Chapter 44
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
Lexi
Vaughn stepped around Killian’s puffed out chest, peering into Sebastian’s destroyed office, or at least he tried to. Kill’s palms slammed into his chest and shoved him back into the hallway.
“Stay the fuck out,” Killian snarled, whipping the door closed. His nostrils flared, and I could feel the rage pulsing through the coiled muscles in his back.
“What the hell did you do in there, Davenport?” The guy’s dark brows pinched as he regarded my best friend’s frenzied state.
Killian released me, and his hand shot out, wrapping around Vaughn’s throat.
“Now is not the time, Vaughn.” He shoved him against the wall, and a sharp gasp ricocheted through the air.
The guy blanched, eyes nearly popping out of his head.
“This is none of your fucking business. This is between my stepbrother and me, so keep the hell out of it.”
Vaughn raised his hands, but Kill’s hold around his neck only tightened.
A deep crimson flushed his cheeks as his chest expanded and contracted in a frantic pace.
He was on the verge of losing control again, but we didn’t have time for that.
And I wouldn’t let him become more of a monster because of this guy.
“Killian!” I jerked on his upper arm. “Come on, he’s not worth it. We have to go.”
His murderous gaze latched onto Vaughn, a snarl curling his lip. “If you snitch to Bass, I’ll rip your fucking head off.”
The guy’s head bounced up and down, the jagged movement restricted by Killian’s fingers digging into his throat.
I slid my hand up his forearm until he finally released Vaughn and tangled his fingers between my own. With a final, savage glare, Killian spun away and dragged me down the hall behind him. I practically had to jog to keep up with his long, angry strides.
“Kill—”
“I can’t, Lexi. I need a minute. I’m so fucking pissed, I want to tear apart this entire damned fraternity house then raze it to the ground.” His free hand curled at his side, fingernails digging into his palm.
“I’m okay now, Kill,” I whispered as we dashed through the great room, the deep mahoganies and crystal chandeliers blurring by. “It was a long time ago.”
“It’s not okay,” he snarled and tore the front door open, the hinges squealing in protest. “It will never be okay until that bastard is six feet under, dead by my hand.”
“No!” I jerked him to a stop along the front walkway.
The Sigma Delta house loomed over us, terrifying in its gothic splendor.
I rose to my tiptoes and jabbed my finger into his chest. “You can’t, Killian.
I already told you, I lost you once, and I won’t let you go again.
I wouldn’t survive it...” Hot tears burned my eyes.
I’d never forgive myself if he went to prison because of me. “Please...”
He snagged his lower lip between his teeth, biting so hard he drew blood. I reached up and swept the crimson droplets away. “I won’t let Stan get away with this,” he hissed.
“I know you won’t.”
“Fuck, Lexi. I should have been there. I should have trusted you all along.”
Every frantic word stitched up a piece of the gaping hole he’d left in my chest all those years ago.
His hand tightened around mine, and he led me toward the red Ferrari parked along the curb. My eyes bugged out as he moved to the passenger’s side and opened the door.
“Thanks,” I muttered as I slid into the supple leather seats. Not only did Killian’s chivalry throw me off, but also, I’d never actually ridden in his uber expensive car.
“Where are we going?” I asked as he slid into the driver’s side.
He punched the ignition button, and the engine roared to life. “I need a minute to calm down and figure out our next move.”
Our. That one word had my weary heart soaring.
It felt like I’d been alone in this for so long.
Papá tried his best, but without knowing the truth, he could only do so much.
Mom had died, and then Killian left me, and I’d just felt so lost. For the first time in years, the dark chasm didn’t feel quite so impossible to fill.
Killian pumped the gas, and the sleek sports car sped down the street.
I cocked my head over my shoulder and hazarded a glance at the looming house in the distance.
A chill raced up my spine. If this secret society was so powerful, would we ever be free of them?
And would Stan ever really pay for his sins?
Killian’s hand slid covered mine, as if he sensed my unravelling thoughts, his strong fingers an immovable tether in the storm of emotions raging in my gut.
With every mile that passed, the tension in his rigid form began to bleed away.
“So, where are we going?” I repeated once his ragged breaths had returned to normal.
“It’s a surprise.” An unexpected glimmer of amusement flitted over the scowl carved into his jaw.
Twenty minutes later, the Ferrari zipped into a parking spot across from a small dock.
A few timeworn boats bobbed along the brackish winter water.
I jumped out of the car, and the briny sea air lashed over me.
The icy breeze raised the hair on the back of my neck, and I couldn’t control the shudder.
Killian must have noticed because in an instant, his arm weaved around my waist, tucking me into his perpetually warm side.
I scanned the horizon, inhaling deep breaths of the salty air until the panic in my chest from reliving the nightmare with Stan and the fear for Killian’s life began to recede.
A handful of sailboats and fancy yachts dotted Copper Cove’s main marina just a few blocks away, but Killian turned us toward a small white fishing boat at the end of the wooden dock. My gaze latched onto the name of the vessel, and all the air I’d fought so hard to win back whooshed out.
