Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) (9 page)

Zev

I’m staring at the ceiling of Adrian’s office when he asks to see Tara. My head snaps downward.

“What the hell for?”

“Don’t worry about it. I just need to speak with her.”

I want to question him further, but I don’t want him interrogating me about Tara like I’m in some Quentin Tarantino movie. I recall Simon’s questioning from the previous night.

“Fine, I’ll send her over as soon as she arrives.” It hits me that I could personally escort her, giving me a reason to see her tight body and beautiful face. I think about how smooth her skin is and speculate that she’s much younger than I am.

“Zev, where are you right now?”

My mouth falls open as I realize I’ve been daydreaming about a woman.

“Sorry. You have me thinking about Mom.”

“Oh, well, I think that’s a good thing.”

I leave my brother’s office and look at my watch. I only have to wait one hour to see her.

***

The minutes tick by slowly, so when the last five begin, I pick up the phone and call Shannon. She’s probably getting settled in at her desk for the evening.

“Shannon, how are you?”

“Good, Xavier. How can I help you?”

“Please keep Tara Northrup from going out on the floor. I’ll be down shortly to get her. Adrian wants a word with her.”

“OK, look, I’ve tried to be patient and respect the boundaries here, but what is with all the secret meetings with my staff between you and Adrian? First it was Vicky Stuart and now Tara.”

I’m quiet for a moment, unsure of how to answer.

“I can’t disclose that. If I believe you need to know something, I will inform you.” Shannon is older and can be intimidating for a woman. She’s like a mom you’re waiting for to scold you. “I promise, Shannon; I will tell you if it concerns you.”

I didn’t want to do this in person, but I guess I should’ve. Then, I could’ve given her a sweet look to smooth things over. She takes some buttering up at times.

“Fine, I will hold her here, but you’re making me shorthanded, so please keep her meeting brief.”

“Yes, ma’am–I mean, Shannon.”

I end the call before she gets in another word and head down to her office. Tara stands as soon as I stroll in. She’s in her uniform, and I’m totally distracted as my eyes betray me, drifting over her exposed body.

I clear my throat. “Tara, Adrian Cassano would like a word with you.”

Her mood appears deflated as she frowns.

“Oh, OK. Should I change?”

I don’t want her to, but I also don’t like the idea of her sitting in front of Adrian with her rack spilling out of her risqué outfit. “Sorry for the nuisance, but that might be a good idea.”

I speak to Shannon while Tara changes, and I’m impatient as hell. She reappears and is still sparsely clothed. Her short denim shorts leave her legs going on for fucking infinity, and her pink, V-neck t-shirt does little to hide her voluptuous tits.

This is not much less of a view for Adrian, and I don’t know what I’m worried about. He’s so damn lovesick for Victoria it’s pathetic.

“Follow me.” I try to get back to business as I lead her to the private set of elevators. I don’t know why, but I tell Sampson to step out. It’s not like I’ve never kicked our elevator guy out before. One time, Blanca and I stepped on at the same time, so Sampson was immediately kicked out.

Yeah, that elevator didn’t move for a solid fifteen minutes, and I didn’t give a damn, but it’s not like I’m going to fuck Tara in the elevator. Hell, I don’t even plan on touching her, yet I want her alone if only for a minute.

We begin our ride up without a word.

Say something, you tool.

“Just so you know, I didn’t tell Adrian you’re the one who informed me about Noah.”

“Oh, then maybe he wants me to do more shopping for Victoria or find out what she likes.” She gives me a glowing grin, and I have an urge to push her against the wall of the elevator and close those lips with mine.

“Yeah, probably.” She blushes and looks to the ground, which only makes me want to touch her more.

The elevator doors open faster than I’ve ever wanted them to, and I motion for her to step off. She follows me once again, and I tap on Adrian’s door.

“Come in,” he says.

“Uh, I’ll wait out here to take you back down.”

“OK, thanks.” Tara smiles again, but it’s not the spirited one she gave me in the elevator. Her eyes don’t even meet mine. A stupid thought that she’s losing interest in me fills my head, so I dismiss it.

I’m her boss, and the last thing I need is another Blanca on my hands. I shouldn’t give a flying fuck whether or not she’s interested.

But I do.

Adrian

Tara takes the chair across from me as I motion to it. She seems overly nervous as she glances around the room. I sit quietly until her eyes fall on mine.

