Two middle-aged men took a seat directly across from the desk, complete opposites of each other. Where one was tall, the other was short. From their skin color to the way they rested in the chair, they were in complete contrast.
I walked more to the back to sit on one of the deep red settees, studying everyone. What did they plan to get out of this deal? Where they really interested in joining with Marco, or were they more curious to see how much money would get thrown around in the process? Regardless, I knew what needed to be done. They could all go rounds for as long as it took. I’d wait until the end and blow all of their deals out of the water.
Marco kicked his feet up on the large oak surface and leaned back in the black leather chair. “You all fit the criteria I’m looking for. Your net worth and cash reserves are remarkable. You have the ability to make your businesses thrive. That what I’m looking for. The terms are simple. Bidding starts at one and a half million. You’ll be contracted to open at least three more restaurants in four years.”
“One and a half million?” One of older men in the group shook his head. “That’s…more than I expected. Let’s be realistic. Most big chains go for maybe half that.”
“Yes, but they’re not mine.” Marco gave off a cocky smile. “Trust me, if you join my family, as I like to call it, you won’t regret it.”
The black man sitting next to me took a deep breath. “I’ll do a million. Not a dime over.” He sat up straighter. “I’ve been in this field for a long time. I know the risks. That kind of money is something I’m not willing to chance.”
“Alright.” Marco laced his fingers together, placing them on his chest. “Anyone else out?” The seventeen of us looked around at each other and five more hands lifted. His fingers unlocked and he gestured to the door. “Thank you for coming. You’ll understand when I say I have to ask you to leave.”
It was a private matter. I knew that was what he was referring to, but the others didn’t look very happy as they stood and left the large room.
“Okay, so we’re all in agreement on the terms up to this point?”
One of the men sitting in front of the desk wiped sweat from his balding head with a white handkerchief.
Marco continued. “Who’s willing to go one-point-seven-five?”
As the number grew to two and a half million, only two people aside from myself remained.
“Three million.” The greed pouring from Marco made me detest him even more. He may have been filthy rich already, but every dime apparently counted. That was evident as he kept jumping up by the hundreds of thousands. It made me think he needed the money for purposes other than just his own need.
“Three-point-two is where I draw the line.” The man sitting before him turned to look back at us, clearly to see if we were going to go higher. When we didn’t say anything, he got up and walked out.
A blond, maybe ten years older than me, glanced over, worry lining his forehead over his frown. He was a fucking agent. I knew one when I saw one, but what was he doing here? I looked closer and speculated. Probably a special agent, and not from my agency. He was definitely part of a team, unlike me. The way he kept looking to me for leads was obvious. But that meant more agencies were on to Marco’s dealings, but concerning what?
I really needed to speak to him, but not before I won. And I would. What I had tied up in this now went a lot further than finding terrorists. Elle was still here, and I wasn’t leaving without my answers. My stomach fluttered….or without her. I forced down all sorts of incomprehensible and inconvenient thoughts involving Elle, not wanting to examine where they’d sprung from. I couldn’t dare let my darkest fantasies invade rationality.
I pulled at the bowtie, sweat starting to cover my body.
“Five million,” the blond said, his eyes watching me, not Marco.
“Six,” I returned.
His jaw clenched. “Six-point-five.”
“Ten.” The boredom in my voice had his face turning red. He pushed up to his feet and stood, storming out. I threw a smile to Marco who had one on his own face.
“Well, now. I like the sound of that.” He stood, holding out his hand and I went over to shake it.
“You better pour those secrets out on love if I’m going to be paying that much,” I laughed. “You owe me a soul mate and a life full of puppies and kittens for that price.”
A loud laugh echoed around the room and he walked around the desk. “Let’s go have a drink. We’ll go over your preferences. Maybe I can introduce you to someone. Hell, for ten million dollars, I think I’d give you my sister if she wasn’t already married.”
