Aimer à la Mort

The soft cool breeze swept through the air, the icy cold drops softly fell and rested on her hair. It was that night again. Lani slowly turned the knob of her front door and let herself in. The smell of fresh roses lingered through the air.
“Oh, Damian.” She sighed. She dropped her bag and entered the darkness of her house. Closing the door behind her, she started feeling her way around the room to where the light switch was. She flipped the switch on, but as soon as she did the light blew and turned back off. She gasped and jumped back. That mere flash of light had allowed her to see into the darkness. She was not alone. “Who’s there?” She asked as she pressed her back up against what she thought was the wall.
“Shh…” Someone whispered into her ear, “Don’t be afraid.”
Lani quickly turned her head towards the sound, “Who is it?” she asked, her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest.
“Mademoiselle.” The voice said softly. Its deep vibrations rang through her ears.
“That voice,” she whispered, “I know that voice.” She listened as she felt the hot breath upon her ear.
“Je veux toi.”
“Damian.” She whispered. She felt ice cold hands run through her neck down her shoulders and ultimately around her waist. The simple touch on her skin sent chills down her spine.
“Mademoiselle.”
“Monsieur.” She replied, “I have not seen you in so long.”
And she had not. She had not seen Damian De Mort since the night that he was just a bounty head, and she a bounty hunter. He was still running from the police, being a know murderer from death row, and the only communication they had was a black rose, with a note signed, “The Grim Reaper.” This way, at least she knew he was still alive.
Now he held her again, in the darkness that was his security, and her frequent enemy in her profession. Damian pulled back a bit of hair behind her ear, “You are in great danger, come with me.”
“In danger of what?”
“I’ll tell you later. You must come with me now.”
Lani would have questioned further, but there was a pleading in Damian’s voice that she had never heard. She nodded and let the strong arms whisk her away into the night.

The car ride was rather quiet. Lani stared out the window, watching the city light fly past her.
“Austrian Mafia.”
Lani blinked, “What?”
Damian glanced at her, “That’s who’s after you.”
“Who the hell is the Austrian Mafia?”
“Small group, but a pain in the ass when they get pissed off.”
“So why are they after me?”
“You caught a few too many of their men. Now they’re looking to put you out of business.” He glanced at her again, “I guess it’s hard being popular.”
Lani rolled her eyes, “If I’m so popular, why isn’t the Italian mafia or even the Mexican mafia after me?”
Damian shrugged, “They have more members, more disposable units.”
“How nice.”
They pulled into the parking lot of an abandoned warehouse. The broken glass and boarded windows went so well with the gray bricks. Damian turned off the car and placed a hand on Lani’s thigh, “Look, I know there guys sound kinda wimpy, but they are still a serious threat. I don’t want you getting over confident or anything.”
Lani stared into those gray eyes, filled with concern, “If I’ve learned anything from years of bounty hunting, it’s that a gun is equally deadly in anyone’s hand. Don’t worry about me.”
Damian smiled, and they got out of the car. When they came around the front, Damian slid his arm around Lani’s waist.

[2]

