Page 13 of Tempted to Rebel

Even if it kills me.

Shadows suddenly shift in my field of vision, but by the time I realize what’s happening, it’s too late. I’m no longer alone inside my cage.

Fingertips ghost across my cheek, then a rumble of muted laughter follows. “Shhh, baby, or you’ll wake the big bad wolf.” Rebel chuckles again, and I can taste the alcohol and cigarettes on his breath. My stomach knots, fighting a wave of nausea and failing miserably.

Is this what my life has become? A series of assaults disguised as flirtation?

Rebel crouches in the cramped space while I sit up straighter, our legs touching through the quilt. Blessed warmth bleeds from his body into mine, and I resist the urge to crawl into his lap and hold him. He might get the wrong idea. No, hewould.This is survival now, not desire, and I doubt he understands the difference between the two. “What are you doing here, Rebel?”

He plucks at the quilt wrapped around my thighs. “I live here.”

Rolling my tired eyes, I wrap my arms around my stomach. “No, I mean, what are you doinghere? In my—” I refuse to call thismycage—“bed?”

He hums to himself, playing with the blankets that make up my so-called bed. Ignoring my question, he instead asks, “wanna get out of here?”

My heart skips. Is he letting me go?

“What?”

Leaning closer, he slides his palm over my hip and sighs into my hair. “Do you,” he whispers, “want to,” his arm curls around my waist, “get out of here?”

The suggestion in his voice ignites desire deep in my body, and I choke on a response. My mind may understand the need for survival, but my heart clearly doesn’t. I’ve always been attracted to Rebel, and this is the purest possible proof.

Some part of me still wants him, despite how fucked up my current situation is.

My mind races as I consider what he’s asking. What will happen if I leave with him? Where will we go? What will wedo? As Rebel’s hand slips inside the blanket and wanders up my back, I nearly moan at how gentle his touch is—and howwarm.If I were a cat, I bet I’d be purring, and that’snota good sign.

Rebel is just as much at fault—and as much of an asshole—as his brothers. He isn’t off the hook just because, despite all sense, I still like him.

Clearing my throat, I finally manage to summon my voice. “What’s the catch?”

He chuckles as he traces tiny circles into my lower back. “No catch, only…” His voice hums in my ear, sensual and alluring. “We can’t get caught.”

Anxiety flutters inside my chest. “Won’t Rage find out?” I glance toward his where his bedroom door should be, but it’s closed, the man himself supposedly sleeping just out of sight.

“Not if you can keep a secret.”

This is a bad idea. A very, very bad idea that could backfire any moment. But if I have any chance at a life outside of these gold bars, it’s by winning these men over again… starting with the easiest target. I bite my bottom lip and make a hasty decision, praying that I won’t regret it. “I can keep a secret.”

He kisses my cheek, the hint of a smile on his lips. “I know you can, baby. Let’s go.”

We move quickly from the cage to his bedroom, Rebel leading the way through the relative darkness. Using only the blue LED backlight to see by, he tosses me one of his band t-shirts from his closet, then a black leather jacket and a pair of sweatpants. “Put those on.” While I’m getting dressed, my stomach growls loud enough that I freeze, my eyes pinging to the wall separating Rebel’s room from Rage’s.

A muscle in Rebel’s jaw tics as he stares at my stomach. “He didn’t feed you?”

My face flushes. “I think, ah, I’ve been out cold all evening.”

“Fucking bastard,” he murmurs, running a hand down his face. “I thought he would—” Cutting himself off, he growls. “Piece of shit.”

I throw on the t-shirt, admiring how soft the fabric is. It must be one of Rebel’s favorites. I try not to smile as I put on the rest of his clothes. They look casual, but the material has that soft yet durable texture that means not only are the comfortable, but they’re premium quality. Someone has expensive tastes. I glance up at Rebel to find him staring at me, another soft smile playing on his lips as I shrug on the leather jacket next. It feels like a dream—like we’re stepping back into our lives from a week ago—and I try not to let it get to me. I really do, but… the jacket smells just like him, and I find myself smiling as I wrap it tighter around my body. Rebel’s always had a charm to him, and even though we’re not on good terms right now, I can still feel it—that magnetism between us. I catch him staring at me, and he doesn’t look away until I do.

Yeah, he might be feeling it, too.

Clearing his throat, he gestures toward the door. “After you.”

I hold my breath as we exit Rebel’s bedroom and sneak through the apartment. It’s only once we’re in the hallway that I can breathe again, relief that we made it out alive washing over me. An unexpected twinge of regret makes me glance back at the door, though. If Rage were in a better mood?—

Shaking my head, I stop that line of thinking before it has time to take root. He’s more than just an asshole; he’s a terrible person, and I can’t forget all of the horrible things he’s done just because I’m having a moment of weakness…

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