Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Chelsea
I managed a brief shower and change of clothes without being disturbed. The guys all took quick turns after me, barely getting under the water long enough to soap and rinse.
After about twenty minutes, we arrayed ourselves around the room. Dallas and I sitting side by side on the bed. Jay on a chair. Atlas reclined against the wall beside him, legs crossed at the ankles. He looked relaxed, but I knew he wasn't. He was as on guard as the rest of us. Waiting. Ready.
Finally, the click of the door came. Even though I was expecting it, I startled slightly.
Dallas squeezed my knee for reassurance.
I squeezed his in return. In spite of assurances from Nyla, I struggled to have faith in this plan of hers. Her visit could still have been nothing more than a ruse, to discourage me from fighting back.
Maybe I was being na?ve, but I didn't think so.
I genuinely believed her when she said she wanted to take down Carlos Jones.
Those brief moments of vulnerability were peeks behind her mask.
A facade she spent years building. Once she had to keep in place to protect her life and her sanity.
My heart hurt to think she'd spent this long biding her time, preparing for the right opportunity.
On the other hand, she had used me like I was some kind of toy.
A puppet to be moved around however she wanted.
I couldn't see them, but she still had her strings attached to me.
Given half a chance, she'd tug on them again.
Next time, I'd be ready. I’d push back. I wasn't going to let her, or anyone else, control me.
One of Jones' minions stepped into the room ahead of him. He glanced around to make sure it was safe before nodding to his boss.
Jones' gaze swept over all of us, taking us in one by one, before his gaze lingered on me. "I see you're ready to leave."
I rose slowly, forcing my mind to the headspace I used to be in when I was stripping. Provocative, sensual. Confident in my own skin. Storm's nickname for me was Panther. That's who I'd be. A cat, stalking her prey.
"I like it here," I said smoothly. "It's comfortable." I stepped toward him like I was back on that stage. I was the one in control here. He was the toy, he just didn't know it yet.
"I'm taking you somewhere better," he said. When I was close enough, he placed a finger under my chin. He didn't need to tilt it up to meet his gaze. Unlike my boyfriends, he was the same height as me. Tall, but not as tall as them.
"What's the hurry?" I tilted my head slightly, so as to avoid dislodging his finger. As much as I wanted to. Even this light touch felt slimy. Repugnant.
I reminded myself to switch off those thoughts and focus on what was really important. Getting out of here with everyone intact but Jones.
To be honest, not looking back at my guys was a struggle. I could almost feel them wanting to punch out Jones' lights. They mentally had their fingers wrapped around his throat, squeezing, squeezing.
"Dusk Bay is a cesspool," he said. "I'm sure you'd prefer to be somewhere other than here. I know I would."
"I like Dusk Bay." I pouted. "I thought for sure you'd have one of those nice, big houses with a view of the bay."
He looked at me with undisguised suspicion. I could almost see the thoughts tumbling around in his brain. What was I up to, and did he care? If I was up to something, surely he'd be able to deal with it. Why not enjoy me while I was being agreeable?
Arrogant prick.
"I do have a house like that," he said. "But it's not the place for you right now. I want you away from here." The first hint of doubt flickered across his dark eyes. The longer I was here, the greater the chances my brother would find us. At least he was smart enough to be scared of Ice.
"That's so sweet," I purred. "Are you worried about me?" He was worried about his own ass, that was all. He only cared about what he could do to mine. I placed a hand on his chest and smiled.
He grabbed my wrist and held it firmly. "I don't waste time worrying. But I won't let anyone take what's mine."
Behind me, one of the guys let out a soft growl. I couldn't tell if it was Dallas or Jay. I knew it wasn't Atlas. Not when he was still pretending to be a dutiful minion. He was the only one who hadn't taken a shower. Instead, watching over us to make sure we continued to behave.
Jones chuckled. "I see we have some objection, but they'll learn. I own you now. In fact, now might be a good time for demonstration. We have a few minutes before we have to leave for the airport." He slid his hand from my chin, my cheek and grabbed a fistful of hair. "Get on your knees."
