Geomancist (Seven Forbidden Arts 5)

Sean turned back to Asia, his gaze apologetic again. “Sorry, kitten. She’ll do it. You know she will.”

“Sean, don’t.”

She grabbed his hands, but she was no match for his strength. She couldn’t stop him from pulling her thong to her knees. Wedged between his thighs and trapped in the vice of his arms, there was nothing she could do. Carefully, he sheltered her between the table and his chest, hiding her body from the lustful stares.

People groped each other, but she refused to look, trying her best to block them out. Sean brushed his palms up her thighs and fastened his hands around her waist. She knew what was going to happen. Like Jeanne had ordered, he was going to lay her down on the table and spread her legs. He tightened his hold. The floor vanished under her feet as he lifted her into the air. Her breath caught on another protest, but before she could utter it, the door opened. Male laughter sounded and stopped abruptly. Everyone went quiet.

Sean froze. Recovering quickly, he lowered her to her feet and spun around to place himself between her and the new danger. With everyone distracted, she pulled up her thong while fear twisted an invisible cord around her throat, making it hard to breathe.

Juan and the guard from that morning stepped into her vision. Jeanne’s husband looked around the room as he took in the scene. There was a peculiar tone to his voice when he asked, “What are you doing, Jeanne?”

Jeanne’s cheeks paled even as she hurried to embrace him. “Juan, darling, you’re just in time for the surprise party.”

“Surprise party?” He glanced between his wife and Sean. “I wasn’t due back until eleven.” His gaze turned flat. “Since it’s only nine, I have to assume you’re lying to me.”

“Of course not, darling.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, still clutching the gun in one hand. “This was all for you.”

Juan gripped her wrists and gently moved her arms to her sides. Tipping her face up with a finger under her chin, he said, “I’ve always told you to go easy on the coke.” He brushed a thumb over her bottom lip. “How much have you used today?”

“Nothing, babes.”

He pulled her lip down and pushed his thumb into her mouth. “Is that true?” he asked, addressing the room in general.

Jeanne made a gagging sound.

Nobody said a word.

Juan’s gaze traveled over the group and paused on Eric. “You,” he pointed at the fiddling man, “tell me, but before you do, know I’ll cut out your tongue if you lie to me.”

Eric swallowed audibly and licked his lips. “She … uh … I…”

Juan released Jeanne and crossed his hands behind his back. “Speak up.”

Eric bowed his head. “Yes.”

“Yes what?” Juan asked with a tinge of irritation.

“She used.”

“How much?”

Eric glanced at Jeanne. “A few lines. Three. Maybe four.”

“Thank you, Eric.” Juan tapped Jeanne’s nose. “You’ve always been greedy.”

“Don’t be a hypocrite, Juan,” she said. “This is your business, after all.”

“Dealing isn’t using, Jeanne.” He glanced back at Asia and Sean. “Care to tell me what the barman and the massage therapist are doing almost naked at my surprise party?”

Jeanne gave a half-hearted laugh. “We were just having fun.”

Sean opened his mouth, but Juan held up a hand. “If I want you to speak, I’ll tell you.” He pulled Jeanne to his side and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Eric, fill me in so I know what I missed.”

Eric scratched his eyebrow, hiding his face behind his hand. “They were going to have oral sex.”

“Mm.” Juan pondered the answer for a few seconds before turning to his wife. “Judging by the pistol, not out of free will.”

“Of course not,” Jeanne said. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“God, woman.” Juan smiled. “You should’ve married someone in the sex trafficking business.”

She grinned up at him, her stance victorious.

“Give me the gun, Jeanne.” Juan held out his hand. “I don’t want you to accidently shoot me in the foot.”

She hesitated, but only for a beat. Glancing at the guard, she placed the weapon in Juan’s open palm.

He kissed the crown of her head. “Good girl.” To the guard he said, “Pull up the tape. I missed most of my own party. That won’t do.”

Jeanne’s already pale face turned ashen. “What tape?”

Without acknowledging the question, Juan walked to the coffee table while the guard disappeared into an adjoining room and returned with a laptop.

Asia’s guess was that Juan had secret cameras set up in the room.

Jeanne had to have realized it, too. She rushed forward and laid a hand on his arm. “Let’s have some fun, okay? This is your birthday. How about you have the girl? We’ll tape it. That’ll be a lot more fun to watch later.”

Juan didn’t reply. He only intertwined his fingers with his wife’s while the guard powered up the computer. Within seconds, the sound of Jeanne’s recorded voice played through the speakers.