COBALT (Capitol Corruption) Read online

  COBALT

  Capitol Corruption Series Book 2

  Linny Lawless

  Copyright 2020 by Linny Lawless

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, brands, and incidents are the product of my imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments, is solely coincidental.

  This book contains mature content and is intended for adults 18+ only.

  Models: Shane MacKinnon & Natasha

  Photographer: Wander Aguiar

  Cover Design: Clarise Tan, CT Cover Creations

  Editing and Proofreading: Debbie Barbosa Dumke and Jackie Ziegler of Two Naughty Book Babe’s Editing

  Personal Assistants: Mikki Thomas and Kristin Youngblood

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Disclaimer

  SONG LIST

  “To exact revenge for yourself or your friends is not only a right, it's an absolute duty.” | ― Stieg Larsson

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1 | GINA

  CHAPTER 2 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 3 | GINA

  CHAPTER 4 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 5 | GINA

  CHAPTER 6 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 7 | GINA

  CHAPTER 8 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 9 | GINA

  CHAPTER 10 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 11 | GINA

  CHAPTER 12 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 13 | GINA

  CHAPTER 14 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 15 | GINA

  CHAPTER 16 | NOLAN

  CHAPTER 17 | GINA

  CHAPTER 18 | NOLAN

  EPILOGUE | GINA

  Acknowledgments

  Linny’s Website: | https://linnylawless.com/

  SONG LIST

  RL Grime & Juelz – Formula

  Torren Foot – More Life

  Dave Winnel – Popcorn

  Loopers – You Want This

  Topic/A7S – Breaking Me

  Dillon Francis & Vera Hotsauce – Barely Breathing

  Tritonal/HAILENE – Long Way Home

  Kraak & Smack – Squeeze Me

  Matoma – False Alarm – Hook N Sling Mix

  CamelPhat/Jem Cooke – Rabbit Hole

  Justice – Genesis (KLOUD Remix)

  LODATO – Good

  Above & Beyond – Blue Monday

  “To exact revenge for yourself or your friends is not only a right, it's an absolute duty.”

  ― Stieg Larsson

  PROLOGUE

  My distant cousin, Sophia was married to Ricco Conti on a warm Saturday afternoon in September. Five hundred people, important people, from all over the East Coast were there to celebrate at their wedding reception at the Golden Nugget. I recognized a few men and women, some politicians, millionaires, and business executives that I’d seen on social media, mingling, laughing and drinking. My brother, Dane was there with me but brought his date, a pretty blond woman. I could never remember her name though. I sat at a large round table with some distant cousins, and my very best friend, Rebecca.

  That was the very first time I’d seen Nolan Reynolds. He walked in with a pretty brunette with a bobbed hairdo dressed in a shimmering silver gown, showing cleavage that no one could ignore. Nolan was so fine-looking, he turned the heads all of the young women at my table. He was dressed in a gray tailored suit that brought out the cobalt blue of his eyes. I had to look away then. I felt this warm tingle down my spine.

  I leaned close to Rebecca. “If the Devil came to earth in human form, he’d look just like Nolan Reynolds.”

  She noticed Nolan just a quickly as I did. “I know right? He’s so sinfully hot!”

  I took a sip of my second Long Island Iced Tea and huffed. “He’d never notice us though. He’s just like my brother, Dane. They both walk around like they’re so very important and powerful. They show off their money and act like they make all the rules in Atlantic City and Washington.”

  Rebecca giggled, getting a bit tipsier on her second glass of wine. “Well, no man rules over us, Gina. We decide where, when and who we’ll sleep with and we decide at what cost.” She touched the gold necklace with the sapphire blue pendant and beamed a smile at me. “Thank you so much for my birthday present, Gina.”

  Sophia and Ricco’s wedding day was also Rebecca’s birthday, and the blue sapphire pendant was her birthstone.

  CHAPTER 1

  GINA

  Dane sat at the end of his desk, shaking his head as he held out a box of tissues. I snatched a tissue and wiped away the mascara that streaked my cheeks mingled with my tears.

