Page 17

SEVENTEEN

KAI

I crack my knuckles, my eyes narrowing as the final firewall crumbles before my relentless assault.

“Child’s play,” I mutter, the corner of my lips twitching into a smirk. This job was almost too easy. My uncle had sent me a target earlier in the day, a rush request for one of his more... interesting clients. Sunshore Bank, a small local branch down in Miami. The target? A dormant account under the name Alina Mayfield.

I initiate the custom script. It was designed to probe the bank’s defenses for any weaknesses. Within seconds, the script returned a series of possible entry points. My eyes flicker across the data, trying to find the perfect soft spot to exploit.

With a few more keystrokes, I establish a secure connection to the bank’s internal network. Now it was just a matter of navigating through the system to locate the accounts I needed to access.

I pause for a moment. Our client is Dimitri Santoro. Why take such a meager amount from someone so seemingly insignificant? Doesn’t matter. I don’t get paid to ask questions, just to get results.

I navigate the system with ease, locating the account in question. One by one, I siphon small amounts from the dormant account, careful not to trigger any alarms. Each transfer is calculated, perfectly timed. When the final transaction confirms, I lean back, a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding escaping my lips.

Clean. Perfect.

I double-check the logs, wiping any trace of my presence. I’ve been doing this for years—clean exits are non-negotiable. Satisfied, I disconnect from the bank’s servers and shut down my system. I grab my phone, shooting off a quick message to my uncle:

Me

Payment to Santoro complete. No traces left. - K

I stretch my arms above my head, glancing at my monitor’s reflection. A low groan rumbles in my throat.

“How long were you planning on lurking like a damn creep?” I ask, swiveling in my chair. Dayton is sprawled out upside down on the edge of my bed, smirking like a kid who just stole candy.

“As long as it takes Sable to stop being pissed at us.” he pouts, flopping onto his stomach with exaggerated drama.

I snort, rolling my eyes. “She’s pissed at you. Not us.” I turn back to my screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard, but I can still feel his eyes on me.

“It’s been days, man,” Dayton sighs, his tone shifting from playful to serious. “She’s been holed up in my room since whatever went down with Silas. She’s not talking to me, and now she’s not even leaving to go to class.”

“Maybe she needs space,” I suggest, though a part of me knows it’s more complicated than that. Silas hasn’t been around much either, spending hours in the gym.

Dayton sits up, grabbing his phone. “I’ve been texting her. Nine times today. Sent her a few videos. She’s seen them, but... nothing.”

“You’re an idiot.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “Spam texting isn’t gonna make her forgive you. It’s probably pissing her off even more.”

Dayton groans, throwing his head back. “I don’t know what else to do, Kai. She’s... she’s slipping away. I can feel it.”

I glance over at him, seeing the genuine worry etched in his face. For all his bravado, Dayton cares deeply. Maybe too much. And damn it, he’s right. Sable isn’t like the others. There’s something different about her, something that makes her hard to let go of. She’s not just another conquest, another girl to toss aside.

Sable is... dangerous. For all of us. But in such a delicious way.

Not in the obvious way—she’s not volatile like Silas or reckless like Dayton. No, her danger lies in how easily she slips under your skin, takes root, and stays there, burrowing deeper than any of us expected.

I’ve known the guys for three years now. We met during pledge week at AGU—back when Silas, Dayton, and I were all green and innocent, though our paths were paved with old money and family connections. Getting into AGU was nothing more than a few signatures. Even getting into DSN was a damn formality. We weren’t just pledges; we were practically destined for membership, born into it.

Silas was the first to befriend me. I’d like to think it was my winning personality that pulled him in, but the truth is, we were thrown together during a sabotage mission during rush week. He wasn’t thrilled to be stuck with me, not at first. But by the end of the night, we’d formed a bond. From there, I met Levi.

Levi Thompson.

The man who might very well be the death of me if I’m not careful. I’ve always known I was bisexual. Growing up, my interests were simple: sports, girls, fast cars, and adrenaline-fueled weekends. I could throw a punch with the best of them, and my father’s money could cover up any trouble that came my way. But there was always this undercurrent—an ache that twisted in my gut whenever I saw a guy being intimate with a woman.

