I scan the dark.
Another week has passed.
Phantom has spent much of it rechecking the house and its defenses, as well as the triggers to the traps that surround it.
Only Joker knows where it is safe to patrol, and I walk where he does because I don’t want to risk being blown up.
Joker has been compulsively checking and rechecking Baby One, Two…well, all his weapons.
I have also sat with Joker and worked out a scheme to save Colette and the other Rogues from the facility, completing the Hunter’s mission, as well as my own.
I won’t simply shut down the ABO Facility; I will stop Dr. Baskerville’s plan to wipe out Rogues. Then together, my pack will expose the truth about Rogues to the rest of the world.
What society does with the information is their business.
I can’t control everything. Being with this pack, however, is teaching me that I can play my part.
I study the line of Joker’s coat. “How many weapons do you have hidden in that?”
Joker winks at me, although he doesn’t stop walking. “Wouldn’t you like to know, baby?”
I jump over a fallen log. “I could simply push you against that tree and do a full body search.”
“Hmm, you could.” Joker holds up his hands in surrender. “No need to use force, officer, although I’d enjoy it. I’ll go with you willingly. I’m not resisting.” He turns around, slinking backwards to lean seductively with his hands still raised against a large oak. Then he looks at me challengingly. “Don’t you want to see how many concealed weapons I have?”
I glance down significantly at the outline of his hard cock, which I can see in his pants. “I can already see one concealed weapon.”
He chuckles. “Sixty-six.”
“An awkward position to try out here. But okay, Jokes, lie down.”
“I mean, that’s how many weapons I have on me, not only in my coat.”
“Impressive.” I slam my hand beside Joker’s head, and the honey underneath his peach scent sweetens in response. I lower my mouth to his ear to murmur, “But you forgot one more:Me.Now we’re in the same pack, I’m your weapon too.”
“You’re no one’s weapon. You’re just Rogue.”
I pull back in shock.
Joker is smiling at me, and I dive to kiss him.
I kiss him because I don’t have the words to express how much what he said means to me.
Joker kisses me back like he also finds it easier than words.
Finally, panting, I pull back. “I want to bond with you. We’re two Rogues. We belong together. Do you feel it too?”
Joker clutches the collar of my coat. “From the moment that I met you, baby. Do you mean it?”
“I don’t say what I don’t mean. But what will Phantom think?”
Joker is staring at me in awe, and it’s making me uncomfortable. I don’t feel that I deserve it, but I won’t reject it either.
“He has been waiting for you to voice it.” Joker slides his hands down the front of my coat like he can’t stay still. “He is waiting for Bird to be ready to be bonded, and for you to want to bond me. He’ll wait as long as you need.”
I am surprised how okay I am with that.
Bird needs a pack, and this is the right pack for me.
