9. Eight

Eight

Sawyer

I swallowed hard as I offered my hand. "So we have a deal, then?"

Luke Brighten's gaze drifted to my outstretched arm and then dragged back up to my eyes. He puffed out his cheeks as he blew out a breath.

My belly knotted. What if I'd made a mistake telling him everything?

There was nothing stopping him from running to my dad and telling him I was the mole he was looking for. It would get him ahead in the pack and out of the prisoner quarters.

No. I couldn't think like that.

My dad's top enforcer, Drake, had been harassing Ruby the past few weeks. The girl was terrified of him. Taking out Drake and my dad was the only way Luke could ensure his sister was protected.

But did he know that?

Luke clenched his hand and then let it relax before slipping his palm into mine. "You make sure that scum stays away from my sister for good and I'll rally the enforcers that are being kept here." His gaze slid to his sister. "I've been here long enough, I know who can be trusted and who can't."

Ruby collapsed onto the bed, making the springs creak. Her green eyes staring vacantly at some unknown spot on the wall. "What do I need to do?"

I gritted my teeth. "Keep up appearances if my father or any of his men are around when we are together."

She licked her lips, her attention snapping to me, a fire burning in her eyes that was hot enough to burn. "That's it? No funny business. Or is this a ploy to get in my pants?"

Luke cleared his throat. "Ruby," he hissed. He gave me an apologetic look.

She flung her arm in my direction. "I just want to make sure that you aren't trading me off to some other sleaze bag. How do you know we can really trust him, Luke?" Her voice was like venom.

Luke's nostrils flared as he narrowed his eyes at me.

I held up my hands. "Hey, I'm not interested in that. I promise. I..." I almost told them I'd already found my mate, but didn't. I would never put Lincoln and Sloane in that kind of danger. I was one thing, but I had to protect them.

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a breath. "I know you have lost everything. I'm here on good faith asking for your help. Just having this conversation puts me in incredible danger."

I swallowed down the lump in my throat at having admitted that out loud.

Ruby tossed her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder and huffed as she stood up. She marched up to me. "I'm not anyone's prize. And if you do try anything, I'll make sure you pay."

"I know."

Sloane and she would get along well. I hoped they got to meet one day soon.

Some of the heat left her eyes, and she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Luke put his hand on his sister's shoulder. "What do you need us to do?"

The weight of the world lifted off my shoulders, if only for a moment. "Talk to the others that are here. Spread the word that help is coming and when we get the signal, it will be time to attack."

Ruby tapped her foot on the ground. "What's the signal?"

I shook my head. I trusted Luke and Ruby to an extent. It was the others I wasn't sure of. "You'll know it when you hear it. Trust me."

I'd tell Sloane they should fire multiple shots in succession, so there were no misunderstandings. "That's when you will know to attack the guards on duty outside and then join the rest of the fighting."

Luke shared a look with his sister. "That's it. That's all you're going to give me."

I shrugged my shoulders. "The less you know the better. I don't want to make you a target. Or Ruby. Just pass the word around that help is coming and to be ready. It could be anytime in the next few weeks." I opened and shut my mouth. "If you could leave my name out of it. My father is already suspicious. And tell everyone to keep quiet and only share this with those we trust."

The last thing I needed was some idiot thinking they could get a leg up by turning me in.

Ruby huffed and arched her brow. "Why? What are you afraid of?"

I let out a hollow laugh. "That my dad will find out. Being his son won't protect me. He will kill me if he knows I betrayed him."

Luke gave his sister a shake. "I believe him. He's got just as much on the line as we do."

Ruby licked her lips and looked away. "Fine. If you think we can trust him." She marched back to the bed and plopped down.

Luke shook his head and looked down at the worn floorboards. "I don't think we have much else of a choice."

And neither did I. "I'll get you more details if I can. And I'll tell Drake Ruby is off limits from his advances."

She shuddered and hugged herself. "Thank you."

Luke clapped me on the shoulder. "I appreciate it. Most of the guys in here aren't happy about what has been happening. We're prisoners for a reason."

