Page 10

CHAPTER 9

She’s breathing just fine.

Sometimes, all we need is a slap of reality to ground us and remind us where we stand.

I know damn well she doesn’t want to go to the hospital. She made it abundantly clear.What I don’t know is why she’s so nervous about seeing Evan. Maybe it’s their history and the fact that he’s in bad shape, but something tells me it’s deeper than that. Perhaps she still has lingering feelings for the guy. Even if she does, those feelings won’t be reciprocated anytime soon.

The same can be said for Benson. Whatever he and Avery have going on has come to a sudden halt.

Something manic shifted inside me the first time I saw Benson walk up to Avery. The way she tossed her head back, laughing at something he said, sent fire surging through my veins. Then today, he had the audacity to approach us like he had any damn business doing so.

I’ve known Avery for damn near seven years. He’s known her for, what? A year, maybe? And yet, he acts like he has some kind of claim to her. As if he even could.

The thought ignites an urgency inside me. A dire need to make sure everyone knows she’s off-limits. She belongs to the Ice Lords now.

She needs to stay far away from anyone who might corrupt her mind. Anyone except me.

“What’s up with you and that nosey dipshit, Benson?” I ask her, my tone deliberately careless.

I steal a glance at her, catching the way her eyes narrow in suspicion. “Why do you care?”

Yeah. She’s fine. Not only is she breathing, but that sarcastic tongue of hers is back in full force.

I shrug. “Don’t care. Just curious why you’d waste your time on a guy like that. He seems violent.”

A sharp laugh escapes her lips. “Benson? Violent ? If that’s what you took away from him trying to protect me, you’re even more delusional than I thought.”

My grip on the steering wheel tightens, curiosity thrumming through me. “I’m just saying, he came at me like he was ready to throw down. Maybe you shouldn’t be hanging around someone whose temper is so short.”

She shifts in her seat before leveling me with a scathing glare. “You showed up at my practice, threatened me, and forced me to leave with you. And let’s not forget all the other bullshit you’ve pulled in the last four days since the locker room incident. If anyone’s violent and short-tempered, it’s you and your savage friends.”

“Those guys are more than friends,” I correct her. “They’re family.”

Her head shakes in disbelief. “What the hell have they done to you, Callan? Have you been brainwashed? Are you okay?”

Her patronizing tone unnerves me. She really doesn’t get it. Not that I’d expect her to because she doesn’t know a damn thing about us.

“What you’re seeing aren’t just random brutal acts. It’s loyalty—unity to one another while protecting our own . ”

“Sure. Okay,” she grumbles, sarcasm dripping from her tone.

I shake my head. Her little attitude gets under my skin in ways I can’t explain. Her defiance is a challenge I crave , and her resistance turns me the fuck on. But the other night in The Chamber, when she cried, something stilled inside me. Maybe it’s old feelings clawing their way to the surface. I refuse to let them breathe, though.

Avery made it crystal clear that what happened between us all those years ago was a mistake. In return, I made it just as clear that her words planted deep seeds of hate inside me. Not pain, or longing—just hate .

I should probably thank her. That night was a wake-up call. It was proof that I let people walk all over me for far too long. After that, my priorities shifted. I stopped living for everyone else and I started living for myself .

Now, I always get what I want. And it’s time to make that clear.

“I don’t want you hanging out with Benson anymore.” I let my words hang for a moment before saying, “Therefore, I’m gonna need you to cancel your plans for Thursday night. We’re throwing a party that night to celebrate our impending win against Cloverville, and you’re coming.”

“The hell I am,” she scoffs.

“Oh, you are,” I say, point-blank, leaving no room for argument.

There’s no party—at least, not yet. But she doesn’t know that. I’ll throw something together last minute and leave her no choice.

I’m glad Aidric couldn’t let her go now, because something dark and depraved inside me doesn’t want to let her go either.

Her head shakes. “You sure are confident in thinking the Lords will win.”

“We always win. And we always celebrate.” I meet her smoldering gaze. “This time, you’re celebrating with us.”

That defiance that begs for a challenge is flashing in her eyes right now.

Fight me on this, baby. I dare you.

