Taken (Sinful Series - book 1)

Landon

Landon did not know what was worse – watching her leave with another wolf, or willingly riding in the opposing direction. When he reached back in Ethan’s office, he caught the Alphas shaking hands.

“You are in charge,” Jacob approached Landon, clapping his hand over Landon’s shoulder. Landon narrowed his eyes at the Howler’s Alpha, confusion clearly written on his face, “We can’t leave the pack without senior management now could we?”

“It’s the Fixer’s concern we are alleviating,” Alpha David Rossi protested at the exchange.

“His commitment to the Howler’s supersedes yours. Besides,” Jacob smiled brightly, looking at the Alpha and keeping his voice calm and friendly, “You should be thanking me for stepping in. I know what it is to have your pup taken.”

Recognition shined in the older alpha’s eyes. His nod of agreement quickly followed.

“Off you go. I’ll be home before midnight,” Jacob casually informed Landon but it was far from it. Jacob was setting up a time-frame for the meeting. If he had not returned, Landon had a right to enter Alpha Rossi’s lands without his consent to search for Jacob. His pack could not stand in his way.

While all three alphas were currently on friendly terms, Landon knew firsthand how rowdy and territorial they could get. There was a reason why Pack Order was established. Gathering three alphas to reach an execution consensus was as stable as liquid nitroglycerin. Nitro was, in fact, safer to handle, Landon corrected himself.

Each Alpha was allowed to bring two warriors as protection to such gatherings. Betas and Gammas were usually left in the pack for security reason as the pack was most vulnerable without its Alpha. Landon knew that first hand. Alphas hired him to accompany them for such meetings. While nobody publically admitted it, they sought him out primarily because of his heritage. The old families believed blood was blood. You either had it or not, and birthing order did not dilute it. Those early gigs had helped him make a name for himself, quickly becoming a celebrity in his own category. The unaffiliated Beta had quickly become the Fixer many now feared.

Where even his own pack had not been able to get passed birthright, the Howler’s alpha had recognized Landon’s potential and claimed him as his Beta, ignoring Landon’s refusals.

“Hold on the fort,” Jacob told him before tapping his index and middle finger in the shape of a “V” over Landon’s heart. Jacob’s message did not need translation.

In the absence of the Alpha, the Beta pair took charge.

Ironically, it took one gesture of good faith towards Violet, and Landon started considering Jacob as his Alpha. It was true – mates were the biggest strength and weakness to a wolf. It was an unlikely combination, a contradictory one at that. It made all the sense in the world to a mated wolf. The easiest path to Landon was Violet, and the Howler’s Alpha knew it.

“I’ll check the transport, then be on my way,” Landon gave an account of his plans, casting down his eyes silently accepting Jacob’s title.

“Good,” Jacob replied smiling turned to Ethan. “I’ll catch you up when I get back.”

Landon smiled. There was no way he would be in bed before midnight. Even before Violet, nights were his preferred time to get jobs done. The moon called on his beast and although Landon could not shift, he was more in tune with him. Not that now that Violet had claimed him he would still have the same reservations.

Just as Landon was done securing the vehicles, an overwhelming anxiety shot through him. Trained warriors did not get antsy. They were masters of their craft and got excited at the opportunity to display their skill. Landon quickly video dialed the Ipad he had given to Violet. Just talking to her made the tension in his muscles disappear. It wasn’t long after that Jacob and Ethan arrived and Landon gave the keys to Jacob.

“Clear,” Landon replied, heading towards his bike.

“Drive safely. I don’t want to have to explain to Vi how got hurt,” Jacob teased him.

Landon waved his hand over his shoulders and departed as soon as the transport van out of his sight. He swerved in and out of traffic, covering the distance to Velvet in record time. It wasn’t his intention to hide from Violet, but he did not trust the Rossi’s. Landon still could not pinpoint why he felt Antonio was hiding something. In his experience, Alpha-bloods in his age group were prone to be reckless and to get in over their heads. The question was what was Antonio into? Besides, there was something about the youth Landon disliked. It could be simple jealousy of the familiarity the pup had with Violet. Either way, the bodyguard in Landon liked to keep details on need to know basis. Until the questions surrounding Antonio’s abduction were answered, he preferred staying tight-lipped.

The guard at the service entrance of Velvet did not even spare him a second look, allowing him to pass. Landon quickly made his way to the dingy surveillance room. There was only one person watching the cameras.

“Gareth,” Landon greeted surprised.

“Landon, you’re just the man I wanted to see,” Gareth said motioning to the chair next to him. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

“Thanks,” Landon replied, narrowing his eyes at the bartender and owner of Velvet. Gareth immediately raised his hands in defense.

