Page 22 of Savage

I’ve never told Dante or Harper about the times I tried to take my own life. They’re aware of the atrocities I’ve experienced. What they don’t know about are the moments I would hold a gun to my head or contemplate swallowing enough pills to kill a racehorse. I just could never bring myself to do it, though. At the time, I thought I was weak. But I realize now it takes strength to resist those dark urges and fight your way through to the other side and keep going.

We disembark the plane, and the warmth that hangs in the air settles on my skin, calming me for a short moment.

“This makes a nice change from the cold,” Rayne says as she glances over her shoulder toward me.

A smile dances on her lips, and I can’t help but grin too. She’s beautiful. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a partner, but I haven’t told her I love her yet. The same goes for Dante. I never thought I could trust a man to touch me again or want to be with a man. But with Dante, it’s different.

“I’d certainly be happy to stay here for a while,” I respond.

“Maybe we will,” Dante says as he takes the lead and heads over to the waiting car.

* * *

I’m in my underwear when Dante walks into the bedroom of the house we’re renting in the wealthy suburbs of Paris. He’s the only man who’s ever touched me and I haven’t wanted to shed my skin afterward. He stops right behind me, and I hear the hiss of his knife being pulled from its sheath. I can’t help but smile.

When I first met Dante Savage, I was mesmerised. With his penetrating blue eyes, full lips, and a jaw that could cut glass, I thought he was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. He’s tall, domineering, and there’s a darkness to him that lingers long after he’s departed a room. He’s a magnet that draws me in, and I can’t fight his pull.

The memory that hit me while on the plane hasn’t helped my anxiety. I can’t seem to shake the darkness that’s taken hold of me. I know I will get my time with Bane, and I’ll draw his blood. But for now, I have to focus on Rayne and our current job, not on the past or future.

“What are you doing?” I ask Dante, forcing my memories into a little box deep in the recesses of my mind.

“I think you need a distraction,” he murmurs against my ear as his tongue snakes out and teases its way over the lobe. “You know I can read you like a book. Something has you spooked.”

“I’m fine,” I lie, even though I know he’ll never believe me.

Dante spins me around so I’m facing him. He presses the sharp tip of his blade against the curve of my chin then trails it slowly down my neck. I’m not afraid of him. I know he won’t hurt me more than I need. When he pushes the tip into my flesh, I can’t stop the hiss that escapes my lips. Then pulling it way, he brings the shiny steel to his tongue and licks off the drop of blood he’s drawn.

“I taste a lie,” Dante says as he leans his head to the side. “I don’t like lies, little mouse.”

His nickname for me comes from when we first met, and I appeared timid and shy. I love that it’s unique to me. Rayne is his little raindrop. We both belong to Dante—there’s no doubt about that.

“I know you don’t,” I tell him, tipping my chin up in a show of defiance, but it won’t last long. I know I’ll soon crumble from the torture he offers.

I crave it. I need it. I love it.

The knife makes its way down to my chest where Dante nicks me twice more. Leaning in, he laps at the wetness, and when he straightens, I can see crimson on his tongue. That’s when he steals my lips and kisses me so I can taste the metallic flavor of my essence as well.

This man can turn me inside out and upside down. I’m obsessed with him. There’s never been a moment with Dante where I’ve felt I needed saving. He’s my dark knight in leather and denim.

“Will you tell me what’s got you bothered?” he asks, his eyes holding mine hostage.

I want to tell him, I want to admit I’m scared of seeing Bane again, but I don’t.

“Why don’t we spend the night doing nothing but playing?” I suggest, changing the subject.

It’s easier to have sex than it is to talk about feelings. It’s something we all have in common. We’d rather enjoy a rough fuck than sit around discussing our emotions and admitting how much we love each other.

But even so, we know we do.

The words may not have been uttered, but I know they’re felt by all of us because they’re evident in everything we say and do. There’s no doubt we all feel the same way, but something big will have to happen before we finally admit it. I don’t know what will push us over the edge, but whatever it is, I’m not sure it’s going to be a good thing.

Dante nods, appeasing me for the time being.

“This isn’t over, though,” he warns.

He leaves me in my room and goes to fetch Rayne. I know it isn’t over, because Dante doesn’t give up that easily, but for now, I have won the battle. Now we can enjoy some downtime in this lovely Parisian house before we get to work.

9

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