Dirty Empire: A Dark Romance Read online

  Dirty Empire

  K. D. Clark

  © Copyright 2019 - All rights reserved.

  It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One: Scream

  Chapter Two: Truth

  Chapter Three: Sexual Healing

  Chapter Four: Operation Kidnap

  Chapter Five: The Empire Strikes Back

  Chapter Six: Execution Time

  Chapter Seven: Love Cures

  Chapter Eight: Operation Flight

  Chapter Nine: Viva La Mexico

  Chapter Ten: Part Two Viva La Mexico

  Chapter Eleven: Discovery

  Chapter Twelve: Coping

  Chapter Thirteen: Planning

  Chapter Fourteen: Loose Ends

  Chapter Fifteen: Babies

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  K. D. Clark is a United States author living in Saint Louis, Missouri with her high school sweetheart. She is a proud dog mom to two amazing pit bulls. She spends every minute she can either working on her books or reading the great works of other romance authors. For more information on book releases and her writing process, please feel free to check out her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

  Website: https://kdclark926116107.wordpress.com/

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/KDClark2

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authork.dclark/

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKDClark/

  Also by K. D. Clark

  Merciless Queen

  Twisted Judgement

  Fallen Judgement

  Apprehension

  Admission

  Savage Spades

  Prologue

  Dirt cakes underneath my fingernails. My nails used to always be perfectly manicured, now they look like I spend my free time gardening. How much time has passed since then? The dark, dingy room doesn’t have a clock, and there aren’t any windows, so I can’t even tell if it’s day or night. The smell of wet basement has become my new normal. Staying awake has become a struggle.

  Sometimes when I wake up, there’s a glass of water or even a plate of food, but usually, there’s nothing. I was left here, forgotten. I’m hoping a dead man will save me. Maverick saved me once. I’m stupid to think I’d be saved by him again. The last time I’d seen him, he was lying in a pool of his blood. Miles has won. It’s a hard pill to swallow. I was married to the man that kept me down here, and he’s going to kill me. I’m sure of it. The sound of metal grinding together fills the space.

  My eyes squint as the door is pushed open. Miles stands there with a look of disgust on his face.

  “How does it feel? To be trapped back in the castle, you tried so hard to run from?”

  It felt like shit.

  Chapter One: Scream

  Hazel

  My phone lights up with a text from Ares. He’s outside. I always let him in through the back door so that the staff won’t see him. They’re all too loyal to Miles, my husband. Maybe loyal wasn’t the word; they’re more motivated by fear than anything else. I could only imagine what Miles would do if he found out the staff had knowledge of me sneaking a man into the house, and they kept it to themselves. I exit the bedroom and walk through the house, the house that’s supposed to be mine but has never really felt like home. The interior designer Miles hired, had picked out every single piece of decor. When I’d tried to make suggestions, he assured me that our designer could handle it. I’d been a fool.

  I reach the back door, turning my head to ensure that no one is around before slowly opening it. Ares stands on the other side. His t-shirt stretches over his tight muscles, and he has that playful grin on his face that makes me clench my thighs together. His shaggy brown hair falls in front of his face, and he shakes his head to get it back in place.

  “Hey there,” he drawls.

  “Hey, yourself.” I open the door wider, allowing him to step inside.

  We quietly make our way to the bedroom, keeping an eye out for any of the staff. At this time of day, the house is almost empty besides a couple of groundskeepers. Looking at my life from the outside, it’s like a fairy tale. But, nothing is ever that simple.

  I close the door to the bedroom and turn to look at Ares. He’s already stripping out of his clothes. That’s what I like about him. He clearly understands our relationship. He’s in his mid-twenties and probably thinks it’s “way-cool” to be banging a married woman. I stop myself from rolling my eyes at the thought.

  “I rubbed one out before coming over,” Ares says.

  I scrunch my face up. “Why?”

  “So, I can last longer.”

  I hold back a sigh. Ares was a nice guy, and he was sexy as hell, but a small part of me wishes I didn't need him at all. Not that having sex with Miles was what I wanted. It was pretty much unbearable at this point. But, when I’d gotten married, I expected I’d be having sex with my husband. I also hadn’t anticipated that my husband would turn out to be such a horrible man. I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. That’s why Ares is here anyways, to get my mind off all the fucked up shit happening around me.

  Crossing the room, I strip out of my clothes, leaving them on the floor, before straddling Ares’s hips. His hard dick presses against my sex.

  “You are so freaking sexy,” he grunts.

  Freaking. Like he’s too young even to say the real cuss word. His hands graze over my thighs, and I grind against his dick—my clit rubs over his length. I can make myself come just like this if I want to, but that would kind of ruin the whole point. Ares grabs my ass and flips me over so that he hovers on top. I spread my legs wide for him, but he gets up from the bed.

  “Rollover,” he commands. I do as he asks, and perch my ass high in the air. He lines his cock up with my sex, and I pulse with anticipation. His nails dig into my hips as he slams into me.

  “Fuck, yes,” I moan.

  It’s like a weight lifts from my shoulders temporarily. This is what I need. To feel something, anything. Even if it is meaningless sex, it’s better than the feeling of isolation I’ve been living with for years.

