by Anna Edwards
I quickly school my features, hoping I’ve not given anything away.
“Correct.” Wang raises his glass again. “Killing her would have been too easy. I’ve stolen her from the Yi Shu.” The man I despise prowls over to me and pushes me forward toward the other men. “I’ve taken her as my concubine. She’s a perfect toy. One I’ll play with until there is nothing left of her, and then I’ll return her headless body to the Yi Shu to demonstrate they have no way of defeating me.”
With a quick flick of his wrist, Wang undoes the gown I’m wearing, and I’m now left standing in only the bodice and panties. This is the entertainment he mentioned. Looking at each of the men in the room, I know I’m here to help Wang get these men’s backing for his war. These are all enemies of the Yi Shu. Wang knows he has no chance of beating us alone. He’s tried for years. He needs to enlist the help of other factions to win.
I take a mental picture of each face as they use my body for their pleasure. I study them. I listen to everything they say and calculate how they plan to bring down the Yi Shu. This wasn’t part of my plan. This is a bonus, and one I’m going to use against Wang. He’s sealed his own fate.
In spite of being a big man, I’ve always been able to sneak into places unseen. Today will be no different.
I wasn’t sure what to think when Gaozu told me Lia was being held at Wang’s compound as his concubine. Part of me was furious with Lia for doing this, but the other part knows I’m still not being told the full story. When I find out what’s happening, someone will die. I just hope it’s not someone important, because it could lead to me losing my head emotionally as well as physically.
Climbing the steps to one of the higher up rooms in the Jīn Long compound, I seek out the room that will hopefully give me the answers. I have to stay hidden. I could never pass for a member of the Jīn Long with my blond hair. The shadows are friendly to me today, and I reach the room without having to kill anyone. I search for any cameras or guards before using the picklock I have with me to break in. It’s silent in the room and dark apart from a sliver of moonlight creeping in through the blinds. Making my way over to the bed, though, I see her sleeping.
How could she do this?
Everything she knows makes her a danger. For her to be here puts the Yi Shu in trouble, she could be telling Wang anything. I pull the knife from my boot and hold it in my hand.
This is going to kill me?
Lia stirs in the bed.
“I felt you the moment you first entered the room. I knew you would come, Jaxon,” she says, sitting up in the bed to look at me.
The room is dark, but I can still make out the bruises on her body. Anger rises within me. I’ve a need to hit out and punch something…anything but her.
I sit down on the edge of the bed, and for a few moments, we look at each other, no words pass between us.
“You have to explain this to me because I don’t understand, Lia.” I can barely get the words out of my mouth.
Gaozu’s assertion that Lia has purposely allowed herself to be captured by Wang to put a stop to the war still rings in my head.
“It was the only way.”
“There are always other ways. This should have been the last resort. Actually no, this should never have been a resort. Did you give yourself to him?”
“I don’t give him anything. He takes, and I disappear into the mind of a warrior in battle.”
I put my head in my hands. I can’t understand anything that’s happening here.
“You have to explain this to me, Lia, because I really don’t understand. The woman I love allowed herself to be put in this position. You told Gaozu who you were. You planned this with him, and you kept me in the dark.” The knife is shaking in my hand. “Has Wang taken your mind as well as your body?” Lia reaches out and takes the knife from me. I have no resistance against her. She places it under her pillow before holding my hand.
“You have to listen to everything before you speak again, Jaxon, and before you ask me any more questions.”
I nod, the warmth of her hand tempering down the mix of emotions coursing through my body.
“When you told me Wang couldn’t know it was Zhàn who killed his general, I knew as long as I remained in my disguise I’d be putting everyone else in danger. I couldn’t do it. My father brought me up to protect everyone around me. It’s why I dressed up and fought as Zhàn in the first place. To look after my father and make sure he didn’t die. I couldn’t lose him. My father was my everything when I was growing up. I worshiped him because he allowed me to be different from the norm.”
I can hear the emotion in Lia’s voice. It twists in my gut, and I feel tears of my own falling. I don’t think I shed any when my parents left me—so, why now? Oh yes, because I love Lia.
She continues, “I went to Gaozu the next day and revealed to him who I was. He was shocked. He had no idea. I’m surprised he didn’t kill me then and there. He was extremely angry at me for making a fool out of everyone. I told him my reasons, and he listened. I told him I’d fallen in love with you and couldn’t allow you lie to him anymore. Remaining in the guise of Zhàn would lead to the death of too many people I loved, but equally, I’d started something I couldn’t walk away from. I asked him to reveal who I was to everyone but get you to obey him and keep quiet. How he managed that, I don’t know. I’m glad he did, though, because he would have had to kill you otherwise, and then this whole plan would have been a total mess.” Lia attempts to laugh, but I don’t join her. I can’t.
I shift closer to her on the bed and pull her into my lap so I can get a better look at the injuries she’s sustained.
“But how could you endure all of this?” I stroke where her lip is cracked and crusted with blood.
“I endured it because I felt nothing. I’m not in my body when they abuse me. I’m with you.”
I shake my head. “Lia, you risked too much. You could have been killed as soon as the Jīn Long took you.”
