Dangerous (The Damaged Trilogy #2)

Chapter 1

Aro

The king-sized bed squeaks in protest as Marcus pounds into me from behind. The mattress is the only thing moaning, because I sure as hell am not. I’m propped up on one elbow, ass in the air, bored out of my mind.

How did my life come to this?

Eight years ago, I was a straight-A student with early acceptance to half a dozen colleges. Now? I’m the girlfriend of a major drug boss in Atlanta.

Sounds bad, but it isn’t. Not really.

It’s actually a pretty sweet gig. Marcus buys me whatever I want, and his crew keeps an eye out for my stepfather, Joe, in exchange for me playing the role of trophy girlfriend. I spread my legs, wear his diamonds, and look good on his arm. We all get what we want.

A knock at the door slices through the monotony.

“Aro?” Sean, my bodyguard, calls. “We’ve got a situation.”

That perks me up. “What kind of situation?”

“The kind I need to explain in person. Not through a door.”

“Well, why didn’t you lead with that? Come in.”

“Aro!” Marcus hisses, mid-thrust. “What the fuck?!”

“What?” I ask innocently, which is hard to pull off when his dick is inside me. “You love a little exhibitionism. Just pretend he’s not here. Or pretend I’m not here. Oh, or maybe—”

Smack!

His hand connects with my ass, cutting me off. I pout as Sean walks in without even blinking. He’s used to my antics and has the patience of a saint.

I rake my eyes over him. Tall, dark, and devastating. Too bad he’s into guys. Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the view, though.

“Yeah, you like that, babe?” Marcus pants behind me.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“Your little cunt just gripped me so goddamn tight—”

Yeah. Totally because of him. Had nothing to do with Sean standing there in black-on-black with his jaw clenched and arms crossed. Nope. Nothing at all.

“What’s up?” I ask, refocusing.

Sean’s expression sharpens. “Got some intel today. Thought you should hear it.”

Marcus starts thrusting faster. God, I hope he’s close to finishing.

“Oh, gossip? Spill.”

Sean smirks. “Remember that girl you asked us to keep an ear out for? Lina?”

My heart skips a beat. I tense involuntarily, and Marcus… groans, finishing with a shudder. He pulls out and heads to the bathroom to deal with cleanup. I yank my dress back down and slide off the bed, finally free to breathe.

Privacy is a joke in this house. Everyone answers to Marcus. Even Sean. But with Marcus busy for a few minutes, it’s as close as I’ll get.

“Yeah? What about her?” I ask, going for casual.

“Couple guys are asking around. Said her name. Matched the description you gave me.”

I swallow. “Do we know who they are? What they want?”

“Not yet, but one’s going by ‘Ax.’”

Axel. Of course.

My throat goes tight. “Keep me updated. If anything else comes up, I want to be the first to know.”

Everyone here thinks Lina is my sister.

Once upon a time, I was Lina Harrington.

Now, I’m Aro Collins. My appearance has changed enough that no one from back then would look twice.

My long, golden hair is now a dark, shoulder-length bob.

I’ve aged well, sure, but hard years have dulled the shine in my eyes.

I’m no longer a na?ve, abused teen. I’m twenty-six. Hardened. Wary. Surviving.

Sean steps closer, voice low. “Jesus, Aro. Did he even make you come?”

I raise a brow at his bluntness. “If the sex was good, I wouldn’t be talking to your ass through it.”

His jaw tics, anger flickering behind his calm facade.

I like Sean, probably more than I should, but I’m starting to think he cares too much.

I’ll never leave Marcus. Not with Joe still out there.

Marcus keeps me safe. He has the resources, the muscle, and the reach.

But if he ever dumped me? I’d hope someone like Sean would want someone like me.

Speaking of not getting dumped… maybe I should fake a few orgasms next time. Remind Marcus how good I am on my knees.

“You deserve better,” Sean murmurs.

His words cause me to flinch and take a step back. He doesn’t know what I’ve done. What I’ve had to do just to survive.

“No, I really don’t. Worry about your own orgasms, big guy.” I clap him lightly on the shoulder and head for the kitchen.

I might look calm, but inside, I’m unraveling.

If Axel’s looking for me, then Nik and Johnny aren’t far behind.

Johnny blamed me for his mom’s death, and I’m sure Axel does, too, to an extent.

I left Nik without telling him the truth and with no explanation.

Whatever reason they’re looking for me, it can’t be good.

After my mom died, DHS asked me to testify against the police force.

While they built their case, I was placed in the custody of my biological father, Ben, an FBI agent who I thought had died when I was a baby.

It’s a long story, but he was obviously very much alive and living in Tennessee with his wife, Maryanne, and her sons, Axel and Johnny.

While in Tennessee, I grew close to both boys and their best friend, Nik. Their kindness and patience taught me how to open up and love again, even if it was only for a moment.

Unfortunately, the night after my eighteenth birthday, Joe found me. He compromised my new identity, killed Maryanne, and shattered my illusion of safety. I only knew her for four months, but she was the only woman who ever mothered me right. I miss her every single day.

Ben and I still talk through a burner phone once a month. I can’t tell him where I am or what I’m doing, but just knowing I’m alive seems to bring him comfort. I wish we could have more of a relationship, but until Joe is caught that’ll never happen.

A few years ago, DHS finally came to collect on the testimony they felt I owed them, and shit hit the fan. People were outraged, and although I was testifying as ‘Jane Doe,’ Joe still found me. He always does.

But it’s fine. Let the guys look.

As long as I have Marcus, they’ll never find me.