The Fallen (A Sons of Wrath Prequel) (18 page)

CHAPTER 17

Xander had taken her in every manner that he’d fantasized about. From behind. In the ass. Tied to the cross. Riding him. Pinned against the wall.

And finally, in the shower.

By the time the sun peeked through the curtains, he’d fucked her a half dozen times. Even then, as his fingers dug into her muscles, massaging her visibly weakened body as she sprawled across the bed, he wanted to plunge into her. He’d had to prop her against the wall to wash her in the shower, before carrying her to his bed while she moaned with exhaustion, as if worried he intended to take her again.

Instead, he spread her across his bed and pampered her with kisses and the soft kneading of her beaten muscles. Through that, the question still burned inside his mind.

He needed to know where to find the camera.

Perhaps she’d trust him. Maybe he could ask her without forcing her to hide away inside her protective little cocoon.

At least for a few hours, though, he’d let her sleep.

***

Draped across his chest, Karinna’s naked form pressed into Xander’s as she stretched and slid her warm cheek against his skin. She let out a tired
mmmm
and wrapped her arms tight across his stomach.

Xander needed her to confess. After what they’d done, what
he’d
done, the time had come to lay it out on the table. It’d only be a matter of time before Hasziel and the heavens caught wind of his actions.

He’d be hunted by both camps—good guys and the bad.

“Tell me why you want in,” he said.

Though she didn’t look his way, he caught the creasing of her brow. “You first.”

Xander inwardly smiled with pride at the fatigue still bleeding into her voice.

“Tell me who you really are,” she said.

“You know who I am.”

She lifted her gaze to his and the tightening of her chin screamed defiance.

He pinned her with an earnest stare. “I know you know who I am.”

Like two card sharks holding out for the bluff.

Her jaw relaxed as her gaze fell from his. “I know. And you know why I want in.”

Once again, Xander stared into sea green eyes.

“How long have you watched me?”

“Months.” He sat up, away from her.

“You’re always there, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“The feathers. You’re …”

He nodded.

“The one my sister spoke of. You …
saved
her.”

“Tell me where to find that camera.”

Her bottom lip slipped between her teeth, almost like she might’ve considered it. “No.”

Xander huffed and rubbed his skull, impatience finally bubbling to the surface. “I can help you. I can kill every one of them.”

“Then, why haven’t you?”

Xander bowed his head. “Killing them will be the end for me.” He looked back at her.
It means I never see you again.

“And if I kill them?”

“Impossible.” He shook his head. “You don’t understand what you’re up against.”

“Demons?”

“Doesn’t that frighten you?”

“I sleep sometimes with the light on so I don’t see white ghosts in the dark. I wake from nightmares with visions … I don’t even
know
where they come from. I’ve hurt myself so many times over the last few months just to prepare myself for the hell of captivity.” She lodged her hand in a tangle of her hair, the locks spilling between her fingers. “Of course it frightens me. Up until my sister started rambling about them, demons were the crazy hallucinations of my demented mother.”

“Then, why go after them?”

“Because …” She scowled, fingers fidgeting. “They stole the only person in this world that I ever loved. And for that, every one of them will die.”

“You’ll die.”

Her scowl softened. “Death only takes those who lie to rest. I’m not ready to lie down yet.”

The scruff of his face tickled Xander’s palm as he rubbed his chin. “Human sacrifice has always eluded me. So long, I’ve been immersed in the shadows of evil, drifting in a world of pain and suffering. No one sacrifices for anything in this place. People die. Brutally and savagely, and not even I give a fuck anymore.” He glanced back at her, where she leaned against the headboard, determined and sexy as hell. “When I see you, though, I feel grounded again. You make me believe that light can touch even the darkest souls.”

“Take me to the club.”

“Where is the camera?”

She shook her head, eyes directed toward her fidgeting hands.

Xander clutched her ankles and slid her toward him. Climbing atop her, he pinned her arms to the bed, frustration exploding to the fore. “Quit fucking with me! Where is it?”

“I want a name. One of the men who hurt her.”

“They’re dead. Both of them.”

“
Two
of them. What makes you think I’d stop there? All of them will die.”

Only a dark soul would thrill at her words, and Xander undoubtedly thrilled at them. They snaked beneath his skin, calling out to every fiber of his being. He imagined both of them, soaked in sweat and the blood of their enemies, fucking the violence and rage right out of each other. “I want you.” His breath rattled with the confession. Every bone in his body steeled for the wrath of the heavens as he pressed his erection into her. “You will be my undoing.”

