Page 3 of Lock Up the Darkness

Damn. It was all I could do to stifle a laugh.

He staggered back, slapping his hand to the trailer to maintain his balance.

In a blink, she delved beneath her pant leg and drew a blade so fast he didn’t even register it until it was right at his throat, threatening to cut, threatening to make him hurt and bleed.

Fuck, yes.

Goddamn woman had my cock waking the fuck up.

I couldn’t believe it.

My guy held up his hands, apologizing.

I actually heard a little growl rumble from her, it was so ferocious.

And then she stepped back.

I fired off a text.

I’d seen what I’d needed to. More than I’d needed to.

This was gold.

Asher: Stand down. Head out.

He reached into the pocket of his denim jacket as his notification sounded. I watched him pull it out, read it, then nod to himself, and take a step back instantly.

He’d just been leashed.

And they all knew the consequences of fighting that.

Within a blink of an eye, he was slipping back into his car and driving away.

The girl stood there frowning in confusion because there seemed to be no rational explanation for the way that had ended.

To her credit, she transcended it quickly, shaking her head to herself, then returning to the task at hand of hauling her moving boxes inside her new home.

I observed for a while longer, noting how organized, strategic and meticulous she was about it. And also the fact that she didn’t really have a great deal of possessions, half a dozen boxes, a couple of gym bags, and a rolling suitcase.

This was temporary for her.

Well, that was her perception anyway.

Reality, however, would play out differently.

She just didn’t know that yet.

As she eased her bike into the garage, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my wool coat.

I fished it out and opened a text, my lip curling up as I took in the content.

Jonah: Where you at? Keeping me waiting? Why the shit, brother? I know it’s not for some dripping cunt you’re looking to destroy, because that’s not your scene these days. Fuck, just writing these words is making my cock hurt. So, where you at?

He couldn’t know where I was, or about her.

Not yet.

It wasn’t a part of the plan.

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