“I got time.It’s a slow night.” The sound of a creaking chair echoed through the line. “Back in the day, the club used to be run by a guy named Dean McNight.His VP was a man called Rashon, and his enforcer was called Chaca. Decent men, fair, but scary. Dean ran a tight ship. You fucked him or the club over, then there was hell to pay. Think he had a son. Let me see if I remember. Oh yeah. Young kid. Blonde. Named Regulus. I thought it was a weird name when I heard it, but it wasn’t my business. Yeah, that’s it. Regulus McNight.
“What were they into?”
“Shit. What weren’t they into? You name it the Legion did it. Sold Drugs. Sex work. They had big time brothels and also escorts. The type that catered to the rich. Gambling. Had a couple Casinos. Had their hands in pharmaceuticals. There’s was a huge chapters in Chicago. There’s one in New York, Philly,too. Dean had big dreams. Wanted to Branch out. Made good money.”
I picked up one of her coffee table books, not caring, and opened it to the back, where I found a pen and wrote down the word “murder” and underlined it three times with a question mark.
King raises her eyebrow at the question.
“Do they kill people?”
“Of course they do, Kitty. That much power means enemies. Jealousy and envy. And keeping that power comes with a price. They do what most men would do in their position to keep it. The Legion is known for punishing those who step out of line. It’s part of their world.”
“What happened to Dean? Is he still in charge?”
“Last I heard, he was sick. Don’t really see him too much around here. I’m not sure if the club was disbanded or not. Sometimes you see a few rolling in, but not like before, not like the old timers anyway. Anyway, babe I gotta go. One of my waitresses is about to leave. Let me know when you wanna drop by. I miss your mouth, and that pussy, and ass. I wouldn’t mind using my paddle again.”
King scrambled for the phone, stabbing at the surface, then took it off speaker and put it to her ear. She turned bright red and headed outside to her small patio right off the beach. I chuckled, wondering what freaky shit she’s into.
Now cruising down the highway, I think about everything I learned about Stone via Kingsley and her very questionable fuck buddy. My hands tighten on the steering wheel as the highway signs point to me getting closer and closer to my gallery. To him. It’s been seven days since I slept in his bed. Seven days have passed since he fed me, and it felt like we were getting somewhere. Seven days since he left abruptly without a word.
He’s eaten my pussy, tattooed me, removed my period cup, brought me to orgasm while I was crampy and tired, and I want more. It’s too late to stop it. I’m caught up in his web, and I like it there. It doesn’t seem to matter that the man is so moody, complicated, and secretive, doing God knows what and where he goes when he drives that big bike away. I want to know everything about him. The way he took care of me. The gentleness of his fingers. Something changed between us that night.
Pulling up to the gallery in my Uber, I’m glad to be home. I’m off schedule, off kilter, getting mind-fucked, and finger-fucked by a man who’s like a ghost. I open the car door and I drag my bag out of the backseat. I check the time. I have a few hours to work on painting the last of the baseboards. Talk about a tedious job.You could just hire someone,that sneaky, lazy voice in mind murmurs. But I ignore it. I don’t care how many cricks I get in my neck and back. I’m going to be able to say that I did it.
Opening the door with my key, I drop my bags just inside the door. I avoid stepping on the scattered mail covering the floor from where the mailman tossed it through my antique mail slot on the front door. Stopping, I gather them and stand, only to drop them again with a gasp when I look up and see the sight in front of me.
What. The. Fuck.
The wall behind the reception counter is painted, but not just painted a utilitarian white. No, it’s painted in the most breathtaking portraiture.
Of. Me.
Who the hell? Onyx? It’s not what I expected Onyx to create. Stepping closer, I’m afraid to touch it, but when I lightly run my fingers along it. It’s dry.
I move even closer, narrowing my eyes. It’s a combination of charcoal, oil painting, and something I can’t identify. Andit’s a goddess. I’m a goddess, lying on my side, long black hair covering most of my body. I’m naked, and it’s sensual, erotic even though my body is covered, with only the curve of my hip showing. A black snake winds itself up my leg and between my legs. I know exactly who it references.Lilith,by John Collier. The story of Lilith’s refusal to be subordinate resonates in my mind. The only difference is that I’m wearing a crown. The same crown that is tattooed on my inner thigh. The tattoohedesigned.
The look in my eyes is defiant, rebellious, independent, and powerful in my femininity. The way I’ve always wanted to feel. The wayhemakes me feel. My whole body flushes, arousal settling deep in my bones. I want the pose to be real. I want his eyes looking at me like this. On his sheets, waiting for him to come to me. My heart beats triple time.
Stone did this.
I search for his name, his signature in the corner, but it’s missing. Instead, there is a small matching crown. The same one on his back, but smaller. Underneath it says ‘The Lord’ and I cover my mouth with my hand, yelping.
Adrenaline pumps through me when I run upstairs and bang on his door. “Open the door, Stone! I know you’re in there!”
He doesn’t answer. I don’t know if he’s inside and can hear me, or if he’s ignoring me. I clatter down the stairs, shaking with nerves, and head back outside and bang on the door to Legends Ink. No one answers, and I pace, muttering under my breath. “Where are you!? Why? You can’t keep doing shit like this! You can’t keep-” I stop myself from saying it.You can’t keep making me like you, making me want more from you.
I pull out my phone and dial. When she picks up, I cut right to the chase. “I need to know where he lives. You know. I know you know or at least have an idea, so don’t pretend.”
Her sigh is long-suffering. “He’s going to kill me if I tell you.”
“Please. I— I need it. I would do it for you if you were in my shoes.”
“Welp, I’ve been right where you are so I can’t blame you. Sex God obsession is a real thing. Fine. But I’ll lie and deny that I gave it to you. He doesn’t know that I have it, but I was snooping and saw some of his paperwork. He might even deny me his dick if he finds out and then I’m going to irritate the shit out of you, ’cause I can’t go too long without that thing.”
I grin at her grumbles. “Ewww, don’t want to hear that, but I love you.”
“I love you, too. That man’s dick better be worth the trouble you’re potentially causing me.”