Then, in late high school, one of my friends was fucking this girl’s face, rough and unforgiving. Tears, spit, and God knows what else streaked down her cheeks as he forced himself down her throat. And there I was, hiding behind a tree, rock hard, just imagining it was me on my knees, taking it like that. I came so fast; I didn’t even know what hit me.

But it wasn’t until I met Levi that I felt safe enough to explore that side of myself. Levi was different. He didn’t judge; he didn’t question. He pushed my boundaries and made me face things about myself that I’d kept locked away. He’s the only man I’ve ever been with—and probably ever will be. There’s this magnetic pull between us, something deeper than just lust. That I’ve never felt before.

Until her.

Until my eyes roamed across those computer screens, watching her, learning her, falling for her.

“Fine,” I sigh, pushing myself out of my chair. “Get a large pizza from Harry’s. I’ll grab something from the cellar. Twenty minutes.”

Dayton’s face lights up with relief. “Deal. Get a red!”

Fifteen minutes later, after braving the cobweb-infested depths of the cellar, I return to the den with a bottle of red in hand. Dayton follows shortly after, pizza in tow, balancing the box on one hand as he uses his foot to push the door open.

“Pepperoni?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

“Fuck yeah.” He grins, setting the box on the coffee table.

I set up the coffee table with glasses and a cloth, pouring three glasses of the red as Dayton flips open the pizza box.

“You think this’ll work?” Dayton asks.

I shrug, taking a sip of wine. “It’s worth a shot. She’s not talking, so maybe food will break the ice. Besides, if nothing else, we get to eat pizza.”

He chuckles.

We head upstairs, stopping outside Dayton’s room. I knock softly, hoping she’ll answer this time.

“Fuck off. Go away,” her muffled voice calls from inside.

“It’s Kai... and Dayton.”

Dayton bumps me over, pressing his cheek against the wood of the door like some ridiculous puppy. “We brought pizza,” he offers.

“And wine,” I add, hoping the peace offering will sway her.

There’s a brief pause before the door opens a crack. Sable peers out, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She looks tired, her hair slightly disheveled and her lips pressed into a tight line.

“If this is some kind of trick...” she starts, her voice wary.

“No tricks,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “We just thought you might want to join us.”

Dayton tries to jump in, his eagerness palpable. “Look, Sable?—”

“Don’t.” Her sharp voice cuts through the air, silencing him. Her gaze is icy, flicking between us with anger simmering just beneath the surface. “What kind of pizza? Very important question.”

“Pep. From Harry’s! But seriously?—”

I place a firm hand on Dayton’s shoulder, keeping him from launching into whatever half-baked apology he’s about to spew. “Sable, we’re not here to make excuses for Silas being a grade-A asshole. He crossed a line—big time. But you can’t stay holed up in Day’s room forever.”

She stays behind the door, only her face visible. Even after days of hiding away, she looks striking—there’s a stubborn strength in her eyes, a defiance that exhaustion hasn’t dimmed. But there’s also pain, raw and unguarded.

“Yeah... Kai won’t even let me borrow his clothes,” Dayton jokes, attempting to break the tension. It’s a weak attempt, but for a split second, her lips twitch like she might almost smile. Almost.

I roll my eyes, deciding to play along. “Anyway, we’ve got pizza and wine downstairs. Silas and Levi are off at another fight night, so it’s just us. It’d be nice if you joined.”

She hesitates, still unsure, but I can see the gears turning in her head. She’s considering it. The faintest flicker of curiosity sparks in her eyes before she slams the door shut again. Dayton shoots me a confused look, but I shake my head and motion for him to follow me back downstairs.

We head to the den and pour ourselves glasses of wine, trying to act nonchalant, like we’re not hoping she’ll change her mind. The pizza sits between us on the coffee table, steam rising off the perfectly greasy slices.

Minutes pass, and just when I think she’s not coming, I hear soft footsteps descending the stairs. Sable appears at the entrance to the den, wearing one of Dayton’s AGU lacrosse shirts that’s far too big for her. The forest green fabric hangs loosely over her small frame, brushing the tops of her thighs.

