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Chapter 1
AJ “Two-Hands” Hoover took a seat next to her best friend in the whole world, Scotty “Ears” Reisner. They’d been together since they were fifteen, drifting from foster care house to foster care house—victims of a fucked-up system. Her parents were both heroin addicts. She didn’t believe the bullshit she heard on the news about pill-poppers needing something stronger, which then caused the heroine epidemic in the country. Her parents were not necessarily up-standing citizens to begin with, but both held down jobs and provided for her. Then when the recession hit, they took to the hard stuff. Meth first then heroin to combat the stress of losing everything, never once considering how their actions would affect AJ.
On her fifteenth birthday, she’d been shipped off to a home with a sexual abuser. She knew, because she checked the system—scratch that, she used her budding hacking skills to check the system before leaving CPS. Though the reports from other children who’d been removed didn’t spell out the issues with the home, AJ put two and two together. She blamed the system for the lack of care. There wasn’t enough money or enough social workers to combat what was rampant in the system.
The Travises had eight foster kids in their home—nine—if she counted herself, and were receiving six-hundred dollars a month, per child, to feed, clothe, and shelter each of them. The wife was the quintessential “Suzy Homemaker,” while the husband worked for some tech firm in Simi Valley. According to the statement of a child removed from the house for destruction of property, every night, they had computer tech classes in the basement. If Samael Travis thought one of the kids didn’t pick up the concept fast enough, he ‘encouraged’ them with a little ‘pop-goes-the-weasel.’ The evidence, even as thin as it was, had been there. So, whether it was laziness on the social workers’ part or the system being irreparably broken, no one lifted a finger to help those kids and due to some well-documented behavioral issues with the particular child, he wasn’t believed, either.
Thankfully, after AJ arrived, she caught on rather quickly to his shenanigans, and Mr. Travis noticed her hacking skills weren’t half bad. However, she hadn’t done it well enough on one particular occasion, and she, too, became one of his victims. Afterward, when he pulled up his pants and whispered, “you’ll get better at this as time goes on,” she swore she’d raze the house and ground Samael walked on.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t quick enough to prevent another incident. Rage consumed her the night one of the boys returned to their cramped, shared bedroom, bleeding and crying. She hadn’t been thinking when she hacked the Travises’ computer and set a timer for the camera to begin recording when he turned it on. It’d been emotion driving her. Since there were eight kids, beside herself, AJ knew when he’d go into his ‘special room.’ All she needed was proof of what he was doing to those kids and then the state would be forced to step in.
It’d only taken three days to capture the video she needed. Instead of going straight to the police with it, she posted the video of what he’d done to the boy to CPS’s website along with sending a copy with an email filled with information on the husband and wife to the local media. Nobody likes a child molester and rapist, however, no one liked being caught giving a free pass to a known child molester and rapist.
AJ had been removed from the home next morning. While all of the other children were sent to local hospitals for evaluation, she’d been sent to a clinic to be tested for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The humiliation of laying on a cold, sterile table while people she didn’t know examined her body and took photographs of her, was worse than what Samael had done to begin with. When the doctor finally gave her the all clear, thankfully, she’d been handed a trash bag filled with her clothes and items from the Travises’ house and sent to another foster care family. The whole incident had been treated as business transaction, instead of a group of abused children needing a little compassion and love.
When she arrived at the new foster home, Scotty had been the first person she met. She took an instant liking to him. He’d been geeky in a way, a hacker like herself, and he was deaf—not that it was a bad thing. Sometimes, she enjoyed the silence. Nevertheless, she’d been a voracious ASL learner, so they could talk to each other without having to constantly write statements back and forth. She ate up every morsel of information he’d given her and, in the end, became his official interpreter, after he’d been caught trying to hack the NSA.
He’d have done it, too, hacked the NSA, if he hadn’t been sloppy. AJ warned him. He didn’t defrag or wipe his history every time he began a new conquest. He also didn’t like virus protectors. He’d gotten all the way through until the virus which attached itself to his signature, was detected. Within hours, Scotty was in handcuffs and being read his rights. The foster family, just like her last one, didn’t give a shit. To them, the kids were meal tickets. Since Scotty and AJ would’ve been aging out soon enough, the family didn’t allow them to return. She figured two weeks after Scotty and her were gone, two other kids took their place, and once again, she’d be alone.
However, being caught by the CIA, had its perks. The CIA had a diversion program for kids like her and Scotty, and if they completed the terms of the program, their records would be cleared. It’d been a no-brainer for both of them. AJ and Scotty went through the program at the top of the class. By the time they were finished, they were given entry-level positions within the State Department. By the time they turned twenty-one, both of them had benefits and more money than they knew how to spend. Plus, they were together and that was all she cared about. The only downside? They did more traveling than they did being stationary. The apartment they shared was more a home in name than in use. It’d become abundantly clear when they were put on loan to Wolf and Tex a year ago, Scotty and she were destined to be nomads.
However, since joining R.O.O.T a few weeks ago, they’d felt more at home than usual. Downside, she waited for them to be dismissed and sent back to California. She tapped Scotty’s hand. What do you think this is about?
