Page 40

“I really am sorry,” he tells me again.

Pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes, I take a deep breath. “I know you were trying to help.”

He hangs his head, and I straighten up and grab him by the jacket, then pull him in closer so I can wrap my arms around him.

I might not have a job, but right now, in his arms, I feel like everything will be okay.

Chapter Sixteen

Noa

I push the door open to Cipher’s shed, noting that it’s weird that it’s closed during the day. I’m worried that we haven’t heard from Valli in almost a week after Cipher got her fired. Though it really wasn’t his fault—I would have done a lot worse than punch the asshole in his face. I suggested we go back and teach him a lesson, but Cipher vetoed that idea, saying that we would scare her away. He argued she needs time to cool down.

I stop walking, blinking frantically, while my brain catches up to what I’m seeing.

Cipher’s wrists are bound above his head, the rope looped over one of the ceiling beams. Cave is behind him, his large hands gripping tight to Cipher’s slim waist.

“Oh, come on,” I whine. “Why was I not invited to this party?”

Cave doesn’t stop; he continues to fuck Cipher with brutal force.

“Is it only a group activity when Valli is involved?” I ask. “Is that a rule? Because I want it known that I actually enjoy my butthole being touched. I didn’t think I would, but I have changed my mind after experiencing it.”

Cave growls.

“I’m just saying,” I continue.

Cipher moans, and his head drops forward. Whatever Cave is doing has him gasping, and I’m officially jealous.

“Oh god . . . Shit!” Cipher cries, and then he comes apart. A few seconds later, Cave finishes with a growl that vibrates through the entire shed.

I clap because that was great. “That was beautiful, really. I would give it a nine out of ten. You lose a point for not inviting me.” Cave shoots me a look I can only explain as murderous. “Anyway, Ares and Clay want to talk to us now-ish. And Clay used his serious voice.”

Cave’s posture changes; his shoulders drop a smidge, and his jaw goes hard. It’s almost as if the air around him stills. He reaches up and works the rope free from Cipher’s wrists and helps him down.

“I vote we use the rope for Valli next time. Wouldn’t that be fun? Taking turns—oh, and we could spin her around. Maybe you should both get dressed. As much as I enjoy looking at you naked, I’m not sure Clay and Ares would appreciate it.”

I play with the rope while they get dressed, tying it into a noose and slipping my head through the loop.

Cipher comes out and races over to me. He punches me in the arm and rips it off from around my neck. “Don’t even joke about that,” he hisses.

I rub my arm. Damn, the guy has a good fist on him. “Sorry, I wasn’t trying to hurt myself, but asphyxiation might be something I want to try.”

Cave walks over and wraps his hand around my neck and squeezes.

“Yep,” I wheeze. “My dick is hard.”

Cave releases me and shakes his head.

“You are both insufferable,” Cipher mutters, but he’s smiling while he says it, then tugs his shirt down over his head.

“I prefer the term delightful, but I will accept insufferable as a close second.” I drop the rope, coiling it properly this time, and hang it back on the hook by the bench. I know Cipher will absolutely lecture me about proper tool care if I don’t. “So what do you think Clay and Ares want?”

“They probably have the information we need,” Cipher responds, pulling on his jacket.

Cave doesn’t say anything, but he’s already moving toward the door before either of us notice.

“Hey,” I say, falling into step beside him as we head out. “You good?”