Assassin Treasure (Assassins Book 4) Read online

  ASSASSINS

  BOOK 4:

  ASSASSIN TREASURE

  by

  C.L. Scholey

  TORRID BOOKS

  www.torridbooks.com

  Published by

  TORRID BOOKS

  www.torridbooks.com

  An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC

  Copyright © 2015 by C.L. Scholey

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  ISBN: 978-1-63355-660-7

  Credits

  Cover Artist: Kris Norris

  Editor: Melanie Billings

  Printed in the United States of America

  WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

  GAME ON!

  This is one married couple whose appetites for each other grow ever stronger with each passing year. They thoroughly enjoy discovering new ways to keep the spark alive and thriving. Allowing another couple to share in their fun only seems to increase the possibilities. Keeping the love alive is certainly not a problem for Mac and Jenney, which makes their escapades deliciously fun to read.

  ~ Coffee Time Romance

  ENGULF – NEW WORLD BK 5

  Abri is a strong female heroine. She didn't let deafness define who she is. Raiden is a likeable guy. Why? Even though Abri is deaf, Raiden picked her for his female.

  C.L. Scholey has done a terrific job of creating this futuristic romance series. We have action, romance, adventure & mystery all in 102 pages.

  ~ Romance Bookaholic Traveler

  THE BRETHREN OF TAVISH – VAMPIRE COVEN BK 1

  The Brethren of Tavish is a wonderfully written book. The characters are well rounded and bring you into the story as if you were really there. The story flows smoothly tying one part to the next. The plot is well thought out, giving you plenty of action…

  ~ Night Owl Reviews

  Other Books by C.L. Scholey Available at Torrid Books:

  www.torridbooks.com

  Game on!

  Enslaved

  Timeless Witch

  Viking Warriors Mega Book

  New World Series Package Set – Books 1 to 5

  NEW WORLD SERIES

  Shield

  Armor

  Impenetrable

  Apparition

  Engulf

  Guardian

  Defender

  Mine!

  VAMPIRE COVEN SERIES

  The Brethren of Tavish

  A Vampire to Watch Over Me

  A Vampire’s Embrace

  UNEARTHLY WORLD SERIES

  Bay’s Mercenary

  Zuri’s Zargonnii Warrior

  Bethany’s Heart

  Cautious Surrender

  To Catch a Warrior

  ELEMENTS SERIES

  Fire’s Flame

  VIKING WARRIOR SERIES

  w/a Constantine De Bohon

  Valhalla Hott

  Valhalla Wolf

  Valkyrie Heat

  Norse Valor

  DARK WORLD SERIES

  Cage

  ASSASSIN SERIES

  Assassins Book 1: Assassin Territory

  Assasins Book 2: My Assassin Lover

  Assassins Book 3: Assassin Master

  AVAILABLE AT WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  Back to Our Beginning

  What a great year this has been! Thanks so much to my readers. Every day that passes I get to know more people. Thank you for your emails, and for allowing my stories into your life.

  ~ Connie.

  Prologue

  Candy hated the nightshift. Candy’s boss knew she hated the nightshift. She was positive that was why he’d given it to her. She despised the darkness past the windows, seeing her reflection mirrored back. The aloneness of the cold office, the heat turned down because of the late hour, chilled her. The lights were mysteriously dim when everyone else was home, tucked into their warm beds.

  After shrugging off his repeated advances toward her, Tyler Darren, her boss, told Candy she was to report for duty from now on at eleven o’clock sharp. It was his annoying form of punishment, although she thought it best considering the circumstances; at least she’d be away from him. So Candy complied, if unwillingly, desperately needing her job and the money, but found with dismay, her boss changed his own shift to match hers.

  Well after midnight, right before the others were dismissed for the evening, he casually strolled in. With a great deal of consternation, she suddenly found herself completely alone with him in his large office.

  Positioning the magnificent black walnut desk between her and her boss, Candy made an effort to keep her distance. The blinds had been drawn earlier; her boss claimed the city lights proved too much of a distraction. At fifteen stories high, it was more than likely it was to keep the adjoining building from seeing into his affairs. An occasional flicker of luminosity shone its way between the blinds to dance eerie, spontaneous movements across the dimly lit, light gray room.

  Stalking her at his leisure, Darren ran the knuckles of his left hand across the polished desk top, his gaze fixated on her, licking his lips suggestively. His intent was obvious. The exceedingly good-looking, expensively-dressed, large, arrogant, dark-haired man grinned at her discomfort. Unfortunately for her, as handsome as the man was on the outside, inside was a vile repulsive snake…a rattle snake. Candy feared his bite was lethal.

  “Candy, you have such potential,” Darren informed her. His piercing, cold, soulless blue gaze lewdly trailed hungrily over her body, as though devouring her within heated, lust-filled thoughts.

