Ramirez hurriedly lay down and Ines hesitated briefly before climbing on to his lap. She sank down onto his cock and gasped.
“Ines, place your hands on the arm of the couch and lean forward,” Franklin ordered.
She obeyed, gripping the couch and leaning forward so her ass lifted higher into the air.
Franklin knelt behind her on the couch, watching as Ramirez’s cock moved in and out of her hole, slick and shiny with her juices.
He glanced at Victor and nodded. “She will take you with her mouth.”
Victor moved to stand beside the couch, pulling his cock free. Ines groaned and leaned over a bit, opening her mouth and taking him deep.
“I want her ass,” Franklin muttered and ran his hand over one soft cheek. He moved his fingers over the crack and then pushed two fingers inside her.
She whimpered, sounding more afraid this time as her muscles clenched around his digits. He added another finger and smiled, beginning to stroke his cock again. He was going to enjoy this.
The few times he had fucked a woman in the ass, he had always been gentleman enough to use spit as a lubricant. But fucking this bitch dry would be a pleasure—for him at least, not likely for her.
He worked his fingers in and out of her for another minute before removing them. Gripping his cock, he moved it over the tiny hole.
He pressed forward, spurred on by her increased moans. He slid past the first ring in her ass. Without lubrication she was tight and hot.
“Do you like having your ass fucked, whore?” He jerked on her hair and pushed in past the second ring.
She did not answer, just whimpered and kept rocking back and forth on Ramirez’s cock.
“Gods,” Ramirez sat up a bit to flick his tongue over her nipple. “She must like it. Her cunt has grown wetter.”
Interesting. The woman enjoyed pain. Well, then . Franklin gripped her hips and plunged to the hilt. Her loud cry was muffled around Victor’s cock.
Franklin moved slow at first. He closed his eyes as he imagined it was Natalia he was fucking. Unlike this whore, Natalia hated having her ass fucked. Those pretty blue eyes would fill with tears, even as she would lift her ass toward him in submission.
He picked up the pace, fucking her harder and feeling the pressure of Ramirez’s cock through the thin wall.
This was not something they had ever done. Had not thought Natalia emotionally or physically strong enough to handle it.
But Ines was a sturdier woman, thicker and obviously used to an aggressive lover.
His fingers dug into her ass cheeks and he moved harder inside her. She cried out and he glanced up to see her head thrown back, Victor’s cock momentarily set free as she appeared to have an orgasm.
Victor made a grunt of protest and grabbed her head, forcing her attention back to his cock.
Ramirez groaned long and loud, then went still, obviously having spent his load himself.
Victor came a moment later with a cry. Franklin watched Ines’s throat work as she swallowed his cum.
Grinding his teeth together, his sac tightening, Franklin came a second later inside her. Again and again, until his cock was drained and his mind empty.
He pulled out of her and stood, pulling up his trousers.
“Have I proved that I am loyal?” Ines asked, sprawled out on the couch, a contented smile on her face.
“No.” Franklin tucked his cock back inside his pants and fastened them. “You have proved you will let yourself be fucked by three men.”
He smiled, enjoying the flash of shock that raced across her face.
“Franklin,” Victor warned and cleared his throat. “Though we are more inclined to trust you now, dear. We will arrange a room for you to stay in—”
“I cannot stay.” She shook her head and stood up. “It would draw suspicion from the army on Belton. We must decide a course of action tonight and then I will leave.”
“What course of action did you have in mind?” Ramirez turned away from the counter where he was pouring himself some water.
“I will give you the details of when they are planning their preemptive attack. I will give you any information you desire about our military and our resources.”
“And the emperor?”
“The emperor?” she raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to each of them. “Do you intend to kill him?”
“Yes.” Franklin saw no reason to lie. Besides, he still was not convinced she would leave this building alive tonight.
“I see.” She seemed to consider it for a moment and then shrugged. “It does not matter. He was too soft in my opinion anyway.”
“And what do you want in return from us?” Victor asked.
Franklin narrowed his eyes. This conversation was reminiscent of the one they’d had with Alan Worthington. But unlike Alan Worthington, his gut was beginning to trust Ines. She was dirty and vengeful, and in a way not so unlike himself.
“I want to be the envy of every woman in the universe. I want to be the lover of the most influential men.” She toyed with a strand of hair, moving her gaze around the room again. “The lover to the Governing Council of Zortou.”
“We have a Rosabelle, we do not need another,” Franklin said harshly.
“You will not want her now. That I can promise you. And I do believe she would rather die than come back to you.” Her mouth twisted. “Though, having experienced you three, I think she is a bit of a fool.”
