by JA Huss
I cross my arms over my chest and huff out some air. “It was my idea.”
“Yeah, well, an idea doesn’t keep you alive when you’re double-dealing with scumbags like these guys. And when I tell them what we’re offering, they are gonna jump on it, Smurf. So this is your last chance to call it off. Because once we have a deal, there’s no turning back. People will die tomorrow. You got that?” He waits for me to answer, but I don’t. I just swallow it down. “Do you understand that?” he asks again, this time grabbing my arm and squeezing tight.
“I get it, OK? But what other choice do we have? We need firepower. We need boots on the ground. We need them to kill if we want to have any chance at all of getting Harper and Nick back.”
“Look, Sasha, just because you said you want Nick and Harper to get out alive doesn’t mean they will. These guys know who they are. They know who their father is. They know their connections. So they might just double-cross us and kill everyone. Including you and me. Or maybe, and this is far more likely, they will take us all prisoner. And then we’ll all get to experience what James went through down in Honduras twelve years ago. So I’m gonna ask you one more time. Do you really want to give James up to save your boyfriend? Because they want him, Cherlin. They want him bad.”
“I told you. He’s not gonna get caught. James will never get caught. They want One too, so they’ll be happy to get him. James will get away, I know it. He’s so much smarter. So much more lethal. If anyone can pull us through this plan, it’s James.”
“Not James, kid. Tet. I don’t know why the fuck you can’t see him for what he is. A messed-up dude with questionable loyalties.”
“It doesn’t matter. They’re the same guy. So if Tet can do it, then James can too.”
Merc draws in a long breath of air and then opens his door, leaving the truck running. “OK. Be right back.” He holds out his palm and I scribble the address down on the back of a map I found in the glove box. I marked the Santa Barbara community on there as best I could on the front too. Just to make sure they get it right. Drug dealers, ya know? Not the brightest of the bunch.
Merc takes the map and pushes the door closed so it doesn’t slam. Then he walks off into the sun, his shades down and his dark hair blowing a bit in the hot wind.
I hold my breath as he approaches the two men standing underneath the giant dinosaur. They don’t shake hands and I see that as a bad sign. But then I see heads nodding, so that eases me a bit.
I bite my fingers again. Geez. I can’t take the tension. I’m really not cut out for this hardcore dealing. I’m not. I’m just a little kid. I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m gonna get everyone killed with this idea.
But then the two men look at each other and smile. One even laughs and claps the other on the back. Merc hands them the map and they put their heads together to study it.
There’s more negotiation, then they all look over at me. My stomach flips. I swear, I almost open the door and puke.
This is it. This is where Merc tells them about Nick and Harper and asks for immunity. They already have the coordinates, so they’re the ones calling the shots. That was Merc’s idea. Give them the upper hand and let them make this decision on their own. That’s the only way it will work, he said. They have to want the deal. We can’t coerce them and expect co-operation.
My leg is going a mile a minute as they hash things out. They look over at me several more times, and then there’s some heated discussion.
I can only imagine what they are saying.
They want Nick. They want Harper.
And it makes sense for them, right? They want the children of the man who sent them so much trouble and strife over the years down in Central America. They want to teach him a lesson and they are ready and willing to send the LA chapter of their gang if they think they have the chance.
And I know what Merc’s response will be.
You can have James. The kid who shot your leader twelve years ago. You can have his rescuer. The assassin who broke him out and mowed down the deformed man’s entire family—mostly women and children—to do it.
I know this part. And no one else does besides Merc, because I told him. Probably not even James knows this part. Because this was how One got in to the compound to find James. James only knows what happened after.
I know this because One is my mother’s brother. My uncle. The uncle who used to come to our house every New Year’s Eve until I was ten and get drunk with my father so they could talk about my mother. Share her memory.
He used to ruffle my hair and whisper, “You have a number, Sasha. Not a name, a number. You’re Zero. The one no one sees. The one no one expects. The one who will set it all right.”
Of course, back then I had no idea what he was talking about. I had no idea what he was really talking about until James told me the Company had my parents killed. He told me this right here, in this parking lot. As I was sitting on the toe of a giant brontosaurus.
She needs to hear this, he told Harper.
He wanted me to know what I was up against.
Suddenly the little group of men breaks up and Merc is walking back to the truck.
My stomach flips again as I try to read his expression, but I can’t, it’s no use. So I hold my breath until he gets back in the truck and says, “It’s done.”
I exhale.
“They took the bait.” He looks over at me. “Now what?”
This is the last part of the plan. The really dangerous part. The part that might get all of us killed. Because this gang might be notorious for their ruthless revenge killings, but the person I need to bring in next isn’t called Number One for nothing. “Next I call my uncle.”
Merc clenches his jaw, his eyes darting back and forth as he thinks this through. “You wanna know why they were laughing back there?” he asks.
No. “Yes.”
“They were laughing because they said if they see James, they’re not gonna kill him.”
“No?” I ask, hopeful.
Merc starts the truck and backs out of the space, then heads towards the exit. “Nope.” And then he looks me in the eye as he waits to turn left to get back on the Interstate. “They’re gonna douse him in gasoline, set him on fire, and then put it out.”
