Page 54 of Echoes of Danger
“Ithink that speed you gave me is kicking in,” I say, my heart hammering so fast I’m sure it’s going to explode.
Steel glances at me, his face calm despite the tension in the room. “Good. I know the Tylenol isn’t much, but I hope it dulls some of the pain because this is going to hurt like hell.”
“What is?” I ask cautiously, wincing as I attempt to stand. Every inch of movement feels like fire tearing through my side.
“I need you to ride on my back,” he says without hesitation. “But I can’t hold you. You’re going to have to use whatever strength you’ve got left to cling on tight.”
I stare at him, processing his words. The simple act of standing is making my vision blur, and my knees threaten to buckle. Clinging to Steel for dear life while we try to escape? This is going to be pure hell.
Before I can respond, the metallic sound of the lock disengaging freezes us both in place. Steel’s eyes snap to the door, his body tense and ready. But no one comes in. The door remains closed, leaving us suspended in the unnerving silence.
“This is it,” he whispers, his voice firm but low. “I’m going to lean down, and I need you to jump up. I’ll help you get adjusted, but after that, it’s all you. You need to hold on. Got it?”
“Like a baby monkey,” I joke nervously, trying to lighten the tension even as my body trembles with fear and adrenaline. The laughter feels forced, the weight of the moment pressing too heavily on my chest.
“Delphi,” Steel says, his tone gentler now but no less urgent.
“Wait,” I interrupt, my voice shaking. “Steel, can I ask you for a favor?”
His jaw tightens, and I know he wants me to hurry, but he nods. “Of course. What is it?”
I swallow hard, my voice breaking. “If I don’t make it…”
“Del—”
“Just listen,” I plead, my hand gripping his arm to keep myself steady. “If I don’t make it, tell Jacob that I love him. Tell Eli I love him too and that I’m so sorry. And... give my precious little girl a kiss every time you see her. Promise me.”
Steel exhales sharply, a sound filled with frustration and determination. “Damn it, woman. Fine. But I’m not kissing Reynolds.”
I blink, confused before a nervous laugh escapes me. “Not the right plumbing?”
“Oh, his plumbing would work just fine for me,” Steel says with a sly smirk. “But he’s not my special person. Plus, I don’t sleep with my brothers. Wouldn’t want to ruin the bond we have.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re gay?”
“Not the time for this conversation, Del,” he says, adjusting his stance. But his smirk widens. “And no, I’m not. My brother and I are bi. Now, enough stalling. Hop on.”
I shake my head at the absurdity of this moment. “That’s kind of sexy, you know,” I mutter under my breath. “Okay. Let’s get this over with. This is going to hurt.”
“Do not scream, Del,” he warns, his tone firm. “Do whatever you have to do, but no screaming. Understand?”
I nod, biting my lip. My legs tremble as I bend my knees and take a deep breath. This is going to hurt. So. Much.
I jump.
The pain sears through my body like a blade, tearing me apart. I can’t stop the cry building in my chest, so I do the onlything I can to muffle it. I clamp my teeth onto Steel’s shoulder. Hard. His grunt tells me I’m not holding back, and part of me feels guilty. But the pain? It’s unbearable, and biting down is the only way to stop myself from screaming.
“Good girl,” he says through gritted teeth. His voice is steady, unshaken. “We’re not moving until you’re ready. Take your time.”
I cling to him, my arms locked around his neck and my legs weakly holding on. My body feels like it’s on fire, but his solid presence grounds me. We’ve made it this far. I have to believe we’ll make it out.
For Eli. For Jessica. For Jacob.
I just have to hold on.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper after I remove my teeth from his shoulder.
“Nothing to be sorry for, Del. I’m a BDSM Master and a Daddy Dom. Being bitten isn’t new to me.”