Chapter 25
SKYLAR
Saxon’s warm body stays pressed against my chest, his head propped on my shoulder as I continue dragging my nails up and down his back.
His cock is softening inside me as we hold still.
I love that he seems to grow smaller against me, his body releasing all the tension he usually holds while I soothe him with my nails.
I have a feeling no one has ever seen Saxon like this, and I love that his trust in me is strong enough to allow himself to drop his guard.
I can’t imagine him feeling this comfortable when he learned who I was.
Who I am. As his arms snake around my waist and pull me closer to him, I know that he’s surrendering a piece of himself to me.
Something I’m sure he is not accustomed to giving away, considering who he is.
“Who’s left on your kill list, tesoro?” My hands still against his back. What did he just say? Peeling his body away from mine, he tucks himself back into his jeans while I jump off the table and right my own clothes.
“What are you talking about, Saxon?”
“Baby, this isn’t our first rodeo together.
I saw your list in your room. How many more do you have?
” My mouth is surely gaping at his nonchalance at finding my list. He’s not questioning it, nor is he running in the opposite direction.
He’s just standing here with me, staring into my soul, awaiting my response.
“Saxon, it’s complicated. I don’t know if we shou—”
“What’s complicated about wanting revenge against your enemies?” He cups the side of my face and kisses my forehead gently.
“I’m not asking you so I can take away your plans. I’m asking you so I can help you.”
“Why would you do that?” I whisper, my eyes roaming all over his face to see if this is all a joke. He steps up closer to me, both hands cupping my face now as he rests his forehead against mine.
“Because whoever your enemies are, they’re now my enemies.
If you want someone dead, just tell me who, and I’ll find them for you.
If you want me to handle it alone, I will.
But I see how important it is for you to do this with your own hands.
I won’t take away your revenge again, but I will be right here with you.
I’m yours now, and you’re mine.” Soft lips press into mine; my eyes fall closed as I let this man’s words fill my chest. This is too fast, right?
This thing between us isn’t society’s normal relationship. Is this a relationship?
“How fucking sweet. I could puke.” Finn’s voice reminds me that he, too, is here. Saxon ends our kiss, and I make a mental note to punch Finn for disturbing this moment.
“So, what you’re saying is we get to do this again soon?” Finn claps his hands together in excitement.
“Wait, we?” I say to him, raising my eyebrow at him as he drops both arms and spreads them wide in shock.
“Saxon, you and I both know I’m the best man to help. You can’t sideline me this time—I need to be a part of this.”
“I don’t need anyone’s help. I’ve been doing just fine all on my own,” I say confidently because it’s true. I’ve been doing this for the past two years, and quite successfully, might I add. Straightening myself up, I start moving past Saxon, but a strong arm clasps around my bicep.
“We’re not saying you need help with anything. I’m offering my help, our help. You’re not fighting me on this, Sky. Whether you like it or not, you have the two of us to help you. Why not take it so you can cross off the names on your list faster?”
“Saxon, I can’t ask this of you. This is my fight, no one else’s,” I plead with him.
There’s a long silence in the room. He pulls me to his front, so I have to crane my neck to look up at his face.
His wildly handsome face, with that sharp jaw and a dusting of a five o’clock shadow.
I look away, not trusting myself to not crack under his intense gaze, but his hands wrap around the sides of my neck, pulling my face to his.
“How many more times do I have to tell you you’re mine now? Your fight is my fight, and your enemies are my enemies. You don’t have to carry this weight alone.” His voice is just above a whisper, the deep timbre making my belly tighten as butterflies awaken within me.
“Saxon, you hardly know me,” I whisper again, my eyes starting to sting with the threat of tears.
“You’re Skylar Brynn Sagan. Twenty-three years old.
Born in Lakeland County in a town called Bayberry on September 20th, 2002, making you a Virgo.
Which is very fitting for you.” I scrunch up my nose, confused as to what he means by that.
“You had a twin brother named Seven who was killed during a random act of violence while protecting you. Your father is Sergio Sagan, and your mother is Sylvia. Both are pieces of shit, if you ask me, but I’m aware you also think the same.