  A guttural sound escapes my lips—the headboard bangs against the wall. Staff usually isn’t allowed in this part of the house, so I’m not worried about them overhearing. Even if they do, they’d never believe I was having an affair. No one ever went behind my husband’s back, especially not his wife.

  Ares hits my G spot just right, causing my toes to curl underneath me. He makes me feel so wild and…well free. With Miles, I felt anything but. I used to feel free with him, but not anymore. Miles was gone on business trips most days out of the year, so I never really thought about getting caught. My body locks into the moment. The sex with Ares was an escape.

  “Oh shit,” I moan again as Ares tugs at my dark hair. I’m so close when he completely slips out of me.

  I swiftly turn to see my husband. I watch in horror as Ares’s green eyes bulge out of his head. Miles gives me a sadistic grin as he tightens his hold around Ares’s neck.

  My entire body seizes up. The orgasm I so desperately craved a moment ago becomes secondary. Shit. I’m going to die. I tremble as I draw my knees up to my chest.

  “Shut up, motherfucker!” Miles growls as Ares flounders
, scrabbling to remove Miles’s hands from his neck. But it’s too late; the surprise tactic from behind affords Miles more leverage over Ares. I might have been orgasming a moment ago, but my body is now locked in intense fear.

  “Don’t hurt him! Please. Stop. You’re going to kill him. Please!” I sob, gasping to gain oxygen into my lungs. I suck in a breath as best I can.

  Ares goes slack. I gather up the sheets to cover my nakedness as I inch further and further into the corner of the bed away from Miles. His eyes are black with rage: veins, the size of small rivers, pulse in his neck.

  “No, you don’t, bitch! You’re up next, sweetheart.”

  His temper is legendary and extremely short. That much, I know. Fuck.

  I should have been more careful.

  The room smells of sex and now, violence. Miles’s face is crimson, blood-filled with rage. He makes quick work of the distance between us. I kick my legs out, trying to hit him wherever I can. If I’m going down, I’m going down fighting. I’m no match for him. He leaps across the bed and grabs my neck. My eyes bug out of my head. My nails dig into his arms, probably leaving behind deep scratches. Evil, like I, never seen before, stares down at me. His face becomes blurred out by small black specs that take over my vision. My head buzzes from the lack of oxygen as my throat begins to close over—mere wisps of air escape.

  “You tried it with me? After all, I’ve done for you?” He grits his teeth as he speaks. I can barely recognize the man above me. How have I let my life get to this point? To the point where I die by the hands of a man I once loved? “Feel that? Not so nice now, is it?” His grip is like a boa constrictor, and I have no defenses. I can’t fight against him. I’m not strong enough. My limbs became weak, and my hands drop from his arms.

  Just as darkness starts to cloud my vision completely, I hear a door slam.

  “Hey! What the fuck are you doing?” The deep voice bounces off the walls, commanding attention.

  Miles drops his hands from around my neck. I instantly start to cough, rolling onto my side to try and get some air into my lungs. They burn as I try to control my coughing and take raspy breaths at the same time. Tears slide down my cheeks and drip onto the sheets.

  “Maverick, stay out of this. This is husband and wife business. Wait outside,” Miles says.

  I take deep breaths, getting all the air into my lungs. The feeling starts to come back to my limbs, but I feel; shaky like I’ve been on a rough roller coaster ride. I hold my throat; it’s on fire. Finally, able to think I look around the room. Miles has climbed off the bed and stands across from another man.

  What had Miles called him? Maverick?

  He stands tall, over six feet at least. He has broad shoulders, and the way he fills out his suit makes me think he has a hard body underneath. His presence takes up the entire room, filling the space with hostile energy.

  If I weren’t so scared of my husband, I’d be terrified of this man. Now, was the time for a getaway, while Miles is distracted. I’m weak, but I need to move now.

  I scuttle further up the bed, inching toward the edge. If I can get off the bed quietly, maybe I can crawl to the bedroom door without Miles seeing me. I look towards the door to see the man that might have just saved my life.

  Maverick’s dark eyes flicker to Ares, who is lying naked, face -down on the bed where Miles has left him. Then, he turns his angry stare on me. Ice fills my veins as he looks at me. I’m not sure what to make of his expression. There isn’t a hint of pity; instead, it’s almost like he’s disgusted. My body’s on full display, still completely naked, but I’m too scared right now to care. I hold his stare as I place one foot onto the carpeted floor. Maverick might not be a good man, but I pray that he at least helps me escape.

  Everything happens in a split second. Maverick shoves Miles, and he has no time to defend himself. Once Maverick disabled him, he lands a punch to the side of Miles's jaw. A crunch fills the air, and my stomach turns at the sound. Startled, Miles shakes himself off and rears up like an angry bull, ready for war.

  Maverick flicks his head from side to side, cracking his neck.

  “You’re a pussy,” Maverick says, his voice surprisingly calm.

  “Did you see what she did to me? See this asshole?” Miles slaps Ares, who is still unconscious, on the shoulder to demonstrate.

