Chapter 8 Johan
CHAPTER EIGHT
JOHAN
I’m still struggling to catch my breath, my body tense with renewed need.
That orgasm barely took the edge off of what I’m feeling. Probably because Laz was a dick and didn’t finish it properly.
Or, more likely, because there’s a very aroused omega standing at the back of the plane.
A very aroused and now pissed-off omega standing at the back of the plane, I amend as her pretty eyes narrow at Laz’s retreating back.
Poor thing thought he was coming over there to play.
But Laz isn’t that kind.
When he told her she would have to beg, he meant it.
Though, Noah might not honor that rule. Pretty sure he’ll break his own spine if Lark simply asks him to.
Laz crouches down near where he left me on the floor, blocking my view of our omega. He brushes his knuckles along the fine stubble decorating my jaw, the tender motion at odds with all his hard edges and violent tendencies.
“You good?” It’s a soft question, one he always asks me after one of our rougher sessions.
“Yeah,” I force out, swallowing. It’s all I can manage, given how raw my throat feels.
He knows it, too. Because he frowns and his touch drifts down to stroke my neck.
Then he stands and heads straight to the bar, all while ignoring the simmering omega in the doorway.
Noah has moved to stand behind her, his gaze on me over her head. He’s checking in as well, aware that Laz can be a dick when he wants to be.
Of course, Noah can be, too.
They’re both harsh lovers. But the sex is always phenomenal between us, so I don’t mind their brands of sensual violence.
Lark is in for a treat.
However, I don’t think she’s ready to indulge in us yet. She’s still glowering at Laz. “I don’t need or want your cum rag,” she snaps at him.
Then turns around and walks right into Noah’s chest.
His eyebrows fly upward. “Whoa there, little bee. No need to sting me.”
She releases a string of creative curses before demanding, “Why are you so creepily silent?!”
I sit up and tuck myself back into my pants as Noah replies, “It’s not intentional.” His tone and expression remind me of a wounded puppy dog. “I’m sorry.”
“Ugh,” Lark groans. “Just… just go away. Please. I… I want to be alone.”
“Okay, little bee,” Noah says, sounding crestfallen. “But if you need anything, like more coffee, or food even, let me know. I’ll get whatever you want.”
He starts to move around her but pauses as she says, “How about my freedom? Can you give me that?”
My eyebrow glides upward as I wait to hear how he’ll respond to that.
“In time, I think you’ll find that the three of us can provide you with a freedom you never even knew existed.” It’s a thoughtful response that’s underlined with innuendo, and he utters it with sincerity because he means every word.
That’s the thing about Noah—he doesn’t lie. He can deflect, and potentially withhold the truth, but anything he does say is spoken with honesty.
An assassin with morals, as he once told a mark.
“That’s not what I meant,” Lark huffs back at him.
“I know, little bee.” He gives her an indulgent smile. “But I think you know exactly what I meant.” He grabs her hips and lifts her out of his way so he can vacate the room.
It wasn’t necessary. He could have moved around her. However, Noah obviously wanted to touch her. I understand, as I feel the same way.
She releases an adorable little growl and grabs the door.
Noah bends, picks up the shirt, and tosses it onto the floor inside the bedroom just before she slams it shut. His lips turn up, and he waggles his brows our way as the omega inside releases a roar of fury.
Then he casually grabs the knob to hold it shut when she tries to open it.
More growling sounds from behind the wood, making my dick throb against my partially undone zipper. “Can you imagine how that’ll feel while throat-fucking her?” I ask, groaning as my tip leaks with cum. “I wonder how loud we can make her scream.”
“I’m all for finding out,” Noah replies. “But Laz decided to create a rule without discussing it with the pack.”
“So, what? You’re going to lock me in here now?!” Lark shouts through the door.
“It’s for your comfort, little bee.” Noah’s voice vibrates with his purr. “Just enjoy the scents and have fun. There’s a vibrator in the nightstand if you need it. No dildos or knots, though. If you want those, you’ll need to ask nicely.”
Something shatters against the door.
By the scent, I suspect it’s the coffee mug.
