by Cox, Carrie;
“No!” I yelled, twisting and turning in my captor’s arms.
I used my feet too, kicking out, desperately trying to break free.
“Ow,” the voice behind me said. It sounded vaguely familiar. “Cut it out, Ella. That hurts.”
I jerked my head around to see Chad, and my eyes went as round as saucers.
Why was Chad in on this? I thought he was Nick’s friend.
He looked back at me sympathetically, but he didn’t let go.
“Chad,” I said in a shocked voice. “Why are you doing this?”
Chad had the decency to look a little ashamed. “I’m just following orders.”
Chad refused to meet my eye. I could tell it was Chad because his face was a little chubbier than his brother’s, and his hair was a little longer and his bangs fell over his eyes.
“They’re hurting Nick.” I yelled at him. “Make them stop hurting him.”
“They’ll stop just as soon as he stops struggling,” Chad said gruffly.
“But why are they doing this? It wasn’t his fault. It was mine. He was bringing me back.”
Chad frowned and looked perplexed. “Bringing you back? I have no idea what you’re going on about, Ella.”
I shook my head and was about to explain, but my voice was swallowed up in angry shouts from the bikers.
“Damned spy. You know what Victor does to spies.”
My heart was thundering in my chest so hard I thought it might burst. Did they really think I was a spy?
This couldn’t be happening. What on earth would have given them that idea, and what did they mean what Victor does to spies? What was he planning to do to me?
I frantically tried to turn around and face Chad. “Please, I haven’t done anything. What is all this about?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” Chad said and lifted me up under one arm.
As much as it irked me to be carried around like a piece of furniture, I didn’t think I was in a position to protest, and it wouldn’t have done me much good if I had.
As Chad was carrying me inside, I tried to turn and look for Nick but I could no longer see him.
When we entered the bar, it was eerily silent. There was no music and no conversation. Everyone in the huge bar gathered around the edges and stared at us as we entered.
My eyes focused on Jackson when I saw him standing beside Victor’s chair, but he didn’t me my gaze. He stared stonily straight ahead.
Oh, God. This was bad. Really bad.
Chad carried me in front of Victor, then set me on my feet, but kept his hands on my shoulders, holding me securely in place.
Victor didn’t even look at me. I stared at him desperately, shuddering as I looked at the scar on his cheek.
I wondered again how he’d gotten it. I didn’t know what I should do. Was it better to plead for my life or keep quiet?
Before I had a chance to reach a decision, I heard a commotion behind me. I turned and saw a huge group of bikers heave themselves into the middle of the bar. Then suddenly, from the centre of the group, they flung Nick.
He fell to the ground on his hands and knees. He was bleeding from a cut above his eye and breathing heavily.
I moved to run to him. I couldn’t help it. It was just an instinctive reaction when I saw he was hurt… and all because of me… but Chad’s hands held me firmly in place.
There was a buzzing hum of conversation as everyone saw Nick delivered to Victor in this way.
I looked around the room, wondering if anyone would help, but they all stood there looking nervous, their eyes glancing from one person to another.
“I don’t know what this is about,” Nick said, using his hand to wipe blood from his face. “But Ella hasn’t got anything to do with it. Get her out of here, Jackson.”
Nick’s eyes locked with Jackson’s, pleading.
But Jackson stood stonily still, ignoring him.
My heart went out to Nick, and in that moment, I forgave him everything. I really believed that he’d been trying to do what was right for me from the start.
Victor stood up and everyone, including Nick, fell silent.
“I’ve gathered you all here today,” Victor began, as if this was some kind of family get-together. “Because we have a problem. A big problem. I have it on good authority that one of my crew is an undercover cop.”
There were gasps from around the room, and my eyes shot to Nick. Was that what this was about? Was Nick an undercover cop?
A feeling of dread crept up my spine. What would Victor do to an undercover cop?
Victor smiled as if this whole situation amused him greatly. “In Blackthorne, we investigate things our own way, as you know. So firstly, every member of the crew is to put their cell phone in the middle of the room. Then we’ll follow that up with a little questioning.”
Everyone was silent as they walked up to Victor and put their cell phones in a pile in front of him on the floor. Occasionally someone would mutter their undying loyalty to him, but Victor ignored them. He kept his eyes on Nick the whole time.
When Nick got closer to me to put his own phone on top of the pile, I could see how badly hurt he really was.
My fingers ached to touch him. I wished I could go back twenty-four hours.
He met my gaze and smiled at me in a reassuring way. “It’s going to be all right, Ella,” he whispered.
I didn’t believe him. But I loved him for trying to make me feel better. I loved him. I knew that now. I think it was the first time I’d really admitted it to myself.
When all of the cell phones were in a pile in front of him, Victor nodded to Jackson who collected them all in a bag.
“Right, now for the questioning,” Victor said, turning his piercing gaze around the room.
“Nick, why don’t you kick us off?”
I could see by the way he was standing, Nick was in a lot of pain, but he gave a wry smile and nodded. “Of course.”
