Chapter 38
I am staring right at Felix, and power surges through me. Smiling in his face, I press the muzzle of the gun at his temple. How easy it would be to kill him.
“Abigail, stop this nonsense.”
I smash the muzzle into his cheek, split between wanting to end him right now and making him suffer first. He doesn’t deserve the easy way out, even though I imagine how it would be to see a puddle of his blood at my feet. The thought alone has satisfaction rushing through me.
“Don’t kill him.” Hunter chuckles.
“No, I want him to live knowing his legacy will wither away every day,” I say.
“That will never happen,” Felix snarls.
I slam the gun into his nose this time. He whimpers, but he can’t move; Hunter has a death grip on him. I catch movement from the corner of my eye. Kaden is carrying Celine out, and Blake is pushing his father out behind them.
A lump forms in my throat, seeing Celine in the shape she’s in. Blood and sweat paint her cheeks. Her body trembles.
“Fuck.” Hunter runs over to them while I lift my gun and press it to Felix’s heart.
But his eyes are glued to Blake, and an evil look crosses his face.
“Son, I expected better from you.”
Five black Mercedes SUVs speed our way, then stop, making us all draw our guns. Thomas opens the door of the third car, and Grandmother steps out just as he notices the state Celine is in. He rushes to her with a first aid kit. Meanwhile, Grandmother walks toward us, appearing a bit more fragile.
“I raised traitors,” she spits.
I gasp; her display of emotions takes me by surprise. Standing tall, she walks authoritatively to Felix and Caleb, adding, “And now the order is restored.”
“What?” we all ask.
“For every year that you stabbed me in the back, for every year that I have considered you family, for every year you held my daughter, you will suffer twice,” she tells Felix and Caleb.
Guilt is etched on her face as she walks to her granddaughter.
“Took you long enough.”
“I don’t have your energy anymore. Celine—”
“Ignore me bleeding out here, Granny.” Even in her state, she doesn’t back down.
“You’ll survive. Now, where is my daughter?” She looks around with a spark in her eyes.
“With my father.”
“Cassandra’s coming home with me.”
“Mom will decide that.”
Grandmother turns to her men and says, “Take the traitors with you.”
An explosion ripples through the building, smoke and rubble creating a picture of destruction. My man surely knows how to set things on fire. Grandmother looks straight into the fire. “That was unnecessary.”
Flames engulf the lab, lashing at the cement. I watch the place I was tortured in being burned down, and something in me eases.
“I expect to see you all on Friday at dinner.” Grandmother goes back to her car while I watch incredulously.
“She’s unbelievable,” Celine says.
The paramedics arrive, putting Celine on the gurney.
We survived.
We’re alive.
Our group rushes to the hospital, where Kaden paces the corridor, and I go to him. He tells us Celine is in surgery, but she will be fine. She’s strong.
“We did it,” I say, placing a hand on his knee, and he nods.
“We’ll be there for her. She won’t be alone,” I assure him.
“We have the upper hand now.”
Exhaustion drags me under, and when Dane sits next to me, I place my cheek on his shoulder. It feels surreal that we did it. He takes my hand, interlinking our fingers. Something clicks into place, and it’s like I can breathe freely for the first time in my life.
The doctor announces that he removed the bullet from Celine’s bicep and no bone was affected, and she is recovering in her private room.
When Kaden goes to see her, I snuggle myself into Dane’s side, needing to feel him close, assuring myself he’s fine. Emotions overwhelm me. Silent tears rock my chest. He lifts me into his lap, and I bury my face in his neck as he caresses my back.
“Shh, I’m here. I’m okay, and she will be too.”
When I lift my gaze, I see Blake leaning against the opposite wall with his head lowered. Mia looks at him, worry etched in her eyes. Bailey sits in the chair furthest from us, eyes stuck on her phone while Hunter glares at her.
“Really? Can’t you put that damn phone away for a second?”
Rolling her eyes at him, she ignores him.
“I’m going to get you a tea,” Dane says, placing me back in my seat.
When he’s gone, I have a strange urge to rush after him and tell him not to leave, but he won’t.
I approach Blake and ask, “Why?”
“This is not the place nor the time.”
“There won’t be any better time for a member of my family to tell me why he worked for the enemy when he should have just pretended to do it.”
“I was trying to get in. That was the only way. I bought us time.”
“Did you tell them about Dane?”
“That was all on you.”
A weight lifts from my shoulders. To believe he’s a traitor would upend my whole belief system, but that doesn’t mean I am fine with what he did behind our backs.
“I started afterward, when I saw what they were capable of…”
“You could have told me.”
“I didn’t want to risk it.”
“I’m mad at you. I don’t know if I can forgive you.”
He nods, and I take the tea from Dane’s hand, returning to our seats.
When Kaden comes out and Celine’s parents leave, we rush inside, stumbling over each other to get to her first.
