War of Hearts

by Julia Sykes

  “Joseph,” she said my name on a relieved sigh. She looked like she wanted to fling herself on top of me and hold me close, but she stopped herself, settling for holding my hand. “I was so worried about you,” she said, tears spilling from her lovely sapphire eyes.

  I reached up and wiped them away. “I’m okay, angel.”

  I caught her chin between my thumb and forefinger, turning her face so I could inspect her. One of the last things I could remember was Ricky hitting her with his gun.

  I locked eyes with Marco, knowing he’d give me an honest answer. “How is she?”

  Physically, she looked fine, but my memories were hazy, and I couldn’t recall everything that had happened after I got stabbed.

  Marco wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Our girl’s a fighter. She’s okay.”

  “Yes, I’m fine,” she insisted. “But you need to rest,” she told me firmly. “I’m going to call the nurse to get you more pain meds.”

  “Don’t,” I insisted. “I want to talk to you. Both of you.”

  Marco hit the call button for the nurse. “Talk fast. Then, rest.”

  I glared at him for being so high-handed, but I didn’t waste time arguing. “We’re leaving New York,” I told them. “Dad says we have to.”

  Marco’s eyes lit up with hope. “What?”

  “We’re out, Marco. We can leave. They don’t want us here anymore.”

  “Really?” Ashlyn gasped, her tears falling faster. “It’s over? We can all go back to Cambridge now?”

  “Is that where you want to go?” I asked her. “You don’t have to go back to Harvard if you don’t want to.”

  “I’d love to go back. I want to finish school. On my terms.”

  I squeezed her hand. “Then that’s what we’ll do, angel.”

  The nurse appeared, ready to administer more pain meds. I thought about refusing, but one hard look from Marco silenced me.

  “We’ll be right here when you wake up,” he promised.

  Ashlyn brushed a kiss over my cheek. “Get some rest. I love you, Joseph.”

  Her words of love followed me down as I sank back into sleep.

  Epilogue

  Marco

  Six Months Later

  Ashlyn whined and wiggled in Joseph’s ropes. Her arms were drawn tight behind her, bound from shoulders to wrists. A blindfold covered her lovely eyes, and he’d just introduced her to a wicked new toy: nipple clamps.

  She was on her knees in the middle of the bed, and he loomed behind her, stroking her skin in a teasing caress that drove her wild.

  I increased my pace, my hand flying over the page as my light pencil strokes captured the beauty before me. I used to draw from memory, but now that I was taking my art more seriously, I wanted a live model. Ashlyn was the perfect woman for the job.

  When I could pry her away from the Harvard library and urge Joseph away from his classes at Tufts University, I’d get them to help me with my sensual drawings. I was developing something of an online following, and I was able to sell my work. I’d even started earning enough to cover our bills for the little house we’d bought outside Boston. Dad had given me a chunk of cash and a “good riddance” on my way out of New York, but being with my new family—Joseph and Ashlyn—eased the sting of abandonment. And being able to help support us financially gave me a sense of personal pride I’d never known before.

  Ashlyn let out the sexiest little whimper, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. I set my drawing aside and snapped a picture on my phone for later reference. My balls ached and my dick throbbed, desperate to get inside her. I couldn’t sit back and sketch for even a second more.

  I had to fuck her, had to touch her. I was as addicted to her as ever, and so was Joseph. Our pretty, clever little princess. She was focusing on her academics, but I knew that ultimately, her dream was to have a family. With both of us. We didn’t bother to hide our unconventional relationship, now that we were free of our families’ expectations. We made our own choices and lived to make each other happy. No one else mattered.

  Joseph noticed that I’d set my work aside. He shot me a wicked grin and removed the clamps from Ashlyn’s nipples. She shrieked and writhed as blood rushed back to the abused buds. Joseph petted her wet pussy, making her cry morph into a desperate little whine.

  I closed the distance between us and removed her blindfold. She stared up at me, her shining eyes dark with erotic pain. She’d taken to Joseph’s games beautifully, but I’d always be here to take care of her when he was a little harsh with her.

  I cupped her jaw and traced the line of her lower lip with my thumb.

  “Poor little princess,” I cooed. “Did Joseph hurt your pretty nipples?”

  “Yes, Daddy,” she whispered, tipping her head back as Joseph continued to stroke her swollen labia.

