Aries

by WL Knightly

  Bay wasn’t happy with the fact that they knew about Lila’s pregnancy, and while they’d told only a select few, it didn’t mean shit. This bastard knew how to find out things and was probably just as sophisticated as Bay when it came to watching people’s moves. “Mother fucker.” Bay’s anger grew, and he knew it was time to batten down the hatches. He had to figure out how this person was watching him, and Rose Marie and Lila would need to move to the nearest safehouse. He could insist that she take her mother and Mia along too. Or perhaps he’d just keep Mia close to him.

  Another message came through the phone: Have I rattled you?

  I don’t get rattled, my friend. I’ll see you real soon. Bay would have to make finding the killer before Darek did his utmost priority.

  Yes, you will. I’ve got so much more in store for you. That was the last message that Bay received.

  He sat in his kitchen at his table and wondered if the house was bugged, but that was ridiculous. There couldn’t have been anyone in the home to do anything like that because none of his women were supposed to have guests, and all maintenance was to be checked in and out. He got up and went to the calendar, but there hadn’t been any maintenance scheduled, no strange people popping in for the last four months at least.

  Was this someone pulling a long con? He thought about his other Zodiacs and if any of them might have a clue about any of the details, but he kept coming up with more questions. He wondered if he should tell Darek that he’d spoken with the killer, but then he might not be ready to play that hand. Darek would be pissed when he found out that Bay had looked in his phone. But then again, Bay could always scold him for hiding information. Then there was the idea that Darek wanted him to find the phone. What if the person messaging had been the police or Darek. He tried to remember if he’d said anything incriminating, but even if he had, it had to be proven.

  He left the kitchen and hurried upstairs to the master bedroom where Lila was asleep with a white silk eye cover and her precious dog curled up beside her head.

  “Wake up, Kitten.”

  “No,” she moaned and rolled over to her other side. He decided to give up on her and went to find Rose Marie.

  He walked down the hall and found the woman in her long robe, standing out in the moonlight on the balcony. She turned as Bay walked into the room.

  “It’s bad news, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, I’m afraid you were right. It seems the killer is already onto us, which is why I want you and Lila to go to the safe house. I’ll keep Mia with me and use her as a go-between. Keeping my eye on her will be easier than the three of you, and I’ll send her away too if it looks like things might get worse.”

  “I’ll pack.”

  “Clothes and a few personal items only. I’m going to have to tell Lila the same thing. Will you take care of the baby for me?”

  “I’ll see that she stays safe and eats.”

  “Thank you. I’ll talk to her when this settles down. Just pretend you’re on a long vacation.”

  “We’ll be fine. I wish I weren’t good at such predictions, but I did warn you.” She rose from her bed and went to find her suitcase, which she placed on the trunk by the closet.

  “Yes, Rose Marie, you did.” He turned and left and went to his room.

  Lila was still asleep, and the little pup growled as Bay shook her awake. “Get up and pack a bag.” Lila sat up and grabbed her little mutt, Muffin. “Why? I was sound asleep.”

  “You know better than to ask me why. Because I said so. That’s why. Get your ass in gear. We have to leave the house.”

  “Who did you piss off this time?” She had to leave one other time, and he still hadn’t heard the end of it.

  “It’s not uncommon for clients to get pissed, and as I told you before, this is only for your safety and the safety of the baby.”

  “Then let me go away somewhere. I’m not staying in that tiny little safehouse again, especially with Rose Marie. She’s strange, and she hates me.”

  “She doesn’t hate you, and we’re not having this argument. If you want to go somewhere, pack accordingly and book the flight. I won’t stop you, but you’re taking Rose Marie with you, so choose carefully.”

  “What about my mother and Mia?”

  “I think you should call them, but Mia is still needed at the office. I’ll keep a close eye on her. Besides, no one would care about your sister; it’s you and my baby they’ll be after.”

  “Fine.” She shot him daggers with her looks and then went to the bathroom where she slammed the door.

