Page 62 of Covert
I can still be angry and fall asleep next to her.
I slowly slide my arms under her knees and shoulders. If she wakes up, she'll fight me, make some excuse why the couch is better - anything to serve her demons. So, I lift her as slowly and as gently as I can and make my way back up the stairs. There's only one acceptable place she can sleep, and it's with one of us.
I curl into bed behind her. I could work more tonight, but honestly, I'm still too angry to look at the worst of humanity without raging against it. Nikki's become my calm. My peace. I bury my head into her hair and breathe her in. My girl. Soft and strong. Sweet and sassy. Brave and terrified.
No. I've changed my mind.
I shouldn't be spending my nights looking for a woman who, by all statistics, is already dead. I should be spending my time researching the one who is very much alive in front of me.
As I listen to her breaths gently swaying in and out of her chest, my anger disippates gently. With each breath, I remind myself that she's here. That maybe her confidence took a hit, or Britney brought up some bad memories, but in the morning, I'll remind her that we're all in, and she's not just in it with Maddox, but with Beckett, Diesel, and me.
So, when the sun starts to peak through the curtain a few hours later, I crawl down my woman and wake her with my head between her thighs.
Chapter thirty-six
Maddox
Nikki withdrew. Even after I forced her to face what we are, what this is, she's still been distant and withdrawn. The darkness is back in her gaze, and I hate it. I hate her distance, and I hate myself because I was the one who put it there. Even if indirectly.
"Good morning, Britney, you're with Axel today. I'll let him know you're here." I throw a scowl at Axel, who is grinning like a fool. I stand, ready to toss her out into the street again. What the fuck is Axel up to? He knows how much Britney's stunt the other day rocked Nikki. He was the one who gave me shit about her starting to sleep on the couch. But before I can throw her out, he waves a hand at me.
Nikki walks over to him to let him know about his appointment, when he grabs her by the back of the neck and pulls her close before whispering something in her ear. Whatever he said, her shoulders drop in an instant, and her tense body relaxes. She laughs and playfully swats at his arm, giggling about him being horrible. I'm glad that whatever his plan is, Nikki now seems relaxed.
Axel looks down at his phone, typing out a quick text before going to the reception area to get Britney.
Axel: I figured we'd let Nikki get her revenge. I've got Britney for about an hour. Your schedule is clear. Put on a show.
I laugh and shake my head. Of course, that would be Axel's plan. Crazy bastard.
Axel takes Britney to his chair and begins setting up and prepping her, chatting with her casually, as if he hasn't just led her into a trap.
I text Beckett my plan. He's also free for the next hour or so. I watch as he reads my text, and his gaze rises to mine before a smile pulls across his lips. He doesn't have a personal vendetta against Britney, but she crossed a personal line for him. Don't touch people without their consent.
"Nikki, baby?" I call from my chair.
"Mhm?"
"Are you busy right now?"
"Nope," she replies cheerfully before hopping off her stool and walking towards me to see what I want.
I sit on my client's table, while Beckett comes over and sits on my stool. Nikki gives us a quizzical glance, but her smile never wavers.
"Come ink me, baby."
"What?!" she gasps in surprise. Beckett pats his thigh as I take off my shirt. I'm so proud of them for getting to the point where they can touch each other this casually.
"Don't worry, Babygirl, I'll show you how. First, we have to pick a location. Maddox doesn't have much space left." Nikki comes over and perches prettily on Beckett's lap, still skeptical, but eyeing my naked chest with hungry eyes. Britney gasps when she sees Nikki touching Beckett. Everyone knows his reputation, and this is the first time anyone has seen him touch a woman.
I kick off my boots before shucking down my jeans so I'm just in my boxer briefs.
A strangled noise comes from Britney behind us, pulling Nikki's attention. Beckett pulls her attention back to us by instructing her to put on gloves.
"You want me to mark you?" she whispers, almost reverently.
I reach out and stroke her soft cheek with one of my large thumbs. "Of course, Babygirl. I'll wear your mark proudly the rest of my life."
Britney huffs and sighs dramatically behind us. But now it's more about us and Nikki than it is about her. This isn't about jealousy or revenge. It's sending a message. That Nikki's ours and we're hers. And to prove to Nikki that I want more. I want a future with her. Just like Diesel will always remember her because of his tattoo, I want something that will always remind me of her.
