33. Aeris
Aeris
The bed was annoyingly soft against my overheated skin.
Flopping onto my back, I glared at the ceiling.
That arsehole had left me on the cold, hard tiles, wet and aching with the taste of his cum still on my tongue.
He’d dragged not one, but two orgasms out of me.
It was like he got off on making me come, on forcing the pleasure until I was a whimpering mess that was desperate for something, anything to ease the throbbing need between my thighs.
I’d been used roughly by plenty of men before, and I’d never once enjoyed it, more so because they’d never cared about my pleasure.
But this …
No.
I’d simply gotten caught in the moment. In the sheer fucking audacity of him using my mouth while casually setting up a date with Vivienne, the same date I’d practically dared him to take.
Oh God.
It wasn’t his face I pictured when I slid my hand between my legs and rubbed myself, gasping into sheets that weren’t even mine.
I definitely didn’t come again from recalling the way those pale-blue eyes burned as I took him as deep as I could.
Or the way I’d curled my tongue, swallowing around his ridiculous girth just so I could force a broken groan from his throat.
I refused to be just another one of his toys.
If he was going to use me like that, then I was going to play.
A sudden vibration pulled me from my tangled thoughts. I glanced towards the nightstand where my phone glowed amongst the darkness. Caden had let me stay in the same bedroom I’d chosen earlier, but only after making it crystal clear he’d locked down the private lift.
Which meant the only way out was through one of the windows.
Tempting.
My phone vibrated again, more insistently this time. With a heavy sigh, I reached for it, opening the string of increasingly unhinged messages Renley had been sending for the last few hours.
Renley:
Where are you?
You didn’t come home. Answer me.
If you make me come find you, you won’t like what happens.
You better not be with him. I don’t care what Selene says.
I’ll kill him if he touches you.
Answer your fucking phone, Aeris. Now.
Renley had grown increasingly possessive these past few months, trying to tighten a leash he had no right to hold.
I’d fought tooth and nail for the independence Selene had finally granted me.
A somewhat restricted life, yes, but one where I could at least breathe as long as I followed orders.
Fuck when I was told to fuck. Kill when I was told to kill.
But Renley’s obsessive behaviour was escalating. He was pushing boundaries, testing how far he could go.
I’d kill him before he ever got to touch me again.
Renley:
The safehouse has been hit. Selene wants to meet.
Shit.
I glanced down the hall before slipping out of the bedroom, wary that Caden was still up. The music had stopped an hour or so ago, but I hadn’t been able to fall asleep. Not when I was trapped here with a man who was just as likely to force an orgasm as he was to kill me.
With my heels in my hand I snuck towards the lift, hoping there was a simple override or, even simpler, a normal button.
A gust of wind teased my dress, my ears straining for any sound as I snuck further into the living room.
The lift was on the other side, and my bare feet were silent on the wood.
I reached it without issue, the dim light forcing me to press my hand against the doors.
But there was no button, not even a control panel that I could find.
Frustrated, I turned—only to find Langdon leaning against the railing on the balcony, his head cocked to the side as he studied me like I was a dirty secret.
His dark-blond hair whipped around his head, the wind assaulting the strands as he smoked a suspicious-looking cigarette.
The end burned white, highlighting his shadowed features.
“Don’t suppose you’ll give me the code to leave?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Langdon smirked, taking one last long drag before flicking the cigarette over the edge. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, typing something before turning the screen towards me.
Come closer.
His expression was calm, but there was a wild, glassy gleam in his eyes that made me hesitate.
“Can you let me out?”
He nodded once, then tapped the screen again.
I stepped closer. The wind immediately whipped around me, tugging at my clothes like invisible hands trying to drag me over the edge.
I don’t get it, his next text read.
Before I could react, Langdon’s hand shot out and gripped the front of my throat, yanking me hard against his body. He spun us until my back hit the railing, forcing me to arch backward over the dizzying drop. His grip wasn’t tight, but it was insistent.
I don’t even think he gets it.
He held me effortlessly with one hand while typing with the other, the cold metal digging into my spine as my head hung suspended over nothing but air.
But for some reason you’re the only woman that he seems to care about.
I gripped his wrist, nails digging into the thickened, scarred skin. “Langdon, he doesn’t …”
His fingers tightened slightly, his other hand typing so casually, like he wasn’t currently holding my life above a deadly drop.
Trust me, I know Cade.
He’s different with you.
His heart is big for those he cares about, and he’s a cruel bastard for everyone else. If he didn’t care, you’d be dead.
I tried to swallow, calm myself down. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”
This, whatever this was between us, had never been part of the plan.
He always takes care of others and never puts himself first.
He’ll put you first, even if you don’t deserve it.
So don’t hurt him.
“I don’t want to hurt him,” I breathed, my pulse hammering wildly against his fingers.
“I’ve never wanted to hurt him.” Caden had only ever been a means to an end, a weapon I could use to escape Selene’s control, and a powerful ally I could manipulate, but if it ever came down to a choice between him and me … I would always choose me.
I had to.
