Chapter 6

Six

Sapphire

F or the first time in my life, I don’t know what to say.

“Krasavitsa, ne davay nam provesti etu noch’ v odinochestve.”

Entranced by the flow and dip of his native language, I stand there and blink up at the one I know as Gregor. Neatly combed hair, his light beard trimmed short with attention to the details. Sexy. Rugged yet refined, too.

“Beautiful, let us not spend this night alone,” the other I know as Lev translates smoothly in a deep voice smoother than warm honey over leather. Tousled dark hair reveals a wild side but the expensive suits tell me they have refined tastes.

With them towering over me it’s impossible to escape the way their heat reaches for me. They have the blood in my veins simmering with lust.

But their pack is incomplete. The third, the true alpha of the trio is still missing.

Overhead lights dim, signaling the start of Belle’s performance. Inside these walls, no one cares about your pedigree. Not a single soul here looks at me and thinks she’s an undertaker, a pawn. Trash.

Especially not these two.

Lev straightens his cuffs, never taking his eyes off me.

“Beautiful? You have a smooth way of sweet-talking to your prey.”

Lev’s well-shaped lips pull back in a smile as Gregor takes my hand in his. Together they move forward and before I know it we are sitting in the booth, each one on either side of me with the table blocking any chances of escape.

“Maybe. But it doesn’t change the facts.”

I get the first mind-warping hit of their colognes. Not overwhelming. Clean, masculine. Fucking intoxicating.

Unforgettable.

Lev is on my left, Gregor on my right.

My hands begin to tremble as their eyes brush over my heated cheeks and the plump pillow of my bottom lip like they want to test the softness.

The Gilded Key Society membership consists of one-percenters known as either key masters or keybearers.

From the rumors I hear my cousin share when he thinks I am not listening, there are secrets about the Gilded Key not everyone is privy to. Key bearers are elite members of society outside these walls, but here their knowledge of the intimate workings of the Gilded Key Society is limited and that is all by design. To a key bearer, The Gilded Key Society is simply an opulent sex club in their favorite cities. A place they can let their fantasies come to life.

Cool.

But to know all the secrets of the Society, one must be a key master——the highest rank within the Society. Those men and women make up the clandestine society within the sex club and hold the real power in Seattle, the establishment in New Orleans. And it’s not far of a stretch to think it is the same way here in Chicago’s new branch. My cousin, Harlon has said empires rise from the depths of the Gilded Key Society and though they haven’t said as much, I can pretty much bet my cousin and his criminal hold a key master spot. Thrones are built by them.

And lost. Key masters are the ones who decide fates, unlock doors and control realms. If that doesn’t describe the Constantine family, my family, I don't know what would.

Those are the members of the Gilded Key Society who hold all the power.

On that note, I have no doubt the Southern Alliance has a place at the key master table too. How could they not?

And where does a key bearer like me stand? Well, I should also say, it’s not only the size of your bank accounts that give you status within these walls. Once you are slipped an invitation key, you’re welcomed into a whole other world apart from the one that exists beyond those doors. In here your fantasies, your kinks, your ability to deliver another’s deepest desires…that’s your currency and value.

Which has me thinking that is the reason these three must be entertaining the idea of seducing me. I’m just a lone woman in a crowd of key bearers made for giving pleasure. It’s easy to pick me out because I’m the only one sitting alone. Simple math. There’s no way they remember me.

It’s been too long and our interaction was minimal at best in their eyes.

For me, the day they were in my cousin’s office trying to work out a peace treaty and expand neutral territory for the benefit of all is the day I discovered I like my men dark and broody.

I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I looked up everything there is to know about the Southern Alliance. In the media they are evil. Responsible for multiple killings and turf wars. They are feared on the streets, considered fair, and don’t go looking for fights. But they will put a bullet in anyone who messes with what they consider theirs. Under them, their territory prospers in ways it did not under Elyah’s father.

Bad blood between our families kept my cousin from forming a deal with them two years ago. A mistake I think he still regrets. The bloodshed between the two alliances is ugly and has cost lives.

They command respect and the acknowledgment they believe is deserved. It’s in the way they keep their shoulders pinned back and their chins angled high. They want others to know they have the power in any room they enter. They are the alphas and everyone else will submit. Two of them together draw the eye of nearby members, both male and female. I can’t imagine the attention all three of them together would garner.

And right now, I’m pretty sure I have a beacon over my head that is blinking the status of my V card in neon colors making me prey in their predatory eyes.