She chuckles and hisses at the same time when she sees us. Kaden grumbles low in his throat, eyeing us as if it’s our fault.
“We did it,” she says, and our group moves to her bedside.
“You saved me,” Celine tells Blake, who stands in the corner.
“No, you did that.”
“I call for a girl’s night out. No, make that multiple,” I say, and the girls nod enthusiastically.
“How are you feeling?” Bailey asks.
“She’s drugged out of her mind. She feels great,” says Dane, making Celine chuckle.
“Don’t do this solo again, okay? I was worried,” Mia says.
Hunter arches a brow, looking straight at Bailey. “Were you worried all alone in your ivory tower, kitten?”
“Hunter,” Kaden and Celine say at the same time.
Hunter smirks, then goes to Celine and kisses her cheek. He’s the first to leave, followed by Blake.
“That was quite a show,” she tells Dane.
“I’m good at blowing up things.” He shrugs then leaves as well.
Mia sits on the chair next to her bedside and says, “From an orphan to having both of your parents back. That’s not weird at all.”
We burst into laughter.
“You can cut the crap now,” I say. “We have to talk, because you might say you’re fine and you might try to hide it. But the memories will eat at you, and when you least expect it, they will resurface.”
“If the Family was good for anything, it was to make us stronger than we ever thought.”
“Promise,” I insist, and Celine dips her chin in agreement. I know she needs more time to process.
“So you and Hunter are not odd at all,” she turns to Bailey.
Bailey fidgets with her fingers. “He sees me as useless and annoying.”
Mia places a hand on her shoulder. “You intrigue him, and he’s going to eat his words when he finds out.”
“Hey, we shouldn’t keep secrets anymore,” I say.
Mia offers, “Yes. Agree. Girl power.”
We all nod, and a yawn parts Celine’s lips.
Mia says, “We’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you too,” we say back to her.
Dane waits for me outside her room, and my chest overflows, love and relief spilling over.
“You’re free.”
“Not until we hear what Grandmother has to say.”
He takes my hand in his and drives us to the college house. When we’re in my bedroom, he follows me into the shower. The water sprays down on me as I watch him undress and he gets behind me.
“If you could go back in time, would you still….” I can’t say it out loud. It’s a hypothetical question, one I strangely need the answer for.
“Want you?” He finishes my sentence.
I chew on my bottom lip, and he lifts my chin. “It never felt like a choice. It felt like something beyond my understanding. I saw you and that was it.”
“Instalove?”
“Probably but more like instaconfusion. There you were, a girl I have never seen before, pulling me to her like no one before. And let’s not forget you didn’t make it easy for me.”
“I tried to protect you, even then.”
“I know.”
Grabbing the bottle of shampoo, he squirts a bit in his hand. He threads his finger through my hair, massaging my scalp. It feels so incredible that a moan slips free.
“I want to feel you inside of me. I’m addicted to that maddening sensation. I crave our connection.”
“Take what you want from me, princess. I’m yours. I’m here.”
He is mine, and I am his. Nothing and no one could ever change that.
There were times I didn’t even think I could be free, and even now, I’m not sure I am. Grandmother will have the last say. But I don’t let that thought ruin our moment. Together, we’ll find a way.
I go to my knees. Instant hunger burns in his eyes.
“Any plans while you’re on your knees looking so damn beautiful?”
“Hmm… I was thinking of sucking you. But only if that’s okay with you, of course.”
I love the playfulness we have going on.
“That is a hard decision.”
I slap his lower abdomen.
He fists my hair and pulls my head back. “Suck me, princess. Now.”
The command issued in that deep voice kicks me into action. I curl my fingers around the base of his cock. It jerks in my hand, leaking a bit of pre-cum, emboldening me. Lowering my lips to him, I lick at the tip, trailing my tongue down the vein on his shaft, and take as much of him as I can into my mouth.
“Jesus Christ, princess, you suck me so good. I can’t think straight.”
I pop his head out. “You never could in my presence anyway.”
“Even with your mouth full of my cock, you smart mouth me.”
Moving my head up and down while I keep eye contact, I poke my tongue in the small slit.
His chest vibrates with pleasure, and then he cups my face, taking charge.
I don’t mind. I love that side of him when he’s just a bit rougher, and it makes me feel what I do to him. I gag, spit gathering at my chin, but he looks at me as if I am the most fascinating woman on earth, which empowers me.
“Princess, you’re perfect. Fucking perfect. Take all of me.”
It’s not easy, but he slides down my throat, my lips kissing his pubic area. Breathing through my nose, he fucks my mouth. Seeing him lost in the pleasure that my mouth offers him is the greatest aphrodisiac. I am so wet and aching for him to take me. After he thrusts in and out a few more times, he pulls out. He comes all over my face, tracing the head of his cock along my lips.
