Page 86 of Hymns of the Broken

Silas joins in, voice a little too casual. “So, Riot, are you sticking around our place for the extra days? Or are you just planning to kidnap Sawyer and take her with you?”

I shrug, grinning wolfishly, letting my gaze slide to Jasper’s. “Might have to change my plans; seems like I might miss the fun.” I pause, cocking my head, challenging Jasper without saying a word. “If the company’s good, I’m happy to join in.”

Jasper stabs a fork into his food, not looking away. “Just remember you’re a guest. And guests know their place.”

I chuckle, letting my hand rest on the table close to Sawyer’s, fingers almost brushing hers. “I’m a delightful guest, Reign. Really polite. I always say thank you when someone shares.”

Ash howlswith laughter. “Oh, shit. He’s got jokes.”

The tension at the table is thick enough to cut. The rest of the guys act like it’s all fun and games, but there’s an edge in every look Jasper throws my way. I’m not backing down—not tonight.

Sawyer sits there silent, but I see the way her thighs squeeze together, the way her tongue darts out to wet her lips. She’s trapped right in the middle of us and loving every second of it.

I lean in, dropping my voice low, just for her. “Hope you saved room for dessert, Temptress. ‘Cause I’m not done trying to taste you.”

She shivers, her eyes darting to Jasper—like she’s checking to see if he’ll let this game keep going.

I hope he does. Because I’m just getting started.

I lean in, elbows on the table, voice pitched just for her but loud enough for everyone to hear. “Sawyer. You wanna walk with me? Get away from the crowd for a minute?”

Sawyer glances at Jasper, biting her lip. There’s a beat of loaded silence.

Ash whistles obnoxiously. “Better check with her handler first, Riot.”

Jace grins, fake-innocent. “Bet five bucks Jasper follows within thirty seconds.”

Silas arches an eyebrow, gaze sharp. “Sure, you two can behave out there?”

Jasper doesn’t say a word, but his eyes slide over to me, cold and unblinking. “She’s a grown woman. If she wants to walk, let her walk.” But there’s something dangerous under the calm.

Sawyer sets her soda down, pushing to her feet. “It’s just a walk, boys. Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone.”

I stand and hold my hand out, fingers brushing her hip as she passes—just enough to remind everyone what game we’re playing.

Ash hums. “Just a walk, huh? Sure.”

Jace, laughing. “If we hear screaming, we’ll send backup.”

Sawyer rolls her eyes, but I see that thrill in her as we head off, the group still watching, talking shit behind us as we disappear into the blur of the midway.

SAWYER

Riot’s hand is warm and a little too tight around mine as we cut through the crowd, the carnival lights washing us in gold and red. I glance over my shoulder, just once—Jasper’s stare pins me in place.

“You know he’s watching, right?”

Riot grins, all wicked teeth. “Can’t say I blame him. If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight, either.”

I bump his shoulder, pretending not to care, but every nerve ending is lit up. “So what’s your plan? Just wanted to show off in front of everyone?”

He shrugs, cocky and a little softer than I expect. “Maybe I just wanted a moment with you alone. Or as alone as we get out here.” His thumb traces the inside of my wrist, sending a shiver up my arm.

We drift past the games, the sugar and grease of the fair in the air. For a minute, it’s almost easy. But there’s nothing easy about the way Riot looks at me, or the way Jasper’s shadow stretches across every thought.

Riot’s thumb draws circles over my pulse as he chooses his words. “Forget about Reign for a second,” he murmurs, stepping closer so our shoulders brush. “This isn’t about him. Not right now. Just you and me. I want to know what you want, Sawyer. No games, no audience—just us.”

For a second, it feels like the rest of the carnival falls away. The noise, the lights, even Jasper’s shadow—none of it matters when Riot looks at me like I’m the only thing that exists.