Page 102 of Revenge Saints

He fucking better.

We walk inside the house.

Knox is on the couch, shirtless, leaned back like he’s trying to hold something in. His chest rises hard, jaw tight. He doesn’t even look at us.

“Knox,” Aspen says his name gently. So soft it makes my chest ache.

Max and Ryker stop whatever they’re doing in the kitchen, turning to look.

She steps forward, hands trembling slightly. “I’m sorry. I had to do something.”

She reaches out, fingers brushing his leg.

His eyes snap open. He stands in one fluid, tense movement.

She flinches.

Andfuck, that hurts worse than anything.

Knox’s expression shifts, eyes narrowing, mouth curling into a sad smirk like her reaction just proved everything he’s been telling himself.

“Right,” he murmurs. Then he moves past her and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?” Ryker asks.

“Shower,” he grunts without turning back.

The door shuts behind him.

“Well… that went well,” Ryker mutters, rubbing a hand over his face as he walks over to me. He pulls me into a hug, strong and tight.

“Missed you, brother.”

“I missed you too,” I say, hugging him back.

“You can take the room in the back,” Max cuts in, eyes flicking toward the hallway. “Me and Ryker will crash in the living room.”

Knox walks in just long enough to grab a towel. Doesn’t speak. Doesn’t look at her.

“No. I’ll sleep in the living room. You and Ryker take the other,” he mutters, then walks right back out.

“Fuck.” I exhale, rubbing a hand down my face.

Aspen’s eyes are locked on the door, like she’s trying to follow him with her soul.

I step closer, run my fingers along the base of her spine. “Give him tonight, doll. Let him cool off.”

She turns to me with a soft, broken smile.

“I’m gonna shower. Will you wait for me in the bedroom?” I whisper. My throat tightens. It comes out rougher than I mean it to.

“Yeah… of course.” She disappears down the hall, the click of the door echoing in my chest.

The sun’s already risen, but I can’t think about sleep. Not until I’m buried inside her. Not until she reminds me I’m still alive.

Max and Ryker head outside. Knox finishes his shower and grumbles as he tugs on a pair of sweatpants.

“There’s a connection to the well outside. Water’s cold as fuck.”