Page 81 of Envious Of Fire
There are many reasons, Raya, please let me—
“What the fuck, Tristan??”
Tristan stops.Well…now that you know…I hope you realize why it’s imperative Markadian never learns Kaleb’s true identity, that he is the younger brother of Kyle, the person he most despises.Kaleb…would be…in very…very serious danger, Raya.
“He alreadyisin danger, you fucking fool!” She puts her hand over her mouth, backs away, heels hitting the wall. “I … I can’t believe I … How could I be so—How did I not see—?”
Then if you care for Kaleb, you will protect his secret.
“For what possible reason did you keep this from Kyle? Do you hate him so? Do you take such joy in ruining people’s lives?”
Please allow me to explain, really, I am not such a villain…
“If Kaleb were to find out, it would destroy him. All of this time, his own brother, nearly within arm’s reach … No.” Raya moves to the door. “This is too much, even for you.”
There are many reasons we do terrible things.
“Stop talking, Tristan.”
Then we must do other terrible things to make up for the terrible things we’ve already done…and before we know it, we are living on a mountain of treachery we cannot unmake…
Raya clutches the door handle, anguished. She draws quiet, shaking her head, blinking away one nightmare after the next.
Tristan stays still.Please, Raya… He grips the end of her bed, fingers curling. If he lets go, he might drop to his knees to beg.You’re the only friend I have left.Let me tell you everything, so that at least one person in this world is left who doesn’t despise me…You have always understood my intentions before.
“You will always have Kyle.” Her voice is distant, detached. “As long as you continue to keep your secret from him, he will always love you … I saw it in his eyes at the trial last week.”
That surprises him.You were there?
“Didn’t I tell you already? I see so much you don’t think I see. So much.” She lowers her gaze to the floor, grows quiet. “I find myself remembering … of this one time … Markadian … he asked me a question, years ago, while you were gone living your life with Kyle …” Her face twists. “He asked me: if I happened to run into you … if I found out where you were hiding … would I turn you in? He knew we were close. He was testing my loyalty.”
What did you answer?
She gives it a thought, peers back at him. “Doesn’t matter anymore. You’re no angel, Tristan. You’re a demon. Perhaps it is why you are the only one Brock responds to. Does he love you? Or fear you? Is there any difference between them? Maybe Kyle fears you, too.” After one last withering look at the floor, unable to meet his eyes, she flees the room. Tristan stands in the silence, her last words stinging, not a thought in his mind.
19.
What the Fuck?
—·—
Elias is on the bed, tied down spread-eagle, wearing nothing but a tight black thong. He’s never felt so horny in his life. Never felt so helpless. Completely at the whim of his sexy captor.
Kyle appears over him, straddling his waist. “You look sodanghot tonight,” he growls, “and your ass sure ain’t goin’ nowhere.”
Elias bites his lip, strains against his binds.
When did Kyle’s voice turn even more Texan?
“You want outta that tight thong?” Kyle asks. “Nah, you look too sexy in it. This ain’t about your enjoyment. It’s about mine. You’re stayin’ in that sexy constricting thing, strapped to this here bed ‘til I’m fuckin’ satisfied.”
The more words that spill out of Kyle, the more Texan he gets. Has he always been this way when they have sex? “When will you be satisfied?” Elias dares to ask, out of breath.
Kyle seems amused by the question. He comes closer. Closer. Even closer. Then he grins, and with the spreading of his lips, fangs the length of fingers emerge.
He hisses: “Never.”
Elias’s eyes grow double.