  As soon as he got his shit together, he was going to have his entire house searched. If there was anything in his house, he’d find it.

  23

  Seth

  “Hurry up in there, darling. I have to make my flight.” Seth had packed the night before for his trip to New York to sign the deal with Bay and Alan. Lane had gone over the contract, and everyone had agreed on a price, and in a few short hours, Seth would be free and clear of the property and his old friends.

  “I’ll just be a minute!” Kari snapped. “Son of a bitch.” She opened the door, and when Seth walked in, he saw the cup of urine where she was taking a pregnancy test. “It’s negative.”

  “It will happen. Just try not to be so stressed about it.” One minute, she didn’t want a baby, and the next, she was upset she wasn’t knocked up.

  They’d had a long talk after Gretta had left the other night, and he’d explained how it would not only show the community that they were a united front and a strong family, but it would show Gretta as well. He had done all he could to convince her of the many reasons he’d wanted to become a father, and not just for the political angle, which he made no apologies for. Her mind change was refreshing but a bit suspicious.

  “I didn’t think you wanted it so badly,” he said.

  “I want to get on with it. I’ve decided that it’s a gift I want to give you. And from all the sex we’ve had, you’d think I’d be pregnant already.” She met his eyes. “What if we can’t make a baby?”

  “We can.” He kissed her forehead as she dumped her cup out into the toilet.

  She tossed the empty cup and wand into the trash and slumped against him. “We’ve done some harsh shit to your balls during rough play. What if we damaged you?”

  Seth laughed. “They are far more resilient than you give them credit for, and I highly doubt that we’ve done anything more than making them even more potent.”

  “Are you sure I can’t go with you? We can try to make a baby on the plane or in a fancy New York City hotel. How about it?” She slipped her hand down to his crotch, and Seth’s balls tightened as she rubbed his cock.

  “No, you know I won’t be there long, and I don’t want to have to worry about you while I’m out doing business. The place is full of crime. Look what happened to poor Finn. It’s best you stay here.” He brought his head down and kissed her lips.

  “How about a hot sendoff then? I could blow you on the way to the airport.” She licked her lips, and he ground against her hand.

  “It’s tempting, and you’re a bad girl. But you’re going to make me late with this game of yours.”

  She whimpered and was about to turn and leave when he caught her by the arm and spun her around to face the counter. He looked over her shoulder in the mirror meeting her eyes. “Maybe I should just give you a good hard fucking. I think a quickie would not only give you something to think about but a taste of what you’ll be getting when I get back home, especially if you make me late.” He glanced at his watch. He had more than enough time to bust a nut and still make his flight.

  She tilted her ass upward against his shaft, and he reached down between her legs and rubbed her through her panties. His fingers slipped between her lips, and he stroked her wet slit, creating a little wet spot on her silk.

  “I’m not even going to undress you.” He reached down and undid his pants, and she snaked her hand around behind her to rub his cock. Taking i
t into her grip, she stroked it as he slipped his finger into her soaked channel and stroked her G-spot, causing her to moan out like the little whore he loved her to be.

  Kari shivered. “It feels good. Fuck me hard, Seth.”

  “Oh, I am.” He slapped her ass and bent her forward. Her face pressed against the cool tile as he pushed his cock inside her in one long stroke. She screamed out at the pain but soon moaned, settling around his cock as he pounded in and out. “That’s right. Scream for me. I’m going to tear this little pussy up, and every time it hurts, you’ll think of me inside of you, my cock filling your sweet little hole.”

  Kari pulsed around him, her walls milking him with her release. “Yes, Seth. I want it. Please fill me up.”

  “I am, darling.” He reached around, stroking her clit to make her squirm and squeal, her tits bouncing with every thrust. His other hand rubbed her tummy. “I can’t wait until you’re pregnant, and your stomach is round, and your tits are full. I’m going to have so much fun with you then.” He sucked air in through his teeth as he felt himself on the edge of release. “Here it comes.” He held her tight, buried deep as he unloaded, growling and grunting as he rutted against her. Deliberately making an effort to impregnate her made coming even hotter.

