Chapter 2

Two

MAXIMILIAN

By that evening, the manor has power and water. Markus has arranged for a housekeeper to arrive tomorrow and staff by the end of the week. How I will pay everyone’s salaries is another day’s problem. Hopefully, my new employees can be patient until I get our rightful properties back. If they can wait, I can do it. Nothing will stop me.

Donning a suit for my first task, I undo the top two buttons of my black dress shirt. One bullet sits in the chamber of my Glock’s magazine, and I run the polishing cloth over the barrel before tucking it into the holster beneath my gray suit jacket. Brass knuckles weigh down my dress pants. The Cold Steel SRK fits snuggly inside my waistband. Condoms in the wallet. I’m locked and loaded.

Cheap cars fill the small parking lot, as if this is the only place of entertainment for miles around. Ironically, the joint is in the basement of an old Gothic church, with a derelict cemetery housing Asa Donovan’s ancestors squatting next to the stone structure. I wonder how pissed Ace must be to have lost this place a few years ago, likely in a rigged gambling match. I’d heard the rumors from Markus or my work associates over the years: Ace’s nickname had become a mockery as his luck drained along with his money.

Looming over me is the lofty bell tower, looking like it’s ready to give me a lecture on bad behavior. Ace and I would sneak up the rickety wooden steps and hide in the belfry to avoid Sunday school. We tried to shoot spit wads through straws at churchgoers as they entered the chapel far below us, but Mama would find us before we rained down too much terror. If she could see me now, she’d tsk until her cheeks sunk in.

Opening the heavy wooden doors, the vestibule washes an old wet smell over me, casting childhood memories back into my vision that I’m quickly snapped out of as I make my way into the tall nave. Shaking my head in disgust, I walk down a carpeted aisle to get to the side door leading downstairs. An iron archway stands at the altar, set up for an autumn ceremony. Strauss has turned the upstairs into a wedding venue. Nothing he does surprises me anymore.

Catacombs lurk as a sub-basement beneath the lounge. While our parents held secret meetings there, Ace and I would crouch behind the coffins, and whenever Cal would gain enough courage to come find us, we’d jump out and scare him. He’d get so mad; he wouldn’t talk to us for a week. Then Livia would kick our shins in until we apologized to her brother. Everything looks completely different now.

The steps are doubly wide and lead to a circular landing room in the basement. All the walls are still stone, but not moldy and weeping. It looks clean, brighter than I remember, though the room is lit mainly by candlelight. My feet almost slide on a velvety red rug as I trip into a small table with a large bouquet of white flowers. Like this isn’t some dirty brothel. Without thinking, I reach out and rub a petal of a lily to see if it’s real. At least something in here is fresh.

All the black wooden doors surrounding the room are closed. Rotating, I check for any labels to see where I should head for a drink. Just as my pulse thuds harshly with the sense of being trapped, a woman emerges from a skinny door beneath the stairs. The first thing I notice is her exorbitant cleavage and wide, curved hips. My dick thickens in my dress pants as she sways toward me. Her dark skin sparkles in the dim light of the room like she’s wearing glitter. Black hair twists in intricate braids on top of her head and her thick lips smile briefly at the sight of me. Strauss certainly knows how to pick them.

“Need a room or the bar?” A deep, sultry voice resonates through the empty air. Deep-set brown eyes linger on my chest, then drop lower as she scans my body.

“Both, but I’ll start with the bar.”

Turning in a graceful motion, she walks in front of me, her stiletto leather heels making temporary holes in the rug. Her ass is one of the best I’ve encountered in a while. “This way.” With a flick of her fingers, she motions to a door on our left.

Purposefully returning my focus to the strategy I’d set for the night, my hand rubs at my stubble, trying to get my mind off the goods on display. The plan is to be seen here, to make some waves and possibly serve up a Molotov cocktail, but I think I’ll hit up a room before I tear the place down. It’s been a few weeks and I need to fuck.

She knocks three slow raps on the door, which is opened by a large man, dark shades covering his eyes. The seductress waves me in with her long arm. As I brush past him, the bouncer doesn’t even pat me down, so I confidently stroll straight to the bar. That must mean everyone here is packing. Knowing that makes me feel safer, relaxing enough to order a tall pint of tap beer from the well-built bartender. He nods with a smile and eye-fucks me, but I turn my head, uninterested in what he’s got to offer. I’ll use him to spread some information, however.

