When I twisted the plug as I’d done before, her entire body began to shake, every sound slipping past her luscious lips breathless. I was a sick man, the filthy things I longed to do continually rushing through my mind frame after frame. Everything I’d done in the past no longer mattered, the vile actions a mere blip in my life.

  I wrapped my hand around the base of my cock, guiding the bulbous tip to her slickened pussy. The taste of her lingered on my tongue, sweet cherries and other illustrious fruit. I could devour her easily, but in doing so, I’d weaken my control. She deserved to be fucked, taken brutally for her deception. There was no hesitation, no sense of humanity as I shoved my cock inside.

  I wanted her aching, every muscle screaming from ravaging her like an animal. So I proceeded to fuck her like the monster I was, keeping my fingers tangled in her hair, yanking every few seconds.

  If the pain bothered her, she said nothing, her only cries ones of pure pleasure. I fucked her long and hard, smacking her rounded bottom every so often to ensure that she was paying attention to the man who owned her.

  I was crazed with desire, lights flashing in front of my eyes, memories surfacing, visions of a hunt scouring my mind. Then it was all gone, the only image remaining those of the woman in my possession.

  As her breathing changed, I slowed my pace, forced to take several deep breaths. She was close to another orgasm. Should I force her to wait, keeping her agitated until our next session together? Or would I relent, providing her with the same amount of pleasure she was doing for me? This time, my laugh was maniacal. I became lost powering into her, almost missing the fact her body started to spasm.

  “Uh. Uh. Uh. Uh,” she mewed, her long fingers clawing at the bedding, as if attempting to get away. The orgasm swept through her body in a powerful wave, cutting off her air supply for a few seconds. She gasped, arching her back as I continued thrusting.

  A strange sense of knowing rushed through me, a knowledge that one day she’d attempt to leave me, to find her way back to civilization. That wasn’t going to happen. Once I claimed a possession, there was no turning back.

  As the sound of skin slapping against skin filtered into the room, I threw my head back, closing my eyes. Damning visions jetted into my mind, the kind that had almost derailed me in the past, violent needs fueling the beast. Not with her. Not like this.

  I continued pumping into her, smiling from the way her pussy muscles clamped and released, pulling me even deeper inside. I tightened my hold on her hip, digging my fingers into her skin, my balls heavy with cum.

  When I released my hold on her hair, she hung her head low, her long strands pooling like swirls of rich, dark chocolate. I wanted this to continue, the pleasure more than I’d imagined, but my body was a treacherous beast. The brutal hammering of my heart continued as I pulled out, sinking my cock back into her wetness.

  Once.

  Twice.

  Then I couldn’t hold back any longer.

  I erupted deep inside of her, the crackle of electricity shooting through my veins almost out of control.

  That’s what she did to me.

  Tore me apart.

  When I was finished, I hung my head, watching as beads of sweat dropped ever so slowly to her back. Then I smiled, blinking away angry visions.

  Her breathing was as ragged as mine and when I rolled my finger down her spine as I’d done before, her tension returned.

  I’d terrified my little dove.

  Little did she know it would only get worse.

  * * *

  I headed through the halls, grateful to be alone inside the massive estate. My employees knew when to leave, allowing me time to reflect and plan. Tonight was no different.

  Except I had a beautiful captive locked away in my castle. I stormed into my office, the smile on my face increasing.

  After pouring a glass of scotch, I held the crystal tumbler into the air, staring at the golden liquid. Then I rubbed my finger across my mouth. Her scent had stained my skin like mine had hers. I was still surprised at her body’s reaction; however, I was no fool. That could be faked in her attempt to lure me into answering questions.

  After throwing back the glass, gulping the smooth liquor, I headed to my desk, not bothering to sit down as I pulled up what Joseph had found on the beguiling Ms. Salazar.

  I flipped through the short file, the articles she’d written likely missed by a majority of people. That was a shame. She had a flair for the dramatic, a romance novelist lurking inside. While she’d been recently promoted to a crime writer, even those articles were laced with vivid details, enough to make a typically boring story regarding a petty thief into a magical story about pure sin.

  However, nothing had led me into believing that she’d been assigned to dig into the Tempest. Where had she gotten the idea for the story? TikTok. Then she’d taken it from there, contacting my good old friend, Chris Sanborn.

  The man had been a thorn that I hadn’t known existed until it had almost been too late. I should have handled it in the same way my father had instead of allowing the man to live.

  Perhaps that would need to change.

  However, that would have to wait. I had other things on my mind.

  I’d had Ms. Salazar checked out thoroughly, learning where she’d been educated, her previous few jobs, and where she lived. I’d followed that up with searching through several of her other social media sites as I’d done already a half dozen times before. What I found most interesting was that she didn’t have a single family member mentioned. Or her hometown. There weren’t any pictures from her past or family gatherings, no Christmas pictures or Fourth of July barbeques.

  It was as if her life was contained in a box.

  One with a padlock.

  She was hiding something troubling in her past. My observation skills had never proven me wrong.

  I knew what being locked inside a cage felt like, the ache from needing family surrounding you, people you could count on.

  And trust.

