Inferno Anthology (297 page)

She did as I asked and I groaned. I’d seen plenty of exotic dancers in my time, but none had ever turned me on like this.

“But the guy I want to tease is standing behind me,” she said, turning to face me and I anchored her hips back to mine.

“Trust me, sweetheart. You’re teasing him just fine.” She had no idea how hot she made me burn. “Now, slowly, take your shirt off. Keep it seductive.”

Releasing her for a moment, I ripped my shirt off as I watch her inch hers up, her hips still continuing in the action I’d showed her. As soon as it was over her head, she held her arm out straight and dropped it on the floor. I couldn’t pull my eyes away as she reached behind and undid her bra too, leaning forward as she shimmied out of it, letting it fall.

I couldn’t take the show anymore. “You’re a natural, sweetheart,” I said, scooping her up and plopping her on the edge of the high bed. Reaching for her shorts, I pulled them, along with her panties, off in one fell swoop. I left her borrowed shoes on, though. She looked fuckin’ hot wearing nothing but those heels.

“But I’m not finished with my dance!” she protested with a giggle.

Unbuttoning my jeans, I slid them and my boxers down, freeing my cock and plunging it inside her. “You can show me the rest later,” I huffed out, holding her legs into the air as I drove into her over and over again, needing to lose myself inside her.

She was my drug. My addiction. My love. She spoke to my soul and heated my body like no other. A lifetime spent with her wasn’t long enough. I’d never be able to get enough of her.

“What the
fuck
is going on here?” My dad’s voice crashed loudly into my dreams and I bolted up, snatching the covers to my bare chest when I saw both him and Bailey’s dad standing at the foot of the bed. If there had ever been a moment that my dad looked like Satan ready to strike vengeance, it was now.

“Dad…I—I can explain!” I cried out, trembling as Six placed his arm over me, leaning in front of me slightly, as he tried to shield me with his body.

“I think I can tell what’s happening here without any explanation! Damn it, John!” he shouted. “What the hell has been happening here right under your nose?” He glared at Bailey’s father.

“Calm down, Scott. They’re young. Kids have sex. It’s not the end of the world.”

“The hell it isn’t! If this got out, the press would have a field day with it!” Marching around to the side of the bed, he grabbed my arm, yanking me roughly. “Get up! You’re coming with me, now!”

“Let go of her!” Six yelled in a menacing tone, taking hold of my other arm. “Can’t you see she isn’t dressed? Let her get some clothes on, at least!”

“A fuckin’ whore doesn’t need to worry about clothes!” Dad said, pulling on me even harder and I fell to the floor, tangled in the sheet.

Instantly, Six was on his feet, stark naked. Swinging back, he landed a punch right against my dad’s jaw. His head snapped back and he staggered before regaining his balance and barreling into Six, hitting him in the mid-section, the two of them toppling over on the bed, before falling to the floor.

“Stop it! I screamed, tears leaking down my face as I attempted to rise, but I was caught in the sheet.

“Here!” John said, thrusting some of my clothing at me. “Get dressed!” Joining the fray, he attempted to pull my dad off of Six.

Brandon burst into the room, wearing only a pair of underwear as Bailey stumbled to the door wrapped in a sheet, as well. Brandon jumped straight into the fight.

Quickly, I slid my shirt over my head and slipped my shorts on, not worrying about my underwear. Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I brandished it like a gun. “Stop!!” I hollered at the top of my voice, brushing back my tangled hair from my face. “Stop, or I’ll call 911 and everyone will know what’s happening here!”

Instantly, my dad stilled and the fighting stopped, everyone climbing to their feet, warily.

“Say goodbye to your friends, Brooklyn,” my dad said, taking me by the arm. “It’s the last time you’ll ever be seeing them.”

“Dad, please. Just listen,” I begged. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“I’m in love with your daughter,” Six said, and my heart swelled. The poor guy was naked in a roomful of people, and all he cared about was me. “This isn’t some crazy fling or one night stand. I really love her. We wanted to wait before things got so involved, but it just happened.”

My dad’s jaw was set hard, his dark eyes glittering like obsidian as he stared at Six. “I’ve seen you before. Who are you?”

“My name is Trey Jagger. I was a good friend of your son, Tommy.” Six was breathing heavily, but I could tell he was trying to maintain control.

