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  “And the royalty checks started pourin’ in,” Savvy continued. “You think somebody wants to bump me off to boost my sales?”

  “Exactly.”

  She nodded, slowly processing the information. “My numbers are down, so I’m no longer the golden goose.”

  King squeezed her hand. “Who gets paid if you start movin’ a lot of records?”

  Savvy thought about it. “Well, royalty payments are strange in the music industry. The singer gets a cut, the songwriter gets a cut, and so would my manager…”

  Savvy trailed off. They hadn’t told her straight off the bat so she would arrive at the same conclusion, they had. She’d been so convinced of Adam’s innocence when she talked to King the other day.

  “I’m sorry,” King whispered. “I didn’t want to be right.”

  Savvy felt sick.

  She’d used a slew of songwriters, so nobody in particular would get a large payment, but her manager would make a boatload of money. Savvy wrapped her arms around herself.

  Adam. It had been Adam all along.

  “That’s why he showed up here a couple of days ago, askin’ me to do the show.”

  “Givin’ the killer another shot at you.” King’s nostrils flared. “I knew I hated that guy.”

  “Wait a minute. How did he afford a hit man, if he doesn’t have any money?”

  Storm answered. “It looks like he withdrew fifty thousand a month ago. It was the last of his liquid assets. I’d say it was the payment he made to the gunman, in hopes of getting a much larger payday down the road.”

  That’s how much my life is worth. Fifty thousand dollars. It didn’t seem like much, in the scheme of things.

  “Now, here’s the crazy part. I say you take him up on it.” Storm stood, pacing across the room.

  “What?” Savvy went slack-jawed.

  “No. Absolutely not.” King’s face was thunderous. “Fuck that. I ain’t lettin’ you use her as bait.”

  “What’s the alternative? She stays here forever? Once she leaves this place, the shooter will go after her, and this time he’ll finish the job. We’ve got to flush him out in an environment we can control.”

  “So, we can take him down,” King said.

  “Exactly. We get the hitman, and the guy who hired him, all at one time.” Storm dusted his hands off. “Case closed.”

  King fell eerily silent. Evidently, the plan made sense to him, even if he didn’t like it.

  For the record, she didn’t like it either.

  “What do you think, Savvy?” King asked gently.

  “I don’t know.”

  Part of her wanted this over, once and for all. She didn’t want to live in fear anymore. Nor did she want to face the killer. What if the gunman shot her before Black Star took him out?

  Just like Gloria. She’d be left on the stage, bloody and alone.

  Storm leaned forward. “I understand you’re afraid, but we’ll take precautions. You’ll be wearing bulletproof material underneath your clothing. We’ll get you one made of a very thin material, so no one will even know you’ve got it on. It’s the same material the former president wore.”

  She’d read an article once, about President Obama’s bullet-resistant suits.

  “And if he shoots me in the head?” That’s what she was really worried about.

  “We won’t give him a chance to,” King said. “We’ll be in the crowd, watchin’, and waitin’. And don’t forget we have our own sniper in the mix. Nox might be a pain in the ass, but he’s a terrific shot.”

  “Do you think this will work, King?” she asked.

  “Don’t get me wrong, their only bad options here, but it’s the least worst solution.”

  Savvy closed her eyes, gathering her strength. They let her have a moment, while she thought it through.

  “Then I’ll do it.” She turned to Storm. “What’s the next step?”

  “Tell Adam you’ll do the concert, but don’t tell him, we’re on to him.”

  “And what if Adam tries to kill me himself?”

  King frowned. “If he had the balls, he wouldn’t have hired somebody.”

  “Okay then.” Savvy picked up her phone and selected Adam’s number. “The show must go on.”

  ***

  Gritting her teeth, Savvy stared at the ceiling.

  According to her phone, it was three in the morning, but Savvy couldn’t sleep. The show was tomorrow evening, and the hours, minutes, and seconds were ticking by slowly.