Her gaze fell from his, landing lower, where one small section of his ribs had been tattooed on the right side. From between the cracked-looking bone, a black bird perched, feathers falling beneath it. “The tattoo. Is that a nightingale?”

“Yes.”

Her finger traced it, as if she pondered its meaning. “I once heard the nightingale’s song was a plea of souls trapped in Purgatory.”

Yes.

Leaning in, Xander kissed her neck, licked, sucked and kissed it again. Wrong. So wrong. But Xander’d already tasted the fruit, and fuck, it tasted divine. He needed more of it. More of her.

Something had awakened inside of him. Call it drunken lust or whatever shit happened to guys when they couldn’t get enough of something, but hamsters had a bigger attention span than he could muster. All other thoughts—vengeance, the club, the camera—fizzled down into the image of rocking into her tight little body.

There were places in the world that shouldn’t be unlocked—Pandora’s Box, the gates of hell, a serial killer’s freezer—and somehow she’d found that one insatiable black hole inside of him, the dark dwellings of a fiending beast that would fuck her right into the ground.

Hands pressed into his chest, and Xander allowed her to push him onto his back as she crawled on top of him. “Take me to the club and I’ll tell you where to find the camera.”

No wonder she opted for the power seat. Striking a deal like that took some brass balls, and the only thing that kept him from stringing her up for punishment, happened to be his
aching
balls swelling beneath her heat. 

His grip nearly crushed her hand. “How can I make you forget the club?”

“You can’t.”

Damn the thirst for vengeance that seethed in her blood. And damn him for understanding that pain.

Xander gently pushed her off him and stood from the bed, lifted his pants from the floor. From inside the pocket, he clutched an object in his fist. Dropping the pants, he slunk back into bed beside her.

Taking her wrist, he fashioned a gold, chain-link bracelet. “It’s a gift. To protect you.”

She lifted her arm, spinning it around her small wrist. “How?”

“It belonged to my partner. It contains a tracking device embedded in the gold.”

“What happened to her?”

He frowned. “Just keep it on at all times.”

“Ian killed her.” She lowered her arm and tipped her head. “Why would you save him, then?”

“To defeat a monster, you have to become one. Be the very thing you loathe.”

“Is that what you did? Sold out?”

“I never sold out. I did what I had to do. Trust is earned.” His gaze fell to her lips. How badly he wanted to kiss them. “Have I gained your trust yet?”

She didn’t answer.

Xander strode across the room to the large armoire, which he opened up, and rifled through the top shelf. Hard plastic jabbed his probing fingertips, and he pulled the object down, carried it back to her, and tossed it on the bed.

Karinna jumped back, both her lips and eyes parted wide.

His muscles tensed as he waited for her reaction. Anger? Confusion? Seemed like it took forever for her to decide.

Green eyes lifted to his, carrying almost a knowing smile. “Yes. I trust you.”

Lifting the mask from the bed, she secured it to her face and came to a stand in front of him. Half black, half white, the volto mask damn near said it all.

Good. Evil. Forgiveness. Vengeance. Right. Wrong. Light. Dark.

And behind it all, the woman he’d kill for.

CHAPTER 18

“In and out.” The words clamped around Xander’s chest, nearly stealing his breath. Goddamn, the idea didn’t sit well, but what other choice did he have? “You see the club. You get whatever fucking jollies you need. And then you tell me where to find the camera.”

Yeah, she nodded all in agreement, but the way her eyes widened with excitement, feral with vengeance, Xander couldn’t be sure one quick sweep would be enough for her to tell him anything.

Rather than argue his point, he yanked her behind him, across the dark parking lot, to the front entrance of
Hard Limits
.

“Don’t fuck with me, Karinna. Don’t fuck with this. The bastards don’t play. They kill and move on.”

“Probably the only thing we
do
have in common.”

He threw a glance over his shoulder, peeled back his sleeve, and lifted his arm in the air. The door clicked open.

Jed met him at the entrance and eyed Karinna—an act that could’ve easily landed him bloodied and mutilated in a dumpster, had he not turned away when he did.

Xander’s nerves flared. Every bastard up in the place would be looking at her that way. She had an exotic quality in her long flowing hair and pale green eyes. The leather she wore would’ve had Xander’s dick standing proud, if he hadn’t been wired and ready to kill something.

