Page 36

THIRTY-SIX

KAI

D ayton’s bed might be the largest in the entire manor, but with four of us crammed in together, it still feels like we’re packed in like sardines. I toss and turn, trying to find a comfortable position, but it’s useless. Every time I move, I either bump into Sable’s elbow or brush against Silas’ leg, and it’s enough to make sleep impossible.

After what feels like the hundredth attempt, I finally give up, letting out a soft, frustrated sigh. Carefully, I peel myself away from Sable, who’s nestled close to me, her head resting on my chest. I move slowly, not wanting to wake her—or anyone else, for that matter. The last thing I need is a groggy, grumpy Sable giving me hell for disturbing her sleep.

I stand at the edge of the bed for a moment, looking back at the others. Silas and Dayton have shifted in their sleep, and now they’re practically spooning, with Sable tucked securely beneath Silas’ arm.

The moment is too good to pass up, so I grab my phone from the nightstand, snapping a quick picture of the three of them. I send it to our group chat with a smirk, imagining the fucking comments that’ll follow when they wake up and see it.

I slip out of Dayton’s room; the door clicking softly shut behind me. The hallway is dim, illuminated by the soft glow of the sconces lining the walls. It’s early—too early for me to be up for the day—so I decide to head back to my own room, hoping to get a bit more sleep. As much as I love being close to them, I’m not about to spend the rest of the night squeezed into a corner of the bed like an afterthought.

I’m already planning my solution for when they bitch that I left another bed, something just as big as Dayton’s, where I can stretch out like the starfish I am.

I notice a faint glow seeping out from beneath Levi’s door. I stop in my tracks, tilting my head in curiosity. It’s unusual for him to be up this late—or this early, depending on how you look at it. I hear the soft strains of music. Levi never listens to his own recordings, not unless he’s in a certain kind of mood.

A mood that worries me.

I knock softly on the door, not wanting to startle him. When there’s no response, I slowly turn the handle and push it open, just enough to poke my head inside. “Baby?” I call out quietly.

Levi is hunched over at his desk, a pencil clutched tightly in his hand as it moves furiously across a sheet of music paper. His focus is intense, almost frantic, and for a moment, I hesitate to interrupt him.

“You don’t have to pull an all-nighter tonight,” I say softly as I step fully into the room, closing the door behind me. “Come to bed.”

He grunts in response, not even glancing up from his work. I smile slightly, relieved that he at least heard me. But as I get closer, my smile fades. Something’s off.

His hands—those talented, beautiful hands—are tinged with red at the fingertips. My breath catches in my throat as I take in the rest of him. His hair is matted with sweat, sticking to his forehead in damp strands. His face is smeared with dirt, and beads of sweat run down his sideburns, leaving streaks in the grime.

“They’re going to say I did it,” he mutters suddenly, his voice trembling, barely audible.

I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. Levi looks like he’s been through hell and back, and the red on his hands—what I now realize is blood—sends a wave of dread crashing over me.

“What happened?” I ask, my voice tight, trying to keep the panic at bay. I step closer, turning his chair toward me so I can see his face more clearly. His eyes are wide, wild, filled with a fear that makes my stomach twist.

“I didn’t do it, Kai. Baby, you have to believe me,” he says, his voice breaking as he looks up at me with desperation.

I kneel down in front of him, bringing myself to eye level with him. “You have to talk to me, Levi,” I say firmly, though my heart is pounding. I reach out, taking his hands in mine, examining the bloodstains. They’re dry, but they’re there, smeared across his fingers like a dark accusation.

“I only followed her home. I swear.”

“Baby.” I try to keep my voice calm, but the fear is creeping in, tightening its grip on my chest. “Who are you talking about? What happened?”

His eyes meet mine, and I see a storm of guilt swirling in their depths. It’s like he’s drowning in it, unable to find his way to the surface. “Victoria. They got her.”

“Victoria? They—who? Levi, you have to say more than five words at a time.” I need to know what’s going on, but he’s not making any sense. “You look like you got into a fight. Your hands are covered in blood. You need to fucking talk to me.”

“When the police come for me. You’ll believe me, right?” His voice is shaky. “I just followed her home.”

His arms lunge for me. Both of us stumble back onto the floor. Full sobs wrack his body as he wails softly.

“I didn’t kill her. Kai. You have to believe me.”

I’m not sure what to say. Victoria. He can’t really mean that she’s…

“Is she dead? Victoria?”

Levi runs his hands through his hair. “Oh good. Oh god ,” he chants under his breath in between the gasps for air.

“Victoria. They got her.” His voice trembles, repeating himself.

“Who, Levi?” I press, gripping his bloodied hands tighter than I should. He winces, and I ease up, but I’m not letting go. Not until he gives me something. “Who got her? What the hell happened?”

He shakes his head, his hair sticking to his sweaty forehead. His eyes are wild, darting around the room like he’s searching for something—someone—to save him. “I didn’t mean to follow her, Kai. I just... I needed to know where she was going to leave us alone. But when I got there... fuck.”