  I had none of that, my friendships limited.

  Perhaps the beautiful woman and I had more in common than she anticipated. What was it that I’d heard before? Oh, yes.

  Darkness begets darkness.

  And normal people had no idea how beautiful the world could be in the absence of light. I flicked off my lamp, taking a deep breath. Laughing, I lifted my glass. “Here’s to the pitch-black world I’ll soon be enjoying with my soulmate.”

  Chapter Six

  Two months earlier

  Genevieve

  “Just get out,” I said for the tenth time. The asshole didn’t want to push me. I was finished with boyfriends. I knew I shouldn’t have tried a dating app. I’d been crazy to think I could find my Prince Charming. There were only frogs out there who were little more than man-children with no interest in getting a job, cleaning up the mess they made, or staying faithful. I was finished. I’d take the lead from now on.

  My way.

  “You don’t mean that, baby,” Justin said in his usual whining voice. He reached out as if he was going to touch me and I jerked away.

  “I assure you that I mean it.” I yanked the door open, glaring at him. The man was dumb as a box of rocks. Or maybe he just didn’t realize I wasn’t interested in having his well-used cock any longer.

  “Why? We can work this out.”

  “I don’t think we can work out the fact you had your dick stuck into Melissa’s cunt.”

  He gave me his usual puppy dog look, which up until now I’d fallen for. Not this time. No way. I had more respect for myself. “It was just one time.”

  One time. I knew better. I simply hadn’t caught him before. Shame on me. I was finished with men. If I wanted one, I would hire an escort.

  The thought almost gave me a laugh. He barreled into my life because I’d allowed him to, pretending like he cared when all he’d really wanted was a roof over his head, someone to cook and clean, and an occasional fuck. I’d suspected his infidelity before, but I’d allowed it to go on.

  Because I hadn’t wanted to be alone.

  I pointed to what little crap he’d kept at my place then held out my hand palm up. “Key. Now.”

  “Can’t we talk about this?”

  “Nope.”

  When he attempted to push me against the door, I punched him in the stomach.

  “You’re a weirdo. Did you know that? If you were more interested in sex, maybe I wouldn’t have needed to find someone else. What’s wrong with you, anyway?”

  “That’s funny,” I mused. “I wasn’t the one dressed like a cowboy complete with chaps as I fucked a girl screaming like a banshee.” The scene hadn’t been pretty at all, but it would remain in my mind.

  “At least she had a pulse.”

  “What’s wrong with me?” I managed to hold back tears, furious with myself for caring about him for a single second. I almost blubbered out something stupid but managed to stop myself.

  He shook his head. “You think you’re going to be some big reporter. They only hired you because no one else applied.”

  “I asked you to leave nicely. If you don’t do it, I will force you to.”

  “Yeah? You know what? I think you’re just like your mother, a sicko.”

  His snide remark was one I hadn’t expected, and it hit me hard. I slapped him with everything I had. “Get the fuck out of my house.” I’d made the mistake of telling him my ugly dark secret. Maybe because for a little while I’d thought he was the one. I’d been such a fool. Never again.

  “Gladly,” he huffed. “If you hadn’t been working so many long hours, maybe I wouldn’t have needed to find some satisfaction.”

  “You’re blaming me?” I started to shake, and I fisted my hands. He didn’t want me angry. I took several deep breaths, trying to keep the level of rage to a minimum. “Key. Now,” I repeated.

  “You’re a bitch. You know that?” He yanked the key from his ring, slapping it in my hand. Then he gave me a nasty look before storming out into the night.

  It took everything I had not to scream ‘fuck you.’ Sadly, I lived in a tiny apartment. I doubted my neighbors would appreciate the sentiment. However, I did slam the door after him, locking it immediately. I wasn’t entirely certain what I’d seen in him in the first place.

  We’d had some good times, but I couldn’t handle what most people considered normal.

  Backing away, I immediately moved to the window to make certain he left. When his tires squealed on the pavement, I took a deep breath.

  Then I headed for the kitchen, grabbing my already opened bottle of wine, finding the tallest wineglass I owned. I filled it so full, drops sloshed from the side but I didn’t care. Then I grabbed my favorite ice cream from the freezer and a spoon. There was no reason for me to be sad. None at all. If Justin didn’t want to be with me, then fine.

  Damn it, tears were running down my face. I slumped on the couch, gulping several swallows, hating myself for doing this. The asshole didn’t deserve my tears. I started to turn on the television for company then decided I preferred the quiet.

  He’d hit me in the two places of my little world that hurt the most: my mother and my job. I’d wanted to be a reporter for as long as I could remember. I’d done everything right in college, getting straight A’s, but had been forced to take a waitressing position for almost a year before getting my current job. But I was low on the totem pole.

  Even if I’d recently been promoted. A crime writer. What a joke. The last thing I’d written on had been a huge convenience store holdup. For a pack of gum and a six-pack of beer. Yeah, I was getting something in my life. I needed one big story. That’s it.

  What was it that the experts said? Sex sells?

