The Gate (Dark Path Series) (24 page)

“Max!” she cried out in alarm.

Good, he wanted her to fear him. He was going to teach her a lesson she would never forget.

“Did you fuck him?” he bellowed. He stalked her as she backed up to the door.

“No! We didn’t. I promise.”

“But he put his hands and mouth on you, and you let him. Did he suck your breasts, finger fuck you like I’ve done?”

“I-I…. ” More tears ran down her cheeks. “You’ll hate me.”

“I don’t hate you, Erika. I’m disappointed. There’s a difference. Now you’ll have to be punished,” he murmured, enjoying how her mouth opened, the tip of her tongue licking her bottom lip.

“You’re so angry. You have the right to be. I should go—”

When she reached for the doorknob, he darted toward her. He hauled her away, thrusting her into the wall. Slamming his hands on either side of her head, he imprisoned her with his body. She cried in silence, her forehead pressed to the wall.

He was aroused, wanting her even after she betrayed him. She might have not gone the distance, outright fucking Milton, but knowing the man had intimate knowledge of Erika enraged him. Never again would any man touch her without his permission. First, she would learn to obey him then he would go after Milton, making certain the man never put a finger on what was his ever again.

“Spread your legs open and pull up your skirt,” he ordered, rubbing his cock across her ass.

She peered at him over her shoulder. “I have to tell you some—”

“Shut up.” He jerked face back toward the wall. He didn’t want to hear any more confessions from her lips. The only sounds he wanted to hear from her were her cries of mercy as he took her.

She jerked, her head dropping forward. He curled his fingers into his palms to stop from bunching up her skirt. He wanted her to do it, to still have the option to refuse him. If she did, then he would take matters into his own hands.

He rocked into her, his breath heavy. When he claimed her, it would be rough and fast. He clasped her around her throat, squeezing lightly. “What are you waiting for?”

She moved her legs apart and collected her skirt until it bunched around her waist. He unzipped his pants, pushing them down low on his hips along with his briefs. Releasing her throat, he traveled between her thighs, cupping her. She was damp, her heat drenching his hand through her underwear.

“Nice,” he whispered. “Take off your panties.”

She complied, dropping them at her feet.

He ripped apart her blouse, ignoring her shocked cry, and tore open her bra. He cupped one breast, pinching her nipple while he manipulated her cunt with his fingers.

“Keep your hands on the wall and stick out your ass,” he commanded. When she didn’t move fast enough, he jabbed her clit in an upward stroke.

Flattening her palms on the wall, she bent forward. She trembled while he rubbed her folds missing her nub purposely. This time was for his enjoyment not hers. He would find his satisfaction, leaving her frustrated and empty as a fitting punishment.

He whispered taunts in her ear, how he’d fuck her in the ass while he whipped her and tied her to his bed, making certain she never came. She would be at his mercy, his to fuck as he saw fit.

She twitched, squirmed. A drop of her arousal seeped down the inside of her leg. He almost dove to his knees to lick it away and eat at her core, but she didn’t deserve it. All for him. Nothing for her.

With no warning other than clutching her thighs, he slammed deep inside her, rocking his hips until her muscles swallowed him.

“Fuck, Erika!” He pummeled her, bearing her up high where her feet barley touched the floor.

She took him all, panting and wheezing as he screwed her, calling her names he never would have before. She responded by digging her nails into the wall and pushing back against him.

“Call me master,” he spat, twisting her face around to his. He didn’t kiss her, but licked her cheek then her lips. Her tongue darted over his, and they tangled together. Not once did his lips meet hers.

“Master,” she moaned, lifting her arms to wrap behind his head. He boosted in his embrace, still inside her as he swung around to carry her to the couch.

Bending her over the arm, he pushed her face first into the cushion, pumping back and forth. The sweet pressure expanded in his back. When her pussy muscles started to milk his cock, he pulled out before she climaxed.

“Max,” she sobbed, hiding her face in her hands.

