Shadows and whispers, p.1
Shadows and Whispers, page 1
shadows and whispers
K.C. MILLS
Copyright © 2023 by K.C. Mills
All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, distributed in any print, electronic, or audio form without written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are fictional and the product of the author’s imagination.
note to readers:
Hello, beautiful people:
If you’re returning, welcome back. If you’re new… welcome to my crazy world.
Shadows and Whispers is a standalone novel that highlights two families who have a complicated past but are now forced to come together with an intended goal of strengthening their legacies.
This novel is not connected to any prior novel/series. All main characters are being newly introduced so you will be meeting them for the first time.
Trigger Warning:
Mental Health Issues
Language
Mature Content
Please be mindful that the foundation of this story is simply learning how to love and be loved. For those of you that prefer my more urban/street-lit stories, this one might not feed your soul.
However, it is not void of my signature style with that alpha male who isn’t afraid to show his heart. If you’re open to falling in love with love, then please proceed!
As always,
Crafting Romance with an Edge!
Sincerely,
K.C. Mills ❤️
prologue…
ELIAS
“This is on you, son. You will have to spend the rest of your life making this up to the family.”
My chest constricted. I glanced at the casket that held my baby brother Lucas. At twenty-five, a life was lost and the blood was on my hands. I was there with him that night. I was the one who should have protected him.
But he died.
“No, I’ll spend the rest of my life knowing that I can’t.”
I couldn’t stomach the accusatory looks on my family’s faces so I avoided them altogether. With one last glance at the grave where my brother now rested, I walked away from my family and the only life I’d ever known with no intention of ever returning…
ONE
elias
“Here.” I cringed as I tugged the black tee over my body. My ribs and kidneys hurt like hell and the muscles in my arms were sore as shit but the high had settled my mind.
At least temporarily.
I accepted the black envelope that held my payout. Thirty grand. Brawler would have cleared at least ten. Not enough for the beating I’d put on him but I understood that everyone’s circumstances were different. He needed the money and likely wanted a chance to try and take down the one person no one had the ability to beat.
Me.
Wouldn’t happen. I would never lose. The darkness and internal rage that crawled through me would guarantee a win each and every time I stepped in the cage. I didn’t do it for the money. I needed to feel and this was the only way I knew how. At least without damaging anyone in the process.
“Boss has a job for you. You gonna be able to manage after that?” Kev smirked and I glared at him briefly before grabbing my hoodie which I pulled on, grinding my teeth from the sharp pains that vibrated through my body.
“Yeah, what’s the job?”
“Reg. He’s late again. Second time in a month. Needs a reminder of how stupid that is.”
So fucking hardheaded. Arrogant and stupid. You didn’t get to be both. Especially not when you relied on others to survive.
“How much of a reminder,” I muttered, slipping into my black jean jacket. Fuck, I might need to get my kidneys looked at.
“Enough that he can still cover his weekly payments but will be mindful about being late with them.”
I tossed my chin and was on my way to the door. The chill of the night air brushed across my face as I made my way to my bike. It was parked near the back of the building like always. No one fucked with my shit. They didn’t want the consequences. Most knew who I was and my role working for Reno. He was a business professional and criminal. Pushed massive quantities of illegal drugs through his legal businesses and I was the reason no one fucked with him or his money. If they tried, they dealt with me, the devil in human form. The menace with no conscience. The dark soul who didn’t mind getting his hands dirty.
My father would be so fucking proud.
Astride my bike, I pulled my helmet down on my head, then braced through the soreness of my body. I needed a long hot shower then my bed. The last thing I wanted to do was go beat the shit out of Reg but that was where I was going. Reno wouldn’t care if I handled it tonight or tomorrow as long as it was handled. I didn’t like things lingering.
My foot hit the kickstand and I leaned forward, balancing my bike while I twisted the throttle, embracing the vibrations of the engine. Twenty-minute drive. Ten minutes with Reg. I could be home in an hour max.
* * *
“The fuck…” I yanked Reg away from the bar, fisted his shirt with one hand, while my other cracked the shit out of his jaw. His eyes went wide then settled into anger as he tried his best to maneuver his way out of my grasp. Security headed our way but I landed another meaningful punch and growled at the jolt of pain that pierced through me.
“Tell them to move the fuck around or this will be worse than it already is.”
“Go. I can handle this.”
He knew better than to be placed into the position to deal with the consequences of his security’s bad choices. Their faces tensed and I watched as they paused, attempting to decide what their next move would be. Reg noticed too and made sure that move wasn’t to intervene.
“I said I fucking got this. Go.”
They exchanged words between each other and walked away. Not completely but they moved back.
Loyal fucking lap dogs.
“You’ve got them well trained. Too bad it’s not going to help you out of this.”