Little Red Riding Hood.
It was written in deep crimson, bold script with a wolf’s head at the end, its jaw wide open swallowing up the last word.
“Killian...” I murmured.
“I bought it about a week before you showed up at Stonewall. Kind of like fate, I guess. Anyway, I’ve been trying to fix it up, but I’ve been kind of distracted.
” He dragged his palm across the back of his neck.
“I paid for it with my own money, so Bass and Stan don’t even know it exists.
It’s nothing special yet, but maybe one day—”
“It’s perfect,” I blurted.
I raced across the squeaky wooden planks, tugging Killian along with me.
“Since it’s nearly winter, I doubt anyone will be around. It’ll be a decent place to hide out for a day or two. Assuming we don’t freeze to death.”
“I’m sure we’ll figure out some way to stay warm.” An embarrassingly raspy edge laced my tone.
A grin curled the corner of Killian’s lips, the first I’d seen since we found that video on Sebastian’s computer. I hated to ruin the mood right now, but why did his stepbrother have it? I couldn’t imagine Stan would allow anyone access to such incriminating evidence.
Killian scooped me into his arms, and all thoughts of Sebastian and Stan vanished as a squeal parted my lips.
“Welcome aboard, Red.” He leapt onto the boat, crushing me against his chest. I clutched the back of his neck as he jumped the gap, icy waters churning below. “I guess it is about time I christen this baby.” His eyes seared into mine, mesmerizing irises pulsing with desire.
He dug a key out of his pocket and slid it into the lock of the red wooden door. Unlike everything else on the boat, the paint was fresh. Red. Even after all these years of hating me, he’d named his boat after me. Despite the icy chill, my heart warmed.
Killian carried me over the threshold and through the narrow cabin, revealing the quaint quarters below deck.
A small kitchenette with all the necessities ran along the right side, while a little booth with a table stood on the left.
At the back of the cabin were double bunk beds.
Kill’s gaze followed mine as I took it all in.
“It’s going to be a little tight in here, but—”
“No, it’s absolutely perfect,” I cut in as I slid out of his arms.
Fresh linens covered the twin beds, navy and white comforters spread over the top and bottom bunks. I walked around the small space, a smile tugging at my lips. Shedding my coat, I hung it on the bedpost and turned to meet a pair of intense emerald orbs.
“At least no one will hear you screaming my name when I fuck you in here.” This time, the grin that spread across his handsome face was devious.
“I thought we came here to figure out how to take down Stan.”
“We did. But I need this, Red. I need to feel you beneath me, on top of me, everywhere. I need to be inside you before I fucking lose my mind.”
For some weird, fucked-up reason, I understood. I needed this too. Needed him.
I leaned into him, breathing in his familiar scent and slowly, the panic in his eyes receded and a smirk slid into place. “Now that I’ve lived up to my end of the bargain, are you ready to pay up?”
Cocky bastard.
“And how am I supposed to do that?” Damn, why did I sound so breathy?
“By letting me fuck you again. With my cock.” He lurched forward, his hand snaking around the back of my neck. His fingers dug into my hair, fisting it until I let out a squeal. “And I have a lot of lost time to make up for,” he murmured against my mouth.
I slapped my palms on his chest and shoved him back. “More like you have a lot of groveling to do.”
“Mmm.” He licked his lips, and a dark gleam flashed across those brilliant eyes. “You’re right, Red. I suppose I do.”
I perched on the edge of the bed, taking all of him in.
The hard set of his jaw, the brutal cut of his cheekbones, that wild dark hair tumbling over his brow.
Gawd, he was gorgeous. And now, that impossible rift between us could finally be mended.
I was free to dive headfirst into these overpowering sensations–the desire, the lust, the love–without the pain swallowing me whole.
“Get on your knees for me, Kill.” I threw him a smirk.
“Whatever you say, baby.” He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it to the ground.
Then he yanked my boots off, stopping to massage the soles of my feet before his fingers crawled up my thighs and snagged on the waistband of my panties.
He dragged the lacy thing down my legs, devastatingly slowly, then tugged my dress up and over my head in one swift move.
“Spread your legs for me, Red. I’m starving for that soaked little pussy.
I’ve been dreaming about your taste all day so once is nowhere near enough. ”
My breath hitched at the jagged edge to his tone, and that dirty mouth. And just like that, everything else fell away.
His hands clamped around my thighs, and his head dipped between my legs. His tongue drew lazy circles around my clit, and in seconds I was writhing as a fiery orgasm began to build.
My head fell back, and I gripped the soft sheets, fingers digging into the mattress. “Oh, Killian,” I groaned.
As his tongue lapped me up, his hand crawled up my torso and closed around my nipple. The sharp pinch sent fire racing to my lower half. His finger fondled and kneaded my sensitive flesh until I couldn’t keep still. My hips rocked against his face, desperate for more.
“Killian,” I moaned. “I want your cock inside me. Now.”