He shrugged. He’d been a little too wide-eyed for her liking. Don’t know.
She glanced up at Thomas Kaine and shivered. Not because she was cold, or because he repulsed her, but he made her feel things she shouldn’t for a man his age. Yes, she’d half been in love with Scotty since the moment she met him, but they were like siblings, better to leave it there than to lose him forever, especially if he didn’t like her back.
What are you, ten? she chided herself.
At that moment, watching Frazer exit the room while Asher stood at the head of the table, yes, yes she was. She swallowed hard. None of it made sense. They were only supposed to finish one mission with R.O.O.T and then they’d be put back on a plane to San Diego, AJ knew it was coming. But, by the looks of things, they might not be leaving.
Noah sat across from her and Scotty as did Thomas. He stared at both of them. His expression had been unreadable. His body, unlike hers was relaxed. It was as though he’d been through a million scenarios like this one and didn’t have a care in the world. She, unfortunately, never had. Everything she and Scotty had done for Tex was done remotely or from California with Wolf. This, she had a feeling, might change everything.
“As you know, Scotty and AJ were brought in to cover for our unit member, Murray Jacob while he went in search of his sister,” Asher said, more for Thomas’ benefit than hers and Scotty. “He’s made contact, and he needs a little help.”
Anything. Scotty signed.
“I’m glad you’re so eager,” Asher said. “It’s a little more complicated, though.”
“What is it?” AJ pushed.
“You’re all going to go undercover as a sexual Dominant”—Asher looked to Thomas— “and his toys.” His gaze fell on AJ and Scotty.
“Say what now?” AJ cut her gaze to Noah first then Thomas.
“They’re kids,” Thomas snapped. “They’ll be eaten alive.”
Hey, we’re older than you think, old man. Scotty scowled.
“It’s why I’m giving you two weeks to investigate your roles to make sure you’re ready for the job and to get you comfortable with each other,” Asher revealed.
“I’m not sure I can do this.” Fear clogged her throat. Her hands trembled as she lowered them to her lap. “I didn’t sign up to be a-a sex slave.”
“We’re all behind you,” Noah said. “No one will allow any harm to come to you, besides neither one of you are sex slaves.”
She frowned. “Unless he dictates it.” She arched a brow as she stared a hole through Thomas Kaine. “He is the boss in this, right?”
Thomas snorted.
“We’ll give you some privacy for a minute. In five, we have a video conference with Murray.” Noah stood and exited the room, closing the door behind him.
“I am not doing this.” AJ stood and began to pace. “I’ll assume you’ll both have... Have to see me naked and...” Heat filled her cheeks. “No.”
“Are you done freaking out?” Thomas stared a hole through her and if the look on his face was any indication, he didn’t want to be there anymore than she did.
“Fuck off, old man,” AJ snarled. “I’m not a puppet, and I’m not a toy.”
“No,” he agreed. “You’re more of a brat.”
Scotty flipped him off.
Son, I wouldn’t. The flow of Thomas’ sign language was effortless and had a quiet elegance to it.
Scotty sat back. A smile curled his lips. I’ll be damned.
You are indeed. Kaine rolled up the sleeves on his shirt. “This isn’t something I advertise when I am at work.”
AJ paused in her pacing. “Huh?”
“Nothing,” Thomas muttered. “Obviously someone did their research.”
“What kind of Dominant are you, anyway?” She tried to keep her tone as flippant as possible, but staring at his condescending features pissed her off.
The lascivious grin tugging at the corners of his mouth made AJ hesitate. “Most of my subs call me, Daddy.”
Her stomach knotted. Why did the rumbled purr of his voice send a bolt of lust through her body? She should have found him disgusting. Call him ‘Daddy’? Never. No way. Wouldn’t be happening. Still, as she stared at him, some small part of her enjoyed the idea of the man in front of her being her Daddy.
Eww. God no.
She shook her head and sat in her abandoned chair. “I can’t.”
“You can,” Thomas said. “You’ll do it because it’s the job. Both of you wanted a mission of your own. I’ve caught pieces of your conversations when you don’t think anyone is watching.”
“Yeah, maybe,” she stated, “but, nothing like this. How are we supposed to become this...whatever we’re going to call it, in two weeks?”
“We’ll work together every night and when we have a spare moment. We have to make it look real. I have no idea what Murray got us into, but if we’re going to make it appear as though we’re a ménage, we have to get to know each other intimately.”
AJ cringed. “Intimately?”
“You’ll have to be open and used to my touch. Being receptive to affection from a man you barely know is hard. Hence, why we must practice. Nothing like having our cover blown because you or Scotty jumped at my touch during an inopportune moment.” Thomas loosened the knot of his tie then unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt.
She swallowed hard. Oh, God. She closed her eyes and bit back a moan. “Say something.”
It is a mission, Scotty signed. We’d only be acting. Not like we’ll have to do anything in front of people.
Thomas held up his finger before signing, Not necessarily. Depending on the situation, we might have to do things.
When he didn’t elaborate on what those things were, she frowned. “This...this is some grade-A bullshit.”