Startling green and dangerously dark. The contrasts are astounding and arousing.

I hold those gazes, unblinking. But inside I’m wrecked. Bands tighter than the world’s strongest steel wrap around the walls of my heart. I scan the room looking for the third of their crew. Dotted among the lounges are mainly trios and quads of men looking to share a woman for a night. Waitresses weave throughout the opulently-dressed crowd. But he’s nowhere to be seen. When I feel brave enough, I let my gaze roam to theirs again.

Speak, Sapph.

I’m locked in place and suddenly I know what Red Riding Hood felt like with the big bad wolf. Only I have two hunting me and their fangs are sharp and deadly.

Through the small gap between them, I see Belle slip into her lover’s arms for a quick cuddle before moving to the stage. I try to ignore the stab of longing but it’s nearly impossible.

“You live your best life, Belle.” I send up a quiet prayer that one day I will know what it’s like to have someone who wants me so deeply. It won’t take her long to find the courage to share her feelings with her men. When that day comes all of them will have happiness most of us can only dream about.

The audience quiets to barely a hushed hum of voices, but absolutely none of this is as important to me as having two-thirds of the Southern Alliance surrounding me.

A callused hand moves over the top of mine where it’s resting on the table. I note a few details I couldn’t notice from across the room.

I lift my chin to look into Lev’s dark eyes. A shadow flickers over his face. Remnants of what I saw a few moments ago when he was speaking with his friend. Pain rakes across his handsome features as if a bad memory drifted across his mind. And then it’s gone.

I thought I knew darkness. But looking into his eyes I see I am not the only one who has a past they rather not speak of.

But he locks his emotions down and the sensual man with the heated cravings returns in full glory.

To say I am not intimidated would be a bald-faced lie. I’m drowning in self-doubt and a lack of experience in the seducing arena. I perceive the heat rolling off their bodies and then it collides with mine. It’s demanding and seductive. Alluring in a way a fire is to a bug.

My gaze roams over our sole connection. The inked skull covering his hand stands out with blackened eye sockets and a white rose flourishing out of its mouth against the backdrop of tanned skin. Tears of blood drip down the ghostly white sides to cover the rose. It’s as beautiful as it is haunting.

The cool metal of his rings creates deep contrast to the heat of his skin.

“We couldn’t help but see you with your friend tonight.” There’s a broad intonation to the way Lev’s words move over his tongue eloquently with his accent. Not too thick, but noticeable all the same. Smooth and deliberate.

He takes my small hand in his larger one and brings it to his lips. Holding my gaze in the low light, he places a kiss atop each knuckle. Slow and methodical.

Nervous of who they are and who I am, I have to remind myself to breathe before I pass out in their arms. While people might know my name here, no one outside of Genesis knows I am the new undertaker and for a good reason. The fewer people who know what I do for a living for the family the better. Especially after the stain of my father’s crimes. Some people in the underworld have long memories.

Make that all of them.

“I hope you don’t mind our joining you.”

Gregor’s voice is smooth as smoke over dark wood. His accent offers hints of his Russian roots as well.

Using the liquid courage courtesy of Don Julio, I sit up a little straighter against the cushioned back. I take a shaky breath and open my mouth. “Mind?” I speak up. The show has started and the casual vibing music is distracting. So are subtle moans and whimpers from the crowd. “You seem to have given me little choice in the matter.”

The sensual husk to my voice is new, but I’m too deep to turn chicken now. I move a little left but when I do, my thigh bumps into the man on my right.

Gregor’s fingers are now moving to gather my hand in his to mirror the way his friend holds my other captive.

Both are wearing flawless suits. Ties snitched up to the throat neatly. Both have black on black and smell like sin rolled in billions of dollars. Crime when committed with the precision of Van Gough pays lucratively and these two have mastered their artistic techniques.

Is it me or did they move closer?

“Gentlemen. Since it seems we will be enjoying each other’s company, maybe telling me your names would be a good start?”

I am not about to admit I know who they are. Their masculine laughs are heavy, intimidating and make my nipples pucker against the softness of my dress. Lev smiles down at me like he’s won the lottery and wants to share his winnings with me.

“Lev. And this is my best friend Gregor. Our other friend will be joining us shortly.”

