9. Taryn
CHAPTER NINE
TARYN
Adrian didn’t move away from me.
And I didn’t move either.
Partly because I was still reeling from that kiss, and partly because Beck’s sudden appearance had caught me completely off guard.
Both Adrian and I should have heard him, especially with our heightened senses. Getting that distracted was dangerous.
We were smarter than that.
Adrian sighed. “What are you doing here?”
“You were gone too long,” Beck muttered, never taking his gaze from me.
“I’ve barely been here ten minutes.” Adrian rolled his eyes.
“You done?” Beck asked Adrian, frowning at my mouth and neck.
“Not even close.” Adrian’s mouth tilted. “I’ll never be finished with Taryn.” His gaze moved over me, taking in every bit of evidence he’d left behind. “Not even after we’re dead and buried.” He smirked at Beck. “You’d better step up your game, or I’ll definitely be her number one.”
Jesus Christ.
Beck let out a rough laugh. “You’re an asshole.”
Adrian sighed. “You knew that already.”
“Yeah.” Beck’s gaze returned to me. “Still getting used to the part where I have to tolerate it,” he said, narrowing his eyes in a challenge. “But game on, dick.”
There was something dangerously honest about Beck. He didn’t hide the ugly parts of himself behind polished words the way Adrian did. If Beck wanted something, you knew it.
That’s one of the reasons I was so attracted to him.
After years of dealing with Adrian’s controlled, emotionless bullshit, Beck’s bluntness felt almost refreshing.
Also, what were they talking about? Sharing? What the fuck?
Beck ambled over, then leaned down and kissed my already bruised lips, not caring that Adrian was still holding me in his arms. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I whispered, still having absolutely no idea what the hell was going on.
He nudged Adrian aside, then his fingers caught lightly under my chin, turning my face toward the light. He examined the mark Adrian had left on my neck before brushing his thumb over the bruised skin.
Adrian watched from beside me.
Allowed it.
Honestly, I was so stunned by everything that I just stood there like a complete idiot. These two men barely tolerated each other. This had to be some kind of messed-up sex dream.
The touch sent a sharp shiver through me immediately.
Nope.
Not a dream.
A dream couldn’t possibly turn me on this much.
Beck’s eyes darkened, and he exhaled hard through his nose. “You smell like him now.”
The words came out rough and possessive.
“Beck,” Adrian warned quietly.
“What?” Beck snapped. “You think I’m going to pretend I don’t hate it?” He glared at Adrian. “I should break your fucking face.”
Adrian shoved him and pulled me back into his arms.
I was still so stunned by all of this that I let them move me around like a doll
For about two seconds.
“That’s not how this is going to work,” Beck growled. “She’s as much mine as she is yours.”
“Not as much. She was mine first,” Adrian narrowed his eyes.
“Oh, excuse me. Were you the one who managed to get her home safe when all this shit started?” He crossed his arms over his very muscular chest. “No? That was me, motherfucker.”
“I’ve watched over her since she was a child," Adrian sneered. “Where were you? Oh, that’s right. You were hanging out with bikers and drug addicts.”
“You son of a bitch.” Beck started toward him with his fist raised.
Adrian went to meet him halfway.
That was when my brain came back online.
I jumped between them. “Both of you shut the fuck up and start talking. I’m in the dark here, and I don’t like it.”
For a second, I wasn’t sure they’d listen. They stood too close on either side of me, heat rolling off both of them like they were seconds from turning the whole room into a crime scene.
Finally, they stepped back, and each of them went to a separate corner of the room.
“It’s like you’ve both forgotten who I am.” I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t belong to anyone unless I choose to.”
“Sorry, Fox.” Beck turned those beautiful green eyes toward me. “There are some things we need to discuss.” He pierced Adrian with a look. “I thought that’s what shithead was doing.”
“I was about to.” Adrian’s mouth curved as he looked at me. “There was just a misunderstanding I needed to clear up first.”
Then he winked.
I did a double-take.
What in the actual hell was going on?
Had Gideon done something to him? Some crazy end-of-the-world Stephen King shit?
Beck snorted softly, as if he could somehow hear the thought in my head. “I hate it when he shows some personality, too. It’s like a robot suddenly learning to break-dance.”
Adrian leaned back against the wall beside the door, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes never leaving me. “We don’t have time to deal with your shock and awe at my personality. It’s time to listen.”
“But first, I need to do this.” Beck stalked over to me.