A one-step stage and a grand piano, unoccupied tonight, update the lounge area. Mismatched chairs line little tables, with small candles flickering light in the darkness for a romantic atmosphere. The place is almost empty for a Monday night, or perhaps the other rooms are crowded. My ears buzz from the red fluorescent sign blaring Strauss’s sigil, hanging proudly behind the barkeep. Its bull horns bore holes into my outwardly calm demeanor.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I scratch at my temple, willing my temper down. If I can maintain control, I’ll light the curtains upstairs on fire before I walk out. Every indication of Strauss irks me, but before I can act on any homicidal thoughts, the bartender sets a glass in front of me.

“You’re new.”

A sip of the cold hop soothes my irritation. “I’m old.”

“You don’t look old to me,” he says with a coy smile. He’s flirting with me.

“Freidenberg.”

His grin turns into an open-mouthed gape and a slight turn of his head as curiosity has rendered him momentarily speechless. “Haven’t heard that name in a long time. Not since I was a kid.”

“I’m sure you haven’t, but I’m back. Let it be known.” If Strauss didn’t already know, he certainly will now. I need to meet with him and what better way than to fuck up his establishment. He wouldn’t chance hurting his Northerners at the risk of losing their loyalty. The Strausses have a long history of keeping up the charade of caring consort. People like those hanging in this dungeon tonight like to be fooled by it. Probably gives them some type of sadistic hope that things will improve in their lives if they just put their faith in him one more time.

Looking toward the end of the bar, a lithe blonde woman slips onto a stool while glancing in my direction. Bright green eyes catch the glow of the lights behind the liquor shelves, her puffy mouth painted to match her nails. She’s put on a good show tonight and my dick seems interested.

“Scotch on the rocks, please,” she says to the bartender, who now is too afraid to speak to me. Lifting one corner of her pink lips, she blinks as she asks me, “You here for a room?”

“With you? Yes.” She’s a bit older, maybe in her late thirties, but she’s enticing. As she turns more toward me, her long, fine strands wisp across her bare shoulder. The tightness of her emerald silk dress lets me know she’s bendable. Before I can ask her to grab her drink to go, a tall, but skinny guy approaches her from behind and slides a hand along the small of her back. His eyes crinkle at the corners as he spots me.

“I’m Janna. This is Duke.” She leans back into the man’s chest.

“Sup, man.” Duke nods at me, his light brown hair falling over his forehead when he does. Shoving it back with an open palm, an expensive gold watch peeks out as his black dress coat sleeve rides up.

“Hey. I’m Max.” Despite their obvious money, they don’t look to be Strauss’s people. Perhaps Ace’s. Definitely not Calum’s—I don’t smell a hint of patchouli.

“Want to join us?” Duke asks.

After taking another drink from my pint, I point back and forth between the two with the hand holding my glass. “You’re together?”

Duke nods. “Yeah, but there’ll be someone else coming along. Foursome?”

“There she is!” Janna stands, abandoning her Scotch to hug a woman outfitted in black leather pants and a bustier showcasing a fabulous set of tits. The ass of the seductress that led me to the bar has nothing on this woman’s; this one is going to make me come before I stick my dick inside it. Her black hair has been shaved on the sides, styled into a tall mohawk that falls down her back.

The woman’s back muscles flex with her embrace, causing the inked angel wings along each shoulder to flutter. Her arms, chest, and neck are also dotted with tats. As she turns the side of her face to take me in halfheartedly, the dim candlelight reflects several piercings in her face and a series of hoops through her ears.

“You ready?” she asks Janna.

“Dove, this is Max. He’s joining us, right Max?”

Dove and I lock eyes, and for the first time since I was a child, I can see a future. Maybe I will live past twenty-eight if it means entangling myself with her. A corner of her lips threatens to lift, twitching momentarily as she gazes at me. My face freezes in awe. Time no longer exists, or perhaps all times merge into one until her lashes flutter and I return to our present reality.

Swallowing roughly, I find my voice to answer emphatically, “Yep.” Breaking the hold Dove’s eyes had on me, I stand with the others.