“Got where? Levi, focus. Where did you follow her?”

His gaze locks onto mine, and for a moment, I see something raw and broken. “To the old greenhouse on the edge of campus, near her dorm. I thought she was meeting someone. It looked like she recognized the person in the hoodie. But before she could scream... It was already too late. They... they stabbed her, Kai. There was blood everywhere, and I tried to help, but…”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my own fear from leaking into my voice. “But what, Levi? What did you do?”

His eyes well up again, and he pulls his hands from mine, covering his face. “I tried to save her, but it was too much. Blood. I couldn’t... I couldn’t save her. And then I heard them, other people coming up onto us. I hid, but... God, Kai, they saw me. They fucking saw me.”

My breath catches. “Who did it? Who killed Victoria?”

“He wore a mask. A full skeleton mask.” His hands drop to his lap as he stares at the floor. “The police will know I was there. And they’re gonna come after me, Kai. They’re gonna pin this on me, and... I didn’t do it. I swear, I didn’t.”

“I know you didn’t.”

“But I fucking threatened her in front of everyone just hours ago.”

“I know. I know. It’s o-kay .” I force him to look at me again. “We need to clean you up and get rid of those clothes.”

He nods, his body trembling as I help him up.

I walk us to the bathroom and start the shower. Steam begins to rise from the shower as the water runs. Levi stands silently in front of me, his gaze downcast, eyes shadowed by the mess of dark hair hanging in front of his face.

He looks small—smaller than I’ve ever seen him.

Vulnerable.

I reach for the hem of his shirt, pulling it gently upward. His breath hitches as I lift the fabric over his head, revealing his lean frame. The stains on his hands stand out even more against the tan skin of his torso. I toss the shirt aside and let my hands trail down his chest, feeling the tension in his muscles.

He’s so wound up, his body on edge.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” I murmur. I slip my fingers into the waistband of his pants, and he stiffens for a moment before nodding, giving me silent permission. I tug them down along with his boxers, and he steps out of them, leaving them in a heap on the floor.

I’m still fully clothed, but I don’t care. This is about him. I guide him to the shower, and he steps in without a word. The water washes over his body, rinsing away the dried blood and sweat. I watch as the water turns pink around his feet before swirling down the drain, and something inside me twists painfully.

What the fuck did he witness?

I strip off my own clothes quickly, not wanting to waste any time. When I step into the shower behind him, the water is hot, almost scalding, but it feels good—cleansing. Levi stands under the spray, his head bowed, letting the water beat down on him. I grab a bar of soap and lather it between my hands before sliding them over his shoulders, massaging the tension out of his tight muscles. He shudders at my touch but doesn’t pull away.

“Relax,” I tell him softly, my hands working the soap into his skin. “I’m here, baby.”

He nods, but he’s still trembling, and I can tell he’s trying to hold it all together. I move my hands down his back, then around to his chest, my fingers gliding over his inked skin. He hisses softly, and I can feel the way his body responds to me despite everything.

“Look at me.”

He hesitates, but eventually, he lifts his gaze to meet mine. His dark eyes are filled with so much—fear, guilt, desperation. I want to make it all go away. I see the pain and I want to burn the entire world down for ever making him feel less than. He is a god in my eyes. The destruction of my sanity. I love this man.

I cup his face, tilting his head back as I lean in, pressing my lips to his. The kiss is slow and tender. He kisses me back with a hunger that’s almost frantic, his hands clutching at my sides as if he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.

“I’ve got you.”

“I can’t lose you, Malachi. I love you.”

My breath hitches at the sound of my full name on his lips, a rare occurrence from him. He’s never said those words before, or used my full name, not like this, and it strikes me like a live wire.

“I love you, too.”

His lips crash against mine again, and this time, there’s no hesitation, no holding back. The kiss is fierce, demanding, and I meet him with equal fervor, our mouths moving together in a heated dance. His hands roam over my body, desperate, needy, and I can feel the way he’s holding on to me, like I’m the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

I press him back against the wall. He moans softly into my mouth, and the sound sends a jolt of arousal straight through me. My hands slide down his sides, gripping his hips as I grind against him, feeling the hardness of his arousal against my thigh. He gasps, breaking the kiss, his head falling back against the wall as he sucks in a ragged breath.

“Malachi,” he breathes, the sound of my name falling from his lips like a plea. I growl in response, my lips trailing down his neck, nipping at the sensitive skin until I hear that sweet, sharp intake of breath. I want more of that.

I want to drive him crazy.

As crazy as he fucking makes me.

“Say my name like that, every fucking time, baby.”

I bite down on his shoulder, hard enough to make him cry out, but he only presses closer, his body arching against mine, begging for more. The sounds he’s making—the needy whimpers, the gasps—it’s like music to my ears, and I’m addicted.

“Is this what you want, baby?” I murmur against his skin, my voice low and rough, laced with the promise of everything he’s asking for. “You want it rough? You want me to fuck you? Make you not feel as much?”

“Yes,” he hisses, his voice trembling with need. “Fuck, yes, Malachi. Please.”

