Twenty-Four
SCARLETT
I sneak away and into the Servite mansion without being seen, which is a challenge in itself since so many people are here. Guess that’s the benefit of being invisible amongst the masses of rich kids I have nothing in common with.
The inside of the manor, as expected, is just as exquisite as the exterior. Stark white walls with crystal chandeliers hanging in every room along with black and gold accents and furniture fill the space. A large marble staircase sits in the middle of the room leading to the upstairs in front of a floor to ceiling window display.
The sun is now set and the moonlight shines through the floor-length windows all around. I find the house eerily quiet since the party’s confined to the outside, as I make my way up the marble staircase leading to the second floor. Agent Servite mentioned his study was on the third floor, so I turn to find another marble staircase, this one smaller than the other, leading to the top floor.
As I reach the top of the staircase, I get the eerie sensation that I’m being followed, but when I turn, I find no one behind me. Chalking it up to my paranoia, I take a turn down the right corridor and make my way to the end of the hall where I find a large red door with golden handles that doesn’t match the rest of the house. This is obviously the entrance to Wesley’s office. He said I’d know when I found it.
I look behind me once again to make sure no one’s followed me before opening the door and entering the room.
Inside the room is dark with only a sliver of light coming in through the center of the black curtains behind a large desk. Along the walls are built-in bookshelves and large black and white portraits of naked couples in seductive poses. Mesmerized by the beautiful way the model’s bodies intertwine, I can’t help but stare astonished only to realize the man in all the portraits is Agent Servite with a woman whose face is hidden.
An icy cold sensation passes through my veins as I shudder at the realization. I close my eyes and curse aloud, wishing I had never seen that. I can just picture Servite now, with his smug grin and wicked eyes laughing at my reaction.
Walking over to the bookshelves, I run my finger over the old dusty covers. First editions of some of the most famous classics works of literature. I head toward the desk and I remember he said there would be an envelope for me inside his desk drawer. I wiggle the drawer trying to open it but find it locked. Quickly shuffling through the papers on the desk looking for a key to the drawer, I find one hidden in a small decorative box that sits in the corner of the desk. But just as I am about to reach down and unlock the drawer, I hear a noise coming from behind me.
The door creaks open and a dark shadow appears right as I crouch down to hide underneath the desk. Loud footsteps echo in the silence, the sound of heels clacking against the wooden floorboards. The steps get louder the closer they get to me, and I can’t help but close my eyes as I sense the stranger’s impending arrival. Bile rises in my throat once again and I bring my hand to my mouth to stop it from coming out.
Suddenly, the door creaks once more as if it’s being opened again.
“Who the fuck are you, and what the fuck are you doing sneaking into my uncle’s study?” Shit . Ace’s voice grows louder as he steps into the room, closing the door behind him, but it’s the voice I hear next that makes me cringe in fear. A voice I never expected to hear again.
My mother.
“Look, boy, this is none of your concern, so I suggest you leave and look the other way. If I’m not mistaken, I assume you're used to that.”
But Ace ignores her demand. “I asked you a fucking question. Who the fuck are you?” I hear a shuffling of books and papers, and I know she’s looking for the money I was supposed to place on the desk.
“Get the hell away from his desk,” Ace shouts once again, and I hear more footsteps coming closer before suddenly appearing in front of me. I cover my mouth to hold back my gasp, as Ace stands beside his uncle’s desk, the desk I am currently hiding under. I drag my foot closer to me hoping to hide completely under the desk, but my movement catches his attention.
He looks down and sees me under the desk, a look of confusion on his face, but I bring my finger to my lips pleading him to keep quiet and he quickly looks back up to my mom.
“What’s under the desk?” she asks, approaching us.
Ace stands straighter and shifts his feet closer to me to hide me completely from view. “A panic button so I suggest you leave because I just called for security and they’ll be up any moment.”
“You foolish boy, you’ll regret this,” my mother says almost laughingly. “You tell your Uncle Wesley this was his one and only chance. He will never hear from me again. ”
I hear the door creak open once again before slamming shut, but can’t seem to move, unsure of what will happen next. My mother was just in this room like Agent Servite said she’d be. But she didn’t get the money, and he didn’t get her. Which means his plan failed and I’ll be the one to pay for it. I cringe at the thought, closing my eyes, letting my head fall back against the bottom of the desk.
