Page 58 of Ruthless Beasts

“Sweet.” Glee flooded me at the thought of the fun I’d get to have this evening. It had been a few weeks since I had someone in the basement, and mostly, I didn’t mind. The distraction of Bellamy was more than enough to satisfy me. But blood and death called to me and begged me to answer. Who was I to deny it? “Are we taking Bellamy to the gala?” I asked as I shot Ace amessage. I was curious about what Adam had planned. The gala was a big deal. All the city officials would be there.

After shaking his head, he explained, “It will be a long night.”

Bellamy put down her book, her wide eyes pleading. “Please. I’m tired of being a prisoner.”

“You’re not a prisoner, Belle.”

“Am I not?” She raised a brow in question. “Everything I do is guarded, and I can never leave your property. Today is the first time I’ve left in weeks.”

“It’s for protection,” Adam growled.

“It’s stifling,” she shot back.

He looked at me to back him up, but she was right. “Itisstifling. Look, the event is safe. We’ve got guards. Every city official will be there. She’ll be fine.”

God, I hoped so. If she wasn’t, I would only have myself to blame.

“Mercer and Ace will stay beside me the whole time,” she promised. “I won’t let go of them.”

“And if I wanted to be at your side instead?” Adam questioned.

She swallowed hard under the intensity of his stare. “I just thought?—“

“That I had more important things to do? Belle, there is nothing more important than you.” Her eyes softened at his declaration. “Your protection is my top priority.”

“Take me, please. I’ll be safe,” she begged, her eyes so sultry that they begged me to cross boundaries and shove my cock between her pillowy little lips.

Adam growled, before finally relenting. “You are not to leave our sides, do you understand? You have to pee; you’re taking us with you. We’ll have someone drop off some gown options.” He looked upward like God could protect him from the might of alittle woman who easily controlled him. “Don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t, promise.”

He looked skeptical but moved on. “We need to vet people for the position. It’s clear that Steven won’t be coming through for us.”

“Not by the time Ace gets through with him. Never should have hired him,” I pointed out.

“I owed a favor,” he reminded me. Nothing good ever came from a favor, but I understood his need to repay it.

“Lesson learned, I guess.” I leaned back against the plush couch as a knock radiated through the room.

“Come in,” Adam ordered as Janie pushed open the door, a bag of food and a tray of drinks in hand.

“Food’s here.” She walked to the coffee table and placed it down in front of us. “I got lemonade for you. Caffeine is bad for the baby.”

Bellamy smiled and rubbed the bump of her stomach. “Thank you.”

I shooed Janie away when she tried to unload the bags. “I’ve got it. Thank you.”

With her hands folded primly in front of her, she turned to Adam. “If there isn’t anything else?”

“Go eat lunch. We’ve got it handled. Use the company card.”

She nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

When the door shut, Bellamy smirked. “Thank you for lunch. Sir.”

“Smartass,” he mumbled, but came to her side, leaned down, and placed a kiss on her forehead before he sat. “I didn’t want you to leave the house, but I’m glad you’re here. Are you planning to stay the rest of the day?”

“If you don’t mind.” She wagged her book. “I like the change in scenery.”

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