Page 3 of Under Her Skin

I’ve only answered a few when the thought of her naked body flashes into my mind unbidden. I didn’t expect to enjoy making her bleed, but I’ve hardly thought of anything since. The bright liquid pooled on her belly before dripping down her hips. It trickled down her breasts and accentuated every curve. I grip my cock through my boxers for several seconds, letting out a sigh as I get another notification.

My second, Pete, has been blowing up my phone for the last 48 hours. I know my empire is in competent hands, but I desperately need him to make more executive decisions, allowing me to focus on my task. I’ve composed half a message when he calls.

“Peter,” I say, my voice thin.

“Look, Boss, I know you're busy, but I need answers.” I’m glad he’s intent on not fucking up my empire, but I sigh anyway.

“What do you need?” He must hear the tension in my voice, because he pauses.

“You okay over there? Do you need reinforcements?” He knows I’ve been tracking Callum and Chase for years. Hell, he’s helped with a lot of the search.

“No, I have everything under control, but I’m busy as usual. So, what do you need?” He doesn’t ask about my feelings again and launches into his many questions.

“We had a drop go wrong last night. One of our most reliable mules had a change of heart. Instead of making the drop, she kept it and ran. It was her biggest drop yet, too. We have men going after her, but we have more drops to make tonight, and I don’t know if I can spare the resources.” I pinch the bridge of my nose as he continues.

“There’ve been several more overdoses in the city, and we’re working on distributing the product further into the suburbs. It’s attracted the governor’s attention, but according to our mole in the city police force, they don’t have any promising leads or suspects. We have a solid team stationed in the city, so I think we’re ready to start distributing into the next county.”

“Have you selected mules in the next county?” I ask, unbothered by the rest of his concerns.

“They’re marked, but unapproached. There’s a pretty large strip club outside the city, but it seems to be where the city folk go. Plenty of desperate girls who are willing and ready to take bad deals. We’ll approach with offers when you’re ready.”

“Go ahead and make the connections. Have a good time while you’re at it. Treat them well and pay them generously. Show them what a professional relationship with me could do for them. As far as the runner, she won’t get far. Send me her file, and I’ll take care of it. Anything else?”

“No, Sir, that’s it for now.”

“Thank god. Don’t call me again today unless you’re dying.” I end the call before he can respond. Seconds later I receive the file on our runner. Bella Thomas. A beautiful young woman and a popular stripper in the city. I forward her file to Eddie, the independent bounty hunter I keep on retainer. I pay him well and his loyalty has been unshakeable throughout the years. If no one else can find someone, I always know he can. He was the one who brought me the lead to Callum and Chase, so I’m sure he’ll have no problem with a disloyal slut.

Eddie responds in minutes. I refocus on the larger issue at hand: Ava Channing. I imagine her spread on the bed as if she were waiting for me and the pain and relief I bring. My coffee is cold as I knock back the last sip. I refill it before walking down the steps into the basement.

3

AVA

Goosebumps pebble along my skin and I try to curl my legs toward my core. Straps rub against my bare skin. I open my eyes, confused. Dried blood is everywhere. And straps. I’m covered in dried blood and straps. My head spins and aches. I know I should be worried about the blood, but my mouth feels like I’ve swallowed a cotton ball.

“Cal?” I call out. I don’t know why I say it. I don’t know anyone named Cal. But the name feels nice in my mouth, so I say it again. “Cal?” My voice is hoarse, but the name still sounds so nice. I’m thinking about the sound when I remember.

I remember him. The 6’3” Greek god of a man who watched me, hunted me down, hurt me, and loved me. I remember the other man, the wide-eyed one, who took me.

“Cal?” I ask again, tears welling in my throat. I imagine him bursting through one of these doors and cutting me free from my restraints. He’d kill the wide-eyed man, making sure he never touched me again. A moment later the door opens. For a moment, I think Cal’s actually come for me.

The wide-eyed man holds a mug as he prowls toward me. I thrash on the bed, never looking away from him.

“Good morning, Ava. Did you sleep well?” His voice is smooth and deceptively kind. I gnash my teeth and attempt to draw my legs together, feeling horribly exposed on this table. My movement only pulls his attention to my private area. Nausea twists at my empty stomach as he studies me, but a moment later he turns his back to me.

I’m briefly relieved until he turns around again, this time holding another needle. I suddenly remember him and these needles. This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this, and even as I try to fight it, a part of me is glad. No matter what he does to me, if it’s while I’m asleep, I have a chance of getting through it.

4

CAL

The pain in my head is familiar now, but the grogginess takes longer to dissipate. Even still, my mind is immediately on Ava. It takes me too long to remember where she is, and even longer to remember why we’re here. I vaguely remember a person approaching me with a needle, but I don’t remember anything after.

I’m in a new position too. Someone removed my clothes and has rechained me to the back wall of the room. The idea of Kiel coming that close to me while asleep has me ready to knock his teeth out. There’s a bucket nearby that I imagine I’m meant to use as a restroom.

The room is still dim, but I can clearly see the bright lights into Ava’s room. I don’t know how much time has passed, but she’s still covered in dried blood.

Hopelessness settles into my chest. I fight the feeling away and focus on the activity in front of me. Kiel approaches the bed with a bucket and places it on a nearby stand. I feel my body tense as he places a hand inside, but relax a little when he withdraws a sponge. He wrings it out, letting the fluid drip over Ava’s unconscious form.

---