Page 19 of Cut Her Strings (Fractured Puppets #1)
Chapter 18
Tastes Sweet
T he next several days passed in a pattern. I refrained from falling into Levi anymore, and instead, we all focused on training our bodies. Jayce and I had not had any serious conversation, but every night, he left his door open for me, and I joined him. I woke up every morning in his embrace, but even still, the space grew between us into an unbreachable wall.
While I craved Levi’s touch, I didn’t want to add any unnecessary tension between Jayce and Levi as the next game rapidly approached. I also wasn’t ready to have a conversation with Jayce about my feelings for Levi. Did I even owe him one at this point?
Enzo was an excellent instructor and after the second day, my body was feeling almost up to its usual strength. He was formidable, and his techniques were practical. I did my best to begin incorporating them into my set of skills. We also formed a bond. Enzo was a resourceful, resilient, and kind man. But ultimately, he was lonely. I couldn’t imagine what he had gone through; he kept away from his remaining triplet, unsure if every day he woke up would be his last. He explained he could feel Mav was alive and that it was what kept him from going insane. He shared how, whenever he was not too weak from their torments, he did his best to stay in shape and ready for when the time came.
I told him stories of growing up and how Anadil was once just a sweet older sister who, with Jayce’s help, kept me safe from the evils of living in a Government facility. Occasionally, Levi and Jayce would join us in our training, but typically, they would spar with each other.
The first time they fought, it ended a bit bloody, but at my insistence, they kept it tame—nothing that would hinder them in future games. And before my eyes, they formed a comradery. They had something in common.
Me.
Maverick stayed in his room throughout all this, leaving only to take his food. And besides the food brought to us, we were left alone.
On the fifth day, Maverick finally left his room and joined us.
I was rolled with Enzo’s legs entangled in mine, practicing a Sambo leg lock, when Maverick exited his room and came to an abrupt stop, taking us in.
I let Enzo go and fell to the ground, breathing heavily. “What’s going on?” I exhaled between breaths.
Levi and Jayce had been watching Enzo and me wrestle, but they now stood to tug us both up. I gratefully accepted Jayce’s hand.
“Bathroom,” Maverick stated and turned back to his room. We all followed. I decided against sitting on the counter Levi had fucked me on days prior. I was already using all of my willpower to not jump Levi again and it would most certainly not help matters.
“It’s going to be tomorrow,” Maverick informed us when we were all inside. “They are going to separate us from our teams, and it is going to be agility and strength focused. There will be limited use for strategy. Expect a knock down dog fight. You won’t be able to outwit this next game.”
“Okayy...” I dragged out the word, finally catching my breath. “And how do you know this?”
“I studied the last four years of games. While this year differed in several ways, there was a clear pattern. This next game is going to show if the alliances we attempted to secure worked or not. We were able to speak with them once more while you were unconscious, and I am hopeful. The only teams we were able to solidify agreements with were 197’s, 41’s and 32’s. The group we need to look out for is 189’s.”
That reminded me. “He knows something about me,” I stated.
Levi nodded his head. “The man is one to watch. He’s too relaxed.”
I took the next few minutes to explain the interview question and my suspicions that 189 was most likely part of my Faction.
“But that doesn’t make sense,” Jayce interrupted. “If he were in your Faction, why would he be tasked with killing you?”
“I left during my last mission. I’m not sure, but maybe they put out a job on me.”
He stuttered, “What? How?”
“The last job I went on, it went awry. It took some time, but I used my unique skill set to find a way out undetected. I couldn’t go back. I couldn’t go through that again.” I felt guilt and terror press into me; Enzo reached out and squeezed my hand. “I was on the run for a few months before I decided to try to leave the country.” I laughed resentfully. “Needless to say, it is as difficult to leave as the reports suggest.”
“I agree, 189 is going to be a problem. If he doesn’t know who you are, it sounds like he wants to test his theories. Can you think of anyone that might know your identity?” Maverick probed, steering us back on track and scribbling into his notebook.
There was one man who might, but he was more likely to be my Sponsor than a player. I shook my head.
Maverick didn’t appear satisfied with the answer but moved on. “Rest, recharge, refuel, and ready yourselves.” With that, he shut his notebook, dismissing us.
