by LK Collins
“Any clue who did it?”
“No. Word on the street is it’s some sort of cartel. Apparently, they’ve got people in the city, just hitting whoever they feel like.”
“You’re not the only one that’s gotten hit. Why do you think they’re doing it this way?”
“Probably because it’s easier and less risky than running their drugs across the border. Plus, the cops aren’t going to do shit to stop them, and with our inventories they can quickly get a lot.”
“All right, Tony, hang tight. I need to regroup and think of a way to get you some extra security.”
The rest of the day is spent contacting the numerous dispensary owners that I represent, listening to the same story and letting them know that I need a little more time to formulate a plan.
Not being last to leave the office for the first time in years feels strange. I grab my things and head out, but Vincent stops me before I get to the elevator.
“You heading out?” Vincent asks.
“Yeah, I’m pretty beat.”
“No problem. I wanted to let you know that Josephine took a plea, pled guilty and got twenty years.”
“Damn, I’m sorry it ended that way.”
“It’s all right. If she pulled the trigger then she needs to pay for what she did. Thanks for helping me decide to not proceed with the case.”
“Of course. Sorry I wasn’t there to work through the plea deal.”
“It’s all right, not much you could do. After she admitted to killing Hector, that pretty much fucked us.”
“True. Hey, these dispensaries are in some major security need; they’re getting robbed left and right. You got any ideas?”
“What about Reid? Have you talked to him? I’m sure he’d be happy to help.”
“No, I haven’t heard from him since we defended him.”
“You should reach out to him.” Vincent’s phone rings. “I gotta take this, man, I’m sorry.”
“No worries, see ya.” I leave and wonder why I hadn’t thought about contacting Reid earlier. He’s an ex-Navy SEAL Warrant Officer and a complete bad ass. He was just starting out his security business four years ago when he was accused of conspiracy after another former SEAL went off the handle and tried to frame him, so we defended him. I’m sure his business has taken off since then, so maybe he can handle helping with the dispensary problem. I certainly hope so.
Micah seems off since getting home. He’s more distracted than usual and it’s worrying me. He was up super early today and left before I was awake. It’s not like him to do that, but I’m not going to start questioning things. With the event with Prestwell Evans ahead of us tonight, I’m just happy that he is home and going with me.
“You look stunning,” he says, coming up behind me as I apply a thin layer of gloss to my lips.
Glancing back at him in his tuxedo, he kisses my neck, sending a chill down my spine. I rest my hands on the counter and connect eyes with him through the mirror. He looks at me with so much desire, but that will have to wait ’til later.
“Are you sure you’re ready to do this?” he asks.
“Yes.” I know this is going to be hard for the both of us, since our emotions and passion for each other are on high-sensitivity since reconnecting, but it’s necessary for our future. “Micah.” I turn and face him holding on to the lapels of his coat. I can see the worry on his face. “You have to let whatever anxiety go that you’re hanging on to right now; we need to do this. His money is the key.” I can see that he agrees, but doubt still creases his face.
“I just don’t have a good feeling about all of this, and it makes me sick. I can’t lose you again.”
“Baby, I’ve told you that I’m in this for the long haul. We’ll get through it and move forward. No matter what happens tonight.”
He kisses my shoulder and leaves the bathroom. This will all be done soon enough. I do one last spray on my hair, and run my hands down the front of the snug fit of my black dress. I’m thinking the dress paired with my messy hair and confidence will get Prestwell to notice me…or I’m hoping.
“Here,” Micah says holding a small bag out to me.
Taking it from his hand, I peek inside wondering what he’s giving me. All that I see is white tissue paper. Reaching in, I pull out the weightless item and set the bag down. Unfolding it carefully, a dazzling Colombian facemask stares back at me, completely encrusted in black Swarovski crystals and totally gorgeous.
Why’s he giving it to me though? Looking at him for the reason, he says, “It’s for tonight,” as he slides on a full mask himself. It’s silver in color and fucking hot.
