Surviving Doctor Vincent: The Good Doctor Trilogy Book 2 (24 page)

Xavier removed his fingers from inside me and kissed my forehead.

My head slumped as I caught my breath.

Marco smoothed his hand over my stinging ass. “Damn, woman, you made us work for that.” He pulled out. “But it was worth the effort.”

I sighed on a ragged breath.

Sebastian rose up and planted a gentle kiss on my lips.

I returned his kiss, but harder, and then trailed my lips across his cheek, along his jaw line, down the length of his throat.

“Elaine, your touch. Your kiss, perfection.” Sebastian smiled.

I curled forward, trailing a path of kisses from Sebastian’s neck down to his cock.

Marco joined me on the bed. “I’m curious, Elaine. Am I putting my lips around Sebastian’s cock for him or for you?”

I leaned toward Marco and captured his mouth with mine. As our lips parted, I breathed, “Both.”

The kiss resumed as we made our descent.

Xavier towered over us beside the bed, watching. His hand resting on his half-flaccid cock.

Sebastian’s eyes never left us.

Our lips parted, and I gazed at Marco over the head of Sebastian’s cock. As if we had rehearsed, we closed in on him at the same time. Our mouths touched when we kissed the head, moving in synchronized motion up and down his length on either side.

Marco moaned.

Sebastian gripped the sheet, sucking air through his teeth.

We trailed our tongues up his length, meeting at the top until our lips collided in a kiss. The salty tang of Sebastian’s pre-cum mixed with the remnants of Xavier’s and my desire, invaded my mouth on the tip of Marco’s tongue.

I gripped the base of Sebastian’s cock in both hands and gazed at Marco, hoping he’d make the next move. We were in sync without words. The erotic sound of Sebastian’s moans, coupled with Xavier’s sighs added excitement to the act.

Marco descended, wrapping his lips around the head.

Sebastian’s hips rose to meet his mouth.

I set a pace with my fist to mimic Marco’s motions, ensuring that no amount of skin on Sebastian’s shaft went untouched.

I wove the fingers of my other hand through Marco’s soft black curls, and watched Sebastian’s face grimace and relax, only to do so again and again, I urged Marco’s head into a steady pace.

Sebastian sucked in a deep breath. “Marco, can you taste Xavier and Elaine on my cock?”

Marco lifted his head and groaned. The response left his lips on a hiss, “Yes,” but he quickly returned to his task.

Sebastian moaned. “Elaine, I know I talk mostly of punishing you, but for this, you’re going to get a reward.” He lifted his hips, forcing more of his cock into Marco’s mouth.

Up and down we moved until Sebastian’s legs stiffened.

He groaned. “I’m gonna come. Fuck.”

I dipped my head, waiting for the moment.

Sebastian stiffened and Marco grabbed the back of my head, forcing my face against his, as splashes of Sebastian’s release entered his mouth and stuck to his face.

I pumped Sebastian’s cock with my hand, and Marco turned his head, demanding my kiss.

We shared the victory.

Sebastian inhaled a deep breath and spoke through our kiss continued. “That, by far, was the hottest thing I think I’ve ever experienced.” He held out his arms. “Come here.” I crawled up beside him and nestled into his arm.

Xavier reached over Sebastian and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

Marco yawned, stretched, and then huddled close, kissing my shoulder. “You are so fucking perfect for us.” Another kiss to my ear. “But damn woman, now I’m starving. You three get cozy.” He crawled off the bed and picked up his pants. “I’m going to find something to eat.”

I giggled. “You’re always hungry after sex.”

“Guilty. It’s your fault. You wear me out.”

Xavier disappeared into the bathroom and emerged with a washcloth and towel. He climbed into bed, and reached down between my legs with the cloth, cleaning me. He dried me off, covered me with the blanket and then wrapped me in his arms.

Still awake for the moment, I tried to make sense of it all—the pleasure, the pain, three lovers, deception, betrayal, lies and misunderstandings. No amount of analysis helped. I decided then to live in the moment. No worries of the past or the future. The only thing that mattered was now. I drifted off to sleep in the arms of two men—one who’d die for the love of me, and the other who’d probably die trying to love me.