He chuckled at his own joke and mine was so forced, it sounded fake to my ears. How funny would he find it if I asked for his wife instead? Although I liked the thought, I knew better than to push it. The more he assumed I was uninterested, the more relaxed he would be to have me around.
A bar stood at the far end of the room and he picked up a decanter, pouring some amber liquid into a small glass. I looked down into the depths and nearly had to laugh at my thoughts. Have his wife…right. I downed it in one drink, clenching my jaw at the power of the liquor as it hit me. Warmth swirled in my stomach and I let him pour me another.
“So how did you find me?” I risked asking. It wasn’t like I didn’t already know the answer, but I wanted him to think I was surprised and happy for our connection.
“A friend, actually.” Marco sipped from his glass. “He came across your name as he was doing research into wealthy entrepreneurs. After he checked you out, he sent your information to me. I was impressed. You’re a risk taker. I knew you’d be the last one standing here.”
I took another drink, this one slower. “Did you, now?” I shrugged. “Hell, I knew it too. When I want something, price doesn’t matter.” We smiled at each other and Marco leaned against the wooden wall. As his head tilted up and he closed his eyes, my gaze lowered and the glass nearly fell from my hand.
Right at his collar, scratch marks were visible. Dots of blood rested just on the inside of the white material. I closed my eyes to stop the fury that hammered at my insides. I could kill him right now. Drag it out for a few minutes before anyone suspected something was wrong. Fuck, if I didn’t want to. The bastard deserved the worst and I knew I could do it in the most grotesque ways imaginable.
“Hitting you, yet? You took that first glass like a boss.”
Hitting me…did Marco hit his wife? Hit Elle?
My lids opened and I saw him staring at me. My first instinct was to say no. I really wasn’t feeling anything. Not yet. But if I wanted my plan to work, I had to lie. “Yeah, I didn’t expect it to be that strong. You have the good stuff.”
“Only the best. That’s why I know if I choose to go along with this deal, it’ll be worth it. There’s something different about you, Mr. Fallston. I didn’t want to like you, but I think I do.”
I laughed. “Thank you, I think.”
“That’s a big compliment. It’s rare I meet someone that I don’t instantly despise.” His finger traced around the brim of the glass. “Well, I did dislike you at first, truthfully. My wife responds to you. I don’t like it. But there’s….” he made a sound, “I can’t really explain it. I feel like I know you.”
That was my cue to back off. It was too easily decipherable. “Ever been to Chicago? Maybe you do know me.”
His head shook. “I have been a time or two, but purely for business. I didn’t stay to socialize.”
“Well, if you’re ever in the area, you’ll have to take a weekend to relax. I’ll show you around the city.”
“I think I might like that.” He pushed off the wall and the liquid at the bottom of the glass sloshed around as he poured himself more. “I actually will be going back in the next few months. I need to tie up some loose ends with one of my other businesses.”
Shit. Maybe he really did travel to the States. Good thing I wouldn’t be around long enough to find out. And if he ever came looking for me, he�
��d never discover my location. Especially since I lived on the outskirts of Napa, California. My security was impossibly tight. Even if he did learn where I lived, he wouldn’t make it close to the front door.
“Any time you’re ready,” I said, finishing off my drink.
Like a tidal wave, I felt myself sway. Not a lot, but enough to leave me blinking in surprise.
“There we go. Now it really hits,” Marco laughed, the sound warping in my ears. “Not your average liquor. This one is spiked with some potent stuff. Good thing you don’t take drug tests, huh?”
My eyes slowly moved toward him and it took everything in me not to swing like I wanted. Not to give into the temptation to tear his flesh apart with my bear hands. “What the hell did you do?” I pulled at the bowtie, removing it from around my neck. The buttons popped from the top of the shirt as I ripped it open. Heat raced down my limbs and I unbuttoned the jacket. The need to strip everything off left me uneasy.
“Nothing you should worry yourself over. A little of this, a little of that. It’s a family secret. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.”
I clenched my fist, not being able to stop myself. “Watch it, Marco.”
