Elijah: The Boss's Gift Read online

  Evernight Publishing ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2015 Sam Crescent

  ISBN: 978-1-77233-217-9

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  As always, I want to thank my readers for asking about Elijah and to Evernight for giving him a home. Karyn, my wonderful editor. She's always so patient with me and I really don't know what I'd do without her. Thank you all so much.

  ELIJAH: THE BOSS’S GIFT

  Deadly Duet, 3

  Sam Crescent

  Copyright © 2015

  Chapter One

  “What the fuck is this?” Elijah asked, staring at the girl strapped to a chair. She was tied to a wooden chair with a gag across her mouth. Tears were streaming out of her eyes, and she looked terrified.

  A large purple bruise decorated one side of her face from being hit and hit hard. Elijah stood in the warehouse near the coast where the Mexicans wanted to make another deal with him for the distribution of coke. They had people on the lookout in case of any cops. For some reason Elijah thought about Caleb and Henry, the Deadly Duet. The two men were settled down with women and children of their own. They were still in the life of crime, but neither would ever put their women at risk. He thought about his fifteen year old daughter back home. She was going to be pissed at him for missing dinner. Mindy demanded one thing from him, that he be home on time every Friday for dinner so they could talk about their week. This was not how he wanted his Friday to be. Checking his watch he saw he had two hours to get home. If he left right now, he’d get back with a few minutes to spare. At this rate, he wasn’t going to get home.

  “This bitch was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Marcel handed him her purse. “Consider her a gift.”

  Her blue eyes struck him first. They were filled with terror and tears.

  “Gift?” Elijah looked toward Marcel. He didn’t know the woman’s name. She didn’t look very old.

  “Yes, she was the maid to a friend of mine who was stealing. He called her in to work at the same time I was putting a bullet in his brain. I can’t use her. Clients don’t want women with a lot of meat on their bones. Then I remembered my good friend, Elijah. You’ve been without a woman for so long.”

  He was getting bored with this conversation. Elijah didn’t go without sex. He had women who knew the score when it came to him. Money made the world go round, and money gave him women who shut the fuck up while he had his fun.

  The bag was thrust into his arms. Gritting his teeth, Elijah glared at him.

  “She’s an American,” said Marcel.

  “Then she probably has family.”

  “She either leaves here with you or I kill her,” Marcel said, pulling out a gun. The girl closed her eyes as the barrel of the gun was pressed against her temple.

  “Why bring me into this?” He had seen so much killing in the last few years and had been part of it, too. Elijah wasn’t interested in seeing an innocent woman killed. Something about her blue eyes struck him hard. She was a beautiful, natural blonde. Her long hair cascaded down her back. The thick glossy length made him want to run his fingers through it. “You could have killed her already.”

  “We made the deal of a lifetime, my good friend. I wanted to give you something in return.”

  Elijah had given him an opening to the drug markets with his contacts, but he got paid handsomely for doing it. Could he walk away, knowing this woman would die? What was it about her? He could fuck any woman who looked like her and often did. Her eyes were still closed as the gun slid up and down her face. Marcel was tormenting her. Glancing around the room, Elijah saw the hungry looks on the other men’s faces. They all wanted a piece of her, and knowing Marcel, he’d let them all rape her before they killed her.

  “Leave me alone with her,” Elijah said.

  “You’re interested?”

  “I said leave me alone with her.”

  Marcel knew not to push. Elijah wasn’t a man to be fucked about with. He used his reputation to deal with business. Anyone who tried to work with Elijah knew he demanded total respect and obedience. The men left the warehouse leaving him alone. He grabbed a seat, sitting directly in front of her.

  “Open your eyes,” he said.

  Slowly, she opened her eyes. They were clear blue, bright, and so addictive to look at. Just by looking at her eyes, he felt calm, tranquil. Why? He didn’t fucking know.

  He reached out and pushed away the gag that had been placed over her mouth.

  “You know the kind of situation you’re in, don’t you?”

  She nodded. No other noise came from her. She didn’t even cry for help.

  “Tell me your name.”

  “Cherry Morgan.”

  “Your name’s Cherry?”

  “Yes.” Her voice croaked, and he saw bruises around her neck.

  “They tried to strangle you, Cherry?”

  “Yes.”

  He saw her hands clench into fists. Opening up her bag, he found several study books piled inside. “How old are you, Cherry?” He loved the name.

  “I’m twenty.”

  “You’re a student?”

  She jerked her head in response.

  “I need you to start fucking talking here, Cherry. Those men, they’re going to come back, and depending on what you say to me, I’m going to save you or kill you.”

  “I’m studying nursing at a community college. I’m having to work to help pay. Being a maid pays quite well, and no one pays attention to me.”

  “Until today.”

  “I was running late.” The tears that had been filling her eyes spilled over. He didn’t like the way those tears kicked him in the gut. She was five years older than his daughter, and Elijah didn’t like screwing around with younger women, especially ones so young he could be their father.

