AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t want to pry,” I respond, playing with a button on one of the new wool coats they bought for me. The entire wardrobe was shocking because while I mentioned a couple of pieces I liked, I hadn’t expected them to buy nearly everything.
“You’re not prying by caring about us and wanting to know everything we’d be asking you if the tables were turned.” Val cocks his head as he watches me absorb his explanation.
I decide he’s right. They’ve laid it all on the line to me and explained where they want this to go—maybe not what’s expected yet, but enough that I should be comfortable to ask what’s going on when there’s clearly more at stake than meets the eye.
Turning to face Zakar straight on, I sit up straighter and inquire, “Before you arrived, where were you two that had you looking ready to kill when you sat down?” I bite my lip as soon as I’m finished speaking and hope he isn’t angry at what now sounds like a challenging question.
Cupping my cheek, he draws my entire body closer to his. “Sakhvarelo, the things we wish to tell you would have you running for the hills. But today…” He pauses a moment, and I’m unsure if it’s to rein in his anger or collect his thoughts. When his eyes open, I see it’s the former as a storm brews in his smoky eyes. “Levan and I went to see your father and uncle. To collect what was so precious to you that you asked to return to a home you never should have lived in to begin with.”
“Oh god.” My hands rush to cover my mouth in horror because I know exactly what they saw. What was said about me. “You must be so disgusted.” Tugging at the edge of my coat, the expensive material stands out against how filthy I see myself. “I should go. I should…go.” Getting to my feet, I have every intention of running away. Of leaving Poti and never returning.
I should have known better than to think these men would let me. “I don’t think so,dzvirpasi gogona.” Valerian’s arms wrap around me from behind, cinching me at my waist. His lips are warm on my neck as he lays open-mouthed kisses on my flesh.
“You’re not going anywhere, Abilene. We won’t let you.” Zakar cups my face in his hands, locking his eyes with mine as he takes another step closer. There’s no space between us as he says, “The only thing that disgusted us was that we didn’t get you out the day Yelena died.”
A strangled moan erupts in his throat as he lays his lips over mine. The kiss is pure dominance. He’s not asking for permission this time; he’s taking everything he wants. Forcing my lips open with his tongue, he pushes into my mouth, commanding my body to do as he pleases.
His hardness rubbing against my belly makes me quiver in his grip. My fingers clasp around his wrists with such force that they ache. I don’t want him to let go of me…either of them.
My heart is beating so erratically that I feel it in every vein of my body as I try to hold onto what he’s doing to me. I never want it to stop, but I can’t breathe. Pulling back with a gasp, I gulp in as much air as possible before he dives back in, stealing what little rational thought I have left.
I’m a mess of emotions and lust. With Zak at my front making love to my mouth and Valerian at my back, his length digging into my spine, I’m confident I’ll never be cold again. Neverleft outin the cold again.
“Much as I’m loving this display and wouldn’t complain about it continuing, I don’t think Father Marcum would appreciate the heat coming from the two of you.” Valerian’s chuckle in my ear sends warm tingles along my body and centers in my sex, making me pulse and pound in a way I’ve never experienced before.
The interruption also has Zakar growling in my mouth before slowly and reluctantly pulling away. “Who gives a fuck?” His eyes roam my face, searching to see where my head is at. To see if I care. For once, I don’t think I do.
“Levan will be only a moment.” I hear the priest’s voice, and my cheeks flame to what I’m sure is a wild shade of red.
* * *
Levan
“If anyone ever finds out what you’ve done, what I’ve allowed you to do, they’ll burn us both at the stake.” Father Marcum paces back and forth behind his desk as I sit across from it.
“Will they, though?” He stops and stares at me.
“The believers, the ones who think Jesus will one day be resurrected,theywill.” He doesn’t appear convinced.
“How many of those actually come to confession, Father? How many are interested in their own sins, let alone those of the ones around them?” My guess is none. This part of Poti is poor. Dirt poor. People come to church for a warm place to get out of the cold, the food, and, yes, many times to feel closer to God. But they’re also too deep in their own shit to care about anyone else. I spent my teen years on these streets. It’s why I always come back here, why I have such a good relationship with the man before me.
“That’s not the point, Levan.” Dropping into his chair, he runs an exhausted hand down his face.
“Isn’t it, though? You give these people absolution when they need it, forgiveness when they request it. I’m giving them justice.”
“As you see fit!” he shouts, and I raise a brow. “Who decided you were judge, jury, and executioner?”
An iciness invades my tone. “You did, Father Marcum, when you came to me. Told me who the man was that helped slaughter Yelena.You didwhen you allowed me to start taking confession because it was more than you could bear.You didwhen I gave you my own confession, and you absolved me of multiple murders.”
“But when does it end?” I can see the old man is tired.
“Here? When you retire. Outside of these sacred walls? When I die.”
Chapter6
Abilene
It’s the night of the charity ball.