Ramirez and Victor laughed, beaming like schoolboys. Franklin shook his head in disgust. How easily they could be swayed by a woman willing to play their whore .
Yes. He would agree to her terms, but she would not live long enough to enjoy them. She would be terminated along with the other two men when the time came.
“We will discuss this further tonight.” Franklin pursed his lips. “For now, I will escort her to Dane so that he may bathe her.”
Victor and Ramirez, obviously relaxed and satisfied with the turn of events, both nodded and went back to their desks.
“Come, Ines. Let us walk together.” Franklin led her out the door of the chambers. “How long has Natalia known this colonel from Belton?”
Her gaze turned knowing and her mouth tightened. “So the whore has you enchanted as well, does she?”
“Your lack of respect will gain you painful punishments, Ines,” he warned, irritation pricking him again. “Submission is a requirement when you are in our presence.”
“Mmm.” She gave a small laugh. “I have no problem being submissive, sir. And as you may have noticed, I also enjoy pain.” She paused. “Though I would be hesitant to think your Rosabelle did.”
“She did not,” he muttered. “Though she will receive a fair amount upon our reunion.”
Ines stopped and turned to face him. “If I arrange a meeting between you both it will be your last. For me to agree to this deal, I must be the only woman for the Council.”
Franklin smiled without amusement. The lie flowed easily from his lips. “Of course. I just wish my face to be the last thing she sees before her death.”
Ines watched him a second longer and then nodded. “It will be done.”
“Good. Come, we must not linger. I will introduce you to Dane for your bathing.”
14
T alia rolled over onto her side and groaned. It was no use. Even though it was far past the midnight hour, she could not sleep. She sat up in bed and rubbed a hand across her eyes. They were swollen and stung slightly from the constant state of tears.
Her mind could not let it go, what had happened at dinner with Ryder. How quickly he had changed the moment she’d given him the information.
Restless now, she swung her legs out of bed and went to use the bathroom and rinse her face. When she glanced up into the mirror, her face was pale. Gods, she looked terrible.
You are still the enemy. He will never trust you . Ines’s vindictive words ran through her head again, refreshing her nausea. You would be a fool to believe that Ryder holds any emotion besides lust for you .
Oh gods. How would she last here? There was no way she could survive another moment of Ryder’s touch, knowing she was nothing but the prisoner whore in his mind.
A series of beeps signaled someone was entering her chamber. Talia jerked her head toward the door of the bathroom. Who was out there?
She took a steadying breath and stepped back into her room.
Krystal stood in the doorway, pale and nervous-looking.
“Krystal? What is the matter? Do you realize what hour it is?”
Krystal crossed the room, pressing a finger to her mouth. “Shhh. Please, you must speak quietly.”
“All right.” Talia lowered her voice and took her friend’s hands. “What is the matter?”
“I am leaving tonight.” Krystal’s gaze was determined. “I intend to marry Trevon.”
“Marry him?” Talia’s stomach twisted. Oh gods. Ryder would lose his mind if he were to find out.
“Yes. I am meeting him shortly. We are running away to a nearby county to exchange vows.”
“I see.” Talia swallowed hard and lowered her gaze, feeling the sting of tears. She would be losing the only friend she had on this planet. “And you have come to say good-bye?”
“No.”
Talia looked up, her brows drawing together. “I do not understand—”
“I have come to set you free, Talia,” Krystal said firmly and squeezed her hands. “I will not leave you here tonight. I will bring you with me.”
Talia’s heart skipped a beat and then began a steady thud. “Set me free?”
“Yes. Will you come with me tonight?”
“Krystal…I don’t know.” Talia licked her lips. The thought of leaving Ryder tore at her heart, but the idea of being his prisoner for one more day nearly broke her.
“What don’t you know? I cannot condone the way Ryder has treated you, Talia.” Krystal shook her head. “It is deplorable. You should never have been brought here as prisoner in the first place.”
“No, please. He had his reasons.” Talia grimaced. Why did she still defend him? Though part of her knew he’d had no choice. She sighed. “If he had not taken me, your planet would still be ignorant to the attack planned.”
“Perhaps, but it does not excuse his treatment of you.” Krystal leaned forward. “Come with me, Talia. I will see that you are put on a pod back to Zortou—”
“No.” Bile rose in her throat and her knees felt suddenly weak. “I will not return. I would prefer you to send me to another planet…somewhere where I can have choices.”
“Gods, I am a fool.” Krystal winced. “I had forgotten the manner in which you were treated. Of course, I will send you to a neighboring planet for sanctuary.”
“Thank you.” Talia bit her lip. This was insane, was it not? Did Krystal realize what she was risking? “Are you sure about this? The trouble you would be creating is not worth—”
“Only if we get caught. And I do not intend for that to happen. Come.” Krystal stood up and began grabbing articles of clothing from the closet. “You must come with me, Talia. It would not be right for me to leave without you.”
