Chapter 17 Machine
SEVENTEEN
MACHINE
I watched as Badger took a deep breath into the spirometer for the third time. Zombie watched intently as the doctor took notes in the conference room of the Hive.
Zombie had been adamant that he would be with each of his team for all check-ups to ensure that everything was done correctly.
I could tell Badger was grateful for his attentiveness, but I also knew this was his way of keeping busy and keeping his thoughts away from his childhood best friend being killed.
The doctor said some reassuring words to Badger and Zombie before making his exit.
It had been a week since the explosion, and both the Hive at RSS and the Elite Squad were working tirelessly to devise a plan to take down Ricci.
Arrangements for Evelyn’s mother and Arrow were underway.
However, we were postponing Aaron’s funeral.
The Elite Squad wouldn’t be able to put him to rest until after Ricci was dealt with.
Chief stood in front of his team. The room had a somber energy, filled with despair, anger, and longing.
“Guys, I wish I had some words of wisdom. Something to take away the pain that has rooted deep within all of us.” He cleared his throat as a wave of emotion filled his face.
“Arrow will always be part of this team and stay in our hearts. I know some of you have lost more lately, and I’m truly sorry for that.
With war comes huge losses. And trust me when I say we are at war.
It is far from over as we take down the person responsible for this. ”
I tuned out the long speech about the importance of sticking together and making sure everyone was using the buddy system. It was clear that Chief cared about his team like family and wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page.
“Phantom will maintain the illusion that she was captured by Kade. The rest of us will prepare for our attack on Olympus,” Chief stated.
Olympus was Ricci’s strip club, and his hub for selling trafficked women.
Chief gave everyone clear instructions for the night of the next auction.
When the meeting was over, Badger got up and walked to where I was standing.
Instead of acknowledging my existence, she went past me out the door.
We hadn’t spoken since she’d woken up in the hospital bed, and it was clear that she blamed me for the news I had given her.
She turned toward the elevator, and I followed. She pressed the button once, then pressed it again impatiently. I stood next to her for a moment before she turned to me.
“Are you following me?”
I looked at her with indifference, trying to school my feelings.
I had, in fact, been following her. My fear gripped me so tightly that I needed to make sure she was safe.
That no other stronzos were following her.
Chief had made it clear that he expected his team to be vigilant and, preferably, work in pairs if at all possible.
Anger surged through me at her carelessness in going off alone.
“Nope,” I said, getting into the elevator as it arrived.
Tension filled the air as the elevator descended. When we finally reached the lobby, she quickly exited and stormed toward RSS's front doors. If she was reckless enough to leave alone, then I had no choice but to follow her. I tailed her until she turned into an alleyway and picked up her pace.
“Woman, would you just wait a second?!” I called, but she continued to strut away from me. “Jessica!”
She halted and looked at me over her shoulder. I stalked toward her, fury starting to lick at my insides. I stopped an inch in front of her and pressed my hands against the wall behind her, caging her in.
“Why do you insist on defying orders and running away from me?” I snarled.
She pinned me with a glare. “I don’t need your fucking help. You can shove your protective bullshit up your ass.”
Her defiance only fueled the longing in me.
“Have you forgotten you almost died a week ago? If I hadn’t been protective, you would be joining your friend in the ground.” It was a low blow, and I knew it, but I needed her to see where I was coming from.
She continued to glare at me. “I don’t need a savior. I can take care of myself.”
I moved my face closer to her, to the point we were sharing breath.
“It’s a good thing I don’t plan on being your savior,” I growled.
“Then what is it you want from me?” she bit back.
The tension between us built as our breath quickened. I trailed my gaze up and down her body.
“I want to be your undoing. I want to bring you the most pleasurable chaos you’ve ever experienced.” The confession poured out, sending heat through me.
Longing filled her eyes before she glanced at my lips. Her piercing blue eyes met mine, and it was game on. Our lips crashed together, our tongues clashing. She tasted like all my fantasies coming together.
She clawed at my shoulders as she pressed closer to me.
I gripped her waist, hoisting her up. Her legs wrapped around me as our hands roamed each other’s bodies.
A breathy moan escaped her lips as I nipped at her neck.
The kiss was bruising and demanding as it deepened, making us gasp and moan with desire.
The heat from her core seared into me. There was no way I was letting her go.
As if the universe wanted to test me, a sprinkle of rain began falling.
That didn’t stop us, though. Badger shamelessly rubbed herself along my rock-hard cock, which was straining against my zipper.
She let out a moan as I cupped her breast, moving her hips faster, getting what she needed from the friction of our two bodies.
“That’s it, Bunny, rub your sweet pussy on my cock.”
“Shut up and kiss me, Hammer.” Badger’s growl turned into a moan as I covered her lips with him.
The feeling of her tongue against mine made me want to rip her clothes off right there in the alley. I didn’t care who saw, I needed her like I needed air to breathe. I felt her body start to tighten as her climax neared.
“Fuck,” she cursed.
My grip tightened as I rubbed myself on her, my own release building.
“Cum, baby. Show me how pretty you look when you come undone.”
Badger cried out as her climax washed through her. I kissed her neck as she writhed on me.
“Fuck, Machine!” she moaned, and my name on her lips sounded like the gates of heaven opening up.
I lowered her until she was standing, closing the space between us until our chests were touching, not wanting to break the spell.
I pressed my lips to hers once more, letting my desire bleed into the kiss.
She pushed on my shoulders, shoving me away.
I frowned down at her, and something like remorse filtered into her gaze.
The look she gave me felt like being drenched in ice water.
She closed her eyes and took a breath. I took a step back, giving her the space that she clearly needed.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her chest rose and fell quickly.
I clenched my fists at my sides, wanting nothing more than to hold her again.
She had felt perfect in my arms, and now I felt empty, dark thoughts seeping back into my mind.
She pressed a finger to her lips as if realizing what she had just done.
“I… I need to go,” she stammered. “I’m just heading, um, home. I’ll text the team when I get there.”
Before I could respond, Badger turned and started walking away. I stood there with a semi hard-on, wondering what the fuck just happened and desperately needing some release.