“What?”
“They’re gonna make sure he lives to feel the pain.”
Chapter Eighty-One - Harper
“I might not’ve been all there this past year or so,” Tet says, coming forward a few paces. “But Harper Tate, the minute I saw you on the beach, it started coming back. It took me a while, but I’m here now. I’m not the person they say I am.” He turns his head and then gives me a sidelong glance. “At least not when it comes to you.”
He steps forward a few more paces and I automatically put my hands up to ward him off. He grabs my wrists and hikes my hands above my head, walking me backwards until I hit the wall. I press myself flat, but he leans in and touches his lips to mine. “It would kill me, Harper Tate, if you were afraid of me.”
“That was you last night.”
“That was me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to give you a chance to choose. A chance to choose a safer life than the one I can provide. I’ve got money. I’ve got assets. But I can’t keep you safe, Harper. It would not be possible.”
I just stare at him. What is he saying? “So you don’t want me? You’re going to pull one of those selfish I’m-doing-this-for-your-own-good moves? Because if so, James Fenici, I’m gonna fight you over it. I swear to God, I will—”
He leans down and kisses me, laughing into my mouth. “I love you.”
“I love you. Don’t leave me. Please.”
He pulls back just the slightest little bit and I look up into those beautiful emerald eyes. “I came back, didn’t I?”
I nod.
“I told you, Harper, you’re mine. And maybe I cheated a little bit to get you, but I meant that. I never want to let you g
o.”
He pauses. I feel a ‘but’ coming on.
“But I have a job to do here, lionfish. I have a job to do.”
“What job?”
He cups my face with his hands. They are cool. And reassuring. Like these hands can fix anything. “I know they tell you I’m crazy. And I am. But I’m patient, Harper. And I’m smart. I’ve outsmarted the most ruthless killers on this planet. I’ve outsmarted the highest government officials. I’ve outsmarted drug dealers, and kidnappers, and Admirals, and my mother. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
“What are you doing?” I’m breathless listening to him. My heart is beating so fast I’m not sure I can stand up for much longer.
“Killing people, Harper. I’m killing people. Or at the very least… getting them all killed.”
“Who? What people?”
He leans down to kiss me again, his tongue probing for more attention. And then he whispers, “Everyone, Harp. I’m gonna kill everyone.”
“How?” My legs get weak but James cups my ass and lifts me up, pushing me against the wall.
“Sasha.” And then he laughs.
Chills run up my spine. “But you already killed Sasha.”
He nuzzles his mouth against my neck and laughs. “Please, Harper. A little faith. I’m a sick asshole, but I have never killed a little girl and I’m not gonna start now.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to.”
“That’s not fair, James. I’m not some helpless child. I’m lethal in my own right.”
“This isn’t your fight, lionfish. This one’s mine. So save your moves for something else.” And then he kisses my mouth and slaps my ass. “I got this. The only thing I want you to do is let me fuck you. Let me make this world safe for us. And let me keep you forever.”
I thread my hands through his hair and breathe him in. “My James.”
“My Harper. I want to marry you. I want to take you away. Somewhere safe, and quiet. Somewhere we can get to know each other for real. On our own time. Slowly.” He reaches up and brushes a stray strand of hair away from my eyes and tucks it behind my ear. “I want to make love to you under the stars. And sail around the world with you in a boat. I want you all to myself. I’m a stingy, greedy, killer. And I want you. I want to know you.”
“I want to know you too,” I say back, my words so soft they are just barely a whisper. “I’ve wanted you since the day we turned Six. I didn’t understand it, but the way you looked at me, I could feel the love. I could feel your attention.” My face begins to get hot and the tears begin to form. “I just want a simple life, James. I don’t need a fancy boat or a big house. I don’t need money. I just want you. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to fight the Company rules and traditions. I just want to run away with you and never look back. ”
He swipes a tear away. “I told you we can’t do that, lionfish. I told you they’ll never let us live. They will find us. I need to take them out.”
“It’s hopeless.”
“It’s not.” He reaches for me, placing his hand against my cheek. It’s cool and feels comforting. I’m warm from the tears and sadness. “I swear, it’s not hopeless. Sasha and I have a plan and it will all turn out fine.”
I turn my head to look at him and his mouth is there. A slight brush of his lips against mine. I open for him and his tongue flicks in, searching for more contact. Caressing me.
He kisses me for real this time.
There’s no hesitation.
Only devouring.
He kisses me like he’s the wind. Like he’s the sea. Like he’s the desert.
He kisses me and he tastes like freedom.
Chapter Eighty-Two - James
Her sweet mouth might break me. Her soft fingers reach for my cock, squeezing it like she’s desperate. Her slim hips angle towards me as I press against her. I lift her shirt over her head and relish the blush that forms on her cheeks. Her breasts firm up, her nipples peaking as I look at them. She unbuttons her shorts and lets them fall down her hips until they hit the floor.
“Fuck,” is about all I can manage. This girl is perfection.
