Levels Of Exposure (Distortion Series Book 2) Read online

  Seth’s arm was covered in blood from his wound. He looked frantic as Jackson approached. “We can work something out, Jacks. Come on, man.” Seth raised his hand while still trying to locate his gun.

  “What could you possibly do for me?” Jackson asked before clenching his jaw in hatred.

  “I have connections…I’m sure there’s something you need,” Seth pleaded.

  “Wrong, but I will let you in on a little secret.” Seth stopped looking for the gun. Jackson’s foot bumped into something hard. He looked down and noticed Seth’s gun underneath some hay scattered over the ground. He knelt down and picked it up. “Looking for this?”

  Seth looked at the gun and then back up to Jackson. “Who was it?”

  Jackson passed the other gun off to Teddy and aimed Seth’s gun at him. Looking down the barrel at Seth’s face was more satisfying than he imagined it could be. “It was your girlfriend,” Jackson said in a satisfied tone. “Guess she got tired of you fucking around on her and told Black what you were up to.”

  “Tina?” Seth said questioningly.

  “Bingo,” Jackson said as he pulled the trigger. The bullet hit Seth in the center of the forehead. His body took a moment to realize the fatal blow before his eyes glazed over and his legs gave out beneath him. He landed face first onto the ground. The interior of the barn stayed eerily quiet for a moment until Evan started complaining through his gag.

  “Hold on, princess,” Teddy said as he pulled the gag roughly off his head.

  “Ouch. That fucking hurt,” Evan complained. “Untie me so I can see if I’m shot. There were fucking bullets flying everywhere.”

  “Calm down. You’re fine.” Teddy gave him a quick once over.

  “Here,” Dane called out before he tossed a knife that he had taken off one of the men. It embedded in the dirt a short distance from Evan’s feet.

  “Jesus Christ! You guys are fucking crazy.”

  Teddy grabbed the blade and began cutting Evan’s ties to free him from the chair. As soon as Evan was free he scrambled to his feet. He kicked the chair and looked around at the bodies.

  “See, you’re all good, baby bro,” Teddy teased.

  “Stop calling me that,” Evan snapped. “I’m pretty sure cops aren’t supposed to shoot people up like this. Who the fuck gave you guys badges?” Evan wiped at the blood dried on his chin.

  “We got them out of cereal boxes.” Dane laughed. “We still have a few lingering on the outside.” Dane nodded toward the door.

  Jackson nodded as he approached, signaling for him to open the door. Teddy was close on his heels as Dane pushed the door open. Jackson had his gun ready as two men approached the barn. He fired off a few rounds and the men dropped.

  “Is that it?” Jackson swung around to Teddy.

  “By my count there’s still one missing.” Jackson walked up to the two men he had just taken out before he looked up at the house. He spun around and cleared their surroundings before he was drawn to the house. He knew who was missing…Nate. “I got this,” Jackson called out over his shoulder as he made his way toward the house.

  Jackson readied his gun as he walked up the front step and approached the door. He pulled the screen open and walked into the house. “Nate,” Jackson called out. “I know you’re in here.” He cleared the front room. The coffee table was covered in beer cans and garbage. In the center of the table, a platter with pink and yellow flowers decorating the outer rim displayed a substantial stash of crack. The walls showed remnants of hanging wire from pictures that were no longer there. Jackson continued onward toward the kitchen when he heard a noise. He turned the corner with his gun aimed in the direction of the commotion when he noticed the back door swing shut. He made a run for the door in pursuit, jumping over broken dishes scattered on the kitchen floor. He shoved the door open and barrelled down the back porch steps as he noticed Nate dart around the corner.

  Jackson rounded the back of the house and noticed Nate was sprawled out on the ground with Dane standing over him, his gun aimed.

  “Don’t shoot him,” Jackson called toward Dane. Jackson walked over toward Nate. He looked terrified as he stared up at Jackson. “I didn’t think you’d come back, Jackson. I was just trying to stay alive.” Nate raised his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry.”

  “Save it,” Jackson spat. “Get the fuck out of here before I change my mind.”

  Nate scrambled to his feet. He looked as if he was going to say something before he decided to take off toward the cars parked in the driveway.

  “You think it’s wise to let him go?” Dane asked as he holstered his gun.

  “Probably not, but I considered him a friend once,” Jackson said, staring at the settling dust.

  “I like to think we’re mostly still the good guys, despite the shit we get into.”

  “You maybe. I dance too fucking close to the line. I never know which side I’m actually on anymore.”

  “We’re always on the same side, Jackson. Wherever you are, so am I.” He patted Jackson on the shoulder and started walking toward the cars.

  Teddy was sitting on the hood of Jackson’s car and Evan was sitting on the ground with his head between his knees when he approached them. “What the fuck’s wrong with him?” Jackson asked, walking toward the black sedan where his weapons were still sitting on the hood.

  “He just needs to get laid.” Teddy smiled.

  “Fuck you, Ted,” Evan said without looking up. Jackson walked around his car to the truck and popped it open. He grabbed a bottle of water out of the back and tossed it beside Evan. Evan looked up at the water and grabbed it, twisted off the cover, and downed the entire bottle.