  “Becca was going through with it. I tried to talk her out of it and told her I’d help. I knew it was dangerous.” I said, sniffling.

  Dane heaved a sigh. “Dangerous, stupid, and deadly.”

  Dane was my brother and the only family I had. Our parents were dead and buried a long time ago and Dane inherited all of my father’s fortune. He was rich, powerful and ruled over Atlantic City as his empire. There were times that I hated Dane for reasons that he did not know of, and never would.

  He stood from the desk, “You’re not safe here. I’m sending you to Maryland. And you will stay there until I say so.”

  I sniffled again, wiping my nose, “Maryland? What? Stay with who?”

  “There are only a few men I trust. One of them is Nolan Reynolds.” He looked down at his watch, “He should be here any minute.”

  I remembered Nolan. How could I not? I’d seen him five years ago at a distant cousin’s extravagant wedding. He had the bluest eyes that sent all my senses reeling, and those funny flutters that swam straight to my stomach, like the ones I felt screaming on rollercoaster rides when I was a young girl.

  “What about my things? My condo? You don’t expect me to just leave with Nolan, do you?!” I protested and began to pace the spacious office, one of many that Dane occupied along Atlantic and Pacific Avenue. I fidgeted, digging my long-manicured nails into the palms of my hands.

  “You’re going to do exactly what I tell you, Gina. And stop fidgeting.” He berated me while he scrolled through his cell phone.

  “Nolan, my man! Come on in.” Dane said.

  I spun around just as Nolan entered the office. And my mouth went dry. He was tall and dressed in a shimmery grey suit with a loosened tie the daring color of violet, that brought out the blue of his eyes. Not many men could pull off wearing a bold color like that, but Nolan made it work for him.

  Our eyes met instantly, and I was suddenly aware of my own appearance and the ruined mascara made me look like a wreck.

  Nolan sauntered over to Dane giving him a firm handshake. “Sorry, I’m a bit late. The turnpike was all jacked up.”

  “No problem Nolan. Thanks for making the drive here.” Dane responded “I want you to meet my lovely sister, Gina”, and beckoned me to come closer.

  Nolan grinned and offered his hand, “Hello Gina. Lovely indeed.”

  I placed my hand in his and felt a sudden spark of hot energy. My mouth went dry and I couldn’t speak. His eyes unsettled me.

  Nolan let go and I stepped back as Dane leaned on his desk, folding his arms. My brother was a charmer with the women, with a handsome smile I’ve seen my friends become breathless over. Dane seemed at ease around Nolan and I trusted his instincts when it came to men and women in the world of dirty businesses that came in and out of Atlantic City.

  As Dane sat at his desk, Nolan and I sat in black leather wing back chairs. He didn’t sit up straight and business-like, but more relaxed, even slouching just a bit. He seemed very comfortable in his own skin - arrogant and cocky even.

  “How’s life in the Nation’s capital?”
Dane asked.

  Nolan combed his hand through his unruly hair “It’s like a pussy that needs a good pounding.” He grinned and his eyes shifted to me for a quick moment. Nolan was just like all the other men that paid to have me – rich, powerful and sleezy.

  Dane laughed “Work hard, play harder. How is the royal couple of Washington, Push, and Nadia? Are they good?’

  “Those two are glued together forever. They flew out to Maui with Nadia’s parents on Mr. Takata’s private jet enjoying some time away.”

  I felt like an outsider eavesdropping on Dane and Nolan as they talked, deep in conversation. My thoughts wandered until Dane said my name “... Gina needs protection and you’re the only man I trust to keep her safe.”

  “Feed me the details, Dane. In order for me to keep her safe, I need to know everything you know.”

  They spoke about me as if I wasn’t even there and I finally found my voice again. “I’m sitting right here! You both can just keep talking all smug like you do with your other gangster friends!” I was out of my chair, pacing the floor again.

  “You, disrespectful little bitch!” Dane snapped as he came at me, grabbing my arms “You wouldn’t be in danger if you would just keep your legs closed!” His eyes glared with rage.

