Page 61 of Buried Beneath Sin

“Indeed,” I agree. To the woman on the floor I add, “Just because we’re not going to kill you, doesn’t mean you’re entirely safe with us. We play many games, Beatrix, and you’ll be a part of them. We’ll scare you, make you scream, we may even draw a little blood. It’s just who we are and how we play. But don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of things quickly, and once you do, you’ll have just as much fun as we do. It took Knox, oh, I’d say about two months to catch on, and now look at him, happy as a fucking clam.”

Beatrix looks back up, her sweet smile fading, but she nods once in understanding.

“There will also be rules to follow,” I add darkly. “Rules we’ve put in place to make sure not only that we get along, but to keep us safe. If you break one, you’ll be punished, and I promise, you won’t like it.”

My stepsister tilts her head to the side to consider this. “Alright, what are the rules?”

The three of us sitting at the table all chuckle darkly. Beatrix’s brows furrow as she captures her bottom lip between her teeth.

“Figuring out the rules is just another one of our games, Little Sister. You’ll learn the rules the hard way, just as Knox did. That way, you’ll never forget them.”

A shiver of apprehension rushes through my stepsister but, to her credit, she releases her bottom lip and manages to straighten her shoulders. A flash of determination brightens her amber eyes.

“Then let the games begin,Big Brother.”

Sagan’s delight at her response explodes in my chest, following my own.

Not killing Beatrix Starr is going to be the best decision we’ve ever made.

26

SAGAN

There’s a knock on the door to the bedroom I’ve claimed. I know who it is. Knox and Thatcher wouldn’t bother to announce their presence, and if they did, it would never be so soft and dainty.

“Come in.”

I reach into the open suitcase on the floor and grab sweatpants just as the door opens a crack.

“Sagan? Can… can we talk?”

Turning around, I find my Little Viper slipping into my room. Her gaze is on the floor, but she looks up as she stops once she’s inside. Her large eyes widen as she takes in my naked torso and the thin towel around my waist.

“O-oh, I’m sorry! I-I can come back?—”

“What do you need, Little Viper?” I ask, cutting off her stammering.

I watch as Beatrix struggles to keep her eyes on my face. My mouth twitches as she fails over and over as her eyes slide over my body. Finally, she gives up and stares at my feet.

“I wanted to thank you. I know you didn’t like when I tried to reach out to say it before but…” She takes a tentative step forward, then another until she’s standing before me. “Sagan, Iknow you don’t want my thanks, but there’s got to be something you do want. You’ve been skulking around here for months for a reason.”

Skulking? I wasn’t?—

My thoughts halt as Beatrix reaches up and starts to unbutton her romper. I watch as each button comes undone until her outfit puddles at her feet. Unlike her, I don’t allow myself to be distracted. I’ve seen my pet, and Iknowhow perfect she is. The stretch marks on her thighs, her soft, rounded belly, and perfect fucking breasts—everything about her is enticing. Beatrix finally looks up at me. Her mouth curls upward into a wobbling smile as her eyes travel over my face, looking for signs I’m into this. Her uncertainty is adorable.

“What are you doing, pet?”

She closes the short distance between us before coming to a stop mere inches from me. Her delicious honey and lavender scent reaches me from here and it’s enough to make my mouth water.

“You don’t want my words but—” She licks her bottom lip as her eyes meet mine once more. “—maybe I could thank you this way? It’s the least I can do for you saving me, and you wanted me like this last time so…”

My self-control slips as I rake my eyes down her body. “I hope you don’t expect me to always save you, Little Viper. I’m not a hero. You’ll have to learn at some point that sometimes you’re going to have to save yourself.”

“No, you’re not a hero,” she agrees softly. “But I didn’t need a hero. I needed a villain, and you stepped up. I’m grateful for what you did for me, even if there was an ulterior motive.”

Her words wrap around my heart like barbed wire and sink deep. It shudders in response. She is so perfect…

“I suppose I’ll let you thank me.” I give her a tight smile. “On your knees.”

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