by Ali Parker
She shook her head and walked around him. "Either way, this is going down, so be ready for anything. Let's get the three of us back into this bedroom so we're protected. Bring Zak with us if you think we need to."
"He needs to stay out there and make sure no one burns the damn room down."
"Fine. Come with me." She held out her hand and waited until he took it before walking out into the large living room. The place was packed with exotic people. Excitement sat heavy in the air and Kate couldn't help but enjoy the feeling for a minute. With no choice but to slip into the depravity she'd been presented with, she might as well try to revel in the good times afforded her.
"Let's get a drink." Marcus tugged her hand and moved her toward the make-shift bar, a middle-aged man in a suit pouring drinks and laughing with the people in front of them.
Victor walked up to her and slid his hand across her lower back, leaning down to press a kiss to the side of her face. "Don't you look stunning? Most beautiful girl in the whole damn world and she's mine tonight."
Kate laughed and moved up, ordering a drink as Marcus released her. Victor held on tightly, his grasp almost painful. Taking her drink, she moved away from the line and unwound his arm from her. His dark eyes were filled with excitement.
"Is everything on schedule?" Kate asked, lifting the drink to her lips. Her facade was properly in place. No one would know that she was a sick bundle of nerves. No one but Marcus. She scanned the room for him, locating him with Zak as they disappeared into the kitchen.
"It is. Marcus and Zak will tray up everything and we'll get this show on the road. I honestly feel like a kid at Christmas. There hasn't been a breakout drug since I've been in the business." He took a step closer to her and cupped her shoulder, sliding his hand until it rested on the base of her neck. "I want you to be front and center for this."
"If it has the power to bring us the wealth you say it does, we should be filthy rich by this time next year."
A smile brushed across his lips as he leaned in. It was seductive and dark. Her stomach tightened simply due to the power that rolled off of him. "Dirty money is the most damning, Kate."
She reached up and took his face into her hand, pulling him down the rest of the way. The kiss was long and passionate, Victor sliding his tongue along hers slowly as his hold on her tightened. He tasted of liquor and sex, both flavors causing her to growl against his assault.
"It's time." Zak's voice pulled them away from their moment, Kate trying hard to catch her breath. She wouldn't fall for him, but sex with a powerhouse like him was going to be fun.
"Good. Let's go, baby." He offered his arm and turned to look across the room.
Kate met Marcus's eyes and winked at him, hoping like hell that he knew that she was going all in. She wanted to bring home the prize. Victor's empire, his head, his heart and all that he had worked for on a platter. She would take every bit of it and deliver it up to the only man who remained beside her, the only one that truly loved her. Marcus.
They stopped in front of Marcus as he lifted a tray and winked at Kate, his head tilting slightly to tell her to choose the pill to the left. She glanced down and realized that he was trying to get her to take the sugar pill. It wasn't happening. She quickly swiped up the two fully potent pills and took hers before sliding the other into Victor’s mouth.
The drug lord sucked on her finger as a wicked smile lifted his lips.
Kate glanced at Marcus and released Victor as he went to address the crowd. Anger burned in her best friend’s gaze as he took the pill and set the tray down, pulling her in tightly and pressing his forehead to hers.
"What the fuck are you thinking? I told you to take the goddamn sugar pill. You're going to be a lunatic in a few minutes." He closed his eyes, letting out a shaky breath.
Kate slid her hands over his hips and pulled herself close to his large frame, tucking her face under his chin and resting for a minute. "I don't trust anyone in this room but you. Least of all myself."
Kate stayed tucked against Marcus and waited for her reaction to the pill. She wouldn't release him until they were safe in the bedroom now. The warmth of the pill hit fast and hard as the room began to spin slightly. She clung to Marcus and pressed her lips to his neck, his skin salty and delicious.
