Savior (An Impossible Novel) (23 page)

I felt Clayton’s cock twitch, and his grip on my throat eased.  The world dropped out from under me as I rocketed upward, propelled by the sweet high of the oxygen returning to my brain.  “Come with me,” he ground out before shouting out his orgasm.  The feeling of his burning seed lashing at me for the first time pushed me over the edge; I couldn’t have stopped myself even if I had wanted to.  My inner muscles contracted around both men.  Smith grunted as it triggered his own release.

Nothing was real anymore, nothing but the feeling of them inside me and th
e sweet, agonizing pleasure they wrung from my body.  Tears wet my face as I wept at the intensity of it.  When the final ecstatic shudders wracked my body, everything went black as my overwhelmed brain short-circuited, unable to take any more.

I came back to reality slowly.  I could smell Clayton’s addictive scent and feel his strong arms around me as he stroked my hair tenderly.  His words held no real meaning for me, but his soft, rumbling voice was reassuring.  I don’t know how long I lay there, savoring Clayton’s comforting warmth, but even
tually I opened my eyes so I could see his gorgeous face.

He was smiling down at me gently, and I leaned my face into his palm where it cupped my cheek.  “Welcome back, little sub.”

My heart leapt at the possessive endearment.  “Hi,” I whispered.

Although most of my attention was focused on Clayton, I realized that we were no longer in Smith’s bedroom.  We were sitting on a different bed, Clayton’s back propped up against the headboard with me draped across his lap.  I was wrapped in a soft blanket, but Clayton’s skin was still bare; he only wore his boxers now.

“Where are we?”  I asked, my voice a little ragged from my screaming.

“You’re in my guest room,”
came Smith’s voice.  He was sitting on the edge of the bed wearing a robe, and he was smiling at me fondly.  “The two of you can stay here tonight.”

“Thanks,” Clayton
accepted, laughter in his voice.  “I really didn’t want to have to carry her down to the car like this.  The porter might suspect me of drugging her.”

I shook my head.  “That was way better than any drug,” I said fervently, looking up into Clayton’s breathtaking eyes.  “Thank you, Master,” I said softly.  I hadn’t thought it possible to experience such extreme, earth-shattering ecstasy.  It had made me pass out, for God’s sake.

He tapped his finger against the tip of my nose.  “Isn’t there someone else you’d like to thank?”  He asked pointedly.

“Yes.  Thank you, Smith.  That was incredible.”

“Anytime,” he said, his wolfish grin letting me know he meant that literally.  He cocked his head at me, considering.  “You know, I was surprised to hear you say ‘Master’.  After watching you at the clubs for a few years, I didn’t think that was possible for you.  Do you know why I never accepted your advances, Rose?”  He asked.  “It certainly wasn’t because you’re not beautiful.  Believe me, I was tempted a few times.  And the way you tried to lure me in with that self-assured attitude made me want to put you in your place.  But I could see it was just an act, a way of protecting yourself.  And trying to break you of that would have been cruel and traumatic.”  His eyes flicked to Clayton and then back to me.  “I knew you would be good for Clayton, but it seems like he’s been good for you as well.”  His smile was warm and genuine.  “I’m really happy for the two of you.”

I shifted against Clayton, suddenly slightly uncomfortable.  Smith had just voiced what I had only barely been allowing myself to think at the back of my mind.  Hearing him lay it all out on the table like that made me feel just as exposed as I was when I had been stripped naked before them.

But even my slight movements made my body ache in the most delicious ways, a sweet reminder of the joy Clayton had given me tonight.

“Making you happy makes me happy.”

Deciding not to let Smith’s words bother me, I closed my eyes and snuggled into Clayton, basking in my post-orgasmic glow.

Chapter 15

When I came home from work the next day, my lingering elation was instantly doused by the sound of low, pained whimpering.

“Greg!”  I cried as I rushed to join him in the bathroom.  He was lying on the floor, curled up into
himself and rocking back and forth.  A sheen of sweat covered his skin, and I could see that he had emptied the meager contents of his stomach before I had arrived.  Oh, God, how long had he been like this?

