underlying salty goodness that can only be had near the sea; a bouquet of aromas that reminded one of intertwined bodies, coconut cocktails, and unadulterated happiness.
Reina dreamed of lying on a blanket, the warm sand shifting beneath her, the waves close enough to wet her feet, and the sun heating her skin. She watched James leave the ocean and stalk towards her, water dripping down his magnificent body. Her heart automatically raced as he approached, her body instinctively readying for wickedness, and she shook her head at the thought that James’ predatory sexiness was all hers. Their hearts and souls were inexplicably intertwined. She was still trying to process and adapt to not one, but two new last names. Publicly she went by the last name of Beaston, but Beaston was James’ stage name, legally her surname had changed to Kastel. Considering that James’ father had been a narcissistic ass and his half-brother a sadistic bastard, it was strange to share a last name with them. She didn’t think on it too hard; both were dead and Reina was more than willing to have the last name of the dark-haired sea god that hovered over her.
She laughed and squirmed as he lowered his body, cold water dripped onto her sun-kissed skin, but she hungrily wrapped her legs around him. His autumn-hued hazel eyes were ablaze as his salty wet lips met hers. It had always been this way between them. An animalistic magnetism brought them together; an unbreakable bond of love and trust wove them together in an endless cycle of need. Her inner beast instinctively rose to meet his as his passion increased, his hand tangled in her hair and his teeth grazed her neck with a quiet growl.
The dream ended leaving her body aching. James’ body was pressed to her back, his arm wrapped securely around her. Reina shifted, trying to turn towards him, but his arm tightened as though even in his sleep he was afraid she might get away. Her movement restricted, she chose the next best option of subtly rubbing her body against his until he responded by grazing his stubble across the back of her neck.
“I want you,” she breathed as his hand trailed over her stomach and gripped her thigh. She bit her lip with a moan, her body arching into his touch, as his fingers slipped teasingly into her wetness.
“So wet for me,” he murmured biting her shoulder.
She squirmed, her hand sliding down to grasp his wrist, as his fingers dipped and swirled, but denied pressure where she needed it most.
“Beg me,” he demanded softly.
“Please,” dripped from her lips without thought. She pushed against his body, a silent demand of her own.
“James, please…” she whispered, followed by a moan when his fingers pressed against her throbbing clit.
“Please, James. Please…” she whispered panting as he brought her close to orgasm and expertly kept her right on the edge.
“I need you,” she begged.
He rewarded her with small bites to the side of her neck as he thrust inside her. Her body hummed and she gave herself up to him, gave herself up to the rush of pleasure and the heat of his feral love. She let him carry her to the quiet of breathless bliss. The only things in their passionate haven were their hearts beating in unison, whimpers, moans, and James’ saying her name like a prayer to the moon.
She returned his prayer with a soft, “I love you,” as waning pleasure blended with the comfort of completion and the safety of dreams.
When Reina roused again the sun was peeking over the mountains outside their bedroom window. She stretched her body across the soft white sheets, filling James’ empty side of the bed. She breathed in his faint scent and smiled to herself as she heard “Papi Pacify” by FKA Twigs playing quietly through the house sound system. The temptation to stay in bed was overthrown by the smell of bacon and the coffee she knew would be waiting.
There weren’t many things Reina loved more than coffee, but James’ shirtless back, as he stood at the stove, was one of them. Unable to resist his gravity, she pressed her lips to the muscles of his back and reveled in the way he tensed as her hands worshipped his skin. Like a magnet he turned into her, his arms capturing her and pulling her in. His hand came to her hair and he tilted her head back with a light tug.
“Mine…” he murmured, bringing his mouth close to hers.
“Yes,” she answered as he claimed her lips, owning every bit of her heart.
Reina could never understand him being mister “big celebrity” and yet looking at her as if she held the secrets to the universe. She’d long stopped trying to figure it out; she basked in the attention of her own personal sun and felt safe in the knowledge that by whatever miracle they belonged to each other. She pulled back, laughed, and nipped his bottom lip.
“You’re burning the bacon,” she smiled.
