Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE RUTHLESS GANGSTER'S BAIT: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 18

~COOLEY~My insides twisted so sharply it felt like something deep inside me had been squeezed tight and left throbbing. The memory of that contract popped up, every single clause coming back to me with unwelcome sharpness.Break it, and I’d be his thrall forever. My life would be reduced to just following his every order, my freedom taken away completely.Harlan slowly tilted his head, looking at me like I was some puzzle he enjoyed taking apart.His lips slowly curled into a smile that made my skin feel crawly.“I’m waiting for your reply,” he growled, “or did you forget how to speak all of a sudden?”I made myself take a deep breath before I spoke, though it barely did anything to ease the knot in my stomach.“I thought…” My voice came out softer than I’d planned. “I thought that agreement would be over once Hansen paid back the loan.”For a moment, he just watched me, and then his grin got wider, as if he’d just heard something utterly disgusting and funny.“Too bad,” he said, dr

~HARLAN~I pressed my lips against his neck, my teeth lightly scraping over the pulse point that was beating rapidly beneath the skin, sucking with enough force to leave a mark that would sting later. His skin was wet from the water and charged with anticipation, shivering beneath my mouth.He bucked against me, his hips jerking forward without control, a low whimper escaping his throat as his resistance began to crumble.His erection slid against my thigh, hot and firm, leaving a slick trail of pre-cum that made my own erection throb in response.My hand moved lower, my fingers wrapping around his shaft in a tight grip. He was slick with water and his own leaking desire, the veins standing out beneath my palm as I stroked from base to tip, twisting my wrist at the head to spread the pre-cum over the sensitive opening. He thrust into my grip with a strangled curse.“Harlan…shit, stop,” he gasped, but his legs spread wider, his thighs parting as if by command, inviting my touch deeper

COOLEYI shook my head quickly.“No.”I took a breath.“He drugged me with an aphrodisiac.”I saw how his fingers trembled.“He said his supplier mixed things up and there was no antidote,” I continued. “Sex was the only way to burn it out before it kills.”Hansen surged to his feet, eyes widening. "Nonsense.That's rape. Sue the bastard!"I looked away."I can't. More trouble's the last thing I need. I just get through with him,then vanish from his side." My words came out even, but inside, the tangle of fear and resolve twisted tighter.Hansen didn’t respond immediately.Instead, he stood up and walked to the dresser.He grabbed a small notebook and a pen.After tearing a piece of paper, he wrote something down.Then he handed it to me.“This is my number.”I looked at the paper.“Save it,” he continued. “Call me anytime if you need help.”He hesitated before adding,“And… I don’t think you’re safe around Harlan. So you can put me as your emergency contact.”My chest tightened.Emer

COOLEY “We met again, Mr Cooley.” I turned slowly, forcing my shoulders to relax, and there she was: Lily, leaning against the edge of the sofa with her arms crossed, that half-smile playing on her lips like she owned the place. Her eyes flicked over me, then to Hansen, sharp and assessing.“Hello, Miss Lily,” I said, flashing a smile that didn't reach my eyes. It was the kind of grin you paste on for polite company, the one that hides the itch under your skin.Why did she have to show up right now? Strolling in like she had a sixth sense for complications.I calmly walked back to my seat.Hansen didn’t look thrilled to see her. I caught the subtle shift in his jaw, the way his fingers tightened around the wine glass.“Hansen, why was he so close to you like that?” Lily asked, her voice dropping to that tiny, almost whiny pitch women used when they wanted to sound innocent. She uncrossed her arms and walked closer to the sofa, her purse swinging lightly from her shoulder.“Oh, he h