Unexpected Surrender Read online

  Heading back to the deli, I realized rather quickly that I should have taken a cab but instead, I decided to walk. I had no idea if Charlie was still at The Club. I could only imagine that he was. I had so many questions that I wished I had answers for but mostly, I wished I would have stayed with Luther.

  Once I saw the light from the deli a few blocks away, a breath of relief left me, and I picked up my speed.

  It was pushing late into the evening, so the deli was still open, but that didn’t explain why it was suddenly so busy. As I neared it, my frown deepened. Several men in suits sat at one table. There were about five of them ranging in all different sizes and ages.

  I opened the door, entering the place that had been my home for as long as I could remember. As soon as I stepped over the threshold, I could feel all eyes on me.

  Muttering a quick hello to my staff, I hightailed it to the kitchen and bumped into a hard body.

  “Shit, Lexi.”

  I jumped back, staring up at Charlie. “What the hell? How did you get back here so quickly?”

  “Back here?” He scowled. “You were there?”

  “I was. What the hell is going on, Charlie? Why are you sleeping with Miss Vee?” Not that it was any of my business, but I couldn’t stop the question from leaving my mouth.

  “Same reason you’re sleeping with Luther.” He turned and headed to the office.

  “Charlie.” I followed him. “Something isn’t right. I love you, but this doesn’t make sense at all.”

  “Why the fuck does it need to make sense?” he snapped, shoving open the door to the office.

  “Luther told me some things and I need to know if they’re true. I need to know what your intentions are.” I shut the door behind me. “Charlie, talk to me.”

  “What the hell do you want me to say?” He started pacing and rubbing the back of his neck.

  Leaning against the wall, I crossed my arms under my chest. “Why did you come home that night instead of going to the hospital?”

  Charlie stopped. “What are you talking about?”

  “When Luther beat you up. Why did you come home?”

  His brows furrowed. “What lies is he feeding you?”

  “Tell me, Charlie. Why did you come home?” I didn’t want to believe Luther. Charlie was my brother. He wouldn’t hurt me. He couldn’t be that desperate. Could he?

  “I’m not dealing with this shit.” He took a step toward the door, but I blocked him. “Get out of my way, Lexi.”

  “Tell me. If you don’t want me to believe him, then tell me what’s going on.”

  “I shouldn’t have to tell you shit. You should believe me because I’m your brother.” His jaw clenched, his cheeks turning red.

  “Yeah?” I stared up at him. “Then tell me why you led him right to me. A man who owns half—maybe more—of this damn city. A man who threatened your life.” A thought crossed my mind. “Did you lead him to me thinking I would seduce him? Was I a distraction, Charlie? Were you hoping that he would focus on me instead of going after you again?”

  “I’d like to know the answer to that too.”

  I jumped, spun around, and found Luther standing in the doorway.

  He was leaning against the doorjamb with his thick arms crossed under his broad chest. His black dress shirt hugged his large frame, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The veins in his tattooed forearms popped, making my mouth water.

  He caught my gaze, a knowing smirk spreading on his face.

  I looked away, finding Charlie glaring at me.

  “Is this it, Lexi?” he asked, his voice laced with venom. “Are you choosing him over your own brother?”

  “I want to know what’s going on,” I said gently. “Why would you pass a picture of me around to those men?”

  “You know about that?” Charlie shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Nothing would happen to you.”

  “Nothing would happen?” I laughed. “Come on, Charlie. I’m not stupid.”

  “You’re not stupid?” Charlie repeated. “You’re fucking the most dangerous man in the damn city,” he yelled.

  “Careful.” Luther stepped up behind me.

  “Fuck you,” Charlie spat. “This is your fault. Pitting my sister against me. Is that what you wanted all along, Luther?”

  “No.” Luther feigned a yawn. “I actually wanted her in my bed.” He brushed a hand down my spine, sending a shiver along with it. “But that’s none of your business. You see, I don’t give a shit what you’ve done or what you will do but I do give a shit where your sister is concerned.”