She crosses her arms over her chest, lips pressing into a stubborn pout. “I’m not going to your stupid party, and you can’t make me.”

I don’t respond because arguing with her is a waste of breath. We both know she’ll come if she knows what’s good for her.And if she doesn’t, I’ll drag her there by her hair while she kicks and screams about it.

After backing into an empty space in the hospital parking lot, Avery goes dead silent. No begging, no sass, she’s just…there.It’s like a switch flipped inside her.

My hand grips the door handle, but I pause when I catch her staring down at her lap, making no move to get out.

With an exasperated sigh, I round the car and yank her door open, shoving down any intrusive thoughts that might suggest I care. “Would you just get out so we can get this over with?”

She doesn’t argue. It’s like her body is on autopilot as she swings her legs out of the door and steps down. Her lips part as if she might say something, then they close as I watch her visibly swallow. The way her neck tenses, the narrow column of her throat looking so squeezable, I get distracted watching her.

Without a word, she takes a breath and turns for the building, her body visibly shaking. What the fuck is her problem?

In two long strides, I’m at her side. Without hesitation, I reach over and grab her hand, locking my fingers around hers.

That gets a reaction.

She tries to yank away, but I tighten my grip. “Happy couple, remember?”

“There’s no way I’m pretending to be in a relationship with you.”The shaking in her limbs seems to stop as she puts up a fight and I have to assume this is better than whatever she was in her head about. I don’t really care for silent Avery. I want the girl who bites back so I can show her my savage side too.

This time, I pull her close to my side as I drag her along, all the while a smile is on my face like this is the best trip of my life. In a way, I guess it is. The girl who broke my heart is at my mercy in a place she feels uncomfortable. Now she can know what every damn day felt like at school when I would see her face in the halls. It was distracting, so much so my grades started to drop because that wound she left behind was reopened every time I had to watch her laughing or chatting with my sister.

“We’ll see about that.”

A low growl rumbles from her throat, snapping me back to the presentas she stares straight ahead. “I fucking hate you, Callan.”

“I know you do,” I quip.

The entrance to the hospital is buzzing with people. A man pushes a woman in a wheelchair, a newborn cradled in her arms. The mother’s smile stretches from ear to ear.

My heart splinters. But I tear my eyes away from her, shoving down the memories of my own mom that threaten to creep in. Not now. Not here.

“This way,” I say firmly, leading her toward the elevator.

The day after Evan was brought in, I was here with Noah—the dipshit responsible for this mess in the first place. He had one job. One fucking job. And he failed miserably.

We step onto the elevator and I can feel Avery go rigid. Her breath hitches and her fingers twitch in my hand.

Just as the doors begin to slide closed, a woman joins us, the scent of vanilla and garlic wafting off her. She smiles tightly and I keep my expression neutral with a simple nod.

“I don’t like this,” Avery mutters under her breath, jerking her hand free from mine.

Just as she moves to cross her arms over her chest, slipping into that tough girl facade she wears like armor, I snatch her body so she can’t go far. Wrapping my arm around her collarbone, I lock her back against me. My forearm presses against her throatin a partial headlock, just tight enough to remind her who’s in control.

Leaning down, my lips graze the shell of her ear, and my voice drops to a dangerous whisper. "Don’t you dare fuck this up."

Then, I school my expression, forcing a smile as I slip back into our act. Louder now, for the lady listening. “I’m sure we’ll get good news, baby. Evan’s gonna be just fine.”

She stiffens in my hold, and I’m certain I made my point because the rest of the ride to the fourth floor is dead silent.

As soon as we’re out, Avery yanks her body away from me. This time, I let her have her way. Maybe it’s best if there’s a little bit of distance between us so we don’t kill each other today.

I approach the nurses’ station—Avery dragging her feet behind me—and my eyes land on the blonde sitting behind it. She’s probably early twenties with a heart-shaped face and baby blue eyes.

“Good evening,” I say smoothly, leaning into the counter.

She picks up a stainless steel cup with kittens on it and takes a small sip. Her mouth barely clings to the straw as her gaze meets mine. “How can I help you?” she asks, her tone holding a hint of flirtation.

