In Wicked Chains (The Wicked) (14 page)

Blood.

“Elina? Where are you, baby? Talk to me.” King got his feet, body quickly going numb as he searched the place. It was empty.

I failed her
. He rubbed his chin with trembling hands, fighting the violence and nausea rising from his gut rapidly. “Fuck!” He punched the mirror over her bathroom sink, cracking the glass into a macabre spider web. Stinging pain shot up his arm. His knees gave out and he sat at the edge of her tub, face in his hands.

She trusted him to keep her safe and he fucked up big time. Now someone they didn’t even know had her, and he had to sit on his ass. He pulled out his phone, dialed Maysin. Maybe Maysin could do his computer magic and find surveillance photos, something, anything to staunch the fear Kingston was hemorrhaging. He punched in Maysin’s number without feeling a thing, but it went straight to voicemail.

Kingston frowned. When was Maysin ever not reachable? “God damn it.” Niko might know another way to reach Maysin. Before he made another move, the phone in his hand rang, startling him. “Hello?”

“You left your woman unguarded, boy?” The rusty voice tssked. “Not a good move when the other one is surrounded by big strong men and this one isn’t.”

“Earl?” Kingston jumped to his feet. “You? You have Elina?” Cold suddenly surrounded him. Terror ate at his insides. “Don’t-don’t—why did you take her?”

His father laughed. “I recognize her face. She’s that dead gangster’s daughter and she’s whom you’re fucking. I watched you and her.”

“If you hurt her, I will skin you alive. Do you hear me?” Voice hoarse, Kingston grabbed his gun and strode out the bathroom. “I’ll kill you if you hurt her.”

Earl rattled off an address. “Meet me there in three hours. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you don’t bring the cops, you’re a smart man. You get that from me.”

Kingston gritted his teeth. “I don’t—what do you even want? And I want you to promise not to touch her, not to hurt her.” God, he was begging, pleading.

“I can’t make that promise. She has the smoothest skin…”

A small whimper drifted into the phone. King tasted blood as he bit down on the inside of his cheek.

“As for what I want,” Earl said, “I want what I’ve always wanted.
Sasha.
”

Chapter Ten

Harper’s face hurt from smiling. She held the glass of champagne tightly while she mingled, smiling and nodding as yet another guest offered congratulations on her fast approaching nuptials. She wanted to fling the champagne flute against the nearest wall, hike up her dress, and run the fuck out of there.

Some engagement party.
The groom-to-be was on the other side of the room, holding court with politicians while she was expected to talk about the weather and private schools with their fake-ass wives.

Shit, I’m perilously close to slitting my own wrist
.

The group of women around her tittered at something one of them said, and she offered a closed-mouthed smile, craning her neck to peer at the entrance. Sasha should be arriving soon, the only real person Harper knew.
My only friend, really.

Sure Sasha knew her secrets, but the woman never tried blackmailing her with them. She only cared about one of those secrets and encouraged Harper to come clean, embrace the possibilities.

But I can’t. That one secret sets all the others crumbling down around
me
.

“Ah, excuse me.”

The sound of stainless steel cutlery against glass caught her attention.

She looked up. Isaiah stood in the middle of the room, glass held up in preparation of making a toast.
Damn man.
He cut a striking figure in custom-made Hugo Boss, dark hair tinged with gray, sharp nose and chin. His skin was naturally tanned, nothing artificial for him, and though he rarely found time to visit the gym, his early forties body was still tight, hard, well-built.

Under different circumstances she’d find him attractive, may have fucked him without a second thought, when he wasn’t blackmailing her, when her heart didn’t belong to someone else.

Her soon-to-be hubby cleared his throat. “Now that I have your attention, I’d like to ask Harper to stand beside me.”

All eyes in the room turned to her, making her squirm. She pasted on another smile when Isaiah motioned her over.

The bastard could always play to an audience. She skirted the crowd and made her way to him, standing silently at his elbow.

