Page 25

Nova

I’m off work today, but Colt had some business to take care of.

I slept in, waking up to Bandit staring at me while smacking on a celery stick, courtesy of his dad. He’s so good about keeping fresh fruit and vegetables in the house for him.

Bandit and I watched each other until he smacked me in the forehead with his celery. I figured after that; it was time to get up. I took him to the pet store, fitting him for a harness so I can take him for walks outside. I’m sure he’s tired of being cooped up all the time, but you’d never know with the way he’s made our cabin his own.

We’ve been home a little over an hour and I haven’t heard from Colt in a while. I’m cooking dinner while Bandit chases his ball, batting my leg with his paw every time he passes me. The little furball running circles around the island has brought me so much joy. Other people might think I’m weird for having him. I guess it’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck what people think.

Stirring the chicken in the pan, my mind drifts to Colt. Something has been on his mind the past few days. I’ve tried to talk to him, but he says everything is fine. He seems withdrawn, lost in his thoughts and I don’t know how to get him to open up.

Bandit swipes my leg for the twentieth time as he passes me and I spin around to watch him, but I’m met with cold, blue eyes instead.

Colt’s body is rigid, obviously in stealth mode since I didn’t hear him come in. He looks detached, like he’s planning his next kill.

Oh shit.

I approach him slowly.

I’m not worried he’ll hurt me; I know he never would. He’s shutting me out and I don’t fucking like it, but I don’t want to spook him. He’s like a caged animal and I have to remind him I’m here, on his side, ready to fight beside him.

He’s as still as death and I raise my hand to his cheek. He doesn’t move and my stomach twists. Rising on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his.

Nothing.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I tug him down, demanding his attention. He’s drifting away and I have to pull him back, out of whatever is going on in his head. Biting his lip causes him to flinch, and the fog slowly recedes, his eyes becoming focused.

“There you are.” I whisper.

“Nova.” He breathes, almost as if he didn’t see me before.

“I’m here. Will you tell me what’s bothering you now?” I trail my fingers down his cheek, and his gaze hardens.

He grips my wrist, leading me to the dinner table. Taking a seat, he pulls me onto his lap. “Fredrick Morrison.”

My eyes widen. “The guy you stabbed at the funeral?”

“Yes.” His jaw clenches. “His son, Junior called me a couple of weeks ago. He said there was no ill will towards me for killing his father. Or Daniel.”

“That’s good, right?”

He sighs. “I wouldn’t give a fuck if there was, but that wasn’t the reason he called. He said I have a rat in my organization. He said his father wasn’t behind the theft of the shipment or my guys being gunned down.”

My brows furrow. “Who?”

“I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open, doing some digging of my own.” He grips my chin, his eyes penetrating my soul. “Did you know Lacey is with Max?”

I’m taken aback. “The guy I kneed in the balls?”

He nods.

I’m stunned, shaking my head in denial. “No. I didn’t know she was seeing anyone. But we don’t really talk about our personal lives other than me telling her to back off about you.”

His fingers leave my chin, gliding down my throat, across my collarbone and finally down my arm. “I always thought she gave you a hard time because of who I am. I thought she was trying to be a friend to you. But I got an odd vibe from her last time I was in the bar. She stared me down and when you turned around, she was all smiles.”

I scoff. “Fake bitch.”

He nods. “That’s what I thought. I actually felt ashamed for doing it, but I tailed Max one night. He went to an apartment complex after our meeting. He knocked on someone’s door. It was Lacey who answered.”

“Okay. They kept their relationship a secret. I don’t know why, but is it worth you being bothered by it?”

His teeth grind together, the sound like nails on a chalkboard. “Max has been by my side since I took over. He stood by me as I killed every motherfucker who challenged me. I placed my trust in him. I don’t trust people, Nova. Only ever you.” I start to speak, but he continues. “I dug some more. Lacey is Frederick Morrison’s niece, Junior’s cousin.”

I gasp. Slowly, the puzzle pieces come together, and I realize what he’s saying. “Lacey is the connection.” I replay everything she’s said to me about Colt. She kept warning me to stay away from him. She kept calling him a dangerous man, a monster.

She was trying to keep me out of it because they’ve been plotting against him.

My blood ignites with fire, burning a path through my veins. “They want to kill you and take over.”

He nods again. “And make me look incompetent before they do. They want to ruin my reputation before snuffing me out.”

I jump up from his lap, Bandit skidding across the floor, running to his room. Stomping over to the stove, I grab the pan by the handle, chucking it into the sink. I grip the edge of the counter, my knuckles turning white with rage. I’m no longer hungry for food.