“What the hell are you doing down there?” Ace shouts as he crouches and grabs my hands, pulling me out from under the desk into a standing position. My head feels woozy and my steps falter slightly, losing my balance. Strong arms come around me as he positions me on the desk, my ass now resting against the wooden surface.
A stiff hand cups my face, caressing my cheek underneath the mask. My gaze settles on Ace as I take in the sight of him for the first time tonight. He’s wearing an all-black suit and a matte black mask with gold and red accents just like mine. His eyes look a stormy blue as they stare deep into mine, his face illuminated by a small gleam of moonlight coming in through the window behind us.
“You wore it?” he asks, tenderly stroking my cheek, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. My eyes close at the feel of his cool hand against my heated cheek and I let my head fall back slightly, a soft moan escaping me.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper softly, opening my eyes, once again looking into his eyes and I regret it almost instantly. His gaze is now dark, full of lust and desire, and fuck if it doesn’t send a flood of heat to my core.
“Absolutely stunning,” he says, cupping my chin and bringing my face closer to his, so our lips a mere centimeter away.
I gasp and he licks his lips wantonly.
“What are you doing in here, Red?” he asks, bringing me out of my daze, reminding me of where we are.
I turn away from him when suddenly Agent Servite throws the doors open barging in through them looking furious. His face hardens at the sight of Ace and me behind his desk in a less than compromising position.
“What the fuck did you do?” he shouts, startling me.
I slide off the desk making a break for the door but don’t get far before he reaches out and grabs my arm. I yelp as his grip burns into my skin. He pulls me towards him, turning me to face him, my chest crashing into his.
“You stupid, stupid girl, you had one simple order to follow, and you failed. You know what that means.” He eyes me furiously, a deep scowl on his face and it terrifies me.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Ace shouts as he approaches us. He pulls me out of his uncle’s grip causing him to laugh maniacally.
“You foolish boy, you have no idea what you just cost me.”
“Cost you?” Ace shouts out confused and angry at the same time. “I just saved your ass from some psycho bitch stealing from you. I think the words you're looking for are "you're welcome.”
Ace’s remark only makes his uncle laugh harder. Servite reaches out to me caressing my cheek but not in the same affectionate way Ace just did. No, his touch feels dirty, tainted, malicious.
“You shouldn’t have failed me, angel. But not to worry, we’ll have another chance.” He turns heading toward the door but stops in his tracks as I shout.
“She said you would never see her again.”
He turns back to me, a hand running through his perfectly combed blond hair. “So, she saw you?” he asks, and I almost feel like lying.
“No,” I whisper.
“She’ll come back. Like I said, she’s desperate and wants something I have.”
I don’t bother asking what since I know he’s not forthcoming with information about her and their connection. I just want to get out of here as quickly as possible .
“Get out, both of you,” he yells, and I rush to the door with Ace on my tail. Before we step out, he speaks again. “You will both pay for this indiscretion. And let me tell you, Scarlett, next time I won’t be so forgiving.”
I rush out the door running toward the staircase that leads to the bottom floors but don’t get far before Ace grabs my arm pulling me to him.
My chest collides with his, as his hand comes to hold me behind my back. “Not so fast, Red. You can’t escape me without some answers.”
“I just need to get away from here,” I say, trying to pull out of his reach, tears threaten to come out and I think he notices.
He turns to look toward the staircase before pulling me with him.
“Follow me,” he says, dragging me down the staircase. We make it down to the main floor and he pulls me toward the back of the house and out a glass door leading to the yard on the opposite side of where the party is being held.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we make our way outside.
He stops suddenly, turning to me and placing both hands on my waist. “Do you trust me?” he asks.
“No,” I blurt out before I can stop myself and he looks amused.
“Good,” he says before leading me to a smaller guest house. We walk up to the front door as he pulls a key from his pocket.
“Where are we going?” I ask, but he ignores me as he opens the door leading me into the spacious house. It’s much, much smaller compared to the enormous mansion we were just in but equally beautiful. I step in further to the house as he closes the door behind us.
“Where are we?” I ask, turning to find him gazing at me. His eyes are dark and full of lust as he takes in the sight of me dressed in my gold gown under the dim light of the room.