  When she’d told Adam, she’d go along with it, he’d been excited, enthusiastic. At the prospect of her death? And getting a big payday? If he was homicidal, she didn’t see any trace of it. He sounded like the same guy. Adam said he would call Bloom’s organizers, and handle everything. According to Adam, they’d be relieved to have a new headliner.

  Sitting up in bed, she stretched her arms over her head and rolled her shoulders. Then she tilted her neck from side to side, trying to release the pent-up tension.

  What if this is my last night? It was a morbid thought.

  She felt like there should be a giant clock on her wall.

  You can do it, Savvy. You got this.

  The pep talk wasn’t working.

  Did she really want to spend her last few hours asleep? No.

  Instead, she went to the kitchen to prep food. Savvy was going to make a huge pot of minestrone for lunch, enough to feed a crowd, with homemade bread. She’d gone to the grocery store earlier in the day with Mack and Annie and loaded up on supplies. She’d wanted to pay the team back for their help, show her appreciation for all they’d done for her.

  So, she sat at the kitchen table and diced up celery and onion with a large knife, while a stock pot bubbled on the stove. She’d filled it with dried cannellini beans and herbs. And Savvy did her level best to empty her mind and not think about the man coming to kill her.

  Tears streamed down her face, but she ignored it

  “What’s goin’ on, Savvy?” King walked in the door. He must’ve been outside, patrolling the perimeter.

  Dammit. Savvy didn’t want him to see her like this.

  “I’m makin’ lunch for tomorrow before I go on stage.” More like the last supper. Savvy swiped at her face with the edge of her sleeve. “I saw this recipe collection on Pinterest, it’s food to feed a big crowd. The minestrone looked delicious, and I wanted to make it.” While I still can.

  “Okkkaaay.” He said it cautiously.

  She pointed to the pot. “I’m makin’ the beans from scratch, and I’m gonna cut up all the veggies in advance. When I’m done, I’ll make the Focaccia dough. So, everything will be ready to go.”

  Yeah, I sound completely batshit.

  “What’s really goin’ on?” King asked, taking the knife from her.

  “I’m keepin’ busy.”

  “Because you’re afraid.”

  “That was the plan. Distract myself until I forget to freak out.”

  “How’s it goin?”

  “It’s a disaster.” She was still losing her shit, only with vegetables.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “None of this is your fault.”

  “You should go back to bed and get your rest.”

  Savvy shook her head. “I can’t.” She was too keyed up, on edge.

  “Let me help you then.” He picked up the chef knife and started hacking at leeks she’d laid out on the counter.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I can’t leave you alone. You know, Stormy’s gonna swoon once he sees all the veggies.”

  She chuckled. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  They worked side by side for the next hour. Afterward, she tucked everything into plastic containers and filled the fridge. It would be easy to make the soup.

  “Feelin’ any better?”

  “Yeah, a bit. At the very least, I accomplished somethin’.” Savvy wanted to tell him something important, but she couldn’t find the right word
s.

  “If anything happens to me, it ain’t your fault.”

  “You’re gonna be fine.” She could read the pain and fear on his handsome face.

  “Listen to me.” Savvy closed the distance between them and laid her hands on his chest. “If I die, you aren’t allowed to punish yourself. You’ve done everythin’ in your power to protect me.”

  His eyes were watery, red-rimmed. “I won’t let him hurt you.”

  “You can’t control everythin’, King.”

  “The hell I can’t.”

  “And while we’re on the subject, it ain’t your fault Nicole died. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s the truth.” Tears burned in her eyes. “Stop punishin’ yourself. Live a little, let the joy in.”

  He gasped. “Don’t do this.”

  “Do what?”

  “Say goodbye to me.” King clutched her shoulders, fingertips digging in, as though he’d keep her with him through the sheer force of his will alone.

  “King, I—”

  “Hush.”

  And then his mouth was on hers, urgent and eager, full of longing and loss.

  Damn, he was a good kisser. She melted into him. King cupped her face in his hands, taking his time. Savvy could do this all night long.