I spin him around, pressing his chest against the cold tile, my hands rough as I grab his hips, pulling him back against me. I don’t give him time to think, to catch his breath. I reach between his legs, wrapping my hand around his cock, stroking him hard and fast, the slickness of his arousal making it easy to move. Rubbing against his piercings, making him groan in response. They may be for me, but he loves it when I play with them.

He moans, loud and unrestrained, his forehead pressed against the wall, his breath coming in ragged pants. I can feel the way his body trembles under my touch, how close he is to falling apart.

“Spread your legs.”

He widens his stance, offering himself up to me. The sight of him like this—submissive, needy, desperate—makes me growl low in my throat.

I pull back, releasing his cock, earning a frustrated whine from him. But I don’t leave him hanging for long. I press my fingers against his tight hole, teasing him, making him squirm.

“Fuck, Kai,” he groans, his voice cracking. “Please, I need you. Don’t make me wait.”

“Always so impatient,” I taunt, my fingers sliding inside him with ease. He’s hot, tight, and I can feel the way his body clenches around me, how ready he is. I don’t waste time, pumping my fingers in and out of him, rough and fast, watching as he gasps and bucks against me, his body begging for more.

His sounds become desperate, frantic, and I can tell he’s close to losing it. But I’m not letting him off that easily. I pull my fingers out and position myself behind him. I grab his hips, holding him steady as I press the tip of my cock against his entrance.

“You like that, don’t you?” I sneer. “You’re just begging to get fucked.”

“Fuck you,” he spits, but his body betrays him, his ass rubbing against my leaking cock, seeking more friction, more contact. “Don’t fucking tease me.”

I grin a devilish sneer. It’s usually me to receive, so to be in control makes my cock stand even more erect. I love it when he lets me take control of his own pleasure for once.

“Is that what you want?” I taunt, thrusting against him again, making him gasp. “You want me to fuck you, hard and rough, until you can’t fuck stand?”

“Fuck me , Malachi.”

That’s all I need to hear. With one hard thrust, I’m inside him, burying myself until my hips hit his ass. He cries out, his hands clawing at the tile as he struggles to brace himself against the force of it.

I don’t give him a chance to adjust. I start moving, hard and fast, pounding into him with an intensity that’s almost brutal. The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the bathroom, mixed with Levi’s breathless moans and the occasional curse as he struggles to keep himself together.

I lean over him, one hand sliding up to tangle in his hair, yanking his head back so I can press my lips against his ear. “Is this what you wanted, baby? To be fucked like this? Like you’re nothing but mine?”

“Yes,” he gasps, his voice trembling. “God, yes, Malachi. I’m yours. I’m all fucking yours.”

“Fuck yeah, you’re mine. I’m never letting you go. This is the only ass I will ever have.” He’s taking everything I give him, his body moving with mine, matching my pace, meeting me thrust for thrust. I can feel him tightening around me, the way his body shudders with every thrust, and I know he’s close.

“Come for me, baby. Show me how good I make you feel.”

He moans, a broken, desperate sound, and I can feel him teetering on the edge. I speed up my movements, my hand working him faster, harder, until finally, he shatters. He comes with a shout, his release spilling over my hand, his body trembling violently as he rides out the waves of his orgasm.

The tight, rhythmic clenching of his body around me is too much, and with a few more rough thrusts, I’m right there with him. My release crashes over me, intense and overwhelming, and I bury myself deep inside him as I come, my body shaking with the force of it.

I stay inside him, my forehead resting against the back of his neck, both of us spent, completely and utterly wrecked.

Slowly, I pull out of him as he slumps against the wall, his legs barely able to hold him up. I’m just as unsteady, but I catch him before he can collapse, wrapping my arms around him, holding him close.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah... yeah, I’m okay. Fuck, Kai, that was.”

I chuckle softly, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Yeah, it was.”

We stand there for a moment longer, just holding each other, letting the water rinse away the last traces of our release. When I finally pull back, I turn him around to face me, cupping his face in my hands, brushing my thumb over his cheek.

“I’ve got you,” I say again, because it’s true. No matter what, I’ve always got him. “No one will ever take you from me. From us. Because fuck you if you don’t think you aren’t in this with all of us.”

I watch him nod softly before I grab the shampoo, squeezing a generous amount into my palm before working it into his hair. He leans into my touch when I take over, his eyes closing as I massage his scalp. The water mixes with the suds, sending streams of soapy water down his back, over his shoulders, and across his chest.

Once his hair is thoroughly washed, I rinse it out, guiding his head under the spray.

I help him out of the shower, wrapping a towel around him before grabbing one for myself. I dry him off gently, my hands moving over his body with care, before guiding him back to the bedroom. He’s half-asleep by the time we reach the bed, and I tuck him in, pulling the covers up to his chin.

I slide in beside him; he curls into me, his head resting on my chest, his fingers loosely gripping onto my chest. I hold him close, my hand running through his damp hair as I whisper soothing words into the darkness.

I’ll protect him. Even if he did kill Victoria.