I’m sitting down on my bed when the lock on my front door clicks. Immediately, my muscles stiffen, my body reacting before I even set eyes on him.
A moment later, Seven steps into my bedroom, dressed in his all-black tactical gear, with that eerie, expressionless red mask strapped to his face. And judging by the severe set of his shoulders, he isnothappy with me.
“Hello, Grace.”
“Seven.” I dip my chin, trying not to show how scared I am. Or how turned on. “What do you want?”
He laughs, a cruel sound that sends a shiver down my spine. “I’m surprised you have to ask. You’ve beenbad, Grace. Very,very bad.” He steps closer, his erection clearly visible through his pants. “You know what happens to bad girls, don’t you?”
I nod, biting my lip as heat coils low in my belly. “Yes…”
“Yes? Then why did you do it?” He reaches up, cupping my face in his gloved palm. “Why do you have to make me soangry? I don’t want to punish you, but your actions make it so I have to.” All the while, his thumb traces gentle circles along my cheekbones, softening his deadly words. “You want to be daddy’s good girl, don’t you, Grace?”
“I… I do,” I whisper, my thoughts on self-preservation.
“Thenwhy,”he whispers, “Did you let himtouch you?Why? When you belong tome?”
I swallow hard, fear gripping my windpipe. “I… I don’t know who you’re talking about?—”
“Isawyou.” His hand snaps down to grip my throat. “Together. Laughing.Touching.” His other hand reaches down, teasing the hem of my skirt while the other tightens around my throat, making her lightheaded. “You aremine,Grace. Say it.”
“I… I…” Seven trails his fingers up my thigh, stopping at the apex to tease my entrance. “I…”
“Fuckingsay it.”He pushes a finger inside me up to the knuckle, and I gasp, overwhelmed by the sensation, the pure bliss of having him inside me.
“I’m yours,” I whisper, hating and loving how it sounds rolling off my tongue. Seven adds another finger, curling them against the spot that makes me come undone. He fucks me savagely, and before I know it, I’m coming on his hand.
As I’m coming down, he leans over me, whispering sweetly in my ear, “I’m going to rip that fucking IUD out, and then I’m going to breed you. I’m going to fill your needy little womb time and time again, and make you mine forever.”
I whimper as he pulls his fingers out of me, leaving me cold, empty, and wanting. Seven presses his palm to my stomach, and then, like all the other times, he disappears.
I lie there for some time staring at the ceiling, reveling in the pleasure still running through me. I think about how Seven said he’s going to breed me, and despite how itshouldmake me feel, I find it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact, it's kind of exciting.
But then a thought pierces through the fog of my waning pleasure, and my euphoria is replaced with bone-chilling worry.
Seven knows about Archer.
If I keep things going with Archer, Seven is definitely going to kill him. There’s no question about it. He’s proved time and again he’ll destroy anything or anyone that would come between me and his sick obsession with me. The only problem is, I might be in too deep to get out.
I’m so fucked.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SEVEN
Next week…
I sit in his office chair, twirling a pen between my fingers as I watch Grace at her desk. She’s twirling a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes focused on the screen in front of her. For the first time in a while, Grace looks like she’s gotten some good rest—a fact I can’t help but think has to do with the absence of Red 7 from her life.
I’ve been so busy with Sanctum work over the past few days that I haven’t had a chance to visit her at night. It’s not all bad, though. I see enough of her during the day, and the brief interactions I have with Grace as Archer are enough to get me through this dry spell.
But it won’t be for long.
I’m tired of waiting, watching her from my office or the cameras in the apartment next door. She’s so close, but so far out of reach, and it’s going to drive me mad sooner or later.
I check my watch, smiling when I realize it’s time for lunch. Grace always responds positively when I offer to take her out for food, so I make a point to do it every day.
Not wanting to waste any more time, I exit my office and walk over to her desk, stifling my grin at the sight of the flush spreading across her face.
