Chapter 7
DELANEY
Iwoke up slowly, my heart beating a little too fast as I took in my surroundings. I was still in Soren’s bed, wrapped in sheets that carried his scent. My body felt sore, but the fear had dulled. I was shaken, but I wasn’t breaking.
I sat up and noticed a folded piece of paper on the nightstand. Leaning over, I opened it.
Handling some club business. Be back soon to show you around the clubhouse. Stay put until I get here. Phone is all set. You can call your parents.
— Soren
He wasn’t going to keep me locked in this room. That small freedom meant more than he could know.
I grabbed the phone and dialed my mom’s number before I could overthink it.
She answered on the second ring. “Good morning, Delaney. Having a good weekend?”
“Yup.” I stuck to safe details like what I’d eaten, and she let me know that Dad was blockaded in his office until he met his deadline.
The last thing I wanted to do was drag them into whatever this mess was. They were much safer staying put, unaware of the danger I’d been in.
We spoke for a few minutes, and I reminded her that I wouldn’t be home until right before Christmas.
With my exams finally done for the semester, I didn’t need to worry about anyone else looking for me.
Except Dr. Kinghorn, who wouldn’t raise the alarm at the museum because that would make it harder to get away with killing me.
By the time I hung up, some of the lingering tension in my shoulders had eased. Then there was a soft knock on the door.
I sat up straighter as it opened, and a pretty blonde stepped inside carrying a tray in one hand and a small stack of folded clothes in the other.
“Good morning.” She grinned at me. “I’m Savannah. Rev asked me to bring you some things. Hope you’re hungry.”
She set the tray down on the bedside table, and I saw that she’d brought me eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee that smelled amazing. Then she placed the clothes on the edge of the bed. “These should fit you. Nothing fancy, but they’re clean and comfortable.”
“Thank you.” I returned her smile. “I really appreciate it. I’m Delaney.”
We fell into easy conversation as I picked at the food.
She told me she’d been married to the president of the club for almost three and a half years and asked gentle questions about my work in art restoration.
I found myself relaxing as I told her about the museum partnership and how much I loved bringing old pieces back to life.
She seemed genuinely interested, laughing softly when I admitted I was more comfortable with artifacts than most people.
She shared a funny story about how the guys would eat almost anything put in front of them. I laughed for the first time in days, enjoying the normal moment.
Then she rested a hand on her stomach with a soft expression. “Our baby girl is making me extra hungry lately. I’m five months along now, and she’s already kicking up a storm. It’s a good thing she’ll have her big brother to look out for her.”
My fork froze halfway to my mouth as my eyes widened. She didn’t look pregnant, let alone that far along. A wave of panic surged through me, but I didn’t have time to examine why too closely because I didn’t want to be rude to Savannah.
On the surface, I managed a small smile and murmured, “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”
Savannah was completely unaware of the storm raging inside me while I nodded along as I ate the breakfast she brought.
Soren returned just as I was finishing, and Savannah stood. “I guess I’d better go make sure Kylan hasn’t gotten into too much trouble. See you two around.”
His pale gray-blue eyes found me and scanned from head to toe like he was checking that I was still in one piece. “Ready for that tour?”
I nodded and stood, suddenly very aware of how small I felt next to him. He stayed close as we left his room, his hand resting lightly at the small of my back as he guided me down the hallway and out into the main part of the clubhouse.
The place wasn’t what I had imagined from the safe confines of his room.
Although there were pool tables, flat-screen televisions with car races playing, a dartboard, and a huge bar, the common room was clean and welcoming.
And the brothers we saw along the way nodded at him with obvious respect, stepping slightly aside as we passed.
Soren always kept himself between me and the open areas, and every time someone approached, he shifted slightly closer to me.
His protectiveness was simply there, and nobody seemed the slightest bit surprised by it.
The more I saw, the more I realized the Redline Kings compound was a fortress built for the people inside it.
The brothers were rough, tattooed, and intimidating, but they smiled at their women in a way that made it clear they were the center of their universe.
The contrast chipped away at the wall I’d built in my mind after waking up in that ritual room.
But that didn’t mean I was anywhere near over what had happened to me, which was proven when a nightmare dragged me under while I slept in Soren’s arms.
I was back in the cold stone room, lying perfectly arranged in that ivory linen dress while Dr. Kinghorn’s emotionless eyes watched me. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. My hands were folded just right, herbs pressed beneath my fingers, and I couldn’t move, no matter how hard I fought.
I woke with a sharp gasp, bolting upright in bed as panic clawed through my chest. My heart hammered, and I didn’t know where I was for a terrifying moment.
Strong arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me back down. Soren pinned me gently but firmly beneath him, his big body covering mine as he caged me in. One of his hands cradled the back of my head while the other gripped my hip, anchoring me to the mattress.
“Breathe with me, angel,” he ordered, his breath hot against my ear. “In and out. That’s it. Good girl. You’re here with me. Not there. And you’re never going back.”
I gasped for air, following the rhythm of his deep, even breaths. His weight and heat gradually pushed the nightmare away.
“You’re safe.” His lips brushed my temple. “I’ve got you. Nothing touches what’s mine.”
The fear started to fade, replaced by something hotter and more urgent.
My body became hyper-aware of his hand cupping my face and the other stroking my side.
Then I noticed the thick muscle of his thighs straddling mine, and the unmistakable ridge of his dick pushed against my core through our clothes.
I whimpered, my fingers digging into his shoulders as I arched up into him. Soren groaned and rocked against my heat, letting me feel exactly how much he wanted me.
“Fuck, you feel good underneath me,” he rasped, his voice rough with need. “So soft and sweet. I’ve been dying to get my hands on you.”
His mouth crashed down on mine in a consuming kiss.
The hungry strokes of his tongue stole my breath and made me moan into his mouth.
His hands roamed my body, squeezing my breasts before sliding under my shirt to palm my bare skin.
Then he gripped my butt as he ground his hard-on against me in slow rolls of his hips.
I was burning up, my fear completely burned away by desire. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I pulled him closer, lost in the sheer power he held so carefully in check.
Soren broke the kiss just enough to growl against my lips, “That’s it, baby. Grind that pretty pussy on me. Let me feel how wet you’re getting.”
I moaned helplessly, rolling my hips to meet his thrusts. The friction was turning me on so much. His hand slipped between us, cupping me possessively over my panties.
But just as I started tugging at his shirt, desperate for more, Soren suddenly stilled. He pulled back slightly, breathing hard, his eyes dark with lust as he looked down at me.
“No,” he rasped, his voice strained but firm. “Not like this.”
I blinked up at him, dazed and aching.
He brushed damp hair back from my forehead, his touch tender. “When I take you, I want you fully present—not coming down from a nightmare. You won’t be riding adrenaline or fear. I want you clear-headed and begging for my cock because you need it, not because you’re trying to forget.”
He rolled us so I was tucked against his chest, his arms locked around me once more. My heart continued to race, and my body buzzed with unfulfilled need, but I felt completely safe wrapped up in him.
I pressed my face into his neck, overwhelmed by everything I was feeling. Soren had pulled me out of hell, protected me…and now he was denying himself because he cared about doing this right.
I didn’t know what to do with how much that meant to me.