0 comments/ 5654 views/ 0 favorites Sinful Addictions Ch. 01 By: trueunseelie White sails dotted the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The sun, at it's zenith, dripped heated rays across my tanned skin. I lay on my stomach, feeling the warmth of the sand radiating through the thin, cotton beach towel. The beach wasn't overly crowded today so that I, at least, felt like I had breathing room. Laziness loosened my muscles and I enjoyed the calm, relaxed feeling. The air was tainted with laughter from the nearby eateries and bars that lay at the edge of the sand. The smells of food mingled with the aroma of the sea. I had my head down and to one side, my eyes closed but something caused me to open them. A bronzed god in his mid-twenties moved towards me. His muscled body, glistening with some type of tanning oil, glided over the hot sand. I personally never learned how to walk on a beach without feeling clumsy but the man coming towards me, his black hair wet and slicked back, the royal blue swim trunks clinging to his lower body, made it look easy. And I'll be damned if he didn't have a glass of red wine with him. I rolled onto my back, the white bikini I was wearing showing off my body. He flashed me a smile and I rewarded him with one of my own as I accepted the ruby liquid. "Merci," I said. "My pleasure," he answered in French accented English. I let my sunglasses slide down the bridge of my nose and gave him my best lick-your-lips-come-and-get-me stare. "It could be." His dark eyes roamed over my breasts, across my stomach and down my legs. The smiled that curved his lips was not that of a man about to say no. I was about to ask if he'd like to accompany me back to my hotel when I felt a shift in the atmosphere. A chill rushed towards me and I watched in disbelief as my wet dream dissolved into swirls of yellows, whites and blues. I climbed to my feet as the warm sand hardened to cold black stone. The sky, sea and surrounding horizon was replaced by silent darkness. The sexy man remained but he was frozen, like pushing pause on the DVD player. The bottom to my bikini lengthened into a full, clinging skirt. A tight frown creased my forehead. Most people don't know that their dreams can be used as doorways, as long as your powerful enough to open them. Your sleep worlds can be used to their advantage and you wouldn't even be aware of it, thinking that what your experiencing was part of your dream. However, most of these intruders aren't out to do any serious harm. If you yourself are strong enough to be aware of the takeover, most intruders will back off allowing you to regain control. Only the truly diabolical will use your dreams to cause damage or death. Knowing this I tried to tweak my surroundings. Though the darkness had replaced the beach scene it wasn't complete. We, my hunk and I, were standing in a spotlight of sorts. I tried to push at the light, to send it further out. Nothing happened. Okay, Sasha, don't panic. I tried again, putting a little more will power into it. The light flickered but didn't move. DAMN IT! I scanned the darkness, the realization that I wasn't alone dawning on me. A thread of anger flared across my skin, leaving it feeling warm. "Come out you son of a bitch, I know you're there!" I shouted. Male laughter was my only reward to my bravery, but I knew who it belonged to. My anger deepened and I breathed one word, "Tannon." Suddenly he was there, standing beside the mannequin of the other man. Where my French consort had been sculpted and tanned, Tannon was, though muscled, lanky with a creamy complexion. His skin rarely saw the sun. His own black hair was expertly manicured in a business like style. The blue suit, the color of sapphires, was tailored to his build. His voice was deep and playful, "Hello, beautiful, did you miss me?" "No." "Sure you did," he looked disdainful at the dream man. "Is this what you want, some French beach gigolo? Hell, Sasha, he probably can't even spell his own name." His voice held no hint of an accent though I knew that he had been born French himself...of course that had been five hundred years ago. "Who cares?" I retorted. "I didn't create him for his intelligent conversations." Tannon waved his hand, banishing the other man away. He looked quite pleased with himself as he stepped closer to me. I stood my ground, spine stiff, a distrustful heated gaze pouring from my eyes. Tannon was a Death Dealer. He worked for the Powers That Be escorting those that passed over to whichever side they belonged to. He spent all most all of his existence in Limbo, the realm that is neither here nor there. In the scheme of things Tannon was neutral. I had...negotiated my way out of his clutches several years earlier. I was in his debt, or more precisely, in the debt of those he worked for. They had seen me as an asset and had granted me a stay of execution, so to speak. That had been