Page 109 of Striker

The reality of that slams into my gut, making my eyes sting.

Maybe I’m thinking too much.

Breaker’s deadly glare and Viper’s whispers, telling me I was safe, that I wasn’t returning, that no one could hurt me now, crash through my thoughts.

Maybe I’m important too.

No. That line of thinking will get me in trouble.

Stupid girl and her stupid thoughts. Always pretending to be more important than she really is.

My mother’s words cut through me. My stomach roils, hating that her voice still lingers in my head all these years later.

You’re a terrible little girl who can’t listen. An obedient daughter wouldn’t defy her mommy, would she? I was cursed with a bad daughter.

She’s right. I was a bad daughter. I was glad she died and even happier to know that she was murdered.

The crunch of boots on the gravel behind me sends a jolt down my spine, and I’m brought from my memories. I drop the leaf and gather the black jacket around my shoulders.

“It’s cold out here,” Viper says, his voice making lights spark in my veins. “Come inside.”

We spent two weeks barely seeing them, and suddenly they’re everywhere. All muscles and power and Striker’s handsome face. I have yet to decide how I feel about the drastic change that’s just occurred between us all, but it seems my body already has with the way heat builds in my core from Viper just being close.

“I like the cold,” I say, turning my head slightly to look at him over my shoulder. His eyes glow eerily from the little light by the back door. “It makes the bad stuff harder to feel.”

He doesn’t respond as I turn back around, picking another mint leaf. The poor plant is mostly stems now. I’ve spent so many days out here replanting the sprigs of herbs, trying to get them to grow again, but I always pick the mint leaves. Like it’s the one thing I’m willing to sacrifice simply because I like the way it reminds me of things that are clean.

Unlike me.

I’ve fucked Runeandhis daughter.

Gravel crunches, and his leather boots come into view. I look up from my seat on the edge of the planter box. He’s so big. Somehow, with not seeing him up close every day, I forget his intimidating size. How broad his chest and thick his thighs.

“Why Striker and not you?” I ask, pressing the tips of my fingers to my lips. Viper watches my tongue dart out to taste my skin. “How come you’re still wearing a mask?”

When he doesn’t answer, my eyes fall back to his boots.

“You don’t trust me,” I say for him.

“Why should I?”

“Why should I trust you guys?” I ask. “You were sending me back.”

“We had orders.”

“So I’ve heard.” Shifting, I pluck another leaf. I feel him watching me like he did that weeks I spent with them. I can’t say I don’t like it. In fact, I like it too much. I like him. Them. I like the idea that they were somewhere in this mansion looking over us. Keeping us tucked away from bad things. Watching Delly and I fuck. Maybe they got so turned on, Breaker shoved his huge dick in Viper’s mouth again.

I wonder if they do that a lot.

“What’s with you and Breaker?” I ask, tearing the little leaf apart. I pop the mint into my mouth, liking the way Viper tracks each of my movements. How his eyes gleam beautifully, the color washed out. I wonder what he looks like. I bet he’s pretty. Or maybe his features are as sharp and brutal as his personality.

“He’s my brother,” he says.

My nose scrunches. “Brother seems like a strange word choice since you suck his dick.”

He sucks in a deep breath, letting me know I’ve riled him. Strange how he’s not necessarily protective of their sexual encounter that night, but… uncomfortable? It makes me think maybe they don’t fuck one another like they made us believe.

“We’re all brothers,” he says quietly.

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