Consumed (15 page)

Simon

“Why the fuck did Noah want us to meet him here? There is a swarm of people going into that frat house?” Kruse asks.

“I think that’s the idea. We’ll draw less attention this way,” I reply as I roll down the window to the Escalade and light a cigarette.

“I thought you quit those.”

I think of
her
again and toss it out the window. I’m sure the scientist has a hundred page report typed up on the negative effects of nicotine.

“Now, you’re littering.”

“What the fuck?!”

Kruse bursts into laughter. “Dude, I’m fucking with you.” Tommy joins in from the backseat with a chuckle.

“Damn, there’s some sweet-looking ass out here,” he adds.

We’re in a parking lot to an apartment building near a university campus. A frat party is going on across the street, so college students are all around our vehicle, hanging out by their cars or parking to walk over to the party.

I didn’t attend college, so I’m already feeling out of my element. It also reminds me of Sadie. Then, add the fact we’re here to buy a carload of weapons, and I’m fucking stressed to the max.

This is actually a small sale in the world of arms dealing, but it’s my first and takes my working relationship with Noah to a level I’m not comfortable with. This right here is also why I need not to call Sadie.

It’s for her own fucking good. That’s what I keep telling myself every time my finger hovers over her number on my phone. It was three nights ago when I left her alone in her bed in the middle of the night.

“There they are,” I say. Noah nods from the passenger seat of a Tahoe before they pull into the spot next to us. “Tommy, move to the driver’s seat in case we have to get out of here fast.”

Kruse and I climb out and greet Noah and the driver at the back of the Escalade. “You really think this is the best place to meet?” I ask with frustration.

“Look around,” Noah says, nodding with his head. “What’s everyone carrying? Booz. They’re preoccupied, too. Why do you think I told you to dress down?”

“Who’s this?” I ask, nodding to the driver.

“This is Flynn. He handles this side of the business.”

I shake his outstretched hand. “I’m Simon.”

He nods and hits a button on his keychain. The back of the Tahoe lifts, so I step over to it with him. He opens one side of a sturdy cardboard box, enough for me to see in. There is a row of AR-15 military style rifles stacked neatly inside.

“Help us move these, and leave your payment right here in the back,” Flynn instructs quietly. He’s at least my age, probably older, whereas Noah is a couple of years younger.

He’s clean cut, too, with short brown hair, and looks straight up like an executive. I had a stereotype of how this guy would appear, and he’s blown that all to hell.

“Look, I’m doing this as a favor for Noah. I bid government contracts. I don’t need to get my hands dirty, but he convinced me to make an exception, so don’t fuck me over.”

“Don’t worry, man. Kruse,” I say, nodding for him to come help. I pick up a box, and he follows suit. Six are moved to the Escalade. I leave an envelope of money in place of one of them.

“I ran into that fine stripper today. You know, the one you were with at the club last weekend. She’s got a mouth on her,” Noah says as he slams the back of the Escalade for me.

My entire body stiffens. My jaw locks, and a territorial feeling like nothing I’ve experienced before takes over.

“You saw Sadie?”

“Is she yours? If so, that’s a damn shame. I thought if you’re only her friend, you could put in a good word for me in exchange for what I did for you here.”

His mouth twitches, wanting to reveal a smirk. Asshole. He knows damn well Sadie is off limits, but it doesn’t mean shit to him. Noah wants what he can’t have.

“Yes, she’s mine,” I say slowly and clearly. It might be a lie in the technical sense, but not in my heart and head. Actually, my entire body feels as if it’s on the frontline, ready for battle to protect its woman.
Fuck
, I want her. And I’ll kill him if he touches her.

He holds his hands up in defense. “Hey, chill, man. If she’s that important to you, I’ll back off.” I hear the grind of my teeth as my jaw shifts. Kruse grabs my arm.

“Dude, we should get out of here.”

I stare Noah down as I pull a piece of Nicorette gum from my pocket. “She’s mine. I’ll see you around Submission,” I say before I pop it into my mouth and turn to stroll to the passenger door.

“Or not. I’m growing a little tired of your place.”

Ignoring him, I slam the door closed.

“Fuck, bro, I thought you were about to break his neck or something,” Kruse says once he trades spots with Tommy.

“The thought crossed my mind. Get us the hell out of here.”

“I didn’t know you were handing in your man whore card, either,” he adds with a laugh.

“Shut the fuck up. I’m not with Sadie. I’m only trying to look out for her. Noah’s not right in the head.”

“Whatever, dude. I’ve never seen you like this before.” Kruse is right about that, and he would know. We met right after I got to Las Vegas. We were both hanging out poolside at Mandalay Bay.

I was killing time while Theo, Adrian and Zev had one of their many business meeting with investors over getting an older hotel on the strip converted to Hotel Submission and Casino.

I had left high school and knew hardly anyone in a strange city. Kruse and I became friends, and it helped me a lot since he was from Vegas.