I'd been issued that instruction so many times in the past, complying was almost automatic. I didn't need to think, just sank down, taking his hand with me, still tangled in my hair.
"Good girl," he said smoothly. "Take out my cock."
Judging by the size of the tent in his pants, I'd have to find it first.
I smiled up at him and reached for the tongue of his zipper.
The door burst open behind him.
"Sorry boss, but I thought you'd want to know. You were right about Nyla working against you."
Jones shoved me away from him as Nyla herself was pushed through the door in front of a couple of his men. I scooted back to the bed, beside Dallas.
Nyla staggered, but just managed to keep her feet. "I didn't do anything. You can't prove a thing." Her eyes were firmly on Jones.
One of his minions held out a phone and tapped on the screen. Her voice filled the room.
"Because he had my parents killed. They stood in his way.
He wanted me and my sisters to belong to the cartel.
In every sense of the word. So I pretended to be a dutiful woman.
I managed to get his trust and work my way up, through the ranks.
Stepping on anyone and everyone that had a part in my parents' murder, as I went.
Carlos Jones is the last of them. But he's also the most difficult.
He's always surrounded by other people. Oh, I could shoot him in the head, but then I'd be killed too.
No, I need to separate him from them, and find a way they can't retaliate until I take over. "
Nyla's face paled. Her eyes narrowed and she glanced at us.
"We didn't record that," I said. "He took our phones before we were brought here."
"I suspected you were up to something and put an extra microphone in here," Jones said. "One you didn't know about."
"She turned the rest of them off," the minion said helpfully. "So she could go behind your back."
"I was trying to gain their trust," Nyla hedged. "Make things easier for you."
I wasn't even slightly surprised she’d turn on us so quickly. Of course she was looking after her own ass.
"It worked, didn't it?" she continued. "She was on her knees, ready to suck you off." She gave me a look like I was repulsive in some way. As if it was my idea.
Jones stared at her for at least a minute, before raising his hand and slapping her across the face. He hit her so hard, she staggered back into the man behind her. He grabbed her arm to keep her from falling.
"Ungrateful bitch," he snarled. "I should have killed you too. You were always more trouble than you were worth."
She stood looking defiant, her hand over her cheek. "I should have killed you when I had the chance. Even if I was dead right after, it would’ve been worth it. The world would be rid of you."
His face turned red. "I should have you taken out and shot like the dog you are. But I'm not going to. Instead, you're coming with me. It seems I haven't taught you well enough. You’ve forgotten who owns you." To his minions he added, "If she opens her mouth again, shut her up with your cock."
"Will do, boss," one of the henchmen said. He seemed to be looking forward to it, hoping she’d give him an excuse.
Nyla recoiled in revulsion, but pressed her lips tightly together.
For the first time, I saw real fear on her face. It wasn't an empty threat. Jones would let his men rape her if she said another word.
Taking my cue from her, I made sure my mouth was closed, and nestled as close to Dallas as I dared. I knew it might piss Jones off, but right now I needed the physical comfort his presence provided.
Jones glanced at us, but if he noticed or cared, he didn't say anything. "Get them all in the cars. It's past time we left for the airport. Atlas, I hold you personally responsible for the actions of the other three." He flicked his fingers roughly in our direction.
"If any of you put your foot out of line, he can look forward to a bullet in his brain." His gaze lingering on me. He wasn't going to put up with trouble from any of us. Nyla well and truly pissed him off. Now, he was on his guard.
"Understood, boss," Atlas said smoothly. "They'll behave."
"They better." Jones shouldered past Nyla and stalked out of the room without glancing back.
"Grab your stuff and let's go," Atlas told us. "We don't want to annoy him any further."
I very much wanted to annoy him, but now seemed like a bad time to do it. I had no doubt he'd kill Atlas and not think twice about it.
Instead, I stood and grabbed my bag before filing out of the room between Dallas and Jay.
At some point in the not so distant future, I was going to have words with Nyla Fox.
Thanks to her, we were deeper in the shit than we were before.