Page 100 of The Devil's Hunt

"I'm with you," I managed to say, my voice cracking.

When the pills kicked in and my body grew heavy, I surrendered, laying down while he moved on top of me. His hands were relentless, claiming every inch of my skin with possessive strokes, commanding my body to give in. As the drugs rendered me helpless,I willingly became a submissive canvas for him to ravage and claim as his own.

He drove himself inside of me, impassioned and urgent, determined to make every last mark upon me. His breaths grew ragged, and his body tensed as he surrendered to the primal need to possess me completely. He whispered endearments into my ear, his voice thick with emotion, each word a promise of undying love.

As he thrust deeper, the drugs washed over me in a warm wave, blurring the edges of my grief and pain. I clung to him, feeling the weight of her loss begin to lift as his body became my solace in the face of unbearable sorrow. My tears flowed freely, but this time, they were a testament to the love we shared, rather than the loss we mourned.

With a final thrust, he buried himself inside of me, groaning into my ear as he came undone. I drifted to sleep, held close by him, his heart beating against mine.

40

FORTY

ARCHER

Ineeded to get things sorted with Alexander and his lowlife Collector scum. I couldn’t ignore the fact that he slipped past my guards and infiltrated my home during the party. He walked around unrestricted, killed Lacey, and could have gotten to Mila. Not to mention, Maddie had vanished into thin air, and we were no closer to finding her. His organization's crimes would not go unpunished, but I needed to be smart about it. The Collectors were astute but lacked patience—something I didn’t struggle with.

It had been two weeks since Alexander came into my home and murdered my girl’s best friend, and there was still no sign of him or any leads on Maddie’s whereabouts. I couldn’t help but feel like a failure. Mila was slowly coming back, but the trauma from that night still lingered in her eyes. I had been working around the clock to gather intel on Alexander and his merry band of lowlifes. I needed to know their every move, every weakness, and every connection in the city.

No, I would wait as long as I needed to find him, and when he least expected it, I would destroy him and burn his disgusting little organization to the ground. My plans were already in motion. Damion had managed to keep a close eye on Mila without her noticing,ensuring her safety while I focused on the bigger picture. I knew time was of the essence and that I needed to act fast before they had a chance to strike again. My fingers tapped on the cold surface of my desk, the tempo matching the beating of my heart as I worked the phones, connecting with my most trusted contacts and setting up meetings with informants. The longer I spoke, the more I could feel the heat of my anger rising, fueled by the memory of Lacey’s death.

Kai sat in a leather chair, flipping through the file on his lap. Next to him, Theo stood with arms crossed, looking serious and focused as always. Both wore business attire, starkly contrasting the messy files and papers scattered across the desk.

“Our informant said that The Collectors have a big auction event next month, and the rumor is that some high-rollers will be attending,” Kai stated.

I leaned forward in my chair, my fingers tapping on the desk. “Does she have a location?”

“Not yet,” Kai replied, “but I can press her to find one.”

“Good,” I nodded, already forming a plan. “Let’s also shake the branches and put some pressure on local law enforcement. See what comes out,” I instructed.

“I’m on it.”

Turning to Theo, I asked, “What about you, Theo? Hear anything?”

He shook his head, his expression grim. “Nothing. I am still exploring a couple of leads.”

“Well, keep at it,” I said, my jaw clenched tight. “Let’s keep moving forward. That piece of shit can’t hide forever.” My eyes flicked to the file lying open in front of me, the image of Alexander, staring back at me with cold, dead eyes. “I won’t stop until I make him pay for what he’s done. We have to find Maddie and bring her home safely.”

My hand balled into a fist as anger burned through me. “And we’ll wipe those scum off the face of the earth for good.”

41

FORTY-ONE

MILA

Life was a blur of constant pain and grief. I couldn't leave the house, let alone venture out into the world. My days were filled with crying, therapy sessions, and a desperate need to avenge Lacey's death. Archer was my rock, constantly by my side, guiding me through each moment of pain and anguish. He insisted on permanently moving me into the manor to keep me safe and always escorted me everywhere.

As the days went by, I began to feel like I was losing a grasp on reality. Lacey's laughter, her smile, and the warmth of her friendship became a distant memory, replaced by the horrific image of her lifeless body. I was consumed by rage, and I knew I had to do something to save myself from slipping further into darkness.

Eleanor had urged me to leave the house and go to lunch with her multiple times, and so far, I had turned her down. Until Archer sat down with me and begged me to get out of the house. He promised that Damion would bring us back home if it were too overwhelming. So here I was, sitting in the back of the Suburban, driving into the city for brunch. Archer held onto my hand tightly, reassuring me with a gentle squeeze.

God, I don’t know what I would do without him.

Damion pulled up in front of a quaint French café that was bustling with people chatting and laughing, with a charming outdoor seating area adorned with blooming flowers and twinkling fairy lights. The scent of fresh croissants wafted through the air, mingling with the sounds of cheerful chatter and clinking cutlery. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a wave of panic rising within me at the thought of stepping foot outside the safety of the car.

Archer turned to me, his eyes full of understanding. "We don't have to do this if you're not ready, Mila. Just say the word, and we'll turn around and go back home," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.

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