Page 13 of Savage Possession (Savage Reign #3)

ISABELLA

I wake to gentle sunlight coming through the window and the muffled sound of men talking.

Pale light glints off the polished wood flooring, making the room feel like a cozy den of peace.

I glide from the bed wondering if there’s anything to pull on.

I find the walk-in closet full of clothes in my size.

Jeans, T-shirts, and a few sweaters in an array of colors.

Panties and bra sets sit in a drawer with tags still hooked onto the material.

Odd. I didn’t hear the truck or even realize Ash wasn’t in bed with me.

Sleep took over after we made love and then darkness took over.

All the upheaval of the last day took everything I had.

I find a note on top of a pair of jeans that tells me the ladies of the compound brought clothes and when I wake there’s coffee in the kitchen.

Well, that explains that then.

I opt for a matching set of black panties and bra before grabbing a pair of jeans. It’s pure bliss pulling them on after that ugly dress I suffered through last night. I look down to find a low heel mid-calf boot and nearly sing praises to the ladies who helped a stranger out.

Now for a shirt. I eye the ones left for me but have a better idea.

A few minutes later I leave the comfort of the bedroom behind and head toward the sound of voices.

I step out of the hallway to find Ash looking out over the awakening bayou, a coffee mug in one hand, and the other running through his damp hair.

He hasn’t seen me yet, so I take my time to appreciate his fine form in lounge pants hugging his cute ass.

I’m so used to seeing him in biker boots and jeans, the change kind of throws me off in a good way.

Come to think of it, both times I saw him before coming here, he was always with his weapon holsters firmly in place.

The sight of him relaxed and in his element is new and I like it. I also like knowing I had a hand in putting him in a ruffled laid-back state.

Off to the left of him a man with long hair, scruff and two mugs in his hand looks at me with a casual smile of welcome.

“Morning. Sorry to wake you so early. We don’t get much sleep around here. Occupational hazard, believe it or not.”

Ash turns at the sound of the other man speaking to me and the smile I receive from him melts my heart into goop.

“The name is Venom, and this is for you. Trust me it’s not poisoned despite my name.”

That pulls a smile from me. “Of course, not. Who would ever think such a thing? Thank you.”

He hands me a steaming mug before heading off to the couch where another man sits. He’s staring off out the large window Ash is currently standing by.

“Oh, good morning.” I walk over and the large man who looks a little older than Ash and Venom stands and accepts my hand with his.

He wraps the top with the other hand and offers me a genuine smile that makes me feel like I’ve stepped into some alternate reality where everyone is kind and has no ulterior motive.

“I’m Isabella Fontaine.”

“Reaper. President of the Savages. It’s nice to meet you, sweetheart. Welcome. Ash was telling us about your recent adventure.”

He smells of baby powder and innocence.

That is not how I would describe it, but I get trying to spare me from the dark thoughts of how deeply my father betrayed me. Venom watches me take the first sip of coffee and the other guy picks up a piece of paper that looks like it’s seen the bottom of a wastebasket.

I shake my head. “That’s a nice way of putting it, but it’s okay to label it as what it was. A shit show of epic proportions.”

Ash joins us and wraps an arm around my middle, kissing me on the top of the head. “Morning, sweet angel. Reaper has a way of adding sugar to his words, is all.” Ash leans in and places his lips next to my ear. “I like you wearing my shirt. When the guys leave, I’m gonna love taking it off you.”

Cue a full head to toe blush. I place my hands over his where he is holding me and whisper back, “I would love that.”

Heat of the blush moves into my cheeks, because of course I have to be the shy type.

I’m not used to all the show of affection and openly being nice to people, either.

Something warm wraps around my heart for the kindness being shown to me.

It makes me feel like I’ve found a place where I could actually belong.

Which breaks my heart because I can’t stay.

I can’t bring trouble to these people when they’ve done nothing but help me.

My gut tells me despite feeling like I’m in a fantasy, the glass dome is about to shatter, and the possible magical world I could have lived in is about to collapse around me.

“Thank you. I mean that. From the bottom of my heart I truly mean that. In my world people only help each other for mutual benefit. It’s really ugly, when you think about it. And if your death is in their best interest, well, that is on the table too.”

