Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1)(18)
Shock lit up her features before she challenged, “In front of all these men? Well, well, Tarius, I didn’t know you had it in you.” She squared her slender shoulders. “Do it. I double-dog dare you.” One brow was raised with the challenge, while her lips pursed in anticipation.
Fuckin’ A. She was hotter than any temptress at that moment. Hesitation wasn’t something Tar suffered from, but exhibitionism wasn’t his thing either. He settled for something in-between and pinned her wrists to the bed with his hands, leaning in to capture those succulent lips. The kiss was heated, claiming. He took without measure. All that pent-up frustration unleashed as he sucked and bit at her mouth. By the time he pulled back, they were both panting and needing so much more. The whistles and a couple of, “Get a room, man,” greeted them. Tar held her gaze with his. “So you know, I don’t share. Ever. We clear on that, Tigress?”
Keeley was still dazed and confused. That kiss was un-fucking-believable. She craved more as she whispered, “Crystal.”
He was at her ear so only she could hear, “You are mine.”
The claim, the devotion, and the possessiveness of those three words set her ablaze. Sure, men wanted to fuck her. Use her until they were ready to move on. But there was something in Tar, a fierceness she’d only seen in her brother-in-law and his brothers when they were with their wives. She coveted what her sister had with Even Strand. Somehow, she found it too. Recognition of what a gift it was hit her hard, though she couldn’t keep it. The thought made her sad, and she turned away from him. The sooner she broke his heart, the sooner he could give it to a woman deserving of such a man. She really could care less that hers would break as well. Seemed a worthy price to pay, setting him free. Before he could question her mood swing, Mitch addressed, “You wanna tell me where you’re hurt, Keeley?”
She surveyed the room. Tar turned to the team of men standing there. “Please, give the lady some privacy.”
Not one man gave him shit, Keeley realized. There were some firm handshakes and claps on his back, but otherwise, the men filed out without a word. Mitch inquired, “You okay with Tar staying while I examine your new injuries?”
She nodded but couldn’t quite make eye contact. Embarrassment and shame, even guilt was roaring inside her. Any minute they’d succeed on tearing her to pieces. Keeley attempted to hold back the traitorous tears demanding to be released. She bit down on her quivering bottom lip. Mitch’s brow knitted with concern. “Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head and looked down at the floor, hoping Tar didn’t notice. Of course that was wishful thinking. He grasped her tiny hand in his large one. “I’m here,” he declared.
God, that made it worse. “Thanks,” she managed.
Mitch finished his exam of her wounds, re-bandaged a couple, and asked, “Would you like something for pain?”
Hell yes! “Acetaminophen is fine.”
“Gotcha covered.” He smiled, handing her the tablets and a glass of water. Mitch turned toward Tar. “Debriefing in five.”
Tar gave a nod. “Affirmative.”
The door closed and Keeley did her best to get comfortable. Tar tucked her in snuggly and kissed the tip of her nose. “Get some rest, Tigress.”
On a yawn she queried, “What happened to Viper?”
His jewel green gaze locked on hers. “You’re one ferocious fighter, Keeley. Tigress is more fitting. But don’t you worry,” he gave her hand a squeeze, “Viper fits you, too.”
Once Keeley was alone, she began to process how close she came to being sold. SOLD! Like she was some damn animal to be used and abused by whoever, whenever they wanted. It was one thing to sell your body by choice; it was another to have that choice taken from you. Yeah, she knew the sex slave industry was at an all-time high. Hell, she acknowledged that powerful men like Senator Caleb Reynolds had had his hands in it too. Still…she could justify that a girl like her might deserve such a fate, but what about the innocent ones? She pondered that as sleep pulled her into its warm, welcoming embrace.
Tar scrubbed his face as the info dump rattled around in his brain. Holy. Fuck. Mitch was running a secret team that was private contract, though the endorsers were high profile politicians. Watergate flashed through his mind as more details were given. Sure, he’d worked for the firm once he was honorably discharged from the Navy, but couldn’t stomach some of the assholes in control. He left on good graces. They weren’t affiliated with the military in any way other than each man hired on was formerly in special ops. Tar had always been suspicious of who the actual man in charge was. Mitch said it wasn’t just one, but several. With the new details he was given, Tar began to see that as absolute truth. “Let me get this straight. You’re tracking a specific ring of skin traders?”