CHAPTER EIGHT
Sara
“Good morning, Nova,” Tibby’s chipper voice blared into my earpiece, and I cringed. It was too early for loud noises. I mean it was almost noon, but still. Too many whiskeys last night and my head was pounding. I prayed my weird super healing abilities would take away the hangover soon.
“No, it is not a good morning. Something is wrong with the Princes.” I gulped down my coffee as I stripped out of my oversized T-shirt and stepped into the shower.
Tibby’s voice immediately switched gears. “Why do you say that? There’s been nothing out of the ordinary with their movements. Andras was snarky as ever in class.”
I huffed, recalling his incessant questions as he picked on me for all the answers. I had to force myself to answer incorrectly a few times so he wasn’t suspicious. The smug look on his face every time he corrected me had my fucking blood boiling while Tibby laughed in my ear. He’d given us assigned seats, forcing me to the front row, and I didn’t entirely hate it. He was so goddamn beautiful. I soaped up my body as I remembered the way his muscles bulged in the Armani suit, tailored perfectly to fit his athletic form. He wasn’t as broad as Ty or even Levi, but he was sculpted to perfection. I had to squeeze my thighs together to keep my horniness in check during his lectures and I swear his nostrils flared and his eyes dilated when he walked by, as if he could sense my arousal.
My hands dipped lower, and I brushed my fingers between my legs slowly, feeling a different kind of wet between my thighs.
“Hello? Wake up, Nova,” Tibby shouted through the speaker of my phone, bringing me out of the very dirty daydream I was sinking into fast.
I quickly grabbed the shampoo and started aggressively washing my hair instead.
“Andras seemed mostly his asshole self, but Devon was all wrong last night. He wouldn’t look me in the eye, and his smiles were tight. When I asked if he was okay, he just said he had a bad business meeting. Do you think he figured something out about me?”
Tibby typed faster, the clicking ringing like tiny shots firing in my brain, and I breathed through the pounding in my head.
“He’s at the bar now, and I didn’t see anything strange, but—”
“But what?” I cut in, my anxiety rising. If they figured out who I was before my plans had barely come together, I was fucked.
“Wednesday night, after Ty was at the club, I checked cameras the next day and there was some kind of glitch for the two inside Dev’s bar. I’m not sure why. If someone tampered with them, they did an excellent job of hiding that fact. Right now, it’s like they shorted out for all of twenty minutes, then went back to working like normal.”
I mulled that over. The cameras Dev had in his bar weren’t high quality. They could malfunction, as technology does, but because of who he is, I’m not so sure.
“I don’t want to rule anything out. Keep checking to see if you can find out if the cameras were tampered with. I can set up one of our own cameras in the bar.” I frowned, because, duh. Why didn’t I do that in the first place? I was being lazy letting Tibby hack into his. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.
“Yeah, that’s probably smart. I’ll leave a camera for you at the club. I’ll be there tonight,” Tibby added casually, her voice changing sultry.
I smiled, stepping out of the shower and drying off. “Got Ryan wrapped around your little finger now, do you?”
Tibby’s Tinkerbell laugh carried through the speaker. “Obviously. Tonight I’m going for Josie.”
I arched an eyebrow at my phone. “Josie? Since when?”
“Since now. She’s hot. I’d like to get them both in my bed. Do you think she’d go for it?”
I laughed. “Josie is 100% into pussy. She has no interest in sucking or fucking a cock. But she is kinky. So maybe if you were in the middle…”
Tibby let out a sexual moan that made my skin flush. “That sounds fucking divine. Can you try real hard not to have any drama tonight so I can live out that fantasy?”
I grinned. “I’ll do my best. I’m heading to the firehouse in a couple hours and plan to hit up the gym before going to the club.”
“Did you hear what I just said?!” Tibby screeched. “I asked for no drama, and you just made plans with two of our deadliest targets. Can’t you just stay home and read a book like a good girl?”
Well, she wasn’t wrong. Maybe I’d skip the gym and go for a run. I needed the exercise, but I suppose I could avoid Ty this evening. “Fine,” I conceded. “I’m still going to the firehouse, but I’ll be your good little girl tonight and stay away from the Princes after that.”
Tibby snorted. “You will never be anyone’s good little girl, but I appreciate the effort.”