He trailed his thumb over her lips before he reluctantly released her. While James salvaged the bacon, Reina made coffee and glared at his phone that buzzed on the breakfast bar. She knew they’d been away for a good length of time without contact, but they had only been home a couple of days. Her laptop, on the couch across the room, received equal glare time. She could only imagine how many emails she needed to sort through. She actually loved the creative outlet of her graphic design business. It also gave her the freedom to travel wherever James’ roles took them. He’d already spoken to his agent and had two roles to choose from. Reina didn’t mind the work or the travel; as long as they were together they were home. It was the people invading their space that she wasn’t ready for, was never quite ready for. Even though she was an introvert, she’d slowly adapted. Although
never comfortable around people for extensive periods, James always had a way of grounding her. They found their center in one another and the world fell away.
Reina topped off her coffee, took a deep breath, and mentally began to prepare for the inevitable. Before she’d had enough coffee to come to terms with the current thought of invasions, the kitchen security intercom buzzed. Due to past issues they had a video entry gating system and intercoms in all the main rooms of the house. Her security guards, Mark and Charles, were posted outside and monitored anyone incoming.
James answered the intercom with an unceremonious and slightly gruff, “Yeah?”
“Judge Morris is requesting entry,” Charles answered.
James took his finger off the button, his eyebrows drawing together.
“The judge that officiated our wedding,” Reina questioned.
James nodded absently, obviously preoccupied, before telling Charles to let him in the gate, but hold him outside the door.
“What is he doing here,” Reina asked.
James shook his head, “I don’t know.”
Regardless of his answer, she could tell by the look on his face and the sudden tension rolling off of him that whatever the reason, it was unlikely that the judge was bringing belated wedding gifts. Reina once again refilled her coffee cup. If a storm was about to roll in their door, more caffeine was definitely in order.
Chapter 2
After they were adequately dressed, but still casual, James opened the door for Judge Morris. When Charles gave a slight tilt of his head, indicating that the judge had been checked for weapons, James invited him in. Reina held back, waiting at the foyer to gauge the situation. At first glance Judge Morris was unassuming and almost a cliché of what you’d expect a judge to look like. Reina guessed he was in his sixties. He was only a few inches taller than her, maybe 5’10”, overweight, and balding. He almost seemed fatherly, smiling and friendly, but one look into his eyes and you could see him scheming. Without preamble James let him know that his visit wasn’t entirely welcome.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“Ah yes...well, it wasn’t exactly a conversation to be had over the telephone. Furthermore, you do seem to be a difficult man to reach.”
“I wasn’t aware that we had anything to discuss,” James responded gruffly.
Reina paid close attention to the exchange. She knew James well enough to not only read his body language, but also to recognize his tension level by the change in his speech patterns. Instead of answering, the judge glanced at Reina with a nod.
“Reina.”
Reina nodded back, “Judge Morris.”
She got the feeling that he was weighing his words based on her being there. She didn’t know why, but it hung in the air between them. James glanced back at Reina as well before redirecting the conversation.
“Would you care for a drink?”
“Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”
As they came through the foyer Reina withdrew to the couch, where she could sit with her coffee and unobtrusively observe.
“Coffee,” James suggested.
“Scotch, if you have it.”
Anything that required scotch before noon was likely to be unpleasant, Reina thought.
James grabbed a bottle of scotch, two tumblers, and walked back around the breakfast bar. As James poured, the judge made the choice to stand in the kitchen. Reina noted the position because while James’ back was to her, the judge had a view of both of them. James wrapped his hand around his glass but didn’t drink.
“I’m assuming this isn’t your typical social call.”
Once again the judge briefly glanced at Reina.
“No. I’m afraid it isn’t.”
“Then perhaps we should get on with it,” James prompted.
The judge’s gaze kept flickering to Reina, causing a feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach.
“I’m here regarding your father.”
Reina tensed. James’ father was a topic that he most certainly would not wish to discuss. The change in the atmosphere, at the very mention of James’ father, was palpable.
“We need to have a conversation about his affiliation with the Luporum Cubilia.”
Reina didn’t know what the judge was referring to, but he glanced at her as James took a drink.
“I was aware that he was a member, but that doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
“That’s why I’m here. Your father wasn’t a member James, he was the Imperator.”
James’ knuckles turned white around his glass and his entire body stiffened as if he’d been struck. He finished the scotch in one drink and slammed the glass on the bar. Reina found herself holding her breath. She didn’t need to know what they were talking about to sense that somehow their world had just been altered.
