Cursed Angels

“And you decided that three a.m. is the time to call?”

A sigh greets me, then his deep tone. “Something’s happening. One of the owners of The Factory you had TJ scope out, he’s gone missing.”

“What?” This is news to me. Shocking me into action, I rush toward my bag and pull out my laptop. As soon as I wake it from its sleep state, the screen lights up, and I open my email.

“Yeah, I’ve sent you all the information we could find, but something’s not right. He wasn’t reported missing by anyone. It’s as if he’s off on vacation or some shit, because the house is locked up tight, his car is gone, and there have been purchases on his credit card showing him traveling through the state to the West Coast.”

“That doesn’t make sense. The man is in his early fifties. If he wanted to travel, he’d fly,” I tell him with confusion furrowing my brow.

“Exactly. Hence the reason we’re looking into it. As soon as I have more, I’ll call.” He’s silent then, and I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that he misses me. Although I can’t feel anything for someone other than Archer, it’s not like I didn’t try, and Hunter was the only one who gave me more than I expected without asking for anything in return.

“Thanks,” I say softly into the phone. I want to care about someone, but my mind and heart just don’t allow me to. I’m stifled. Stuck in the past, and I’m afraid I’ll never move forward.

“And for the record . . .” His words trail off, then I hear the chuckle. “I miss that sweet cunt. Get it back here soon.”

Without waiting for my retort, he hangs up, leaving me staring incredulously at the blank screen.

Asshole.

Chapter 4

Archer

I roll the sated slut off me and throw her onto the cold, marble floor when she wraps her skinny arm around me. Why do they always insist on affection after I fuck them? I don’t do cuddles; it’s too personal. I don’t need it. I’ve always been on my own, and that is the way I like it. I just want someone to stick my cock in. And Jenny, I think that is what she said her name is, is just that — a willing hole.

“Get your clothes and go.” I’m not always this blunt, but I had the day from hell.

“Just a little longer, Arch?” She gives me the fluttering of her eyelashes. It never works on me.

“Out.” My tone leaves little leeway as to my meaning.

“You’re so obnoxious at times.” She presses her lips together in a pout and picks her dress up from the floor. It has a great big rip down the middle where I tore it to suck on her double-D tits.

“I’m a soldier; it’s what keeps me alive. You’re a whore. Opening your legs is what keeps you in the same condition. Don’t get any illusions about this being something it isn’t. You weren’t designated a fighter, so you get to fuck all day instead.” I raise an eyebrow at her in derision of her lowly status. If you don’t have the strength to kill in my world, then sex is your only option. She dresses, and I pull on my underwear. The last thing I see before the dress covers her body is my seed spilling down her inner thigh. All the whores are given contraceptive implants and regular testing so that soldiers don’t have to worry about where we stick our dicks.

“Fucking bastard!” she screams at me.

“And don’t forget it.” I turn my back to her. “Shut the door on your way out.”

The small and clinically decorated room shudders when she slams the wooden exit. Her heels click an angry path away from my home. It is only then that I let my shoulders relax.

“Your body is so warm.” I’m draped around Samara, holding her close to my chest while we watch a movie together.

“So would yours be if you had spent all day running around an assault course.” I chuckle, but I can feel the anger invade Samara’s body at my statement.

“They shouldn’t make you do that. Just like they shouldn’t make me do it.”

“It’s ok, Dollface. I like the exercise, and I’m good at it. Plus, it’s a lot better than the beatings I’ll get if I don’t.”

“You promise me we’re leaving when you turn eighteen and you can take me with you?” She shifts so she can look me in the face.

“I promise, and when we do, we won’t ever look back.”

“Archer?” A loud shout and a hand on my shoulder bring me out of my reflection. Without a moment’s thought, I twist and send the owner of the offending digits flying over my shoulder into the solid brick wall.