Crossroads 2: Lacey's Last Chance (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

She hated feeling like an object, like a piece of ass for him to use and show off to his friends, and most of all, she hated that look in his eyes. It was a look she knew and recognized.

  She was not a good judge of character, never had been, and apparently still wasn’t. Maybe she was better off alone, focusing on her career, her wants, and desires, instead of wanting to please others? The guilty feeling hit her. Maybe Jeb did love her, but maybe she couldn’t give him all he deserved and desired?

  He wanted her to give him blow jobs and he couldn’t understand her dislike of that, or her fears. Not that she told him any secrets or the truth behind her fear of that. Maybe she really didn’t love him, and pretending that he was something more than he actually was had become reality to her. God, Freud would have a field day with her.

  The tears hit her eyes. Here she was again, blaming herself when she did nothing wrong. Why do I always put the blame on me and think it’s me that needs to change? I feel so worthless. All I want is to be loved, cared for, made to feel important and like I’m the only one. Instead, I feel like a robot, a shell of emptiness needing some controlling, manipulative man to guide me, or else I fail.

  She slammed her fist against the tile wall. I can’t go on like this.

  She had that feeling in her gut again. She shouldn’t stay with Jeb. He wasn’t right for her, but she hated being alone. She feared sleeping alone in the dark at night. The memories from her young adulthood were as clear as day. Tye Weathers would always haunt her dreams, as long as he had a vacation home in Wellington and as long as he lived.

  She shuddered from the memories of his abuse and touch. Now that man she feared the most.

  She finished rinsing her hair and then her body. She dried off quickly, then dried her hair with the blow dryer and prepared to get dressed. She had brought a change of clothes, knowing she would spend the night and had to get to work today by ten.

  As she fixed her makeup and prepared to head out of the room, she heard the door and then some laughter.

  She paused to listen, unsure who was out there. Even though she stayed the night many times before, this was Jeb’s place, not hers. He had made that clear to her when she suggested keeping some toiletry supplies and clothing here.

  She heard more laughter, some gasps, and then a bit of cursing. Slowly, she made her way to the door and peeked out.

  She gasped. The tears hit her eyes and her belly dropped.

  Jeb was pulling some tight compression shirt off of some blonde woman with huge, fake boobs. Lacey did a double take. The woman from last night. The one who was married? That was her. He used the sleeves to tie her hands together and her face was still covered by the shirt. He unclipped her bra as he caressed her skin with his hands. Lacey couldn’t believe it. He was cheating on her. He was going to screw some married woman he probably always met at the gym. This is why he always asks me to make sure I’m out of here by the time he returns from the gym.

  The bastard.

  “Jeb, hurry. I need you inside me right now,” the woman said, and Jeb shoved her face and chest down to the bed as he practically tore the woman’s Spandex pants from her body.

  “I’m getting there Cynthia. I wanted this body since last night,” he told her..

  “Yes, do it. I’m a bad girl. Punish me, Jeb. Punish me.” The woman encouraged him. It shocked Lacey. Was this the kind of lover Jeb really wanted? That woman was enjoying the rough sex. It turned her on. Lacey felt sick. Stupid. Used. Then, not good enough.

  Lacey was shocked at how fearful she was. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t open the door and make him aware that she was there and that she had caught him cheating on her.

  Instead, like some weak, used fool, Lacey watched as he shoved his pants down and took the woman from behind.

  “I love it rough Jeb. Take me. I need it hard.” The woman cried out.

  As far as Lacey was concerned that wasn’t making love. That wasn’t getting caught in the heat of passion like she had longed for. Instead, Jeb fucked that woman, seeking his own selfish satisfaction as the woman yelled at him to fuck her harder. It was all some sick sexual game, not love.

  Lacey couldn’t take any more of this..

  Jeb cheated on her. He told the woman he wanted her since last night. There was no here say, no confusion or gossip. She saw it with her own eyes, heard him with her own ears, and it shoved the reality of this bad relationship in her face.

  Was that what he really wanted to do to Lacey? Was his aggression last night approaching this?