  Candy cringed when he chuckled; his reminiscent gaze assessed her feeble attempt to hide her curves from him under the stylish, but baggy, pink sweater she wore and the shapeless black slacks, giving her, what she hoped, was a professional hands-off look. Her long, thick, dark black hair cascaded down her slender back, forming ringlets at the ends, after he had gotten close enough to pull her locks free from the severe bun she wound it in. Her scalp still tingled from his touch, each strand assaulted and violated. Tendrils tickled at her cheek and chin, framing her heart-shaped face, devoid of any makeup. Candy glared at him. She realized too late her innocent look captivated the man. She was young and vulnerable, she was being hunted, and the prey had nowhere to retreat.

  “Mr. Darren, I’ve told you repeatedly I’m only interested in a professional working relationship.”

  To her dismay, Candy was unable to keep the tremor from her voice. She continued her backward descent until she thumped into the hard wall. Caged. He advanced, almost pouncing on her.

  “Oh, we can keep it professional, sweetheart. I just want to dictate to you,” Darren said smoothly.

  Both hands were pressed against the wall on either side, keeping Candy from retreating. He had already removed his jacket; it hung on his chair in a corner. His tie was pulled low, his top three buttons undone. She could see the fine black hairs on his chest, and she swallowed hard.

  Candy heard the double meaning of the word dictate. She pushe
d against him, her concern rising. Her hands splayed across his generous chest, his white, silk shirt slid underneath her fingertips, and instead of a defensive gesture it was more of a strong, seductive caress. She wondered if that was why he loved to wear these shirts.

  They were alone together; she knew if she screamed no one would hear her. If the security guard did, he’d turn a blind eye; Mr. Darren would’ve paid him off. She berated herself for being in this position. If Candy had known Darren’s intentions, she never would have agreed. Another co-worker had worked the same hours, as well as a few others, and declared it was a rarity he ever came in so late. The co-workers claimed he was somewhat of a partier, and they could work at their own pace, in peace of his overbearing tyranny. Candy had no idea she’d be left completely alone with this man. She should’ve seen it coming when one by one the others were dismissed. Candy had been sent on an errand, and returned to find herself in this precarious predicament with her boss.

  “Stop,” Candy commanded. “I’m warning you.”

  She shoved at him hard, using her body to aid her, but he didn’t budge. Darren laughed at her feeble attempt. Both knew she was no match for his strength. He towered over her five-foot-four frame. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder, he made it no secret he worked out daily to enhance his powerful physique. He weighed at least twice as much as she. Candy was completely at his mercy. She knew he had none. For months she’d evaded his touch, far too long for him and not long enough for her; she could tell he was eager. Candy was eager to get away.

  “Enough, that’s it, I quit,” Candy said with a growl.

  “We’re just getting started. I’m giving you a raise. Only fair since you’ve given me a rise.”

  “I don’t want you. Stop, no, what part of fuck off don’t you get?”

  “The fuck part, I definitely get the fuck part.”

  His head dipped, and he claimed her lips in a passionate kiss, pressing her further into the wall. His serpent’s tongue invaded her mouth and she gagged with disgust, tasting the vile whisky he overindulged in. His teeth pressed against hers and she was unable to bite down. Candy struggled against him. He groaned as his hardness pressed against her writhing belly, obviously enjoying the feel of his stiff erection against her softness. As he pushed her further into the wall, she gasped in pain. She stilled beneath him as his body crushed her. Her head slumped against his chest.

  “Now be nice to me, Candy, and perhaps you’ll get a promotion...to my bed,” Darren said, breathing heavily. He chuckled as she shivered.

  He moved back, releasing some of his weight from her, allowing her to breathe. Candy inhaled deeply, not wanting to fall unconscious.

  “That’s it, baby, breathe deep. I want you to experience every movement, every touch. I’m going to make certain by the time I’m finished with you, you won’t avoid me, but will come running when I call. I don’t care how long it takes, or how often I need to take you. I’m up for the challenge, definitely up for it,” he told her while grinding his cock against her.

  Candy’s mind was racing with her thoughts. Another plan, she needed evasive maneuvers. She needed to get away from him. His mouth burned a trail of sloppy wet kisses down her neck as his hand fondled a breast under her shirt. She held submissively still. She choked on the sickening smell of his heady cologne.

  “That’s it, baby, just relax. It doesn’t have to be too rough. Unless that’s the way you want it to be,” Darren said. The underlying warning was unmistakable, his hands roamed over both of her breasts, squeezing and kneading her tender flesh.

  Shaking, she pressed against the wall, as he rubbed his erection against her harder and with urgency. Biting down hard on her lip, she stifled a scream, as he began lifting her shirt to expose her. Her hands closed over his as he pinched and rolled her nipples with his fingers. She could feel the motion of his fingers beneath her own and she fought the bile building in her throat. His head dipped to taste her.

  “Not here, please.” She ducked her head lower to stop his descent and gazed up at him as though she were turned on instead of terrified. “The desk, take me on the desk. There’s a bump in the wall that hurts. I can’t feel your hands on me when my back aches.” There was also nothing on the wall she could grab at to use as a weapon.