Victor's voice rose up behind her. "Your gift for being in attendance is being passed out. Please understand that once you've accepted the treat, you will be with us for the next eight hours at minimum. We will be filming the activity of the drug and looking for side effects. I have guards and physicians in our midst should we need them. One pill per person. Enjoy."
The room exploded in cheers as the music began blaring from the speakers again. Kate lifted her head and glanced back as Victor bent over to tell Zak something. The smaller man nodded and walked into the heart of the crowd.
Victor extended his hand to Kate, mouthing to come with him. She took it and made sure to keep Marcus's hand in her grasp as they moved through the sea of bodies. Fingers grazed by her and damn if it didn't feel so good to be touched. As if love and warmth could be infused through complete strangers pawing at her.
Marcus moved in front of them as Victor paused, his pupils completely dilated. Kate wanted to ask him if he was all right, but all she could do was turn and head back to the crowd. She needed to be touched once more, to feel them tearing at her clothes. Strong arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off the ground. She didn't fight it, but relaxed against her attacker as colors danced before her eyes.
The door to the bedroom shut and she stumbled back, hitting someone who seemed to be waiting on her.
"Are you feeling it? Beautiful, right?" Victor whispered against the side of her neck before he began working on her dress. His movements were clumsy and uncoordinated.
"Go sit on the bed. I'll get her undressed. You work on yourself," Marcus barked and moved in front of Kate, leaning down and rubbing her face with both hands softly. "You okay, baby?"
"I'm good. I just need you all over me. Don't leave me." She reached for him as he pulled her in tightly. He finished unzipping her dress somehow while holding her from the front. He pushed it off of her shoulders. She reached for his shirt and tugged at it, trying like hell to remember how to get it off of him.
She groaned as heat raced through her. "What's wrong with me?"
"Come here Kate," Victor called from the bed, the sexy bastard sitting on the edge of the bed already stripped naked. His chest was solid, abs cut and a light dusting of hair swept down the center of his stomach to frame his thick cock. It wasn't as big as Jon's, but he and Marcus were rather similar in composition. Kate moved toward him, her panties and bra black like the dress he had bought for her.
He reached for her, pulling her closer as he slid his hands up her arms, leaning in to press his warm mouth to her nipple and nibble softly. She reached down and ran her fingers along his shaft, a moan leaving her as need broke deep inside of her chest. This was desire and love, wholeness and warmth.
Marcus wrapped his arms around the top of her chest, pressing his lips to her ear and pulling her flush against him. "I'm here if you need me. Just remember that."
"I always need you," she responded, looking down as Victor looked up. A smile lifted his sexy mouth.
"I need you too, Kate. Take off your panties for me and let's not play around tonight."
"I'll get them." Marcus kissed her cheek and slid his fingers down her side as Victor worked on her bra, pulling it from her and licking at her breasts over and over again.
The press of Marcus's fingers as he pulled her panties down her legs almost caused her to come undone. She arched her back and whimpered as Marcus pressed his tongue to the top of her ass, licking twice and moving down to bite her hard.
She continued to stroke Victor, her mind splintering on wanting to taste him and wanting Marcus buried deep inside of her all at the same time.
"How do you want us Kate?" Victor moved back before sliding his hands over h
er stomach and latching onto her hips. "You want both of us inside of you, Marcus in the back and me in the front?"
Before she could answer, Marcus spun her around, his eyes wide, brow pulled together. He leaned in and kissed her hard, depositing something in her mouth. She started to jerk back as he spoke quickly. "Kiss him with this in your mouth and give it to him. Now. Don't ask questions. Just do it."
Kate turned and climbed onto Victor’s lap, leaning down and kissing him. Her tongue pressed the small capsule into his mouth. He didn't seem to notice as he pressed her shoulders down, his cock wedging inside of her. Kate let out a long scream as her body exploded. She pushed him back on the bed and rocked against the fire that burned along her chest and stomach.