Getting eyed by human males was one thing. The kind of eyeing that happened in
Hard Limits
bordered on murderous, like road-kill delivery to a room full of ravenous vultures.

“Stay with me.”

She nodded.

The bass kicked in as they entered the club. Like every weekend, the party carried on in full swing. Literally. Women dangled from swings, fucked in swings, and the sign on the wall flashed
Swingers Masquerade
. Every one of them wore white volto masks, and under the blue undertones of dim lighting, the rising smoke effects looked like something out of
Cirque du Soleil
.

He glanced to the side, gauging Karinna’s reaction, but it was impossible to discern behind the mask she wore—the only black and white mask up in the club. Xander hadn’t bothered to wear one himself. Most knew to stay the fuck back, which was exactly the message he wanted to send with Karinna in tow.

Gripping tight to her hand, he led her through the crowd. “This is the main floor.”

She seemed to be taking everything in as her head made a slow scan from left to right. A hand slid across his chest at the same time that Karinna’s broke away. Xander swung around, against the tug of his chin, as a busty redhead attempted to kiss him through her mask. He snarled, pushing her off him, and followed Karinna, being led by a masked male through the crowd, toward one of the few empty swings.

Over the sea of bodies, he caught her fist rear back and pound the asshole in the face, crushing the mask and knocking him backward into the swing.

Xander breathed a sigh of relief once she’d returned to his side and slid her hand in his once more. Fuck, if he squeezed any tighter, he’d bust her bones.

“I want to see the dungeons,” she called out over the trance music corrupting the speakers.

Christ.

Xander kept on, eyes constantly scanning, his grip of Karinna unfaltering. Down the dark hallway lined with moaning bodies in varying sexual positions against the wall, they came upon a winding staircase.

Down toward the dungeons, they descended, passing the occasional disheveled couple—some bloodied.

“Look who decided to bring a guest along.” Jimmy’s voice traveled like a bolt of lightning down Xander’s spine. Asshole lifted his mask, confirming Xander’s guess. “It’s Swinger’s Night.” His finger trailed down Karinna’s arm, setting off warning signals in Xander’s head. “Perhaps you’d like to make a trade.”

“Back the fuck off, or I’ll be trading your liver for a big fucking blade.” Xander’s hand rested on the hilt of his dagger as his lip peeled back.

“Relax.” Jimmy’s brows raised in a smile. “Just happy to see you here.” He lifted Karinna’s hand for a kiss, then tugged the mask back over his face. Continuing on up the stairs, he yanked the chain fastened to the collar of the woman following behind him.

“Jimmy. Ian’s brother.”

“Got it.” Even muffled, Karinna’s voice sounded like she was mentally taking notes.

Xander kept on, until they reached the bottom of the staircase. Six rooms lined the hall on either side. “The dungeons.”

“Can I see one?”

Of course she wanted to see one. Letting out a huff, he led her to the one at the end of the hall. Karinna entered behind him, mask angled toward the ceiling, and wandered the space. Chains hung, with cuffs, walls held all variety of tools, and the fucking machine stood in the center of the room.

The door clicked, and what could only be a smile shifted her mask. “It’d be a shame to waste a perfectly good room.”

“Not here, Karinna. It’s not safe.”

She removed the mask and her lip caught between her teeth. Xander’s heart kicked into overdrive. “Tell me, Xander, was I ever safe with
you
?”

Probably not.

She stepped forward, placing a hand against his chest. Damn that blaze of lust that seemed to radiate from her fingertips. Dizzying. He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Show me.”

“Not here. I’ll show you everything. Whatever you want. Just not here.”

She pushed onto her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Okay,” she whispered. “Take me to your bed, then.”

He crushed her against him. “Best fucking plan you’ve had all night,” he said against her lips. “Let’s go.”

His pounding heart told him that he didn’t trust Karinna’s motives. Shit, having tasted the fruit of temptation, he didn’t trust his own. Anymore of that kissing, petting shit, and he’d have gladly strung her up for a quick romp in the dungeon.

Keeping her in his bed sounded like a brilliant plan.

On his trek up the stairs, Xander bumped into gyrating bodies, not giving a damn that he’d interrupted a dozen orgasms-in-progress along the way. His objective remained in sight. The door. Paying little attention to anything else, he stalked through the tight crowd on his way toward the entrance. Karinna stumbled along in tow, her tiny wrist tight in his grasp.

“Xander!”

Fuck.

Ian invaded his path flanked by two scantily-clad females in leather—both wearing white masks.