Before I could make sense of what was happening, Beck’s hand slid into my hair, and he pulled me toward him.
The kiss wasn’t gentle or careful.
It was a declaration.
A response to Adrian’s challenge.
His mouth claimed mine with a fierce intensity that stole every coherent thought from my head.
Heat rolled off him in waves, surrounding me as he backed me against the wall beside Adrian.
One large hand settled against my waist while the other remained tangled in my hair, holding me exactly where he wanted me.
A low sound rumbled in his chest when I kissed him back.
Satisfied.
Possessive.
Dangerously pleased with my response.
The kiss deepened for a heartbeat before Beck finally pulled away just enough for our foreheads to touch. His breathing was rough, green eyes bright with something wild.
“Mine too,” he said quietly.
The words weren't directed at me.
They were directed at Adrian.
And somehow that made my pulse race even faster.
“Was that really necessary?” Adrian’s face was red with anger.
“Yes,” Beck smirked. “Now you can appreciate the restraint it took not to punch you in the throat.”
It took me a minute to recover from that kiss. What the hell was going on with these two? I was turned on, confused, and dangerously close to hitting both of them. “Enough of this possessive bullshit. Start talking.” I pushed away from Beck and crossed my arms over my chest.
Adrian smirked as if he knew exactly why I was so grumpy. “The town doesn’t have many women, so Gideon came up with a solution.”
I nodded. “I heard a little about that from Harper.”
“Most groups are two to four men,” Adrian continued. “Usually enhanced. Sometimes, military or skilled workers are folded into them, too.”
I was afraid I knew where this was going.
“And the women?” I asked quietly.
“Become their wives.” Beck’s voice went flat. “Though that’s not how Gideon put it.”
Adrian shot him an annoyed look, probably aggravated that he’d interrupted. “Gideon’s exact words were, ‘women are property.’”
Beck shrugged. “I assumed she was smart enough to figure that out herself.”
Adrian let out a breath in exasperation. “Though I think Gideon’s approach could use some help, there’s value in what they’re doing. With fewer women, it’s going to take more than one man to protect them, especially if they’re enhanced.”
I crossed my arms and stared them both down. “And you both… what? Want to share me?”
I waited for the fireworks.
Then kept waiting.
“You’re both fine with that?” I looked between them. “Sharing me?”
Neither of these two men were the kind to share. They’d almost come to blows less than a minute ago.
Beck barked out a rough laugh. “Do we look fine to you?” He took a long, deep breath. “It’s going to be a work in progress.”
“Would you be okay sharing us with another woman?” Adrian stared at me, daring me to lie.
Fair point.
“No.” I felt my cheeks redden at my admission, but I held his gaze.
Adrian’s eyes stayed locked on mine. “We decided your survival mattered more than our egos.”
Wow.
Even a bitch like me could appreciate that. Both men were alpha males, and if this didn’t prove how much they cared about me, nothing would.
“You really agreed to share me?” I asked carefully.
Beck’s jaw flexed immediately. “Yeah. But it won’t be easy.”
Adrian clenched his jaw and nodded.
I stared at them for several moments, trying to get all of this straight in my head. “You forgot one important thing.”
“What’s that?” Adrian asked.
I narrowed my eyes. “To ask me what I wanted.”
The room fell quiet.
I already knew what I wanted. I was many things, but a fool wasn’t one of them. Two hot-as-fuck men I desired more than my next breath wanted to make me their center. Hell yes, I was in.
But they didn’t get to know that yet.
“What do you want, Fox?” Beck asked, those intense green eyes narrowed on my face.
“I’ll let you know shortly.” I turned to Adrian. “Now, start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”
Beck chuckled, knowing me better than I even knew myself most days. He knew I’d agree eventually. But for now, I wanted to know everything they’d learned about this place.
Everything.
Adrian was smart; Beck was savage.
And I was cunning.
All of that together might just save our asses.
Adrian nodded once. “Gideon’s settlement survives because enhanced people are rare. Especially enhanced men who can fight.”
“Most survivors who make it here don’t get inside the walls,” Beck added. “Not unless they’re useful.”
“Useful how?” I walked over and sat on the bare mattress.
“Medical,” Adrian answered. “Mechanics. Engineers. Fighters.” His eyes darkened slightly. “Enhanced survivors are the most valuable.”
That tracked with everything I’d already seen.
The ring matters because it establishes hierarchy,” Beck spoke up. “Strong groups get houses. Better supplies. More influence.”
