“Grab the shelf, Teresa.” I do as he commands. “Good girl.”
Extra heat rushes to my center as he gives me a wicked gin.. “This is going to be hard and fast. And if you’re good, I’ll let you take charge.” I nod my head.Please.
Without warning, he thrusts into me, jolting me hard against the shelf, sending a buzz of pleasure through me. I’m taking every inch of him, all the thickness of him., without much time to adjust. He fulfilled his promise of hard and fast.
I want this so badly. Between my moans and his grunts, music fills the air. He grips my ass hard as we move in sync.
“That’s my girl, taking every inch of me.” I nod my head as the pleasure builds, praying he doesn’t stop.
“Alexander, please.” I beg for release. He claims my lips again, not relinquishing control. He moves across my jawline to my neck, nipping his way down.
“You want to come?” he growls out.
“Please.” I’m almost in tears at the exquisite pain.
“Only because you asked so nicely. Come around me, darlin’. Take me.”
With that, my orgasm rips out like a storm. He doesn’t stop; he continues his brutal pace, chasing his own release. He unties my hands and I cling to him as he kisses my forehead. He slowly pulls out, setting me back onto the ground.
“Keep the heels on later tonight, darlin’,” he winks, helping me back into my dress. He adjusts his tie, trying to not look freshly fucked. He tilts my chin up. “My wild cub.”
“A ghra mo chroi,” I say, rising to kiss him one more time. A moment of feeling protected and loved.
He grabs my hand. “Come, you have a job to finish, and we have a man to take care of.” He pulls me out of the closet.
“What do you have planned?” I ask.
“We paid one of the waiters to spill food and take him in the back of the kitchen where Joaquin and I will take over, getting him to the compound for atalk.”
“Then you’ll come back to me, right?” I ask him.
“Always.”
We make it back to the event space to find everything still in full swing. As soon as I reach the stage, I hear a commotion: Sheldon’s being led to the kitchen, the plan in motion. The men following behind. Luckily, no one had been paying attention. I bring the mic to my lips as soon as Sheldon disappears into the kitchen.
“Hello, everyone. I want to say thank you on the behalf of the Foundation. Every year, we do this auction in the hopes we’ll raise funds to continue our mission. At the moment, we are so very close to our million dollar goal. Thank you all so much. Please enjoy the rest of the night and be on the lookout for….”
Without warning, I’m cut off, loud feedback screaming from the sound system. The screeching ringing in my ears. The screens on either side of me roll a video, and I rush off the stage to stand next to Carla, who looks just as confused as me. A loud voice comes through the system. Only chaos starts to loom over the room. The looks on our donors and guests send a gut-wrenching feeling.
“Ladies and gentlemen, folks of all ages! For decades, the Foundation has tried to be a light.” Photos of the community, the Foundation, my work, flash across the screen. “The Foundation has been a beacon in society, but are they really superheroes?”
I run to the DJ to tell him to cut the power, anything to get this off the screen. The disguised voice continues. I look around to see where any of the Wolves were or even Javert.
“The Foundation has been sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong, interrupting the lives of local people.” Flashes of me in my office, of Reva and Sam. “People have no idea what’s happening in their own backyard.” Flashes of Charlotte with students. “Innocents, or devils in disguise?” Pictures of Maia, Shiloh, women and children we’ve helped. “You know what happens when people do things they shouldn’t? What happens when you play with fire?” The new building flashes on screen, superimposed with a video of a lighter. Carla grabs my hand and squeezes tight. “This is a warning to Teresa Bjorn.” My heart sinks as tears roll down my cheek.
“Don’t play with fire you can’t handle.” The image of the lighter extinguishes. My photo with a bullet hole pops onto the screen. The crowd is silent and the video ends. Bile threatens to climb up my throat. Carla rushes to the stage, but what she says is muffled, and I don’t hear her. I feel the weight of the world come crashing down on me. My heart is sinking. My mind shutting down. The last thing I see is the floor and darkness and silence cradling my mind and body.
Chapter 25
ThelastthingIremember is hitting the floor. My body giving in to the horror and fear of the thought that something is coming my way and I can’t find my way out. I must have fainted or passed out. The memories of the dark figure and the video rush through my mind. Sunlight peeks through the room, illuminating it in morning glow. Cotton sheets trap me in warmth and comfort, caressing my bare skin. Fear strikes. Too many questions filter through my head, enough to make my head radiates in pain.
I’m not in my own home. Why is that when I pass out, I’m never in my own home? I look around; I’m at Alexander’s place. There’s a bit of comfort in that.
I get up and pad through the open space, looking around for Alexander. What happened? What did I miss? How much was actually accomplished? Suddenly, I get a whiff of biscuits and bacon, and there he stands, like a warrior ready for anything. I lean against the corner of the kitchen, watching him cook, admiring the view. I could get used to seeing this side of him, no guns, no opposing crew, no moments where the world seems to be on fire: just these moments between Alexander and me.
“Maybe I hit my head too hard, because I don’t think I belong in this heaven,” I say to him, as he looks back at me. He drops the pan and runs to me, taking me in his arms. His embrace is tight and secure. His heart beats hard against his chest, and I start to worry.
“You can put me down. I’m okay. I’m not going anywhere,” I smile and giggle. He doesn’t let loose; his muscles just coil me into a tighter embrace.