Xander held up a hand. “On my way out.”

“One moment. Please.”

Karinna slipped from his hand, and Xander spun around, fists curled for fight.

“I simply wanted to meet your escort. She’s … stunning.” Ian’s gaze roved Karinna, and the bitterness of blood trailed down Xander’s throat. “Little free-spirited for your taste, though.” He chuckled.

As if Karinna had somehow caught on, she bowed her head. “Master, may I use the restroom?”

Are you fucking serious?
Had it packed some punch, his glare could’ve knocked her right on her ass for that. Too bad she refused him eye contact.

Ian seemed to study his reaction. “Are you going to let the girl take a piss, or is this one of your many torture tactics I’ve heard about?” A burst of laughter followed, and Ian slapped him on the back. “I’ll have one of my lovely ladies escort you.” Bastard winked and waved the faceless girl to his left.

Xander watched after the two, silently murdering every masked face that gave her a once-over on the way.

“Shame you’re in a hurry.” Ian’s voice remained nothing more than an irritation. “I’ve some guests arriving soon.”

“Guests?”

“Yes, I told you about them earlier in the week. With Cat O’ Nines out of the picture …” He patted Xander’s shoulder. “I’ve plenty of girls for the auction.”

His words hardly registered for Xander with his eyes peeled for Karinna. A million different scenarios swirled in his mind—none of them ending on a good note.

“I’d hoped you’d celebrate with us. The party begins promptly at midnight.”

“Celebrate?”

Ian’s conversation paused and Xander realized he’d turned in the direction of his stare.

“My, you are quite …
enamored
with this one.”

Xander clenched his jaw. “Paid good money for her. I intend to break her in.”

“Well, should you decide to come back here tonight, you’ll be our most honored guest.”

A wave of relief washed through Xander when Karinna made her way back through the crowd, her black and white mask cutting through the sea of white. The female who’d escorted her lagged a few steps behind.

“Thank you, Master.” She said, sidling up next to him.

“Goodnight to you, Ian.” Tamping down the urge to throw Karinna over his shoulder, Xander tipped his head and bolted for the door.

Once outside, he clamped his lips, eyebrows furrowed. “’The fuck was that?”

“What? I’ve had to go since we left your place. Not that you even bothered to ask. Girls get UTI’s from that shit.”

“Do you not understand that those bastards want your head on a platter?” He tugged her into his chest. “Don’t toy with me.”

“Isn’t that what you enjoy most about me?
Master
?”

Xander rolled his shoulders. Yanking her hair back, he kissed her throat. “Get on.”

There. He’d taken her to the club. Let her get a good look at both Ian and Jimmy. Even showed her the dungeon.

She’d tell him where to find the camera and all would be fuckin’ peachy again.

A hand slid into his jacket, gliding down his chest, and squeezed his stiffness.
Wildcat
. Xander hammered the throttle and sped out of the parking lot, never so anxious to see his bed.

***

Not even two steps inside the old castle, Xander pinned Karinna to the wall and tugged off her jacket. With her legs cinched around his waist, he carried her up the stairs to his bedroom. Once inside, he kicked the door closed, fused his lips to Karinna’s, and stumbled toward the bed.

She dragged his shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. Her hands reached behind the leather corset.

“No!” he barked. “You undress after. Slowly.” No way he’d miss the chance to peel away those layers from her body.

Her lip twitched, but she took a step back and waited as he finished removing his pants.

Eyes riveted on her, Xander hooked the lacing of the front, and she tugged the sides of the corset, revealing nearly half the globes tucked inside. Only those skinny straps kept them hidden, and he pushed them down her slim shoulders. Xander palmed one of her soft breasts, and rubbed his thumb over her nipple, bringing it to a hardened stand.

Karinna’s eyes rolled back, and her nails clawed his arm as though to keep from collapsing.

Hands inching beneath her attached miniskirt, Xander groaned at the wetness that met his fingertips. “You never fail to surprise me.” He ravished her mouth. “We’re two fucked up souls, you and I,” he said against her lips. A shiver traipsed his spine and Xander grabbed her by the throat. “You will fuck no one else. Only me. Is that clear?”

The demure smile she shot back at him carried pure, wicked lust. “Yes, Master.”

“It’s time you see what’s inside my box of tricks, little girl.”

“The gun safe?”

“No toys, Pet.” He gripped her chin. “I intend to fuck your mind this time. Xanderize your ass.” He smiled at her widened eyes. “To the cross.”