All The Pretty Little Lies (Second Sons Duet #1)

34. Talon

TALON

The room erupts into chaos, a cacophony of Russian expletives and English curses mixing in the air like oil and water. I can barely make out individual words as Oscar and Zaire talk over each other, their voices rising with each passing second. It's like watching two storms collide, all thunder and lightning with no room for reason.

I glance at Vesper, expecting to see her shrink back from the verbal onslaught, but she stands tall, her green eyes flashing with a determination that makes my breath catch. She's a fortress, unshakeable even as the twins' argument threatens to tear the room apart.

"Enough!" Vesper's voice cuts through the noise like a knife, silencing the room in an instant. "I said I'll go with Talon to meet Natasha, and that's final."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Natasha. The name alone sends a chill down my spine, images of what that woman has done flooding my mind. She played a part in Vesper’s uncle’s plan. She is the puppet master behind Vesper's suffering, the architect of her pain. The thought of Vesper being anywhere near her makes my blood boil.

“We have no choice. If we want to see how far down this goes, we need to meet with her, and the only way we can do that is if I go.”

Oscar runs a hand through his short, dark hair, his blue eyes stormy with concern. "Vesper, you can't be serious. After everything Natasha's done-"

"I know what she’s done," Vesper interrupts, her voice low and dangerous. "I lived it, remember?"

The room falls silent again, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. I watch as Zaire's face contorts with rage, his hands balling into fists at his sides. The dark blue ring around his eyes seems to glow with an otherworldly fury.

"Let me go instead," Zaire growls, taking a step towards Vesper. "I'll make that bitch pay for what she did to you."

I can't help but admire his protective instinct, even if I know it's misplaced. Vesper doesn't need our protection, she needs our support.

“You can’t,” I declare. “I’m the buyer. Not you. Oscar is out because she was flirting with him at the bar before the auction. She’s seen his face. The same fucking face you have, jackass. I’m the only option here.”

All eyes turn to me, a mix of shock and betrayal on the twins' faces. But Vesper looks at me with something akin to gratitude, a soft smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Zaire's eyes darken, his jaw clenching as he takes a step closer to Vesper. "You don't know what you're agreeing to," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "This isn't just some undercover op. You were sold as a sex slave, Vesper. Natasha will expect you to act like one."

The words hang in the air, heavy and oppressive. I feel my stomach churn, the reality of what Vesper might have to endure hitting me like a freight train. But Vesper doesn't flinch. She stands tall, her chin lifted in defiance.

"I was raised to be controlled and to submit, Zaire," she says, her voice steady and cold. "It's like breathing to me. I've spent my entire life playing the part my family wanted me to play. This is no different."

Her words cut through me like a knife. I've always known that Vesper's upbringing was far from normal but hearing her speak so casually about being controlled...it does something to me that I can’t explain.

I want to reach out, to pull her close and shield her from the world that's treated her so cruelly. But I know that's not what she needs right now.

Zaire's face contorts with a mix of anger and pain. "Not anymore," he fires back, his voice rising. "You're not that person anymore, Vesper. You're free now. You don't have to do this."

I watch as Vesper's eyes flash, a storm brewing behind those emerald orbs. For a moment, I think she might lash out at Zaire, but instead, she takes a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"Natasha will have expectations of your behavior," Zaire continues, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "She'll expect complete submission, unquestioning obedience. Are you prepared for that?"

The room falls silent, all eyes on Vesper. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Part of me hopes she'll back down, that she'll realize the danger she's putting herself in. But another part of me, the part that's come to know and admire Vesper's strength, knows she won't.

"I can handle it," Vesper says finally, her voice filled with a quiet determination that sends shivers down my spine.

I watch as Oscar steps forward, his face a mask of concern. "Vesper, I hate to say it, but Zaire's right. You don't fully grasp what they might demand of you." His voice is soft, but there's an edge to it that I've rarely heard. "The things they could ask. There are no limits, no boundaries. Are you prepared for that?"

The words hang heavy in the air, and I feel my stomach twist. Oscar's right, of course. The world we're about to step into is dark, and twisted, with rules that normal society would balk at. I've seen glimpses of it before, but never like this. Never so personal.