Truth

T
wo weeks passed, and we settled into a routine at Xavier’s penthouse in the city. Since the immediate threat had been extinguished by his pledge to the council, it gave us time to truly establish a plan to take them down, starting with Victoria England.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I reached over Xavier to retrieve it and accidently kicked Marco. He and Sebastian had started taking turns sharing my bed, but Xavier never left my side.

The text was from Gretchen. She wanted to meet for lunch. More than likely our adventure would involve shopping for wedding gowns. The difficulty of explaining Paris to her would pale in comparison to telling her how complicated loving Xavier had become. I shivered at the thought of introducing her to Marco and Sebastian. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I knew how it was all going to work.

Xavier groaned, rolled over and tossed his arm over me.

I lifted the heavy appendage and sat it on his hip. I kissed his forehead, twisted, and did the same to Marco. He stirred, but didn’t wake.

I slipped out via the foot of the bed and retreated to the attached bathroom. A quick glance in the mirror revealed the toll the week had taken on me. It was certainly a makeup day.

It didn’t take long to get ready. The men, still exhausted from our lovemaking the night before, were sound asleep even though it was almost noon.

I pulled a notepad and pen from the drawer in the kitchen and scribbled a message to my...what? Boyfriends? That sounded ridiculous. Lovers? That was as close as I could get. I needed to make sure they knew where I was going. God forbid they thought me missing; New York wouldn’t survive.

The restaurant wasn’t far from my old apartment, so I knew the streets well. I missed my sister and was looking forward to seeing her, even if her impending nuptials filled me with both joy and pain. My lack of overwhelming excitement was selfish of me, but she was my only family. I had to admit living with Xavier cured me of my loneliness. It was the rare chance that I ever found myself alone.

* * *

I
opened the glass door to the restaurant and made my way to the hostess. She looked all of sixteen, with her ponytail and pink lipstick. She cracked her gum as she stood behind the podium.

“I have a reservation for noon. It’s under Watkins.”

She ran her finger down the pad of paper. “Yes...” She picked up a menu from behind her and folded her arms around the leather bound list. “Right this way.”

I followed her, observing the spring in her step and the smile on her face, making me contemplate the cause. Perhaps newfound love. I envied her vibrancy, something I missed about myself since dealing with my father. I looked forward to the shadow he and the Society cast lifting some day.

She waved her hand toward a small two-person booth in the back of the restaurant.

“Here you go. Is this OK?”

The tufted leather bench with a wooden tabletop was situated away from the other patrons. “It’s perfect. Thanks.” I hung my purse on the hook mounted to the wall beside a mirror etched with roses and ivy.

The hostess placed the menu on the table. “Your server will be with you shortly.”

I smiled at her. “Thanks.”

Opening the menu, I read over the extensive meal selections.

I heard the young woman call out. “In the back, near the restrooms.” Since Gretchen only ate five different things, picky since childhood, my final decision needed to be hasty.

Something silver caught my eye, and I lowered the menu.

No! I slammed the leather cover against the table and sat up. “Where is my sister, you bastard?”

The man leaned his crutches against the wall and slumped onto the padded surface.

“I’m sure your sister is fine. I don’t know where she is.”

I braced my hands on the table. “Why do you have her phone?”

“I don’t. I spoofed her number to send you the text message. It’s a simple program, easily downloaded from the Internet.”

“What the fuck do you want?” Xavier had called him Oscar in the council boardroom that night.

“Nothing. I’m here to give you something. Unless you’re going to have me shot again. Recovery really has been inconvenient.” He grimaced and scooted along the bench.

Glancing around the space, I looked for anything that might double as a weapon. “Xavier will have you killed if you touch me.”

“Of that, I have no doubt. Plus, your bodyguard isn’t a bad shot, but if he were smart, he would have killed me.” He smiled with the same wickedness I’d seen in the market.

“I’ll let him know that. Wouldn’t want him making the same mistake again.” I glared at him. “Why didn’t you text Xavier? Why me?”

“Because...” He shifted in his seat and groaned. “I don’t want to talk to Xavier. I’m actually here to help you.”

I crossed my arms. “How could you possibly help me?”