“Is this a masquerade party?” I ask confused.
“Yeah, I thought you knew,” he says as if it were obvious.
“I had no idea.” I slide the mask on.
“It’s for the Children’s Hospital, but really it’s just a reason for rich people to dress up and donate to a good cause. We’ll fit right in with these masks,” he says looking at me through his as I stare at him through mine.
“Plus, it allows me to attend as well,” he says.
Makes sense. I guess I was so consumed with educating myself with Prestwell that the details of the actual event slipped my mind. But that’s why Micah and I are such good partners. “You always have everything covered,” I tell him.
“I try.”
I look at him through the mirror and lick my lips. Suddenly, he shakes his head and takes his mask off. “What?” I ask.
“I can’t do this.”
Walking up to him, I reach down and grab his cock. “Enough, Micah. Let’s get this done. I’ll fuck you good afterwards.” His eyes are wide and I know the reassurance is all that he needs.
He squeezes my ass firmly with one of his hands and bites my lip, pulling up hard. His eyes are carnal. “Why don’t you fuck me now?”
I look at the clock on the nightstand, but before I can make a decision, he’s got me bent over the bed. “Why are you stalling?” he asks me, lifting my tight dress halfway up my body.
“I wasn’t.”
“You were,” he responds, moving my panties to the side and rubbing my sex.
“I…I was worried about the…the time.” I can barely choke out the words as he presses down hard on my clit. My pussy is bursting with energy.
Enjoying his touch, I hear the metal of his belt clang and then his zipper. He continues to rub me vigorously, heat radiating through my entire body. Looking back, I catch sight of his rock hard dick. He strokes it, his eyes focused, telling me he wants one thing – my pussy. Nothing could stop him right now, even if we are late.
He wets the tip of his cock, rubbing it on me. Then eases his way inside. He’s harder than normal, and I bite my forearm to maintain some composure.
“Fuck,” he curses, holding on to my hips, then pulls my ass to him, pressing his dick on a sweet spot inside me.
The sensation is too much and I begin rocking my hips.
“Yeah, that’s it. Milk my cock. I want my cum inside of you tonight, reminding you who you belong to.”
His dirty mouth ignites me. I move faster and he slides his hands down, holding on to my ass cheeks. His controlling grip is such a turn on, my pussy pulsates from his stiffness and I quickly lose the grasp of my control.
Micah grunts, fucking me with firm long thrusts. My tits pop out of my dress with every beat of our bodies as we move in sync and I can only imagine how I will look after this.
“Do you want my cum?” he asks.
“Yes,” I answer breathlessly, trying to wait for him before I let go. But in this moment, the man that he is, it’s too much, and I slip away. My body lets go of everything it knows and spirals into an orgasmic state of ecstasy.
“Yes, come on my cock, baby,” he growls. A surge of his hotness ignites my insides and I know he’s coming too. I enjoy the last of this bliss, but it ends abruptly. Micah slaps my ass and pulls out of me, leaving my aching cunt wanting more.
I
get off the bed and look at him, out of breath. He shoves his cock back into his pants and hands me a towel. “Come on, we need to go.”
“Just like that?” I ask, “You’re gonna fuck me then say we need to go?”
“Yup. I wish I could fuck you over and over, but I can’t. So that will have to do until you make good on your promise later.”
I pull my dress down as he tames my hair. “Let’s go, beautiful.”
We load into his white Denali for the trip into downtown Denver. “If you need anything tonight, you remember the signal, right?”
“Are we really using what we used a decade ago?”
“Absolutely, my dad came up with that shit.”
My mind drifts back to the sting we did on Moretti. It was what got us into this whole mess.
…“Nat, one hour with Marco today, no longer, no matter what. I don’t care if he never gets the call, you leave,” Micah’s dad says to me.
I nod once, knowing that he is serious. And after losing Michelle because of these asshole’s negligence, he’s not messing around. We have prepared for this day for eight months and he’s not going to let anything mess it up.