  Kari slumped against the counter, and when she tried to stand, straightening her panties, her knees buckled, nearly sending her to the floor.

  “Here, let me help you.” He picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom and deposited her on their bed. “I’ve got to finish getting my things and get out of here.” He did his pants up again and then hurried to the bathroom. “You should lay there a minute and get your strength before going to take a shower.” He grabbed his toothbrush and the other things he’d need for the trip; a razor, a comb, a condom or two.

  “I could go back to sleep. It’s incredible how much that wears me out. It felt amazing.”

  Seth walked into the room and leaned over to give her a kiss on the mouth. “I’ll text you when I get to the airport and then again when I land.”

  “Okay.” She still looked down about it, but she forced a smile, tears filling her eyes. “I hate when you go. I’ll miss you, and I’ll worry.”

  “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll be back home, and we’ll spend the entire weekend in bed. You’ll be pregnant by this time next week.”

  A slow smile spread her lips, showing her perfect teeth. “Either that or really sore, right?”

  “You’ve got it.” He looked into her eyes and kissed her once more before heading out with his bags.

  He managed to get to the car before he looked up and found her at the door. She waved, and he blew her a kiss as he backed down the driveway.

  He made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare, and Gretta called before he could text Kari and let her know he’d made it.

  “I hoped I could catch you before you boarded that plane. I just wanted to tell you to be safe and have a good trip. And that I’ll be waiting to give you a good welcome home when you get back.”

  “I have to spend some time with Kari Lynn. She’s all about babies all of a sudden.” He knew he had to pull away from Gretta a bit and not give her any more ammunition against him. With her admitting she was working an angle, one he had little choice but to try and turn in his favor, things had been strained, and he had lost his appetite for being dominated. Turns out being a switch wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

  “Well then, before I forget, I’ve got the writer hired, and we’ll be working on your style and creating a basic outline to write all of your speeches from. That way, there’s consistency with your message, but there will be enough differences to make them each feel original. We’ll work on your presentation when you return.”

  “It sounds good. I’m just tying up a few loose ends, and then we’ll be home free to kick off this thing with the first event.”

  “I hope you’re not still sore about the other night. I still expect for us to have fun together, and there’s no need to stop now, don’t you think?”

  Seth had a feeling he was going to have to play ball with the woman, but he also knew he’d have to turn the tables on her, and he’d use the time in New York to figure out a way.

  If there was one thing he was sure of, when he got back to Dallas, he was going to kick off the campaign and take control of his life. No more listening to others while they worked out his deals. He was going to find a way to take Gretta down a few pegs.

  If there was one thing he’d learned from his father, it was how to regain control of his affairs. Gretta had no idea who she was messing with.

  24

  Seth

  Seth hated having to return to the city, and the place was the same smoggy shithole it had been when he left it. He was going to be glad to rid himself of the fucking burden of fake friends and old vows and move forward.

  Fuck the Zodiacs and everything Bay’s little ego trip stood for. He was going to make his own way in the world from them on.

  He took a cab to the penthouse, and as he was stepping into the elevator, he saw Alan across the room, who seemed a little paranoid.

  Alan shifted his eyes around nervously, turning his head to look over his shoulder.

  Seth held the door open. “Hey, what’s going on, man? Alan?”

  “Oh, hey. Sorry.” He stepped into the elevator, and Seth released the door, stepping in to stand against the railing as they went up.

  “Are you okay? You know Bay will shit if you’re not sober.” He didn’t know what the man was on, but he was nearly coming out of his skin.

  “Fuck Bay. I’m not on anything. And fuck you for thinking I am.” He gave Seth a smile and held out his hand. “How’s it going, Seth?”