I delivered back-to-back punches. Lost count of how many but when Reg was slouching to the point of me struggling to hold him up, I felt he’d gotten the message. I let him go and he stumbled to the floor. I cringed at how dirty it was when his hands met the grimy tile.
“I’m gonna pay.”
“When?” I growled.
“Now. I can pay now,” he muttered, spitting blood as he wiped his mouth.
“Then why the fuck are you wasting my time?”
“This isn’t on me. I’m not wasting your time. Reno sent you here.” He struggled to stand, narrowing his eyes. One was swelling. That was going to be pretty nasty in a few hours.
“Because you’ve been late, twice. So again, why the fuck are you wasting my time?”
I knew why. Reg was the type to pretend he was more important than he truly was. He made decent money at this strip club. The one that Reno fronted most of the cash to open. Instead of a loan, Reg chose to make Reno a partner. Not like he had much say in the matter. The money was paid in cash, off the books because Reno didn’t want traceable ties to Reg. He was into some pretty bad shit. He kept it out of the clubs but was rumored to keep a team of women he pimped out. He only took on legal aged women and didn’t abuse them beyond using their bodies for money and favors. Wasn’t my concern so I didn’t make it my business.
“Come to my office. I’ll get the money.”
“No, I’ll wait here. You go get that shit and hurry the fuck up.”
“Aight, aight,” he muttered. His lip was split, teeth bloody, and face was swelling. “Can I offer you something to make up for you having to come here?”
“No.”
“You sure? I can get you a private room. She’ll take care of whatever you want.”
“Money first.” He smiled smugly, thinking that offering me pussy was winning him favor. It wasn’t. If he was late again, I’d be back. The only reason I considered accepting the offer was because it had been a while. I couldn’t really recall the last time I’d fucked. Months possibly. Sex wasn’t something I typically sought out or needed. Women rarely understood my lack of engagement. My disconnect often presented as a challenge and caused them to work harder to gain my approval. Sex for me was about a release. That was it. I didn’t want a connection. There never would be one. I simply needed the exchange.
“Here. Twenty grand.” I accepted the money and shoved it into the pocket of my hoodie. Reno’s cut was sixty grand a month. A little over half the profit but enough for Reg to pretend he was running shit and Reno got untraceable cash to do as he pleased.
“How about avoiding all this and just pay the fucking money. On time.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “You want that room?”
I glanced around before my eyes landed on Reg. “Yeah. Make sure she knows how to follow rules and that she’s clean.”
I wasn’t fucking behind any of his clients.
He nodded. “Follow me. Got one that just started her shift.”
Ten minutes later, I was in a small room, standing in the center of it. There was a small sofa I refused to sit on. There was no telling how many people had fucked in that same spot. The thought made my skin crawl.
My eyes shot over to the door when the woman walked in. She was topless, wearing a thong. My eyes crawled over her body, taking in her oiled brown skin and subtle curves. She had a natural shape below the waist but implants up top. Breasts were too perfect.
“What are the rules?” she asked, moving to me but pausing her steps before our bodies met. She smelled sweet like strawberries or some type of fruit. Not smoke or sweat. And if she was asking for my rules, then Reg had filled her in.
“Don’t talk. Don’t touch me. Just do what I say.”
Her face shifted into confusion. “This doesn’t work without touching.”
“Do I need to get someone else?”
She frowned, shaking her head. “No.”
“Take that off.” I pointed to her thong and she hooked her fingers in the sides and pushed the thin material over her hips. When it reached the floor I pointed to the wall.
“Over there. Bend over and put your hands on the wall. Keep them there at all times.”
Her eyes shifted to the leather sofa and I shook my head. “I’m not using that. Over there.” I tossed my head to the wall and she hesitated for a brief moment but did as I asked. When her hands were on the wall, palms flat and her body bent at the waist, I joined her. She flinched when I pressed my palm into the small of her back then smoothed my hand over her exposed skin, slowly dragging my hand lower until it moved between her legs. The tip of my finger glided across her pussy before I pushed it inside.
She shuddered and rocked her hips back, eager for more, so I obliged. I had no issue making this good for both of us. I pulled my fingers back and pushed two in the second time. She was wet and eager so I got right to the point. After unzipping my jeans, I removed a condom from my pocket and rolled it down my dick. She jerked again when I grabbed her hips with one hand, holding her steady. The other I used to guide myself into her with a slow crawl before I rocked into her hard, pulled back, and slammed into her again.
“Fuck, baby...”
“No talking,” I growled and she glanced back at me and bit her lip.
“Face the wall, not me,” I demanded, pausing my thrusts until she did, then I took care of what I needed.
