Page 175 of Seizing Control: Part One

These facts I know with certainty. I stumbled over them playing more than once when I was in my teens, and I’ve spent a commensurate amount of time with Slash in the reading nook. It was our time. A way to connect without annoying Zeke.

Once again, my ignorance to my feelings for my husband smack me upside the head.

Regret crashes through me.

I had them both to myself for years, but I never understood what that meant.

Now that I do, it’s too late…

As my sick yearning to re-enact the scene I detailed in the letter I wrote on my Hen’s night grows into a craving that I can’t ignore, I surge back to my feet. My hand cups my belly for a second, an unspoken apology to my baby for what they’re about to endure, then I do something that’s completely out of character.

Something I was never brave enough to do with Venom.

I shove my husband in the back, then breathing heavily, I follow that up with a slap to the face when he whirls around to face me. The oddly defiant look in his eyes dies. His darkness flares to life. Shoulders set wide, grip firm as he takes hold of my throat again, Carter crushes my top in his free hand, then tosses me onto the mattress.

When he stalks toward me, I prop myself up on my elbows. The sight of his pure power is awe-inspiring as he uses one hand to pull his t-shirt over his head. His belt follows. Stopping to toe off his boots, I watch with wide eyes and my heart in my throat while he strips off his jeans and boxers.

Carter’s thick cock springs free.

I run my tongue along my bottom lip, then sink my teeth into it.

“See somethin’ you like, wife?”

When I nod, my husband fists his length and works his hand up and down. Every time I see his thumb flick his frenulum piercing, I swallow hard. His grip is harsh, moving without caution as the barbs from the Jacob’s ladder that runs along the underside of his erection gleam in the small amount of light illuminating the room.

I devour him with my gaze, wanting to touch him almost as much as I want him inside me.

“Hold on, baby.” After he covers me with his body, I loop my arms around my husband’s neck, and a rumble of approval vibrates his chest. He puts enough space between us to rip my shirt down the middle to expose my bra-covered chest to his hungry gaze. “Remember, duchess… Slash fuckin’ loves you.”

“I love him too.”

“But Carter fuckin’ hates you for makin’ him wait so long to possess you.”

Arching underneath him, I nip at his ear lobe with sharp teeth, then I confess, “It’s okay—I hate Carter for not having the balls to claim me until now.”

My admission is the final straw.

His control snaps.

Smiling, I hold tight as my husband unleashes his darkness on me…

35

LAZARUS

The side door that acts as a fire escape for the sleeping quarters at the Shamrocks compound is locked. It takes me all of three seconds to use my picks to jimmy it open and slip inside Slash’s bedroom. My earlier plan to track down the man-bunned maniac to have a chat with him about leaving Lily alone now that she’s chosen to live separate to him was interrupted when I received a tip about Brutus. I drove halfway across Perth with my team to question an old ally of his, only to find out that he hasn’t laid eyes on him in years.

My godfather has proven elusive.

A rat with connections.

He can hide.

I will find him.

Because removing Brutus’ malignant existence from the world is paramount to my plan to return to my sweet thing’s life. If he continues to live, then Lily remains at risk. I’m not fussed about the order with which I eradicate the motherfuckers who done her wrong, but I have a list that must be crossed out.

Brutus’ name sits at the top.

---