A/N: I deeply apologize for the delay in this update. R/L just doesn't allow me much time these days, but I am trying. A bit longer of a chapter, so I hope that helps just a bit. =) Again I caution: Dark!Jack – at least for now. In that we are venturing into OOC waters. But, this is AU, so I guess that is par for the course. Thank you all that have been reading & commenting. It is much appreciated. Please continue to do so. That motivates me to keep moving ahead. Now, off we go...

Chapter 7

Ianto swallowed nervously as he watched Jack moving closer, knowing he was just mere inches away from claiming his mouth. His breathing became erratic, as he felt Jack's breath upon his lips, his breath coming in and out slowly when he suddenly detected a scent in the room. An evocative smell that captured his attention, and briefly pulled his focus. Just before Jack sealed their lips together, Ianto murmured, "What's the scent, Sir? I don't remember it being present earlier."

"Probably because it wasn't. Now shut up and use those perfect lips to kiss me," Jack growled, before he separated the slight gap and claimed the Welshman's under his own.

Claiming was more than accurate, was Ianto's immediate thought. He was possessed in one moment. His mind a quivering mass of jelly of anything that wasn't Jack Harkness. Ianto clenched his hands into fists tightly at his sides, as Jack's mouth moved over his with skill; the precision of a man who knew what he was doing; and more importantly – knew how to get exactly what he wanted. A sinking awareness began to settle in that he had walked, no - run headfirst directly into a well laid trap.

Jack moaned at the initial connection of their lips. He wasn't one for prolonged preliminaries, but he decided in the case of one Ianto Jones – he could kiss those lips for an indefinite period of time. Lips that were soft, lush, and indescribably edible. He wanted to devour him, from top to bottom. That in itself was no surprise. He had wanted him the first time he had seen him on the surveillance cameras long before their eventual meeting... now he craved him. Almost to the point that he felt survival depended on having this man. Jack's tongue flicked along the seam of Ianto's lips, demanding... not asking for entrance. Not gaining access was not an outcome he was willing to accept. Jack smiled when Ianto gasped, quickly seeing that wasn't going to be an issue.

Ianto ineffectively wedged his hands between them, finding Jack's chest to be ripped and unyielding. "Uhhhh, Jack. We agreed... just a kiss, right?"

"Mmmmmm, yes Ianto. Just a kiss. But, that kiss is far from over..." Jack growled, as he snagged his hand firmly around Ianto's neck, pulling him forward until he was laying on his back on the couch, with Ianto sprawled on top of him. Effortlessly, Jack managed to secure the crook of Ianto's neck in his arm, as he twisted them to lay side by side on the couch artfully maneuvering Ianto towards the trapped back side of the restrictive furniture; not once relinquishing his possession of his mouth. His tongue swiftly gained the entry it craved, slowly searching and learning every inch of the previously unknown territory. His free hand began to make a sweep between them, quickly sliding the tie of the robe open.

"You feel fucking amazing," Jack said in a husky growl. "Taste so damn good."

Without knowing how it had happened, Ianto found his hands clutching at Jack's shoulders, his mouth giving back as good as it was getting, his breath coming out in shallow gasps. When Jack finally released his mouth, in what Ianto determined had been merely to allow them both to breathe, his composure was further shot as Jack's lips began to take biting nips and licks along the curve of his neck. Breathing in and out, the mesmerizing scent assailed him once again. "Uhmmmm, Jack?"

"Yes, Ianto?" Jack asked, as he licked a trail down Ianto's throat all in his exploratory path to reach the prizes below he most wished to claim.

"That smell. You never told me... what is it?" he asked in between his own breathless and needy moans.

Jack rolled so that Ianto was beneath him, as he slithered down him, mouth latching with determination onto a nipple, pulling it deeply into his mouth; his tongue lashing around the perimeter like a hungry whip. "Does it matter, gorgeous? Just relax and enjoy the pleasure I can give you."

"Maybe it doesn't matter, but I have this tendency for satisfying my curiosity," Ianto mumbled, almost incoherently as Jack intensified his suckling motion; continuing to disable Ianto's thought process as to exactly why he shouldn't be allowing this.