  “Sure, baby, sure,” he concurred with mounting heated passion. “I can lay you on the desk. I can bend you over the desk. The only pain I want you to experience is to come from me.” He groaned deep within his throat, as his fingertips continued to roll one nipple, pinching painfully. Candy couldn’t help a soft moan of distaste. “I’ve fantasized about you, about you begging for it. I know you want me; I can see it in your eyes. I’ve seen you watching me; I bet you love me screwing you in your thoughts. Now you get the real thing. I want to hear your moans while you cry out from beneath me. I’ll make you scream for it. You’ve played coy enough.”

  Candy was gripped roughly within his arms. He propelled her backward, almost lifting her from the ground, eager for her. Her backside bashed against the desk painfully and with an evil glint in his eye she was abruptly turned and found herself thrown face down on the desk as he ripped at her pants.

  “How do you want it first? You’re getting it all three ways, but I’m a generous man. Your ass, your mouth or your pussy? Pick now or I will.” His hand squeezed at the flesh he exposed, hurting her.

  Candy’s hands roamed the desk frantically; she grabbed at a large stapler and swung backward as hard as she could. With a great deal of satisfaction she heard a sickening thud as it connected with his head, then clattered to the ground.

  “Bitch,” Darren howled in outrage, grabbing his head in his hands, stumbling back.

  Candy fled from the office, yanking up her pants. She ducked behind one of the many cubicles in the outer area and huddled under a desk. But not before arming herself with another stapler.

  “That wasn’t smart, Candy,” Darren yelled loudly into the large empty room.

  Candy pulled herself into a tight ball. She was unable to stop the terrible tremors that ran through her. She willed herself not to cry. Her hand hurt from the death grip she maintained on her weapon.

  “If you show yourself, I might allow you to beg my forgiveness,” Darren said lightly.

  Candy peeked through a crack between the desk and the cubical wall divider. She could see his fists balled in anger. She wondered fearfully if he planned on doing more than raping her; by the evil grin on his face she could tell he was contemplating something violent. She swallowed hard when he reached up and, removing his tie, he wrapped an end around each fist and pulled it taught with an audible snap.

  “Candy?” he called softly, chuckling, closing in on her huddled form. “I see you.”

  Candy saw his dark expensive shoes move closer. She was trapped and guessed he was about to kill her; she’d enraged him by fighting back. No one was allowed to fight back against Tyler Darren. The stapler hurt from her death grip. There was no escape. Candy was no commando; she’d fight but there wouldn’t be much of a battle. She swore if she was going down, she’d take a chunk out of him.

  “Darren,” came a loud sudden voice.

  Darren’s head snapped in the direction of the angry commanding tone, so did Candy’s. She saw the man’s legs to his waist; she was positive he couldn’t see her. For a second, she thought to run to him for help; she changed her positon slightly and remained immobile. Things went from horrible to insane bad. A huge, powerfully built, blond man was walking toward Tyler, a gun in plain view. Darren took a step back and visibly paled, Candy all but forgotten.

  “Who the hell are you?” Darren snapped.

  “Damien.”

  “What the hell do you want?” he demanded with false bravado.

  “Mr. Marcus wanted me to relay a message,” Damien answered with a wicked grin.

  Darren swallowed hard. Candy squeezed her eyes shut for a second. The rumors must be true. It was only last month Brent Marcus had raged at D
arren he would pay for the rape of his daughter. Darren simply laughed into the enraged, frustrated man’s face. No one could touch him, he was too wealthy. His family was too powerful; he could do as he pleased, to anyone. Candy was privy to offhand comments. She had no doubt they were true accusations.

  “You tell that old bastard his daughter begged for it,” he sneered with unveiled contempt. “Go fuck yourself and take your hoax threats, asshole. Marcus and his simpering bitch daughter will pay for this, too.”

  “I don’t give return messages, Tyler.” He raised his weapon.

  “Wait. Don’t you know who I am?” Darren shrieked, incredulous. He dropped his tie onto the ground and splayed his hands before him.

  “You’re history,” Damien declared. He discharged his revolver right between the man’s eyes.

  Candy heard a soft puff of air and suddenly Tyler Darren lay on the ground not two feet from her huddled form, his sightless, glassy eyes gazing through her. A small trail of blood oozed from a neat hole in his forehead. The blood drained from her face. Candy shoved her fist into her mouth, but it was too late. A soft whimper escaped her lips.

  Damien, who had been about to leave, stopped abruptly, he turned slowly in Candy’s direction. Candy, who had been shaking before, shuddered uncontrollably. No doubt the man who advanced on her was a paid assassin. He would need to silence her; she’d seen his weapon, heard its almost silent discharge. She could remain immobile no longer while awaiting yet another attacker.

  With a sudden burst of terrified desperation, Candy bolted from her hiding place and fled toward the hallway. She didn’t get far. The powerful man lunged for her and grabbed her up off her feet easily, pinning her to the ground beneath him, his weight capturing her, pressing her into the carpet.

  “Get off me,” Candy screamed in terror.

  She looked desperately into cold, ice blue eyes, devoid of compassion. The man held the gun to her. Candy struck out wildly, connecting with the stapler she still clutched. The man howled in surprised pain when it was cracked into the side of his head. Candy slipped between his legs. She was up and running, slamming into the door that led to the stairwell.