“No.”
I glared at him, meeting fiery emerald orbs. “Let go of me now or I’ll scream.”
“You think that would stop me?”
A ripple of fear inched up my spine, but I shoved it down. Killian was capable of a lot of depraved things, but he’d never force himself on me, not after all the shit I’d been through. Even if he didn’t believe it was his stepfather.
“You’re still mine, Red. Regardless of everything.”
“If you think I’m going to let you fuck me ever again, you’re delusional, Kill.”
He clucked his tongue, a wicked grin curling the edges of his lips. “I remember you saying I’d never fuck you at all, and look at us now.”
“Yeah, look at us. I’m a hot mess and you’re a step away from becoming a full-blown sociopath.”
“And still your cunt weeps for my cock.” He glanced between our bodies and fuck me, he was right. My pussy was rubbing against his erection beneath the bubbles.
But she wasn’t in charge. I was.
Drawing in a steadying breath, I forced out the words. “The only way you’ll ever get to fuck me again is if you agree to at least consider that it was Stan that day. That you do some research now that you have the many resources of your greatfraternity. You were right before, we’ve been dancing around this thing between us for too long, but I can’t do this. Iwon’tdo this unless you give me something in return.”
His hands closed around my hips, fingers digging into my flesh in a punishing grip. “You think I would blow up Stan’s life, blow up my own life for your pussy?” Anger carved into his jaw.
I pressed my hand to his chest, to the blackened heart surrounded by chains and barbed wire, and he shuddered beneath my touch. I kept it there for a long moment without moving.
“Yeah, I think you might,” I finally whispered. “Not for my pussy. But forme.”
He shook his head, the moment of vulnerability gone. That cold expressionless mask slipped back on. “Do you have any idea how many sorority girls throw themselves at me every day?”
I shrugged, calling him on his bluff. This toxic thing between us was only getting stronger. If I couldn’t fight it, I doubted he was faring any better.
“By all means, be my guest and fuck all those sorority whores. I swear to you, Killian, I’ll never let you touch me again until you at least look into the truth.” I rocked my hips, running his thick shaft across my center. He let out a satisfying groan. “But if you think you can do better...”
The tendon in his jaw fluttered to life. “Damn you, Red. I’m going to fuck that disobedient streak right out of you once I prove you wrong.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I attempted to stand again, but Killian’s unyielding arms kept me locked in place.
“I own you, Lexi, every broken, shattered piece. I’m going to indulge you this one thing for the sake of our past, but understand this:you are mine. No one else will ever touch you again, despite how this turns out.”
I nodded slowly. The fucked-up thing was that I didn’t want anyone but Killian to touch me anyway. And a part of me needed to believe that if he did discover it was Stan who hurt me, he’d make the bastard pay.
CHAPTER 37
A SPECIAL BRAND OF PUNISHMENT
KILLIAN
The manila envelope taunted me from the bed as I paced my room at the Sigma Delta house, my boots wearing a trail in the polished hardwoods. Stan knew the blackmail information I stole was bad enough to kill for. Why else wasn’t he surprised when I told him one of Banks’ men hunted me down?
Since I’d entered this world of secrets and corruption, I’d been in plenty of dangerous situations, but no one on the outside had gotten caught in the crossfire until now. And it almost killed Lexi.
I jammed my fingers through my hair and halted at the edge of the bed. I gave her my word that I’d investigate Stan. She was certain I’d discover her accusations were true all along. And I was certain I’d prove her wrong.
At least, I had been.
Now, I wasn’t as confident. Looking back on my life as a Davenport, I focused on the small details I initially ignoredfor the sake of my mom’s happiness. Money and power had also clouded my judgment. When you came from nothing and suddenly had the world at your fingertips, you’d pay nearly any price to keep that.
Had I paid a higher price than I’d thought?
