Us?Like he’s even a factor in Fallon’s life and she would update him? Like he even knows who she really is? I may not have circled around the fucking sun that is Fallon Helix long, but over the course of my timewatching her and getting to know her, I can tell that Clay is talking out of his ass. The possessive monster in me wants to roar that she’s not his and never will be. Despite the hurtful words I spat at her that night in the library, she belongs to Cerberus. And we protect what is ours.
Beside me, Akio stares at Clay like he’s imagining what it would feel like to drive his blade straight into his gut.
“It became apparent quickly that wasn’t the case,” Sebastian adds. “As part of the contract we will draw up with you, I’d like to add that you aid in the search for my daughter.”
“Of course,” Akio says. “With our technology, we’ve got some top of the line tracking features that would help with the search.”
“Perfect. Then you’ve checked every mark. How soon can you get started?”
Hook, line, and…
“Well, we do have a long list of clients at the moment. It could take two or three weeks to even start the assessment period where we evaluate your systems. That is, unless we have reason to dedicate our full attention to Helix Enterprises—”
“Done,” he cuts me off without hesitation. “It seems we are of the same mindset, Moretti. I have about a millionreasonsfor you to make Helix your priority client.” He tips his glass at me before draining his drink.
Sinker.
“Of course. We’ll put a hold on all of our other cases and get started this week. In the meantime, we can rearrange our security forces so that each of you has the best protection detail we have available.”
“And what about Fallon?” Clay asks. “When can we expect some progress on her return?”
My smile is full of teeth, and I know it’s not entirely friendly. I frankly don’t give a shit.
“Just leave Fallon to us. She’s in excellent hands now.”
Declan
I have a real fucking problem and it starts with an F and ends with a deliciously round ass in my face.
Fallon jogs two steps ahead of me, not because she’s faster, but because running with an erection is really fucking uncomfortable. We kept pace for the first mile, but my attention kept straying to her tits as they bounced with each of her steps. I thought giving her some space would solve the problem, but my dick only got harder watching her from behind. It’s only the pure joy painted all over her face at pushing her muscles to their limit that keeps me from tackling and rutting her into the ground like an animal.
I can’t stop staring at her. The curve of her hips and her cinched waist. The cupid’s bow on her full lips when she looks at me over her shoulder. The way her long, raven hair sways in her ponytail. I’m enraptured by her reluctant fascination when she takes in the hedge maze to the side of our home, the utter euphoria that takes over her face when she breathes in the misty morning air like it’s the best thing she’s done in a while. I want to ask her what she’s thinking when she gets that little crinkle between her brow every time she looks back at the estate my brothers and I call home.
This girl is like a drug, drawing me in with her confidence and take-no-shit attitude, her tenacity bordering on stubborn pride thatmatches my own, giving me a taste of those sweet lips, making me want more until she’s all I crave, all I can think about. It’s not good. It’s not what I do.
Like I said, I’ve got a real fucking problem here.
“I thought you said this was a race,” Fallon calls over her shoulder. I track the bead of sweat dripping down between the bottom of her sports bra and the top of her leggings and lick my lips.
“We are racing.”
“Racing to win, not lose.”
A smirk pulls at my lips.Smartass. “That is what racing means, Poison.” She lets out a sound of annoyance, but I don’t say anything. I especially don’t remind her that we said we are racing the length of the property line and that the last half-mile is completely uphill.
I keep a steady pace behind her, but slowly gain the distance between us when we hit the last curve before the long stretch home.
Fallon’s heels dig into the path, her muscles straining to keep the edge on me as I come neck and neck with her. Her eyes cut to me, her breath coming in harsh pants, sweat pouring off of her as the incline increases. I shoot her a wink and start to pull ahead.
Fallon kicks her foot out at the last second, catching me at the ankle before I can pass her, and I stumble forward until I’m face down in the dirt, left gaping in the wake of her laughter.
Fuck, I love it when she plays dirty.A wide grin spreads across my face as I push to my feet and sprint after the little hellion.
Hades is waiting for us on the circle drive, which just happens to be our finish line, and he bolts upright when he sees Fallon, bounding to run the last ten feet with her. The pup has it just as bad as I do, apparently.
“Looks like I win,” she taunts as my feet hit the pavement. “What’s my prize?”
I come to a stop once I’m towering over her, and my hand snakes around her waist until she’s pressed against me. We’re heaving chest to heaving chest. “Cheaters don’t get prizes, Poison,” I growl in her ear. “They get spankings.” I reach down and give that perky ass she’s been teasing me with all morning a smack. “Come on, let's get some water, then we’ll head down to the gym.”