“I thought you wearing red lipstick was my favorite, but I think my cum on your lips might top that.”
A true romantic, my man.
Then he pushes me back onto the shower seat. My legs spread on instinct, my insides humming as he gets between my thighs.
He parts my pussy with his fingers, completely engrossed.
“Such a beautiful pussy that has me addicted.”
He buries his face between my legs, his tongue and fingers are the best pleasure tools. I could never have too much of him.
Stars explode in my vision. He’s relentless in bringing me so high my fingernails dig into his arms. Every lick creates a tremor that travels through my body. Every nibble of my clit has me moaning, driving me mad with lust. Every time he adds another finger, I gasp for air. He draws the pleasure out of me with expert ease. The squelching sound of my wetness mixed with my moans is a song my body plays for him.
“So wet, my princess. You’re almost there. Give me what I want, my good girl. I need to drink you up.”
It doesn’t take long for him to push me over the edge. I come hard, his name falling from my lips in sweet surrender.
He swallows my release down, groaning low. Seeing what my taste does to him, an aftershock of pleasure skitters down my spine.
“I could drink you all day long and try to satiate my thirst for you all night long. Yet, I’d always want more,” he says, licking his lips before our mouths crash in a hungry and passionate kiss.
After we finish showering, he carries me to my bedroom and gently places me on the bed. He walks to where his discarded jeans are lying at the entrance of the bathroom and plucks out a condom.
“Condom or no condom?”
“No condom.” Because I have tipped over the madness scale.
He grins, and my entire world lights up.
“You wouldn’t care because it’s you and me.”
“I want everything with you.”
“I love you so damn much.”
The sight of his powerful body makes me ravenous. Every inch is sculpted perfection, and with his big cock jutting out, I part my legs, craving him.
With a smirk on his face, he crawls between my spread thighs.
I welcome him—all consuming, all maddening, all mine.
He pushes inside of me, and I lock my arms around his neck, moaning out his name. Nothing feels better than him filling me to the brim and holding me in his arms.
“I love you. I love you so fucking much I want to fuck you until we become one. Hard enough you’ll feel me forever, soft enough you’ll know how I worship you.”
“And you can because I’m yours. Always have been.”
“Always will be,” he finishes.
It sounds like a vow our hearts make while he’s inside of me. He’s so deep, both in my heart and body. I gasp for air.
“So deep…” Feeling the ridges of his cock stroking my walls makes me delirious with want.
“Too deep?”
“I’d take you even deeper if I could.”
“Then take it like the good girl you are when my cock is buried in you.”
I grind my pussy against his groin, craving the stretch and fullness desperately.
“So greedy… my little whore,” he says, voice laced with caution.
That word doesn’t make me flinch or cringe anymore. It lost its power over me. And coming from the man I love, it makes me burn even hotter for him.
He studies my face, then looks me straight in the eyes, gauging my reaction. There’s so much love in them. I’m safe with him. He’s healing me thrust for thrust.
“I love being your little whore.”
“Yes, because you’re only a little whore for me, aren’t you?”
“Oh God. Yes.”
“Do you know what else you are?” he asks, pushing so slowly in and out of me that a flutter rolls down my body.
“What?”
“You know. Tell me. Everything would be correct.”
“Your woman?”
“Definitely.”
“Your heart.”
“Absolutely.”
“Your world.”
“Correct.”
“Your life.”
“Facts. Now, what’s the one word to summarize it all?” he asks, pushing himself to the hilt inside of me and staying there. It feels so good I fall apart.
“Your everything,” I moan, coming so hard my body shakes uncontrollably.
He buries his head in my neck, caressing my side as my body calms down.
“That was so intense,” I whisper, kissing his neck and wrapping my arms around his back.
In response, he kisses my mouth, then places soft kisses on my nipples. Rolling me on my stomach, he trails his lips down my spine and positions me on all fours.
“Grip the headboard. I need this…”
I do that, readying myself for a hard fuck. A tremor of anticipation travels down my spine. He thrusts back inside of me. The all-consuming pleasure makes me lose my mind. Full, stretched, and brimming with him—it’s so much that I bite into the pillow and scratch at the sheet. Stars dance in my vision when my third orgasm stirs to life.
He slaps my ass cheek, then the other.
“Fucking perfect with my hand prints all over your ass, fucking you hard enough that you’ll feel me for days.”
I’m so wet, and the squelching sounds ring louder every time his hips meet my ass.
“You’re gushing.”
“Is it bad?”
“It’s fucking incredible.”
His finger finds my clit, and everything else disappears as he brings me to another shattering orgasm. I fall, spent, but he gets behind me. Pushing my leg over his thigh, he fucks me from the side.
I giggle. “What has gotten into you? Not that I’m complaining.”
He slaps my pussy. “Take it because I’m not done with you. I won’t ever be done with you.”