And then she reaches for the rumpled dress shirt of Vincent’s that I’m half wearing. She unbuttons it from the bottom up and then her fingertips brush against my shoulders as she slides the shirt down until that too drops to the floor.
She unbuckles my belt next, letting the two ends fall alongside my hips as she works the button and the zipper of my trousers. A hand reaches inside and wraps around my cock. I tilt my head back and close my eyes. “Put me in your mouth, Harper.”
I keep my eyes closed as I feel the soft heat of her breath when she comes closer. The first swipe of her tongue across my tip makes me moan. But when she opens her mouth and allows me to fill her up, pushing my cock to the back of her throat—I lose myself. Fuck.
I grab her head and pump into her. She gags and tries to pull back, but instead of letting her get away, I stop moving so she can recover and keep me in her mouth. “Shhh, my lionfish. Just relax.”
She gets it under control and flattens her tongue against my shaft, moaning. The fucking moaning kills me. Her vocal cords vibrate, sending the sensations right to the most sensitive part of my cock.
Her hand cups my balls, kneading them and caressing them, and I take that as her signal that she’s ready to proceed. I pump a few more times in her mouth, and then, just before I know she’s going to gag, I pull all the way out and squat down to give her a kiss. “I love you.”
She kisses me back, her hands greedily reaching for my cock now that it’s out of reach.
“I want to make you come, James.”
“Baby, I’ll come for you any time, any place.” I stand back up and put my cock in her mouth.
And this time I take her hard. I fuck her mouth and make her drool. She doesn’t hold back. Not one bit. She takes all of me. She takes everything I give her. I press my balls up to her chin and then I come as she swallows me.
When she’s done, I take her hand and pull, forcing her to stand. And then I grab her around the thighs and lift her little body up until her pussy is right in front of my face and her legs are draped over my shoulders. She moans just thinking about what I’m going to do. She’s dripping wet before I even get started.
I press her back against the wall and lick her, angling her hips so I can get at her pretty little ass. I lap at her clit, flicking it back and forth. And then I drop one leg from my shoulder so I can pump her pussy with my fingers.
“Oh, fuck,” she says. “Holy fuck. I’m gonna come, James. I’m—”
Her words make no sense after that. It’s just a bunch of noises, coupled with her little hands fisting my hair as she bucks her hips against my face.
When she’s slack and quiet I set her feet back on the floor. Her legs are weak, so I take her over to the bed and lay her down on her back as I climb in next to her.
“I want us to run away,” she whispers, nuzzling her head into my neck.
Our lovemaking mood is broken, so I just hold her for a moment. “You have to trust me. I can’t be responsible for everyone, Harp. But I can be responsible for us.”
“Something bad is gonna happen. I feel it. And then I’ll be all alone.”
“I promise,” I say, bringing her hand to my mouth and kissing it. “I promise to live. I promise to be there for you when this is over.”
She struggles under my embrace and climbs on top of me. My cock is still hard, but she pumps it a few times to see if I’m still interested.
I am. So I wrap my large hands around her tiny waist and place her on top of me, urging her to begin. She eases down slowly, then lifts up. “I don’t believe you. I don’t think you should make promises you can’t keep. And if you die, James, I will die with you. Even if I live, I will die with you.”
“Stop,” I chastise her. “I don’t want to hear that kind of talk.” I play with the blonde strands of hair that are falling down
the side of her frowning face. She’s not convinced. “I came back for you, didn’t I? I promised to come back and I did. And it’s only been nine days. I’m early, baby. I over-delivered.”
That makes her smile a little and I reach around to cup her ass, lifting her and letting her drop as she slowly rides my cock. Her long hair brushes against my chest and sends chills up my whole body. I fucking love this girl.
“Hold on,” I tell her, grabbing her waist again and flipping us over. She spills out onto the sheets beneath me, her legs wrapped around my hips, her arms around my neck. “I want to fuck you from behind.”
“I want you to fuck me any way you want.”
I lean down and kiss her pretty lips, biting the lower one just enough to make her squeal. And then I rise up on my elbows and knees to give her space to turn. “Face down on the bed, Harper.”
She looks me in the eye as she flips, and when her hips are up in the air, and my thick cock is dangling over her ass, I push her legs closed and lie down across her back. My dick squeezes between her cheeks, seeking out her pussy. She gasps when I enter, thrusting hard. I reach in front of her and find her slit, my fingertips rubbing her clit hard. Making her pussy wetter and wetter. Driving her wild and sending her bucking and moaning. I cup my hand around her mouth, forcing her to quiet down, and then I pump my cock into her, over and over, my balls slapping against her wet sex.
When I know she’s almost there, I pull her hair. I make her back arch up and her head fall back, her mouth in easy reach.
And I kiss her.
I kiss her hard.
I kiss her like I’ve never kissed a woman before in my life.
I wrap my hand around her throat and squeeze her chin so there’s no possible way for her to stop this kiss.
And then when I feel the walls of her pussy clamping down on my cock, I pound her one last time until I come inside her. Spilling my seed deep in her womb, until I collapse on top of her back, all sweaty and sticky with her sex and her scent.