Club Luxe 4: Tortured Heart

By Olivia Noble

Victoria has never felt so enraged in her life. Everything is going to hell and she is determined to fix the downward spiral. She doesn’t care who the enemy is; nothing is going to stop her from saving Malcolm.
With his back against the wall yet again, Malcolm has been pushed to his breaking point. Enough is enough. He is tired of suffering at the hands of his rivals who think that they can steal his family, his business, and his life. Now, trapped and helpless, Malcolm knows that the only way out is to fight. He will not let Victoria get ripped away from him the same way his daughter was so many years ago. This time, there is no way he can avoid getting blood on his hands. For now, he might seem like the underdog...
But the king of kink is exactly where he wants to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ThunderWords Press
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311609342

Olivia Noble

Olivia Noble is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband, two beautiful children-- and a new baby on the way! The husband recently thought it was a good idea to read Olivia's books, and he blames their "extremely inappropriate" content for their little accident. (She happily takes responsibility.)Raising two rambunctious rug rats makes it nearly impossible to escape long enough to finish writing an entire book, but Olivia does her best to find "Mommy time." She likes to keep her books romantic, steamy, and filled with fun characters that get into all kinds of trouble-- the kind of trouble she wishes she could get into.Subscribe to Olivia's mailing list to receive a free book as a gift: http://eepurl.com/TRg95

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Victoria was still fuming as she sprinted away from the building, moving swiftly and stealthily between the trees. She hated this crippling feeling of failure and defeat. Her legs felt like lead. It hurt that Malcolm hadn’t informed her of his change in plans and it hurt even more that she could see the twisted logic in his decision. As she thought of all the horrors Malcolm could be going through, she nearly stumbled into a guard’s line of sight. She ducked behind a cluster of trees and held her breath as she waited for him to look away. Only when he did could she carefully creep further into the jungle.

Nothing was ever easy.

It took great effort and concentration not to make a sound. The muscles in her legs ached with the strain and her brain was throbbing and aching within her skull. She needed to get away and make a call to Malcolm’s partner, Dominic. Their last conversation had needed to end abruptly or she would have been captured along with Malcolm. Clenching her jaw, she tried to block out the memory of her lover’s bruised face. Getting him away from Brantford’s formidable garrison was going to take everything she had.

Even though she’d never met him, the thought of Brantford made her whole body tremble. She had never understood why Malcolm’s eyes always took on a fearful expression when he spoke of his former brother-in-law. To see him afraid always caused a shiver to run down her spine. Malcolm was the most powerful man she had ever known; he was brave and brilliant, with quick thinking and lightning-fast action. How could anyone or anything terrify someone like him? Now, she finally understood why.

He was gone.

She was on her own... and up against a private army.

Looking behind her furtively, Victoria double-checked to make sure that no one had followed her. Her fingers slid into her pocket and clutched tightly around her phone. Pulling out the metal device, she quickly redialed the last number that had called. Anxiousness clawed at her stomach with each ring. She turned the volume down as low as it could possibly go in fear that a guard would hear the soft sound.

A soft click indicated that someone on the other end had picked up.

I need your help, Victoria said sharply.

I’ll do what I can, Dominic said calmly. What are you planning?

What do you think? she asked incredulously. I’m going to go in there and drag his ass out of the fire.

Dominic remained quiet for a long moment. The pause felt like a whole lifetime. Your determination is great. It’s just what Malcolm needs—but he also needs your head. Take a moment to step back and breathe. If you rush in there now you’re just going to get yourself killed.

I know! she snapped, trying to hide her anger. Which is why I need your help. Give me eyes and ears on the situation, and any information you have.

You want information? Dominic said sharply. Here it is: We’re fucked.

What do you mean? she whispered in shock. Come on. We can’t afford to be negative right now.

These are just the facts, Victoria, he said angrily. Malcolm has been captured and I can’t get any backup to come save him. Either he’s already dead, or Brantford invoked the Blood Duel and intends to torture him for days before killing him, so he’s as good as dead.

Fuck, Victoria hissed. "What kind of a so-called business partner are you? What kind of a friend are you? No wonder Malcolm runs the company and you just stay in the background. You’re a total pussy."

Victoria, you don’t know Malcolm like I do. We’ve been through hell and back for over fifteen years. If Malcolm let himself get captured on purpose, then he has a plan. We have to trust him. Dominic paused, and when he spoke again, his voice wavered slightly. This may be his only chance. I would love nothing more than to have you go in there to rescue him, guns blazing—but it could screw up whatever he has planned.

So we do nothing? she demanded. Is that really what you’re telling me?

There was a long, deathly silence over the phone, as if Dominic had stopped breathing. Yes, he finally said in a soft voice.

