Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1) (17 page)

Chapter
Twenty-Four

Tar watched as Chase exited the state issued, black Lincoln Continental. His brother was climbing toward the U.S. Senate. Only matter of time. Made it difficult during elections to turn on the TV. Seeing his former fiancée now married to the man who stole her away when he was putting his fucking life on the line for his country, still royally pissed him off. After five years, it rubbed him raw like a wound that refused to heal. Though it wasn’t quite as intense since Keeley entered his life, he noted making his way toward Chase. “No sense in being cordial. This isn’t a social call,” Tar opened.

“Duly noted.” Chase motioned toward a park bench away from the walking path. “You want Keeley off of this investigation,” he offered once they were out of earshot of anyone lingering nearby.

“Hell, yes, I do,” Tar growled.

“I’m not sure it’s possible,” Chase cautioned.

“Make it so,” the demand came through a clenched jaw.

“And in return?”

There it was. A pound of his flesh required to save Keeley’s. “I’ll come back.” Fuck, how he wished there were another way, but Tar knew it was what they wanted. He might hate it, didn’t agree with the politics behind it, yet it seemed the least of two evils. Besides, taking down the truly malevolent was something he actually enjoyed, but he knew what it meant. No future with Keeley.

“You really think you can just walk away from true love?” Chase’s brow was quirked in a how-stupid-are-you expression.

Hell no. But really what choice was there. Yet something about his brother’s demeanor drew a different question, “Is that what happened to you?”

Chase turned away, trying his damnedest to fight the tears that threatened, but he wanted his brother back more than anything. To hell with pride. “I never meant to steal her away from you.”

“Yeah, you’ve said that before.”

“And I’ll keep saying it until you believe me.” Chase clasped Tar’s shoulder. “We’re blood. With mom and dad gone, we’re all we have.” His voice cracked with emotion.

“Not true, brother. You have a wife and a son. I’m the one without,” Tar affirmed.

“No,” Chase responded firmly, “you have Keeley.”

“For a little while, until I’m forced to leave her.”

“I won’t let you do this. You of all people deserve happiness.”

That got Tar’s attention more than anything. He turned to face his brother eye to eye. “Help me understand,” he implored.

“God Tar, Lisa and I never meant for any of it to happen. You were a SEAL and the constant secrecy was wearing on her.” Tar started to interrupt but Chase stilled him with, “Hear me out.” Tar nodded. “See, she always harbored this fear you’d be killed and they would withhold the how’s and why’s from her. So what began as a friendship, someone for her to vent to, became more. But I swear that was never our intention.”

Puzzled over the damn letter, Tar asked, “You thought it was best to tell me in a letter that you fucked my future wife rather than tell me to my face?” Completely dumbfounded by that logic.

“You were on one dangerous assignment in a country known for people disappearing without a trace. Neither of us wanted to keep it from you,” Chase admitted.

Tar scrubbed his face. He might not agree with what happened years past, but he did understand. “Alright, I get your point of view. But I’m never gonna agree with it.”

“That’s all I can ask for,” Chase sighed in relief. “Understanding doesn’t equal agreement.” He rubbed his hands together, thinking out loud, “Let me investigate just who has put this entire assignment together. Hopefully we can reason with them.”

“You actually think that’s even a possibility?” Tar inquired, befuddled. Didn’t really match the modus operandi of the people he once worked for, but was willing to try any avenue possible. If he could not only save Keeley from the monster feeding off her but would be able to make happily-ever-after a reality, hell, he would do anything. Keeping his soul was a bonus.

“No harm in learning all we can,” Chase declared offering his hand.

Tar shook it and added, “Nice to be on the same side.”

“Yeah, it is.” He looked down at his phone. “I need to go. I’ll be in touch.”

As he walked away, Tar called out, “Hey, Chase.” His brother glanced over his shoulder. “Thanks.”

“We’re family. Don’t ever forget that.”

Tar sat looking out at the vast Pacific Ocean. A part of him just wanted to carry Keeley off into the sunset and never be seen again. But he couldn’t separate her from Lacey. He wouldn’t want to. She needed her sister. Tar wasn’t a fool; he knew the real work would begin once Keeley was free from “helping.” Her addiction had grown stronger, and his real battle was the demon she now carried with her. Fuck. Could they really have happily ever after? His brother said it best ‘
only one way to find out
.’

