Page 57 of Alluring Darkness
She tries to yank it back, but I wrench it out of her hands and toss it to the ground several yards behind me. I take a step forward. She takes a step back.
This wasn’t even challenging.
Because she’s so loud when she runs, tracking her was incredibly easy. And she has no idea how to avoid being herded. But even despite all that, I have to admit that I am a bit impressed. If she had been just a little faster, that first swing would’ve taken me in the side of the head. Then she could have escaped this trap we set for her.
But she didn’t.
And now, it’s time to pay.
23
RAINA
My chest heaves and my heart hammers against my ribs. Fuck, I’m so out of shape. This sprint through the woods has to be the longest continuous distance I’ve run in ages. And these four bastards have the audacity to look like this was just a leisurely stroll in the park for them. I narrow my eyes at them as they prowl closer while I drag in deep breaths to calm my heaving chest.
A taunting smirk spreads across Eli’s face as he raises his eyebrows at me. “Come on, Raina, this was too easy. Did you even try?”
Of course I didn’t. If I had actually managed to stay hidden, and Eli had honored his promise to leave me alone for a month, then who would he have taken out his rage on instead? My brother, that’s who. So I had to make sure that I lost. Though, to be fair, I doubt that I could’ve escaped all four of them anyway. But I had still made more noise while running than I normally do just to be certain that they would in fact catch me.
When I don’t answer, Eli narrows his eyes at me. My heart skips a beat at the challenge that flashes in them when he stares me down.
“Or is this what you want?” He spreads his arms to indicate the others. “For me to watch while my brothers fuck you?”
I know that he doesn’t mean it. Given how he reacted when Anton was teaching me how to shoot, Eli is far too territorial to ever let anyone else touch me. So I knew from the very first moment he tried to threaten me with that that he would never actually go through with it. And I know what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to scare me. Trying to make me see him as a monster. But what he doesn’t seem to understand is thatIam a monster too.
While letting a sly smile curl my lips, I slowly draw my gaze over his brothers. Kaden and Rico are resting their bats on their shoulders while Jace absentmindedly spins his in the air next to him.
“Well,” I drawl, and nod towards Kaden. “Given that he’s not even the slightest bit winded, he has much better stamina than you.” I shift my attention to Rico. “And he is much prettier to look at than you.” My grin widens as I slide my gaze to Jace. “And based on the rumors I’ve heard, your youngest brother has the biggest dick.” Challenge laces my tone as I meet Eli’s eyes again and finish with, “So of course I would rather have them fuck me.”
Jealous, territorial rage flashes in his eyes like a lightning storm.
“I think I should probably save Jace for last,” I continue with a mock contemplative voice. “Since his massive dick will otherwise kind of ruin my experience with the others. So, Kaden, how about we start? I bet you could make me scream like no one else.”
“Ha!” Jace says, and then laughs while casting smug looks at the others, obviously very pleased with my comments.
Next to him, Kaden tightens his hold on the bat until he is gripping it so hard that his fingers turn white. His eyes are full of dark anticipation, and it looks like it is taking every ounce of his self-control to remain where he is.
“Shut up,” Eli snaps at Jace. Then he levels a sharp look at Kaden. “My order still stands.”
For a second, it’s as if the moment is suspended in time.
Then Jace mutters something under his breath and shrugs while Kaden relaxes his grip on the bat, with what looks like great effort, and then flexes his fingers.
“I’ll meet you back at the house,” Eli says in what is clearly a dismissal.
“Alright,” Rico says immediately.
Turning around, he claps Eli once on the shoulder before starting back in the direction of the cars. Kaden rakes those cold eyes up and down my body before turning around as well.
His lips lift in a half-smirk as he pauses next to Eli and says, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Eli snorts, and I get the distinct feeling that there are very few things included in that particular category. After they exchange a brief knowing smile, Kaden follows Rico into the trees.
“Ugh,” Jace groans as he spins around and stalks after them while muttering, “Right when things were finally starting to get fun around here.”
I watch them leave. Eli doesn’t. His eyes are firmly locked on mine, but I ignore his stare until Jace’s white t-shirt has finally disappeared completely from view. Only then do I slide my gaze back to Eli.
A jolt shoots through me, and it takes all of my willpower to stifle a gasp, at the way he is looking at me.