“They’ll be mine by the end of the evening.” I already pictured the tenderness of Mrs. Sucre feeding them and the friendship of Suzette putting them back together. And Tess. She would be there—my queen—the woman who glued every part of me into a better human being.
Dante smiled—it was cold, malicious, and if I hadn’t dealt with bastards like him all my life, I would’ve shit myself. But I had. I no longer felt their evil. I absorbed it—waiting till I could boomerang it back, making them suffer.
I liked to think they’d invited the grim reaper into their home.
“So proud. You won’t be walking away with any of my merchandise, Mercer.” Dante laughed. “Your pride on the other hand will be a worthwhile acquisition.” Striding past the two collared girls, he kicked one in the thigh. “This way. We’ll have a chat before we begin business.”
My hands almost broke I fisted so hard.
The girls never raised their eyes, instantly following, crawling into the room off the foyer. The walls were bare of any artwork or personality, painted in garish reds and golds with black carpeting.
It was all one level—a sprawled out estate ensuring rooms were far enough away from the business hub so prospective buyers weren’t distracted by other women’s screams or the growls of rutting animals.
Following, as if this wasn’t the end of my life and just a normal business meeting, I passed through the familiar double doors and into a large lounge. A huge painting of a gun dripping red hung above a fake fireplace with melted candles. The room had three semi-circle couches, all with a small podium and pole bolted into the ceiling before them.
The perfect viewing for pricks and paedophiles.
Lynx sat down, patting the red leather beside him. I winced at the aches in my bones, taking a seat on the end of the couch. My thigh still bled, but I had nothing to wrap it with. I needed to put pressure on the wound—stop any more blood loss.
Hiding my pain, I linked my hands between my legs. “The welcome committee isn’t needed. I don’t want to watch any of your sick fetishes.” He’d made me watch the first time, and I’d yet to burn the image from my retinas. The girl had been one I hadn’t been able to save. She’d died that night from what he did.
Dante threw his head back, chuckling as if I were a world-renowned comedian. “Always such a fucking prude.” Waggling his finger in my direction, he added, “I know you’re not, Mercer. I’ve heard the rumours. Paying women to do tame things in relation to what you could do to a girl you own.” He shook his head. “I think it’s time you stopped lying to everyone—including yourself—and give in.”
Snapping his fingers, the man who’d squeezed Tess’s breast and put a gun to her head appeared. Grabbing one of the girls from the floor, he threw her onto the podium in front of us.
Her face contorted as the pole slammed against her hip. Her hands slinked around the silver structure, eyes downcast and lost.
A rush of bile threatened to fill my mouth—bile filled with blood and the need to butcher everyone here. No one deserved to live. They deserved to be chopped up, turned into worm food, and eventually reincarnated as bird shit.
Bird.
My eyes locked on the black-haired slave, stretching her atrophied muscles, bending around the pole. Her ribs stuck out, breasts were small with large prominent nipples, and she had no hair between her legs—showing bite marks on her inner thighs and a piercing through her clit with a small chain leading to a piece of jewellery wrapped around her waist.
Her eyes met mine briefly. There was nothing left but hatred and contempt.
Looking away, she gyrated on the pole, flowing like a broken girl rather than a sensual mistress.
Five hours and fifty-five minutes.
Lynx leaned back, eyes glued to the girl. He snapped his fingers again, summoning the other slave to go to him. She crawled over, keeping her head low, showing the beads of her spine. Her brown hair was cropped to her skull, highlighting shadows of fingers around her throat and multiple ear piercings. She was the curvier of the two but still looked unhealthy.
Fucking animals.
The girl positioned herself between Lynx’s legs, reaching to his fly without a word. He arched his hips for the girl to unbuckle his trousers, sighing deeply as she pulled out his bent, foul erection.
It took all my willpower to stay sitting and not throw myself at him. Four guards loomed around me—two in front, two behind. I couldn’t do a thing as the girl spat on her hand, smearing her saliva over his cock and stroking him.
“Suck it.” He grabbed the back of her neck, bringing her face to crash against his crotch.
