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Chapter twenty-eight

Raegan

“I don’t know how you sleep with a footboard. Let me kick this annoying crap off, and you’ll see how much more room you’ll have,” Kellan whispers, but it’s so close that I’m instantly awake.

“No.” Heated breath warms the top of my head as Jackson replies behind me.

My eyelids are heavy when I try to drag them open.

I could probably sleep for several more hours, but the insistent need to pee is what forces me up.

A golden brown and tattooed chest greets me when I finally manage to open my eyes.

It shifts forward and back, the bed creaking beneath Kellan’s weight as he tries to get comfortable with a frustrated growl.

His body is curved along the edge of the bed to fit lengthwise, one arm curled under his head and his other hand covering my bare thigh.

Jackson is wrapped around me from behind, one leg tucked between mine and his arms holding me against his chest. I’m in only my bra and underwear.

“You woke her,” Jack remarks softly.

To anyone else, it might sound like a simple observation, but to me, I can feel the dark accusation in the coolness of his tone.

Kellan looks down, his roguish grin splitting his face when he sees me looking back.

“Well, hello, beautiful,” he drawls, blue-green eyes sparkling with mirth.

His hand squeezes my thigh before his thumb lazily circles my skin, stirring heat at my core.

“Sleep well?”

“Mm...” I hum, and I’m held so tightly to Jack that the vibrations in my chest echo in his.

I turn my head as much as I can to see him, angling my body until I find he’s just as undressed as Kellan is, wearing only boxer briefs.

It’s so rare to see him without clothes, to see the tattoos that are always hidden on his chest and arms.

I flick my eyes up to his, and my heart misses a beat.

Fuck, what did I miss?

I scramble to remember what happened before I fell asleep.

What happened last that could have stirred his darkness, roused his anger to such a degree?

I remember going to rescue Tinsley.

And then…and then…

Caves.

Zombies.

Royce .

Whipping back to Kellan, I reach for his face as I recall what I’d done to it.

All the pain I’d inflicted on him.

“I’m so sorry.”

He grabs my hand and kisses the palm.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It wasn’t you.” His gaze jumps over me to Jack.

“Nothing you did under that dickhead’s control is your fault.” There’s a long pause, like there’s a silent battle of wills happening above me, before Kell continues.

“I, on the other hand, can’t claim that when I bashed Jack’s head into the cliff. ”

A huff of air hits my hair.

“I would’ve done the same.”

Kell’s grin sharpens.

“I knew you wouldn’t mind. Though I’m glad I didn’t accidentally kill you. It was close.”

Wait.

“What?!” I demand, yanking my hand from his to beat his chest. “What do you mean, it was close? Why would it ever be close ?!”

Kellan has the humility to look embarrassed as he strokes his hand over his mouth and beard.

“I almost lost it for a second. Thankfully, I caught myself in time when I remembered who I was attacking.”

I jab him with a stiff finger in the kidney, then cringe when it hits nothing but pure muscle.

“If I ever hear any of you getting close to killing one of us again, accident or not, I’ll rip off your balls,” I snarl at him, and the motherfucker laughs.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

A knock rattles the door.

“You guys up?” Dane calls behind it.

“Food’s almost ready. Come eat.”

That simple reminder is all it takes for my body to reinforce everything it needs right now.

Pee. Shower. Food.

As wonderful as it is being sandwiched between these two, and how much I’d like to start something else, those three necessities are calling my name more.

I wiggle in Jackson’s grip, and he easily frees me to slip from his arms and crawl off the side of the bed.

Kellan stands and stretches, groaning loud enough I’m sure the entire Loft can hear him.

“Well, guess I’ll go shower and then see what he cooked up.” He rubs his hand over his stomach as he leaves the room.

I check in with Jack, whose eyes are latched on to mine as he sits upright.

His sapphire stare drags down my body, setting my skin on fire beneath that look, even though I’m sure he’s merely confirming I’m fully healed.

I turn my back to him when he reaches my feet, still watching him over my shoulder as his gaze traces up my back, catching on the spot where he’d buried one of his knives.

I rub the spot to break his stare.

“It’s all healed, Jack. I promise.” I move in front of him and capture his face in my hands.

“It wasn’t you. And I’m okay.”

His hand hooks my nape, crushing our lips together in a torrent of need that I can feel all the way to my toes.

His kiss is all-consuming.

Deep. Demanding. And suddenly, I’m flipped back on the bed, Jackson’s body covering mine as he pushes for more.

Takes more. His hips pin me to the bed, the hardening length of his dick unmistakable.

I wrap my legs around him automatically, my core grinding against him as I succumb to his unexpected avarice.