“No, I knew that wouldn’t happen, because I know the type of man Wang is. The Yi Shu may not want a woman fighting in their army, but they do so out of respect. They want to love and protect us. The Jīn Long have no such feelings for the opposite sex. Women are simply vessels for their men’s pleasure. I was certain Wang wouldn’t kill me when he found out I was female. It would be a dishonor to allow me an easy death. I knew he would come for me and behave in exactly the way he did. He couldn’t resist taking me as his concubine and parading me before his enemies and business partners. I’m an example of his power—a demonstration of what he can do to people. It was obvious he was that type of man, which is why I asked Gaozu to send him a message telling him where he could find me.”
“Gaozu gave you up to him.”
“Yes, at my request.”
“Have you seriously gone insane?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“No, I’m here, and I know the future now. Tomorrow we end this. You, me, and the Yi Shu army.”
“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like whatever it is you’re planning.”
“Because I’m Lia, a warrior for the Yi Shu.” Lia reaches up and strokes her hand down my cheek. Her eyes sparkle at me in the moonlight.
“Tell me your plan, Lia.”
“I need you to get my family to safety. Wang has threatened my sister. She wouldn’t survive what I’ve been through. Gaozu has been keeping an extra eye on them, but I want them in the Yi Shu compound before we take this any further. You need to get a message to me when it’s done. I won’t continue my plan until I know my family will survive, even if I don’t.”
I press my finger against her lips. I won’t listen to words of her death. The dark thoughts of her being in this place and what she’s been through already are enough in my head. I want to claw my brain out when it imagines Wang brutally taking what is mine.
“You have my word. I’ll get a message to you when your family are safe. They will be under my personal protection until t
his is over.”
“Thank you.” Lia pushes her lips together and kisses my finger. My body heats at her touch. “You need to prepare the army and come here to attack tomorrow. After that, it’ll be too late. Wang had visitors today.” I see her gulp down a memory.
“They hurt you.”
She nods.
“But I never gave them my screams—those are only for you.”
For the first time since I entered the room, I feel a sense of calm. Lia tells me she isn’t suffering when the men abuse her, because she isn’t there, and I can believe that now. It’s the same thing that sometimes happens to me when I’m fighting and killing. I’m not really there. Her training has made her a warrior with incredible skills. She’s lethal with a weapon and also with her mind. I was foolish to worry about her. I can see now she’s the only person for this job, and when she walks out of here with her freedom and the Yi Shu’s victory, she’ll recover and be the woman I love again.
It’s who she is.
“Tell me about Wang’s visitors?” I question.
“An added bonus to my plan, and one that might have saved our lives. They were three businessmen. They’ve promised to support Wang in his fight against the Yi Shu in exchange for the Jīn Long army helping them to expand their own territories.”
“I knew something like this would happen. The Jīn were weakened with the loss of their general, and they know it. We have to fight and win tomorrow before more men can be sent to aid the Jīn Long. I’ll bring our army—don’t you worry about that.” I nod, anger flooding through me. “Do you know anything about the other men?”
“Yes, one of them was a Yi Shu traitor. I’ve seen his face in a picture on a wall in the throne room. He has a mole on the side of his face, here.” Lia points to a spot just under her cheek. I vaguely know who she means, but the name escapes me.
“I’ll check the pictures and find out as much as I can about him.”
“He’s staying here for a few days with another of the men, a Russian.”
Lia gives me his full description, and I know him instantly as someone the Jīn have dealt with in the past. His leader back in Russia is engaged in a war with other mafia factions in his country. A few of their leaders are good friends with Gaozu. I’m sure he’ll be giving them a call to let them know what’s happening. The Russian will not be an issue for much longer, especially if we can capture him to give to our associates. He’s deserves to die.
“What about the third one?”
Lia falls silent before looking up at me and running her hand through my hair.
“You’re Swedish, aren’t you? Originally, I mean.”
“Yes, my mother was. She was killed for loving my father.”
Lia’s eyes fill with tears.
“So was this man. His voice…it shocked me because it sounded so much like yours when you’re alone with me. I hear it licking at the edges of your words. He saw through me, Jaxon. He saw my soul. He was the worst one of the three.”
“He took you.”
She shakes her head.
“No, that was the strange thing. He touched me but didn’t rape me. He just stared at me the entire time while I was abused by the others.”
“You think he’s part of the faction who killed my mother?”
She nods again.
“It was like he could smell you on me. Somehow, he knew you’d marked me.”
I lower my head and lean it against Lia’s.
“It doesn’t mean I’m not going to kill him when I find him.”
“I know.”
I pull back, but Lia leans into me again and presses her lips against mine. We both freeze, the heat in the room swirling around us.
“Tomorrow, fate will decide my future, Jaxon. While you attack his army, I will kill Wang, or attempt to. I don’t know if I’ll succeed, and I don’t want to die with the memories of those men on my body. Please, Jaxon, I need you. I want you inside me. I want to remember again what it is to be loved. Show me. Claim me forever,” Lia begs, and I can’t deny her.
Memories of my mother and father hang heavy in my head. If she dies tomorrow, so will I. We may save the Yi Shu, but I’m not sure destiny will allow us a happy ever after in return.