  “I’ll kiss it better,” I promised, dropping to my knees by the edge of the bed. I captured one of the abused buds between my lips, gently rubbing away the discomfort with my tongue.

  She groaned and thrust her chest toward my mouth, welcoming more. I moved my attention to her other nipple, soothing it as well. After a minute, she began to moan and rock her hips against Joseph’s hand, seeking more stimulation.

  “I think our girl needs to be fucked,” I told Joseph.

  “I think so too,” he agreed, his voice deep with his own, darker lust. “She’s earned it.”

  “Yes,” she begged. “Please, Sir. Please, Daddy.”

  My cock jerked toward her, and Joseph’s jaw clenched with his own need. He was already naked, and I quickly undressed so I could join them.

  Joseph lay down on his back, and I shifted Ashlyn so she straddled his hips, facing away from him. He scooted her to the edge of the bed, and when I stood, her lips lined up with my dick.

  “Lower yourself onto Joseph’s cock.” She’d been such a good girl, waiting for my command.

  His fingers curved into her hips, controlling her pace as he slowly guided her down onto his length. Once he was fully inside her, I brushed my cockhead against her lips, letting her taste my pre-cum.

  She knew better than to try to suck me off right away. While Joseph gripped her hips and guided her to ride his cock, she started to kiss my dick, licking me and pressing her lips against me. I stared down at her, intoxicated by her reverence for me, by her innocent, complete devotion. Ashlyn didn’t hold anything back; she eagerly gave herself to both Joseph and me. Despite the dirty things we did to her, she was just as pure and perfect as she’d been when we’d first met her.

  “Open up, babygirl,” I ordered, no longer able to stand her soft kisses. I needed the wet heat of her sweet mouth around me.

  Her lips parted, and she welcomed me in as I slid all the way back to her throat. My girl had always been good a sucking cock, but in the last few months, I’d taught her exactly how Daddy liked it.

  With her arms bound behind her, she needed me to help her balance. I wrapped her silky hair around my fist and braced her shoulder with my other hand, urging her to take me in slow, deep strokes.

  Joseph increased his pace, and I heard him growl his need. He was close, but he’d make sure she came first. Her pleasure was always our first priority. She was devoted to us, and it was our responsibility to ensure her blissful happiness.

  He eased his hold on her hips so she could control the pace, and he dipped one hand down to touch her clit. She whimpered around my cock, and I cursed as the sound tormented me with a surge of lust.

  “Ride my cock,” Joseph commanded. “Make yourself come, angel.”

  She started to grind against him, rotating her hips. I watched her small body tense as her pleasure crested. Joseph pinched her clit, and she screamed around my cock as her orgasm claimed her. Joseph groaned, his head dropping back as he thrust his hips up into her, riding out his own bliss.

  I couldn’t hold back. Now that my girl had been satisfied, I let go. I pressed deep into her throat and released my cum into
her. She swallowed it all down, greedy for me. Her open hunger for both of us increased my pleasure, making me lightheaded with ecstasy.

  I pulled free from her mouth and collapsed onto the bed. Joseph guided her off his cock and laid her between us, so we could both cuddle her close and stroke her. He left for a few seconds to retrieve his shears, and he cut away the ropes that bound her arms.

  She let out a happy little sigh and closed her eyes, snuggling into my chest as Joseph rubbed her shoulders.

  We both murmured words of love and praise as she softened between us, perfectly trusting and completely content.

  Ashlyn was ours, and we’d never take her devotion for granted. We’d cherish her and protect her for the rest of our lives.

  “I love you, Joseph,” she murmured. “I love you, Daddy.”

  The words reached deep inside me, warming my chest and stoking my lust. My cock began to stiffen again, even though I’d just come inside her mouth.

  She gasped when my dick pressed into her hip.

  “Already?”

  “Always for you, babygirl,” I promised.

  “Anything for you, angel,” Joseph swore.

  We held her between us and showed her just how much we worshipped her.

  The End

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  Want more dark and dirty romance from Julia Sykes? Check out Sweet Captivity…

  I don’t like to be touched. I’m the hacker-geek-goddess of the FBI. When I’m hiding behind my screen, I’m a safe distance from everyone; isolated, powerful. No man has ever touched me, but when I’m captured by Colombian drug lord Andrés Moreno, I no longer have the right to refuse. He’s scarred and scary, and his cruel brother Cristian has tasked him with breaking me. I try to fight, but I can’t escape his strong arms and harsh discipline. He demands that I accept his touch, and my virgin body can’t help but respond to his masterful manipulations.

