Page 14 of Fatal Vengeance

When I say that exact thing to the three of them over dinner with a sharp smile on my face, all three of the guys get a little pale, and Genevieve nearly chokes on her food from laughing so hard.

“Ember, baby, we’d never,” Creed promises, the quickest to recover. He even flashes me this little smirk and adds, “And even if we were, you love my dick too much to hurt it.”

Griffin elbows him and rolls his eyes, but he won’t meet my gaze. I narrow my eyes at him and then glance at Asher. Asher fucking Malcom who I have not spoken to privately since our little make-out session. In fact, I’ve been avoiding him like a damn pro, considering the size of this cabin.

What if he tells me he had a momentary lapse in judgement and he actually still hates my guts? Fuck, I don’t know if I’ll handle that well. I don’t know why I care, but I do, dammit.

“We are absolutely plotting something without you, Prudence. Dragging you back to The Celestials isn’t something any of us are willing to risk,” Asher says calmly as he cuts his steak.

I grind my teeth and Genevieve whistles under her breath, drawing Asher’s chilly gaze. “Something you want to say, Genevieve?” he asks carefully.

“Asher,” I warn him.

My sister has the same fire I do, though, and she hasn’t taken a second of his shit since we walked through her door. It’s been a dream watching her shut him down every day, and I think I love her for that alone.

Leaning back and crossing her arms, she spears Asher with a cold stare. “That’s bullshit, and we all know it. Prudence has been fucked over the most. In fact, the three of you were part of her getting fucked over. Why she’s fine touching any of you after the shit you put her through is a fucking mystery to me, but I digress. You will be including her in whatever plans you make, or you can get the fuck out of my cabin and I’ll help her myself.”

I have to duck my head to hide the stupid smile that takes over my face. I’ve only had a sister for a few days, but I think I’m going to really like it. We still haven’t had a chance to talk just the two of us, mostly because Creed is being so clingy and Griffin watches me like a hawk like he’s worried I’ll disappear the second he looks away, but I make the decision right now to slip away from the guys tonight and get in some sister time. I’d like to know her. I’d like to have someone to lean on who isn’t a gorgeous man wanting in my pants.

Ah, hell.

Guilt creeps up and swallows me as I think of Annie. My only friend at college and I ran away without giving her any explanation. She either hates me by now or assumes I’ve been murdered. Fuck. I make a mental note to contact her somehow and check in, but even as I think that, I know it’ll be risky. And Asher might lose his fucking mind if he finds out I’ve opened up contact and potentially given The Celestials a way to find us.

My smile is well and truly killed, and when I focus back on the people around me, I realize I’ve missed the start of an argument. Creed is watching Asher and Genevieve go at it, and Griffin is frowning at me, his eyebrows raised like he’s asking me if he should step in. I shrug one shoulder at him before focusing on the fight.

“Don’t pull the bullshit sister card on me, you’ve known each other for three fucking days. How do I know she’s actually safe with you?” Asher grinds out, his fist tight around his steak knife, and I decide I’m going to watch him very carefully. Asher with a knife was like my worst nightmare a few months ago. Now not so much, but I don’t know if that’s because I actually trust him more now or if my brain is all fucked over our kiss.

My sister snaps back, “You’re the dumbass who brought her here! Of course she’s safe, otherwise you wouldn’t have risked it. You grilled me on the phone for half an hour before agreeing to bring my sister here to meet me. The cabin isn't even in my name, and you were still hesitant. Your protection really borders on lethal possession, you know? Does she even realize how obsessive you are about this?”

Um, no, I had no idea…

Asher sighs and rubs a hand down his face like he can rid himself of this moment if he tries hard enough. “Yeah, well, Prudence has a knack for getting herself into life-threatening situations. It’s not my fault she needs a babysitter.”

I blink a few times at that, trying not to let the words sting. Creed and Griffin both look at me, which only makes me feel worse. I do not need a fucking babysitter. I don’t get the chance to defend myself before Genevieve tosses her head back with a laugh.

“Is that what you were doing the other day? Babysitting with your tongue down her throat? What, is your dick going to keep her safe?" she snarks.

The way Griffin’s eyes widen at me and then swing to Asher makes it clear he didn’t know about that. I can’t tell what he thinks of it, either, and now I feel like a terrible fucking person. I should have told him. I should have spoken with all three of these guys and laid everything out. Like how I want to fuck each of them. Maybe at the same time. And I want to watch Asher and Griffin together for… ahem, personal reasons.

Creed chuckles at my expense when I sink into my seat a bit more, as if I can physically hide myself if only I can make myself smaller.

Asher’s jade eyes flick over to me and the weirdest thing happens. The fire and hate I used to see in those gorgeous eyes every single day for months is gone. There’s not a shred of animosity or hostility. Instead, his eyes soften as he takes me in, and it reminds me a little of how Creed and Griffin both look at me, like I’m precious to them.

It’s a fucking head rush.

Asher sighs again, looking right at me as he replies to my sister. “What happened between us the other day was the first step in making sure Prudence knows I’m not her enemy. Not anymore.” He looks at Genevieve again, his expression staying open, and adds, “But yes, this dick will keep her safe. Or die trying. It’s the least I can do after tormenting her for so long.”

Welp.

I’m blushing and there’s no hiding it.

I have to very sternly remind myself that just because he kissed the freaking air straight out of my lungs and promised to make amends does not mean all is forgiven. Even though certain parts of my body are ready to forget about the months of bullying in favor of that tongue.

No. Groveling has to happen. A lot of it… While he’s down on his knees.

Christ, I’m insatiable.

“Alright, start talking,” Genevieve says as she hands me a tub of rocky road ice cream and plops down on her bed. After dinner, she declared she was stealing me for the night and when the guys tried to argue, she pegged each of them with such a withering glare that not even Asher and his bad mood stood a chance.

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