Page 57 of Lethal Vengeance

I stare down at the petite woman in front of me. There are so few people I would turn my back to in this world, but I don’t hesitate to give her mine. Cool hands lightly spread the cream over my sore body. Pain threatens the moment, but I push it aside to concentrate on the hypnotic glide of her fingers across my body.

“I’m done,” she murmurs.

Too soon.

I turn around and pick up her hands. “Thank you.” With a devilish grin, I place her palms on my chest. “Aren’t you going to do the front?”

An answering gleam meets my challenge. Her hands slide lightly down the front of my body until they reach my abdomen. Fingers spread out to cover more of me except for her thumb. It sweeps across the hair in the center of my body, following it down to my waist.

The soft pad reaches my pants, briefly dips inside, coming dangerously close to my hard cock, and stops. Sucking in a breath, I tip my head, conceding the win to her.

“Maybe another time,” she replies with a smirk.

A low whistle interrupts our game, seconds before Cruz steps into the hallway in front of us.

It’s time.

I grip her chin and pull it up. “We have more stories to swap. I’ll see you soon.” Pressing my lips to hers, I can’t help thinking this is the best beating I’ve ever gotten.

She stares steadily back at me but says nothing. I’m not surprised. She refuses to give hope where she believes there is none. T. Her eyes, though, tell me everything I need to know. I smile.

“Take care of her,” I order Cruz, needing him to know she’s important to me, too.

In reply, he flips up a single finger, then a fist. One day until the attack, not several like he stated earlier. You never know who’s listening, so it pays to be cautious. I breathe a sigh of relief and nod.

After she’s gone, I apply the cream onto the bruises on my chest. The callouses in my hand rub harshly against my skin, and I can’t help wishing she was here to help. I close my eyes and picture her hands on me.

A whisper of movement wakes me. Several men are in the cell. Too many to count. I spring up, taking down the two closest, but more enter to replace them. A bag is dropped over my head from behind and a prick stings my right arm.

Fuck.

Heaviness seeps into my muscles until I can’t move. The last thing I hear is Armando giving his men orders to take me to the ranch.

28

QUINN

Completely preoccupied, Cruz barely answered any of my questions on the way back. I thought he might be upset with me, but he held my hand tightly the entire way.

The small studio above the tailor’s shop is a hive of activity when I arrive. Zane’s in the middle of the room, outlining an attack plan using Sterling’s 3D model with a sea of strangers surrounding him.

Where did all these people come from?

Zane’s eyes dart to me the second I walk in the room, and he stops mid-sentence. “Let’s pause here for a moment. Review the plan, and I’ll answer any questions in a second.”

They follow his gaze and part like the Red Sea, allowing him to head directly toward me.

I tense.

“Easy, she’s injured,” Cruz states softly.

Zane’s large arms wrap carefully around my shoulders and pull me in for a hug. Surprised, I freeze. The last time we were together, things were strained between us. I look up and meet his grey eyes. Instead of frustration and anger, they’re filled with… understanding.

A relieved sigh escapes. It’s enough.

The protectiveness and strength of his embrace beckons me, and I allow myself to melt into his arms. The tightness in my chest eases. My hands slide up and around, fingers gripping him tightly, like an anchor, and I close my eyes to savor the feeling.

When I’m around him, the darkness eases, giving me a break from the burden of this path I’ve chosen. But it scares me, too. I can’t afford to walk in the light too long.