Enzo gave my hand one last squeeze before pulling away to move to Maverick’s side.
Jayce, Levi, and I took that as our queue to exit, and we returned to the living space. Our dinners were delivered while we spoke, and I grabbed mine and plopped onto the floor. The other two joined me shortly after.
We ate in silence for a bit. I trusted Maverick and mulled over what hellish gambit would be next. “Whatever happens, we need to find each other if separated. Strength in numbers and all,” I stated.
Levi set his plate to the side, and he patted his lap. “Let me hold you once more before this?”
I appraised Jayce’s reaction. I was afraid he would explode at any moment into a fit of rage. He narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything. My body craved Levi’s touch, and I set my plate aside, crawling into the safety of his embrace.
His arms wrapped tightly around my stomach, holding me securely to his front, and he began nuzzling my ear.
My eyes shuttered as I fell into the sensations. It was shocking how quickly he had burrowed into my skin, stamping himself.
I heard movement and opened my eyes; Jayce had moved closer to us, so he was within reach. He shifted to his knees and clasped my face in his hands. He gave Levi a look and then brought his lips to mine.
Jayce’s mouth was both the same and entirely foreign. Where in the past he had shown his love through our mouths. He now fucked my mouth with ruthless abandon, leaving me breathless. Levi’s hands moved south until he was pushing into my pants and stroking circles leisurely over my clit.
I gasped into Jayce’s mouth, allowing myself to fall into their ministrations. Together, they took me to the edge of the precipice. I melted into their scents, their touches, and their security.
They groaned as I began to writhe in their hands. I could differentiate between the men as Jayce treated me carefully and softly while Levi held me in a bruising grip. I found myself invigorated by their warring dynamics.
Jayce pulled a tattooed hand from my face to join Levi in my pants, but he went further and dipped two long, calloused fingers into my folds. He crooked them to hit a spot just inside. He continued pushing into the same spot in a steady rhythm, and I began to squirm to escape the overwhelming sensation, but neither man would allow me to. The tension finally hit its peak, and I cried out as I convulsed around his fingers. I reached up and gripped Jayce’s sturdy shoulders.
Jayce nipped at my bottom lip before ending our kiss. Levi turned my head to his and only allowed me a moment of reprieve before he claimed my mouth in a quick, aggressive move, sealing his lips to mine.
“Good girl,” Levi whispered into my ear before biting it.
Jayce removed his fingers first, they glistened as he did so, and he put them in his mouth, sucking them in. “Just how I remember.” His eyes darkened as he removed them. “Sweet.”
Now that I had time to register what just happened, I was shocked. Jayce clearly saw the look on my face.
“I had a realization. We both have the same goal. To keep you safe. I can’t fault the man for wanting you.” His eyes shuttered. “I wasn’t enough last time, and I am willing to do whatever I can to get you out of here, alive.” He paused, smiling softly, “More so, you deserve any happiness you can find, and I will do anything in my power to keep you happy. Even if that means sharing your heart. You’re right. You’re not the same girl as before. But my sweet Raven? I love this version of you just the same.”
The words shocked me.
Jayce leaned forward once more and stroked my cheek. “I’ll give you some time.” He turned his gaze to both Levi and me. “If you want to spend tonight with Levi, I understand.” He leaned forward, kissing my forehead before getting up and going to his bedroom.
“You okay, darlin’?” Levi asked, shifting me so I straddled his lap.
I thought on the question for a bit. “I am content, but worried,” I finally settled on. “You okay if I join you tonight?”
“I could die a happy man,” he joked.
I punched his shoulder softly. “Don’t say that, please?” My voice cracked a bit, sobering Levi.
He used his left hand to brush my hair behind my ear and leaned forward until our noses touched. He closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, my little Raven, but you have made me finally feel something for the first time in years. I never thought I would find happiness again.” He gently set me on the ground and stood up, pulling me with him.
“What, no carrying me again?” I teased.
“We need to get some sleep, darlin’, and I am doing my best to not rip your clothes off and feast on your sweet cunt.” He laughed at the squeal I let out at his words and dragged me to his room.