Zaire nods, his eyes locked on Vesper. "And it's not just about you, Ves. Talon's a good actor, sure, but pretending to be your lord and master? To demand things of you, to treat you like..." He trails off, unable to finish the thought. "It's not something I think either of you can pull off convincingly."

I feel a flare of indignation at Zaire's words, but it's quickly doused by the cold reality of the situation. He's right. The thought of treating Vesper like a possession, of demanding her obedience. It makes my skin crawl. How could I possibly convince Natasha that I'm capable of such cruelty?

"Natasha will smell the deception a mile away," Zaire continues, his voice low and urgent. "She's been in this game for years. She'll see right through any act we try to put on."

I watch as Vesper's eyes flicker between the twins, her face unreadable. For a moment, I think I see a crack in her armor, a flicker of uncertainty in those emerald eyes. But then it's gone, replaced by that steely determination I've come to admire and fear in equal measure.

"You're both underestimating me," she says, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of steel. "And you're underestimating Talon. We can do this."

I feel a surge of something - pride? fear? - at her words. The faith she has in me is both exhilarating and terrifying. Can I live up to it? Can I be the monster we need me to be for this mission to succeed?

"Vesper," I start, my voice hoarse. "They're not wrong. The things I might have to do, to say. I don't know if I can-"

She cuts me off with a look, those green eyes boring into mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. "You can," she says simply. "Because you have to. Because we have to."

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. Vesper's right, of course. We have to do this. But the thought of what lies ahead makes my stomach churn.

"Zaire," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Teach us. Both of us."

The room falls silent, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. Zaire's eyes widen, a mix of shock and something else, fear, maybe?.

"You don't know what you're asking," he says, his voice low and gravelly.

Vesper steps forward, her green eyes blazing with determination. "We do," she insists. "We need to make this convincing, Zaire. You're the only one who can help us."

Zaire hesitates, his gaze flickering between Vesper and me. I can see the internal struggle playing out on his face, the desire to protect warring with the knowledge that this might be our only chance.

"Please," Vesper adds, her voice softer now. "We have to do this."

Zaire looks to Oscar, a silent conversation passing between the twins. After what feels like an eternity, Oscar nods, his face grim.

"Fine," Zaire says, his voice thick with resignation. "I'll do it."

Relief washes over me, quickly followed by a wave of apprehension. What have we just signed up for?

Zaire takes a deep breath, running a hand through his dark hair. "But you need to understand something," he says, his silver eyes intense. "This isn't about barking orders at someone who's submissive. It's more than that. So much more."

The air in the room seems to grow heavier, charged with an electric tension that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

"The only way to truly learn," Zaire continues, his voice low and serious, "is to experience what it feels like. Both sides of it."

“Where did you learn this exactly?” I question. “I doubt there’s a book out there on how to be a dom for dummies.”

“I learned through experience. As a second son, like you very well know, we have no power. No control over my future. But in the bedroom, I found a place where I could exert control. Where I make the rules.”

“So, you just woke up one day and decided to be a dom?” I chuckle.

“No, asshole. It’s who I am.” His gaze meets mine, unflinching. “I won’t lie or sugarcoat it. It wasn’t always pretty. I made mistakes, hurt people unintentionally. But, I discovered a piece of me that I needed like a puzzle piece clicking into place. It just works for me.”

I glance at Vesper, curious how she's reacting to hearing about Zaire's sexual history. But her face remains impassive, her green eyes focused intently on Zaire as if drinking in every word.

Zaire continues, his voice taking on a reverential tone. "Through those experiences, I came to understand that true dominance isn't about subjugation or cruelty. It's about guidance, protection, and nurturing growth. It's a sacred responsibility."

I turn to Vesper, searching her face for some clue to her thoughts. "And you?" I ask softly. "Why do you...I mean, how can you..." I struggle to find the right words, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. Finally, I blurt out, "Why do you allow Zaire to dominate you?"

Vesper's emerald eyes meet mine, an array of emotions swirling in their depths. She takes a deep breath. "All my life. I've craved freedom. I was raised in a gilded cage, every decision made for me, every move scrutinized. I dreamed of the day I could spread my wings and fly."

