I WASN’T SURE what had gotten into Stone in the past couple of minutes. I had stitched him up, took a couple more drinks of the tequila, and was about to put him to bed when his mouth attacked mine. Not that I was complaining but I could feel the desperation seeping from every pore in his body. Tonight scared him. And that scared me even more.
“Stone,” I whispered against his mouth.
His lips traveled down the length of my jaw, kissing and sucking, licking and nipping. Every touch, every single time his skin was against mine, my body burned for him.
Lifting his head, he stared down at me. His eyes were dark with lust, his breathing labored.
My hands ran up his torso. A whimper left my mouth at the power beneath my fingertips. He was hard, his tattooed muscles tight as they rippled beneath his skin every time he breathed.
I licked my lips, my tongue itching for a taste.
Stone leaned toward me, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. “I love the way you look at me.”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed his collarbone. “I love the way you feel.”
Brushing my thumbs over his pierced nipples, my fingers trailed down the sides of his torso. I slid my hands into the waistband of his pants and pushed them lower.
Stone took them off, kicking them to the side all the while keeping his heated stare locked with mine.
Every time I saw him, even if it had only been a couple of days, he was bigger. Working out and training was paying off.
“I love the way you taste,” I said, emphasizing my words by licking my tongue across his nipple.
He shivered, his fingers sliding into the back of my hair.
“I love the way you become unhinged for me,” I whispered, pulling the barbell piercing his nipple between my teeth.
He hissed, tugging my head back. “Open your mouth, Creena, and give me that tongue,” he growled, wrapping his other hand around my throat. “Open.”
I licked along his bottom lip.
He smirked, lifting the shirt up and over my head leaving me completely bare for him. Picking me up off the counter, he wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me into the shower.
Stone turned on the water and stepped beneath the spray all the while keeping his mouth on mine. He kissed every waking thought from my body. His tongue fucked my mouth in a desperate cry to forget what happened tonight.
Every inch of me came alive while he pressed me up against the wall of the shower. His hands roamed down the sides of my body. His waist pushed between my legs. I was caged between him and the wall.
We had spent the next hour like that. Washing. Caressing. Taking care of each other. We knew something was coming. Tonight had been a sign at just how powerful the organization really was.
I needed to talk to my brother but, first, I needed Stone to love me.
***
“So fucking perfect,” Stone whispered against my neck early the next morning.
I shivered, wrapping his arm around me, and pushed my ass into him. My body ached. I was tired and sore but felt at peace. I couldn’t complain. Even after everything that had happened over the past couple of weeks, Stone using me for a stress relief was something I looked forward to. A part of me needed to control him in every way possible but for now, I would be the ever willing submissive.
“I agree,” I whispered, rubbing my rear over the powerful weight between his legs.
“What did I tell you about teasing me with this beautiful ass?” he growled, biting my shoulder.
I moaned, rolling toward him, and placed a hard peck on his mouth. “That you love it and would fuck it the next time I rubbed it up against you.”
He grinned. “I think my dirty girl wants me inside every part of her.”
“Hmmm …” I cupped his jaw, giving his bottom lip a gentle nip. “I just want whatever you can give me.”
He searched my face, something dark flashing behind his gaze before he sat up. The moment was lost when he became rigid and stiff.
“Hey.” I moved behind him and kissed the back of his neck. “Talk to me.”
Stone grabbed my hand, placed a soft peck on my knuckles, and released me. “Your brother called while you were in the bathroom.”
My stomach sunk. “What? How do you know that?”
“I thought it was my phone ringing but it was yours.” His gaze flicked to mine. “It seems you’ve been ignoring him, and I don’t think he’s too happy about that.”
I swallowed hard and slid off the bed. Getting dressed, I headed into the bathroom and brushed my teeth.
“He also asked if it’s been done yet.” Stone stood at the doorway, leaning against the wall. “What is he talking about?”
“Are you reading my text messages now?” I asked around a mouthful of toothpaste.
“When a man, I don’t give a fuck if he’s family, is constantly harassing the woman I love? You bet your beautiful ass I’m reading those texts.”
