Page 3 of Retribution
Lenin and Ellis’ eyes both widened before Lenin responded, “I will call our mate.” He paused, “Do what must be done, though he will not like it.”
Boys and their codes. They suck at it. Like I didn’t know exactly what they were talking about. Hell, I could feel it. My need for all things between the sheets was causing my whole body to ache. The slightest touch against my skin at this point felt like a thousand needles pressed into my body. That, combined with the insane amount of power I just exerted, and well, things were getting dicey and fast. Not that I was about to voice it.
“There isn’t much he does like,” Sterling mumbled, and I elbowed him. “What?”
“Play nice,” I said, but my words had no umph behind them. I was too concentrated on the way the warehouse seemed to start spinning.
“See you when you land.” Then he hung up on my boys before scooping me in his arms. “We are taking you home.”
“But the people –”
“Will be looked after,” Rolland said. Oh. I had forgotten he was there.
Oak peered over at him, watching him, assessing. “Can we trust you to look over them? We’ll be back when her mates arrive.”
Rolland blinked. “Mates? How does that even happen?”
Yeah, well, sir, I was wondering the same damn thing. Another cramp in my abdomen had me gritting my teeth as I ground out, “Luck.”
“Or a curse,” he mumbled. “Yeah, I’ll handle it. You saved our asses, after all. Send Ellis over when he’s free.”
Ha, like he would be able to be sent anywhere after I ravished him. And Lenin. Maybe together. Shit. This wasn’t me; that really wasn’t what I meant to think. Sterling raised a brow as if he could read my mind. Maybe he could. Did I think it out loud? Delirious. My thoughts were suddenly tumbling around deliriously.
“And it’s in full effect,” Oak announced before his fingers dug into my side painfully, and his pace quickened.
I leaned into his shoulder, my nose nuzzling against him. He smelled good. Had he always smelled that good? Does everyone smell that good? I wanted to touch him. Could I lick him? I bet he would be divine. Maybe a little salty. Definitely earthy.
“Definitely full effect,” Sterling echoed.
What did that even mean? I bit Oak’s shoulder. Yes, he did taste – the most intense pain jarred into my abdomen and exploded outward, making me lose my thought. My body seized up, my muscles locked, and right before I could open my mouth to scream, my world went black.
Chapter 2
OAK
We all knewit was coming. We would have to be blind and oblivious not to see the signs. Full breasts, sensitive skin, mood swings. They had all been slowly creeping up on Liberty over the past two weeks, driving Justice absolutely insane. Truthfully, that man possessed the stubbornness and willpower of the gods to be able to resist her, but he had. Even when Ellis, Sterling, and I were weak and reaped all the benefits. But now, she needed him, and despite my desire to help her, to soothe her discomfort and ease her pain, it was only Justice who could stop this.Lucky bastard.
“Do you like your hair pulled, Oak? Because I do.” Liberty forced her fingers through my hair until she found the band that was holding it back, then pulled it out before she proceeded to comb through the strands with her finger. “Long hair is sexy. It’s a turn-on, you know.”
She was rubbing her breasts against my chest, and damn it, I didn’t know if I should carry her all the way home like this or take a car. It was a long distance from the manor to this warehouse, but I doubted I could bring myself to put her down long enough to drive.
Her body stiffened in my arms; her hands dropped from my hair and back to her abdomen. A single tear fell from her eyes. “It hurts, Oak.”
Damn it, if that single statement didn’t stake me in the heart on repeat. “I know, doll. Sterling is calling Justice.”
But even then, who knew how long before he could make it here. Who even knew where the mutt was at this point? If he was successful, if he ran from the obligations he volunteered for with us? The truth was, Liberty trusted him, and I would honor that, but until he came through for our girl when she needed him most, I couldn’t fully trust him.
“Can you help, Oak?” Tears coated her lashes as she looked at me, and the sight nearly gutted me.
I looked to Sterling, seeking out help, but all he did was shrug. “You heard Lenin. I’ll drive.”
I did hear Lenin, but that didn’t ease my discomfort. Discomfort or not, by the time Sterling pulled the car around and we climbed in back, I had no choice but to offer her whatever I could give. Whatever little spark of comfort that would get her by until we were safe at the manor and Justice was at her side.
We climbed into the backseat, and I knew I should buckle her in, but laws be damned, I couldn’t bring myself to part from her, not when she needed the contact and craved my touch. Instead, I sat her on my lap, cradling her against my body as the car began to drive.
“I’m scared. God, you smell so good. I’m hungry.” Her voice was a broken moan, “Starving.”
She turned in my arms, her legs falling to each side of my hip, and I could instantly smell her want, nearly taste it in the air. Though I knew it was all biological, that didn’t stop my cock from instantly hardening against her body. I licked my lips, trying to stay focused. Trying not to bite into her neck and take what I craved, even when I already knew she was weak.