Neither lets up until I’m a gibbering wreck on the floor. I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t do anything butfeel. My face is wet, and I can’t even tell if it’s from old tears or new. Damn them both for using pleasure and denial to make me confess. There may not be an elephant in the room anymore, but I feel like one’s still sitting on my chest, crushing me.
“Fuck me, Slate,” I whisper, reaching out for him, suddenly desperate to mend the rift between us with physical proximity. He pulls away.
“Get her cleaned up,” he says to Onyx, not looking at me.
“But—” I protest. Betrayal starts to churn in my stomach.
“We’re good, Amelie,” Slate reassures me but won’t meet my eyes.
“Then why won’t you touch me?”
“I did.”
“You know what I mean,” I huff, frustrated.
“I’ll touch you again when you’re begging for it, and not a moment before.”
“I am! I’m begging you, Slate. Please, let’s finish this.”
“Oh, Amelie…” He shakes his head as he gets to his feet and sorts himself out. “Not even close.”
And then he walks out the door, leaving me in his brother’s arms, covered in tears and slowly drying cum.
Chapter Three
Amelie
I walk down the barely lit corridor, the overhead lights flickering as I pass. On any normal day my nerves would be shot, but Kalen took care of them with multiple orgasms before I left.
Today is the day the reins of The Order are handed over to me. It feels too soon; it seems like I’ve only been back in the country a few days when in reality it’s more like a couple of weeks. Really busy weeks. Grandpa Knox is still MIA, but I am certain he knows if he shows his face right now one of his grandsons may blow it off his shoulders. His seat will be overturned tonight, and Monty will temporarily take his place. Sawyer has a plan to overturn the entire board, but he needs more time to locate some key families, ones he can rely on to not double cross The Order.
Not to double crossme.
But one thing they cannot stop is my rise to power.
The way Onyx explained how it will work is that when the board votes and comes to an agreement, the issue will be then brought to me and I will get the deciding vote. Once we have astrong enough board the idea is that I won’t have to be bothered with trivial issues, the board will be able to deal with it. Hence why Sawyer is weeding the bad eggs from the family lines, but it won’t be as easy as just voting the old bastards from their seats.
A whole bunch of mumbo jumbo I’ve left up to Sawyer to do whatever he pleases. I trust he’ll do what is best for the organisation. Because if I’m being honest with myself, I was only doing this to take out Laura. But now I have a feeling I’ll be adding a few extra names to that list.
My grandmother and Debbie?
I didn’t give them time to explain when they dropped the bombshell that Debbie isn’t dead. Only myself, my guys, and Baxter know she’s alive. We’ve decided to try and figure out what they are up to. A mass family reunion? I think not. I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve seen the way this world works now, and something tells me that my grandmother still seeks revenge on the men within The Order. I won’t allow her to get close enough tomymen to enact any plans of vengeance. I have a plan to send The Order’s three musketeers out to see what they can find, I’ve been told they’re the best at extracting information, but I’m yet to meet them.
I’ve spent the last two weeks I’ve been back from Australia studying everything I can for this takeover. These three guys are ruthless, they don’t fit into one group within The Order, they rarely take on jobs unless it is well worth their while, but now I’m in charge, no one can say no to a direct order from me. I don’t have to negotiate, and I plan to have fun with Baxter when the time is right. Because let’s face it, Baxter doesn’t take orders very well.
A big bulky man nods and opens a door to my right. I walk in with my head held high. The room is quite cramped today; we have all members of the board – or those still alive at least – plus their legacies in attendance.
“Everybody stand,” a loud, authoritative voice instructs. The voice comes from a man in a suit to my left, and Slate quickly whispers that he’s the stenographer. Everybody stands as I cross the room to the last vacant seat. Once I’m seated, everybody sits. I know it’s a mark of respect, but it’s still surreal.
Monty stands at the head of the table opposite me.
“Thank you, everybody, for coming today. Before we start, I would like to nominate myself to replace my father. All current standing members who agree, raise your hand.” Every member raises their hand. I notice Baxter is seated in his grandfather’s spot because a board member can send a family member as a proxy for their vote. He smirks at me, and I repress the urge to flip him off, since I’m trying to act badass and professional.
“Thank you. Today we are here to officially welcome Amelie to The Order. As you all know by now, Amelie will be the sole ruler of The Order moving forward, as per our rules, customs, and traditions. Her blood status is not in doubt or to be questioned. We all understand that it will take some time for her to find her feet, having not been raised among us, but I expect everyone to help when necessary. Do this, and you will be awarded one favour from within The Order. Amelie, all that is left is for you to give your first order of business...the floor is yours.”
“Thank you, Monty. My first order of business is to abolish the ‘no women’ rule. I think we can all agree that women are just as capable as men, and in my opinion they will bring a lot to The Order.”
“What bullshit,” someone scoffs. I don’t recognise him. My head snaps in his direction and I pull out the gun that I tucked into the back of my pants. There’s a fifty-fifty chance I’d hit my target from this distance. Baxter has given me a few pointers, but I’m a long way off being a pro. I stand from my seat and walk in his direction.
