by Ashley Jade
Eden
“Here.”
I look down at the bag of peas Geoffrey’s holding out to me. “I guess it’s more noticeable than I thought.”
“I’ve seen worse.” He shrugs. “Not that it matters. The intent is still the same regardless if it leaves a mark or not.”
“I’m not making excuses for Cain. I was protecting Damien.”
“I understand.”
“Why can’t he?”
The moment we came home, Damien locked himself in his office and he’s been down there ever since. I get that he’s mad about me lying, but his grudge is uncalled for.
I lied for him. I can’t fathom why he considers it such a horrible violation of trust.
Lying to protect someone you care about isn’t wrong.
“Forgive me if I’m out of line, but Damien isn’t a stupid man. I think he understands perfectly well what your purpose was.”
“Then why is he so angry when I was only trying to look out for him?”
He lifts his shoulder in a shrug. “Sometimes what we dislike in others is the very same thing we loathe in ourselves.”
After spending the better part of the evening tossing and turning, I make my way down to Damien’s office.
Geoffrey’s words have been reverberating through my mind all night.
And call it a hunch or really profound intuition…but I’m thinking I know exactly why Damien is the way he is.
During his speech, he mentioned Cain was his best friend and said they were almost inseparable at one point.
I saw the way Damien attacked Cain earlier today after he slapped me. He looked like he wanted to kill him and if the governor wasn’t there to break it up…I think he would have.
Just like he killed Cain’s father and brother.
He killed them because they hurt Cain.
And then Cain turned around and threatened to turn him in for it.
No wonder Damien has such trust issues. He was betrayed by someone he cared about.
It’s dark when I enter his office. The only light comes from the fish tank Damien’s chair is facing.
I find his fascination with them endearing. He’s always watching them, feeding them, and making sure the water’s clean.
I don’t know much about taking care of fish, but it seems like he gives them a great life and they’re happy.
Well, apart from the big fish he keeps behind the divider. That one reminds me of Damien because he always looks so grumpy and miserable.
I prop myself on top of his desk. “Maybe he’s cranky because he doesn’t have any friends.”
He tilts his head in my direction. “Thought you’d be sleeping by now.”
“I can’t sleep.” I play with a loose string on the end of my pajama top. “I’d say I’m sorry for lying, but that would only be another lie.” I wait for him to look at me before I say, “I get why you’re upset. I know why you have trust issues. But I’m not Ca—”
He turns his chair around. “You don’t know a thing about me, Eden.”
“Fair enough, but I know you’re a good person.”
He laughs darkly. “What makes you so sure about that?”
“If you weren’t a good person, you wouldn’t have told me the truth about Cain. You also wouldn’t be teaching me how to be a stronger person. And you definitely wouldn’t have saved Geoffrey, or—”
“Enough.” He stands up. “Everything I do has a purpose, and it’s always self-serving. I told you about Cain so you wouldn’t be in my way when I take him down. I hired Geoffrey because I needed a servant and everyone else on the island was either too injured or dead after the hurricane.” He places his arms on either side of my body. “And I’m teaching you how to fend for yourself because I can’t stand to be around weakness.” His lip curls. “Pathetic people disgust me.”
I swallow hard. I know he’s only trying to push me away because I’m getting too close. “I—”
“Don’t,” he snaps. “Don’t delude yourself into thinking I’m something I’m not, or that this thing between us is more than sex and a common goal, little lamb. Trust me, it’s not. And the second I’m gone, you’ll be grateful for it.”
Geoffrey was right. The size of the bruise doesn’t matter…it’s the intent behind it.
Unlike Cain, Damien didn’t have to hit me to leave a mark.
“Right,” I whisper, trying my hardest to keep it together because the only thing I have left is my pride. “Now that we got that out of the way, you should know that Cain wants to have you arrested on polling day.” I lift up his arm and hop off the desk. “Evidently he’s friends with Chief Trejo and he’s going to meet with him soon. I’m not sure when, all I know is he wants you in jail for killing his family.”
I snap my fingers as I walk toward the door. “Oh. He’s also slipping me a phone tomorrow so I can communicate with him. I kindly ask that you don’t take it away from me, because I’d really like to not get slapped and finger banged against my will so hard it hurts to walk again.”
His eyes narrow. “He—”
“Nope.” I hold up a hand. “Don’t worry about me, pal. I’m good. And now that you’ve made it perfectly clear what this is and isn’t between us. I think it’s best you handle your shit with Cain your way, and I handle mine my way. Our goal might be common, but it doesn’t mean we have to take the same path and update each other on our journeys along the way.”
“Fine.” His expression is so hard it could be carved from stone.
“Great.” I pause when I reach the door. I hate that his rejection stings so much. “It’s a good thing you have your fish. I hope they keep you warm and—” A scream lodges in my throat as I turn around. The big fish he keeps behind the divider is devouring all the other fish. It’s the most savage thing I’ve ever seen.