Her hair is pulled up in a messy bun, bangs hitting her cheekbones. My chest tightens at the sight. She looks... fuck; she looks good. There’s something about her in Dayton’s shirt, her bare legs peeking out beneath, that messes with my head. Dayton, beside me, visibly stiffens. His gaze is glued to her, betraying just how much seeing her like this affects him.

“Pepperoni alright with you?” I ask casually, trying to ease any remaining tension.

Dayton nods eagerly. “Absolutely.”

Sable gives a small nod in response, a faint smile playing at the corners of her eyes.

“I wasn’t asking you, asshat,” I scold Dayton.

Sable cracks the smallest smile, rolling her eyes as she walks over to the couch, plopping down between us.

“Thanks,” she mutters softly, taking a slice of pizza and pulling off a piece of the crust. Her eyes flick between Dayton and me, still cautious. Something that tells me maybe she doesn’t hate us as much as she wants to. Maybe there’s still a chance to fix this.

Her hands cradle the bowl of the wine glass, swirling the dark liquid until it coats the sides. “Decent quality,” she remarks, a small smirk curling at her lips.

Dayton scoffs. “You’re barely twenty-one. What do you know about wine?”

Sable doesn’t miss a beat. “When your parents spend their lives wining and dining clients, you pick up a few things.” She takes a measured sip, the subtle movement of her throat drawing my attention. She savors the wine, her lips tightening slightly as she considers it. The dim lighting casts shadows on her face, highlighting the sharp angles of her jaw, the soft curve of her lips.

I clear my throat, unable to hold back any longer. “I’m sorry,” I start, my voice lower than intended.

She looks over at me, eyes softening briefly before hardening again.

“You deserve better than the way Silas treated you the other night,” I continue. “Whatever happened between you two in high school, it’s clear he’s always been... drawn to you. You’re his kryptonite.”

“Nothing happened between us,” she says sharply. “Nothing important to him, anyway...”

Dayton butts in. “Silas has always been an asshole, even as a teenager. And somehow, it just keeps getting worse. But, trust me, the dude’s been in love with you for years. He’s insufferable about it. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but?—”

Anger flares in her eyes, and I think about fifteen— no, sixteen —different ways to kill him.

“In love with me?” Her voice rises in disbelief, her cheeks flushing with anger. “He showed up at a party, fucked me, and then left! That doesn’t sound like love.”

“The one where Lizzie Granger exorcist-vomited all over the couch party?”

I grimace at Dayton’s description and the mental image that popped into my head.

Sable nods, crossing her arms over her chest, her breasts pushing slightly over the fabric, her breathing shallow with the rising tension.

“Yeah, that one,” she mutters, her voice tight. “He treated me like I was nothing. Then we both left for college a few weeks later without a word.”

“That night...” Dayton leans back, running a hand through his hair. “I knew he fucked someone, but Silas was too coked out to even confess what happened. I didn’t push.”

Dayton chuckles bitterly, shaking his head. “And here we are, Kai, cleaning up his fucking mess like we always do because the guy can’t express his feelings like a normal human.”

“Sable,” I say softly, leaning toward her. “You’re right to be pissed. Silas has fucked up more times than I can count. But you need to know—you mean something to him. More than any of us have ever seen.”

Her eyes flash, and I brace myself for the verbal onslaught I know is coming. “Then why the hell did he leave me like I was someone-night stand? Like I was disposable?” Her voice cracks, betraying the emotion she’s been trying to hide for days.

I open my mouth, but Dayton beats me to it. “Because he’s a coward. He was scared—of what it meant, of what you meant. He’s been terrified of you ever since.”

“Vicky said... you guys… share... Is she right?” she asks.

There’s a small pause.

I have to tell her.

There’s no denying it.

It doesn’t matter the hole that Silas tries to hide her in, she will find out about our past relationships. She will also find out why they never work out.

I let out a slow breath. “We have... shared,” I admit. “Only a few relationships have involved all four of us. It’s not something we do often.”

“And Silas was planning on what?” she demands, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Hiding me away here so the four of you can fuck me all hours of the day?”

“That actually doesn’t sound like a ba—OW!” Dayton howls as I slap him against the back of the head. He shuts up, licking his wounds.

I shake my head, my gaze steady on Sable. “No, it would be different with you?—”

“How?” she cuts me off, her voice rising, her anger simmering beneath the surface. “How would it be any different? I don’t see how I’m any different.”

