Conquered: She Who Dares Book Two (18 page)

He sighs. “Fine, but if you cause trouble, then you’re out.” He grumbles.

“Thanks.” I wink at him as he opens the door and allows us through. We step into a dark hallway.

“Ugh, it smells like a men’s toilet in here.” Molly whines.

“Wasn’t sure a girl like you knew what a men’s toilet smelt like.” I nudge her playfully. She rolls her eyes. There are voices coming from a door on the left. I knock before pushing the door open.

Several set of eyes swing to the open door. “Fucking hell.” Doug says with a grin. “I swear you wear less clothes every time I see you girl.”

I shrug and flash him a wry smile. I wave at the guys before my eyes land on Cruise. He has a groupie sat on his lap. She’s covered in tat’s, but she’s hot.

“Cruise.” I stop in front of him. His eyes meet mine before they rake my body.

“Lilly? What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you, dick fuck. You know, you have a phone, you could use it.”

“Ah, Lilly, if Cruise isn’t showing you the appropriate love you could always come see me. My cock would love to be your bitch.” Doug grins. I roll my eyes.

Cruise shoves the groupie off his lap, who then glares at me. He stands and grabs my hand, pulling me into the corridor outside.

“What are you doing here Lilly?” He asks.

“I told you.”

“I didn’t call you for a reason.” He snaps. He paces in front of me. What is wrong with him?

“What do you mean?”

“Look, I can’t see you any more. You can’t call me. Nothing.”

I narrow my eyes. “We’re just friends Cruise. We’re not seeing each other.”

“I just, I can’t okay. I’m sorry. I really am, but I have to do this.” I can see he doesn’t want to do this. Which begs the question, why is he doing this?

“Why?” I ask. He says nothing. He hasn’t spoken to me since that night at Note. The pieces start to slot into place. “Oh, he got to you didn’t he.” I grit my teeth. Fucking Theo. “Did he threaten you?”

He shakes his head. “No, look it’s nothing like that.”

“Then he bought you off.” He stays silent. It hurts that Cruise could be bought off. “I know I haven’t always treated you very well, but I thought we were friends Cruise.” I whisper.

“We are.”

“Friends don’t sell each other out for money.” I choke out. God, why does this hurt? Fuck, why do I seem to keep opening myself up to people only for them to stab me in the back.

“Lilly. Look, he loves you. I mean the guy has issues, but he loves you. He’s going to roll over anyone who gets in his way.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t think that friends is enough for me, and you’re in love with him.” What the hell?

“We have always been casual Cruise.”

“Yeah, well I guess that it was easier when you didn’t give a fuck and you just used to use me.” He leans against the wall. “But then when you wanted to get to know me, when you told me things about yourself, when you were heartbroken and lonely…well I fell for that girl.” His blue eyes meet mine. “I want you in my life Lilly, I do, but we’re, well…complicated. The lines are blurred. And none of this changes the fact that you’re in love with him.” Jesus, he’s right I have used him, even now, I came here tonight wanting to fuck him so I could get over Theo. I had no idea he felt this way.

“I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t want to be.” I try to explain.

“I know, but he just gave me an out. At some point this was inevitable. You can’t see it Lilly, but you’re withering and dying without him. He’s it for you.”

“Did he tell you to say that?” I snap.

“What? No! It’s just what I see.”

I step close to him. “Theodore Ellis is an arsehole. I am fine without him.”

“Lilly I’m sorry…” He stumbles over his words.

“Just tell me, what did he offer you?” I ask angrily.

“A record deal.” He says quietly.

“And in exchange…”

“I cut all contact with you. I’m not even allowed to think your name.” He adds sarcastically.

“Well then good luck with your record deal Cruise. I wish you every success.” I open the door back into the room where the band is. Molly is sat on one of the sofa’s looking uncomfortable.

“Molly.” I lift my chin to indicate we’re going. She scrambles up and meets me at the door.

“Thank god.” She breathes. “They’re animals.”

I walk down the corridor with Molly.

“Lilly!” Cruise calls. I flip him the bird over my shoulder.

“What is that about?” Molly asks.

“Theo bought him off.” I say flatly.

“What?! Why?” she looks at me with wide eyes.

