Chapter 33 Search Party
Search Party
Mikko
Sweat glistened across his skin as he painstakingly searched for Cristiano. He tried calling his friend multiple times and texting him, but no response. In all honesty, he was beginning to worry.
That elusive, pumpkin headed bastard…
The only thing Mikko was grateful for was the fact that October meant most of the bugs and mosquitoes had died, or else he would’ve been covered in bites from wandering around.
Striding past couples making the most of the darkened maze corners, Mikko had one goal on his mind: find Cristiano. And then he’d berate him for having a phone that apparently didn’t work.
After a couple more turns, the bubbling fountain sounded closer. Was he nearing the middle? Dew clung to his shoes and the hem of his jeans, the sensation annoying. But above the scent of fall and crisp foliage, Mikko smelled something else.
Vanilla musk and sharp hints of pink pepper.
Anika.
It was as if fate was drawing them together. Again.
Or I’m hallucinating.
Rough hedges scratched against his bare hands, gloves abandoned long ago and stuffed into his pockets, as he continued onward.
A feeling in his gut propelled him to creep down a darkened branch of the maze.
Every now and then, a soft grouping of fairy lights lit the way, but now it was dark.
Only the moon overhead provided him with enough light to navigate by.
One foot in front of the other—
Passionate sighs and soft kisses could be heard from around the corner.
And Anika’s perfume grew stronger.
I swear to God if…
Peeking around the flora, Mikko was surprised at the sight unfolding before him.
A statue loomed in the clearing, water bubbling from its upturned palms—the source of the noise he’d been following—but that wasn’t what he focused on.
Instead, his gaze latched onto Levi who was pressed back against the base of the statue, uncaring for the water splashing around and against him.
Anika’s back faced Mikko, her handcuffs glinting in the light as she pinned Levi against the art piece, their fervent embrace hard to miss.
Levi’s hands tangled in her hair and roamed the silhouette of her body in a way Mikko wanted to.
He grit his teeth.
Apparently, Levi was growing on her.
He wasn’t sure if he was surprised or concerned by this realization. While at the beginning he’d hoped their personalities meshed well enough to have Anika grow comfortable around them, Mikko had been certain Levi’s arrogance would eventually annoy her.
He appeared to be wrong, and he hated being wrong.
Standing amongst the shadows, he had the perfect view of them. A front row seat as they shared whispers and gentle, imploring kisses. With each touch, Mikko unraveled.
His left hand throbbed, the chilly evening air irritating the scars there. He couldn’t discern if clouds had moved across the moon, blocking out a portion of the light or if his fury was clouding everything else in his vision.
Go out there, his brain demanded. Make them stop.
But he couldn’t.
His fury had him rooted to the spot, sharp eyes counting every single time they touched and kissed.
He tried to focus on his breathing, but with every inhale, her scent was there along with a rage-filled haze descending over him.
He’d ventured out here to find his friend and this was what he stumbled upon instead?
Disgust crawled up the back of his throat, his annoyance increasing until—
A soft gasp resonated out of her mouth.
He knew it was Anika’s, his own body reacting. He’d studied her for too long to not know every little sound she made.
And if he’d been a rubber band, he would’ve snapped right fucking then.
Despite his revulsion at the man eliciting these noises from her his cock still hardened at her quiet moans. Mikko hadn’t been this weak in a long time. Now, he felt helpless and at her mercy.
Cursing under his breath, his body went rigid. Blood rushed in his ears, and he was surprised to know not all of it was in his dick. Time slowed as he listened to her, enraptured but also vexed beyond measure. Forget pain and pleasure, this was another level of psychological torture.
Fuck.
He discreetly shifted where he stood, cock aching and pressing painfully against his zipper. He’d have to use his helmet to cover up the tent in his fucking pants. Forget the idea of making Anika his; how was he going to kill this bastard for touching his salvation? No, his ruination.
Creative ideas flashed in his mind in a perverse slideshow, fueling his rage, each more vile than the last. He landed on one involving blood, so much that the tang of copper permanently coated the air.
And Anika’s skin was painted in it—smeared in Levi’s gore, poetically marking the last time he would ever touch her skin again.
His typical aversion to blood was erased when it involved Anika.
Mikko’s hand skimmed across her bare body, crimson clinging to both their flesh as he coaxed those same noises out of her, but this time it was wilder.
Hungrier.