  Maybe I could find a scandalous story somewhere buried in the reels of TikTok. I yanked the top from the ice cream, tossing it aside and scooping a massive spoonful. As I shoved a bite of Chunky Monkey into my mouth, I began to scroll, daring myself to search for keywords that might lead to an indecent yet perfect article.

  Ten minutes later, I’d had just about all I could stand of fetish sites. Then a video scrolled across my screen that seemed out of place.

  What was some guy doing dressed in all white and a full face mask in a room devoid of any color? As I started to hear him speak, I got more and more excited. This could be it. My ticket to a bigger newspaper, one far more credible than the hometown rag.

  When he said the name of the organization, I repeated it.

  “The Tempest.”

  As I listened to the man speak, shivers skated down my spine.

  The excitement building, I raced into the kitchen, dragging my laptop and the pad I always carried with me back into the living room. I’d never heard of the organization, but I sensed it could be the very story I’d hope to find.

  I sat down, grabbing my phone. Shit. I’d clicked out of the application. I returned, scrolling quickly.

  No. No. No. I couldn’t find it.

  “Damn it!”

  However, once there was a footprint on the internet, it never went away. I opened the lid to my computer, quickly shifting to Safari, typing in the name of the organization.

  The one thing my boss had told me was that I was a tenacious reporter. Somehow, some way, I’d find what I was searching for.

  * * *

  Saxon

  “As you can see, we’ve successfully increased our profits by almost thirty percent this quarter. We’re on track to meet our goals easily this year.”

  “You’re doing a great job, Robert. Glad to have you on board.”

  I heard the comments from the other board members but lately, nothing had been important enough to concentrate on. I drummed my fingers on the table, my thoughts drifting to the upcoming Tempest meeting. I was growing tired of the events, more so than I cared to admit. There were too many members, many wanting to hold the Illuminati events once a month.

  They were taxing enough as it was, the attorney hired for the soul purpose of arranging the contracts warning me that certain aspects of wording would need to change. However, he was well aware of my more legitimate businesses, acting as a liaison with my battery of corporate attorneys who had no desire to know anything about my ownership of the Tempest.

  From what I’d been told, there’d been some recent inquiries from federal agents regarding Thornburg Holdings. While I crossed lines within both organizations, moving into what many would call a morally gray zone, up until this point I hadn’t been challenged on a formal basis.

  And it was going to stay that way.

  Perhaps that’s why I had zero interest in the monthly board meeting.

  Even the sudden quiet didn’t drag me from the dark place I was in.

  Several people cleared their throats, and I glanced out the window at the beautiful day, trying to remember the last time I’d enjoyed a day off, let alone being outside. Maybe some would see me as pathetic. Billions of dollars to my name and I remained behind closed doors.

  “Earth to Saxon.”

  Joseph’s voice finally drew my attention. I glanced at the six men and two women, finally leaning forward. “While we’re on track with what was planned, ladies and gentlemen, it’s not enough. I plan on going through the various acquisitions proposed late last year. That’s the goal.”

  “That will hurt our bottom line,” Robert insisted. While the man was a whiz with numbers, he was annoying as fuck.

  “That will also place us in a precarious position if our net worth goes down,” Molly said from three seats away.

  “If you’re worried about your bonuses, then you’re in the wrong business. Just get out.”

  My board members looked back and forth, wide eyed and terrified I had plans on firing every one of them.

  Only Joseph had a smirk on his face.

  “We’re done for the day, people. We’ll discuss this further when it’s prudent to do so.” My dismissal was more abrupt than usual. Hell, my moods had been as well. I’d barely glanced at the financials, which I usually pored over, making every single board member cringe with my pointed questions.

  Today had been entirely different.

  When the members had left, I’d thought Joseph had as well, but he remained leaning back in his seat, staring at me with amusement in his eyes.

  “What?” I barked.

  “What’s up with you?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” I walked to the bar, uncaring that it was barely two in the afternoon. That was another thing that had changed. I was usually completely disciplined in my personal life. Regimented, just like my father. Up at four-thirty. An hour in the gym. A protein shake for breakfast then business until seven or eight at night. Lately, I’d ignored my usual rules almost in their entirety.

  “I know you better than you think I do. You’re disinterested in the business you shifted from making millions to billions. You barely mention the Tempest any longer. There is no excitement for anything in your life. I think you need a change. Desperately.”

  “Then what do you suggest?” I lifted the glass of scotch, staring at the liquid as if it was on fire. After taking a gulp, I realized even my normal libations held little interest to me.

  What the hell was wrong with me?

  “You need a woman in your life.”

  He caught me so off guard I spit out an entire mouthful, glaring at him. “That’s the last thing I need.”

  “When was the last time you enjoyed getting your rocks off?”

  I opened my mouth for my usual retort then sighed. “I don’t remember.” I did remember the last time I’d tasted something precious, as did he. He’d been the only one who’d known how distraught I’d been, able to talk me down off the rails more than once. Maybe that’s the reason I trusted him implicitly. He’d kept the dirty little secret all to himself.

  “I’ve been working for you now for what, four years? You haven’t been with anyone. Not one girl. You don’t partake in the Tempest functions either, which has allowed some interesting questions to pass my way.”