Victor sat back down. Resting his elbows on his knees and interlinking his fingers, he gave a slow, sly smile. “Do you swear your loyalty to the Blackthorne crew, Nick Steele?”
“I do, I swear my absolute loyalty.”
“And would you lay down your life for the crew?”
Nick nodded, but I could see from the uncertainty in his eyes that he didn’t know where this was going any more than I did.
“Let’s put that to the test, shall we?” Victor nodded at one of the huge bikers standing by his side.
I struggled against Chad’s hold. “No! Stop! What are you doing? Just stop it. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Victor’s cold eyes fastened on me. “Get her out of here,” he snarled.
Before I knew what was happening, Jackson had stepped forward. He put one arm around my shoulders, the other beneath my knees and scooped me up as if I weighed no more than a five-year-old child.
I screamed then. I was absolutely terrified, and not for myself. For Nick.
I was convinced something terrible was going to happen. I didn’t know what I could do to stop it, but I knew I had to try.
I kicked fiercely and slammed my fists against Jackson’s chest, but it was like trying to fight a mountain. His chest was hard and unyielding. He shifted position, so he could gripped my wrists together with one hand.
He wouldn’t look me in the eye, but he said, “This is no place for you, Ella. Trust me.”
Why did people always say that? Trust me? Like hell I was going to trust him.
As Jackson carried me along the corridor, I fell back on the only thing I could think of: begging. “Please, Jackson. Nick hasn’t done anything wrong. Don’t let them hurt him. Please help him.”
Jackson said nothing, ignoring all my pleas. When we reached my bedroom, he dropped me down on the bed and then stared down at me breathing heavily.
I swallowed nervously as I stared up at his chiseled face above his huge shoulders.
He sat down on the edge of the bed. Keeping his eyes fixe
d on mine, he said, “I’m going to give you a bit of advice, Ella. Forget Nick Steele. You need to worry about yourself.”
And with that, he stood up and walked towards the door.
“No! Please…” I staggered off the bed and ran to the door, but I was too late. He’d shut it, and I’d heard the click of a lock.
That didn’t make any sense. There hadn’t been a lock on this door when I’d left. So that meant it must have been installed tonight. They must have planned this!
Even though I knew it was pointless, I hammered on the door with my fists, kicking and screaming out. I couldn’t stop because every time I did, my mind kept returning to what was happening to Nick at that very moment.
9
My voice was hoarse and my face was stained with tears when a while later I heard the lock slide across my door.
I had been sitting on the floor, resting my head on my knees, but I quickly scrambled to my feet.
I backed away from the door, terrified of who it might be.
When the door opened, my heart was pounding.
It was Nick. My hands flew to my mouth, and I started crying again. I couldn’t help it.
I had really started to think I would never see him again. I thought Victor would kill him.
He stood before me bloody and beaten, but alive.
After hesitating for a moment, I ran up to him and flung my arms around his body, but he flinched at my touch.
I backed away. “I’m sorry, it must hurt so much.”
Despite his obvious pain, Nick pulled me back into his arms and held me tightly. I felt his lips graze the top of my hair.
“I’m so sorry you had to see that,” he murmured.
“It wasn’t your fault. If I hadn’t tried to run away…”
Nick’s whole body tensed, and he jerked back, staring down at me. “You have to know that it’s not your fault, Ella. This was something that had been brewing for a long time.”
I nodded, but I didn’t really believe him. By trying to escape tonight, I definitely triggered something.
“So,” I said softly. “Is there really an undercover cop?”
“It looks that way,” Nick said, allowing me to lead him over to the bed.
He sat down on the edge of the mattress.
I did my best to wipe away my tears and take control of myself.
“So are you?” I asked.
“Am I what?” Nick gave me a twisted smile. “You think I’m the cop?”
I nodded and bit down on my lower lip. It would make some sense.
He looked down at the ground. “I know that you want me to be a good man, Ella, but I’m bad for you in every sense. I’m sorry I can’t be the man you wish I was, but I can promise I’ll never let anyone hurt you while I’m around.”
The look he gave me was so tender, it caused fresh tears to sting my eyes.
I moved in front of him, so that I was standing between his legs and then lowered my head to gently kiss his lips.
It was soft, so soft and tentative at first, but then the kiss grew deeper and hungrier as Nick’s hands trailed behind my back, reaching to clutch my ass and press me against him.
***
Nick
She stood in front of me with such pity in her eyes it made me feel like a complete bastard for coming here. I shouldn’t have come to her like this. But I wanted to see her. I needed to see her.
She surprised me by not asking any more questions. Instead, her hands gently moved up to intertwine behind my neck, pulling me down towards her.
She kissed my mouth slowly, gently nipping my bottom lip with her sharp, small teeth. And the pleasurable sensation shot straight to my groin.
I was hard in an instant. Her mouth worked over mine as her hot tongue teased and intertwined with my own.
It felt so good to forget everything except how her mouth felt on mine.
I felt myself tighten when she slipped her small hand beneath the waistband of my jeans and tightly grasped me.
