But I was in no hurry to pull it back.
“No romantic bullshit remaining in your head about him?” War’s lips quirked. “Just me in there now, the most handsome and soon-to-be most successful lead singer in rock history.”
“Just you.” From now on. Glancing down, I stroked my thumb across the cold bumpy surface of his rings. I glanced up, wiser, older, and hopefully less naive. “Are you planning for us to have some alone time this evening?”
“Yes, I am, baby.”
“Good,” I said firmly, though my stomach pitched.
“You look good enough to eat in that dress.”
Oh boy. War had that look in his eyes, and when he did, he got busy, and he got busy fast. He wasn’t deterrable. Then I remembered . . . I didn’t want to deter him anymore.
“You do too,” I said huskily, knowing well how he tasted.
His eyes darkening, War released my hand and traced the crisscrossed laces on the front of my tunic dress. The silver in his rings shone, reflecting the overhead streetlight. “This is very provocative.”
It was meant to be. I couldn’t have my dream to design ones of my own, but I could still use clothes to project an image.
“Ready to go inside?” He gestured to where the darkness gathered around the walkway to Kyle’s apartment. The motion light above his door was out.
“Yeah. I’m ready.” I pulled in a breath.
War took my hand again, and we went in.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
War
Inside the apartment, Lace and I stood in the ratted-out living room, a line of people all the way to the kitchen waiting to offer their congratulations about the record deal. With bongs on the side tables, coke on the coffee table, drug paraphernalia basically everywhere, it felt fitting. Rock ’n’ roll wasn’t pristine. It was dark, defiant, and angry. It comforted the disturbed, and disturbed the comfortable. Why not here to receive the accolades due?
I was glad I’d missed prom. The high school stuff was pissant bullshit. I was soon to rule the world, and I had the best, the most beautiful woman at my side.
But just in case, I kept my arm around her. I wasn’t losing her tonight. Bryan might show. No matter what she said, there was something going on with them, and he remained a wild card.
As usual, my plan with him was to keep him close, use him as necessary, though I had yet to locate him. His mom didn’t even know where he was, or she did and wasn’t telling me.
The rest of the guys would make an appearance. The party at Kyle’s place was our reception, and our show afterward at Footit’s would be a final good-bye to Southside. We weren’t coming back. Ever.
I wasn’t returning to school. I told Lace there was a choice to make regarding which label. I’d told the guys the same thing, but it wasn’t true. I didn’t feel bad about the deception, not really. It was my band. I made the decisions. The meeting was just a formality, a necessary but uncomfortable one.
“Hey, loser.” Kyle stepped up, wearing the same shirt and jeans he’d been in the last time I’d seen him. “Congrats and all.”
“Thanks, man.” I clapped him on the back, careful of his Solo cup of beer. He clapped me on the back and dipped his chin to Lace, careful not to touch her and piss me off. He knew how I was about her.
“Your room is ready for you.” His gray eyes lit up like sparklers. “Left a little going-away present for you on the dresser.”
My mouth went dry in anticipation. I hoped it was coke and heroin. One would make me hard as fuck, and the other would send me flying. Tonight, I’d share all of it with Lace. There were many ways I planned to tie her to me.
“C’mon, Lace.” I took her arm. “Sorry, guys,” I said to those remaining in line. “Gotta fuck my girl.”
“War!” She tucked her chin to her chest as her cheeks turned dusky pink, the same color as the nipples on her amazing tits. “You’re embarrassing me.”
“Get over it. I’m not hiding shit with anyone how I feel about you, or what I want to do to you.”
“Wait.” Kyle grabbed my arm.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Just a heads-up. Martin Skellin is around.”
“So?”
“Dude, the drugs for your party are courtesy of him.” Kyle shook his head. “Be respectful. Don’t give that guy attitude. Trust me on that.”
“Okay, noted,” I said, but really the guy should respect me, not the other way around. “Anything else?”
