I traced a finger over the still smooth skin, my heart hammering.
One day.
Ava’s eyes fluttered shut, a small smile tugging on her parted lips.
Oh, my baby knew me better than anyone. She knew exactly what I craved to do.
My cock twitched.
And she would let me.
“I get to do it first. Right here,” she mused, trailing her fingers over my heart. “With your knife.”
I moaned. This fucking woman would be the death of me. That touch of depravity in her sang to my corrupted soul.
Those first few years I had watched her, I’d thought she was nothing but light. A beacon of hope shining brightly amidst the shittiest of humanity. And although that was still true, since getting closer to her I could see her darkness too. That samedarkness that beat through my veins. That lust for danger and excitement. That addiction that only the underworld could satiate.
“I’m yours, baby. You can do whatever the hell you want to me.” She could mark every inch of me, and I would wear it proudly. God, I would let her cut my heart out if that was what she craved. As long as she was happy. If my princess was happy, my world would continue to turn. My life would have meaning.
I dropped my head to the crook of her throat, inhaling deeply. Goosebumps prickled the back of my neck, traveling down my body. Shit, I swear her scent made me some kind of high. My skin went all tingly and my heart all gooey. It was fucking madness.
I swallowed the emotions down so my brain could start functioning again.
Get a hold of yourself. Your girl is expecting a fucking of a lifetime. So focus. Don’t disappoint her.
I made the mistake of breathing again and her scent washed over me, making me weak. I accepted my fate and gave into it, closing my eyes and enjoying it.
Ava shifted her head to look at me. I loved it when she looked at me. I had perfected the art of reading people, but Ava had always been easy, no skill needed. Her eyes were so expressive I could almost see her every thought in them. And when she thought of me, it made my stomach flip. Every single time.
Right now, she was a little concerned about me for some reason, but mostly she was turned on, with a tad of awe as she inspected my face.
“You okay, Gray?”
I gave her, her favourite smile and watched her pupils dilate and her breathing pick up, coming a few milliseconds faster. “I’m perfect, baby. Just enjoying your smell,” I confessed. “You smell like home, Ava.”
Her eyes fluttered beautifully, her cheeks flushing a darker shade of pink, making my cock twitch again.
She felt it and arched against me. Fuck, I loved that. My whole body went hot.
I kissed her slow, taking my time. Exploring her warm mouth, reclaiming it as mine. My hands roamed her body, inspecting every familiar contour, line, texture. I could feel the difference in her body from the last time I mapped it—that excruciating day I had to leave her.
She was thinner now, the softness of a well-loved woman, gone. And I was adamant on fixing it. My princess would be red-cheeked and glowing by the end of this month, I swear to God. She would be happy again. As long as my heart was beating. Even after it stopped. I would rip Death to shreds if he tried to take me away from her.
Ava’s moan rippled through my body as I clasped her hands above her head. She felt so good beneath me.
The new callouses on her palms I enjoyed. It was from handling guns more. From fighting. It was one thing I appreciated about the pup. When I wasn’t there anymore, he continued to teach her how to defend herself.
I already planned a sparring session for tomorrow, unbeknownst to her, to check on her progress. While lying low,thatwould be our focus—preparing her for the underworld she was about to step foot in.
I had made peace with her being in the dangerous underbelly of the beast, but I would make sure she could take care of herself. Like I’d done for Gem.
When I was done with her, Ava would be able to take on a school of men and sever every one of their fucking limbs without breaking a sweat. And I would laugh and cheer, watching it.
She already had that fight in her, that killer instinct. She was a natural. An easy student.
And God, she would take the underworld by storm. I never cared for that title, but Ava? She was born to be its queen. She didn’t see it yet, but I’ve been seeing it, clear as day these last couple of months. I was stupid to be so scared for her. To try and keep her away. No, this was fucking destiny. And I couldn’t wait to see my baby step into her power.
Ava pushed me over onto the bed, straddling me, frustrated by my slow exploration. And my balls tightened. It was fucked up, but I enjoyed her frustration. And her anger. And her hate. I had no idea why.
