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Authors: Tawny Taylor

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BOOK: Darkest Desire
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Outside, Malek turned to her. “Forgive me. You looked like you needed some help.”
“I was fine... but thank you.” She glanced around. The parking lot was packed. It was never like this. What was going on? “I've been coming here for a while. It's never been like this.”
“Yeah, this isn't the usual crowd, is it?” Malek hadn't released her hand.
She wriggled her fingers, sending him a message she'd like him to let go now. “No, it's not.”
“Once a month, the owner runs an ad in the
Metro Times.
On those weekends, you get a different crowd in here.” Malek set his hand on the small of her back. That was no better. In fact, the intimate contact made her feel far worse.
“I'll have to remember that.” Her back arched, her spine stiffening, as her body tried to shrink away from his touch. “I'm okay now.” She motioned to her car. “Thanks again.”
“Sure.”
She tottered on slightly wobbly legs down the row, toward her waiting car, parked beneath a light. Behind her, she heard Malek's footsteps echoing in the dark. He was following her, but that was okay. At least she felt a little safer. It was late, nearly midnight. And although this area—which was more industrial than retail or residential—was generally considered safe, she couldn't be too careful. At this time of night the street and surrounding area were mostly abandoned—the perfect location for a mugging.
Pretending she didn't know Malek was following, she unlocked her car and opened the door. But before she could slide into the driver's seat, Malek caught her hand again, halting her. She whipped her head around and jerked her hand away. “Please don't touch me. I don't like it.”
“I'm sorry.” He raised his hands, palms out, the universal gesture of surrender. “Of course you don't . . . I . . . just wanted to warn you that there was an accident on I-275.”
“Thanks.” She gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “Are you going home now, too?”
He glanced over his shoulder before answering. “Yeah, I think I'm done for the night.”
“I'll see you at home, then.” Aware he was watching her, she gave him a little wave, then slid into her seat and started the car. He stepped back when she shifted into reverse, moving aside, out of her way. She noticed he didn't start moving to his vehicle until she was rolling down the aisle toward the road.
As she waited for an opening in the traffic, a little tremor skittered through her body. An aftershock.
Her counselor had told her it would take time to get better. During those long months she'd endured as a prostitute, she'd seen and experienced some horrific things. Nobody got over that kind of stress overnight. But it frustrated her how often those old feelings surged to the surface. And it scared her how overwhelming they were, too. She'd been utterly frozen in panic back there in the dungeon. Unable to move. To speak. And all it had taken was a look from that man.
She was beginning to think she might never get over this bullshit.
Determined to shove her dark thoughts aside, Lei cranked on the stereo, filling the car with the deep base of a Lady Gaga dance tune, and maneuvered onto the road. In her rearview mirror, she watched a pair of headlights follow her. Malek's, no doubt. Those headlights remained behind her as she turned down one road, then another, winding her way home.
A half hour later, however, when she pulled into the driveway leading up to the house she shared with her sister, Rin, Rin's husband, and his brothers, Malek and Talen, the car that had been following slowed but didn't turn. In her mirror, she caught the flash of silver as the vehicle passed under a streetlight.
She'd seen Malek's car plenty of times. He parked it next to hers in the driveway.
It was red.
Had someone else followed her home? Who? And why?
I'm probably just being paranoid. Again.
Maybe she'd
thought
she'd seen silver. It was very dark around there. The road was canopied by dense, snow-covered branches from the mature oaks and maples flanking both sides of the street. If not for the street lamps and her headlights, the shadows would be so thick she wouldn't be able to see her hand in front of her face. So, of course it would be easy to mistake colors.
Even so, her heart started thumping against her breastbone. Her hands were shaking. She white-knuckled the steering wheel and crept up the driveway. Just as she was parking, Malek's red Mercedes prowled up the winding drive and turned into its spot next to hers.
She exited her car, turned to Malek, and asked him, “Did you just pass the driveway for some reason?”
“No. Why?” His gaze flicked toward the road.
It's paranoia. Post-traumatic stress disorder.
How many times had she thought she'd been followed since she'd been freed? How many times had she reported to the police that she was being stalked?
When would it stop?
“Oh, nothing.” She
click-clacked
up to the back door.
Perhaps her therapist was right. Maybe it had been too soon to cut back to two sessions a month.
2
I
n the past few months, Lei had learned a few things about the family she'd been more or less adopted into.
First, men were slobs. She found dirty socks in the oddest places. And used dishes . . . popcorn kernels . . .
Second, residing with three brothers was a lot like living among a pack of rabid wolves. As much as the brothers loved each other, which was often evident, the boys snarled and snapped and growled at each other. Oddly, their behavior made them endearing.
And finally, as they sang a truly wretched rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Rin, she learned the Alexandre brothers were the world's worst singers. From the first eardrum-splitting note to the last, Lei held her hands over her ears.
To her credit, Rin smiled, hands clasped in her lap.
After Rin gave herself a paroxysm by blowing out all the candles blazing on her cake, they all applauded, and her husband, the eldest Alexandre, kissed her and asked, “What did you wish for?”
