Consumed (19 page)

Adrian

Staring into the mirror, I apply some aftershave and contemplate how to start the conversation with Victoria tonight. I have to tell her my hands are tied.

Stopping the operation right now is exactly what will put me in prison. How do I convince her what we do is for the greater good of mankind, as well as to honor our father?

My phone vibrates, and it’s a message from Theo, informing me to call Boone. With a towel around my waist, I walk to my home office and find another cell phone to call him on.

“What’s happening, Boone?”

“Our guys, Hammond and Dominic, have to help take out Don Esquival’s cartel. Apparently, Victor Larios feels threatened by Esquival’s relationship to a radical Islamic group who they also have dealings with.

“Larios’s and Esquival’s cartels are getting their mass amount of weaponry from this Islamic group in exchange for drugs they’re selling in the Middle East and Europe. Most importantly, they’re in exchange for harboring and transferring terrorists across our border.

“The two cartels are in more or less a competition, showing their worth to the extremists. Larios wants to take out Esquival, so he can have sole dealings with the terrorist group.”

“When is this happening?”

“An ambush is being set up for a couple weeks from now. Hammond has convinced Larios to let him bring in a few more men, so more of our guys will be in on it.”

“You’ll know firsthand how he orchestrates an ambush.”

“Exactly. Once more of our spec ops guys are immersed, we can plan our own attack against Victor. He won’t see it coming.”

“Simon has someone driving weapons to you. I want you to inspect them. See if you can figure out where they originated from. I’m trying to find out if a guy we’re dealing with here has ties to Victor or if we’re wasting our time with him.”

“Sure thing, Ace. Keep me posted.”

“Same here.”

I end the call and pull my suit from the closet. I’m keen on seeing Victoria but dreading what I must reveal to her.

Victoria

Tara’s hand covers her mouth.

“What? Do I look OK?”

“You look sensational. Turn around and see for yourself.”

I glance back over my shoulder and into the mirror first, admiring the strand of pearls gracing my bare back. It’s as if I can feel them being moved aside by Adrian. His lips landing in their place next, following a trail down my spine.

I close my eyes from the exhilarating rush it gives me and turn to face the mirror. The gown conforms to me in all the right places.

Adrian is going to have a hard time keeping his eyes and hands off of me … and his mouth. I must make him talk first. Tara gives me a devilish grin in the mirror.

“Girl, he’s going to want to drag you to one of the submission rooms and tie you up with those pearls.”

I turn back to face her. “What rooms?”

“Uh, Adrian hasn’t told you about their
special
rooms?”

“No, what are they?”

Tara scrunches her nose. “I’m probably not supposed to say, but I guess I kind of have to now. Um, they’re similar to the Provocateur Suite at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

“They’re fitted with a sensual décor and an array of toys and equipment for those into BDSM. Only members of the Royal lounge can reserve them, and it still costs a pretty penny from what I hear. I’ve been asked to accompany a member once already.”

“You’ve spent the night in one?”

“Yep, and I have to say I loved every minute of it. They’re amazing.”

Picking up my silver clutch purse from the dresser, I fill it with essentials.

“Please don’t be mad at Adrian. It’s only another perk he supplies his guests.”

“I’m not mad. It sounds rather exciting. Adrian seems to have a well of secrets.”

“You should tell him you want to stay the night in one. I bet he would jump on the chance.”

“Maybe I will.” Glancing to the clock, I see it’s almost time for his arrival, so Tara and I say our goodbyes.

Adrian

Pulling up at Victoria’s, my teeth bite down, tightening my jaw. Reggie is out of his vehicle and approaching her apartment. I jump out swiftly. “Where do you think you’re going?”

He blows out a loud breath, and it’s evident from his sullen face that he’s disappointed I’m here.

“I didn’t know you were coming. I was going to see if she wanted to grab dinner.”

“I’m taking her to dinner, and you don’t need to be taking her out period.” I glare at him.

“You fucking hurt her, and she didn’t seem much better today after your visit last night, so I wanted to check on her.”

Glancing around, I look back at him.

“I told her about the lounges.”

“Does she know about me?” Reggie asks anxiously.

“Do you honestly think she would keep her mouth shut if she did? I’m coming clean about everything tonight.”

“Were you going to run this by me first?”

“I was going to tell you after I revealed all of it: Mexico, your involvement and her father’s. She has a right to know.”

