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Even in the faint light slicing in though the rim of the door, I wince a little. Blink. Move my muscles. Better.

My chains hang from a hook above me, mounted to a track. I can move some.

Shifting up to my knees, I note my state of composure. Hair’s been washed. Skin too. Ananke has a whole staff at the palace. Servants and maids.

A finely made black dress adorns my aching body. Simple. Pretty.

The moments leading up to getting knocked out return, tightening a knot of fear in my gut. She has Ero. Captured him again.

Something shuffles in the dark ahead of me.

There’s someone else in here…

“Ero?” I whisper. No response.

Crawling across the floor, I tug my chains along the trolley mounted to the ceiling. I creep forward until I make out the outline of feet, legs sprawled out, strapped to bolts in the floor. A well-muscled body, bare chested and so familiar rests on the cool stone, arms outstretched overhead.

He’s drawn into an X by his bonds. Must have put up one hell of a fight from the looks of things. Still, they cleaned him up. Dressed him in fitted black pants to match my dress.

Meaning they intend to use us one last time.

I reach for Ero’s face, stroking his cheek and drifting up to tease his wavy mess of raven locks.

Peaceful. He always looks so peaceful when he sleeps.

“Hm?” Onyx eyes crack open. A flicker of a smile. That expression on his face will never cease to amaze and surprise me.

“My love…” I lean closer, letting him see me better, “Why did you?—”

“No choice.”

“Bullshit. You should have left me?—”

“First of all, fuck you. I will never leave you, no matter how frustratingly pigheaded you are. But that’s not what I meant. Bratva found me. Brought me as their negotiating tool.”

“They caved?” My lips curls in disgust. Can’t really blame anyone at this point. Ananke is unstoppable.

“They have their own agenda, I’m sure. I’m just glad I got to see you one last time before it’s all over.”

“Fatalist much?” I bend lower, kissing him tenderly.

“I died a long time ago. Only you wouldn’t let me stay that way. Fucking infuriating.”

“What can I say? I have a vindictive streak.”

“Then please, by all means, make me pay…”

“We do have some unfinished business,” I hum, kissing him deeply. Ero’s fire fills my core.

I don’t know what lies for us outside this room, what Ananke has planned. Whatever sick game she intends to play with us, I know it won’t be good. But I refuse to waste what little time we have left huddling terrified in the dark.

My body shifts unconsciously as I let Ero sample my lips, my leg looping over his middle. Straddling him, longing intensifies. Breath quickens, pulse pounds.

Ero grows tantalizingly rigid between my legs, thrilling me with anticipation. Just as instantaneously, I’m ready for him. Danger and urgency. It’s always been our most potent aphrodisiac.

Desire and need throw foreplay and subtlety out the window. “I need you inside me. Now.”

Ero’s low growl is all the answer I need. Not that he can do much about it.