“Ah. No need to get upset, friend.” He placed his glass down and took mine from my grasp. “I’m just going to ask you a series of questions and you’re going to be truthful. Not that you really have a choice. The answers will come whether you want them to or not.”
My brain flip-flopped in my head and I blinked hard, trying to stay in the game. “Let’s do this.” Did I just agree? Fuck, my body was tingling, right along with my cock.
“Do you know my wife?”
My eyebrows rose and I swallowed, fighting the urge to say yes. I was still somewhat aware, but barely. With each passing minute, I was slipping further away. “No, never met her before, although I have seen a woman who closely resembles her. Once—”
Marco cut me off which was a good thing because the words weren’t really registering before they left my mouth.
“If I keep you around are you going to try to fuck her behind my back?”
My cock hardened even more and I pulled at the shirt. Visions of Elle’s curves in that gown flashed before me and sweat was quickly soaking through my clothes. “I don’t fuck married women.” That was the truth.
“And you’re serious about this deal? You’re not going to cheat me or cancel at the last minute?”
“No.” I almost groaned at the force it took to get that word out.
He nodded. “Perfect. Then you can stay. With as much as you’ve taken, you’re going to have one wild night,” he said, laughing. “It’s your first time, too. No worries, though. I’ll get you a girl.”
“A girl?” A bad taste washed over my mouth and I almost reached out to the glass again, but Marco stopped me, filling another with water. I took it, drinking down the clear liquid.
“Yes, you’re going to need someone. It’s one of the side effects of the drink. She’ll be lucky to walk straight tomorrow, if you know what I mean.”
Fuck, I didn’t want to do this. “Great. Where am I crashing?” The words poured out, but I was beyond powerless now. I swayed, reaching for the wall. Marco grabbed my arm, leading me to the door.
“Juan!” The echo literally felt like it bounced around inside my head. I winced as a man rushed forward. As he began moving sideways, up the wall, I felt my head turn, trying to process how it was possible.
“Juan will take you to your room. Becca will be there shortly. Have a good night, Mr. Fallston. I’ll see you for breakfast.”
I barely recalled shuffling down the enclosing walls as another man came to help move me along. Pictures melted before my very eyes, while others moved around as if they were alive. I’d never been a drug user. Never even experimented, but this was just…insane. Heavy breaths came out of my mouth and my head kept jerking to the side, alert at all the things I saw moving.
“Fuck, he’s heavy.” Only after the statement was said, did I realize he’d been speaking in Spanish. My brain hadn’t even comprehended the difference initially.
Pressure eased from my arms and I felt myself falling. An eternity seemed to pass until I finally landed on the bed. The mattress sank in slow motion, and I gripped to blankets, getting the impression I was going to plummet right through into another world.
Laughter trailed in their wake and I looked around the large room. The light and dark blue striped walls gave the effect of a fun house and I made a sound, rubbing my hands down my face. I’d heard of this happening to agents before, but I’d never undergone anything remotely similar. It pissed me off, yet my body was anything but angry. It was alive. Lusting for contact.
I pulled off my jacket and shirt, removing my gun from my lower back and sliding it under the pillow by instinct. The bed shifted underneath me and with it, sensations raced to my cock. “Fuck…me. God dammit.” I threw myself back, moaning. My hand fumbled with my belt before I could stop it. The impatience was overpowering. A need like none other rushed my movements and the best pleasure I’d ever experienced hit before I even realized I was stroking my cock. I looked down at the long length, shocked at the lack of control I had.
Rapping against the door had me reaching for my gun. My skin was drenched and I zipped up my pants as I attempted to move to the side of the bed.
“Who is it?”
A short delay. “It’s Becca. I was told you needed me.” The Spanish accent was thick, but she spoke English.
“I’m fine. You can go.”
Again, knocking.
“Go away. I said I’m fine.” Aggravation was good. It took the edge off. The emotion was just hard to maintain. I felt myself rolling in waves of clarity. One minute, I was gone to the drug, the next, able to think. But, each time I was taken under, the effects of the drug were stronger.