*****

Mitch paced restlessly in the hidden room just left of the dungeon. The two-way mirror making it easy to watch what was meant to stay behind closed doors. He didn’t like this, one bit. His hair raised every time he glanced at the setup required from Braxton. E was unreachable, which didn’t feel right either. Albeit the decision to keep Tar from witnessing these rendezvouses was his, Mitch decided it was time he changed his mind. Backup was a necessity and he could trust McNeal wouldn’t blow their cover. As for how Tar would handle the woman he loved with another man, well, that could be explosive. Mitch would reason with him, besides nothing sexual ever happened between Braxton and Keeley. The man wasn’t into sexual favors. At least that was what his file said, but Mitch questioned it each time he saw the beast of lust rearing its head. Something about Keeley stirred it like no one else. Maybe it was the need to protect her? Her vulnerability? Hell if he could figure it out, but denying it was much more dangerous.

Mitch: Tar need you at E’s club. B has insisted K meet him here.

Tar: FUCK. On my way.

Mitch tried one more time to reach E, all to no avail. Where was he?

*****

E sat in Nik’s office pissed at himself for forgetting his damn cell phone. He was equally furious at Nik for finding that funny. Nik guffawed louder at each, “Fuck,” E said. “I’m so glad I could give you something to laugh at today,” he growled in frustration.

Nik shook his head. “Damn brother, so you forgot a phone. Lighten up.”

E paused and cocked his head, Nik made a fair point. “Not like me to be this distracted.”

Nik sobered. “What’s up?”

“This thing with Keeley,” he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, “she’s in over her fucking head.”

“I’ve noticed. But how the hell can we help her?”

“First thing, she’s needs pulled from the investigation.”

“Agreed, brother.”

“After that,” E raked his hands through his hair, “then the real work begins.”

“Tar strong enough for this shit?” Nik inquired with legitimate concern.

“Sure as hell hope so. For his sake and hers.”

Aimee stepped through the open door. “She’ll never be free of her masochistic ways.”

E reached forward and held his sister-in-law’s hand. “No. But that’s not really my concern if she’s taught how to channel it correctly.”

Aimee gasped, rubbing her protruding belly. “Wow! Nice kick, pumpkin,” she marveled.

E didn’t ask as he placed his hand right by hers and felt his little nephew or niece nudge him. “So amazing.”

Nik stood and went to his wife, wrapping his arms around her and cradling their baby growing inside her. “Yeah, it is,” he said with tears in his eyes.

E knew how bittersweet this was for his brother, yet sat there in not a little awe at how well he was dealing with all those emotions crashing inside him. Not that long ago, Nik would’ve been a mean motherfucker as he tried to deal with the past ghosting into the present. Thanks to Aimee, he was controlled and…peaceful. True love had a way of doing that, especially those caught in the darkest of nights. Oh fuck, that was it! “Love conquers all,” he spat out, standing.

Nik and Aimee nodded emphatically in agreement.

“Keeley has to
believe
she’s loved. That’s the battle we help her fight.”

“Omigod, Even!” Aimee exclaimed. “She doesn’t think she’s worthy. I understand that feeling. All too well.”

Nik nuzzled into his wife’s neck and whispered, “Little one, it is me who is unworthy of
your
love.”

Tears fell down Aimee’s cheeks as she turned and kissed the corner of her husband’s mouth. “I love you.”

E’s cough brought their gazes to his. “Keeley thinks she’s unlovable. We need to call that lie out and kick its ass.”

Nik gave a half-smile. “What the hell are we waiting for?”

Aimee pulled out of her husband’s grasp. “Go.”

E added, “Operation Love the Fuck out of Keeley Kincaid has begun.”

“Hell yes,” Nik bellowed as they left together.

Aimee couldn’t help but be astounded at the
love
Strand men had for all those they cared for. And she knew they would need a little reinforcement, picking up the phone and calling her sisters-in-law. Together as a family, they’d show Keeley just what it meant to love and be loved. Forever. No matter how dark it was, light always found a way to break through.

Chapter
Twenty-Five

“Freak Like Me” was blaring through the nightclub as Keeley entered, stopping to marvel at her sister’s amazing talent. Her lithe body moving to the rock song with grace and ease. Keeley couldn’t help but wonder what her own dream was. What was she naturally good at? Where did her passion lie? Did anything just simply make her happy when she was doing it? The disconcerted thoughts made her uncomfortable as a tinge of envy lit up her veins. Lacey had it all. A master who encouraged and courted her kinky side, as well as being her husband, who loved, honored, and cherished everything about her—good, bad, and indifferent. God, did Lacey know how blessed she was? How loved? How absolutely adored? To add insult to injury, she stood in the shadows and watched the delicious E come up behind her and grind against his wife in the most lude way she’d ever witnessed.

