Page 57 of All Your Deadly Truths (The Filthy Duet #2)

Kairhyse

I was gone for exactly two hours and thirty-two minutes, and even though Xera had been anxious about me leaving, I was the one rushing to get back to her.

Trust isn’t something I give easily—especially when it comes to my girl—but Kayn is one of the few exceptions.

If I’d sensed anything off the night Xeraphine was taken, I would’ve asked him to tap into his contacts in Sidence to keep an eye on my place.

We’d been holed up in my apartment for weeks, so there’s no point in dwelling on what I might have missed.

Still, it eats at me. I should have kept her safe. Even if she’d argue she didn’t need me to.

Cutting the engine, I step out of the car, and the first thing I catch is my little demon’s scent.

A moment later, she appears around the side of the house, Kayn trailing beside her, his hands in his pockets.

There aren’t any obvious scuffs on him, and for a second, I wonder if she wasn’t successful.

But no—she’s radiating pride. Even without a smile, I can feel her good mood humming in the air between us.

Kayn’s eyes stay on her as I step closer, and I can’t help but wonder why he doesn’t pay me any mind.

Xera stops a foot or so away from me. “How’d your shopping trip go?” She crosses her arms under her chest, pulling at her black button up shirt.

“It was good, got what I needed and confirmed the information for our date this evening.”

Her eyes widen. “Date?”

A chuckle rolls from Kayn’s throat. “I don’t have two helmets, by the way.”

I’ve ridden motorcycles for years, only recently learning to appreciate the comfort of a closed vehicle. But for tonight’s trip, speed and freedom will be perfect.

“All good, we won’t die.” I shrug, and with Xeraphine looking up at Kayn, I take advantage of her distraction and grab her wrist. Tugging her to me, she gasps. “You good on a bike?”

She swallows and shrugs her shoulders. “Won’t know until I try. Never been on one.”

I’m about to let her go when she surprises me and wraps an arm around my torso. She looks over her shoulder, at Kayn, who places his hands behind his back and turns away.

Odd…

She rises onto her tiptoes, pressing a quick kiss to my lips. It’s fleeting, but as she steps back, I’m already studying her expression. Nothing seems off, even if she’s acting strangely affectionate.

“Do I need to get dressed?”

“I got you something to wear tonight. We will check into a hotel to get ready, so we can head out.” I give her a smile and brush a few strands of hair behind her ear.

I steal a glance at Kayn, noting how he respectfully averts his gaze, giving us space. I hope Xera will open up about the hours they spent together, but I’ll wait for her to provide it, and won’t push.

“You good here tonight?” I ask him, which does bring his attention to me. “We will be back in the morning. We just need you to keep Sydni safe, that’s it.”

“Want me to keep the Werewolf off her too?”

Shrugging my shoulders, I shake my head. “Leave it, she’s an adult.”

Xera grumbles. “Questionable.” That gets a laugh from Kayn and myself. “Give me a minute, I need to grab my phone and tell Syd to behave.”

She presses her lips to mine once more, quick and deliberate, before pacing back into the house. It’s not that we don’t kiss—because we do—but it’s almost always me initiating when we’re around others. Usually, I have to steal them from her, teasing or coaxing her into giving in.

So when I glance at Kayn, who’s leaning to the side with a knowing smirk, I narrow my eyes.

“What did you do?”

“I really like her.” He steps to me and shakes his head, his chin tucked as he chuckles. His mischievous eyes sear into me. “I explained what her Amoro needs, and she’s trying to see if appeasing it will have it giving her what she wants.”

“What does it need? ”

“Love, nurturing, emotional attachment.”

I drone, “Oh boy. Did she attack you when you said the word love?” A nervous laugh slips, already knowing the answer considering he seems to be in one piece.

“Nah, but I can tell it makes her uncomfortable.”

“Uncomfortable is an understatement. Complicated little demon, that one is.”

With a thunderous laugh, he throws his head back, the sound echoing through the open space. I follow with a light chuckle of my own—not because I find it any less amusing, but because, in truth, it doesn’t matter to me how she chooses to show her feelings or whether she speaks them aloud.

I’ll love on her however I damn well please, whether she mirrors it back or not, is her own decision.

“Luce was different,” he says after getting himself under control.

“He didn’t need that to satisfy himself, just acceptance and strength.

Most of their kind have a natural instinct to embody what they are, but because she’s a Hybrid, it’s likely why she doesn’t have that pull to be what the other side of her needs. ”

I sigh, turning toward the house to watch for my little demon.