“Let’s finish our drinks, shall we?” Duke points to an empty table near the stage.

Light jazz filters through a tinny speaker near the lounge area as we take our seats. Not even being casual about it, my head keeps turning toward Dove as if she holds a leash to tug me around. Each time I take a glance at the dark goddess, her eyes dart away like she had just been looking at me.

“You come here often?” I ask to the group, but direct my question to Dove. Maybe I can get some inside intel about where to lay some pipe bombs.

Dove’s head dips as a cute snort flashes through her nose. Shaking it off, her black mohawk tail glimmers like a starless night when she sits upright again.

Janna’s perfectly outlined lips spread wide. “We’ve met here a few times now. Duke and I come here regularly.”

“How about you?” Since she wouldn’t answer the first time, my eyes stare Dove down, so she has to answer.

A suited waiter sets a tall champagne flute in front of her. It’s not just an ordinary pour of the bubbly; this one has gold sugar around the rim and raspberries at the bottom. Ignoring my question completely, Dove presses the flute to her lips and sips, her honey-colored eyes sticking to mine. As she pokes out her tongue, a flash of an amethyst jeweled ring entrances me. Swirling the gem around the rim to gather the sugar crystals, she causes the glass to sing a high-pitched tune. The vibrations of the sound go straight to my balls. Biting my bottom lip, I contain the groan threatening to escape.

She’s a badass bitch. I want to conquer her. Fuck the shit out of her until she surrenders. Make her submit to my dick alone.

A chuckle from Duke interrupts my trance. “Dove has many talents.”

Dove sits back in her chair and sloshes down her drink with a smirk on her full, pouty lips. Her shoulders shake subtly, as if she’s laughing at me. I take that opportunity to finish my beer.

“What?” I ask her with a slight smile.

She shrugs one shoulder. I want her.

“It looks like we’re ready to go?” Janna says. She points us to a door in the back of the room, which leads to a dimly lit hall. Dove ambles next to me, her eyes traveling up my arm to my face as we walk. Neither of us can look away from each other. Clearly, she’s as interested in me as I am her, and my skin tingles with anticipation of being inside her.

Midway down the narrow stone passage is a black wooden door. A white sign bolted to it reads “Unoccupied,” and Janna slides a panel to the side to read the opposite before holding it open. Inside, the room is covered with more shades of red. A flat, circular bed is draped in a sheet that makes me feel sorry for the poor souls who have to clean up after the patrons. There’s a plush red velvet loveseat with one arm and various chains, ties, and whips that hang on the walls.

I’ve never had sex with three people at the same time. Two women, sure, but not in these types of environments. Before I can ask what the game plan is, Dove turns to me and thrusts something rubbery into my palm. It’s a clear butt plug with a blue jewel on the end.

“Hold this for me?” she asks with a glint in her eyes. Her voice is sultry, and my mouth wants to eat the sound just to get a taste of her.

Janna and Duke embrace and chuckle while their eyes roam over the two of us.

“You need help putting it in?” I say with a tilt of my head, letting her know I’ll dish it out as much as I take it.

Dove turns on her heeled boot and her pert ass bounces with every step toward a shelf for some lube. When she returns, she slaps the bottle into my free palm. “Sure, tiger. Help me out.” At the nickname, my brow twitches. Some feeling of old recognition enters my mind, but I push it aside when she undoes her pants with a flourish.

Standing there like a statue with the lube in one hand and a butt plug in the other, my eyes trail down her body as she lowers the leather to the ground, revealing a lacy, black thong. Glancing over, Janna and Duke lounge on the loveseat, taking in the show together. The siren in front of me draws my attention again, fully bending at the hips with her legs spread wide, shaking her ass a little after dropping her thong.

Oh, fuck.That groan I’d been holding back escapes as I spot a diamond piercing her clit hood. Her pussy lips are absolute perfection, as is her tight little pink asshole. I must spend too long staring at her amazing body because she flips her head around and says, “You gonna stand there all day or stick it in me?”

Dove isn’t shy. Like a wild mustang, I’m going to get her used to my presence, then groom, harness, and tame her. She has no idea. It’s been a while since I had one that put up a fight and I am thoroughly looking forward to it.

