Page 34 of The King of Hearts (The Raven Group #1)

I painted that piece during a dark time in my life.

It was a few years ago when the memories of what happened to me were still too fresh to control.

I was in my studio for hours every day perfecting it.

It started out as a way to try to release some of the anger that was inside me, but it ended up being quite therapeutic.

Mom found the piece and wanted to hang it in the house, but she didn’t know the reason behind the painting.

I kept my struggles with my ordeal from my family as much as I could, which is the complete opposite of what I encourage our clients to do.

It hurts to talk about our experiences with violence, but in the end, sometimes it’s what saves us.

I ended up donating the piece to one of the galleries in the city weeks after I finished it.

“I’ll admit, it was quite… morbid,” Brax says, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yeah, well, when inspiration hits…” I trail off.

“Too true.”

We’re quiet for a few moments as we slowly move across the dance floor, and I let my eyes move around the room, taking in all of the partygoers.

I find my parents talking to Colette, my mother’s best friend, her husband, Hudson, and Rafaele.

Emersyn and Tomas have moved off the dance floor and are over by the bar.

Cassio, Ryker, and Bennett are on the edge of the dance floor.

Cassio and Bennett are turned away, and Ryker stands in front of them.

They seem to be in deep conversation. Several feet away, Bishop and whoever the new guy is are talking.

Just before I look away from them, the new guy looks up, and our eyes meet. I look away and glance up at Brax.

“Who’s the guy with Bishop?” I ask him.

He turns us so he can see who I’m referring to.

“That’s Ashton James. Newest member of The Raven Group. Fresh out of the Army.”

“When did he get to the island?”

Without making it noticeable, I leisurely spin us so I can look at the new guy again. It’s not often that we bring someone new into our fold. The last was Ryker, and that was a while ago. It’s not like we can advertise about open positions. It’s usually a case where someone knows someone.

“Officially about a month ago, but he’s been off the island more than on since he’s settling things where he lived before.”

“How did Dad find him?”

“I believe he was recommended by a friend of Bishop’s.”

We stop talking after that, and soon after, the music switches to a more upbeat song. I don’t fast dance, like ever, so I let go of Brax and take a step back.

“And that’s my cue to call it quits.”

Brax grins. “Come on. You don’t want to tear up the dance floor with me?” He does some weird move with his hips.

I laugh. “Definitely not. I’m not in the mood to embarrass myself tonight. But I’m sure you can find someone to bust the moves with.”

“You’re no fun.”

“Call it what you will.” I pat his arm. “I’m going to grab a drink.”

I give him a little finger wave and turn to go to the bar where I last saw Emersyn and Tomas. They aren’t there. I glance around and find them over by the stage talking to a couple of people. I look around some more, and it’s not until I don’t see Ashton that I realize I’m actually looking for him.

Could he be my devil? He’s the right height and build, and the couple of times I’ve seen the bottom half of his face beneath the mask, he’s had a light layer of dark facial hair.

The timing is right too. Cassio said Ashton has been on the island for a month, so he was here the first time my devil came to me.

A flush of warmth hits me, and I decide to step outside to get some fresh air.

Dad felt it wasn’t necessary for Marcelo to trail my every move while we’re here since he and my brothers are in attendance.

He’s still present, but he was told to give me more space than usual.

I find him by the entrance to the room, standing against the wall in his usual position; legs braced apart, arms across his chest, expression blank, alert, and aware. He’s the only one not wearing a mask.

I slip through one of the double doors in the back of the room and close it behind me.

The cool evening air instantly makes me feel better.

There are no lights out here, except for what comes from the doors behind me.

I step to the left out of the stream of light, preferring to be in the dark so no one sees me out here.

I’d rather be left alone than have company.

I curl my fingers around the railing and look out into the darkness.

Crickets chirp in the distance and the muffled sound of the band playing inside makes it not so oppressively quiet.

Clouds cover the moon and stars, so it seems extra dark, just the way I like it.

I’ve always enjoyed the solitude of darkness.

I tip my head back, closing my eyes, and let the light breeze wash over my flushed skin. It feels luxurious.

