Page 20

Chapter 19

Rule

I shouldn’t be hard, but the moment Seanna decided to take us both on, throwing all of her might into a fight, I swear I have never been more turned on in my life. She is ruthless, a fighter through and through.

My pulse thrums violently, the blood in my veins rushing with the exquisite, chaotic thrill of possessing her fully at last. Seanna Darling. My thoughts coil tightly around her like barbed wire, prickling against my skin. I've always been drawn to darkness, but nothing compares to the perfect storm that is her.

I cradle her in my arms, savoring the warmth and the way her unconscious body molds perfectly against me. Her dark hair cascades softly over my armored forearm, her breathing slow and rhythmic from the sedative Every detail about her is etched into my mind—the curve of her lips, the faint scent of her perfume, the intoxicating darkness that clings to her like an invisible aura. A rush of possessive satisfaction hits me, a dark, twisted triumph whispering through my bones.

“Is everything clear?” I ask Ruin sharply, my voice modulated to an unrecognizable pitch through my mask, but barely disguising the obsessive tension simmering just beneath the surface. I stroke a gloved thumb softly over her cheek, possessiveness swelling through me as I memorize the softness of her skin.

“Almost,” Ruin replies, his voice similarly distorted, focused as he moves through the cabin. He wipes down surfaces, packs clothes and personal items, making sure no evidence remains. I watch closely, meticulous as always, ensuring every detail is accounted for. Ruin and I have been friends for a long time—two lonely teens who stumbled across each other in the dark recesses of the web, kindred spirits finding companionship.

I shift Seanna slightly, her head resting against my shoulder now, her delicate frame seeming impossibly fragile in my embrace. But I know better. Beneath that beauty is pure, intoxicating danger. Ruin had found her first, a beautiful black-haired girl who gradually became the object of his dark fascination, discussed fervently during our countless late-night conversations. His obsession slowly bled into me until it became my own—twisted, unhinged, and completely inescapable.

My thoughts darken as I consider Ruin. I can't see his face beneath his mask, but I don’t need to. I know him better than anyone. Beneath the friendly facade he presents to the world lies a ruthlessness far more chilling than even my own darkness. Ruin hides his true nature masterfully, the divide so profound that sometimes it's as if he’s two entirely different people. I wonder how long it will take for our beautiful girl to see who he truly is—not just the face beneath the mask, but the cold, relentless darkness lurking beneath.

“We can't risk mistakes,” I warn him, glancing down at Seanna again, consumed by the need to have her isolated, safe, and completely ours. “No loose ends, Ruin.”

“You underestimate me,” Ruin replies sharply. “Nothing is ever left to chance.”

“What about communication?” I question. “Her job, friends, family—they'll start asking questions.”

“She’s officially on leave from the DEA,” Ruin explains calmly, confidence resonating in his voice. It’s a predator's calm, wrapped around him like a cloak. “She warned Max she might go deep undercover. He won’t risk interfering. Her friends and team are manageable, but we'll watch them closely.”

“And her family?” I continue, my voice tight with obsessive fury at the thought of interference. “Her sister calls regularly. We need to be careful.”

“Hydessa will be our biggest concern,” Ruin agrees coldly. “We'll keep Seanna compliant during their calls. She'll learn quickly—defiance won't help her here.”

“She'll fight us at first,” I remark, a dark smile curving beneath my mask.

Ruin chuckles softly, the sound all the more sinister due to the modulator. “Of course she will. The fight in her is what makes her so fucking irresistible. She’ll understand soon enough that she’s ours. Forever.”

We lock gazes, the intensity of our shared obsession crackling like electricity in the air between us. The partnership we've forged through years of friendship is unbreakable, united now in our singular goal—Seanna Darling. She’s our storm—unpredictable, fierce, completely unapologetic. She has no idea of the things we’ll do now that we have her.

“We need to go,” I finally say, my voice low and decisive. “The place is ready, secure. No one will find her there.”

Ruin nods in agreement, watching as I shift Seanna gently, ensuring her comfort even in her unconscious state. We move swiftly, and I lead us out, glancing back briefly to confirm our flawless extraction. Once in the car, the drive passes quickly, each mile bringing us closer to our fortress—isolated, hidden from prying eyes.

My mind spins relentlessly with visions of how she'll react upon awakening. The rage, the fire, the struggle—I crave it all, deeply and obsessively. Each thought makes my heart race, desire intensifying until I'm painfully hard beneath my tactical gear. The thought of her fighting against us—against me—sets my nerves ablaze with possessive hunger. I crave her ferocity, the savage rebellion in her spirit. It's intoxicating.

This isn't about breaking her—not exactly. It's about keeping her safe, protecting her even from herself. I know she'll resist, she'll rage, and I relish it. Because her fight, her wild darkness, it's the drug I crave most. And now that I have her, I won't let go. Ever.

I look toward Ruin again, sensing the dangerous edge to his anticipation. “Soon,” I assure quietly, my voice chilling even through modulation. “She’ll understand she belongs with us.”

“Forever,” Ruin repeats fervently, glancing at Seanna's peaceful face one more time. "There's no going back now. Not for her, not for us."

She belongs to us now. Completely. Irrevocably. The world can burn for all I care, as long as she remains ours.

“I wouldn't have it any other way.”