Page 60 of Devour

He stands and motions for us to hurry up. I’d rather settle on the couch with a movie anyway. That’s the one upside to basically living in a high-end hotel with amenities. I get lots of time to lounge. Kyns is going to have to figure out how to get us more pills soon with all the horror binges we’ve had.

Kynlee and I follow Justin upstairs and then to the wing where the guys’ suites are. Once we’re in the long hallway, Justin falls back beside me.

“Is that prick hurting you?” He pulls me closer to him, his hand on the middle of my back. “You have marks all over you.”

I notice his cologne again. It’s irritating that I still can’t place why it’s familiar, and it makes my stomach turn. Who else have I met that wears that scent? It’s not Axl or any of his friends.

“I’m fine, Justin.” We keep walking. “Axl isn’t doing anything I don’t want him to do.”

Our world is open about sex. I’ve grown up knowing I’d be expected to serve a Talon and then my husband. So I’ve never been shy, and I learned early that my body likes to get off. But I refuse to talk to my brother about what Axl and I do. That’s where I draw the line. It’s bad enough that he saw Axl fuck me at the claiming.

“I don’t trust him.” Justin’s hand is still on my back, urging me down the hall. “He’s reckless. The Sinclairs let him get away with shit that would get any other Talon punished. His body count is higher than most.”

That I believe. I’ve been witness to a few of them and am well aware of what he’s capable of. It should scare me, but I feel safer with Axl than anyone else. “What does that have to do with me? I’m his Dove. You know how this works.”

“You’re my sister and I love you, Saylor.” We come to a stop in front of Axl’s room. “And when Axl is done fucking you, I’m the one who’ll still be here making sure you’re alright. So I just don’t want you getting any ideas about him or start thinking he’s not a selfish dick.”

His words hit harder than I expect. Because he’s not wrong. This is just for a year. A year of messing around and being what Axl needs me to be while he earns his Ravens brand. That’s how it’s always worked. We serve our year, they complete their service, and our parents start planning the marriage that best suits the future of the family.

That’s why my mother wanted me to go up for auction. She thought my young body would fetch someone high up in the Ravens that would elevate our family. It’s probably the only reason she had me. It never bothered me before. But even if it’s only been a couple weeks, I’m already dreading the day that whatever this is with Axl ends.

Because I’m a stupid bitch.

I’m done with this conversation. I punch in the code and push the door open. Justin is still right behind me. I enter the room, holding the door open, and Kynlee follows.

“I’m going to watch movies with Saylor.”

He pokes his head in behind us. “I don’t know how late I’ll be, but Axl is right about one thing. Don’t leave here.”

He turns away from the door, going back down the hallway. I shut the door, and it automatically locks.

Kynlee heads straight for the kitchenette. “Please tell me Axl has something to drink in here.”

“Check the cabinet above the fridge.”

She finds a bottle of whiskey and holds it up with both hands. “This will do.”

I pull out my phone to text Axl. I want him, and I want him to let me come this time, so I’ll do whatever the fuck he says if it means I get to get off.

Me: I’m in the room. Kynlee and I are going to watch movies.

Dots appear, and then he responds almost immediately.

My King: Good girl. Stay awake or don’t. I’m fucking you either way.

I whimper and press my thighs together. Why do those words have that effect on me? I set my phone on the end table beside the couch.

She pours two glasses and brings them over, handing me one before she drops onto one end of the couch. “What are we watching?”

“Another horror marathon? Freddy this time?”

“Perfect.” She scrolls until she finds what we want and hits play. “We’re going to watch every horror movie that ever existed by the time this year is over.”

I take a drink and pull a blanket over my legs. The whiskey burns going down and it feels good. It gives me something to focus on that isn’t the ache between my thighs or my brother’s words still lingering.

Axl is as possessive as he is tender. It’s toxic and psychotic. And the thought of him ever being with someone else, let alone marrying her, makes me want to hurl my glass into the wall.

I take another large swallow. There’s nothing I can do about it. I just have to enjoy Axl while I have him. It’s not like I’m antsy to be married anyway, so why do I care now? It’s just another thing I’m being stupid about. I’m here for the hot sex and to piss off my mother. I’m succeeding at both, so I fucking win.