Healing Hearts 11: Tell Me You Love Me Read online

  * * * *

  “This doesn’t give us much time to pack up. We’ll need our gear that’s in the lockers in the garage. I’ll text Corona or Ace to see if they can do some drivebys of the house while we’re gone, since Jo is staying with her men while she’s healing,” Morris said, already in commander mode and thinking about this mission that popped up. It was going to be a doozey, and one he hoped him and his brothers, his team, could avoid.

  “I can’t believe they went for the overpriced bid. They must really need this guy to return safe and sound,” Trek said.

  “You know this isn’t going to be easy, and it will take a while to plan things out in order to extract him from the location,” Vetter said next.

  “We’ll do it,” Blade added. “Glad we have some time to sober up. I was enjoying the night. Especially the last hour.”

  “Yeah, what was with you guys and Melina? You both made a move?” Vetter asked.

  “I didn’t make a move. Morris did. Disappeared with her for about thirty minutes. Back bedroom I believe,” Blade said.

  “What?” Vetter asked, sounding shocked.

  “Doesn’t matter. Focus on the mission. Get in the right state of minds. We need to be on our game big time,” Morris said.

  “Come on, Morris. We got plenty of time to get into the zone and our military mode. What happened between you and Melina?” Trek asked.

  He exhaled. “Let’s just say she’s sweeter than I expected, and packs one hell of a punch,” Morris replied.

  “You made out with her? Felt her up? Tasted her? Hell, did you have sex with her?” Vetter asked.

  “Things got wild and crazy fast. One second, I’m staring at her across the fucking backyard and she looked hot as usual, and she’d been drinking, ya know so I was careful not to make a move. Then I follow her. We meet up in the hallway and just stared at one another and that’s it. We’re all over each other, kissing, and I’m feeling her up. Her body is incredible. She’s stunning, sexy, and the attraction, holy fuck. I nearly fucked her in that room,” he said, and ran his hand through his hair.

  Vetter whistled. “That sounds incredibly hot.”

  “She doesn’t seem like the type to sleep around,” Trek added.

  “Definitely not or it would have happened. She put on the brakes but wasn’t happy about it. I wasn’t either, but we improvised.”

  “Improvised how?” Blade asked.

  “I don’t want to talk about her like she’s just like other women. She isn’t,” Morris said.

  “She isn’t like other women, that’s why we are all attracted to her. Give us something, man. How did things end?” Trek asked.

  “Let’s just say we both left the room satisfied, and with the edge off.”

  “Holy fuck,” Blade said.

  “Exactly, but then we got the call,” Morris said.

  “Which explains that expression on her face and how you didn’t even say good-bye to her,” Trek said.

  “She’ll get over it. She has no choice. We aren’t dating. Aren’t anything. This is what we do. Tonight wasn’t planned. But after a taste, and feeling her mouth on me, I’m coming back for more,” Morris said, and then stopped the SUV and they all got out. “Now, let’s focus on the operation and bring back the package in one piece.”

  “And get back soon so I can get a little taste next of Melina,” Vetter said.

  “All of us will,” Trek said, and then they began to grab their gear and prepare.

  Morris wondered how this would work, or maybe it wouldn’t. He didn’t know, so he would play it cool and whatever happened, happened. He just had to keep his brothers and himself safe. This mission was beyond dangerous, and they had to have their heads on tight and their brains functioning like Special Forces, not horny men. He thought of Melina, and how she felt in his arms, how she tasted and that she initiated the blow job that brought him much relief and pleasure. That turned him on so much. Who was it that said to get their minds on the mission? He chuckled, shook his head, and prepared like his brothers did. Please bring us all back in one piece.

  Chapter 1

  “What’s wrong with you?” Jo asked Melina.

  Melina was doing Jo’s hair. They were going to a concert in Sussex, and Melina had come over to do Jo’s hair, because three weeks later she was still sore from the abduction.