Thomas chuckled. The harsh reverberation vibrated across her skin and she gasped. “Little girl, you’re not the only person in this situation. Do you think I actually enjoy putting this part of me in the limelight for a job? Or have you considered how Scotty feels?”
“Scotty?” Her voice cracked.
He waved off her concern. It’s a job, right? No big deal. A team member needs our help.
Thomas rounded the table while pulling his tie off. “We’ll get through this together. Now, give me your hands.”
“Huh?” She glanced up at him. “Why?”
He cocked a brow. “Because I said so.”
“No.” She recoiled. “We’re at work. This is workplace sexual harassment.”
He grinned and a spark of arousal filled his green eyes. “You’re going to be a sassy one. I’m going to have fun taming you.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, no.”
“AJ.” The timbre of his voice commanded she pay attention.
She wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“What does AJ stand for?” he asked, catching her off guard.
“Why does it matter?” She crossed her arms.
Thomas chuckled. “I’d like to call you something other than AJ or Hoover while we’re playing together.”
“Too intimate,” she said, trying to close herself off from him.
“A name?” He outright laughed now. “Come now, AJ. Tell Daddy what your name is.”
Ugh... Goosebumps accompanied the flush spreading across her skin. She hated the niggle of arousal spurting to life inside of her every time he used that tone of voice on her. It was a mix of sexual heat and command. “I hate you.”
“I know you do, baby girl,” he murmured. “What’s your name?”
Amelia. Scotty stared at her. Amelia Jane.
“Why?” Tears stung her eyes as betrayal and hurt pushed away any of the arousal she’d experienced. “Why would you tell him?”
Scotty glanced over his shoulder at the clock on the wall then back to her. We have five minutes, and you’re both having a pissing contest in here. Isn’t it easier to pick your battles for now?
“He has a point,” Thomas replied. “Please give me your hands.”
She swallowed the tirade building within her and did as he asked. Later, she’d lay into Scotty then she’d tell the whole team to fuck off. She wasn’t anyone’s sex toy, mission or not. Thomas placed his tie around her wrists then cinched it down. He stuck his fingers between her skin and the binder and when he was satisfied, he wrapped the remainder around where her hands were joined.
“Um, hate to burst your bubble, but I can’t sign for Scotty with my hands like this,” she said, believing she had an out.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be doing it.” Thomas returned to his chair. “When we’re together, I’ll be doing all interpreting.”
What the fuck? Scotty shook his head. I can’t abide by this.
“What would it look like if a submissive was doing the job of a Dom?” Thomas began, “we’re going into a situation where I am in charge of both of you. Having AJ sign for you, Scotty, won’t work. It’ll show her on equal footing with me.”
Scotty lifted his hands at the same moment the door opened, and Noah and Asher entered the room. Heat filled AJ’s cheeks. She pushed her chair under the table to keep her hands hidden and drew a blank with how to explain not signing for Scotty.
“For the time being,” Thomas said, as if reading her mind. “I’ll be interpreting for Scotty. My skills are a little rusty and if we’re going to do this, I have to brush up.”
Asher nodded. “Sure.”
Noah gave AJ a curious look but didn’t say anything to her. “We should be ready.” He pressed the button on the tablet sitting in the middle of the table, connected to the projector.
A man she could only describe as looking like a darker version of Chris Evan’s Nomad from a superhero movie stared back at her. Next to him sat a woman. She had multi-colored hair, big tits, and tattoos on her arms. They were complete opposites and made AJ sick with jealousy at how gorgeous they were.
“Long time no see, asshole,” Noah grumbled.
The guy laughed. “You missing me already, precious?”
“Blow me,” Noah scowled. “Murray, these are the three new members of R.O.O.T Asher and I were telling you about.” He pointed to each of them before naming them. “This is AJ, Scotty, and Thomas Kaine.”
Murray nodded at them in greeting. “This Jaqueline. She is the one who found Hannah for us and is why I took off as quick as I did.”
The woman beside Murray smiled and gave a small wave.
“Thank you for agreeing to take on this mission. Jaq and I understand it’s daunting, but if we can pull this off, we’ll be returning family members back to their families after who knows how many years.”
“Can you tell us what you’ve found and why we need this kind of dynamic between the three of us?” Thomas asked while also signing.
Jaqueline gasped. “I had no idea.”
Noah smirked. “When you called in, they were already here.” He gave AJ a curious look. “Although, she’s usually the one interpreting for Scotty.”
“Practice makes perfect,” Thomas said. “I think from here on out while we’re on this mission, I should be doing the interpreting.”
Jaqueline nodded. “It’s for the best. The club deals with men more than women, and if they believe they have two deaf subs, they’ll be more apt to let you in or allow you to sell them.”
AJ jerked. “I’m sorry what?”
“Which brings us to the mission itself,” Asher stated. “Jaqueline, can you please tell everyone where you found Hannah along with the others and how you did so?”
The woman nodded and the surveillance photo filled the screen. “The building you are looking at, is called the Emporio de Monstruo—Emporium of Monsters. It is bankrolled by the Nieto Cartel along with several individuals. It’s a specialty sex club, dealing in freaks.”
AJ cut her gaze toward Scotty and got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. Freaks. “Freaks as in?” She swallowed around the lump forming in her throat.