“That isn’t it… it was perpetually stripped from her.

The ability to feel anything other than hate and mistrust. It’s difficult to love when you don’t trust anyone.

Hard to be nurturing when no one was that way to you.

Impossible to get emotionally attached when nothing is permanent but suffering. ”

He hums as if in understanding. “We didn’t talk about her beyond the necessity, but…” He moves to stand beside me, facing the cabin. “She doesn’t need to tell me her story for me to see her life has been anything but kind.”

“She is who she is and wears it proudly,” I murmur.

“And you love her for it.” It isn’t a question, but regardless, I answer.

“I do. Every crazy, psychotic inch of her.”

The door swings open, and as my little demon steps out, Sydni follows, their arms linked. I’m relieved when Xera turns to her and says, “Be good. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Good, they are talking again, I’m glad.

Her princess wraps her free arm around Xera’s waist, pulling her into a hug. There’s a brief bit of hesitation on her part to reciprocate, but in the end, she does. Her arms wrap around Sydni’s neck, tightening their embrace.

“She asked me if I was a top.” Kayn leans to me, whispering softly into my ear. “I told her that was the reason you and I wouldn’t work out.”

A strained noise comes from my throat and I roll my eyes. “You did not.”

“I did, because it’s true.”

Shaking my head, I outstretch my hand to my little demon, who is now making her way to me.

When she slips her hand into mine, our fingers lace together.

It’s strange, I can feel a subtle charge of energy slicing through my veins, and I know it’s coming from her Amoro.

It’s the same sensation as when it feeds from my lifeforce, but less abrasive.

Like it’s waiting for me to hold it, versus it embracing me.

I’m not sure how I feel about her forcing herself to express her feelings just to appease her Amoro. Though, I’m not going to bring it up, and I’ll just pretend like Kayn hadn’t said anything.

“Kayn says you two would fight in the bedroom, and I believe it.” She tugs hard on my arm and brings me behind her. Those eyes of silver bare directly at him as she bites out, “I’d win that fight. Period. And no, we aren’t testing the theory.” She points directly between his eyes. “I mean it.”

His shoulders jump with mirth. “Something tells me he wouldn’t let me feed on you anyway, and I’m a man that enjoys feasting while fucking.”

She shakes her head, seemingly disappointed. “You two were cut from the same cloth, I swear to Belial himself.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“I’m curious.” She steps back against my chest and I am blown away at her physical affection. “Do Vampires feed off each other?”

He immediately shakes his head. “The taste of our blood is disgusting to us. Imagine every food you have ever eaten, blended and mixed into a pot, and then you sip it through a plastic straw.”

“Oddly specific, but okay I get it.” My arm drapes over her, crossing her collarbone and grabbing hold of her shoulder. “Take care of her, Kayn. I don’t think anything will happen within twenty-four hours, but if something does, I’ll make you eat your cock.”

The moment I see him ready to quip, I cut in, “She will. I’ve seen the aftermath.”

A sly smirk crosses his face and he winks. “Don’t worry about your little… princess, did you call her?” Xera nods, and he continues. “I’m pretty resourceful. Have fun, no need to rush back.”

He gives us a soft wave and turns from us, walking toward the cabin. I release my girl and head to the car where I grab a singular bag. Once I’ve tucked it into the compartment of the bike, I set his helmet down onto the ground and gesture for her to come.

She situates herself, draping her leg over and scooting right in behind me. Her arms wrap around my torso and she rests her head against my back. The press of her breasts and warmth between her thighs have me sighing in contentment.

“Want me to go slow?” I rev the engine, kicking the stand back and bringing us upright.

I feel her laugh. “When do I ever want you to be slow with me?” She draws one hand down my stomach, right over the bulge slowly growing in my jeans. “This is hot, and if you don’t get us moving, I may take you into the woods and fuck you.”

“Oh no, I’m so scared.” I chuckle. “Hold on tight, little demon.”

Her thighs squeeze tighter around me, her arms clinging as if she could mold herself to my body. I peel us out of the driveway, the rumble of the engine vibrating through both of us. As the speed picks up, so does her heartbeat, a steady rhythm against my back.

For a fleeting moment, I consider just taking us east—drive across the country, and leave everything behind. No fight, no threats, no past chasing us like a shadow. Just her and me, lost to the world, wrapped up in eternity together.

Fuck , that sounds so perfect. I’d give anything to make that a reality for us, and maybe one day, I can.

“I hate you.”