“Greg.”  I fought to make my voice calm and soothing, and I tenderly pushed his sweat-soaked hair back off his brow.  When he opened his eyes at my touch, my own stomach clenched at the sight of the desperate pain that filled them.  “You’re going into withdrawal.  How long has it been since you last used?”

“Almost two days,” he panted out.  “Oh, God, Rosie.”  He shuddered beneath my hand.  “It
hurts.
”

“That’s not good, Greg.”  I hated myself for saying it, but he still needed some of the drugs in his system
or he might die.  “I know you want to quit, and I’m proud of you.  But unless you’re going to go into rehab you can’t just stop like this.  Where’s your stash?”  I felt sick at the idea that I was offering to help my brother get high, but I didn’t have a choice.

“I don’t have any,” he groaned.  “And they won’t give me any more.  The FBI moved in on one of the other tribes.  The Kings don’t trust the new recruits anymore.  They’ve turned us all away, Rose, and I can’t afford to pay them.”

“It’s okay, Greg,” I assured him.  “That’s okay.  Clayton will understand.  You’ve done all you can.  Come on.  I’m taking you to the hospital.”

Greg’s eyes went wide with panic, and he jerked out of my reach.  “No!  I…”  He licked his lips nervously and ran his hand up and down over the crook of his elbow.  “I can’t quit.  I mean, I can’t stop.  If I don’t go to the Kings, then I can’t help the FBI anymore.  I won’t be able to get back at them for what they tried to do to you, and you won’t be safe.”  His eyes were feverish with need, and his voice shook.  He looked as though he was bar
ely clinging onto his sanity.

My brows drew together, and I looked at him sternly, ready to give him some tough love.  “I appreciate that you want to protect me, baby brother, but I’ll be fine.  Clayton won’t let anything happen to me.  He’ll understand that -”

“Clayton!”  Greg growled, suddenly looking feral.  “It’s always ‘Clayton’ with you now!  What about me, Rose?!  I’m your goddamn brother!”

“Greg, calm down,” I tried to make the order steady, but my tone was laced with panic.  I could see him slipping away from me as his monstrous addiction dug its cruel claws into him.  He wrenched out of my grasp, jumping to his feet and putting distance between us.  I followed him into the living room, my movements slow and careful as I held up my hands before me as though to ward off a rabid animal.  “Come to th
e hospital with me.  I know this is hard, but you’ll feel better.”

“You don’t know
anything!
” He bellowed.  “You don’t know what this feels like!  I’m fucking dying, Rose!  Are you just going to let me die, or are you going to help me?”

Okay, now I was pissed.  He was trying to manipulate me into buying him drugs?  No fucking way.  I put my hands on my hips, making my body larger so that I could block his way to the door.  “You’re going to die if you don’t quit, Greg,” I said sharply.  “So yes, I am going to he
lp you.  But not in the way you want.”

I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and started to dial Clayton’s number.

“What are you doing?”  Greg asked, sounding scared and angry.

“I’m calling Clayton,” I informed him.  “You won’t seem to listen to me, but maybe he can talk some sense into you.”

Despite his unsteadiness on his feet, Greg moved quickly, and the phone was suddenly flying out of my hand.  My back was against the wall, and his forearm was pressing ruthlessly against my windpipe.  His mouth was twisted in a snarl and his nostrils flared, insane fury etched in every twisted line of his face.  He was physically weakened since his addiction had caused him to start wasting away, but now a desperate, starved beast was lending him strength.  My hands were on his arm, struggling to pull him away from me.  But he just pressed harder, blocking off my air entirely. 

“You love him,” he accused.  “You love him, and you don’t love me anymore.  Well I’m not going to quit. 
He
can’t make me.”

My heels drummed against the wall where Greg had lifted me from the floor with his grip on my throat.  My lungs were burning, and my fingertips were starting to go numb.  I was no longer fighting, but my body was convulsing in his hold as dark spots began to dance before my eyes.

