Page 75 of Poisoned Pawn

“I don’t need you to say them, Carter. I hear them. Whispered to me every time you touch me, every time you’re inside me. From one lost and tortured soul to another.” She sucks in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly. “You want to brand me? Already done. You want to own me? I’m yours.”

“Jesus fucking Christ!” My words are punctuated with the tell-tale signs of my growing dick between us. Her words any other time would lead to me telling her to run before chasing her down and fucking her wherever I find her. But I push override and just in time as a knock comes at the door.

“Star, can I come in?” Roxanne asks.

“No!” we both shout at the same time, turning to see the handle being pressed down.

I hear Roxanne muttering a Jesus fucking Christ of her own.

“We’ll be down in a minute,” Star calls back.

“There’s a bag out here with some clothes for you.”

“Thanks,” Star shouts as Roxanne’s footsteps echo on the metal staircase.

I fetch the bag from just outside the door, then tell Star to go shower first. There’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off her if I get in there too. Once she’s done, she heads downstairs to see Aidan while I shower.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

STAR

I’m not sure where to start with everything that happened in the last hour. I’m pretty sure that Carter just fucked me like he loves me. Scrap that. I know that’s what he was doing.

But I can’t believe he has a sister.

Where is she? Why has he never spoken about her before?

Questions I intend to get answers to because I have a feeling she is the reason he became a Shadow.

First though, I need to face Aidan. I know how to deal with him normally, but this feels different. I’ve pushed back plenty when it comes to Aidan and Roxy, but I’ve never truly gone against them. I’ve never needed to—until now.

I step out of the room to the sound of Aidan firing questions at Frankie. Not that I need to be worried. That man is more than capable of holding his own. He didn’t give much away earlier when I did the same as Aidan is right now, but he gave me enough to glean that he and Carter have been friends for many years. As to who he really is? I’m still clueless. I guess that’s how he wants it.

As soon as I begin my descent down the spiral staircase, the voices stop, and when I reach the bottom, every face is turned my way.

“Here she is,” Frankie says. “Freshly showered and de-floured.”

The second the words leave his mouth all eyes turn to him with death glares.

“No pun intended,” he adds with a laugh and offers me a wink as everyone turns back to me.

I greet Aidan, giving him a hug, then he steps back, holding onto my shoulders as he inspects me. I know there are still some faint marks on my body, my throat, from Carter, and Aidan’s eyes narrow as he spots them.

I cut him off as he goes to speak. “Don’t. It’s not what you think.”

“I’m sure it’s exactly what I fucking think,” he replies, then he shakes his head like he needs to clear it of an image he doesn’t want to see. “Where is he?”

“Taking a shower. He’ll be down in a minute.” Needing to steer the conversation away from Carter for a moment, I ask, “How’s Parker? Where is she?”

“She’s fine. I left her at the safe house with Seb and Ryder.” His eyes flick over to Frankie as though checking if he’s listening in on our conversation. It’s clear that Aidan doesn’t trust Frankie yet. But I’m not surprised. Aidan doesn’t trust many people. The fact he left Parker with Seb and Ryder, Rick’s partners at Triple R Security, speaks volumes.

“Food is ready. Let’s fill our bellies before the real talking begins,” Frankie says, ushering everyone over to the table in the centre of the room.

Of course, Aidan takes the seat at the head of the table. It’s a calculated move to piss off Frankie or Carter, or both.

Instead of taking a seat with everyone else though, I go and help Frankie in the kitchen.

“Thank you,” I say quietly as he places the sliced naan bread we made onto a plate.

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