“A toast to Harper for agreeing to marry me.” He turned twinkling eyes to her. “You see she wanted no part of me. My life in the public eye. Late nights, early risings. But I begged and begged until she finally relented, making me insanely happy.”

Ugh.
She threw up a little in her mouth at his words. Movement caught her eye and she turned to the room’s entrance. Sasha walked in, swathed in something tight and black, arm hooked around a tall man next to her. Her companion’s long, curly hair hung loose around his wide shoulders. His bulky frame clothed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Harper watched as Sasha and her companion each grabbed a glass of Champagne from one of the waiters, then turned their attention to Isaiah as he wrapped up his speech.

Maysin held her gaze without blinking.

“Here’s to Harper.”

She turned back to Isaiah just as he leaned over and planted a kiss on her mouth. She froze. The crowd clapped.

“Kiss me back,” Isaiah whispered against her lips. “Now.” He circled her waist, pulling her to his chest. She went along, curling her hands on his shoulders, opening her mouth for the invasion of his tongue. She shivered, fighting the urge to gag. Eyes squeezed shut, she remained still under his attentions, allowing him free rein.

This wasn’t the time or the place to fight him.

Maysin’s here. And like that her body heated. She pushed away from Isaiah then. He let her go with a smirk. Their guests cheered. A flush of heat settled over her face and chest as she met Maysin’s stare. Next to him, Sasha rubbed his arm in a soothing gesture.

Harper frowned at the touch. How did those two know each other? Could Maysin be the man Sasha talked about, her man? Fuck.
I need a drink.
Harper walked away from Isaiah without a word, headed to the open bar.

Sasha caught up with her as she ordered a white wine. Maysin was nowhere in sight.

“Hey, are you okay?” Sasha touched her arm.

Harper moved away from her touch, downing about half her glass of wine in one swallow.
How do I tell my friend I’m in love with her man?
Fuck, why was her life so go damn complicated? “How do you know that guy you’re with?”

Sasha smiled. “Rick? Oh, Rick and I are close. Real close.”

God. “His name’s Rick?” What the hell was going on here?

“Oh, nah.” Sasha crooked a finger in Maysin’s direction. “I call him Rick because he kinda looks like Rick Fox. You know, the basketball player?”

Harper just nodded.

“You know him, now, as Maysin Winthrop-Ferreira.” Sasha winked as Maysin joined them. “I made sure of it.”

Harper coughed. Eyes wide, she looked from Sasha to Maysin and back. “Explain yourself.” She kept narrowed eyes on Sasha, she didn’t want to even look at Maysin, but his warm scent flowed over to her, teasing her.

“Rick’s family. He loves you.” Sasha grinned. “You love him. I gotta help you crazy kids out since it appears you’re not even going to try.”

“Wha-what?”

“Breathe, Harper.” Maysin spoke in a low tone. “Your fiancé is headed in our direction.”

She gulped air into her lungs and forced her body to relax. Lifting her head, she met Maysin’s gaze. He didn’t hide the need, the fire. She glanced away. It was too much.

An arm circled her shoulder. “Introduce me to your friends, Harper.”

“Uh.” She licked dry lips. “This is Sasha Forde, and her date—”

“Maysin Winthrop-Ferreira.” Maysin held out a hand and Isaiah took it eagerly.

“Of
the
Winthrop-Ferreira’s?”

Maysin nodded. “Yep.”

Isaiah’s smile grew wider. “It’s an honor to have you here, but how do you know my lovely bride-to-be?”

“I don’t know him, not at all,” Harper spoke up quickly. Maysin’s gaze flicked over to her. She looked away.

“Well, it’s a pleasure, Mr. Winthrop-Ferreira,” Isaiah said.

“Please, call me Maysin.”

“Maysin it is.” Isaiah chuckled. “I’d love the chance to discuss my admiration of your family’s many charitable works, but I’m afraid something needs my attention.” He kissed Harper on the cheek and headed in the direction of the Mayor.

“Piece of work, no?” Sasha snickered.

“Harper chose him,” Maysin responded with a tic in his jaw.