Right?” He pauses a moment, and I nod once before he continues.
“When you were twelve, you were branded with the Hellstorm’s logo beneath your left ear.
Within the last two years, you fled your family, and now you’re here in Golden Heights, rebuilding your life and seeking revenge against the bastards that hurt you.
” He takes a deep breath, his chest brushing against my breasts as he inhales deeply before continuing.
“You’re also the woman I’ve grown attached to.
Even before you knew who I was, I knew you, Sky.
I think I’ve always known that you and I were meant to collide the way we have.
So, I’m not asking if you need help. I’m telling you I’m going to help you, whether you like it or not, because I protect what’s mine, and Sky, you’re mine. ”
I can no longer stop the tears from sliding down my face.
Before each tear can reach my chin, he swipes them away with the pads of his thumbs.
Saxon can be incredibly intense in so many ways.
Which makes him the epitome of a leader.
He demands his power and commands the attention of others.
While he’s feared, he is also loved by his club.
He cares for those who’ve joined his family and will do anything to protect them from harm.
I’ve been solo for so long; accepting help from others is not natural for me.
However, Saxon is a force all on his own.
He’s rapidly cracking the ice that’s been built around my heart quicker than I can rebuild it.
I need to protect the little that’s left of me, protect my heart from breaking all over again.
I won’t survive another heartbreak. Losing Seven was enough.
Once he was gone, I vowed to never let another soul latch onto my heart.
That’s my domain and mine alone. If I want to survive, I need to do this alone. Or do I?
His embrace is warm, his long arms encase me, and I allow my arms to wrap around his waist. He feels so good, too good.
I’m scared and feel so out of control, and I can’t bear the thought of dropping my veil just to have myself crumble once again, but he feels so different.
I believe him, every word he says to me.
“Don’t let the past dictate your future,” he whispers in my ear, his soft lips dust over the shell of my ear, and I cave.
“Okay. Please don’t hurt me, Saxon.” My voice shakes as I finally let him in fully.
My chest warms as the ice melts until it’s no longer gripping my heart like a vise.
I tighten my hold on him a little more, needing something to keep me from falling.
The tears continue to spill, dampening his shirt as I nestle my face against his chest.
“Jesus, Sax, stalker much?” Finn’s voice breaks the moment. I open my eyes to the sound of his lighter flipping closed as he lights his cigarette. I hide my smirk. Finn is the worst person to have present at this moment, because like me, he enjoys bloodshed, and now he wants in too.
“Finn, did you forget you were with me when I did my research?” Finn freezes, his hands holding the lighter close to the end of his cigarette, but not close enough to light as he contemplates what Saxon just said.
“Oh fuck, that’s right.” He starts laughing uncontrollably. “My bad.” Finally, lighting his cigarette, he pockets his lighter and takes a long drag. I pull away from Saxon and quickly wipe away the last few tears from my face.
“Well then, this is happening then, right? We get to tackle this so-called list, just the three of us?” Finn asks me.
The corner of his mouth pulls into a devilish grin as he waits for my response.
I look at Saxon, but he lifts an eyebrow at me, giving me the final choice.
I close my eyes for a moment, trying to quickly mull over the pros and cons but admit defeat and snap my eyes open.
“Let’s do it,” I say. Finn scoops me up in his arms and spins me around like a child as he chants, “Yes, yes, yes, yes! This is going to be so much fun!” I can’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. Finn truly is psychotic, and I’m starting to like him more and more.
“Put her down, you dumbass.” Placing me on my feet again, I can’t help but notice a sense of warmth and a slight twinge in my chest that I’ve never felt before.
It’s not a bad feeling per se, it’s just new.
New in a good way. It’s light and airy, unlike the heaviness that’s been so familiar throughout my life.
As scary as it is, I let the sensation wash over me.
I let it consume me as it flows through my body, warming me up from the inside out.
I can’t help but think this is a good thing, this feeling is right.
This new alternate route along my path is the right move.
A full smile stretches across my face as I look at the man who makes me feel again. The man who reminds me that the world doesn’t have to be a dark, shadowy maze of torment and past trauma.
Saxon Wilder makes me feel alive again.