Page 94 of Blood and Thorns

She met my eyes, her jaw set. “I would never have let him hit me.”

“Hmm.” I wanted to know why she flinched in his presence, or why the light in her eyes dimmed whenever he was near. “Graves is up to something.”

She blinked, looking up at me like the observation had caught her off guard. “He’s always up to something,” she muttered. “When he gets an itch, he doesn’t stop. He becomes–”

“Obsessive,” I finished for her. “Impulsive.” That was how he’d fucked up the first time he tried to investigate my empire. He got caught up in the thrill, too blinded by his own ego to be patient. Instead, he wanted to be the hero, and failed, even when he tried to play it dirty.

He’d fail again, too. I’d make fucking sure of it.

My phone started to vibrate once more, which I ignored until it stopped, only for it to immediately start up again.

“You going to get that?” Arabella asked, and I found I was amused with the indignation in her gaze. “Or are you just going to interrogate me on my ex all day?”

“Your mouth’s going to get you into trouble,” I muttered, knowing who was calling before I’d even answered.

“What the fuck, Bas? You dismissed the guards?”Caden exclaimed on the other end of the line.

“What do you want?” I snapped. “I’m busy.” And by busy I meant getting Arabella worked up so I could take her home and do exactly what I’d described earlier.

Caden snorted.“I want you to not be a cunt, but I think it’s impossible.”

Arabella burst into laughter before she caught the sound, and I stared down at her to stay quiet.

“Lang’s burning shit again. I’m worried,”Caden added, and my expression darkened.

Fuck.Lang burning shit wasn’t uncommon, but if Caden was concerned it meant Langdon was pushing it. “He hurt anyone?”

“Other than what’s been approved, no, I don’t think so.”

Arabella frowned, and I smoothed the line between her eyes with my thumb. “I’ll speak to him, but for now let’s just keep a closer eye. Make sure he sticks to reality rather than getting lost in his own mind.”

Chapter 41

Sebastian

As soon as I stepped into Lang’s place, I was assaulted by the scent of perfume, weed, and sex. Three naked women lay together on the sofa, all fast asleep from a long night of partying.

“Fuck off,” I growled, waking them up.

All three of them squeaked in surprise before running to the lift, naked. Candles were lit everywhere, forgotten as they melted to encrust the floor. The brunette knocked one in passing, sending them scattering before I managed to pick them up. Luckily the fall extinguished their flames, but wax had already scalded the wood.

Discarded bottles lay on the table, beside Lang’s golden lighter and a couple of used condoms.Shit.Langdon didn’t drink unless he was in a downer.

Making my way to his bedroom, I found him lying on his back in bed, the black silk sheets fallen to reveal a busty blonde riding him with vigour. Lang, as usual, was fully dressed but for his cock, his fingers clamping onto her hips as she put on a performance.

I didn’t wait. “Times up. Get out.”

The woman didn’t stop, instead turning her head to pout at me. “There’s room for one more,” she purred, reaching back to try and touch me. Lang reacted before I could, throwing her off so she bounced ungracefully beside him.

His hands lifted, his movements angry as he signed, “Don’t touch him.”

But the woman didn’t understand, instead fluffing her hair and reaching for her discarded clothes. “Arsehole,” she muttered, glaring at him as she passed. “Don’t call me.”

She slammed the bedroom door behind her, and I leaned back against it as I waited for Langdon to tuck himself away.

“What the fuck, Bas?” he signed, brows furrowed in annoyance. “It’s like six in the morning. You could’ve waited for me to finish.”

“You fucked with me by involving Ara. This was just payback.”