Grumbling to myself about my newfound stupidity, I set back to work on packing my belongings.I’ve always been the cautious, safeguarded member of my inner circle, but one glance into his dark gaze has me throwing caution to the wind. Even knowing I shouldn’t be, I'm fascinated by him. I should have heeded my grandmother’s advice. Vegas made me lose my mind.
Ten minutes later, I hand my overflowing suitcase to a burly-looking man standing on the stoop of my door. When he exits my apartment, I scribble a quick note to Lacey begging for her not to panic and that I'll call her as soon as possible.
After a final glance around the apartment I've lived in for the past two years, I shadow Rico outside. The instant I step onto the tiled ground, my regular breathing pattern turns into ragged pants. From the corner of my eye, I spot Colt emerging from his ground floor apartment. Sensing my snooping stare, he cranks his neck and locks his eyes with mine. My heart beats triple time when he smiles a roguish grin before he hotfoots it to the lobby.
I stop walking, muted and in fear. “I forgot something,” I stammer out, saying any excuse I can to stop Colt and Rico meeting.
With Rico’s overreaction to Colt’s playful message on my answering machine, I don’t think a face-to-face meeting would come highly recommended. And considering there's no other viable exit from our building than to cross the lobby, I need to delay our departure.
“We need to go, Kitten. My men will collect anything you need later.” Rico places his hand on my lower back and guides me into the open elevator two men are guarding.
Just like our first ride together, this one is infused with a shocking current—it isn’t only filled with lust. I chew on my nails and fidget on the spot. My squirms make it look like I’m one of my students busting to use the bathroom. When the elevator doors ding open, my eyes scan the room. I breathe a sigh of relief when Colt is nowhere to be seen.
My thankfulness is short-lived.
An unexpected squeal parts my lips when a set of large arms wrap around my waist and hoist me off the ground, scaring the living beejeebus out of me. Not just from Colt's sudden grabbing, but from the livid glare that sparked in Rico's eyes the instant I was yanked away from him.
“Ready for round two, baby girl,” Colt croons into my ear.
The temperature in the lobby becomes stifling when a deep, cavernous growl shreds through my ears. Like he can sense he's in imminent danger, Colt places me back onto my feet and turns his eyes in the direction of the loud growl. Rico glares at him, veins pumping, nostrils flaring. His eyes are black, haunted, and look like they could kill a man with only a stare.
Aiming to tame the beast, I stand next to Rico and sling my shaking arm around his waist. I stop, frozen, held captive by a sudden flashback. . .
Rico stares at me with blazing eyes, his attitude laidback, his smile lazy. “My beautiful Kitten. My light in a world full of darkness.”
I roll over and balance my chin on his sweat-slicked chest. “Always. You’ll not spend one more day living in blackness. Not while I’m by your side. . .”
Pain claws at my chest, leaving my heart open and exposed for all to see. That was one of the most beautiful memories I’ve ever had. Not just because of the words spoken, but also from the loving gleam brightening Rico’s dark gaze. He looked peaceful, and if I’m not mistaken, happy.
I snap back to reality when Rico’s pulse surges through my arm wrapped around his waist. Pretending my spur-of-the-moment memory had no effect, I lock my eyes with Colt.
“Marshall, this is my. . .husband, Rico,” I introduce, my words as uneasy as my facial expression.
Colt’s brows become lost in his hairline. I don’t know if his shock originates from me calling him Marshall or from my declaration that Rico is my husband.
“Rico, this is a friend of mine, Co. . . ah. . . Marshall.”
A beading of sweat forms on my top brow when the two men undertake a sweat-producing showdown. Colt’s face is a mix of confused and amused. Rico’s is nothing but blatant fury.
My heart recommences beating when Colt smiles hesitantly before offering his hand to Rico to shake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rico. I’d love to hear how you swooped in and stole Ravenshoe’s most valuable asset.” Colt’s tone overflows with egotism. “As far as I was aware, baby girl was still on the market last week.”
Rico growls. I’m not talking a slight rumble. I’m talking a full, pussy-quaking growl.
“I can assure you,Kittenwas not on the market last week.” His gaze is as dangerous as his deep tone. “Unless thismarketyou're referring to is my bed. Because that's where she was.For hours.”
My eyes bounce between Rico and Colt, beyond shocked two ridiculously handsome specimens are undertaking a pissing contest right in front of me—let aloneoverme.
The belligerent expression on Colt’s face vanishes the instant Rico accepts his offer of a handshake. For every second that passes, the bronze coloring of Colt’s face decreases, as does the size of his pupils. When Colt’s hand turns so white it looks like his fingers are about to drop off, I yank Rico’s hand away from Colt.
"We really must go.”
I attempt to drag Rico towards the entrance doors. My efforts are fruitless. His stance is so stable, a crane wouldn't budge him.
I peer up into Rico’s stern gaze. “Come on,honey, we wouldn’t want to miss our flight.”
Colt’s eyes snap to mine. “Flight? Where are you going?”
The furious pace of Rico’s pulse surging through his body wallops my hand when Colt takes a step closer to me.
