Page 68 of First Comes Blood

Dangerously sexy.

“No, I don’t. I don’t know what I’m doing here. What do you want from me?”

“We’re trying something.”

“You and me?”

Cassius shifts me higher in his lap so my thighs are hugging his hips. “All four of us.”

These guys have been dropping hints aboutsharingandthree is better than onefor the past year. I’m not so naïve that I don’t know people have threesomes and group sex, but is that really what they’re interested in?

“I don’t understand.”

“Some years ago, after an experience that caused some…” He hesitates, trying to find the right word, “damage, we decided we wanted to try something. The four of us. One woman. But we never found the right someone.”

My mouth falls open. “Please tell me you’re just making conversation and this has nothing to do with me.”

One of Cassius’ perfectly groomed brows quirks.

“You all want a…wife?”

“Closer than a wife, and not so traditional.”

My nose wrinkles in disgust. “A sex slave?”

“Nothing so unwilling. A woman the four of us could share. That we could all protect. All cherish. In this life, having too many things you care about is hazardous to your health. And hers.”

“So that’s me? I hate to break it to you, but I’m not feeling very cherished.”

He muses on that for a moment. “We didn’t mean for it to be you, but things in our lives don’t always unfold in predictable ways.”

“Here I am, so you may as well have sex with me? How flattering. I’m not interested, so let me go.”

“You asked me for help, and I’m helping you. I let you go, and you’ll end up dead. You know I’m right.”

“What about Salvatore?” I ask desperately. He won’t want me dead just because I’ve been kidnapped, will he?

“Why? Did you fall for him?” There’s an edge to his voice and I sense we’re on dangerous ground discussing his ex-friend.

“Of course not.”

But pain blossoms in my chest as I remember Salvatore’s face as his ex-friends stole me at the church. I didn’tfallfor him. I grew to like him a little, but he spoiled that the night of my eighteenth birthday.

You’re beautiful like your mother, and you’re going to end up like her, too. That mouth of yours is going to be the end of you.

If I feel nothing for Salvatore, why does that hurt so much? “What happened between the four of you? He wouldn’t tell me anything except that you weren’t friends anymore.”

Cassius holds up a long forefinger. “Rule number one. No talking about thatpezzo di merda.” Piece of shit.

“I have rules?”

“Yes.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m already your prisoner.”

He grasps both my wrists behind my back and yanks my t-shirt up. I’m not wearing a bra because none of them fit properly, and Cassius slaps his hand across my nipple.

I yelp in pain. “Ow! What was that for?”

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