“If I tell you, it won't come true.” Rin beamed up at her husband, then turned her sparkly eyed gaze on the rest of the family. “Actually, my biggest wish has already come true. I have an announcement to make.” Her gaze slid to Drako. Her smile became impossibly bigger. “Drako, you're going to be a father.”
The soon-to-be father's face went white, then flared a deep crimson. He stammered, “I . . . I . . . I.”
Malek clapped him on the back. “Damn, big brother. You work fast. Congratulations.”
Drako hauled his pregnant wife into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you.”
She tipped her head back. “No need to thank me. I'm proud and very happy to be carrying your child, Drako.”
Talen smacked his brother's shoulder. “Congrats.”
Drako gave both brothers an evil smile. “You two have a lot of catching up to do.”
Lei wondered what he meant by that. Surely, they weren't in a competition to see who could get married and get their wife knocked up first. That would be downright barbaric. Then again, the Alexandre brothers were a little old school in some regards, but very much new school in others. And they were competitive. Made a girl wonder, not that it mattered so much. After all, it wasn't like she was planning on marrying one of the younger brothers anytime soon. She had no plans to marry anyone.
Lei shuffled up to her visibly overjoyed sister and gave her a hug. “My sister, soon to be a mother. I'm very happy for you. And I'm sure you'll be a wonderful mom.” She intentionally left out the part about how their own mother had failed in that department. It was, after all, that woman who'd sold Lei into slavery. In their books, she'd relinquished the right to call herself a mother when she'd done that.
“Thank you, Lei. Of course I want you to be a big part of my baby's life. Godmother. Surrogate mom.”
Lei stepped aside to let Drako get the cake and take it to Talen, who was standing at the opposite end of the long dining table, knife in hand. “Oh, I don't think I'm ready to be anyone's mom, surrogate or otherwise.”
Rin's glowy expression dimmed. “Lei, give it more time. It hasn't been very long.”
“I know.” Lei gave her worried sister a pat as she plopped into the chair next to Rin's. “Don't get all worked up about me. I'm fine.”
Rin slitted her eyes. “I'm not sure if I believe that.”
“Believe it.” Lei nudged Rin, motioning toward the husband who was now waiting patiently with a little gift-wrapped box in his hand. “Now, open your present.”
Rin gave her one last glare, then accepted her husband's gift. “Thank you.” Like always, she carefully, meticulously peeled the tape away, leaving the gorgeous wrapping paper intact. That practice was a vestige of their past, when there were so few gifts to unwrap during holidays and birthdays, that they'd learned at a young age to draw it out as long as possible.
Eventually, Rin's ministrations revealed the small jeweler's box inside. The top was stamped with Drako's logo. No doubt she'd find another gorgeous piece of jewelry inside. Drako was, after all, a jewelry designer. And she was already, after only a few months of marriage, a walking testament to his talent.
“Drako,” Rin said, blinking teary eyes up at him.
“Open it. I have a feeling you're going to be surprised.”
She flipped the hinged top up with her thumbs. Her mouth formed a little “O.” “You're right. I am surprised.”
Lei shifted her position so she could see what was in the box. Was that a . . . seashell?
Rin lifted the item from the box. It was white, round. “What is this?”
“A seashell,” Drako answered.
“I see that. But what's it mean?” Rin asked as she scrutinized it.
“It's a very special seashell. From a very special place. I want to take you there.” He produced a large envelope that Lei hadn't realized he'd been hiding behind his back.
Rin flipped the flap up and pulled out a photograph of a gorgeous home. The next picture showed an infinity pool that seemed to be feeding into a deep blue sea. Next, she pulled out a piece of paper and read, “Tarragona, Spain?
Spain,
Drako?”
He nodded.
“We're going to Spain?” she repeated.
“I'm hoping we are.”
“Ohmygod!” She jumped up, flung her arms around her husband's neck, and kissed him with such enthusiasm Lei felt a little awkward and averted her eyes. For some reason, her gaze met Malek's and locked there. Something weird happened inside of her. And then she jerked her gaze free and decided to risk another look at her sister.
It seemed Rin had stopped shoving her tongue down her husband's throat. A good thing.
Rin grabbed the picture again. “Wow, Drako. I can't believe it. Spain.” She glanced at Lei.
“Lei is welcome to join us,” Drako said, as if he were reading Rin's mind.
There was no way she was going to be the third wheel on that romantic getaway of a lifetime. “Oh, no. I can't,” Lei said. “I have classes starting soon, after the holidays.”
Rin didn't get what she was trying to say. “Well, I'm assuming we're not going right away. Right, Drako? We'll be leaving sometime after Christmas. Maybe during spring break?”
Drako cleared his throat. “Actually . . . our flight leaves tomorrow morning.”
Rin's jubilation dimmed. “Oh.” Now, instead of looking like a child who'd been told she was getting a pony for Christmas, she was looking like a child who'd been told Santa was dead.
Lei couldn't stand it. She pointed at the picture. “Rin, look at that place. It's paradise. You deserve a vacation. After what you did for me. After all the sacrifices.”
“But—”
“If you don't go to Spain with your husband, I'll move out.”