  “Let me ask you, Cherry, do you want to die?”

  She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to die. Please, I really don’t want to die. I won’t say anything.”

  “Will anyone miss you if you were dead? If you lie I will know.” She licked her lips, and his cock thickened at the sight. Cherry had lovely, plump red lips.

  “No.”

  He didn’t like the way he was responding to her lips. They were so plump, and he imagined what she would look like taking his cock.

  Reaching into his jacket pocket he withdrew his gun. Her eyes widened at that sight.

  “Okay, Cherry, you’ve got two options. Option one, you come with me and do exactly what I say. You will live. I’ve got a daughter, and she understands my job is complicated. You cause any shit for me and I will kill you, but you behave and I’ve not got any problems with you, you’ll live a long, healthy life.”

  “What’s option two?” she asked.

  “I kill you now, and this conversation ends. It’ll be merciful. Marcel’s going to let his boys play with you for a bit before he kills you, but you’ll be dead. The only difference is I’ll kill you without touching you. The other way with Marcel, you’re going to earn your death.”

  Her lip quivered at the options he gave her. Nothing touched him. There was no emotion at her predicament. It wasn’t his fault she was in the w
rong fucking place at the wrong time. He checked his watch and saw ten minutes had already passed.

  “Make a decision now. I’m going to be late for dinner.”

  “Option one,” she said. “I don’t want to die.”

  “Excellent.”

  He put away his gun, going behind her chair and untying all of the rope that kept her in place. When she was free, he grabbed her around the neck, squeezing just a little so that she knew he meant business. “Let’s get one thing straight, Cherry. The life you knew, it’s over. You fuck with me and I swear I will make you hurt ten times worse than any bastard here.”

  “But?”

  “What? I wouldn’t rape you, Cherry. I’ve got a lot of men who would, though, and I’d make sure you hurt. Keep those pretty lips closed and we haven’t got a problem.” He gripped her arm tightly, leading the way out of the room.

  Marcel and his men were smoking as he exited the warehouse.

  “Whoa, Elijah, come on, man?”

  “She’s my gift, and I’m taking her. Set up the shipment for supply and demand. You know the drill. Fuck with me, Marcel, you know you’ll pay.” He pushed Cherry into the front seat of the car, flicking the child lock in place. Some women were so fucking stupid and tried to fight at every opportunity.

  Climbing behind the wheel, he started up his car, feeling the beauty purr to life. It reminded him a little of Brandy, the little lawyer he kept on his books who also knew how to suck dick like a pro. There was nothing better than a woman who loved to fuck her way to the top.

  Pulling out his cell phone, Elijah made a call to Mindy.

  “Dad, where are you? I’m cooking, and this is our deal.”

  “I’ll be twenty minutes late, so I’m calling ahead. I’m bringing a friend, and she’s been in a little bit of trouble.” He glanced over at Cherry. Was he making a big mistake taking her with him?

  ****

  Stupid, fucking, bastard job. Cherry kept cursing as she stared out of the car window. This was supposed to be her better life and a chance for her to do some good. Cleaning was a means of her becoming a nurse. She had always wanted to be a nurse ever since she was a little girl and watched the doctors try to save her mother from a drug overdose. They’d failed, but she’d watched them all working like mad on other patients. She’d been five, curious, and overlooked as she wandered around the hospital for two days before one of the nurses realized she was alone.

  No one knew her father, and she didn’t much care to ever find out. He’d been a john, a customer in a long line who gave her mother money. She’d been on her own for so long that she’d not even thought to check out the clients she cleaned for. Actually, it wasn’t her fucking job. She worked at a cleaning company who specialized in a great cleaning with no questions asked. The pay was damn good, better than anything she’d ever earned before. She should have known the only clients they took on were fucking criminals.

  Calm down.

  She glanced over at the guy who had just saved her life. For how long she didn’t know. Cherry wasn’t an idiot and wouldn’t try anything stupid. He looked like the kind of guy who’d follow through on all of his threats. She didn’t want to die at all. When she’d stumbled into that murder, her only thought had been escape. She wouldn’t have gone to the cops. The only way to survive in the world was to learn to keep your mouth shut.

  “My name’s Elijah.”

  He was a good-looking man. She didn’t know how old he was, older than she was. Running her hands up and down her thighs, she cleared her throat. “What do I have to do?”

  “Simple. You’re going to be whatever I need you to be. You’ll clean my house, take care of my kid, and you’ll never, ever tell her who you really are.”

  “Do I have to make up a name or something?”

  “No, you can keep your name. You’re friends of an associate of mine. You’ve been in trouble and now you’re working for me. Simple.”

  “You’ve said that twice already.”

  “For a woman who has been threatened to be raped and murdered, you’re handling it a lot better than I imagined you would.”

