Page 99 of The Pact

Damian steps around the table—Wesley moves out of the way without being told. He leans down, a wave of auburn hair falling in front of his face. He’s so close that I can feel his breath on my lips. Any other time, I’d be thinking about kissing him. Right now, I need to keep him safe.

“Princess, I don’t think you understand. Let the prick try to hurt us. Let him try to lay another hand on you and I’ll make good on the promise I made last time I saw him.” Curiosity tugs at my tongue.

“What promise?” I knew he said something to make Gavin run away in fear the night of the carnival. Considering that he isn’t staying away, he’s either lost his mind, or it wasn’t as much of a threat as I’d assumed.

A devious smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. “I told him he’s messing with one of our pack now. And if he finds himself arrogant enough to come up against us, he’ll find our teeth at his throat and we won’t let up until we feel his blood stop pumping through his veins.” His words send an icy chill down my back. “You’re ours now and that means we’ll lay down our lives fighting any threat you might come up against. That’s a non-negotiable. Understand?”

I don’t think anything other than “yes” will satisfy him. So that’s what I tell him. Although I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely terrified of Damian in that moment, possibly terrified of them all.

This is why I’m keeping the text to myself. Not to protect Gavin, but to protect them. I had a feeling that they might resort to violence and now I know for sure. I won’t let them do anything stupid because of my past. That’s my cross to bear.

DAMIAN

I contained most of my anger in front of Thea. It took everything in me to not walk out of the house and track Gavin down immediately. No one touches the people I… I stop the thought before it crosses into forbidden territory.

My glove connects with the punching bag. I’m picturing his face. I felt his nose crunch under my fist once before, so it isn’t hard to imagine. The only thing missing is the spray of warm blood that lets me know that I’ve made a point.

Apparently, my point wasn’t clear enough. He must think I’m exaggerating about taking his life. If only he knew, his wouldn’t be the first I’ve taken and it probably won’t be the last. But these things have to be done with care.

Sweat drips down my forehead. I wipe it away with my arm.

The fact that he’s been seen around Willow Hill and Thea’s parents sent him here, I don’t want police showing up at my door snooping around if he goes M.I.A. I have something else I’m sitting on, another threat that may seem scarier to him than death. The assault case that was swept under the rug.

After my workout, I’ll be printing out the pictures of that girl’s bruises and of the judge with his father. I can ruin him. That may be enough to get him to back off. If not, I have no problem taking his last breath. In fact, I’ll probably enjoy it.

Thea doesn’t know how far we’ll go to keep her safe. I’ve told her so much today, however, hearing it and seeing it are two different things.

Everything I need to take care of is stacking up, making my life more difficult and stealing hours away from what I’d like to be focusing on. Like Thea. Wrangling my brothers, managing the businesses, dealing with my client, and now Gavin…none of those things brings me any joy. But she could and I’m forced to forego her so that our lives stay intact.

Sometimes I really hate being the one everyone relies on. Sometimes I hate my need to control everything.

I lay another round of punches into the bag. An unexpected thought pops into my head as I land the last one. None of us have ever felt this strongly about a woman so soon. Certainly not all at once. We’ve only known Thea a little over a month, yet this spell she has on us is…powerful.

“Thought I heard someone in here.”

Turning, I see Thea leaning against the door to the gym. She looks much better now. Cole fed her and we’ve taken care of her worries. The color’s returned to her skin and her eyes aren’t distant. Either way, she is fucking smoking, although right now… Jesus, I can’t take it.

Thea’s hip is popped out as her head rests on the door frame. Her dark waves spill over her tits. She’s put some glossy shit on her lips that makes it hard not to stare. All I can think about is watching that mouth slide over my cock as I face fuck her.

Wiping my brow, I tell her, “Yeah, I needed to get a quick workout in.”

Pushing off the door, she walks closer. She must be feeling better. The way she’s moving her hips as she’s walking isn’t on accident. That little smirk on her mouth confirms it.

“I wanted to thank you for everything. I know you said taking care of me makes you happy, but I want you to know that I’m grateful.” She stops a few feet from me. “Not just for the financial stuff or letting me live here.” My eyes narrow. “Thank you for protecting me. No one ever has, not like that.”

“Thea—”

She puts a finger up to stop me and takes a step closer, within reach now. My hands are gloved. If they weren’t, I’m not sure I could stop myself.

“Thank you for seeing me. And I know that sounds vague, but you do. You see who I am and what I need to feel safe. You make me feel safe. Not your money or your home. You.”

Fuck, she’s killing me. No one ever talks to me like this. I don’t know what to say.

Thea takes another step closer. Our chests are almost touching. My hands clench inside of my gloves. Looking up at me, she studies me with those pretty eyes. She reaches out. Fuck if it doesn’t make my heart speed up. What is she doing to me?

Her fingers cautiously skim across my jaw. Watching her lips part as she touches me like this for the first time makes my cock spring to life. It’s such an innocent thing she’s doing, but I can’t help getting turned on by it. Probably because I know she’s not innocent. She knows exactly what she’s doing. Thea’s a goddamn temptress, a siren and I’m a willing victim to her song.

“I know what you need to feel safe too,” she whispers. “I can give you that.”

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