The Skull Crusher (Skull 2)

What would Lucian do once he got me back?

Would he kill me right away? Or torture me first?

The bedroom door opened behind me, but I didn’t turn around to look at Balto. I just lay there, ignoring him.

His footsteps filled the bedroom as he stepped farther inside the room. He must have known I wasn’t asleep because he didn’t bother to be quiet. He grabbed the sheets and yanked them off me before he snatched my ankle and pulled me to the edge of the bed.

“What are you doing?” I kicked his grip away.

He grabbed my hips and pulled me to the edge of the bed before he got my jeans loose.

That was when I noticed he was naked, six-foot-three of pure skin and muscle. His dick was hard despite my melancholy, and he wanted me even if I didn’t want him.

“I’m not in the mood.”

He yanked my jeans off then pulled my panties free.

“I said no.” I tried to kick him away.

Effortlessly, he gripped the insides of my thighs and pinned me wide apart as he entered me.

My eyes closed as I felt him sink inside me, meeting no resistance because I was somehow wet despite my rage.

He pulled me farther off the bed until he was completely sheathed. “I know my baby. When she’s in a bad mood, she needs sex.”

“That’s not true—”

He gave me his slow and even thrusts, hitting me deep and hard every time.

The words died in my mouth, and I didn’t protest again.

His arms hooked behind my knees, and he leaned over me as he pounded into me, his pretty blue eyes watching me come apart. He studied the way I bit my bottom lip with pleasure, the way my eyes fluttered when the pleasure felt so good between my legs. “I know what my baby needs. Don’t worry, I’ll give it to you.”

23

Balto

I spoke to Brutus over the phone. “Who is she?” I sat in the living room while the TV was on mute. Cassini was down the hallway in the bedroom, and she’d been there for almost an hour.

“They call her Miss Lightning.”

I grinned. “Interesting name.”

“She said she’s earned it…whatever that means.”

“So what does she want?”

“Wants you to meet her. She’s been taking care of her girls for a long time, but lately, men have been knocking the girls around. When they get scars, they’re worthless. The men aren’t paying either. She’s interested in protection.”

“I’m not a pimp.” I didn’t deal with prostitution. That was beneath my interest. I preferred real crime, arms dealing and drug trafficking. I preferred wars fought over money instead of wars fought over women.

“She still wants to meet you.”

“Still not interested.”

“She seems pretty adamant. And she sounded like she had something good to offer.”

I already had so many projects I had to attend to. I certainly didn’t need another—unless it was worth my while. “I’ll think about it.” I hung up then searched for Cassini, unsure where she’d disappeared to. We hadn’t discussed her brother’s new career since I’d come into her room and chased her thoughts away, but there was no doubt it was still on her mind.

I moved into the bedroom and found her standing in a black dress. With a single strap across her shoulder and a high slit up her thigh, she was ready to hit the runway. Her hair was curled and pulled back slightly, revealing the beautiful skin of her neck and chest. Dark makeup was around her eyes, a smoky effect I found intoxicating. I looked her up and down and couldn’t decide on my first move. Should I dig my hand into her hair and kiss her? Or should I yank up her dress and bend her over the bed?

She turned to look at me, several inches taller in her heels. She placed her hands on her hips and gave me a knowing look, as if she had the control in this situation—even though she was actually prey.

“You could just put on lingerie if you’re trying to impress me.”

“Wearing lingerie would get me kicked out of the restaurant.”

“What restaurant?” I stepped closer to her, my hand wanting to reach for the zipper at the back and pull it down.

“The restaurant we’re going to tonight. You’re taking me out.”

“I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

“Because I don’t need you to agree. Now get dressed so we can go.”

This woman had just bossed me around, and it was my job to put her in her place. But I was too amused to do that. Cassini had laid down the law—and it was sexy. “Where are we going?”

“There’s this fancy Italian place I haven’t been to in forever. I would really like to go there.”

“Alright.”

Her eyebrow rose slightly, as if she couldn’t believe my cooperation.

“I’ll take you to dinner. But I want you to suck me off when we get home.”