Page 125 of Ravaged Soul

He’s a beguiling but deadly force that may just topple the fragile house of cards I’ve managed to stack. Our team doesn’t trust him. Most of the time, it seems like Axel actively wants to kill him. Yet here I am, dragging Blaine into this tangle regardless.

I must be crazy.

Or simply tired of being toldno.

“They’re all waiting for you,” he murmurs in that spine-tinglingly crisp voice. “Else I’d take you into a quiet corner and demonstrate my commitment to you this very second.”

“Right.” I clear my throat.

“Next time one of those fools interrupts us, I won’t hesitate to remove their head with my bare fucking hands. Consider that before taking this any further.”

Gawping at him, it’s clear that Blaine’s serious. Not a hint of humour to be seen. I’m not sure if I find his unhinged brand of attraction terrifyingly insane or downright hot. Maybe even both.

“It’s considered,” I croak out.

“Excellent.”

Before I can step away from his enticing body heat, Blaine curls a hand around the back of my neck. I meet his stare, teeth sinking into my bottom lip.

“Now that I’m a free man, relatively speaking, I’d like to be a little more formal. Permit me to take you out sometime without your bodyguards.”

Copper slicks over my tongue before I find the sense to release my bottom lip.

“I’m sorry… Is the infamous criminal leader and prolific mobster, the actual Phantom himself, asking me on some kind of date?”

Blaine’s sore-looking nose wrinkles at my description. “I suppose so.”

“What does an average date even look like for you?”

“Say yes, and you’ll soon find out.”

My lips curve upwards. “Now I’m intrigued. Yes.”

“There’s a good girl.”

His mouth secures on mine once more, this time harder. I relax into the kiss, my fingers finding his tee and curling into the worn fabric. His lips are firm and confident, applying just the right amount of pressure to scramble my inner monologue.

Everything about him is intoxicating. Least of all the way he languidly nudges his tongue past my lips, testing the boundariesof what I’ll accept. The hand fisting my neck tightens, applying a light pressure that holds me in place.

All too quickly, Blaine releases my neck. He gives my braid one last tug and steps back while I blink rapidly to regather my thoughts. He looks far too smug at the stupefying power of his lips.

“Come along before those boys start searching for us.”

“Boys.” I tut under my breath.

“Don’t tell them I said that. I’m on thin ice already.”

His hand finds mine, our fingers hesitant then curling together. With Blaine anchoring me, I leave Richards’s manipulations behind, creating space between me and his room full of exposed secrets. We ascend to the upstairs conference room in loaded silence.

Two figures stand outside, trading whispers. Warner straightens when he sees us coming, immediately locking onto where Blaine’s fingers grasp mine. It takes great effort not to tug my hand from his.

Looking over his shoulder, Sabre’s most fearsome director, Hudson Knight, nods at me. It’s been a while since our paths last crossed. His icy demeanour, layers of tattoos and multiple piercings fail to intimidate me despite his reputation around the office.

“Finally decided to do some work?” I call out.

His crystal-clear blue eyes roll. “Look who’s talking.”

“I was with that nutcase, Richards.”