Page 33 of Wicked

“But what will he do to you if he finds out?” Panic cripples my legs and I fall slightly, only he catches me, carrying me onto the bed. “What is this place?”

“It’s The Compound of K Diamond. Look at me—” He forces my face up to his as he slowly lowers himself down beside me. “They’re going to kill me. That’s inevitable. But I need you to give this to your old man when you get home. Don’t read it either, just give it to him.” An envelope is placed into my hands, but I don’t want to take my eyes off Wicked to see, because this might—tears fall from the corners of my eyes.

He brushes the tears away. “You need to move on and forget about me and all this. I promise you it’ll make sense one day. Why I was there, why I came into your life, and why I’m doing what I’m doing now—”

Anger rips through the swell in my throat. “And what is that? Huh?Hangman.What are you doing right now, and why can’t you come with me?” I stab my finger into his chest, the tears spilling over my cheeks now. “We can both leave.”

“No, baby. No, we can’t.” His warm lips come to mine and my heart shatters. All of the emotions that have barreled into me since Wicked came into my life crash down the final walls ofcontrol I have. I don’t want him to go. He feels like home. His tongue slips between my lips and I shuffle closer into him as his hands come to the back of my ass, lifting me up to straddle his lap. I grind over the thick bulge in his jeans as he wraps my—washed—hair around his wrist, forcing my face still. He kisses me down, over my jaw and across my collarbone. My fingers fumble with the tie around my waist as the silk robe drops to the floor near his dirty boots.

He leans back onto his elbows, flicking the edge of his bottom lip with the tip of his thumb. “Gonna make it look cute one last time?”

Even with tears rolling down my cheeks, I’ll still be whatever he wants me to be.

Leaning over, I unclasp my bra until my tits fall out of the cups. Dropping it to the ground, I stand up and slowly shuffle the lace panties down my thighs, lowering myself down on top of him. I bring the panties to his wrists, tying them around each one and shoving his arms over his head.

He laughs, the first time I’ve seen a genuine smile on his face. I don’t want to bring up Poppy, and maybe this is just how he copes with it—everyone mourns differently—but I falter for a second, wondering if I should have asked if he was okay before stripping naked for him.

Shuffling his jeans down, I ride myself over his girth until I feel the tip of his cock pulse against my entrance. I release a slight breath, leaning down and kissing his lips. “I’ll stay with you.”

He shakes his head. “No, you won’t.” Then I slide him deep inside of me and watch as his eyes roll to the back of his head and his teeth sink into his bottom lip.

I didn’t ask where I was.

If he was okay.

Or even why I was dressed in clothes that I wouldn’t wear…

I just stripped and dropped down onto his dick.

Lifting my hips up, I slowly ride myself over his length, grinding against him when I feel him pulse against me. “Come here…” He nudges his head, untwisting his wrists from my amateur tie around them before slipping my panties over his head like a necklace. He leans back, his hands resting on my ass cheeks and forcing me back down onto him until I stop just above his lips. He slowly raises his hips up. “Ride me.”

Moving to the other side of the room, his jeans unbuttoned and around his waist, he pulls open a drawer and takes out his hoodie that I was wearing. Tossing it onto my lap, he points. “Get changed. I’m taking you to the airport. Victor will have men waiting for you there.”

I slip my arms through, then force my head through. “What about you? And why do I get to leave and you don’t?”

“Because I just don’t, Ruby.” He steps closer to me, wrapping his fingers around my chin. “Sorry…”

I search his eyes. “For what?”

Clapping sounds out behind Wicked, and I tilt my head to see who it is. The same man with the diamond tattoo enters, leaning on the dresser. “Bravo, you two. That will make a splendid video.”

I pause. “What?”

Wicked steps backward, shaking his head. “Bye, baby girl.”

The man twirls his fingers and two other men enter. He clicks his fingers. “Drop her off at the airport. I’ll keep my end of the deal.” Betrayal claws its ugly talons into my skin as I watch Wicked walk down the long corridor. Every step he takes, I feel my heart beat in my chest slower. Heavier.

Angrier.

When love grows where hate was planted, you don’t get flowers. Just thorns.

I hate him.

Idon’t stop walking until I’m out of his bullshit mansion and walking down the path that leads to the Pens. It’s where I deserve to be, that’s a given, and I’d rather take myself there than stay inside and listen to Ruby scream and fight her way out. She’ll no doubt hate me for the rest of her life, as she should.

I can’t find myself to care.

I stop just as the forest clearing opens up to the igloo-shaped pods that are scattered around the forest, hidden behind trees and broken branches. Five of them are spaced out around the ground, with each being completely transparent and open. For anyone to see, watch, or do whatever it is they want to do.

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