Talk about needing to go find a man or a B.O.B. asap!

E was using moves Keeley knew were for
his wife only
. Then again, he didn’t realize anyone was observing them, so why wouldn’t he be turned on by watching Lacey’s hips in those tantalizing motions? He was a man, after all. A virile, hot-as-hell man that exuded sex with the flick of his finger. Shit. Arousal wasn’t good considering why she was there.

Get it together, Kee, before Braxton reads into it
.

Without disturbing the two lovebirds, who were on the verge of mating, Keeley slipped unnoticed into the elevator down the hall from the stage. She practiced slowing her breathing. The doors slid open as her heart continued beating furiously in her ears.

Not good.

Keeley stepped into the “play room” that was so dimly lit her eyes squinted trying in vain to make out what all was in there. Or who? She shot a wayward glance toward the mirror wondering if anyone was in the other room yet. Most likely Mitch was, even though E wasn’t. Must be why Keeley felt like she wasn’t alone. She made her way across the room to the partition covered in beautiful emerald green silk, reminding her of Tar’s eyes, and gold cranes. The Japanese print fitting a room designed in the same fashion. It was one of her favorites. She donned the sexy geisha girl, silk black robe trimmed in bright red and matching sash with gold flowers. Keeley didn’t need a lot of light to know what was on her body. Like the room, this tiny little outfit made her feel pretty and sexy. The kimono hit the tops of her thighs and the deep V, at the dropped neckline, fell between her breasts. The jewel covered, four-inch sandals went on last. She was about to step out when a hand grabbed her with not a little force, shoving her against the back wall that was concealed from all eyes.

“I can’t wait to fuck this cunt.” Braxton’s voice registered as Keeley’s fear revved into high gear. His hand reached below her scantily clad sex and entered without preamble. “You’re so fucking wet,” he growled.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What the hell could she do? Instinct kicked in, like it did at the underground and before when she had been held captive by Caleb, she ground onto his hand. He pulled back on a hiss. Thank, fuck! She pushed the boundary he set. “I want your dick in me,” she purred, running her fingers over his cock. It went flaccid immediately. Score!

Braxton backed away as she held her gaze on his crotch. After all, this was always his problem and why he never dated, it was the degradation, the stealing from a woman that got him rock-fucking-hard. Not them wanting it from him. Fine, bitch wanted to play, then he would play. In a menacing voice, “That snatch of yours has been sampled by one too many. I wouldn’t want it around my cock for all the money in the world.” He stormed to the other side of the room, grabbing the first thing he could and hauled it. The lamp shattered as shards sprayed in a brilliant display. Keeley’s legs were nicked and she watched the blood droplets trickle. Braxton stared in fascination while a diabolical idea presented itself.

He took another jab at her fragile ego. “Your blood is tainted by how many others? You’re a worthless drug-whore. No one could ever love a slut like you. You’re only good for fucking.” His steps heavy as he approached her. Right in her face, he spat, “And it wouldn’t be your cunt I’d want.” His hand snaked out and bit the cheek of her ass, pulling fiercely until she yelped. But that close he didn’t miss how utterly aroused she was and capitalized, “I’ll have you yet, you piece of trash, but not until you beg for me not to take it.”

Her brow furrowed. Keeley knew the key to not being raped was to act like she wanted what he offered. However, he just found her weakest link. Blood mesmerized her when it was flowing freely. How would she beg him not to take it?

The demon leaned forward licking her ear before it hissed, “Unworthy. Unlovable. Promiscuous. You are
nothing
. Lower than dirt. You’ll
never
amount to anything.”

Keeley stood there in mass confusion, the warring voices reached a deafening level until she began to screeeeeeam.

*****

Tar plowed into the door with brute strength. Mitch attempted to break the mirror to help Keeley. Neither man could get to her. E stilled Tar with his hand on his shoulder. “Hey. Follow me.”

E unlocked what appeared to be a closet but once inside, Tar realized it was another observation room. He saw Braxton looming over Keeley but he wasn’t hurting her, no, he was calming her. Tar struggled to listen. “There, there, my dear. Let me help you.” Braxton reached down to take her hand. Keeley went silent and took what was offered.

Tar gave E a sidelong glance. “What the hell?”

“I don’t know, man. But let’s see how this plays out.”

Tar nodded in uneasy agreement. He didn’t want to blow the operation, but protecting Keeley was first and foremost. “How do we get to her if he crosses the line?”

“On the right is a concealed door.”

He reached forward and found a latch to the panel E referred to. “Got it.”

