Page 95 of Scavenger's Oath
He steps forward, radiating calm authority, one hand curling around the back of my neck like a claim he doesn’t need to say out loud.
There’s something different in the way he handles me today. Possessive, but softer than before. It seems unlike him.
“Zane told me everything,” Phoenix murmurs close to my ear as if he was reading my mind.
It takes me a minute to realise what he’s talking about. But then it clicks and I freeze.
Everything I told Zane. Who and what I’m running from.He told them?
My heart pounds against my ribs, eyes widening as anxiety rips through my heart.Will Phoenix cast me out? Blame me forbringing trouble to their doorstep?
He just watches my reaction, fingers twitching on the sides of my neck. Then turns, steering me gently toward the shower stalls.
And maybe I’m imagining it, but something about his hold feels tighter. Not cruel. Just… final. As if he’s not fighting with himself anymore.
“You remember what I told you?” Phoenix asks as he steps past me, turning the tap with one quick flick of his wrist. “You’re mine to deal with now.”
Water begins to spill from the showerhead, but his eyes don’t leave mine. “That also means…” he adds, stepping closer, “you’re mine to protect.”
A rush of warmth spreads through my chest. Something terrifyingly close to trust.
“Strip,” he orders flatly. Slicing through my momentary awe. No ‘please’. No patience. But no venom either. Just a command delivered with the casual edge of a man who knows he’ll be obeyed.
He doesn’t turn around and I don’t ask him to this time. My hands tremble, but I don’t hesitate. Gripping the hem of Zane’s oversized shirt, I peel it over my head, dropping it to the floor and doing my best to stand proudly under the soft light.
Lifting my chin, I steel myself. I’m used to being assessed like property. Inspected. Except this time, no fear swirls in my stomach.
His eyes rake over me hungrily, with slow precision, lingering on every bruise. Even the faded mark on my inner thigh where Zane bit me.
I catch the flicker in Phoenix’s expression when he sees it. Simply a twitch of his jaw. He says nothing. But I see the way his fist clenches.
The water behind him is steaming now, filling the air with humidity and heat.
He pulls his shirt over his head and a gasp escapes me as my eyes take in the sharp lines of ink-covered muscle. He seems even bigger when he’s half-naked. Each defined edge of his abs and pecs warns of overpowering strength.
He freezes to let me admire his terrifying body. As if he thinks moving might spook me.
Then he reaches for me, his arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me into the water with him—his combat boots and pants immediately drenched.
My skin prickles with goosebumps, nipples hardening under the thrum of the warm spray.
“Did he finish you off?” he asks, voice dark, quiet.
I stiffen. Eyes meeting his as my lips part. I hesitate.He means Zane.
“I didn’t—” I whisper, but the lie is thin, already crumbling.Will he be mad at me like Myles was?
“Don’t lie,” he cuts in, voice a low growl as he grabs my jaw forcing me to look at him.
My throat locks and he watches my face. My silence confirms it, but I nod because… it’s true. And I wanted it.
“I thought so,” Phoenix mutters, narrowing his eyes and releasing my face. “Didn't even take much, did it? He just looked at you a certain way, and your legs fell open.”
Unable to find my words, I just frown at the tiled floor.He doesn’t have to be so mean about it.
“But you were thinking about me. Weren’t you? How I got you so needy after just one touch,” he murmurs, his low voice heated.
A pulse flutters low in my stomach.
