I scream for Constantine, for Tristan, for Hendrix, but no sound comes out in the void of nothingness it creates as it emerges from the wall and materializes like black mist in the darkness. The Reaper’s eyes are like blackholes lit with hellfire, its nightmarish gaze locked on me as its long, bony finger moves like smoke, playing a game of Eenie Meenie Miney Moeas it points to Constantine, then Hendrix and Tristan, before stopping on the man lying next to me, his hand clasped in mine as he sleeps.
“No!” I throw myself over Aleksander. “You can’t have him! I won’t let you take him!”
A horrific smile forms on Death’s skeletal face, cracking the bone as it spreads. “Mine.”
“Baby, wake up.”
With a gasp, my eyes fly open to see the worried face of my fallen angel looking down at me. Jackknifing upright, I burrow myself in Constantine’s arms, breathing in the sandalwood of his warm skin.
Hendrix’s chest blankets my back when he wraps his arms around both of us. Pressing his lips to my hair, he sleepily murmurs, “Bad dream?”
I nod.
I’ve been having the same one every night since the end of August. Since we found out who was behind the car accident.
“Want to talk about it?” Constantine asks.
They always ask. I always decline. I know I can tell them anything but telling your husbands that your dreams involve another man…yeah, not going there. But damn, the guilt is enormous. Aleksander is my friend. He’s Tristan’s brother and Fénix’s uncle. He can never be anything more—ever—no matter how much my heart has begun wishing for it to be otherwise. My growing feelings for our former enemy are selfish and destructive and would ruin the life I’ve been building with the three men who have been my everything since I was four years old. Men I love with every molecule of my being. Men I willneverbetray.
So damn Aleksander for sneaking in. For showing me the true man behind the enigmatic façade. A man who loves with his whole heart, even though it’s been broken numerous times. Aman who would risk everything for me. Sacrifice his life for me and my child. A man who asks for nothing in return but gives everything of himself, even to his own detriment.
Which is exactly what he’s doing by going after Viktor Androv.
Andie and Cillian filled me in. I sought out their guidance because I figured if anyone knew anything about the Androv bratva, it would be them. What they told me turned my blood to ice. I thought Francesco was a monster. Viktor Androv is worse.
But so is Aoife.
After the gala, after what I did to Malin, I never wanted to let her loose again. I buried her deep and locked the cage, so the part of me who became Syn could be free.
It’s a false illusion because I will never be free. Aoife’s restless soul will never give me peace. She bides her time, just waiting for the chance to be let out.
And I fear that time may be coming.
So damn Aleksander twice because I will do anything to protect him. Even if it means I have to becomeher.
I kiss Constantine and lean back, so I can kiss Hendrix. “I’m sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep.” The same furrowed frown appears on their faces. “It was just a bad dream. Nothing more,” I assure them, trying to wiggle out from between them.
Hendrix’s long fingers curve around my throat, and my body instantly melts at his rough embrace. I crave his claiming touch, needing it like I need air. He brings my mouth to his, his tongue stroking deep, his kiss deeper. He drinks my moan like a man dying of thirst.
Sensual turns to punishing when Hendrix tightens his grip, his fingertips pressing into my flesh. “You called out his name in your sleep, Firefly.”
I go rigid. I did?
I meet his heated aqua gaze and hold it. Hendrix wears a mask of arrogance and attitude, but his heart gets bruised easily. Cupping his cheek, I offer him the tenderness he needs to tamp down his jealousy. “Not in the way you’re implying. I’m worried about him.”
“The man has a bratva brand on his chest. I think he’s very capable of taking care of himself.”
Straddling his thighs, I drape my arms over his wide shoulders. “And you, Mr. Knight, areverycapable of taking care of a lot of things. Besides, I’d be worried aboutyouif the positions were reversed.” With a quick peck to his nose, I scramble off the bed when Fénix’s whimpering cry comes over the baby monitor.
Hendrix makes a playful grab to pull me back. “He can wait five minutes.”
“Says the man who gets grumpy if anyone is late to dinner.” Bending over him, I lick the piercing on his very hard dick. “I’ll take care of that when I get back.”
“You’re a fucking tease,” Hendrix grumps.
“You, too, pretty boy,” I tell Constantine when he pouts.
He flops back into the pillows with a smile and closes his eyes.