  “Nothing is wrong with me. How do you like this?” she asked, and turned her to face the mirror.

  Jo smiled. “That looks incredible. Like having my own beautician.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far, Jo. I know the basics.”

  “You know more than basics. You always look so sophisticated and upscale in your business photos. Hey, don’t you have a shoot coming up for that new product line you mentioned?” Jo asked, remembering Melina talking about it more than a month ago.

  Time had passed so quickly. Except for the last three weeks, not since Morris and his brothers had left in a hurry for some mission and still hadn’t returned. She couldn’t even ask if anyone heard from them. She couldn’t let on to what happened because it was a mistake. The more Melina thought about it, the more she realized how stupid she had been.

  Blame it on the rum, but it wasn’t the rum. She was sober enough to know exactly what she had done. Nearly had sex with a man she wasn’t even dating. A man who was her best friend’s brother. A man who didn’t date, didn’t do commitments, but supposedly shared women with his brothers. She had jumped too far ahead, imagining, hoping that he and his brothers were attracted to her like she was to them. She felt uncomfortable now, and perhaps sent the wrong message to Morris. She didn’t know.

  “Okay, spit it out,” Jo said to her. Melina looked toward the open door and knew that Cavanaugh, Flynn, Knight, and Leif were out there waiting on them, so they could attend the concert together. They had been worried that it may be too much for Jo, but Jo was insistent she could go and would be fine.

  “There isn’t anything to spit out.”

  “Liar. Come on, you never hold anything back with me.”

  “I’m not holding anything back. Now are you ready or what?” Jo exhaled. “Okay, fine, but remember that I’m here if you need to talk.”

  “I appreciate that,” she replied, and they headed out of the bedroom to the living room where the men were waiting. Their smiles lit up the room. The way they all looked at Jo as she exited and how Leif pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

  “You look gorgeous. Are you sure you’re up for this?” he asked.

  “Definitely,” she replied, and caressed his chest with her hand.

  Melina watched Knight kiss her next, then Flynn give her a wink as he held the keys to their SUV in his hand.

  Cavanaugh looked at Melina. “You sure you want to drive your own car? We have plenty of room in the SUV,” he asked.

  “I’m positive, plus I know how much you all enjoy your alone time with Jo,” she said, and winked.

  Jo gasped.

  “That we do,” Knight said, and squeezed her ass.

  Even Melina blushed as she chuckled, then grabbed her keys and purse and followed them out of the house.

  Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the venue meeting up with Amber, Francesca, and London. As well as Afina and her men, plus their other friends were around as well. It was a huge arena that hosted lots of events, this one in particular was a combination country music festival with a lot of local performers and some headliners. They were heading between the vendor booths and Melina was behind them when she heard her name.

  “Melina.”

  She turned to see Nelly Port, a woman she used to work with back at Slader Corp. That was where her problems started with Allen and his father, who were partners in the firm with Alfred Slader, who owned more of the firm’s shares then Jovani did. She greeted Melina with a hug.

  Nelly looked her over. “My God, you look amazing.”

  “So do you,” Melina replied.

  Nelly smoothed her hands along her blue j
eans. “I don’t look as good as you. I swear you got more beautiful.”

  Melina chuckled. “How is everything?”

  “Ahhh…I’m still working at Slader Corp, and they’re doing awesome so I guess I won’t quit.”

  Melina squinted at her. “You don’t like it?”

  “I don’t like certain people there, and well the men, are still as annoying as ever. You were smart to leave when you did. Of course, Allen and his father were pissed off. I think Mr. Pinioli tore his son a new asshole over your breakup, never mind you quitting.”

  Melina felt uncomfortable. She left hoping no one would know why, but Allen did make it obvious that he was hot for her and very possessive.

  “I’m glad I did as well. Things have worked out a lot better.”

  “Where are you working now?”

  “Renaldi Technologies, not far from here.”