I groaned against her mouth as she started pumping me up and down. I wrapped my arms around her, running my hands down her back towards that sweet ass. I gripped her flesh, pulling her towards me as her hand continued to move up and down.
I worked my hands back around to her front and undid the buttons on her jeans quickly so I could bury my hand between her legs.
She felt so hot and slick already.
I gently rubbed her as she moaned against my mouth. I moved a finger down to her entrance, dipping into her wet juices and then bringing my finger back up to slip over the spot that made her gasp.
She ground herself against my hand, and I pushed my index finger inside her slowly, enjoying her sharp intake of breath as I worked it back and forth at the same speed she was using to rub her hand over me.
I wanted to bury myself inside of her.
Ella pulled away from me, breaking the kiss.
My fingers stilled between her legs as I looked at her questioningly. “What’s wrong?”
She didn’t say anything, but instead fell to her knees in front of me.
She licked her lips and then looked up at me through her lashes with a shy smile.
She pulled my jeans down, completely releasing me, so there was no hiding the fact I was rock hard and lined up with her lips.
Christ.
She moved forward, and her tongue flicked out, running along the tip.
“Holy shit,” the words escaped from my mouth as my head fell back in pleasure.
I was so hard I felt like I was going to burst.
When I looked back down, I saw her mouth open as she was moving towards me. Her tongue circled me again gently, flickering on the underside in a way that made my whole body tense.
My hands moved to the side of her head, gently encouraging her to take me further into her mouth.
I seem to swell even bigger as her pretty lips moved over me.
“That feels so good, Ella,” I whispered.
She sucked lightly and swirled her tongue around me, and I swear I almost came there and then.
My fingers fisted in her hair as she moaned, and I felt the pleasurable vibrations all along my length and down to the base of my spine.
She tightened her lips as I moved back and forth inside her mouth. Her tongue worked me at the same time, sending me over the edge.
“Christ, Ella, I’m going to come.”
It felt like I swelled even more, and my body tightened. She didn’t pull away even though I’d given her the chance.
And as I came, she sucked me, making me roll my head back on my shoulders and groan with pleasure. When she was done, she moved her mouth back, releasing me from her mouth with a pop.
I stared down at her in adoration as she licked her lips and smiled shyly up at me.
“Was that good?”
I looked down at her on her knees in front of me, and I knew I was in serious trouble.
I wanted to be with her all the time.
But I couldn’t think like that. What I wanted could never happen. I just needed to make the most of the time we had together now.
I reached down to pull her to her feet. “That was amazing. But now it’s your turn.”
Her eyes widened and then she smiled, that sweet smile that made my heart contract.
I moved forward and kissed those sweet lips that had just been wrapped around me.
I quickly stripped her of her T-shirt and jeans, hungry to see her lush curves.
Just one glimpse of the dark pink of her nipples beneath the lace, and I was ready to go again in an instant.
I reached behind her to release the clasp on her bra. I licked my lips as the lace fell down to the floor, revealing her breasts. I lowered my mouth to kiss and suck her, and felt her nipple harden in my mouth.
I quickly moved over to the nightstand and grabbed a condom. Then I laid her back on the bed and spread her thighs wide.
Her cheeks were flushed and pink as she tried to close her legs.
> “I want to see you,” I whispered, and her resistance melted.
She allowed me to spread her thighs wider. I could already see how wet she was. Her body was in desperate need of attention, which I was more than happy to give.
I used my finger to trace her, carefully working my way around the edge of her most sensitive spot, building anticipation. Her body arched impatiently, and I knew she wanted more.
But I couldn’t tease her for long. I wanted to taste her. I moved my mouth down and used my tongue to slowly and sensuously lick her.
She gasped and her hips thrust upwards. I pushed my finger inside of her, and used my tongue to taste her at the same time.
I felt myself grow in size, desperate to get in on the action as she writhed in pleasure.
I carried on working her with my tongue, taking my time, bringing her right to the edge of orgasm before slowing down.
“Nick, please,” she begged. “I need to feel you inside me, now.”
Her hands pulled at me, encouraging me to take her.
I moved up between her legs, probing her entrance as I grabbed the condom from beside us on the bed and ripped the wrapping with my teeth.
I smoothed it on, and shook my head, amazed at how quickly I was ready to come again.
My eyes locked with hers as I pushed into her.
Her eyes widened at the invasion, and her breathing grew faster.
I slid my hand down between her legs and used my fingers to caress her as I pushed myself inside her. As her internal walls relaxed around me, I pushed harder and harder until finally I was buried to the hilt, deep inside her.
I dipped my head down to kiss her deeply as I slowly moved in and out of her.
It felt so good, so perfect. I wanted to go faster, but I held back, wanting to give her pleasure first.
Ella closed her eyes and moaned as I buried myself in her, before pulling out again. I knew she was close, and I quickly picked up speed, stroking her at the same time.
She cried out and then wrapped her legs around my waist, forcing me deeper inside her.
I wouldn’t last much longer at this rate. Her nails clawed my back, pulling me closer and closer.
I felt her internal walls clench around me, milking me as she cried out my name.