“And women,” I finished dryly. “Not to mention how bloodthirsty things get when men are in charge.”
Neither of them commented on the last part.
“Most of the women already belong to family groups,” Adrian said carefully. “There’s only a handful left unclaimed.”
“Ten, to be exact?” It was a rhetorical question.
“Things aren’t just decided in the ring.” Adrian walked casually to where I was sitting and lowered himself to sit beside me. “But it’s the fastest way to claim a woman.”
Beck eyed Adrian but didn’t comment.
“The men are getting restless, and with that comes danger.” He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair, agitated. “This way they can let off a little steam.”
Shit.
No wonder the motel was so closely watched.
“Why don’t we get the fuck out of here?” I asked. I couldn’t understand why they hadn’t already done that.
Adrian started rubbing my back in slow circles. “The settlement needs people like us.” His gaze flicked briefly toward Beck. “But Gideon also knows strong enhanced groups could become a threat if they decided to challenge him.”
I nodded in understanding. “So, he keeps you close.”
“Yes.”
“At least until he figures out whether we’re loyal,” Beck said. “Or decides he needs to put us down.”
That… wasn’t comforting.
“Claiming you would help with the first and make the second unnecessary.” Adrian smiled, and for one stupid second, it knocked the air right out of me.
The man was pretty, and there was no arguing that. I also suspected he was smart enough to use every inch of it to his advantage.
“We need to get back to the farmhouse. Lucas is going to be pissed at having to keep everyone in line by himself,” I muttered, not looking directly at Adrian and that killer smile.
Beck smirked.
“What?” I huffed out a breath.
“He’s here.”
I blinked once. “Lucas is here?”
Surely, I misunderstood him.
“He showed up at the gate yesterday,” Adrian confirmed. “Apparently, your teacher has a death wish.”
I gave him a wry look. “He hasn’t been my teacher for months.” I smirked. “He wasn’t before that, either. Remember, I got him fired.” Not my finest moment, but the man was still such an asshole that an apology felt excessive.
“We’re going to have a talk about that.” Adrian gave me a disappointed look. “You shouldn’t take your anger at me out on him.”
“Oh, I have plenty to go around. And you’re not my daddy, so I don’t have to talk to you about shit.” As if one kiss gave him command privileges
“He’s being processed through medical first,” Beck said, clearly trying to keep us from detouring into another fight. “After that, they’ll probably bring him to where we’re being housed.
“We let Gideon know he was an acquaintance of ours.” Adrian ran a tired hand down his face.
I nodded absently. Lucas in this town was going to be a disaster, especially if this thing was headed where I thought it was.
“Is anyone going to challenge you where I’m concerned? And what about Lila?” I asked slowly, looking at Beck. “Harper mentioned challenges.”
Beck’s expression changed instantly.
Darker now.
More dangerous.
“Some of the groups already started sniffing around after you arrived.” His eyes narrowed. “I can’t have that.”
Adrian gave a low growl.
Beck corrected himself. “We can’t have that.”
I ignored the we. “Sniffing around?”
Adrian raised an eyebrow. “How could they not? You’re beautiful and enhanced.”
My stomach twisted slightly. “And?”
“And Gideon suggested a public challenge.” Beck’s mouth curved without humor. “He was testing us. I think he suspected we might know you.”
A sharp pulse of adrenaline hit me instantly.
“You're going to fight for me?”
Beck stepped closer to me. “Yeah, Fox. I am.”
I hated myself for the shiver of desire that ran through me at the thought of it. “Then what? We stay here and leave Ethan and Lane at the farmhouse with the girls?”
Silence settled heavily over the room.
Adrian stared at the wall, that big brain of his working overtime. “For now, we play along just enough to find a way out of here.”
My brows pulled together slightly. “For how long?”
Guilt tugged hard. The girls were starving while we were being fed and kept relatively safe.
Beck snorted softly. “The minute we get the old bastard to trust us, we’re gone.”
Adrian’s expression softened for the first time since Beck walked in. “We get supplies. Weapons. Fuel. Information.” He took a breath. “And then we go back for everyone.”
I nodded.
“There is one more thing,” Adrian said, his smirk returning.
Seeing that expression on his face freaked me out.
“What?” I asked cautiously.
“Lucas.” He smiled.
“What about him?” I was afraid I knew where this was going.
“He’s going to be part of our family group.”
Well, fuck.