Page 96 of Deceit

Liam rolls his eyes as I turn to him.

“You knew about this?” I say, gesturing to Griggs.

“No. I mean, I woke up and they were snuggling on the couch. She said she had a nightmare. I don’t know, I didn’t think much of it.”

“You didn’t think much about your girlfriend sliding out of bed with you and crawling on top of another man? Fuck, Liam. How pathetic is that dick you’re laying down,” Asher jabs.

“Do us all a favor and shut the fuck up for once,” Liam sneers, spinning on his heel until he’s nose to nose with Asher. A firethat I’ve never quite seen from Liam consumes his typical go with the flow personality. Asher doesn’t move an inch, their foreheads practically glued to each other as they proceed to have some kind of dick measuring contest. I don’t have time for this shit, though.

“What do you think, Griggs?” I ask, choosing my words carefully.

He glances down at Skyla, before looking at me.

“I think the exact same thing that you’re thinking.”

“Fuck,” Liam whispers under his breath, now several feet away from Asher.

Skyla’s eyes bounce around the room, concern heavy in her features, as she seems to be searching for an answer.

“What? What are you guys thinking?”

No one says anything before Asher laughs and takes a step towards her.

“You know what we are thinking? That one piece of ass is not worth all this fucking drama. You’re a waste of goddamn space!” he barks, closing the distance between them as he raises one of his hands.

In an instant, Griggs pushes her behind him and holds Asher back with a forearm to his chest.

“Jesus, I wasn’t gonna fucking hit her,” Asher grouches.

“Don’t really know what you Putnam men are capable of,” Vincent shoots back.

Asher’s eyes narrow at him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Okay, can we just keep our shit together for five seconds?” I ask. Vincent and Asher keep glaring at each other before I continue. “Griggs?”

His eyes come to mine, a short nod following.

“It’s the only reasonable conclusion. If it was anyone else but her, maybe not, but she is too valuable to not be a target.”

I nod my agreement as Skyla tosses her hands in the air.

“Is someone going to tell me what the fuck is going on?”

Taking a step towards her, I cup the side of her face as I shake my head.

“There are other…societies out there. Other…groups. Ones that may want to get to you.”

She frowns. “Why?”

“Because you’re marrying me, Princess,” Asher gnashes.

I ignore him, focusing on my beautiful, terrified girl.

“Because you’re important to the Brethren. Your marriage to Asher is the start of the next generation. Your pure bloodline makes you the perfect bride, and the perfect target to those wishing to weaken our bonds and traditions.”

She frowns at that. “I thought the Brethren weren't a cult, this is feeling very cultish.”

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