A.J. Bennett - Hired Gun #3 (The Sicarii) Read online

  Contents

  Untitled

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Also By A.J. Bennett

  About the Author

  Hired Gun #3

  By

  A.J. Bennett

  Hired Gun #3

  Copyright 2014 A.J. Bennett Published by A.J. Bennett

  All rights reserved.

  This book is protected under the copyright laws of the Unit-ed States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission of the author.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author?s imagination or are used fictitiously, and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Art by Eden Crane Design

  Editing by Melissa Ringsted

  To Sue, I really appreciate your eagle eye.

  1

  Almost two weeks had passed since Thorne last laid eyes on Kataya Clarke. Every time he entered Apotheca he expected to see her, sense her, but she was nowhere to be found. He found himself searching her out wherever he went. It was as if she disappeared from the face of the Earth. Which he knew was a ridiculous thought. Earth was a very big place, but why had she gone silent?

  The unknown made him uncomfortable … not in control.

  It was not a feeling he was used to, nor one he cared for.

  “You should let me go out with you tonight,” Nike said, breaking the silence as she twirled a strand of her long, golden hair around her graceful finger.

  Thorne’s gaze wandered over her body. Her bare legs were stretched out on the couch and her head was resting on a pillow. They certainly weren’t on their way to friendship, but he’d gotten used to her presence, or at least to a degree. And if she pissed him off he just turned her ass back into a cat. For the most part she was on her best behavior. It was sort of ironic that the only woman, other than his dead wife, to have an extended stay at his place, was a goddess who never gave him the time of day before he was cast out.

  “I’m sure we could work something out.” Thorne spoke casually, while his hand moved to his belt buckle.

  “Dream on.” Nike rolled her eyes. “That was a one-time deal. Although, I have to admit I am feeling a little deprived down here …” Slowly, her hand traced up her shapely leg, hitching her dress up ever so slowly. Thorne watched with interest. He never knew what the goddess was thinking.

  Shit, he hadn’t touched a woman since Kataya walked out that night. That meant it had been two weeks without fucking, which had to be a record for him. What the hell was wrong with him? He’d let that woman get under his skin, that’s what. Something he’d have to rectify tonight … if not with Nike then with some bimbo from the club.

  “You know I can scratch that itch for you, kitty cat.” Never one to miss out on an opportunity, Thorne moved off the chair on to the couch. He grabbed Nike’s ankle and languidly glided his hand up her calf to the inside of her smooth thigh. Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away. Maybe it was his lucky day after all.

  Unlike humans, gods and goddesses didn’t relate sex to emotions. Sex was simply for pleasure. The emotional side of relationships came from a connection of the mind, and that was definitely something he didn’t have to worry about with Nike. In fact, they hardly saw eye to eye on anything.

  Continuing the path with his hand, Thorne shifted until his body was covering hers. Nike smiled coyly up at him, and in that instant he knew she was jerking his chain. Well that’s okay, two can play at that game.

  Right as his fingers drifted under the silk panties, he was thrown back with a blast of power. Crashing into the wall, he knocked almost everything off from the force of his head striking it. Thorne laughed as he regained his footing.

  “I was thinking of something a little more pure.” When Nike lifted her hand and ran her fingers from her neck down to the swell of her breast, Thorne felt himself stiffen. Even though Nike pissed him off, she was sexy as fuck. “Get Benny over here.”

  “Bitch,” Thorne said, through gritted teeth. Dammit, she had to remind him that he was only half worthy of her time since he was not a pure bred. Not a full god. Unlike his best friend Benny, one of the many sons of Odin.

  As if Benny knew he’d been summoned there was a rap on the door. Thorne shook his head, and without bothering to turn he flung the door open with his mind.

  Benny strolled through the door.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Thorne snapped, still glaring at Nike.

  “Meeting you to go to the club. Like we planned.” Benny said with a confused look on his face.

  Glancing at the clock, Thorne realized that it was already ten p.m. Oh where had the day gone?

  Benny moved through the foyer into the living room and stood beside Thorne. “Hey, Nike, seems like you are enjoying your time here on Earth.”

  Nike pouted her full lips as she began to unbutton the top of her dress. “Actually, I’m bored out of my mind. How can you two stand being down here for so long?”

  Benny turned to Thorne with a raised eyebrow.

  “Nike would like you to service her. Apparently I’m not godly enough for her,” Thorne said, reaching for his leather jacket off the back of the chair.

  Benny had no reply; he simply looked back at Nike with a shit-eating grin on his face.

  On that note, Thorne turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

  As he made his way down the hallway, he realized he wasn’t angry at Benny. For that matter, he wasn’t even pissed at Nike because he knew she was just messing with him. And good for Benny, surely he could use a good screw.

  Thorne was just sexually frustrated himself. Well, that he was going to have rectify right now … and he knew just the woman for the job.

  He hopped on his motorcycle and sped off in the direction of his second home: Apotheca.

  By the time he made it there his anger was greatly diminished, but the need was still as strong as ever.