I gritted my teeth. "I know. Keep your eyes peeled and be careful who you trust."

Luke exhaled loudly. "Yeah. You do the same."

I was already sleeping with one eye open. "We'll talk again as soon as I can make it back out here."

I appraised them one last time before slipping out of the room and into the hallway. My heart pounded in my chest as my footfalls thumped against the floorboards.

I was trusting the Brightens with my life. They were the first people outside of Sloane and Lincoln to know where my true loyalties lay. I hoped my trust wasn't misplaced.

The frosty evening air hit me as I stepped outside, sending a shiver rippling down my spine. I inclined my head at the group of enforcers standing guard outside. They parted giving me a path to walk in between them.

My gaze drifted to the woods. A run and a few minutes in the cave sounded amazing.

The moon was high in the sky. It was almost full. It was late enough most of the pack would be heading to bed by now. I might have time for a few minutes to myself and to check in with Lincoln and Sloane. I jogged into the trees. With all the leaves on the ground, there wasn't much cover in them this time of year.

I moved through the brush until I was safely tucked away, where no one could see me. I closed my eyes, listening to the sounds around me.

Wildlife scuttled across the ground, birds chirped in the air, but everything else was silent. I heaved out a breath and let my body relax. I had a few short minutes just to myself.

I continued to jog this time a little bit faster making a beeline for the cave. Once there, I slipped inside. It smelled like a perfect mixture of vanilla and pine. Me, Sloane, and Lincoln. This was our special space. My own sanctuary. it was too bad they weren't here with me.

I sat down on the ledge and breathed it in. it didn't take long for the air around me to hum, and I welcomed the familiar tingle as I reached out for my mates.

They were already in bed, tucked under the covers, cuddling together. They both shifted beneath the blankets, staring up at me as I materialized in front of them.

A wide smile spread across Sloane's face, making her look even more beautiful than I would've thought possible. "Sawyer." she sounded breathless.

I sat on the edge of the bed and reached out, taking Sloane's hand. I curled my fingers around hers. "I just got done speaking with a couple of people. The organizing of the prisoners has begun. They're going to do what they can to spread the word to people that we think we can trust."

Sloane dragged her free hand through her hair. "Wow. It's really happening, isn't it?"

Lincoln hugged her from behind. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

She gave us both a tight-lipped smile. "I mean, yeah, I'm just worried. The closer we get the more it becomes obvious." She blew out a breath. "Not everyone is going to come home." She shuddered.

I scooted closer, so that she was sandwiched between Lincoln and I. "We are going to do our best to make sure that as little lives are lost as possible." That was a promise I intended to keep.

Her voice was muffled as she spoke against my shoulder. "I know. People are going to die and there's nothing we can do to stop it." She sounded distant.

The weight of her words hit me hard. She was right, people were going to die. Good people. My father's men. No one would walk away from this unscathed.

Lincoln kissed her cheek. "We have to keep our goal in mind and remember what we are fighting for. Everyone here knows the risks."

Sloane sucked in a deep breath. "I'm scared of losing someone else I love."

Lincoln pulled her tighter as I smoothed the hair out of her face. "I can't promise you no one you love isn't going to die, but I do swear that I'm going to do everything in my power to bring my father down so we can all have the future we want and deserve."

She licked her lips. "We can finally be together." A watery smile graced her face.

I swiped away her tears with my thumbs. "I've missed you."

I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

Sloane moaned against my mouth. Her fingers wound through my hair as she pulled me closer.

I put my hands on her hips and pulled her into my lap. Lincoln grunted as he nuzzled her neck. He palmed her breast, making her gasp.

I slipped my tongue between her lips, deepening our kiss as she ground against me.

My cock hardened, pressing against the confines of my jeans, eager to fill her. It had been too long since I felt her touch. I needed her like I needed my next breath.

I caught her bottom lip between my teeth, giving it a slight nibble before pulling back. "We are going to make you come so hard. Do you think you can handle it?"

She shivered, her chest heaved as her eyes widened. "Yes." She sounded confident and wanton.

