Page 35 of Haunted

Heat floods my cheeks as I catch sight of myself in the mirror mounted on my wardrobe door. The woman staring back at me looks nothing like the woman who walked into Purgatory. This version of me looks like prey—vulnerable, exposed, ready to be hunted.

My pussy throbs traitorously at the thought, and I squeeze my thighs together, horrified by my visceral response. The image of Xavier in a mask flashes through my mind—grabbing me, forcing me down, his hands rough on my skin as he claims what the Hunt has given him permission to take.

The silk clings and slips with every step, cool air licking places that should be hidden. I’m already half-exposed, and the Hunt hasn’t even begun.

“Two minutes,” Xavier calls out.

My stomach twists.

There’s no way out.

I press my thighs together, not for modesty—just to stave off the horrifying pulse and ache that’s come to life between them.

15

XAVIER

My cock strains against the leather of my riding pants as I step out of the holding room, the image of Mira in that red silk burned into my retinas. The way the fabric clung to every curve, barely containing her breasts, the hem riding so high I caught glimpses of her inner thighs—fuck, I’m harder than I’ve ever been.

Red. My color. She looks so perfect wrapped in it, like a gift I’m about to unwrap with my teeth.

I force myself to walk steadily down the corridor toward the control room, every step sending jolts of pleasure through my aching dick. The leather is unforgiving, creating delicious friction that makes my jaw clench. I need to get my head straight before this begins, but all I can think about is how those silk ties would feel sliding through my fingers as I undress her.

The control room buzzes with activity as Knox, Vane, and Landon monitor the feeds. Banks of screens showevery angle, every shadow, every possible hiding spot. This is where strategy matters, where patience pays off.

But strategy feels impossible when my cock is throbbing with need.

“Jesus, X,” Knox mutters from his position at the monitors. “You look like you’re about to tear the room apart.”

“Just focusing,” I grind out, adjusting myself.

On the screens, the maze entrance begins to open with a mechanical whir. Six women will enter in moments—my prey for the evening. But only one matters. Only one has my complete attention.

I press the heel of my hand against my erection, trying to ease the ache. The image of Mira’s horrified expression as she realized how little the outfit covered flashes through my mind, followed immediately by the way her pupils dilated when she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Fear and arousal warring in those hazel eyes.

She wants this as much as I do, even if she won’t admit it.

The thought makes my dick pulse harder. I need to catch her first. The idea of another man’s hands on that silk, of anyone else touching what should be mine—the possessiveness that surges through me is violent enough to surprise even me.

I’d kill them without hesitation, even though violence is against the rules.

“Door’s open,” Vane announces from his station.

I watch the entrance yawn wide on the screen. Soon,she’ll step into my domain, into my world where I make the rules.

I grip the edge of the control panel, knuckles white as I fight for control.

The door to the control room opens, and eleven men file in. The air thickens with testosterone and ravenous hunger as they take their positions around the monitors.

Elliot Chambers studies the maze layout. “Excellent construction work, Xavier. It’s almost artistic.”

Victor Kane stretches his neck, rolling massive shoulders. The enforcer’s presence fills the space like a thundercloud. “How long before we’re released?”

“Patience,” I growl, as I watch the entrance on screen.

Theo Winters runs his fingers through his dark hair, blue undertones catching the monitor light. His gaze sweeps the feeds with obvious appreciation. “This is going to be beautiful chaos.”

Ryder Caldwell leans against the wall with casual confidence, green eyes bright with anticipation. “Any particular rules about methods this year?”