Dirty Money (Bad Money #2) (7 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Jon

Jon laid on the floor, closing his eyes and enjoying the pain that radiated from the side of his face. Marcus had a solid punch, his strength something Jon was grateful to witness. The big guy would take care of Kate and most likely be the one to take Victor out of his position before too long. Marcus loved the beautiful club owner, much like Jon suspected.

The sound of the door slamming in the living room caused him to relax, a laugh bubbling up and spilling from his lips. How had things gotten this bad?

Only a week ago he and Kate stood wrapped around each other in her club, willing to figure out everything together. Love seemed capable of binding them together, of making them stronger, but now there was nothing left.

Jon rolled onto his hands and knees, taking a moment to regain his bearings. He didn't want to vomit on the kitchen floor for fear of passing back out in it. He had sworn off alcohol years ago, never wanting to be this drunk again. He carefully stood, his legs shaking underneath him.

Marcus was right. He had failed Kate. No wonder she ran into Victor's arms. He could protect her and would. But why let him touch her so intimately in front of him and Marcus? Was she trying to destroy him?

"She knew what the fuck she was doing." He pulled his phone out of his pocket and started to call for a cab before deciding against it. Seeing her would only make matters worse for both of them.

He walked toward the front door, slipping in the liquor on the floor and falling against one of the walls in the kitchen. He grabbed the door frame and pressed his forehead to the wall, taking a shaky breath and realizing that life would never be the same. He had almost allowed himself to fall fully in love with her.

He offered her a future, a life with kids and love in it. She had declined, laughing at him as if he wasn't worth her time.

Fury rose up in him and he screamed, hitting his fist against the wall above him. He needed to see her, to hurt her once more. She had ripped the future out from under him at the funeral home, the bitch not even willing to give him a free pass for ignoring her. He was hurting and his goddamn brother's missing body was just found recently. What did she expect from him? A fucking tower of strength and calm at all times?

"I'm just human, you stupid bitch."

He pulled himself up and grabbed his keys before walking out of the house and into the cool early morning air. He shouldn't drive so fucked up, but he couldn't stop himself. She needed to know just how much he would grow to hate her. How his brother ever saw anything in her was beyond him.

"Where was the girl from the graveyard tonight? Did she really die there? Did she mean to punish me in front of Marcus with Victor? To humiliate me?" He pressed his fist to his mouth as bile rose up in his chest. Pausing by the side of the garage, he let the contents of his stomach go, bending over and heaving until he had nothing left.

Jon wiped his mouth and unlocked the garage before moving in quickly and getting on his bike. He needed to get on the road before he changed his mind.

"No more being a coward. She needs to know what she's done to me. I'm going to watch her every move from now on. She'll pay for this. She knew Seth, which means she had some part in Adam's death."

Had she been duping him the whole time? Fuck, everyone else had.

He pulled the bike out into the road and let out a long breath before slipping on his helmet and heading to downtown. He would just keep his speed under control and everything would be fine. He would make it to her, or die trying. The latter sounded like a better deal at the moment.

Jon had sobered up slightly, but not enough by the time he reached her. Parking his bike across the street, he worked quickly to tie it up. The place was rather empty, but the sun had already begun to rise in the distance too. The smell that rose up from the street surrounding him caused his stomach to turn again. This place was as filthy as the people who lived in it.

He started to knock and realized that he knew the code from one of their earlier conversations. He typed it in quickly and took the stairs two at a time, almost tripping on the last one. He started to break into the door and decided against it. He was an asshole, but he wasn't a criminal. That was Kate and Marcus's lot in life.

He lifted his hand and banged on the door a few times. "Kate. It's Jon. Open the fucking door."

The sound of her unlocking the bolts caused him to drop his hand and take a step back. What was he doing there? He wasn't going to hurt her. He wasn't that kind of man, drunk or sober. He would never lift his hand to a woman. She deserved a good tongue lashing though. He could just tell her what a piece of shit she was and leave her standing there, dejected and feeling very much like he did a few hours before at Victor’s.

The door opened and she moved back, her tank top white and panties pink. The messy style of her hair and sleepy look on her cute face tore at him.

"Jon? What's wrong?" Panic slipped into her voice and fuck if he didn't want to be the one to restore her calm. He moved into the apartment, taking her into his arms and kicking the door shut.

"I hate you so much," he growled softly before turning and pressing her against the wall. He hovered just above her, the smell of her skin driving him wild. "You fucking tore my heart out tonight. Why? I would never have done that to you."

Tears filled her eyes as she turned her head away from him and let out a soft cry. What the fuck was that? Was that her sorry for leaving him hanging over the edge of death? It wasn't going to fly.

