The hot marshmallow sticks to the roof of my mouth as I bite it off of the stick, listening in on the conversation Cardo and Kuruk have in front of me as they burn their marshmallows far past consumption.
"Do you think it's Dooku that has him so on edge? I heard he contacted Ren last week in regards to a failed shipment in upstate New York." Kuruk blows out the small fireball at the end of his stick.
"That doesn't explain the last 3 months now, does it? It's more than his business in the streets." Cardo sips from his glass before chewing the sticky mess between his fingers.
I still find it so weird how they openly speak about business in front of me now that I have been initiated into this family. Although I may not be included in all of it, I now know a good amount compared to before. It makes me feel like one of them despite knowing they still hide some things from me. Sometimes I'm grateful for that.
Ap'lek sits in the chair next to me with a fresh marshmallow on his stick, "Bank of Ren is running smoothly thanks to Ushar so that leaves the obvious..." His eyes dart to me and the conversation quiets for a moment.
I roll my eyes, "You can speak of it. I won't shatter hearing his name."
Ap'lek stares at me before nodding and continuing, "As I said, the only obvious cause of his sour mood is what may be unfolding overseas. We have been ready for retaliation for the last three months and it has been near exhausting. The anticipation is almost worse than what may be coming."
Hanging onto every word he says, I realize he has a point. In some ways, I wish it would just happen. Living on pins and needles is putting everyone on edge and making life that much harder. I stare at the fire and barely listen to the conversation Cardo and Kuruk are now having, not involving Kylo.
"Will you go on a walk with me?" I set my stick down and stand up, my ass aching from the sure bruises forming from Kylo's hands.
Ap'lek chews his marshmallow in one bite and nods, standing to walk with me. I grab his hand and hold it loosely to help navigate over the empty liquor bottles, ashtrays, and rocks to get onto the grass of the backyard. Once there, I drop his hand and fold my arms, slowly walking past the pool and the sun deck.
"It technically worked," Ap'lek is quiet as we leave the fire behind us and walk towards the ocean.
"Did it?" I force a dry laugh, "Hard to tell when I was the one on all fours in front of seven men being degraded."
Ap'lek says nothing to that although I see his spine straighten.
We slowly approach the cliff to where it is a forty-foot drop to the ocean, "There was no passion. No warmth. All I saw was the Kylo I knew a year ago who scared me. We made so much progress and it is... gone. He looks at me with those same eyes that praised me during our blood pact but his actions are quite opposite."
He turns to face me but I don't break eye contact with the ocean waves. I feel the soreness between my thighs, but that is all. Nothing warms my chest; nothing has a smirk pulling at my lips. I feel numb and it is the scariest thing to feel. My toes wiggle closer to the edge as I peer over the cliff, seeing if I would survive if I fell.
Ap'lek's arm lays across my chest as he gently pushes my body backwards, "Don't even think about it."
I meet his stare as he looks down at me, "I'm not suicidal, dummy. I used to go cliff jumping at Pictured Rocks every summer."
"That was then," he shakes his head, "and not into the ocean. Do I need Clyde to watch you?"
I shake my head, "No, he is busy enough as it is."
The waves slam into the rock beneath our feet and I catch the mist that floats up with the wind. It smells heavenly as I inhale and turn, walking along the edge of the cliff.
Ap'lek follows behind, "Ren has two meetings tomorrow morning, but then we will be home for the rest of the day. We should do something."
Stopping in my tracks, I turn to face him, "Like all of us? Go somewhere?"
He shrugs with a smile, "I don't see how it could go wrong. Perhaps dinner, movie, mini golf, picnic? Any of those sound good to you?"
It feels as if my smile reaches from ear to ear as I nod, "Anything, please. To go out and do normal shit without business men staring sounds incredible!"
"Well," he gives me a wicked smirk that melts my heart, "let's get back to the house and make a proposal to the men."
My heart skips a beat, "What of Kylo?"
His shoulders shrug but tries to keep a happy face, "He may join, he may not."