  A quick nod to the bouncer and Thorne sauntered into the club to seek out his conquest. Not that it would be much of a challenge …

  As soon as he walked through the hidden door and into the crowd of supernaturals his heart stilled. Fuck, she was here. A knot of rage welled up inside of him because the pull was so strong. It pissed him off. Well, screw her. It took all of his self-control not to turn in Kataya’s direction. Gods, he wanted to go to her.

  What the fuck was going on?

  Instead, he made a beeline for the bar and quickly grabbed for the scotch the bartender placed in his hand. Closing his eyes, he let the warm liquid slide down his throat. He needed to calm down, and not allow the witch to get to him. Whatever the lure was he could fight it. At least for now. He knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d have to sink himself deep between her thighs again.

  He willed an ice-cold mask to settle on his face.

  Ginger sidled up next to him just like she always did. Her green eyes were expectant and a little hopeful. Sorta pathetic if you asked him.

  “I’ve missed you.” Her voice came out sexy and husky with desire.

 
Thorne grabbed her by the throat, his thumb tracing over the delicate skin. He yanked her body into him, his hand wandering down her neck and between her breasts, just like Nike had done when she was teasing him. Ginger’s chest heaved up and down. Thorne grabbed the back of her hair and tugged hard, exposing her long, slender neck.

  He knew without a doubt that Kataya was watching him. It was as if he could feel her eyes boring holes in the back of his head and it made his cock ache. He wondered what form she’d taken on today and if the sight of his hands on another woman pissed her off, or if she was completely indifferent and this game was nothing more than a job to her.

  Slowly, he lowered his mouth, burying his head against the hollow of Ginger’s throat.

  His hands went to her full breasts, massaging them through the thin fabric of her dress and lacy bra, causing Ginger to groan and her knees to weaken. Yes, this was just what he needed.

  2

  “Ginger,” Thorne’s voice was quiet, every word measured, “bathroom now. The men’s not the women’s.”

  Her eyes widened and she nodded her head. Without a word, she strode off toward the men’s room. Thorne grabbed another shot of whiskey and watched as Ginger snaked her way through the crowd.

  Despite himself, Thorne’s eyes drifted over to Kataya. The pull was magnetic … and made him want to lash out. If there was one thing Thorne needed, it was to be in control. For whatever reason this woman was causing his tightly coiled control to come unraveled.

  Tonight she’d taken on the form of a willowy blonde with an ample chest. She looked good enough to devour. Their eyes met and she quickly glanced away. He couldn’t help but wonder if she knew that he knew it was her. Probably not. And from his understanding, they had to be much closer to each other for her to read his thoughts.

  The witch thought she was smarter than him. He’d have to teach her otherwise.

  Setting the glass down, he stood up and turned his head side to side, already hard thinking about slamming into Ginger. His shoulders relaxed a bit. For an instant, he debated antagonizing the blonde version of Kataya by asking her to join in the fun, but he’d rather toy with her a little.

  He strode toward the bathroom without giving the blonde another glance.

  Pushing through the door a grin split his face. Ginger was waiting on her knees, her eyes cast to the floor. She didn’t even glance up when she heard the door open. There were two other vamps in the room, but as soon as they saw Thorne they scurried out of there. Too bad, they could have enjoyed quite the show. Oh well, their loss.

  “Lose the clothes.”

  Still not looking up, Ginger reached down and began to pull the dress over her head, exposing her flat stomach. After she’d tossed it to the ground, he realized she had been completely naked underneath. Her full breasts rose up and down in anticipation; her nipples were as hard as marbles.

  The door opened and someone walked in, but instantly turned and walked back out. Thorne had that effect on people. No one wanted to piss him off. For good reason.

  The only sound was the drip of the faucet and the muted music which seemed far in the distance.

  “It’s been a long time, Ginger,” Thorne stated softly as he moved toward her.

  Since he’d said her name, she looked up and met his eyes. She knew the rules. The only time she could speak directly to him was if he said her name or asked a direct question.

  “Too long.” She bit the bottom of her full lip.

  His cock pulsed in his jeans.

  “You’re going to suck my cock, and then I’m going to fuck you from behind while you lean against the sink.” As he was talking he unbuckled his pants and slid the zipper down. His cock sprung free … long, hard, and thick.

  Her eyes cast back down.

  Ginger was a tall girl, so even at his six foot five when he pressed forward the tip of his cock touched her lip. Greedily she wrapped her lips around him. He closed his eyes and imaged it was Kataya’s hand stroking his balls as Ginger went to work on him.

  Before long, his body convulsed as he spurted his juices down her throat. A slight smile played on Ginger’s lips. Under normal circumstances he would have cut her off for that unconscious display of rebellion. Instead, he reached behind her and grabbed her hair, yanking her to her feet. He shoved her forward, and she caught herself grasping ahold of the sink.

  Their eyes met for a split second in the mirror. She knew from the look on his face that she’d been close to being discarded.

  But Thorne needed to blow off some more steam.