Her mouth opened, swallowing his putrid length with no complaint.
His eyes rolled back, groaning as her cheeks hollowed, sucking him hard. “Yes, that’s it. Suck. Suck.” He shuddered as her lips opened wide, swallowing his entire length. He forced her even further, suffocating her against his pubic hair, holding her until she struggled for breath.
“Stop. It,” I growled, echoing with darkness.
“I’d let you do anything, Q. Because I love you.” Tess’s voice whispered in my mind. Images of burning her with red wax sickened and excited me.
The room smelled of sex, feeding my sick senses with increasing lust.
Something other than anger lived in my blood now. Something twisting and tempting and entirely wrong. I had to get out of there. I had to run. Or kill. Both preferably.
Lynx opened his eyes, piercing me with his black gaze. “You don’t tell me what to do.” To prove his point, he hit the girl on her shoulder. She moaned, tears welling, mixing with the glistening saliva on his cock. “She’s mine to do with as I wish. I’m fucking God to her. And you’re a sad excuse of a prick who denies his own needs.” His hips twitched, pushing himself further into the slave’s mouth. “You want this—just admit it and tonight could go a completely different way.”
Fuck. No moisture remained in my mouth. My heart turned into a wildebeest galloping to its death.
Locking my fingers together, I snarled, “Let’s cut the bullshit, Dante. You know I never used. I bought from you and what I did with them is none of your fucking business. I gave you what you asked in return. How many buildings did I help you with? Four? Five? Stop being an asshole, and I won’t kill you.”
Lynx laughed, his hand on the bobbing head of the girl blowing him. “See—all stinking lies. You want this. You want the control. The power. Admit it.”
My eyes fell on the girl.
I sank deep into Tess’s mouth, fucking her lips while she hung upside down. I’d never felt anything as good as driving into her throat while she was completely unable to stop me. I groaned as the orgasm I denied forced one thick wave onto her tongue.
Shit.
My fucking body betrayed me. My cock thickened. Don’t think about Tess. She’d loved taking me. She’d wanted it. Unlike the poor girl blowing Dante.
Don’t confuse the two.
Forcing Tess out of my thoughts, I muttered, “Without me, you wouldn’t have the wealth you do. Spare me the cock-swinging contest.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re such a French idiot. You’re in denial.” Grabbing the girl’s ears, he shoved himself deeper. Her back convulsed with a gag reflex.
He slapped her. “You don’t gag, bitch.”
She nodded, resuming her task as if the glowing handprint on her cheek wasn’t burning.
I stood, towering over him, cursing my semi, hating the betrayal of my body. “Do that again and I’ll—”
“Shut the hell up.” Two men pressed on my shoulders, shoving me back onto the couch. My leg gave out, thanks to the weakness of being fucking shot.
I balled my hands. “It’s not denial. I don’t have to partake—just like I don’t use drugs or gamble. Stop trying to convert me. Let her go and let’s get down to fucking business.”
Whatever that was.
“Q, you’re not a monster. I know the truth.” I squeezed my eyes, trying so har
d not to let Tess into my mind. Not here. I wouldn’t taint her memories.
My eyes fell on the upside down girl on the pole. Her legs were spread, showing me every crease and fold of her abused pussy.
My cock throbbed. Fuck! Overwhelming pressure built behind my eyes. I wanted to leave before the sickness inside could grow stronger. I would gladly walk to my torture if it meant retaining my morals and decency.
A moment ago I didn’t want to think about Tess. Now I did. Think of her in their place—being so badly used. You’d hate it.
My semi turned into a full-blown fucking erection.
I’d hate it but love it.
Tess spread-eagled on a pole. Her hair wrapped in my fingers as I forced myself inside her mouth. Her moans and pants and cries.
Shit. I couldn’t think about anything without it lacerating everything good I tried to retain.
I scrubbed my face.
Lies.
I fucking judge you. I’m your executioner.
Five hours and forty minutes.
“I heard a rumour, Mercer. About the sparrows you seem to have on every logo and possession.”
