Nightshade claims the seat beside me, thigh pressed against mine, one hand splayed low on my stomach with proprietary calm and Bones takes my other side, in a move that surprises and thrills me.Oh the memories it brings back, being sandwiched between these two…
Valentine attempts to climb in?—
“No,” I say.
He freezes. “What? Why?—”
“You worked with the enemy for years,” I say sweetly. “I don’t know why you’re here or what your angle is, but we’re not going back. Go wait with the dead bodies. Call an uber. I don’t care. Reflect. Pray. Beg for absolution of your sins. You’ll need it.”
Nightshade doesn’t argue. He reaches over me and Bones, shuts the door in Valentine’s face, and clicks the lock.
Honey hits the gas.
The vehicle tears down the access road as the facility behind us groans, stutters, and begins its slow mechanical death. Smoke curls up the left side of the façade. A window bursts outward and the ground shakes with the force of the blast. The world trembles like something shedding its skin.
I lean back against the seat and sigh dramatically. “Well. That was exhausting. I deserve a treat.”
Bones glances over at me, his expression knowing and sly. “What kind of treat?”
“The orgasm kind,” I say.
The car swerves as Honey swears. “Jesus – warn a man!”
Hatchet spins and grins at me, mouthing something that I’m assuming translates toI volunteer as tribute.
Bones coughs violently. Ghost goes utterly still, which is his version of blushing. Nightshade makes a sound low in his chest that could resurrect the dead.
“Now?” Bones sputters.
“Wellyes,” I say, offended he even asked. “I spent four weeks being poked and prodded by people with degrees and no imagination. I’ve earned a little positive reinforcement.”
Nightshade turns fully toward me, pupils a blown-black eclipse. “You want someone to touch you.”
“I want several someones to touch me,” I say honestly. “Preferably at once. And I’m choosingnowbecause if we get ambushed later, I’ll be in a terrible mood.”
“I cannot listen to this while operating heavy machinery,” Honey grumbles from the front. “Wait. Please.”
“I absolutely can,” Snow replies.
“Define ‘at once’,” Ghost demands.
Hatchet sighs.
“Drive faster. She’s impatient.” Bones laughs.
Nightshade strokes my thigh once, very slowly. “Who do you want first?”
“Oh, honey,” I purr, patting his cheek. “You think we’re doing thisin the car?” I grin. “No. We go find a hotel. We get a key. And then you all follow me inside like good boys.”
Nightshade’s voice drops to a growl. “And if we’re not good?”
I bare my teeth. “Then I’ll teach you how to be.”
The SUV erupts into chaos. Snow howling and Hatchet laughing silently, Bones stretching his neck like he’s preparing for war, Ghost rolling up his sleeves with quiet intent, Honeymonster begging God for strength, and Nightshade?—
Nightshade watches me like a man who just found religion and wants to sin with it.
I settle back again, satisfied.
