AugustRefusing to let her go, I used the power of my upper thighs to thrust in a brutal manner. I was insane with need.She finally lolled her head against me, taking several deep breaths. "Oh... God."Easing her feet onto the floor, I pushed her shoulder. The second she dropped to her knees, she scuttled backward, crawling through the paint, the same look of strong conviction on her face.The same glint in her eyes.No one was going to take her.She had no idea what I was capable of.She turned, jerking onto all fours and crawling across the cloth. Vibrant splotches of paint were everywhere, covering her luscious body, the cloth, and the floor. I was shaking from the intensity of my desire, my need to fill her with my seed. This woman was infuriating. Captivating.I took a deep breath before advancing, dropping onto my knees as I wrapped my hand around her neck, stopping her cold.She flung her hand back at me, continuing to scramble, moaning in the most seductive manner. I didn't c
Sasha"I will break you, use you, and there will never be another."The words were haunting, vicious given the kind of man he was, leaving me incapable of thinking clearly, but I was angry. Incensed. He'd ceremoniously seduced me, and I'd allowed the bullshit to occur."God help me." Saying the words out loud did nothing but provide a serious layer of shivers, as well as chastising the entire event. I was caught up in the glamor, the fact that he'd purchased all my paintings. Even the ride in the expensive car had been out of the norm, glorious in the danger as he exceeded the speed limit, dancing with death.August. Fuck, what was wrong with me?Handsome. Rugged. Primal.Everything about the man was beautiful in the most intense way but the aura around him screamed of the kind of danger where few survived. He was muscular in all the right places, something the expensive linen suit hadn't been able to hide. Thick, wavy dark hair, long enough to run my fingers through after a round of
SashaPerhaps my thoughts were evil, but I was tired of being under my father's thumb, performing like a good little girl in front of the press. I wanted my own life, free from the public eye. I'd been able to ignore my father and his world while attending school far away. Now that he was running for president, the pressure to perform would be worse. Daddy expected that I'd be by his side, performing just like my mother would have.I missed my mother terribly, her death so unexpected, the call coming in the middle of the night. I'd been away at college, even forced to miss her funeral because of exams. I'd never forgive him for going ahead with her funeral without me. God, I hated the man, loathed him and all he stood for. My mother had warned me about my father's benevolence, celebrating the fact I'd gotten out of his grasp. She would despise everything that was happening in her house, my father losing his battle with his sins.Sins.While every word August had said was indeed a ridd
SashaThe basic chitchat on the way to the club was also unusual for my father. He actually asked about my job search, as if I'd tell him anything. I skirted the issue, describing a few interviews, lying about others. My father and I hadn't been close since before my mother's death. I had no intentions of getting any closer now.Every few seconds, August's startling words filtered into my mind. I couldn't get away from the sultry visions, the way he'd taken absolute control. Granted, the few boyfriends I'd had over the last few years had been nothing to write home about. They'd all wanted a piece of my father's pie instead of giving a shit about me. Was everyone greedy?"Here we are. I'm surprised you wore black, Sasha. You know I hate that color," he huffed before climbing out of the car.That's exactly why I wore a black, form-fitting dress, complete with dark hose and the highest heels I owned. What he really wanted to say was the look wasn't befitting a senator's daughter. I snick
Sasha"What is going on?" I demanded, now unable to yank my hand away. I felt trapped, the ugly suffocating feeling crowding beside my anger."Senator Morales. Sasha." August sat down without being asked, immediately reaching for the wine. "What a delicious day."My father was ghostly white, his lower lip trembling. There was hate in his eyes as well as resignation."What is going on here?" My voice was several decibels higher.August turned his head beseechingly slowly to look into my eyes. "You haven't told her yet, Drummand. You certainly had enough time.""This is my decision! This is my daughter!" my father retorted, his chest rising and falling from ragged breaths."You already made the deal," August said smoothly, his eyes twinkling. "You know how I feel about lies as well as people who try and renege on deals made with my family. You can imagine the consequences.""Tell me what is going on," I hissed through clenched teeth. My father glared at August, whose eyes were glistenin
SashaThe breath was knocked out of me, the terror real. He would have my father killed, everything in my life destroyed and even then, there would be no recourse. He'd played me, purchasing my art, seducing me as if I mattered to him. Everything had been a giant game.I was now his property.I would run, finding a way to expose my father and all his criminal activity. No one would ever own me. The thirty thousand would help. Unless he stopped payment. Jesus. Christ."There is nowhere for you to run and no method of doing so. I know where your girlfriend lives, Audrey, isn't it? Lovely girl. And the money I paid you? Forget about it, at least until you earn the right to have your own money."The fucker had read my mind. I was sick, my head aching. "You're a horrible... fuck."Another dark chuckle but one laced with amusement."Remember what I promised you, utter pleasure as long as you obey." His voice filtered into my system."You're fucking crazy.""You'll think otherwise soon enoug