The thought of leaving Kylo back at the house all alone sends my instant happiness plummeting but I try to shrug it off. I rarely have a normal day so I will take it whether he is there or not.
*
"Is this necessary?" Cardo yanks on the tie I picked out for him.
I laugh as I finish the strap of my heel, "Yes, for the third time. Dinner and then sunset sailing in Santa Monica require a suit and tie."
"I rather enjoy this," Ushar winks at me as he runs a lint roller across his perfectly pressed gray suit.
"Thank you," I give him a soft smile and turn back to Cardo, "You can lose the tie and coat once we are on the boat, deal?"
Cardo grunts as he swiftly pulls his hair into a loose bun atop his head. Kuruk steps into the bathroom we are all sharing to give his hair a quick spray of hairspray. I chew my lip as his suit coat sleeves are rolled up, one arm almost completely blacked out with tattoos. I stare at his profile, appreciating how pretty he is. His hand runs through his hair and it catches my eye, spotting his still mangled knuckles that did not heal properly from beating Enzo to near death. I spot the place Cardo said there was a tooth lodged. A permanent divot is etched into his skin between two knuckles.
A sick feeling coils in my stomach so I quickly look away, "You look very handsome."
Kuruk pauses his movements and smiles at me through the mirror, "Quite the contrary, Ms. Steele. Nowhere near the beauty of you."
My cheeks blush with the faintest pink as he holds my stare with a playful smirk pulling at the lip ring he got only a month ago. I will forever be grateful for all of the men but especially Kuruk due to his gentleness. He looks like a slender monster, but I have never met a sweeter guy. Every time I see him, I picture the night I was comfortable enough to fall asleep in his lap on the couch.
Ap'lek walks into the bathroom behind me and kisses my cheek with a teasing tone, "He speaks the truth, Ms. Steele."
My hand reaches out to push his shoulder as he chuckles, grabbing for the mouthwash. My eyes search the mirror in front of me to count four men. Where is Trudgen, Vic and Kylo? My stomach knots at the thought of them not coming after everyone agreed to the plans this morning. I study myself in the mirror to make sure my hair is looking good, my dress is sitting in the right places, and the nude lipstick isn't smudged from my dumbass constantly chewing my lip.
A sudden cough makes me nearly gag as way too much cologne swirls around me, "What the hell?"
The three other men start coughing and waving their arms to clear their space of cologne while all simultaneously shouting, "Cardo!"
Laughing, I stumble past the four men and exit the bathroom. I walk upstairs to grab my purse from my room and to also take a moment to breathe and think. Digging through my purse, I find my phone and turn it on so the tracking device kicks on in case Kylo really isn't coming to the date night festivities.
Hands sneak around my waist and pull me back, forcing my back to become flushed with someone's front. A quiet yelp escapes my throat as the hands take my phone, tossing it to the bed. Warm breath cascades across my exposed shoulder and neck with a sinister laugh. Heat builds in my stomach as I relax in his arms.
"What is wrong with you?" I smile as I lean back into his body.
"Simply wanted to remind you how beautiful you are," Vicrul licks my ear and groans, "remind you that I am not finished with you from last night."
My body slowly slackens in his grip, my legs feeling suddenly weaker. Something about Vicrul lights my body to flames but his gentle caresses blow out the fire and leave me simmering. It's such a hot and cold sensation with him and it pulls me in every time.
I rest my head back on his shoulder to look up at him, "You are..." Vicrul's eyes light up with anticipation as I drop my hands to rest atop his. My smile grows as I continue to whisper, "a freak." I shove him off of me and grab my purse, shaking my head at his groans.
"Little one..." Vicrul tisks his tongue at me as I slip on some jewelry.
"Yes, Vic?" I tease over my shoulder.
He shoves his hands in his suit pant pockets and drags his tongue across his lower lip while studying me. "Don't shoot the messenger but Ren won't be joining."
I stop my movements and look at the floor, "I understand and expected such."
His feet carry him to the window to overlook the California cliffs, "I don't think I should leave him alone, not right now."