He grabbed her face roughly and jerked her back toward him, leaning down and pressing his nose to hers. "Why didn't you just tell me that you were with Victor? That you had become his whore?"

The power of her slap against the side of his face caused him to release his hold on her. She seemed to have perfect aim, hitting him in the same spot Marcus had connected with. Pain laced him and he lifted his hand to his face, growling softly at her.

"Did you come here to attack me? If you did, then bring it on. Let me show you just how well this little girl can defend herself." She lifted her hands and damn if he didn't want to smile. She was beautiful and so fucking violent. His cock came to life in his slacks, the moment horrible for wanting more from her than he would be willing to ever accept again.

"I would never attack you. That's your job." He rubbed his face and walked to her kitchen, reaching into the cabinet to get a glass. He filled it up and turned to watch her as he lifted the cup to his lips. Her tank top was tight, the small pink budded pebbles of her nipples so damn perfect. Memories of tasting her and touching her intimately ran across his vision. His body hardened painfully, not needing anything else but a glimpse of that night to leave him panting and needy.

"Get out. Victor pumped that fucking drug in me again tonight. I have very little control left."

"What?" He moved from the counter, his anger burying softly behind concern. "What drug?"

"The ecstasy that he spoke of. When he kissed me." She brushed her palm over her lips angrily as she whimpered.

Jon realized then that something was off with her. Her pupils were dilated and she was breathing much too fast.

"How do we get it out of you?" He moved toward her, but she turned and walked toward her bed, her back to him as she wrapped her arms around herself.

"Just get out. Leave me alone. I'll be fine in the morning."

"No. I'm not leaving until I know you're okay, Kate."

"Get out!" she turned and screamed over her shoulder, the world seeming to shake around him. Never had he seen her so passionately lost. That was all he needed to break his resolve.

She swatted at him as he spun her around and lifted her roughly, pushing her to the bed and climbing on top of her.

"Get off. I don't want this. You're not the kind of man to rape a woman."

"You're damn right. I would never rape you, but that fucking drug is already doing it for us. Shut up and let me help push it from your system."

"How?" she cried out and Jon reached up, running his hand through her hair.

"Water."

"I've drank a fucking tub full of water," she screamed, rubbing her fingers down her face roughly.

Jon pinned her hand above her and let out a long breath. "Oh fuck. I can't do this. I need you too bad. I hate you too much."

"One more night. Just one more night, Jon."

"One more night..." He closed his eyes and pressed his head to hers, knowing that all he wanted was one more night in her arms. "Yeah... I'm dying inside anyway."

"Me too," she whispered.

He looked up as tears dripped down her face. He rubbed his hand over her chest above her breasts softly, wanting to heal her and yet knowing their time was up. They were over.

"Let me fuck you one more time and I'll walk away."

"No. Make love to me one more time and then you go."

"Okay. I need to know something." He pressed his lips to her collarbone as he ground himself against her.

She groaned loudly and reached up, pinning him against her with the digging of her fingers. "Anything."

"Did you sleep with Victor?"

"Not yet." She ran her fingers through his hair before moving down to his face and brushing her lips across his.

"Are you going to?" He licked at her mouth, not sure he could handle the answer he knew he would receive.

"Make love to me, Jon. One more time."

He moved down and tugged her shirt up, sucking her nipple deep into his mouth as he worked quickly on his zipper. The sound of her enjoying his mouth and hands left him desperate to give her more. He wanted to be angry, to punish her with the violence of his fucking and yet his movements were soft and sensual. He loved her, but she would never again hear it from him.

After finally freeing himself, he tugged hard at her panties, the ripping sound causing him to growl.

"Now. Please... don't stop until we can't move." She reached for him, pulling him back up.

Jon took a hold of himself and pressed into her as he closed his eyes. Nothing had ever felt better than the beautiful woman beneath him. He kissed her once before tucking his face into the side of her neck. He couldn't handle them being fully unclothed. It would have been too vulnerable and reminded him of the forever he couldn't have.

He wasn't likely to survive after the night of holding her again. She hadn't been with Victor. It had been a lie, as most likely the whole night was. He pressed fully into her before biting at the soft flesh of her ear. She arched and tightened around him. Her soft panting lighting him on fire as it spread along his veins.

He took a hold of her ass, slipping his fingers under what remained of her panties and grabbing tightly.

"That big cock feel good inside of you, Kate?"

"God yes. Fuck me with it." She wrapped her legs around him and he began his assault, not taking care to massage his way in and out of her. They both needed a hard fuck and he was going to provide it.