  “I think I solved our car troubles,” Teddy said with a smile. Jackson looked over the other cars in the lot before his eyes fell on a black Dodge Charger.

  “Whatever car we’re taking better have four doors,” Dane said, walking up beside them.

  “You’re in luck.” Teddy walked over toward the car, opened the door, and slid inside. “The keys are in it,” he called out from inside the car.

  Jackson’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and looked at the private caller ID on the display. “Hello?”

  “It’s Steven. Your meeting is tonight at 9:00 p.m. at the restaurant. No street clothes or he’ll turn you away at the door. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Got it,” Jackson said before he heard the call disconnect.

  “Who was that?” Dane asked as soon as Jackson tucked his phone away.

  “We have a date.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  Lexie

  Lexie stared at the inside of the door of her room. She wished she could open it and take back her freedom, but all she could do was hope that the next time it opened she’d find an opportunity to escape. She had spent the last few hours convincing herself her plan to use Flint was her best option and she needed to be believable for it to work. She tried to pull all her reservations deep inside and lock them away. She couldn’t let fear and hatred cloud her vision. She needed to keep her mother in her sights. She had no way of knowing if anyone would come for them and she had to assume she was on her own.

  When Lexie was returned to her room she decided she needed to play the part of the obedient girl John was looking for. She filled the bath and added some of the expensive looking bath products. She needed to relax and be able to gain her focus. Once her muscles began to submit to the soothing heat, her mind kicked into gear.

  She picked out the most lavish dress in the closet. It was a bright red with daring lines. It took a little coaxing to pull the hidden zipper closed up the side of the dress, but when she did she was pleased with the results. It was a little tight around the bust, but it would work to her benefit.

  Lexie curled her hair and pinned the sides back to give it a more finished look. She applied heavy makeup around her eyes to give her a sultry evening look that suited the bold dress and finished off her look with bright red lips to match the dress. />
  “Nice to meet you,” Lexie had said to the stranger in the mirror. This version of herself with the determined look in her eyes was new to her. She had her feet on the ground and ready to take on the difficult road ahead. Lexie couldn’t help but fear the return of the broken version of herself she had been living with since Alex had died. “Do me a favor and stick around for a while.” Lexie had said before sliding the cover back on her lipstick and tossing it on the counter. “I’m gonna need you.”

  She now sat in a chair she had pulled over to have a clear view of the door. Someone had come into her room while she was gone earlier and cleaned the mess she had made. The pictures were rehung. The television was replaced, along with the remote that sat neatly on the stand.

  Lexie slipped her feet into black heels with a delicate strap around her ankles before she leaned back in the chair. Her thoughts found Stephanie and the guilt of what she had put her best friend through over the past year. Stephanie was a rare treasure, a friend Lexie wanted to repay for all that she had done. Then there was Evan who walked the same line as she did, they were both fragments of the people they had once been. She wasn’t sure how he would deal with her being taken.

  Lexie looked down at the red material that hugged her curves so tightly she felt exposed. She ran her fingers over the swell of her breasts and flashes of Jackson’s face pulled at her attention. The way he had ignited her body was hard to ignore but now with those memories came a rushing anger. She tightened her hands into fists and took a deep breath. She had unfinished business with Jackson and she wished more than anything she would be able to deliver the message. She knew if she held on to this anger she would be able to accomplish what she needed. Anger unlike pain made her feel invincible when it burned hot.

  Lexie stood up when someone unlocked her door. She forced her hands to relax, and gave her body a quick shake to loosen herself up so she didn’t appear tense. She was surprised to see John enter the room. A smile pulled at his features unnaturally as he laid eyes upon her.

  “Lexie, glad to see you’re ready,” John said casually. If he was surprised he gave no hint of it in his voice.

  “Yes, well, I’m actually looking forward to leaving this room.” Lexie forced a smile. She tried to make her posture seem relaxed despite the turmoil in her stomach.

  “You look just like your mother,” John said with what appeared to be a flash of emotion but it was gone as quick as it came. She was again left looking at the soulless man before her. She tried not to study his features too much for fear that she would recognize herself.

  John swung the door open. “Come.” Unlike Flint, John did not offer his arm as he led the way. Two of John’s men followed closely behind her, allowing her little space to distance herself from John.

  As soon as they stepped off the elevator, Lexie could hear the music and the stream of voices floating down the hall. John led her toward the banquet room she had been taken to on her first day. Men mingled around the room in a mixture of attire. A bar was set up on one end and a band was playing in the corner. The music was a very soothing melody that blended in the background. The female singer’s voice was gritty and powerful as it hummed through the room. She was an unusual beauty with wideset eyes and hair that was the color of strawberries. She was captivating as she sang to the crowd.

  Lexie looked at the men around the room. Some looked as if they’d just walked off the street while others wore suits that spoke of money. It was strange to see the unusual mix of people all together in one place.

  A waiter approached John as soon as he walked in the room, offering a glass of red wine on his tray. John accepted the glass and was immediately swept up in conversations from a few suits eager for his attention.

  “You look lovely.” Lexie spun around to see Flint standing behind her. Her heart exploded in a frenzied pace. It was time to step into the ring.