nearly five years ago and as time wore on I had almost convinced myself that it hadn't happened; that I had been hallucinating from lack of oxygen due to being buried alive. But as I watched Tannon stride towards me I realized that I had been fooling myself. It had happened and by the looks of things my creditors wanted to be paid in full. His hands came up to trail his fingers up and down my arms. I wanted to move back but didn't, I had allowed him to touch more than just my shoulders to seal my fate. His fingers moved to play in the curls of my hair. I kept my face as blank as possible as I studied his expression. A mixture of pleasure and pain shadowed his handsome profile. Tannon's words came out low and breathy, "What if I told you that I had missed you?" "I'd call you a lair." Trying to keep my voice as void of emotion as possible. He shook his head. "No," he said, almost sadly. "It's been five years, Tannon. You couldn't have missed me that much." His faced hardened. "I was forbidden from trying to contact you until it was time." "And I take it the time has come?" "Maybe I broke the rules." At that I laughed. "I knew you for two days, Tannon. You've been a company man for hundreds of years. I'm good but not that good. Anyways, intimacy was initiated on your part, remember? It helped but wasn't the deal clincher." That came out a lot bitchy-er than I had meant for it to. Sadness flashed through his eyes making me sorry that I had said it. It was true that the sex, though terrific, had put Tannon in my corner; it was whatever the Powers That Be saw in me that had kept me from passing over. I wanted to chase the look in his eyes away and I did it the only way I knew how, I kissed him. It was a mire brushing of lips but the sigh I earned made me glad I did it. I added, "Maybe I missed you a little." He moved his body more solidly into mine, clearly invading my personal space. I put a bite to my next words, "Not that much, I didn't" He backed up, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. "Fine, I'm evidently getting no play time" I just shook my head. "Straight to business then, but first lets be a little more comfortable, shall we?" A long black leather couch materialized beside us. Tannon flopped down on one end waiting for me to join him. I stayed standing. "Give me back enough control to at least change what I'm wearing." "I think you look ravishing," his heated eyes leering at my flimsy attire. "Tannon." He gave a small growl of discontent but played the gentleman. My body was suddenly wearing blue jeans and a white T-shirt. I let the fact that he hadn't included undergarments go. Hey, at least I wasn't naked. "Thank you," I said sitting on the other end from him. His face shifted reflecting a serious scowl. "We're calling in our debt." "I figured as much." "Something has occurred that threw Them for a loop." "Nothing is always black and white, Tannon, little things can throw off what will be." He gave a look that clearly said they all knew that. "This, however, can be used to our advantage; a chance to put you in a position that will help keep the balance. I can't give you all the details, not yet." "Why not? Details are always good." "The Fates want you to have free choice when the time comes; to see how you'll decide. I can tell you; though the ball is in motion the outcome isn't set." I sat staring at him. "Tannon, your giving me a headache. Quit pussy-footing around and just tell me." "I can't, I'm sorry." "That makes no fucking sense. Why would They send you to me if you can't tell me shit?" I was shouting at him, my voice being absorbed by the darkness so that it sounded like it stopped dead. Then it hit me, "They didn't send you, did They? You really did break the rules, just enough to give me a heads up." "I'll be your liaison because we have history but our first meeting won't happen until They feel you have enough information." I rubbed my hands over my face, confusion and irritation mingling in my mind. "When's all this suppose to start?" I asked. A phone rang, the shrillness slicing through my body. It pulled me towards the surface, the darkness being broken by tiny beams of light. Dimly I heard Tannon's reply. "It already has." I hit full reality with a jerk, my body coming off the bed. I felt disoriented; my bedroom was dark shadows, contorted light. I was already reaching for the phone when it rang again. "What?" I demanded. The red digital numbers on the clock told me it was a few minutes after four in the morning, never a good time to receive a call. "Sasha?" The confused voice belonged to my little brother, Tyler. "Yeah Ty, it's me. What's wrong?" My stomach was in a tight knot, the reminisce of the "dream" still clinging to my brain. I silently prayed to any deity that was listening: Not Tyler, please not Tyler. "Um, I know your busy but is there anyway you could come for a ...um, visit?" He sounded nervous and