Page 119 of Collateral Claim

Endo’s bedroom is exactly as I imagined. A massive king-size bed with obsidian silk sheets, pushed up against the off-white walls. Night-lights cast a warm glow on hardwood floors. A pair of nightstands on either side of the bed hold unlit lamps.

A gun rests on the nightstand beside the bed where Endo sleeps on his back. The sheet covers the bottom half of his body, leaving the upper half nude. The scars from three bullet wounds mar his chest. It tells me he didn’t suffer a chest injury during the shoot-out in Selnoa. I’m as relieved as I was the day after the luncheon, when I found out he was alive.

Endo must’ve fallen asleep naked since I took too long downstairs.

On tiptoe, I approach the bed from his side. I bend at the waist, eying the gun as I press the cold blade to Endo’s chest.

Endo’s eyes fly open, and his hand shoots out and grabs the gun. He drops it just as quickly, lifts his arms, and folds them back behind his head. Okay.

Now that he’s awake, I press the blade against his throat.

Endo hisses before pulling his bottom lip through his teeth. “Fuck, you’re hot.”

A glance between his legs tells me he’s fully erect now. The threat of violence really doesturn him on. Maybe Endo never lied to me about anything. Maybe that’s why I fell for him. I always knew where he was headed, always knew he would act in a way that would bring him closer to his brother.

There’s comfort in knowing where a man wants to go so you can either join him or choose not to. If you do join him, though, you become part of that journey.

“I want to take part in your life’s journey, Endo. Don’t shut me out.” I married into a world I wish I knew nothing about. But now that I do, I want to survive in it, and I want all my people to survive too. Ignorance isn’t an option anymore.

When Endo doesn’t say anything, I dig the blade into his skin. Instead of pushing me away, Endo lifts his chin, egging me on. If he bleeds, I might feel bad, but I’m careful, and he’s turned on. Also, I could patch him up.

“You are the journey. You are my life,” he says.

“I’m not leaving for my assignment.”

“I know.”

“How can you know that? I decided I’d reach out and find someone else for the position ten minutes ago.”

“I know you, Scar. You are needed in this town, and you’re loved here. That’s as important to you as it is to me.”

“I heard about the riots.”

“You’re the damn mayor.”

I climb onto the bed and straddle him. Endo groans as I lower myself onto his erection.

I lick my lips. “I can’t wait to have you inside me again.” I pull the string that holds up the corset. The silk ties Charlottetightened for me come apart, and the corset loosens. I push it down and under my breasts.

Endo bares his teeth and reaches between us. He grips himself and moves my panties aside, then positions himself at my entrance. I settle down on him, and the moment he fills me, my eyes close. Endo’s big dick inside me feels like coming home, I tell ya.

I sigh in bliss.

Endo grabs my shoulders and flips me over.

I yelp and try to hold on to my knife, but he wrestles it from my hand and throws it to the floor. It thuds and bounces several times before hitting the sliding door that might lead to a terrace I’ll explore in the morning.

Above me, Endo’s dark eyes gleam with the thrill of the conquest. “Got you.” He kisses me, his carefully trimmed five o’clock shadow scraping my cheek. I remember how it felt between my legs.

I lift my hips, encouraging him onward.

Endo slips out of me and sits back on his heels.

I pout.

“What’s the matter, baby?” he asks. “You said you didn’t need dick.”

Seriously? He’s going to rub that in now? “I hate you.”