Chapter 12

Sky

12

Ariana has been with us for over a month now.

It is taking longer than we originally anticipated but it is our fault entirely. We are getting too close to her, and we can't help it. We can't stop, and we can't pull away. All we're able to do is watch our backs as we spend our nights in her arms, buried deep inside her. Well, Kendric and me, anyway. Raylan is struggling, but we can tell it's mutual. We know that Ariana has what it takes to become ours—someday. In the meantime, all we can do is wait.

But the main problem is still there to haunt us, to hold us back.

She's Henry David's daughter, and the authorities are still looking for her. We've averted three raids thus far, and we've got enough accurate intel to know when the sheriff and the Everton PD have cars assigned to watch over the clubhouse.

We still have friends in the system, and we intend to use every single rope they give us to our advantage. But there's another key element at play here—we've yet to hear from certain allies, powerful people who also operate in the shadows and who might be able to help us turn the tide in our favor.

The Black Hand grows stronger with each passing week, but David's increasingly erratic behavior is causing waves within the organization. It's only a matter of time before they turn against him, or he turns against them. In the meantime, we're taking advantage of the limbo. But it will expire soon. And we will have to make the next move, whether we like it or not.

"We should tell her the whole truth," Kendric says, his voice low so as not to be overheard.

We're seated at our usual corner booth in the clubhouse. It's pretty busy tonight due to a big game playing on the TV, but our members are alert and ready for anything. They play the part of the host impressively well while the prospects take turns hanging out in the parking lot and distracting the surveillance detail that Everton PD sent our way. Ariana is upstairs, likely still sulking and wondering when this will end.

"She's losing patience, and I can't blame her," I reply, absent-mindedly staring at my whiskey, about to down the whole thing. I chew on the melting ice, feeling its cold crunch between my teeth. "You're right, Kendric. We should talk to her about this. About all of it."

"Are you sure?" Raylan asks, unable to conceal his doubt. "She might not be ready."

"Technically speaking, we won't know if she's ready unless we are completely honest with her," I say. "She's been around us for long enough, Ray. She knows us better than most people. She understands that we have no intention of harming her."

"Isn't that what we're doing though?" Kendric scoffs, shaking his head slowly.

It's the guilt talking. We've been over this before. "I think we just need to explain everything. At least then it won't be so weird for her," I reply. "Maybe she's into it. She's into Raylan, for sure."

"We went about it the wrong way," Raylan says.

"She was a virgin, for fuck's sake. It wasn't even supposed to happen the way it did," I snap. "We lost control."

"She lost control," Kendric sighs.

"Are we going to mope about this until it blows up in our faces?" Raylan asks. "No, Sky's right, man. We just need to clarify everything. Explain what we're like. Explain how we live, how we see a relationship unfolding between us … that is if she still wants us once she knows the truth."

"And if we're still alive when it's all over," Kendric ruthlessly reminds us. "We're swimming in shark-infested waters, fellas, and it isn't looking good."

"Speaking of," I briefly check my phone for any new messages from one of our sources. "I hear the Black Hand is discussing a possible move to help David get Ariana back."

"What does that suspect list of his look like these days because he hasn't been able to get his people upstairs again," Raylan replies.

I can't help but smile as I lean back in my seat and let my gaze wander around the clubhouse for a few moments. It's nice to see so many people enjoying themselves. They don't have a clue about what goes on upstairs, about what goes on in the shadows of this city. They choose to look away and pretend it doesn't exist. Why worry about conspiracies and cabals? We're doing that for them.

"It's narrowing down," I say after a while. "And it's not looking good for us since we're still on it. Granted, David has an old bone to pick with us."

"What about our lawyers?" Kendric asks. "How long before the injunctions expire?"

"We've got days, maybe. Tops."

"We will have to move Ariana then," Raylan concludes, his brow furrowed with concern. "She'll have questions. She'll fight us on it."

"Then we'll talk some sense into her if we have to," I say.

"Did you not notice how hardheaded and proud she can be?" Raylan chuckles softly.

It's what makes her so goddamn attractive in the first place. That sparkling pride will be the end of her when the three of us finally claim her as our woman. It's a matter of when, not if, and I admit I'm looking forward to that moment. Unless something drastic happens first. The possibilities are there, each nastier than the other. We sure picked the wrong fucking time to fall for the woman.

"She also has a better understanding now of who her father is," I say, "which is why I think it's time for us to spill it all. We tell her everything, and then we move her."

"Sounds like a plan, but don't forget we've been known to fumble details along the way," Kendric replies.

"It has to be like this. Fate is trying to tell us something; I just wish I knew what that was," Raylan grumbles and finishes his scotch, eager to pour himself another double. We have a whole bottle to share between us, and the night is still young. "We've got a sexy problem waiting for us upstairs and an ugly one watching us from outside. But we can't postpone dealing with either one any longer, or else we will hang for this long before we manage to do anything against the Black Hand."

An hour later, we've got enough liquid courage burning through our veins to make our way upstairs. It wasn't like this before. The three of us used to be unstoppable. Whatever we wanted, we took it. No hesitation, not a single inkling of fear, and no regrets whatsoever. It's different with Ariana, not just because of who she is but also because of her incredible character.

We went into this headfirst.

The plan was to abduct the mayor's daughter, likely a spoiled brat who'd have to spend a couple of weeks in the room upstairs while we moved specific pieces across the chessboard—just enough to get Henry David to slip and turn on his Black Hand buddies.

But Ariana is a scrumptious piece of work, and the longer she stays with us, the more we can enjoy her. The feeling is mutual, and it's growing stronger every damn day. It has become impossible to resist or control. We're giving into it, losing ourselves in the process.

