Page 142 of Deacon

She made a breakthrough in the attic, maybe more important than any other breakthrough before.

The sex is raw, animalistic, straightforward. I’ve never felt so close to anyone in my life. It’s like our bodies aren’t whole unless they’re connected. When I’m not with her, I ache. When I am, I want more. I want it deeper, harder, more frequently, if that’s even possible.

The next several days become two weeks. I know by now that Aiden will have worked out where Freya is, even if he didn’t immediately notice it was my truck. I wasn’t exactly trying to hide it, but the snow holds the world at bay and gives me time with my girl.

Then it melts and lets everything back in.

The first mild day, after the roads clear, Jensen comes over. He pulls up on a Tuesday in his truck and lets his hound out. I’m standing in the bedroom by the windows, threading my belt. Freya’s up, staring at the ceiling with a crease between her brows. She’s been weirdly silent since she woke up.

“Looking pretty good, sweetheart,” I say casually.

She glances sideways, lips thinning.

I reach for my jacket. “You okay?”

She nods, rolling on her side facing away. I circle the bed so I can look her in the face. “Feel bad?”

She huffs, throwing aside the covers. “I didn’t realize I had to play twenty questions at seven in the morning,” she snaps, going into the bathroom and shutting the door hard.

I stare, confused. Downstairs, Jensen beeps his horn, impatient. Reluctantly, I leave the bedroom and go out to meet him.

We stand in the driveway and shoot the shit, talking about nothing for a while. It’s cold—not cold enough for winter, but cold enough our collars are turned up, our hats pulled low. I’m feeling a bit off from Freya snapping at me, but I’m trying to let it bounce. I don’t think I did anything to make her mad.

“Freya here?” Jensen asks.

I nod, jerking my head back at the house. “She’s been here since I took her from Aiden.”

“She want to be here?” He blows thin gray smoke into the wind.

I think back to last night. I got in late and kissed her awake. She rolled onto her back, eyes barely open, and let me in.

She’s sweet, submissive. I think she likes the little rituals we do together. Every morning, I find that vibrator on my pillow, wet with evidence she used it. I have my doubts I’ll be getting that this morning, though, not with the mood she’s in.

“Yeah, I think she does,” I say.

“Has to be better than what she’s used to,” he drawls. “Did you talk to Brothers Boyd?”

I nod, stabbing out my cigarette. “Yeah, we’re good.”

“Can you tell me what you needed him for?”

I shake my head. “Better not. You want breakfast?”

“Jack says she cooks better than he’s ever had, so that’s a yes,” Jensen says.

We go inside. Freya has the table set already, with a place for Jensen. We sit, and she plates the food, and pours coffee. She’s stillnot speaking. The meal is excellent, as usual. Jensen is trying to make small talk with Freya when I hear tires rumble up the drive.

I lift my hand. Jensen goes quiet.

“Somebody’s here,” I say.

Chicken starts baying on the porch. I get up and lean back to look out the window. I think I know who’s approaching, but it still lights a fire in me when my gaze falls on Aiden’s truck.

I glance back at Freya. Her eyes are wide, her hands clasped in her lap.

“You stay here, sweetheart,” I say firmly.

I give Jensen a look, jerking my head at the hall. We step out, and I shut the kitchen door. Freya is already at the window, looking out. I can tell by her footsteps and the little gasp that sounds through the wall.

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