Rin's face turned the shade of a slice of Wonder Bread. “You wouldn't.”
Lei crossed her arms over her chest. “I would.”
“But I can't leave you alone. What if that bastard of a pimp I bought you from decides he wants you back?” Rin turned pleading eyes to her husband.
He glanced at his brothers. Talen was dishing out cake onto plates. Malek was licking some pink icing off his finger. “Talen and Malek will be here. She won't be alone.”
“How long will we be gone?” Rin asked.
“The house is ours,” Drako said, accepting a plate from Talen and setting it in front of Rin. “We own the property. So there's no set amount of time. We can come home whenever you want.”
“See?” Lei said. “You can come home whenever you want. Once you're tired of all that sunshine and sweet ocean breezes. In the meantime, I have my babysitters.” Lei slapped Malek's arm as he set a piece of cake in front of her. Talen was out of reach. “I'll be fine.”
Rin lowered her head in thought. “I don't know. Maybe we can go later, in a few months.”
“You're pregnant, Rin,” Lei pointed out. “If you wait too long, you'll be too uncomfortable to travel. I'm guessing the flight's at least ten hours.”
“What you mean is, I'll be too fat to enjoy it,” Rin said, cringing.
Lei shrugged. “I was trying to be polite.” She took her sister's hands in hers. “Listen, I don't need you planning every moment of your life around me. As a matter of fact, I won't be able to live with the guilt if you do. So either you get on with your life, and your marriage, or I will have no choice but to move out. Please don't make me do that. I'm liking the service here.” She winked.
Rin's gaze searched hers. “Are you sure?”
“I have two grown men to keep a watch over me. Which is honestly two more than I need, but if it makes you feel better, I'll deal with it. Go. Enjoy. Soon you'll be too busy chasing a toddler around to relax by that gorgeous pool.”
Rin looked up at her husband. Gradually her scowl of confusion turned to a gentle smile of decision. “Okay. All right. I'll go. Tomorrow.” Then she glared at Malek and Talen. “But I swear to God, if you two let something happen to my little sister—”
“Don't worry,” Malek said, sliding a glance at Lei. “We've got her back.”
Rin's eyes watered. “Thank you.” She clasped Lei in a stranglehold. “I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you while I was lounging by the pool.”
“Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to me. I promise.” Of course, after last night, Lei wasn't so sure she could keep that promise. But she wasn't about to tell her worrywart sister that. “Now, can we eat the cake? I'm dying here.”
 
Hours later, Lei woke to the distant cry of a woman. This was no shout of grief or pain. It was a scream of ecstasy, a familiar sound.
This house was worth over a million dollars. Why hadn't the builders insulated the freaking walls better?
Lei lay in bed, listening to her sister's moans and groans and “ohmygod's” for a while. Finally, she got up, used the bathroom, and headed downstairs to get something to drink. In the kitchen, she heard more voices, male voices. Hushed whispers. They were coming from downstairs, the lower level. Her nerves prickled. Had the person who'd followed her from the dungeon broken in?
After grabbing a knife, just in case, she tiptoed down the steep steps leading to the walkout basement and rounded the corner.
The private dungeon on the right—that's where the sounds were coming from.
She hesitated, relaxed. The likelihood of some stalker breaking in and making himself comfortable in the dungeon were slim to none. Had to be one or both of the brothers burning off a little excess stress.
The image of Malek nude, pounding his rod into a woman, flashed through her mind. Her blood simmered.
From her vantage she couldn't see who was in the room. The hallway was dark. The door cracked open, a blade of light from the dungeon cutting across the otherwise dark corridor. She could easily get a little peek without being seen, if she was careful.
She could.
But she shouldn't.
Talen and Malek deserved their privacy.
Then again, they left the door open. If they cared about privacy, wouldn't they have closed it?
Could.
Should not.
What the hell?
Moving very slowly, carefully, she inched toward the door and peered in.
Talen was in there. With him were two other people, a man and a woman. There didn't appear to be a whole lot of bondage going on. Just fucking. The woman was lying on top of the man, on her back, her legs spread wide. Talen was on his knees, ramming into her from above. Based on the motions of the man's hips beneath the reclined woman, Lei was guessing he was fucking her ass from underneath.
Double penetrated.
Lei's pussy clenched.
During her days as a slave, she'd been fucked in the ass lots of times. In some ways, she preferred it over intercourse. In her head, it was less of an invasion. She couldn't really say why. But never had she been double penetrated.
Being that full, feeling two thick rods gliding in and out...
The woman's guttural groan said it all.
Deciding she'd seen enough, Lei turned around and slammed smack dab into Malek. She stumbled. The knife dropped to the floor. He grabbed her waist, steadying her. His eyes flashed in the darkness as he held her.
She jerked away, snapping, “Sorry!”
“Looking for something?” he asked, gaze wandering up and down her body.
Her face couldn't get any hotter. Or her body any tighter. “No, I just... heard a noise, and I thought we might have an intruder.” She glanced at the knife, and Malek's gaze dropped to the floor.
BOOK: Darkest Desire
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