unsure of himself. "What is it Tyler? Do you need money? A lawyer? Did you get some girl pregnant?" Even to myself I sounded hurried and scared but these were all easy things I could help fix. Please let it be door number one. "Jesus, Sasha, isn't it a little early to be high? No, I need to talk to you about something and it's to hard to say it over the phone, so please." "Let me get this straight," I said, anger leaking into my voice. "It's four in the fucking morning, you woke me up to tell me you need to talk but you won't tell me about what. So now you expect me to wait patiently to hear whatever it is until we're face to face. You do realize that by the time I get to Reno I'll be having a coronary thinking up all sorts of horrific things your going to tell me?" I was almost shouting the last part. "Um...yeah, I think. I mean, that was a question right?" Tyler sounded calmer, confused but calmer. Nothing like having your big sister have a fit to brighten your mood. I sighed. "Yes, it was a question." I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headboard. "Let me tie up any loose ends here and I'll try to be there early this afternoon. I'll make it so that I can stay for a few days without stressing about shit here. You do want me to stay a few days right?" "Yeah, that would be great, thanks Sasha. I really appreciate it...see you soon." I could still hear him breathing so I knew he hadn't hung up. "I love you, Sasha." There was a touch of sadness to his voice that did nothing for my fears. "I love you too, baby brother, and remember I'm here for you. I always have been. There's nothing that you and I can't over come together, the Black's can kick anything's ass. Okay?" Tyler gave a small snort, "Yeah, okay. Bye Sasha." The dial tone let me know he was no longer on the other end. Terrific, just terrific. How was I suppose to concentrate on the business at hand when I would be stressing about Tyler. Until I saw him, touched him, I would be fretting uncontrollably. I glanced again at the clock on the night stand. There was no use trying to get back to sleep might as well get my day started. I swung out of bed and made my way towards the bathroom but a photo of Tyler and me stopped me in my tracks. I was five when Tyler was born and the bond that I felt between us was strong and immediate, like a tether of sorts. I've been protecting him ever since. No matter how bad it's gotten we've always had each other, and let me just say; it's gotten pretty damn bad. To know the type of people that we are you have to understand where we came from, which unfortunately means starting with the people that created us. Allen Brody was born into a wealthy family, the second son to a prominent banker and an old money debutant. He rebelled, going against everything they stood for: you know, education, work ethics, the finer things in life. His life was consumed by drugs, alcohol and sex. That's how he met Vivien Black. My mother was middle-class average and she hated it. Hated not always having the best and then being expected to be okay with that. Most of all, she hated herself. Vivien was a sixth generation witch; first born daughter to the first born daughter, and so on. I never knew where her powers lay; she refused to speak of it. Viv used outside stimulants to dampen her magic, she stayed drunk or high, numbing herself. I was born in the summer of 1980, and to be honest, I wasn't well received. Vivien had hoped that by ignoring her powers the Fates wouldn't pass any magic through her. She wanted her first born to be a boy, to break the cycle. Evidently no one informed my poor mother that you can't out run your destiny and you sure as hell can't out run the Fates. Allen, on the other hand, saw me as the end to his freedom. I was a hindrance to his partying, poor Daddy had to go out and get a job. We'll fast forward five years, trust me when I say nothing happened, to Tyler's birth. Unlike my coming into the world, Ty's was a joyous occurrence. Where Vivien had done as little as possible for me, with Tyler she was almost the perfect mother (at least in the beginning). I've never hated my mother, she made her choices as we all do and I, for one, have no right to criticize her for them. I wouldn't be the person I am today if she'd been someone else. But let me say this, I may not have hated my mother but I do hate my father. I blame him for my childhood, or lack thereof. I was never a kid, I grew up in a hurry so that I could survive. I blame Allen for keeping Vivien hooked to the drugs and alcohol that her body almost seemed to crave. I never understood how anybody could look at her and not see the trouble she was in. I pitied her and she knew it, she could see it in my eyes and for Vivien, that was another sin against me. It may be wrong but I don't care, the best thing that could have happened for me and Tyler was the death of our mother. Her body couldn't