“Here,” he says handing me the small wireless earpiece. I insert it into my ear, so I can hear everyone at all times, then tuck my hair over it. Micah adjusts my hair to make sure that it’s hidden.
“Can you hear me?” Nick says into my ear.
“I can. Do you hear me?” I ask speaking into the wire I’m wearing. He’s in the other room checking the computers that we have set up for today. “That’s a go, Nat.”
Micah looks nervous and I squeeze his hand as his dad hangs up his phone. “All right, we’re set to make the drop. Natalene, I need you to alert the boys once Marco gets the call to transfer the funds after I deliver the drugs to their men.”
I nod once letting him know that I understand everything. I’ve infiltrated our enemy’s family for the past six months and can’t wait for this all to be over. We’re going to make it look like they stole the biggest drug exchange of the year from Moretti when really we’re intercepting the wire.
“And if anything is off, do you remember the signal?”
“Yes,” I tell him, clearly knowing this is the most critical part to our plan. Safety first. If anything happens, I pat my chest in the place of the wire four times. We’ve tested it and it’s loud as hell.
“Good. Nick, Micah, it’s then on you both to intercept the wire and break it down to a hundred smaller ones to disburse into our various off-shore accounts. Afterwards we are to all meet at the beach rental before we leave in the morning. Let’s take this fucker down for Michelle.”
Coming together in a hug, the four of us wrap our arms around each other. Looking at these three guys, they really are my family. My parents know nothing of this life and wouldn’t understand it even if I tried to explain things to them…
“You okay?” Micah asks me.
“Yeah.”
“You sure? You were really quiet on the drive.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I reassure him. “I was just thinking about things.”
He pulls the car over and says, “You drive up and valet. I’m going to walk up. I’ll be right behind you.”
We’ve driven by the house once so I know where to go. Micah holds my face. “I love you, Nat. Thank you for being in this with me.”
I kiss his lips, then we get out of the car. I hop into the driver’s seat and he says, “I’m right behind you. Good luck, baby.” He has his hand over his heart and I can feel a part of myself there. I hate that we are going in separately, but I know that it’s all part of the course to get Michelle back and live the life that we are supposed to.
I watch him turn away from me and walk off with one hand in his pocket and the other holding his silver mask. Picking mine up, I place it over my face, then look into the mirror. Taking one last deep breath, I roll the window up and take my eyes off of Micah. I can’t look at him again tonight.
Driving up the steep driveway to the massive red brick mansion all lit up for the party, I wait in the valet line while observing everything that I can. The valet driver opens my door. “Good evening, ma’am,” he says and hands me a yellow ticket.
It’s go time.
I take it and place it in my small clutch then walk up the wide staircase. Stepping inside the doorway, I have a perfect overview of the party. Everyone has a mask on and I search for Prestwell while I have an eagle’s view. Then a scent that drives me wild and will always bring me to my knees drifts by as Micah enters and walks down the stairs. I can’t help myself from watching and realize that I’m staring. I do one last look over for Prestwell, but don’t see his signature hair, so I make my way towards the bar. I can sense Micah is off to my right. So I look left, and sure enough, there’s Prestwell. His black hair slicked back gives him away. For once, I’m grateful he’s such a douchebag…so easy to spot.
The bartender walks towards me and I notice my ring is still on. Sheer panic takes over, so I place my right hand over my left and order a tonic water. Prestwell just got out of rehab so he’s not a drinker, and I need to stay sober myself. Sliding my ring off, I switch it to my right hand, then look to my left to see if Prestwell has noticed me. He hasn’t.
Taking my drink from the bartender, I begin to worry about how I’m going to actually get his attention short of shoving my tits in his face. Then I realize the restrooms are right behind him, so I’m going to count on that innate gotta-stare-at-a-woman’s-ass instinct kicking in. With my head held high, I walk towards him and the group of men that he’s talking to, putting as much confidence into my walk as I can. Just before I go into the restroom, I set my drink on an empty table and lock eyes with Prestwell.
