Page 103 of Convict's Game

His hand drifted up my legs, that snake tattoo between my thighs. As he sucked, he got his fingers wet and played, still not entirely awake.

I didn’t know what round of sex this was. I’d lost count long ago. All I knew was the easy path of following my body’s need which never seemed to end. I let my knees fall wide open and closed my eyes so the sensation took me over, an easy climax coming with a cry of desire on my lips and a whisper of love on his.

We slept again.

When I next woke, it was the handcuffs I reached for, along with Convict’s wrist.

Chapter 35

Mila

At around four in the afternoon, I showered the night from my skin, ignoring the flares of pleasure when I passed my fingers over sensitive areas, and replaced the bandages on my cuts. Then I dried my hair and returned to the bedroom to dress.

With his head resting on his biceps, Convict watched me, his arm outstretched where I’d chained it to the bedframe.

I had a gangster tied to my bed. I didn’t know myself anymore.

He took in my brisk movements around the bedroom, his relaxation dialling back to concern. “What are you doing?”

I straightened my dusky lilac blouse, the sleeves long enough to cover my injuries but loose enough to reveal my whole arm if needed. “I’m going to the doctors to talk contraceptives.”

Any vestige of sleep fled his face. “Without me?”

“Obviously. Considering it’s your fault I need to go at all.”

“Don’t. I’m begging you.”

I gave an easy shrug and left the room. “And have you intimidate the doctor into giving me sugar pills? Or to try to persuade me not to go at all? Hell, no. I’m not ready to be a mother. Don’t let me coming at your stabby action suggest otherwise.”

His voice chased me down the hall. “Shit. I didn’t. I don’t want to be a father either. It was heat of the moment. Mila, come back.”

I slipped my feet into the kitten heels I’d usually wear to the office. Donning my workwear was purposeful. I needed to get back into my professional mindset and not the lunatic version I’d fallen into.

“Damn it, Emilia. Don’t make me break your bed after we spent all night wrecking your sheets. You were attacked last night. You need protection.”

“I’ll look after myself. No one else is coming after me.”

“Yes, they could be. Fuck. I forgot to tell you about the explosion at the docks.”

I stilled my hand on the door lock and reversed my steps to the entrance to my room. “The what?”

“Last night, Arran and I were at the harbour in Leith. I saw one of your boats moored up. It had the nameEdenon the side. Right as I got the notification that you were out of the warehouse, the fucking thing blew up.”

My jaw dropped. In my haste to get ready, I’d ignored the messages pinging into my phone, assuming they were more of the usual from relatives. I snatched the device from my handbag and scrolled. Multiple people had sent me the same news headlines. He was right. TheEdenhad been destroyed.

The lead photo showed a fireboat in the harbour, tackling the blaze. Orange flames scaled the black night. I knew the deck they devoured. I could picture my grandfather standing there, his smile broad over white bristles, his arms out ready for a hug.

Shock and pain pierced me. “I don’t believe it. I mean, I do, but… Shit.”

“Sweetheart, come here.”

I kicked off my shoes and padded over to the bed, sinking down next to Convict. He banded his arms around me, and I sank into the hug.

“Edenwas the pride of my grandfather’s fleet. One of the biggest we owned.”

“What does the news say?”

“An explosion of unknown origins tore through her then fire broke out. At two a.m., she sank.” I set down my phone and stared into space. “You probably think it’s ridiculous me being upset about a ship.”