“My place.”
“Your place?” I ask confused .
“Where I live, when I’m not in school.”
Of course, he would have an enormous mansion and not live in it. Then again, who would want to be with his father and uncle there?
“I usually stay in the beach house, but I come here on the weekends sometimes.”
I look around the room, running my fingers over the marble bar on the right side of the room when I feel him come up behind me. Ace places his hands upon my shoulders, sending an icy shiver through me before lowering his mouth to my shoulder, and blowing a breath of hot air against my skin.
Slowly, he trails his lips against my skin. “Beautiful,” he whispers breathlessly.
I close my eyes to stop myself from turning around to face him as he continues to press soft kisses along my shoulder, moving up my neck. Involuntarily, I arch to the side to give him more access. Ace reaches for the zipper of my dress and in slow motion pulls it down, revealing my bare back to him.
I hear his breathing quicken as he realizes I’m not wearing a bra before his hands find my waist and he turns me swiftly to face him. I keep my eyes closed, not wanting to look directly at him, afraid of what I might find looking back.
Ace’s hand comes up to caress my cheek as the dress falls down my waist, ending in a puddle on the marble floor. Opening my eyes, I find his gaze remains glued to mine, a thick cloud of lust glazing his eyes as he watches me attentively. My nipples harden from the way his gaze lowers, following the curve of my practically naked body.
And then he does the one thing that makes me break my resolve, he bites his fucking lip.
I can’t take this agony any longer. My body needs him.
The desire I have to make him mine is overpowering my senses. I need to feel him, to touch every inch of him. My hunger clouds my judgment and I kiss him again feverously. This time though, his kisses are more intense, full of passion, and a longing need I feel in every part of my being.
They are what I desire most. His hands wrap tightly around my waist as I place mine on his shoulder to steady myself. His broad shoulders are stiff, muscular and I want nothing more than to undress him and to run my tongue over every muscle on his body.
Ace picks me up and I wrap my legs around him as he walks us over to the bed at the far end of the room. He lowers me to it and I slide back slowly not once letting go of his lips.
A moment later, I briefly push him away as my fingers fumble with the buttons on his shirt before I push it off his shoulders not once looking away from his captivating eyes. They burn with passion; their blue is even clearer, glossy, and covered in desire while his body is warm and hard as I stare down at him.
Muscular abs appear beneath his shirt, and I ache to lick every tattoo painted across his skin. I trace the fissures of his abdominals with shaky fingers, and touch and kiss him all over his chest, not missing any inch of his perfect torso. He caresses my body with a desire to explore every inch of me as well, gripping my exposed, aching breasts.
His warm tongue traces over each hard nipple as he reaches down and pulls my thong, ripping it from my body in one swift tug, and throwing it to the side revealing my now completely naked body. He sits and stares at me admiring my body and it makes me flush brightly.
Reaching behind me he unclips my hair, letting it fall in dark waves around me. “You are so beautiful, Red,” he whispers, making my skin shiver with need.
I am panting and out of breath, ready to beg him to touch me, to take me into his arms and make me his. I want to feel him inside me, to fill me with this eccentric passion that radiates between us.
Ace stands up and takes his shoes off quickly, pulling off his pants and briefs not once looking away from me. I am sitting naked on his bed with my knees folded up to my breasts, my most intimate parts exposed to him, while he stands naked across from me. His body is amazing, his erection massive and exquisitely satisfying to the eyes.
Is it odd to find his cock so beautiful?
Slowly, he kneels on the bed in front of me and pulls me towards him, my sex now rubbing against his erection. Lying back on the bed, his back against the silky sheets, he flips me over to straddle him.
Our naked bodies, skin to skin, his hands gripping my waist firmly, and his eyes burning intensely through mine. The feeling of his soft skin as I run my hand up and down his tattooed chest is electrifying.
God, he’s beautiful.
My fingers trace over every piece of ink visible to me, as he places a hand on mine following its movement. I reach his largest tattoo, an eagle wings splayed against his heart, and feel him inhale a sharp breath. I look up meeting his penetrating gaze, and see confusion etched into the small creases on his forehead.
He watches me curiously but there’s something else there. We sit still for a moment drowning in each other’s lust filled eyes, like two pools full of desire and need that never want to look away.