To the obsession I can taste on his tongue, feel in the strength of his grip.

I want to give him everything and more.

Remind him that I’m still here.

Let him use my body until there’s no doubt left in his mind that I’m here with him.

That’s what I really, really want.

But my body has other priorities that break through the haze of lust, ringing like alarm bells.

I tear away from the kiss, gasping for air so I can tell him, but his lips move to my neck without stopping.

Biting and sucking his way down and sending cascading waves of ecstasy rolling through me.

I try to speak, but a wanton moan slips out instead when his teeth pinch the crook of my neck, his tongue licking away the small bite of pain.

His mouth paints a trail of pleasure to the mound of one breast, his hand quickly freeing it over the cup of my bra.

I slide my fingers through his raven-black hair—to stop him, of course—until he sucks my nipple into his hot mouth, lighting me on fire.

I thrust my pelvis into him, gasping and tugging his head closer as desire ripples from my breast to pulse between my legs.

“Jack!” I pant, clawing at his hair to pull him away even as much as my body arches into him, seeking more.

“I need…ahh!” His tongue swirls my nipple, then flicks it, and I can feel its pleasure echo in my cunt.

The urgent need to pee threatens to break, and I hurriedly rush the words out.

“Wait. Stop. I have to go!”

Jackson lifts his head, confusion bleeding into his expression, but it’s enough space that I act, pushing and pulling myself free and then running to his ensuite bathroom, slamming the door behind me.

I’m part turned on, part horrified now, but he thankfully doesn’t chase after me.

Once I’m done, I emerge with embarrassment crawling up my neck.

Jack is dressed, his strong body covered up in black and baggy clothes that give no indication of what lies underneath.

His hands are tucked in his kangaroo pocket, a comforting smile on his lips that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

He’s far from done with me, but he’s giving me this time to sort out my own needs first.

“I’m going to shower quick, and then I’ll meet you guys out there,” I tell him, pointing to the door.

Aiden’s been keeping my clothes in his room, so I’ll use his shower.

Jackson nods once, then opens the door for me.

Stopping in front of him, I slide my hand up his chest and lean into him.

“We’ll finish this later, I promise.”

Not just because my body is still aching to continue what we started.

But because I know he needs me to soothe the chaos seething beneath the surface.

The Loft is on one of the highest floors of the Tower, giving it a view that reaches over most of the city.

My favorite time to admire it is between night and day, like now.

When I can see both the brilliant light of the sun burning the horizon and the deeper blues and purples of night higher in the sky until the colors blend between them.

That moment when dark and light come together to form something beautiful.

It's just past dawn when I emerge, dressed and showered, and witness the unencumbered sight through the sliding glass doors. Aiden drags the door open before me, his hand fitting against the small of my back to guide me onto the balcony. We stop between potted trees and bushes against the chest-height glass panels.

I do my best not to look down or think about just how high up in the sky we are. I keep my focus outward, latching on to the colors painting the sky with hues so vibrant, no pictures or artwork could do it justice. A small part of me sees myself in dawn and dusk. Where light and dark can coexist. Where, maybe, one doesn’t look as beautiful without the other, and it’s seeing them together that makes them so special.

“I wish I could see the world through your eyes,” Aiden croons, drawing my attention to him. He slides his hand beneath my ear, his thumb grazing my cheekbone. His brown eyes are obsidian in the mixed lighting, boring into mine with a fierce and unapologetic hold. “What wonder and appreciation you feel when you find something new. Something extraordinary.”

My heart thunders beneath his intense stare, his soft touch. “What do you feel, then?”

“Nothing. I’ve never looked at something, even as stunning as I know it is, and felt anything for it.” He crooks a finger beneath my chin, angling my face to his as he leans in close, our lips a breath away from touching. “Except you. You’re the only one who can set my blood on fire. The only one who’s ever made me breathless. Who makes me lose my head in emotions I can barely understand because I’ve never felt them so profoundly before.”

The world around us stops. Narrows to the fraction of space between us, to his smooth-as-silk tone, and the words he’s feeding me like the finest of sweets. Drizzling me with warmth and pleasure as I’m mesmerized by his fervent gaze.

“I’ve never seen anything, any one , and felt even a sliver of what I feel when I look at you, Raegan. Maybe I’m supposed to share those feelings with the rest of the beauty in this world, but we both know I’m a possessive man and to me, all that I am belongs to you. You are my everything.”

“Aiden…”

His lips brush against mine, featherlight and slow. He does it again, and my chest feels like it’s going to burst. It’s like he’s tasting me for the first time, measured and deliberate, so he doesn’t miss a thing. Not the texture of our lips skimming together nor the heat of our breaths. I fist my hands into his button-down dress shirt, needing to feel the hard lines of his body against mine. His cinnamon body wash flavors the oxygen in the air until it’s all I can smell; all I can taste.