SashaHis wife. Did the insane asshole actually think I was going to marry him? He was fucking out of his goddamn mind. I'd die first.Fuck the man who thought he would own me. To hell with my father."Never forget... I will break you..."His damning words lingered, leaving a nasty taste in my mouth. I'd whispered them over and over again as I packed, unable to wrap my head around the deal with the devil. Whatever sins my father had committed, the fact he'd garnered the González s' attention had yet to be fully explained. Perhaps my father didn't have the guts to admit what he'd done. I'd already ventured a guess. I knew about his penchant for gambling, his love of winning at all costs. This had been a lifelong addiction, something he'd argued about when my mother was alive.Oh. My. God. I still couldn't understand anything. I was lost in a time warp. My phone, iPad, and laptop had been taken away, any chance I had of contacting the outside world eliminated. If the bastard hurt Audrey
SashaThe sound of the lock engaging forced me against the sharp edge of a desk, the pain biting. I would show no fear.August walked in, looking entirely different than he had earlier in the day. His casual stone-washed jeans and simple polo shirt were a direct contrast to the man. They made him seem boyish, almost normal. There was nothing normal about the monster in any manner.He stood, gazing at me. There was no smile, no emotion of any kind, merely a look as if he was checking off a box as an order came in. He closed the door, moving toward a gothic-looking bar on the far end of the room. "Would you like a drink, Sasha?""Nothing from you." Ever. I heard him exhale, as if already disgusted with me. I scanned the room, searching for any weapons, my eyes falling on a letter opener. The thought was preposterous but tempting."I expect you will attempt that one day," he said with no inflection."What are you talking about?"He finished pouring two drinks, the liquid the color of smo
Sasha"You're so disobedient," he breathed as he peppered his hand from one side to the other, the hard slaps pushing me hard against the thick railing.The stinging sensations were intensified from my earlier spanking, the pain rushing down the backs of my legs. I'd accepted my role, my place by his side. He would always be in charge, the head of household, and in truth, the arrangement was perfect.As the spanking continued, my heart racing, I wiggled and moaned, my nipples hardening to the point they ached. I wanted him to twist and pinch, lick and suck."Are you wet for me, my sweet Sasha?""Yes, sir.""I can see how swollen those pretty pink pussy lips are for me."He smacked harder and faster, keeping a perfect rhythm."Yes. Sir." The scent of my cream wafted all around me, my hunger building.A slight chuckle slipped from his lips as his hand came down hard and fast. I imagined the warm blush, turning quickly into a deep scarlet as the spanking proceeded.I closed my eyes as he
SashaLove. L.O.V.E. The concept was honestly ridiculous.And beautiful.And breathtaking.And exhilarating.And maddening.But I was in love with a man I should run far away from. I knew that the odds were against us, danger lurking at every turn, but honestly? I didn't care any longer.In the three weeks since everything had occurred, my life had changed. At least the fifteen minutes of fame for the defamed daughter of a promising presidential candidate was just about over, the newscasters moving onto other scathing stories. And here I sat in a convertible sports car on St. Thomas Island, my hair flowing in the breeze, the day more gorgeous than any I'd seen in months.And I sat beside August."Where are we going? Some beautiful resort?"He grinned, shifting his gaze in my direction. "You're going to have to learn patience, my dear. We'll work on that on this trip. As a matter of fact, we'll take care of that right away."I wiggled in my seat, knowing exactly what that meant. More d
AugustFive Days LaterThe bright sun cast a shimmer down the length of her body as she stood at the window, her lovely copper hair smooth as silk. She seemed pensive, her eyes never blinking as she stared out at the parking lot. I stood in the doorway, watching her.Bathing in her beauty.I heard Bruno behind me, the larger than life man refusing to stay in the hospital for more than two days. He'd been my constant companion, rarely leaving my side. The days had been nothing but a blur of activity, including shoring the ranks within the family, but thankfully, today I was taking her home."I'll be waiting downstairs, boss." Bruno kept his voice hushed, his eyes twinkling from the sight of her.I nodded, waiting until he walked away before taking cautious steps inside. She and I had talked for hours after she'd garnered her strength. Although I hadn't confided about the information in the box, only telling her that her mother was safe and in good hands, she needed to know. After she'd