Thank God!
He grins, and I shoot him an interested look, then continue on. Micah has his eyes on my drink, so I don’t have to worry. He’s my eyes in the back of my head tonight. Looking at myself in the mirror, I adjust my mask and wash my hands. Then pray I’ve gotten his attention enough for him to come to me. Walking out, I look for my drink, but it’s missing from the table.
“Looking for this?” Prestwell says, handing it to me.
I take it back and smile. “I was, thank you.”
“Of course. But you really shouldn’t leave your drink unattended.”
“Why is that?” I ask, playing dumb.
“I’d hate to see someone try and take advantage of you.” He winks at me and I wonder if girls really fall for shit like this.
I nod once and go to take a drink, then stop and retort, “And how do I know that you aren’t trying to do that?”
“I guess you don’t, so why don’t you let me buy you a new drink?”
“Why, so you can get me drunk?” I counter.
“If you prefer…yes,” he says running a hand through his hair.
“Well, it’s too bad I don’t drink.” I can tell that I have him intrigued, so now’s the time to reel him in.
“Really?” he asks.
“Yeah, thanks for the offer though.”
I turn to walk away and he asks, “Are you playing games with me?”
I place my hand over my heart. “Me? Never,” I answer with a devilish grin.
“I think you are.” He points a finger at me, stepping closer. “How come I’ve never seen you before?” he asks.
“I’ve never seen you before,” I reply.
He sips his drink and squints his eyes at me. I think he’s into the fact that he thinks I don’t know him. “Well, I’m Prestwell Evans,” he says and extends his hand to me.
“Aubrey Walsh,” I respond.
He holds my right hand and looks at my left.
So at least he’s not into married chicks. Score one for the douche.
My stomach churns and I fear that he will see the indentation of my ring. So I take my hand and adjust his bow tie. He looks down at what I’m doing and I catch sight of Micah behind him.
He slams his champagne
and takes another off of a tray as it passes by. I know this is twisting up every ounce of possessiveness, even though it’s all part of the job. But with a stomach full of anxiety myself, it could be hurting me more. I remain calm, knowing Prestwell is the ticket to our future, and hope that Micah keeps his jealousy under control.
Prestwell runs his fingertips down my arm, drawing my attention fully back to him. Keep your shit together, Nat. For Michelle.
The audience claps as the speaker on stage ends with the total amount of money raised for Children’s Hospital tonight. Taking another drink of champagne, it’s strange to me how so many rich people come together to party, wearing masks, all in the name of children. Couldn’t they just write a check and then the children would have even more money? Fucking ridiculous. But most of these people are something that I will never understand.
Keeping my eye on my Nat, Prestwell has his hand on her lower back as they head to one of the upstairs balconies. I don’t like his hands on her, and he’s been very touchy feely tonight. Panic begins to set in as I worry that she won’t be in my sight.
Right now, I don’t want her doing this at all.
Being as nonchalant as possible, I walk behind them. With the champagne pumping through my system, I know my judgment might be off, so I try to peptalk myself that everything is going to be okay. Before they make it outside, Prestwell is stopped by another man on the stairs and the two engage in conversation. As he talks to the man, he never takes his hand off of Nat’s back.
My fists tighten. I hate his grubby hands on her. The man walks away and he turns towards her. I keep moving, not wanting to look like I’m watching. If I heard him right, he has to leave.
Standing on one of the balconies, I turn to see Prestwell walking out the door. Finally, just when I thought he’d try and make a serious move. I sense Nat behind me. Even though all I want to do is turn and wrap her in my arms, I don’t look at her, but just listen as she says, “He left; I’m going to get the car.” I nod once. Then she’s gone and I stare out onto the backyard thinking about tonight. Prestwell was all over her, whispering in her ear, touching her, running his hands down her arms.