Just as I began to go limp, my clawing hands dropping from his arm, I saw Greg’s expression melt from one of mindless fury to horrified anguish.  He stepped back and released me abruptly, and I collapsed to the floor, clutching my throat as the harsh gulps of air that I managed to draw in burned their way down into my lungs.  When I looked up, I could hardly make out my brother through my watering eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Rosie.  I’m so sorry.”  His voice was trembling; he sounded terrified.  I heard the pounding of his footsteps moving further and further away as he fled the apartment.

“Greg!”  I tried to cry out, to call him back to me.  But all that came out was a harsh rattle, and I began coughing painfully.

I had to get help.  Someone had to stop him before he did something that got himself killed.  With a great effort, I forced my limbs to move, and I somehow managed to drag my body across the room to get to my phone.

“Hi, beautiful,” he answered sweetly.

“Clayton,” I forced out raggedly.

“Rose?  What’s wrong?”  His voice was calm, but I knew him well enough now to detect the hint of fear in it.

“It’s Greg.  Please.  Someone has to go get him.  He’s out of his mind, Clayton.  He…”  I tripped over the words, hardly able to believe them even though I had experienced it firsthand.  “He almost killed me.”

“Where are you now, Rose?  Where is Greg?”  He sounded truly panicked now.

“I’m okay, Clayton,” I assured him.  “But Greg isn’t.  He needs help.  He just ran out of our apartment, and I couldn’t stop him.  Please send someone after him.”

“I’m going to have to hang up now Rose so I can call Sharon and Smith.  Sharon will come right up, and Smith will go after Greg.  I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Okay,” I breathed.  “Thank you.”

I ended the call so that Clayton could get on with it.  Having done what I could, I allowed my body to relax, pressing my face against the cool floorboards as I struggled to return my breathing to some modicum of normalcy.  By the time Sharon appeared in the doorway, I was starting to feel in control of my muscles again.  If only I weren’t shaking so hard, I might have been able to stand.

“God damn it,” Sharon cursed as she came and knelt beside me.  “I just keep fucking up, don’t I?  I’m sorry I’m so shitty at my job, Rose.”  She sounded weary, defeated.

“It’s not your fault, Sharon,” I insisted.  “You weren’t supposed to be in our apartment.  You’re supposed to be protecting me from the Kings, not…” I swallowed hard to hold back the tears.  “Not my own brother,” I finished softly.

She pursed her lips together, saying nothing as she put a supporting arm around my back to help me to my feet.  She guided me to my bed and then crouched before me.  Her fingers gripped my chin gently, urging me to lift my face so that she could examine my throat.

“You might have some bruising,” she informed me.  “Did you hit your head?”

“No,” I assured her.  I didn’t want any paramedics, and I didn’t want to go to the hospital.

Sharon nodded, seeming to understand without me having to say anything.  “You’re going to be fine.  Your throat is wicked red right now, and you’ll probably be sore tomorrow, but you don’t need to go the hospital.”

“Thanks,” I whispered.

She reached out and took my trembling hand in hers, providing me with silent, steady comfort.

“You should leave now, Sharon.”  Clayton’s voice was clipped, and all of his muscles were taut wit
h suppressed anger.  I knew he would never physically hurt his friend, but the daggers he was glaring at her clearly communicated that staying was not in her best interest.

Sharon sighed and hung her head, looking crestfallen as she stood to leave.  I thought about telling Clayton that she wasn’t at fault and she didn’t deserve his anger, but one look at his livid expression to
ld me it was best if I didn’t get involved. 

She paused for a moment as she passed Clayton.  “I really am sorry, Clayton,” she said, her voice barely audible. 
“For Rose, for Claudia.  And you almost died…”  Her eyes were haunted.  “I’m sorry.”

Clayton’s eyes softened slightly, but his jaw was still clenched.  He didn’t look at her as she walked away, her shoulders slumped.

“She didn’t mean to let me down, Clayton,” I said gently as he sat beside me.

He grimaced.  “That doesn’t change the fact that she did.”

I decided it was best not to say anything more on the matter just now, but I tucked it away for later.  Sharon had looked like she could use a friend, and she certainly didn’t need to lose one right now.  Clayton would come around once he accepted that I really was okay.