Page 85 of Hidden Empire

The sickening plop of his lifeless corpse is going to draw the attention of the crew, but before they have time to investigate, I’ll already be in the water.

As I get to the edge of the stern, I get a good look at the island in the distance. It should be about a mile back, maybe a bit more.

I’ve swam for over a mile before, but it’s never been done for a better reason.

Exactly twenty hours later, I scale Jade’s building, slipping into her room through her cracked window. The stupid thing is ridiculously small, but I don’t mind having to squeeze through. I need to see her, and this is the safest way to do that without being spotted. This time though, I don’t have any intention of staying. I’m taking her with me.

She’s already asleep when my feet hit the floor, and she doesn’t rouse at all when I walk to the side of her bed frame. It’s a good thing Jade has so many brothers for protection because it appears she’s a very heavy sleeper.

She has me now, too, I remind myself, pleased by the fact.

Leaning down, I get a good look at her fresh face, her skin still glistening from her post-shower skin care. She hasn’t been asleep long then, not if she hasn’t rubbed off her moisturizer from rolling around.

“Jade,” I whisper, touching her bare arm with a gentle caution. “Wake up for me?—”

She cuts off my words with a frustrated and groggy groan.

“Matteo, I already told you I don’t want to watch a zombie movie,” she mumbles, burying her face deeper into her pillow. “I’m sleepy.”

I have to smile at that. “Too sleepy for me, Krasotka?”

She freezes, muscles tightening up all over before she slowly picks her head up. Her tired eyes widen as she sees me. She looks so fucking adorable, all shocked and confused until she shakes out of her sleepy state.

“Dmitri,” she whispers sweetly, the apples of her cheeks turning pink. “Hi.”

“Hi, baby,” I greet, leaning down to brush her forehead with a kiss. “How do you feel about going on a date? Are you still too sleepy?”

“Sleepy? Who’s sleepy? I’m wide awake,” she answers, rubbing her eyes to shake off any residual tiredness. Jade fumbles around, tossing off her blanket and swaying to her feet. “Oops, got up too fast. One second, please.”

I chuckle, holding her arm to help balance her. “You can slow down, Krasotka, we have time.”

“No time needed,” she sings, smiling wide and putting her hands on her hips. “I’m all ready to go.”

“Baby, you’re in your pajamas,” I remind her, looking down at her skimpy little nightie. And although I’d like to lift up the ends of it and show her just how much I like it on her, it’s not practical for what I have planned.

She looks down at herself, noting her exposed thighs and the low neckline showing off her cleavage. “Oh, right.”

I chuckle, lifting her chin back up. “Do you have something warm to wear?”

Jade swallows, and for a second, I think she might jump into my arms and attack me with kisses, asking me to have her right here. I’m really fucking glad she doesn’t since I don’t trust my ability to turn her down tonight.

“Warm?” she asks, turning to find her closet.

I bite my knuckle as she walks away, dress swaying around her thighs and emphasizing her backside. So much naked skin that I could just reach out and touch it.

Surprising the hell out of me, Jade sheds her sleeping gown, dropping it at her feet in the small closet. My cock jumps in my pants, swelling tightly against the seam of the zipper, and I turn half away, shielding most of her from my eyes. Her breasts are bare, heavy handfuls with peachy-pink nipples I can still taste. Thankfully, she’s wearing panties, or my girl might have just broken me.

From the corner of my eye, I watch as she slowly drags a pair of black leggings up her legs, tightening my fist as I get a look at her pink lace thong. I’m going to take that off of her with my teeth.

Now I just have to be able to do that without putting my cock in her.

When I take my next glance, her tits are covered with a pink bra, and she’s pulling an oversized crewneck sweater on. If I’m honest, her being covered isn’t helping the rise in my pants, nor the fire burning inside of me, begging for a taste of her.

“Something wrong?” she asks, feigning innocence as she slips into a pair of socks.

“You are a temptation beyond belief, Krasotka,” I reply honestly, openly checking her out. “I’m the luckiest bastard on this whole damn island just for the simple fact that you want me as much as I want you.”

Her eyes darken as she pulls on her boots, lips parting with a silent gasp.

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