Marcus's hands rubbed over her shoulders, his chin resting on her head as she continued her assault. Victor palmed her breasts, as he groaned over and over until his eyes began to close and he stopped moving. Kate jerked back, pulling off of him and stumbling against Marcus.
"Oh my God. Did you kill him?"
"No. I put his ass to sleep," he leaned down and whispered. "Pretend to fuck him for a little while longer. I'm going to start a bubble bath. Join me in there in a minute."
"I don't know... I don't know how or what or."
Marcus moved back and lifted her face. "Stop fucking around. I know the drug is driving you mad. Get back up there and sit on his stomach. There is a camera in here. Play the game. Do it now."
Kate nodded, unsure of what the fuck was happening. The room kept bursting into color over and over. She crawled back up on the bed and sat down on Victor, his cock having softened slightly. He was beautiful, peaceful and calm. She pressed her hands to his chest and rocked back and forth, groaning a few times at the delightful feel of his stomach rubbing against her swollen flesh. Marcus returned a moment later and crawled up on the bed behind her. She glanced back. He straddled Victor's thighs as well.
He wrapped his hand around her throat and lifted her chin to the air, whispering softly above her, "Scream for me."
She let out a long scream as he ground his cock against her ass, never entering her, but rubbing hard along her body. She almost wanted to beg him to take her, the desire to be fucked vulgarly ravaging her from the inside out.
They put on their show for a few more minutes before Marcus let out a long yell and got off the bed, walking to the bathroom. Kate leaned over and ran her fingers over Victor's face, her vision shifting just enough to where she couldn't tell if the man below her was Victor or Jon. Sadness washed over her and she cried out.
Marcus called to her from the open bathroom door. "Come here, baby. Come get in the tub with me and let me take care of you."
She kissed the man beneath her once more and got off the bed, walking toward Marcus and stumbling over her shoe. He caught her and smiled. "I love it when you're the sweet docile kitten I like to believe you to be."
He picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, the night nothing more than him washing her clean and using his fingers to bring her over the edge each time she began to whimper with need. The drug was powerful and exciting. It promised pleasure and lust, power and greed.
All the things she had, but none of which she wanted.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jon
"Any more evidence come in on the Drazman case?" Jon stopped by his captain's office and leaned against the door frame. The death of the two boys behind Kate’s bar still hadn’t be laid to rest. It had to be something Kate was aware of… right?
Mike looked like Jon felt - like shit.
"No. I'm almost scared to say what my true thoughts are." Mike sat down in his large leather chair and leaned his head back. "I know that bastard is here in our city again, Jon. I don't have a doubt. Those boys that were murdered have similar markings to the ones who died just before Seth hauled him in here with proof."
"We'll find him." Jon tapped his leg and slipped his phone out of his pocket as it rang. "I'll catch you later. Let me know if you get any more info. I'll call the Texas boys again and see if there is an update."
He turned and walked down the hall to a small conference room, slipping in and answering his phone. It was just after lunch on Friday and the weekend wasn't something he was looking forward to. Any time to himself would be spent moping around about Kate and trying to crack a case that was missing the files on its connecting cases from the past.
"Peterson."
"Johnny-boy. It's Victor. How are you?"
"What do you want?" Jon's hair rose on the back of his neck as he sat down and leaned back in the old metal chair. Good thing the room was empty. He would be thrown off the force without question if they connected him to Victor, the asshole already having come up on the police force's radar as Seth's replacement. Better him than Kate.
"I have a gift for you."
"I don't want shit from you."
"You'll want this. I just wanted you to feel good about your decision to walk away. This life isn't for a good guy like you."
"Are you involved in the murders taking place here?"
"I've been in LA for the last three days, but I'm happy to meet with you and take a peek at the details. I know a lot of bad people in our city. Perhaps I can help as a thank you."
"A thank you for what?"
"For leaving Kate heartbroken enough to give me a chance. She's exactly what I hoped she would be."
"Fuck you, Victor. I don't need this shit from you. Keep your gifts."
