Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1)(29)

Leith seemed to sense something wasn’t quite right and brought his attention to Keeley. What he witnessed, a tiger stalking his prey. He wasn’t sure this was one of his brighter decisions. The fear in Keeley was palpable, but so was the craving. The addict was presented with a drug that could bring an ultimate high. Leith reached for her arm, staking a claim, but the man heeded no warning as he locked onto who he wanted for the night. “Keeley? You okay?” Leith whispered, hoping to pull her from whatever trance the guy had her in.

“Hm-mm,” was her reply.

Leith needed her back from wherever her mind had taken her. “You should be able to see Tar when we leave here.” Her gaze flashed at his, making him feel like an asshole. They had a job to do, after all, and he was blowing it. Big time. The man reached them and Leith held out his hand, introducing himself.

“Mr. Braxton,” the dangerous man replied politely, never taking his gaze off Keeley.

Leith went on with polite small talk. The evening proved fruitful and the tip was accurate. Leith felt his gut churn with the knowledge of what these men did behind closed doors. Eventually, he and Keeley were brought into a more private area where Mr. Braxton made an offer.

Braxton addressed Keeley, “I would very much appreciate your company later on.”

“She goes nowhere without me,” Leith asserted.

“Of course,” he chuckled, “the more the merrier in my opinion.”

Leith understood protocol and nudged Keeley toward the man he wanted nothing more than to take outside and beat the ever-loving shit out of. Braxton didn’t embrace her, instead he squeezed her arms like one testing fruit. “Yes. You’re perfect,” he purred before turning and opening a panel door well obscured.

The hidden passageway led into a whole different kind of party. Leith’s eyes widened. An orgy was in full swing, but Braxton didn’t pause. He opened another door leading into the next room, which looked like something straight out of King Henry VIII’s castle. Part of the area was pure regal opulence with the scents of musk and floral permeating the air. The other half resembled a torture chamber. Keeley absently ran her hand over the lush red velvet covering the divan. Braxton’s eyes lit on her fingers as she contritely removed them. He held his hand out to her, “Come.”

Leith knew the drill or, at least, as much as he could have knowledge of such things. He wasn’t into this scene but the entire team went through video footage, etcetera, to learn how the legit operations ran. They’d even visited a few sex clubs to get a feel for the crowd. There was no way Leith could watch this man harm Keeley, or worse, have sex with her. Nah, she wouldn’t do that to Tar. He was about to back out of the entire mission when Braxton received a phone call.

He was abrupt with the caller and hung up forcefully. “I’m afraid I’ll have to take a raincheck, lovely one.”

Leith didn’t miss the disappointment in Keeley’s eyes. What the hell was wrong with her? He knew she loved Tar. Braxton handed him a business card with only a number on it. Leith handed him the one the team used for such operations as the man made his way across the room. “I’ll be in touch,” he said directly to Keeley.

Wasting no time in that room, Leith led Keeley back through the sex-fest happening. He couldn’t help but notice the song playing on their exit, “Heaven Knows.” He was surely going to burn in Hell for this once Tar found out. Didn’t matter that Keeley had done nothing with Braxton or him, for that matter, the seed was planted. And Leith understood how men like Braxton operated. He wouldn’t rest until he had Keeley. And that was DEFCON 5 once Tar was enlightened.





Chapter Thirteen





Tar lost Keeley when she entered the party. God, she was stunning in that dress. His cock stood at attention every time he visualized her in it. Then again, he was always hard when she came to mind, which was damn near every minute. He knew she was with Leith but that did not ease his tension, nope, it revved it up a few gears. No way he would leave Los Angeles until Keeley was safe. His patience paid off as he watched Leith and Keeley step outside. ‘Bout fucking time. He approached them and overheard the tail end of an argument.

“That’s not your decision to make, Leith.”

“The hell it isn’t,” he growled, rounding on her. Tar locked his gaze on the infuriated man. Leith cursed under his breath. “Thought you were on a bird.”

“Took a slight detour,” Tar answered as he studied Keeley. She wasn’t herself, at all. “What happened in there?” he grilled Leith.

“Ask her,” was the reply as he walked away.