Chapter 04

—Tristan—

I couldn’t get Ellie Morgan off my mind. She was fighting a mixture of emotions, from stubbornness to sheer terror. I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly it was about her that made her so appealing.

As soon as I saw her, I wanted her. I closed my eyes and tipped my head up into the water. She was just one woman. How much trouble could she be?

I dreamed about Ellie, about her tied up in the closet, with her dress riding up around her waist, her pussy peeking out from between her smooth thighs. She was bound, writhing around on the dirty closet floor in the warehouse.

The dream shifted, and she was in my bed, hands bound above her to the headboard. My cock was hard, pushing against the seam of my jeans, begging to push inside of her.

She struggled when I moved closer, shoving me away. Her complete execrate for me so obvious it was tangible. It turned me on even more. She called my name when I parted her legs, pushing between them. She fought me, but she wanted it too.

My phone rang, waking me from the dream. I grumbled, rolling off my stomach and onto my back. My hard cock rested against my stomach, precum dripping from the tip. I licked my lips, thinking of Ellie.

The phone was still ringing. It was my business line again. I sat up, glancing at the clock. It was four in the morning. Fuck. Nothing good was coming from that call. I answered the phone, not speaking, and put it to my ear.

“Tristan, señor?” a voice on the other end said.

“Yes,” I responded, recognizing Diego’s voice at once.

“Rico,” he spoke in Spanish, quieter this time.

“He’s dead.”

I blinked. “How?”

“Shot in the head. Police found him in his apartment. His stash is gone.”

“All of it?”

“Yes, sir,” Diego said. “Francis called me right away. There is nothing.”

I took in a deep breath. Francis was one of my dirty cops. “Do they have suspects?”

“Not yet, sir.”

“Keep me informed,” I said and ended the call. I didn’t need to question Diego or even Francis. I had a sinking feeling I knew who robbed Carlos of his stash.

The Abellis, another cartel family, were beaten down by my father and his men. The gang was broken; most were killed by my family and fell apart. They didn’t pose a threat anymore. No one messed with the Russo's after that. Engaging in war with the Morales cost us as well. I didn’t know the body count, but I knew my father had to replace most of his small-time dealers after that.

I had no proof yet that it was the Abellis. They hadn’t shown up on my radar in years. Why would they come back now? I didn’t know Rico well. He was overseen by someone else. Maybe Rico was sloppy? Maybe one of his clients wanted more?

I tossed and turned for an hour before I gave in and took a few muscle relaxers and a shot of tequila. I lay back down and slept soundly until the sun was high in the sky.

Today was all about making money, threats, and keeping things in line. I dressed and went to the warehouse. I was always looking for the weakest link, one closest to breaking.

After the warehouse, I had my driver take me to visit of a few of the mid-level dealers. I wanted to check up on them, and getting a personal visit from the boss boosted moral. I looked into their customers, who really were my customers.

I ended my day at a strip club. I got VIP seating in the back, as always, with private dancers. I sipped my drink, watching a curvy woman slide her big ass up and down a pole. Her dark hair was hidden under a blonde wig.

She moved fast, jumping and spinning and spreading her legs. I finished my drink and held up my hand. All it took was one flick of my wrist and she was at my feet on her knees, parting my thighs with her hands.

I unzipped my pants and allowed her to pull out my cock, licking and sucking at it until it was hard. I motioned for another girl to start dancing while I got blown. I watched the new girl move to the pole. She was tall and thin, with long brown hair that swished around her ass when she danced. She was good, moving her body in ways that made my dick pulse.

I moved my eyes down to the brunette who was sucking me off. I didn’t mean to, but I imagined it was Ellie working my shaft, licking, sucking, gently cupping my balls…

I tangled my fingers in the dancer’s hair and let out a breath. I came, filling her mouth. I held her there, not allowing her to pull back until she had swallowed everything. Then I stood, zipped my pants, and threw a couple hundred on the table. The dancer picked it up, smiling as she counted the bills.

I smoothed my shirt and straightened the gun at my side before walking out of the club and getting in the car to take me home.

___________

I walked up the stairs. I could see the shadow of the guard in front of the guest room door. It took effort not to speed my gait and rush to Ellie. I pushed my shoulders back and nodded to the guard.

“Was she any trouble?” I asked, eyeing the door.

“No sir,” the guard answered. “Quiet all day.”

I nodded again, keeping my eyes on the door. The guard stepped to the side. Without knocking, I went in.

Ellie turned, startled by the door opening. She was sitting on the bed. Her hair fell in loose waves around her face. All of her makeup had been washed off. Her eyes were a vivid green, and she was beautiful sitting there in nothing but a light purple nightgown that ended mid-thigh.

“Hello, Ellie,” I said and stepped into the room, closing the door behind me.