  I heard Nolan chuckle as he sat there all smug, “Well she won’t be spreading them if she’s coming back with me to Maryland, I can tell you that much.”

  I leaned away from Dane and glared at Nolan. “Who said I was going with you?”

  “I did Gina.” Dane replied, as his hands gripped my arms even tighter “You got yourself into all this fuckery that’s going on right here in my City. Rebecca is most likely dead by now and you’ll be next –“

  I wrenched my arms out of Dane’s grasp and stepped back. “How can you say that?”

  “When you play with dangerous men dear sister, you better have an escape plan.”

  Images of my friend Rebecca flooded my mind. Her long thick blond hair and her blue eyes. I dreaded the thought that she was dead. I became dizzy then and my knees were weak as I crumpled in a miserable mess on the floor at Dane’s feet and sobbed.

  Dane knelt down and wrapped his arms around me. “It’s going to be ok Gina. You know I would never let anyone hurt you and there’s no way in hell you’ll be taken from me. You’re all I have. Just do this for me, sweet sister. Go with Nolan and talk to him. Tell him all you know, and let me figure things out.”

  I wiped away new tears, looking even worse than I did before Nolan arrived. I nodded my head, “Okay Dane. I’ll do as you say. But promise me that we will find Rebecca?”

  He smiled pulling me up off the carpeted floor, “I promise you, Gina. We will find her.”

  ***

  I stood directly across from Nolan as we rode down in the elevator together. I didn’t look at him, feeling awkward in the small space. I stared up at the numbers as they lit up across the top of the doors if I looked into his eyes, I would get lost in them.

  “I’ll drive you to your condo so you can pack some of your things before we make the drive back to Maryland.” His voice was rich and deep,

  I steered my eyes away from the blinking numbers and looked at him. “I would really appreciate that. I won’t take long.”

  Good lord, his eyes. They were so blue.

  “I’ve known Dane for years and I knew he had a sister. How come we’ve never met?”

  He didn’t remember me. “I saw you once a few years ago.”

  “Where?”

  “It was my distant cousin’s wedding. Sophia? She married Ricco Conti?”

  Nolan’s eyes lit up “Oh yeah, I remember the wedding. But I don’t remember seeing you there.”

  Of course, he didn’t because he brought a gorgeous brunette with him that day.

  “We were never introduced but I do remember seeing you there.”

  The elevator chimed and the doors opened on the lobby level. Nolan held out his hand offering for me to walk ahead of him, a polite thing to do I thought, for a man as arrogant as my brother.

  Nolan handed the valet a ticket stub and a few moments later a black sporty Cadillac coupe pulled up to the curb. Nolan opened the passenger door for me and I climbed in.

  He climbed into the driver’s seat and once we buckled up, he put the car in drive. “Where to gorgeous?”

  “Is that what you call all the women who get into your car Nolan?”

  He smirked as he drove down Atlantic Ave, “It’s my best pick up line and it never fails.”

  I rolled my eyes, “It won’t work on me unless you pay. Then I’m a sure thing.”

  He chuckled “I never have to pay for it, Gina. I always get my way, and fully satisfy my own sexual appetites.”

  I told him the address to my condo and sat silent, staring out the window. I pegged Nolan earlier in Dane’s office. He was an egotistical horn-dog just like most of the men I knew in the escort business. And I wasn’t in the mood to entertain him with where the conversation was going.

  Nolan heaved a heavy sigh, “Since we have a few minutes before we get to your condo, you can fill me in on the reasons I’m here. Besides, I hate this uncomfortable silence.”

  I promised my brother that I would confide in Nolan and tell him why he drove all the way to Atlantic City. I turned from the window to look at him as he drove the car, shifting gears – his muscled thighs as he stepped off the clutch and other pressed on the gas pedal. Why did just watching him drive turn me on?

