Page 32 of Savage Ruin
“After,” he mumbles. “I want to see you fall apart from my mouth first.”
He’s focused entirely on my body. His mouth descends, and I cry out when he sucks my nub like he did my nipple. Everything darkens until my only focus is his mouth. Sensations roll through my body until it suddenly all rushes to the center, then explodes outward.
When the world comes back into focus, Mateo is sitting up, watching me, his hand stroking his cock in anticipation. “Minha linda. I can’t say that enough. You’re mine and so beautiful.”
“That was amazing,” I state softly, feeling a little shy.
His mouth curves in a sexy smile. “We’re just getting started.”
His body covers mine, the delicious weight a reminder of the differences between us. He slides inside, and I groan. This morning’s been full of so many good surprises, I can almost forget yesterday. Almost.
Once I’d calmed down and understood this was happening, whether I was prepared or not, I knew I had to be all in. This time is different. I’m stronger and mentally more prepared to fight for what I want. Having the Santos men and Zane’s crew backing me makes a world of difference, too. He’s one man, a psycho, who deserves whatever is coming his way.
Mateo playfully nips my shoulder. “Your attention, please. Stop thinking,” he commands me. “Today is for us. Tomorrow, we’ll regroup and plan our attack.”
CHAPTER18
THIAGO
My fists drive hard and fast into the bag, snapping forward with controlled force, but my thoughts are anything but composed. The rage burning inside is straining to unleash itself on our enemies but targeting a ghost has been damn near impossible. Thanks to Henley, we have a chance to splinter their alliance and potentially draw them out.
My mind immediately goes to Henley. The pure terror on her face when she saw the note will haunt me forever—another fucking example of my inability to protect her. If I hadn’t been yelling, she wouldn’t have even known something was going on. At the very least, I should have closed the lid to the box. She’s like Mateo, with this obsessive need to know every detail, unable to leave something alone. I should have anticipated she’d look.
When she’d realized running wouldn’t save us, she made the choice to stay and fight. The biggest monster in her life, and she chose to stand with us. Part of me wants her to run and find a safe place. But the other half wants her here beside us, taking down our mutual enemies and getting her revenge.
My phone dings with an alert and a modular voice informs me the patio door is open. Immediately tense, I pull off a glove and open the security app to see what’s going on. Part of me hopes it’s him. He hasn’t the fortitude to withstand the damage I plan to inflict on him. Can he play with the big boys? We’re not two old people or a young girl on the run. We’re ruthless men who know how to fight and are willing to do whatever it takes in this war. Is he?
Disappointment and pleasure war with each other when I see Henley on the back patio. She’s looking east toward the sunrise, and… scowling? Her lips move, a slim hand rises, her middle finger extends, and she flips off the sun. What in the hell? I snort. She told us when we first met mornings were not her favorite time of the day. What is she doing up this early?
Except for yesterday, she’s practically ignored me since I gave her my tablet. The few times I have seen her, she’s been excruciatingly polite, and it’s been driving me crazy. I hate this distance between us. Every time I think about breaking the rules and climbing in her bed, I watch her with Mateo, and I know it’s for the best. But damn, I miss the smell of her on my skin and the sweet defiance she exhibits when I give her orders.
She strolls back into the house, and I put the phone down. A second later, it pings and informs me the security system has been disabled and the front door is open.
Furious, I yank off the other glove and storm out of the gym. I can’t believe she’s going for a walk with that psycho out there. Does she have no common sense? Breaking into a jog, I round the corner and run out the front door after her. I swear, there’s going to be some damn rules put into place. How the hell am I supposed to protect her when she walks right into danger?
When I get to the gate, I’m puzzled to see it’s closed. I double check the app and there are no alerts. Scanning the front yard, I don’t see her anywhere.
“Garage door is open.”
What is she doing in the garage? Striding around the side of the house, I find her leaning against the wall with a frown on her face.
“Henley, what are you doing? Do you want to go for a ride?”
Her face is troubled when she looks over. “I’m looking for my car, but it’s not here.” Fingers tap restlessly against her arm. “Do you have the list of evidence seized by the police?”
“Your car is at SEI. Mateo grabbed your keys from the hotel room and paid a valet to take it over to the office,” I inform her. “I’m sorry. We should have mentioned it sooner. With everything going on, it slipped my mind. Do you want me to bring it home this afternoon?”
Relief chases the worry away. “Yes, please. I like having it close by.”
A vehicle is a lifeline. Like her phone and computer. Marcos always made sure a vehicle with a full tank of gas was in the garage, too.
“I understand. I’ll have Thomas take me to the office this morning, and I’ll drive your car back. Okay?”
“Thanks, I appreciate it,” she replies. Her eyes drift to my hands, over my legs, and back up. “Have you been fighting?”
The flare of heat in her eyes is so fucking tempting. “I was working out when the alarm informed me the front door was open,” I explain, leaving out the part with the patio.
Comprehension dawns, and she snorts. “You thought I planned to take another walk, didn’t you? I bet you stormed out of the house ready to lay down some rules.” Her laughter echoes in the garage.
