Page 14 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“No.” Atlas’ voice booms, making me jump. Reaching across Teddy, who has a murderous glint in his eye, he lifts my chin with one of his thick fingers until I’m looking him directly in the eyes. “That was him just being a controlling asshole.”

“But I-”

“No buts, Sugar.” Key rests a comforting hand on my shoulder, yet I can’t pull myself away from Atlas’ gaze to look at him. My breath catches as I realize I’m sandwiched between all three men. “Atlas is right. No arguing now, or we’ll have to take matters into our own hands.”

Freezing under their weighty, heated gazes, I can’t do anything but nod in agreement and swallow thickly. My heart hammers in my chest at the insinuation in their tone, and not necessarily in a good way. Part of me recognizes the mouthwatering sight they are, but the other part of me is terrified senseless at the danger they represent.

At least I know I’m safe with them.

I think.

Chapter Seven

With each word that passes through her lips, my anger climbs ever higher. The bastard spent years coercing her and making her feel like she couldn’t speak up to give word to her wants and desires.

He made her think that every time he denied her something, she was the problem. That she shouldn’t be asking for anything more because she already had everything she could ever need. That she should just shut up and do what she’s told like a good little housewife. Only, he goes and cheats on her anyway. With her best friend, nonetheless.

I can’t wait to get Atlas and Key alone tonight so I can tell them exactly what he did to her. We may not be able to kill him, for more than one reason, but you can bet your bottom-fucking-dollar that he will not be leaving this cabin unscathed. The bastard needs to pay for what he’s put this gorgeous woman through over the years.

Despite her obvious fire and strong-willed persona, she has a sensitive and delicate side to her that she seems to be showing usmore and more. Almost as if she’s not had anyone to confide in over the years. My heart aches for her.

“Enough about me,” she squeaks, wiggling her way from between us all. Clearing up, she busies her hands, not once looking our way. Recognizing her need to collect herself and process, I allow her this one infraction. “So I know you are…hitmen. But what on earth are you doing this far out?”

“An old friend of ours reached out to us a couple of days ago saying their daughter was kidnapped.”

Her eyes bug wide. “And that’s who he is?” She questions, waving her hand in the direction of the living room, not knowing the guys have already moved him upstairs to the second bedroom for some extra…privacy.

I shake my head. “No. We were unfortunately too late. They moved her to a second location before we could get to her. That unfortunate soul-” Atlas growls at my choice of words. “He was tidying up loose ends when we arrived to storm the place.”

“Meaning he works for them, and you’re going to what? Question him on where they are?” Grace questions innocently, her nose scrunching up slightly. She knows exactly what we’re going to do, but the caring and nurturing side of her still pushes for the lighter side of things.

“I’m going to torture it out of him and cause as much pain as humanely possible,” Atlas growls. Key’s jaw drops slack and I arch an eyebrow. Atlas looks at us both before settling his gaze back on Key. “What? You said she preferred things straight.”

Key chokes on his own spit for a second, running his hand through his hair. “Not that straight, man!”

Grace’s melodic chuckles fill the air as she watches the two of them interact. “It’s alright, boys, I get it.” Does she? I see the little sliver of uncertainty in her eyes. “Although, please keep it well away from me. I took an oath not to harm for a reason.”Winking at us, she claps her hands and tells us she’s going to start getting dinner ready, soshoosus out of the kitchen.

“Little one?”

“Hmm?”

“We’re just going to go out and get firewood. Stay in here until we’re back. No matter what you hear.”

“But what if-”

I step up toe-to-toe with her, towering over her. Her mouth falters for a second before her eyes glaze over, satisfying my primal side. Reaching up to trace my fingers over her jaw, I bite my lip to stop myself from going any further.

“So responsive,” I whisper, my voice raspy with need. At her gasp, my eyes fixate on the rapid rise and fall of her chest. “You are not to leave this room until we are back. Do you understand?”

“But-”

Wrapping her hair in my fist, I tilt her head back and lean in close, trailing my nose up her throat. “Do you understand?”

“Ye- Yes, sir.” She stutters, her barely there voice whispering past her lips.

“Good girl. Now go make us some cookies.” Licking a path up her neck to her ear, I bite the lobe, and she shivers in my arms.

I know exactly what we’re going to do tonight, and it involves getting this gorgeous woman in the hot tub we noticed when we first scoped out the place, naked between the three of us. We may have only known her for a matter of hours, but we’re like moths drawn to the flame of her beauty. And now that we’ve noticed our prey, we most certainly won’t be letting it escape.

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