Page 40 of Sins of Autumn

“Let go of her!” Autumn lunged toward the sound of her sister’s voice, instinct and adrenaline driving her, but I was ready. I grabbed her arms and spun her around before she could reach where they stood.

“You should’ve been more worried about yourself, now look where you’ve wound up.”

I pulled her flush against me, my arms wrapping around her waist like a steel band. Her hands clawed at my arms, her strength wasn’t surprising, but it wasn’t enough. She wouldn’t be going anywhere. Not ever again.

“Let her go!”

I couldn’t help but grin.

“You really think you’re in a position to give orders, Mint?” The nickname rolled off my tongue like a brand, claiming her all over again. She stilled for a fraction of a second, just long enough for me to feel the way her body tensed against mine.

“You wanted to run away from me,” I murmured, leaning in closer. “Look where it’s gotten you.”

She thrashed again, her nails raking against my arms through the fabric of my suit, but I held firm. The struggle only made me want her more. Lucian tossed the pillowcase onto the pool table like it was nothing more than a forgotten toy.

He gestured toward the stairs. “We’ll be… entertaining our new friends until you’re ready.”

He turned on his heel, following Thorne as he hauled Cherish the rest of the way up the stairs. Her struggles echoed through the space, her voice carrying until the basement door slammed shut, sealing us in darkness. I didn’t need light to know her thoughts were racing. She would be trying to figure out how to gain some semblance of control.

Too bad for her I’d already taken it.

I walked her forward. When we reached the pool table, I forced her down, bending her over the edge. My hand wrapped tightly around the back of her neck, pressing her cheek against the felt. I leaned in closer, my voice a low murmur against her skin. “Didn’t I tell you I’d make this right?”

Her fists clenched, against the felt of the pool table.

The tremor that ran through her wasn’t fear alone, it was anger, frustration, and desire that I knew she didn’t want to admit.

That was fine. I could wait. I always had the patience for her.

I trained my fingers down her spine, savoring every inch of her defiance. When I reached the waistband of her pants, I tugged them down in one fluid motion, the fabric peeling away to reveal her flawless, smooth skin and perfect ass. Her body tensed even more, a low hiss escaping her lips as I pinned her harder by the back of her neck.

“Wilder, stop. Please. You don’t need to do this.”

“Don’t pretend you aren’t into it.”

Her breath came in uneven gasps, and she turned her head slightly, her voice trembling. “You’re insane. Actually fucking insane.”

I reached around and slipped my hand between her legs.

“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m yours. Just like you’re mine.” Her breath hitched as I eased a finger into her pussy, pushing past her resistance. Her body was taut with tension, her fists curling tighter against the table.

I held her firmly, keeping her exactly where I wanted her. “I never cheated on you, Mint.” My fingers moved slowly, stroking, coaxing, drawing out every reaction from her. “I never touched any of those women.”

She choked out a breath, her voice trembling as she struggled to form words, fighting the pleasure. “You killed Amber.”

“And it was a gratifying experience,” I replied without hesitation, my voice dripping with satisfaction. “Did you like seeing her like that? Did it make you feel better knowing she’d never be able to hurt you again? I should have done that a long time ago. I made it nice and slow for you. She felt as her neck detached.”

She froze beneath me, her body going still even as her breathing quickened. “You’re sick.”

“Then that makes you, my cure.”

My fingers slid deeper, her slickness coating the leather of my gloves, further proof of the war between her mind and her body.

I reveled in the way she reacted, the way she fought herself. She could never truly hate me or anything I did to her. I’d had years molding her to fit me, knowing one day the time would come for her to know the truth about my line of work.

Her breathy voice broke through my thoughts. “What are you going to do to us?”

I withdrew, savoring the way her body trembled at the loss. “How many of you do you think is left?”

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