Page 74 of Split

I feel his claim like a brand, his grip unwavering as he stares me down to drive his point home. “What about Knox?” I ask.

“He enjoys the chase even more than I do,” he replies with a dark chuckle. “But you already know that, don’t you, wife?”

I turn away to hide the blush rising to my cheeks.

This whole situation is ludicrous. I shouldn’t even be entertaining the thought of staying here; of being withbothof them. But also… in their own, fucked up way, they’ve done more for me in the short time I’ve known them than anyone else has for the last decade. Not only did they uncover my father’s treachery, but they’ve also tended to my needs; led me to discover parts of myself I never even knew existed. Helped me to embrace the darker parts I’ve always tried to ignore. I haven’t felt this alive since my mother died.

Knox tests my limits, making me recognize crucial parts of myself. He hurts me, but only in the name of pleasure. He breaks me so he can build me back up stronger.

Roman takes control, silencing my swirling, anxious thoughts so I can be present in the moment. He makes me feel safe and protected, possessed and cherished.

They’ve both taught me that there’s peace in pain; beauty in brokenness. And sure, they’re complete psychopaths, but I’m no angel either. I’ve got my fair share of damage. They both seem to care about me in whatever capacity they’re capable of, and that’sall I’ve ever really wanted– for someone,anyoneto care enough to actuallyseeme.

I know Knox sees me, and I think Roman’s finally starting to. These monsters push me to the edge, but they always manage to pull me back from it, as if our broken pieces just fit together.

“We need to get you out of this dress,” Roman orders, his lip curling as he rubs the soiled fabric between his fingers.

“Why, you don’t like it?” I ask innocently, batting my lashes at him.

“It’s filthy,” he grumbles, his evergreen gaze lifting to mine. “But before it became that way, you looked exquisite in it.”

My pulse flutters, heat rising to my cheeks.

“Will you help me get it off?” I ask.

He dips his chin in a nod. “Of course.”

The two of us climb out of bed, Roman circling around to my side. I spin around and put my back to him, gathering my hair over a shoulder as my pulse kicks up a notch with nervous anticipation. He reaches for my zipper, and a shiver skates up my spine as he slowly drags it down over the curve of my ass, goosebumps pebbling up on the exposed skin of my back. He peels the fabric away from my body and I step out of it, acutely feeling the weight of his stare as I slip off my bra and panties before turning back around to face him.

Roman’s gaze turns molten as it combs over my naked form. He steps closer, taking my hand and leading me to the edge of the bed. Urging me down to rest on the edge, he says he’ll be right back, pacing over to the bathroom and returning with a damp cloth in hand. Even though it’s warm, goosebumps pebble up on my chest as he glides it across my dirty skin, washing away the blood and grime.

Now I know the bath wasn’t a dream. The strokes of the cloth under his hand are achingly familiar, echoing the way he did it before. Not only that, but each pass has my core tightening,thighs quivering with need as a steady throb pulses to life between them.

“Touch me, Roman,” I breathe, peering up at him through my eyelashes.

He tosses the cloth aside, his hands coming back to my body. Sliding them down to part my thighs, he trails one closer to the apex until his thumb lands on my clit. I suck in a gasp, as he starts rubbing it in circles, catching myself on my palms as I fall back with a soft moan.

Increasing the pressure, he coaxes another moan to fall from my lips, the tension of the day slowly ebbing from my body. Then the faintest creak in the floorboards makes me stiffen, and I jerk my head toward the corner of my room, where the shadow lingers late at night. It’s usually shrouded with such darkness that I can’t see anything, but with the expanse of moonlight shining in through the unobstructed windows, I can make out the seams of a hidden door concealed in the wall as it swings open, allowing my husband’s twin to slip into the room.

Knox lifts his gaze as he pushes it closed behind him, our eyes locking.

“You’re my shadow,” I declare on a breathy exhale.

The corner of his mouth kicks up with a sly grin as he nods. “Always watching.”

A strange rush of titillation surges through me. I’d come to terms with the idea of the manor’s ghosts keeping watch over me at night, but now I know it washimall along. It’s a violation of my privacy; a twisted way to keep me under their thumb… and yet, something about his confession has my heart pounding faster, heat pooling in my core.

Or maybe that’s just from what Roman’s doing between my legs.He’s not paying his brother any mind as he strides toward us, pumping a finger in and out of me as he rubs my clit. Knox approaches the bed, gaze dropping to the apex of my thighs.His nostrils flare, jaw tightening, and I reach out for his hand, brushing my thumb over the scabbed cut on his palm before tightening my fingers and pulling him in to join us.

Only then does Roman withdraw his touch from between my legs, large hands gripping my waist as he lifts me up and moves me to the center of the bed while Knox sheds his clothes. Roman presses against my shoulder, laying me down as Knox circles the bed and climbs up on my other side. They both reach for me at the same time, and I suppress a shiver as two sets of hands roam my body, slowly exploring every inch, as if they’re staking their claim. The sensation is overwhelming, every nerve ending alight as I crave each brush of their palms. My reaction is visceral, the feeling so familiar that a lightbulb goes off in my brain.

I lift my head, eyes popping wide. “That night with the blindfold?” I gasp.

Knox gives me a cunning grin of confirmation. “It’s better that you know now so we can both take you together, stuff you full of your husbands’ cocks.”

“B-both?” I stammer, apprehension curling in my gut.

“Yes, pet,” he chuckles darkly, delving his hand between my thighs and spreading my slickness from my opening to my back hole. “Bothof us. You’reours.” He pauses, narrowing his eyes. “Or have you forgotten who you belong to?”

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