I smirk at her, biting my lip when Avery suddenly smacks her hand against my chest, shoving me back with more force than I would expect. “Now who’s fucking around?” she mutters under her breath before raising her voice. “You’re seriously going to flirt with that chick right in front of me?”

My eyebrows shoot to my forehead. Damn.

Before I can react, she wedges herself between me and the desk.Then, with a no-nonsense tone, she says, “We’re here to see Evan Sanders.”

I chuckle, taking a step back. The cute blonde sighs heavily, clearly unimpressed. “Room four-twenty.”

Without a word, Avery spins on her heel and strides down the hall, her posture rigid with annoyance.

I shake my head, following behind her because as much as she hates it, she’s stuck with me.

Avery grumbles, irritation radiating from her.

“What the hell is your problem?” I scoff.

She suddenly stops, planting her hands firmly on her hips. “What’s my problem?” she mocks. “You manhandled me, threatened me if I didn’t play along with this happy couple bullshit, and then the second you spot a cute girl, you…” She jabs a stern finger into my rib cage. “…risk fucking it up.”

I shrug, a smug grin on my face. “Thought you didn’t wanna pretend?”

“Whatever,” she huffs in annoyance, before drawing in a deep breath. We reach Evan’s door, and Avery comes to a halt just outside. Her shoulders lift, another panic attack probably about to ensue. I don’t have time for that. And I certainly don’t need her out here drawing attention to the fact that Evan has visitors.

I reach for the handle, but before I can do anything, she shouts, “Wait!”

“For fuck’s sake,” I seethe as I shove the door open, yanking her by the arm and forcing her inside. “We’re not doing this shit, Avery. All eyes are going to be on us if you can’t keep it together.”

Before the door even closes, I jerk the curtain shut, cutting off the unobstructed view of the nurses' station. The last thing we need is watchful eyes on us.

With her arm still locked in my grip, I spin her around and jerk her back flush against my chest. My hand clamps around her waist, holding her in place, while my other hand pinches her chin between my fingers, forcing her head up.

“Look at him,” I growl, low and hot against her ear.

She flinches, her chin angling down in defiance, but I tighten my grip. “Go on, Little Devil. Take a nice, long look. This is what happens when you stop listening. When my boys think they can’t trust you.”

The sharp scent of antiseptic lingers in the room—I can almost taste it. The closed blinds cast thin slats of shadow across the room. Evan lies motionless, the bed cranked up just enough to give a view of his battered face. His eyelids are swollen shut, lips cracked, and skin the color of old bruises.

In the corner, a crumpled paper towel lies near the sink, still damp. I can only assume it means someone’s been here recently.

Avery says nothing. Not a single fucking word. Her silence presses heavier than any scream, as she locks her gaze on Evan. I can see it working through her. From the tape on his arms, to the gauze tangled in what’s left of his golden hair, all the way to the tube running from his mouth like a leash.

She trembles just before her head snaps down.

A white-hot bolt of pain slices through my arm. She fucking bit me!

"Fuck!"

I loosen my grip, just enough for her to rip herself free.

“That’s what you fucking get!” she growls, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Disobedience sparks in her eyes and she drags her tongue across her teeth, tasting me .

“Oh, you wanna fucking play, Little Devil?”

Game on.

In two seconds flat, I have her again. Face to face this time so she can’t take any more cheap shots. Her breath hitches, and I see the fire in her gaze as she fights against the hot tears threatening to spill.

When one breaks free, I slam both hands against the wall on either side of her head, caging her in. Then, I slowly drag the tip of my tongue up her cheek, tasting her .

“You’re disgusting,” she groans, turning her head away.

“And you’re a feisty little thing. Much feistier than I’ve given you credit for.” My voice stays low, knowing there is a thin barrier between us and the hall. It’s intoxicating knowing no matter how much she fights, there is nothing she can do to get me off of her unless I allow it.

Avery glares up at me with a tight jaw, some of her hair displaced across her face. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” she spits, twisting against my grip. “If you don’t let go of my hands, I’ll show you just how feisty I can get.”

My cock twitches in response. Fuck. I sure do love when she challenges me like this. There’s something about the way she forces me to go feral just to prove I hold more power than she does.

