Page 51 of Smoke the Enemy

He jerks his arm free from my hand. “We’re all members, moron.”

My hand latches onto his throat. “Thenyoushould know none of us can ever truly be trusted. We’re a group of criminals, and you expect me to follow some fucked-up rule that was created so everyone could have a free pass to whore around and fuck without judgment. Not have their desires and kinks shared. Or have to admit they liked getting fucked by their significant other’s best friend?”

“Are you not loyal to this society? Are you disgusted by our ways?”

“Ha. On the contrary, Icravethe depravity of it all.” I squeeze tighter and his hands claw at mine. I reach up and jerk the key from his hand, but I don’t let go. His mask is blocking my view from seeing if he’s turning blue. All I can see are his bulging watery eyes.

“Are you going to kill him?” Taylor asks.

“Do you want me to?” I ask her calmly.

“No!”

“Then I won’t.” I drag him to the door and shove him out. He gasps for air, and I watch as he removes his mask, probably to breathe easier. It’s one of my dad’s friends. He’s part of The Illicit, but not of the elite families, so fuck him.

“You little fucker!” He wheezes at me. “You’ll pay for this.”

“I was going to give you my key, but now you’ve pissed me off.”

“Give me that damn key!”

I smirk. “No.” I remember when he was a lower-ranking member of The Illicit. His family gained a little wealth, and now he must really think he’s something. Funny how life works out. “Enjoy hell.” I slam the door shut and lock it. Hearing him scream and pounding on the door has just made my victory of claiming Taylor for the night that much sweeter.

“What will happen to him?” she asks.

Instead of the grim knowledge dampening the mood, it only hardens my dick. “If he can claim another key, or survive until dawn without anyone discovering he is keyless, he’ll live. But if he doesn’t, then he dies. Think of it like love and war. That’s the risk in playing this game. It’s the consequences for trying to be an alpha in this game when you’re not.”

“I guess you proved you’re an alpha? A… predator?”

I shrug and begin walking toward her. “I’m always going to be the hunter. And make no mistake, I am the ultimate predator.”

“Am I to always to be your prey?”

“What do you think, Little Mouse?”

She has no idea my obsession for her. Ever since her virgin blood coated my dick and I tasted her. I have photos decorating my walls of her that I still jerk off to. And now she’s mine for the entire night.

“I think… you are a little unhinged, Soren.”

I chuckle, a real genuine laugh. “You have no idea.”

I worry she’s scared, but then she speaks, “And I think I like it.”

“I would’ve killed that motherfucker for you.”

“Such a romantic,” she teases.

“I can be. I’d rip his spine from his body and use his blood to write you a sonnet on these very walls.”

Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. “Jeez, Soren. Or you could simply carve our initials in a tree.”

“How cliché.” I tower over her as I circle the table she’s sitting on. Circling my prey.

“Did you just make a joke?” She laughs and stares up at the ceiling. “Nothing about us is cliché.”

I pounce on her from behind. My chest pressed against her back as I grip her delicate neck. “Not even the sweet little church mouse falling for the corrupt monster? An angel falling for the sinner?”

“You’re not a monster–”

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