Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1) (5 page)

Chapter
Eight

Mitch and Leith assisted Tar with Keeley while the rest of the team took care of business in the makeshift hospital. Keeley fell asleep in the backseat of the Suburban on the ride. Tar removed her gag once she slipped into dreamland. They entered the building Tar recognized from the time before. He laid Keeley on a gurney, then stood staring down at her, wondering if she’d be pissed or grateful when she came to. He didn’t have to wait long.

Keeley sat up with a hiss. “What the ever-loving hell?”

“Shh, Viper. You’re safe,” Tar reassured, stepping back when she took a swing at him. Fuck. He loved her crazy ass more and more, especially when she let that tigress temper out to play. He chuckled, which earned him a kick he didn’t prepare for. “Damn!” He ran his hand over his cock. “You just about broke it.”

She glared. “As if.”

There was no holding back the full-on laugh that erupted. Keeley tried to stay pissed off, but it was no use. The man was beyond handsome when he was serious and down to business. But when he smiled or laughed, he was breathtaking. Her pulse raced; her lower stomach tightened. He was the only man that could turn her on just being himself. His eyes told her he knew that, too. Tar regained composure when he saw desire flash in those brandy pools. A hand now over the family jewels he leaned in and declared, “Keep looking at me that way, Tigress, and I’ll fuck you senseless right here.”

Shock lit up her features before she challenged, “In front of all these men? Well, well, Tarius, I didn’t know you had it in you.” She squared her slender shoulders. “Do it. I double-dog dare you.” One brow was raised with the challenge, while her lips pursed in anticipation.

Fuckin’ A. She was hotter than any temptress at that moment. Hesitation wasn’t something Tar suffered from, but exhibitionism wasn’t his thing either. He settled for something in-between and pinned her wrists to the bed with his hands, leaning in to capture those succulent lips. The kiss was heated, claiming. He took without measure. All that pent-up frustration unleashed as he sucked and bit at her mouth. By the time he pulled back, they were both panting and needing so much more. The whistles and a couple of, “Get a room, man,” greeted them. Tar held her gaze with his. “So you know, I don’t share. Ever. We clear on that, Tigress?”

Keeley was still dazed and confused. That kiss was un-fucking-believable. She craved more as she whispered, “Crystal.”

He was at her ear so only she could hear, “You are mine.”

*****

The claim, the devotion, and the possessiveness of those three words set her ablaze. Sure, men wanted to fuck her. Use her until they were ready to move on. But there was something in Tar, a fierceness she’d only seen in her brother-in-law and his brothers when they were with their wives. She coveted what her sister had with Even Strand. Somehow, she found it too. Recognition of what a gift it was hit her hard, though she couldn’t keep it. The thought made her sad, and she turned away from him. The sooner she broke his heart, the sooner he could give it to a woman deserving of such a man. She really could care less that hers would break as well. Seemed a worthy price to pay, setting him free. Before he could question her mood swing, Mitch addressed, “You wanna tell me where you’re hurt, Keeley?”

She surveyed the room. Tar turned to the team of men standing there. “Please, give the lady some privacy.”

Not one man gave him shit, Keeley realized. There were some firm handshakes and claps on his back, but otherwise, the men filed out without a word. Mitch inquired, “You okay with Tar staying while I examine your new injuries?”

She nodded but couldn’t quite make eye contact. Embarrassment and shame, even guilt was roaring inside her. Any minute they’d succeed on tearing her to pieces. Keeley attempted to hold back the traitorous tears demanding to be released. She bit down on her quivering bottom lip. Mitch’s brow knitted with concern. “Am I hurting you?”

She shook her head and looked down at the floor, hoping Tar didn’t notice. Of course that was wishful thinking. He grasped her tiny hand in his large one. “I’m here,” he declared.

God, that made it worse. “Thanks,” she managed.

Mitch finished his exam of her wounds, re-bandaged a couple, and asked, “Would you like something for pain?”

Hell yes! “Acetaminophen is fine.”

“Gotcha covered.” He smiled, handing her the tablets and a glass of water. Mitch turned toward Tar. “Debriefing in five.”