Jon hung up the phone and slammed it down on the desk in front of him. He hated the bastard with everything inside of him. He hadn't given up on Kate. She had shut the door in his face and locked him out. She kicked him in the stomach with her actions at the mansion earlier in the week and sealed the deal with her reaction to him at the police station the other night.
They were done. Victor could have her.
"He already has her, Fucktard." Jon stood and slipped his phone in his pocket before stopping by his desk. He needed to get out and question a few witnesses over the Drazman boys murders, Kate and Marcus being at the top of his list. Paying them a visit would almost be a treat. He pulled his phone back out and texted Marcus to see where they were.
Sitting down at his desk, he pulled up his e-mail one more time. An e-mail with the subject, "A gift... for you," caught his attention. Fucking Victor.
He ran it through a virus detector and opened it when it came up empty. There was a video link and a short message.
Thanks again, Jon. I couldn't ask for a more adventurous woman to stand beside me. If you ever come near her again, I'll kill you. She's stolen my heart and won't survive leaving me - ever. Hope you understand.
~V
"Fucker. She'll do whatever the hell she wants to do." Jon snorted and clicked the link. The image that came to life on his computer caused his blood to freeze. Kate stood in a tight black dress in Marcus's arms, the large thug undoing it and leaning down to kiss her. Jon sat back, a cold chill running down his spine. Surely Victor hadn't sent him the video of his girl fucking someone else.
He watched in horror as the scene unfolded. Jerking forward, he paused the image as Kate rocked against Victor, Marcus seemingly buried in her ass. Her scream was loud and shaky... the sound he loved to hear when he took her. Jon grabbed the trashcan next to him and let his lunch go.
"Dude... we can watch porn here?" Clay leaned over his desk and squinted as Jon jerked up and hit the delete button.
"Back the fuck up, man. This isn't porn. It's a video from a punk ass drug dealer in this city. I'm going to bust his ass." Jon stood and grabbed his jacket before walking toward the exit.
"Save the girl for me?" Clay laughed as Jon moved out of the building, scowling at the rookie. Bastard wouldn't get anywhere near Kate. No one would.
The only thing worse than barfing in front of everyone was having to put his hands in front of his slacks as he walked out. His cock was so hard it felt like it might crack in half. It should have been him with
her and Marcus, not Victor.
Sick... he was turning into a sick fuck. The past was creeping up faster than he could run from it.
No.
Jon parked his bike in the back of the club and got off, standing still for a minute. He wished like hell he wasn't ready to tear the city in half, but he was. How dare Victor send that shit to him?
How dare Kate take both of those fuckers in her body together? He expected her to take Marcus to her bed, but Victor? He had to have known it was coming, but that didn't mean he wanted to see the shit. He walked to the back door, beating hard on it. He knew the code, but decided to come on official police business. He was going to drag her ass back downtown for questioning on the murders that occurred behind her club.
The city would shut the place down once he got a hold of them. She would pay for all she had done to him. Someone had to. It hurt too damn much to think he deserved it. His mother would probably disagree if she had an inkling of the man he had been only a few years back.
"Kate, open the fucking door before I kick it down," Jon yelled loudly.
The door opened a few seconds later, Marcus moving to fill up the space available for Jon to move into the building.
"What do you want, cop?"
"A word with the owner of this establishment."
"She's not coming out Jon unless you have a warrant for her arrest."
Jon reached in his jacket and pulled it out, flapping the paper so it would open. "Tell her to bring her ass out here. You come as well if you like. I can call a car for you."
"You're messing with the wrong people, Jon. Your broken heart is going to drive you to be the man you never wanted to be. Dumb fucker." Marcus moved back and closed the door.
Jon let out a long breath and began pacing the worn-out alleyway, the blood stains from the murders a few days back having darkened. He growled softly and stopped, turning to face the door as Kate walked out. Marcus moved in behind her.