I struggled to keep my face impassive. How the fuck did that piece of information get out?
Reclining in the seat, I did my best to ignore my cock, focusing on buying time for Franco and his team. “Oh? And what do they say?”
Lynx thrust his hips, his body shuddering as the girl sucked harder.
I averted my eyes. His mind games were about to get worse. I was sure of it.
Dante’s voice was lust-laden and scratchy. “That it symbolises women you’ve saved. That you think you’re a fucking hero.”
Shit. Damn news reporters and invasion of my privacy. The sparrow was a relic to me—now they’d tarnished it, brought it into the filth I lived in. “I’m not a hero.”
Where the fuck is he going with this?
“I also heard you did use one of the slaves you bought.” His eyebrow quirked. “A girl from Mexico—Red Wolverine gave her to you.”
I tensed. This was where the conversation went from civil to littered with minefields. I refused to talk about Tess with him. Flatly fucking refused. I didn’t care how much he knew or how much he didn’t. None of it mattered because by the time dawn arrived I would either be dead—or he would be. Either way, my reputation and what I did with Tess was irrelevant.
My mind filled with blonde curls, pink lips, and a strong innocence that made me bow to the woman I missed so fucking much. I better be in one piece to marry her tomorrow.
I’d fixed her but hadn’t done the one thing I wanted above all. I wanted to call her my wife.
Hurry up, Franco.
I nodded. Once. That was all he was getting.
“I also heard you murdered Wolverine. Hardly fair since he gave you a slave you finally enjoyed.”
My skin tingled with rage, muscles locking with the need to pummel his face. A bodyguard moved closer, sensing the fraying hold I had on my emotions.
Narrowing my eyes, I said, “Yes, I murdered that cretin. Sliced his throat like fucking caviar and I did the same to his son.”
Lynx froze, his eyes fluttering as the skilled tongue of his slave worked him closer to release. “So cocky, Mercer.”
I shrugged. “It was easy. About as easy as it will be to murder you.” My temper swelled. I couldn’t do his question and answer session anymore. “Why did you drag me here? I’m done watching you get a blowjob. Fucking do something or let me go.”
I was aware the question might catapult me into the killing zone, but I couldn’t sit there any longer.
I wanted to leave. I couldn’t leave. The lack of freedom made me slip from sane to crazy.
“You came for me, Q. Je suis à toi.” Tess’s voice wouldn’t stop cutting through my thoughts.
Lynx stiffened, his mouth fell open as he rhythmically thrust into the girl’s mouth. She went slack as he came down her throat, shuddering with his orgasm. The second his hips stopped pulsing, she licked him clean.
The last sweep of her tongue, Dante shoved her away and tucked his cock into his pants. Snapping his fingers, a guard handed him a lit cigarette.
Taking a puff, he murmured to the girl, “Did you like the taste of my come, slave?”
She nodded.
“Do you think you deserve a reward?”
She froze.
“Answer me.”
Slowly, she nodded again.
Lynx smiled, lashing out with the burning ember he stabbed the cigarette into her stomach, holding it until her lips turned white from holding in her scream. Pulling back, he ordered, “Your turn on the pole.”
She gratefully spun around. Not touching the seeping wound, she took her place on the podium.
My mind churned with waves of ferocity. Images of stabbing him in the heart, chopping him up, hanging him from the ceiling for his slaves to whip and abuse were the only reason why I didn’t risk certain death by hurling myself across the couch and strangling him.
Smiling, Dante wiped his lips. Crooking a finger at the black-haired girl on the pole, he summoned her from the pole.
She let go, hopping off the platform.
But she didn’t go to Lynx.
She came for me.
Oh, fuck.
I sat taller, hating the sickening panic almost as much as I hated the growing lust.
She fell to her knees, never making eye contact.
I swallowed hard.
Five hours and thirty minutes.
“I’ve also heard you’ve fallen for the slave Wolverine gave you. Bad form to murder him after he gave you love, isn’t it?”