“Exactly what you think,” Murray said. “This club’s clientele list is filled with the scum of the earth who get off on exploiting people who have disabilities.”
What the fuck? No. Scotty pushed away from the table. Fuck you all for thinking this is okay to do.
“Scotty,” Thomas said. “Sit down. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“What’s going on?” Murray asked.
“Scotty doesn’t like the idea of being bait,” Thomas replied.
Scotty doesn’t like the whole fucking idea. Level the fucking building. No way in fuck I am going in there to watch people be debased because someone gets off on raping disabled people.
“Well, at least he had the same reaction I did,” Murray murmured.
“Did he puke?” Jaqueline added.
“Not yet, looks like he might,” Kaine said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Look, kid, I get it. I had a violent reaction to it, too. My sister is in there. Jaqueline’s brother as well. We can’t not do this. If you can’t perform for this mission, we’ll get Thomas and AJ in there on their own,” Murray said. “It’s okay. It was a crap shoot asking to begin with.”
Scotty sat down beside AJ. He shook, not in fear, but in rage. His eyes were wild. His hands clenched and unclenched while his knee bounced a mile a minute. She’d rarely seen Scotty this way, but on the occasion she did, nothing good came from it. What happened to him while he’d been in foster care before they met, he never talked about, however she had a feeling before they could go through with this mission, he’d have to be up front about everything.
I’m fine. I’ll do it. Scotty wouldn’t meet any of their gazes.
“You’re not acting fine,” Thomas pointed out.
“Continue,” Asher said, his gaze locked on her and Scotty.
“From the outside, it appears to be an abandoned building. The club members use none of the original entrances and exits, instead opting for a business down the block from it, at the Hispanic Heritage Museum. Events at Emporio de Monstruo coincide with the museum exhibitions and on the days when club members want to sample the merchandise, they are able to use the tunnel connecting the structures—accessed through the parking structure located behind the museum. Or through one of the several mapped tunnels running below Juarez.”
“How does no one see into the club? Can’t the...I don’t know music or screams or whatever be heard from outside?” Someone had to see something. A boarded-up abandoned building didn’t magically have power, and if Jaqueline thought no one would step out a side door, she was kidding herself. It had to be a known spot.
“The windows are blacked out on the bottom floors. Most of the activity is done there. However, higher-up windows are clear. Those floors house those who have been kidnapped. It’s where they are kept during the days, unless they’re being put through their paces. It’s how I saw Hannah and my brother Christian.”
Another series of photos filled the screen. “As you can see, the space is immaculate. For all intents and purposes, they can’t have their merchandise getting sick or getting hurt. They’d lose money and clients.”
“Well, at least there’s that,” AJ muttered.
“I have been to the government, the Federales, everyone I can think of to have someone acknowledge this retched business,” Jaqueline said. “However, money talks in Mexico. The cartels have a stranglehold on everything here. If you utter their name without it being in kind, you’re hanged. Steal from them? Dead, as well. The police are so afraid of their own shadow, most cities can’t keep a police force and, if they do, you can bet some part of the cartel has put their men into positions of power.”
“How have you not been killed?” AJ asked. From what Jaqueline said, she’d been kicking a live hornet’s nest for a while. Surely, someone would love to see her dead.
“I live in the middle of nowhere with a topnotch security system, plus I am ex-Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales—Mexican Special Forces.”
“Kind of a bad-ass name.” AJ nodded in approval.
“Thank you,” Jaqueline replied. “I can protect myself, but at some point, someone will come at me for trying to get my brother back. I have to take down the Nieto Cartel and Raul Iniguez before it happens, though. And this, this is the first step.”
“Raul Iniguez you said?” Thomas sat forward. “As in the drug runner and money launderer for the Nieto Cartel, Raul Iniguez?”
“Yes,” Jaqueline answered. “But, he’s also the Jefe of the Nieto Cartel. Let me guess, he’s on your radar too?”
Thomas chuckled, but it wasn’t a pleasant sound, like when he made her tingle from head to toe. “I’ve been working the Nieto case with my regular partner for the last five years it seems, and we never put two and two together. We thought he was low-level.”
“Well, now I know why Tex brought us all together,” Jaqueline murmured. “Slick bastard. Raul prides himself on keeping his title hidden. Heard a rumor he had a child.”
“I’ll tell you like my husband told Kaine and Frazer,” Noah said. “Bex is off limits for now. She is an abused kid who is struggling to just make it, let alone having some FBI or ex- Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales whatever-the-fuck, creeping around her.”
“Understood,” Jaqueline said. “The girl is off limits.”
“So, what are the mission parameters?” Thomas asked.
“The mission is this,” Murray stated. “There is an auction in a month and a half. When you arrive here, we’ll work in conjunction with the Federales. We have two men on the inside for us. One is Miguel Ángel, he has infiltrated the club as their bartender for events and on nights when members want to partake. Then there is Santiago Vasquez. He’s one of Tex’s guys—”
“We know of him,” AJ said. “Never ran an op with him, though, or met him.”