Disdain crossed my dad’s face. “That isn’t going to earn you any points with me. How old are you?”

“Twenty-two,” Six replied honestly, never backing down.

Stepping closer to him, my dad released me as he confronted Six, face to face. “She is seventeen years old.”

“I’m aware of that, sir. According to the law, we’ve done nothing wrong. Sex between us was consensual.”

“That may be, but she is still a minor. I promise you’ll be served a restraining order before the day is finished.” Grabbing Six by the shoulders, he kneed him hard in the balls.

Groaning loudly, Six fell to the floor writhing. I screamed, hurrying to his side, but my dad grabbed my arm, yanking me back and holding me in front of him as Brandon rushed forward. “Stop now, or she’s only going to get it worse,” he threatened. “All of you are going to stand back and let me leave with my daughter or I’ll call the police and you’ll all end up in jail.”

Giant sobs escaped me as he dragged me from the room and out the front door. “Six!” I screamed toward the pool house. “Six! I love you! I love you! I’m so sorry!”

A hand clamped over my mouth. “Shut up, you little bitch, before everyone hears you! You’re going to stand up straight and walk out to the car with me, do you understand? Otherwise, I’m having your boyfriend arrested for assault.”

Tears blinded me and he had to guide me to the car. I got inside without a fight. I didn’t want him to take his anger out on Six. Better me, than him.

Sliding in beside me, he started the car and drove out the gate. The only sound on the short trip from Bailey’s house to ours was my hiccupping sobs. As soon as the garage door was lowered he got out. “Get inside,” he ordered. “We aren’t finished with this.” He stormed into the house.

Slowly, I got out and followed after him.

“Where’s mom?” I asked, not seeing her anywhere. I’d been hoping for her support through this. She’d at least act as a buffer between us.

Leaning against the counter, he folded his arms across his chest. “You’re mom had an acute appendicitis attack in the middle of the night and is currently in surgery—something you would’ve known had you bothered to leave your phone on while you were out fucking your plaything.”

“Dad, please,” I began, but he held up his hand.

“Save it! I don’t want to hear it. Do you have any idea the damage you’ve done to this family? You weren’t at the hospital to support you mother. That looks bad. Now if this leaks out, people are going to think my kid is a whore.”

“Oh, please!” I shouted back, my anger rising to the surface. “You are such a hypocrite! Why don’t you get off your high horse and quit worrying about the skeletons in everyone else’s closet and take care of your own!”

A hard set came over his mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Says the man who has been sleeping with his publicist for years and killed his own son! People will take one look at me and think I’m just a chip off the ole block, won’t they, Mr. Righteous?”

White-hot agony pierced my face as he slapped me, hitting me so hard I fell to the floor. A scream of pain escaped me and he kicked me in the stomach. “I said shut up!” he roared, grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me behind him, across the tile. Pulling me into his office, he fished a set of keys from his pocket, not releasing me as he slid one into the lock of a closet, opening it.

I used the distraction to climb slowly to my feet, but he threw me inside, pressing me against the wall, his hand wrapped around my throat, choking me.

Clawing at his hand, I desperately tried to peel it away.

“Listen, you ungrateful little bitch. I’ve given you everything. And this is how you repay me? Well, no more! I’m going to the courthouse right now to see a judge and I’m going to get that asshole you were in bed with arrested. I’m going to tear him apart piece by piece. He won’t have a life worth living when I’m finished with him! He’s gonna curse the day he ever laid eyes on you.” Spittle flew from his mouth, spraying me as he spoke, still not relinquishing his hold on me. “As for you, my sweet princess, you can be the next skeleton in my closet for all I care!”

Black spots were swimming before my eyes and it felt like he was squeezing my neck even harder. Suddenly, he released me, stepping out of the closet and slamming the door.

Falling to my knees, I gasped, gulping great breaths of air as I tried to refill my lungs before rolling onto my side and sobbing hysterically.

He was evil. My dad was pure evil. I used to think he was just a jerk, but I was wrong. He was the devil incarnate.

Trying to recover, I laid there for several minutes before I finally had enough strength to jiggle the doorknob. Locked. No surprises there. Throwing my weight against it, I tried to bust it open, much to the dismay of my protesting body.

What now?
I thought to myself.

The doorbell rang, followed instantly by pounding. “Brooklyn! Brooklyn, are you in there?”