Flipping the cap off the lube, I squirt some liquid all over the clear plug, then toss the bottle aside. Gripping her smooth skinned hip, I place the tip on her tight hole and swirl it around. She moans, which makes my dick fill with need at the sound of her pleasure. The heat of her skin on my palm makes me want to touch all of her, memorize every inch just by the feel of my hands. Slowly gliding the end of the plug inside, I spin it gently, her thighs quivering at the sensation.

“You like that, Duke?” Dove says, tossing a teasing look at the couple.

In between making out, Duke peeks up from Janna’s neck. “That’s so hot, Dove. Can’t wait to feel it inside you.”

The fuck? We trading partners? Before I can say anything, Dove’s eyes snap to mine, crinkling at the edges with mischievousness.

As I pull her closer to me and push the plug farther inside, all I can think about is plunging into her. The dim lights in the room make the wetness coating her pussy lips shine, calling to me, causing my cock to throb.

Taking my time with every inch so I don’t have to let go of her silky skin, she eventually gets impatient and presses back against the toy until it sits fully inside her. She wiggles slightly, causing the jewel’s facets to dance, then stands to face me. Patting my chest with both hands, she winks at me. “Good job, champ.”

I’m stunned. Before I can grab her and fuck her into next week, Janna and Duke stand and step between us. Janna slides her hands over my shoulders and removes my jacket in a smooth motion, tossing it on a table nearby. Duke watches us with heat steaming behind his eyes. He slings his arm around Dove’s waist and kisses her passionately, holding her by the back of the neck as she seems to stiffen slightly in his hold.

“You know I love it when you wear that thing for me.” Duke pokes at Dove’s plug with a finger, then smacks her ass cheek.

The gesture irritates me, but Janna distracts me with her long, delicate fingers. She takes her time unbuttoning, then untucking my shirt, belt, and pants while I reach behind and unzip her dress. Tilting her squared chin up, I briefly taste her while still staring at Dove, who briefly gives us a glance. Janna tastes like cotton candy, but my mind is still on what flavor my dark temptress might possess.

Janna backs me toward the sofa with a soft touch. Sitting, I spread my arms wide across the back. She kneels and settles between my open knees. The crotch of my trousers lays open, and my hard cock bobs out when she lowers my boxer briefs. I’ve been ready to go ever since I got a glimpse of Dove’s perfectly round ass now being groped by Duke.

She licks the tip of my cock, then the shaft, before suckling my balls. My head dips back for a moment with the pleasure of the sensation. Her fingernail grazes my taint, sending a shiver up my spine. Fuck, she’s good.

My eyes drift over to where Dove takes off her bustier, then helps Duke undress. I should be turned on by the woman sucking my cock, but instead I watch Dove crawl seductively over to us. Holy shit. The sight of her graceful, cat-like movements makes me leak into Janna’s mouth.

As she makes her way over to us, I notice her tongue, clit, eyebrow, nose, and ears aren’t the only things pierced. Silver metal bars decorate each hard nipple, her heavy breasts swinging with every shift of her hips. Licking my lips, I think about sucking on each and what they must feel like against my tongue, what her perfect chest would look like coated with my cum. Maybe even to take my knife and make some little cuts. Just to watch the red of her mix with my white.

Duke sits next to me, our knees touching. Hoping my hot bitch switches with Janna, I’m disappointed when she squats in front of Duke. The sight of her being so submissive, willing to sacrifice her mouth at the altar of a cock, has my stomach tightening. My hands resting on my lap itch to encircle her neck. Then squeeze until she gives in to me.

“Does he taste good, baby?” Duke asks Janna, eyeing her job as Dove settles her thick lips over the head of his cock.

Janna moans in agreement and meets his eyes. The tones send waves of pleasure along my spine.

“I love watching you suck dick.” Duke strokes a hand through Dove’s black hair, then thumbs her cheek as if he’s into her. Squelching the impulse to break all his fingers, I dig my palms into my thighs.

Despite Janna working me deliciously, I try to make Dove look at me, wanting to memorize the colors in her eyes. Light brown? Green? Hazel? She’s looking at Duke, though. When Janna starts pumping me harder, trying to make me come, I grip her hair to slow her down. She sits back and wipes her mouth with her delicate hand.