"I have the tendency for satisfying my needs as well, Ianto. And, I think I'm heading in the right direction..." Jack hissed, as his eyes lifted to gaze upon Ianto's flushed face, his own eyes blazing with a ravenous need. "However, I will satisfy your curiosity. It's a mixture of oils that burn as a – let's call it a fragrance."

Ianto arched a brow. "And it's purpose? I am assuming more than to make the room fragrant."

"When the right combination is mixed it's been known to act as an aphrodisiac. But, enough of that... I've just begun to taste you, and I want so much more," Jack snarled, as his tongue began to trail down Ianto's stomach, all en route to the prize he hungered to claim.

Gasping in disbelief and anger, Ianto found the strength to push Jack off of him, and vault to his feet, quickly securing his robe. His anger increased as he viewed the smug smile on Jack's face, as Ianto realized he had been tricked; and Jack wasn't the least bit concerned of the realization. "I can't believe you would stoop so low just to seduce me."

Jack laughed. "You don't know me at all, Ianto Jones. I will take any steps to get what I want. But, I can't let you delude yourself. Those oils are not a drug. They won't make you respond if you are not already interested. Primarily, they are used to stimulate, spice up a romantic rendezvous. That they were effective means one thing, gorgeous."

"Oh? And, what might that be?" Ianto responded, knowing he was once again falling into Jack's well laid trap.

Moving closer until they were within touching distance once again, Jack stroked the side of Ianto's face, answering in a soft velvet purr, "Very simple, Ianto. It means you want me."

Ianto backed away, trying to place as much distance as he could between him and Jack. "I don't want you. I just want my life back. I want out of here. I should have listened to John. You are barbaric. You will go to any lengths to get what you want. God, why didn't I listen to him?"

"You'd better get your ass off to bed right now, before I show you exactly how ruthless I can be," Jack snarled in rage. "You have no clue how brutal the man you give your loyalty to truly is, but in time, you will. Tomorrow, we will have a long talk about your employer... and, I will proceed to outline exactly the sort of sadistic bastard you seek to lend your support."

Jack's eyes narrowed as he watched Ianto beginning to open his mouth, undoubtedly preparing to argue with him. His face turned into a mask of uncompromising rage. He shook his head, before he rasped, "Don't push me, Ianto. Not now. I am tired, frustrated, and now very angry hearing you spout off the words of John Hart. Go to bed. Now. We will pick this up tomorrow..."

Ianto inclined his head in acknowledgment, moving towards the stairs in rapid fashion, taking Jack's words at face value, feeling as if the Hounds of Hell were pursuing him. Unable to resist, he looked over his shoulder, almost losing his step as he viewed the fire in Jack's gaze, leaving him with one clear thought. Perhaps it wasn't the Hounds of Hell pursuing him... but, more accurately the Devil himself.


John Hart paced back and forth in his soundproof office. He had just checked his voicemail for the tenth time in the past hour. All with the same result. Ianto had not returned any of his calls. Pouring himself a drink, John lit a cigarette, alternating between both vices equally; knowing he should go home and get some rest, but finding himself unable to do so.

His entire plan was unraveling... he knew this without a doubt. His gut told him the worse had happened. Ianto had went to Jack. Gritting his teeth in unmitigated fury, John knew exactly how such a meeting would go. He could see in his mind's eye Jack's reaction to Ianto Jones.

Jack fucking Harkness.

Downing his whiskey in one shot, John growled to the empty room, "It's not going to work, Jackie boy. I have bided my time, made events happen that would eventually find Ianto devastated and alone. You will not step in and take him from me."

Opening up his private documents on the computer, he pulled up the last report he had on the whereabouts of Lisa Hallet. He would use her to get Ianto back... and distance him from Jack Harkness – forever. His investigation had been quite thorough. He didn't doubt that he knew much more about Lisa's location that Ianto did. As soon as Ianto had confided in him, John had taken immediate steps to find the girl – knowing her mistakes would finally give him what he wanted most – Ianto Jones submissive in his bed.