What am I supposed to say to her? That from the moment Silas laid eyes on her again, we all felt it? That we’ve been drawn to her like moths to a flame, each of us craving a piece of her in our own way, unable to resist? That we’ve each pursued her, even Levi, though he’d never admit it?

That she’s our property to protect.

Ours to control.

Ours to manipulate.

She is our secret treasure.

But how do I explain that to her?

She’s crawled under our skin, digging her nails so far deep into our souls that her name burns inside of us. I am cursed by her mark, and all she did was say hello.

“You’ve gotten to us, Sable,” I finally say, my voice rough. “It’s not something I can just explain away. You’ve burned yourself into us, and we’re not used to feeling that. None of us are.”

She throws back the last of her wine and hands me the empty glass. I take it from her, setting it down on the coffee table, my gaze never leaving her. She’s so small, so fragile-looking, but there’s a fire inside her that none of us can extinguish. Not even Silas, with all his domineering bullshit.

“But why am I here?” she asks, her voice laced with frustration. “Silas said it’s because of Asher’s death. And that guy Toby, who was in your frat. But neither one of those has anything to do with me. I don’t need protection or anything. I can handle myself.”

Dayton shakes his head, almost finding her declaration comical. “Asher was supposed to be a DSN.”

My head snaps to Dayton, shooting him a look. That’s the secret we didn’t want or need out . But it’s too late now. I can already see the shock and confusion widening Sable’s eyes.

“Asher Blackwood... he’s a legacy,” Dayton continues, undeterred. “But he pissed off the officers during pledge week. Some higher-ups got him removed, but Omega took him in a heartbeat. They were thrilled to have him.”

I pour her another glass of wine, and she accepts it, her fingers trembling slightly. She leans back into the couch, pulling her knees up to her chest as she takes another sip, processing the information. “So, Silas thinks someone’s targeting your fraternity? You guys?”

Dayton nods, his face darkening. “Yeah. There’s been weird shit happening around campus, around the house. I’ve seen some admin reports—stuff I wasn’t supposed to see. Silas is spooked. And, well, you’re a big part of why.”

Her eyes widen in disbelief. “Me? Why me?”

I nod slowly, knowing this is going to hit her hard. “When Silas found out you were coming here, his father told him to keep an eye on you. Si’s been watching you for three years.”

Her reaction is immediate—her mouth falls open in shock. “He’s... what?!” she nearly yells, her voice rising in pitch.

Dayton smirks, then draws a heart in the air and blows a kiss. “It’s love, babygirl. Take it or it’ll be shoved down your throat.”

She looks between the two of us, desperate for some sense of normalcy in a situation that’s anything but. “So what now?” she asks, her voice cracking. “I’m just supposed to stay locked up in this frat house until Detective Silas decides I’m safe?”

I take a deep breath, knowing she’s not going to like what I’m about to say. “Campus police ruled Asher’s death a homicide. So no, you can’t go back to your dorm. Not now.”

Her eyes narrow in disbelief. “A homicide?” she repeats, her voice shaky. “He was killed?”

“I hacked the medical examiner’s records. He was stabbed.”

Sable shakes her head, her hands gripping the wine glass tighter. “It still doesn’t make sense. Why kill Asher?”

“There’s more,” Dayton says, leaning forward. “The upside-down crosses, the ones appearing in random places. Pig’s blood. They’re scaring the shit out of everyone.”

“Has Silas talked to his dad?” she asks.

I nod. “Yeah. He’s as tight-lipped as always. But that’s why you’re here, Sable. You’re a part of this, whether you like it or not. If people get word that you and Silas had any sort of history. You’d be an easy target.”

She sighs deeply, throwing her head back against the couch, her frustration palpable. “So, I’m just trapped in this fishbowl, being watched and escorted around like a prisoner?”

“We’ll protect you, Sable. By any means necessary.”

Dayton moves beside her, his hand sliding up her thigh, his touch lingering just long enough to send a shiver down her spine. He leans in, his lips brushing her ear. “And maybe,” he murmurs, his voice dripping with mischief, “just maybe, we can have a little fun while we do it.”

“Guys…” she whispers.

