Page 102 of Striker

Iwake up toan empty bed. My hand sweeps over the rumpled sheets, seeking her.

Him.

I flash on the last several hours: Him in bed with me, retaking me but slower, his full lips pressed to my slick flesh as he moved deeply with such gentle strokes I felt all the darkness, all the terrible things I overheard leaving me.

My belly flutters, skin warming as if he was touching me again. I curl onto my side, drawing my knees up to my chest. I’m not sure what to think about the fact I slept with one of my kidnappers. If that’s even what I could call them anymore. I can’t deny the dark, dangerous attraction that has led us here. To this place where they’ve gone from our kidnappers to the men I—we—crave. Men who protect Cora from evil. From men like my father.

Like them.

They aren’t all bad.

No. Not like them.

No. These men are nothing like Rune.

She’d never have trusted them enough to beg them to stay if they were.

After Striker left, I held Cora for a long time. There was no need to talk anymore. She must have slipped away when I fell asleep, and I wonder where she is now. If she found Striker or if she’s with Viper or Breaker. I wonder, too, what they are telling her about their brother.

If Striker’s kissing her again.

I like the thought of him kissing her. Of him gifting her with the same heated passion he’s given me.

Closing my eyes, I press my face into my pillow, trying to put my thoughts back in order. I don’t know what any of it means. I have no idea what happens from here. A huge shift happened between us all, leaving me hanging on to my sanity by a thread.

The thought of going home makes my stomach churn. There’s no way I can face Rune any time soon. I also know that I can’t stay here forever. Rune Corporations may be the company my father built, but it’s mine. I’ve spent my entire life learning, preparing myself for the day I took it over. And I’m not going to let that go.

The men’s words ring in my head.

I’m theirs. To do with as they please.

I just wish they’d tell me what it is they have planned.

Sitting upright, I lean over to turn on the lamp in case Cora comes back when my eyes land on the dark figure in the doorway. My fingers curl into the bedding, recognizing the cut of his body. I bring my knees up to my naked chest, dumb considering he’s seen every inch of my skin.

“You were going to send her to him, knowing he was hurting her.” It’s not a question.

“We had orders,” Reaper says.

“That you aren’t following now.”

“No.” Reaper moves forward and holds out his hand. Disappointment floods me when I see he’s still wearing his mask.

“Why?” I ask, but I know he doesn’t need me to explain what I’m asking.Why were they going to send her back?

I can feel his indecision like a thorn. He doesn’t want to tell me, but he needs me to understand. “There would have been, there will be, dire consequences. One’s far worse than defying an order.”

I don’t know what he means and when I open my mouth to ask; I close it, not wanting to push too far too soon. Not sure if I really want to know.

“She’s not leaving,” he says as I take his hand and place my feet on the cold floor. I can’t see his black eyes in the dark room, but I feel them on me, moving up and down my naked body the same way his hands did. Slightly invasive. Possessive.

“Where is she?” I ask.

“With Viper.”

I jerk at the feeling of his warm hand on my bare thigh. Heat surges through me, as he trails it up higher and grips my waist like he can’t stop himself from touching me.

From the way they talk, they seem to share everything, so the possessive grip he has on me is confusing, since he doesn’t seem to mind that Striker was inside me. If anything, I think helikesthe idea. He did that night in the club. That alone should have been a clear sign that these men clearly share women often and enjoy it.

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