Sitting up, he cups my breast again, his icy touch inciting me as he runs his hands all over my torso. Leaning forward he kisses me softly around my neck, down the middle of my chest, around my navel until he reaches the sweet spot above my center. My body curls inside, my back curving backward because this feeling is overwhelming. I know what is going to happen and I cannot believe how much I want him. I need him.
He stops kissing me and brings his head to mine. “Are you sure about this?” he asks me as he has me naked straddling his lap, his cock a mere centimeter from my opening.
Really, he’s asking me this now as I am sitting naked on top of him. I obviously want it.
“No,” I whisper, looking away. I feel his body stiffen. “But I want this,” I tell him looking back into his eyes. “Hurry, before I change my mind.”
A faint laugh resonates from within him, his beautiful smile illuminated by the moonlight coming in from the window behind him, and just like that, he is inside me.
I groan as his hard cock fills me with pleasure. I am so ready for him, so slick and wet from his sweet foreplay. The entire night has been our foreplay, the last few weeks have led up to this exact moment.
The inevitable.
He lays back as I straddle him, moving back and forth against his cock inside me making him grunt as he abruptly flips us over, my back now against the bed and his heavy body on top of mine. It sends me to another world as he gently pulls in and out repeatedly, kissing me every chance he gets.
I can see the emotion in his expression. He wants me more than anything in the world and I want him just as bad. This feeling is amazing, overpowering.
“Fuck, Red,” he growls as he pounds into me, droplets of sweat falling against my lips. They’re salty, sweet, and entirely him.
Without slowing down, he continues to move, and I meet his every thrust not able to hold off much longer. The look in his eyes is intoxicating, elevating me to a new level of pleasure. It’s too much, a feeling I’ve never experienced.
Sex has always been enjoyable, but this, with him, is something completely out of this world.
“Ace,” I whimper as my body curls off the mattress and I scream as we both climax together.
He collapses on top of me and for a moment, we just lay there in dead silence. I can feel his heated skin over me, his heart beating against mine. It seems all too real, so unexpected, but inexplicably meant to be.
But it’s not, and reality comes crashing down on me like an ice-cold bucket of water a moment later .
God, what have I done? The pleasure, the guilt, all these emotions rise like bile inside me and I sit up abruptly, pushing him off.
“Scarlett?” he asks, a look of sheer confusion on his face.
“I, I have to get out of here.”
“Red, stop,” he calls out but I don’t. “Where the fuck are you going?”
I rush to grab my thong but realize it’s useless trying to put it on, so I run over to grab my dress slipping into it with such a hurry.
“Scarlett!” he shouts, as he stands and follows me completely naked.
“I need to get out of here. This was a mistake, God, it was a huge mistake.”
Reaching for me he shouts, “Fuck no, it wasn’t a mistake.” He grips my arm and pulls me against him, kissing me passionately. Once again, I’m lost in his lips. Our tongues are dancing together as if they never want to let go.
“No! We can’t, please,” I say, as I push him away and reach to zip my dress.
“And why the fuck not?!” he asks, angrily following me.
Shame floods over me like a torrent wave threatening to drown me with regret. “Because of Drake. Fuck, I shouldn’t have come here. Shouldn’t have done this,” I say, motioning between us.
“Fuck him, Red. I swear if you say his name again, I’ll run out there and beat the shit out of him.” He pulls me toward him, gripping me tight as I struggle to get out of his grasp. “You’re mine, Scarlett. Now that I’ve had you, I’m never letting you go.”
“Ace, please just let me go,” I plead, my eyes welling up, tears threatening to break free. “I’m begging you, please let me go.”
He releases me, a look of uncertainty marred on his face. “This can’t happen again.” I say before opening the front door, running away from the devil behind me.
I take a whole ten minutes to make my way back to the front of the house. The thought of heading back to the party makes me nauseous so I decide it’s time to get out of here.
Besides, my hair’s a mess, disheveled like I’ve been up to no good. I can’t face my friends this way.
Walking toward the large driveway hoping to find the limo we came in and convincing the driver to give me a ride back, I find Bass sitting on the sidewalk. He looks up when he senses me approaching, a half empty bottle of whiskey in his hand.
