The Deception series boxset: FaCade, Cadence, Beneath Innocence (48 page)

I took a small gasp when the little bird from earlier landed on the opposite rock, its tiny head tipped to the side as it watched me. Its wide round eyes held onto mine as its sharp beak vibrated, a funny sound coming from it. Suddenly it jumped into the water, dipped its head and brought out another fish. It continued to stare at me, the fish flailing vigorously in its hold, the sound of its flapping as mesmerizing as the bird’s gaze.

Slowly, its beak opened as it inclined its head to the water. The fish fell from its mouth, dropped back into the water and swam away. Its beak vibrated again, the tone louder this time before it suddenly took off, soaring above my head, circling once then disappearing over the top of the cliff.

I was going crazy. I must have been. But as my gaze dropped back to the water my eyes caught the movement of the freed fish as it jumped out of the water and dived back in, delighted in its unexplainable freedom.

Taking a big calming breath, I pushed myself up, wincing at the soreness and pulled my wet clothes back down. I swallowed back my tears, pulled my shoulders back and went to join Dante for dinner.

CLOSING MY EYES, I TRIED to get a grip. My blood was burning, scalding my veins as it raced around my body in search for what it needed.

Fucking Delia. She deserved to die. The bitch had come without the stuff, or she’d ingested it all on her way over because I’d be damned if I could find it in her briefcase. Stupid cunt. I pictured her face when the bullet pierced her tiny fucking brain, the little hole in her head so satisfying. It was the only thing getting me through this damn agony. Well, other than being balls deep inside Star; the sound of her sobbing, the scent of her blood and the sight of her so broken beneath me giving me the most intense orgasm, feeding me the high I needed, even if only for a few minutes.

If I found out she was screwing Frank then they’d both die—painfully. The perverted bastard had done a job on Blue, and Star wouldn’t have a clue what hit her when Frank exposed his kink.

A laugh broke free at that thought. Fuck, she thought I was rough!

Malik was up to something too; his fucking knowing stare on me gave me the creeps. The way he watched Star got on my nerves, like he worshipped her. The sad prick, he had no idea how to handle her, or what my little bitch liked. She liked it hard and dirty. But, then so did Malik, his tendency to play with both males and females twisting my gut with disgust. Shit, the ponsy cunt might be after my dick! I shrugged, dismissing that idea immediately. He wouldn’t dare! He knew I’d pound him until he resembled shit on a skewer.

My lips were sore, the constant gnawing on them making them raw and split. Fuck, if I didn’t get a fix soon I was gonna bust some fucker.

“Finally!” I growled when my call connected and a ringing tone sounded. “Where the fuck you been, Jethro?” I barked as soon as he answered.

He paused, a tight sigh of annoyance echoing down the line. “Mr. Troy, how can I help you today?”

“I need some TSD knocking up, like now.”

“Supplies are out,” he informed me with a yawn, making my teeth grind together. “Delia emptied the stock yesterday.”

“Well get some more fucking stock then!” I snarled. For fuck’s sake, did I have to do everything myself? My staff were useless bastards. They were the first to jump to it if their fucking salary didn’t credit their bank account every month.

“Mr. Troy, it’s not that easy . . .”

“Jethro. You have two options. Either get off your lazy fat ass and sort out fresh supplies, or I’ll make sure someone popular takes a two by two and shoves it up your lazy fat ass. Completely your choice.”

He went silent, knowing my words weren’t said in jest. Fuck, he probably knew it would be me ripping his ass in two with a plank of fucking wood.

“I’ll make sure to call you when stocks are replenished.”

“Good boy, but don’t call me until it’s been prepped and is ready to go. Oh, and Jethro, make sure it’s today.”

“Of course, Mr. Troy.”

Asshole.

Fuck, my skin was jumping. This was worse than the usual drug withdrawal. Fucking lying slut had told me it wasn’t addictive. I had tweaked the drug and let her add to it over the years to weed out after effects I noticed over time. What was I thinking letting her have a say? Now she was dead and I was vibrating out of my skin. Not addictive, she said, when I told her I felt withdrawal when we became stranded on the island after a bad storm that left us isolated for nearly two weeks. Fuck! I wanted to bring her back so I could go slower with her death. I knew now she’d only told me that so she could get her grubby talons on me. She never thought I’d shoot her.

Lucky for me we had my chemist making up stock for us who then sent it to my outsource guy, Jethro, who distributed to Delia and my clients. So, we had her added recipe and it was just a case of stock.

Another laugh burst from me. Things were finally looking up. Well, they would be as soon as I slipped the little disc into the patch of skin under my arm.

My stomach rumbled when a faint scent of bacon wafted past my nostrils, causing me to frown. When was the last time I’d actually eaten?