  “Why?” Charlie frowned. “Do you have feelings for her?”

  “Uh…I’m right here.” I placed my hands on my hips. “Tell me why you led him to me.”

  Charlie’s jaw clenched. “I wanted to see if he would take the bait.”

  “What?” My eyes widened. “What does that mean?”

  Luther grabbed my hand, pulling me back a step.

  “I wanted to see if I could get him to fall for you.” Charlie’s gaze flicked between us both. “You were a distraction. You’re right about that. But I didn’t want to hurt you.”

  “How did you know that he wouldn’t hurt me?” I asked, not believing what I was hearing.

  Charlie hesitated, rubbing his nape.

  “Charlie, tell me,” I demanded.

  “I didn’t know.” Charlie blew out a slow breath. “I didn’t know if he would hurt you.”

  “So you…you led the most lethal man in this city right to me, hoping I would distract him enough to get him away from you. Oh, and you did all this not knowing if he would hurt me or not. Am I right?” When Charlie didn’t respond, I pushed him. “Tell me I’m right.”

  “Yes,” he finally said. “You’re right. I was hoping I could get him off my ass long enough to…”

  “To what?” Luther asked, his voice rough.

  Charlie met my gaze. “I’m sorry.” He glanced over my head. “To take you out.”

  ***

  (Luther)

  I dealt with a lot of bastards in my life. Lethal, vile men who wanted to take me out to gain a reputation. To make others think they were the be all, end all when it came to power. They wanted to take what I had and make it their own, letting others think they were so damn strong and scary. Fucking please. It was all bullshit if you asked me. But hearing Charlie say that he used his sister as bait, hoping she would distract me, pissed me off more than I could ever imagine.

  Words passed between the siblings, but I couldn’t hear them. Red-blooded rage sliced through me. As much as I knew it would upset Lexi, Charlie had to disappear or else I would take him out myself.

  A gentle hand grabbed mine.

  My gaze dropped to Lexi.

  She chewed her bottom lip. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes filled with concern. She should be concerned. I wanted Charlie dead.

  ***

  (Lexi)

  Luther was on the verge of snapping. I had to do something. And quick.

  Keeping his hand in mine, I did the only thing I could think of. “You need to leave,” I told Charlie.

  “What?” He laughed. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

  “No.” I released Luther’s hand and opened the door. “Leave. Now.”

  “You’re making a big mistake, Lexi.” Charlie’s brows narrowed in the center. “A big fucking mistake.”

  “Don’t you dare threaten me,” I snapped.

  “Threaten you?” Charlie threw his head back, laughing even harder. “Listen to me, my dear sister. If I was threatening you, you would fucking know it.” He stormed past me but paused in the doorway, peering at Luther. “He better be worth it.”

  “Get the fuck out!” I yelled. “Now!”

  Charlie left the office, taking every ounce of air in my lungs with him.

  I slammed the door shut, turned the lock, and slid down the wall until I hit the floor.

  “Lexi.”

  “Don’t.” I covered m
y face, my body shaking. So many emotions ran through me but the one that stuck out the most was fear.

  Fear of the unknown.

  Fear that I had just lost my brother.

  Fear that I was falling for a man who wanted him dead.

  Fear that I didn’t care.

  “Pet.”

  “Please don’t.” A sob escaped me.

  “Hey.” Luther grabbed my hands, pulling me into his arms.

  “Luther.” I struggled against him.

  “Stop,” he demanded, holding me tight.

  “I…I can’t…” My lungs burned, my chest aching with lack of air. Spots danced in my vision, my body trembling.

  “Lexi.”

  “Stop.” I pushed against him, but he was too strong for me. “Please. I just…I need…I can’t…”

  “Lexi,” Luther’s hard voice slid through me.

  “I can’t do this anymore.” I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him. Being with him. Touching him. I squeezed him so damn hard, it was like I was trying to burrow under his skin.