  The longer I remain trapped with him, the more I come to suspect that I’m not the only captive in his brother’s home. Andrés’ scars go deeper than the wicked furrows carved into his flesh, his pain reflected in the dark demands he imposes upon me. His obsession is twisted and wrong, but maybe I’m twisted, too.

  Do I want to be rescued from him? Or is he the one who truly needs saving?

  Turn the page for an excerpt…

  Sweet Captivity Excerpt

  “You don’t want to do this,” I choked out past the lump of terror that clogged my throat. I kept a wary eye on the wicked hunting knife Cristian Moreno held naturally at his side, as though it were an innocuous extension of his arm rather than a threat to my life. “Let me go.”

  He threw back his head and laughed, his perfect white teeth flashing as the booming sound assaulted my eardrums. My hands shook violently, causing the ropes that bound my arms behind me to chafe against my wrists. The burn of the rough fibers against my skin and cold bite of the metal chair beneath me were peripheral; my entire focus was centered on Moreno and the way the gleam of the spare overhead light bulb made his dark eyes glint as sharply as the knife in his hand.

  “No, Samantha,” he corrected me calmly, his light Colombian accent making his deep voice almost lyrical when he spoke my name. “You’re never leaving this place. Not alive, at least. If you answer my questions, I might be inclined to mercy. Otherwise…” He left the unspoken threat hanging in the air, the implication clear. I would experience agony before he finally disposed of me.

  No. Don’t think like that.

  I gasped in several deep breaths so I could manage to speak again.

  “My friends will find me,” I asserted, knowing Dex wouldn’t leave me to die here. My best friend would do whatever it took to rescue me.

  “If they do, they won’t find more than what’s left of your body.”

  Ice crystallized in my veins. He took a step toward me, raising the knife. I tried to shrink away, but the unyielding metal chair behind my back kept me immobile.

  “You can’t hurt me,” I said desperately, twisting against my restraints. “If you kill me, my friends will hunt you down.”

  His dazzling smile illuminated his darkly handsome features with cruel amusement.

  “I want them to know what I’ve done. Your death will be a warning. We’re going to send a little message to your friends.” He gestured behind him, and for the first time, my gaze darted away from the threat before me.

  A man loomed a few feet away, the light on his smart phone indicating that he was recording me. A wicked scar puckered his tanned cheek, deepening his fearsome scowl. His black gaze bored into me, his dark glare penetrating my soul. I shuddered and tore my eyes away, unable to bear looking at him.

  Moreno laughed again. “What, you don’t like my little brother?” He cocked his head at me. “Maybe I’ll give you to him to play with, after I’m finished with you. He has… very unique tastes.” He reached for me, his long fingers trailing down my cheek. I cringed away, my stomach churning. “I think Andrés will like you. Such pale skin. It will mark up nicely.” He shook his head slightly, still smiling. “But I’m getting ahead of myself. He can have you when I’m done. I’m going to extract my answers first.”

  The cool tip of the knife kissed my throat, and I choked on a scream as horror overwhelmed me.

  Get Sweet Captivity!

  Also by Julia Sykes

  The Impossible Series

  Impossible

  Savior (An Impossible Novel)

  Rogue (An Impossible Novel)

  Knight (An Impossible Novel)

  Mentor (An Impossible Novella)

  Master (An Impossible Novel)

  King (An Impossible Novel)

  A Decadent Christmas (An Impossible Series Christmas Special)

  Czar (An Impossible Novella)

  Crusader (An Impossible Novel)

  Prey (An Impossible Series Short Story)

  Highlander (An Impossible Novel)

  Decadent Knights (An Impossible Series Short Story)

  Centurion (An Impossible Novel)

  Dex (An Impossible Novella)

  Hero (An Impossible Novel)

  Wedding Knight (An Impossible Series Short Story)

  Happily Ever After (An Impossible Series Christmas Special)

  Christmas Knight (An Impossible Series Christmas Special)

  The Subversive Series

  Dark Lessons

  Sweet Captivity

  The RENEGADE Series

  TARGET

  SPY

  SUBJECT

  ASSASSIN

  AGENT

  The Dark Grove Plantation Series

  Holden

  Brandon

  Connect with Julia!

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