Langdon frowned, the surrounding city lights catching the amber brown of his eyes in a way that made them glow like candlelight.
Up close, he was strikingly handsome, with a strong brow, sharp jawline, and such full lips they had no right being legal on any man.
But the old scars marking his throat were impossible to ignore, usually hidden behind collars and high fabrics.
After a long, tense moment, he nodded and slowly lowered me back onto my feet. His hand lingered on my throat a second longer, thumb brushing over my racing pulse like he was savouring my fear.
Then his phone flashed in front of my face.
If you break him …
He smirked, giving me a wink as he typed his last message.
I’ll break you.
The water seemed unsettled, sloshing the side of the yacht as I stepped off the passerelle.
Selene was already seated at the glass table, a heater in the centre creating a cocoon of warmth against the night air.
“Good, you’re here,” she said, gesturing for me to take a seat beside Vivienne, who seemed to be vibrating in her seat. Her dark hair was styled in gentle waves, an oversized fur coat draped around her shoulders.
Renley stood directly behind Selene, his jaw clenched as he took in my unkempt appearance.
“Renley tells me you weren’t home,” Selene said calmly, her long scarlet nails tapping a slow rhythm against the table.
“Of course I was. Where else would I be?” I answered smoothly, pulling out my chair and sitting down. “I’m sorry I’m late, I was asleep.” I gave Renley the barest flick of a glance, daring him to argue.
Selene’s gaze lingered on me, as if she could peel the lie right off my bones. For a heartbeat I thought she’d push, but then she gave a small, gentle hum and let it go.
“Fine. Let’s get to business.” Her nails resumed their slow, rhythmic tap against the table. “Our safehouse was just hit. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” she asked, and once more I felt like I was under a microscope. As if she was searching for a sliver of deception.
“No more than what Renley messaged.” I ignored the chill against my skin, crossing my legs at the knee, the heater not enough against the wind. “Why would someone hit a safehouse? My sources say the Blackwater name is still completely under the radar.”
“Exactly,” Selene said, leaning forward slightly. “No one outside our circle even knew that building existed.”
I met her gaze, my expression neutral. “Are you accusing me of something?” I asked, letting just enough indignation bleed into my voice.
Renley chose that moment to move, circling the table until he was behind me. His presence slithered over my skin, and when his fingers brushed my shoulder, I forced myself to stay still. To not recoil or snap out in violence.
“Of course not, child.” Selene’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, and my stomach dropped. She knew I’d kept the Beast’s facility location to myself. “But someone talked. And I do hate surprises.”
Vivienne let out a bored sigh, inspecting her nails. “Mother, it was an old building. It was probably just an electrical fault or something. Not everything is a conspiracy.”
“I’ll run it through the network, anyway,” I added. “Just to be sure there’s nothing we need to worry about.”
“Do that,” Selene finally said, her tone no longer holding an accusatory edge. “We’re too close to have anything go wrong.”
Vivienne snapped a picture of herself, giggling as she typed on her phone. “Oh, I forgot to mention that we’ve decided that Caden’s dad is safe,” she said in my vague direction. “So make sure you keep all your poisonous little vials away from him.”
“I thought you wanted me to deal with him?” I asked, knowing I hadn’t planned to harm him unless I absolutely had to.
“Not while Vivienne is actively pursuing Caden. I think Alexander could still be … useful. Persuasive, even, if it comes to it.”
Vivienne smiled, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “I’ll know more after our date.”
Something twisted behind my ribcage.
Caden was a means to an end, an alliance I needed to survive, and nothing more.
So why did I feel pressure at the mention of their date?
“Just don’t get distracted,” I said coolly, my gaze flicking to Vivienne. “You’re not playing him for entertainment.”
Vivienne only smiled wider, completely unbothered.
“Aeris is right. A relationship with him secures our position and makes us harder to target when I finally reclaim our power. Before Sebastian Devereaux, we controlled the entire drug trade. Not just cocaine.” Her voice cooled. “It’s time my father’s legacy is restored.”
“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll have him wrapped around my finger in no time.” Vivienne let out a soft, delighted laugh. “Men like Caden always fall for a pretty face.”
It won’t be pretty if I cut it up, I thought, ignoring the sharp stab of jealousy that caught me off guard. Which was ridiculous.
I didn’t get jealous.
Especially not over a man who I’d never wanted to be mine.
“Yes, darling.” Selene’s eyes slid to me again. “Make sure your information stays accurate, Aeris. I’d hate for any complications to arise.”
Clearly dismissed, I went to stand.
“Oh, and Aeris …”
Fuck.
“Yes?”
“I’ll have Renley send you the details for your next client. They have some time-sensitive information we need, so work fast.” Her smile turned saccharine. “That’s not going to be a problem, is it?
I swallowed the bile that threatened to rise, hating her more for making me fuck them than when I was told to kill them. For turning my body into her favourite weapon. “Of course not.”
“Good, but just so you know … If I find out you’re keeping secrets from me …” She paused, letting the threat settle between us. “Well, we both know how that conversation ends, don’t we?”