“Really Mole? Does anything Theo does surprise you any more? He’s fucking insane.” God, I want to rip my hair out. I can’t get him out of my life. I feel like a trapped animal. Every time I try and leave he blocks my exit until I’m just running around in circles. I always end up right back here, with no-one but him stood in front of me.

“In a weird way it’s kind of sweet.”

I stop just outside the door at the end of the corridor. “What?!” I shriek.

“Well, it’s just that he loves you, and he doesn’t want to see you with anyone else. I know it’s crazy possessive, but in his own weird way I think it’s sweet.” She gets this doey eyed look. I should know better than to expect Molly to see how insane this is. Life is just one big romance waiting to happen to her.

“You’re just as crazy as he is. Come on. I need to get drunk and then I need to get laid. I’m fed up of being cock blocked by that prick.”

An hour later and I’m blissfully drunk. Cruise’s band are playing, and Molly and I are dancing. I don’t look at the stage. I know Cruise will look ridiculously hot, and for the first time in my life I won’t be able to go after him. I kind of want to seduce him and fuck him just to spite Theo, but if he found out then the band would lose their big shot. I can’t do that to them. Cruise made his choice and truth be told I can’t even be angry at him about it. If I were in his shoes I’d probably do the same. Cruise isn’t my only option though.

I know how to play this game. I know it well. I dance close to Molly so that our bodies writhe against each other. I don’t take my attention off her. My methods are simple; have a good time and wait for them to come running.

I keep catching a glimpse of a guy standing to the side of the room. His tall frame is leaning against the wall, a bottle of beer in hand. He’s wearing jeans and a tight t-shirt which exposes the tattoo sleeves adorning both arms. He’s got that mysterious, untouchably sexy thing going on. He screams bad, the kind of bad that can make a girl forget all her troubles. Perfect.

After a few songs I feel strong hands grip my hips. Molly glances over my shoulder and then back to me. She offers a small shrug of her shoulder. Helpful. All that means is that he’s not a total munter.

I turn around and come face to face with Mr. Bad. He has a small smirk on his face that says he knows he’s getting in my pants. He’s hot, like a bad boy version of Theo hot. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. This right here is my ticket out of hell. This is what makes me numb, this is what makes me forget. I don’t just
want
to fuck him, I
need
it. I need the meaninglessness of it.

I move my hips just a little more deliberately as I wind my body up against his. He doesn’t dance. He just watches me move against him, those dark eyes shadowed by the darkness of the club. I turn around and slide down his body, dragging myself oh so slowly across his crotch. When I wind my way back up, he grips my hips hard. I feel his breath on my neck before his tongue flicks across the sensitive skin. I shiver slightly as my entire body lights up.

“Fuck.” He hisses in my ear. “I need between your legs.”

Chapter Thirteen

Theo

It’s one o’ clock in the morning. Hugo and I are at a card game at some merchant banker’s house. Hugo said these guys were easy pickings and he was right. I’m just about to rinse the fuckers with a flush when my phone rings. I look at the screen. It flashes ‘Cruise’. I do not want to discuss his band right now. Jesus that idiot must be drunk if he’s calling me at this time. I reject the call.

“Well, what have you got?” Hugo grins. He’s the last one left in the game with me. The other three look on pitifully as their money sits in the middle of the table. Young merchant bankers, they’re an arrogant, put wealthy breed.

My phone rings again. “Seriously?” I grumble.

“Dude, just pick it up. Someone obviously wants you. Hopefully it’s some pussy.” He mumbles.

The screen flashes with Cruises name again. I hit the green button. “What do you want?” I snap.

“You told me to back off and I did, but she came to my gig, and now she’s practically fucking this dude on the dance floor. You want her, then you come and stop this or I will. He’s a dealer, he’s bad news.” I don’t have to ask who she is. There’s only one woman we have a common interest in.

“Where are you?” I growl.

“The Underground.”

“You got her into the fucking Underground! What is wrong with you?!” I shout. Everyone at the table has gone silent.

“No, of course not! She came on her own, with Molly.” He snaps.

“Jesus fucking Christ. I’m coming. Don’t you dare let either of them out of your site, you hear me!”

“Yeah, yeah. Hurry up. I’m not taking that dude on alone.” Fucking hell, Cruise is the biggest guy I know. If he won’t take him on, then he’s definitely not someone I want anywhere near Lilly.

