Page 47 of Gilded Kisses

I try to hold that thought and any other random item running through my mind and not focus on the way my godfather looks like a beast prowling my way.

Mirsha takes several steps in my direction. “You can leave the book on the table in the sitting room. We will?—”

“Nope. Not quite how it works, big guy.”

Oh, burn!

Magnolia plants a hand in the middle of the villain’s chest and stops the big baddie in his tracks. He puts eyeballs on her hand and then on me and then back to the woman’s hand. Like he can’t believe he actually obeyed her any more than I do.

I give him one of my Genesis greetings smiles—all teeth and fake happiness. “Good boy,” I praise, returning the jab from the car ride here.

His glower and simmering irritation pulling at the edges of his mouth and eyes are a sweet prize to behold.

I wink at Magnolia. Girl power.

She throws a quick look at Viper and Luther, where they are sentries at my sides. As if someone or something will swoop in and pluck me from the middle of the Society if they dare move.

Or they are scared I will bolt for the sliding doors behind those curtains the second they leave me alone. Both plausible reasons considering how protective they were of me all my life.

“I am calling on The Gilded Key’s Society’s automatic removal of the men from the room. Obey me, or you three will have your membership revoked.”

Whoa. This little spitfire packs a punch!

“I think I would like to see that happen given it’s tattooed on their arms.”

“It’s painful, for sure,” Magnolia confirms.

Luther’s firm lips widen into a grin that has left my panties melted on more than one occasion. Warm fingers brush the dip in my back before working down to get a handful of my ass. His grip is fucking toe-curling.

“I like her,” he grunts, looking at me before he turns a serious face to my new sister, even though she doesn’t know it yet.

“You and Aster must share blood somewhere down the line. Fucking ball crushers, the both of you.”

Viper shifts his weight from one foot to another like he’s about to heed her words. Wrong. Right when I think he’s going to walk away, the fucking bastard catches me off guard. Arms made of iron wrap around me and I’m hauled up several feet until my lips are within reach without him bending down.

“We will be right outside. Please run so I can catch you and fuck you in the wet grass under our tree.”

What? Wait. Oh, that’s tempting.

“Gentlemen. Now.” Magnolia enjoys throwing around her dainty one hundred and twenty pounds. Thank God, too. Viper’s offer is way too good to decline.

My eyebrows rise along with a fresh wave of heat to hit my cheeks. “You better listen. I have a feeling she has a black belt or two she hasn’t disclosed.”

Luther tips my chin his way. “This room is on lockdown, baby girl. You’re not getting away from us.” Luther’s lips brush over mine, like a fond memory.

My eyes dip to his chin and then I find Viper’s gaze again. “I wasn’t the one who ran the last time.”

With those slashing words, Viper places a tender kiss on my cheek fused with love. God, I don’t want to think about it, but it’s hard to deny. And I think I sense regret, too.

“I know, baby. I know.”

Careful that I don’t lose my balance, the enormous mountain of a man slowly places me back on my feet and follows his friends out of the room.

Mirsha angles his head and catches my gaze. All that molten steel swirling behind those thick black lashes tells me we are not finished. Not by a long shot.

With the door closed, I brush by Magnolia and swoosh open the heavy curtains. “Thanks for that,” I offer hurriedly. Black peelsaside to reveal more black in the sky with slashes of light here and there. UGH. The storm. Shit.

Willow branches flutter in the wind and flashes of lightning filter through the night’s sky.

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