Page 198 of Lost Lyrebird

Finn pulls back just enough to smirk against my lips.“I plan on it,” he mutters, his voice low.“Right after I take you for a ride.”

We go for a long ass ride and it’s glorious.I cling to him the entire time, and he shows me affection in small gestures—his hand over mine on his stomach, running his palm up and down my thigh.When we finally make it to his house, clothing starts coming off before we make it past the threshold.

Finn performs like the man is making up for lost time.He’s insatiable, which suits me just fine.His desire for me is the sweetest compliment, although it’s not just my body he wants.He’s also constantly asking me things about myself, and no one listens quite like Finn.He doesn’t zone out.He pays attention to all the tiny details, like he’s still cataloguing everything about me and committing it to memory.

We essentially fuck for three days straight.It’s only the need for food that drives us to leave his room.

On day four, we complete a puzzle together and venture out to his workshop, where he shows me a whole new side to him that I never knew existed.A soulful and artistic side.I immediately fall in love with his creations, and know that watching him create is going to be my new favorite pastime.

Mateo is the only person we let into our little bubble.He hangs around one night when we order takeout, and it’s the first time the three of us relax on the couch to watch a movie together.It feels surprisingly easy, even with Mateo’s walls still firmly in place.I learn small things about him in these quiet moments, but he never lets much slip—his expression stays guarded, his thoughts hidden behind eyes that say so much and yet give nothing away.

Still, I’m determined to crack the code that makes him tick, to earn my way inside his world and, at the very least, become his friend.I know it’ll take time, but it feels worth it.

Because whether he realizes it or not, we’re a family now.And families don’t give up on each other.

CHAPTER 55

Karma is tricky in that the venom you spew will one day come back on you, and the good you do will too.

JUNE 2008

The sharp clatter of the closet door rattles through the dingy hotel room as Veno thrashes inside.His muffled curses and cries of pain, which are hindered by a large strip of duct tape, fill me with wicked satisfaction.Every kick, every futile attempt to break free, is power I’m taking back bit by bit from the man who stole so much of it from me.

I slide the closet door open a couple of inches, enough to see his face peeking out of the body bag we’ve tied him up inside.We made a perfect hole in it for his face to peek out and sealed the sides, so we can watch his agony unfold, with the insects inside getting out.

When the light from the room illuminates his face, he screams and twists, which no doubt delivers another round of vicious stings; any movement is bound to do so.His pupils are blown wide.The look on his face—pure, helpless fury—pulls a grin from me.

He screeches behind the tape and his back bows.Seconds later, his eyes roll back in his head, and he blacks out.

“How much longer you wanna play with him, Lil’ Bird?”Finn’s voice comes from behind me, tinged with amusement.He’s lounging on the bed, his back resting casually against the headboard, legs crossed, remote in hand as he channel-surfs.

After closing the door, I go to him and kneel on the bed.The plastic covering crinkles under my weight, a nasty reminder of the nightmare I lived through in this very room.I shoot a glance at the blanket in disgust.The degree of filth committed here still lingers.

The time will soon come when I burn it to the ground, but not yet.Not today.

“Another hour, at least,” I say, grinning as Veno slams his shoulder into the door again, letting me know he’s resumed consciousness.The violent rattling and pain-filled screams carry on.

Finn chuckles low, half focused on the TV but splitting his attention long enough to give me a half-smile.“You’re call.I’m just here in case you need me, you know, to do anything… anything at all.”

I crawl closer, straddle his lap, and snake my arms around his neck.He smells like leather and sandalwood today.His new soap smells amazing, and it’s something that’s distinctly Finn.I grind down on him, making him moan under his breath, his half-grin disappears as desire fills his features.He sits up as hands find my waist, and his fingers dig roughly into my flesh.

“Thought you might be upset about the lack of disguises,” I tease.

His eyebrows twitch as if I’ve hit a nerve.Lips pursed, he leans back, barely restraining a frown now.

I arch an eyebrow at him and shift my weight.Knowing just how to tempt him back into a good mood, I fist his shirt and brush my lips over his neck.I place playful bites there and suck deeply on his skin.

He moans my name and his cock jerks beneath me, hardening further.

In one quick movement, Finn flips me onto my back, pinning my wrists above my head.The bed creaks under us, the dirty mattress sinking with our combined weight.Heat radiating from him.

I shriek and wiggle to break free, becauseew… this bed is disgusting, but Finn doesn’t budge.

“Woman.”His voice is a low growl, eyes blazing with hunger.

“Yes.”I smile sweetly at him.He pries my legs open with his knee and forces them apart to make room for himself.I undulate against his cock, causing him to curse under his breath.

“There is a man locked in the closet.”