  He grabbed a fist full of her hair again and jerked her head back. “What did you do wrong, Ginger?”

  “I-I don’t know.”

  In the blink of an eye, he’d pulled his belt free and snapped it. In the small bathroom the sound echoed loudly, causing her body to jerk back. “You don’t know? I can tell you. You were a very bad girl, and for that you’ve got to get punished.”

  He saw the familiar gleam in her eyes in the mirror. This chick was into serious domination, and he wasn’t one to disappoint. Her ass swayed in the air, eager to feel the sting of the belt.

  By the time he’d leveled the twelfth strike tears were running down her eyes. However, she never cried out.

  Impressive.

  He dropped the belt to the ground, along with his pants.

  Long red welts were already starting to form. He dipped his fingers in between her slit, and just as he expected they slipped in easily. All he had to do was slightly put pressure on her clit and she came, hoarsely crying out his name. Slowly, he removed his fingers and slid his cock into her. Her fingers gripped the sink tighter as he grabbed her by the waist and pounded into her. As he drove himself into her up to the hilt, each thrust caused her pain. He wasn’t in the mood to linger tonight. Plus, he wanted to get on with the second part of the show. His thrusts became shorter, faster, harder.

  Closing his eyes, he thought of the way Kataya felt when he fucked the hell out of her, and before long he let out a primal scream as he came deep inside of … when he looked down, he was actually surprised to see Ginger. He pulled himself free and walked over to the other sink. After he’d cleaned himself up, Thorne grabbed his belt. Ginger hadn’t moved or looked up. Her legs were trembling and her breathing was ragged, but other than that she was trying hard to remain still. Tears stained her beautiful face.

  He allowed her a few moments to catch her breath.

  “Get out there.” Grabbing her by the elbow, he shoved her forward.

  She reached down for her dress and Thorne tsk’d under his breath. “Ah, you just want to be bad tonight. Don’t you?”

  Surprise flickered in her eyes before she shook her head.

  He knew she was confused. He’d never asked her to walk buck ass naked out into a crowd of people before. Not only that, people respected,—and even feared—her to a degree. For Ginger, this would be humiliating.

  The red welts stood out starkly on her pale skin.

  Pulling the door open, she walked out before him. A few people looked up, but no one said anything as Ginger walked through the crowd with her head cast downward and her hands behind her back. Thorne strolled behind her, looking around as if daring anyone to say anything.

  And then he saw what he was looking for … Kataya staring at him with her mouth gaping open. Yes, Kataya, I am an asshole, Thorne thought, amused by the look on her face. Tonight the woman was wearing a shimmering silver dress with a deep plunge that nicely showcased her very large breasts. The hem of her dress barely skimmed her thighs and she was wearing six-inch heels.

  Thorne shot her a wink before continuing behind his vamp.

  Ginger stopped in front of the bar, and Thorne called for another drink. He tugged at Ginger’s wrist, letting her know to go to her knees. She complied. With another nudge, he let her know she could rest on her feet. This was not out of kindness. The welts on her ass were going to be stinging like a mother fucker against her feet, which he knew all too well.
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  Thorne leaned against the bar, his long legs stretched out, drinking and watching the crowd. Everyone had gone on like nothing had happened. Bodies were grinding to the music on the dance floor. Supernatural creatures just enjoying another night out on the town.

  Not much later Benny meandered in with Nike by his side. The goddess was taller than him which surely pissed off Benny. Everyone’s head turned as they walked past. Nike’s presence would be almost overbearing to most of the lower class supernaturals. Her energy made people edgy, as if they wanted to crawl out of their skin.

  When they approached, Nike looked down at Ginger. “New pet, Thorne?”

  He shrugged, his face impassive. “Yeah, well it seems my kitty cat ran away. I needed a replacement.”

  A rare smile crossed the goddess’s face, making her even more stunning. Too bad she was such a bitch.

  “Is your chameleon here tonight?” Benny asked with a raised brow as he signaled for the bartender.

  Thorne was silent for a moment before responding. “The blonde in the right hand corner.”

  The two turned in unison to look.

  Nike nodded in approval. “At least she has good taste. Another striking form.”

  “It seems she knows my taste in women,” Thorne said, taking a sip of his drink. “Wide and varied.”

  “Would you like me to go entice her?” Nike asked, turning back toward the bar.

  “Nah, not going to tip my hand tonight. Just wanted to piss her off a bit.”

  “She doesn’t look very upset to me,” Nike chuckled.

  Thorne turned and his muscles instantly tightened, making his whole body rigid.

  Kataya was smiling up at a shifter. A very large, attractive shifter. Thorne felt a sting of jealously. It took all of his self-control not to walk over and throttle that asshole.

  As if Benny could read his thoughts, he placed his hand on his shoulder and muttered, “He’s not worth it, brother.”

  Forcing his body to relax, Thorne turned back and signaled for another drink. He knew his friend was correct. He wasn’t going to dishonor the rules of Apotheca over some chick. No matter how good she sucked cock.