Luporum Cubilia (Regina De Luporum Book 1) Page 6

  James watched Reina deftly handle every man in the room and fought every instinct not to step in and guard her. In their current setting she needed to stand out as an alpha in her own right, which she clearly mastered, but it didn’t curtail his overwhelming desire to growl at anyone that stepped too close. For the most part they kept a safe distance, they looked at her with a mixture of awe and suspicion, but they orbited from afar as if she were emitting a silent warning. Under normal circumstances, this is when she’d be teasing him to insanity. Although they remained proper and diplomatic, there was a charge in the atmosphere, an electrical current between them, no teasing necessary.

  Reina took mental notes on each council member as they introduced themselves. The Judge and The Carnifex didn’t make formal introductions, but the other six took turns greeting her. They didn’t shake her hand, but instead addressed her as Regina, laid a hand over their heart, and gave a short bow while maintaining eye contact. It was a bit surreal, disconcerting and yet exhilarating, because beneath her reserved exterior she hated all of them. They each addressed James before retreating. After they had walked away James would whisper their profession in her ear, sending awareness tingling across her skin.

  While she didn’t trust any of them, only two set off true warning bells and fired her defensive instincts.

  Thomas Walker was a senator in his fifties; rounding in the middle, white hair balding on top, and the red face of someone with a long affinity for alcohol. It wasn’t his openly aggressive nature with everyone that struck a chord with Reina; it was the menace lurking in his eyes. He had the look of someone that thoroughly enjoyed inflicting unsolicited pain without remorse.

  She was also leery of Mason Williams, an NSA agent in his forties. He was completely unassuming. Both quiet and polite, his sandy brown hair and green eyes gave him the appearance of wholesomeness, but Reina sensed a shrewd cunning from him. He was someone that was hiding secrets and schemes behind his calm demeanor.

  After they had stayed a sufficient length of time, and everyone seemed to have dispersed into groups of conversation, she turned towards James and laid a hand on his arm. No words were needed; one look up at him and they were leaving, flanked by their security team, moving as a unit. When they were a safe distance down the hallway Reina felt like she could finally breathe, but her body was humming with adrenaline from the experience.

  Unexpectedly James grabbed her wrist, pulled her into a bathroom, and backed her into the black marble counter. Heart pounding, her body responded to the hunger radiating from him and the possessiveness of his touch. Her breathing changed to match his as his thumb caressed her lips.

  “Mine…”

  “Show me,” she responded enticingly.

  He turned her around, his burning feral eyes meeting hers in the mirror. He lifted her dress and slipped his hand underneath, his other hand curving around her throat. He didn’t tease, he demanded, and she willingly complied. Pleasure rushed through her bloodstream, the image of them together heightened the eroticism. The sight of his hand covering her mouth as she lost control took her over the edge and left her aching. With his breathing against her back and his fevered eyes watching her pleasure, she was beyond reason. All she could think of was having him inside her. He loosened his hold and she turned into him, reaching for his zipper. Her body was still throbbing with pleasure, but she craved more.

  “Please,” she urged as he lifted her onto the counter, pushed her dress up her thighs, and gave her what she asked for. His hot mouth claimed hers in stinging, biting kisses and she matched his intensity with scratches and bites of her own. They worshipped and devoured one another like mated wolves.

  Chapter 9

  Slowly James and Reina’s life seemed to develop an uncanny new normal, made familiar by the intimacy of finding home in each other. Practically running itself, the syndicate became “business as usual.” Everyone followed protocol, money flowed, and transitions ran smoothly. General meetings were moved to every few months without protest or incident. Reina didn’t attend the meetings, but was regularly apprised of current standings.

  She continued to train, and excel, as her skill increased she scaled back to a few times a week. She and James often worked on target practice together which created a continuous, albeit good-natured, competition of who was the better shot. They both practiced combat skills, but always separately. James had watched her, thoroughly impressed at her instinctive ability to read her opponent. He could see, without question, that she was undoubtedly capable of not only holding her own, but of analyzing and removing a target as well. Witnessing her aptitude didn’t change his alpha instinct to protect her, even if she didn’t necessarily need protection. When she was knocked down she used it to her advantage, and he wondered if hitting the floor was sometimes a calculated move, but he couldn’t stand by and witness it. He was hard-wired to protect what was his, to protect his mate. She could fight her way out of most situations, but he would always step up to ensure that she didn’t have to.

  As they adapted to their new way of life it seemed that they were granted the one thing that had always been a commodity for them, time. Mornings were languid, spent in the leisurely pursuit of soft sheets, gentle caresses and muted sunshine, all with a healthy dose of coffee and bacon. Endless days ensued in the luxury of nothing more than one another. Laughter, genuine smiles, and witty banter mixed with good food and drinks.

