Page 84 of Behind the Shadows

My head dropped as the name echoed through my chest like a curse. I looked up, butterflies tearing through my stomach like shrapnel. “Why would you think we’re related?”

He swallowed hard. “Because my mother used to date him.”

A sharp, broken laugh escaped me, brittle and unhinged. It felt like my sanity was hanging by a single, frayed thread. “I’m sorry,” I muttered, stepping closer. “That’s just … no. We’re not related, babe. We’re not brother and sister.”

His brows pulled together, confusion darkening his features. “How do you know?”

“Lily told me today that the Pied Piper is my biological father.” I blinked, swallowing down bile. All this time, I thought Ally and I were bound by blood—sisters in every sense. But we weren’t. We had different fathers. The man who destroyed my life had created me. “But my mother—my real mother—she’s dead. Apparently, she betrayed him and he had her killed. Then he and Lily sold me.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.

Kip’s arm snaked around my waist, his fingers digging into my side like he needed to anchor himself to the truth. “Are you sure she’s dead? That Lily’s not your mother too?”

I shook my head. “We look nothing alike. And as much as I hate her, I believe her. She twisted the knife too well for it to be a lie. She enjoyed it too much.”

I hesitated. “But are you sure your dad isn’t the Pied Piper?”

“No hesitation. No doubt. My dad died in a car accident when I was five. I remember him. He wasn’t a monster—he was quiet, kind. Not long after he was gone, my uncle showed up and forced his way into our lives. Years later, I found a paternity test hidden in one of my mom’s locked drawers. It proved my dad was my biological father. The Pied Piper isn’t related to me.”

Relief hit like the first second of air after a fist to the ribs—violent, messy, and clawing at my insides.

“Then we’re okay,” I whispered. “We’re not related.”

His mouth crashed down on mine, possessive and raw, and I melted into him like gravity had chosen him as my center.

“You’re mine, Holland. I don’t just want you. I need you. I need you wrecked and raw, your pussy juices dripping down my cock, my name the only word you can remember. I’ll devour you, mind, body, and soul, until there’s nothing left for anyone else. Only you, shattered, stitched into my soul. Look at another man, and I’ll burn his goddamn world down. Then I’ll fuck you in the ashes.”

My pulse skipped, heat tearing through my veins. I leaned into him, feeling the hard press of his cock through his jeans.

“Then make me forget there ever was a world before you,” I whispered. “Use me. Break me. Just never stop needing me.”

A low growl escaped his throat as he kissed me again, possessing me with an urgency. He slid his hand up my back and to the nape of my neck. His fingers dug into my skin before he wrapped my hair around them and pulled my head back. Hislust-filled expression turned my entire body to liquid heat. Kip leaned down, scooped me into his arms, and carried me to the bedroom. He sat me down.

“Do you remember the night you took the Ambien?” His words were low, raw, and filled with need.

“Some.”

“You nearly came for me as I called you my little whore. Your cunt was dripping wet as it greedily fucked my cross.”

I sank my teeth into my lower lip, my thighs clenching.

“Little ghost, you’re a dirty little slut for me, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” My tongue darted over my lips, still feeling his mouth crashing on mine.

“Take off your clothes, little ghost.”

I stood and slowly removed my top and jeans. His attention raked over me as I stood in front of him in my bra and thong. Sliding my bra straps off my shoulders, I undid the clasp and let it drop to the floor.

“Fuck,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to fuck those gorgeous tits.”

As far as I was concerned, this man could fuck me any way he wanted to. I was his to do with as he pleased. I slipped my thong over my hips and down my legs before I stepped out of it.

“On your knees.”

I walked over to him, then knelt before him, waiting for his next command. He leaned forward and grabbed my chin hard enough to make me gasp from the pain.

“I put you on your knees, not to beg—but to belong. There’s no god here but the one who makes you come.”