Page 41 of Serpent & Saviors

“And if anything ever went to court…if I tried to fight or run…” Her voice broke. “Those tapes would make me look like a monster. He threatened to show them to Declan.”

Rage, white hot, coursed through me. Worse than when the guys and I had found Vanya’s rapists. Deeper than when I’d found the man who’d raped my mother and ended his life. She must have sensed it because she pulled back.

“I’m not a monster. Please, you have to believe me.”

Her shoulders trembled violently, and my eyes met Pasha’s. He shook his head. The poor kid was only beginning to see how evil people could be.

“Victoria, I need to know Declan’s schedule. If I were to send Marcus to pick him up or to intercept him and his nanny, what would be the best option? I need you to think. We have only one shot at this.”

“He’s currently at football camp. They are due home on the same day Cameron is supposed to pick me up.”

“I’ll need a description of both your son and his nanny. We’ll coordinate everything, pick them up before he picks you up.”

Shock coursed through me, and I broke out in a cold sweat, numbing everything except the quiet thrum of hope pulsing beneath it. I never thought I would tell a single soul about the abuse I’d suffered at Cameron’s hands. I thought I would take it to the grave with me.

But now I stood at the edge of something monumental—raw, terrifying, and barely within reach. If they could pull this off, if even half of what they promised came true…I’d be holding Declan again soon.

Even better, I’d get to start over. Not the way people say it when they move cities or get a haircut. I meant really start over—with freedom, with safety. What that looked like, I had no idea, but the relief inside me screamed: finally.

“Would you like more, Tori?” Andrew was at the bar. Pasha had left, and my nerves hadn’t quite settled.

“Yes please, that would be nice,” I murmured, leaning back on the couch, loving the sound of my nickname on his lips.

As I looked deep into the fireplace, I could feel his eyes studying me. I tried to keep my face calm. My mind was racing. A rush of needs I wasn’t even aware I could possess coursed through me. Having agreed to his help, I suddenly felt a boldness I hadn’t ever thought possible.

I tried to warn myself that this was all kinds of wrong. He had a girlfriend. Under lowered lashes, I watched him walk over and sighed. Then, his handsome face was right in front of me, his eyes locked onto mine with a hungry and intense stare. His presence seemed larger-than-life tonight.

He handed me the glass, and I sipped it slowly, savoring the sweet taste. With him sitting so close, I couldn’t keep my eyes from wandering down to his lips. I wanted him to kiss me. Hard. To take away every awful memory I’d shared.

“You’re doing it again,” Andrew stated, humor lacing his voice.

“Doing what?” I asked innocently, setting the glass down on the coffee table.

“Staring at my lips.”

His tongue made a slight appearance on his lower lip, and then his face curled into a big grin. He swirled his drink in his hand. I lowered my eyes and let them trail down his body. Maybe his thought process would extend down further.

If I stared at his cock, would that be enough of a hint without me having to say the words? I wondered what it looked like in my hands. I’d had it inside me twice, so I knew it was thick and long.

There was a burning desire to kneel in front of him and unzip his jeans. To take his cock out and study its every line, maybe even worship it. This was such a foreign concept, though. I never felt anything like this with Cameron. A wave of dirty thoughts crossed my mind. I clenched my thighs together.

“Victoria?” Andrew called my name.

“Huh?”

“I said my eyes are up here,” he laughed as my face flushed with embarrassment.

My eyes crawled slowly up his body to his face once more, getting stuck on his lips. He set his drink down next to mine and took my face softly in one of his large hands.

Leaning in, he whispered, “I warned you before.”

His voice was husky, and then his lips were on mine, soft and gentle, lasting only a tiny moment. The way he rubbed the side of his thumb against my chin had me shivering. He pulled down on my bottom lip, and I opened my mouth to him, accepting what he offered.

His tongue tasted like brandy and cinnamon. His lips were incredibly soft and full. Even the scruff of his beard was soft. My hand found his chest, and I rested my palm there. Lust shot through me when he pulled me closer and kissed me passionately.

My arm wound around his neck as he ran one hand up and down my back. Moving away from my mouth, he kissed down my neck. The air shifted, and the sound of his breathing changed.

It danced against my skin, causing me to shiver in anticipation. The need for more of this man drove me forward. My hand landed on his knee as he once more found my lips.