He slammed into her as she moaned over and over. He wanted to hurt her, to remind her that this moment was fleeting and wouldn't happen again, but he simply couldn't because the loss of that promise would cripple him forever. How had she gotten such a tight hold on him?

"Take it, Kate. Open your thighs and get fucked good and hard one last time."

A soft sob left her as her fingers dug into him. He pushed harder, his body slapping against hers furiously as he worked them both into a sweaty mess. She released him, reaching up and taking a hold of the sheets above her as a guttural sound ripped from her chest.

Jon moved from his position to take hold of her pretty face with one hand. "Watch me come. Remember this passion when things get hard."

"Will you remember?" she mumbled as she slid her hands over his shirt and clasped them around his neck, her hips rocking so fast he could feel himself getting lost in her rhythm.

"Forever, Kate. Forever." He watched her as warmth spread from his cock all the way up his stomach and chest, his orgasm the hardest he had ever experienced. He took full advantage of her and milked himself with her tight little body, some part of him wanting so badly to leave her with a gift planted deep inside of her.

Something that would connect them... forever.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kate

He didn't say a word after he came. A soft kiss on her lips and he stood and tucked himself back into his pants and walked out. Kate turned onto her side and let out a silent scream, her need to take back everything almost overwhelming her sense of reason. She could have done this before he showed up once more. Now she wasn't so sure, but did she really have any choice in the matter? Life would be lived without him. It's just the way things had worked out.

Playing house with Victor in front of Jon earlier changed her outlook on life. She was a cold-hearted bitch, but she had no choice, had she?

All she wanted was one more time in his arms and the universe had granted that. Why did it feel like their love making was the last drop of humanity she would be granted?

Jon's words rolled over her from the first night they made love.

"Let me in... I will never hurt you."

He had done so much more than hurt her, but it wasn't really his fault. She had to walk away from him and make sure it stuck. She cared too much about him to allow him to live the life she and Marcus would be forced into. They were used to it and would survive. Jon wouldn't. He was strong enough too, but the darkness of it would chip away at him until there was nothing left.

Jon was gone for good. Victor could have her body and Marcus her friendship. Her heart would once again be put into the small black box she imagined to reside in the center of her chest. No one would ever break her again - she wouldn’t allow it. Love was the epitome of the weak and it never seemed to work out for people like her. Time to mourn the death of something great and move on. Time to let go.

Turning, she pressed her face into the mattress and cried until she had nothing left. It didn't take long and she was out, the peace of not having to feel anything for a while far more than she could ask for.

Kate woke again a few hours later, the buzzing of her phone pulling her from a horrible dream. In it she belonged to Victor, and she was in love with him completely. She shivered at the thought and pulled the phone from her nightstand before realizing that she was still half-naked and covered in the remnants of her sex with Jon.

It was Marcus.

"Hey," she mumbled into the phone as she got up and kicked off what remained of her favorite panties. A shower was the first order of business.

"Turn on the TV, Kate."

"I'd rather not. I was still asleep."

"Do it now, baby."

Marcus rarely demanded anything of her. She let out a soft sigh and walked to her small television, setting down the phone long enough to pull off her tank top and picking up the remote. She picked up the phone and held it between her shoulder and ear. "What channel?"

"Two. I'm getting off the phone and parking. I'll be up shortly."

"I'll meet you in the club in a minute. I need a shower first."

"All right. Watch the fucking broadcast first."

"Fine." She hung up and set the phone down, flipping the channel to two and wondering what the hell would have Marcus so worked up. He was beyond cool and collected most days. Maybe the world was coming to an end. Sure as fuck felt like it.

A thirty-something guy in a navy blue shirt and far too serious expression nodded over his shoulder as he began to talk. The large building behind him looked like a prison, the white walls high as barbed wire curled around the tops.

"Kevin Jones here for channel two news located out of Houston, Texas. I'm standing here at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit approximately five miles southwest of Livingston, Texas. Most of you might find the name of this prison unit recognizable. That's because it's the location for criminals in the surrounding area who have been sentenced to death row. I'm here today with grave news. Around four this morning it was noted that one of the most notorious criminals, a Mr. Billy Turner, was found missing from his cell. Officials have yet to place him, but a two-mile tunnel was discovered under his cell. We would caution anyone who knows him to please be on the lookout and if you have any information, please call the following..."

Kate turned the TV off and stood in stony silence for a minute. Could things honestly get any worse? Billy Turner was the most vile and horrible creature ever to inhabit New Orleans. He used to be Marcus's boss and her biggest fan. The day he was put away for multiple counts of murder helped to infuse hope that things would get better. Marcus had to be shitting bricks. No wonder he was headed over.