“Sorry. I have to go.” I stand and pull my jacket on.

“But, we’re nearly done.” Hugo whines.

“Lilly and Molly are at the Underground.” I snap.

“Those bloody women.” He grumbles. “Sorry boys. Woman problems.” Hugo explains. He catches up to me at the front door.

“You sober enough to drive?” He asks.

“Probably not.” Is my curt response. I’ve had a couple of glasses of scotch. I’m over the limit, but I’m not drunk. Benefits of being a hard core drinker.

I jump in the Aston and start the engine as Hugo slams the passenger door. “Best not get pulled then.” He says as I pull away from the enormous London town house.

Fifteen minutes later and I pull up next to Lilly’s Maserati parked in front of Shamrock’s. Jesus this place is rough.

“Ah, some good memories in this place.” Hugo grins.

I roll my eyes. “We’re not here to relive your days of getting high.” I’m out of the car, through the pub and into the lift before the barman even notices we’re here. Hugo and I used to hang out here a lot, but nowadays it’s not my scene.

When we reach the basement, a bouncer the size of a house pulls back the metal gate and lets us out.

The Underground hasn’t changed much since I was last here a few years ago. It’s what I would call a low maintenance, high profit establishment. Its lack of shine is what makes it so popular.

I scan the packed room, but see no sign of Lilly or Molly anywhere. The place is a sea of moving people. The air in here is thick and humid from all the sweating bodies. Yeah, this definitely wouldn’t be my first choice of venue. What is Lilly doing here? How did she even know about this place? A hand grips my shoulder and I spin away from it, ready to punch the fucker.

“Chill out mate.” Cruise holds his hands up.

“You have to excuse him. He’s gotten into a lot of fights around here.” Hugo shouts over the music. Cruise nods his head once before beckoning us to follow him. We make our way through the dancing crowd. Women brush up against me suggestively as I pass. One even tries to grab my crotch. Fucking hell, they’re like animals.

Eventually he points to the corner of the room. I don’t see anything at first, but then the lights flash over the spot and I see a guy. A big guy, who has a red head pinned up against the wall. His hands are all over her, and he’s kissing her. I don’t think, I just react. I rush him and grab him by the back of his shirt, pulling him away from her. He staggers slightly before I punch him in the jaw. Hard. He’s a big guy, covered in tats and honed muscle. He spits a mouthful of blood onto the floor and smiles before he comes at me. He hits me and it feels like a fucking sledgehammer just rearranged my face. I lean against the wall for a second before my brain catches up and tells me to kill him.

Cruise steps in front of me and puts a hand on the guys chest while Hugo restrains me. I fight against him. That fucking prick is going down. “Enough.” Hugo shouts in my ear. “You got him big guy. Now sort your girl out. She’s not being the most co-operative.” I glare at the other guy over Cruises shoulder. Cruise says something to him, and he reluctantly walks away.

My brain slowly starts to come out of the red haze. Lilly. Where is she? I look around and spot Molly standing a few feet away from us with a very angry looking Lilly swaying next to her.

I walk up to her and grab her face. “You okay?” I ask her.

She slaps me away clumsily. “No, I’m not okay, you just fucking punched him!”

My eyes flick over her barely covered body. Her black skin tight dress is skimming the very tops of her thighs, leaving her toned legs on full display. The neckline plunges almost to her stomach advertising her ample cleavage, not to mention I can see every tight plane of her body beneath the material. No wonder that guy was so pissed I pulled him off her. My cock is like an over eager puppy right now.

“You’re done. You’re going home.” I cut her off.

“No I’m not.” She slurs. “Come on Mole.”

She takes Molly’s hand and the pair of them stagger toward the dance floor on their skyscraper heels. Lilly stumbles slightly and almost falls, nearly taking Molly with her. Fuck my life. Cruise appears in front of her.

I can’t hear what she says to him, but she tries to hit him, so I can’t imagine it’s good.

“You might want to sort her out.” Hugo appears next to me. “I’ll get Molly. They’re a pair of drunk rats.” Yeah, only one way this is going. I walk up to her and scoop her up. I throw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s lift.

“Fucking put me down.” She pounds on my back feebly.

“Hey Cruise.” I shout as he turns to walk away. He glances back over his shoulder. “Thanks.” I say. He nods and moves away through the crowded club.