Bucking and writhing, I am a needy and greedy wanton mess.
“I could tie you down,” he says seeking my eyes and waiting.
I could say no or let him do what he has been doing: healing me.
“You could.”
If there is someone who could make something good out of that awful experience, it’s him. I don’t want what happened to have a hold on me any longer.
“Give me back my control. Give me back what I lost.”
“Abigail, princess…” He kisses my lips, eyelids, cheeks, and neck, where he nibbles at the skin.
“I love your neck.”
“I know. My concealer reminds me every time of that.”
He chuckles, and I say, “You won’t distract me.”
“Maybe it’s too quick, too soon. I don’t want to lose you or this moment.”
The fear in his eyes has me almost backing off, but no. I need that.
“You won’t, and do you know why?”
He shakes his head, and I say, “Because I trust you completely. Because even tied up, I will only know pleasure. You are my safe place.”
I kiss him, urging him to trust his instincts.
He slips out of bed. Anticipation hums low in my belly. I lean back, watching him rummaging through my closet. He returns to bed with two bathrobe ties draping over his hands.
“Spread your knees and pull them to your sides. I’m going to tie your forearms to your thighs.”
I get in position, lifting my knees and spreading myself open like a butterfly. He ties one, then moves to the other, the material snatching around my skin.
A pant leaves my body, and he says, “You’re not there, but here with me, experiencing some kinky sex. Let me tell you, my limit is sharing you.”
“Ah, so you wouldn’t have a problem with me sharing you?”
He slaps my pussy again, and I buck up—that hit of pleasure and sting of pain arousing me.
“No one is sharing anyone. I just want you and this pussy.”
He leans in and kisses me with a desperate passion and savage hunger, instantly soothing the burning jealousy that the image sparked and turning me into mush.
“I feel the same, Abigail. I love you. I’m mad about you. You’re not alone.” Eyes locked, he says, “I want to hear you say you choose me now that you can. I need to hear that.”
Accepting the lack of choice I have with him is liberating. There’s only him for me.
“I choose you.”
“Good, because you just agreed to forever.”
My heart hums an endless love tune reverberating in my chest.
My heart is his. My body is his. I am his entirely.
He takes a nipple between his teeth, biting on it, then sucks gently. An all-consuming pleasure sweeps me to the land of euphoric bliss and carnal delight.
“I love these tits.”
“What else?”
He places a kiss on my neck, down my chest and belly, leaving my pussy until the end. I squirm like the wanton and needy woman he has turned me into. He places a chaste kiss there.
“Tell me what other fears you have?”
I have never been more vulnerable than right now; strangely, I am just as free.
“I’m afraid you’ll get bored with me. That I’ll give you all of me, and I won’t be enough. I never was for anyone else, and I am terrified because only you have the power to wreck me.”
“Thank you for your honesty, but that worry is unfounded. I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you, and one day you’ll laugh at it. Your parents and this corrupt family didn’t give you the love you deserved, but I will.”
“I’m screwed up. Behind this fa?ade, I have all kinds of self-doubts.”
“I know, baby. Together, we’ll conquer our fears. I love everything about you. I’m not perfect, either. Don’t let the past sabotage what we can create for us.”
“It sounds like a dream.”
“That we’ll make reality. You’re the planner in our relationship. So make all the plans you want. I’ll be on board with all of them.”
He guides his cock to my pussy, and there is no more smooth talk, nor heavy confessions, just hunger in his eyes and a desire flaming me up. He fucks me into blissful oblivion and sweet euphoria.
When I come again, I squeeze my eyes shut, crying out his name as he keeps thrusting in and out of me through my release.
“What you and I have, this love, this passion, this desperation, this madness, will never go away.”
His body is strung taut in pleasure, and he pulls out, coming all over my belly.
Eyes locked, our breathing returns to normal. He kisses me long and soft. Untying me, he massages my wrists. My heart is so full. There’s not enough space in my chest to contain all my love for him.
Hopping out of bed, he comes back from the bathroom with a cloth, cleaning me up.
I’m still in a relaxed state. He lies on his back, arms locked behind his neck. I open my drawer and take out a pen and my old sketchbook. Scooting into a cross-legged position, my hand glides down the blank page.
“I knew my good looks were your ultimate inspiration.”
I throw the pen at his head, but he catches it and writes something on his chest. He wears a smug expression as he gives it back.
“Draw me with this on me.”
My heart contorts when I read what he wrote on his skin. Abigail’s, until my last breath and beyond .
“Quite the statement.”
“I’ll tattoo this one too. It’s the truth, anyway.”
“I love you.”
“I love you more,” he says.
Sighing dreamingly, I draw the lines of his carved body.
“You look sexy naked and freshly fucked while you draw me.”
I press my legs together instinctively, and he snatches the sketchbook from me.
“Time to fuck. You can draw me later.”
I can’t say no to that.