Page 58 of Kings of Desire
It was craving versus hate, always battling inside my mind when it came to Cole, to the point where sense would give in to pleasure.
I let out a moan as he drew my body to arch against him while still savoring the soft skin of my chest. The gesture didn’t leave him cold, recognizing its impact in seconds as he decided to abandon his new playground and capture my lips. The tip of his tongue found room between the moving finger, stealing a kiss while pressing his thumb against my tongue.
Anger was an understatement when I came to realize what exactly I was doing, though I couldn’t tell if I was angrier with him or with myself for savoring the intensity of the moments as if it was to be the finest piece of cake.
‘I know you like this as much as I do,’ his tongue skimmed my bottom lip then his head set a little distance to properly look at me ‘I want you to come to my place, tomorrow after classes. I’ll text you the address.’ It was an open invitation into the lion’s den, and if these thoughts were crossing his mind on a public domain, what he could think of in the privacy of his home terrified me.
‘It’s a shame that I don’t have time to properly enjoy my present right now,’ he gave me a small peck on the lips as regaining possession of his finger and gliding it out of my mouth. The small roar in the corridors was letting him know the time was up and no matter how eccentric he may be, putting this kind of a show in front of an entire class was a little out of his league.
‘These are only for my eyes to see,’ brushing his tongue on the surface of my breasts as if saying goodbye, he arranged my bra back on before someone could burst in and witness our indiscretion. ‘You’re in such trouble,’ he mumbled in a playful tone, lifting me from the bench and setting me back on the floor. ‘I’ll leave first.’ And before I could put two and two together he departed from the room, leaving me to fix the rest of my buttons, moments before students started flowing into the chamber.
I wish I could be angry, even cry, scream... drown in agony, or maybe just have time to reflect on everything around me, but my life was running on fast forward, burning minutes and hours with the speed of light until before I knew it, I was staring in the mirror back at my apartment, getting ready for my meeting with my personal demon, Brax.
Chapter 13
The thought of seeing Brax was unsettling me. It always does, to the point of bringing me to the verge of an anxiety attack. There’s something about him so complex that I can’t fully understand. Yes, he’s a psychopath, a killer, a user, fucking Evil Knievel when you draw the line, but there’s something else too. Like a smoldered fire, hiding a passion so intense that it could mystify everything in its path. The silent volcano that lay within him, entrapping sheltered emotions at the point of being set free.
For some unknown reason, fighting with the last piece of my consciousness, his touch was still alive on my skin making it crawl with the vivid memory ofhim. Though I couldn’t go this week to see him tonight. No, I was still on a mission, and as intriguing unveiling Brax’s true nature may sound, nothing could distract me from my path.
Slipping into the same dress I wore last time I went to see him, I grabbed a jacket on my way out, signaled for a cab, and before I knew it I was in front of the club where he told me to meet with him.
‘Boss is in his office,’ the same guard that drove us to the mission rushed out to indicate his location, leading me to believe that since he was always around, he must be Brax’s right-hand man. ‘Down the stairs, then take a left through the metal door.’
How many offices did my mobster have!?
Following the instructions, I found myself in a narrow lobby with only a piece of wood separating me from mybenefactor.
After praying to all gods that he’d have mercy on me this time, I gathered my courage and gently pressed the door handle to open. Yet, before I could let my presence be noticed, I heard voices.
They were coming from inside the room and I could recognize Brax with another man, speaking fervently about something, so before they could realize that I’m around, I pulled the door back to close it, without actually shutting it completely. The sound would alert them of my presence and draw Brax’s anger because I ruined some who knows what business deal was the last thing that I needed.
My intention wasn’t to eavesdrop. I didn’t want anything to do with Brax’s businesses, especially when I knew most of them are illicit. The last thing I wanted was to overhear something and risk ending up under the police radar, or worse.
And still, I couldn’t help it since the discussion echoed through the small hallway where I was waiting.
‘The people want a war, Brax. They’re tired and they’re hungry. With every month the rations they can put on the table are getting scarcer.’
‘I know. I feel it in the takings. Plus, some of them are loyal to me. One of their leaders came to me for financial support, promising some exaggerated interest rate on my money. Fools! Wars burn money, they only make fortunes for the winners, and in this case, they don’t stand a chance against the Elite. Sure, the royals don’t know shit about fighting, but they have weapons and money. Just a group of mercenaries and they will get the Pit burning till the dawn.’
‘What do we do then? Our investments will be at risk.’
‘You have one investment, Patrick. This club and we’re split in it, while I own half of the city. With all liquidities frozen in assets for now!
And people aren’t in a rush to buy properties around here in case you didn’t notice. Besides, even if I was to find someone to dispose of a few buildings and get some cash flow back on track, the sum I would get would be insignificant compared to what I spent on the construction. No one wants to buy a city that may burn.’
‘There has to be a way to keep things under control.’
‘There isn’t. Best case scenario - just prolong the unavoidable, and we can sell some of the goods to survive this while still remaining on top.
We’re talking more money than you and I can even dream of to support this movement. Think about it weapons, mercenaries, maybe whole armies to mount an assault on the Hills.
Impossible.
It’s the food chain. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. If they oppose, they’ll wipe them off the face of the earth, and believe me, others will follow to take their place. It’s Echo City. Last oasis of hope… If only they knew the reality...
Let’s just cross our fingers that our business won’t get that affected in the transition.’