Tar gave a nod. “Affirmative.”

The door closed and Keeley did her best to get comfortable. Tar tucked her in snuggly and kissed the tip of her nose. “Get some rest, Tigress.”

On a yawn she queried, “What happened to Viper?”

His jewel green gaze locked on hers. “You’re one ferocious fighter, Keeley. Tigress is more fitting. But don’t you worry,” he gave her hand a squeeze, “Viper fits you, too.”

Once Keeley was alone, she began to process how close she came to being sold. SOLD! Like she was some damn animal to be used and abused by whoever, whenever they wanted. It was one thing to sell your body by choice; it was another to have that choice taken from you. Yeah, she knew the sex slave industry was at an all-time high. Hell, she acknowledged that powerful men like Senator Caleb Reynolds had had his hands in it too. Still…she could justify that a girl like her might deserve such a fate, but what about the innocent ones? She pondered that as sleep pulled her into its warm, welcoming embrace.

*****

Tar scrubbed his face as the info dump rattled around in his brain. Holy. Fuck. Mitch was running a secret team that was private contract, though the endorsers were high profile politicians. Watergate flashed through his mind as more details were given. Sure, he’d worked for the firm once he was honorably discharged from the Navy, but couldn’t stomach some of the assholes in control. He left on good graces. They weren’t affiliated with the military in any way other than each man hired on was formerly in special ops. Tar had always been suspicious of who the actual man in charge was. Mitch said it wasn’t just one, but several. With the new details he was given, Tar began to see that as absolute truth. “Let me get this straight. You’re tracking a specific ring of skin traders?”

There was some coughing. Mitch faced him. “The same one that Senator Caleb Reynolds was involved with.”

“Which means, you
need
Keeley.” Tar heard the horror in his own voice. “You do realize, she doesn’t remember much from her captivity?”

Another man spoke up, “But she could go back in undercover.”

Tar’s hand was around the guy’s throat before anyone could think twice about stopping him. “She. Will. Not. Be. A whore.” His teeth were clenched together so tight he could barely speak, but he managed, “She’s mine.”

Mitch reasoned with the enraged Tar. “Listen. Killing Collins here isn’t going to solve any of our problems. Take a breather, my man.”

Logic began to flood Tar as he released the man’s throat. Staring down into his beady eyes, he warned, “Don’t you fucking touch her.”

The man coughed loudly rubbing where Tar had squeezed. “Roger that.”

“Thing is, we still need an in,” Mitch continued, “a woman who can be around the clientele. Give us descriptions of who all is involved.”

“I can do that for you,” a soft female voice brought all eyes to the open door.

Bile rose as Tar’s stride ate up the distance between him and Keeley. “Abso-fucking-lutley NOT!” he roared.

“You should be resting,” Mitch intervened, ignoring the fuming Tarius at his side.

“I heard yelling.” Keeley eyed Tar. “I was curious as to why.”

Mitch motioned for her to take a seat, but Tar blocked her. “No. No. No. You will not do this.”

“With all due respect, Tar, that’s her decision to make. Not yours,” Mitch apprised.

Before anyone saw what was coming, Tar’s fist shot out. Mitch hit the floor, hard. Guns were drawn as Mitch commanded, “Stand down.”

Tar leveled his furious gaze on Keeley’s as he placed her over his shoulder, taking special care not to injure her further, and left the room. His long strides took them a good distance away from the others. She was screaming and kicking the entire time. His hand came down firmly on her ass.

“That,” she squealed, “was uncalled for.”

“Shut up, Viper. Before I really spank your sweet ass.”

Keeley swallowed her retort. And damn the man for actually turning her on. He set her down on a counter inside a storage room. She watched his agitated pacing. “Tar? Stop please.”

He turned toward her. “I won’t let you voluntarily whore yourself out.”

Keeley’s voice was gentle. “They don’t want prostitutes.”

“All the more reason
why
you aren’t doing this.”

