Page 43 of Vipers and Vendettas

I feel how upset and scared she is, how lonely and sad. Her emotions mirror my own because I’ve been scared while she’s been out there.

I pull back. There is something that needs to be said. ‘Never do that again,’ I whisper. ‘I’ve been terrified for weeks that if you were in some sort of trouble, we’d never know because we had no idea where you were.’

She winces. ‘I’m sorry.’

I kiss her lips hard, working my way down her neck and chest. Her clothes are suddenly in my way, and I sit back on my heels.

‘Strip.’

‘Yes, do as my brother says, mo chridhe,’ says a gravelly voice, and Krase materializes into the room, followed by Iron.

‘You were meant to wait,’ I say, unable to keep the scowl off my face as I cast an accusing look at Iron.

‘He wouldn’t,’ Iron mutters.

‘Of course, you’d have a spare key,’ I mutter.

‘Never forget, you’re notmykeeper, Jayce,’ he sneers as he stalks towards the bed.

Jules, still on her back, stares up at him, unmoving.

‘Hi, Hyde,’ she says in a small voice.

She doesn’t cower, but I feel her trepidation, and I tense, ready to throw myself in front of her in case my brother’s dark rage explodes in her direction.

But instead, his solid black eyes take in her body stretched out in front of us, and he falls to his knees beside the bed.

‘Deamhan àlainn,’ he lets out in a half growl, half sigh. ‘You shouldn’t have run.’

Beautiful demon?

But I don’t have a moment to wonder at his odd term of endearment for her. His hand covers her abdomen, and she flinches at the contact. Then, she slaps his hand away, curling both her arms around her lower stomach and hiding the bump from our eyes with a small growl of her own. Fury darkens her eyes as she looks at him, and they narrow almost imperceptibly when her eyes belatedly fall on Iron.

Krase looks surprised, his black eyes searching hers before he suddenly lets out a throaty chuckle and surges forward, leaning over Jules and taking her lips in a hard kiss.

She makes a noise of anger, but he doesn’t release her until he’s finished, and she’s panting when he pulls away.

‘You will be a formidable mother,’ he murmurs. ‘Good.’

I feel her surprise at his words, and I look from her to Krase and then to Iron, who looks as confused as I am.

‘What’s going on here?’ I ask.

‘Whatisgoing on here?’ Krase echoes, his hand caressing Jules’ face and down her neck. Her arousal is instantaneous, and her body undulates a little.

‘You need this as much as we do,’ Krase whispers to her.

Then he shocks me by saying, ‘But if you aren’t ready, we can go to the club for a top-up.’

She stares at him for a few seconds, and, clearly having made her decision, she sits up without a word. Her eyes are hooded as she shrugs off the cute purple cardigan she’s wearing and peels her lilac tank top over her head, her eyes not leaving Krase’s.

I’m mesmerized. Her tits are bigger than they were a few weeks ago. I guess it’s a pregnancy thing, but they’re bulging out of the cups of her bra, and it’s hot as hell.

I’m aching to get my hands on them, but I roll my eyes when her attention stays on Krase. I don’t usually mind sharing, but this was meant to bemytime with Jules, not my brother’s and Iron’s.

With a sound of annoyance, I move forward and push her back down to the bed.

I cut the thin bridge of fabric down the middle with one un-glamored claw, and her breasts spill free.