“Good reason you haven’t,” Murray stated. “He’s been imbedded with the Nieto Cartel for about a year or so now, according to Tex. He’ll be the one supplying us with passes.”
“Once we’re in the auction, the mission gets easier.”
AJ didn’t believe it for a minute. Nothing about what they were going to do would be easy. “I’m not sure your definition of easy and mine are the same.”
Jaqueline laughed. It was warm, inviting, and full of life. “All we have to do is pretend we’re enjoying the scene. Fulfill our obligation of being couples and bid on my brother and Murray’s sister.”
“See, so simple.” AJ’s words dripped with sarcasm.
Thomas narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head. AJ shrugged. She wasn’t lying. It wouldn’t be easy. How did she, or how could she, relax in a situation where people were being used as sexual slaves? She had a sinking feeling the majority of them didn’t have a say because they didn’t have the capacity to say no. It was gross and wrong and broke her heart. She understood them more than she suspected the majority in the room did. Because she, too, had her right to say no taken away a long time ago.
“When the auction is over, we’ll collect Christian and Hannah and be on our way. The minute all of us are free from the building, the raid will begin,” Murray said.
“I’ll be running the mission from C&C,” Noah said. “Then two days before the takedown, I will meet up with you in Mexico.”
“Now that you are all properly aware of the mission,” Asher said. “I want you to take some time—a day or two at most—and figure out if this is the op for you. I won’t lie and say we don’t need you, because we do. Scotty, I understand the idea of being seen as a pleasure object because of your deafness repulses you, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say you have the ability to save those who are locked up in that building suffering. And, as selfish as it sounds, I need you to look at the bigger picture.”
Her best friend glanced up at Asher and nodded. I understand and appreciate your care. I need to sleep on it and get it right in my head before I can place myself or AJ in this situation.
Thomas smirked.
“Fair enough,” Asher replied. “You’re all dismissed. Murray I’ll be in contact with you soon.”
“Roger that,” Murray answered. “See you all soon.”
AJ rubbed her wrists as soon as Thomas removed the binding. She glanced up at the man standing over her and scowled. If anyone noticed she’d been tied up from the moment the meeting began, they didn’t say anything, and she’d been grateful for it. How would she even begin to explain to them Thomas Kaine was an eager beaver who wanted to start their training early?
“We need to have a private conversation.” He slipped her a piece of paper. “Meet me at this hotel. Ask the front counter clerk for my room number.”
“We have a soundproof room here?” AJ hooked her finger toward the hall. “We could go there.”
“Did you really want everyone to see you enter a room with Scotty and me? You seem like the type who doesn’t broadcast your sexuality and your sexual conquests.”
What do you think? She peered up at Scotty.
Hotel. He’s right. We’re going to need privacy. We can’t get that here.
She sighed. Resignation filled her. Maybe before this was all over, she’d call Wolf and have him send a plane for her. Then she wouldn’t have to expose herself. “Fine. In an hour. I’ll clear using one of the vehicles.”
Thomas handed her a set of keys. “Drive my car. I’ll hitch a ride with Frazer.”
“Uh...” She glanced down at the silver key ring with the keyless-entry Mercedes E-class fob and whistled. “Fancy.” She showed it to Scotty.
Hawt.
“Right?” She slipped the keys into her bag.
“I expect there to be exactly fifteen miles on my car,” he said before leaving them.
Well? She shrugged as they trudged down the hall to the bank of elevators. Do you think we should bring anything with us?
Clothes? Scotty gave her a curious look. What if we don’t come back tonight?
“You think he’ll make us stay? On the first night?
He gave a lift of his shoulder. I didn’t expect to pick up this kind of a mission, but here we are.
True. “This is so fucked up.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I wasn’t lying when I said I can’t do this.”
Because of Samael? he questioned.
She told Scotty about her situation with Samael, one night after they began working for the CIA and gone out drinking. He’d been righteously indignant. He’d begun that night, trying to ruin the man who hurt her, but they found out after their digging mission, Samael had died in prison two weeks earlier. Right place. Wrong time. He’d been caught up in a prison riot, which according to the report had been in the planning stages for months. When all was said and done, three guards were dead and twenty-two inmates. The sucky part? None of the men who started the riot were killed. They were, however, charged with each of the twenty-five murders. Not liked they’d be going anywhere, anyway; they’d already been locked up for murder.
Nevertheless, AJ didn’t feel an ounce of regret or remorse. She’d waited for the guilt to eat away at her for turning him in, yet all she felt was relief. He’d never harm another child. Sure, cleaning up a single bad house in the grand scheme of CPS, didn’t amount to much when there were others out there. Still, it saved those eight and probably countless other kids from having to be abused at the whim of a child molester whenever the mood struck him.
“I don’t want to talk about him ever again.” She crossed her arms. A defense mechanism her therapist called it. A way of shutting out others when she didn’t feel safe or secure.
You’ll have to tell him.
“You can do it since you snitched about my name.”
Ouch. He put his hands up in defense. You’re right, I had no business. But, battles.
She pushed air through her clenched teeth. “My name is my own. I am AJ. I stopped being Amelia the day my parents got hooked on heroin and died.”
