Page 30 of Twisted Thorns

Lightning zings through me, shoving every thought out of my mind. The only thing I know is his taste, his smell, his weight pressing against me, swirling my desire even higher.

Every part of my awareness narrows to where Kieran's body meets mine, to the pleasure humming in my blood, the teasing touches, and slow glides of Kieran's palm on my skin as I chase that rapture almost within reach. Tossing my head back, I grab onto that wave of euphoria, muscles clenching in delicious agony as electricity crackles through my veins.

I come down from my high in a delicious haze, my limbs heavy and liquid. Kieran shifts, pulling me to straddle his lap, and I wind my hands behind his neck, pulling him into me for a kiss when his phone rings, interrupting us.

Kieran mumbles something that sounds very much like a growl as he pulls his phone out of his pocket and glances at it. "It's my brother. I have to answer it. He'd text if it wasn't important." He said the last bit with a frown on his face, the apology clear in his eyes and he pressed the screen with a biting, "What is it?".

I can’t hear Liam on the other end, but I know from the way Kieran tightens against me and clenches his jaw that whatever Liam had to say isn’t good.

I try to shift myself off of Kieran's lap, but his free arm snakes around me like a steel band, keeping me solidly in place. He hangs up with a curse, shoving his phone back in his pocket like it is the one that offended him.

"I take it that our date is over?" I ask, unable to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

A grin lights up Kieran's face at that. I catch myself thinking I'd do anything to keep that smile there. "A date, is it?"

"Well, what else would you call it? You brought dinner."

"But now our date is being interrupted." He frowns and looks at me through his lashes.

"I'll see you later?"

"Always." He leans over, pressing a kiss to my forehead before seeing himself out of my apartment.

Chapter 16

Kieran

Everyone thinks I wear black because I want to seem menacing and powerful. It's really because it hides the blood.

My black shirt and jeans are currently free of blood, but you never know what the night is going to hold. The warehouse room I'm in is dusty, with the last rays of daylight filtering through cracked windows, casting long shadows on the grimy concrete floor. The air hangs heavy with the scent of old motor oil and damp cardboard boxes stacked haphazardly in one corner. Rusty metal shelves line the walls, cluttered with tools and spare parts.

In the center of the room, a weathered wooden table stands, its surface marred by years of use and bearing scars from countless discussions like the one taking place now. Liam is fidgeting in his chair across from me, restless to be moving and not sitting here planning. I don't blame him.

I sigh. We learned from Rocco that Sean is expecting a shipment of trafficked people tonight, and he plans on using them to staff his various establishments.

I know families like mine often built their foundation on illegal activities like trafficking. But that doesn't mean I have to tolerate it now. My blood boils and I wish there was a face for me to pummel.

"We need to be careful," I say. "We can't let anyone know what we're planning." My eyes flick to Liam, who nods in agreement, his fingers running through his light brown hair, a nervous habit that never seems to leave him, even when he is in control.

"We'll have to be strategic about this." He leans forward, his elbows resting on the table as he studies the blueprints spread out before us. "Finn, you've got the inside scoop. How many guards are involved?"

Finn's low voice is gravelly as he speaks. "There are usually two at the entrance, but they can be easily taken care of." He glances over at me, and I nod. "The real problem will be inside..."

A soft knock on the door causes my heart to leap into my throat. I'm not the only one affected, as Finn and Liam have both stilled, our hands on our guns. The door creaks open to reveal Slone, dressed head to toe in night black tactical gear.

“Sloane, what are you doing here?” Finn pushes up from the table, lumbering over to his sister.

“It’s not safe for you here.”

“Oh, shut it, Finn and hand me a rifle.”

I smirk as I toss Sloane a rifle from the table. Finn looks murderous while Liam is staring with hearts in his eyes as Sloane checks the gun out.

Finn’s voice rolls like thunder, “Again, Sloane, why are you here?”

“Because I’m the best shot out of all of you and you need someone to watch your back.”

“I do not need…” Finn begins, his face reddening.

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