“Sorry,” she says with a little smile. I lift one side of my lips in a reply, then gently stroke myself, willing my balls to calm down before I explode all over these girls’ faces.

Dove looks over at my cock. I’m well-endowed, thick compared to Duke. She reaches over and grasps my shaft to tug gently, while Janna gets back to tangling with my tip. My abdomen tenses, and I grunt involuntarily. Dove’s hand is tight around me, sending hot electric shocks straight to my testicles. Angling my hips, I push toward her, hoping she’ll take the invitation to suckle on me.

Those champagne-colored eyes finally greet me again, and I’m transported to another dimension. No idea why I’m so drawn to this woman, but I can’t wait to put my dick inside her. I almost come watching her scan my body along with the pressure that Janna’s putting on my cock, the two women working me perfectly in sync. Dove’s bottom lip gets trapped under her teeth as she stares at Janna sucking me off.

“You hungry?” I ask her, nodding my head to my crotch.

One of Dove’s lids narrows at me, the opposite dark brow arching as she smirks.

Just as I think about pulling Janna off and shoving Dove’s face onto my length, Duke stands and nods at Dove to move to the bed. “I’m ready to fuck,” he tells her.

“Give it to her good, D,” Janna says.

Dove crawls away, showcasing her ass dressed in the blue gem, and pussy lips ripe with need, ready to be mounted. Ugh! I sigh heavily as the diamond glimmers in her clit. This woman is perfect. It takes every ounce of self-control not to jump off the sofa to get a taste of her cunt. My little bitch’s body is slammin’. I want inside it. I want to break it. Cut it open and see what’s inside. Instead, it seems this couple we’re with wants to fuck other people… Somehow, I need to maneuver my way to my mare.

Gripping Janna’s blonde locks, I pull her face up to mine. “Come here.” I guide her over to the bed and lay her down beside Duke and Dove. While I take the opportunity to shed my pants, Dove scoots to lie between the couple, her back to Duke. She suckles on Janna’s large pink nipple while staring into her eyes.

“Ugh! The sight of you two together is so hot. Give me those lips,” Duke says to his girlfriend.

Janna reaches to kiss him over Dove’s head. Duke rubbers up and slides inside Dove while spooning her. Holding back a frustrated growl, I situate myself between Janna’s legs. Grabbing a condom from my wallet, I rip it open with my teeth, then roll it on.

“Oh, fuck! That feels good.” Dove stops nursing long enough to glance back at Duke. I could show her what “good” actually feels like. Hopefully, Duke hurries with her, so I can take a turn. Maybe we could both fit. I could take the place of that plug, or maybe she’ll want both of us in her cunt.

“Are you going to let him fuck you, baby?” Duke nods in my direction.

Janna asks, “Do you want to see that, Dukey?”

“Fuck yeah. I’d love to watch him wreck your pussy.”

Janna strokes Dove’s hair as I separate her knees, then push inside her. It’s warm, wet, and comfortable, but her tunnel is too short for my taste. The pussy I want is occupied. Janna moans, then screams when I thrust deeper inside her.

“Duke! He’s so fucking big!”

Duke gives me a smile from behind my girl’s mohawk, appreciating me pleasuring his woman so well. “Yeah? I’d like to give it a go.” He winks at me. All I can think about is the dark-haired beauty now sucking the lips of my partner. The two women fondle each other desperately as our cocks rampage inside them, little whimpers of pleasure escaping into each other’s mouths.

Needing to change things up, I slip out of Janna and tap her. “Flip over.” She does, then Duke pulls out of Dove. Fuck, he’s hogging her. I think about stopping and just grabbing my knife to slit his throat before taking both women. That would ruffle some feathers in Strauss’s club. But that may scare off my little filly.

Before I can act on the impulse, Duke gets up on all fours and leans his face right over Janna’s ass, resting his cheek there. “You like his cock, baby? Uh, I love watching it pump into you.” Janna moans in affirmation as I thrust harder.

Dove gets off the bed and slinks by me, letting her long fingernails scratch my bare back as she walks past. Letting go of Janna’s hips, I snatch the raven by the waist. Dove. This woman is no harbinger of peace. Her angel’s wings don’t fool me.

