Page 79 of Kortlek

“I need your help. More specifically, your husband’s help.’’

A frown attaches onto Niko’s face, and he nods. “Alright, you need Lucas. What’s this about?”

“A friend of mine was… kidnapped.’’

Niko’s smile immediately vanishes, and he straightens up in his seat, glancing around the diner briefly, before settling his eyes back on me. “Go on.’’

“I don’t need you to find her; I can do that on my own. However, I need Lucas to do something else.’’

“What is it, Aria? Spit it out.’’

“Lucas is still hacking, right?”

He nods.

“How good is he?”

“The best,’’ Niko praises his husband, and I roll my eyes.

“I need him to disable cameras.’’

Niko’s suspicion shows on his face. “Where, exactly?”

“Attica Correctional Facility.’’

“You want him to disable cameras in a fucking prison?!” Niko whisper-yells, shock and mortification written all over his face. He swallows thickly, then snatches the beer from Cove’s hand, gulping it down. “Are you fucking insane?! More importantly, why wouldn’t you ask Arlo? Didn’t he do something like that for Blair?”

I take a deep breath. “Attica and some random prison in the wild aren't the same. Can he do it or not?”

Niko ponders the question, finishing Cove’s beer. “He can do it. But why? Who do you want out?”

Suddenly, Cove’s interested too. I didn’t tell him about this because I didn’t think it through. The plan was in the spur of the moment. Rose can think of it as an apology for dragging her into this whole mess.

I take a deep breath.

“Jason Maddox.’’

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The clothes come off me with ease. Once everything but my underwear is off, I quickly steal one of Cove’s shirts. It’s a plain white shirt, cotton, and it reaches just above my knees. He’s one big boy, and it never quite hits me just how big he is until I wear a piece of his clothing.

He’s leaning against the door frame, arms folded in front of his chest. His biceps look too good — I want to munch on them. It makes me sound like a creep, but I don’t care. It takes a lot of willpower for me to flicker my eyes upward and meet his gaze.

A knowing, teasing smirk is on his lips. His right eyebrow lifts, amusement on his face. He pushes himself off the door frame, taking a couple of big steps until he stands in front of me. He places his index finger under my chin and tilts my head upward.

I get lost in him, yet again. I don’t think I can count how many times this has happened within the past two months. Yet, all the fears I had seem to vanish. His chest moves up and down, and he licks his bottom lip, stealing a glance at mine.

Without saying a word, Cove picks me up and carries me over to the dresser. He sits me on it, his hands caressing my knees. His fingers move inward, going under the shirt. The simple touch sends a jolt down my body as he brushes his lips against mine.

“Cove?”

I don’t intend for my voice to sound so delicate or soft, but I don’t prevent it, either. Cove’s eyes snap to mine, pupils dilating a little. His fingers move toward my inner thighs, stroking them carefully, getting dangerously close to the flimsy pair of underwear.

“Yes, bunny?”

His lips graze mine, electricity shooting up my body. An involuntarily moan slips me and Cove chuckles, shaking his head. His lips leave a hot trail from the corner of my lips, all over my jaw, and reaching that sweet spot below my ear.

I grip his shoulders to steady myself as he pushes forward, closing any distance left between us. His soft lips suck on my skin, causing me to bite my lip. He’s barely touching me, yet I’m a mess already. His hands grip my thighs, parting my legs further.

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