Page 2 of Dirty Empire

Chapter One: Scream

Hazel

My phone lights up with a text from Ares. He’s outside. I always let him in through the back door so that the staff won’t see him. They’re all too loyal to Miles, my husband. Maybe loyal wasn’t the word; they’re more motivated by fear than anything else. I could only imagine what Miles would do if he found out the staff had knowledge of me sneaking a man into the house, and they kept it to themselves. I exit the bedroom and walk through the house, the house that’s supposed to be mine but has never really felt like home. The interior designer Miles hired, had picked out every single piece of decor. When I’d tried to make suggestions, he assured me that our designer could handle it. I’d been a fool.

I reach the back door, turning my head to ensure that no one is around before slowly opening it. Ares stands on the other side. His t-shirt stretches over his tight muscles, and he has that playful grin on his face that makes me clench my thighs together. His shaggy brown hair falls in front of his face, and he shakes his head to get it back in place.

“Hey there,” he drawls.

“Hey, yourself.” I open the door wider, allowing him to step inside.

We quietly make our way to the bedroom, keeping an eye out for any of the staff. At this time of day, the house is almost empty besides a couple of groundskeepers. Looking at my life from the outside, it’s like a fairy tale. But, nothing is ever that simple.

I close the door to the bedroom and turn to look at Ares. He’s already stripping out of his clothes. That’s what I like about him. He clearly understands our relationship. He’s in his mid-twenties and probably thinks it’s “way-cool” to be banging a married woman. I stop myself from rolling my eyes at the thought.

“I rubbed one out before coming over,” Ares says.

I scrunch my face up. “Why?”

“So, I can last longer.”

I hold back a sigh. Ares was a nice guy, and he was sexy as hell, but a small part of me wishes I didn't need him at all. Not that having sex with Miles was what I wanted. It was pretty much unbearable at this point. But, when I’d gotten married, I expected I’d be having sex with my husband. I also hadn’t anticipated that my husband would turn out to be such a horrible man. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. That’s why Ares is here anyways, to get my mind off all the fucked up shit happening around me.

Crossing the room, I strip out of my clothes, leaving them on the floor, before straddling Ares’s hips. His hard dick presses against my sex.

“You are so freaking sexy,” he grunts.

Freaking. Like he’s too young even to say the real cuss word. His hands graze over my thighs, and I grind against his dick—my clit rubs over his length. I can make myself come just like this if I want to, but that would kind of ruin the whole point. Ares grabs my ass and flips me over so that he hovers on top. I spread my legs wide for him, but he gets up from the bed.

“Rollover,” he commands. I do as he asks, and perch my ass high in the air. He lines his cock up with my sex, and I pulse with anticipation. His nails dig into my hips as he slams into me.

“Fuck, yes,” I moan.

It’s like a weight lifts from my shoulders temporarily. This is what I need. To feel something, anything. Even if it is meaningless sex, it’s better than the feeling of isolation I’ve been living with for years.

A guttural sound escapes my lips—the headboard bangs against the wall. Staff usually isn’t allowed in this part of the house, so I’m not worried about them overhearing. Even if they do, they’d never believe I was having an affair. No one ever went behind my husband’s back, especially not his wife.

Ares hits my G spot just right, causing my toes to curl underneath me. He makes me feel so wild and…well free. With Miles, I felt anything but. I used to feel free with him, but not anymore. Miles was gone on business trips most days out of the year, so I never really thought about getting caught. My body locks into the moment. The sex with Ares was an escape.

“Oh shit,” I moan again as Ares tugs at my dark hair. I’m so close when he completely slips out of me.

I swiftly turn to see my husband. I watch in horror as Ares’s green eyes bulge out of his head. Miles gives me a sadistic grin as he tightens his hold around Ares’s neck.

My entire body seizes up. The orgasm I so desperately craved a moment ago becomes secondary. Shit. I’m going to die. I tremble as I draw my knees up to my chest.

“Shut up, motherfucker!” Miles growls as Ares flounders, scrabbling to remove Miles’s hands from his neck. But it’s too late; the surprise tactic from behind affords Miles more leverage over Ares. I might have been orgasming a moment ago, but my body is now locked in intense fear.

“Don’t hurt him! Please. Stop. You’re going to kill him. Please!” I sob, gasping to gain oxygen into my lungs. I suck in a breath as best I can.

Ares goes slack. I gather up the sheets to cover my nakedness as I inch further and further into the corner of the bed away from Miles. His eyes are black with rage: veins, the size of small rivers, pulse in his neck.

“No, you don’t, bitch! You’re up next, sweetheart.”

His temper is legendary and extremely short. That much, I know. Fuck.

I should have been more careful.

The room smells of sex and now, violence. Miles’s face is crimson, blood-filled with rage. He makes quick work of the distance between us. I kick my legs out, trying to hit him wherever I can. If I’m going down, I’m going down fighting. I’m no match for him. He leaps across the bed and grabs my neck. My eyes bug out of my head. My nails dig into his arms, probably leaving behind deep scratches. Evil, like I, never seen before, stares down at me. His face becomes blurred out by small black specs that take over my vision. My head buzzes from the lack of oxygen as my throat begins to close over—mere wisps of air escape.

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