The tail of her hair whips behind one shoulder as she quickly spins to me, a gasp snatching up the air around us. Gripping her tighter, I bring her into my side, our lips almost touching. If I can just kiss her… Squirming, she cranes her neck so I can’t reach.

“Let me taste you. Let me fuck you,” I tell her, my mouth over her ear.

Darkness covers her eyes as she narrows them. “If we fuck, it’ll be me fucking you.”

She yanks from my grip and slips to the head of the bed without even a glance back at me. Once there, she slides her core over Janna’s mouth and grips her silky blonde locks with one hand. Then she rides Janna’s face, her milky thighs spread wide around the woman’s head. Her defiant moans get me harder than I’ve been in a long time. Shoving myself back into Janna, she screams in between the pillows of Dove’s legs.

While I pound into Janna’s pussy, I’m pushing her forward onto Dove’s cunt, like I’m the one fucking the feral feline through my partner. Duke opens his mouth wide and lets his tongue hang out just above his girlfriend’s asshole. He tugs on his skinny dick furiously, watching my hips work his lover from behind.

“Yeah, she likes it hard like that. Fuck her, then put that thick cock in my mouth, man.”

I’ve never done something with a dude, but what the hell. Sliding out of Janna, I swivel my hips to put the head of my dick between his lips. He gobbles me up like a fat turkey. Ugh, it feels good. So, I try it again. Popping out of him, I plunge into Janna’s pussy before sticking it back in his mouth. Holding Janna steady, my hand on one of her hips, I repeat the process over and over, feeding Duke a taste of his girlfriend on another man’s dick.

The change in Dove’s breaths and whimpers lets me know she’s about to climax, and I’m desperate to help her. Leaning over Janna’s back, I grasp her by the back of her head and force it to rub against Dove’s clit harder, using my partner to make my bitch come. Looking to where she’s writhing underneath Janna, our eyes meet again. Her face flushes pink and crinkles with pleasure, but she maintains contact with me. As she explodes into Janna’s mouth, I feel Janna’s pussy tighten around my cock, her cries eaten up by Dove’s thighs. I’m making both women come at the same time.

Watching Dove orgasm makes me lose it. My balls tingle, needing their release, and I almost explode inside Janna’s cushiony interior, pushing her up into Dove’s center. I don’t want to come like this. I want to use Dove instead.

It’s too late, though, so I pull out and rip off my condom. Before I can react, Duke shoves his waiting mouth onto my cock. His soft, wet tongue swirls the tip, the sensation causing ecstasy to ripple down my spine until I drop my head back, shooting my load down his throat. It’s a powerful feeling coming inside this cuck right in front of his woman. My hips push into him violently with each spurt while gripping his light brown hair in one hand.

After swallowing all my cum, Duke smiles and lies back on the bed as if inviting me for a taste of his cock. No, thank you. Fortunately, Janna takes the opportunity to straddle him and the two re-connect with each other. Dove slides off the bed and slyly starts to pull on her pants and top. Wandering to the corner, I wash up in the sink. By the time I’m done, Dove’s already dressed and nearing the door.

There’s no way I’m letting my temptress escape. Even if I have to run her down and trap her, I’m taking something of hers before the night is over. Quickly, I tug on my boxer briefs and pants, leaving them undone as I rush into the hallway where Dove’s almost at the end. Her perfect ass sways temptingly as she hurries to the door.

“Hey!” I yell.

She stops and spins around to face me. “Yeah?”

“You done?”

“They’ll be fucking each other the rest of the night. We’re done.” A tall heel of her boot pivots to face the exit once more, but I stop her.

“You got a number?”

Her billowy laugh echoes off the chambered walls, haunting me. Taunting me. Some familiar feeling hits me in the gut. My eyelids twitch. I recognize that laugh. Spinning back around, she greets me with a tiny smirk and lifted brow, reminding me of something oddly familiar…

“Max, Max, Max.” Slinking down the hall toward me, her full tits almost bounce out of her top while she flips the long black tail of her hair over one shoulder, the gesture so memorable. “Don’t you recognize me…lion?”

Fuck, it’s… “Livia.”