Chapter Twenty-Four

EVA

The time out with Nycto made me feel better about this whole situation. Though my anger about how he handled everything is still there, when I look at the bigger picture, I’m here with Ivy, and we’re safe. And honestly, that’s all that matters.

I could stay mad at everyone for deceiving me, but what would it achieve other than me being in a foul mood for the rest of my life? I need to let it go.

Nycto took a step tonight. He tried to make me feel better, even though it was dangerous. He put my needs before everything. I’m not na?ve enough not to understand the consequences. He put himself and his club on the line for me to feel at ease.

I won’t forget that.

I knew the second we arrived back at the club something was wrong. He didn’t tell me, but the way he was trying to lose that car behind us makes me think he believes something is amiss. It’s why he’s gone to do club business, and I’m down here with Ivy, not that I mind. After believing she was lost to me, I’ll spend as much time with her as I can, even if that time is spent sitting on her sofa painting my toenails.

I layer another coat on my big toe while Ivy is fussing about with her bed, fluffing her pillows. She seems so settled down here like this is the only place she wants to be. I personally don’t understand it. The place creeps me the hell out, but if this is where she finds her peace, then so be it.

“Do you think I’ll be allowed out on a ride at some point?” Ivy asks as she punches a pillow, trying to maximize the fluff.

I shrug, dipping the brush into the red polish. “I get the feeling Nycto was only doing it to appease me. I’m not even sure if I’ll be allowed to go back out again.”

Ivy pouts. “Shame. I’d love to experience the power of a bike.”

“It was amazing. I guess we’ll just have to stay in and get fat on Trixie’s delicacies.”

Ivy’s eyes widen. “I know, right? She really is a crazy good cook. I should get her to teach me some stuff.”

“We should have a cooking class with the three of us.”

“ So much yes. We could teach her some recipes from Cuba.”

Cuba . Not home .

Footsteps grab our attention, and we turn to the brick wall as two short knocks sound, then it pulls open before Ivy can respond.

That’s another thing I’ll never get used to down here—not having a visible door.

Void stops in the doorway, his eyes widening when he spots me. “Sorry, Eva, didn’t realize you were down here. I’ll come back.”

Ivy walks over, dragging him inside the room. “No, stay. We were chatting about how good Trixie’s cooking is.”

Void looks from Ivy to me like he’s uncomfortable being in here with me. Like I’m intruding on his time with her or vice versa. It makes me wonder if there’s more to their friendship than even he is aware of.

“Her Cuban sandwiches are to die for,” I add, trying to break the tension as he shifts on the seat he just sat on.

I haven’t spent a great deal of time with Void. To be honest, he’s generally with Ivy, so I can’t read what’s going through his mind.

“You’re doing that quiet thing you do. You don’t have to be shy around Eva. She’s just like me,” Ivy offers, placing her hand on his knee.

Void tenses. He’s usually quiet, but he’s opened up around her.

That’s a good thing.

I have to leave.

Void has come down to talk to her for a reason, and I know he won’t open up in front of me.

“Hey, I need to go check on something. I’ll come back later, okay?”

Ivy pouts as Void’s eyes flicker with something.

He definitely wants me to leave.

“Okay, I’m out.”

“I’ll be here. Come back when you’re ready,” Ivy gushes.

“I still can’t grasp why you like it down here, Ivy. That wind… it’s like the walls are moaning all the time. Gives me the creeps.”

Void sits taller while Ivy snorts out a laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous. Anyway, I don’t even know why I like it. It just feels good. Like home.”

She’s right. This place is like home now. When I first got here, I had no idea I could wrap my mind around actually liking this place so much I would want to stay, but it’s where I’m at.

Leaving the bunker, leaving Nycto … both those thoughts are abhorrent to me now.

I take off in search of Nycto and find him sitting with Spark at the bar. Making my way over to him, I can’t help but overhear their conversation as I approach.

“It’s gotten really crazy over in California, Pres. The fires are rampant. It’s chaos on the West Coast. With my family over there, I need to head back and make sure everyone is safe. Disaster Response is also calling all hands on deck , so I can’t turn my back on my job,” Spark urges.

Nycto slaps him on the shoulder. “I understand. Go for as long as you need.”

“I gotta deal with paperwork and shit, but I’ll keep you informed.”

Nycto dips his chin. Spark exhales as if a calm washes over him. I may not understand his need to be near fires, but if it’s his calling, then good on him for fighting that fight.

I take the opportunity to slide into the spot Spark vacated. “That sounds interesting.”

“Spark’s trained in disaster response. We’re not sure exactly what he does other than firefighting.” His fascination for fires goes deeper than I think any of us can understand. It’s a primal thing for him. I get it… how something haunts you. “And he has family there, so if he needs to go help in California, he should. We have a Defiance Chapter over there where he can stay. They’ll take care of him while he’s fighting the good fight.”

“I know we’ve had a rough day, but underneath it all, you’re a good man, Nycto.”

He snorts out a laugh. “Not everyone would agree with you.”

I reach out, taking his hand in mine. “Well, I see you. I was cold with you before, but I see the good man you’re trying to be.”

Our fingers lace together. “Trying doesn’t always work. Sometimes I fail.”

“At least you tried. That’s the main thing.”

His eyes meet mine. A buzz fills the air every time he looks at me this way—like he wants to devour me. The room disappears. It’s just him and me, sitting and staring at each other.

“You’re gorgeous,” he murmurs under his breath.

I break my eyes from his, focusing on the reason I came searching for him. “Did you know Void and Ivy are… connecting?”