“They need someone on the inside.” Her hand came up to silence him before he could argue further. “Most of these girls are innocent, raped for profit. They are kidnapped and sold to the highest bidder, passed around like an object. Don’t you understand,” she implored, “we can’t let this go on.”

Tar took a deep, fortifying breath and stepped between her legs. “They can find someone else. A woman trained to protect herself.”

She wrapped her arms around him. “You can train me.”

His gaze shot to hers. “No!”

She stroked his hard pecs. “All my life, I’ve been a fuck-up. Drugs, alcoholism, prostitution, among my many sins. For once, let me atone.”

“You don’t need to repent another time, Keeley.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I know all of that, and I don’t care. I love you just the way you are.”

“But I need to love me. I’m no good for either one of us this way. If,” her voice caught on a sob, “I’m ever going to be able to have a normal relationship with you, I have to forgive myself. I have to be worthy.”

He sucked in a breath and grabbed her face in his large hands. “You. Are. Worthy.”

She searched his eyes for deception, but found only admiration. How did that happen? Why would such a phenomenal man fall in love with
her
? Sure, she could lie to herself and say that was not what she saw in the depths of those emeralds, piercing her with love, but why deceive herself. “It’s your love for me that makes me want to be a better person. Please.” She licked her lips. “Let me do this.”

He shook his head as his lips brushed hers. “Not without me.”

Her gasp was caught in his mouth as he took hers gently, tenderly, pouring all his love into the kiss. If she wouldn’t listen to his words, then he’d speak to her body with his. She opened further, letting her tongue dance with his. The knock on the door broke their moment of passion. Both winded and needing more of each other. Her breathy whisper in his ear, “Show me later,” almost made him tell the person waiting on the other side to go fuck themselves. She might not be able to have sex, but he could make damn sure she had a mind-blowing orgasm.

His nostrils flared with desire as he answered the persistent knocking. “Give us a sec.”

A mumbled, “You’ve got sixty,” came through loud and clear. Mitch was pissed.

Keeley hopped off the counter and winced when the jolt could be felt in every bruise and stitch on her body. Tar didn’t miss it, either. She clasped his hand. “Let’s go see what all this assignment requires.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Doesn’t matter. You go, I go.” Her eyes shot up to his. He gazed into those sable depths with all the sincerity inside him. “And not before you’re fully healed and properly trained.”

“Yes, Sir,” she confirmed as the door swung open.

Chapter
Nine

“Look, Tar. I know you’re frightened
for
her. I get it. Truly I do. But I don’t think this is a good idea,” Mitch was speaking as he watched Tarius set up the training room. His piercing green eyes lit on Mitch’s with a loud and clear message: not up for discussion. Mitch sighed heavily, handing over a blade that would fit best in Keeley’s dainty hand. He pointed out, “She’s not ready for the intensity this’ll take. After that kind of surgery, it’ll be a good six weeks before she’s fully recovered.”

Tar shot him an I’m-not-stupid look and followed it up, “Nothing intense with shooting guns and throwing knives.”

True that. Problem was, Mitch would rather Keeley go in without training. Her fay-like frame made her appear younger, and an innocent look gave a serious advantage. Huge boon if she could pull it off, and a major risk factor if they taught her how to take down one of those men. A blown cover would cease the operation to take down this main artery and bring them back to square one. Yeah, not an option. “It’s unnecessary. We’ll be watching her from all angles. Besides, you’ll be with her.” That earned him a shut-the-fuck-up-before-I-shut-you-up glare.

“You and I both know,” he said through a clenched jaw, “that if she’s sold, she’ll be all alone with one of those sick fucks,” Tar seethed.