  I blinked and turned my eyes away from his legs. “My friend Rebecca Stallworth. I call her Becca, is in a relationship with someone. It must be with a powerful man, either in business or politics and of course, married. I don’t know. She never told me who he is because she wanted to protect me. She’s pregnant and told me a few weeks ago that she was going to tell him the good news and keep the baby. I told her that it was dangerous, but she told me not to worry. It’s been two weeks now and I haven’t seen or heard from Becca.” My throat suddenly burned, as I felt dread and adrenaline of anxiety rush through me.

  “And Dane wants to keep you safe until he finds your friend Becca.”

  “Yes.”

  “Dane will find her. I guarantee it. And you will be safe in Maryland under my protection.”

  Nolan had to endure the last few minutes of silence in the car. I’m sure he had better ways to spend his weekend other than driving me around. We rode the elevator from the parking garage to my floor on the 2nd level. I unlocked the door and Nolan followed me inside.

  I screamed and spun around colliding into Nolan. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled out a handgun from his suit jacket. Someone was in my home and had ransacked it, destroying everything.

  I buried my face into his chest and sobbed.

  “Stay right here,” Nolan said and stepped away.

  “No! Please, Nolan, let’s go.” I pleaded, grabbing his arm.

  “It’s ok Gina. I’m just going to check around. Stay right here.”

  I folded my arms, suddenly feeling cold as Nolan held his gun and checked all of the rooms and lastly the kitchen. He came back, putting his gun away. “Whoever did this is gone now. I’ll call Dane. You can pack some of your things and let’s get you away from here.”

  CHAPTER 2

  NOLAN

  Gina packed some of her things quickly as I called Dane letting him know that Gina’s condo had been ransacked. I exchanged phone numbers with her as we left the condo. Gina began to tremble and looked a bit pale, so I shrugged off my suit jacket and handed it to her as she climbed into the passenger seat of my car. She was quiet during the 3-hour drive back to Maryland, and though I detested that uncomfortable silence, it didn’t feel so bothersome. Gina soon fell asleep as her head rested on the passenger window, with my jacket draped over her.

  My eyes steered from the road to look at Gina often as I drove. I admitted to myself that I couldn’t keep my eyes off her and how the tight black pencil skirt fit her curvy hips and toned t
highs. I tried to remember Sophie and Ricco Conti’s wedding, but for the life of me could not recall seeing Gina there. How could I have missed such an exotic beauty? The moment I’d seen her in Dane’s office, I felt as if the air had been knocked out of my lungs. She was stunningly beautiful and her scent of lavender filled the space between us.

  The sun was setting as I parked my car in the MGM garage. Gina didn’t stir, as I leaned over, and brushed the strands of brown hair from her pretty face, curling it behind her earlobe. She moaned and stretched and her eyes fluttered open.

  “Where are we?” she mumbled.

  “We’re at the MGM. I replied. Her scent of lavender was intoxicating, making me semi-hard.

  “I slept the whole way?” she sighed.

  “You needed sleep.” I opened my car door, climbing out.

  I came around and opened the door for her, then took her bags she packed out of the trunk. She followed me up the elevator to one of the best suites at the MGM – the Capital Suite, with its immaculate modern deco furniture in white and beige. I placed her bags on the massive grey sectional couch, and opened the bottle of complimentary Japanese Suntory Whiskey on the bar and poured us both a glass.

  I watched Gina as she walked to the patio window, the sound of her heels clicking on the shiny wooden floor. She moved the white sheer curtain aside and looked down at the heavy traffic of workday commuters on Interstate 95 as they crossed over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge that connected Maryland to Virginia. The immense Capital Wheel, measuring 180 feet tall, weighed over 300 tons and carried 336 passengers – was lit all in blue lights as it spun slowly on the National Harbor.”

  I walked up to her and offered her a glass. “Drink this.”

  “What is it?”

  “Whiskey. Good whiskey.”

  She shook her head, “I don’t drink whiskey. I would much rather prefer wine if you have any.”

  I glared directly into her pretty dark eyes. “Drink it, Gina.”

  She blinked first as I handed her the glass and she took a good sip, then coughed. I finished my glass with one swallow, feeling the relaxing warmth spread through my chest.