“How do I get out of it,” James asked angrily.
“Unfortunately, I’m sure you already know the answer to that question.”
James’ hands fisted against the bar and Reina was surprised that the judge continued to stand that close to him. James rarely got truly angry but Reina could feel his anger spreading through the room like a dense fog. He poured another drink and Reina would swear that the judge looked at him with a touch of pity.
“How long do I have?”
“A couple of weeks at the most, I’m afraid. Patience is wearing thin, as you can imagine.”
James bowed his head and bowed his shoulders. Under different circumstances Reina would have already been at his side.
“I do hope you understand…”
“Yes,” James replied, his voice laced with menace.
The judge finally seemed to have enough sense to retreat, but he hesitated beside James.
“I’ve known you since you were a boy; I knew your father well. I realize this isn’t what you wanted. I am sorry.”
James nodded but remained silent, his body taut.
“I’ll see myself out…”
He acknowledged Reina on his way out, “Reina.”
“Judge Morris…” she maintained eye contact until he looked down and walked away.
Reina heard the front door close but James didn’t move. Her heart beat slow and heavy in her chest. She didn’t understand what had transpired but she knew that somehow their life would never be the same. She approached him slowly, like she would a cornered animal. His body tensed as she gently touched his arm.
“James…”
He didn’t answer or look at her.
“James...what is the Luporum Cubilia?”
He sighed heavily but still didn’t look at her, “It’s a crime syndicate.”
Her heart started beating faster as she willed herself to breathe. A weight settled on her chest as she asked the next question, because she already knew the answer.
“What is an Imperator?”
His body shuddered under her touch. She watched the rise and fall of his chest as she waited for him to answer.
“It’s the leader of the syndicate council,” he answered her honestly.
She was trying to make her brain think rationally but his lack of eye contact was striking fear in her heart.
“And...what? Now you’ve inherited this role?”
With a swipe of his arm everything on the breakfast bar hit the floor without warning. Reina’s heart started beating triple time. James was generally the master of control. The one occasion she could remember him losing control was when he’d been forced to let her go. She reached out to him, stepping into his space. She soothed her hands over his arms, up his shoulders, and to his face, making him look at her.
“Hey…” she said softly.
When he finally looked at her, his eyes burning with bitter resolve, her heart filled with pain. He wrapped his hands around her wrists and began to pull away.
“I didn’t know…” he said quietly.
She shook her head. Unbidden tears threatened as her pain mixed with raw anger.
&nbs
p; “Don’t...” she warned.
“Reina…”
She pulled her wrists out of his grasp. He clenched his jaw but didn’t try to stop her as she pushed him in the chest.
“James Anthony Kastel, don’t do this. Don’t you dare fucking do this! Do you hear me?”
He took a step back, breaking eye contact, but she stepped right back into his space. The energy crackled and vibrated between them but it only fed her anger.
“You don’t get to choose for me!”
His hands came up, as if to comfort her, but she raised her chin in a silent challenge.
“You don’t understand what you’re choosing Reina.”
“You explain it to me then,” she demanded.
She was close enough that she could feel his heartbeat as he breathed.
“These people are dangerous Reina.”
“Criminals. Got it. That is a concept that I comprehend.”
His eyes were wild as he struggled to control his own anger.
“These aren’t just criminals...these are high ranking government officials as well. Reina these people could lock you in a cage, forget to feed you, and no one would stop them.”
“You promised me…”
His hand came to her face, sweeping away a tear she hadn’t realized had escaped. She could see the conflict in his gaze, could feel him fighting between what he wanted and the need to protect her. Knowing all of his pressure points, she shamelessly changed tactics. She pulled away from him and took a few steps back, letting the fury shine in her eyes.
“If you do this...I will run so far you will never find me.”
Her words had the desired effect. His predatory instincts momentarily overrode his protective ones and he was stalking her retreat. His hand was in her hair and tugging before he had time to recover his composure.
“I will always find you.”
“Not this time,” she challenged.
His hand tightened as he fought with himself, but with a soft growl he released her. He backed away shaking his head at her, his hands and jaw clenched. He seemed to regain a semblance of control while Reina’s anger began to consume her like wildfire. The only options left to her were to let it burn or shut it all down and resort to defensive numbness. Both option were dangerous, the results volatile.