Page 101 of Ravaged Saints

I don’t think and move straight to Ethan, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him into a kiss. He barely has time to react before his hands are on my ass, lifting me.

“My little horny princess wants to fuck?” He murmurs against my lips, and I laugh, even though nothing about this feels funny.

“We still have shit to do, Romeo,” Knox calls out, and Ethan huffs, letting me slide back to the ground. He and the others head inside, leaving me standing there, still seething, still raw.

“Have you eaten anything?” Aspen’s asks from the doorway.

I shake my head. I wanted to eat Dante, but he’s a stubborn son of a bitch, and he’s getting on my nerves.

Maybe I’m overreacting, but everything since the plague feels sharper, more intense, and being locked in here with these men is fucking with my head.

I need to get a grip; Ethan has a plan, and it’s a good one, not just for him and me, but for Aspen too. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she’ll be better off. This is for her.

Inside, Aspen is curled up on the couch, picking at the plate Dante left earlier. I roll my eyes and drop down beside her. She doesn’t say anything right away, but I feel her watching me, reading me like she always does.

“I like Dante,” I finally admit.

Her eyes widen slightly. “Okay…” She drags out the word, waiting for me to say more.

“But he only wants you.” I wave a dismissive hand, pretending it doesn’t sting.

“Oh.” Her hand drifts to her chest, and I bark out a laugh.

“It’s not that serious. I’m just being a damn crybaby, and I’m not used to it.”

“It?” she asks, leaning closer.

“Being rejected.” The words taste bitter.

Aspen’s lips part. “Oohhh.” She says it like she’s just discovered the missing piece of some puzzle, and I shake my head at the panic in her face.

“I’m not mad at you. Or Dante… well, maybe I’m a little mad at him,” I admit with a smirk, and she offers a sympathetic smile.

“But it’ll pass,” I say, waving it off. “I just haven’t felt like myself in a while. I think I need a good night’s sleep.”

Aspen doesn’t look convinced, and her blue eyes search mine, full of quiet understanding. “I get it. I’m still a mess, not knowing how to feel or what to do. You need time. We both do.”

Her voice is soft but steady, and I get why they like her. She’s sweet but with an edge. That’s why I like her too.

No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to her. Even when I’m mad, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, she’s the only thing I’d never let go of.

I see Ethan walk by. He moves fast, and the way his lips are pressing makes me think something is wrong. I excuse myself from Aspen and follow after him. He opens the gate and keeps walking, and I follow after him, noticing he is carrying something that looks like a small folder.

“You shouldn’t be following me, princess.” He says, not turning to face me.

“How did you know?” I was quiet, stepping slowly on the leaves, and with the wind picking up, how the hell did he notice me?

“I would sense you in the deepest, darkest part of the world, Bryn. You are my light.” He whispers and pulls me for a kiss, and I let myself melt into his strong arms.

He makes me go insane when he is like this— possessive, strong, and romantic. I just wish he was always this way.

He breaks the kiss and grabs my hand. We walk through the bushes, and they sting on my skin. “Avoid the dirt; only step on the leaves,” he orders.

“Okay,” I whisper and do as told. I’m guessing he is trying to hide our footprints.

He stops at a large tree and puts the folder under some dried leaves and branches. “If they ask, we came out here to fuck.” He says, and I nod.

“Why are you placing that here?” I ask, pointing at the file.