My concentration split between Lynx’s taunts and the girl breathing softly on my knees. Her hot breath heated through my trousers.
“I didn’t kill him for his gift. I killed him for taking it away. If he’d never interfered, I wouldn’t have had to take his life.” I looked up, hoping my anger painted every facet of my body. “I’m sure you can appreciate revenge. After all, isn’t this yours? Revenge for me not being a sick fuck like you?”
Lynx laughed. “This is just a get together amongst old associates. However, I must admit I am a little pissed at what you did to me a few years ago.” He leaned forward. “I had justifiable reasons to come after you then, but I never did. Shows I’m a better man than you. Don’t you think?”
He still hadn’t got over the incident? Idiot. “Just because I knocked you out when you tried to stop me taking fair payment for that monstrosity you built in Madrid, doesn’t mean you had reason to kill my bodyguard.” Franco had not been pleased. Needless to say others died and not him.
“You stole an extra girl—that wasn’t the agreement.”
“The agreement was you wouldn’t torture the ones I left behind. I needed more collateral. You’re a high risk client, Dante. I’m sure you can appreciate that.”
“Was a client, Mercer. Don’t forget this conversation focuses on the termination of our association. Ending with a few severe penalties than just parting of business.” He chuckled. “Parting of a few other important things, too, I can assure you.”
My gunshot twinged but I kept the flash of fear hidden.
“If you felt so unjustly dealt with, why didn’t you come after me then?” I grinned. “That’s right—because you know the truth. I have more power than you.”
He chuckled, tilting his head. “That might’ve been the case, but my how the tables have turned.”
You’re scum. Worse than scum. You’re the disease that grows on scum.
I muttered, “If you want the award of being the biggest, baddest asshole then sure. You win.” I saluted him. “Now fucking stop with the mind-games. I’m done.”
Lynx grinned. “Sure. By all means.” Nodding at the girl between my legs, he ordered, “Do it.”
She sat up on her knees, reaching for my hastily buttoned blazer. The only thing keeping my naked chest from being on display. My throat closed at the memory of Tess rippi
ng my shirt, ruining the buttons in her need. It felt like centuries ago.
“I love you so much, Q. I trust you.”
Fuck. Tess.
I was so glad she couldn’t see me now. See a whore fumbling at my belt, her hands brushing a hard cock that I wanted to cut off for being so twisted.
Pain echoed, amplifying the punches and kicks, hacking at my willpower to keep going. Five hours was an eternity. It was life-changing—or ending. So much could happen in that time.
I shuddered with violence as the girl’s hands undid my jacket, spreading it open. The moment my tattoo was visible Lynx clapped his hands. “It’s a lot different than the rumour. I’d heard it was bats not birds.”
Who the fuck had spread my secrets? Only a select few knew. A few paid prostitutes at the beginning of my career—they were the only ones who would tell. I trusted my staff and confidants completely.
I couldn’t speak through my tight jaw. I refused to utter a word.
“What do you think of her?” Lynx motioned to the girl now bowing at my feet. My fly hung open, revealing the waist band of my boxers.
A sickly spasm filled me. I hated where this was going.
“She’s underfed, sad, and no doubt thinking of ways to murder us.”
Dante glowered. His mohawk bristled with gel as he stood. “I suppose you prefer overfed women who don’t obey, is that it?”
I thought of Tess. Her incredible curves. Her feisty strength. My lips twitched, allowing one ray of light into my soul. “Yes. One in particular.”
Lynx’s face darkened. “You might as well get her out of your thoughts. You won’t be seeing her again.”
I sat solid, unmovable. Not rising to the bait.
Five hours and twenty minutes.
“Tell you what…I’ll let you survive—after I take payment for what you cost me—if you can do one thing.” His eyes flickered to the slave, filling with smug pride.
My heart splattered into my feet.
Shit.
I looked at the girl; her eyes flickered to mine. Her plea for help pierced around the room—I heard it so clearly I was surprised the windows and mirrors didn’t shatter with her high-pitched sorrow.
“Want to know what it is?” Dante prodded.
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