Page 6 of Degrees of Control
“It means we intentionally make sure Prince Alfreita is aware we will be moving a large shipment of drugs into the United States. If he can confiscate the product, he can repay the Cartel what they lost last year.If we dangle the carrot, I will put money on him going after the shipment,” he says.
“I think it sounds risky and dangerous. Besides, you said you weren’t a drug trafficker.”
“Katarina, I told you I wouldn’t lie to you. It obviously comes with risks, but I have to weigh the alternatives and we need the element of surprise. I am not a drug trafficker, but as you’re aware, your father’s family is more than heavily involved in the movement of the product.”
“Chase, this was already planned before we went to Aruba, before you knew that he would elude your teams.”
“It was a mitigation strategy we hoped not to need,” Chase says.
“I see. Everything planned down to the greatest level of detail.”
“Katarina, backup plans are essential. Prince Alfreita has been trying to overtake some of your family’s territory both in Europe and now with shipments to the United States. While it’s unclear why, he made a huge mistake when he took your mother hostage. You heard your father. He will not rest until he is no longer a menace to the family. You have to know that I feel the same way. If the threat is not removed, we will be looking over our shoulder for the rest of our lives,” he says.
“How do you plan to make your intentions known? I would assume you don’t just ask Nate to run an article that you are planning on moving a large shipment of illegal drugs into the United States,” I say.
He narrows his eyes at my sarcasm. “Katarina, it’s the only way and no we do it very carefully and thoughtfully. We will make the public aware we are having a party to celebrate our engagement, but will not release it until later in the week. Alfreita’s team will not have time to compose a strike, but it should give them time to get as close to the property as we let them,” he says as my eyebrows rise.
“What do you expect he will do?” I ask, trying to appear calm as I desperately try to control the fear that has immediately overtaken my senses.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he will put together an attempt to at least gather information. We won’t give him enough latitude to make a play, but they’ll know where we are and will no doubt deploy communication drones to gather intel, which means they will know what we are saying,” he explains.
I shake my head. More James Bond espionage toys, no doubt. “Chase, what if they’re listening now? What if while you’re telling me your plans they can hear us and are one step ahead of you?” I ask.
“Katarina, our homes have protection against that type of breach, but Saturday night Carlos will have it disarmed. They will be able to hear us talking and will learn about the shipment.”
“Chase, you’re scaring the hell out of me. You mean that we are going to be sitting ducks,” I say, even more upset now that I know what he intends.
“There will be more protection around his property than a small country. They know that, but it’s going to be an opportunity they can’t pass up. Besides, you will not be there,” Chase says.
“Chase, talk to me. This is our engagement party, right? You don’t want me to be with you, so I just wait for you and my parents to get attacked? What the hell are you thinking? You’re just going to give away your position and let them come after you?”
“Katarina, we need to sign on to the conference shortly, but we’re not going to be in danger. Trust me,” he says.
I scowl at him. “We’ve already had this discussion, and right now I’m not even sure if I understand your plans well enough to even contemplate trusting them, or you. If you ask me, they’re completely fucked up!” I exclaim.
His eyebrows rise. “Such language,” he says, and his lips are upturned as he tries to suppress a smile.
“What is so funny to you?” I ask, furious at the level of criminal activity and danger swirling around me.
“I’m not laughing at you, Katarina. I just don’t think I have ever heard that word come out of your mouth before,” he says.
“You are going to hear it a lot more if you continue putting yourself in danger and keeping me in the dark!”
“You asked me to tell you. Please don’t make me regret my decision,” Chase says, closing the distance between us, pulling me into his arms, and kissing me with a passion that takes my breath away. “I love you, Katarina. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make sure you and our families are safeguarded,” he says, capturing my lips again. I know I should not succumb, but my body has a mind of its own, shamelessly pulling him closer, relishing in the feel of his arms around me.
I am breathless as he takes my hand, urging me onto the couch, pulling my skirt up as he eases me onto his lap. I balance myself, straddling his body, my legs bent on either side of his thighs, leaning forward to capture his lips with mine, caught up in the desire of the moment. He breaks our kiss gently, holding my face in his hands. His eyes are a storm of emotion. “Baby, I want you so badly, but not like this. Not just physically,” he murmurs against my ear. My body is overcome by desire and passion and I shut out the images of death and injury that haunt my dreams.
“I don’t know how we get there with everything that has happened but I don’t think I can give up trying. We have things to work on but I want us to be together, not just physically either,” I say, out of breath, kissing his mouth.
My lips part and he takes that moment to explore further, finding my tongue and deepening our kiss. He audibly groans and I gasp as he slides his hands underneath my skirt, grasping my hips and ass underneath my panties. I am helpless against my need for him, more than ready, wet and slick. He rocks me back and forth, his zipper comes down, and his hands position me upward, sliding my panties aside as he slowly brings me down… hard, allowing me to feel the entire length of cock.
“We were meant to be together, Baby,” he says, shifting so that he is firmly and deeply rooted. I audibly gasp at the feel of his length in my lower belly. “Stay quiet, I want to see all of you,” he says, as his fingers deftly unbutton my blouse. He takes his time and it is hard for me not to shift against him. “Still Baby, just feel me, deep inside of you,” he says as my desire flares with need. He pushes my blouse from my shoulders and lets it slip away, and with one click of the front closure bra, my nipples are exposed to his gaze. They are erect with want, the brisk air and the intensity of his scrutiny. “So beautiful,” he murmurs as his mouth finds them, sucking each one, in turn, warming them and making me squirm shamelessly. They are hardwired to the most intimate part of my body and I feel it deep in my core. It is hard for me to stay still. I balance myself, my hand on top of his muscular shoulders, and his hands on my hips steady me, keeping me in perfect rhythm as I glide over the top of him. He pulls me back onto him, deeper each time. I am right there, but he holds our rhythm, right on the brink, not allowing me to gain momentum. Instead, he pulls my hips flush against his body, rubbing deep inside of me.
I moan with need. “Baby, you’re so close,” he says, grasping my hips, pulling me onto him deeper and faster. We are climbing and climbing, he tells me to cum, his warm breath blowing in my ear, driving me over the edge and I can no longer hold back, climaxing around him, shaking and trembling as he grinds into me, prolonging my pleasure as he releases deep inside of me. I collapse against his chest, breathless, listening to the strong, steady heartbeat as he holds me close.
“Do you know how much I love you?” he asks, kissing me gingerly and pushing the hair out of my face.
“I love you, too, Chase, that was never the issue. I can’t bear the thought of you in danger. Regardless of everything, I love you with all my heart,” I say breathlessly, dismayed at the cracking in my voice and the command he has over my heart and my body. He knows me more intimately than anyone, emotionally and physically. I have gone a day without him and it has seemed like an eternity.