She’s an attractive young woman, who I’ve only ever spoken to over the phone. I smile at her.

“Ms. Northrup—”

“Please, call me Tara.”

“Tara, first I want to thank you personally for the shopping you did for Victoria.”

“You’re welcome. Lord, she looked exquisite that night.”

“Yes, she absolutely did.” The pain of that evening comes rushing back, so I feel my forehead wrinkling. OK, I might be up to no good yet again, but I will share the news about this meeting with Victoria. Only it will be after the fact.

“I brought you here because I have some questions about the Royal lounge, and I want to hear a server’s opinion.”

“Oh, OK.” Tara’s forehead scrunches a bit.

“First, do you believe any of the servers would use drugs?”

“Mr. Cassano, we’re required to be clean to work here, and you have goal-oriented, ambitious women working for you. I can’t recall a single server who I believe would screw around with drugs.”

Hell, I don’t even know why I asked her that. Noah Sanders probably doesn’t even use the drugs he sells, so it’s not like I’m going to get some server to buy them or do them with him to get me information.

“That’s good to hear. How well do you know the member Noah Sanders?”

She sighs. “I had dinner with him, but, um, then Zev told me to stay away from Noah. He gave me the impression Mr. Sanders is dangerous.”

I’m sighing now. The man is dangerous, and here is this sweet, young woman I would like to put in his path, so I don’t have to let it be Victoria. This meeting was a dumb, desperate idea on my part.

I’m finding out the way to Noah Sander’s cold heart is with women he can use as play toys, but I can’t purposely put one in danger to get what I need. It would be wrong.

“Tara, my brother is right. Noah is not a good person, and it would be in your best interest to stay away from him.”

“Sure. Is that all you needed?” She seems frustrated, and I’m not sure why unless she was looking forward to more time with Noah.

“Yes, that’s all. You can get to work now. Thank you, Tara.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Tara

Zev has lost his mind. I tread toward the door of Adrian’s office, ready to give Xavier Cassano a piece of my mind. He stands from a chair the second I open the door.

“Finished?” he asks with a smile.

“I can’t believe you,” I say in a low voice.

“What did I do?”

“We’ll discuss it in the elevator.” I give him a solid glare before I break eye contact and stomp to the elevator. We’re both silent until it opens, but the second the doors shut, I turn to him.

“I am not a child. I don’t need your brother giving me a good talking to.”

“What are you even referring to? What did he say to you? Was he mean?”

Zev’s brow furrows, and he seems like he’s asking as a protective measure, which is confusing to no end.

“No, he wasn’t mean, but I find it hard to believe that you don’t know.” He messes with the front of his dark hair, which is a little haphazardly spiked and sexy.

Ugh, I wish I wasn’t so attracted to this man.

“Tara, my brother said he needed a word with you. He did not give me even a hint to what it was about.”

“The topic of Noah Sanders came up, and Adrian told me I should stay away from him. I thought you had him tell me.”

His head shakes. “No, I didn’t say a word. Like I told you before, he doesn’t even know it was you who ratted out Sanders.”

My shoulders that were tight and raised drop as I briefly cover my mouth. “Now, I feel foolish.” My gaze averts to the floor. “I’m sorry. That was presumptuous of me to assume you went to that measure to keep me away from Noah.”

Zev steps across the floor. In two strides, he’s directly in front of me. His hand reaches out next to him, and he pushes a button, stopping the elevator.

My eyes widen as his hands plant on each side of my head. He ducks his face to gaze at me.
Holy shitballs
. He’s literally a few inches from my face, and I might die right here from how good he smells.

“It wasn’t presumptuous to think that after my behavior, and I can’t lie; I’m pretty pleased my brother reiterated that to you.”

“Are you telling the other servers to avoid Noah?”

“No.”

“Then why me?” I ask barely above a whisper.

“I like you, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Kiss me.”

He shakes his head no, but he doesn’t move otherwise. “You’re a confusing man, Xavier Cassano. Can you please restart the elevator?”

Leaning over, his nose grazes along my chest and stalks up my neck, inch by inch. His warm breath is like a hot shower beading on my skin. My palms flatten against the wall of the elevator, but it’s only so I don’t attack him. I’m turned on, every nerve ending taking stock of the voltage being delivered.