  She realized in that moment that he truly had used her. She had no idea how long he had cheated on her. Perhaps even from the start, he was screwing other women, taking them brutally hard like this, and eventually would want to force her to do the same thing. Her body was showing bruises on it already, and just from last night. He didn’t love her or even care for her. She was his fuck toy.

  She thought about Tye again and instantly shook. Tye was a masochist. Tye enjoyed inflicting pain as he hid behind his business attire and multimillion-dollar inheritance. He had money and was feared by those who got a glimpse of his true personality, and she feared him the most. Jeb didn’t have that same power or money, but had a similar look in his eyes as he took her. That look was even stronger now as he fucked the woman on the same bed they had made love on only hours ago. She felt sick, worthless, and lower than dirt. Too many thoughts scattered through her head as she held the door and the wall, unable to tear her eyes away. She needed to face the facts. It was over. She wasn’t meant to be with Jeb or any other man.

  Then she thought about the last few parties they had attended. Jeb had introduced her to his friends. They had flirted with her and he’d hinted about playing with her and sharing. Could this all be a game?

  She eased back away from the door, then walked quietly to the other door that was adjacent to the hallway. Thank goodness the man was so ostentatious that his apartment had to be the best and the largest. She eased out, not worried about her overnight bag or even her diamond-stud earrings that sat near the dresser. She grabbed her purse. Tears streamed down her cheeks and she slipped out the door.

  Like some worthless piece of meat, her body, used as the next in line, was claimed and taken by Lacey’s so-called boyfriend. Things were over. This was the end, but God, why did it have to hurt so badly?

  She got outside, even though people noticed her crying and practically sobbing with regret and insult. She got to the parking lot, to her car, and got the hell out of there. She looked at her phone. Who could she call? Who could she trust?

  Suzette.

  Chapter 1

  Tye Weathers prepared his breakfast. The sound of Andre Bocelli echoed loudly through the room. He carefully prepared his meal, being sure to place each cooked item in position on the white plate. One sunny-side-up egg cooked perfectly. Next to it, two slices of crisp bacon. He heard the “pop” and headed to the toaster to reach for the whole-wheat toast. He carefully placed that, too, on the plate, being sure that none of the food touched one another.

  Tye walked the plate carefully to the table and placed it down. He stared at the napkin, the silverware, and the half-full crystal glass of orange juice. He fixed the fork. It was slightly cocked to the right. He couldn’t have that. Everything has a place.

  He took a seat, the music comforting to his ears. He had gotten tired of listening to the crying, the begging to be free.

  He placed his napkin on his lap and carefully lifted the knife and fork. Slowly, he cut a small, bite-sized piece of egg and put it into his mouth.

  He reached for the spoon and dipped it into the homemade blackberry jelly made right here in Wellington. He loved it here. She was here. His sweet angel.

  As the music played and he finished his meal, he went about cleaning up, washing, and drying the dishes. The anticipation of perhaps having to end his latest fix awaited downstairs in the basement. Caroline. Oh, sweet, lovely, young Caroline. She was easy to discipline and mold into what he w
anted. Too easy. So much so that he was beginning to feel bored. In two years, he had molded Caroline into the woman he truly wanted. But Caroline wasn’t her. She wasn’t his sweet angel.

  He dried the plate, placed it into the cabinet, then ran his hands along the black granite counters to ensure they were clean. He noticed the sugar bowl was a little too far out and away from the wall. He pushed it back, rotated it slightly so that the image on the front faced forward, centered perfectly.

  Everything had a place.

  He walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the key. Unlocking the door, he held the doorknob and took a deep breath, eyes closed. “Soon, my angel will be here where she belongs. Soon, I won’t need anyone else but her.”

  He opened the door and descended the stairs. He could already hear her muffled cries. The music upstairs no longer drowned out the moaning and begging for mercy.

  He licked his lips as he took in the sight of her naked body.

  Blood dripped from her lips. She had failed to pleasure him. He punished her.