Since this wasn’t a fancy adventure, I opted for sexy but casual. I slipped into a pair of forest green leggings with mesh cutouts on the sides. I paired them with a black sweater that hung off my shoulders to show off the lacy straps of my dark-green bra. I left my hair loose and wavy and my makeup minimal—mascara and a fire engine–red lipstick. I smiled to myself in the mirror. The lipstick was hot, and I hoped it would draw in a few gazes and get Levi’s blood pumping. My insides heated thinking about it, and I grimaced. Sara you slut, get it together.
I stomped my feet into my favorite boots and slipped out the fire escape. I didn’t feel like dealing with Dev today. I couldn’t avoid him forever because I needed to stay close, but after the mindblowing orgasm, my brain got all fuzzy around him, and I needed a clear head. Although, he wasn’t messaging as much, and that was odd. Maybe Tibby was right and something was off. I slipped my tiny backpack over my shoulder, with a few cameras tucked away for me to plant at the firehouse. I didn’t think Levi would honestly do any shady cult shit at his day job, but I needed eyes on the Princes at all times.
Levi’s firehouse was about fifteen minutes from Dev’s bar, and as usual, I saw that as a challenge. I zoomed between cars on the highway, enjoying the feel of the cold wind biting into my skin. Goosebumps littered my flesh as I sped through traffic and relished in the freedom I always found with my motorcycle rumbling between my legs. For a few minutes, nothing mattered and I let my mind go quiet, pretending my life wasn’t a dumpster fire.
The ride took less than ten minutes. I jumped the short curb and parked right up on the sidewalk in front of the station like a jackass. Levi would love it. I didn’t block the open doors for the trucks, I wasn’t that big of an asshole. Curious looks from several firemen peppered my skin when I pulled off my helmet and placed it on the handlebars. I whipped my hair like a fucking supermodel and spun around, giving them a bright smile as I walked just inside the doorway of Engine 33.
“Hello, boys.” I let my eyes linger on their faces, noting their reactions.
I knew them all, of course. Tibby and I went over every fireman to find connections we might be able to use. Only one of them was a low level member of The Obscuritas and he wasn’t any of these men.
“Hello, gorgeous.” The flirtatious voice made me turn. It belonged to a man named Derrick Stromwell. No criminal record and had a cat. What a softie. He was average height with stacked arms, but looked like he could use a couple more leg days. His bald head gleamed in the sunlight, and he smiled as he approached me. “Can we help you?”
I nodded, glancing around. “I was promised a tour of the firehouse today.”
“Is that so?” Another man, Xavier Saladino, stepped up. Taller than Derrick and muscular all around. He had curly blond hair and pretty blue eyes. Also unaffiliated with The Obscuritas, but he was in a nasty gang. He could potentially be useful.
I looked up into his baby blues and nodded. “It is.” I drew closer to him, and his eyes dilated as I tiptoed up to reach his ear and whispered. “I was promised a ride on a pole too.”
Xavier let out a low chuckle, his cheeks coloring slightly as his eyes dragged over my body hungrily. “Well, baby, you’ve found the right man for the job.”
I smiled and tilted my head to the side, my eyes widening innocently. “Oh yeah? Well—”
“Sara,” a deep voice growled, and I jumped back with a start.
I nearly crashed into Xavier as Levi hovered behind me. He wore a black ribbed tank and dark washed jeans, his muscles and swirling tattoos on full display, as if it wasn’t the middle of fucking winter. He looked fucking delicious too as his dark blue eyes lured me in.
“Levi! I was just getting to know all these hunky firefighters. I honestly thought I’d wandered onto the set of a Magic Mike movie.”
Levi narrowed his eyes slightly before his face broke into a smile and he laughed. The sound of his laughter was infectious and the other men chuckled as the tension broke. “We sell calendars, diabla. I’ll get you one before we leave today.” Levi held out his arm for me like we were headed into a ballroom.
I smiled and threaded my arm through his, noting his use of the word “we.” Apparently we had plans after this little tour. “And what month are you, Levi?”
He grinned and winked down at me. “July. Hottest month of the year for the hottest fireman of the house.”