He kept her stationary with a hand to her back as he came all over her. He stroked his cock from root to tip, marking her ass and legs. When every last drop had been wrung from him, he rubbed his cum into her, slapping her ass cheeks until they grew red.

She lay there silent after he finished. Grabbing a glass of wine, he stumbled over to the dining room table, sitting down heavily before chugging the liquid. Sweat coated him. Damn, he couldn’t catch his breath.

Erika sat up. Her red-rimmed eyes were puffy with dark shadows underneath.

Clasping his half-hard cock, he shook it at her. “Take off the rest of your clothes. Crawl to me on your hands and knees. I want you to suck me off. Then I’m going to take you again, bent over the table, but in your ass.”

She lifted a shaking hand to her forehead. “Are you trying to get back at me? Does it make you feel better?”

He shrugged. “You don’t deserve an answer.”

A cell rang. She straightened. “I have to answer that.”

He rose, ready to find the phone and smash it, but she rushed to her purse. Pulling it out, she answered. A moment later, she crumpled to the floor.

He knelt down next to her, hearing the buzz of a male voice on the other end.

She dropped her phone in her lap, fresh tears filling her eyes. “My father’s dead.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Erika jumped out of the car and rushed inside the hospital to see her father who was pronounced dead a little over an hour earlier. Ignoring the cramps in her legs and back, and of Max calling after her, she hurried, wiping away the tears on her cheeks.

She stumbled as she ran blindly down the halls to the elevator. Her blouse was missing all the buttons. Her thigh highs had fallen to her knees because her garters had been torn. She couldn’t remember anything after Chris had called to tell her about her father’s death. Max had taken over, dressing her then driving her to the hospital.

When the elevator doors opened, she rushed to the nurses’ desk, meeting a grief stricken Patty. Chris came up behind her, an unsettling look on his face. His eyes were red and damp.

“Honey, we had no idea where you disappeared to.” When the woman caught sight of her face, she gasped. “What in the world happened—?”

“I can’t explain now. I need to see Dad. Take me to him,” she ordered, her mind spinning wildly. She started toward her father’s room.

Chris blocked her. “Your father’s body has been taken away. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll find the doctor—”

“No! I need to see Daddy!” She pounded on his chest.

“Shh, it’ll be all right—” He stiffened then grabbed her around the waist in a tight hold. “What the fuck is
he
doing here?”

Max marched down the hall, pointing his finger at Chris. “Let her go right now, or I’ll tear your arm off.”

Shoving her behind him, Chris rushed at Max, his fist cocked back, ready to throw a punch.

“Stop!” She ran to them even as Patty tried stopping her.

He shoved Max back. Erika pushed Patty away. Before Max inflicted any harm on his assailant, she got between the two men.

“Not here! Stop being selfish for once, both of you!” She looked around for help.

Chris backed away first, snatching her by the arm. Max took her other arm, and they both tugged. Two security guards appeared, separating the men.

The doctor, who was the first one she’d talked to earlier when her father had been admitted, appeared. “Gentlemen, you’re in a hospital, not a boxing ring. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” He motioned to two guards with walkie-talkies near the nurses’ station. “Security, escort these men outside. If they give you any trouble, have them arrested.”

Max held up his hands in surrender. “If I’m going, he is, too.” He jabbed a finger at his rival who scowled at him.

“Please, just leave,” she shouted and faced the doctor. “I’m Roger Walsh’s daughter. Can you take me to his…?” She broke down in tears.

Both men turned to her, but security forced them to walk in the direction of the elevators.

Patty waved at Chris. “Go home. I’ll take care of her.”

Before he responded, he was hauled into the elevator. Max was escorted down the stairs. The doctor and Patty accompanied Erika down the hall.

***

Max left a phone message for Erika to call him as soon as possible. Even though he’d been ejected from the hospital, he would wait in the parking garage for her even if he had to stay there all night. He couldn’t take the chance Milton still lurked somewhere, ready to take her home or to his place in the guise of a concerned friend…or lover.

The idea the two might have been lovers brought forth his rage all over again. When she admitted what she’d done with the prick, he’d exploded, his jealousy out of control. Even though her confession had cut him deep, he was willing to forgive all her sins. Since she had forgiven his, it just seemed right.

