Besides, over the last two weeks, the part of me that craves that particular brand of sex is…
Well.
“Absent” would be incorrect. Distracted isn't right, either.
Focused.
That’s the word. My virulent appetite for depraved sex mixed with violence, power, and sadism isn’t muzzled inanyfucking capacity.
It’s laser focused. On one. Fucking. Person.
A person I’ve chosen to excise from my world.
So, no, tonight’s gathering at Sebastian’s massive three-story penthouse overlooking Central Park West isnotthe same type of affair that Evelina managed to sneak into the other day.
“There’s way too many clothes at this party.”
…Muchto Carson’s chagrin, I might add.
Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Yeah, keep your clothesonin my house, fucker.”
Carson sighs dramatically. “So fucking puritanical. And such a disappointment for your guests.”
Seb shakes his head and runs a hand over his jaw.
“No one wants to see you naked, King.”
Carson snorts. “Demonstrablyfalse. But, if you’re just worried about your prospects seeingmydick and deciding you’re maybe not the horse they should be betting on, well…”
Sebastian sighs and shoots me a look. “Can't we just leave him outside?”
I shake my head. “Pretty sure that constitutes child abuse.”
Sebastian chuckles as Carson flips us both off.
“These are people we might be bringing into our world for life,” I say pointedly. “Notpotential hookups. Nobody's taking out their dick.”
“Says the guy whose Acolyte came limping back inside without any clothes and ‘just got fucked’ hair,” Carson mutters.
“Wouldyoucare to explain why exactly you scooped Maeve’s Acolyte out from under her?” I growl at him. “Or why you were looking at said Acolyte like you wanted to choke the life from her?Orwhy that Acolyte looked like she’d looked death in the face after she made it back from?—”
“Okay,” Carson hisses. “You’ve made your point. Drop it.”
“That…doesn’t sound much like an explanation, does it?” Seb grins.
“I saiddrop it,” Carson snarls with an edge I’m not really expecting. Before I have time to consider that further, Sebastian clears his throat.
“Guess we can ask her directly,” he grunts, nodding his chin. “She just arrived.” He frowns. “And lookie here, she brought a friend…”
Mother.
Fucker.
My jaw tightens, and the vicious beast inside me bares its teeth through the bars of its cage when I see Gabriella De Luca walk into Seb’s penthouse.
…WithEvelina.
Evelina, who shouldn’t fucking be here, especially not dressed likethat.