“Six!” I tried to shout through my weakened voice. “Six! Help me! I’m in the office!” I pounded on the door with all my might, hoping he could hear me. “Six!”

The sound of glass shattering filled the room and the house alarm system immediately activated, filling the air. I continued pounding on the door.

“Stand back, Brooklyn!” he shouted. Backing away, I heard him kicking the door. Something heavier hit it and I shrieked, as the leg of a chair came through one of the panels, splintering it. “Hurry!” he shouted grabbing the part of the door and ripping it outward. “We don’t have much time!”

Kicking at the door, I broke away a large piece. “I think I can get through now,” I said, ducking my head and shoulder through the hole as he pulled me from the other side. I winced, feeling several splinters piercing my skin and gouging into my back. But then I was free.

Gathering me into his arms, he ran toward the window, not so carefully dumping me out and then jumping out after me. Grabbing my hand, we ran toward the gate toward his car, parked on the other side.

The motion sensor opened it for us and we both ran to the opposite sides of the car climbing in. Revving the engine, he backed out of the driveway and onto the road, driving away quickly. “Do you still have your phone?” he asked, and I nodded. “Throw it out the window.”

I didn’t question him, doing as he asked. Pulling his from his pocket, he handed it to me. “Turn this off and do the same with it.” Again, I followed his instructions.

“Where are we going?” I asked, my voice sounding choked and scratchy.

“To Dee Dee’s,” he replied shortly, glancing briefly at me. “Shit! Look at you sweetheart. You’re a mess. What did he do to you?” Gripping the steering wheel harder, his knuckles turned white.

“He slapped me, and kicked me. Then almost choked me to death.” I started sobbing, the reality of what had just happened hitting me hard. Never in my life had I ever experienced something so brutal, let alone at the hands of my father.

“Never again. You hear me?” he grabbed my hand, squeezing it. “He will never touch you, again. Not while there’s breath in my body.”

“That hurts,” I said, gesturing to his hand and he released it immediately. “Sorry, I hurt everywhere. And I’m sorry he hurt you, too.”

“Don’t apologize. Don’t you dare apologize. None of this is your fault.”

Slumping back into the seat, I closed my eyes, but the tears continued to leak from them. Still, as soon as we arrived in front of Dee Dee’s house, relief poured through me. I knew she would help us; and right now, we needed all the help we could get.

Six came around and opened my door, but then insisted on carrying me to the house like I was an invalid. I didn’t mind though, not really. There wasn’t a spot on my body that wasn’t aching.

Dee Dee opened the door before we could knock. “Dear heaven, what’s happened?” she asked, pulling the two of us inside and shutting the door.

“Dad caught us,” I replied in my raspy voice.

“He beat her,” Six said, sounding strained.

“Set her on the couch. I’m getting my camera,” she said.

“For what?” I asked.

“To take pictures,” Six replied. “It’s more proof against your dad. Are you okay with that?”

I nodded. “But what about you? He hurt you, too.

Six snorted lightly. “I hardly think anyone is going to want pictures of my swollen nuts, sweetheart. Besides, I have several witnesses to his actions against me. Plus, I did throw the first punch.”

Dee Dee reappeared, holding a digital camera.

“Dad said he was going to the courthouse to see a judge. He told me he’s going to make your life hell and take you apart piece by piece—that you’d hate the day you ever laid eyes on me.”

“Sweetheart, he can try, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“Don’t underestimate him,” Dee Dee warned. “He has lots of people in his pocket.”

“So, where do we go from here then, if we can’t trust the law?” I asked, fear creeping higher inside me.

“Do you trust me?” Dee Dee asked, and we both nodded. “Good. We’re going to park Six’s car in my garage for the time being. Then I’m going to take the two of you to a motel somewhere. I’m going to check in, with cash, hopefully, then I’ll give the key to you two, so no one will see you. I want you to lay low and let me take care of the rest until I tell you it’s okay.”

“But how will we get food and clothes? And we got rid of our cell phones, too,” I told her.

“Don’t worry. I can take care of all of that. No one will be thinking to look at me. They’ll think you ran off together. They’ll be putting an APB out on Six’s car. If you don’t go anywhere, no one can see you. There’s those extended stay places that you can book up to a month at a time, so you won’t even have to worry about things like maid service. Trust me. It’ll be okay.”