Noah looks down, his brow furrowing. “Well, that’s just wasteful, Aurora. But I’ll brew you another cup for later.”
He releases the doorknob and heads to the bar area, where Laz is standing.
The two square off as Laz refuses to move, his hands holding two glasses of water.
“I respect you as our pack leader, boss, but no more rules without a group discussion,” Noah tells him flatly. “And I’m licking her pussy first.”
“I thought we decided that was up to her?” Laz counters.
Noah grins. “Oh, it is. I’m just letting you know that I’m the one she’s going to invite into the nest first. So I’ll be tasting that sweet, honeyed slick before either of you is even considered.”
My lips twitch as the door to the bedroom opens and the shirt is tossed back out into the cabin. “In your dreams, Noah Dragon,” she snarls, clearly having heard his proclamation. “None of you are having my slick. Or ever being invited into my nest.”
Her gaze meets mine as her nostrils flare, and a hint of uncertainty flashes in her brown irises.
Then she slams the door shut, and the sound of a lock echoes through the cabin.
“Hmm, seems Ms. Bianchi hasn’t chosen any of us yet,” Laz muses. He lifts one of his glasses toward Noah and adds, “May the best alpha win.” He takes a sip before sauntering toward me and handing me the other glass.
“You can’t make a toast with water, boss. That’s just bad luck,” Noah tells him.
“As your boss, I can do whatever the fuck I want,” Laz replies as he squats in front of me like before. His knuckles brush my jaw again as I take a sip of cool liquid. “Any better?”
I allow myself a few swallows before I reply, “I’m fine, Laz.”
His doubtful expression irritates me.
I grab his wrist and yank his hand away from my face. “I’m fine,” I repeat slowly and clearly. “I can fucking take your cock, Laz. I have for years.” My voice is hoarse, but the words are clear.
“I know,” he says, his gaze running over my torso and down to where my dick is still rock hard. “I just want to make sure you’re ready to go again before I knot your ass.”
“Why do you get a second round before I even get a first?” Noah demands before I can reply. “It’s my turn.”
“Here’s a thought,” I interject. “How about you two fuck it out and give me a damn break.”
Laz arches a brow and looks pointedly at my erection. “You just said you’re fine, baby. Now you need a break?”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t call me baby.” I hate that nickname and he knows it.
The asshole merely smiles. “Make me.”
Fuck. He’s baiting me.
And I’m two seconds away from giving in by introducing my fist to his face. Because he always knows how to push my—
A beep sounds from my laptop, instantly snagging my attention.
My gaze narrows.
Setting my glass on the ground, I return to my chair and pull the computer into my lap. My dick practically throbs against the metal, my pants still not fully fastened. But that sound is a warning.
Pulling up my screens, I search for the source and feel a smile crest my lips as I find Lark trying to undo the locks I’ve placed on her phone.
“You two play,” I tell Laz dismissively. “I have a hacker to bait.”
Rather than listen to me, Laz slips into the chair beside me and places his ankle on his opposite knee. “I’ll wait.”
“I’m going to try not to take that personally,” Noah mutters, the sound of drinkware clinking by the bar. “Actually, no, I’m going to take that fucking personally. Because it’s always personal.”
Laz sighs. “We’ll rip each other apart, Noah.”
“Yeah, but it’ll be a fun way to die.” He joins us and picks up the drink he barely touched earlier. I suspect it’s not as fresh now, but Noah doesn’t seem to be bothered. “So. What’s our bee doing?” He leans forward. “Wait, tell me there’s a camera in there.”
“No camera,” Laz informs him.
“Well, that’s a missed opportunity. Kind of like how you haven’t let yourself feel the wonders of my mouth yet.”
“Can you not proposition me for one second?”
“Sure.” A beat passes. “Want me to kneel now, boss?”
Laz sighs again.
And I start ignoring them.
Because Lark is quickly breaking through all my layers, trying desperately to find a connection she can use. Who are you going to call first? I wonder. Your brother? Because that line has already been compromised.
I let her maneuver through my safeguards, impressed by the speed with which she’s shattering my programming.