  “Shit.” Luther wrapped himself around me, reaching his hands beneath my dress. But he didn’t take it further. He just touched me. When his fingers found the skin of my back, his stiff body relaxed. “I want him dead. I want to watch him suffer for putting you through this pain.”

  My eyes burned. “I know. God I know. I…”

  “Baby.” Luther cupped the back of my neck. “Lexi.”

  “I…” I pushed against him. “I can’t do this. I can’t be with you knowing you want to murder my brother. I’m so damn confused.”

  Luther stiffened. He leaned back, staring at me with those dark eyes of his.

  I swallowed hard, looking away.

  “No. Look at me, Lexi. Continue with whatever it is you want to say to me.”

  “Don’t be an asshole.” I shoved from his grip and stood.

  Luther rose to his feet, towering over me. “Tell me.”

  “These feelings I have for you, scare me. I…I need some space.”

  He came toward me.

  I backed up until I hit the wall, holding up my hands. “Don’t.”

  “You think I want to murder your brother? No. I don’t. Because I know that if I did, I’d lose you. But the fact that he used you as bait, pisses me off. I’ve done shit. A lot of bad shit. I’ve made mistakes. Stupid choices. I’m a fucking human. It happens. But the one thing I finally do right in life and it is backfiring on me.”

  “What’s that?” I whispered.

  “Falling in love with you, pet.” Luther pinched my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “But I’m not going to beg for you to be with me. It’s not how I’m wired.”

  My eyes burned, my throat working over the hard lump. “Luther.”

  “This…what we have, is so fucking right. We may not have met in the conventional way and as much as I hate your brother, I owe him.”

  “You do?” I placed my hand over Luther’s heart, feeling the muscle beating beneath my palm. “Why?”

  “Because I never would have met you.” He leaned his forehead against mine, covering my hand with his. “I’m in love with you, Lexi.”

  “Don’t,” I sobbed. “Please don’t say that to me.” I couldn’t deal with his confession knowing what he wanted to do to my brother. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair at all.

  Luther pulled away.

  “Luther.” I reached for him, but he backed out of my way. “Please.”

  “As much as this will hurt us both, I’m done. I’d rather leave you then have you hate me,” he said, his voice thick.

  “No.” I rushed to him, grabbing onto his shirt. “We can work through this. I’ll talk to Charlie. I’ll find out what else is going on. Please. Please, Sir.” I had pushed him away, confused and broken, not realizing how he felt for me. Once he confessed his feelings, nothing else mattered. I knew. I knew this was right. Just like he said. Even though I had to deal with my brother, I needed Luther by my side to keep me strong. To keep me sane. To just be with me.

  “Don’t, Lexi.” Luther grabbed my hands, attempting to pull me off of him but I only latched on harder. “Let go.”

  “I’m confused. None of this makes sense but I need you. Please.”

  “You just said you were done.” Luther pushed me back. “Did you lie to me? I’m too old for games. I’ve told you how I felt. I’ve revealed who I am. This is all me. I am Luther Knight, Lexi. Who the fuck are you?”

  “I’m yours, Luther. I am yours.” I pulled him against me. “Please. I can’t do this without you. I can’t face him alone.”

  “You wanted out.” He grabbed my wrists, pulling me off of him. “I’m making it easy for you.” He released me and headed to the door.

  “No, Luther. Please don’t leave. I love you. God, I love you too.”

  He stopped, peering down at me over his shoulder.

  My heart shattered at the mere intensity rolling off of him in waves. “Luther.”

  “I confess my feelings only for you to throw them back in my face.”

  I backed up, the icy tone of his voice sending a flutter of fear racing through me. “No.” I shook my head. “Never. I do love you. I do. Please believe me.”

  “Believe you?” he repeated. “Baby, this shit ends. This shit ends right the fuck now. Either you want me, or you don’t. But you can’t say that you want me one moment and then push me away the next. Be a fucking adult. Make a decision for once.”

  “I am making a decision,” I insisted. “I want you. That’s it. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

  “No.” Luther grabbed my hand and pulled me against him. Fisting my hair, he ripped my head back.