And Mikko was finally doing what he wanted all along—he was claiming her, fucking her until there was nothing outside of them.
Gone were the thoughts of her getting even with him; gone was the apprehension he usually carried.
Now, in its place, was a certainty like no other. She’s mine, fuck everyone else.
A growl escaped his throat.
He’d stepped out from the shadows before his logic could stop him. Words rolled off his tongue, “The system really is corrupt.”
Breaking away, Anika turned toward Mikko’s voice. He wanted her to be panicked, embarrassed, ashamed, but she conveyed none of that. As always she was calm and collected. A hand propped itself on her hip as Levi followed her gaze to Mikko.
“As much as you might enjoy cuckolding, this isn’t what I had in mind, Mikko,” Levi said, a stupid grin plastered across his lips. Mikko noted they were smeared with Anika’s lipstick.
His jaw twitched. “You shouldn’t be here,” he started, “with her.”
Levi stood to his full height, straightening his jumpsuit. “And why’s that? You asked me to do this.”
Anika said nothing, content to watch. She most likely had already figured them out anyway.
“That was before I knew her background.” Mikko stepped closer. He should’ve turned away, left this maze before speaking if only to avoid the bloodshed that was sure to happen if things progressed negatively.
Anika spoke now, “And just what did you learn?”
Heat rushed his cheeks, both from anger and from her unapologetic demeanor. His balaclava still obscured his face, but his tense stance spoke of his inner turmoil.
“As if I’d tell you,” Mikko scoffed.
Levi opened his mouth to demand answers, but Anika cut him off. “Leave.”
Mikko’s hidden brow rose, the taste of defeat sure to melt on his taste buds, but—
“Levi, I won’t ask again. Leave us.”
“I’m not going to leave you here with him,” Levi argued. “You don’t even know how dangerous he is.”
“And you don’t know me either” Her rebuttal had his jaw snapping shut, uncertainty evident in his light eyes.
“She’s right, Levi. This is bigger than us now.” Mikko’s voice was steady despite the adrenaline pumping through his body.
“I’m not going. You expect me to leave without an explanation—”
“Yes,” Anika and Mikko both said in unison. Were they suddenly in agreement about something?
Oh, the things we could do together if you let me, Mikko thought. His business driven mind was already formulating ideas based on his new knowledge of her. Even if it was stupid and risky.
With a loud, petulant sigh, Levi conceded.
“Fine, but I better get debriefed on this later,” he glared at Mikko before pointing to Anika, “and you better find another ride home.” Mikko’s fists clenched, one at his side and the other gripping his helmet.
Firing Levi sounded way too appealing at the moment.
It was only after Levi’s footfalls had faded when Mikko lunged toward Anika. “For not liking him you sure were enjoying yourself,” he seethed.
Anika sidestepped his attack, brandishing her faux baton. “Mmm I kinda like jealous Mikko.” She jabbed him in the chest with it for added measure. The fire in his heart blazed hotter at her words. She had no idea the things he’d do out of envy.
It was just their two silhouettes beneath the light of the moon.
“I read your file, the one containing all the information about Anika Naidu. Not Simmons.”
If he’d wanted to see fear in her eyes, he was greatly disappointed when she’d met his gaze with a sharp smile. “Took you long enough.”
“Send my condolences to your mom.” Her presence crowded in on him, but he wielded his words against her.
“I swear to—” She didn’t have a chance to finish the sentence before Mikko’s hand closed around her throat.
Pushing against her, they fell into the foliage of the maze.
In his haste, his motorcycle helmet fell from his hand before rolling over the dew-covered grass.
Both of her hands came up, clutching at his arm, short black nails digging into his jacket’s fabric. She looked deadly—rage embodied.
Mikko smiled at his own fury reflected in her.
“Let…me…go,” she rasped against his hold. He shook his head, the scent of her catching up with their movements, freezing him in place.
Dark, sugared vanilla musk.
He abstained from pressing the rest of his body into hers.
“Care to explain why you were…hovering?” she asked, voice tight from his hand.
He chuckled darkly. “It’s a public maze, darling. If you wanted privacy, you should’ve picked a different setting.”
“Jealous that no women wanted to kiss you?”
“I don’t have that problem.”
“Sure,” she wiggled under his hand.
“I think you’re forgetting who’s got who pinned here.”
She coughed. “Squeeze any tighter…and I won’t be…conscious to annoy you.”