I glared at him and finished brushing my teeth. I had no idea what the hell to say to Stone. Kenny knew he couldn’t count on me to take him out. I also never thought he was serious in the first place. But clearly, I was wrong. I never should have underestimated my brother.
Stone grabbed my arm, turning me toward him. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”
“I’ll handle it,” I said, attempting to push past him when his hold on my arm tightened. “Stone, let go of me.”
“Not until you tell me what’s going on. Why the hell is your brother harassing you like that?”
“He’s not harassing me,” I grumbled, shoving out of his grip and stomped back into his bedroom.
“Read the text messages,” Stone demanded, shoving my phone in my face. “Read them and tell me he’s not fucking harassing you.”
I huffed, snatched my phone from him and scrolled through the last couple of texts.
Kenny: Where the fuck are you?
Kenny: You better not be with him.
Kenny: It’ll be over my dying breath before I let you leave this family.
Kenny: Is it done?
My heart started racing the more I read. Kenny was losing it. I couldn’t tell if he had been drinking or not but the text messages almost gave away what he was asking of me.
“I …” I swallowed hard. “I don’t know what he’s wanting.”
Stone pinched my chin, forcing me to look into his cold stare. “How about you try that again and don’t lie to me this time.”
My jaw clenched. “I’m not lying,” I said, keeping my eyes locked with his.
Pushing me back against the wall, Stone wrapped his hand around my throat. “I know you’re trained to lie and not show any signs of it. I’m not stupid. But you, little girl, have no idea what the fuck I’m capable of.”
“Then tell me,” I threw back at him. “Tell me and I’ll tell you what Kenny wants.”
“So, your brother does want something.” Stone leaned toward me, ignoring my demands. “Tell me.”
I looked away.
“Creena.” He punched the wall by my head. “Tell me dammit.”
“Fine,” I shouted. “He wants you fucking dead. Are you happy now? Are you glad I told you?”
His brows narrowed. “You have one second to tell me why he would want that.”
“I have no idea.” I gulped at the deadly tone in his voice and grabbed his hand, brushing my fingers over his reddening knuckles. “I won’t let it happen. I promise you that.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “The first woman I fall in love with and her brother wants me dead.”
“I think that usually happens, doesn’t it?” I cupped his cheek.
“Yeah.” He placed a soft kiss on my inner wrist. “But not literally.”
***
(Stone)
She didn’t know I knew about her brother already. I didn’t know what exactly he had planned until she told me but doing research on the guy when I started sleeping with his sister, I found out he was shady as fuck. I was surprised he let Creena go on for so long without dragging her back into their family.
Family.
Fucking please.
And I thought mine had issues.
“Hey, Kenny.” Creena looked my way from across the table. “Yeah, I got your messages. No, I’ve been working.” The muscle beneath her jaw clenched. “I don’t give a shit if you believe me or not. Call the hospital. They’ll tell you when I clocked in and when I left. No. Because I’m not a sadistic bitch.”
My heart thundered against my rib cage. I knew she loved her brother but I didn’t like how he spoke to her. I didn’t even have to hear his voice and I knew he was giving her shit. But I also knew when to pick my battles. He was the head of her family. After doing some digging thanks to Coby’s friend, Lucas Crane, I found out it was Kenny who made her parents disappear. I could only assume he was the reason for their deaths. I wasn’t sure if Creena knew or not but I had a feeling she was beginning to understand the true error of her brother’s ways.
“Yeah. He is.” She winked at me. “Because he tastes good.”
A slow grin spread onto my face. She was baiting him and I fucking loved it.
“Tomorrow?” She feigned a yawn. “No. I’ll be over on Saturday. And I want you to listen to me, dear brother. I don’t give a fuck who you are or who you know. If you send your men to get me before Saturday, I’ll have my own security at my back. And you don’t want that. They’re mean and annoyed as hell that these entities are stepping on their homes. So, like I said, Saturday.” And with that, Creena hung up and let out a slow breath.
“You good?” I asked, reaching for her hand.
She shook her head and rose from the chair.
“Creena,” I said, my voice rough.
