Текст книги "Vicious secrets"

Автор книги: Morgan Bridges

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Chapter 29DELILAH

Xavier releases my hand to wrap a secure arm around my waist before guiding me over to the altar. The warmth of his skin battles with the chill coating me. The second I catch sight of a link of chains ending in a manacle, my brave façade cracks.

I nearly stumble as my feet get tangled up in one another. Xavier’s grip on me tightens, and he keeps me upright, preventing me from shame. And from escape.

I didn’t notice the metal restraints because they weren’t used on June. But now that I have, I can’t stop looking at them. Is he going to use them on me?

“Get on the altar and lie down,” Xavier says. When I don’t move, he leans down and lowers his voice for my ears only. “Show them your claws, little raptor.”

For some reason, his nickname for me adds a layer of emotional armor. It’s as though he’s on my side instead of the Order’s. I’m sure my thoughts are nothing more than a product of my stress, but I don’t care.

“They want your fear. Don’t give them the satisfaction.”

Xavier’s words float in my mind like a mantra, a war cry. I lift my chin and straighten my spine. I won’t let them break me. They won’t get my fear.

But they can have my fury.

“No.” My refusal rings loud and clear.

Xavier moves quick as lightning. From one blink to the next, he grabs me by the waist and slams me onto the stone surface. The air whooshes from my lungs, making me gasp. I let instinct take over.

Like a feral animal, I attack him. My nails scrape his arms and hands, adding to the scratches that I put there earlier when he choked me. Only this time, I’m enraged.

I reach for his mask and try to rip it from his face, a message to the Order that I see beyond their games of manipulation. Xavier is as immovable as the stone underneath my spine. And just as cold.

He digs his fingers into my shoulder, pinning me down. Ignoring the pain of his grip, I swing wildly with my free arm and land a solid blow to his jaw. He grunts and leans closer, making it difficult for me to hit him again without any leverage.

“Not bad, but not good enough,” he says, his gaze locked on mine.

His words are an echo of our past, the first thing he ever said to me. The silent challenge floats in the air between us. I don’t answer, saving my energy for fighting him.

I shove Xavier and writhe beneath his hold as he hovers over me. He presses his body into mine to overwhelm my movements and subdue me. At the chill of metal encircling my wrist, I scream.

It’s not a sound born of pain, but of rage.

The sensation of being bound is a stark reminder of his ability to overpower me. To bind me to him. I can’t give in.

Between my struggles and my fist aimed at his face, he retrieves another manacle that was concealed on the other side of the altar. The moonlight glints off of the metal, creating a malevolent piece of jewelry. I renew my efforts to get free.

Xavier snaps the second manacle in place. The click reverberates in my chest, signaling my defeat. I stare up at him, unable to look away when he reaches for me.

He curls his long fingers around the neckline of my dress and tears it in one swift motion. I jolt at the fabric ripping, the sound violent to my ears. The cool night air grazes the exposed skin, beginning at my shoulder and stopping at the swell of my breast, just above my nipple.

I meet his gaze, not bothering to conceal the defiance in mine. He takes a step back, and the small action has my muscles tensing, every part of me coiled like a spring ready to snap.

I stare in disbelief at the chains and yank on them, testing their slack. There isn’t much give to them. My chest rises and falls rapidly at the realization that I’m truly bound. The night air is heavy, the atmosphere filled with expectation. But not mine.

“Fuck you!” I scream at the recruits. At the Order. At Xavier.

His silver eyes remain fixed on me as he slides his signet ring from his finger. I scrunch my face in confusion, until he dons a glove and withdraws a pair of metal tongs from the brazier.

With precision, he uses the tool to clasp the piece of jewelry and lowers it into the fire. The flames lick at the metal, the reflection winking at me ominously. The face of the ring changes from gold to amber.

“No.” The denial is silent as I mouth the word, my voice muted in horror.

Xavier holds the tongs away from us as he reaches down to palm my throat. He rests his forearm against my chest, keeping me still. My heart pounds so loudly I wonder if he can feel its pulse on his skin.

He strokes the side of my neck, his tender caress not visible to those around us. I stare up at him, bewildered and trembling. He leans down and whispers in my ear, his voice shaking. “Forgive me.”

Before my next breath, he shifts and presses the ring into my shoulder. His face becomes a blur as the smell of burning flesh hits the air. Pain sears me, traveling along every nerve-ending I possess and sparking them with agony.