I’ve kissed hundreds of times, but it’s as if he’s reduced me to a desperate teenager, trembling with desire at every soft touch of his lips.

I part my mouth at his silent direction, holding back a moan when his tongue strokes mine, and my core turns molten with pleasure. He sinks deeper, his hand on my head, holding us as close as can be, even though I want more, need more. Aiden keeps the kiss painstakingly unhurried, and I think I might lose my mind if he doesn’t touch me. Ravish me on this balcony high above the city so my screams can echo to the world below. Take me against the glass…ruin its clarity with the press of my skin until it’s imprinted forever.

A throat clears, and Aiden leisurely withdraws, banding an arm around my shoulders to tuck me into his chest. I’m grateful for it because I’m unexpectedly lightheaded. It’s like the air’s been sucked from my lungs, leaving me shaky and disoriented.

“Food’s ready,” Dane announces.

“We’ll be in shortly.”

The sliding door closes, and I will my heart to calm as I catch my breath.

He lifts my face, his thumb grazing my lips. “Are you alright? ”

“Yeah. Let’s go eat.”

Nodding his agreement, he leads me inside to a chair at the table between him and Dane. There are two new chairs they’ve pulled out of somewhere, giving six available seats.

“I know it was dark when you started cooking, but you realize it’s breakfast time, not dinner, right?” Kellan drawls across the table from me, stabbing his fork into a steak.

Aside from the cuts of steak, there’s some sort of liver, spinach, oysters, and edamame.

“Be grateful I made you anything at all,” Dane snarks, knife jabbing the air toward him. “I made this for Rae since she lost some blood. These are all high in iron.”

Oh. That’s…really fucking considerate. And sweet.

“Thank you.”

He runs his hand through his hair and gives me a small, sheepish smile. “Sorry the food’s so random. If you don’t like anything, I can get you something else.”

Impossible.

Everything is delicious, seasoned well, and satiates the hunger that had been carving into my stomach since I awoke.

No one talks while we eat, everyone so hungry from the last day and a half that no one even attempts to disrupt the meal until the last of us—me—is finished. I nudge my plate forward once I can’t eat another bite, sinking into my chair with a hum of satisfaction.

“We need a better plan to take down Royce,” Aiden begins.

“What did we miss?” Jackson asks from the other head of the table. I frown, noticing his hood still up even when it’s just us, all but his lips shadowed from view.

Aiden fills us in on last night, on what Reid and Harvey accomplished—or didn’t, rather—and how Royce had taken control of the three of us.

I chew on my lip, realizing how close it had been to him having us kill each other. “I thought Reid said he could only control two living souls at a time.”

“He said he wasn’t sure, so we can’t take what he said as confirmed information. We know he can control at least three now without much limitation.” Aiden taps his fingers on the table.

“And while hiding,” Kellan adds. “I never saw the coward unless he was lurking in the bushes at the top of the cliff.”

“We need to know where he is before we attack so this doesn’t happen again. The fight with him is going to be a race to see who can strike first,” Aiden surmises.

I push my hair behind my ear. “Did we already lose our opportunity with him? Is he going to leave now that we know about that location?”

“Considering the stockpile of bodies in the caves underneath, I think we’ve found more than a temporary location for him,” Aiden replies. “But if we can get eyes on him, we can make sure he doesn’t look like he’s packing up and learn as much as we can about him and his routine to figure out the best time to attack.” Turning his attention to Dane, he continues, “We need to get cameras in and around the house.”

“How the hell are we supposed to plant the cameras without him noticing? ”

“Harvey.”

“That coward? I doubt he’d step foot in that house again, let alone go back after what just happened.”

“He’ll go. Leave that to me. But can you get cameras that can be easily hidden and give us access to watch from here?”

Dane frowns, falling back in his chair and folding his arms. “Yeah. I’ve already got some.”

“Good. Get them set up today, and we’ll go tomorrow night.”

“All of us?” I chime in.

Aiden shakes his head. “The more people we bring, the more at risk we are of Royce’s gift. It’ll just be Dane, Harvey, Reid, and myself. The fewer people we have, the easier it will be for Harvey to hide us and Reid to get us out of there should we be caught. Otherwise, we’ll plant the cameras and head right back.”

I don’t like the idea of them going back there without me. I want to see and know for myself that they’re okay. But I also don’t want to be used against them like I had last time. I don’t argue only because of that, and I already know that I won’t be able to sleep that night until they return.