Page 73 of The High Priestess

I lift the fabric, and at first, all I see is his sculptured six-pack and the hard lines carved into his hips.

“I definitely like what I see,” I mumble while moving faster and tugging the fabric up and over his head.

Only then do I see the tens, if not hundreds, of tiny cut marks all over his chest. All of them no bigger than half an inch.

I bring my hand to his skin and brush my fingertips over the ridges of the cuts while whispering, “What happened?”

His features are drawn tight as he shakes his head again.

I lean forward and press a kiss to the few on his left pec, and pulling back, I let a gentle smile curve my lips.

He sucks in a deep breath before admitting, “Every cut is for a life I’ve taken.”

Shock vibrates through me.

He cuts himself?

Every time I learn something new about how tormented Knight is, the urge to protect him grows inside me. I don’t want anything to ever hurt him again

“Why?” I ask, needing to know the reason.

He lowers his eyes, and pain flashes over his face as he says, “It’s…”

His jaw clenches, and it has me lifting my hands to his face. I frame his jaw with my palms and give him an encouraging look.

“It’s so I can see the proof of every fucker I’ve killed in an attempt to make up for failing Ronnie.” He looks down at his chest and brushes his hand over some of the cuts. “The pain helps.”

Tears mist in my eyes, and I wish I had the power to take away the guilt he’s feeling for something that wasn’t his fault.

Wait. I do have the power.

I grab hold of my dress and pull the fabric over my head. I drop it on the floor before reaching behind my back and unsnapping my bra. As I pull the straps down my arms, I get up so I can push my panties down my legs.

When I reach for the thigh holster, Knight growls, “Leave it.”

I place my knee beside his leg and grab hold of his shoulder so I can climb back onto his lap.

Knight immediately ducks his head, and his lips close around my nipple. He sucks it until it’s a stiff peak before giving attention to my other breast.

I place my hand behind his head and curl into him while scooting forward and dragging my clit over his hard manhood.

We both shudder at the skin-to-skin contact, and while Knight feasts on my breasts, I brush my other hand over his muscled back before moving it to his bicep where there’s a tattoo of an eagle perched on a trident and anchor.

When he lifts his head, his green eyes are hooded with desire and a look of pure obsession.

“I want you, Lincoln,” I admit. “Every single broken piece.”

Chapter 23

KNIGHT

Cassia’s words reach into the darkness, shining a warm light over the hellish landscape in my soul.

She sees every destroyed inch of me, and the fact that she still wants me makes me realize the best thing I ever did was to save her life.

It has me thinking that maybe she can save me in return.

The air around us is loaded with emotion and desire as I grip hold of her hips while leaning in to press my mouth to hers.

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