“So why are we here, anyway?” Lani asked as they neared the big double doors.
“To meet some allies.” Damian answered. He opened the doors and they entered the large room that lay behind it. There was a table in the middle if the room, a small four-seater with as many folding chairs around it. A light meal was set on the table, including a bottle of red wine. Two people, a man and a woman, sat at the table, but stood when Damian and Lani walked toward them. Damian made introductions.
“Lani, this is my sister, Claudia, and my brother, Jaque.”
Lani shook hands with them both. Claudia looked to be Damian’s twin, the resemblance was impeccable. The shared eyes and hair, but Claudia wore hers short and choppy. She wore a long dress with a low neck and a high slit, showing her blessings to the world. Jaque had green eyes, and was taller and more muscular than Damian. His stringy black hair was in a loose ponytail, showing his slightly sunken in cheeks and tired eyes.
“Claudia runs a drug ring in France, and Jaque it the leader of a motorcycle gang here in America.”
“One big happy family.” Lani said as they all took their seats.
“Do not look so cheerful, madamoiselle.” Claudia snapped as she glared at Lani. Her piercing gray eyes met with Lani’s icy blue ones and it seemed as if a bolt of lightning shot through their glares.
“Fixez Claudia.” Damian warned.
“Ce qui sont vous parlant? Can’t you see we like each other?”
“Oh, I can see it,” replied Damian, “It’s obvious!”
All the French was confusing Lani, she understood a bit but they talked way too fast for her to pick up what they were actually saying.
“Both of you settle down.” Jaque’s low, dark voice yelled, “I am not wasting my time listening to you two quarrel! Time is money, so you two better shut up and get going with a plan!”
The room fell into complete silence.
“Somebody say something!” Claudia shouted, her voice filled with desperation.
“Any ideas?” Jaque asked.
Claudia threw her arms in the air and sat back in the chair, “We could always kill her ourselves and rid ourselves of the problem.”
“Claudia, that is enough!” Damian said, his voice so low it was almost a growl, his keen eyes glaring at Claudia.
“Pas vous regard à moi comme cela Damian De Mort.” Claudia said, glaring back at her brother.
“You know what?” Lani finally said, “I do not feel like starting a third world war, so how about I leave?”
“Please,” said Claudia, “do us all a favor my dear.” She said with a sarcastic on her face. Lani just threw a dirty look her way and turned to face Damian. She looked deep within his eyes. I wish I could lay him on the table, she thought.
“This is the Austrian Mafia!” Jaque said, “Not the Italian Mafia, not the Mexican Mafia, the Aus-tri-an!”
“Jaque is right,” Damian added, “We cannot leave Lani alone. If they are after her they probably already have enough information to track her down. It isn’t for you to go home.” He said as his face softened.
“Well, I could stay with Jason,” Lani said.
“Jason Koontz?” both Claudia and Jaque asked at the same time. Lani turned to them in surprise.
“You are telling me that she knows Jason Koontz.” Jaque said.
“C'est folie, Damian! Not only are you protecting the best bounty hunter in the country, but you’re trying to tell me that she in friends with koontz?” Claudia asked, “Avez-vous oublié ce qui s'est produit il y a cinq ans?”
Damian lowered his head, “Claudia, that’s enough.”
“Avez-vous oublié ce qu'il a fait à Chistophe?” she whispered.
Lani stared at them in confusement.
“Claudia, shut up.” Jaque said as he looked at his brother’s collapsing spirit.”
“You mean to tell me that l'amour de votre vie is friends with the stupid piece of shit of a man that killed your childhood friend?”
“I said that’s enough!” Damian shouted as he pounded his fists against the table, his eyes filled with rage.
Claudia had a smirk of a smile on her face, “Involving yourself with the enemy, little brother.” She said as she walked towards him, “Not a very smart idea.” She leaned over and softly whispered, “Nous devrions la tuer maintenant, regardez-la, si vurlnerable, nous tuerions deux oiseaux avec une pierre. Employez-la, employez-la pour leurrer dans Koontz. Vous savez combien il l'apprécie.” She said, her eyes had a quick glow to them, a smile swept up to her face.
“You do not know what you are talking about,” he whispered back to her.
“Oh, but I do,” she said, “Tuez la sa et Koontz, that is your key to freedom.”
With a sudden movement Damian grabbed Claudia by the neck and raised her off the ground, “Do not enrage me, my dear,” he said as he held his struggling sister in the air, “you might just tempt me to do something I really don’t want to do.” He let Claudia’s body collapse to the floor.
“You bastard!” Claudia said as she gasped for air.