I open my mouth to scream, but the pain is too great. It’s like a collar on my throat, cinching it off from speech and oxygen.

Xavier removes the ring from my skin before ripping off the glove. I can’t pay attention to him as the burning sensation continues. A high-pitched ringing echoes in my ears and I clench my teeth until my temples throb, refusing to cry out.

Although I can’t stop my tears from falling.

He enters my line of sight, his features slowly coming into focus as he takes my face between his hands. I blink away the tears to clear my vision, unsure if I’m imagining the trembling of his fingers against my skin.

Through the mask, he stares down at me. His eyes are liquid silver, swirling with torment and something else. Something too deep and intense for me to decipher.

“Votum meum tibi1,” Xavier says, keeping his focus on me. His voice drifts over me like a stream of cool water, but underneath it is a raging sea, trying to pull me into its void.

The council member clears his throat and steps forward. I want nothing more than to close my eyes and escape reality for a single moment of reprieve, but I don’t. I push past the pain radiating from my shoulder and glare up at the older man.

He ignores me to stare at Xavier, his eyes narrowed behind the mask. “Speak your vow to me, recruit.”

Xavier’s entire body goes rigid, and his hands briefly grip my face before he lets them fall away. Slowly, he straightens to his full height and meets the gaze of the council member, head held high. The look in his eyes almost makes me forget about my injury.

It’s not an oath, but a promise of death.

The council member doesn’t move. He watches Xavier, his eyes squinted in irritation. Then his gaze flits to me.

“Say the vow again,” he says, his words a sneer. “And this time, do it correctly, or you can start the ritual over.”

My skin prickles with fear and dread, mixing in with the ongoing pain. Is he serious? I look to Xavier, trying to gauge if he’s going to brand me again. I can’t go through that without giving them what they want. My fear is running rampant.

The seconds tick by, each one feeling like an eternity has passed. Finally, Xavier juts his chin, an act of defiance.

I wilt internally and fist my hands at my sides. I’m screwed.

“Votum meum illi2,” Xavier says.

The older man stiffens. After a moment’s hesitation, he replies. “Votum tuum receptum est.3”

I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure what transpired through the exchange. Did Xavier subdue the man’s aggression or stoke it even further? And what does that mean for me?

So many questions and fuck all answers.

1 My vow to you.

2 My vow to her.

3 Your vow is accepted.

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Chapter 30DELILAH

My shoulder pulses angrily, and my muscles tremble with the effort it takes to lie still. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself while in this vulnerable position. Who knows what other fucked up things they want to do to me?

The council member turns to face the gathered recruits, his rigid posture easing minutely to something less hostile. The lingering tension hovering in the air is met with silence. I scan the audience, noting that no one is clapping or cheering like they did when June was branded. It tugs at my curiosity, but I ignore it when the cloaked stranger begins talking.

“Tonight’s competition was a testament to your commitment to the Order over the past three years. We have responded by awarding the best of you with a bride. We value skill, power, and loyalty above all else. It is these qualities that will be tested in the upcoming Trials. Tonight, the victorious three are free from their vow of celibacy. Only them and only with their bride, each one specifically chosen to serve.”

The instant the council member disappears from the clearing, the recruits’ voices rise, becoming a cacophony of sound. I take several deep breaths, but my efforts are wasted. Ben rushes up to the altar at the same time Xavier unlocks the first manacle.

The look they exchange has all the air in my lungs leaving me in a rush. My mind spins as I watch them, my gaze darting back and forth. Although their masked faces reveal nothing, their eyes tell me everything.

“Delilah, are you okay?” Ben asks. He takes my hand, rattling the chain still connected to my wrist, and brings it to his chest. “Say something.”

“If you don’t remove your hands from my bride, I’m going to kill you.” When Ben and I look at him, Xavier tilts his head. “I thought you wanted me to say something.”

My foster brother rips off his mask and tosses it to the ground, his expression fierce. I gently tug on his hold and his gaze snaps to mine.

“It’s okay, Ben,” I say.

“No, it’s not. None of this is.”

Xavier leans forward, his mouth thinning with displeasure. I slap his chest and dig my fingers into the fabric of his black t-shirt. He stops and looks down at the contact before taking my hand in his.

I lie there with two men holding me, both of them ready to kill the other. All at once, the night’s horrific events slam into me. I blow out a breath and fix them with a scowl.

