Page 60 of Claimed By Shadows

The twins help me to shower, and we manage to just barely keep it PG so that by the time we enter the kitchen, our breakfast is laid out for us and still hot. The new dining table, which is a round, carved, chunky wooden one, is covered in plates of all my favourite foods. Pancakes, waffles, crispy bacon—who the fuck eats un-crispy bacon?—fluffy eggs, and a jug of juice.

“This smells incredible, Daddy,” I marvel, skipping over to him and planting a smacking kiss on his plush lips. “Thank you.”

I go to pull away, but his large hand darts out, wrapping round the front of my throat and holding me in a firm, but not painful, grip.

“I’ll always take care of you, baby,” he says in a low whisper, like it’s a sacred vow, and a full-body shudder takes over me, which has his lips tipping up in a feline grin.

Then he dips his head, his fingers flexing against my pulse as his lips brush against mine in the barest kiss that has a wanton moan leaving my lips, even though poor Evangeline twinges from this morning’s abuse.

With that shit-eating grin, he pulls back, eyes locked on mine as he releases my throat, and pulls out my chair. My chest is flushed and heaving as I take my seat, Rowan sitting next to me. Roman goes to step around to the other side of the table, but lightning fast, Hunt has him in the same hold that he had me moments ago, his hand wrapped round the front of Roman’s throat.

“Same goes for you, Baby Boy,” Hunt growls, and my temperature soars when he slams his lips on Roman’s in a brutal kiss and devours him. I rub my thighs together as I watch them, the sight getting me all kinds of hot and bothered.

They tear apart, Roman looking as dazed as I feel, Rowan laughing next to me.

“Next time I’m inside that beautiful cunt,” he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear as his fingers brush the skin on my thigh, making me regret wearing shorts today. “I’m going to mark that pretty skin with my knife.”

I let out a shuddering exhale at the visual, knowing that Rowan’s marks will be permanent and suddenly needing them on my body.

My erotic thoughts are interrupted by Hunter’s phone ringing on the side, so as Roman sits down, Hunt answers it.

“Prince, what’s up?” he greets, and my forehead bunches until I remember that’s one of Ember’s stepbrothers. I watch, hardly breathing as Hunt’s posture goes rigid, his eyes coming up to meet mine as he listens intently to what Prince is saying. “We only just got her home, man. I’m not sure we can leave her so soon.” I’m up and rushing around the table, my hands around his arm. “One sec.”

“Is Ember okay?” I ask, and he gives me a nod, my tense muscles loosening. “Okay, then whatever it is,” I say, pleading with my eyes. “Please go and help.”

“Baby…” He sighs, his chest heaving with a breath. “It would mean that all three of us would have to leave you alone. I’m just not sure that’s a good idea.”

“I’ll be fine. Leave all the men you like to guard me, and you said before, Sergi can’t take me again without offending The Fallen. I’ll be okay, Daddy, but my friend needs your help.” I watch as his nostrils flare, his jaw tightening before he gives me another curt nod.

“Okay, we’ll round them up a week from today and meet you there. Ten PM,” he says into the phone, and a smile splits my lips before I throw my arms around him when he hangs up, his immediately encasing me and pulling me close.

“What’s occurring, boss?” Roman asks from the table, and I pull back, letting Hunt take my hand and lead me back to the table.

He helps me into my seat again, taking the one next to me. “They know who Ember’s abusers are,” he tells us, and my appetite vanishes. “And we will be helping them and her get closure in seven day’s time.”

“I’m glad. Monsters like that should pay,” I say, my hand trembling as I reach for the cup of juice that Hunt pours for me. I can’t help thinking of my own monster, one who isn’t paying yetfor what he did to me, but one day he will, and like Ember, I want to be there.

I pause, thoughts racing in my head as I think about what I would do to Sergi, what I will do to him when the time comes.

“Nik is right to wait,” I announce suddenly, and I look at each of my guys, who’ve all frozen in filling up their plates. “With Sergi, I mean. It’s not enough to kill him. To wipe him from the earth. His life should be ripped from him, everything he’s ever worked for taken from him first. I want him to die knowing that he’s lost everything, and that in the end, no one will even remember who he was because he became so unimportant.”

Rowan’s lip tilts up into a smile that frankly is fucking terrifying. “Then that’s what we will do, Lamb,” he coos, his voice soft as he tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. “We will take everything that was once his and make it our own. Make him watch as his empire crumbles and is stolen from him, and only when he’s at his lowest point, with nothing, will you give him the killing blow.”

“Me?” I ask, my voice uncertain even as something inside of me flares with anticipation.

“Of course, Lamb. His blood will flow over your fingers, and then I will fuck you in it as he breathes his last breath and the light leaves his eyes.”

A shiver leaves goosebumps pebbling my skin. His words should appal me, should make me want to run away screaming, but they don’t. Instead, my lips tug up into a smile that matches his, my dark Shadow.

“Okay.” The air changes around us, like my acceptance of this dark and diabolical plan has sealed our fates.

“Fuck, that is so hot,” Roman groans, and I giggle, sliding a look his way as he adjusts his very much tented grey sweatpants. “But we get to carve him up a bit too, right?”

I outright laugh as he gives me puppy dog eyes, like he’s asking for candy.

“If you’re a good boy,” I tease, and his innocent look goes molten. I must remember he has a praise kink to match mine.

“I can be a very, very good boy for you, Princess,” he purrs, pushing his chair back and dropping out of sight.

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