Page 71 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“Does being surrounded by masked men turn you on, gorgeous?” His question is voiced in a husky tone that shoots straight to my core. A small burst of perfume leaks into the air around me, making me blush harder.
I choke out a laugh when Nebula’s hand smacks against the back of Nexus’ head. “You’re incorrigible.”
“Like you aren’t thinking the same thing,” he pouts, lower lip jutting out dramatically. Nebula growls, snapping forward to slam their lips together. I watch with wide eyes and soaked panties as he sucks his lip between his teeth and bites down hard enough for Nexus to groan wildly.
Another burst of perfume floods the back seat. All four men shift in their seats, subtly trying to adjust themselves. Well, three men. Nexus blatantly grips himself beneath his sweats, making sure we all get a good look at exactly how turned on he is.
Nebula winks as he turns back to the front and slips his mask down over his head.
“Touchdown in ten,” one of their security guards coughs awkwardly, breaking up the growing tension between us.
If my seat could swallow me whole, now would be a great time to escape this embarrassing situation. They can probably smell my arousal too. Stupid omega reactions. Couldn’t Fate have made it easier for us to hide how needy we always seem to be?
The mid-sized venue they are playing in has an old theater feel on the outside, but the inside has a modern punk aesthetic. Three levels of viewing are available, and access is aided by the dual monitors framing the stage. It’s a nice little setup, but not one I would enjoy as a photographer. Getting shots from the crowd here would mean getting up close and personal with their fans.
Seeing the waiting crowd outside makes me glad I opted to only attend to watch and not to work. Being surrounded by so many people would certainly make me spiral.
I linger at the edges of the room while the guy’s makeup artist Aurora gets to work painting Titan’s chest. Tonight’s show is them and another artist from the label, who are already out by the stage getting ready for their performance.
I’m excited to see the guys in action but also dread watching them on stage. Sitting in on their practices over the past several days was torture enough. I don’t know if I will be able to control myself after their show tonight. I may jump one of them as soon as we get back to the dressing room!
Sometimes when my libido spikes high like this I feel like Bea is somehow channeling all of her extra sexual energy my way. Especially with Ridley and Lex still off chasing Doctor Harrison. The number of stir-crazy, half-concocted plans I’ve had to shut down via text and video call the past week would be alarming if I didn’t know Mr. Acherley has my best friend under lock and key while she’s staying in his apartment.
Thinking of my bestie, I pull out my phone and send her a quick picture of the guys. ‘Remind me why I thought this was a good idea?’
After sending the text, I slip my phone back into the pocket of Callisto’s hoodie I borrowed before we left. She won’t be able to answer until later. She is attending an event with the other upper level managers and executives from Soulbound Echo Studios.
All except for Brady, who I’m certain planned tonight’s show purely so he could avoid a night of dressing up and schmoozing. Not that I blame him, I’d rather be here too. The man himself knocks at the door half an hour later. “Let’s get you guys into the wings.”
I trail behind the pack as they head toward the stage. The two bodyguard drivers fall into step behind me. Brady had quickly assigned them to tail me after we arrived. I’m glad to have their protection, though I feel bad for taking them away from their actual jobs.
Before they take the stage, Nexus stops to press a kiss to my cheek. I suck in a sharp breath when the glossy edges of his mask dig into my skin. The grin he gives me as he walks backwardaway from me, his feathered cape swaying around his ankles, tells me he knows exactly what he is doing to me. And he is loving every second of it.
My feigned annoyance disappears as their set begins. Poetic lyrics sung over dark beats filter through the venue. The crowd cheers and sings along, getting as lost in their music as I am.
Nothing else exists when a Primordial Covenant song is playing.
The joy we’re feeling shatters when a scream echoes through the crowd. One of panic and pain. A single breath and the entire place devolves into chaos. Venue security swarms the crowd, while the guy’s personal security moves onto the stage to pull them off. Backstage staff fly by me in a panic, shouting orders to each other.
When a large group of fans makes their way past the front of the stage, storming the wings, I’m jostled toward the back. Both of my temporary bodyguards bark orders at the crowd to try to reach me, but the torrent of terrified people have pushed us too far apart.
As soon as the crowd bursts through the back door, I separate myself. If I wait by our car, I’m sure the guys or my guards will find me.
“Perfect timing,” a grating voice coos in my ear. An arm wraps around my throat and I’m dragged backwards through rows of staff vehicles. “You’ve been a very difficult omega to capture.”
‘Patient #1396. Sarah Montgomery. Omega.’In my panic, all I can hear is Doctor Harrison’s voice ringing in my ears when I was dragged out of the van in New Hampshire several weeks ago.
But I’m not that broken omega anymore. My body may not be back to full strength, but I’m not weak enough to giveup easily. I twist my limbs, fists thumping against the person behind me.
Opening my mouth, I try to scream, but pressure on my windpipe cuts off my oxygen. “They can try to save you, but their efforts won’t matter. Your purpose doesn’t lie here, bathing in sin with these devils. No,Hehas other plans for you. Plans you will follow, willing or not.”
The cloying scent of moldy fruit fills my mouth as I try to suck in a breath. It’s familiarity has me fighting harder. My brother’s wife, Jacquelyn, only laughs as I try to claw at her arm. When that doesn’t work I try dropping my weight to shake her grip on me, but a man steps around her and grabs my feet, hoisting me back into the air.
“Stop moving,” he barks. His scent isn’t one I recognize, so I assume he’s hired help or another of my birth father’s many followers.
Realizing my efforts aren’t getting me anywhere, I focus on the bond thrumming in my chest. Nexus’ worry and Nebula’s anger flow into me, but I force myself to concentrate on sending them blast after blast of panic and horror. It’s as close to a distress call as I can make without access to my voice or phone.
“It’s funny really, all of your efforts to escape your Fate have been for nothing. You’ll realize your mistakes as soon as we get you home.”
