Page 22 of Poisonous Savage

"Fuck,Rosalind!Whatthe fuck!Dropthe goddamn knife!"Hisvoice was a thunderclap in the charged silence, his body a coiled spring ready to launch.

Ididn’t flinch at his curse or waver under the weight of his glare. "No,"Ispat through clenched teeth.Thetaste of power laced with desperation. "You'lllisten, or so help me,I’llslice myself open right here."Ipressed the tip into my skin, feeling it push in, a slow drip of blood trailing down my neck.

Hisjaw locked, muscles ticking like a time bomb in his cheek.Amonster caged by circumstance, his control slipping through fingers that longed to wrap around my neck instead of pleading for my sanity.

"Dammit,Rosalind.Don'tdo this shit."Hissteps were careful as he edged closer, eyes fixed on the shimmer of metal against my flesh. "Don'tmake this decision."

"Thenagree!"Idemanded, breaths shallow, my will heavy between us. "Agree, orIswear?—"

"Fine!"Theword was loud, splitting the standoff. "YouwantMarco?Youfucking got him.Butif he fucks this up, if he hurts one goddamn hair on your head—"Hisvow sliced the air, a warning laced with venom.

"Hurts?Funny, you're the one that spanked me like a child for being hungover."Ithrew the words back like a challenge, even as relief shuddered through me.

"You'remine to put in line,Rosalind."Hunter’spromise was a dark oath, a shadow that would hover over us all. "Butcross me, andI'llbury him.Andyou won't stop me."

Theknife clattered to the floor; my gamble played out, and my heart thudded against my ribs.Iwon.Iwon againstHunterDesmond.Itwas almost too hard to believe.

Asneer twisted his lips, the ugly curl of it promising pain.Hishand clamped around my arm.Thedoor swung open with a violent shove, andIstumbled intoMarco'sready embrace.

"Takeher,"Huntersaid, defeated. "She'syour goddamn problem tonight."

Marco'sarms, steel bands wrapped in velvet, steadied me as he caught my gaze.Asmall smile broke through the fear, acknowledging the safety of his presence, a respite from the storm that wasHunter.

"Carefor her,"Huntergrowled, avoiding my eyes. "Or, by hell,I'llend you both.Theonly reason you're breathing is 'cause she's got some fucked up love for you... and you're like a brother to me."

Thethreat hung heavy in the air.Marconodded once, solemn, understanding the line we all walked on.

"Gotit, brother."

FreedfromHunter'sgrip,IletMarcolead me away.Histouch was a balm, each careful brush against my skin erasing the imprints ofHunter'sfury.Wemoved through the halls towards his bedroom.Heopened the door and led me to the bed, sitting me down with gentle strength.Theirhands were tender as he grazed over the bruises marring my skin, soothing the hurt beneath.

"Let'sget you fixed up," he murmured, retrieving a first aid kit.Funny, he cared about my pain before he'd even washed his face of his own.Hewiped the small cut on my neck and put on a band-aid before soothingly running his hand over the bruises on my shoulders and wrists.

Theroom felt different, safe—a haven from the relentless dominance that saturated the air wheneverHunterwas near.Here, withMarco, there was space to breathe.

"Better?"Hisblue eyes searched mine, oceans of concern in their depths.

"Much,"Ireplied, my voice a soft whisper, clinging to the calm he offered.

AsIsat there, tended and cherished, the weight of the night's events pressed down on me.Itwas hard to believe thatHuntercaved, but he did.Maybethis was the start of my happiness.Myyin and my yang, andI, the circle that holds them together.

"You'resafe here."Hisgaze locked on mine, not wavering even as his fingers continued their path along my skin.Therewas a reverence in the way he treated me likeIwas something precious, something to be honored and protected.Somethingto love.

Iwanted to drown in his care.Todie in the heavy scent of his musky cologne.

"Sleep," he urged softly, coaxing me into the bed, his hands trailing down to guide me with a touch so gentle he must thinkI'ma broken bird.Heundressed me with a patience that made every movement feel deliberate, a slow burn that ignited a fire between my legs.

"Can't,"Ibreathed out, the word more plea than protest.Restlessnessclawed at my insides, a hunger for something more—a craving to explore the heat simmering between us, to lose myself in the torrent of sensation thatMarcopromised with every glance.Isat, swinging my legs over the side of the bed asIstood. "Come."

Hisroom became smaller asIled him to the shower, the air thick with a different kind of tension.Westarted the shower and stripped the rest of our clothes before stepping in.Watercascaded over us, droplets mingling with the heat radiating from our bodies.Hislips found mine, a kiss charged with all the unsaid things that lingered in thespace between heartbeats.Hishand engulfed my cheek as he held me.Reverent.

Everytouch was fire; every sigh was a melody that played along the tense strings of expectation.Ourhands roamed, exploring the wet canvas of skin, mapping out territories in a silent declaration of mutual surrender.Thepress of our bodies, the slide of skin against skin—it was magical.

Wekissed like we were teens, careless, with a dangerous innocence that was catching.Everybrush of his fingertips, every nip and lick, made my core clench.Andyet... he refused to give me whatIwanted, what we wanted.

"Needyou,"Imanaged, the words dissolving into the steam.Mynails dug into his shoulders, a silent plea for more.

Partingjust to soap and lather, allowing the water to wash the suds down the drain, we looked at each other.Hoodedlids hide the eyes of desire.Steamclung to our skin as we stepped out of the shower.Marcowrapped a towel around my body, andIdried it quickly.Anothertowel tousled through his wet hair, droplets scattering.

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