Just as I tilt my head back down, I feel a presence behind me. I stiffen, about to turn around, when a hard body presses me against the railing, preventing me from moving.

“It’s dangerous for a little girl like you to be out here all alone,” a velvety voice whispers in my ear, and I instantly recognize it.

“My devil,” I whisper breathlessly.

“It’s a silent invitation for a man to do all kinds of wicked things to you.” A tingling sensation pops out on my skin when I feel his breath against the back of my neck. “But going by a couple nights ago, you like to live dangerously, don’t you, Vicious?”

I hold my breath, not moving a muscle, afraid that if I do, I’ll wake up from a dream. I was hoping he would be here tonight.

“Only if it’s you doing those wicked things.”

“I don’t believe you,” he says, the heat of his voice whispering across the skin of my neck.

His hand comes up the front of my body, and he wraps his fingers around my throat, his thumb stroking my pulse in a dangerous caress.

“I think you’d be just as soft and compliant if any man had you in this position. ”

I shake my head. “No?—”

My denial is cut short when his grip tightens and he takes away my air.

“Then why in the fuck did you let Braxton fucking Hayes touch you?” he asks in an angry grated growl.

I can’t answer because his hand is still cutting off my air, and I don’t dare lift a hand to try to break his hold.

I’m not really sure I want to anyway. My eyes roll back in my head, and it’s not because I can’t breathe, and I’m on the verge of losing consciousness.

It’s from pure fucking pleasure. I’ve heard of breath play.

It’s a kink that people get off on. I never would have pegged myself as someone who would, but apparently I am.

From the way my panties are soaked, I really get off on it.

Just when black spots start dancing behind my closed eyelids, he loosens his hold enough for me to suck in a lungful of air.

“Answer the question, Savina,” he demands in a sinister tone.

I run my tongue over my lips. “It was just a dance,” I wheeze out. “He’s a friend and coworker.”

His mouth comes to the side of my neck, sliding his lips down until he reaches the exposed skin on my shoulder. There’s a little nip of his teeth before he bites down harder. I can’t stop the whimper of pain and pleasure that slips from my lips.

“I don’t think you fully grasp exactly what I meant when I said you were mine. When I said no other man touches you, I meant no other man fucking touches you . You’ve seen what happens when they do.”

My eyes pop open at his implication.

“Please don’t hurt Braxton.” I lay my hand on his that’s on the rail in front of us, wedging my fingers between his.

“Do you think this is a game I’m playing? Or some silly little crush?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“I give warnings only once, and I’ve already shown you what happens when someone touches what belongs to me.”

“Please.”

I want to turn around and face him. To rip off both of our masks so I can see his face and he can see mine.

I can’t comprehend the thought of him killing Braxton, ripping out his heart, and presenting it to me.

It hurts too much to even think about. I’ve known Braxton for years, and as I told him, he’s not only part of The Raven Group, he’s a friend, almost like a brother.

“You begging for another man only makes my need for bloodshed stronger, Vicious,” he grates out. He sounds angry, and that skyrockets my worry.

His breath fans against the side of my shoulder before I feel the sharp sting of his teeth again.

He bites down so hard that the skin breaks.

I try to cry out at the pain, but his fingers tighten around my throat again.

I lift a hand and grab his wrist, digging my nails into his skin. His grip tightens even further.

“Put your hand on the railing, Savina,” he demands in a hard but calm tone.

I only hesitate for a second before I curl my fingers around the railing, adding my other hand beside it. His grip loosens enough for me to suck in a shallow breath.

“Good girl,” he purrs, and his praise sends a shot of pleasure through me. “You want to know what I thought about when I saw you out on that dance floor with Braxton? Besides breaking every bone in his fucking body?”

“What?”

“Shredding this dress from you, throwing you to the floor, and fucking you in front of every single person in the room so they’d all know who you belong to.”

My stomach tightens at his words. And the thing is, I’m not so sure I would have stopped him. I’m so madly desperate for this man that I’d let him do anything to me. Even fuck me in a room full of people; people who include my family.

“Do you know the only thing that stopped me from doing that?”

“What?”

“I’d have the tedious task of cutting out the eyes of every person present. Not only can no one touch you, I don’t want their fucking eyes on you either.”