Talia didn’t reply and stared at her hands. What reason did she have to stay?
“Talia?” Krystal whispered again, more urgently now. “Will you come with me? Please?”
Talia gave a slow nod. If anything, she would go to keep an eye on Krystal. She was not so sure Krystal’s faith in Trevon was well placed.
“Yes. I will come with you.”
“Good. I knew you would. We are doing the right thing, Talia.” Krystal began to stuff Talia’s clothes into a bag and then slipped the straps over her shoulders.
“I would advise you to put on your warmest dress and a jacket. There is a chill in the night.”
Talia took a deep breath and then slipped off the bed, forcing her feet to move. She dug through the closet until she located a warm dress and pulled it on. After slipping into shoes, she grabbed a heavy jacket and pulled it on over the dress.
“I think that is everything you shall need. Are you ready?” Krystal asked.
Talia bit her lip and glanced around the room one last time. A myriad of emotions swept through her. Regret. Sadness. Resignation.
A bittersweet smile twisted her mouth. She had come to Belton a prisoner; now she was fleeing. Yet her heart would always be Ryder’s captive.
She gave a slow nod. “I am ready. Let us go.”
“Good. Please, keep as quiet as possible. We will get out of here, I promise, but it may not be easy.”
Talia groaned. Of course she tells me this after I have agreed.
They left the room and moved quietly down the hall. Each step they took made Talia’s heart pound harder. They moved past Ryder’s office and she clenched her teeth, barely breathing. Surely he would open the door and spot them immediately.
They passed by without any such incident happening, and some of the tension eased from her muscles.
She waited at the glass door as Krystal typed in the code. A moment later the door slid open and they hurried outside.
Out on the garden path Talia allowed herself to relax, breathing in the crisp night air. She followed alongside Krystal, keeping quiet until they were a good distance from the building.
Where were they going first? “Where are we headed now, Krystal? To the pod or to meet your lover?”
“We must meet up with Trevon first, and then I will ask him to take us to a pod.” She paused. “And we are not lovers yet, but I intend to remedy that soon enough.”
Talia’s stomach twisted and she gave a sharp glance at Krystal. How could she reason with the younger woman when she was so determined? So disillusioned?
She suspected Trevon was an utter louse; it was her gut instinct that had little to do with Ryder’s side of the conversation.
“Where do you intend to marry him?” Talia asked, glancing at her. “Will you stay on Belton?”
“I know nothing for sure.” Krystal nibbled on her bottom lip. “Trevon has promised that everything is planned for this evening.”
“Does he know that I will be joining you?”
“No, I did not have the opportunity to inform him, but it will be no bother. I promise.”
The bad feeling in her gut increased and she swallowed. Gods, maybe this hadn’t been a good idea. “Are you sure about this, Krystal?”
“Quite sure.” Her tone seemed a little too confid
ent, though.
They walked for a while, finally turning onto a path that led toward some kind of orchard.
The light from the moons faded the deeper they moved into the trees. The sounds of the night grew crisper, the loudest being the strange humming noises coming from unseen insects or bugs.
“He should be here,” Krystal murmured, twisting her hands. “He promised—”
“There you are, baby.”
Talia and Krystal both yelped and spun around.
“Trevon. I was starting to get worried,” Krystal’s words were rushed. “I began to think you might not come.”
Trevon laughed. “Not a chance.”
Talia’s gaze narrowed on the man strolling down the trail, a bottle of what looked like ale in his hand.
He wasn’t an overly large man, smaller than Ryder, but definitely taller than her or Krystal. He was almost pretty with white blond hair that fell across one of his eyes, a round face, and wide eyes.
His obvious intoxication and the blatant lust in his gaze sent an uneasy shiver down Talia’s spine. His glance shifted and his eyes locked on Talia.
“Did you bring a friend?” His grin widened as he looked her up and down. “Baby, you sure know what I like. We sure are going to have a good time tonight.”
Talia felt the blood drain from her face. Would Krystal have done such a thing? Brought her out here for…She knew the answer even as the question passed through her head.
No. Besides, Krystal’s pinched expression showed she was just as startled by his comments. Annoyance flashed through her and she crossed her arms across her chest, hoping the contempt she felt for him was obvious in her expression.
“Trevon, do not be silly. Talia is not a gift for you.” Krystal’s tone indicated her irritation. “She is a prisoner I have set free. I was hoping you could direct me to a pod that might—”
“A prisoner?” He laughed and turned his gaze back to Krystal. “All the better then, baby. She has no choice than to do our bidding.”
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