Bad enough Keeley wanted to put herself in that kind of danger, but Mitch practically demanding she go in without knowing how to defend herself sent him into overdrive. He knew it wasn’t his friend’s opinion but more the chain of command he followed. The higher-ups wanted to throw a sacrificial lamb into the lion’s den and to hell with the consequences. Keeley was
his
. He didn’t share. Damn well wasn’t going to start now, either. He got why she
had
to do this. Actually felt it was good for her mentally as well as emotionally. If she could slay a dragon, then the memories of her captivity wouldn’t haunt her as much. Sure, they’d always be there. Triggers would forever be part of her life. The mind was powerful and could lock any survivor back into the darkest pit before they knew which end was up. But Keeley doing this could reel hers into controllable. She deserved a second chance at life, to let Tar show her how much he could cherish her. Most of all, she needed to feel worthy. Tar learned by trial and error that self-confidence went a long way. Keeley was in dire need of some. Shit…he acknowledged she fought daily not to take her own life. She was full of self-loathing, guilt and shame. As much as he wished his love could conquer those demons for her, he knew better. And once her addictions were added to the party, he had one hell of a rave on his hands. They didn’t stand a chance against any of these if she didn’t lock in and
want
to fight.

Fight for her.

Fight for him.

Fight for them.

“I feel ya, man. This is your lady being put in harm’s way.” He clapped Tar’s shoulder. “I’d want to keep her safe any way I could if it was me in your shoes.”

Thank fuck. “Appreciate your understanding.”

“Anytime.” Mitch turned to leave and check on his team, since they were about to leave on assignment, when he remembered something vital. “Hey, McNeil.” Tarius brought his gaze to Mitch’s. “I’m catchin’ all kinds of heat on this. Teach her how to protect herself
only
when you or one of us can’t assist.”

“That an order?”

“Affirmative,” Mitch said with authority.

Tar was fully aware he needed to play by their rules. But he needed Keeley safe more—so the team, Mitch, and the people they worked for could bite his motherfuckin’ ass.

*****

Keeley took a deep, cleansing breath and focused between the two dots, sighting the Bersa on a silhouette’s head. If she were put in a position to have to use a firearm, then make it count. Although she made peace with the fact she could be sold, in which case that would leave her one-on-one and without Tar. That scenario would be most helpful, but he would be beyond uncontrollable if it came to pass. So this was her reasoning for talking to Leith on how to do the assignment
without
Tarius.

“Holy shit, Viper. You hit it again.” Tar grinned.

She glanced over at him. “You doubted my skills?”

“Hell no!”

Keeley reloaded the magazine and unleashed once more. Tar whistled. “Damn baby, you’re a natural marksman.”

Her brow quirked. “Wouldn’t that be marks
woman
?”

He chuckled deeply. “My bad.”

She winked before picking up a blade and launching it dead center into the dummy. She wasn’t able to make any of the knives stick since they started this a good two weeks ago. And the fact she finally did, sent her into a happy dance. “BOOM goes the dynamite!” she squealed with excitement.

Tar picked her up with ease. “I’ll show you some
boom
.” His eyes were heated with desire.

She latched her arms around his neck. “You think you can handle me,” she mocked.

“Oh, Tigress, I
know
your combination.” His tone was cocky as hell. As it should be, since it was absolute truth. Before they could get down and dirty, Leith interrupted them.

“Very nice, Keeley,” he clapped his hands together loudly; ignoring the passionate embrace Tar and Keeley were in.

She blushed slightly as he placed her on her feet. Tar didn’t miss it either. His muscled arms folding over his chest, legs in a wide stance, as he glared at her. Damn. The man was sexy as sin. With an attempt to gain some semblance of composure, she addressed Leith, “I can leave so you two can talk.”

“Actually…it’s you I need to speak with.” Both she and Tar were taken aback by that. Leith continued, “Alone, please.”

Tar communicated clearly with a leveled glare at the other man before he kissed Keeley, hard and fast, staking his claim. Jealous much. Though Keeley would be lying if she didn’t admit, she liked that—a lot.

The door
snicked
closed as Leith motioned for Keeley to take a seat. Uh-oh. He paced, causing her gut to go into overdrive with a sick feeling. She couldn’t take it. “Stop! Just tell me,” she pleaded.

A stern nod of his head brought him face-to-face with her. “The assignment has changed.” Keeley gesticulated with her hand for him to continue immediately. “They don’t want you sold.” Her face twisted in confusion. He took a fortifying breath. “You’re not a virgin.” Her eyes widened. “Look,” he squatted down in front of her, “they would demand an exam—”

“And would discover I was lying,” she finished for him.

