Page 63 of These Wicked Desires

My guys have made the fog unnecessary.

Sam places the thin blade above my breast bone and carefully slices through my shirt and bra. The fabric falls away, exposing my rapidly rising and falling chest. Sam's eyes heat and he licks his lower lip.

Where is the fog? I need that fucking fog. I need something to mask the shame and hurt and terror. Something to disappear into so I can't feel my own body or hear my own thoughts.

As Sam slices through my leggings and panties, I squeeze my eyes shut. He doesn't touch me, but his gaze on my exposed flesh is more than enough.

"Where is that magic, doll?"

I take a shaky breath and open my eyes. Instead of answering him, I stare. I let him see that I'm not the same person I was a few months ago. He can threaten me, he can torture me, but I won't cry or beg. I won't flinch or shy away from him.

As his gaze travels over my body again, lingering on the apex of my thighs, I realize I don't need the fog anymore.

My guys are the fog I can sink into. My Shields from the pain. Cade's gentle touch and the way he always makes sure I'm okay, every step of the way. Sterling's passion and the way he consumes every part of me. And Kai. I smile despite the situation. My Kai. Despite his possessive tendencies and the monster that lives under his skin, there is no one I feel safer with.

I feel it then. My magic simmering inside me, just under the surface. I know my eyes have turned golden by the shock on Sam’s face. This man can’t hurt me anymore. He can try all he likes, but he’ll never see me cry again. I smile, letting him see all of that in my golden gaze.

The lack of reaction from me and the smile, lights the fuse. Sam darts forward and grabs my throat, squeezing painfully. "Where is the fucking magic?" Spittle flies from his lips in his anger. As quickly as he grabbed me, he lets go. Taking deep breaths, he tries to calm himself, straightening his black suit jacket with rough tugs. He pulls a radio from the counter and speaks into it. "Bring me Grace."

No. Not Gracie. Please, Sterling. Please have gotten her out of here already. I'm not sure if I can hold out if Sam brings Gracie in.

While we wait, Sam talks. I tune him out. Focusing instead on my guys and the strength they give me. There is still no tug in my chest, so I continue to wait to bring out my magic, but I’m getting antsy. Maybe I’m overestimating my abilities. Maybe that instinct I thought I would feel won’t come. Should I just act now? I want to act now. I want to wipe this miserable excuse for a mage from the face of the earth.

Sam looks at the clock and mutters under his breath. "What the hell is taking so long," he barks into the radio. "Bring me Grace. Now!"

A few minutes later, the radio crackles. "Sorry sir," a breathless voice comes through the speaker. "We're having a bit of a problem." Muffled noises come from the radio before it cuts off.

"What kind of problem?" Sam asks, his voice dark and promising pain.

There’s no response, and I watch as Sam gets angrier and angrier. This is when he becomes dangerous. When his anger takes control, he is liable to do anything.

The next time he looks at me, his brown eyes shimmer with green, the muddy color a sight that haunts me still. I know what happens next will not be good. But there is still no tug in my chest.

Am I waiting for something that isn't going to happen? Are my instincts wrong?

But as soon as Sam takes one step toward me, the door bursts open. Cade rushes in, and the way his face contorts in anger at seeing me bound and naked, makes a thrill rush through me.

"Well, this wasn't planned, but I can certainly use it to my advantage." Sam claps his hands once and smiles.

I've come to realize when he smiles like that, we are always unprepared for what happens next. The thrill inside me turns to fear.

Cade pulls a gun from the waistband of his pants and levels it at Sam.

"I promised Ellis she'd get the chance to kill you." He cocks the gun, the sound loud in the sterile room. "But I'll beg for her forgiveness later."

I jerk as the gun goes off. My ears ring and the breath in my lungs halts. Time seems to slow, and I swear I can see the bullet whizzing through the air toward Sam.

Sam raises his hand and flicks his fingers, like he's shaking water off his skin. The bullet stops mid air, and my stomach drops. Before I can scream, it changes directions and shoots straight for Cade.

He doesn't have time to react. The bullet tears through his chest, a direct hit to his heart.

Stunned, Cade stares at the blood seeping through the wound, a gory red flower blooming on his chest. His violet eyes meet mine and his knees hit the floor.

A scream tears through my throat as he collapses. A scream that comes from the depth of my very soul. It sears my throat and steals my breath. It drags with it a burst of magic. The bands shackling me to the table sizzle and disappear.

I'm on the ground kneeling next to Cade in seconds. His lifeless violet eyes stare at nothing. The blood from the wound has already stopped flowing.

"Cade," I whisper, shaking his body. "Cade, wake up." He's just sleeping. He'll take a breath and his eyes will sparkle again as he smiles at me. Sleeping. He's just ...

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