  “Pretty good, considering I didn’t want to waste a fucking day flying up from Dallas.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know why we couldn’t have done this shit from home.”

  Seth got a strange feeling coming from the man and was going to be glad when the elevator got them where they were going. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m good.” He raked his hand through his hair and then scratched his stubbly chin. He had always looked a tad rougher than the others, and he looked as if he’d lost some of the muscle he’d had from working security. He looked over at Seth and yet still managed not to look him in the eyes. “How’s the wife?”

  “She’s okay. Yours?” Seth looked at Alan’s hands which were in constant movement.

  “She is still gone. She took my kids and fucking bailed. Probably better she did.” He raked his hand through his hair again, and when the elevator stopped at Bay’s floor and the doors opened, he waited for Seth to go out first.

  Bay opened the door. “Gentleman, come in.” Bay stepped aside, and they walked in to find the place was a bit messy, which was odd. Bay’s life was never out of sorts.

  “Did a bomb go off in here?” Seth held out a hand, and after he shook Bay’s hand, he unbuttoned his shirt.

  “No need,” said Bay, waving him to stop. He took an electric wand and passed it over the two of them.

  When it got to Alan, the thing went nuts. Alan put his hands up as Bay reached for his gun. “What the fuck is this for?” Bay asked.

  Alan shrugged. “Hey, I’m not getting fucking shot, okay? If someone comes after me like they did the others, they better learn how to catch a bullet with their teeth.”

  “He’s a bit paranoid. You should have seen him downstairs.” Seth laughed, but the gun made him a tad nervous. Why on earth would he feel the need to bring it to the business meeting, especially when he was the one getting the favor? “Are you tweaking?”

  Alan held out his middle finger. “Fuck you. Can we just get this over with so I can get back home to my family? I’m sure I don’t have to explain what an inconvenience this is to be here.”

  “I know that, but bitching won’t get us anywhere.” Seth walked over to the couch, noticing the clockwork heart in the corner. It was Logan’s wor
k, no doubt. “Let’s get this shit signed. I’d like to get my money.”

  Bay laughed and put the gun in his pants and offered them a seat. “Do make yourself comfortable, if for only a moment. You can have your piece back when you leave.”

  Seth hated the way the man seemed so composed when obviously there was something going on with the place looking like everything except the statue was overturned. Luckily, the couches were upright too, and Seth went ahead and sat down, not wanting to look as paranoid as Alan.

  Bay pulled out the contracts and let the two men go over them. “These were sent from Lane Simon earlier. I’m sure you’ll see that everything is what we agreed on.”

  “It’s fine. I’m just glad to be done with this shit.” Seth carefully read every line, even though he was going to be happy to sign it, get paid, and go home as soon as possible.

  “Are you staying in the city overnight?” Bay asked. “Or leaving immediately?”

  “I’ll leave in the morning,” Seth said. “I want to make a quick turn around.”

  “Oh yeah? I guess I’m not the only one paranoid then.” Alan gave a smug look and took the papers as Seth passed them over.

  “I’m anxious to get home and see my Kari. We’re working on a baby.” He felt a sense of pride announcing it.

  But Bay squashed that feeling. “Too bad you didn’t bring her by. I’d have liked to tap that sweet ass again. Who knows? Maybe she’s already pregnant.” Bay leaned back in his seat and smirked as Seth met his eyes with a cold stare.

  “Our days of slumming are over.”

  “Holy shit, you shared your woman with Bay?” Alan shook his head. “If any of you bastards ever laid a finger on my wife, I’d kill you.”

  “Don’t worry, Alan. No one wants to fuck your wife.” Bay gave him that devilish grin, and Seth couldn’t help but laugh.

  “What’s wrong with my wife? She’s sexy.” Alan’s offense to the statement was humorous, but Seth had to agree with Bay. He would never want to be with Alan’s wife. She was hot enough from the tits down, but her face looked like she’d been hit with a shovel, and her attitude did nothing to help it.