Of course, she hasn’t removed the cloning tool—which is what I’m using now to watch her.
If she finds it, I have a backdoor I can access.
But she seems to be more focused on finding a way to make a call.
When she slips past the final layer, my heart gives a pang.
Because her father’s name is the one she brings up on her phone first.
I intercept it before she can even hear the first ring and say, “Nice try, little black hat. You’ll have to do better than that.” I hang up her line and hit a stroke on my keyboard that re-enables every layer on her phone in a matter of seconds.
A shriek sounds from the other room.
Followed by another crash.
“Think she threw her phone this time?” Noah asks conversationally.
I shrug. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
The door opens to display a pissed-off omega—one who happens to be missing a shoe. Ah, so it was a boot she threw at the door, then.
“You said I could talk to my family. Was that a lie?” she demands.
Laz looks at her, his expression a mask of boredom. “You may speak to your brother anytime you would like, but you’ll need to use my phone if you wish to call him right now.”
Her eyes narrow. “So I am a prisoner.”
“A pretty pet,” Noah corrects her. “One we’re going to cherish and take care of in every way.”
That appears to be the wrong thing to say because she scowls. “I do not want to be a pet. Nor do I want to be a prisoner. I want to be free.”
“Then follow the rules, and you’ll earn your freedom,” Laz tells her. “Do you remember the ones I’ve given you thus far?”
She simply glares at him.
Which causes him to smile. “Rule three, then, is I expect you to take care of yourself.” He looks down at her bare feet, which are standing in the remains of the coffee cup she shattered. “As of right now, you do not appear to be obeying rule three all that well. I suggest you reconsider.”
Her nostrils flare. “Fuck. You.”
He arches a brow. “Is that an invitation, darling?”
“It’s certainly not me begging,” she snaps back at him.
And proceeds to slam the door closed again.
“You have thirty minutes to take a shower,” he calls after her. “If you don’t, I’ll come in there and supervise you while you obey!”
I type all that out in a text message to send to her.
The response I get is instant, and it’s a middle-finger emoji.
When I show Laz, he smiles. “Please inform her that I look forward to showering with her in thirty minutes.”
“Why do you get to be the one who ensures she follows the rules?” Noah demands. “Maybe I want to bathe our pet.”
“Because I came up with the rule.”
“One you again didn’t run by us,” Noah points out while I type Laz’s words into my computer and hit Enter. “I’m getting really tired of you making all the decisions, boss.”
“Says the assassin who usually enjoys my commands,” Laz returns. “Are you saying you don’t want our omega to take care of herself?”
Noah doesn’t answer. Just grunts.
Because of course he wants her to be safe and look after herself. We all do.
But he does have a point about the rules.
However, I’m too entertained to comment on it, as Lark just returned a string of creative emojis.
I tilt the screen so Laz can see the array of weapons coupled with several more middle fingers. Noah gets up so he can view the response, too.
“That reminds me, where’d you put her gun?” he asks Laz.
“Why?” Laz asks.
“Because I want to know.”
Laz stares at him for a moment, clearly wary. “I set it in the only working drawer over there for now,” he says, gesturing to the armoire that serves as a front for our onboard safe. He was obviously planning to set it inside at some point.
But Noah is already walking over to retrieve it.
“What are you doing?” Laz demands, shifting in his seat but not following.
“Getting our girl a toy so she can feel safe again.”
Laz’s expression shifts to irritation. “Noah—”
“Nope,” he says, cutting off the don. “I know what I’m doing.”
Laz moves to try to stop him, but I hold out my arm. “I’m actually with Noah on this one.” Giving the gun back to Lark is a risk. But… “She needs to feel like she can protect herself.”
“And what about us?” Laz demands. “It’s not your knot she threatened with that thing.”
I grin. “We both know that made you hard.”
“Not the point, Johan.”
I shrug. “What’s life without a little danger? Isn’t that what you always say?”
He simply shakes his head. “Lunatics. Both of you.”
“Thank you,” Noah murmurs, giving a bow. Then he knocks on the door. “I’m coming in, little bee. Try not to sting me, yeah?”