Filed to story: The LORDS Series Free PDF by Shantel Tessier
“You have a problem,” the man says in greeting.
Kashton snorts, getting up from his desk to come over to mine. “That’s nothing new.”
“Seriously. Ashtyn was supposed to have worked last night, and she never showed.”
I frown and remind him, “You knew we were coming to collect her.” Once we found out where she was, we made some phone calls to get our plan in motion.
“Not at Glass. Her other job.”
I sit back in my chair and look up at Kashton, who runs his hand down his face and asks, “And?”
“And I’m calling to warn you that she’s looking for Ashtyn.”
“She’ll never find her.” I shake my head.
I’m aware that Ashtyn had two jobs. I watched her for three weeks before I made my move. I wanted to see what kind of life she lived. I wasn’t surprised to see that all she did was work. She always needed to stay busy. And as far as I know, when she left Carnage, she had no money, and my girl fights to survive.
“Look…” Bones sighs heavily into the phone. “I didn’t get in your way because you and Ashtyn have a past. You came to us and gave us a heads-up of your plans, and we appreciate that courtesy. But I’m telling you right now, Jasmine will find her. I’ve known her all of my life. She’s fucking stubborn and will not give up until she’s standing at your doorstep demanding to take her home.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Kashton chuckles, running his tatted hand down his unshaven face.
“By take care of it, I expect you to send Jasmine back untouched when she shows up at your door,” Bones adds tightly to Kash. “She isn’t part of your world,” he growls, referring to the Lords. “She’s one of us, and we don’t tolerate anyone fucking with what’s ours.”
Click.
“Fuck,” Kashton hisses, his joking attitude now long gone.
“Well, that could have gone better,” I state the obvious.
“I can handle it.” Kashton nods to himself.
“How? You’re here at Carnage, and she’s there in Las Vegas. It’s not like you can fuck her from two thousand miles away.”
The Lords have always done business with the Kings. Just like our fathers, their fathers handed them a legacy they didn’t want. But just because our worlds intertwine doesn’t mean that Bones knows everything.
The Lords have been paying for Queens-the Kings escort service-for years. Jasmine used to be a queen for a short while, and Kashton was one of her best-paying customers. Still is as far as I know, although she no longer works for the Kings. She started her own business. One that we know of well. But I guarantee you the Kings and Jasmine have no clue just how intertwined our worlds are. And I’m sure as fuck not going to be the one to tell them.
“I’ll call her.” Kashton finally speaks.
“And tell her what?” I question. “If Bones is right, it’ll lead her to our front door sooner rather than later.” I would prefer to avoid a scene. I’d really hate for us to piss the Kings off, but Jasmine is crazy if she thinks she’ll walk out of here with Ashtyn. I’ll throw her in a cage in the basement and call Bones to come and fetch her before I allow Jasmine to take what’s mine.
“What do you want me to do?” He throws his arms up in the air.
“Drop it,” I answer. “She has no clue that you even know Ashtyn. Let’s keep it that way.”
It’s pure coincidence that a woman Kashton has been fucking also knows Ashtyn. It really is a small world. But it also worked in our favor. When we found out that Ashtyn was in Vegas, it was the best outcome we could have hoped for. Because like Bones said, we gave the Kings a heads-up that we were coming, and they didn’t stand in our way. It also just pissed me off how close we had been to her and never fucking knew it.
Kashton gives me his back before stomping out of the office and slamming the door shut. I know Kash, and he won’t drop it. I just have to be prepared for what’s to come.
Opening my top desk drawer, I remove Ashtyn’s cell that I took from the bathroom back at her house in Las Vegas. I unlock it and see she’s got over fifty missed calls and countless texts. I’ve had her phone on silent, not wanting to be bothered by it. It’s almost dead.
Skimming the calls, I see they’re all from BOSS LADY a.k.a. Jasmine.
No surprise that 90 percent of the texts are from her as well. They’re all the same.
Where are you?
Are you okay?
I’m worried. You never go MIA.
Just then, the screen lights up flashing BOSS LADY, and I grind my teeth. I wait for it to stop and turn the cell off completely, toss it back into the drawer, and slam it shut.
Fuck! This will complicate things.
FORTY
ASHTYN
I finally crawled out of my bed and made it to the other set of double doors that I found leading to a balcony. I was surprised to find they were actually unlocked. It’s nice to have a little freedom, no matter how false it is.
There’s nothing but woods as far as the eye can see. Just as I remember it. I’ve always loved Pennsylvania. I grew up here. I hated the desert, but it was one of those things I had no control over.
Curling my fingers around the iron railing, I look down at the ground below. Good thing I’m not afraid of heights.
The thought of jumping to my death crosses my mind, but I quickly dismiss it. I’ve never been suicidal. I won’t give Saint the satisfaction of thinking I couldn’t live with myself. I did what I did and now I must pay for that decision. Being his prisoner sounds better than being without him.
The sound of my bedroom door opening has me pushing off the rail and rushing back into my room, expecting to see Saint enter. I hate the way my shoulders slump when it’s not him.
“Good evening, miss.”
“Jessie.” I give him a kind smile.
Of course, he’s still here. Just like the Spade brothers, Jessie is tied to this place for life. He still wears his all-black tux and looks just like I remember him. A set of kind eyes I always thought was too soft for this place. He has a few more wrinkles around them than I remember, but at least one thing hasn’t changed. I wonder if he hates his life here since he has to serve. He’s not allowed to marry or have children and has to devote his life to the Spades.
He wheels a cart into my bedroom that has three silver plates with dome lids over the top. “You need to eat,” he says, looking me up and down and frowning. All I wear is an oversized T-shirt that hits mid thigh. “Help with your strength.”
I want to laugh at his choice of words. No amount of strength will win me a fight against Saint.
Bringing the cart to a stop, he removes the lid, and my mouth salivates at my favorite meal, baked pineapple salmon. “You remembered.”
“Of course.” Then surprising me once more, he steps into me and pulls me in for a hug.
My arms come up and wrap around his waist. Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply. A part of me really did miss this place. This was my home until it wasn’t. But isn’t that how life goes? It’s always good until it’s not.
Pulling away, he takes my hand and balls my fingers into a fist. “For the pain,” he whispers, dropping his eyes to my waist before they meet mine again. “It should help you through the night.” With that, he turns and exits my room, closing the door behind him.
I don’t have to open my hand to know that there are two pills in it. He understands how much my body has endured and that I’m not only exhausted but sore.
Plus, the throbbing reminder of the tracker that’s inside me.
Honestly, it’s the least of my worries. Does it hurt? Like a bitch! But Saint knows how I feel about pain. He wants me to have a constant reminder that I’m his. The bastard also knows that I’m a slut for ownership. Carve your name into my neck and show me off. I’ll be a drooling mess for you.
Nothing is sexier than a man who knows what he wants and shows the world he has it.
Picking up the bottle of water he left me, I turn and step out onto the balcony. With my back facing my room, I toss the pills into my mouth and take a greedy sip. I know there are cameras all inside. I’m hoping that there isn’t one out here. I’d hate to get Jessie in trouble. He always was a kind soul. Too good for this hell.