A smile lifted my lips. Food would do me good. Well, that and tormenting Star. The way she walked across the room trying not to grab my attention made me chuckle. She didn’t realize it was her fear that made my cock throb for her; the terror in her eyes made my blood pump faster. Stupid whore. Cade should have been glad I’d taken her off his hands.

Frank stared at me when I walked into the dining room, laughing at my own internal conversation. Fuck, I frowned
at myself.
I was going crazy. My mind was too active. TSD slowed my brain down, soothing all the rampart parts that refused to shut the fuck up. Hence, my wild ramblings.

Frank quickly turned away when I narrowed my eyes on him. The prick was still under scrutiny. If I caught him with any of Star’s underwear again, I’d tear his nuts from his sack and feed them so far up his ass he’d choke on his own fucking pubes.

I shrugged to myself with that thought, half of me hoping I’d find her bra stuffed in his pocket just to see if I could work his cock down his throat like Theo had swallowed the deodorant can.

He eyed me when I chuckled and regarded him. Fucking idiot. They were all fucking idiots. They had no idea they would all be dead within the week anyway. They all needed to go; I couldn’t trust anyone and when I made Star my wife and knocked her up I didn’t want anyone else there.

“Cheers!” I smirked at him, lifting my glass of juice in the air.

He shrugged then grinned and lifted his own. “Cheers.”

Yeah, they were definitely fucking idiots!

“GOOD MORNING.” I GREETED DANTE and Frank cheerfully as they sat silently at the dining table. Their gazes slid to me, deep frown lines across their brows.

Trying to hide my smug smile, I walked over to the dresser and poured a glass of juice.

“A good fuck was obviously what you needed.” Dante chuckled arrogantly. I could still hear the tight tone in his voice, his withdrawal becoming unbearable. Unfortunately, or rather for the plan I had in my head, fortunately, his temper was constantly simmering just below the surface. “But that’s always the case with whores. Dick is a drug, and you always need your fix don’t you, Star?”

Ignoring him, I allowed my eyes to soften when they landed on Frank. Taking the chair next to him I smiled at him as I sat beside him. “I’m sorry, about yesterday,” I said regretfully. “It was a shock but I’m glad you’re here with me.” I rested my hand on top of his on the table, giving it a slight squeeze. “I missed you.”

I felt the rage bubbling from Dante, and not wanting to push too much too soon, I removed my hand and reached for a croissant, finally giving Dante my attention but making sure to drop the smile. “Is there anything specific you wanted from me today?”

He narrowed his eyes as he stabbed at a piece of his bacon. “Always offering yourself to me, Star. See what I mean about being a whore?”

I smiled and shrugged. He knew exactly what I meant but my nonchalance angered him further. Sliding the bacon off his fork with his teeth, the sound making goose bumps erupt all over me, he smirked. “You’re not to leave the house today. I’m not sure right now if I want to fill your dirty cunt or not.”

I nodded, holding on to the bile that threatened to choke me. “No problem. I’ll be in the studio if you need me.”

His eyes narrowed and he tipped his head. “Although I’ve known for a while that you’re mine, Star, I want to know why all of a sudden you’ve realized that fact.”

Frank shifted uncomfortably beside me but I shrugged, pulling at my pastry and popping a small piece in my mouth. “What’s the point in fighting you?” I sighed as if I was exhausted and rubbed at my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere, you made sure of that. I need this to be as easy as possible.”

Dante pursed his lips and regarded me. “Finally sunk in has it?”

I flicked him a sad glance, forcing tears into my eyes but didn’t reply. All he needed to know was that I’d given in, stopped the fight for my benefit and not his.

He sighed loudly and stood. “I’ll allow you the morning to paint then I’ll come and fetch you. I have plans for us this afternoon.”

I swallowed the fear and nodded, noticing the way his fists clenched to stop the shake in his hands. His eyes were bloodshot, the whites tinged with a hint of yellow. What the hell was he on? He was struggling to even breathe.

When he closed the door behind him I turned to Frank. “Could you do me a favor?” He nodded, giving me a soft smile, obviously pleased we were on talking terms. “The studio was set up by Dante for me and everything is haphazard. When I’m painting I like to have things within reach to snatch up quickly before my mind breaks. Can you help me shift the furniture closer to the window please?”

“Sure.” He stood up, placing a hand on my shoulder. I forced myself not to recoil, my mind filled with the visions of what he’d done to Blue with those hands. “I’ll meet you up there. I have a few things to sort out first.”

I smiled widely at him, my eyes flicking to the door when Malik walked through. His gaze was curious when he saw my camaraderie with Frank.

Malik nodded in acknowledgment as Frank passed him, then took Frank’s chair beside me and reached for his selection of breakfast. “What’s going on?” He didn’t look at me but I sensed his suspicion.