“Play nice kids,” Jaque said as he walked over to help Claudia get up.
Jaque extended his arm which Claudia pushed away as she got up.
"Good to see someone out there actually cares about their family" Claudia growled as she walked past Damian. She glared over at Lani and spat out in her direction.
Lani glared as she held her head up high. She would not let some trashy hussy, no matter who she was related too treat here like trash.
As if knowing what was happening Damian rested his hand on her shoulder. She looked over at him and then back at Claudia. Her face filled with disgust, her anger rising quickly.
"You can keep your little tramp" Claudia hissed "But dont expect any help from me" She quickly turned on her heels and walked towards the door. The sound of her steps echoed through out the abandoned warehouse.
Silence filled the room.
"So what are we going to do?" Jaque's voice thundered.
"I dont know" Damien said as he began to pace infront of the two.
Lani could still fill the rage bottling up inside of her, she did not understand why she couldnt just go home. Its not as if she has never faught with these guys before. She had managed to kill half of their men what makes them think she couldnt do it now. She was the best God damned bounty hunter. She had slain hundreds if not thousands of men before. Why should she fear now!
"Take her to the attalier" Damians voice echoed
"What!" Jaque questioned as his fists met the cool steal of the table.
"Its the only place I know she could hide"
"Are you insane! Why would you give your hideout spot away!" Jaque roared
"Its the only place I could think of that would be safe!" Damian shouted in rage
"Sleeping with the enemy is one thing" Jaque began "But giving yourself away is another, your a mad man Damian, you are not thinking clearly"
Lani shot a glare towards Jaque then back at Damian. She had had enough, she would not submitt herself to this. She began to walk towards the door.
Click.
She stopped.
"You would not dare shoot me." she growled
"I dont know" Damians voice echoed "It would rid me of one big problem" he chuckled
Lani turned to look at Damian. Light flashed through the metallic steel that formed the guns body. His eyes fixed on his target. Yet all he could think about was how wonderful it felt to have her at the pity of his hands. He smiled a cockish grin. "Come Lani, I dont want to do something that I will regret later" He said playfully, his mind lingering into darker thoughts.
Lani was enraged. How dare he treat her that way. She was not one of his pets. She glared at him, the cockish grin filled his face. She was so furious, how could she, an expirienced bounty hunter, be in this situation. A gun pointed at her, yet nothing she could do. She felt her muscles tighten.
"I will not wait all night" Damian called out as his grin widened.
She gritted her teeth and began to walk towards him. Glaring up at her acuser.
"Good girl" Damian whispered as he grabbed her arm spun her around and held her body down. She let out a soft gasp in surprise. She did not expect him to do that. With the gun pointed at her head, he then began to whisper in her ear.
"You will go with Jaque, he will take you to a safe place" Lani felt her muscles tense as his hot breath met with the cool pale skin of her neck. On her lower back, she could feel the cause of Damians grin.
"You bastard" she whispered as she felt the strenght of his erection.
He chuckled.
"Now be good my dear, I dont want to have to..." He paused and licked his lips. Ge gently licked the lobe of her ear and proceeded to trace around it with his tongue. "Punish" he whispered softly as he gently bit her ear lobe. Chills began to run down her spine as her body began to react to his teasing touch. She let a soft moan escape her lips. Damian smiled pleasingly.
"On you go then!" He said as he pushed her away from his embrace and towards Jaque. She gasped softly as she stumbled down to the floor and landed at Jaque's feet. What the hell was happening to her! How could she let herself be seduced that way! She was a well known bounty hunter, a professional, not some cheap tramp who would throw herself at the feet of the first man who tried. But then again, she had never been able to resist Damians forbidden embrace.
Jaque looked down at her. "Get up" he called out as he turned around and began to walk towards the door.
Jaque then pulled a bandana from his pocket and with a swift move covered Lani's mouth and nose with it. She gasped and her arms shot up to pull his away. Her efforts were to no avail. She felt the soft prick of a needle. She tried to fight but it was too late. She began to feel the cool intoxication run through her veins.
"Take good care of her Jaque" She heard Damian shout "She is my most prized possession"