I drum up a polite smile I reserve for the few times I actually have to deal with people face to face. The one thing I love about this place is that no one bothers you. Unlike dive bars and pubs this place has unspoken rules that make single women feel like queens. A snap of my finger and I don’t care how powerful you are; you are out.

“Three, huh? Where is your friend now?” The feel of Lev’s lips sliding over my knuckles is distracting, but I don’t pull away. I like the warmth and softness of his mouth on my skin.

“He is on a phone call right now. He won’t be long.”

That is Gregor. The fine lines at the edges of his eyes offer hints of his age. If I had to guess mid-thirties. But I know he’s closer to forty. The fine material of his suit moves and molds to the broad form of his shoulders and the thickness of his arms.

God, I love the way his mouth moves when he speaks.

I admonish myself for the thought when I should be focusing on a way to politely excuse myself from between them. Belle would understand if I slip away early.

I need to leave before this goes too far. A little harmless flirting is fine, but these men don’t seem the type to kiss and walk.

My phone rings but I silence it and turn it face down on the table.

“Do you need to get that?”

I pick it up and check the screen. Damn. Harlon. Something tells me if they see the face that goes with the number it would not go over well.

Lev is stroking lazy circles over my thigh where his other hand has come to rest shockingly close to the edge of my dress.

And it feels good. Play it cool , I tell myself.

A waitress comes and removes our glasses. “Anything else,” she asks.

“Not now,” I say. The second she is gone Lev presses a button and the table disappears into the floor. I snatch my phone and put it on my lap.

I clear my throat lightly and flip the phone over to silence. “It can wait,” I answer and give myself a mental pat on the back for sounding calm.

“Good answer.”

I swear I hear a throaty growl of the deep base and sensual chords of music.

“You’re direct,” I quip in retort, proud of how little my voice trembles.

“We’ve seen you here this entire week, dorogaya . Why is it you’ve been alone this entire time?”

I watch intently as Gregor’s lips move with each word. Kissable, biteable. I wonder what his mouth on mine would feel like?

“I’m only here to support Belle.” I hear myself say without paying too much attention. How can I when he presses so close?

“Are you married?” Lev passes the pad of his thumb over my empty ring finger.

I don’t realize I’m moving closer until I can feel the heat of his breath on my face. He considers me for a moment his expression unreadable and then those dark eyes morph from curious to downright wolfish.

“I think that is obvious.” The tip of my lip shoots up in an arrogant smirk. “And no, before you ask, I don’t have a boyfriend either.”

Several details hit me at once. While I’m being pulled in like a moon to its planet, Gregor is falling into the same gravitational pull behind me. Their power, their strength is inescapable. And most importantly, if they take this further, I’ll gladly let them. Their warmth surrounds me. Lust and thirst for a taste of those lips coil deep within.

His gaze darts from my mouth to my eyes and dips again. The tip of his finger traces over the edge of my jawbone before tipping my mouth toward his. “Good, then I can do this.”

I don’t know why, the signs are clear, but his words stun me at first so I am unprepared for the assault of his lips against mine.

Lev takes my mouth in a burning kiss. Shock has my lips parting and a surprised gasp escaping which is exactly what the Russian mobster wants.

Gregor tips my chin higher for his friend, his strong fingers holding me in place. A brush of Lev’s tongue and my lips open wider without my conscious thought.

Primal lust shoots through me. I can’t breathe. Hell, I don’t remember the simple act of taking air into my lungs. And I don’t care. All I can think about is one of the most powerful men of the Southern Alliance has his mouth on mine, his tongue dragging over mine, and his friend holding me for him.

From behind me, warm lips brush over the tender flesh of my neck and I sigh, tilting my head to the side so Gregor has better access.

“Who put these on you?”

Gregor caresses the marks on my throat before eyeing his friend.

“Someone has hurt her.”

Dark brown meets striking blue.

“It’s nothing.” I wave off their concern. “He’s no longer a problem for me.”

“Tell us his name and he will no longer be a problem for anyone. No one touches such a pretty jewel. No one.”

The feel of Gregor’s tongue licking over the tender, bruised flesh has my head falling to the side. He moves up, kisses my pulse point, and nips the flesh of my earlobe.

I gasp and I moan a throaty sound that makes me jolt back into reality.

Soft chords of music drift into our darkened booth and suddenly I remember where we are at.

I sit up, breaking all contact. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” My gaze touches the crowd before us, but I quickly notice there is not a single person looking in our direction. Their gazes are either fixed on the stage or on their partners.