Victoria bit down hard on her lip, and she tasted a coppery liquid against her tongue. I’m not going to leave things to chance, Dominic, she said with determination. I can’t.

The noiseless sound of the gears turning in their minds was deafening. Neither of them spoke for a few moments as they both struggled to plan their next step.

Victoria, Dominic finally said in a soft voice. You need to get to a safe place. That’s your first mission, because if you get captured or hurt, Malcolm loses his only hope. We can’t be having this conversation while you’re so deep in enemy territory. Get out now.

She wondered if Dominic was thinking clearly or just afraid. I’m the one who’s being reckless, she finally realized. Fine, she muttered, hanging up the phone. She knew that being angry with Dominic was unreasonable, but it was difficult to control her temper. Being so helpless in this situation drove her insane and she desperately wanted to take action. Anything felt better than nothing, but Dominic’s wise words echoed in her mind. If she went in there now, she was sure to end up dead... or worse.

She began moving again, quicker than before and with renewed purpose. Slipping deeper into the forest and away from the guards was her first priority. Once it was safe, she could figure out a way to help save Malcolm. Once she felt she was far enough away, Victoria picked up her pace in the woods. This is so much easier with the right footwear, she thought to herself as she began to sprint.

Malcolm had been right about one thing: her leg still really bothered her. The fight she’d had with the guard had caused the delicate skin over her cut to stretch and burn. She might have torn a few stitches, but she couldn’t pause to look. Her thigh was throbbing like mad, but she ignored the pain as she focused on putting as much distance as possible between herself and Brantford’s stronghold. Knowing that each step took her further away from Malcolm made her heart ache. Depressing images of him being abused and tormented kept flooding her mind. Soon it was too much for her to handle and she had to stop to catch her breath. All her rage and pent-up emotion threatened to break her body and spirit. She took a deep breath, allowing her chest to expand with oxygen. In a thunderous scream, she released all of her negativity and worry. The sound tore at her throat but she didn’t care. The anger needed to go somewhere or she wouldn’t be able to focus on the task at hand.

Slumping against a tree, Victoria was surprised to notice her phone softly vibrating in her pocket. Reaching down, she pulled it out and answered the call, but she was too drained to speak.

I have good news, Dominic said quietly.

Tell me, she said in a scratchy voice.

Are you okay? he asked in concern.

Victoria’s lips pulled into a weak smile. I’m fine, she said softly. Tell me what happened.

Well, he began. I’ve received word that Brantford has begun the Blood Duel.

Her head began to throb. How is that good news? she asked as she lifted her hand up to cup her forehead.

It means that Malcolm is alive, he said seriously. At least for the moment.

Victoria was beginning to feel dizzy as she struggled to focus on Dominic’s words. But for how long, Dominic?

Knowing Brantford? he said with bitter venom in his voice. He’ll drag this out until the last moment, just to make Malcolm suffer.

She was afraid of that answer and felt the tears welling up in her eyes. I should have gone inside and gotten him out. I shouldn’t have listened to you, she said, her temper flaring.

Victoria, you need to calm down, Dominic said gently. Getting yourself killed isn’t going to help our boy. What would have happened if you died and Malcolm somehow managed to escape or kill Brantford? Do you know what he would do to me if I let you get killed for nothing? I’d be skinned alive!

Despite of her anger, she felt a small laugh begging to be released from her chest. I suppose you’re right, she said gently. Malcolm has a way of making the impossible look easy.

He’s one tough son of a bitch, Dominic agreed. But that doesn’t mean he can’t use our help. The federal raid on the company is an inconvenience, but soon things should be up and running.

Surely there is a way to get some backup here, Victoria mused. I know how you people work, and you would never leave all your eggs in one basket.

They aren’t, he said lightly. It’s just kind of a pain in the ass to get access to our eggs, considering how hard we try to keep them hidden. I’ve been working on getting funds together to purchase the services of a private military company.

Victoria listened carefully, her headache still beating like drums within her skull. While you’re at it, see if you can hack whatever security Brantford has in that house, she suggested softly. Her head was killing her and it was difficult to form thoughts. I saw biometric locks on all the doors. Even if Malcolm’s private army swooped in and killed all the guards, got Claire and Elizabeth out safely, we’d still be left with Malcolm trapped somewhere. We’re going to need both a code and a handprint. The latter shouldn’t be too difficult.

I’ll see what I can do, I’m not the greatest techwizard, he said dubiously. I just pour drinks and mix drugs. The helpful kind.

Victoria smiled again. I’ll walk you through what you have to do. Call me back once you’ve confirmed backup is on the way. Then we can hack and perhaps even shut down Brantford’s security. Anything to have an edge.

CHAPTER 2

Malcolm felt achingly numb as he sat against a wall in his dark, underground cage. Without any light or noise from the outside, time seemed to stop