Venom wags a finger in my direction with pure disgust on his face. “Your family and friends sound like real pieces of work.”

He’s on his feet, moving around the coffee table between the two couches and heading toward the kitchen. He refills his and does the same for everyone else.

“That is the ultimate understatement,” I offer in an embarrassed tone. “I don’t know if you know who I am.” I pause and search for better wording. “I apologize. That kind of sounded pompous, but what I meant by it is that my father is Malcom Fontaine.”

“The shipping mogul.”

I nod, answering Venom’s question.

“Makes sense he’s getting in on the action.”

Ash rests his chin on the top of my head and lets out a heavy sigh. “Euphoria is moving through our city because Ares’ brother is backing financially, Grudge is letting them use his territory and now we know Malcom Fontaine is supplying his credentials to get the supplies through customs.”

“Euphoria?” I ask. It’s the first time I’ve heard that name.

“A designer drug that has its origins back with a buddy of ours, Ares. He’s the president of his crew and a good ally. His brother on the other hand is about as evil as they get. Trafficking, guns, drugs and anything else that puts money in his pocket.”

“Ares. Is he Russian by chance?”

“Yep.”

That’s Reaper.

I process that information for a minute.

“I think I’ve seen him, which makes sense.

My father is making new friends lately and not of the good variety.

It pains me to say it, but my father is not such a nice guy anymore and if Ash has told you everything that’s gone down, I’m afraid that me being here puts you all in danger.

” I place my mug on the coffee table in front of me and move to head for the door.

I don’t have a real plan, but I do have friends in New Orleans who might help me disappear.

Ash’s arm tightens around me and I get about as far as you can imagine once his arm turns into a clamp.

“Where are you going? I can already read your thoughts and no. You are not leaving because you perceive we can’t handle whatever trouble you think the Vultures will level on us.

” He turns me around and touches the end of my nose with his.

“You’re safe here. I told you that last night. ”

Okayy.

Well, this whole soulmate thing comes with benefits, because it’s like the man just read my mind.

I shift in Ash’s arms. “My father mentioned having a deal with Grudge and that can only happen in his territory. I don’t know what that means but if there’s anything I can help with, please let me know.

I don’t like the idea of going up against my father, but he had no problem using me for his personal gain.

I see no reason to stay loyal.” Fear grips my heart.

As much as the truth hurts, I know I’m doing the right thing by offering.

Reaper huffs out a disgusted laugh. “We are counting on them wanting trouble, sweetheart. It’s how they will mess up and give us the intel we actually need.”

The room is silent for a minute while I take in that piece of information. “Like what?”

All three men look at each other and look like they are figuring out how to backpedal as fast as possible. “You’ve done enough, sweetheart. Ash is right, you’re safe here and we do not want to do anything that will bring you more heartache.”

I cross my arms over my chest and step out of Ash’s hold.

I’m not as weak as Venom is making me sound.

“I’m not a flower to put in a vase and push to the side.

I take another step and Venom tosses the piece of paper he’s been analyzing on the coffee table to hold up both hands in a gesture of peace.

“That’s not what I meant, Isabella. Sorry ‘bout that. It’s more about if you get hurt, your man will put us all in an early grave.”

Ash’s possessive arm comes back around me. “True.”

My ire fades and I look down a moment to gather my next words.

That is when I spot the paper. More so, what’s written on it.

“Where did you get this?” I pick up the crumpled sheet of paper and immediately recognize the numbers in the columns, the abbreviations.

The dates. I don’t know what they mean, but I remember where I saw them.

I scan each line, and a few of the dots are mentally connecting.

Reaper stands and points to each column. “You know what these are don’t you? Tell us.”

I nod and give him a look of holy shit .

I step out of Ash’s arms and grab the keys off the table. “I can do you all one better, let me show you.”

Ash

T hirty-five minutes later we pull up outside a dilapidated concrete shack in the middle of nowhere covered in graffiti. Actually, it’s about a mile into Vulture territory. Grudge has been a busy motherfucker.

“I can’t fucking believe it. I was staking out the wrong fucking dock. Three days wasted when I could have been giving the prez real intel.”