His father led security at Mandalay, and he was interested in the field, too, so once Submission opened, we hired him. After we were making serious dough, I was able to give back to Kruse for the friendship he had shown me.

He is even more loyal today, and we have many people working under him, so he can be where we need him at all times.

“Man, I think we wasted our fucking time and a shitload of money,” I say.

“Why do you think that?” Kruse asks.

“Flynn said he usually only bids on government contracts. He’s a legal arms dealer. He said he did this as a favor for Noah. That means Noah is likely only getting drugs from Juárez, not guns, too. He was serious when he told me he doesn’t deal with this shit.”

“Fuck, so this won’t get you any closer to meeting his dealer.”

I sit quietly for several seconds, replaying my conversation with Noah. “
Son of a bitch
, he wants me to show him I’m serious about this and that he can trust me. That’s what he was trying to tell me. If I want in deeper with the deals, I have to hand over Sadie.”

Adrian

It’s evening, and I told Victoria what time I would return from New Jersey, but she isn’t visible in the penthouse when I arrive home. Disappointed, I pull out my phone to text her.

Me:
Where are you?

Victoria:
In your bed, waiting for my continuing education class. I must say I’m enjoying them … Sir.

Damn, I love this woman. Why do our lives outside of these walls have to be so complicated? I slip off my shoes and stroll toward the bedroom. My watch is removed next, and I come to a standstill at the doorway when I see her.

My breath hitches as my eyes roam over her scintillating body. Her lush hair is draped over her chest, curls nestled against her hardened nipples.

Pearls are wrapped around both wrists, and a strand is running from between her teeth to her hand. Black sheer thigh highs catch my attention next and striking red heels.

“Victoria,” I exhale huskily.

Victoria

I slide the pearls along my mouth before removing them. “Good evening, handsome.”

“It just became a whole lot better than ‘good.’”

I’m nervous but try not to reveal it as I smile at him.

“I figured you’ve seen me in a negligee, so I had to step it up a notch. The pearls aren’t real, but that’s a good thing since you’ll need them to tie me up.”

“Holy fuck, baby, you’ve made my day.”

Stalking toward me, his eyes are wild with lust as they peruse the goods before him. He sets his watch and phone on the nightstand and pulls a strand of pearls off my wrist while leaning in to kiss me. His tongue barely swirls with mine, but the passion between us feels like dynamite.

“You’re so goddamn sexy,” he mouths against my lips. “Roll over for me.”

I turn to my stomach and stretch out with my arms by my side. Moving to the end of the bed, he clasps the back of my ankles.

In one swift move, he thrusts my legs upward until my heels are at my ass. He spreads them next, and I feel a tickle between my legs from his hair.

With his face there, he inhales a deep breath, and I tremble when his tongue strokes me right down the middle.

“You smell and taste divine. Time to tie you up and pleasure you. Would you like that?”

“Yes, Sir.”

In seconds, Adrian has one of my wrists bound to one of my ankles with a strand of faux pearls. He works on the other side, and I feel my muscles contracting, instinctually needing his cock to hold onto.

Standing next to the bed near my head, he holds out a long string of jewelry and surveys them. My cheek is pressed to the duvet as he twists them repeatedly, forming a wad of pearls.

“Open your mouth.” I do as he commands, and the pearls are soon inside. “Bite down on them. At no time are you to let them go unless you’re choking. Understood.”

I nod, feeling my desire strengthen, along with my trust toward Adrian. A constant simmer of yearning for him deep in my essence keeps me feeling alive and centered.

These moments between us carry over to when we’re physically apart, ensuring we’re bound by love and trust. He’s teaching me I can surrender my control and follow directions with a positive outcome.

I watch him unbutton his navy dress shirt. I imagine my fingers combing through his chest hair next, my hands molding to his biceps that flex as he pulls off his dark khakis.

His raging erection appears, and I stare at it blatantly. His physique dominates with strength and form.

“
Christ
, Victoria, you are not adorned in pearls. You adorn them. I want to be bound to you to that measure.”

I mumble against the jewelry in my mouth. I want to scream to him that we are that close and that he’s the exquisite one.

“It’s time to get you off.” His fierce gaze takes another long look at me before he climbs onto the bed from behind. With his fingers spread wide, he palms the back of my upper thighs and begins the assault I welcome.

In no time, his tongue has me moaning against the pearls. My body shakes against the restriction of movement as an orgasm rips through me.

“Open your mouth.” Reaching his hand around, he removes the pearls and then unties my wrists and ankles. “Up on all fours. I’m fucking you now–hard.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Adrian grasps my hips once I rise to my hands and knees. His rigid cock slides in gradually, and although I yearn for him to fill me to the hilt, each inch of caress is heavenly.

Pulling it back just as slowly, he then drives it in. Every thrust is harder and faster. This is all for him as one of his hands clutches my ass cheek and the other grips the back of my hair.

With a drawn out growl, he slams into me as far as he can, and owned by his orgasm, he stays still, coming deep inside me. I soon feel his lips on my back.