  “Please, Tye. Please let me go. I promise to do as you say. I promise to be a better girlfriend.”

  He stared at her, her long, blonde hair, her light blue eyes filled with fear. She wasn’t her. She wasn’t Tye’s angel. No, his angel was young, sweet, and only he had been the first to touch her, press his cock between her lips and stake claim to her mouth, to her body. Young, beautiful, controllable, his sweet angel would once again be his, but this time, forever.

  He reached out and stroked the blonde’s hair. He gripped it tight and tilted her head back. She gasped in shock and fear.

  His angel had been scared just like this. He had lost her because he pushed her too far too quickly. She was young, fearful, and his overzealousness ruined his perfect match. Years had passed and he sought her still, but he needed to work on his control.

  “Tye, please talk to me. I’ll do whatever you want me to do this time. I’ll lie on the bed and let you tie me down. You can use the whip,” she said, voice quivering.

  He cupped her breast with one hand while his other hand gripped the back of her head tighter. “No. We’re done, Caroline. You’ve disappointed me.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. She shook her head and begged for mercy.

  “No, Tye, please. I love you. I’ll do whatever you want. I’m sorry I freaked out about the pain. I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

  He held her gaze. His mind raced with ideas, with ways to take her, possess her body and soul, all while he kept thinking of his angel.

  He flicked her nipple and she gasped. He held her gaze. She shook with fear and he loved that. It fed the rush he had building.

  “You accept your punishment? You understand what I expect in a lover, in my woman?” he questioned, and she nodded her head. She was so sweet, young, and giving. But she wasn’t his angel. He wanted his angel back. Nothing, no one ever felt so good, so enticing as her.

  He stepped back.

  “Offer yourself to me, Caroline. Show me that every part of you belongs to me, and you shall live.”

  He watched her slide slowly off the chair and then face him. Her entire body shook, and he knew he had complete control over this one. She was weak, easily trained. Would today be the last time he ever saw her? She was replaceable. He could work on getting a new one.

  I need my sweet angel.

  He reached into his pocket and clicked open the switch blade. Caroline gasped. He smiled softly. “Time to play.”

  * * * *

  “How is Suzette, Commander?” Big Guns asked Miles as him and Nikko joined them in the meeting room.

  Miles kept a straight face as he replied, “She’s doing good. Pretty bruised up, but she’s alive, thank God.”

  “I tried texting her this weekend. Never got a reply. I was concerned,” he said very seriously. Big Guns was never confrontational with Miles or Nikko. Something was up.

  Nikko gave Big Guns a serious look. “She’s good, Big Guns. No need for you to worry.”

  Big Guns looked around them and then lowered his voice.

  “I assume you were with her all weekend. I care about her. Those kids, Suzette, and her aunt went through a lot of stuff. I don’t want her to get hurt again.”

  “What do you mean you care about her?” Nikko asked, sounding jealous and on the defensive. Miles held him back.

  “Nikko, cool it. He means he’s known Suzette, and about her sister and the husband.”

  “She told you what happened to them?” Big Guns asked, sounding surprised.

  “She did, and we get it. We care about her, Big Guns. We’re taking things as slow as we can,” Miles said.

  “As slow as Suzette wants,” Nikko added, still sounding like he had an attitude.

  Big Guns raised his hands up, palms forward.

  “We’re good. I’m just looking out for a friend.”

  Big Guns smirked as he turned around and took a seat near the others. Everyone was looking at them as if they knew Miles and his brother Nikko were with Suzette all weekend.

  “You need to relax. If you act all possessive and jealous in front of Suzette, she’ll panic,” Miles told Nikko as he squeezed his shoulder, then gave him a light slap on it, hoping no one really noticed the exchange.

  Nikko looked right at Miles. “I’ve never felt like this before. It’s like I think every guy wants what is ours.”

  “It’s a natural feeling to have.”

  Nikko raised one of his eyebrows up at Miles.

  “So you feel that way, too?”

  “If I could attach a body cam to her, know exactly where she was and who she was talking to, I would,” Miles told Nikko

  “Really?” Nikko asked Miles, shocked at his statement.