Xavier snorted a laugh. “You wish.” His gaze turned to mine once more. “Nice to meet you Sara. If you want something to really get your blood burning, check out December. Have a seat on Santa’s lap, and I’ll make all your wishes come true.”
I licked my lips, and Levi’s biceps bulged as he gripped my arm tighter. He leaned down, and his lips brushed against my ear, making me shiver.
“Xavier’s pretty eyes might get you all hot, but my tongue will be the one setting your body on fire, diabla.”
My whole body heated at his words. Levi was bold, and I loved it. He grinned, and I smiled back, unable to stop myself from enjoying this crazy man.
“We’ll see. Can I have my tour now, or will we just stand here trading fire related pick-up lines all day?”
The men laughed, and I felt their gazes trailing my ass as Levi guided me further into the station, pointing out the trucks and tools all neatly placed. These men were incredibly organized. Everything was shiny and clean. I plucked a pack of mints out of my bag, popping one in as I discreetly pulled out the tiny cameras. I asked Levi questions, and he told me facts about the firehouse, from its beginnings in the late 1800s to today. It was actually interesting, and I half-listened as I brushed my hands along the equipment lining the walls, placing cameras throughout. Levi guided me upstairs to their offices, kitchen, and sleeping rooms. We passed other men, and Levi briefly introduced me to them, always keeping a possessive hand around my waist. The others cocked eyebrows curiously but were apparently too scared of Levi to say anything more than a hello.
“Why are there no women at this station?” I arched an eyebrow in his direction, genuinely curious about his answer.
Levi frowned slightly. “We had two women working this Engine about three years ago. There was a horrible fire and both died. One of them was a close friend of Xavier’s and the other was Derrick’s wife. It was a difficult year for all of us, and since then, we just haven’t had any.”
“Oh. But men die in fires too, don’t they?” I asked.
He nodded solemnly. “Yes. And none of us are against adding females to the crew. It just hasn’t felt right yet, I suppose.”
I tilted my head back to look up at him, squeezing his arm. “I understand. I’m sorry that happened. Where was the fire?”
Levi’s eyes darkened, and I almost gasped at the rage I saw burning behind his eyes.
“A factory fire. Incredibly flammable substances.”
His voice trembled with rage, and I wanted to ask more but I opted against it. Tibby could find out what happened, and I could tell Levi didn’t want me to push for more information. I stopped him and pressed my hands to his chest. His eyes softened slightly as he gripped my waist.
“We don’t have to talk about it. I’m sorry it happened.”
He nodded, and the light returned to his face. It was odd, seeing the darkness lurking beneath the surface. I thought Ty was the monster, but something about the shadows in Levi’s eyes made me question whether he was the one to watch out for. Levi turned us, grabbing my hand and guiding me to the end of the hall to continue the tour.
“This, Sara Braun, is the best room in the house. And it’s all mine.”
Levi led me up a short set of stairs and opened a dark wood door, ushering me in. The room was about the size of a small studio apartment with an en suite. It was divided into three areas, with a large wooden desk, small faded caramel-colored couch, and flat screen TV on one side. An updated but minimalist kitchenette was opposite the living room, and a king bed that belonged in a fancy hotel with dark-gray bedding and a mountain of pillows dominated the far corner. But the most beautiful part of the space was the wall of windows with a view of the streets below. The massive wall of glass looked out to the front of the firehouse. A few of the windows were open, letting in a wintry breeze and the sounds of the city thriving around us.
“Damn, Levi.” I whistled, looking out at the world below us. I almost squealed when I turned to find an actual pole in the corner, a circular hole in the floor around it, just big enough to fit a person. “Oh my god, you do have a pole!”
Levi grinned. “Yeah, babe. I told you I’d let you ride it.”
I laughed and looked down into the hole and almost got dizzy. The pole went all the way down to the first floor to the trucks. I could see some of the second floor sleeping room just below, with a similar cut out for the other firefighters to access the first floor easily when they needed to move.
I grinned. “This is pretty fucking cool. And I do really wanna ride your pole.”
Levi stalked up behind me, pressing his body into mine and gripped my waist, his fingers teasing along the top edge of my leggings and making my skin tingle. He leaned down and brushed his lips across my neck, and I shivered in his hold. “Which one, diabla?”