He raises his brow. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I was down there just now, and Void came in looking for Ivy. He was uncomfortable with me there. I know he likes her.”

“Void feeling something for anyone but himself? Impossible. It’s why he’s called Void.”

“Didn’t you say the same about you before I came along?”

His expression drops as he absorbs what I’ve just told him. “You think there’s something more going on?”

“Maybe not yet, but there’s something brewing.”

“Figures. I suppose he was tasked with protecting her twenty-four-seven.”

“So, you think their attraction was Stockholm syndrome? Is that what happened to us?”

He narrows his eyes on me. “No. With us, it was the moment I saw you, Eva. It’s why I took you. I felt a pull to you the second I laid eyes on you. It’s the only reason we’re the way we are now. Pure chemistry… even if I did have to wait for you to get the memo.”

“And you’ve never felt that for any of the other women you’ve transported?”

“You know I haven’t. Where’s this coming from?”

Honestly, I have no idea. “How can I be assured you won’t abandon me for the next girl who takes your eye?”

“You can’t, and I won’t make promises. I’m not that guy, Eva. I ain’t no saint, so don’t make me out to be something I’m not.” I tense further. “But what I will say is no one has ever taken my attention the way you did that night, the way you still do. I can’t promise you forever, but for you, Eva, I want to try.”

My heart rapid-fires in my chest at his blatant honesty. I want to cry, but I hold it together. “So, I was worth it? All this trouble?”

Nycto stands abruptly, his eyes hard and the vein in his neck throbbing. “Come with me.” His hand grips mine as he yanks me through the clubhouse so fast I can hardly keep up. My feet take two steps to every one of his. He enters the hall, then pushes open his bedroom door. He pulls me through, then slams the door shut with a hefty bang.

I jump a little at his aggression. He turns to face me, his hands coming up either side of my face as he pushes me back against the door with a thud. “Listen and listen good… you’re worth every. Damn. Thing. I don’t know what has you doubting yourself, but I’m going to prove to you I don’t regret any of this.”

His lips slam against mine, taking no prisoners. His tongue slides into my mouth, and any doubt I had evaporates in an instant. I’m not sure why it was there to begin with. It’s been an emotional day. I guess I’m all over the place.

Right now, I need Nycto to make me feel good.

He grips me hard and pulls me farther into the red-hued room—the place I’ve come to think of as my home, a home I share with him.

Nycto pushes me to sit on the bed. He bends, his eyes on mine as his hand slides in behind my head to grab hold of my hair. He tugs my head back, pulling my face up to meet his as I let out a gasp at the same time his lips capture mine. Sparks erupt inside my body. I can’t explain why, but I love his roughness with me.

My hands slide up under his leather cut then pull it down over his shoulders. He places it neatly to the side of the bed as I reach under his shirt, lifting it over his head. It cascades to the floor, and he moves in, pushing me back on the bed, his body pressing on top of mine as our tongues collide frantically.

My legs wrap around his waist as he grinds into my pussy. My clit is throbbing so damn hard I can hardly contain myself. He kisses me so full of need, so full of lust, I find it difficult to breathe.

We rock against each other as desperation fills me. I need to feel him. I want him so bad I don’t even care about all the other shit around me. My hands move in between us, and I fumble for his belt. He shifts his weight to allow me to undo it. I jerk down his zipper, then yank his jeans over his ass.

We’re both panting as he shifts his weight enough for me to grab my leggings, working them down and sliding them off one leg at a time. The tip of his cock sits on my stomach, and I can’t wait. I simply need him. So, I yank my panties to the side as I edge him closer to me. He agrees with the quick pace as I angle him to my opening.

I need this to be quick, hard, and fast.

As if reading my mind, Nycto wastes no time thrusting inside me. We both moan aloud at the delightful friction it causes. He thrusts deeper, hitting that spot just right, exactly like he knows how to.

I throw my head back. “God, yes,” I cry out as he slams into me.

Powerful.

Deep.

Satisfying.

He fills me so perfectly.

It’s like we’re made for each other in every way possible.

My body tingles all over as he kisses my neck, his teeth grazing my skin each time he forcefully drives inside me. The energy surging through the room is palpable. It’s flowing through us, igniting the air, and I burn with the heat it’s producing.

There’s no denying what Nycto and I have is more than merely an attraction. Our connection is more than physical. Sure, it’s part of it, but the bond is solid when we are joined like this. I feel it right down to the very essence of me.

He thrusts again, the mattress dipping like a soft sponge as we rock together. My body reacts to Nycto like he’s my lifeline. He drives again, so hard and fast it sends a shock wave through my very core, making my back arch. My fingers clench into his skin. My breathing is rushed and harsh. I try to catch my breath but to no avail. My skin is covered in a fine mist of sweat as flashing lights dance behind my eyes. He thrusts again, and it’s all I need for him to send me over the sweet edge.

Fireworks explode across my nerve endings, sending a wave of pleasure through me.

“Nycto… God… yes,” I blurt out as my pussy grips like a vise around his cock.

His muscles tense, and he stills, his balls pulling up as his hot cum explodes inside me. We pant, his body collapsing on top of mine. He supports his weight, but only slightly, with his head sitting in the nook of my shoulder.

“Jesus, Eva, you kill me.” He slowly shifts to lie beside me.

“In a good way, I hope?” I murmur as he wraps his arm over my stomach.

“In the best possible way. There might be trouble brewing, but I’d do it all again to have you here with me.” Nycto leans in and gently kisses my shoulder as I close my eyes, relaxing and taking in this moment with him.

I’m unsure what trouble might be heading our way, but if it means we can stay in this bubble together, I’ll welcome it.