“I missed you.” His mouth leaves a path of kisses as he pulls out. He lies next to me, and I fall onto my stomach. “I’m consumed by you, Victoria. If there is a thought that doesn’t begin with you, it ends with you.”

“Adrian.” My hand grazes down his arm and rests atop his hip. “You’re in my mind every second, too. When I was standing in that drug dealer’s apartment, you were all I could think about. I was terrified I wouldn’t see you again, and you would be ashamed of me … disappointed in me.”

“I could never been disappointed in you for the job you do, but I can’t lose you, and every day I fear I’m going to.”

“I promise I’ll be more careful. You’re helping me with my control.”

Adrian cups my cheek as a familiar, painful expression stares back at me. “Victoria, I’m not perfect. There are things about my busin—”

My phone rings and vibrates loudly across the nightstand. “I’m sorry, hold on,” I say as I reach past him and grab it. “It’s Sadie. She seldom calls me.” I push the answer button.

“Vic–Victoria,” my sister barely says between a sob. I sit straight up in bed.

“Sadie, calm down, and tell me what’s wrong.”

I cover my free ear with my hand and strain to hear her garbled words between her cries.

“Simon did
what
to you?” I ask angrily.

Victoria

“You want me undercover at Hotel Submission and Casino?” I ask Sergeant Bishop while thwarting a panic attack.

Please say I heard him wrong.

“Look, we have someone else on the inside, but I want you in there, too, since you were getting to know the employees.”

“Who? How?”

“Megan is undercover in some high-end poker room. That’s how we’re aware Noah is hanging around there. And we know he’s up to no good, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cassano brothers are, too.”

“I didn’t find anything on the Cassano brothers.”

“I know. Even your father dropped his investigation six months prior to his death, but it doesn’t mean they’re innocent.”

“Sonny did what?” This is news to me. My father, Steve, or “Sonny” as everyone called him, told me he was investigating them even the week he died.

“He said he didn’t find anything, but we were tipped off again recently. If we nail Noah Sanders and the Cassano brothers, it will be huge for this command, and that would’ve made your dad proud.” He’s pointing his finger at me with a downward tilt of his head.

“I quit the hotel. They will never hire me back.”

“I don’t want you to go in as a waitress. I want you to play poker.”

How the hell am I supposed to get Adrian to let me play in one of the lounges?

“Uh, I don’t think I can since I’m a previous employee.”

“Well, while the shooting you and your coworkers were a part of is being investigated, you have all kinds of administrative duty time to think of a way.”

“That shooting was justified. Pete was reaching for another weapon.”

He leans back and drags his hands down his face, which is turning a deep shade of red.

“I had the upmost respect for Sonny as I came up the ranks. It’s why I keep tolerating your recklessness, but it stops here, Victoria. You do what you’re told with this case, or you’re finished here.

“Your father asked me to look out for you if anything ever happened to him, so don’t make me have to put your ass on the road to keep it safe.”

I grimace and stand to leave his office.

“Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”

***

“I’m glad you called. How’s the head?” my friend, Cicely, asks after picking me up at the station.

“It’s healing up well. Adrian said he had a meeting this evening, so I thought it would be a good time for us to hang out.”

“My mouth about hit the floor when you suggested shopping.”

“I like looking nice for Adrian. He’s sweet and admires me. He doesn’t miss anything it seems.”

“Lucky bitch.”

“Yeah, I feel pretty lucky.”

“You know I’m playin’, but you’re still lucky to have found a man like that.”

“Lucky and cursed. I have a dilemma and need advice.”

Cicely tucks strands of her blond bob behind her ear.

“Lay it on me, girlfriend.”

“Official law enforcement business, so keep it between us.”

“Always.”

“The department has someone undercover at Submission. I’m torn as to whether I should warn Adrian.”

“If he’s not doing anything wrong, there is no need to worry about it, right? They won’t find anything and will leave.”

I hang my head and become quiet.

“You’re not sure he’s innocent,” she adds, glancing over at me as she drives.

Sighing, I sit up straighter. “I want to believe it, but even as much as I love him, some things don’t jive at the hotel. They pay their waitresses in the lounges a high salary.

“His youngest brother, Simon, is well, let me say he’s about as eager to brandish his weapon as I am, so what is he protecting? Why was my dad undercover there before his death?”

“Have you asked Adrian?”

“No, but when I said I knew he wasn’t doing anything wrong, he didn’t defend himself, and I keep getting the feeling there is something he wants to tell me but can’t.”

“You have to find out. That will help you decide.”

“The next challenge will be convincing him to let me play poker in one of the lounges.” I cover my nervous stomach with my hand. I need to get us off this stressful topic.

“Which stores should we check out? I’m in search of some sexy items to surprise Adrian with tonight.” Looking over at Cicely, I wiggle my eyebrows and grin.

“My girl is turning naughty. I love it.”

“He does, too,” I say with a giggle.