“Please, Mister.” More knocking.
“Son of bitch.” My knees buckled as I stood and I pushed the gun into the back of my pants. Getting to the door took too long. My arms and cock sure as shit didn’t have anything wrong with them, but my legs were practically useless.
I cracked the wooden barrier, taking in the tanned skin and big brown eyes that peered up at me. A white silk nightgown barely covered her short body. “Jesus, you’re a kid.”
The parting of her lips showed her surprise. “I’m…seventeen, sir. A woman.”
I laughed. “Fuck no, you’re not. You still a kid. Shoo.” I waved her off. A woman, my ass. She’d be broken by the time I got done with her. Even the older, experienced women couldn’t handle what I held inside. “And don’t fucking knock again. I’m serious.”
“I’ll get in trouble if you don’t let me in,” she whispered.
“Bullshit. I’ll explain to them I wasn’t interested. Now, off you go.” I closed myself in, ending the conversation. I went to turn around but paused and looked back at the knob. A lock. Good. I clicked it into place, putting myself at ease. No girl was slipping in while I was asleep. Especially while I was like this. I’d get my own self off and be done with it.
The walk back was just as hard and I felt a surge of the tingly feeling again. My knees hit the floor hard as I collapsed. The moan that tore from my throat was uncontrollable. I pulled myself to the bed, blinded by visions of Elle on all fours, waiting for me. Motioning at me with her finger to come closer to the top of the bed. I didn’t see her because I’d chosen to, my brain was gone. Possessed completely by the orgasm cocktail that fucker had served me. She was there for some deeper purpose. One I had locked away for quite some time now.
The silk sheets were cool beneath my skin and I rubbed the side of my face against them as my hand stroked down my thick length. My clothes, long gone. All that remained was my primal cravings that I had no power over.
“Fuck,” I whispered. The pace I kept was slow, torturous…just the way I liked it.
Blonde hair suddenly curtained around me as she straddled my lap and stared down int
o my eyes. The teal color sucked me in and before I could stop myself, I reached for her full breasts, rolling her nipple between my fingers. Pinching hard enough to make her gasp.
“You want me. You know where I am. Come get me, Gaige. I’m waiting.”
My eyes blinked hard, confused how this was even possible. “I don’t take commands, I give them. Me. Not you.” The need on her face left me squeezing the hard nub tighter. Until she squirmed above me. A moment of clarity had me easing my hand back. What was I doing?
“Gaige.”
“Don’t talk.” To hear her voice made my guilt nearly choke me. It felt wrong to want her. So damn wrong. She’d belonged to my brother. Yet, he disappeared completely as she grabbed around my cock and slid down the length. “Wait.” My head shook, but I couldn’t stop myself from continuing.
“I want you. Come get me. You know where to go. Where I’m at.”
“Shit.” I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “No. Be quiet. Just…” My hand pressed hard against her mouth, too hard, but I didn’t care. My thrusts increased in speed. I rolled her over to her back and slammed into her with all the hate I had. Vibrations covered my palm and I made the grip even tighter.
“You did this to me,” I whispered. “You fucking destroyed everything.”
The pleasure increased and I tried to fight it, but I was losing and beginning to enjoy what I didn’t want. This was so unlike my fantasies. This almost seemed real. I may have pretended other women had been her, but now that it was practically happening, I felt myself not being able to get enough. My hand eased and she moved to the side. sucking my finger deep into her mouth. A growl teased the back of my throat and I added another finger, pushing past her lips. The suction was so real that it only made comprehending what was happening even more of a challenge.
“Harder, Gaige. Fuck me like you want to hurt me. I know you do.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are? I said I give the orders.” Was this real? A part of me knew it couldn’t be, but as I looked down, she was still there, running her tongue over my digits. Rotating her hips, I drove into her with everything I had. My hand reached back and she lifted her legs higher against my waist as if she knew what I wanted. I spanked against the fleshy part of her ass, once, twice, three times, with more force than I knew most women could handle.
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