“Shh, mahal.” My voice is a soft murmur as I press my fingers deeper into her thigh. “Just let us show you how good we can treat you.”

Her breath catches in her throat, and I feel her hesitation, like a fragile thread pulling tight between us. Her voice wavers, her fear battling with the desire simmering beneath the surface. “I don’t know if I can do this. It’s still so soon.”

Dayton’s hand, previously wandering along her leg, pauses as he looks at her, his expression softening. He’s being careful—he doesn’t want to make the same mistake Silas did. “I can erase every bit of his touch,” he promises.

“We can make you feel amazing, Sable. Let us take care of you,” I whisper. My lips brush down the delicate curve of her jawline, my teeth grazing her soft skin just enough to make her shiver.

Her breath hitches, her thighs pressing together involuntarily, her defenses crumbling as her desire wars with her fear. I let my lips trail down her jawline, my teeth grazing the soft flesh of her neck.

Finally, she exhales softly, a fragile surrender. “Okay.”

“Good girl,” Dayton whispers, his breath warm against her ear. “Just relax and let us take care of you.”

Her breath hitches, thighs pressing together involuntarily, and I know the walls she’s built up are crumbling fast. There’s still fear, still hesitation, but the heat radiating off her tells me her body is betraying her, giving in to the pull of us.

I watch her closely, soaking in every detail—how her lips part in anticipation, the slight tremor in her fingertips as they dig into the cushions of the couch. Her breaths come quicker, more shallow, as if she’s struggling to keep a grip on the control she’s so desperate to hold on to. But it’s slipping through her fingers, and we can both see it. We can feel it.

“I’ve never done anything like this before.”

I lean closer, hovering just above her lips, close enough that I can feel her warmth, the gentle brush of her breath mingling with mine. “That’s okay,” I murmur against her skin. “You’re ours now. We’ll show you just what that means.”

With that, I close the distance, pressing my lips to hers slower than the last time. I deepen the kiss, my tongue tracing the seam of her mouth until she opens up, letting me in. The taste of sweet mint lingers on her, and as I explore her, coaxing her to respond, it feels like she’s unraveling in my hands.

“Fuck,” she pants when I pull away, her voice breathless, her lips swollen and red.

Dayton is already ahead of me, sliding her shorts down her legs with expert ease. His fingers find her clit, and the moment he touches her, she gasps, her body jolting as if she’s been struck by lightning. I can’t help but grin. The thrill of it all—of her surrender, of having her like this—rushing through my veins like wildfire.

She deserves this. She needs to let go. To know that we will keep her safe.

So, she will stay—for us.

Sable arches her back, a low moan escaping her lips as Dayton’s fingers tease her, circling her clit with a relentless rhythm. My hand slides to her throat, feeling the rapid pulse under her skin. I watch her, every shudder, every breathless whimper etched into my mind. Her eyes meet mine, and I see something raw and desperate in them—something I want to keep drawing out of her until she’s nothing but need.

“Fuck... fuck,” she chants, and the sound is like my favorite mantra.

I smirk, cupping her face with my hand, my thumb brushing against her swollen lips. “You’re doing so well for us, mahal,” I whisper, the word “mahal” rolling off my tongue like a secret only we share. Even if she doesn’t quite understand the meaning behind it just yet. “Just let it all go.”

Dayton shifts lower, replacing his fingers with his mouth. The second his tongue flicks over her clit, a sharp cry bursts from Sable’s lips. Her body jerks violently, her head falling back onto the couch, her chest heaving as pleasure crashes through her. I’m mesmerized by the sight, by the way her body bends to our will, her muscles tensing and releasing as Dayton works his magic.

Her back arches off the couch, every muscle in her body tensing, then releasing in waves of pleasure. Her hand clutches at the fabric of my shirt, pulling me closer, needing to feel me, to ground herself in the midst of the storm we’re unleashing inside her.

I reach out, my fingers brushing over her lips, swollen from our kiss. “You’re beautiful like this,” I murmur, watching as she throws her head back, lost in the storm of pleasure we’ve unleashed. He flicks his tongue, a quick, teasing motion, and she jerks, a sharp cry escaping her lips as her body betrays her.