My throat bobs with a harsh swallow as I nod, "As I said, I understand."
"That's the problem," he turns and faces me, "I don't think you understand."
"Who are you to tell me what I do and do not understand?" My temper flares as he drops his head slightly, making his eyes turn sinister. "A silly night on the town was not going to fix anything, I'm aware of that." I finish clipping my earring in and shrug, "I get it."
His laugh is menacing as he takes a few steps closer, "Who am I?"
I hold my ground, not shying away from him as he steps closer. His hands leave the pockets as he rolls up his sleeves, eyes never leaving my face. My face feels hot as I spot the blood ruby on his ring finger, reminding me just exactly who I am challenging right now.
"I told you little one," his ruby ring hand lifts my chin to meet his stare, "I am a devil ready to crawl on all fours for you." His hands drop to my waist and pulls me into him as he sits on my bed. Vicrul lets me straddle his legs as he smirks up at me, "Do you want me to remind you?"
I nod, feeling chills run down my spine with how he stares up at me with hunger.
Vicrul commands, "Sit on my thigh."
My face must turn a deeper shade of red because I feel the heat creep up my face and down my neck, "What?"
"I didn't stutter, little one." His voice is demanding with not a hint of sweetness.
Listening to him, I position myself with one of his legs between my legs. The expensive fabric of his grey suit pants grazes my inner thighs and has my blood igniting.
"Lower yourself," he slowly bunches up my dress and holds the fabric at my waist. Now he has a clear view of my core that is barely concealed by a pink lace G-string. His eyes simmer with desire as mine cloud with hazy lust.
My legs slightly bend as my core rests atop his muscled thigh. His warmth seeps into my body as slight pressure is pressed against my clit. Vicrul's eyes narrow into a feline smirk as his hands grip my hips, dress still bunched there, and gently coaxes my body into a grinding movement. My hips rock with his instruction, slowly dragging my pussy up and down his large thigh.
"Just like that," Vicrul purrs as I brace my hands on his stomach for support, "use me, little one."
His voice drips with seduction as I take over the grinding, moving a bit harder. My neck extends as I drop my head backwards, exhaling the moan I've been holding in. The fabric of his suit pants feels rough as it rubs along my heat; the friction so delicious it has me panting. As Vicrul holds my dress in one hand, his free hand drops to my exposed thigh and runs his fingertips up and down. The feeling sends a wave of chills to pebble on the touched skin, responding to his touch without flaw.
His thigh flexes beneath me, making it harder and wider. I gasp at the new feeling and dig my nails into his shirt, needing to hold onto something as I close my eyes.
His voice is deeper and more sinister, "Who am I?"
My teeth abuse my lower lip as I continue rocking on his thigh, my release quickly building.
Vicrul sits up and grabs the back of my neck, pulling me closer to his face with teeth bared as he asks rougher, "Who the fuck am I, Scar?"
His cigar tinted breath fans across my face in a snarl as I dig my nails into his shoulders for support.
I pant out between shorten breaths from my nearing orgasm, "The devil... My devil."
His sinister chuckle is orgasmic to my ears as he releases me and lays back down, propped up on his elbows. His eyes go back to watch my soaking pussy grind on top of his thigh. My lip trembles with near release as I pick up the pace. Vicrul pulls out a cigarette from behind his ear and places it in his mouth, reaching for the lighter in his pocket.
I try not to think about how sexy he looks as he lights the cigarette while his eyes never leave my core. The flame from the lighter casts wicked shadows across his sharp features. He takes a long drawl and blows it out, making sure the smoke does not go in my face. I moan his name which makes his eyes snap up to meet mine. Before I can smirk down at him, he lifts his thigh higher, making it push against my core harder.
A yelp escapes my throat and that is all it took, allowing myself to climax. My eyes see stars as I throw my head back, groaning his name, "Vicrul..." My hips continue to grind, dragging out every ounce of pleasure my shaky legs can withstand. Vicrul allows my dress to drop, concealing me once again as my grinding slowly comes to a stop. My breath is shaky as I pant from the intense orgasm that just racked my whole body and brain, rendering me stupid. Stars still dance in my sight, ears ringing slightly from the sheer force I just climaxed.