A solemn gaze met hers. “Why would a girl taken against her will choose to lie about her innocence?”

Yeah, she got the problem and began to curse herself for all the stupid choices she’d made in her life. Counterproductive. “Then how can I help?” The light came on before Leith could answer. Her hand went over her mouth, stifling the gasp. “Oh, my God! They want me to actually help sell these girls?!”

“No!” he barked, “though that may be kinder than their proposal.”

Confusion knitted her brow. “I’m not following here.”

He stood and paced once more. Keeley realized he was ordering his thoughts. He turned toward her. “They want you to prostitute yourself.”

Her hands began to shake. That was ten kinds of fucked-up, betraying Tar and herself. “I can’t.”

“Thank God,” he blew out. “I’m glad you won’t put yourself back into that line of work.”

She scoffed, “Work? Leith, I sold my pussy for drugs.”

His face went red and his hands locked onto her tiny shoulders. “Don’t you ever say things like that.”

“The truth?”

Leith took a step back as his hands fisted at his sides. Shit. The zing of attraction was racing through his veins. No go. He respected the hell out of Tar, plus, he wasn’t into stealing another man’s woman. His dick searched for who woke him up and attempted to salute Keeley. He turned away from her and adjusted his erection. “Desperate people do desperate things. Besides, did you ever sell your body when you weren’t craving fire?”

“Of course not!” she exclaimed. Caleb lurked in her mind, whispering, “
But you loved what I did to your lovely cunt and body
.” She shook out her hands as sweat began to bead on her forehead.

Leith misunderstood. “Hey,” he pulled her up toward him and enveloped her in his arms, “I’m so sorry.”

She pushed back but held her palms on his chest. “I’ve done other things that,” she swallowed the lump in her throat, “I shouldn’t have.”

Damn she was beautiful. Vulnerable. Those tears on her cheeks called to his lips. Fuck. Leith realized he couldn’t be around her. He meant to step away; instead, he brought his body in direct contact with hers. Keeley’s surprised gasp told him she felt his arousal against her stomach. He fought the groan threatening to escape. “Doesn’t matter to me,” he admitted.
Get your hands off her. She belongs to Tarius. A man you not only like but revere.

Keeley raised her gaze to his. “Tar is special to me.”

Those words were the cold water Leith needed. “As he should be,” he declared, backing away from her.

“So, I may have another idea on how to help.”

Smart girl. “I’m listening.”

“There are ways, or favors, I can sell that wouldn’t require sex, per se.”

His wild-eyed gaze met hers. “You want to let…”

“I have no qualms with pain.”

Leith caught something dancing in her eyes. He realized there was more than just her not having an issue with someone hurting her—she craved it. Holy fuck! He also acknowledged how much intel Keeley could gather if she were in the hands of certain sadists. Tar would kill him if he ever learned what Leith was about to lead Keeley into. Yet, Leith agreed with the code his team followed, sometimes the sacrifice of one was worth the salvation of many. He studied Keeley’s profile. Could he do it? Would he be able to take her into an establishment where he
knew
she would endure unspeakable acts of pain? Her gaze met his and it was there in those sable depths that he vowed, “I won’t let you do this alone.”

She licked her lips. “What are you saying?”

“You only take this assignment if I’m undercover with you.”

“As my?”

“Master.”
What the ever-loving fuck are you thinking?!

“Ohhhhhhhh,” she gasped. “Tarius will…God he’ll kill us if he ever finds out!”

“Then we best be damn good at what we’re doing.”

Keeley needed pain as much as she needed air and water. The slave ring needed to be taken down so they didn’t harm any more innocent girls. Win-win. Sure, there were a couple of details to work out, like Leith and her sharing some kind of sexual chemistry. But the other one made her heart ache in ways she didn’t fully understand. Tar would never forgive her if he found out, and surely he wouldn’t love her anymore. When
that
happened, Keeley would make sure she died. Living without that kind of adoration simply wasn’t an option.