My hand slides down her body, feeling the heat radiating from her, the way her skin quivers under my touch. My fingers join Dayton’s, moving in sync with his tongue, creating a rhythm that drives her wild. Her moans grow louder, more desperate, the sound filling the room, echoing off the walls as she surrenders completely to us.

“Yes, yes, please,” she begs, her voice trembling and cracking under the weight of her need, her entire body taut as she tips over the edge, her climax ripping through her in violent waves.

The power of it all—of seeing her like this, so utterly undone and exposed, trembling beneath us—makes my cock weep. My lips crash into hers, desperate and bruising, swallowing every cry, every ragged breath of pleasure as she erupts in Dayton’s mouth.

She tastes of sweet desperation, a purity and hunger that is intoxicating. It makes me dizzy, and I need more of it, more of her. I would tear the world apart just for another taste. The thought of sharing this moment with anyone outside of us feels like a threat. She’s ours now, and the craving to keep her, to lock her in this pleasure, pulses dangerously inside me. I’ve never wanted anyone like this, with such a ferocity that it scares me.

Sable’s body tenses in a final, shuddering breath as her orgasm consumes her, leaving her breathless and trembling. We hold her through it, Dayton’s lips still pressed against her as her thighs quiver, my hands tracing calming patterns along her skin, grounding her. Our touches are softer now, gentle strokes that soothe her back to reality. The room is thick with the scent of sex, sweat, and something more—a connection deeper than flesh.

Her eyes flutter open slowly, the glazed, dazed look in them making her seem fragile in the most beautiful way. She blinks up at us, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. There’s something almost childlike in her giggle, light and airy, as if she’s surprised at the intensity of what just happened.

“That was fun,” she breathes, giggling again. “Can we do that again?”

Dayton chuckles softly beside her, his lips finding hers once more, but this time with a possessive hunger, as if sealing her surrender. I can see it in his eyes, the pride, the want—the way she looks, flushed and radiant, tasting herself on his lips. He kisses her deeply, slowly, like savoring every second of it.

“We can do this every night, babygirl,” he murmurs against her mouth. “But tonight, you need to rest.”

My fingers itch for more. I can’t resist; I pull her back to me, stealing another kiss, desperate for another taste. The sweetness of her lips, the way she melts into me, the way her body is still buzzing from everything we’ve done. She’s amazing. I know this is dangerous, this craving. But it’s a risk I’ll take every time. The way she responds to us, the way she’s opened herself up tonight—it’s like a drug, and I’m already addicted.

We move as one, guiding her back to Dayton’s bedroom. Our bodies are rarely apart, like magnets drawn to each other, unwilling to let her slip away for even a second. As Dayton and Sable settle into his bed, I make a move to leave, feeling the weight of responsibility to give them space.

But before I can step away, her voice—small, soft, laced with fear—stops me.

“Kai?” Her eyes, still half-lidded from exhaustion and pleasure, lock onto mine. “Where are you going?”

“I was just going to head back to my room,” I say, though the words feel wrong, like they don’t belong. It feels like a piece of me would be left behind with her, like I’d be abandoning part of what we’ve just created.

Dayton catches my hesitation, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “No, you don’t, Kaiser roll. Get in,” he says, gesturing to the space on the other side of Sable. His tone is light but commanding, leaving no room for argument.

I shake my head, feeling as if I had just been defeated. But then I realize it’s not defeat—it’s surrender. To her, to this, to us. I slide into bed behind her. Sable nestles herself between Dayton and me. We watch her as her eyes flutter closed, her breathing evening out as sleep takes her.

The room is still, the only sound the soft rhythm of her breaths mingling with Dayton’s as he drifts off beside her. There’s a peace here that I haven’t felt in a long time, a sense of rightness that settles over me like a blanket.

I know one thing for certain—she’s ours now. No one will change that. Not even Silas fucking Morgan. The thought of him makes my jaw clench, but I push it aside, focusing instead on the present, on what we have right here, right now.

I reach out, brushing a strand of hair from Sable’s face, my touch light, reverent. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake, her hand instinctively seeking mine under the covers. When her fingers find mine, we thread them together, and something inside me settles.

In the stillness of the night, there’s a calm I haven’t felt in years, a sense of belonging that makes me realize something else.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep this. To keep her.