The edges of my dress drag up my thigh. This is it, Sapphire. Do or walk away. “Kiss us,” They husk in unison.

And at that moment my brain clicks off. The I should nots and I cannots cease to exist and for the first time in my life, I let my desires carry me back into the arms of two men.

The club is kept at a crisp sixty degrees but I feel like I’m living inside a cocoon of warmth between both men.

It’s addictive and so welcoming.

Powerful dark eyes collide with mine. Lev and Gregor both reach for me and I take their hands.

Back between them my gut says give in and my body says it’s time. Haven’t I wanted them forever?

Call it contact lust, feel-good vibes, or the tequila, but I shove down the voice of the angel on my shoulder telling me this is a bad idea and kiss my family’s enemies back.

And they taste delicious. Sweet and slightly cool from chilled vodka, I suspect.

First Lev. And then Gregor. I move between them and savor the feel of their hands roaming over my body, their mouths devouring mine. And they don’t stop with just kissing me. They are starving as deeply as I am. I bury my hands in their hair when those mouths work down the sides of my neck, over my shoulders.

The thin wrap-around dress I selected for the evening is nothing for their desires. Nimble fingers work the tie loose. Slack sparkly material falls off my shoulders to pool around my waist to reveal a dainty black silk and lace bra.

“Gorgeous,” Gregor rumbles his appreciation before they both scoop the ample weight of my breasts from their confinements and each latch onto a hard, beady nipple.

“Oh God, that’s incredible.” I jerk from the sudden assault to my senses.

“Have you ever given yourself over to a man’s touch, before, beautiful?” Gregor murmurs, his lips moving over my tingling skin.

An elegant way of asking if I am a virgin. I shake my head and I can feel the heat of my silent admission color my cheeks, but it’s the truth. I’ve never been this intimate with anyone.

“Good. Then when you get addicted to us, you will only seek our touches, our kisses, our cocks to lessen your suffering.”

“Arrogant.”

“Not if it’s the truth.”

Not only does he make it sound like this is the start of something much bigger than a sinful fuck in the back of a dark sex club, but his words come out as possessive.

I don’t think I am ready to admit just how fucking turned on that makes me. The chills and rush of adrenaline that rockets through me are puzzling as much as they are exciting.

“How are you so sure I won’t just disappear into the darkness once you two stop kissing me?”

His gaze is unwavering when Lev rakes those dark eyes to mine. “Never. No one could ever forget a jewel like you.”

All five fingers of Gregor’s hand wrap through the long lengths of my loose hair and my head is turned until only he fills my vision.

“Me, Lev, or Elyah. One of us or all of us will be your drug and your cure. That’s a promise.” The deeper his voice goes, the thicker the accent. He stands and reaches out to close the curtain, sealing us inside our private booth. The moans of ecstasy are muffled beyond the heavy material.

Inside here, the heat is cranking up and the harsh breathing between the three of us shoots wild energy to my core. Like something primitive lives inside me and the sight of these strong forbidden men makes me want to ride them until my body is fully sated.

Any woman with half a brain would sense the darkness rolling off them. See the danger in their eyes. Heavily inked hands can only mean an equally tattooed body. I’ve learned there are only four main reasons a man puts a needle to skin: sin, pain, love, and secrets. Curiosity as to why these two have inked their skin has my mind going crazy with questions.

I reach for Gregor and loosen his tie. In seconds I have the upper buttons of his shirt undone and the top half of his chest revealed to me.

I am right. The ink swirling over taut pecs is breathtaking. I can’t see the fine details in the low light but I know when I can get my tongue over the stars and blackness on his skin I’ll love every second of learning those details.

Lev moves closer behind me and I push my hand beneath the lapels of Gregor’s shirt and pop a couple more buttons.

Holy shit. Muscles ripple and contort beneath my palms as he moves away to lower to the floor. These men don’t kneel for anyone, but the one crowding me and holding my legs wide with his body is on his knees, intent shining in his eyes.

Strong hands move beneath my ass and grip the flesh. One tug and I am flat on my back. My dress rides up and with the material out of the way, there’s little to hide the fact I opted to go commando tonight.

My head lands in Lev’s lap.

“Look, Lev. Our beautiful sweetness is dressed like a woman begging to be licked deeply and fucked thoroughly.” He purrs seductively and then shocks the hell out of me when he says, “I didn’t expect you to be so…irresistible.”