Damien flashes me a smile. “You were saying?”
Chapter 29
Cain
Releasing a sigh, I check my watch for the third time.
It’s just after two a.m. The chief should be arriving any minute.
Although he should have been here sooner given he lives right up the road from my campaign headquarters.
As if on cue, he waltzes into my office wearing a ratty sweatshirt and jeans.
My stomach rolls. His uniform would have put things into better perspective and reminded me why I’m going to such lengths.
Although lengths would be generous when it comes to the chief.
He plops down in a chair. “Sorry I wasn’t here sooner. I got caught up watching the game.”
I grab the bottle of vodka on the desk behind me and pour myself a drink. I’ll need at least three more before the night is over.
The things we do for leverage.
He makes a face. “Never pegged you for a vodka guy.”
“It was a Christmas gift from Claudia.” I gesture to the extra glass on my desk. “Help yourself.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
He’s mid-sip when I cut to the chase. “I need a favor.”
He doesn’t look at all surprised. Then again, we’ve been down this road once before.
“Figured as much. What is it this time? Parking tick—”
“I need you to arrest someone.”
“Why?”
“I need him out of the picture. Preferably for the next twenty-five years to life.”
He takes a hearty swig of his drink. “Who?”
“Damien King.”
He starts coughing. “Are you crazy? Not only is he richer than God, he just donated half a million to the department.”
Of course he did. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, Ray.”
“All right, I’ll bite. What in God’s name would you like him arrested for?”
“Murder.”
He stands up. “Yeah, you’re crazier than I thought. Have a good night.”
“Sit down.”
Begrudgingly, he plants his ass in the chair. “Look, I know you two have his
tory and he’s your opponent. But I’m not gonna arrest a man for murder just because he pisses you off. I’m not a crooked cop, Carter.”
I lean against the edge of my desk. “You’re a little crooked…if memory serves.”
He flushes with embarrassment. “Don’t go there. It was a one-time thing. I was drunk—”
“Yadda, yadda.” I refill my glass. “How are things with that wife of yours anyway?”
“They’re fine,” he says sharply.
I shift my stance so I’m standing in front of him. “I have proof, you know.”
“Proof of what?”
“Damien King telling me how he planned to kill my family in a fire eleven years ago.”
“Video?”
“Audio.”
He winces. “Sketchy.” He blinks. “Wait a minute. Your teacher killed your brother and father, so why the hell would you have something like that in the first place? And why the fuck are you telling me about this now and not eleven years ago?”
I shrug. “I said I had proof, I didn’t say he did it.”
He scrubs a hand down his face. “Let me get this straight. You want me to open an eleven-year-old murder investigation that was already solved and tell everyone the teacher who ended up getting murdered by her husband was innocent all along and then pin the whole thing on someone else?”
“Yes.”
He snorts. “Not only is it unethical, it’s the equivalent of opening Pandora’s box. The scandal was one of the biggest in Black Hallows’ history.”
“I need him gone.”
“Then find another way. Setting up an innocent man for a double homicide is fucked. Even for you.”
I drop to my knees. “Sometimes we all do things we’re not proud of.” I rub the small bulge forming in his pants. “Don’t we, Ray?”
“Stop it, Carter. I told you—” He moans when I tug his zipper down and flick my tongue through the opening. “Fuck, that feels good.”
“It could feel even better…if you’d be willing to help me.”
He closes his eyes. “It’s been so long.”
“I know it has.” I reach inside his pants. “You deserve someone who cares about your pleasure. Someone to take care of your needs.” I tighten my grip. “I can be that person.”
“You’ll have to do a better job of convincing me.”
I smirk. “Take off your pants.”
They fall to his ankles. “You gonna take yours off too? Let me fuck that ass again?”
I undo my belt. “I thought it was a one-time thing?”
He strokes himself. “Shut up and suck it.”
Stomach churning, I edge forward. “Do we have a deal?”
He grunts. “Let me fuck you and I’ll consider it.”
“I’ll let you fuck me whenever you want if you arrest Damien King on polling day.”
“Oh, hell.”
“Come on, Chief.” I swallow his short, fat dick in one gulp and he hisses. “Besides, it’s a little late to turn back now. Especially if you don’t want your wife or anyone else to know how much you enjoy this.”
“You’re a goddamn snake, Carter.” He pushes his hips forward. “Suck it again.”
“Do we have a deal?”
“Yeah.” He grips my hair. “But let me fuck your ass.”
Swallowing my disgust, I stand up, drop my pants, and bend over the desk.
He spits on his hand. “She goes to her book club thing every Wednesday at five.”
I grunt as he slams into me. “And you’re telling me this because—”
“You’ll be taking my cock every Wednesday at five from here on out.”
“Sure thing, Chief.”
The things we do for leverage.
Chapter 30
Damien
“Sure thing, Chief,” Cain grits through his teeth as Trejo plows into his ass again.