“Yeah. Just that Randy’s been talking her up to Martin.” He gestured to Lace. “Or he did before she spit in his face. Nice one, Lace.”
Lace shrugged, and I made a note to find out what the fuck had happened between her and Randy.
“Word is Skellin’s on the prowl for a new side piece,” Kyle said. “I told you before that he likes blondes. He also likes taking from others. Gets a charge out of it, if you know what I’m saying?”
I didn’t reply. I waved my hand over my head as I continued to the stairs with Lace in tow, pretending I was heeding his warning. I was fucking her, and sure as hell wasn’t wasting time playing nice with a drug dealer. This part of my life was soon to be in the past. The days of me bowing to anyone were over.
“Have you met the guy he’s talking about?” Lace asked as I led her up and around the usual strung-out group of heroin junkies on the stairs.
“Yeah, once or twice. He’s not that big a deal.” That was a lie, but I’d told so many of them recently, I didn’t see the harm in one more. “I’ll look out for you. No need to worry.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. I just thought maybe you might want to go somewhere else.”
“No, not going anywhere else.” On the landing, I stopped and gave her a firm look. I’d waited long enough.
“Warren Jinkins,” a familiar voice said from behind me, and a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.
Lace’s amber eyes went wide.
I turned and took in the tall man behind me who might be considered handsome by bitches who were into his coal-black hair and eyes, and went for a powerful guy with a sadistic bent.
Martin’s bodyguard, even taller than he was, hung back just behind him as usual. He and his enforcer were packing heat. I’d already had the meeting where Martin had established pecking order with the added benefit of making me feel small.
“Aren’t you gonna say thanks?” Martin said. “And introduce me to this beautiful woman with you?”
“Thanks,” I said through gritted teeth. It was on the tip of my tongue to correct him. Lace was beautiful, but she was my woman. However, I understood the setup, understood that he wanted a power-play repeat.
Fucking sucks.
“Lace Lowell, this is Martin Skellin.”
“Charmed, I’m sure.” Martin stretched out his arm, his hand extended.
Lace hesitated, giving me a glance. She didn’t see it because she was looking at me, but I saw the flash of malevolence he shot my way. Martin was an evil dude.
I brought her hand to his, making the choice for her. If he didn’t perceive her as a challenge, a toy that was mine that it would hurt me to have stolen away, he would lose interest. Basic Southside 101, eat-or-get-eaten, welcome-to-the-jungle stuff, but Lace remained ignorant about that and a lot of things.
“Enjoy the party, Lace,” Martin said low, his gaze locked on hers. “There’s a parting gift on the bureau, but when you’re ready for a man to take care of you rather than a boy, call me. I’ll come, and you’ll have no regrets. I promise you.” Releasing her hand, he turned to the guy behind him. “Give the lady my card, Arturo. The one with my personal number.”
“Right, boss. Here.” Seeming to have anticipated Martin’s play, he flicked the card he held between his fingers to Lace.
Picking up on the vibe, her hand trembled, but she took the card, even mumbling a thank-you as she tucked it into a side pocket in her dress.
“Respect.” I lifted my chin, though I really would have preferred to spit in h
is eye like Lace had Randy.
“Have a good night, Jinkins,” Martin said, and I breathed easier when he moved along.
“Wow,” Lace said, moving closer to me. “Do you believe that guy?”
I didn’t respond. I wanted her wows to be for what I’d do to her shortly.
With that in mind, I recaptured her hand and tugged her the remaining length of the hall. Opening the door and verifying the room was empty, I brought her inside, feeling like I’d run a marathon to finally get her here.
I shut the door and locked it.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN
Lace
War seemed so chill, even with Martin, a menacing guy at the top of the food chain in his face. Had he noted Martin and his bodyguard had holsters with firearms? He didn’t seem to. I already knew War was a force to be reckoned with, but he went up several additional notches after that exchange.
“Here we are.” War gestured to the bedroom, and I gulped.