She pauses, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “But the fear and anxiety of what happened before it started to take over. I was on the brink of shutting down again. Zaire helped me. When I submit to him, the world narrows to just us. The fear melts away, replaced by a sense of safety and certainty.” Her eyes meet mine again. “It’s paradoxical, I know. But surrendering control, even for a little while, I’ve found a freedom more profound than anything I’ve experienced. The freedom to be fully present, to feel everything without reservation, to trust completely.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

My heart skips a beat, the implications of both of their words sinking in. I glance again at Vesper, expecting to see hesitation or fear in her eyes. Instead, I find only steely resolve.

"Whatever it takes," she says firmly.

“Show me,” I demand.

Zaire nods, his face a mask of concentration. "Alright," he says, his voice taking on a new tone, deeper, more commanding. "Vesper, come here."

I watch, fascinated and terrified, as Vesper moves towards Zaire without hesitation.

"Kneel," Zaire commands, his voice soft but brooking no argument.

Vesper sinks to her knees in one smooth motion, her head bowed, hands resting palm-down on her thighs. The transformation is startling - gone is the fierce, independent woman I've come to know. In her place is the woman who came to us broken and controlled.

I watch, transfixed, as Zaire circles Vesper's kneeling form. His eyes rake over her, assessing, calculating. When he speaks, his voice is low and smooth, like velvet over steel.

"Good girl," he murmurs, and I see Vesper's shoulders relax infinitesimally at the praise. "You see, Talon? This is what submission looks like. It's not just about following orders. It's about giving away control and putting your trust in that person whole-heartedly.” He reaches out, his fingers ghosting over Vesper's hair. She doesn't move, doesn't even seem to breathe. "It's about becoming an extension of your master's will. A perfect reflection of their desires."

My throat goes dry as I watch the scene unfold. There's an intimacy to it that makes me feel like an intruder, yet I can't look away. Zaire's movements are precise, controlled. Every touch, every word seems calculated to elicit a specific response from Vesper.

"Now, Vesper," Zaire continues, his voice taking on a harder edge. "Crawl to him."

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my pulse quickens at his words. Zaire nods at me, a silent command to approach. My legs feel like lead as I step forward.

"Now you, Talon," he says, his voice brooking no argument.

I hesitate, my mind racing. How am I supposed to do this? How can I treat Vesper like property? But then I remember why we're doing this. What's at stake. I take a deep breath, steeling myself.

I reach down, my hand hovering over Vesper's head. I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin, see the slight tremble in her shoulders. Gently, I rest my palm on the back of her neck.

"No," Zaire's voice cracks like a whip. "You're not petting a dog, Talon. You're accepting the devotion of your property. Your touch should be firm. Possessive."

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to press down harder. Vesper doesn't flinch, doesn't move a muscle. Her complete trust in me, in this situation, is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"Better," Zaire nods. "Now, command her to rise."

I clear my throat, trying to inject some authority into my voice.

"Stand," I command, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. Vesper rises gracefully, her movements fluid and practiced. She keeps her eyes lowered, hands clasped in front of her.

Zaire circles us, his gaze critical. "Better, but not enough. Natasha will expect more." He pauses, his blue eyes flickering between us. "She might demand a demonstration of your control over Vesper. Are you prepared for that?"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I feel my stomach churn, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. "What kind of demonstration?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zaire's expression hardens. "Anything. Everything. In that world, there are no limits." He turns to Vesper, his voice softening slightly. "Vesper, look at Talon."

She raises her head, those mesmerizing green eyes meeting mine. I see a storm of emotions swirling in their depths; determination, fear, and something else I can't quite name.

"Natasha could demand that you pleasure him," Zaire continues, his words like ice down my spine. "She could insist on watching you submit to his every whim. Are you prepared for that possibility?"

I want to protest, to say that we'd never go that far. But the words die in my throat as I watch Vesper's reaction. Her chin lifts slightly, a spark of defiance flashing in her eyes.

"I am," she says, her voice steady and sure.

Zaire nods, turning back to me. "And you, Talon? Could you give those orders? Could you treat Vesper as nothing more than a plaything for your amusement?"

I feel my jaw clench, a war raging inside me. The thought of using Vesper like that, of reducing her to an object for my pleasure, makes me sick. But I know we have no choice. This is bigger than us, bigger than our comfort or our morals.

"I can try," I manage, hating how weak my voice sounds.

