Something clicked into place. My grip on the weapon steadied, anxiety bleeding out with each breath. I was Aniyah Glovefox, daughter of the Syndicate. If it all went to hell, I’d claw my way back from the wreckage and cause havoc in the worst way.
I ran my hand up his chest, curled my fingers into his shirt, and yanked him down to me. Our mouths collided, sharp, possessive, grounding. It was a reward for his faith, yes, but also a reclamation of myself, reminding me who I was.
My tongue swept past his lips, claiming, devouring. His hands slid down my back, the cool feel of steel through the silk jarring me back to the situation at hand. We had work to do.
Flattening my palms against his chest, I shoved him back before I lost focus.
“Thanks,” I breathed, turning toward the chaos waiting beyond those doors.
Another figure slipped into my orbit, the air around him thick with need.
“I’m here,” he murmured. A hint of shadowed despair clung to his voice. “For anything you need. Anything and everything. Just say the word.”
I turned slowly. Raven hair tumbled into glowing crimson eyes that were locked on mine like I was the sun he’d spent centuries chasing. Every alarm inside me screameddanger,but gods, the way he looked at me… I was starting to get addicted.
It was unsettling and… kind of adorable?
I patted his head, and his eyes fluttered shut like I’d just handed him a miracle.
“Thank you, Ras.”
He bit his lower lip, gaze sweeping over my face, committing every moment to memory. It was intense. Worshipful. Familiar.
It reminded me of the way Daddy Lex looked at my mom, starving just to be near her. By her side for an eternity.
The memory sent a shiver through me. My skin prickled, breath caught in my chest and I realized… I liked it. What did that say about me?
“From what I saw before, they’ve got about thirty men scattered across the floor.” I turned to Lucus. “I need you to pick up Ras and run him across the room to the control unit. You helped install that thing, right?”
Ras gave a curt nod, throwing Lucus a glare before turning back to me with a smile.
See? Puppy dog energy.
I rolled my lips in to hide the laugh bubbling up. “I hate to admit it,” I said, “but I don’t know how to work the damn thing. What Idoknow is that one of those million switches controls the anti-gravity tech, and it can be programmed to target specific people.”
Lucus’ brows pinched together while Ras nodded, fully onboard. I waved Lucus off before he could start questioning me.
“I had this idea,” I said casually, “for a high-ticket event. Something like a mid-air fuck session, of course for a?—”
“Fee,” Lucus finished for me, head tilting as admiration lit up his face. “Yeah, I figured. I’d love to sign up for that later.” He stepped closer, his fingers trailing the edge of my robe. “Maybe make it a private showing.”
I opened my mouth to sass him back, but he smirked. “I’ll pay extra.”
Of course, he would.
“I know how to program it,” Ras piped in, glancing between me and the doors as he wrung his hands. “But I need a few minutes to get it set up.”
I slung the gun strap over my shoulder, freeing my hands, and gave him a radiant smile. “Lucus will cover you. He’ll make sure no one lays a finger on you.”
Their faces dropped in sync as if they’d just realized I’d assigned them homework and stolen all the fun, but I beamed, practically bouncing. “While you two are busy being useful, I’ll be the distraction. I’mverygood at that.”
Lucus puffed his chest out, arms crossing in a silent protest. Ras’ gaze darkened, jaw tight. They were giving me the classic“That'stoo dangerous, little lady”energy. Yeah, they were going to have to get over that.
I shut it down with a single pointed finger aimed between them.
“If you don’t want to be sent packing, you better drop that macho crap real fast.” Both of them grumbled their apologies and how they would rather die than leave my side, so I let it go.
Running my hands down my curves, lifting my breasts with just enough flair, I let my wings unfurl behind me. Flashy. Flawless. Lethal.