  “Very nice. I’ve heard great things about them. A bit of a different industry as Slader Corp.”

  “I needed a change, and this position allows me to use my computer tech skills for software development besides communications and sales.”

  “Do you get to travel?”

  “Yes, I do, but not too much. A few times a year to Europe and then just to sister companies in New York and California mostly.”

  “That’s great. I don’t get to travel. I would love to, but considering I’m engaged, I suppose I would hate it.”

  “Engaged?” Melina asked.

  Nelly smiled wide. “Yes, over there. The three tall, good-looking soldiers. They’re mine,” she said, and Melina looked over to where the three men had their eyes on Nelly.

  “Very nice. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. Oh, you know who else is still working at Slader? Priscilla Bane. She left yesterday for a business trip. Although she said she thinks she’s going to hand in her resignation soon. I think something happened, but she wouldn’t say what.”

  Melina’s gut clenched.

  “Hey, we should exchange numbers and meet up for drinks or something. Priscilla would love to see you and hang out.”

  “Sure,” Melina replied, and they exchanged numbers.

  “It was good seeing you. I’ll text you next week when she gets back and we can meet up.”

  “Sounds great. Enjoy the concert,” Melina said.

  “You too,” Nelly replied, and gave her another hug good-bye.

  Melina smiled. She had liked Nelly, and even Priscilla, although she didn’t work much with Priscilla. It might be fun to get together for drinks. At least it didn’t seem like Nelly knew why Melina really left. That Allen’s father tried to seduce her into bed, and then threatened her. Melina thought she was going to be jobless. Thank God for Mr. Renaldi. Melina met up with her friends and enjoyed the concert, even when her mind roamed off to thoughts of Morris and his brothers. She just couldn’t get them out of her head.

  * * * *

  “Let go of me,” Priscilla raised her voice. The backhand to her mouth shocked her. This was bad. Really bad. She never should have accepted this business trip. She should have quit months ago when Allen kept pursuing her, and then started making a habit of kissing her and feeling her up in the office. His threats of firing her and destroying any chances of her being hired elsewhere made her keep her mouth shut. This though, this was over the edge. He got her hotel room key and entered. She was barely dressed, only wearing a robe as she got out of the shower.

  “Please don’t do this, Allen. Please stop this.”

  His hand cupped her breast and the other pushed between her legs as he forced her onto the bed.

  “No, I don’t want this.”

  “Yes you do. You’ve been looking at me all night, and back at the office you let me touch you. You want me to fuck you. I know you do. You’re all the same.” He pulled the robe open.

  She shoved her palm up under his chin, stunning him. She then ran for the door, not even caring that the robe fell from her body and she was naked. Before she could even unlock the door, he was on her, pulling her back. She screamed. His hand slammed over her mouth and the threats came.

  “Shut up or you will lose your fucking job. Your life. I’ll take everything from you. You know I can, too. I’ve got money and power, and you have twenty thousand in a savings account,” he said, and shoved her onto her belly, then spread her thighs and pressed over her, locking her in place.

  “I won’t let you get away with this. I’ll call the police. You’ll be arrested for rape, for assault, and for sexual harassment for all these months. I documented everything.”

  “You dare to threaten me?” he raged, and started swinging.

  The pain was terrible, and as he moved off of her, she slid to the rug gasping for breath. She couldn’t even take a full one.

  “I’m always prepared. All you cunts are the same,” he said, and then she felt the prick of the needle to her shoulder.

  She didn’t know what was happening. She felt her body lose energy, and then the room began to spin. It was like she was out of her body, but still knew what was happening. He lifted her back onto the bed, his mouth was everywhere, and she knew he was going to rape her. What had he given her?

  “You’ll never get away with this. I’ll make sure of it,” she said, and wasn’t sure if she even said the words right, because then her mind went numb—but not his actions, the feel of his hands, or his attack on her. Finally, darkness overtook her vision.