Zaire shakes his head. "Trying isn't enough. You need to believe it, to embody it." He steps closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous tone. "In that world, Vesper is yours. Your property. Your toy. You need to own that role, Talon. Completely."

I swallow hard feeling sweat bead on my forehead. Zaire's right, of course. Half-measures won't cut it. Not with someone like Natasha. I take a deep breath, trying to center myself.

"Vesper," I say, forcing steel into my voice. "On your knees."

She sinks down immediately, her movements graceful and practiced. I reach out, tangling my fingers in her hair, using it to tilt her head back. Her eyes meet mine, wide and trusting.

"Touch me," I command, my voice low and husky. "Show me how much you want to please your master."

Vesper's hands glide up my legs, her touch feather-light yet electrifying. I feel my breath catch as her fingers dance along my thighs, inching higher with agonizing slowness. Her eyes never leave mine, a silent challenge burning in their emerald depths.

I feel something shift inside me, a darker, more primal part of myself rising to the surface. My grip in her hair tightens, eliciting a soft gasp from her lips. "Faster," I growl, surprised by the authority in my own voice.

She obeys instantly, her movements becoming more urgent, more desperate. Her hands roam over my body with a fervor that sends shivers down my spine. I'm acutely aware of the others watching us – Zaire's intense gaze, Oscar's conflicted expression, Alex's calculating stare – but I find I don't care. In this moment, there's only Vesper and me.

"Good girl," I murmur, the praise falling from my lips naturally. I watch as Vesper's eyes flutter closed, a soft moan escaping her. The sound ignites something within me, a hunger I've never felt before.

My free hand traces the curve of her jaw, thumb brushing over her bottom lip. "Open," I command, and she complies without hesitation, her mouth parting invitingly. I lean down, my lips a hair's breadth from hers. "Remember who you belong to," I whisper, before capturing her mouth in a searing kiss.

Vesper responds with a passion that takes my breath away. Her hands clutch at my shirt pulling me closer as she surrenders herself to the kiss. I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her body pressed against mine.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. I look down at Vesper, her lips swollen, her cheeks flushed, and I feel a surge of possessive pride. Mine, a voice in my head growls. She's mine.

I turn to face the others, my arm still wrapped possessively around Vesper. "Is this convincing enough?" I ask, my voice rough with desire and a newfound confidence.

Zaire nods slowly, a mix of approval and something darker in his eyes. "It's a start," he says. "But remember, Talon. In that world, she's not just yours to pleasure. She's yours to punish, to push to her limits and beyond. Can you do that?"

I feel Vesper tense against me, and I tighten my hold on her instinctively. The thought of hurting her, even in play, makes my stomach churn. But I know we have no choice. This is the role we have to play.

"I can," I say, forcing conviction into my voice. "Whatever it takes."

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I can feel the weight of the others' gazes on us, but I force myself to focus solely on Vesper. Her green eyes are locked on mine, a mix of trust and challenge swirling in their depths.

"Touch me," I command again, my voice low and husky. “Show me your devotion.”

Vesper's hands slide up my thighs, her touch sending electricity through my body. I bite back a groan as her fingers dance along the waistband of my jeans, teasing and exploratory. She leans in, her breath hot against my skin as she nuzzles against my hip.

I feel a primal part of me stirring a side I've kept carefully locked away. It whispers dark promises, urges me to take what's being offered. For a moment, I let it take over, embracing the role I need to play.

My hand tightens in her hair pulling her head back sharply. "Is that the best you can do?" I growl, surprised by the harshness in my own voice. "I said show me how much you want to please me. Use that pretty mouth of yours."

Vesper's eyes widen slightly, a flash of something, excitement or maybe fear, crossing her face before she schools her expression back to one of submissive desire. She leans in again, this time pressing open-mouthed kisses along the line of my hip, her tongue darting out to taste my skin.

I hear a sharp intake of breath from somewhere behind me, Oscar or Zaire, I'm not sure which, but I don't dare look away from Vesper. She's working her way down now, her fingers deftly unbuckling my belt.

"That's it," I murmur, my voice thick with desire. "Show everyone here who you really belong to."

Vesper looks up at me through her lashes, a smoldering heat in her gaze that makes my breath catch. She presses a kiss to the bulge in my jeans, her tongue tracing the outline of my hardening length through the denim.