  But King swept her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs. The next thing she knew, they were in his bedroom, and he shut the door.

  “I can’t stay away from you.”

  “I don’t want you to.” She was breathless, eager to have him inside her. Savvy had never wanted anyone more. She couldn’t leave this world without knowing him in every sense of the word.

  King turned her around, so she was facing away from him and then his hands explored her, roaming over her body. He stripped off the shirt and her sports bra, and then dragged the leggings down her thighs, and she stepped out of them.

  And then one hand delved into her panties, while the other clutched her breasts.

  “Damn, I want you so bad, I can’t stand it.” He thumbed her nipples as his hips bucked against her ass. Sure enough, he was swollen and thick, raring to go.

  “I need you.” Savvy had gone far beyond simple want.

  King cupped her pussy, pushed a finger between the wet lips until he found her clit and she shamelessly rubbed herself against him. Savvy clutched at his thighs from behind, trying to pull him closer.

  When she couldn’t stand it any longer, he peeled the panties off her and pushed her back to the bed. Before she could scoot closer to the headboard, King was on her, pushing her down.

  “I wanna be on top.” Reverse cowgirl was her specialty.

  “Not a chance. Lie back. Just like when it comes to your safety, I’m in charge.”

  “Yeah, but I love ridin’ a man.” Savvy needed him between her thighs.

  “And maybe we’ll try it, later, but for now, I’m in control.”

  She shivered at the ferocious hunger in his eyes.

  King spread her thighs wide apart and shimmied between them. And there he was between her legs. He rubbed his beard against one thigh. Rather than being scratchy, it was soft. Stimulating.

  He leaned down lower, brushing it against her bare flesh.

  Savvy got waxed every couple of weeks, leaving her with a small patch of pubic hair. She’d been caught by a tabloid newspaper with an unkempt bikini zone because a couple of curls had escaped her swimsuit while she was lounging on the beach. Although, why the photographer was taking crotch shots, she’d never know. Anyway, she’d waxed ever since.

  And I’m so glad I did.

  There was no barrier between her and King’s oh-so-fucking talented tongue.

  Her hips were restless. Savvy was torn between watching him lick her pussy and closing her eyes so she could concentrate on the sensations. He was intent, devouring her sex, flattening his tongue against the folds. King drove her insane, never ceasing, dragging her relentlessly toward the edge with each luscious lap.

  I’m so damn close.

  And then he stopped, crawling up the length of her body.

  “Hey, what gives? I thought—”

  King silenced her with his mouth. His lips were damp from tasting her, and she forgot to be upset.

  “I’ve gotta get inside you.”

  With a smirk, he unbuttoned his jeans, unzipped his fly and pulled the denim down.

  Sweet Jesus

  King had gone commando this evening, and he was large. Very large. His cock was swollen, reddish purple like a fine merlot. His cock was corded with thick veins and thick. Savvy doubted she’d be able to get a hand around his girth. The shiny head was capped with a droplet of creamy come.

  Is it even gonna fit inside me?

  “Want me to use a condom?”

  Hell no.

  Okay, so her hormones had weighed in, but how did she feel? She swallowed, trying to think.

  “Do you have a—”

  She stopped speaking as he circled her clit with a finger. Savvy arched her back.

  Shit. I forgot the word.

  “Disease? No. You?” King leered at her, clearly pleased with himself.

  “Nope, and I’ve got a birth control implant.” Savvy knew she didn’t want kids for a while.

  “Great. It’s all settled then.”

  King took himself in hand, fisting his cock, stroking it, showing off for her. And then he captured the pearl and brought it to her lips, so she could taste him as well.

  Holding his gaze, Savvy licked it off his thumb.

  King growled.

  “I feel like you belong to me.”

  Savvy felt it, too. And he was hers, as well.

  Her arms were laying back against the pillows, and he pinned them, bracing himself to fuck her. She didn’t have a prayer of getting away, even if she wanted to.

