Page 100 of Savage Desire

I gulp, the dread in the air infiltrating my lungs. “What does that entail?”

Silence coats us momentarily as his nimble fingers and thumbs press into every ache in my back before he finds the words. “It means he’ll hunt you down when you least expect it, when you’re most vulnerable. Then he’ll dangle something in front of you, something you might not have even realized you want or need, and in return, you must do him a favor.”

I press my lips together as I tilt my face to the side with my eyelids still closed. “That doesn’t sound terrible.”

The snicker that echoes around the room is anything but humorous. “The favors are questionable, sometimes deadly.” His words hang in the air like he’s not done.

“And?” I ask nervously, and his hands pause.

“And?”

“There’s something else you’re not saying,” I murmur, prying my eyes open to glance at him out of the corner of my eye.

His head dips, chin resting against his chest as his eyes close briefly. A heavy sigh falls from his lips before he speaks. “It never ends with one.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” I know the answer before he even responds, I can feel it in my heart.

“Yes.”

Understanding begins to take root in my veins. “So I’m to become his puppet on a string.”

His eyes crinkle as a tight smile curls his lips. “That’s what it feels like,” he admits, his hands continuing their circles on my back.

“But I can just say no,” I check for clarity, my heart rate quickening with hope before it’s quickly demolished.

“He doesn’t like that word. It’s why he chooses bargains he knows you can’t turn down.”

“Great.” I purse my lips, thinking hard for any alternative, but the only one that springs to mind is a little far out, even for my standards. With a sigh, I bite back the irritation and seek the help I’m desperate to find. “Do I have any alternate options apart from dying?”

“Dying?” he repeats, hands frozen once again.

“Yeah, so I don’t have to deal with him.”

His hands leave my back altogether as he leans closer so we’re face to face. “I’m sorry to break it to you, Silver, butyou don’t get to depart this life so easily. Not on my watch.” His pupils dilate as he searches my eyes, and I nod in acknowledgment, easing the sudden tension vibrating from him.

“What do I do now?”

He scratches his head, a hint of nerves flickering across his face. “Well, we were talking?—”

“We who?”

“Tatum, Wylder, Linc…”

“About me?” I interrupt, the blurt uncontainable as he grins.

“About you,” he admits, the smile on his face lifting as he stares at me.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

He twists his lips, searching deep into my eyes, and I see the moment resolution transforms his decision. “We don't think it’s a good idea for you to be alone.”

I blink at him. “I’m fine.”

“They were in your room,” he states with a pointed look, and I frown.

“Who?”

“Whoever he got to leave the feather and card,” he retorts with a huff, and I shake my head.

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