You’ll always be Amelia Jane to me. Scotty scrubbed her head before pushing the button on the elevator. Hey, what do you say we add a few extra miles and grab a cheeseburger on the way to the hotel? I’m starving. He rubbed his flat belly. My stomach is touching my backbone.
“You do realize that’s completely impossible.” She bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Says you.
AJ rolled her eyes. “Fine a burger on the way.”
And a milkshake?
“Now, you’re pushing it.”
***
When they arrived at the hotel, they’d put an extra mile on the car, and they were five minutes late. It couldn’t be helped, though. Both AJ and Scotty were starving. Grabbing a burger and shake should have been easy, until they remembered it was a Friday night and it was still football season for the high schools. The line wrapped around the fast food joint like the previous ones they checked out before settling on the last one before the hotel.
AJ pulled the car into a spot near the front and parked. In the trunk were their clothes and personal items. Scotty was right, if they were going to do this the proper way, they had to be prepared. Yet, she couldn’t stop the tremble in her hands when she hit the trunk button nor when she gathered her things. A couple of times on the way to their destination, she even questioned if she should’ve eaten a greasy burger covered in cheese or drank a strawberry milkshake.
Scotty handed her the cup after throwing their food bags in the trash. You look like you could use a shot of sugar. You’re a little pale.
“I think I’m almost too nervous to put anything else in my stomach.” She frowned at the cup but carried it with her as she hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder and headed inside. Soft music greeted them as they stepped into the cozy lobby. The floors had a polished patina to them, and the exposed crossbeams gave the place a high-class cabin feel to them. Across from where she stood, a fire blazed in an old brick fireplace.
Scotty nudged her. Fancy.
Yeah. She agreed. A room there a night would set her back a bit. Guess I should announce us.
Scotty grunted.
AJ crossed to the front counter where a petite blonde sat. She cleared her throat and closed her eyes, giving herself a moment of composure. “Hi. I’m meeting Thomas Kaine here tonight with my friend, Scotty.”
The girl glanced up and grinned. “Right, Agent Kaine.” The way she said Thomas’ last name, made AJ’s stomach tighten. “One of our favorite customers.” The girl typed away on the computer then grabbed something under the lip of the counter. “He’s in room 704 corner suite, as always.” She placed two cards on the counter in front of AJ along with a sheet of paper. “If you’ll sign here.”
After signing the sheet, AJ grabbed their keys and trudged back over to Scotty. One of our favorite customers... Anger flared to life tinged by jealousy. It was irrational considering they weren’t anything to each other, except partners. However, shouldn’t he have brought them somewhere he hadn’t brought all his women to?
What’s wrong? Scotty faced her once they were inside the elevator.
She shook her head. “It’s stupid.”
Tell me? he prodded.
Oh, she would. Once they were inside the room with Thomas. When the elevator dinged, she stepped away from Scotty and started down the hall. The yellow glow of city lights through the bank of windows would’ve been beautiful any other time, tonight they were blobs in a window. When she stopped in front of 704, she put the key into the door and waited for it to turn green. The door was snatched out of her hand when Thomas answered it.
“You’re late.” He scowled down at her.
“Well, sucks to be you. We were hungry.” She tugged the keys to his car from her pocket and handed them to him. “Safe and sound. Not a scratch, ding or dent.” She pushed past him and entered the room. It was nice. Masculine. Dark and elegant, kind of like the man staring after her.
“So, tell me, Thomas, do you bring all of your conquests here? Because you knew exactly how far from the base we are.” God, she sounded like a raging, jealous bitch.
Thomas dropped his keys into a small crystal dish she hadn’t seen when she stepped into the room. He then crossed to a wingback chair near the window and sat. “Tell me, Amelia are you jealous? Because you sound jealous.”
She sucked in a breath.
“Better yet, tell me, how many of those soldier boys did you bed while you were in California working with Wolf? Did they keep your bed warm?” Thomas slid his gaze to Scotty. “And you. How many women have you brought home and fucked while Amelia was present?”
“More than I want to count,” she muttered. Again, the knot of jealousy tightened within her. “He does while he plays video games. The fucker doesn’t even get naked. He just pulls it out and goes to town.”
Scotty frowned.
“Get it all out of your systems now. We have no time for this tomfoolery. If we’re going to be a cohesive unit we must act as though we’ve been a couple for more than two weeks.” Thomas cut his gaze to Scotty.
Why are you bitching about it? Basic’s been keeping you busy for the last couple of years. The snap and sharp movements of his hands along with his words, devastated AJ.
She bit the inside of her cheek willing herself not to become an emotional wreck. “Yeah, well, I can count all of them on one hand. What about you?” She glared at Thomas. “You still haven’t answered the question. How many women have you brought here?”
Scotty blanched. A myriad of emotion played across his features before he shut it down, blocking her out. He never blocked her out. He’d always been open and honest. A sinking feeling filled her stomach. Her heart chugged and a lump formed in her throat.
Yeah. Answer. You got ours. Scotty scowled.
Thomas stood and went to the small sideboard she hadn’t paid attention to when she entered the room. He grabbed a glass off of the silver plate then one of the bottles from the shelf and poured a drink.