The bed seemed nice, at least. There wasn’t a comforter, but I could smell detergent, and the sheets appeared to be clean, but the room wasn’t. The carpet was stained. The furniture was beaten to hell and covered in a shiny film.
“Come here, Lacey,” War said low, crooking his fingers from where he stood beneath the one light bulb dangling from a wire in the ceiling.
With my chin held high and my hips swaying, I went to him. It was War. I loved him. I owed him this.
War devoured me with his eyes. “Been dying to untie these strings.”
As he began unthreading the laces, I stared at his bowed head, telling myself this was good, this was what I wanted.
Once the laces were loosened, cool air rushed over my skin and my breasts. I wore no bra underneath the dress. It seemed pointless. I knew what War wanted from me tonight.
“Your tits are amazing.” He lifted his head. “You are.”
It was a nice compliment. It just wasn’t one from the person I wanted. Still. Despite the fact that he didn’t want me.
My eyes on War’s, I swallowed, blinking back emotion. I had to put Bryan out of my mind. War was my choice.
Repeating the mantra in my mind, I eliminated the space between us and removed his bandanna. Tossing it aside, I ran my fingers through his silky hair and pressed my mouth to his.
I made my choice.
Spearing his tongue into my mouth, War took over. Kissing me deeply, he walked me to the bed. His hands rushed over me as fast as the air had. He groaned into my mouth. Breaking the kiss, he gripped my shoulders, urging me onto the bed.
“My shoes,” I said, resisting.
“Keep them on. They’re sexy.” Snagging the hem of my dress, he lifted it over my head and swept his gaze over me. “Fucking hell.”
“You’ve seen me naked before.”
“Never gets old. Gets better. Love those panties.” His gaze lifted, capturing me. His eyes were blazing and dark.
As I hooked my thumbs in the scrap of lace and shimmied out of it, he gave me another sweeping glance.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Lay on the bed.”
I did as he demanded, my heart thrumming like a bird’s, trapped in the canopy above the jungle floor.
A hungry predator, War shucked his white T-shirt, boots, and socks, his eyes gleaming. He unbuckled his belt and lowered his jeans, revealing lean muscle and smooth skin. A condom packet in his grip, he slapped it onto the mattress beside my head as he climbed into the bed with me.
“War,” I said, reaching for him as he reached for me.
His ringed fingers plunged into my hair, and his lips crashed against mine. His tongue inside my mouth, he thrust deeply with urgency as he relentlessly ground his erection against me. My eyes squeezed tightly closed, I wiggled beneath him as his earthy scent enveloped me. His hardness provided friction where I needed it. I didn’t think; I just surrendered to the heat and him.
He broke the kiss and removed his boxers. “I can’t wait, Lace. I know this is your first time, but—”
“It’s okay.” I grabbed the condom and ripped the packet open, then rolled it on him. I was familiar with his dick. I knew what he liked.
Cupping my breasts, I lifted them. He lowered his head, sucking and nipping the nipples, almost too hard, but not quite. Familiar with my tits as an erogenous zone, he knew what I liked.
“War . . .” I moaned out his name.
“Lacey, I’ll give you what you need. I’m right here.”
And he was right there. After positioning himself, he drove the entire length of his dick inside me. It was different with War than with Bryan. The thought surfaced almost immediately, but I banished it.
Hot, heated, and fast, War fucked me. His rings were cold against my skin. Holding my ass cheeks in his hands, he gripped me hard, lifting me into each powerful stroke.
There weren’t many.
The first one made me gasp. I was close.
On the second, I moaned low and long as it rushed up to take me, my scalp and my toes tingling.
On the third stroke, he groaned. The piercing depth of his dick and the vibrations of his pleasure unraveled me, and I lifted my hips to him, letting go and coming undone. Planting himself inside me to the root, War came undone too.