  * * * *

  Allen Pinioli stared at the brunette on the bed. He needed to think clearly. Could the drugs not work? Could she remember what happened and try to press charges? Claim he raped her? He ran his fingers through his hair. He could make sure that didn’t happen. He knew what to do. Had done it before when things got out of hand. He walked over to the bag he brought into the room. He thought for sure that Priscilla would be more receptive to his foreplay. To the roleplaying and him breaking into her place, joining her in the shower. Had he read the signals wrong? She was accepting to his flirting, his touching for weeks. Shit. She was a cock tease. He started to set up the drugs. Added heroine to the needle and walked over to her. He had to set the stage. Prepare her body to be found to look like an overdose. There was bruising on her cheek and her mouth, but nowhere else as far as he could see. He stroked her skin. She wasn’t anything like Melina. Melina was young, gorgeous, pure, and Priscilla was older, mature, sexy in her given right, but nearly thirty. He nibbled his bottom lip and refocused on what needed to be done.

  He could make it look like she hit her face and lip on the bathtub, then fell to the floor. The robe should be half on her body, as if she injected her arm with the drugs. These were laced, so it would look like a bad batch caused the overdose. The ecstasy he gave her would be long gone by morning by the time the maid came. He could put the do not disturb sign on the door and then no one would bother her until check out in two days. Maybe. At least it would buy another several hours for her to die from the drugs. He had to shoot her up with so much that she would overdose. That way it wasn’t like he physically killed her. If he had to, he would. He’d done that before.

  He began to inject the drugs into her body, and then moved her. She didn’t react. Didn’t moan. Her breathing was so low, he could hardly feel it. She would die. He placed her into the bathroom as he felt would look the best when she was found. He washed her up, flushed his condom down the toilet, and then flushed several more times. He made the bed, made sure there was nothing there to indicate the bed was used. He then cleaned up anything he thought might indicate his prints. If he did this right, they wouldn’t even think foul play, they would think overdose and not look for prints.

  When he was satisfied with the scene, he slowly opened the door with a handkerchief, looked into the hallway, added the “Do Not Disturb” sign, and then headed toward the stairwell. He kept his head down, making sure if there were any cameras that he wouldn’t be seen. He had already checked earlier but he had to be sure. It would work out fine. He had
checked out of his hotel yesterday, then made sure he talked to the front desk attendant about his touring of the area all day today and tonight before he was scheduled to leave on his plane back to South Carolina by noon time. An alibi, just to cover his tracks. He was good, and everyone underestimated his capabilities. Including his father.

  With thoughts of Jovani Pinioli, came thoughts of Melina, and how badly his father wanted her in his bed and how he caused her to leave. She had been perfect, and he could live his double life, with her by his side looking like the perfect model wife, and behind closed doors he would train her to be his submissive. His slave and sexual fantasy come true. But that all changed when his father trapped her in his office and demanded she pay attention to him, or lose her job and her life. His father even told her about Allen’s indiscretions, and how he was currently in a hotel room fucking some slut, because Melina wasn’t into the dirty bedroom play he enjoyed. His father ruined everything, but when Allen got his second chance with her, he would make sure he got everything he wanted, and his father got nothing at all.

  Chapter 2

  “This is not fucking good. Not at all!” Trek whispered into his wrist mic.

  “Shit, shit, shit, we’re fucked,” Vetter added.

  “Calm down and—”

  Blade heard the shot, then saw Morris go down. “Son of a bitch, Morris is hit. He’s down. Move in now. Blow everything the fuck up. Detonate it all,” he ordered, and then hurried to make it to Morris’s location. Bullets whizzed by his head, something stung his arm but he didn’t care, his focus was getting to Morris before those troops of terrorists did. They began to fire at him and head toward Morris, who wasn’t moving. An explosion knocked him onto his ass, but also took out several of the men running toward Morris’s location. His brothers, Trek and Vetter, were setting off the other bombs.