Self-consciously I drop my hands to cover my naked body. Not that I can do much. Both of them pull my hands away.

“Let us see your beauty.” Lev reaches down my body and moves the last bit of dress away from the apex of my thighs to fully reveal my freshly waxed folds. Gregor shifts back slightly and when the heat of his gaze caresses me I grow wetter. He widens my legs and gives a low growl of appreciation at the sight.

I gauge his expression but I don’t know what I am worried about. The light inside the private booth isn’t the greatest but the fixtures on the wall illuminate the glittering need in his eyes.

Unable to stop myself, I trail the tips of my fingers over Gregor’s rough beard. Will it chafe my thighs? Will I love it or hate it?

He slips a finger through my folds and passes the roughened pad over my clit.

His hooded gaze flicks up to mine. “All these sweet juices are for us?”

I whimper, absolutely mortified I can be so wet and slick so fast. I can do nothing more than nod. I mean he’s holding up the evidence of my arousal. I can’t deny it when he…oh God. My eyes go wide. He rubs the pad of his wet finger over my lower lip.

“Taste yourself,” he demands deeply.

I do as instructed.

“Good?”

“Yes,” I quiver, feeling turned on to the max. I’m not walking out of The Society tonight without that orgasm I craved after all.

“No,” he counters and my blood pressure goes wild at the idea he might not like what he sees.

“It’s perfect.”

It’s Lev who makes the next move. “I told you she would be perfect.”

“You did, brother.”

I swallow and try to calm my heart from tearing a hole through me, but they have it racing uncontrollably.

Had they done the same as me? Sat in the back of the mirror room all week craving a tryst with me as deeply as I had with them?

Using two fingers Lev slowly, almost reverently, spreads the wet folds of my pussy. My body jerks and I involuntarily roll my hips. The bead of my clit peeks out and I watch as Lev’s dark gaze takes in the sight.

His friend is more of a doer, though. Gregor drags his tongue from slit to my throbbing nub in one long achingly slow glide.

“Argh!” I cry out and clamp my knees around him. No matter how much I think I am prepared for the delicious burn of his beard, nothing prepared me for the true sensations assaulting my senses.

His criminal use of his tongue combined with the scratch of his beard is borderline torture. Broad shoulders keep me from fighting off the onslaught of fire lashing against my core.

Gregor’s gaze draws past my stomach to land on mine. And I wonder if losing my virginity to two near-strangers is a reasonable fantasy to entertain?

The corner of his lip tips up as if he can read my speeding thoughts. He goes in for more, licking, sucking, and grabbing tender flesh to bite.

I moan and ride his face in slow sways of my hips. Fingers dip under my ass and I am held open like fresh fruit on a Sunday morning. With my legs splayed wide and my breasts bare, I have little control over this situation.

Unfamiliar sensations wind through me. Guilt, pleasure, horror. The mixture is as venomous as it is irresistible.

“Hold her down, moy droog . I am starving.”

This is happening.

Gregor speaks to Lev.

My deep breathing becomes raspy and unrecognizable. “Wait, this is too much. Way too fast.” Inside my head, my brain shrieks brake for God’s sake woman, but my body is overriding that command with floor it, baby !

Strong unyielding fingers draw to my neck and hold me down.

My heart jackhammers. But I realize the feeling is completely different from when Snake Eyes actively tried to shut off my air supply.

But still, instinct brings my fingers up to grab Lev’s thick wrist and I am suddenly on high alert. Everything about these men screams danger. Their intimidating bad-boy reputation, brutish strength, arrogance, and dark looks serve as warnings to keep away.

So why do I find them so attractive?

I narrow my eyes and swing between the two of them. “You should know the last person who tried to put their hands on my throat got a knife in his wrist.”

Lev slips to the floor and puts his face in mine. This close our noses nearly touch. “Don’t threaten us unless you plan on following through.”

I wrench myself back from the cusp of the fantasy of casual sex and latch onto the threatening tone in his voice. It adds a silent layer to his spoken threat. As if to say, if I push him he’d tie me up and do whatever the hell he wanted. Him and his friends.

Gregor rubs my clit mercilessly, yanking a gasp of surprise from me. I’m jerked back to the cusp of our fantasy with two options—go home or give in.

Fuck, what is wrong with me? My cheeks flame and I hate that he can get any kind of reaction out of me with just a finger. “You do not scare me. Neither of you.”

Lev brushes the tip of his nose against mine. “Wrong,” he grunts. “You shouldn’t lie. Not when we can see the fear in your eyes.”

