Page 114 of Thorns of Deceit

“Ohhh… Yes…” I screamed.

Aiden groaned long and deep into my ear, fucking me through my orgasm. I slumped forward, and his hips jerked as he spilled into me.

His arms supported the weight of him while he pressed against me, his forehead against my shoulder. Our breathing intermingled through the silence. His hot breath lanced my skin, branding me. The air around us smelled of sex and sweat, and our hearts beat as one.

“Mine. You are all mine, wife.”

“Yours,” I murmured, barely aware of strong hands cleaning me up before sleep pulled me under.

FORTY-THREE

AIDEN

Everything was set. Tonight we’d head to Scotland.

The office light hummed above us while we pored over the plan again in detail, covering every contingency.

We’d ride up in a helicopter and drop onto my superyacht’s helipad, forty miles from Glasgow, out in the Irish Sea. From the yacht, we’d charter a boat under the cloak of night, our prisoner shackled as we drove into the mouth of a cave.

If it turned out that Sam lied, I’d put a bullet in his traitorous brain and let the sea swallow him.

My brothers and I were clad in black combat gear, with jackets layered with hidden armor.

The office door swung open, hitting the back wall.

Raven stood in the frame wearing jeans that clung to her long legs, a black turtleneck that hid her pale neck, and black high-top Converse. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail.

“Is that your version of combat gear?” Kyran’s voice was laced with humor that I didn’t quite find funny.

“Is that why you were asking me what we wear when we do mafia shit?” Tyran asked, leaning against the table, grinning.

I watched her, my chest tightening. I was afraid of this, and it was exactly why I’d shared minimal details with her. I couldn’t bear the idea of leading her into harm’s way.

She crossed the room slowly, her eyes on me, and I knew what her next words would be.

“You’re not going,” I said before she could voice them.

She tilted her chin stubbornly. “Yes, I am.”

“Raven,” I warned.

“You can’t leave me here alone,” she hissed. “I need to be there when you rescue my mom.”

“I’ll call you as soon as I have her.”

She was already shaking her head. “No, I need to be there.”

“Mo cuishle, you’re pregnant, and it’s too dangerous.”

“Don’t youmo cuishleme, Aiden. I love that nickname, but it won’t change my mind.”

“Whoa, whoa. Pregnant?” Kyran piped in. “Holy shit. You two work fast.”

Raven shot him a glare. “Stop talking, Kyran.” She came to stand in front of me, glaring up at me. “I’m coming, Aiden. She’ll need me and?—”

“No,” I cut in.

She let out a frustrated breath. “My mom won’t want to go with you. Remember, she’s the one who made me promise to run far away from you and your family. The one who made me fake my death.”