“No, Stone.” She jumped in my lap, crushing her mouth to mine. “No, I’m not good. Not one fucking bit.”
***
(Creena)
I had never threatened my brother before. He was a dick, the biggest asshole I had ever come across, but I loved him. He was family. He had always been good to me until these past couple of months. I didn’t know what his deal was but I knew something was brewing from inside our family. I just couldn’t figure out what because no matter who I talked to, everyone told me to contact my brother. If I pressed for further information, they would go running back to him. I didn’t need that. I didn’t need him being suspicious.
“I have to talk to my girls,” I told Stone when we pulled into the clubhouse parking lot later that day. “I need to tell everyone.” I took a deep breath. “I can’t deal with my brother on my own. I get that now.”
“Hey.” Stone squeezed my knee. “I got you. Whatever you need.”
His words hit home for me. After I had hung up on Kenny, Stone gave me an hour to use him. I couldn’t control myself. The urge to dominate. To rip him apart. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough but it was a start. And a delicious start it was.
I needed to get away but I knew that wasn’t possible. Kenny would find me and he would hogtie me and drag me back to his damn house kicking and screaming if he had to.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Let’s get this over with. Maybe talking to everyone will help shed some light on the situation because I have no idea what the hell to do.”
“Good plan, Creena.” He squeezed my knee again. “Remember” —he put the truck into park before turning to me— “Whatever happens, I’ve got your back.”
With shaky hands, I scrubbed them down my face and stepped out of the vehicle. “Round everyone up,” I told Stone. “I’ll be inside.”
***
With Vice-One and the King’s Harlots all under one roof, it made me feel small. All eyes were on me. And that made me feel even tinier.
“I know you all are wondering what you’re doing here and why I asked to meet up.” I met Jay’s hard stare. “I also know you’re thinking that I have some serious balls demanding to meet with all of you when you have better things to do.”
Jay crossed her arms under her chest, leaning back in her chair. With Angel standing behind her and his hand on her shoulder, they looked like the King and Queen of the motherfucking world.
“So, tell us why we’re here.” Jay sat forward. “We’ve already had these random women show up. I don’t want any more surprises.”
“Uh …” I took a deep breath and that was when I felt a warm hand grab mine. I looked down, finding Stone’s fingers laced with mine. That small touch sent strength soaring through my body. I turned back to Jay.
“My family is part of the Yakuza. The Japanese mafia.”
“I told you the nursing job was just a ruse,” Dale grumbled, playfully elbowing Coby in the ribs. “What did I tell you?”
He rolled his eyes, his gaze landing back on mine. “We can still trust you, right?”
I nodded, swallowing hard. The accusatory glances from my friends should have come as expected but it still hurt. “I’m nothing like my brother. I don’t know what he wants or what he’s trying to do. But I do know my father was trying to end the shady side of our family as much as he could. But weapons and drugs brought in the money. He was a desperate man and did anything he could to make sure his family was well taken care of.”
“Your brother didn’t like that, I’m assuming,” Brogan said, sitting down on the couch beside Coby.
“As much as I thought I knew him, I don’t know anymore.” I took a deep breath. “He wants me to meet up with him. I’m not sure exactly why although I could take a guess but I told him I’d be over on Saturday.”
“What do you think he wants?” Jay asked, leaning forward.
“I’ve done some shitty things in my life. That’s all I’m going to say about it but he needs me.” I glanced at Dale. “And yes, my nursing job may be all a ruse but I still know at least five ways to kill you without ever getting caught.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You and Brogan should team up.”
“So, what do we do?” Jay asked, ignoring our banter. “I love you and I know he’s your brother but something isn’t sitting right with me.”
“I know.” I blew out a slow breath and rubbed the back of my neck. “As much as I hate asking for it, I need your help.”
“What do you need?” Brogan asked. “We’ll do anything to help you.”
Suddenly, it hit me. I told everyone my idea, hoping, praying with everything in me it would work. All of the people who lead us to believe that they were the front runners of the Organization were dead. But a storm was brewing. All of us felt it. And I had a feeling I knew exactly who was right in the eye of it.