keep up with the poisons she took. The doctors said cancer, I said karma. I'm afraid to think of how we might have turned out if she hadn't passed away when she did. She passed away two months before my fifteenth birthday, Allen stopped coming home two days before that date. He left a note that simply said he didn't know what to do with us. That he couldn't look at us and not see her. To me it was no big deal, but to a nine year old boy it was devastating. I became Ty's everything, giving up any thought of myself having a life and devoting myself to him. That was eleven years ago and I've been keeping Tyler safe ever since. I wandered into the bathroom, a sheen of depression clouding my mind. I hadn't come up against any thing yet that I couldn't handle, I just hoped I wasn't about to meet my match. Sinful Addictions Ch. 02-03 CHAPTER TWO So here's the sad thing, I really didn't have anything important in my life that I couldn't simply drop and walk away. I had no plans to cancel, my apartment was locked down with a turn of the key and since I only have a few people I can actually call friend, there wasn't anyone to call and tell that I would be out of town. Actually, there was one person I had to tell and that was the man who called himself my boss. Because of events that I will tell you about later, I don't work because I have to but because if I didn't I would go nuts. I manage the Sacramento offices of Personal Protectors Plus, it's a bodyguard company for lack of a better explanation. High end security to personal bodyguards, we do it all. I met Jeff Mooning, owner and operator of 3P, when I was in Argentina a couple of years ago. When I left South America, I ended up in Los Angeles, home of Jeff's head quarters. We tried doing the dating thing but decided we made better friends rather than um...others. I can't say lovers cause we were pretty damn good at that. Early in our relationship I tried to convince Jeff that I could be a bodyguard. He got this wicked gleam in his eye and dragged me out onto the mats that lined the floor of his in-home gym. I thought I started out pretty well, most of my punches and kicks landed, though they didn't do any damage. Then Jeff did this upper body move where one minute I was standing and the next I was going over his shoulder and flat on my back. There I was, laid out, and Jeff's standing there laughing...at me. So when he offered me a hand up I did the only thing I could think. As soon as I was half way off the floor I threw all of my weight backwards and since Jeff hadn't been expecting it, plus he was still laughing, it brought him down too. I'm sure you can imagine what happened once I had him on the ground. Any how, Jeff thought that that would be the end to it but I'm not so easily distracted. He was no match for my constant bitching; his words, not mine. He finally agreed to give me a chance as long as I learned enough self-defense moves...I made sure he wasn't the one to teach them to me or else I'd never have gotten off the mat...and I could properly use a gun. I got gypped though when he finally started handing out assignments to me. I ended up with the boring jobs like escorting rich old men to charity events and galas. Or, better yet, when we'd be hired by some visiting dignitary, instead of being in on the big stuff, I'd get stuck with driving their spoiled kids to the mall. I wanted to feel like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider...you know, smart, sexy and lethal...instead I felt like June Cleaver. The jobs were boring enough that I spent most of my time at the office helping with expense reports and assignment write-ups. I proved I was better management material than foot soldier, sigh. It was seven by the time I walked into the office. Surprisingly I was the first one in, or so I thought. I came to an abrupt halt in the doorway to my office. Jeff sat behind my desk dressed in his standard attire of blue jeans and a black T-shirt. Jeff doesn't believe in spending money on clothes. His feet were rudely up on my desk so I knew that he was sporting black Nikes, though I could have guessed and been 99% correct. His sun bleached blond hair was short and neat. Periwinkle blue eyes stared out at me from a long, baby complexioned face. He had the slender yet muscled body of a swimmer, probably because he was a water baby at heart; swimming, surfing, boating, he did it all. The shock of seeing him must have been written all over my face. "What the hell?" I stuttered. "Well, good morning to you, too. I take it you don't remember that today is the first?" "Shit, no." I slumped into one of my black leather guest chairs. The first, damn it, how could I have forgotten. Jeff flies up every month to review the books and I had completely spaced him out. Plus, now I had to tell him face to face that I was taking off for a few days. "This day needs to start all over again." Jeff slid his