Page 27 of Kingston
“The fuck’s going on over there?” Joel grumbles as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes narrowed on us—specifically me. One brow lifts as his gaze slithers like a snake over my body. The other guys aren’t any better; Stuart and Alec also taking a moment to look me over. Bridger smirks. Bastard. I haven’t had the chance to get to know my fellow initiates that well yet, but what I’ve seen of this one so far, I don’t like. He’s well-suited to hang out with the likes of the juniors. They all strike me as rude and entitled. With a side of skeevy.
A shudder rolls through me, and my face heats at their perusal. As icky as it makes me feel to turn my back on them, I do, only to be face-to-face with my guys—the jerks. At least they don’t give me the creeps in the same way the other three do.
“Mind your own initiate, asshole,” Kingston grumbles, giving the entire group a hard eye roll before he returns his attention to me. “Did you sleep well last night, Elliot?”
Unsure why he’s asking, I swallow, glancing down at the countertop in front of me, my fingers immediately tracing the natural swirls in the granite. I shake my head, then look up at him from under hooded eyes. “No. I didn’t.”
He cocks his head to the side, then rests his forearms on the island. “And why not?”
I shrug. He’s got a weird look on his face, and I’m in no mood to solve that particular puzzle. But Iamin the mood to lash out a little over last night’s shenanigans.Fuck it. They already started this.“What, are you worried you spanked me a little too hard or something?”
Shots. Fired.
From behind me, I hear a snort and a laugh, followed by someone huffing out, “Figures.”
A wide, dangerous grin splits Kingston’s face. “Your first lesson inwe mean what we say, I guess. One, you knew the rules and broke them. Two, we let you choose the punishment, so I’m confused by your attitude this morning.”
Cannon makes a gesture, like he’s spanking something and shakes his head, his lips twitching all the while.
My eyes flick uncertainly from Cannon to Archer. “He thinks they probably didn’t spank hard enough.”
“I assure you, they did,” I snap.
Archer holds up his hands for a moment in surrender. “Touchy, touchy. Like a wild little beastie this morning. Don’t get me wrong, I kinda like it. Maybe once you’ve had your coffee, you’ll be tamer.” He wets his lips, his eyes casually perusing what he can see of my body. “Don’t forget the household duties you were assigned. I’d suggest creating yourself a schedule so you don’t fall behind on anything.”
Am I crazy, or did he call me awild little beastie? I purse my lips, my gaze bouncing from one hot jerk to the next.Ignore it, Elliot.They’ve dug under your skin enough for one morning.“Don’t worry. I’ll get started soon.” I pause folding my arms across my chest. Unable to stop myself, I lock eyes with Kingston before I mutter, “Let me know if I’m allowed tofinish.”
Kingston’s brow shoots up comically high at the subtle dig, which makes Archer sputter with laughter before he thinks better of it and covers his mouth. Cannon shakes his head, eyeing me like I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. I’ve only been here a couple days and I’m doing plenty that isn’t veryme.But dammit, I’ll do what I have to, to survive within these walls.
“Watch your mouth, initiate.”
“Or what?” I can’t control the sass. He brings it out in me. But he doesn’t own me.
Kingston rises, slowly stalking toward me like a lion to his prey. My breath shudders out, half-stuck in my throat.Oh fuck. Oh, no.In those seconds as he approaches, I know I’ve gone too far. I brace myself, turning toward him and drawing myself up.
His big hand grips my jaw, tugging my face up to his. I blink hard, staring into the depths of a raging green sea of annoyance. I shudder. His lips brush mine as he bites out, “If you can’t keep this mouth shut, I’ll stuff it full of my cock.”
The entire room has gone silent, watching us like we’re in some goddamn soap opera, and my face flushes with embarrassment. He draws back ever so slightly and rubs his thumb back and forth over my lower lip, like he’s thinking about doing exactly what he threatened.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I can’t speak. I can’t even move. Trapped by his menacing stance and cruel words, a slow swallow works its way down my throat.
“Do you understand me, Elliot?” His chest heaves as he breathes right in my face.
Blinking several times, I nod as best I can before I roughly reply, “Yes, sir,” and pull myself from his grip, staring coldly at him.
From behind me, there’s some commotion. Shifting of bodies in chairs. Hushed whispers. And no end of snide remarks. I don’t even try to keep track of who says what. It’s all bad—from the snickered“Oh, shit!” to the “I think he should put her on her knees right here and now”and everything in between.
My face flames red, but I remain still. I refuse to look at anyone, so I stare blindly over Kingston’s shoulder.
He backs away, then leaves the kitchen. Archer follows only a moment later without a word.
SEVENTEEN
ELLIOT
I let outa ragged breath and wet my lip, which only makes me think about how Kingston’s mouth was practically on mine. It sends a jolt of electricity through me that confuses me, but also gives me a tiny thrill. One I shouldn’t feel about someone who threatened to shut me up the way he had.
Cannon has gone back to eating his breakfast. He had a front-row seat to that disaster, but when I hazard a glance at him, he doesn’t look up.