[3]

Lani awoke in what seemed to be a haze. She slowly opened her eyes. She quickly sat up only to fall back down. The effects of the drug still ran through her system. She held her hand up to her head as she closed her eyes. "Damn you De Morte..." she sighed as she sat up again. Holding on to the posts of the bed she managed to stand herself up. She looked around the room her eyes trying to adjust to the darkness of the room. She slowly felt her way around. She felt what was a doorknob. She tried to turn it, but it would not budge. The door was locked.
She reached for her gun. She cursed under her breath for being a lowsy bounty hunter and agreeing to leave home without her guns.
She felt the walls for a lightswitch, but there was no sign of one. She slowly made her way back towards the bed. Her eyes now adjusted to the darkness. She noticed a table, on the far right of the room. On it layed a bowl of fruit, some wine, and a note. Her stomach growled at the sight of the food and she quickly made her way to the table.
There were strawberries and kiwi's, mangos, and plums, apples and grapes. All of Lani's favorite fruits were there. She grabbed a grape and tossed it in her mouth. She then reached over and read the note which rested on top of a white box.

Eat up darling, your going to need your enegery,
Damian

She tossed the note aside and opened the box. She removed the tissue paper and revelaed a white silk nightgown. She chuckled and shook her head.

She walked towards another door and noticed it was a washroom. Deciding that a shower was much needed, she proceeded to go into the room. She looked through the cabinets for a towel and some toiletries. Once she had found what she was looking for she began to undress. Removing her shoes first, letting her feet feel the soft fur of the bathroom rug. She let her pants drop to the floor as she removed her shirt. Undoing the clasps to her bra she slowly tugged her panties down, letting them slide down her long slim legs. She then stepped into the pouring water.

Lani had spent what seemed an eternity in the water, when a knock came at the door. “Hey! You’re wasting all the hot water! What the hell are you doing in there?!”
“What?” Lani asked, emensley confused.
The door opened, and Lani felt like the victim from “Psycho.” The intruder threw open the curtain, “I said you’re wasting all the hot water, other people need showers too!”
Lani wrapped the curtain around her naked body, and blinked in shock, “Danielle?”
“Oh, hi, Lani.”

Danielle Faust was tall, muscular, and covered in weaponry and cutlery. If Lani was a bounty hunter, Danielle was just a psycho killing murderers. Because of this, the image of this nightmarish hunter lounging on a couch, eating a bowl of Cheerios didn’t sit well in Lani’s mind.
“So...what are you doing here?” Lani asked after a long silence. She was still a little shaken from the shower incident.
“I come and go.” Danielle stated matter-of-factly.
“But, this is a secret hideout, of murderers!”
“and a damn good hideout too,” Danielle gestured to Lani with her spoon, “I would never have found it if Jaque hadn’t brought me here.”
Lani’s eyes grew wide, “Jaque brought you to his hideout?”
Danielle nodded, “Yup, his room is so cool... So what are you doing here? I never would have pictured you falling for a bounty head.”
“I was about to say the same to you.”
“At least I don’t show up here unconcious, and I’m not locked in.
“They’re letting you leave?”
“Mostly because the twins don’t know about me.”
“So you can let me out.”
“Nope,” Danielle drank the milk from her bowl.
Lani slumped, “why not?”
Danielle smirked, “Jaque told me what’s been going on. There’s no way I’m going against the ones who are letting me stay rent-free.”
Lani shook her head, “You sure seem laid-back about all this.”
Danielle looked over at her friend and set down her bowl, “Look, I share the same worries as the others. Before, I’d have been confident that you could whup their asses faster than a pissed off school teacher. However, they’re not run by the same people anymore. The leadership has traded hands recently, and whoever’s holding the reigns is pissed at you for some reason or another. The smartest thing to do right now is lay low and let others do your investigations. Trust me, if anyone can find out what’s going on, it’s this family.”
Lani sulked as Danielle got up to wash her dish. Before she could come up with a good insult, the door opened and Jaque walked in.
“Oh, so you’re awake.”
Danielle came back from the kitchen, “Damn right she’s awake, I still haven’t had a shower.” She kissed Jaque’s cheek as she waked past, “In fact, I think that’s what I’ll do now.” With that, she sauntered into another room.
Lani looked at Jaque who in return stared back at her.
There was an akward silence to the room.
Lani sighed.
Jaque took a seat on the couch Danielle was sitting on.
"So," Lani began
"So" was his simple response
"When do I get to leave" She asked as she looked at him with big watery eyes.
"Good try, but Ive seen better" Jaque responded as he leaned back and made himself comfortable "As far as I know, Damian plans on keeping you here for a while, and as long as you follow the rules, I see no problem with it" he added matter o' factly.
Lani slumped back down on her seat "I will never see the light of day again will I" she sighed
"No, not for a while" Jaque said cooly as he reached behind the couch and grabbed the box of cheerios "Care to have some?" he asked as he grabbed a handful then offered the box to Lani. She shook her head "Suit yourself! More for me" he grabbed another handful.
The shower went off.
Both Lani and Jaque looked over at the bathroom door.
"When will Damian come back?" She asked herself outloud
"I dont know, He is meeting up with some very important people, or so he said" Jaque responded through a mouth full of cheerios
Lani sighed once again.
"Are you in love with him?" Jaque asked bluntly
Lani turned her head and stared at Jaque wide eyed.
He blinked.
She stared.
"I take that as a 'yes' " Jaque said with a grin.
Lani blinked. Was this the same man who drugged her and brought her into this miserable place? How could a cold hearted man such as himself talk about love, how dare he talk about something as precious as love! He was a cold hearted murderer! He did not deserve to know what love was!
The bathroom door opened.
"Jaque! I forgot my towel! Could you go get it for me pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!" Danielle called out as she peeked her head out of the room.
"Women" he sighed as he got up and walked towards the closet to grab a towel.
Lani sat in her seat in amazement as the 6 foot 2 inch man stood up to go aid the weeping woman in the other room.
"Jaque!" Danielle giggled as the enormous beast entered the shower room.
Lani blinked. She was in a Mad house.