  “Thank you.” She offered him a tentative smile. “What is the cause for celebration? Is it the annual bank robbers’ gala?” Lexie tried to keep her breathing calm.

  Flint chuckled and held out a glass of wine for her. “For some that would actually be quite fitting.”

  Lexie accepted, making sure to brush against his hand with hers. “Are you my watch dog for the evening?” Lexie allowed a teasing tone to caress her words and she could see Flint take the bait when his eyes turned dark.

  “You could say that.”

  “Am I to keep my mouth shut and just sip on wine?” She tipped the glass to her lips and looked up at him.

  “That would be wise.” Flint raised his brow.

  Lexie took a sip of the sweet wine and tried to ignore the stares from the questionable characters. She counted twenty-nine men with the exception of John’s muscle that were stationed around the exterior of the room. She felt naked under the sea of eyes, reminding her of how Flint made her feel in the hotel room. She swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to conjure up the girl she met in the mirror. It was her time to shine.

  Lexie listened to the singer and kept to herself as Flint was drawn into conversation by a group of men that looked like bankers, with brown suits and thick rimmed glasses. They seemed to be reserved when it came to details as they spoke, indicating that their business was not legitimate. Lexie tried not to think about what all these men in the room were capable of if they were involved with John Stodden. They must know what type of man he was…she wondered what that made them.

  Lexie noticed a group of women enter the room. She recognized a few from earlier that day when Miller had returned her to her room. They filed in with lazy, seductive smiles upon their faces. They looked like they were under the influence of something, the way they stared blankly around the room. The serious mood of the room changed dramatically as the men were given a new focus.

  Lexie watched the girls mingle with the men as she stayed tucked away near the side of the room. Flint kept throwing her glances as he continued speaking to the “Bankers,” a conversation that quickly became heated. Lexie tried to pick up on any details she could, but they kept their voices low as she lingered on the outside of their circle. They apparently did not fall for the scantily-clad distractions wandering around the room as they barely even glanced at the women vying for attention. They stayed focused on dealing with their issues despite the atmosphere.

  Lexie was relieved when Flint passed her off on Miller and led the group of men out of the room. Miller had been standing on the sidelines and gave her a genuine smile as she leaned against the wall next to him. “Interesting party.” Lexie smiled.

  “Yeah, I’m kind of surprised John let you come. These things tend to get…” Miller trailed off as if trying to find the right word.

  “X-rated?” Lexie had a feeling she knew where things were leading. There was too much promise of sex in the eyes of the women hanging off the arms of the men not to deliver.

  “Yeah,” Miller smiled uncomfortably. “My name is Chad, by the way, but most people call me Miller.”

  “Lexie.” She smiled and sipped on her wine. “I’m starting to think that John allowing me to come was another one of his scare tactics.” Lexie knew exactly what this was. It was another way for John to let her know he was in control. He wanted her to see this and know that if she didn’t follow his rules that she could be one of the girls, high as a kite and wandering around offering themselves. She wondered why these women would ever agree to this.

  “About earlier…” Miller started.

  “Thank you for that,” Lexie said, cutting him off, placing her hand on his shoulder. “It meant a lot to hear her voice.”

  Miller nodded his head and scanned the room. “I can’t do it again.”

  “I know,” Lexie said, letting her hand fall away. She tipped her glass up, draining the rest of her wine.

  Lexie let her eyes wander around the room and wondered if any of these men had families at home as they allowed their sexual instincts to take front and center stage. The scene continued to unfold in
front of her as she began her second glass of wine. Flint hadn’t returned and John was nowhere to be seen. She wondered if she had been forgotten as the evening progressed and other matters tied up John and Flint.

  Lexie flattened her back against the wall when two men approached her, their eyes like a starving animal as they took her in. Lexie folded her arms and squared her jaw. She would offer nothing to these men, not even a polite smile. Miller stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the men. “She’s off limits. Move along.” The two men sauntered away, throwing hungry looks over their shoulder s until another woman grabbed their attention. Lexie breathed a sigh of relief as she relaxed against the wall.

  “I think maybe I should take you back to your room,” Miller said, turning around to meet her troubled expression. Most of the women who had entered with flashy dresses were now completely nude except for their impossible heels. They were openly fondled by the men in their company without discretion.

  Lexie watched the brunette with the leopard print shoes unbuckle the pants of one of the men in a suit. He stared down at her intensely as he drained his glass. She leaned over, seductively licking her lips as she pulled him free of his pants and stroked him before she took him in her mouth. She looked up at him and batted her eyes to expertly draw on his pleasure. Another man standing nearby unfastened his pants. He approached the brunette from behind. He ran his fingers along her opening before he slid himself into her. He thrust hard and fast and made her gag around the other man still in her mouth.

  Lexie’s mouth fell open in shock. The room quickly unravelled and smell of sex permeated her senses. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes she wouldn’t have believed it. A woman’s scream tore through the music in the room. Lexie stood on her toes to see the nervous looking girl she had seen earlier in the hallway. There was a panicked look on her face as a man ripped her dress open. She was surrounded by a few others, all looking on hungrily.