There is utter silence between us as I pant and he smokes, allowing me to take my time on his lap. My head slowly starts clearing the orgasmic fog I was just in and my eyes begin to focus as I look down at him smirking up at me.
"You make the prettiest sounds I have ever heard," he leans up but does not make me get up, wrapping a solid arm behind me to hold me in place. My face blushes as his nose nestles into the crook of my neck, "Don't forget who I am."
I nod and stare down at him, my lips getting closer to his. His eyes dart from my lips to eyes, looking as if he is ready to feast on me. The thought of his mouth on me sends a shock down my spine, making me lean closer into him.
Before I can kiss him, he whispers, "Someone is coming."
I straighten my back and suddenly hear the footsteps right outside the room. Frantically, I scramble off of his lap and adjust my dress before smoothing my hair back. There is a knock on the door before it opens. Ap'lek steps in and assesses me before looking behind me. I turn to see what he is staring so intently at. It is Vicrul who is still lying on my bed, propped on his elbows with the cigarette hanging out his lips.
My eyes dart down to the now wet and dark spot on his thigh. The fabric turned into a dark and slick grey patch compared to the lighter and dry fabric everywhere else. Instant heat stains my cheeks redder than they were from the orgasm as I turn to meet Ap'lek's stare. The muscles in his jaw tense as his eyes remain staring at Vicrul's thigh.
Vicrul stands, straightening his belt and pants to make it that much more obvious and tucks a hand into his pocket. The other hand holds the cigarette as he slowly walks towards Ap'lek and I.
Vic's smirk is sinister as he nods an acknowledgement to Ap'lek, "Brother..." His attention turns to me, "Have a fun night, little one."
I don't say anything as Vicrul struts out of my room and his footsteps echo down the hall, disappearing and leaving me to soak in embarrassment. Ap'lek stares at the bed as if he could see what we just did before he side eyes me.
"Everybody is waiting for you downstairs," Ap'lek says before turning on his heels and leaving.
I quickly grab my things and chase after him, following Ap'lek down the flight of stairs and to the kitchen where everyone is sipping on a glass of liquor. Their stares meet mine as Vicrul raises a glass in toast, the most wicked and smug grin I have even seen him wear. I scan everyone's face and here is what I pick up within seconds... Cardo smirks as he raises the glass to his lips to take a sip, Ushar eyes me with something of suspicion, Kuruk's eyes dart between me and Vic's, and Kylo's back is towards me.
I don't feel guilty but I do feel exposed so I whisper, "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you all waiting."
Cardo laughs out loud as he pours me a glass, sliding it towards me, "Don't worry about it, kid. We weren't going anywhere without you."
Chatter picks back up among the men as we all stand in the kitchen finishing our glasses but I notice one person in particular. Kylo now stands behind the counter, leaning against the fridge as he stares out the window. My gut twists with shame as he keeps to himself, away from the commotion.
I set my glass down and walk towards him, timidly getting next to him, "I was sad to hear you aren't going tonight."
A muscle in his neck tightens as he swallows his drink, "Is that what I was hearing upstairs?" His eyes flick to mine before he refills his glass, "Was that sadness?"
I pinch my eyebrows together in annoyance, "You're... mad at me?"
His stare remains out the window as he finishes off another glass of bourbon.
My anger flares at his attempt to ignore me, "No, you are not going to shut me out, Kylo."
He continues to act as if I am not standing a foot away from him so I quietly plea, "Kylo... please. I'm trying here. I need you to talk to me. If I did something wrong just say that. If it's work, say that... please, Kylo."
The muscle under his left eye twitches with annoyance I know all too well before he pushes himself off of the fridge and raises his glass to address the group, "Have a good night and be safe."
The other men raise their glasses to him in return just before he takes the bottle of bourbon and heads upstairs without a single glance to me. My anger plummets as sadness washes over me, staining my night in an oily disappointment that coats my tongue all evening.