  James and Reina developed an entirely different type of celebrity status, anyone and everyone willing to open their doors on a whim. They visited museums at night, their footfalls echoing lightly as they privately explored paintings and sculptures. Secret, passionate kisses were stolen among hidden exhibits. Their personal world had extended to any place they wanted it to be. Private symphonies were performed in empty concert halls, radiating through the body and piercing the heart. There was an overflow of completion and love. Restaurants were no different; they had their choice on any given evening. Doors were closed to the public and opened exclusively for James and Reina. They were always respectful of staff, their money and status gave them privilege, but their obvious devotion to each other, and their consideration for those around them, created loyalty.

  They lost themselves in the delicious torment of satin and leather. Intertwined limbs and fierce kisses across burning skin were accentuated by breathless begging and panting whimpers. Their decadent desires outmatched only by their insatiable hunger. Beyond the hazards of the roles they’d been forced to take they’d attained the only thing that truly mattered. There were obstacles that they faced together, but there was nothing standing between them.

  Of course they could always count on the Carnifex to eventually stir up trouble. He clearly took a perverse pleasure in pushing the envelope. James had been informed that the Carnifex had decided to make an unannounced visit, which was enough to put him on the edge. The Carnifex was the last person he wanted to see, he met him in the foyer with the hope that it would speed up the process.

  “Do you have a problem with appointments?”

  “Not at all, our conversations are enlightening.”

  He made a big show of looking around James and eyeing the security.

  “I must say...I am disappointed that your female isn’t in attendance.”

  James gritted his teeth and didn’t acknowledge the insult, but did close some of the distance between them.

  “What do you want?”

  “One of our guns for hire has been arrested with multiple priors.”

  James nodded and shrugged. The decisions hadn’t gotten any easier but they were talking about a hired killer.

  “Take care of it,” he paused for emphasis, “anything else?”

  “We could discuss your overestimation of your female’s ability to lead the syndicate.”

  “Firstly, you will give her the proper respect.”

  James delivered a swift punch to the Carnifex’s face, and every security member in the room took a step closer. The
Carnifex reached up to wipe blood from his nose and James continued.

  “Secondly, I believe that by the time you realize how much you underestimate her, it will already be too late for you.”

  James was trying to keep his anger in check, but the Carnifex’s insubordinate attitude was unacceptable. His continued disrespect of Reina would not be tolerated. On the outside he was slightly perturbed; on the inside he was reaching code red.

  “I can see why you would think so, truly. She must fuck like a wildcat.”

  James became so enraged that it settled over him like stillness, but his security took a few more steps forward. There was no mistaking the flare of violence in the room and they were prepared to remove the Carnifex if necessary. His voice was deeply quiet, authoritative, and laced with menace.

  “If you refer to her with the merest hint of sexual reference, or anything that I find disrespectful again, I will permanently remove you from your position.”

  “Ah, but that would mean a death sentence for you as well.”

  “You seem to forget that I am the Imperator. I would likely get away with it, and you would still be dead.”

  Ironically the Carnifex looked at him with approval, as if at long last he had discovered the beast beneath the layers. James took a step back, his blood humming, and the tether on his control short. He flexed his hands and took a deep breath.

  “The Carnifex is leaving. He will not be returning without an appointment.” He stepped beyond reach before turning to walk away dismissively, but he stopped halfway across the room and met the Carnifex’s steely gaze once more. “If he speaks disrespectfully of Mrs. Kastel outside of my presence, I give you permission to shoot him.” Fortunately his men were professional; not trigger happy, but they would defend Reina under any circumstance.

  Reina was casually practicing her knife throwing, having a friendly competition with Mark, when Charles interrupted looking more dour than usual. He crossed his arms and waited silently while Reina made a sarcastic face at Mark.

  “Reina, the Carnifex is here.”

  Reina sobered instantly and was secretly grateful that he always cut to the chase.

  “Where are they?”

  “They met in the foyer.”

  James hadn’t brought him to the office, which gave her a wealth of information about their likely status.

  “How long?”

  “Approximately ten minutes, although my understanding is that it’s already escalating to violence.”

  “Status?”

  “Uninjured and under control.”

  Reina nodded with a, “thank you,” and Charles nodded in return before making a quiet exit.

  “Time to put out some fires Mark. I’ll see you later.”

  Understood,” he replied with a smile and a mock salute.

  Reina decided that interrupting the violence in process would probably create more chaos and opted instead to shower and wait. James would seek her out whether he consciously decided to or not.

  As predicted, he was prowling around the bedroom when she came out of the shower, teeming with tension and aggression. She admired the way his muscles moved as she watched and assessed the best approach. If she chose to gently soothe he was apt to be gentle out of assumed consideration, so she chose door number two. She placed herself between him and the bed, and nonchalantly dried herself off.

  “I had never realized how many men seem to be in residence here.”

  She met his eyes with her best innocent look.

  “It’s just one of those things you randomly notice...ya know…”

  Her words hit their intended mark; his jaw clenched, hands flexed, breathing changed, and pupils dilated. She let the challenge show through her gaze.

