Page 56 of Reaper & Ruin
“Yeah, but I’m fierce,” she said, poking me in the chest with her finger, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “And faster than you. I’d be Gary because he is the king. Or maybe Patrick. He seems like a chill dude.”
“Oh, yeah?” I raised an eyebrow, leaning down until our noses nearly touched.
Before I could push her further, Atlas’s phone buzzed, and he cursed, pulling all of our attention toward him. His relaxed expression faltered for the briefest moment before he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
“What’s up?” I asked instinctively, feeling that familiar flicker of alertness settle at the back of my mind.
He stood still with an almost catlike grace, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t go unnoticed. “One of the perimeter alarms went offline,” he said, his tone casual but focused. “Probably just a bad connection because everything else is fine. But I’ll take the truck and check it out.”
“You sure?” I asked, feeling my own pulse quicken. Atlas wasn’t the type to worry over nothing, but we all had our paranoia. In our world, a small thing could turn into a deadly situation fast. I knew that better than most.
He nodded, already heading toward the door. “I’m sure. Won’t be long. You two—behave.”
Heather grinned, giving him a lazy salute from her spot on the couch. “No promises.”
I smirked as the door creaked shut behind him, the sound of his truck rumbling to life a moment later. The cabin immediately felt quieter, emptier. It wasn’t uncomfortable, though. If anything, it made me more aware of Heather. Her warmth pressed against me, the scent of her hair filling the space between us.
She turned to me, eyes full of mischief again. “So, Plankton, what now?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her teasing. “I’ll show you Plankton,” I muttered, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her into my lap. She was soft, but strong, and I liked the way she always gave in with a smirk, like she was daring me to push her further.
She laughed, settling against me with ease. Her laughter was infectious, making me forget the small prickle of worry Atlas had left behind. “Oh, big tough gangster thinks he can handle me?”
“I know I can handle you.” I leaned closer, pressing my lips just inches from hers. Her breath hitched, and I felt that familiar heat between us. “But you? You’re the one who’s been trying to rile me up all night.”
She tilted her head back, lips curving into a smirk. “Maybe I like getting you riled up.”
My voice dropped lower, teasing her with my tone. “Yeah? I think you’re just begging for trouble. Is that it? You want to bepunished and reminded which one of us is the boss?” We both knew it was her. She was in charge. I was just along for the ride.
She didn’t reply right away, her eyes flicking down to my lips before she grinned again, leaning in closer until our noses brushed. “Maybe.”
I closed the gap, pressing my mouth to hers in a slow, teasing kiss. It wasn’t rushed—more of a test, a game, like everything we did. Heather responded immediately, her fingers curling into the front of my shirt as she deepened the kiss, making me forget all about the quiet in the cabin.
As she wriggled, I moved my hand, sliding it up her thigh, pulling her clothes out of the way like they were made of nothing but air. Her pretty thighs pulled apart with ease for me, so I could slide my hand between them, seeking out her wetness.
“I think I should take a leaf out of Atlas’ book and make you wait for hours until I finish you.” I slid a finger inside her, making sure she was wet enough before I pushed a second digit in too.
But then, out of nowhere, Malivore’s low growl cut through the air.
I pulled back from Heather instantly, frowning as I glanced toward the door where Malivore stood, her body rigid, ears flat against her head. She was staring intently at the door, a growl rumbling deep in her chest.
“What’s up with her?” Heather asked, shifting in my lap, her voice still soft, but with an edge of concern now as she fixed her clothes, our hookup entirely forgotten.
I didn’t answer right away, standing and grabbing my gun from the side table. I didn’t like this. Malivore never growled unless something—or someone—was nearby.
“Something’s not right,” I muttered, my voice low. My hand automatically tightened around the handle of the gun, mysenses on full alert now. I glanced back at Heather, my pulse quickening.
She sat up straighter, her easygoing demeanor fading as she scanned the room. I could see the tension in her jaw, but she was steady. She didn’t panic, and I appreciated that about her. “What do you think it is? Could it be a stray animal?” She forced herself to sound confident. “Bigfoot?”
I shook my head, dialing Atlas on my phone with one hand while keeping the other on my gun. The moment Atlas picked up, I spoke quickly. “Something’s up. Malivore’s growling and on edge. Where are you?”
There was a brief pause on the other end before Atlas replied, his voice calm but with an edge of concern. “I’m two minutes away. Stay put and I’ll check the cameras outside.”
I was about to respond when the cabin’s lights flickered, then cut out completely. The room plunged into darkness, and my heart dropped.
“Shit,” I cursed, gripping my gun tighter as I pressed the phone back to my ear. “Atlas, the power just went out.”
He swore under his breath on the other end. “Someone’s cut the feed. Every line I’ve got out here is down.” I felt a cold wave of dread settle over me. This wasn’t a random animal. Someone had cut the power—deliberately. And they knew how to do it. “Get out of there,” he ordered, his voice sharp and urgent now. “Take Heaven and go.”