Later, he did the drugs. Not feeling like myself, maybe just wanting to forget, I let him talk me into them too. Just a few lines of coke and a couple of pills, but I avoided the heroin. It scared me.
But what harm would the other do? I wasn’t a naive little girl anymore. This was my life now. War would take care of me.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Lace
What is that noise?
My head pounding, I woke naked with my head on a pillow and War’s heavy arm slung over me. Then I heard the noise again, shrill like an alarm.
Blinking to clear the haze from my eyes, I remembered where I was. Kyle’s.
And I realized what the noise was. A cell phone. War’s. It was lit up and dancing across the filmy surface of the dresser.
I sat up, throwing the sheet back. War stirred and rolled over, but didn’t wake.
Tiptoeing across the carpet, not because I was afraid to wake him, but because my head hurt, I grabbed his phone and was just about to click the volume off when the text message on the screen caught my eye.
RCA: Final contract attached.
I bit my lip, hesitating only a moment. I was curious and not all that surprised that War had already chosen a label before the group meeting. The dollar amount was at the top. It was an insane amount of money.
Quickly, I scrolled through the rest, paragraphs and paragraphs of legal jargon that made my mind spin. At the bottom was a bunch of blank lines for signatures with each of the band members’ names typed below them.
Only . . . my name wasn’t there.
War moaned, and I glanced back at the bed. Satisfied that he remained asleep, I returned my attention to the phone. My heart raced. I was wide awake now.
I scrolled through the contract again. Surely, I was wrong. I’d just missed seeing my name the first time. But the second and the third glance revealed I wasn’t wrong. All their names were there. Warren. Bryan. Dizzy. King. Sager.
But not mine.
I felt sick, but I swallowed it. Swallowed all of it, the terrible pill of a huge betrayal, in one horrible gagging gulp.
Gathering my clothes, I put them on, shaking.
War woke when I unlocked the door. “Where are you going, babe?” As he sat up, the sheet puddled around his lean waist.
“When were you going to tell me?” I asked, surprised by the evenness of my voice.
“Tell you what?” Raking his hair out of his eyes, War looked confused, younger than he was, and way the fuck hung over.
“That you screwed me over. That I’m out of the group.”
His eyes flashed. “How did you find out?”
He didn’t deny it. Didn’t even attempt to deny it.
I hated him in that moment. Wanted
to scratch his eyes out. Wanted to pummel him with my fists. Wanted to yell at him.
But it was me I really hated.
Stupid. Trusting. Naive girl.
Disgusted, I opened the door and left. Without another word. Without looking back.
War wasn’t looking out for me. Bryan wasn’t looking out for me. Even my own brother wasn’t.
It was just me.
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
War
“Where is she, motherfucker?” Dizzy shoved me into the dressing room wall so hard, my teeth rattled. “Where’s my sister?”
“I don’t know where she is,” I said, my arms at my sides.
I didn’t attempt to defend myself. Not against her brother. I couldn’t risk any move other than begging her to forgive me. I had to have her back.
“You were supposed to take care of her.” Dizzy’s amber eyes flashed with accusation, reminding me of hers.
“She. Left. Me. I didn’t leave her. I told you how it went down.”
“You didn’t tell me she was out of the contract.” His hands gripping my T-shirt, he shook me. “You liar. I bet this was your play all along.”
“I was looking out for us. For all of us.” I couldn’t believe that they all refused to acknowledge the truth of that. “They wouldn’t take us with her.”
“You were looking out for yourself,” Sager said from the corner of the room. His arms were folded over his chest.
“She cleared all her clothes from her room.” Dizzy looked freaked. He’d looked that way since he arrived. “All her things are gone. Where did she go?”
“She told War she’d be here.” Bryan stepped in, prying Dizzy’s fingers from my shirt and pulling him off me. “You can kick his ass later. We can all have a turn. But for now, we need to focus on her. Lace needs to know that we didn’t know. That it was all War.”
The Complete Tempest World Box Set Page 28