Page 54 of Underworld

Zane walks past, opening the door for me and saying, "Of course, they're coming. We aren't taking any more chances with your safety."

I grin as I release Howe and Alec's hands. It feels really good to have something to smile about again. I approach Zane, stopping once I'm standing and looking up at him. He looks down at me with an arched brow as if expecting me to argue with him as I do with Jace. I normally would to get a rise out of him, but considering recent events, I refrain.

Rising onto the tips of my toes, I press my lips softly against his. I pull away, my lips only a breadth away from his, and say, "Thank you for protecting me."

His light-blue eyes widen at my words before softening. He reaches up, caressing my cheek with the pad of his thumb. "I won't let anyone dim your light again, Sunshine."

I smile as I say, "I love you."

He grunts a response, but I know he's only doing that because people are watching.

I snicker as I weave around him and get into the car. Alec swan dives inside, and I laugh when he lands on my lap. "Get off! You're crushing me," I say with a laugh.

He climbs over my lap and onto the other side, laying his head on my shoulder as he snuggles close.

Howe flies through the door next. He immediately lays his head on my lap, snuggling in close. I smile down at him as I run my fingers through his curly black hair.

Jace sighs when he sees the middle seat is full. He looks into the back seat, then back at us. "Well, this seems unfair."

Howe growls from my lap and says, "You two got her all to yourselves. It's our turn."

Zane puts a hand on Jace's shoulder as he says, "Just get in the car. We're gonna be late."

I smirk as I tease, "Yeah, get in the car, Hades."

He arches a brow. "Are you sassing me, Persephone?"

Howe snickers, and my grin widens. I haven't fucked with Jace in weeks because of everything that has happened, but this feels right. "Maybe I am." I shrug.

Fire sparks in his eyes, and my heart flutters. It's been too long since I've seen the fire in his eyes. His smile turns dark as he climbs into the very back of the vehicle. He settles in the seat so he can lean forward. His lips brush against my ear as he says, "Don't test me, Princess."

A shiver runs down my spine, and Alec snickers on my shoulder. I take a breath to steady my rapidly beating heart before sassing back, "Or what?"

"You'll be punished." He nips my ear before sitting back in his seat.

My blood heats at his words, and my heart pounds. It's been so long since we've played. "Who says I don't want to be punished?" I whisper.

“I heard that, Princess.”

I can’t stop the smile forming as Silas starts the car, pulling out of the driveway and heading to the tattoo parlor. I’ll let him think he won for the moment.

The chime of a bell echoes through the room as we walk through the door. Again, I’m blown away by the space. Silas and Jax lead the way as we pass the front desk. I wave to the young male behind the desk, who waves shyly back. His eyes dart to my guys behind me, and he ducks his head immediately. I snort out a laugh, shaking my head. I suppose my guys can be intimidating when they want to be.

Silas and Jax turn to face outward as they stop in front of a familiar door. I turn the corner expecting to find Blair and Knox, but instead, I’m greeted by two new males. When they turn to look at me, my mouth drops open in shock.

Their eyes widen as well. The smaller one stands up, immediately approaching me and wrapping me in a hug. “What the fuck, girl?! I thought you were fucking dead!”

My voice squeaks as I ask, “Cade?” He had been my main guy when I went to get my piercings. When I started running around all the districts to lose my dad, I lost touch with him.

He pulls away with a wide smile. “Fucking hell, Jelly Bean. I thought your dad got you!”

I wince. He was the only one whom I had told about my dad. Although, it had only been a few months after running away that I decided to change my appearance to better hide from him. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Jelly Bean?” Jace asks from behind me.

I look over my shoulder with a smile. “It was his nickname for me, so no one knew my name when I went in to get my piercings.”

Suddenly, Cade is out of my arms, and a bear of a man is wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the floor. I squeal with laughter as I wrap my arms around him, hugging him back.

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