I'm dimly aware of the others watching us, of the tension crackling in the air. But all I can focus on is Vesper, the warmth of her mouth, the softness of her skin under my hands, the way she moves with practiced grace and genuine desire.

"Good girl," I praise, my voice rough with need. "You're doing so well for me."

Vesper practically purrs at the praise, her hands working to unzip my jeans. I know we should stop, that we've proven our point, but I can't bring myself to call an end to this. The dark part of me that I've unleashed wants more, wants to see how far Vesper will go to please me.

Just as Vesper's fingers brush against my bare skin, Zaire's voice cuts through the heated atmosphere like a bucket of ice water. "That's enough," he says, his tone clipped and strained.

I blink, struggling to pull myself out of the intoxicating haze Vesper has wrapped me in. My hand is still tangled in her hair, her breath hot against my skin. For a moment, I consider ignoring Zaire, pushing this further, seeing just how far Vesper would go to please me. But then reality crashes back in, and I force myself to step away.

Vesper looks up at me, her green eyes clouded with desire and confusion. I have to clench my fists to keep from reaching for her again.

"Vesper, come here," Zaire commands, his voice rough and urgent.

She hesitates for a split second, her gaze flickering between Zaire and me. Then, with fluid grace, she rises and moves towards him. I watch, a mixture of jealousy and fascination churning in my gut, as Zaire grabs her arm and practically drags her from the room.

The door to Zaire's bedroom slams shut with a finality that echoes through the suddenly silent house. For a moment, we all stand frozen, the air thick with unresolved tension and the lingering scent of arousal.

Then, a dull thud reverberates through the walls, followed by another, and another. The rhythmic pounding against Zaire's bedroom door leaves little doubt about what's happening on the other side.

I feel my face flush, a potent cocktail of embarrassment, jealousy, and lingering desire coursing through my veins. Oscar clears his throat awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with anyone as he mumbles something about needing air and quickly exits the room.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to regain some semblance of composure. But it's impossible to ignore the sounds coming from Zaire's room, the muffled moans, the creaking of the bed, the occasional sharp cry that I know, without a doubt, belongs to Vesper.

I need to get out of here. Need to put some distance between myself and the vivid images my mind is conjuring. Without a word to anyone, I make my way to the bathroom, stripping off my clothes as soon as the door locks behind me.

The shower spray is a welcome distraction, the hot water sluicing over my skin doing little to cool the fire burning inside me. I close my eyes, but all I can see is Vesper, her perfect lips parted in pleasure, those mesmerizing green eyes locked on mine as she touched me.

My hand moves of its own accord, wrapping around my aching length. I stroke myself slowly at first, then with increasing urgency as memories of Vesper flood my senses. The taste of her lips, sweet and intoxicating. The soft gasp she made when I pulled her hair. The way her body responded to my touch, so eager and willing.

My strokes become faster, more desperate. I imagine it's Vesper's hand on me, her delicate fingers wrapped around my shaft, her lips trailing kisses down my chest. In my mind, I can see her kneeling before me again, those captivating green eyes looking up at me with a mixture of desire and submission.

The memory of her mouth, so close to where I needed her most, sends a jolt of pleasure through me. I groan, the sound barely audible over the pounding water. My free hand braces against the shower wall as I chase my release, my hips bucking into my fist.

I think about how it would feel to have Vesper's lips wrapped around me, her tongue swirling and teasing. The way she'd moan around me, the vibrations sending shockwaves of pleasure through my body. How she'd look up at me, those mesmerizing green eyes never leaving mine as she took me deeper.

The pressure builds, a coiling heat in my lower belly. I'm close, so close. I imagine burying my hands in Vesper's silky hair, guiding her movements as she pleasures me. The thought of her surrendering to me completely, giving herself over to my desires, pushes me over the edge.

My release hits me like a tidal wave, pleasure crashing over me in intense pulses. I bite my lip to stifle my cry, my body shuddering as I spill into my hand. For a moment, the world narrows to nothing but the sensation coursing through me and the image of Vesper burned into my mind.

As the aftershocks subside, reality slowly creeps back in. The water, once hot, now runs lukewarm over my sensitized skin. I lean my forehead against the cool tile, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart, but those pretty little green eyes are all I can see. Pretty little green eyes that will be the death of me.