Soren laughs softly, the sound low and satisfied against my throat. “Good boy.”
I don’t really think much of the words until they’re already out of my mouth. “You… saved money for me?”
Soren’s mouth freezes against my neck. His fingers stop moving inside me.Shit, now he knows I must have had my black card.
He lifts his head slowly, dark eyes locking onto mine. “Whogave it to you?”
I swallow hard, an awkward little laugh escaping before I can stop it. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Sorry…”
His pulls his fingers out and grabs my chin instead, lube-slick fingers pressing into my skin. His voice is low and dangerous. “Tell me.”
I whisper it quickly, like ripping off a plaster. “Armen gave the card to Selina… then she gave it to me.”
Soren’s entire body goes rigid. “Fuckers.”
The heat between us vanishes in an instant. He stands, anger rolling off him in waves, and yanks his black robe on with sharp, furious movements. Without another word he storms out of the bedroom, door slamming behind him so hard the walls shake.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
He might actually put a bullet in Armen; no matter how loyal he’s been. I scramble off the bed on shaky legs, heart slamming against my ribs. I hurriedly tug my boxers back up my legs, then snatch the first thing my hand touches: Soren’s blood-stained black button-down lying crumpled on the floor. The moment I pull it on, the fabric swamps me, the hem dropping well past my thighs like an oversized dress. I feel ridiculous, like a child playing dress-up in his father’s clothes. But there’s no time to care; I have to stop him.
Shouting suddenly echoes up from downstairs, sharp and angry. Panic explodes in my chest like a live wire.
I bolt out of the bedroom and fly down the hallway. My bare feet slap against the cool floor as I reach the top of the grand staircase. Without hesitation, I swing my legs over the polished wooden banister and slide down it just like I used to do as a kid at home, heart hammering, shirt flapping around my thighs. The second my feet hit the ground floor with a soft thud, I turn the corner sharply and barge straight into one of the break rooms without thinking, the heavy door swinging open with a loud bang.
Soren has Armen pinned against the wall, gun pressed hard to his skull. Armen is still trying to smile, but it’s strained.
The second Armen sees me he actually laughs. “Sorry, kid.”
“Soren, stop!” I shout, voice cracking.
Selina appears at my side instantly. “Come on, Kitty, let’s leave…”
I gently shove her off. “No.”
“Leave him, Kit. Not when he’s like this,” she warns, but I ignore her and step closer.
Armen coughs. “Kit,leave…”
Soren snarls at him. “Give meonegood reason I shouldn’t put a fucking bullet in your brain. No one goes into my safe. I gave you the code for emergencies only!”
Armen holds his hands up. “I’m sorry, boss…”
My hands tremble as I slowly reach out, hesitating for half a second before my fingers carefully wrap around the arm holding the gun. I slide both hands around Soren’s thick wrist, my grip light and uncertain, like I’m touchingsomething that might explode at any moment. His eyes, dark, cold, and terrifying, drift slowly downward until they lock onto me. The entire room seems to freeze, every breath held in perfect, suffocating silence. I can feel my pulse hammering in my throat as I stand here, small and exposed in nothing but his blood-stained shirt, praying he won’t pull the trigger.
“YouknowArmen is a good man,” I say, voice trembling but steady enough. “He’s yourfriend, Soren. He makes you laugh. He keeps everyone safe. You know you would hate yourself if you hurt him.”
I slide my smaller hand over his, gently guiding the gun away from Armen’s head. Soren lets me; everyone can see it… he’s allowing it. I step fully between them, placing myself in front of Armen.
“You can just change the code,” I whisper. “And… I would like to add, thank you. I enjoyed getting myself some treats.”
Selina tries to help. “Bytreatshe means a new bed and some chocolate.”
Soren snaps his head toward her with a vicious glare. She immediately holds her hands up and ducks her head.
I remember what he said upstairs, how he asked if I would’ve done better if he’d been there. Maybe… maybe he wants that.
I look up at him, trying to smile even though my heart is hammering. “From now on…youcan take me out.”