“I don’t care about anything except getting the fuck out of here. When I’m gone, you two can whip out your dicks and slam them on this altar for a measuring contest, okay?”

Ben swallows, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Okay, Lilah.” He kisses the back of my hand, earning a growl from Xavier. Then he releases me and retreats a step.

Xavier rips off his mask and stares daggers at Ben. I squeeze Xavier’s fingers, and his attention immediately shifts to me. I quirk a brow and shake my fist, rattling the chains.

He’s quick to remove them while Ben watches us with his arms crossed. Once I’m free, I grunt with the effort to get into a sitting position. I refuse to show any weakness, but I’m physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted. Everything takes a toll on me.

Xavier walks around the altar and slips his arms beneath my legs and around my waist. Before I can protest he pulls me into his arms and cradles me against his chest. The movement tugs at the skin around my burn, making me whimper in pain.

“I’ve got you,” Xavier whispers in my ear. “Just relax.”

He starts walking toward the group of recruits, and Ben blocks his path. “What are you going to do with her?”

“Whatever the fuck I want,” Xavier says. “With the Order’s approval, I might add. You had your chance to win her, but you didn’t. Now fuck off.”

“I won’t let you hurt her.”

I roll my eyes. “Too late, Ben. That shit was brutal.”

My foster brother looks down at the mark on my shoulder and winces. “I never wanted to involve you, Lilah. This is my fault.”

I sigh, too tired to properly console him when I’m the one who’s been traumatized. “We can argue tomorrow about who fucked up more, okay? Please don’t make this a thing. Xavier already promised me he wouldn’t…” My cheeks heat at the thought of sex with him. I hope my embarrassment isn’t clearly visible in the dying light of the fire. “You know,” I finish lamely.

Ben shifts from one foot to the other, his unease clinging to him. “Is that true, X?”

“Oh, I’m definitely going to fuck her,” he says. “But she’s going to beg me for it first.”

My face is on fucking fire. It burns more than the brand on my skin.

I stiffen with shock and outrage. So does Ben.

Xavier continues, ignoring both of our reactions. “If it’d make you feel better, I’ll promise not to be rough with her. At least, not the first few times.”

“You motherfucker,” Ben says.

“Fuck you both.” My voice comes out strong and firm, although still quiet. The pair of them look down at me, their expressions varying. Xavier has amusement written all over his features while a muscle flickers along Ben’s jaw as he clenches his teeth.

“Either put me down,” I say, “or start walking.”

Xavier grins. “Yes, ma’am.”

My foster brother reaches for me when Xavier takes a step. Ben cups my cheek and strokes it with his thumb. Now it’s Xavier who stiffens, his body like marble against mine. A low rumble gathers in his chest, and Ben is quick to withdraw his hand from my face.

“This isn’t over, X,” he says.

Then he’s gone.

I slump in Xavier’s hold, my head falling against his shoulder. Men are stupid, and I pretty much hate all of them.

As if to challenge my sanity, another recruit walks up to us. The young stranger is lean with a confident stride. His midnight-black hair is tousled and falling just above his shoulders, swaying with every step. His features are rugged with a strong jawline and piercing black eyes that bore into my skin, making the hairs on my arms stand at attention.

Is every man in the Order a psychotic asshole?

I shift my gaze from him to his bride. June is pressed against his side with his arm around her waist, supporting her as she leans into him. Her gaze finds mine, and tears spring to my eyes at the defeated expression covering her face.

“Are you okay, June?” I ask.

“She’ll be fine,” the recruit says.

“I wasn’t talking to you, dickfuck.” I look at my friend, the concern evident in my voice. I can’t help it. “June, honey?”

“It’s okay, Delilah.” She sniffs and wipes the dampness from her eyes. “I’ll be okay.”

I run my gaze over her shoulder, finding the mark on her skin puffy and bright red. A shudder runs through me. I might have the gumption to mouth off, but when it comes to facing the reality of the permanency of the mark on my skin, I’m a coward.

Xavier adjusts me in his arms. “What do you want, Declan?”

Declan? As in June’s ex? Holy fucking monkey balls.

I can’t decide if this is a good or bad thing. I make a mental note to ask Xavier later, if given the chance. It’s not like I don’t have my own shit to worry about.

“Why did you challenge him?” Declan asks. “First you didn’t recite the vow to him, and then you said it incorrectly. Are you trying to piss him the fuck off?”

