Page 44 of F*ck Steal Kill

“Let’s head back to your room, princess,” Theo whispered, using the nickname he’d given me as a child.

Wiping my tears, I nodded, walking back to my room in a haze. I had to find a way out. There was no way I could continue to live like this. I wanted so much more for my life than as a sex doll and incubator for a merciless man.

“I’m going to take a bath,” I whispered when I entered my room. Theo nodded after checking my room, ensuring no one had snuck in during our absence. Once it was secured, he stepped out, shutting the door and giving me some space.

In slow motion, I undressed, my mind whirring with thoughts. I hung my dress back up, pulling out the burner phone Lukas had given me from my hiding spot. I turned it on, praying there would be a message. When nothing showed, I sent one more, hoping this one wouldn’t go unanswered.

XOXO,

It’s worse than I imagined. I know it’s a big ask, but I’m desperate. My father plans to sell me off to another mercenary family for the highest price. I only have a week until my 18th birthday. That’s the night it will happen. If you can help, I have a few guards who might look the other way—ones who are sympathetic to my plight. If you can’t help me, there’s nothing left for me to live for. I’d rather die than live out the life my father has planned.

A desperately hopeless Savage.

CHAPTER 17

HOLLAND

Quentin watched me from his spot on the wall. He’d been standing there since he walked in, his jaw working as he chewed something over in his mind. Noticing the time, I swallowed, biting the bullet. I needed to get this started so I wasn’t late to work.

“Um, so you said you had something to talk about, Q?”

He uncrossed his arms, his eyes bouncing to Max and then back to me. It looked like he was debating something. With a grunt, he strode across the room, lifting me into his arms and sitting back down with me in his lap. My eyes widened as I glanced at Max, unsure of what to do with Quentin’s behavior. He shook his head, smiling, offering no help.

“Not that I mind my new seat, Q, but you’re still not talking.”

“You’re ours. What else do we need to say?” he grumbled, rubbing his stubble against my neck.

“For starters, I haven’t heard what Max feels about that. And if you think Grady’s a part of this, then you didn’t see the slap I gave him.”

Max’s brows furrowed at the same time that Q’s head snapped up.

“Grady’s who upset you?” Max asked.

“Yeah. In between telling me I meant nothing to you, and he hoped I was better at spreading my legs than cleaning.” I crossed my arms, the anger returning as I recalled his words.

“He said what?” Quentin growled, sending shivers through me. It also calmed my racing heart that maybe Grady hadn’t been right. Reinforcing that what I felt for Quentin and Max was different. Real, maybe.

I blew out a breath, my body relaxing. “If that’s all this is, just tell me upfront. I’m fine with just fucking. You don’t have to sugarcoat it for me but don’t play me. It won’t end well for you,” I bit out, my breathing increasing.

Max reached over, uncurling my hand that I’d clenched unknowingly. Tiny half-moon indents appeared in my palm from where my nails had bit into the skin. Max soothed away the sting with his thumb.

“Holland, that’s not what this is. I’m not one to do that.” He cleared his throat, his cheeks reddening. “And Quentin doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean. I know you just met us, and we have to build trust, but I wanted you to know that. I’m sorry Grady said those things. They were uncalled for and out of line. We’ll talk with him.”

Max’s face was so earnest and wholesome that I almost felt guilty for all the dirty things I wanted to do to it. Almost. I happened to have a kink for corrupting sweet guys.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to come between you guys…” I laughed, realizing my choice of words. “Well, I would very much like to come between you two, but not in a bad way.”

Max chuckled, his face redder if that was possible. I couldn’t see Quentin, but I felt his warm body against my back. His lips moved across the exposed skin.

“That’s just one of the things I want to do to you, Temptress.”

I bit my lip, holding back a moan as frustration coursed through me that I had to work soon and therefore couldn’t get any ideas. The hard-as-steel member beneath me apparently had other plans, too.

“So, um, what do you guys do? Why are you in Foolshope?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

The guys froze, instantly cooling my lust as I remembered their truth. Max looked over my head, his eyes sweeping back and forth as they searched for something from Quentin.

“We work in private security,” Max said after a long silence.

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