“Remember, my curiosity about the scars on your wrist?”

“Yes.” I rubbed my fingers along the vertical marks on the inside of my arm.

He pulled back his sleeve. “I have them too.” He held up his wrist for me to see.

Unbelievable. Who the fuck were these people? Their insanity knew no limits. Was it a brand? How could Oscar and I possibly have any connection?

“Elaine, the Society goes back centuries. Warring nobles and clergy held the positions for many years. It wasn’t until recently academia became the preferred profession. Many of us study Psychology and Sociology, because after all, we influence and observe human behavior.”

Narrowing my eyes, I shot him a condemning stare. “So you take advantage of people’s trust.”

“If it serves a greater good. Reaching potential means leaving a legacy one could never achieve alone, even if the subject isn’t always privy to the plan. Consider us the invisible hand of God.”

“And you strike people down just like God, too.”

He laughed. “Killing a subject is a punishment for the keeper, not the subject. The subject is merely dead. It’s quick. Humane. But the keeper has to live with his or her failure.”

They were beyond fucked up. “You are unreal. What makes you think you have the right to fuck with fate?”

He adjusted the cuffs on his shirt. “Ahhh, yes...fate. What a foolish notion. Someone has always pulled the strings—government, religion, corporations. There is no such thing as fate.”

“Delusional. Wouldn’t that be the diagnosis?”

He stared into my eyes with an unnerving intensity. “How is it any different? A government can send people into battle to die. Corporations poison people with their products, and religion strips people of their identity when not using God to incite war. That all happens en masse. We only concern ourselves with the individual. We’re far less insidious.”

I scoffed. “But it’s for your personal enjoyment. At least governments and businesses all have well-intended goals.”

“No, it’s no different. Look at the good Xavier has brought the world. We’re not all bad. And...not all good. But isn’t that life? You can’t have joy without suffering. We’re careful to keep it all in balance. I won’t deny there isn’t satisfaction in success, but it’s more than selfish indulgence. We publish papers and share our insights for the betterment of science and society.”

“That’s a weak justification.”

The waiter approached, and Oscar made quick work of him. “I’ll take a gin and tonic and bring her a bottle of your best red. No food please.” He took my menu and combined it with his, handing them to the waiter. “Oh and...” He turned to face him. “The fewer interruptions, the better.”

The young man nodded his head. “Understood, sir.”

“Now where were we? Oh, yes... You wanted to debate the right of the Society to exist. It’s pointless. It does. It has for longer than you and I have been alive, and it will continue long after we’re both dead. The question is...what will that future look like? Will it be filled with people like Victoria England or will it be filled with people like you?”

I scoffed. “Certainly not people like me. What do you want?” I glared at him.

“To tell you a story. It starts with Charles Lemiux.”

“He’s dead. End of story.” I had never met Charles, Lydia’s partner, yet somehow, he had become a recurring theme.

He laughed.

The waiter returned and placed our glasses on the table. He poured the wine and then scurried away.

“We might be wicked, but we do love our laws. Manipulation is an art for most of us. None of us are immune from each other’s wiles, so having mandates gives us a sense of control, safety even. Since we know what each other is capable of, it’s the only thing that allows us to sleep at night. That’s why disregarding our code has dire consequences. But of course, just like the structure of civil obedience that governs us outside the Society, it truly only matters if you get caught.” He took a sip from his glass and then inhaled and exhaled deeply.

“Xavier said it’s like honor among thieves.”

“Exactly.” He sighed, seeming almost bored. “Charles became a council member after his predecessor disappeared. Everyone always suspected Charles was responsible, but it could never be proven.”

“Maybe he wanted to get away from all the nonsense and moved far away from all of you.”

He smiled over the rim of his glass. “No one gets out alive. You can’t just quit the Society.”

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the pit in my stomach. What did that mean for Xavier? Me? How would he ever manage to overthrow this merry band of sociopaths?

Sitting his drink on the lacy, white napkin, he continued, “Charles also selected his subjects carefully. I always suspected that it was so he didn’t meet the same fate as his keeper. Lydia Dupont was one of his first. I was next, and of course...Xavier.”