Chapter 26 #3
“Um, because we’re enemies?” I answer. It’s not even a question.
He must know that, must understand how untrustworthy their kind is to ours.
If I reveal myself to them fully, I have no way of knowing what they would do with that information.
I’m pretty sure neither Sterling or Quinn would use it against me, but I know without a doubt their loyalty still lies with Aamon, and ultimately Andras.
And while they may mean me no harm, there’s nothing stopping Andras from doing exactly what my father has done my whole life—hide me away to experiment on for his own personal gain.
Afterall, as far as I know, I am the only one of my kind.
He shakes his head. “So you’ll let us fuck you, but you won’t let us learn the truth about you?”
“I let Sterling fuck me,” I correct.
“Don’t do that,” he chides.
“Do what?”
“Try to pit us against each other. Jealousy isn’t going to work on us, Angel. I already told you. We share.”
I laugh, a real and genuine barking laugh.
Because while these boys might share, I’ve seen more jealousy between the four of them than I think I’ve ever witnessed in my entire existence.
“I’m not pitting anyone against each other, Quinn.
I’m correcting you. With the facts. If you don’t like it, then—”
“Then what,” he says, once again closing the distance between us in no more than a heartbeat.
His hand wraps around my back, tugging softly at the ends of my hair so that I’m forced to meet his gaze.
His eyes search mine, so captivating that I almost forget what we were talking about altogether.
“Then I’ll have to do something about it?
Because trust me, Angel. I have had that very thought every day since you allowed me the pleasure of tasting that sweet cunt of yours. ”
“You—you have?” I ask, barely capable of forming the words through the lack of air currently in my lungs.
He nods, playing with the strands of hair wrapped around his fingers. “Thought of it, begged for it, even touched myself to the idea of it.”
Fuck. I think I may pass out. My heart is beating so fast I can’t see straight. I blink, trying to force away the black stars that are floating on the edge of my vision.
“But what I can’t figure out is why you are so reluctant to trust us.
” His voice is soft, lyrical. And I have to fight myself to not immediately give in.
“After the truth we’ve shown you? After your own kind has abandoned you?
Why are you living by their rules, even still?
What are you hiding that requires that level of secrecy? ”
His gaze doesn’t falter, his eyes don’t even blink.
I breathe it in, breathe him in. In such close proximity, the world around us melts away.
His hands run up the sides of my body, dancing over my curves on their way up and tangling with my fingers trapped above my head.
I find myself fighting the desire to let him in, to tell him everything.
To beg him not to stop. Because as much as I want to keep this secret, I want to please him as well. I need it. I crave it.
I swallow, willing the words to surface.
Or willing him to pull them out of me. Willing him to touch and tease his way through this interrogation until I’ve given him everything I have to offer.
And just when I’m sure he’s going to give in, to kiss me this time—he releases my wrists from the leather cuffs in one swift motion.
I blink, my world spinning as I catch myself before I hit the floor. Blood rushes back into my arms, making my skin tingle as I try to push myself upright. By the time I’m standing again he’s already across the room, letting someone in through the doorway.
“What are you doing in here?” Aamon steps in. He’s looking at me, but the question is posed towards Quinn, a heavy accusation in his tone.
“She wanted a tour of the bar. Figured I’d oblige.” Quinn is once again his unconcerned self, and while he’s putting up the perfect facade, I know the truth is written all over my frazzled and heated face. Aamon spends several moments assessing me before turning to Quinn.
“Did you take her to see Laurel?”
Quinn nods, waving his hand. “Yeah, it was nothing, just a bruise. Laurel gave me shit for even bringing her in the first place.” I don't fail to notice his lie, but whether it's because he's genuinely trying to cover for me, or only trying to gain my trust, is too much for me to figure out right now.
Aamon’s eyes linger on Quinn for a second longer, narrowing in before turning and walking out the door.
“Come on,” he calls as he stalks into the hall. “Sterling is waiting for us.”
I let out a breath, my whole body unclenching.
Quinn nods for us to follow and I rush through the room, rubbing at the tenderness in my wrists.
Quinn’s hand lands on the small of my back and I can't help but take one last look towards the restraints on the wall—the same I’d been in mere moments ago.
As Quinn and Aamon lead me out the back entrance and to the bikes that Zeke waits beside, I feel how much my body longs for another opportunity to return to the red rooms. With Quinn.
And maybe with more than just Quinn, too.