I nipped at her lip. "We are going to make you feel so good, sweetheart." I slid my finger down her cheek. "I've missed you so much. I want to savor you for a few minutes first."

She moaned. "Please."

Lincoln sucked on her ear. "Soon, sweetheart."

Sloane whimpered. "Please. Please make me feel good. I want to feel both of you."

I inched my hand between her waistband and underwear so I could cup her butt. I gave it a good squeeze. "You will. But first I'm going to make you come on my mouth."

Lincoln slid back, pulling Sloane gently, so she was splayed across the bed. I wiggled out from under her and stood while looping my hands around her pants and yanking them and her panties down.

Her arousal permeated the air. Sweet vanilla cinnamon. Her own unique scent. It was intoxicating, and I couldn't get enough of it. I buried my face in her core.

She tasted divine. I licked and sucked, enjoying the illicit moans she made.

Her fingers raked through my hair, holding me to her.

Lincoln was kissing her and kneading her breasts.

I moved my hand to her clit, rolling it between my thumb and forefinger. She panted, her hips jerking.

I chuckled and peeked up at her. "Do you like that, sweetheart?"

"Mmmhmmm," she mumbled against Lincoln's lips.

I kissed her center again, thrusting my tongue in time with my thumb pressing against her clit. My other hand steadied her unruly hips. Her moans grew louder, and it was music to my ears.

She came with my name on her lips. I lapped up every bit of her juices, savoring the sweet taste of her nectar before kissing my way down her thigh to her knee. I stood up and unbuttoned my pants, slipping them and my boxers off before sliding home.

Sloane was so wet for me, but so wonderfully tight. I slid to the hilt and ground against her keeping myself buried deep.

Sloane reached up and wrapped her arms around Lincoln's neck. "Let me taste you too."

Lincoln kissed her a few more times before nuzzling against her cheek. "Do you think you can take my cock in your mouth, sweetheart?"

Her eyes widened. She hissed and fisted the sheets as I pushed into her harder. "Yes."

Lincoln needed no further encouragement. He slipped out of his pajama pants and tossed them on the floor. I kept my strokes slow and deep as he positioned his cock at her mouth.

It couldn't get any better than this. I wanted this. Needed this. Every day for the rest of my life. This was heaven, and living without them was hell. Not too much longer and we could all be together again. For now, I had to be content with what we had.

And I was going to make my mate feel like the queen she was. I rocked against her, rotating my hips one way and then the other. One hand went to her clit, applying pressure to the sensitive nub.

The moans she was making were like music to my ears. I stared down at her, watching my gorgeous mate as she came undone.

This moment was everything that I was fighting for. I just had to hold on longer. Then we could finally be together.

I took my time with Sloane, savoring our time. I pumped into her slow and deep to mimic Lincoln's slow and shallow thrusts. Sloane fisted the blankets in her hands, lifting her hips to meet mine as she sucked Lincoln off.

I hooked my free hand under her knee, angling her so I could go deeper.

Lincoln palmed her breast, rolling the nipple between his fingers until they turned into tight buds.

I gripped her thigh, giving me the edge to go just a bit deeper. "You feel amazing, sweetheart."

She moaned.

Lincoln kneaded her breast harder. "You are doing such a good job, sweetheart. I'm so close."

I grunted. "Me too." My orgasm was bubbling up beneath the surface. I was going to come hard. I chased after it, hitting her harder, deeper. "I want us to all come together."

Sloane said something that sounded like I'm close too.

I was teetering on the edge. I pumped faster now, pressing down on her clit with each thrust. My orgasm washed over me like a tidal wave at the same time Sloane's inner walls clamped down on my cock. Lincoln growled out his release too, as we all came in unison.

Lincoln slipped his cock out of her mouth and lay down beside her.

I hugged her close, resting my head on her chest. Her heart pounded as she fought to catch her breath.

Lincoln combed through her hair and kissed her neck and lips. "How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

She exhaled. "So good."

But of course we couldn't have a moment for long. Thumping on the door drew all our attention.

A guy's voice I didn't know called through the door. "Sloane, Sherriff Adam is here and needs to speak with you. He says it is urgent."