Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) (21 page)

Zev

Only a day has passed since I saw Tara’s face. She called in sick tonight, and I’m not surprised. At least I won’t have to watch her around our members.

My cell rings, and I see that it’s Aggie.

“Sis, what’s up?”

“How are you, Zev?”

“I’ve been better. How are you?”

“I’m good.”

“Uh, how is Ma?”

“Did Simon tell you how great she’s doing?”

“Yeah, he filled me in.”

“Zev, please come see her while she’s well. She’s declining fast physically, but she’s sharp as ever mentally.”

I contemplate her request. It would be the best time to go to Jersey. If her mind is well, it could make for a pleasant visit, and who knows how long she will take her meds. It will also get me away from Tara; although, I’ll never get her out of my mind.

“I’ll come if Adrian can join me. Let me ask him.”

“Oh, wonderful. He’s wanting Mom to meet Victoria, so I’m sure he will squeeze in a trip.”

***

I pay my brother another visit at his penthouse.

“Zev, is everything OK?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. Aggie called. She’s pressuring me to see Mom. Can I come in?”

“Sure.”

He follows me to his living room, and we both have a seat. I hate shit like this. “Uh, could you take a couple of days off and go with me?”

“Damn, I really want to, but I can’t leave Victoria right now. Ms. D’Angelo from the FBI paid me another visit. We have one month left. That’s it.”

“I’m aware we’re down to the wire on this situation with Noah, but I don’t want to go alone.”

Adrian scratches his forehead. “Let me see if she could find an excuse to be away for a couple of days. Victoria is gaining trust from Noah. He’s scared he’s going to lose our business, so he’s considering her offer. How are things with Tara?”

I look to the floor. “It’s over.”

“I can tell you’re upset about it.”

“It’s for the best. Unlike you, Simon and Theo, I’m not going to put a woman through our shit.”

“Ouch. You can’t fight love, Zev. You can try, but you’ll be more miserable than before it came into your life. You’ll notice the longer you’re away from her.”

I stand, feeling the tension in my body rising.

“Like my last visit, I didn’t come here to discuss my personal life. Let me know if we’re going to New Jersey or not, and I want to leave right away if possible.”

Tara

It’s been a few days since I’ve seen Zev. I’ve avoided work, but tonight I’m going in. My heart is aching to a debilitating point. I’ve went from my bed to the sofa, unable to do anything but think of him and a decision I’ve been trying to come to terms with.

The ultimate sacrifices are the ones we make for those we love, expecting nothing in return. I couldn’t save my parents, but I can save the other person I love who was meant to be in my life, if only for a brief time.

***

Taking a deep breath, I tap on Shannon’s door.

“Come in.”

I find her working at her desk. She’s looking down, writing something. Her amber hair is cascading over the front of her shoulders, and her skintight dress reveals her cleavage. I’m going to miss her sassy personality.

“Please don’t try to talk me out of this.” Standing up straighter, I hand her my resignation letter. She reads it and tosses her reading glasses onto the desk.

“Shit, you’re not giving me any notice?”

“I apologize. I’ll work tonight, though. I, uh, need to start my new job right away. I was afraid they would give the position to someone else if I didn’t start immediately.”

I’m lying through my teeth, but I don’t know what else to do. After tonight, I won’t be able to return to Royal.

Shannon leans back and crosses her arms.

“OK. I should be pissed, but I’m not. I’m glad you’re doing something better with your life. You’re smart and talented. You’re so damn happy of a person, too. I don’t want to see the men in here break your spirit.”

She gives me the first smile since I walked in, but I want to cry.
My spirit.
Will I be able to prevent it from being stomped into pieces?

“Thank you for understanding.” She stands and gives me a hug before I hurry out of her office. I go to a bathroom stall in the locker room and silently shed tears. I can hardly believe what I’m going to do.

***

My pulse is rapidly thumping, and I’m ill as the night drags on. Noah finally takes a restroom break, so I catch him as he returns. “Noah, can I speak to you?”

He displays a wicked grin. He’s wicked alright.

“Sure thing, baby.”

Glancing around to ensure no one is listening, I prepare to coerce him.

“Zev encouraged me to see you; meaning, outside of the lounge. I thought we could pick up where our date left off.” I bite the corner of my lip.

“Oh, he did, huh?”

“Yeah, he said you would show me a good time.” I muster a grin. “Are you up for the challenge?”

“Shit, you have no idea how much so.” Noah looks off for a second as if he’s thinking and trails his hand over his blonde hair. “Would you join me in one of the Submission rooms after your shift tonight?”

His grey eyes are a shade darker as he waits for my response. I can already see the endless possibilities crowding his mind. “Uh, sure.”

Taking hold of my arm, he leans over to my ear.

“Trust me, it will be a night you won’t forget.”

The chill that courses throughout my body is glacial. I’ve thrown myself into a frozen lake, and I feel tonight I will drown in that miserable frigidness.

***

I don’t bother changing out of my uniform before I leave with Noah. As we stroll down the hotel hallway, my pulse doesn’t let up. I’m dying a little inside with every step.

As if sensing my nervousness, he takes hold of my hand. Maybe he’s planning on taking it easy on me, which would be a welcomed relief.

“I have to say I’m shocked by Zev’s decision. I thought for sure he had a thing for you and wouldn’t give you up. I guess I was wrong. Although, he did leave town today. Maybe he didn’t want to be here when you and I do the nasty.”

He glances over his shoulder to me and smirks. I come to a stop, and Noah has no choice but to stop, too.

“Zev’s not here?”

“No, he left for New Jersey this afternoon. I heard it had something to do with his mother being sick or some shit.”

He eyes me studiously as my body begins to tremble. I knew Zev wouldn’t be coming to my rescue. He doesn’t even know about this, but the magnitude of what I’m doing is manifesting. Knowing Zev is so far away only adds to my fear.

Noah pulls on my hand. “Relax, the room is right here.” We reach the door, and he grazes my cheek with the back of his hand.

I close my eyes as images flash through my mind. I envision Zev’s dimples as he smiles at me and his dark with desire eyes the moments he has longed for me. The times we’ve laughed and talked for hours warm me, the happiness stilling my nerves.

Then, I picture him in handcuffs. He will hate me after this, but I will always love him. He will be my forever “what if” as he keeps his freedom.

“Open your eyes. Have you been to one of these rooms before?”

“Yes,” I whisper, my gaze now tilted up at his tall frame.

“Good. It means you’re into kink. Let’s play, Tara.”

Thank you for reading
Coercion
.
Conviction
, book four of
The Cassano Series
, releases December 16, 2015.

Additional books are available in the teen/YA, contemporary and erotica romance genres. To keep up on the latest release information, teasers and covers, follow me on the web at
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If you enjoy my writing, I’d greatly appreciate it if you would leave me ratings or reviews. Thank you!

First and foremost, thank you to my loving husband, Patrick. He’s the rock I lean on that keeps me going every day. I also want to say how dearly I love my sons.

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Readers, I can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your busy lives to read my writing. Your support and kind words continue to lift me up and inspire me to bring you more stories. Many of you have given me your friendships, too, and I’m so grateful for that.

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Model Ivan Gabriel is the handsome face on the cover. Thank you for once again giving readers someone to identify with as Adrian Cassano. I couldn’t have picked a better match. Check out Ivan on
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Coercion
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