“You’re delusional if you think she’s going to stay with you.” Milton sauntered toward him with a taunting grin.

He slid his hands in his pockets to stop from punching his adversary in the face. “Who do you think she was with when you called? She told me how you forced her—”

“Forced her?” Laughing, Christopher rocked back on his heels. “I seduced her. If Roger hadn’t fallen ill, I’d be making love to Erika right now. She’s wanted me forever.”

A burning sensation traveled up his arms. He exhaled through his nose to keep his temper in check. His
father’s advice ran through his head, “
Always stay in control. Never let your enemies see you sweat.”
He leaned back against the car, crossed one ankle over the other.

“She may have had feelings for you once, but not anymore.” He grinned. “I was the last one inside her. You’ll never have the chance ever again.”

“Oh, really?” Christopher waved his hand around, acting unconcerned. “And how will you make sure? Kill me like you tired to kill Page?”

“What happened between me and your sister ended long ago. I wasn’t the one who forced her to drink a bottle of vodka and swallow a handful of perks. I’m not to blame for her irrational actions.”

“You cold-hearted bastard.” His nemesis cracked his knuckles. “You prey on weak women. Page was one of many. I won’t let you destroy Erika like you’ve done to every woman you’ve fucked and thrown aside.”

“And how are you going to do that, Milton? You forget the power I wield. Out of respect for Page, a woman I did care about once, I gave you a pass even after you ambushed me that night I visited her in the hospital for her suicide attempt. I won’t be so generous with my forgiveness a second time.”

“I don’t need to use violence to succeed. All I have to do is tell her the truth about what you did to Page and all those other women you used, you sick piece of shit. I’ve been keeping a file on you, waiting for the right opportunity to use it.” He crossed his arms. “I had planned on sending it to the press to stop you from moving forward with the takeover of Walsh Publications, but now I think it’s best if I show her. After she reads the reports I have of you beating and degrading all those women, she’ll be sickened. I’ll be there to help her pick up the pieces of her broken heart.”

“You have no clue about my relationship with Erika, do you?” He snorted, ignoring the twinge of worry nudging him. “She’s accepted me, faults and all. Even those sexual preferences you find disturbing.”

“We’ll see, won’t we? I have many more on my side who support me when it comes to Erika’s best interests. She’s dealing with a major loss, a man for whom I held a deep respect and who thought of me as a son. He expected us to marry, and for me to protect her from all harm.” Christopher pulled out a keychain, pressed a button. Three men exited a car and flanked him. “I’ve hired personal security for myself and Erika. If you want to see her, you’ll have to get through me.”

“You think you’re so smart. At some point, she will need me. I’m in her blood, just like she’s in mine. I can bide my time.” Taking out his keys, he unlocked his car. He refused to argue any longer.

“You’ll grow tired and move on to your next conquest.” Christopher held out his hand to one of the men who passed him a phone that looked just like Erika’s. “She dropped her cell in the hallway. One of my men found it and gave it to me for safekeeping. Don’t expect any calls from her. I’ll have a restraining order brought against you if you try contacting her.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

“I have many friends in law enforcement.” The guy shrugged, tucking the phone in his coat pocket.

Max ground his teeth. “So, it’s war between us?”

“If you want to think of it that way, then yes.” Christopher turned to walk away. “Consider it payback for all the suffering you caused my family. Erika is mine.”

Bring it on, asshole.
He got into the driver seat and fired up the engine. He curled his hands around the steering wheel, pumping the gas. Backing out with a squeal of his tires, he almost hit one of the bodyguards who remained behind. When the man jumped back, Max smiled and peeled out of the parking lot.

The feud was far from over between him and Milton. Out of respect for Erika’s loss, he wouldn’t bother her. He would give her time—although that pang of uncertainty had grown into full-blown alarm. He hoped she was strong enough to deny Milton through her mourning. If she wasn’t, he would have to make a tough decision that would not just change her life, but his forever.