The pressure on my throbbing nub increases and I’m panting. If I were standing right now my knees would be wobbly. It’s hard to hold my anger this close to reaching my climax. I grab Gregor’s wrist but instead of stopping him, I move my fingers over his and help. Warm juices drip from my core to slide down the crack of my ass.

It’s distracting and makes me wonder if they’ll both take me. One in my pussy and the other in my ass.

I shake my head and try to dislodge the vision of my virgin body swallowing both of their hard cocks but I can’t.

I rock my hips and the fingers on my throat tighten one at a time until those white dots from earlier in the day reappear.

I enter a level of bliss as my core tightens and my eyes slip closed.

Tingles run through every cell. There’s not a part of me that doesn’t feel like I am flying. I scream and thrash against them, the sofa. I am close. I hear Gregor’s name as it falls off my tongue but can’t believe it’s my voice.

I can feel my blood pumping through me, the flow carrying my need for release to every muscle in my body.

Lev’s fingers never leave my throat and this time he does manage to steal my breath for himself.

With a kiss.

Between my legs, Gregor slows to a maddening pace making me wait while his friend’s lips move over mine in a searing hot claim. My mouth falls open for him and Lev moves in taking what he wants. Our energies collide, fuse, and break apart to do it all over again.

Isn’t this just like all the fantasies I entertained in the dead of night? Alone in my room. I can’t remember how many times I would finger my clit to the dream of having such powerful men pleasuring my body.

“I need to come,” I beg and whimper. “Please make the pain stop. It burns. The heat. It’s way too much.”

“Come for us, beautiful,” comes a new deep voice. “Be a good girl and drip those juices all over Gregor’s face. Give us what is ours.”

My eyes fly open to land on a piercing set of black eyes. A man cast in deep shadow dressed in an expensive suit, neatly combed hair, and a formidable presence stands over us.

Elyah. He found us.

My body turns molten under the flash of heat in his eyes. His gaze touches every inch of me though his hands are in his pockets. The bulge behind his zipper speaks volumes.

Gregor’s mouth replaces our combined touch. His lips cover the ones between my legs. He pushes the tip of his tongue inside me and then moves to wrap it around my hard, throbbing clit. He bats at it over and over forcing my back to arch off the sofa. But I don’t get far. Lev is there holding me down, stealing my air with his consuming kiss.

Hot and demanding. I lose myself to the pleasure easily falling into the clutches of my impending release.

With a cry, I explode all over Gregor’s face, as commanded. My orgasm rips through me. I arch my back and gasp as my body rolls and shivers with pleasure.

The strong hand on my throat releases and roams down my chest to slide over the curve of my breasts.

He murmurs something in a deceptively soft tone I don’t understand. There’s not a reason in this world why I should feel safe with these three. Either the two and a half margaritas mixed up my signals, or I am messed up in the head. Because despite their killer reputations and criminal ties I feel nothing but pure bliss.

Slowly I find myself panting and my muscles shaky from the powerful release. I melt into the sofa and realize all three men are watching me intently.

Elyah moves in front of me and kneels. No words, only complete thirst, and intent in his glittering black eyes. Gregor moves aside, holding me open for his friend. Locking his eyes on mine, Elyah dips his head and passes his tongue through my release.

The shock is breathtaking. Instant and binding. I want more. But he seems in more control than me because he is already pulling back and licking his lips.

Oh…that is sexy as hell.

My hair drapes over a shoulder and he fingers the ends before brushing the tips across my overly sensitive nipple.

He plunges his tongue into my core and I feel like I could easily be taken to the edge again.

He swirls, dips, and slides a finger in. My walls stretch to accommodate his thick finger in a delicious pinch that shoots through me to my elbows.

“Has she told you her name yet?”

My blood chills. I’d hoped they would overlook the small detail of me not returning the same courtesy of offering my name. I should have known better. Reality is a bitch. The second release I hoped for fizzles.

“Not yet, but we haven’t given her a chance to talk too much.”

The smugness in Lev’s tone is palpable.

Do they know? My deep breathing turns shaky and ragged.

“Such dishonesty should be punished.” Three sets of eyes pin me to the sofa. I swallow past the lump of knotted fear in my throat.

Yep. They know.

I jerk my chin high and infuse my tone with the truth. “In my defense, you went straight to kissing me and never asked. Besides what does it matter?”