“I suppose this is her two weeks notice?” Gareth asked.

“Whether or not Violet continues to work here, it’s up to her. I don’t necessarily like it, but I understand it. She has a talent.” Landon replied his eyes shifting to the Champagne room's feed. “The auditions for male dancers just started. Look at the second name.”

“Lazuli? He will dance for them,” Landon chuckled at seeing the proud Beta's name on the list.

“And he’ll probably be as terrible as these. Will you be able to handle seeing them?”

“I promise I won’t lose it,” Landon replied.

Violet

Disgusted.

That was how she felt for four and a half excruciating minutes. His lapdance did not differ from the half dozen she had already gotten. His shifter’s body was that of a sculptured Adonis, yet it failed to evoke the basic seduction. If it did, it just didn’t affect her.

Her fingers itched to swipe at him, to lash out and to rid herself of his presence. If anyone had told her just six months ago she would get a lapdance from Karim while she daydreamed of another, she would have laughed. It was funny how quickly the broad shoulders and muscular built lost their allure, while cowardice and betrayal were involved.

Caleb’s idea to challenge Karim’s pride into giving everyone a lapdance had been hilarious up to the point where Karim agreed to it. Violet could not hide she enjoyed Karim’s obvious discomfort when he performed for the boys. Where he lacked enthusiasm with them, he spared none of his excitement where Violet was concerned.

If leg dry humping was the worst part of the previous routines, Karim’s twerking was bound to give her nightmares. As if enduring the sight of his shaking behind was not a punishment enough from a distance, Karim had taken it upon himself to give her full up close and personal of his package by climbing up the cushions. His dressy shoes firmly planted themselves on either side of her thighs, while he flaunted his best asset accompanied by the tune. His bulging pants would have earned a better reception from anyone other than Violet. She was just as unimpressed from his bedroom skills as she was from his dancing performance. Violet did not want to be cruel in her assessment, but his gawky moves smelled of desperation.

Choppy, irritating and definitely not pleasurable.

Violet wondered if Alyssa was a good actress or a poor soul who did not know any better. Either way, she pitied them. Losing even an unborn child would not have been easy, but that did not mean Violet had to pick up the pieces. The way Violet saw it, she did not owe Karim anything. He wanted to talk that was a given. Basic human compassion meant she would listen to his story, but beyond that, he was on his own.

She wished he had handled her rejection like a man – face to face without the drama. But alas, his choice was made. Now it was time for her to make one. Her future had no room for his bullshit.

Violet pressed as further back in the chair to avoid any contact with his groin. Just when she thought his performance could not get any worse, he jumped, twisting midair and losing his balance for a tension-filled second. Violet was convinced he would trample her and had no way of efficiently protecting herself from the two hundred pounds meathead over her. Instinct took over and she raised her hands over her face, pulling her knees into her chest and closing her eyes. Curling into a ball making herself a smaller target in the chair seemed like a good idea at the time.

When the hit never came, she peeked between her fingers.

“That’s enough,” a familiar voice boomed over the music.

Landon

Karim shrugged off Landon’s hold on his dress shirt.

“Jealous?” The visiting Beta smirked.

“Protective,” Landon playfully corrected him, keeping his voice as casual as he could. It was not in his advantage to allow Karim to know just how close he came to the truth. “Last time I checked dancers are not supposed to injure clients. It’s bad for business.”

“The mighty Fixer had certainly fallen if you’re working security,” Karim spat.

“Indeed I have,” Landon shrugged off his comment, looking at Violet, leaving no question about just who he had fallen in love with and what security he was doing.

“Don’t look at her,” Karim growled as his previous insult fell on deaf ears, shielding Violet with his body.

“You’re absolutely right. I should not be gawking. How rude of me,” Landon winked at Karim, “I should be whisking her away.”

Landon took a step towards Violet, when Karim went into his way, pushing his chest against Landon's. Landon’s hoped his face showed boredom despite the anger he felt.

“Wesley,” Karim challenged.

“Lazuli, I am not interested in a scuffle with you nor in your dancing abilities, or the lack thereof. Step aside,” Landon sternly explained.

“Violet and I have an unfinished business,” Karim hinted of their past aiming to get a rise out of Landon.

“You’ve got to do better than that. I am not throwing the first punch,” Landon replied not worried about backing his words with his fists. Landon had no intentions of walking away from the best thing in his life.