“Damn, you smell like a fucking field of strawberries.” His voice is seductive in my ear.

“It’s my perfume–Daisy by Marc Jacobs. It has notes of strawberries and violets.” I feel him smile against my ear. “You’re too cute, Tara.”

I turn my head inward and brave a kiss to his neck. His body tenses but only briefly before he’s sweeping an arm behind me and pulling me against him.

I let the tension go and allow my body to melt against his. His erection is there, shoving against me, and I’m at the exact place I’ve fantasized being with Zev.

My earlobe is sucked between his lips as I slip my hands inside his suit jacket and brush them up his waist.

A low, steady growl vibrates against my ear, and it’s that moment when I notice the throbbing at the apex of my thighs. “Zev, please … more.”

He freezes. “Shit,” he says in my ear before he’s pulling away from me and slamming his hand on the red elevator stop button, releasing it to start moving again.

“What did I do wrong?” I ask.

“Nothing.” His knuckles ghost down the back of my cheek. “I’m a dick to women 99.9% of the time, Tara. You should want to run away from me almost as much as I want you to run from Noah.”

“I don’t believe it. You’ve looked out for me.”

The doors open, and he steps off before I can say another word. I gather my wits and walk out. If that’s how he wants it, I won’t go near him again, but I have a feeling it’s going to be next to impossible to forget him.

Victoria

I stay at work late thanks to a meeting I have scheduled with Sarge. It’s obvious he’s not pleased with me the second I cross through his doorway.

“Have a seat, Ms. Hart.” Shit, he’s calling me by my last name. That’s never good. “I want to discuss the Noah Sanders case. Megan said he’s playing in the lounge most every night. Why haven’t you found a way into there?”

OK, I need to play on his sympathy here.

“I haven’t felt like myself since the assault.” Damn, I’m being so manipulative, but it’s the only way to buy more time. I lower my gaze and fidget with my hands in my lap.

“I’ve been a bit skittish about working outside these walls.”

Sarge leans back in his chair. “I didn’t consider that. You’re usually putting on a tough front whether it’s true or not.”

“I guess the assault scared me a little.”

“That explains all the vacation days. Do you need to see the counselor?”

My head whips up. “No, I’m feeling better now. I had some time to think about it all and sort out my fears. I’m ready to get back in the game. I’ll find a way to get into that poker lounge. I won’t let you down.”

His eyebrows raise. “Alright then. I’ll wait for you to report back to me on it.”

Shit, I’m not Catholic, but I see some “Hail Marys” in my future. I leave work and think about how I’m going to break the news to Adrian. I’m getting in that damn poker lounge whether he likes it or not.

Once I arrive at the penthouse, I find him on the sofa with a scotch in hand. “Hi, how was your day?” I ask before taking the spot next to him. I pat his leg and lean my head against his shoulder.

Please say it was a good day.

“It sucked. How was yours?”
Dammit.

“Not good, either. Listen, we have to talk about the Noah Sanders case.”

Adrian blows out a long breath and takes a drink from his tumbler. “I saw this coming.”

“I can’t help it, Adrian. My sergeant isn’t budging on this. Not to mention, you need my help, and you know it. I have to play in the lounge to get close to Noah.”

Adrian leans his head back against the sofa cushion and turns it toward me. I watch as his Adam’s apple moves from his swallowing motion. “OK.”

“OK? Really?” I ask.

“Yes. Don’t get mad, but I met with Tara today.” I start to speak but stop myself. I’ll hear him out first. “I had hoped I could figure out a way for her to help us, but after talking to her briefly, I realized you were right. I can’t put her in danger.

“Simon and Zev aren’t getting close to Noah fast enough, and I need you watching the other cop in there. You can stall the police, and maybe we’ll find a way to get to Ferrera or at least bust Sanders. The only thing is, I’m worried about Noah figuring out your identity.”

My eyebrows cinch as I think. “He’s never seen me before. I will wear my hair natural, so none of the servers should recognize me from where we might’ve passed in the locker room. I mean, I always wore the wigs when I was employed here.

“Can you make sure no servers are moved up from Elite to Royal while I’m in there? They could blow my cover.”

“Of course.”

“I think we can pull it off.”

“OK, now what’s your plan once you’re in there?”