feet to the floor, put the papers he'd been reading down and fixed his eyes on me. A small frown line crinkled in his forehead. Jeff didn't know everything in my past but he knew me well enough that he could tell something was a mist. "Spill it," he ordered. I shifted uncomfortably; one of our greatest problems was how I mothered Tyler. I sighed heavily and stared with, "Ty called this morning." Jeff leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head, "And?" I sucked in my breath and recounted the short conversation from that morning. I didn't include my "dream", that was one of the things Jeff isn't privy to. When I was finished he was shaking his head at me. "Sasha," he began but I cut him off. "I know, I know. Don't start okay." "No it's not okay. When are you going to let that boy figure life out on his own? Damn it, Sasha, he needs to learn to take responsibility for his actions!" Jeff's voice had climbed up a notch and it vibrated with anger. I made perfect eye contact and tried to keep my own anger in check. "Tyler is mine to protect and I can't...I can't," I emphasized, "turn my back on him. Besides it's not like were so busy here that I can't take I few days off. I know it's short notice but..." I trailed off, our eyes were still locked together and I watched as Jeff reeled in his emotions. "You're already packed, aren't cha?" I nodded, "I'm just trying to decide if I fly or drive." Jeff blew out a puff of air, "Since I'm already here you can use my jet. I'll stay at your place and keep an eye on things here. But, Sasha..." he straightened in the chair, "if something goes down that you don't think you can handle I want you calling me. I care about you, and yes, Tyler too." "Thanks Jeff, you're the best." "I know, " he said, smiling. "Oh, you aren't conceited at all." I joked. "Said the pot to the kettle, " he quipped. Unfortunately, I couldn't argue with that. * CHAPTER THREE A knot sat in the middle of my stomach as the small jet flew over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I was so up tight that I was damn tempted to take a shot of the twenty year old scotch that Jeff had in the mini bar. I didn't because I wanted all of my senses when I landed. I felt the plane begin it's decent into the Biggest Little City in the World. Like most kids, the minute Tyler was able to spread his wings and fly away he did, why he landed three hours and another state away from me I'll never know. I let him go, of course, even though it practically killed my to. It was nice to know, though, that I was still his safe harbor and that if he needed me he would call. I tightened my grip on the arm rests and closed my eyes. I have no problem flying, it's the landing that scares the shit out of me, it might have something to do with hurling 132 miles an hour towards the earth. I'm happy to report that I didn't even screech when we hit the tarmac, though I was tempted to kiss dirt when I deplaned. Jeff is always thinking where I have a bad habit of leaping without looking, so it was nice to know Jeff had my back. A black Dodge Durango was waiting at the terminal for me. I parked in a spot outside of Tyler's apartment building. His place over looked the street on the second floor and I had to climb a set of concrete slab steps to reach it. All the way here I had gripped the steering wheel in a white knuckled death hold. As I advanced towards his door my body twitched with anxiety. I was afraid of what I'd find when I got there. Shit, the door was slightly ajar. My breathing was loud, like I had just run a marathon, and my pulse was beating out a drum solo in my ears. I gave my self a little shake and said out loud , "Come on, Sash, your acting like a girl." Oh, wait, I am a girl. I leaned into the door to open it a little more than softly whispered, "Tyler." I waited a minute half expecting some bogeyman to come out and get me. My heart was in my throat, not a nice place for it to be. I swallowed dryly and gave the door a shove, sending in swinging into the wall. It bounced off with a thud and would have hit me if I hadn't stopped it with my foot. If that sound didn't send anybody running than the apartment was empty. The front door opens into the living room and I fully stepped into it and stopped. Either my brother had turned into a slob or he'd been robbed. Papers and other objects were strewn around. The couch cushions were on the floor, some of them with long slashes torn into them, like some one had taken a knife to them. I called my brother's name again but wasn't surprised when it wasn't answered. I was alone, whether that was a good thing or a bad thing I wasn't sure. I stood rooted in the center of the chaos and took a deep breath, figure it out Sasha. I circled the room with my eyes and stopped at the entertainment center. The T.V. and DVD player were there as was his stereo system. Okay, so it hadn't been a B and E. I moved into