Page 49 of The Villain's Beast

One last pump of my hips and I stilled, cock spilling a fountain of cum into Luca’s tight and hot asshole. I bowed forward, pressing my forehead against the back of his neck, lungs expanding on every breath but nowhere near large enough for me to actually breathe. I hadn’t meant to come inside of him, not just now, and not the night before.

It was this house, that stupid ritual from the night before. Doing things to my head, to my heart.

I reached down and pressed two fingers around my shaft, pulling out of Luca with a wet pop. My body ached from exertion, and I was desperate to flop down on my back beside him, invite Daren between us, and find the strength for another round.

I wanted toletLuca stay. For Daren, and for myself.

“He is,” I agreed, tucking my dick back into my pants and climbing off the bed.

“Hope you had your fill of him, because we have a problem.”

I finished looping my belt, and Luca grabbed his glasses off the nightstand, looking from me to Daren with concern knit loosely through his sex-drunk brows.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, years of obligation and expectation taking precedence over anything else I was feeling.

Daren grimaced, running a nervous hand through his hair. “Gideon North is downstairs.”

Part Three

The Uprising

Chapter 34

Gideon

When Daren opened the door to Thorn Hill Manor, a hundred lives flashed across his face. Fondness when he saw Bellamy standing in front of me, oversized hoodie hanging down to the middle of his thighs, to bitter contempt, then resignation when he looked up and saw me behind him.

“Can we come in?” I asked.

He shifted his attention over my shoulder. “Did anyone see you?”

“We came around the long way,” I said.

He ushered us in, reaching for Bellamy as soon as the door closed.

“I’m fine,” Bellamy said with a small laugh as Daren shoved up the sleeves of the hoodie to inspect his wrists.

“He’s better than fine,” I grumbled.

Daren opened his mouth like he had something smart to say, but Bellamy pressed his hand against Daren’s chest and he snapped his mouth closed.

“I’m fine,” he said again. “Thanks to you.”

Color flooded Daren’s cheeks, and he covered the place Bellamy’s hand rested over his heart.

“What do you want?” Daren asked, staring at me over Bellamy’s messy, golden hair. “The return isn’t until noon.”

“What if I was here to check on Luca?” I asked, raising a brow. “If I was worried about his welfare.”

Daren narrowed his eyes. “You know he’s safe with me.”

“I do,” I confirmed. “And that’s just one of themanyreasons I’m here.”

Bellamy stood between us, the fingers of his left hand still entwined with Daren’s, and I found myself drowning in jealousy. Bellamy was so perfect and pure and so absolutely unaware of the shit show he’d been thrown into with his initiation into the Thorns. He’d gotten me so twisted up in my own head the night before, the demanding way he asked for what he wanted, even through his fear, reminded me so much of the Fletcher I used to know. It hurt to look at Bellamy because he so clearly exemplified the best parts of the man I’d loved for my entire life. A man who put family and loyalty over all else, even to his own detriment, and I was ready to put a stop to it.

Once and for all.

“Fletcher is still in bed,” Daren said. “With Luca.”