“What the fuck happened to you?” he asks, his tone indifferent yet with an edge of judgment.
I roll my eyes and walk away. I’ve had enough of these assholes tonight.
“Wait, Red!” he shouts as he stumbles to his feet and walks towards me, almost falling over twice.
“Stop calling me that,” I groan, so over the nickname they refuse to drop.
Bass drunkenly laughs. “Okay, okay, Scarlett. Wait up, where are you going?”
“Away from here. I’ve had enough of this party.”
He looks confused, looking around the front yard surely expecting to see Drake or anyone else I came with. “But the party isn’t over yet,” he says, raising the half empty bottle in his hand.
“It is for me.” I walk away leaving him standing dumbstruck and toward the cluster of limos at the edge of the circular driveway.
Discarding the bottle on the floor with a clash, he follows me. “At least let me take you back to the academy.”
I turn and look at him like he’s crazy for even suggesting that. “Like hell I’d get in any kind of moving vehicle with you. You’re fucking wasted, Sebastian,” I say, and he chuckles slightly.
“Fuck yeah, I am. Only way I can stand to be in the same room as daddy dearest.”
His admission throws me off slightly, and I almost ask why. But I have my own problems to deal with, and if being around his father drives him to drink this much, well that’s not something I have time to deal with tonight.
“Thanks, but I’ll find my way home,” I tell him just as a black Range Rover pulls up in front of us. The tinted passenger window rolls down, revealing Agent Servite behind the wheel.
“I see you’re still here. Get in the car, Miss Steele. I’ll escort you back to campus.”
A loud laugh leaves my lips. “Fuck no, I’m not going anywhere with you.”
His brow crease, irritated by my mocking response. “Come with me, or stand here and wait for my nephew to find you.”
Bass walks over to me, places a hand on my lower back. “Scarlett, don’t get in the car.”
I turn to face him, and he suddenly looks a little too sober. I notice his phone in his hand just as Ace appears at the front door, with his phone to his ear. This fucker called him to alert him I was leaving.
Ugh these men are going to drive me into madness.
“Red,” Ace shouts as he rushes toward us, leaving me with only two options. Stand here and risk everyone catching me with Ace or hop into the car with a predator.
“Now, Miss Steele, you know how our deal works,” Servite says, anger etched into the corners of his eyes as he awaits my move.
And that right there is my answer. If I don’t go with Agent Servite, I risk my friends’ wellbeing. If I stay here, I risk my friends finding out what I’ve done. Servite’s threats still ring in my ear, reminding me I’ve already failed him once today. I don’t think he’d be as forgiving a second time.
I rush over to the SUV and open the passenger door, climbing in.
“Scarlett!” I hear Ace shout before the car speeds away but I don’t dare look back.
In the car, I sit perfectly still and silent facing out the window away from Agent Servite. I can feel his gaze on me, so I flip my hair to cover my chest. The thought of being in this car alone with him terrifies me. What the hell was I thinking?
He chuckles wickedly. “You can breathe easy, Miss Steele. As breathtakingly beautiful as you look tonight, I am not an animal. I won’t try anything with you, yet.”
His words make me cringe. Yet. He won’t do anything to me, yet? I press my thighs together in fear. Great Scarlett, only you’d get in the car with a pedophile.
“Besides, if I’m not mistaken, my nephew has had his way with you. I’m not fond of the idea of having his sloppy seconds. You’re still a child, it’s not like you’d be able to fulfill my needs.”
I scoff disgusted. “You’re a pig,” I sneer, and he laughs at my remark.
“And she talks.”
“What do you want from me?” I say, turning toward him.
He doesn’t take his eyes off the road when he speaks. “I haven’t decided yet. For now, I just need you to lure Lilith out of hiding. Though now that I’ve seen the effect you have on my nephew, I think I’ll keep you close.”
“You’re sick and clearly demented if you think I’d ever let you touch me.”
This time he breaks out into full out laughter. “Who said anything about touching you? Like I said earlier, Miss Steele, you are stunning, a spitting image of your mother in her prime. But you are a child, and I am a man with many needs. I have other plans for you, my dear, and you’ll find out in time. But for now, the only thing you need to know is that soon you will help me again, and this time failure is not an option.”