The skin around Xavier’s jaw tightens, and his stormy eyes flash with something violent. He doesn’t respond immediately, as though choosing his words carefully. His grip on me tightens for a moment before he finally answers.

“If I didn’t stand up to him now, he would use her to control me later on. You should know that.”

Declan’s gaze lands on me briefly, as if weighing the implications and the gravity of the hypothetical situation. His eyes widen with understanding, and he gives Xavier a curt nod. “You know him better than anyone.”

Xavier blows out a breath. “Unfortunately.”

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Chapter 31DELILAH

My fucked-up knight in black armor carries me effortlessly into the castle.

I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart while mine is erratic, making my chest ache. Part of me wants to shove him away, but this is the first time someone has forced me to depend on them. It’s strange… and comforting in an unhealthy way.

Let the Stockholm syndrome begin.

I perk up the instant he stops in front of a room on the third floor. A security panel sits to the right of the door. It’s a sleek device that’s been seamlessly integrated into the castle’s historical ambiance.

Xavier places his hand on the flat surface, and it scans his palm through a complex pattern recognition system that’s too advanced for a mere fraternity. Once his identity is confirmed, the heavy wooden door unlocks with a subtle click, and he walks inside.

The room is spacious with high ceilings and walls adorned with ancient decor alongside modern light fixtures. A large bed made up of solid wood dominates the center of the floor, draped in deep crimson and black material. The only light shining in the dark room is an electric candle, creating shadows that flit across the opulent furnishings.

Xavier sets me on the bed, his gaze never leaving mine. “Don’t move.”

“You already caught me.” I lift my unscathed shoulder in a half shrug. “What the hell else am I going to do?”

“That’s fair.”

He leaves the room and enters what I assume is a joining bathroom. The sound of running water reaches me before Xavier returns. His signet ring winks at me as he makes his way across the room, and I drop my gaze. I don’t remember him picking it up, but I wish he’d left it behind.

He leans over me. I lift my head and eye him warily as he grazes the unmarred skin around my brand mark. His touch is gentle for someone who threatens to kill people every five minutes.

It’s difficult to breathe with him so close, his lips a few inches from mine. Our kiss in the forest fills my mind. I’m quick to shove it aside, but the damage is done. My nipples harden, and I clench my thighs to keep from squirming.

“Am I hurting you?” he asks softly. He flicks his gaze to mine and the concern there threatens to drown me in their silver depths.

I shake my head, unable to speak with his breath skimming my mouth and his fingers on my skin. He straightens and turns to the nightstand to grab a first aid kit. Without him touching me, I collect myself.

“You had that kit ready to go, huh?” I ask. “You were pretty sure of yourself?”

He sets the box next to me, his mouth a hard line. “I wasn’t coming back here without you.”

“But you don’t even know me.”

“I know you more than you think.”

“And?”

He stops rummaging through the medical supplies to look at me. “And what?”

“Did you bring me here just to fuck me? Or am I a victim in the Order’s agenda?”

“Depends.”

“Are you always this confusing?” I ask.

“Do you always talk this much?”

“Yes, actually.”

His lips twitch with amusement as he pours a clear liquid onto a cotton ball. “This is going to hurt.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and give him a quick nod. The cool solution contacts my inflamed skin, wrenching a groan from me. However, the sting is nothing compared to the agony I experienced earlier.

Xavier works quickly, his touch efficient but gentle. Possibly even tender. After cleaning and drying the wound, he applies medicine over my raw and battered skin, causing me to stiffen until a cool relief spreads across my skin.

I sit still, hardly breathing, as he places the gauze over the wound, pressing firmly. Xavier holds it and secures the dressing with medical tape. Once he’s no longer touching me, I crack an eyelid.

“Done?”

“Yes.”

“Thank goodness.” With a sigh, I slowly lie down, my exhaustion overriding my vigilance. “If you’re going to fuck me, do me a favor and be quiet when you do.”

His laughter floats over me, giving flight to a thousand butterflies in my stomach. I sneak a glance at him, only to find Xavier already looking down at me. He crawls onto the bed to lie beside me, and my breathing thins. I stop breathing completely when he traces the seam of my lips, his gaze bright with lust.

“If you can sleep while I’m inside you, then I’m not doing it right,” he says.

His words are playful but serious, sexy but shocking. Just like him, they leave me confused. And intrigued.