Postponing entire operations. Biding our time. Wondering if we should bring her into the loop and see how she feels about betraying her own father. Part of me knows we're dreaming, perhaps too wild and too big for our britches, but we have to try. Our hearts demand that we try because we've never met someone like her before.

I doubt she knows what she's truly capable of, but we do. We see it in everything she says and does, even when she's completely blind to it.

"What's up?" Ariana asks, looking surprised to see all three of us as we enter her room. "Is something wrong?"

"No," I say. "Can we talk?"

She gives the three of us a worried glare, paralyzed beside the barred window. I assume she's confused and startled by this formula, given everything that we've been doing over the past few weeks. But Ariana nods slowly. "Yeah."

There isn't a particular method for broaching such a sensitive subject. Kendric, Raylan, and I have agreed to go straight into it, present her with our needs and wants, and see how she reacts. Some things cannot be said, but they can be shown. Given how receptive Ariana has been to each of us, I dare hope this will lead somewhere with clarity and completion.

"I guess by now you're aware that we know about each other," I say to Ariana.

Her expression sets my heart on fire, and I would give anything to make her feel better because I can tell she is beyond embarrassed. Her lips part, but words refuse to come out. I can't blame her; I'd be just as flustered. Without thinking, I move closer and tuck a lock of hair behind her cute, reddened ear.

"It's okay," I quickly say, trying to choose my words as carefully as possible. "It really is. We're comfortable with one another. We've been to hell and back together. The level of trust between us is unbreakable and unshakeable, Ariana. And everything we do, we do it willingly and fully aware of each other's wants and needs."

"Okay," she whispers.

I take another step forward, and her breath hitches. The closeness is too much for her to bear. I can feel the heat emanating from her body. Compelled by her muted reaction, Kendric and Raylan cautiously approach us, their eyes never leaving hers while Ariana's gaze bounces from one to the other before settling on me again.

"I want you. We want you, Ariana. The three of us. It's gotten to the point where we can't hide from you anymore, and I know deep down, you feel the same way." I plant a soft kiss on her temple. "Your body speaks to us. Despite the circumstances, despite everything that has been happening, even you have to admit that this thing between us is a growing constant that we have to address."

"What do you mean address?" Ariana asks, confusion clouding her gaze.

"The three of us would like to share you," I confess. "You've thought about it, haven't you?"

She stills. She doesn't even blink, and yet I can read everything in her spirited blue eyes. I recognize the thoughts flashing through those sapphire stars of hers. The desire. The doubt. The shame. The curiosity. The unending lust. Oh, she has absolutely thought about it. I'm willing to bet she's thought about it to the point of touching herself, imagining what it might be like if the three of us claimed her at once.

"Sky," Ariana manages, her voice uneven, weak.

"I want you," Raylan says.

"I want you," Kendric adds.

"We all want you," I say, cupping her face in my hands. She feels so warm and soft. I pull her in for a kiss, and she doesn't resist. Deliciously sweet. Sinfully wet. The taste of heaven and the promise of hell as she succumbs to my advance. "We want you, Ariana. All of you. All to ourselves."

Kendric comes in and takes hold of her ass. She moans softly as she looks at him, and he kisses her. It's enough to send sparks flying all over the room, causing my cock to jump and my jeans to get tighter.

"You want this, don't you?" he whispers in her ear, then trails wet kisses down the side of her neck. Ariana is helpless and wide-eyed, yet she cannot respond. There's no resistance, though. No fear or hesitation. This feels natural, and it's doing something to her.

Something she never expected.

Raylan joins us and captures her mouth in a devastating kiss, his breath ragged while my hand slips into her pants. I find her wet and hot, already primed for what we're so eager to give her. I curse under my breath and let my fingers slide between her slick folds as Ariana loses herself in Raylan's kiss.

"Fucking hell," Kendric growls as he moves his hands down her torso, squeezing her full breasts through the fabric of her blue hockey jersey.

"This," Ariana finally manages when Raylan pulls back to lovingly gaze upon her. "This is wrong."

That was not what I wanted to hear.

I stop moving. She stops breathing altogether as she looks at each of us. I see it again, the battle in her eyes. The conflict. It's growing bigger and uglier, darker as the shame threatens to overtake her and win. "Ariana," I try to soothe her, moving my fingers again.

She whimpers but ultimately pulls back, a shameful blush crossing her face as she struggles to regain her self-control. "What do you think I am?" Ariana asks, anger slowly taking over. "What kind of slut do you think I am?"

"That's not what we think at all," I say.

"I'm not your whore. I'm not your old lady. I'm not some piece of ass that you get to play with while doing whatever it is you're trying to do against my father," Ariana says. "I'm not your entertainment, either. I'll just sit here and mind my own fucking business from now on, and I would appreciate it if the three of you would get the fuck out of my room."

"Ariana—" I try again.

"Get out!"

She's shaking like a leaf, her eyes rapidly filling with tears as she turns away from us. This definitely didn't go the way I'd hoped. Maybe it was too soon. Maybe we should've eased her into it more slowly. Raylan's hesitance in their dynamic is understandable. The last time we tried to build an actual relationship with a woman, it didn't end well.

The silence that lingers between us feels heavy and unpleasant. I can only respect her wishes and give her space for the remainder of the evening. We'll start anew tomorrow. We'll have a conversation in a different, calmer setting. The uncertainty between us is heavily influenced by the fact that she is still our prisoner, technically speaking.

We leave Ariana in her room, and as soon as I close and lock the door behind her, I hear her sobs as she settles by the window.

"Dammit, man," Kendric whispers.

"I know. We'll fix it," I tell him.

Raylan lets a subtle groan out of his throat. "I think it's on me."