Page 73 of Liar

“But—Malcolm.”

Thorne nods. “He’s with my father. There’s nothing you can do right now to stop it.”

“I have to. If Damion’s discovered what Malcolm’s done, he’ll kill him.”

Thorne’s features soften. He lifts a hand and brushes his fingers across my cheek. “Sweet pretty, you’re assuming my father never knew in the first place.”

I struggle to speak through numbed lips. “Your father knew? This whole time?”

“Of course. Why do you think Father brought you here? To reunite long-lost father and daughter?”

“Obviously, I didn’t think that. Your dad always has ulterior motives. Malcolm was so careful. He only confessed to me because he had to.”

“No, because he was desperate and was forced to involve you.” Thorne’s features grow dark as he retreats into his Noble hood. “He couldn’t perform his suicide mission alone. Therefore, he asked you to do his dirty work. Tell me, have you gotten the information you needed? Is that why my father’s attempting to grab you and Malcolm?”

I stare at him closer. “You don’t know why they’re here?”

Thorne shakes his head. “Only that Malcolm’s due for punishment. With all the challenges that Malcolm and my father used to compete with each other, it came as no surprise. What is disturbing is that my father wants you involved in the punishment, too.”

I press my lips together. We’re straddling a tree branch, and I’m still holding his arms. If I tell Thorne, if I explain to him why Savannah and Damion want a piece of my flesh so badly … we may both topple out of this tree out of the sheer force of Thorne’s rage.

Looking into his face, so determined to save me and ignorant of the truth, I don’t think he has any idea of the lengths Savannah and Damion have gone to to keep their affair a secret.

“Didn’t you say you’ll be missed?” I aim to change the subject while we’re stuck in this tree together.

“Soon. Now that they can’t find you, Father will take Malcolm to the catacombs, and the members will follow.”

“What kind of punishment do they have planned for him?” My fingers tighten around Thorne’s biceps. It’s like digging into rock. “Maybe I should’ve let them take me. I have to be there. Malcolm’s sacrificed himself for me. I can’t let him do this.”

“I thought you didn’t give a fuck what happened to Malcolm?”

“Circumstances change.” I glare at him. “You should know that better than anyone. You helped me, didn’t you? The girl you were determined to fuck and then ditch because it was so terrible? You even went back for seconds, and it still sucked. What are you doing in a tree saving my life?”

Thorne growls, “Like you, I have trouble ignoring my stupid side.”

I smack him in the shoulder. “Oh, so now you think I’m stupid as well as unfuckable.”

“I have never, not once, said you were a bad fuck.” Thorne’s voice lowers to a warning decibel. “You are the opposite. Too irresistible. The fact that you’ve solely experienced my dick, that you’ve stretched to fit only me … I can’t stop thinking of the feel of you, Ember. I want to re-experience every opening you have because those are places only I’ve had the pleasure of discovering.” In a sudden move, he hooks my jaw, keeping my growing desire in one place. “As the first explorer, I should have you cry out my name every time you experience an orgasm from here on out.”

“Even when coming to my rescue, you’re a cocky asshole.”

He shows his teeth. “Absolutely.”

Heat builds in my center, warming all the spots that shouldn’t be activated while hiding. We need to be focused on what’s below us, not what is between us. With the way he’s straddling the tree, Thorne’s erection tents out like a branch of its own. I can’t stop staring at it, even as he hangs on to my neck to keep me still.

I garble out, “Is there another section of this tree I can wait on?”

Thorne’s eyes grow hooded. “Why would you want to leave when I have a great way to pass the time while we wait?”

My mouth falls open. “No way. Don’t you dare. Not here.”

“Why not?” He releases my neck, cupping my pussy through my underwear instead. “You’re wearing the robe. Part of maintaining a membership in the Virtues is rising to every challenge.”

“This isn’t a—”

“Now it fucking is.” He pushes his thumb between my folds, the thin fabric of my underwear doing nothing, absolutely nothing, to prevent entry.

My hips push forward of my own volition.