After checking the locks on the front door, Kate moved to the bathroom and locked herself in before starting the shower. Her despair over losing Jon would have to be expressed later. She and Marcus had to figure out if they were in danger and needed to alert Victor... or not.

If Billy came back to town and found Victor trying to take over his territory, perhaps their problems would be solved for them. Kate shivered and got into the shower, lifting her face to the spray and washing Jon off of her for the last time.

"Billy's a million times worse than Victor." Kate let her thoughts go, knowing that there was a chance that the cops in Texas would pick the bastard up. It was a slim chance, but something to hope for no doubt. 

There was no time to panic over the situation as other things in her life called for her attention firstly. Understanding her role as Victor's partner was at the top of the list. He was attracted to her and wanted more from her than simple business might allow for, but she wasn't willing to play whore. If they were going to start sharing their bodies with one another, it would be her to set the rules and make the demands.

No one would ever demand anything of her in the bedroom again. Jon was the last and his stain would be on her soul for a long time to come. She swallowed her tears, letting the hope of a future with him fade far into the background.

Marcus was standing at the front door as she walked in, his black t-shirt and slacks fitting him beautifully. He reached for her, pulling her into a tight hug as his large hand clasped to the back of her neck.

They rarely showed affection in the club, but the crowd had already started to gather and the room was filling up quickly. The two of them wouldn't be the center of attention, there was too much commotion going on around them.

"Did you see the news about Billy?" Marcus moved back a little, looking down at her.

Kate ran her hands up his chest and around his thick neck as she nodded. "I did. Let's hope the good guys in Texas are much better at their jobs than the ones in New Orleans."

He smirked and nodded toward the door. "It's going to be busy tonight. You want to make your rounds and then head back to the office? I'll meet you there and we'll run through the inventory list before I put in all of our orders."

"Yeah. I'll see you back there in a few minutes." She turned and walked around the edge of the dance floor, her eyes moving across the sea of faces, looking for trouble. Having been on the streets and in the center of far more fights than anyone should have to persevere through, she knew exactly what she was looking for.

The crowd seemed to be in good spirits, the music and liquor turning them into a large moving amoeba. A smile touched Kate's face as she walked toward the bar, the scene behind her the exact reason why she accepted ownership of the bar. Life was hard as hell. A release every now and again was the only thing that got most people through it. She wanted to offer that release to them.

"Hey boss lady. Don't you look hot tonight?" Jeffery wagged his eyebrows as Kate approached. He had been with her and Marcus since the opening of the club a few years back and had yet to relent on his desires to take Kate on a date.

"It's warming up for sure. Do you think I need to check the air conditioner?" She winked and leaned against the bar, turning and letting her eyes scan the vicinity.

"You knew what I meant, Kate. Are you going to avoid me forever?"

"Yes." She turned her head enough to see him. "Keep an eye on that thin, black-haired guy with the girls dancing all over him."

"Yeah, sure. Did he do something?"

Kate turned and looked up at Jeffery, his height screaming basketball player. "No, but I have a bad feeling. His movements say he's high on something, not drunk. I just don't want any trouble in the club tonight."

Finger Eleven's "Paralyzer" came over the speakers and the crowd went wild. A smile touched Kate's face as she moved from the bar, waving over her shoulder to respond to whatever final comment the handsome blond bartender slung her way. Her stomach tightened as she shifted to ensure the younger man's face was in her vision.

His smile was electric, his eyes full of life, but it was the blood that dripped down his lip from his nose that caught her attention. She moved quickly onto the floor as his eyes started to roll back in his head.

Everything happened too fast. Kate reached him about the time he collapsed, his body twitching as he seized.

She lowered him carefully to the floor as he began foaming at the mouth, his body locked in a battle for life.

"It's okay. Just stay with me. We'll get you some help." She glanced over her shoulder as the crowd started moving back, screams filling the place. The music only seemed to get louder as she yelled for Marcus over and over.

He reached her and dropped down beside her. "9-1-1 has been called."

"What the fuck? What did you give him?" She took the small towel Marcus offered her and wiped at the boy's face and mouth to try and clean him up a little. He hadn't stopped shaking and she had begun to alongside him. There was nothing more destructive to the soul than watching someone fight to live and knowing the chance was slim.

Marcus leaned in and took the boy, nodding toward the door. "Nothing. We'll talk later. Get the EMS over here. He's not going to make it if we don't move fast."

Kate nodded, but froze in place as the young guy became Adam, the trauma from a few weeks earlier rolling over her. How could this be happening again?

Please don't let him die. Please don't let him die.