“Don’t.” Harper shook her head. “You.” She pointed an accusing finger at Sasha. “You’ve been conspiring behind my back. Did you set us up back at the restaurant? That time when you didn’t show up, did you plan that?”

Sasha shrugged, unrepentant. “What if I did? Are you sorry you got to see him again? You love him, but you won’t fight for him.” She grabbed Harper’s hand. “Tell him. He can help. Trust me when I tell you, he can help.”

Maysin stood silent, watching the exchange.

“I can’t.” Harper shook her head. “I won’t.” Familiar shame washed over her.

“Yeah. Okay. Be the martyr.” Glancing around the room, Sasha spoke under her breath. “You two need some alone time, I can make that happen.”

“I don’t—”

“Quiet, Harper.” Maysin sounded like he spoke through gritted teeth. Turning to Sasha, he said, “Do it.”

“‘K.” Sasha pulled Harper towards the bathrooms. “I spotted a utility closet next to the women’s restrooms. Five minutes.” She tugged a speechless Harper along as she waded through the crowd.

Harper didn’t dare speak. She feared she’d open her big mouth, confess her feelings for Maysin and beg him to take her away. But then her secrets, the things she fought so fiercely to hide, would be available for the world to see.
That can’t happen
.

She’d willingly spend this time with Maysin, but nothing beyond it. Tonight she’d put an end to it, once and for all.

“Here.” Sasha stopped abruptly. She looked left and right, then grabbed the doorknob, opening the utility room. Stepping inside, she flipped on the light, illuminating the brooms, dustpans, and cramped dank space.

Harper raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“You can always go back to the man who’s blackmailing your ass.” Sasha shoved her into the room, removed the key hanging on the door and pocketed it. She glanced down the hallway, then back at Harper. “Maysin’s coming. Once he’s here, I’ll make sure no one comes looking.”

“Sasha.” Harper stayed her hand. “Why are you doing this?”

The other woman’s features softened. “I love Maysin, he’s like a brother to me. He loves you. I know that feeling of loving someone so totally and I want him to have it. I want him to be happy. He hasn’t been in a long while.” She pushed the door closed, then yanked it back open. “Don’t tell him I called him Maysin.”

Harper chuckled to herself. She never took Sasha for the soft type, but her friend was that and more. Harper appreciated Sasha’s efforts. But tonight had to be the end.

It had to be.

The door opened. Maysin squeezed his bulk inside the small space, crowding her as he shut the door behind him. They stared at each other. And suddenly she couldn’t find air to force into her lungs. He took it all.

The trembling started in her knees and worked its way up, shaking tears from her eyes. “Maysin.”

His eyes shone bright in the dim lighting. “I swore I’d never touch you again. You don’t belong to me. You chose him.” His voice shook. “You chose him.”

“I’m sorry.” She dashed away the tears. “I don’t have excuses or explanations. I’m sorry.” Harper laid a palm on his chest, over his heart. The organ raced under her touch. She pushed the jacket off his shoulders, hooking it on the broomstick in the corner. “You don’t have to touch me, let me touch you.”

Leaning in, she pressed kisses to his jaw. The rough stubble pricked her lips, but she didn’t mind. She unbuttoned his pants and slid her hands inside, wiggling around until she circled his hard cock.

He hissed. “We don’t have time for this, Harper.” He rolled his hips.

“We have enough time.” She claimed his mouth, sliding her tongue inside. He opened, kissing her back ravenously. She tasted him thoroughly, conveying her feelings with each slide of her tongue and each swipe of her thumb over his cock’s head.

He groaned. She swallowed it, then dropped to her knees.

“Fuck, Harper. Don’t—”

“Ssh.” Harper tugged his pants and briefs halfway down his thighs, exposing his cock to the air. She couldn’t see it clearly in the low light, but he swelled thick and hard in her palm, the veined length pulsing. A bead of pre-cum glowed on the head and she swiped it off, then licked her finger. “You taste amazing, Maysin.”