AugustThe drive was without incident, although I had no doubt that Drummand had summoned various police officers and that they were preparing for a raid. The ammunition I had should be enough to cease the brazen activity. I laughed at the concept. If what I suspected was about to happen did occur, there would be ripples from here to Chicago, a shift in the operation of both the Feds and the two local police departments.There were numerous cars located in my father's driveway, several of which I didn't recognize. I didn't bother to wait for the housekeeper, letting myself inside and immediately heading to my father's office. The door was closed, and I could hear loud voices, angry tones. Within seconds, I was able to recognize the second voice.Carmine Francesco.My father had called him. To have a meeting here and now meant a culmination of betrayals on several levels. I threw open the door, the box under my arm."You have to stop this madness, Gio," Carmine exclaimed. "You have no
AugustAt ten minutes past high noon, I found the fucker, a man I thought I could trust coming out of the district attorney's office by the back door. My hunch had played out. I sat in the shadows, watching as Jo-Jo hunkered down, yanking the collar of his coat up over his neck. He walked toward his truck, the massive F-350 one he insisted on driving. The front-end damage was actually minimal in comparison to the destruction on the SUV. He obviously didn't give a shit that anyone would ask questions. I'd driven by the impound lot, able to see the twisted wreckage that had once been a fully protected vehicle.And my anger continued to increase.I twisted one hand around the steering wheel, the other around my phone, calling Angelo. "I've found him.""Where?""At a location where he shouldn't have been. Meet me at the warehouse with a full crew in one hour. We'll take care of this.""That shithead. What the hell?""Absolution." Jo-Jo had no family, nothing to keep him loyal for any leng
AugustI resisted slamming the cup on the nightstand and jerked to a full standing position just as two nurses bolted into the room."You shouldn't be here!" one of the nurses barked."Don't worry. I'm leaving." I took one last look at him, the gentle giant who'd protected me for so many years. The man would receive his dues soon enough.I moved down the hallway, finding the nurse's station. "Sasha Morales."The nurse glared at me in obvious recognition, taking a full minute before she reacted. The same wretched fear crossed her face as she typed on the keyboard. Everyone was terrified of my wrath. "She's just out of surgery and in recovery.""Her prognosis?"The nurse gave me a comforting smile. "She should be fine. The doctors were able to stop the bleeding, but she had her spleen removed. She did well in surgery.""Where the hell is recovery?" Relief flooded me, but the adrenaline remained high."Are you family?""Her fiancé."The news seemed shocking, her face sagging. "You can se
August"You shouldn't be here, August," Angelo said under his breath as he walked with me down the hospital corridor."Like hell I shouldn't." I stormed down the hall, pushing past anyone who attempted to get in my way."You know it's only a matter of time before they're going to try and arrest you again."I laughed, touching my gun for effect. "As if I give a shit." I noticed a nurse and nearly accosted her as I grabbed her arm. "Sasha Morales. What is going on? Where is she?"The woman sputtered then shook her head. "In surgery from internal injuries, but she's alive. That's all I know.""Where?" I barked."You can't see her, sir. You're going to have to wait." She managed to jerk out of my hold, racing down the hallway."Calm down, August. Bruno is in his room. Talk to him."I ran my fingers through my hair, calming my breathing. "What do we have on the accident?""Nothing right now. The SUV was broadsided somewhere just after nine. There are no cameras at the intersection and nobo
AugustThis had nothing to do with any interrogation. I nodded, scanning the parking lot and surrounding area before climbing inside. By the time he started the engine, his hand was shaking.He roared out of the parking lot, checking the rearview mirror three times before speaking. "I want you to know that I'm putting my job, hell, my career on the line for you and your family." Dick laughed bitterly. "Stupid. I have no idea why I'm doing this.""That begs the question. Why the fuck are you doing this?""Your arrest was a setup.""Tell me something I don't know."He looked as uncomfortable as hell, now sweating profusely. "You have no idea the kinds of connections that Senator Morales has as well as the chief of police and the district attorney. They are hell bent on destroying your operation. And I think there's more upper echelon politicians, law enforcement, and God knows who else in on this. This is fucking huge and terrifying."Wait a minute. What in the hell was he suggesting? "
SashaThe parking lot in front of the UPS store was almost desolate. While the location had a neon sign indicating it was still open, there was no one standing behind the counter. Number 518 was found easily, the group of boxes nestled all the way in the back of the store. When the clerk finally realized there were customers, Bruno had already cut the lock. I chatted with her briefly, finding out the box had been rented for five years, all paid in advance.My hands were shaking as I attempted to open the door, uncertain of what I would find. The shoebox fit almost exactly with no room to spare, the lid taped as if that would matter to prying eyes. I didn't waste time searching the contents. Maybe I really didn't want to know after all.I was so very cold as I secured the seatbelt, my arms and legs shaking. Just holding the thin cardboard in my hands made me feel closer to my mother, but also bitter and angry. Canada. I would hold August and his father to the promise of bringing her ho