Meanwhile, Mitch put down the chair he was using to break the glass and surveyed what was happening. Whatever the hell was going on, he acknowledged Keeley needed off this assignment immediately. He was going to inform Tar of everything. Let him know she was actually doing two investigations on the same man and screw what the higher-ups insisted. He wanted to bring down this cartel, but not at that cost. Keeley wasn’t stable. She needed help, and honestly, he wasn’t convinced Tar could handle it. Although Mitch remembered the hell and demons Tar fought to still be alive, much less a functioning human being who was sound both mentally and emotionally. Most prisoners of war didn’t get so lucky. If anyone had a chance of reaching that girl, he was it.

*****

Keeley couldn’t get the reptilian feel off as she dug her nails into her arms. Braxton pulled her hand away and locked it to the shackle on the wall, then repeated with the other. She was writhing and kicking. How did he not see Caleb?! How come no one was saving her from that monster? She stared in abstract horror as the corpse ran his rotting fingers along the walls of her sex. Her mouth opened to scream and Braxton shoved a ball gag in it. Tears were pouring as she thrashed. He strapped down her ankles, the same as her wrists, before yanking open the silky robe. She stilled. Gaze locked on his. Caleb was no longer there. Braxton’s steel gray eyes piercing into her as he struck her with the whip. Fuck. Yes. This would calm her. Erase the nightmare that just transpired. She whimpered around the ball, “More. Please.” At least she hoped he understood the words.

Braxton gave her what she asked for, knowing he needed her in the underground to do what he wanted most. But first he set the whole thing in motion, for he knew they were watching and was positive someone who cared about the girl was among them.

Keeley was panting heavily. The more it hurt, the more she craved. She knew it was wrong, acknowledged how completely fucked-up she was, still she pleaded, “Again.” Hoping he understood her with the gag in place.

Braxton was as affected as Keeley. The harder he struck, the more he needed to do so again, harder. She brought out things in him he’d never before dealt with, and it was in that moment he realized, he didn’t want to kill her. No. He wanted her for himself. All his. Preferably kept in a cage when he couldn’t be with her. How would he seal the deal if she did have another in her life as he suspected? Light reflected off a shard of glass presenting his answer. He bent before her and checked the restraint on her ankle. The ruse was successful. He hid the sharp piece in his hand and stroked over her erogenous zones with the handle of a whip, marveling at her ability to control the orgasm he knew was right there begging for release. Time to test her limits.

Keeley kept Tar’s face front and center in her mind so she wouldn’t climax. She visualized how hurt he’d be, remembering how territorial he was helped her focus. Braxton leaned into her with the handle inserted deep, grinding in a painful rhythm. His fingers pulled mercilessly at her nipple ring. She should tell him to stop. They’d been at this for hours it seemed, yet she couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

Braxton slid the wet whip out of her and rapidly pushed his thigh up against her, forcefully. He pulled a ring at the same time he re-inserted the handle up her ass.

Keeley gasped from the pain. Her safeword on the tip of her tongue.

He knew she was on the verge of saying the one word that would stop this and moved with lighting speed. He sliced up her femoral artery as he moved the handle in and out of her.

Keeley lost all control and came on a garbled scream.

*****

Tar tore out of the small room with E on his heels. “It was forced orgasm, man. Surely you know that.”

He spun on his friend. “Doesn’t fucking matter.”

“Yeah, I think it does.”

“Until you watch another man pleasure Lacey, don’t fucking talk to me about the semantics involved.”

E understood, but it was so obvious Braxton played dirty using that piece of glass along an artery that could have killed Keeley if he’d gone deep enough. How did Tar not realize that? “Hell no, I wouldn’t like it. It’d piss me the fuck off, and I would destroy all in my path.”

“I’m done,” Tar grit out as Mitch held Keeley in his arms.

“He’ll cool off,” he told E. “Could you give me a hand with her?”

E nodded, taking his sister-in-law in his arms.

She whimpered against his chest, “I didn’t mean to. H-h-he,” she stuttered.

“Forced you to climax,” E finished for her. “I know, Keeley. I saw the whole thing.”

She began to sob as he helped her into another room. Lacey was there waiting. “What happened?”

E gave her the summary before adding, “She needs some TLC.”

Lacey stroked her sister’s hair. “Of course you do, Kee. I’ve got you.” She leveled her gaze on her husband. “Please tell me she’s done.”

Mitch was leaning in the doorway. “Affirmative.”

Keeley knew she had one last thing to do before this nightmare was over. She planned on meeting Leith later on. That bastard, Braxton, was going down.