Page 39 of Dove

But still, I’d saved his life. He could be a little nicer to me. Maddox was going to kill him, and I stepped in. I was wondering why I had.

20

Kincaid

Ijolted awake when warm arms wrapped around my legs and back. I took a deep breath and relaxed when Maddox’s familiar smoky scent filled my nose. “Let’s get you to bed, little dove.”

“Where?” I grumbled as I burrowed further into his chest.

Why did he smell so good? Why was he so warm and comforting? Demons, murderers should be cold. My body shouldn’t respond to him. I shouldn’t want to bury myself against him until the rest of the world fell away.

“You fell asleep on the couch with Tessa.” He answered. Now I remembered. I’d been waiting for Maddox and Sebastian to come home, so neither of us had to be alone with Tristan.

“I’m perfectly fine to go home.” I heard Tessa snap behind me. I smirked against Maddox’s body before I wiggled from his arms to stand beside him. I rested my head against his chest as I turned back to the library.

“It’s two in the morning. Just stay in the guest room.” Sebastian shot back. Tessa and Sebastian were standing about a foot apart in the library, arguing. Tessa had her hands on her hips, and Sebastian’s were crossed over his chest as he stared at her. “Don’t be so stubborn, little swan.”

“Bash.” Maddox snapped. I could tell he wasn’t enjoying the scene like I was. He was anxious to get us back to his bed. He rubbed up and down my spine, causing me to shiver. “Let her leave.”

“It’s not safe.” He grumbled as he ran a hand through his short dark hair. I rarely saw Sebastian upset. Except for the one argument he had with Maddox, he was usually stoic. Composed. Something about Tessa seemed to unsettle him.

“Sebastian, would you please take Tessa home?” She turned to glare at me. “I’ll send Henry to follow in your car, and he can drive Bash back.”

“He doesn’t need to do that.” She sighed. I could see her digging her fingers into her hip. Whatever it was that made Sebastian lose his composure, Tessa felt it too. Maybe I was a bad friend because I was going to push them together and see whether that feeling between them exploded or imploded.

“Please, Tess.” I turned in Maddox’s hold, brushing my cheek against his strong chest. “Just to be safe. I’d hate if something happened to you because of me.”

It was the truth. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if she was the next to get kidnapped because being my friend made her an easy target.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine for you.” She crossed the room and gave me a quick one-arm hug. She probably would’ve held on longer, but Maddox wasn’t willing to let me go. She glanced over her shoulder to look at Sebastian. I saw the subtle shift in her eyes before she issued her command. “Come.”

I smirked at the obvious seduction and power in her tone. Tessa had always been able to control the men around her. I waited for Sebastian to yell at her. To let her know who was really in charge. Because like Maddox, Sebastian was a man who issued orders. He emanated strength in the same way.

But to my surprise, he followed after her without a word. A small smile on his face as if he’d waited his whole life to take her orders.

“Interesting.” I sighed to myself.

Maddox leaned forward and nuzzled along my neck. His lips brushing my sensitive skin, making my nipples pebble behind my bra. “Mia amata,you’re more devious than I thought. Pushing those two together.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I said coyly as he guided me up the stairs and to his bedroom with his hand on the small of my back.

He opened the door as he gripped my hips, and turned me. I stared into his handsome face as I slowly backed away from him. I could see the desire in his eyes, but I couldn’t do it tonight. Not after everything I’d learned.

My knees hit the edge of the bed, and I tumbled back. Maddox fell on top of me. A hand on either side of my head, caging me in as he smiled. My body hummed with anticipation. For a moment, I got lost in Maddox. Lost in the rare playfulness that showed on his face. Lost in the excitement of what he would do to me. I reached up to unbutton his shirt, and that’s when I saw it.

The red blood stark against the white fabric. Everything I’d talked to Tessa about came rushing back to my sleep-addled mind.

Rodney. Chad. My Father.

Pain. Pleasure. Judgment.

My hands dropped instantly like a lead weight. I stared into his dark blue eyes. “Where were you tonight?”

His smile fell as he sensed the shift in my demeanor. “Why? You’ve never asked before.”

It was true. I’d buried my head in the sand. Tried not to be reminded of who he was. Of what he was. Of what he did. If I wanted to get away from him, I couldn’t hide anymore. I needed to wake myself up. I needed to face him. Fear him. Or I’d never leave.

“Did you have anything to do with my father?” I took a deep breath, ignoring how his scent settled in my mind. “Is that his blood on you?”

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