Jaxon presses his lips against mine. The kiss is passionate, but it’s also full of emotion. We’ve both had to play a role the last few days, one which masks our love for each other. Now in this room, in the center of the devil's lair, it’s all about us. Me and Jaxon together.
Jaxon uses his strength to push me back against the bed, and I allow him. I’m not scared. I know I’m bruised, but I don’t feel any pain when he’s with me, only love.
“You’re the bravest person I know, Lia Zhànshì.” Jaxon kisses down my cheek and neck toward my breasts.
Thankfully, I found the strength to shower before I passed out naked on the bed after performing my role in implementing Wang’s plan with his business associates.
“Only when you’re with me,” I whisper back to him and shut my eyes.
His hold is soft—it’s gentle but full of dominance at the same time. It’s something only he can give me. I relax into it, every sense in my body heightened for the touch of the man who worships me.
“No, it’s here.” Jaxon places his hand over my heart. “You were born different but in a good way. You have more courage than me when it comes to doing the right thing.”
I place my hand over Jaxon’s heart.
“No, we both have courage beating through our hearts. It pumps around our body, giving us everything we need to fight against those who do wrong. Too many times in our lives, we’ve been told we’re different: me because I’m a woman, you because of your blond hair and European descent. We’ve risen above it and fought for integration. We’ve been fighting for others, but we’ve also been fighting for each other. We just didn’t know it until we met.” I bring Jaxon’s head back up toward mine so I can kiss him. “If anyone tries to break us apart, I’ll send them to hell. I’ve fallen in love with you, Jaxon.” I shock myself with my words but the wide smile on my lover’s face shows me he feels the same.
“I love you too, Lia.”
We kiss again, but this time we stay silent and concentrate on demonstrating our feelings for each other in a different way. Jaxon’s hands search my body, taking in every inch of it. His mouth follows his hands, and I desperately try to keep quiet in spite of the pleasure I’m experiencing. The last thing we need is for Wang to find him here.
Jaxon leans back on the bed and parts my thighs to show him my sex. I don’t need to see it to know it glistens for him and only him. I love him.
I love him.
I love him.
I love him.
I want to shout it from the rooftops. Maybe if we succeed tomorrow, I will.
Jaxon strokes his fingers through my sex.
“This is the most beautiful pussy in the world.”
I’m sure it’s not with the bruising from the injuries I sustained, but I’m grateful for his praise.
Jaxon cocks his head at me,
“You don’t believe me?”
I shut my eyes, preferring not to answer.
“Please, I need you inside me,” I whisper, wanting him to erase all the bad memories.
I feel Jaxon shift on the bed, and I open my eyes again to see what he’s doing. He’s divesting himself of his shirt and pants in a quick strip.
“Trust me when I say you’re beautiful, Lia.”
Jaxon leans back over me on the bed and begins to kiss every bruise on my body, lowering himself down between my thighs, and kissing the worst of the contusions. They don’t hurt, in fact the opposite. His soft kisses send sparks of excitement through my body, and I find myself moaning softly.
Eventually, he places his head at my sex and kisses there. I welcome his soft lips on that sensitive place. I embrace the love he showers on me with his tongue and his fingers until I orgasm under his expert touch. I feel a woman again. I’m worshi
ped and loved. I’m a beautiful warrior.
Jaxon sits up on the bed, licking his lips.
“Delicious. A heady cocktail that sends all the blood to my dick. I’m screwed forever.”
I shrug my shoulders. “I could be happy with your head buried between my thighs forever.”
Jaxon shifts on the bed and positions himself at the entrance to my heated and still pulsating core. His body covers mine, giving me warmth. His loving touch, showering me with blissful worship.
“Take away the bad memories, Jaxon. Reclaim what is yours. It‘s only yours from now on. I’ll never let another man touch me like this. Tomorrow, Wang will die for attempting to destroy what we have. He’ll breathe his last, and I’ll stand victorious over him with the news of your victory over the Jīn Long ringing through these corridors.”
“And I’ll be there, cheering your power and supremacy. No one will ever mess with you again,” Jaxon responds as he pushes himself into me.
He’s gentle but rough at the same time. It hurts, but it doesn’t, and I know he’s reclaiming me. Marking me in a way only he can. His teeth sink into my neck, another sign of our affection for each other. I do the same to him, and he grunts out his excitement. His hips wildly rotate, giving me the pleasure I need between my thighs to replace all the memories of my assaults. I become a warrior again and repeat my love for him on a breathless whisper.
Jaxon stops mid thrust, and he stares into my eyes, his pupils dark. We’re joined together. Bodies as one, and our minds combined. He begins to move slowly again, but our captured gaze doesn’t falter. It stays locked in place as Jaxon makes love to me. It’s tender, gentle, and before long, the familiar fires of an orgasm cascade through my body. Jaxon buries himself deep within me, and I feel him bathe me with his cum, his orgasm just as powerful as mine.
On a spiritual level, I know what just happened between us means something more than just sex. We’ve connected on every plane of our beings. No one will be able to part us now. We’re one—a warrior, a spirit, and ultimately, victors.