Page 62 of Cursed

Ipush through Purgatory’s doors, my jaw aching from grinding my teeth for the last hour. Knox and Vane follow, their voices grating against my already frayed nerves.

Twenty-four hours.

That’s how long the rules dictate we give the women after the claiming. Twenty-four fucking hours of freedom that Sadie doesn’t need.

“Whiskey. Neat.” My voice is a growl as I approach the bar, but I ignore the way the bartender flinches.

I can still feel Sadie’s body beneath mine on that mirrored dais, the way she fought against me until she couldn’t anymore, until she gave in completely. My cock stiffens at the memory, making my irritation spike higher. I should be buried inside her, not standing here with my idiot brothers.

“Ease up, brother.” Knox slides onto the stool next to mine. “Your little butterfly will be back in your web soon enough.”

“Fuck off,” I mutter, downing the whiskey in one burning swallow.

Vane leans against the bar. “I still can’t believe X just took off like that.”

“Man’s more gone than any of us,” Knox says with a low whistle. “I mean, we’ve all done some crazy shit, but going to her apartment during the cooling-off period? That’s fucking insane, even for a Blackwood.”

I signal for another drink. “He is acting psychotic over a journalist who wants to ruin him.”

Vane snorts. “Like you’re one to talk about psychotic behavior.”

My fingers tighten around the fresh glass. “At least I follow the fucking rules.”

“Landon Blackwood, why so concerned with the rules all of a sudden?” Knox’s smirk makes me want to smash his face into the bar. “Must be serious if you’re this wound up about twenty-four hours away from your prey.”

I don’t answer because I have no explanation for the gnawing feeling in my gut. This isn’t about breaking rules. It’s about Sadie being out there without me, possibly having second thoughts, possibly running.

“Xavier’s probably balls deep in Mira right now,” Vane says. “Man couldn’t wait a single day.”

I drain my second whiskey, trying to ignore the clock in my head counting down the hours until I can reclaim what’s mine.

“Another,” I demand, sliding my empty glass across the bar.

Knox leans in, his breath reeking of expensive bourbon. “Maybe slow down, brother. You look ready to rip someone’s throat out.”

“Perhaps I am.” I accept the fresh whiskey, savoring the burn that doesn’t quite dull the ache of wanting Sadie. “You should take that as a warning, as you’re the closest target,” I quip.

Vane checks his phone, scrolling through messages with disinterest. “Lia’s probably enjoying hours of freedom. Not that it matters—she’ll come crawling back.”

“They always do,” Knox adds. “That’s the beauty of the Hunt. We break them so thoroughly they can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

I stare at the amber liquid in my glass, wondering if that’s true for Sadie. Did I break her enough? Or was I too gentle?

“You’re awfully quiet, Landon.” Vane studies me. “Usually you’d be lecturing us about how we’re all animals by now.”

“Just enjoying the whiskey,” I mutter, not wanting to admit the chaos in my head.

Knox snorts. “Sure. Nothing to do with your little hacker probably scrubbing her security system right now, looking for all your spyware.”

My fingers tighten around the glass. He’s right, of course. Sadie’s brilliant enough to find the backdoors I installed. The thought makes me simultaneously proud and furious.

The club’s entrance doors slam open with enough force to make the bartender jump. Xavier strides in, rage radiating from every line of his body.

“Well, well. Look who couldn’t stay away,” Knox calls out, raising his glass in mock salute. “How’s your journalist? Did you fuck the attitude out of her yet?”

Xavier’s head snaps toward us. “Shut the fuck up, Knox.”

Vane straightens. “What’s wrong, X? Mira playing hard to get?”