“I don’t keep count.” He swallowed down the amber liquid then poured himself another. “I also don’t keep them for very long.”
“Great,” AJ spat. “So, you fuck them and leave them.”
He put the glass down then closed the distance between them. He towered over her. His intimidating form blocked out her ability to see behind him. “Pot meet kettle.”
God, she had the irresistible urge to kiss his lips or run her fingers through his perfectly styled hair, just to shake him up. “I—”
Thomas inhaled. His eyes went wide and he took a step back. “What are you drinking?”
She frowned. “What am I drinking?” She licked her lips. “What does that have to do with what we’re talking about?”
“There is a very specific reason I am asking,” he muttered. “What is in the cup?”
“Strawberry shake. Not booze, old man,” she snarked. “Besides, if I wanted a stiff one, I’d have it. I’m of age.”
Thomas muttered a curse. “Please throw it away.”
AJ scowled. “Excuse me?” They were partners on a job, nothing else. He didn’t get to tell her what she could or couldn’t have to eat or drink. “I enjoy strawberry milkshakes, thank you very much. I won’t be wasting this one.” She took another sip to prove her point.
“Please, AJ. For the love of everything holy, throw it away,” Thomas pleaded.
This time, she looked up at him and found him inching away from her. His face was pale, and his fingers twitched. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I am highly allergic to strawberries. It doesn’t matter if they’re in a jelly or a jam. It doesn’t matter if it’s the whole fruit or imitation. I will become violently ill.” He walked over to his bag. “Since we’re starting now, I should explain a few things.” He pulled out a smaller bag and placed it on the table near where she stood. “I carry my EpiPens with me in this bag. I also have two oral medications I take at the onset of a reaction if it isn’t bad and can stop it in time. One is hospital strength Pepcid and the other is called Hydroxyzine HCL.”
The blood drained from AJ’s face. Right away she ran to the bathroom and poured her shake down the drain then rinsed her mouth out with the small bottle of mouth wash she found in the drawer beside her. She’d been so worked up by his asshole tendencies, she hadn’t stop to consider why he’d asked her in the first place. She’d gone by gut reaction, and she’d put his life at risk. Way to make a first impression.
When she exited the bathroom, Scotty continued to drink from his styrofoam cup while Thomas retreated to the table with his drink. He glanced up when she entered the room. “Those are things we should talk about before I buy my favorite shake.”
“What do you have?” He inclined his chin at Scotty who’d taken a seat on one of the beds.
Chocolate and you can fuck off about me throwing it away. I’m not kissing you.
Thomas smirked. “Cheeky bastard.”
Scotty flipped him off. Don’t think because you have allergies it makes any of the bullshit that was said between us, better.
“Wouldn’t dare to.” Thomas finished off his drink then held up the glass. “I like bourbon. Two ice cubes. I will expect both of you to know this. You will both retrieve my drinks for me when we are in the club. I also have one when I come home from work before dinner.”
“In case you forgot, we’re not in your home. We’re at a hotel where I suspect those women you don’t ‘keep track of,’ have spent the night with you,” she snapped.
“Careful, baby girl, the green eyed monster’s going to consume you.” Thomas opened up his briefcase. He grabbed a few things out of it, then laid two stacks of paper out along with two pens on the table. “Come sit, we have much to discuss.”
She glanced at Scotty while pushing back a lock of her hair. “What is it?” She peered at the packet as she closed the distance between them, but with the light hanging above the table, the glare washed the words out.
“It’s a contract,” Thomas said. “For both of you and for me.”
Again, she looked to Scotty who shrugged.
“A contract for what specifically?” She sat at the table and looked at the paperwork in front of her. The words blurred together.
“I’m glad you asked.” Thomas grabbed his copy from the case. “From now until the mission is over, you’re both mine. That means, in a way, I am your guardian.”
AJ scrunched up her face. “Gross.”
“It’s not the same as being a parent,” Thomas said. “Think of it more of a contracted relationship. Since I am the Dom and you are my sex toys, I am your guardian.”
“Not helping.” AJ mumbled turning the page.
Nope, Scotty signed.
Thomas signed as he spoke, “Let’s move on.”
“Wait.” AJ narrowed her eyes. “What does, this mean?” She pointed to a list of dress rules. “All attire must be approved of before wearing. All skirts and dresses must be above the knee and worn with no panties.”
Scotty’s nostrils flared. What?
She pointed to the page in his contract.
Commando? He glanced up at Thomas. Why?
“If it puts your mind at ease, I will be, too, any time we play. It’s ease of access. I want Amelia open to me.” He glanced up at Scotty. “You will, too, once you’ve been together. Plus, you’re both a representation of me. How would a Dom of status look if he had two unkept dolls?”
We’re not dolls.
“Yeah,” she added. “We’re not dolls.”
“Ah, baby girl,” Thomas murmured. “Yes, you are. You just don’t know it yet.”
“Okay, now you sound like a serial killer and I should know. I’ve worked on those type of cases a time or two.” AJ continued down the page. “You gotta be shitting me. Bare? As in bare, bare? Down there?”
