Page 71 of Born into Madness

She doesn’t run from the tub in terror, not that I would’ve let her out of my tight grip to do so, but I still take it as a good sign. Instead of horror, she gives me her sweet smile and kisses me.

“I don’t want you to let me go, Sasha.”

“What a relief. I would have hated to keep you here against your will.”

She grins, but she’s also giving me herI can’t tell if you’re being seriouslook. I grin and kiss the tip of her nose. I don’t tell her I’m 100 percent serious. Instead, I say, “We’re going to be late, Cyn.”

“Oh shit.” Before she jumps up, she waits so she can give me one last kiss, proving she’s just as sweet as I thought, and then she’s hurrying up and out of the tub. Her body is hidden from view far too quickly for my liking, and when she hands me my own towel, I take it and wrap it around my waist when I step from the tub. Even after coming a few minutes ago, I’m already growing hard again. I can’t control my body when I’m around her. For someone who’s used to always being in control, I find it a little annoying. It seems she controls my cock, just like she does every other part of me. Both my body and mind are completely enraptured by her.

She sends a quick text to Savanna, letting her know we’ll be a few minutes late, and then she surprises me by turning to me and asking, “You don’t by any chance have a friend who’d be willing to join us, do you? Maybe one who doesn’t enjoy killing quite as much as you do?”

“One who doesn’t enjoy killing as much as I do?” I ask with a laugh. “What are you up to,krovinka?”

She heads for the closet, and before she answers me, she takes a second to smile at the way I’ve mixed her clothes in with mine. Her fingers run over one of my black hoodies. “Thanks for doing all this, Sasha.”

“You’re welcome, but I should warn you it was for purely selfish reasons.” I lean a shoulder against the doorway and watch her pick out an outfit. “So why do you want me to invite someone?”

Her back is still turned to me, and I have a feeling it’s to hide her blushing cheeks when she says, “I thought it might be fun, and Sav could do with a bit of that.” She glances over her shoulder to add, “But, seriously, only if he’s a decent guy. I don’t want to introduce her to some manwhore who likes to hurt people for fun.”

I laugh at the image, knowing it doesn’t fit a single person in my family. “The issue I’m running into is the exact opposite. Most of the men in my family are married, and not a single one of them is a cheater.”

“Well, that’s good to know. You mentioned a cousin who’s good with computers? What about him?”

“Niki?” I ask, turning the idea over in my head. “I might be able to convince him to come.”

Cyn’s grin is as sexy as it is cute. “Perfect.”

I watch her dress in a pair of jeans and when she picks a shirt that’s the same shade of green as the dress I’d asked her to wear, I swear I feel my heart swell a bit. If I hadn’t enjoyed beating the fuck out of Xander so much earlier, I’d worry she was making me soft. The truth is it had taken every ounce of willpower I possess to not slide my knife into him, and the only reason I hadn’t is because she’s right. As much as I hate it, I can’t just go around killing people who piss me off by flirting with Cyn, no matter how badly I may want to. It would be irresponsible of me, and it would put my family in danger, something I’m not willing to do.

That doesn’t mean I’ll let things slide, though. I am who I am, and there’s no stopping that. The corner of my mouth lifts at the memory of splitting Xander’s lip and the way his blood had looked spraying the brick wall I’d had him pressed against. It hadn’t been as satisfying as killing him would have been, but I think it’s a fair compromise.

After I’ve pulled on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, I send a quick text to Niki.

ME:

I need you to meet me at a little place called Bean Me Up.

NIKI:

Why?

ME:

I’ll explain when you get there.

NIKI:

Is this important?

I know Niki’s busy and was probably planning on working all night, but then I look over at Cyn, and the excited, hopeful look she’s giving me as she finishes getting ready is enough to have my fingers moving.

ME:

Yeah, it is.

NIKI:

Fine. I’ll be there in 15.