Page 99 of Prey

“Fucking hell,” Damon mutters. “He’s actually serious.”

“Of course he’s serious,” Ezra says, not looking up from his equations. “The probability of Nikolai sharing her is effectively zero. Basic territorial psychology.”

“But sharing is caring,” Marcus says with mock hurt. “We share everything else.”

My head snaps toward him. “Everything?”

The resulting silence is loaded with implication.

“Oh,” Darius purrs, “you didn’t tell her about our… family bonding activities?”

Nikolai’s jaw ticks. “It’s not relevant.”

“Isn’t it?” Dominic pushes off from the wall, circling us like a shark scenting blood. “She’s part of the family now, isn’t she? Shouldn’t she understand how we… function?”

“We’re very close,” Theon explains clinically. “Physical intimacy serves multiple psychological and physiological purposes in our dynamic.”

My face burns. “You mean you all…?”

“Fuck people together senseless on a regular basis,” Marcus supplies helpfully. “Yes.”

“It’s stress relief,” Damon adds, like he’s discussing exercise routines. “And connection.”

“Until now,” Raphael speaks for the first time. “Interesting development.”

I look at Nikolai, whose expression has gone carefully blank. “You didn’t think to mention this?”

“It doesn’t change anything,” he says. “You’re not part of that. You’re mine. Only mine.”

“But she’s family now,” Darius insists, that dangerous smile never wavering. “Aren’t you, sweetheart?”

The endearment from his lips makes Nikolai growl—actually growl—low in his throat.

“Back off,” he warns.

“Make me.”

The challenge hangs in the air for three seconds before Nikolai moves. But instead of going for Darius, he spins me around, backs me against the nearest wall, and crashes his mouth against mine.

The kiss is fierce, possessive, a brand more than affection. His hands frame my face, holding me still while he devours me in front of his brothers. I can hear their voices—encouraging calls, appreciative comments, the casual obscenity of men who’ve seen each other in every possible state.

“That’s more like it,” someone calls out.

“About fucking time,” adds another voice.

Nikolai breaks the kiss and presses his forehead against mine. “They need to see,” he says quietly. “Need to understand.”

“Understand what?” I breathe.

“That you belong to me. Completely.” His hands slide down my body, bold and claiming. “Show them, Jenna. Show them what you chose.”

My pulse hammers against my throat. “Here? In front of everyone?”

“Here. Now. Let them watch while I remind you why you chose to stay.”

The rational part of my mind screams that this is insane, that normal people don’t do this. But I’m not normal anymore, and neither is he, and his brothers are watching with expressions ranging from aroused to fascinated to darkly amused.

“Fuck yes,” Marcus breathes. “Finally, some entertainment.”