  And Savvy didn’t want to.

  King edged his cock in, and she moaned. It was so fucking big, she thought it might split her in two. He went slowly, gently, giving her the opportunity to adjust to his size, let him in.

  Take him all.

  After King had fully seated himself inside, and her pussy had relaxed around him, welcomed him in, he began to thrust. The bed squeaked beneath him as his hips slammed into her. He kept groaning in the back of his throat, and his breath was hot and ragged. The danger they were in gave this encounter an edge, an urgency, which was irresistible.

  “Oh, fuck.” He growled, deep and low. “I’m gonna come.”

  “Yes, please!”

  And then he grabbed her hips, pulling out.

  “No, I’m not done with you yet.”

  “King, I need you.” Why was he torturing her?

  “Then have me.”

  He raised her legs, holding them against his chest. And then he drilled her. His lips pulled back in a snarl as he pumped. His balls smacked against her ass, and the hard length of him was relentless.

  She bit her lower lip, closed her eyes, and focused on the sensation, let herself go, gave herself to King completely.

  With a gasping cry, Savvy came for him, sobbing through her release.

  With a grunt, he pushed inside one last time and spent himself.

  After he laid down beside her, she climbed on top of his chest and he cradled her, one hand snaking into her hair, tugging gently until she looked up at him.

  She felt kind of floaty, replete, utterly worn out, and content.

  King kissed her again, plunging his tongue deep into her mouth, and then slapped her ass.

  “I see you finally got on top.”

  She snickered.

  Chapter 12

  King was in heaven.

  He’d spent last night in Savvy’s arms. They’d made love countless times and yet he wanted more.

  The next morning, King found Savvy sitting crossed legged on the floor, with a guitar in her lap. King rolled over to watch her, drinking in the sights and sounds. He wanted to hoard his time with her, bottle it up, and save it for the future.

  Her voi
ce was a little hoarse, raspy, with the edge of a husky growl. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, tendrils escaped, laying softly on her neck. She was still naked, strumming and singing softly.

  Savvy was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

  This was the last day he’d ever spend with her, and he’d make it count.

  And then King was on his feet. He wanted her again. No, he had to have her. Now.

  She glanced up when she finally noticed him, teeth sinking into her lower lip. He loved the way she lost herself in music, forgetting everything and everyone around her.

  And one day very soon she’d forget all about him.

  Don’t think about it. Just enjoy this. Enjoy her.

  “I need you.” It was a raw truth laid bare. Only it wasn’t merely sexual, it was an all-encompassing necessity.

  “Come here.” She opened her arms to him, and there was an answering fire in her eyes.

  King gently grasped the guitar and set it on the bed, and then he scooped her up, placing her on his lap, as he sat cross-legged on the floor. His cock was already raring to go, pressing against the small of her back.

  He woke her body up gently, kissing the back of her neck, hands drifting over her. King stroked the line of her shoulders and traced the length of her arms.

  And then his touch grew more intimate.

  He cupped her breasts in his hands, her nipples were hard against his palms.

  When she was ready, he parted her thighs, splaying them wide. She was wet against his fingers, juicy, a ripe peach. He didn’t stop until she was lusciously slick under his fingertips, moaning for him.

  King rubbed himself against her ass, helplessly bucking against her. It was time.

  When they were both ready, he lifted her, sliding her down onto his cock. He held her hips as she thrust back into him. It was slow at first, a long, drawn-out tease. There was moisture, promise, but no payoff. No friction.

  “You’re killin’ me, queen.” His breath came harsher, rasping. “Give it to me.”

  “Are you ready?” Savvy clutched his thighs, fingernails sinking in deep.

  He hissed. “God, yes. Come on, cowgirl. Giddy-up.”

  And then she bounced on him, setting the pace, seizing control.

  King loved every single second of it. She slammed down on him, taking his dick deep into her depths, holding him close. Loving him. She left him gasping, almost unable to control himself.