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We all laughed and sat down while Cian took a few shots. It was fascinating watching him. He moved with such speed and precision that it had my jaw hanging on the floor.
“Ralph said Cian would have made an excellent Army Ranger.” Eros sat on the edge of the table. “He was right, too. Never seen anyone shoot with that kind of accuracy before. Well, besides Ralph. Cian missed his calling going into real estate.” He chuckled and squished the empty water bottle between his hands.
Cian trotted over, a smirk on his face as Eros puffed out his chest. “Ten out of ten, little brother.”
“Oh, yeah? I bet you can’t hit this bottle from three hundred yards.” Eros held up the squished bottle in a challenge.
“Bet.” Cian held out his hand, and they shook, both of them running off to set up for long-distance practice.
Thora pulled out some granola bars and handed me and Juliet a packet each. We sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the sun shining and the smell of pine trees. It was peaceful, but the loud shot of Cian’s gun brought us back to reality in an instant.
“Thora, did your friend get back to the police or Cian yet?”
She stopped mid-chew and put her wrapper down. “This morning, actually. Cian was going to tell you later, I think.”
One major thing that had been bothering all of us was how Ryzen had gotten a replica of the mask Cian had. It had been custom-made by a friend of Thora’s, a guy named Evan. Even more alarming washowRyzen had found out. We had racked our brains repeatedly, trying to understand how he could have even known we had gotten custom masks. There were only a few possibilities, none of which had put us at ease. He had either been following us for longer than we had realized, or someone who knew that we were having custom masks made had told him. It was a short list of people, and most of them we trusted with our lives. So I had been more inclined to think he had been following us.
“Evan said a man called him last week saying how much he loved the masks he had made for Cian and requested a replica. He refused at first, but the person offered him five thousand dollars.” She stared down at her hands as she spoke. “He’s a good guy. Starving artist and all that. He didn’t know. There was no way for him to know that it was for a malicious intent.” She sighed.
“It’s OK.” I grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Nobody is to blame here except Ryzen. It’s not Evan’s fault.”
“So, who all knew that the masks were custom-made?” Juliet chewed on her granola bar, scrunching up her nose at the taste.
“Well, all of us. Everyone at work. The dry cleaners…” I groaned, realizing the list was a lot longer than I had initially thought. “I mean, it’s just too many to count. We could never narrow it down.” I tapped my fingers against the table. “If anything, I think he has been following us for longer than we realized. I mean, we ordered those masks almost two months ago.”
“How are you feeling? Are you…” Thora stared at my neck, and I didn’t try to cover the markings. I would not hide from this. No, I was going to face it all head on.
“My throat has been pretty tender, but it’s getting better every day.” Juliet squeezed my knee, and I laid my head on her shoulder for a moment. “It’s OK.” I kissed her cheek and rubbed my hands together to get the granola off. “You guys don’t have to worry, OK? I’m fine. Actually, I’m more than fine. Determined. Ready for a fight. He’s not going to get away with this. And if he’s out there still… if he got lucky and my blade didn’t pierce his stupid brain, I’ll be ready for him next time.”
Cian and Eros came back to the table a short time later, and we all got into our cars and drove home. Two guards with big-ass guns stood guard just outside the entrance to our private elevator, and Cian had all staff in the building on high alert.
Cian stood at the end of the bed and tugged my boots off. I moaned as he gripped my foot and dug into the tender flesh there.
“Are you feeling better now about handling a gun?” He grabbed onto the other foot and started rubbing, my eyes closing involuntarily.
“Mm-hmm,” I groaned as he worked his fingers deep into my skin, my entire body relaxing.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, and my eyes flew open.
I leaned up on my elbows and narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t start that again, Blackwood.” Was I going to have to restrain him and make him listen to reason? At this point, it was highly probable. “I am not a helpless little girl, Cian. You can’t be everywhere all the time.”
His shoulders tensed, and he opened his mouth. I held my hand up, shaking my head. “Listen to me. Ryzen is fucking crazy. If he hadn’t attacked that night, he would have done it the second I was left alone a different night. Maybe it would have been when we were at dinner, and I went to the bathroom by myself. Or maybe the split second it takes to get the security gate open at work.” I crawled over to the edge of the bed and kneeled in front of Cian. “I will not let you take on this guilt. I need you sharp. Fresh. So we can catch Ryzen. Got it?” I raised my eyebrow at Cian, his chest burning under my palms.
He caressed my cheek softly and nodded. I knew he was having a hard time with this. But enough was enough. This time? Ryzen was about to regret ever thinking I was a simple little victim.
“I’m going to kill him.” Cian’s voice was gravelly.
“Not if I do it first.” I leaned in closer, and he met me halfway, his mouth crashing into mine. This was what we both needed. To forget and just focus on each other, even if just for a few minutes.
He pushed me back, and I landed with a flop, giggling as he tugged my jeans down my legs. He propped my foot on his shoulder, his lips moving up my calf over my rose vine tattoo. Chills ran through my whole body as his teeth dragged against my flesh.
“You taste like heaven, little star.” His eyes darkened as he made his way up my thigh, and I cried out as he slowly worshiped every single curve. His mouth was warm against my pussy, and he pushed my legs roughly apart, making my thighs tremble with anticipation. All I wanted was more of him. “Such a pretty pussy,” he growled, his fingers spreading me open as his tongue lashed out. I tangled my fingers in his hair, my moans echoing around the room as he devoured me, softly at first until his mouth became more demanding. I bucked my hips, begging him for more as goosebumps covered my entire body. I planted my feet on the bed, driving my hips up to meet his tongue.
He jumped off the bed, and I protested, glaring at him. “Tease.” I stuck my tongue out, and he smirked as he stripped down. Fuck, he was glorious, like a perfectly sculpted replica of a Greek god.
“Do you want me to really tease you, little star?” The tip of his cock glistened as he stroked the length of himself.
I shook my head, biting my bottom lip. “No,” I panted as my hand slid between my legs. “I want you to fuck me, Cian.” My head fell back as I stroked over my clit, and I gasped when he pounced on me, pinning my hands above my head.
