In his imagination Shane had killed Joon Ri dozens of times. Sometimes he’d bring her back just to kill her again. But in reality the woman lived. She was the monkey on his back, stomach, or any other part of him that she wanted. Between her knowledge about his screwed-up attachment to Harris and her physical hold on him, he was enslaved.

Initially Shane was stubborn. He wouldn’t seek Joon out until he was shivering and dry heaving. The problem was that his recurring “illness” was difficult to hide and scared Jacob. Consequently he swallowed his pride and reported to Joon’s quarters every other night like a drunk with the DTs.

After dropping off Jake at Harris’ quarters and managing to duck the bitch again, Shane mechanically walked to Joon’s door. He didn’t even notice the note taped to the keypad until his fingers touched it. Scowling, he ripped it off and read Joon’s precise lettering.

Change of plans, lover. Meet me in D24.

Love,
Joon

Mentally cursing the woman, Shane walked to the residence section on the other side of the complex. Some of the Triptych employees he recognized. Most he didn’t. He returned the greetings of the few who said hello. Mostly he wanted to get his damn fix so he could get back to figuring out what Joon had done to him. Then he could undo what she’d done and kill her.

D24 was one of many typical junior level living quarters. Shane grudgingly pressed the door chime button, feeling like he was reporting for detention.

The huge, naked black man who answered the door was quite the surprise. Shane tilted his head back to meet the man’s eyes. “Hi. Is Joon here?”

Joon’s soprano carried to his ears. “Ooh! Is that Shane?”

Shaka Zulu shrugged, tossing over his shoulder, “Dunno. Some skinny white guy.” Shane ground his teeth.

“That’s him!” Joon piped. Moments later she appeared beside Shaka, equally naked.

Shane looked from her to Shaka and back. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Joon shook her head, smiling impishly.

“This is your best fuck ever?” Incredulity colored the man’s voice.

Shane’s face flushed red. “Joon, dear, can I come in?”

“Of course.” She stepped back, tugging the Jolly Black Giant along with one hand.

Another way to kill Joon came to Shane as he stepped inside. A blur of orange caught his eye. He gaped at another naked person in the quarters: a plump, fair, redheaded woman. She waved cheerily, raking her eyes over him. “Fuck me,” he muttered.

“That’s the idea,” Joon grinned. She pulled his shirt out of his pants, then tugged it over his head. Shane tried to pretend that he wasn’t being stripped down like so much meat.

“Dude,” the man rumbled. “If you’re gonna keep up with Joon and Ginger, you’d better start working out.”

Shane glared at him, then at Joon, who was working on his pants. “Normally I do, but lately I haven’t been feeling up to it.”

Joon giggled as she motioned for him to finish undressing. Shane grudgingly obeyed. “That’s true. He’s been under the weather. Don’t worry, though. It’s not catching, and he’s got plenty of stamina.” She draped herself on him, which halved his withdrawal symptoms. Shane closed his eyes and sighed as his energy returned.

“Feeling better, baby?” Joon murmured, rubbing his back. His dick betrayed him by getting hard.

“I’d say so,” Shaka chuckled.

Shane opened his eyes to find the other man’s veritable quarterstaff raring to go. After ogling him or Joon or maybe both of them, Shaka ambled over to the redhead, who was sprawled on the pile of blankets and cushions on the floor of the living room. Since Shane hadn’t gotten nearly enough of Joon as he needed yet, he let her lead him by the hand to the others.

Joon gracefully sank down beside the redhead. Shane sat behind his pusher, wrapping his arms and legs around her. The more physical contact he had with the bitch, the sooner he could get the hell out of there. “Shane, these are my friends Ginger and Marcus.” He gave them a forced smile. “You’ll have to share me, okay, lover?”

“No problem,” Shane replied with absolute honesty. Then he turned to Marcus. “I’m not into guys.”

Marcus shrugged. “I’m not into you. No offense.”

“None taken.”

Shane left D24 four hours later sated and full of energy. If not for his control over his body he probably would have left exhausted. Joon was pissed at him for refusing to play gang bang with her and her friends—”Sorry, but I’m just not up to it. See?”— but he didn’t care… much. In 48 hours he’d care. Right now he felt good.

The first thing Shane did upon returning to his quarters was shower. Joon’s “friends” weren’t unattractive, but rolling around with two complete strangers? Ugh.

Showered and in clean, comfortable clothes, Shane started a pot of coffee and spread his notes and test results on the dining table. He’d pore over them to figure out what she’d done to him until 8 a.m. rolled around or sleep claimed him. Work was mandatory; sleep a luxury.