  “It’s not exactly hard to see where my bread is going to be buttered,” she said. Cherry above it all was a survivor. She’d survived everything that life had thrown at her. This was just another thing in a long line of shit that had been tossed her way.

  “You’re not going to argue, fight, curse, spit, try to claw my eyes out?”

  Cherry rested her head on the back of the car seat. “Would that even work?”

  “No.”

  “Then I’m not going to do it.”

  “You’re not acting like any other woman I’ve ever met.”

  She released a sigh, turning to look at him. “Would it make you feel better if I screamed, yelled, tried to hit you?” He glanced over at her, giving her a glare. “No, I didn’t think so. Believe it or not, I don’t have a death wish. I want to live, and if that means I’ve got to cooperate then I’ll cooperate.” She rested her head on her hand.

  The headache she’d gotten from being hit in the face was starting to get worse.

  “There are some pain killers in the box under your seat. There’s also a gun. Don’t even think of using it.”

  She rolled her eyes, tired of all the warnings. No gun, no retaliation, she got it. Taking out two painkillers, she popped them into her mouth, swallowing them with the saliva in her mouth.

  They tasted awful, but she’d take whatever she had to in order to ease the headache. Her face felt like it was ten times the normal size of a human head.

  “Your daughter, what’s her name?”

  “Mindy. She’s fifteen, and as far as she’s concerned you’re a friend.”

  “You’re not going to leave me locked up in some dingy castle to have sex with me?” she asked.

  Elijah kept driving. “I’ve got women to take care of those needs, and no, I’m not. You’re not a prisoner, but seeing as you’re showing signs of sense I’ll let you know that there will be men out there willing to take you.”

  “Does your daughter know?”

  “She knows what I need her to know. Also, I have three guards who stick by her side and know to keep their distance.”

  “She’s watched without even realizing it?”

  “Yes.”

  This was not a normal conversation they were having. “So I’m a prisoner but I’m not a prisoner, and your daughter has to believe that I’m in trouble.”

  “You’re a daughter of a friend, and I was the only one you thought to call.”

  “This is completely insane,” she said, voicing her thoughts.

  “I don’t care what it is. You’re going to do as you’re told. From the look of you, you’ve not had a good life.”

  “I can walk right out the front door.”

  Elijah smiled. “You’re not a prisoner and you can walk right out the front door, but I can tell you, Cherry, if you don’t come back, I’ll go hunting and you’ll be fucked then. I don’t give second chances, and I’ll chain you the fuck up and let my men at you.” His voice turned deadly, threatening.

  The growl with which he spoke sent a chill down her spine. He’d do it. She was starting to get the sense that Elijah might be worse than the guy who took her. He wore an expensive suit, looked charming, yet it was all lies.

  “I won’t run.” She’d wait until he set her free.

  “Good. Mindy will ask you all kinds of questions, so just try and keep this shit tight.”

  “You mean not to tell her that I was a gift from some crazy drug dealing person.”

  “Pretty much.”

  “You’re not going to fuck me?” she asked.

  “No. I’ve got a lot of other willing women who fill my bed.”

  Cherry didn’t mind. She’d never had sex with a guy when she’d been willing. At a young age she’d learned to lie quietly so they finished quickly. Tears filled her eyes, and she dashed them away. Weakness was not something men respected or adm
ired. She needed to not be weak but to be strong.

  Lying back against the seat, she kept her eyes open on the road ahead of her. Elijah didn’t make a move to talk. He put the radio on, and some romance music filled the small space between them.

  She wondered if there would come a time when she’d ever become a nurse. For so long she’d dreamed about being a nurse, using all of her available free time to study in the library. If she could have she’d have tried to make it as a doctor. She didn’t get the grades in high school and was working like crazy to get through nursing school.

  Time passed. She didn’t know how much before Elijah pulled onto a very fancy street. The houses were huge, like something you saw in Christmas movies with lights decorating the outside. The only time she got inside one of those houses was cleaning one. A life of crime clearly paid.

  Elijah pulled up into the long drive and garage. Cherry had already clocked two of the three guards he posted for protection on his daughter.

  “Do I need to go over everything again?” he asked.

  “No, I’m good. I remember what you warned me.”

  Climbing out of the car, Cherry stood and waited for Elijah to proceed. He rounded the car, grabbed her hand, and led the way up to the house. Opening the door, she was met with a wall of garlic and tomatoes.

  “Daddy, you’re here?”

  Around a corner, Cherry saw a brown haired girl appear. She wore a pair of pajama shorts and a vest shirt.

  “Hey, honey,” Elijah said.

  Mindy threw herself into her father’s arms. “If you hadn’t called I’d so be kicking your ass right now.”

  He chuckled, releasing Cherry’s hand to embrace his daughter.

  “I saw that. You were holding her hand,” Mindy said, pulling away and turning her attention on Cherry. “Are you my dad’s girlfriend?”

  What?

  Cherry shook her head. “No.”

  “This is a friend’s daughter,” Elijah said.