At this point he didn't care if Ianto ended up there out of desperation, desire, or from coercion. All that mattered was that he had him there... and not find himself in Jack's. He kicked himself for being a fool in biding his time so patiently. Waiting was not a John Hart trait. He shouldn't have ever done so with Ianto, no matter how skittish he could be; and quite obviously not accustomed to male on male relationships. Stroking his lip thoughtfully, John mused aloud, "Well, that's about to change, Ianto. As soon as I get you back here – where you belong, things will be as they should have always been. You'll never have him, Jack. I will make sure of that."

He thought of all the missed opportunities that had been afforded him, and cursed anew. All the resources at his disposal and he'd never used them. Why hadn't he drugged him into submission? That would have been so simple. But, he hadn't done it for one reason. He knew this wouldn't be a one shot deal. He wanted Ianto too badly. Once he had him, he couldn't imagine ever letting the beautiful man go. Well, not any longer. He would have it all... and he would have it soon.

Picking up the phone, he dialed the cell phone number recorded for Lisa. He smiled coldly, when her fearful and groggy voice came across the line.

"Good evening, Miss Hallet... or should I say morning?" John drawled, with purpose.

"Uh, it's very late, yes. Who is this?" she asked warily.

"My name is John Hart. Ianto Jones works for me. You may have heard of me?" he asked, more than certain to receive an affirmative answer.

He almost laughed at her sigh of relief that came across the line. What a gullible fool, was his thought. This was just too easy. For a master manipulator and thief, she was predictable, common... and far beneath her boyfriend.

"Yes, Ianto has spoken about you. Why are you calling? Is there a problem? Ianto was supposed to handle everything at the casino... with Jack Harkness..." she stammered in fear.

John had enough experience in reading people to know that the concern was directed towards herself and not towards Ianto. He gritted his teeth together in anger, having his suspicions confirmed. Ianto was with Jack. If he knew Jack, and he knew him very well... he was using this meeting to entice the young Welshman. And, there was precious little he could do about it until Ianto was away from Jack. "When have you last heard from Ianto?"

"Not for a couple of days. He said he was starting his vacation. He was going to use the time to frequent Harkness' casino, learn what he could... and then try to make a deal with him regarding my settlement. Have you heard from him, Mr. Hart?"

"Not a word... but, I have heard word on the street through shall we say more unsavory channels..." John told her, his eyes alight with purpose and menace.

"What do you mean?" she asked tremulously.

Smiling coldly, John planted the seed that he knew would bring Ianto back home... back to him. "Jack Harkness has contracted your immediate death. You can run, but you can't hide from his thugs."

"He's been following me all along. But... kill me? What should I do?" she asked, her eyes wide with fear.

"Contact Ianto immediately. Do not text him, that could be read by someone who holds his phone. Voicemail would most likely be password protected. Tell him he's walked into a trap, and that Harkness intends to kill you. Urge him to get away from the casino now," John told her, the plan in his mind coming together like clockwork. Soon it would all be over, and Ianto would be exactly where he wanted him. Vulnerable, broken... and utterly alone.

Lisa answered in a low hiss, "Well, that's fine for Ianto. He would be safe, which is obviously what you care about. What about me? Who will help me?"

John rolled his eyes, his irritation and disappointment in Ianto that he could have become involved with such a pathetic woman. "I have some contacts, and I know Jack Harkness. I will see what I can do. Stay where you are. I will be in touch."

"You had better not let me down, Mr. Hart," she icily warned him, before slamming the phone down.

John shook his head in disbelief at the incredible nerve and stupidity of this marked woman. Not marked by Jack Harkness... but, she was by John Hart. He smiled, as he punched in the numbers to make another call, one that would see to Lisa Hallet's immediate disposal.

"John Hart. Move in to terminate the target. Make certain to retrieve her cell phone. I want it in my possession," John clipped out.

"Yes, Sir. I will have it to you by morning..."

"Very good. Alert me as soon as you have returned," John said with a smile as he ended the call. "You may have my property for now, Jack... but, I will reclaim it. And, once I do, he will never look at you with anything other than contempt again."

TBC