Page 15 of Ruthless Reign

I almost moaned at the idea, knowing I’d likely have to settle for a shower at their place later.

Hardin pushed into the apartment, his fingers twitching, but he didn’t draw his weapon as he stalked through the living room and down the hallway, opening the doors to every room. He gave Kaleb a nod and he nudged me inside.

“Grab what you need, Vixen. We should get back.”

I shouldered past Hardin to get into my room, digging through the pile of clothes in my closet to unbury the suitcase there. I had a feeling an overnight bag wasn’t going to cut it and who the fuck knew when I’d be able to convince them to bring me back here.

Who knew if I would ever be coming back.

The thought made my belly twist and sour with acid.

I would, I reassured myself. I survived a gunshot wound to the chest back in Thorn Valley. I’d survive this, too. No matter what happened.

Hardin stood sentinel by the arched window, arms crossed as he looked down over the street below like every person he saw personally offended him.

I threw clothes haphazardly into the suitcase, adding a couple pairs of shoes for good measure, though I doubted I’d be needing my Manolo Blahniks, I couldn’t stand to be parted from them. When Toby tried to sell them I almost bit his hand off.

“Doubt you’ll be needing those, Hawk.”

I cocked my head at Hardin, who was making no secret of eyeing the stiletto heels atop the mess of clothes in the suitcase. “Hawk?”

His lips tightened, but he didn’t elaborate. I supposed there were worse things to be called. Besides, if my bestie was a Crow, at least I could be in the aviary species, too. Hawk. Cute. Maybe that meant he thought I was worthy. Just as worthy as her.

I tried to hide my smile as I packed some undergarments and the sturdiest pair of flat bottomed shoes I owned.

“Wait, Hawk?” Kaleb asked, eyebrow raised at his brother.

Hardin’s jaw flexed.

“Isn’t that what you called that big ass moth that, like, lived in your room for weeks last year?”

A moth?

A fucking moth?

With delicate powdery wings that break when you touch them?

The things that literally eat away at curtains and sofa cushions?

I glared at Hardin, who didn’t even have the decency to look sorry.

“Don’t forget your charger,” Kaleb said, pulling it out of the wall beside my bed to toss it into the suitcase. “Hardin always steals mine and breaks them, so I don’t have an extra one for you.”

I shook my head, rolling my eyes at them both, still seething over the new nickname.

“Anything in here you need?” Kaleb jerked open my nightstand drawer.

“Don’t—” I blurted, but it was too late to stop him.

He whistled low between his teeth as he looked down at my treasure trove. “Damn, Vixen.”

He lifted the giant purple dildo from the pile and raised his brows.

“The fuck is all this?”

“My toys,” I answered plainly. “Don’t you know it’s rude to open a lady’s drawers without asking?”

I refused to be embarrassed. I knew what I liked, and my appetite was not very easily sated. At least it wasn’t before these guys. I wouldn’t let myself think about the last one. The only other man who ever made me come without the use of a toy to aid him. I shuddered.

---