  I yelped, strands of hair pulling free from my head.

  “You wanted your Master. You fell in love with him first.” Luther leaned down to my ear. “Isn’t that right, pet?”

  I whimpered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “No?” Luther spun me around, slamming me up against the wall and kicking my legs apart.

  “Luther.” I struggled against him, but he was too quick. He hiked the hem of my dress up to my hips. “Please.”

  “Please what, pet?” he growled in my ear, landing a hard swat on my ass. “Please stop? Or please continue? Say it. Tell me now, Lexi.”

  I shivered at the anger in his voice, but I found that it also turned me on. God, what the hell was wrong with me that I wanted this part of him? This lethal, ruthless side. This side that reminded me of the first time he fucked me as my Master. He was angry then and now he was filled with rage.

  “Fuck me,” I whispered.

  Luther spun me around, lifted me in his arms, and wrapped my legs around his waist. He crushed his mouth to mine. The sound of a zipper lowering made my heart jump. Dropping me onto him, he swallowed my cries and fucked me against the wall of my office.

  “Harder,” I pleaded, digging my nails into his shoulders. “Luther,” I cried out.

  He growled, sinking his teeth into my lip. “Take it, Lexi. Take all of it.”

  “Yes, please.” I dug my heels into his ass, forcing him deeper. “God, Luther. Faster. Please. Faster. Fuck me faster.”

  “Shit, baby.” He groaned, gripping my inner thighs and spreading me open even more for him. “I don’t even have to do anything, and you become wet for me.” His dark eyes met mine. “Isn’t that right, pet?”

  “Yes,” I moaned.

  Luther lifted my dress up and off of me, throwing the fabric to the side. “So fucking beautiful.”

  Undoing the buttons on his dress shirt, I brushed my fingers down his tattooed torso and watched him pump his cock in and out of me.

  Leaning his forehead against mine, we watched us make each other feel good. So damn good. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “F-For what?” I asked, breathlessly.

  “For being an asshole.” He kissed my forehead. “You leave me so fucking unraveled.” He pinched my chin, tilting my hea
d back. “Say it again,” he demanded. “Tell me how you feel.”

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  “Again.”

  “I love you,” I repeated, cupping his nape and covering his mouth with mine. “I love you, Luther,” I said again against his lips. “Do I know what’s going to come of this? No. But right now I need you to shut up and fuck me.”

  He grinned and dropped me on my feet. “You want me to fuck you, pet?”

  “Y-Yes.”

  “That’s what we were doing.” He wrapped a hand around his thick cock. “But if you want more, I’m happy to oblige.” He spun me around. “On your knees. Now.”

  I dropped to the floor at the same time he pulled my feet out from under me.

  In a quick move, he was back inside me. “Is this what you wanted, pet? You wanted to be fucked on the floor like a damn animal?”

  “Yes,” I whimpered, spreading my legs for him.

  “Good.” Luther reached a hand beneath me, coming into contact with my clit. “Come for me.”

  “Oh God. I can’t.” It was too good. The pleasure was almost too much. I couldn’t handle it. A shiver trembled through me. “Luther.”

  “Come, pet.” Luther sunk his teeth into the back of my neck, pinning me against the floor. “Come for me.” His thrusts picked up speed, his finger pushing against the swollen nub.

  An eruption of pleasure exploded through me. His name left my mouth on a hard cry.

  “That’s right, Lexi. Say my name. Say who’s making you feel good right now. Say who’s fucking you on the floor.”

  “Luther,” I whined, covering his hand with mine and helping him force me over that edge again.

  “You’re a greedy little thing.” His cock swelled, his release following soon after. “Fuck me.” Warmth coated me, his cream leaking from my body. “So damn good.” Luther spun me onto my back and slid back inside me.

  I moaned.

  “I could stay like this forever,” he murmured against the side of my neck.

  I wrapped my arms around him, holding him against me. I wasn’t sure what would come of this, but I was sure about my feelings for him. Even though I knew I shouldn’t be, I was in love with him.