His words set fire to my veins, and I turned my head to the side, looking up at him, our lips nearly touching. I bit my bottom lip and swallowed, his eyes tracking the move like a hawk.
“Both.” The word slipped out as my brain fogged with lust, and I was seconds away from jumping into this devil’s arms. My very own diablo.
Levi’s eyes glinted like the fiend he was, and he crushed his lips to mine. It wasn’t a soft kiss. His lips bruised mine, and as I parted my own to let him in, his tongue dove into my mouth, claiming me with his rough kiss. I moaned, my hands gripping his forearms tightly as his fingers dug into my hips. He sucked my bottom lip into his mouth and bit down hard, making me gasp. He let go before breaking the skin and pulled away. I stared into his eyes, my mouth tingling and my pussy wet from a single fucking kiss.
“Time to go.” Levi winked.
Before I could do anything, he shoved me at the pole, his body molding around my own, and suddenly we were flying down and down. I screamed, unable to do a single thing as Levi held my body hostage against his own, one arm around my waist and the other wrapped around the pole as we glided down to the first floor. His feet touched the floor first, and he kept mine a foot off the ground as he took the brunt of our weight easily. He dropped me lightly in front of him, and I turned around and punched him in the face, my knuckles smarting from the pain.
“Asshole!” I shouted, shoving him back as he grinned maniacally, his lip busted and bleeding.
Several of his men were laughing, egging me on to hit him again, but I doubted Levi would let me land another punch.
He chuckled darkly as he stalked toward me, and I backed up, my ass hitting the pole. He gripped the metal just above my head and smirked down at me. “You scream so prettily, diabla. Was that as good for you as it was for me?”
I narrowed my eyes at him as my chest heaved. “It didn’t last very long. How disappointing.”
He barked a laugh, bringing his body closer to mine, and I pressed my hands into his chest. But he was so strong, I’d have better luck fighting off a bear.
“I know you loved it. I can see the fire in your eyes. That was just foreplay. I’ve got something else planned for the main course.”
“Oh yeah?” I rolled my eyes internally. Nice, Sara, that’s really all you’ve got? But my thoughts were mush, melting for the man before me.
“Oh yeah. Let’s go.”
Levi stepped back and grabbed my hand, tugging me along to the doorway where I parked my bike. He let go as we drew closer and hitched a hoodie off of a hook on the wall. He lifted his arms to slip the navy sweatshirt over his head, causing the black tank to ride up and give me a teasing look of the cut abs and sculpted V-line dipping below his jeans. My mouth went dry and that slut Mina panted between my legs. Levi turned toward me, and it took me a second to register the words on his hoodie. I laughed out loud, the heady desire I was feeling sinking away. Levi wore a hoodie with white letters that read, “Keep Calm And Let Me Save Your Kitty. (It’s OK. I’m a firefighter)”
“That is fucking hilarious, actually.” I smiled at him, and his eyes twinkled with mischief. This boy was 100% trouble. “So where are we going?”
Levi mimed zipping his lips closed. “It’s a surprise. You’re going to have to let me drive.”
He glanced at my bike, and I crossed my arms.
“No way, fire boy. Nobody drives my bike but me.”
Levi pushed out his bottom lip and made his eyes go round like a sad puppy, and gah if Mina didn’t like that too. “But you can’t drive or it won’t be a surprise. Just this once. I won’t tell anyone.”
He stared at me with those beautiful navy eyes, nearly as dark as his hoodie, and I folded like a sucker. “Fine. Just this once. If you hurt her, Levi…I’ll be your worst nightmare.”
Levi smirked, dropping his leg over the bike and patting the bitch seat behind him. “You can haunt me to the ends of the Earth, diabla.”
I pushed my helmet over my head and used his shoulder to lift myself onto the bike. He pulled my thighs forward, forcing me to wrap my body around his, and I shivered as his hands lingered.
His teasing words sent my pussy into cardiac arrest as the bike roared to life and we took off down the street. I slid my hands lower and gripped his dick over his jeans. Two could play this game. He grunted over the rumbling of the engine, and his thick cock twitched as I massaged my hands over the hard length pressing against his jeans. Levi had no idea how much of a devil I truly was, and if he wanted to coax my demons to the surface, I would gladly play along.