  “What? You hadn’t noticed?”

  He stalked to her with angry strides, but she reached up to cup his face.

  “I only see you,” she whispered.

  His hand snatched up and wrapped tightly around her wrist. He watched her, testing her reaction, and her breathing changed to match his. The power exchange between them was intense, but always consensual. There was an understanding between them that he would stop at any moment that she asked.

  “I can take you,” she murmured, running her hand down his chest and looking into his savage eyes with hunger.

  He released her wrist. “Turn around,” he commanded.

  She turned without question, her body already buzzing with anticipation merely at the tone of his voice.

  “Get on your knees.”

  She did as he told her and tried to control her racing heart. She listened to him move around the room, concentrating on keeping her eyes forward, until she felt him behind her.

  “Give me your hands.”

  She put her hands behind her back, her nipples tightening at the touch of his breath on her neck. He fastened handcuffs around her wrists and a tingle went down her spine. The fact that he’d chosen handcuffs over satin or leather gave her a clear indication of his current state of mind. He pressed on her shoulder, without instruction, and she laid her chest against the bed.

  “Reina…”

  “I want you,” she answered.

  Without further warning his hand landed on her ass with hard, relentless smacks that brought tears to her eyes. The tears were just as much from frustration as pain. Her skin was on fire, but her well-trained body had burst into flame like a matchbook. Long after she’d lost count he stopped and it was suddenly quiet, the sound of their heavy breathing seeming to echo over her senses. He leaned over her and wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Reina…”

  His hand grazed down her back and slipped between her legs. He rubbed her wet folds with a moan and she couldn’t stop herself from struggling. Instead of a slow build up, she’d gone straight from anticipation to blinding need. She begged and pleaded mindlessly.

  “What do you want from me, Reina,” James demanded.

  “Everything,” she whimpered desperately, unable to make her brain think of a more specific response.

  With a bite to her shoulder he gave her what she’d asked for. With every thrust he broke her world apart and rebuilt it into a temple of pleasure. He took everything she was, made it his, and fed it to her soul. After he’d owned her body he removed the cuffs, soothed her, and loved her tenderly. He slowly took her from one extreme to another while whispering, “I’m yours,” sweetly.

  “I’ll always be yours,” she whispered back, her heart claimed and complete.

  Chapter 10

  Reina lazed in bed, smiling to herself at the vague memory of James kissing her neck as he’d crawled out of bed. She wasn’t sure how long she’d slept after he’d gone, but the thought of coffee and invading his space was enough to get her up. She stumbled through the villa, making jokes with the security, and filled the largest coffee mug she could find, before setting out to find James. It wasn’t difficult; her instincts simply followed the flow of heat and his gravitational pull.

  She found him in his office; when she entered he turned and smiled as if he’d been expecting her. It was a full smile; the dimples that had captured her when they’d first met, making it impossible not to smile back. The light was shining through the windows in such a way that he seemed to be highlighted, an artistic masterpiece set out on display, and for a moment she forgot to breathe. He spoke, but his voice washed over her and only served to enhance the spell.

  “Good news...our house is ready.”

  “Oh yay! We get to move again,” she replied sarcastically.

  His happiness didn’t fade as he started walking towards her, “Just think how much more personal space you’ll have, with all these men around,” he winked.

  Reina’s reply was interrupted by the soft sound of glass. It was such a small sound, a sound that her brain didn’t completely process. Most would think of it as a relatively harmless sound, like the handle being broken off a tea cup. It was completely inconspicuous. Yet, it was a sound that would haunt her, tea
se her when she slept, and torment her on a repeated track, because that tiny sound somehow darkened the sun.

  Reina couldn’t put the two events together at first, but at the sound James fell backwards, and as he landed her world began to spin out of control. Her coffee hit the floor, broken and forgotten as she tried to get to him. There was a flurry of activity as security tried to shield and protect them. Someone was issuing orders for a sweep, but it was shadows and smoke as her entire being focused on James. He looked up at her in shocked pain, his hand on his chest, and when he pulled it away it was covered in blood. Tears filled Reina’s eyes as she tried to make sense of the scene before her. It was like trying to watch a foreign film with no subtitles, distorted sound, and a shattered screen.

  She heard Mark telling her to apply pressure. She placed both of her hands over the small hole in his chest, completely terrified, and tried to protect the life that was seeping out. She could feel his heart beating an irregular rhythm and her heart sped up, as if trying to make up the difference, her breathing became shallow to match his. When she met his eyes he touched her face.

  “It’s OK Reina. It’s Ok…”

  All she could do was shake her head. His voice had a strange liquid sound to it. After he spoke he coughed blood, the effects racking his body, and blood leaked from beneath her fingers. She could hear sirens in the distance, but cold sweat dripped down her back as she realized her knees were wet. Someone was making small whimpering sounds and she couldn’t process that they were coming from her. Tears ran unchecked down her face and her thoughts kept repeating.