Thomas’ brow rose in the most aristocratic way. “‘Down there?’ No. We use proper terms here, Amelia. I have a dick, or a cock as does Scotty. You have a pussy or cunt, and yes, I like a bare pussy.”
She shivered at his tone. The embers of her arousal from earlier returned with a vengeance. How dare he be so vulgar while also appearing haughty with his air of superiority? “What about Scotty?”
“Well, if you want Scotty to have a smooth dick and balls, I can add it.”
Fuck off.
“But, a trim will suffice. However, grooming around the groin is a must. If she must present herself to us bare, you, too, must tame your jungle,” Thomas stated.
Blow me, Scotty signed. I keep myself manicured and tidy, thank you very much. Besides, makes my dick look bigger.
“Are you saying you’re on the small side?” AJ questioned, razzing the shit out of Scotty.
No! he snarled. It’s plenty big. Want to see it?
Thomas made an exasperating noise. “Children.”
Heat filled AJ’s cheeks. “Sorry.”
“Forgiven. Shall we continue?”
She nodded. “Yes.” She flipped to the next page and paused. She didn’t want to sound like a broken record, but there were more rules than, as Tex would say, than Carter had pills. “Showers in front of you? Why?”
Thomas shrugged. “Call it a kink of mine.”
“You like watching women shower?” She tilted her head, not sure how she felt about the idea of being watched. It wasn’t anything spectacular. She’d been like everyone else getting cleaned up after a long-ass day.
“Also gives me a chance to join if I wish,” Thomas said.
“Scotty, too?”
“Joining?” Thomas asked.
“No, you’d watch Scotty?” she prodded.
“Maybe? If it is both of you, I might watch for a bit then join you. Again, it’s a kink of mine.”
“You like watching people shower together?” AJ didn’t understand Thomas at all. “Do you get off on seeing dirty people become clean?”
Thomas sighed. “No, Amelia. It’s not the getting clean part. It’s the caressing and fondling. The reaching between your legs to touch yourself—spreading your cheeks to rinse the soap from your ass. It’s the idea of Scotty being inside that shower with you, taking you from behind, making you scream that turns me on.”
“So...” She swallowed hard as the images of her and Scotty together floated through her mind. “You’re a voyeur?”
“Among other things,” he murmured. “Which we’ll delve deeper into over the next few weeks.”
AJ glanced at Scotty whose expression was blank. She flipped the page and frowned once more. “A 10 pm curfew and bedtime? I can’t abide by this. Sure, we’re done with the Breslow mission, but being in Mexico; shouldn’t this be flexible?”
Thomas stared her for a moment. She shifted under his unwavering gaze. Those hard, green orbs bore into her and she feared he’d seen her deepest, darkest secrets. “Yes, we can adjust it. It’s a normal rule I have in all of my contracts. This is a mission so it’s different, not as stringent.”
AJ jerked, startled by his acquiescence. Then she scrunched up her nose in distaste. “You use these all the time?”
Thomas crossed his arms. “Get it all out of your system now.”
She blinked. “I asked a question. I think it’s something Scotty and I should know.”
It’s not a big deal. Scotty pinned her with a glare.
She rolled her eyes. “Because both of you have banged so many women you can’t even count them. Someone like me, if I ever attempted that, would be wearing a scarlet A for the rest of my life.”
It was irrational anger on her part. Deep down, she cringed at her behavior, but they were acting like this whole thing was no big deal and to her; it was. Thomas understood the dynamic he would be taking part in. Her? Not so much. And, past encounters with men who liked to control everything, didn’t end well for her.
“Let’s take a break,” Thomas said, standing.
“No, we need to finish this.” She looked up at him. “We have to get back to the base.”
We’re prepared to stay.
She let out an exasperated breath. “Fine. Whatever.”
Thomas walked over to the small fridge and grabbed two bottles of water out of it then brought them back to the table. “Whatever preconceived notion you have about me, Amelia, you need to put it out of your head. I am not that person.”
No, he wasn’t and it was wrong of her to put her fears on him. She cracked open her water and took a sip. “Please, call me AJ. It’s my name. I chose it. I use it now. If you want me to relax in your presence, do this one thing for me. Or else, you’re right. I can’t.”
“Your name is Amelia. I happen to like your given name. It’s beautiful and can grab a guy by his balls. You use AJ to keep people at arm’s length. You can’t do that with me. It won’t work. However, I will compromise with you.”
“What?” She looked up at him.
“I will only call you Amelia when we’re in private like now. At the base and in Mexico, you’re AJ. Fair?”
She grumbled under her breath, but begrudgingly gave over. “Fine.”
“Good. Then once we finish up here, we’ll get started.” Thomas flipped to the third to the last page. “This is the most important for us.”
AJ glanced down. “I don’t understand.” The page laid out a detailed plan about birth control, STI testing and general sexual health, like no enhancers.
“Are you on birth control?” Thomas asked.
AJ shook her head. “No.”
“Then we’ll go to Rae, get tested, and you’ll be put on some. I don’t care if it is pill or injection.”
“Why?” She didn’t understand his insistency. The testing, sure. It made sense. The other, not so much.
Thomas smirked. “Because, at some point, we will be having sexual relations.”