the kitchen and frowned. The kitchen was perfect, not a single thing looked out of place. I turned back around and stared at the mess in the other room. Slashed pillows, broken picture frames, papers littering the floor? Hum, the light bulb just went off over my head. Pissed girlfriend was what I was thinking. It looked like the act of an enraged person, something done for a personal reason. Jesus, are you telling me I've just stressed myself into five new grey hairs because Tyler fucked up his relationship with some woman. Great, just fucking great. With that thought my anxiety fled the premises. I went back out to the landing and grabbed my black duffel from where I had first dropped it. I closed the door behind me and was happy to hear the lock engage in the striker plate. I picked up some of the disarray but left the majority of it for Tyler. After all that, my body was left feeling drained and tired, panic and stress will do that to you. I went into the bedroom and collapsed onto Ty's bed. I closed my eyes and tried very hard not to think about what my baby boy may have been doing on these sheets. I awoke in darkness, feeling disoriented. I knew I wasn't in my own bedroom because of the rough feeling of the bed spread under my check. It took me a second to remember and when my mind finally caught up I bolted off of the bed. I sat listening for any signs of another person in the apartment but all was quiet. Shit, I got up and ventured into the kitchen hoping to find a note or something that let me know that Tyler had returned. To my surprise, cause yes I'm a pessimist, a note sat on the counter next to a half eaten pizza, cheese if you were wondering. Sasha, Had to run out for something. Come see me at work. Love Tyler P.S. By the way you snore. I huffed at the snoring part, I do not. Also on the note was directions to some place called Sinful Addictions. I had a bad feeling that that was a strip club, I mean I knew he was tending bar but not where. Great! I grabbed a slice and shuffled into the bathroom and started the shower. I had raised Tyler to be strong and independent, to take care of himself and never depend on anyone to save him, well except me of course. But the world in general was against us and you had to learn to be on the defensive. You're probably thinking I sound cold hearted, and in some ways I can be, but I've learned that no matter how nice someone seems to be they can turn on you. I stripped and stepped under the hot spray of water. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against the tile. What the hell was I doing here? Some how this was all connected to my "dream" of Tannon, but I couldn't follow where I was being lead to. I felt very lost and confused. I sighed heavily and got down to why I was in the shower in the first place. I scrubbed and washed and when I felt I was clean enough to be presentable, and the muscles in my back had unclenched from the heat, I stepped out and dried off. Using a corner of a towel, I wiped off the steam from the mirror and looked myself in the face. I had always been told that I looked like my mother, and even though she had been a beautiful woman, to me it had seemed like an insult. My hair is black, not solid but highlighted with brown, my eyes dark green. In three months I'll be twenty-six years old but there are days when I felt that I have walked this earth for a hundred years, today being one of those days. I dropped the towel and stared at my body. Not bad, I thought, I'll never be a rail thin stick, and I for one am glad. Women should have curves, their thighs should touch, at least that's what I think. I twisted my hair into a banana clip and gelled the ends to bring out the curls. Makeup is way easy for me, a little gray eye shadow, wave a mascara wand towards my lashes and paint my lips with a glitter gloss and I was ready to go. Oh what to wear, what to wear. I rummaged around in my duffel bag looking for something, anything. I'm bad when it comes to clothes, I have tons of them and never seem to have anything I want to put on; I'm the same way with shoes. I finally settled on a short black leather skirt and a white tank top with a blue butterfly in the middle of it. I added a pair of black sandaled high heels and my black duster and I was ready to walk out the door. I dislike carrying a purse so I don't unless I have to. I can be kind of naughty about where I hide things on my person; for example, I took a couple of twenty dollar bills, wrapped them around my drivers license and stuck them in my bra cup. I know that sounds wrong, but this way my hands are free. The only problem was when you go to retrieve the items people look at you weird but I've been looked at like that for as long as I can remember, so it doesn't bother me. I grabbed my keys and cell phone, those can be clipped to the belt loops on my skirt so don't get any ideas, and headed for Sinful Addictions.