So, I do the one thing I know she’ll hate to love. Maybe she’ll fight me, or maybe she’ll surrender to those dark, hidden desires she pretends no longer exist.

In one fell swoop, I drop one of her wrists, just fast enough to let my free hand dive down the waistband of her leggings, sliding beneath her panties.

Her reaction is instant. “What the fuck, Callan!”She shoves her hand against my shoulder, pushing me back with all the strength she can muster. Which is exactly what I expected.

What I didn’t expect was to find her panties slick with arousal. Well, well, well. Seems my little devil is turned on right now, whether she wants to admit it or not.

I drag my fingers up her slick folds, savoring the way she bites down on the corner of her lip like she’s masking a reaction.

Reaching her clit,I press the pad of my thumb against it, applying just enough pressure to make her breath hitch.

“Don’t even pretend you don’t want this,” I say, daring her to deny it.

“The hell I do!” she growls as she claws at my bare arm, digging her nails right into her teeth marks.

“Tell me to stop, and I’ll stop.”

Let’s see who really holds all the power.

If she truly asked me to stop, which she hasn’t, I would— maybe.

With the tips of my fingers curled, I tease her entrance just enough to make her beg for more. And when the word doesn’t spill from her mouth, I take what I already know to be true.

I shove two fingers deep inside her, filling her in one forceful, claiming motion. A sharp gasp rips from her lips, her body betraying her before she can even think to fight it.

What a little liar. She’s fucking drenched.

“I hate you,” she spits, her nails sinking into my arm, dragging down, leaving a trail of scratches in their wake.

I welcome the sting. Because in return, I punish her with pleasure, knowing damn well it kills her that I’m the one making her feel this good.

In response, her walls clench around my fingers, squeezing tight, and my eyes snap to hers, waiting for the moment that first moan slips past her lips. I can’t wait to see the flicker of humiliation in her eyes when she acknowledges how good I’m making her feel.

“That’s right, Avery,” I rasp, my tone laced with control and need. “Don’t fight it. Come around my fingers.”

It’s almost there. Moan for me, Little Devil.

Then it happens.

“Oh God,” she cries, forcing me to drop her other wrist so I can put my hand over her mouth.For a second, I brace myself, half expecting her to bite me again. Then again, maybe I want her to so I can punish her harder while reminding her exactly who holds all the power.

I work faster, fingers plunging deeper as I chase her breaking point. I can’t wait for her to fall apart, and all because of me.

Grinding against her, I seek pressure—needing something to ease the tension pulsing through me. My erection strains against the fabric of my jeans, threatening to break free. It’s taking everything in me not to bend her over Evan’s hospital bed and fuck her until she forgets why she ever pushed me away.

Her body tells me everything I need to know. Her muscles pulse around my fingers, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. She’s teetering on the edge, about to come.

Then, just as I think I have her, she shocks the hell out of me. Her hand cuts through the air before cracking against my cheek. The impact snaps my head to the side.

“Oh, you wanna play?” I seethe, jaw tight and my pulse fucking pounding.

I slam her harder against the wall, pinning her in place as my fingers drive into her so forcefully she has no choice but to let her body ride the wall with every thrust.

Her breath stutters, her hands gripping at nothing, caught between pushing me away and giving in.

I smirk against her ear, voice low and taunting. "You can slap me all you want, Little Devil, but we both know how this ends."

Fuck her for being so cold and calloused. Fuck her for playing games with my already broken heart all those years ago, twisting the knife and walking away like it meant nothing.

Fuck. Her.

Before I even realize it, I’ve got three fingers buried deep in her pussy and the sounds of her raw pleasure spit into my palm.

Only I can hear her, and only I know. She might hate me, but she’s gonna hate herself even more when I’m done with her.

I don’t even let her ride out her orgasm. The second it crashes through her, I rip my hand out of her pants like her cum is poison I refuse to touch. She glares daggers at me, knowing exactly what I’ve done as her pussy pulses around nothing, leaving her feeling even more like shit. I watch as she shudders, her body still trembling. Cruel? Maybe.

But she deserves it.