I want fucking blood.

That stupid bitch is planning to kill Colt, the only person I’ve ever loved. If she thinks she’ll live to see another day, she’s out of her fucking mind.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind, and I’m too pissed to accept his touch. I can’t handle this. I feel like I’m about to explode and take everything with me.

He spins me around, his hard eyes softening as he takes in the violent energy around me. It’s suffocating. “You feel it, little demon?”

Fucking right, I feel it.

This is the evening I killed my mother.

The day I killed Daniel.

The night we killed his parents.

All rolled into one and amplified tenfold.

Max betrayed Colt in the worst way. I never really liked the bitch, but Lacey still betrayed me. No matter how many times people fuck you over, you’ll never be numb to betrayal.

Nodding my head, he cups my face. “No one can touch us, baby. I’ll kill them all.”

“When? I can’t be around her, Colt. I’ll bash her fucking face in with her serving tray.”

“You’re not going back to the bar.” He grounds out, his tone harsh.

“I can’t go without a job.”

“I can’t protect you there. She’ll know something’s wrong if I’m hanging around your entire shift. You don’t have to work, Nova. I have more than enough money to take care of us.” Before I can argue, he grips my chin with his fingers. “You’re independent and strong. You don’t need me to take care of you, but I’m going to because you’re mine.”

“But-”

“No, baby. There’s no buts. I will provide for you and your little thief in there. Once everything blows over, if you want to get something part-time to give you something to do, go for it. But right now, I need you safe.” He kisses me hard. “You don’t understand, Nova. I can’t lose you. I won’t fucking survive it. You’re my life. Without you, it’s over. You were my beginning, and you are my end.”

Tears fill my eyes, but I keep them at bay, my voice strong as I speak. “I’m going to keep you safe, too, Colt. You may be the devil, but I’m the flames of hell. We’re in this together and no one will take you from me.”

He crushes me to his chest, burying his nose in my hair. “I’ll rip out their hearts for you. You’ll feel their last beat in your palm.”

“And I’ll burn them to a crisp, their betrayal turning to ash, fading from our memories like they never existed.”

He fists my hair with one hand, circling my throat with the other. “My Lilith.” He whispers.

“My devil.” I breathe before crushing our mouths together, biting his lip until the taste of his blood coats my tongue.

He groans, pulling away. “It’s sealed in blood now, my demon queen.” He dives back in and lifts me off the floor, my back pressing against the wall. He ravages my mouth, my body trembling with adrenaline and lust. I’m soaked, craving every inch of his cock inside me, ripping me apart while simultaneously making me whole again.

“I need you inside me.” I moan and he wastes no time reaching between us, undoing his belt and pants, sliding them down past his ass. I’m only in a t-shirt and panties which he moves to the side, thrusting inside me with such force, I scream. My nails dig into his back, the pain of the intrusion only adding to the immense pleasure radiating through my body.

He reaches behind him with one hand, pulling his shirt over his head, throwing it to the floor. “Make me bleed, Nova. I’ll only ever bleed for you.”

His words make my pussy clench around him, and he growls, burying his face in my neck. His strokes are furious as he pounds into me, my nails scoring his skin. The wetness of his blood coats my fingers and I clench again, my orgasm building quickly.

“Fuck, Nova. Your tight cunt will be the death of me.”

“I’m so close.” I whimper and his hips snap forward so hard, it feels like he’s trying to pierce my soul with his cock.

He leans into my ear, his warm breath sending goosebumps across my skin. “Come for me.”

I sob his name, my entire body stiffening as the tidal wave of pleasure takes over, thrusting me into oblivion. Stars burst behind my eyelids, my stomach dipping like I’m on a rollercoaster. My arms and legs are limp against his body, but he doesn’t slow down.

He chases his release, dragging out my own, and we’re so entangled, it feels like my entire being is chained to his soul for all eternity.

He roars my name, his cock swelling as his cum coats my insides and I clench around him, not wanting to lose a single drop. He kisses me softly, a stark contrast to what just happened, and I melt against him.

“I have a good mind to keep my cock inside you for the rest of the night. I don’t want my cum leaving your body.”

I laugh causing us both to groan. “Take me to bed and I’ll sit on my throne while we plan a couple of murders.”

He smiles for the first time tonight and my chest loosens a little. Though they may try, no one will ever break him.

I’ll make sure of it.

We enter the bedroom, and he moves to the bed. I push at his chest, and he falls back, his eyes roaming my body as I sit on his cock.

A sinister grin tugs at his lips, his dick twitching inside me. “Plot away, little demon.”