  Miles chuckled as he shook his head.

  “No. If this relationship is going to work out, then we need to give her space, and we need to trust one another. Now, can I start this meeting? I don’t want these guys thinking I’m all soft.”

  Nikko looked at the guys as he scanned around the room. Team Venom was more than just their SWAT team. They were all best friends. Like a family.

  “Hey, Beats, turn off the damn music and pay attention. The Commander is about to speak,” Nikko said and then took his seat near Jay Bird and Tanner.

  Miles looked around him. He felt different today. He felt more alive and positive than ever before. He owed it all to Suzette as he walked toward the front of the room and began the meeting. They had to assist in a raid this evening and preparing for the danger, keeping everyone in Team Venom safe, was definitely priority.

  * * * *

  Jacob Henderson gave Suzette a big hug good-bye after the ceremony at school. He had been so upset at seeing her bruises, but before she could explain what happened, him and his aunt and uncle told her how they saw footage of the hostage situation on the news. They were so relieved that she was safe.

  “I’m very proud of you, Jacob. You keep up the good work.”

  “I will, Suzette. I promise,” he told her, and she smiled, then said good-bye.

  As she headed out of the school, seeming more like a celebrity as people pointed, whispered, or made comments telling her they were glad she was safe and happy that the SWAT team rescued her, she couldn’t help but blush and smile. The SWAT team, particularly Miles and Nikko, had not left her mind all morning.

  She reached into her purse, hoping for a text from them even though she knew they were busy. She saw Nikko’s text, and one from Miles, but then she scanned down, realizing she had missed calls and texts. Her heart raced as her eyes landed on a text from Lacey, then three missed calls. The text said to call her right away.

  At first, she walked quicker to her car and then realized that this was Lacey. She was never in trouble or in some sort of crisis except as to what designer dress she should wear to an upcoming fundraising event or dinner date. Suzette thought about Jeb. She didn’t like him, but wh
at could she do? Her friend seemed like she was in love with him

  She dialed the number as she got into her car. She placed the phone on speaker, then put it into the display holder on the dashboard. She really needed a new car, something with Bluetooth and all the bells and whistles, but on her salary, and with having to support the kids and her aunt, it wasn’t going to happen.

  “Suzette? Where are you now?” she asked.

  “I was going to head to the hospital to see Roger and Murphy Walker. I just finished with Jacob Henderson at the school.”

  “I need…Can you meet me?”

  She could hear the upset in Lacey’s voice and, instantly, that bond, their friendship, warned Suzette that Lacey was upset.

  “I can meet you anywhere you want.”

  “Meet me at Penelope’s Sweet Shop. Please. I’m here now.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Suzette clicked off the phone and then maneuvered out of the parking spot and onto the main road. She got to Penelope’s within five minutes, but had to park down the block. She locked her doors, grabbing her purse in her hand instead of wasting time putting the shoulder strap on and fixing it. Her friend sounded like she was upset.

  She opened the door and scanned the place. Penelope gave a wave, then nodded toward the back corner. Even Penelope looked grim.

  Suzette hurried over and saw Lacey cuddled in the corner.

  “Lacey?” she whispered, and when Lacey turned toward her, she saw her face. Her mascara was running, her eyes fully red, and she started crying.

  “Oh God, Suzette, I didn’t know what to do.” She sobbed, and Suzette immediately pulled her into her arms and held her as Lacey cried. Lacey never got this emotional and Suzette couldn’t help but run to conclusions.

  “What happened? Are you hurt?” she asked.

  Suzette shook her head and then nodded her head.

  “You are or aren’t hurt?” she asked her.

  “I don’t know what to do. I thought he could love me.”

  “Jeb? This is about Jeb? Did he hurt you?” Suzette demanded to know, feeling her own belly ache and her temper rise. If that piece of crap hurt her best friend then he was going to regret it. She knew that Lacey thought she loved Jeb, but Lacey yearned for a certain image. She wanted to be seen as perfect and having the best of everything.