Hard, sharp plunges landed without reprieve as I fucked her. Eyes closed, focusing to stay in the moment. She wasn’t important. The only thing that mattered was the way her pussy gripped my dick. My thrusts weren’t easy. My length and girth were far above average. I knew that. Didn’t care. The way she pushed back against me, offering moans of approval, meant she was getting what she needed out of this too, not that it mattered. Her job was to fuck for money. Not pleasure. Even though Reg sent her to me, I would make sure she was compensated for my use of her body. This was an exchange. Not a connection.
When my balls tightened and I felt the muscles in my stomach clench to the point of pain I prepared for my release. I landed hard over and over again. The tip of my dick grew overly sensitive and I let go. I came in a blur of frustration, landing my last thrust into her so hard her head met with the wall.
“Fuck,” she hissed but that was all I got.
I eased out of her, noticing the way she flinched as I backed away. She was sore, would be for a minute after being with me. I looked around the room noting there wasn’t anything in here. I eased the condom off, tied the end, and tossed it on the sofa before I swiped up her thong from the floor to clean myself.
“Glad I wasn’t using that.”
I removed cash from my pocket. Two hundred dollar bills I extended her way. She shook her head, turning the money down.
“Reg covered this.”
“He put the money in your hand?”
She frowned, looking down at the cash which she decided to accept. “No. Thank you.”
“And don’t give it to him. That’s yours.”
She nodded, watching me closely like she was trying to figure me out. She wouldn’t. “That’s it? We’re done?”
“What else is there?”
Small talk. Making plans for me to see her again. Exchanging numbers. I’d fucked her for money. What had she expected? She smiled, pulling her lip between her teeth and lowering her eyes to my dick. “I can think of a few things.”
“Not interested.”
“So just fuck, cum, and go. That’s really your thing, then?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve heard about you.”
“Whatever you heard doesn’t mean you know shit about me.”
“I heard you don’t like to be touched. You fuck like a champ because your dick is impressive and you know how to use it and you don’t make friends.”
All true.
I chuckled.
“Then maybe you know a little something.”
She pushed off the wall and extended a hand. “Beauti.”
I looked at her hand and tilted my head to the side. “Not interested in that either, Beauti.”
Her smile was cute. “So I heard, Elias. Just in case you ever are, you at least know my name.” She winked and walked out the door. Once she left, I wasn’t far behind.
I wouldn’t see her again. She thought personalizing the experience would get her something the others had tried and failed with.
My attention beyond their pussies.
It was time for me to take my ass home and get some rest.
* * *
I pulled up to my building and something felt off. I felt it in my bones which was why I did a quick sweep of the parking lot and my eyes landed on the black Escalade-V. I felt a wave or irritation flooding my system. They’d promised to leave me alone.
He’d promised.
My first thought was that my father had sent him but that passed quickly. My father had washed his hands of me four years ago. His ego and pride would never allow him to belittle himself enough to send for me. That would me owning some accountability for what’d happened and that also would never happen. I was to carry sole responsibility. It was easier for him that way. For all of them.
As expected, when I entered my apartment my brother was sitting at my kitchen table. He had a bottle of bourbon opened and the amber liquor filled the glass. He’d brought it with him because I didn’t drink so there was no need to keep it in my apartment. I could see his head from the dim lights that filtered through the skylight above him but his body more or less faded into the darkness.
“You make a habit of breaking into people’s places,” I murmured, bypassing him and heading straight to the kitchen. I removed two bottles of water from the refrigerator and joined him at the table. He hadn’t bothered turning on any lights so neither did I. My goal was to get him out of my apartment, then shower and sleep until my body allowed me the luxury of moving without unbearable pain.
“I’m your brother, Elias. Am I not welcome in your home?”
“No,” I responded bluntly, untwisting the cap to the water. My eyes remained fastened to his as I turned it up and emptied half. My brother’s stern expression shifted slightly. His eyes also remained fastened to mine. He searched my face slowly, introspectively, before eyes that matched mine moved down my chest and back up again.
“You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.”
He chuckled bitterly. “Still torturing yourself I see. It won’t help.”
“It’s not your business.”
“You are my…”
“Family, brother, what term would you like to use to convince me I matter to you, Ezekiel? I don’t. You made a choice and it wasn’t me. Go home to your family.”
“I wasn’t the one who chose, brother. That was you. You walked away. You cut us off. You denied us because of your misplaced guilt.”
“I did all of the above, brother. But it was never about my guilt. It was because you all needed someone to blame. I gave you that. You accepted, moved on with your life and didn’t think twice about me. I left as a favor to you, Ez. I made it easy because I love you. Love me enough to leave me the fuck alone.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You can and you will.” I slammed my fist down on the table but he didn’t flinch or react out of fear. Men who knew me feared me but never my brother. He knew with certainty I would never hurt him. He would never hurt me, purposely. We would die for each other. It was understood.
“I can’t,” he said quietly. Totally out of character for the man I knew my brother to be and alarms blared in my head.