[4]

Taking this oportunity as a chance to escape Lani rushed to the door. She turned the knob, it was locked. She cursed under her breath. She looked around for any other doors. Making sure to keep an ear by the shower door to listen for any signs of the couple descending from the room. She looked around for a key, a bobby pin, anything to help her escape and there on the coffee table, sat a set of keys.
She rushed to the table quickly picked them up. She grabbed random keys and started to shove them into the key whole but to no avail. None would turn. She cried out in distress as she continued to try.
"Turn damnit!" she cursed as she slammed herself against the door. Then she heard it.

-Click-

Her eyes widened as she looked down at the door knob. The key was in! It fit! She had found the right key atlast! She quickly turned the door knob. Her chance to freedom was finally here! She thanked her God for his mercy and opened the door.

The scent of a too familiar cologne filled her nostrils.
Lani looked up wide eyed.
"He there cupcake, did you miss me?" Damian grinned as he grabbed a hold of her neck and pushed her against the wall. The door slammed shut as he kicked it with his foot. Lani stood against the wall. Fear crept through her eyes though she tried her best not to show it.

"Whats wrong Darling," He said as he grinned "are you not glad to see me" he walked up and pushed his body against hers. He caressed her cheek as he licked his lips. "How I missed those saphire eyes" he whispered as his eyes pierced deep within hers. "And those lucious lips" he stated as he bit his lower lip. Lani could feel his erection getting harder and harder as he pressed it against her thigh. "My sweet sweet bounty hunter, if only you could see what twisted warped desires I have planned for us" Damian said as he chuckled and proceeded to move his face closer to hers.
She let out a soft gasp as he grabbed a hold of her neck.
"But you have disobayed me." he said his eyes turning into a cold glare "I told you to stay here and be good, but no, there you are, trying to run off, run away from me. Not this time Lani, I will not let you go, not again, not ever again" He said coldly.
"What the hell was that noise!" Jaque yelled out as he slammed open the bathroom door. "Damian what the hell!"
Damian grinned as he let go of Lani.
"What the hell are you doing, trying to kill the poor girl?" Jaque's voice thundered.
Damian threw his keys at Jaque.
"Make sure you keep these in a safe place" He called out as he walked past him
"Ill be in my room if you need me, Lani, come here, now!"
Lani looked at Jaque who in return looked back at her in surprise.
"You better go," he whispered "Seems he is in one of his moods"
Lani looked at Jaque, scared out of her wits. She had never been as frightened as she had been then, the look on Damians face was that of pure maddness and it firghtened her beyond imagination. But then who wouldnt be frightened, she had enraged a murderer, she was sure the outcome would not be bright.
"Dont make me wait!" Damian yelled from the other room.
Lani gulped and made her way towards the dreadful room. She did not know what to expect. Sure she could defend herself, but that might only enrage him even more than what he already was and the last thing she needed was her only allie murdering her.
She stood infront of the door, took a deep breath and turned the door knob.