“I’ll convince him he has some competition, not only on the table but in the world of drug dealing. I know all the ins and outs of the business from my police work. Noah is going to want to keep his friends close but his enemies closer, and I’m going to be just that–the enemy.”

He strokes his forehead. “I’m worried, Victoria. What if he wants to take you to bed?”

“He won’t. I’m sure he’ll regard me as old, and I’ll dress sophisticated. He’ll know I’m not someone he should fuck with. Noah wants submissive women. He won’t suspect that from me.”

Adrian sets his drink down and grips my waist. I’m pulled over to straddle him. Hands thrust into my long hair, and he brings my face close to his. “You’re only submissive with me.”

The storminess in his eyes and the soberness of his voice tell me he needs some control. I’ll give it to him while I can. “Yes, Sir.”

Letting me go, he yanks off his black, silk tie.

“Stand and slowly undress for me.”

A jolt of excitement has me climbing off of him. He relaxes against the sofa and stretches an arm out over the top of it, making himself more comfortable.

His eyes are glued to mine until I shed the snug t-shirt I changed into at the station. Eyes lower to my silky, red bra, so I unhook it and let it fall to the floor.

“Shorts. Off.”

“Yes, Sir.” As he instructs, I shimmy out of my shorts and red thong. He admires me for a stretch of seconds that leave me feeling exposed and vulnerable.

“My pearl … so damn sexy. You have no idea how perfect your body is. Turn around now.”

“Mmm … and that ass of yours.”

My breaths quicken and become uneven as I feel the tie wrapping around my wrists, binding me securely.

“Turn this way.” Adrian, standing now, takes hold of my shoulders and forces me to take a couple of steps backward. “On your knees.”

Swallowing the saliva building from his commanding tone, I imagine how wet I must be. Upon our first meeting, I was terrified to give up control to him, but now I find it freeing.

I don’t have to worry about what is happening in my career or with my family. I can stay locked in the present, surrendering my worry in exchange for pleasure. I can trust Adrian to give me everything I need and want at the moment and then some.

“Tilt your eyes up at me. I want you watching as I get my cock out and ready. It’s soon going inside that sweet mouth of yours.”

Undoing his belt and dress pants, he pushes them down over his hips, along with his boxer briefs. They rest there, but his cock is standing tall and firm.

Adrian’s eyes are clouded with desire as he takes it into his hand and strokes it. I cough a little, clearing my throat. My mouth continues to water from the longing I feel for him. “Do you want to suck my dick, Victoria?”

“Yes, Sir. Please.”

“Great answer.” He smirks, and a devilish look gives a gleam to his clouded eyes. “This is for me. Since your hands are bound, I will be leading the show. You’ll suck how fast I want, how deep I want, and for as long as I desire.”

My pussy is aching with need, my mouth salivating with a hunger to please him. His fingers slide into my hair and massage my scalp before he pulls it together tightly, taking it away from my face. I see the long vein on his shaft as it twitches against his abs.

“Open.” I obey, and he guides his erection into my mouth. He only pushes my head down to take him about halfway. It slips almost all the way out before he’s gliding it back in again.

“Mmm … baby that’s it.” He holds it still in my mouth so I can suck. His groan is all I need to want to take him as far back as possible. I start to lean over, but he clamps down on my hair, pulling me back and removing his cock completely.

“No. I’m in charge.” His erection is wet and glistening in front of me, and I’m eager as ever to get him off. Slowly, he guides it back in. I hold still, following his lead. He pushes my head over, allowing me to take him as far into my throat as possible. I start to gag but get it together.

“I’m going to fuck your mouth hard and fast.” His pace picks up, and my lips are slipping over his raging cock. It slides with ease as he leans into me, meeting his thrusts with the downward shove of my head.

Saliva drips from my mouth around his hard-on, and instead of getting flustered, I let go. I revel in the erotic scene playing out.

His hands clutch and pull my tangled hair. His rigid, magnificent cock fucks my throat, and his groans fill my ears until his powerful thighs succumb to the trembling.

Adrian holds me still, his cum pulsing into my mouth, and I wait for it all, so I can belt it down. It’s tepid and salty, and I want to swallow every drop of his leftover pleasure.

“Fuck, yes, Victoria,” he exclaims with a groan. Inside I’m smiling, knowing I’ve pleased him.