Page 25 of Ravaged Saints

I glance at Max, then Ryker, so Bryn wasn’t the only one assaulted by men.

“Let’s keep moving,” I growl, turning forward. This conversation isn’t over, not by a long shot. She needs to understand that we aren’t those men, and when I said no one was to touch them, I fucking meant it.

“Come on, Aspen,” Max says, his tone softer now, his hands staying to himself, but she doesn’t move. Her eyes fill with defiance. Ryker steps up beside me, muttering under his breath.

“Reaper,” he says, his eyes flicking to Max. “He won’t touch her again after what she said.”

“Fuck this.” I groan, striding toward her. Her defiance, fear, and stubbornness are all slowing us down, and time’s running out.

Leaning in, I grab her under the ass and hoist her up over my shoulder like she weighs nothing and her body folds like a sack, and she lets out a sharp yell, fists pounding against my back.

“Put me down!” She screams, wriggling, but I don’t have time for her tantrum.

The moonlight is fading fast. It’s too dark now, and we didn’t bring any guns. If someone, or something, attacks us out here, we’re as good as dead.

“Knox.” Max’s tone is sharp, pissed that I’ve manhandled her like this.

Too bad, I keep my stride steady as her fists thud against me. I’ll deal with him later. He’s always had a weakness for damsels in distress, but right now, I’ve got one priority: getting us the hell out of this forest in one piece.

We keep moving, nearing the base. Ryker whistles sharply, and moments later, a whistle echoes back. The gate creaks open, and Dante is waiting, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Welcome back, Aspen,” he chuckles, his eyes flicking to her disheveled state over my shoulder.

Inside, Bryn stands by the couch, her face streaked with tears. The moment she sees us, her eyes widen.

“Aspen!” she cries, darting forward, but Max steps in, catching her by the arm before she can reach her.

“Not now,” he mutters, his tone firm but not unkind. Bryn struggles against him, tears threatening to spill again, but I don’t stop to watch.

I head down the stairs to the spare room, my boots echoing against the walls. “Ryker,” I bark, and he moves ahead, unlocking the door.

I step inside, dropping Aspen onto the floor. She lands on her feet, stumbling slightly before steadying herself against the bed, her defiance glaring back at me.

“This is your new room,” I growl, closing the distance between us. “You’ll stay here until I say otherwise.”

Her lips part to protest, but I lean closer. “And Aspen, if you try anything, I will fucking tie you to this bed.”

Her eyes narrow, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She’s angry, furious even.

I don’t give her the chance to snap back. Turning on my heel, I step out and slam the door shut, locking it with a click.

She doesn’t take it quietly, and her fists hammer against the wood, her voice muffled but loud enough to make her fury clear.

“Let me out!” She screams, the words raw and desperate.

I pause for a second, smirking to myself.

When I get back upstairs, the guys are sprawled on the couches. Max hands me a glass as I drop onto the seat beside him.

“Bryn?” I ask, taking a sip.

Ryker nods, leaning back. “She’s in her room. I locked it.”

“Good.” I settle in, trying to let the burn of the drink dull my thoughts, but it doesn’t work. Aspen’s defiance, her fire, it’s going to be a challenge keeping her in line, but damn if I’m not starting to enjoy it.

It’s been almost ten years since the plague, and it’s been just us, the same routine, and now that little brunette is making me lose my shit in a way that is stirring something dark inside of me that I haven’t felt for too fucking long.

“We need to talk about what she said,” Max’s words cuts through my thoughts, pulling me back.

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