I snap a few more pictures from my place behind the bookshelf. Cain’s more desperate to get rid of me than I thought.
However, if he’s going to blow and fuck the whole town so he can blackmail them later, he should invest in better security. Or at least check a room after he enters.
It would save me from having to endure one of the most pathetic screws I’ve ever witnessed in my life.
Cain used to be good at this. Now he’s just sad and sloppy.
Not everything gets better with age.
Sometimes they just get dull.
“You like that, you little bitch?” the chief roars.
Chief might look like a bulldog with rabies, but at least the motherfucker’s got a kinky side.
My dick stirs to life. Eden’s probably sound asleep in bed right now.
I wonder if she’s still wearing those little silky shorts that reveal her perfect ass cheeks.
Lust and want battle in my chest.
I should leave her alone. Stick to the plan.
It would be much easier that way.
But the thing about plans is…
They never work out like you expect them to.
Because I seduced when I should have abandoned.
I tasted when I should have abstained.
I sinned when I should have atoned.
My muscles clench with need.
And now I’m going back for more…because I can’t stay away.
She wakes with a jolt when I creep up behind her in bed.
“Damien?”
I flip her onto her stomach, pressing her face into the mattress.
“What are you doing?”
I peel her shorts and panties down. “Tasting you.”
Proving my point, I swipe my tongue over her plump lips.
She props herself up on her knees, exposing her glistening cunt. “You’re an asshole.”
I chuckle as I spear her with my tongue. She’s not wrong.
Wet sounds fill the room as I eat her out with greed, spanking and kneading her pert behind.
“I should tell you to go fuck yourself.” She grinds that sweet pussy against my mouth, commanding more. “And then make you leave.”
I’d like to see her try.
“You should.” Spreading her cheeks, I flick her puckered hole. “But you won’t.”
She groans deeply as I suckle and lick. “That feels so good.” Reaching behind her she grips my head, pushing my face where she wants me. “Don’t fucking stop.”
Lust blazes up my dick as I devour her little asshole.
“I want you inside me.”
My body hums with urgency as I reach inside the nightstand for lube and pour it down her crack. She gasps when my finger follows and I push it inside her.
“Relax.” I slip my digit out slowly before diving back in. “It will hurt more if you tense up.”
I jerk my cock to alleviate the pressure as I add another finger, stretching her. “Good girl.” Shifting, I line my tip up with her hole. “Now touch your pussy.”
My abs clench as I work my cock head inside her. “Exhale.”
“Why—”
I thrust forward, groaning as the cord of tension breaks free, giving way to pleasure. “That.” Grunting, I pull back and slam into her again.
Ragged breaths saw in and out of her as she grips the bedsheets with her free hand.
“And this,” I rasp, fucking her into the bed with quick brutal thrusts.
Sweat slicks down my skin. My balls draw tight as her sphincter squeezes, sucking me deeper.
“Jesus Christ,” I roar as she milks my dick, coming so hard the entire bed shakes.
My cum seeps out, dripping down her crack but I shove it back in with my thumb while I work my way down her body, kissing her spine as she plays with herself. Her little whimpers and trembles tells me she’s close.
Turning onto my back, I nudge my head between her parted thighs, giving myself a front row seat to the world’s greatest show.
I grab her hips, positioning her pussy in front of my face as she rubs her clit, working herself into a frenzy. “Squir
t in my mouth.”
Her hips buck and she spasms, moaning my name as she falls apart. I fervently swallow everything she gives me like the glutton I am until there’s no more and her body gives out.
“If that’s how we make up, I think we should fight more.”
My lips twitch as she drapes her body over mine. “Who says we made up?”
“I did.” She lays her head on my chest. “I’m not your enemy, Damien.”
Reaching down, I fish my cigarettes out of my pocket and light one. “I’m never gonna be okay with you lying to me.”
“I lied to protect you. I don’t regret it and I’d do it again if the circumstances called for it. No matter how angry you get with me.”
Stubborn girl.
She traces little circles up and down my pecs. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Why did you kill your fish?”
“I didn’t. The tank is my piranha’s home…the other fish are his food.”
“Then why go through the trouble of feeding and taking care of all the other fish when—”
“Because of my mother.”
She looks up at me. “What do you mean?”
I draw in a deep breath…and then I tell her things I’ve only shared with one other person before.
Chapter 31
Eden
“Beautiful,” Damien murmurs.
I turn my head at the sound of his voice.
He’s leaning against my bedroom door, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, looking good enough to eat.
But it’s the devilish smirk on his face that makes my breath catch.
I finish fastening my earrings. “How long have you been standing there?”
His smirk deepens. “A while.”
I motion to my dress. “Is this too much for breakfast?”
I chose a simple light pink shift dress, but the heels I’m rocking make it appear even shorter. And it’s plenty short already.
His gaze drops to my legs. “It’s perfect.” His expression turns serious. “I don’t want you alone with Cain again.”