Page 116 of Beneath the Light of the Moon

He grit his teeth.

Apparently, Levi was growing on her.

He wasn’t sure if he was surprised or concerned by this realization. While at the beginning he’d hoped their personalities meshed well enough to have Anika grow comfortable around them, Mikko had been certain Levi’s arrogance would eventually annoy her.

He appeared to be wrong, and hehatedbeing wrong.

Standing amongst the shadows, he had the perfect view of them. A front row seat as they shared whispers and gentle, imploring kisses. With each touch, Mikko unraveled.

His left hand throbbed, the chilly evening air irritating the scars there. He couldn’t discern if clouds had moved across the moon, blocking out a portion of the light or if his fury was clouding everything else in his vision.

Go out there,his brain demanded.Make them stop.

But he couldn’t.

His fury had him rooted to the spot, sharp eyes counting every single time they touched and kissed. He tried to focus on his breathing, but with every inhale, her scent was there along with a rage-filled haze descending over him. He’d ventured out here to find his friend andthiswas what he stumbled upon instead?

Disgust crawled up the back of his throat, his annoyance increasing until—

A soft gasp resonated out of her mouth.

Heknewit was Anika’s, his own body reacting. He’d studied her for too long tonotknow every little sound she made.

Andif he’d been a rubber band, he would’ve snapped right fucking then.

Despite his revulsion at the man eliciting these noises from her his cock still hardened at her quiet moans. Mikko hadn’t been this weak in a long time. Now, he felt helpless and at her mercy.

Cursing under his breath, his body went rigid. Blood rushed in his ears, and he was surprised to know not all of it was in his dick. Time slowed as he listened to her, enraptured but also vexed beyond measure. Forget pain and pleasure, this was another level of psychological torture.

Fuck.

He discreetly shifted where he stood, cock aching and pressing painfully against his zipper. He’d have to use his helmet to cover up the tent in his fucking pants. Forget the idea of making Anika his; how was he going to kill this bastard for touching his salvation? No, hisruination.

Creative ideas flashed in his mind in a perverse slideshow, fueling his rage, each more vile than the last. He landed on one involving blood, so much that the tang of copper permanently coated the air. And Anika’s skin was painted in it—smeared in Levi’s gore, poetically marking the last timehewould ever touch her skin again. His typical aversion to blood was erased when it involved Anika. Mikko’s hand skimmed across her bare body, crimson clinging to both their flesh as he coaxed those same noises out of her, but this time it was wilder.

Hungrier.

And Mikko was finally doing what he wanted all along—he was claiming her, fucking her until there was nothing outside of them. Gone were the thoughts of her getting even with him; gone was the apprehension he usually carried. Now, in its place, was a certainty like no other.She’smine,fuckeveryone else.

A growl escaped his throat.

He’d stepped out from the shadows before his logic could stop him. Words rolled off his tongue, “The system really is corrupt.”

Breaking away, Anika turned toward Mikko’s voice. He wanted her to be panicked, embarrassed, ashamed, but she conveyed none of that. As always she was calm and collected. A hand propped itself on her hip as Levi followed her gaze to Mikko.

“As much as you might enjoy cuckolding, this isn’t what I had in mind, Mikko,” Levi said, a stupid grin plastered across his lips. Mikko noted they were smeared with Anika’s lipstick.

His jaw twitched. “You shouldn’t be here,” he started, “with her.”

Levi stood to his full height, straightening his jumpsuit. “And why’sthat? You asked me to do this.”

Anika said nothing, content to watch. She most likely had already figured them out anyway.

“That was before I knew her background.” Mikko stepped closer. He should’ve turned away, left this maze before speaking if only to avoid the bloodshed that was sure to happen if things progressed negatively.

Anika spoke now, “And just what did you learn?”

Heat rushed his cheeks, both from anger and from her unapologetic demeanor. His balaclava still obscured his face, but his tense stance spoke of his inner turmoil.