Page 27 of Darkness

I get it now.

“I hope the books will help keep you entertained.”

Eva’s cheeks flush again as she wraps her arms around herself. I have to admit, this bashful side of her is cute as hell.

“They’ll get me by. Trixie said you weren’t coming around for a while. Is something happening?”

I cock my head. “It’s been nearly four hours since I was here, Eva. I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m good. Great.” Her voice comes out high-pitched, then she clears her throat. “I’m good. Maybe a little hungry,” she says, lowering her voice back to normal.

I walk over to the bed. The sheets are tangled. I wish I had been there when she made this mess. Her eyes follow my line of sight, and her hands quickly move, straightening the bed sheets.

Inwardly, I grin as I sit, wanting nothing more than to bring up what she was just doing in here, even though it’s written all over her face. Instead, I try to reassure her. “Eva, I know you don’t want to stay cooped up in here forever. I don’t want that for you either. The only way we’re going to be able to let you come out into the clubroom to eat is if I’m sure you’re not going to run or make some kind of attempt to find Ivy.”

Her shoulders slump. “I can’t give you that promise, Nycto. I have no idea if you know what it’s like to have a bond with someone… someone who’s like another part of you, but if you do, then you know I can’t give up on her.”

I clench my eyes shut.

I’m a fucking asshole.

I should tell her.

I should tell her now.

But we’re not in the right place yet.

She will turn on me in a heartbeat. I need her to trust me and to want to stay before I give her a reason to leave.

“I understand,” I assure her. “So you must understand why the longer I consider you a threat to your own and my club’s safety, I have to keep you in here.”

She sinks in on herself. “Do you think you can try to find Ivy for me? Get her back?”

My eyes widen.

Well, fuck me.

Maybe this could be my out.

Maybe I can tell Eva I found Ivy. Then, she will perceive me as the hero, not the villain in this story.

Who am I kidding? That will never work.

“I’ll do what I can, Eva.”

Fucking asshole.

“I hope so. I can’t stand to imagine her being hurt.”

“How ’bout this? I’ll put Void on the case, see if he can track her down, and get him to give me daily updates. He’s my VP. If anyone can find her, he can.” Because he’s with her in the basement. “If we find anything, I’ll let you know.” She slides in against me, cuddling into my side. At the scent of her arousal, the closer she gets, the more my cock presses against the seam of my jeans. Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her closer, wishing I could slide my head between her thighs to taste what I smell because it’s driving me fucking insane.

“Thank you, Nycto. Thank you. I don’t understand why you took me, but maybe I’m a little bit thankful you did.”

Progress.

“I’m thankful I did, too, chiquita. I wish I could let you roam the clubhouse, I really do. You’d fit in so well out there. But until I can trust you…”

“I’m in lockdown.”

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