“Nobody is throwing any punches,” Violet sneaked a hand between their chests and pressed on Landon’s chest, making him take a step back. He complied as her body pressed fully into his. He encased her waist with his arm, covering her hip with his outstretched palm, clearly projecting dominance and claiming her as his. Violet did not even turn back to look at Karim, who was the sole focus of Landon. Karim was still a threat and Landon would be a fool to underestimate him especially if that made him lose Violet.

Before things could escalate any further, Violet blurted loud enough for everyone to hear, “Gareth will duck my pay if you break something.”

“What kind of a wolf allows his mate, chosen none the less, to work in a strip club?” Karim questioned.

“A confident one,” Landon replied a second before Violet’s lips landed over his.

Landon did not care whether it was a reward for his answer or a way to make him shut up that prompted her to kiss him. When her soft lips pressed against his, he immediately deepened the kiss. Who was he to complain? She had claimed him in front of her Fated. It was all the confirmation Landon needed. He might not bear her mark yet, but she had chosen him. It was a game-changer. Whatever Karim had come in to discuss with her was irrelevant.

Violet

The stand-off between Landon and Karim was becoming heated. Violet narrowed her eyes at Wayne and Caleb. Although they swiftly ushered the human-dancers out, she expected more of them. Instead, they idled, enjoying the unfolding drama. She wouldn’t put it pass Caleb to actually put a bet on a possible fight. Thankfully, Wayne was the only other person in the room and he would not take the bait. Or so she thought.

Before things got complicated even further, she stood up and positioned herself between the two males, careful not to touch Karim.

“Nobody is throwing any punches,” Violet told them, then pressed against Landon’s chest, who took a step back, pulling her into his embrace and as far away from Karim as possible without showing defeat.

Not that Violet would protest against the protective way he encircled her waist and pulled her into his chest. On second thought, it wasn’t protective. It was possessive. While others would have minded, Violet took it at face value. Landon was choosing her, making it know she was with him, stating a claim on her in front of her Fated. If possible Landon’s figure seemed larger, more dominant and intimidating than ever before. There was no doubt the Beta blood ran through his veins, and that his aggression was directed against Karim.

“Gareth will duck my pay if you break something,” Violet continued, trying to distract Landon and to focus on her instead of Karim. Landon’s expression softened as he looked at her face.

“What kind of a wolf allows his mate, chosen none the less, to work in a strip club?” Karim questioned clearly intended on provoking Landon.

“A confident one,” Landon snapped back.

This conversation was going nowhere. Having her Fated all but shake his junk in her face sure looked bad. Landon was handling it remarkably well, but Violet knew he was ticked off. There was only one way of really showing him she had chosen him. Her lips pressed against his lower lip as he was about to address Karim. Violet wanted Landon to know he was her choice. There was nothing else a rejected wolf craved more than being wanted, needed and desired. She expected her shush-kiss to be met with fierce dominance. She could not be more wrong. While Landon’s stand continued to be possessive, his lips were gentle. This teasingly slow kiss made her forget about where they were or who was watching them. His sinful tongue teased to no end and muffled Violet’s moan.

Someone cleared their throat and Violet’s eyes shot open a second before she lost contact with Landon.

“Later,” Landon promised her running his thumb down to his claim on her.

Violet pressed her thighs together, feeling the moisture pooling against the thin fabric of her undies. There was no doubt everyone in the room had smelled her arousal. Deciding to fight a lost cause was pointless, she pressed her body into Landon’s.

“The things you do to me,” Violet whispered to Landon.

“Still here,” Wayne’s voice interrupted.

“You could have left,” Violet sighed, lustfully looking at Landon, who chuckled.

“You really must hate me,” Karim’s hoarse voice made Violet turn around.

Violet just didn’t care about him one way or another. Basic human decency was telling her it would be cruel to share that revelation. Karim’s broken expression made her feel guilty about jumping Landon the way she did. She could have prevented a fight in ten different ways and she took the easiest and most self-serving path. That was not who she was.

Landon’s palm reassuringly rubbed the small of her back. Violet looked up at him. He had felt her guilt. She only hoped he didn’t interpret it as regret.

This was an impossible situation.

“I don’t hate you, Karim.” Violet started, making Landon’s hand freeze. “But I don’t like you either.”

That was as close as she could get to the truth as she could without being offensive.

“I am sorry things didn’t work out with you and Alyssa. But you made your choice. I made mine, too.” Violet explained only for Karim to narrow his eyes at her.

“Out of all the males, you pick him?” Karim questioned her. “He is using you and as soon as he is done with you, he will drop you. Why do you think he didn’t allow you to mark him? He wants your contacts.”

“And that’s not why you came?” Violet snapped.

“I came for you. On behalf of your parents.”