Page 43 of Ruined
My feet disappear from under me, and my back slams into the floor with an audible thump. Eden pins me in place, straddling my hips, and pressing one of her gifted daggers against my neck.Not that I’m complaining.
“Finish that sentence, and you’ll never speak again,” Eden threatens, bending low, her upper body pressing against me, her breast rubbing against my chest with every breath, and her nose nearly touching mine.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, butterfly,” I reply, a smile plastered on my face.
She tilts her head to the side, a contemplative expression on her face as though she’s not sure she really trusts me. She pulls the dagger away and slips it into its sheath at the small of her back.
“I don’t know if I believe you, but I’ll give you one chance. Just know, I hate that word and all words similar to it,” she says and moves to get up.
Gripping her hips, I sit up, and pull her down into my lap. My desire for this woman ratchets up a notch as the feel of her hot center pressing so close to my own. With a groan, I place a light kiss on her cheek and force away the urge to flip her on her back and press inside her.
“I’m sorry, butterfly. You do know I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you, right?” It’s more than a question, it’s my solemn vow to the soul that’s stolen my heart without even trying.
“I do,” she whispers with a smile.
With a hand tangled in her long golden ponytail, I drag her face to mine and seal my promise with an earth-shattering kiss. “I’ll never hurt you, Eden.” I whisper against her lips between kisses.
“I hate to break up this tender moment, but I assume you both came down here for a reason other than interrupting our training,” Daemon says, standing over us with a forced look of boredom covering the desire burning in his eyes for the woman sitting in my lap.
“Marco called,” Kain replies, reaching a hand down to help Eden to her feet. She takes his hand and hops to her feet quickly.
The cool air that fills the space where she just sat burns against my desire.
Daemon’s attention snaps to Kain. “What did he say?”
I stand and brush the dust from the back of my pants. “They’ve approved our requests—all of them—but they want Donovan and Virgil before we end them. Hence, we need them alive, at least to start.”
“Fine, so when do we do this? I assume we start with Donovan,” Eden mutters as she places the new pistol she was shooting into a dark wooden box sitting on the table along the back wall.
“Nice piece,” Kain comments, tracking her every move with his eyes.
A blush tints Eden’s cheeks, and she peers back at Daemon. “Thanks. It was a gift from Daemon.”
“What do you mean we? You’re not getting involved,” Daemon protests, his expression firm, with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Listen here, buddy,” Eden says, storming over to Daemon and poking him in the arm. “I’ll tell you the same damn thing I told your brother. I’m not some fucking damsel in distress in need of your saving. I’m involved in this, have been since the day I was born. So, whether you like it or not, mister, I will be a part of taking them down.”
She takes a step back and inhales a large breath, letting it out slowly. “That being said, I understand your reservations, Daemon. You’re afraid history will repeat itself. I respect your feelings on this but understand something—I’m not Gemma. I’ve been training with Kain and with you. I’m stronger and faster, and I’m not afraid. Not because I think I’m invincible or anything, but because I’ve already stared death in the face, and he said he didn’t want me.”
Daemon stares into Eden’s eyes, a silent conversation passing between them. He reaches out and grips her shoulders. “Promise me you’ll follow our directions and will always stay with one of us.”
She reaches up and places her hands over his. “I promise,” she says, and steps back. Clapping her hands loudly, she jogs towards the stairs and barks, “Let’s go boys, time to get this show on the road.”
“Where are you going?” I call out as she takes the stairs two at a time. You’d never know she was still healing with the way she moves.
Stopping mid-step, she spins around and calls back, “To the war room.”
“Where the fuck is the war room?” Kain grumbles from beside me, watching Eden’s ass as she steps onto the landing at the top of the stairs.
“Fuck if I know,” I reply and shake my head, starting up the stairs.
“If I had to guess, I’d say your office, Lucifer,” Daemon adds with a laugh.
“God dammit, she better not touch anything.” I bound up the stairs after my fluttering butterfly.
Bustling through the open door of my office, I nearly trip over my own damn feet at the sight in front of me. Eden sits— a glass of whiskey in hand—leaning back in my chair, her feet up on the desk, ankles crossed, and an unlit cigar in her mouth. “What took you so long?” she asks, holding the cigar between her teeth.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snarl, a little winded and a lot turned on. I tap my fingers against my thighs, the rhythmic action grounding me. “You don’t know the dangerous game you’re playing right now, butterfly.”