“You two are friends, and you worked with Sonny?”

I jerk my head toward Victoria’s door. Her eyes are bouncing between Reggie and me. She’s stunning in her gown and pearls, but she’s also wearing a stunned expression.

“Victoria we can explain,” I say.

“How long have you known I’m a cop?” she barks.

I hang my head. “Since before you came to work at Submission, but—”

“Reggie.” I glance back up, and she’s staring at him as tears flood her green eyes. “How could you?”

“Vic, I’m sorry,” he says.

“Are you an informant? Was my dad?”

“Yes, and your father ultimately became one.”

“So, all this time I’ve been what? Some kind of pawn in a game?”

“Juice Box, you were never used.”

“Don’t call me that. How long? How long have you known each other?”

“Years, but Victoria, I didn’t want to incriminate you,” Reggie says as he rushes to her door, so I follow behind him.

“Both of you leave. I don’t ever want to speak to either one of you again!”

She slams the door on Reggie’s face. He begins pounding on it. “Let me try to get through to her,” I say.

“Hell, no. If you hadn’t gotten involved with her, none of this would be happening.”

“Well, it’s too fucking late for that. If she’s going to listen to one of us, it’s likely going to be the one she’s been closest to, which is me, so leave and let me handle it.”

“You’ve always thought you were so damn high and mighty. Just for the record, I’ve slept with her, too!”

Before I can stop myself, I’m grabbing his throat. I shove him against the concrete wall next to Victoria’s door, squeezing hard as he tries to free himself.

“When?! When, asshole?”

“It was a long time ago. Let him fucking go!” Victoria shouts. I glance over, and she’s pointing a pistol at me, so I release Reggie. A young guy flies out of the apartment next to Victoria’s.

“Go back inside now!” she yells without looking toward the man. His eyes widen before he steps back across his doorway.

“He’s probably going to call the cops, and I honestly don’t give a shit, so I suggest you two leave,” she says.

“You’ve both lost your minds,” Reggie yells before he storms toward his car.

“Victoria, put down the gun.”

“I trusted you–again.”

“I was going to tell you everything tonight. I swear.”

Without a word, she lowers her weapon and goes into her apartment. Her door shuts, and I hear her begin to sob. I smack my palm against it and hold it there.

“Please, J.B., please, let me explain. I’m so sorry.” My head falls against the door. “I never wanted to hurt you. All I’ve tried to do is love and protect you. I didn’t know how to do that any other way because I’ve never loved another soul the way I love you.”

Victoria

My back slides down my door. It’s cold against my exposed skin, and I sob harder from the thought of the pearls that are pushing into my skin.

Adrian won’t shut up. He keeps saying everything right, but his actions have been so wrong. I can’t believe he and Reggie betrayed me this way.

“Shut up!” I scream before I cover my ears and squeeze my eyes closed.

“No, Victoria. God, please give me a chance to explain.”

“I let you in, and you broke me. Go away.”

“It’s all been for him. My father, Victoria, and for my family. My heart was crowded by resentment and vengeance over losing him, but you changed that.

“You made it feel something warm again. I didn’t know how to manage both the good and bad.” His hand hits the door, causing me to jump.

“Maybe this is what I deserve!” He shouts. “And you can be pissed at me. You might even fall out of love with me, but it won’t change the fact that I love you. You can never change that. I determined months ago that you’re the only woman my heart has the capacity to love.”

I feel him pushing against my door, and even my heart he’s crumpled wants to let him in.

“Victoria, I need you near me to breathe. Tell me how I’m supposed to get up every day without you and breathe.”

Standing up, I wipe the tears from under my eyes, and black mascara stains my hand. I crack the door, and he seems relieved but gazes at me wearily.

“You do it the same way you did before you met me, Adrian.”

“You don’t understand, Victoria. There isn’t a life for me without you in it.”

I’m disgusted with myself because even after everything he’s done, I want to comfort him. I yearn for his arms to hold me, and I want to feel his tender kisses. My heart says to tell him it’s OK, but my mind won’t let me forget what he’s taken from me.

“Besides you, there were two other men in my life who meant the world to me. You managed to break them, too, so, you don’t get to have a life with me. I’m sorry.”

Thank you for reading
Consumed
.
Coercion
, book three of
The Cassano Series,
will be available for purchase summer 2015.
Vow of Devotion
, a continuation of Damon and Alayna’s story, will release May 23
rd
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