Braxton tossed some scared shitless, naked female to the floor as they entered. Leith might have become an asshole when it came to Tar and Keeley, but the soldier in him rose at that sight. Ms. Jones caught it before he blew the entire operation straight to hell.
She moved in and rubbed her exposed boobs all over the powerful business man. Braxton’s eyes were locked on his prey, but he was enjoying the feel of those implants aching for his bite. Deciding there was no reason he couldn’t do whatever the hell he wanted, Braxton bent forward and captured a fat nipple between his teeth. Ms. Jones’ eyes widened as he bit down hard enough to draw blood. He licked the coppery crimson from his lips as a command came over the speaker, “Leave the room Mr. Braxton.” He shot a menacing smirk at the frightened girl curled up in the fetal position. “Next time, my dear, no one will save you.” The threat hung in the air like an acrid poison choking its victims.
Leith gently cradled the frightened girl in his arms as he stood. Ms. Jones covered herself and held the door open for them. A spark of jealousy spiked her pulse at seeing his compassion. Leith was hers.
Something was different about Leith, Tar noted as he studied the man. Didn’t take long to figure out what that was when the woman he was with walked out with another by her side. He leveled a look at Alex. “Who the hell is that?”
“No clue. But damn she’s young.” A deep crease was visible between his eyes as thoughts of Ari, his daughter, danced. Wasn’t all that long ago they were rescuing her from a madman. The father and protector in him rose as he took in every detail possible: Caucasian, light brown hair, small frame, approximately eighteen. From that distance he couldn’t gather anything more.
Assessment was key, and from where Tar stood the young female looked injured, but he wasn’t positive. “Yeah, she is. So who hurt her? Or am I seeing things?”
“Hell,” Alex growled, “no, you’re not. If that shithead Leith did this…”
“He’s a fucktard,” Tar declared, “but not one to prey on the innocent, or any other for that matter. He’d lay his life down in a heartbeat.”
Of course he would. Alex shook his head at himself. “I apologize. I let my imagination get carried away.”
“Happens, man. Been there myself a few times,” Tar admitted. There was a noticeable shift in Leith as he helped the other woman get the younger one into the car. Gone was that calculating, conniving look the man wore ninety-nine point nine percent of the time. Now his face was laced with empathy, sincerity, and compassion. On closer observation, Tar also saw more there. “Well, would you look at that.”
Alex turned to see what he missed. “Okay, bring me up to speed.”
“He likes her.”
“How the hell can you? Ohhhhhhh, you’re right,” Alex gasped. “Thinking he’s no longer a threat to Keeley.”
He wasn’t sure that was entirely true but did see that the ticking time bomb was defused. For now. The woman Leith entered the club with turned and both Tar and Alex whistled. “Holy hell,” Tar affirmed, “she’s jealous.”
Alex cocked his jaw. “She’s dangerous. I’d go out on a limb and say deadly even.”
“Yeah, how are we getting her out of the picture?”
“No idea, but we better do it swiftly before that girl with them gets hurt more,” Alex assured.
“Copy that.”
They tailed Leith and the two women across town hoping to learn more, gain something to help with Keeley before it was too late.
Keeley soaked in the Jacuzzi trying to wrap her brain around how she was going to get out of this mess. Nothing popped. More and more she was beginning to think it was best to tell Tar the truth and damn the consequences. Yet a part of her craved what Braxton offered. Talk about fucked up. How could anyone want another to hurt them? But she did. Although, she glanced down at her wrist, didn’t seem to matter who did it along as there was the superb bite of pain involved. She dug her nails into the wound, hissing from the torture. Tar leaned in the doorjamb. “Stop,” he ordered.
Her shocked gaze met his and she noticed there was an edge to him. Wanting to test what was there, she boldly replied, “Are you going to make me?”
“Stand up.”
He didn’t move from his position that seemed relaxed in pose, but Keeley saw the fire in his eyes. Tar was a loaded weapon and she was his target. Take your best shot, baby. “Like what you see?”
Keeley’s hands traveled up her hips, ribs, before resting on her breasts. A light reflected off the rods in her nipples. Fuck. Me. “Do I like that you want to hurt yourself?” He pushed off the jamb. “No,” making his way toward her with a promise of retribution in each step, “you need to give it to me.”