  I watch Maverick’s face. He doesn’t look like he cares so much about Ares. Why did he save me? He didn't have to do that. During the fight, I’ve managed to wedge myself between the door and the hallway.

  I peek through the crack in the door to see Miles struggling to catch his breath. He’s doubled over, huffing and puffing from the scuffle. “What the hell do you care?”

  Maverick doesn't answer, still holding his ground near the doorway, ready for the next round. Lucky for Maverick, Miles is out of shape. My fingers tremble as I hold the doorknob.

  “Get the hell out of my house! We’re done!” Miles yells.

  Maverick holds his position for a moment as if trying to get his anger under control. After a moment of complete silence, he straightens his suit jacket.

  “I don’t do business with a woman-beater. You’re a coward.”

  He starts toward the door. I let go of the handle and hid in the hallway bathroom.

  His footsteps sound on the steps before he slams the front door so hard it sounds like it almost comes off the hinges. Miles follows after him, probably to make sure he left. What the fuck just happened?

  I go back into the bedroom and find Ares has woken up. His head is bleeding from a small cut above his eyebrow. He gathers his belongings from the floor. I grab him before he can storm out.

  “I’m sorry, Ares. I’m so sorry!” I grab the sides of his face and try to kiss him, but he pulls away.

  “Don’t, Hazel. Just don’t. Never call my phone again. This is fucking bullshit,” Ares slurs his words as he speaks. His neck looked like a swollen basketball from the strangulation, and vicious red stripes marked his throat. Maybe he needs to go to the hospital. How long can someone go without getting oxygen to their brain? He was passed out for a long time. I don’t get a chance to say anything else because he storms out the door. Fuck, fuck, fuck. The sound of my heart pounding filled my ears.

  I’ve got to get away from this man. He’s going to kill me if I stay here.

  “Where is that son of a bitch? I’m going to kill him, and then I’m going to take care of her!” The sound of Miles's voice carries from one of the lower levels.

  I grab my phone from the bedside table before throwing on a t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. I can barely hold my phone because my palms are so sweaty. I make my way across the top floor of the vast mansion. I don’t know where Miles is, but I can’t risk running into him. I sneak through one of the hallways to the staff elevator and take it down to the staff entrance. Thank god this house is so damn big it’s easy to go unseen.

  What am I going to do? He’ll find me wherever I go.

  I briskly walk through our twenty-acre compound, jump on the nearest golf cart, and drive to the waterfront bordering the property. It's at the bottom of a large hill, so no one will be able to see me unless they come down here. But, I’m able to see everything if I sit close enough to the water. I sit on the wet sand, not caring that it's soaking through my jeans. That’s when the tears come. Running down my cheeks as the dam has finally broken.

  Every inch of my body aches like I’ve been in a car wreck. I can’t go on like this. All of this has been years and years of build-up. I dragged Ares into a fucked up situation. He didn't deserve to be treated like that. I knew a lot of men wanted me, and I supposed I’d used it to my advantage with Ares. Ares was just a plaything to me, but he doesn't deserve to get strangled half to death because of my stupidity. My longings and desperate wanton desires had gotten me into trouble. Something was missing for me, and even Ares couldn’t distract me long enough to find it. I let another tear slide down my face as I hugged myself at the shoreline. I let the waves
of the ocean lap over my feet and calm my nerves. I should have known it was going to turn out like this. I knew Miles was dangerous, and yet I played with fire.

  I wish I never meet him. If Miles never set his eyes on me and I wouldn’t be in this fucked-up situation. Maybe it was my dark hair or tan skin that attracted him. He used to compliment my long legs and blue eyes that I got from my mother.

  I allowed my weary eyes to travel to the backdrop of the beautiful Hawaiian sky overhead.

  I had just graduated from law school in San Francisco and was starting my career at a local law firm when we met. We dated only one year before getting married. He was the perfect man on paper. Almost too good to be true. I must have missed those crucial red flags. Or maybe I don't want to see them in the beginning. Had I been so desperate that I ignored all the warning signs? I quit my job after marrying him, moved to Hawaii to start our lives together. Everything seemed to be pure perfection for a while. Then things began to change. Miles began to change. He started working late and traveling more and more often for business.

  Whenever he returned home from trips, he was irritable and impatient. The temper tantrums started to rear their ugly head. I don't know who I was living with anymore. On one occasion, he snapped and pistol-whipped one of the staff members for not keeping the pool clean. I’d watched in horror as he reprimanded the man. The whole situation made me feel helpless.

  “Miguel, I don't want to do that, but I warned you. Come with me and look at this shit.” Miles had snatched up a very frightened Miguel by the shirtfront, shoving his head to look down into the pool.

  “See! That isn’t clean! See those leaves. Look!” Miles had briskly pointed to a few scattered leaves in the pool. Miguel cowered, ready for another blow.

  “I’m not going to pay you if you don’t do your goddamn job.” Miles had the pistol back in its holster. The evidence of blood had streaked down Miguel’s face from his costly mistake.

  “Yessir, I understand. It won’t happen again.” I felt so sorry for Miguel that day as I watched the tears well up in his eyes. The poor man.