I shrug. “That’s a given.”
“I think we would’ve ripped apart hell itself.“
“No one has ever wanted to keep me.” I bite my lower lip, my chest squeezing. “Not like this. Plants don’t count. And no one’s ever giving a damn about me. I have hidden away for years. Out of sight, out of mind.”
“Out of sight ofwho? Out of mind ofwho? Briella…” He takes my hand, swallowing it with his big ones before kissing my knuckles.
Bad memories start to creep in, but I push them down. “Don’t ask me right now, Jude.” I shake my head softly. “I’ll answer soon. Just not now.”
Silence thickens between us. I run my fingers along Pew Pew’s fur. He’s still little. Barely over a baby, so his fur is soft.
I sigh heavily, trying to explain, even though I barely understand it myself. “Call it what you want. Sick. Twisted. Fucked beyond everything. Maybe it is Stockholm. Maybe it’s insanity. But when Raphael shot that arrow in me…and I was naked and writhing in the mud, cold and cracked open—something happened in me.Not hope. Not love. Just…proof. That I waswanted.That someone would come after me, evenwith violence. Someone wanted to hurt me, mark me, drag me from the trauma because Imatterthat much. No one’s ever done that. No one’s ever stripped me bare and looked at my crazy, damaged self and said,‘Mine anyway.’
“So yeah…maybe it’s fucked up,” I go on, stroking my skunk’s fur. “But I’ve never wanted to be anywhere more than here, in this chaos, with you, with all of this. And honestly?” The corners of my lips tug up, steady. “I could go for a few more days of worship.”
Jude chuckles, his fingers stroking my jaw. “Rest assured, worship will happen. But remember the bargain regarding your beautiful breasts, as some torment will also apply.”
“ Oh, Lord.” I bury my burning face in my hands, then hug my arms over my chest instinctively. “What the hell are you planning?”
“Nothing you can’t handle, Babydoll.”
“What happens now?”
“Now? We tell the others.”
I’m notsurprised that Rory is the first to arrive. He’s the fastest.
But Iamsurprised that he bursts in, practically lunging, eyes wide and brows lifted. When I laugh softly, he seems to catch himself, casually stuffs his hands in his pockets, and leans against the door, pretending he doesn’t care. Typical.
“Aww, were you worried about me, big Red?” I taunt with a wink.
He straightens, gets that pressed lips frown, and snorts, “Just confirming that the annoying little Firecracker woke up. Because the pest is goin’ to have a goddess complex now, and I’ll never get any rest.” Sarcasm drips from his mouth, but I still notice that smirk and the glint in his eye that seems more relieved than hungry.
Seth comes in next. And he rushes over to my side. “Briella Darling!” He snatches up my hand and kisses it. “How are you? How do you feel? Are you all right?” He barrages me.
“What oh, hold up there, you big baby.” I poke his chest. “I still need to tell Rory to get me some damn food. Something I can keep down.” I turn to him with my best burning glare. “And if it has laxatives in it, I will be more than an annoying pest with a goddess complex. I will summon the biggest, baddest demon that no priest or god could exorcise. “
Rory rolls his eyes at me while stroking his beard. “Too late for that, Firecracker. Already got a bunch of demons inside me.”
I grin wickedly. “I didn’t mean for you.”
For once, he shuts up. He avoids my face. But after everything that happened, I know he won’t fuck with me while I’m still healing. Raphael and hell,allof them would beat his ruddy ass.
I’m sure we’ll go back to our normal dynamic after. It’s not like he is going to change. And I wouldn’t want him to. As he said, we feed off each other. Like the spark lighting the firecracker fuse, and he pokes the feminine beast inside me until I snap and bite him. Then, he turns into a kinky bastard, ties me up, uses toys on me, and eats my ass.
Rory walks away without another word, right as Vincent steps in. Even from here, he smells of hay and animal musk. Pieces of straw cling to his hair. He’s still wearing his hoodie, like always. But right after he glances at me, he glances at Jude.
I remember how Jude told me I could still watch. Maybe not the first time, but I’m really looking forward to that.
Regardless of the smell, I smile up at Vincent when he touches my cheek. It’s a different way from Jude. Jude uses his knuckles. Sometimes Raphael does too.
“I need a shower.” Vincent shakes out his hoodie.
Jude takes him by the arm when he passes by. I love the flash of desire and intimacy in their faces. “Don’t take all the hot water. Short shower, Vincent. After Briella eats, I will give her a bath.”
“I’ll get her another dress,” Seth volunteers, and I nod my gratitude.
Something gray catches my eye, peeking out from under the other pillow. Knitting my brows, I reach under the pillow, and I can’t help the amusement rippling through me. Because it’s Rafael’s cap. It’s been waiting for me this whole time. Picking it up, I find a note tucked under it. It’s from Raphael. Not surprised that it’s only two words.Gone hunting.
