Page 51 of The Devil's Hunt

"And now we'reeven," I told him, emphasizing every word.

He stared at me, his eyes filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. But before he could respond, I pushed him away from me, stepping out of the shower and wrapping myself in a towel.

"Don't fucking walk away from me, Mila," he snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"Or what? I'll end up buried on Brotherhood property?" I challenged, my voice dripping with defiance. A smirk tugged at my lips as I taunted him further, "I'm just another one of your whores. Somewhere warm to put your cock when you're bored until you move on to the next eager slut that wants a taste of Archer King's cum."

His jaw tightened even more, and he took a deep breath as his eyes darkened. Slowly, he advanced toward me, each step deliberate and intimidating. I stood my ground, but my breath hitched when he grabbed me by the throat and forced me to meet his gaze. "You're wrong, Mila. You're not just another whore to me. You're the one I've been waiting for, the one I would set the world on fire for. Before you, I was a dead man walking. Mindlessly fucking, drinking, killing for no purpose. To fill the dark pit that hides inside of me. The moment I saw you, I knew you were my salvation. You are my redemption." He drew me closer until our lips touched. "When I'm inside of you, I know you're the closest I will ever get to touching Heaven."

My voice trembled as I whispered, "You're a monster." His fingers traced a burning path along my jawline, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

He towered over me, pushing me back until I was sitting on the edgeof the bed, his presence suffocating and overwhelming. "The worst kind," he growled, his words laced with dark promises. "I will obliterate your walls, demolish your good girl façade, and devour your soul if you let me."

He paused, his eyes boring into mine as I tried to catch my breath. The room seemed to spin, and my heart raced as I realized the depths to which I was willing to go for him. I had decided a long time ago that he was what I wanted. He was my present and my future. My entire being was consumed by the desire to please him and to have him as my everything. And in that moment of delirium, I reveled in the thought of hating him for pushing me to the brink. Because I craved it, I wanted it all—The Hunt, the blood, the death. Whatever it took to be with him.

"Take me then. My life, my love, my soul. It's yours."

He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine, his breath warm and sweet. "Be careful with your soul, little rabbit. The Devil won't give it back." His lips moved slowly across my forehead, lingering there as if to etch his promise into my skin.

"Take everything from me. It's yours."

"You belong to me now, Mila," he whispered hoarsely. "No one will ever touch you but me. You are mine. Do you understand me? I will kill you if you ever try to leave."

As the weight of his words hung in the air, Archer's lips descended upon mine, devouring me in a kiss that left me breathless. My body responded to his touch as I threw the towel off of me and pulled him closer. He moved over me and thrust into me with raw, primal force. His eyes burned with the familiar hunger that could not be controlled. I moaned as he moved inside me, wishing I could pull him deeper. Deeper into my skin, my bones, my blood. Our bodies collided with every violent thrust, our skin slick with water, and I dug my nails into his back, tearing at his flesh and leaving long crimson welts. He thrust into me again, harder and faster, his eyes locked on mine, his face a mask of raw desire.

His hand tangled in my wet hair, yanking my head back, baring my neck to him. His teeth nipped into my flesh, and I pushed my neck closer to him, begging him to keep going. He bit down harder,drawing blood. I cried out, writhing beneath him. He possessed me, claiming me as his own, and I loved every moment. I was vaguely aware of my blood running down my chest, but I didn't care. I wanted him to mark me for all the world to see.

"I've waited my whole life for you," he murmured against my skin. "And now, I'll never let you go."

I moaned as he continued to drive into me, desperate for more, for him to take me to the edge and push me over. He groaned, his thrusts becoming more erratic, his face contorted in pleasure and pain.

"I'm so close, Mila," he rasped, his voice strained.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, urging him deeper, faster. "Then come," I demanded. "Take what's yours."

His eyes flared with admiration and raw desire, and he powered into me one last time, burying himself deep inside. He shuddered as he released himself. His weight pressed down on me, and the warmth of his seed filled me. Gently, he pulled away from me, his eyes soft and filled with love. He wiped the blood from my chest and kissed the tender marks he’d left.

Grabbing my pain pills, he pulled one out. "Open your mouth," he instructed me.

I opened my mouth and let him put one on my tongue. I accepted the glass of water from him and swallowed. "Thank you," I muttered, grateful for any relief from the agony consuming my leg.

He slid back into bed with me, pulling me to his chest and wrapping his comforter around me. I laid my head on his bare chest, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat, letting that and the pain pill pull me into a deep sleep.

21

TWENTY-ONE

MILA

Awareness slammed into me like a freight train, jolting me awake. My body was stiff and aching, every muscle screaming in protest. The dryness in my throat made it difficult to swallow as I slowly sat up, pain shooting through my leg, reminding me of the injury from Emily. I reached for the glass of water on the end table, and my fingers trembled as I brought it to my lips.

As I shifted my weight, I winced at the sharp agony radiating from my bandaged wound. Glancing down, I saw that someone had changed the dressing. I felt a pang of loneliness when I saw the empty spot in the bed next to mine where Archer usually slept.

As I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, the door to the bedroom opened, and Archer walked in. His face lit up when he saw me awake, and he gave me his sexy, boyish smile.

"You're awake. How do you feel?"

"Sore. How long was I out?" I yawned, rubbing the tender skin around my bandage.

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