CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Connor
S team curls off the shower tiles, the air thick with the smell of Raina’s apple shampoo and sex. She’s pinned against the wall while I ram her from behind, our bodies slick with soap and spray.
We’ve been tangled up like this while the city forensics team tests Ruby’s clothing and detectives collect the knights’ DNA to match.
It’s been great and tense at the same time. Trace and Rhys cornered the new housekeeper we’re paying to spy, and she confirmed the knights and Noel are still looking for Valdrin.
I worry they’ll figure out we have him. But I’m even more worried that this poor maid will slip and tell Tahiri we’ve orchestrated his knights’ indictment and send them out of the country to a place with no extradition.
Not that I need extradition. I will hunt the planet for them if I have to.
My lips fasten to Raina’s throat while I drive into her silky cunt with my bare cock. I’m ready to bottom out. Without cigarettes, Raina is my new fucking drug. A high I never want to come down from.
Her moan as she climaxes around my cock is soft and satisfied. I bury my face in her shoulder and hold her like I’m afraid this is just a dream. My balls tighten, and I release inside her, filling her with my cum.
I’m hoping for a nice blowie while I’m sensitive, but my phone rings.
I groan and rest my forehead on the wet tile. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I step out of the shower, dripping wet, and head to the bedroom where the annoying cell clatters on my dresser.
Griffin’s name flashes on the screen, and I pause for a brief moment. It might all come down to this one phone call.
I answer, still completely naked. “Alo?”
“It’s time,” Griffin says. “The prosecutors have Ruby in protective custody. That means the DNA came back pointing to the knights. The crime unit unmasked them. They have their real identities and know where they are. This is solid. They’re prepping warrants now.”
Raina walks out of the bathroom in her towel and drops onto the bed, eyes wide.
“When?” I ask.
“They’ll arrest the knights tomorrow morning. Typical predawn raid. The exact time is still being finalized, but we’ll get it. The strike on Noel has to be simultaneous.”
“I know,” I say.
“What’s going on?” Raina asks, looking hungry for this fight that’s been on hold.
“The DNA checks out,” I tell her with my phone tucked into my ear. “The knights are being arrested tomorrow.”
Like a pinball machine hitting every bonus lever, Raina’s face lights up with thoughts of vengeance.
“What’s your plan, Connor?” Griffin’s concerned voice steals my attention.
Quinlan Empire technically doesn’t have to do anything. Rhys can even let Valdrin walk out of the safehouse and wish him luck.
I, the man who’s in love with his daughter and worries she’ll be hunted her whole life, must do something.
“I plan to blow Tahiri’s head off,” I whisper to Griffin and end the call.
“What?” The sound of teeth gnashing snarls behind me.
I turn around. “You heard me. I’m killing Tahiri. Me.”
“No. He’s mine .” She glares, her face tight with fury. “I am their blood. The blood of a kyre . If you do it, you’ll start a war.”
I am so in love with this woman for how she gets me, gets this world. “Rain—”
“It has to be me,” she says. “It’s symbolic. I have to end Tahiri.”
“I’ve killed plenty of people. You killed one. You’re not up to this one, Venom. Not a guy like Tahiri with a penthouse full of fucking guards.”
I know I’m signing our break-up papers, but she seems to take my argument seriously.
Still naked, I crawl toward her.
Her breath catches. “Whoa, Quinlan. What are you doing?”
I wonder what she’ll call me when she’s a Quinlan, too.
I reach into the drawer beside the bed and pull out the engagement ring I’ve had hidden for about two weeks. It’s simple. Strong. Beautiful.
Just like her.
I rise to one knee in front of her and say, “Marry me, Raina Riatt Sokolov.”