I turn my head to hide my face. I’m too tired to keep my feelings secret. This dangerous man already has complete access to my body, the last thing I need to do is give him a glimpse of my mind.

And certainly not my heart.

I should be screaming at him for dragging me onto the altar and branding me, but I don’t have the energy right now. That’s what I tell myself at least. There’s something about this man that leaves me feeling high, as though on the precipice of danger. Or bliss.

Either one could wreck me.

Xavier’s comment hangs in the air, a provocative statement. And a promise. It sends a rush of warmth to my cheeks. And then there’s his proximity, creating an awareness within my body that brands me just as much as his ring has.

I gasp at the feel of his fingers grazing my throat. He trails them up and down, slowly and methodically, as if he has all the time in the world to touch me. As if he’s pleasured by it.

A shiver snakes its way up my spine, and I can’t stop it in time.

“Are you cold?” he asks.

Does it count as a lie if it’s just a sound? “Mm hmm.”

He continues his gentle exploration of my body, now tracing feather-light patterns across my collarbone and along the curve of my shoulder. He’s careful not to get too close to my wound, for which I’m grateful. The longer he touches me, the warmer I become.

His deep, silky voice reverberates in the dimly lit room, filling the silence with a soothing hum. “You need to get under the covers.”

“Make me,” I mumble, too tired to care about anything.

I can hear the laughter in his voice as his breath skims my ear. “If that’s your attempt at reverse psychology, you should know it doesn’t work on me.”

The lopsided smile I’m fighting tugs at my lips despite the vulnerable situation I’m in. The mattress dips right before Xavier moves me so that my head rests on one of the fluffy pillows. I roll onto my side and curl into a ball, dismissing the thud of his boots landing on the floor. As well as the rustle of clothing that follows.

I’m not sleepy enough to ignore the weight of his arm when he drapes it across my waist and his fingers dig into my hip, pulling me back against his chest. I blink in the darkness at the unexpected maneuver. Yes, he’s still acting domineering and possessive, but now there’s an intimacy to accompany it.

“You did well tonight,” he says. His words are a whisper that grazes my neck and makes my skin prickle.

“I fought you and lost.”

“That was inevitable.”

I roll my eyes although he can’t see me. “You’re such a jerkoff.”

“Words like that will get that ass of your spanked, Delilah.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” he confirms. “You carry my mark on your shoulder and that makes me fucking hard. What do you think it’d do to me to see your ass reddened by my hand?”

I suck in a breath just as he grinds into me, his cock pressing along my spine. The idea that he desires me is overwhelming. After the boys in high school avoided me like the plague, I figured no one would want me. I wonder if Xavier likes the idea of having his prize or if there’s something more…

“One thing you’ll learn soon enough, Delilah, is that I never go back on my word. If I say it, I fucking mean it.”

“So when you say I did well, you meant it?”

“Yes. Everyone expected you to run and hide. To cower or beg. You didn’t. You accepted the challenge, and even though you were out of your depth, you never stopped fighting me.”

I consider his words, letting the weight of them sink in. Xavier doesn’t seem like the type to give praise lightly. It feels good. The warmth of his body behind mine is even better.

“I have another question,” I say.

He sighs, and the sound is so normal, so human, it makes me smile in the dark.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be one of many.”

“You’re not wrong.” I pause, choosing my words carefully. “Are you in a relationship with someone?”

When he doesn’t answer immediately, I'm certain the unspoken answer is a “yes.” It’s like a knife to the gut, sharp and unexpected, and has my stomach clenching.

“Why?” he asks.

“Just answer the question.”

“I don’t do girlfriends.”

“Oh.”

For some stupid reason, disappointment floods me. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s not like I want to be in a relationship with the man, especially not after learning he’s a bigger asshole than I originally thought. However, there’s something inside me that can’t quite help but feel used. Or like he’ll throw me away when he’s done with me.

Xavier shifts before grabbing my shoulder and forcing me to lie on my back. He crawls on top of me, caging me in with both hands planted on either side of my head. He grips my chin and forces my gaze to his.

“I don’t see other girls. I’m not⁠—”

I scoff. “Xavier⁠—”

“Don’t interrupt me,” he snaps. His tone has my body responding in the most inappropriate way. “I’m not interested in anyone else,” he says, his eyes boring into mine. “Only you.”

I study his gaze, searching their gray depths for lies and deceit. “Really?” The vulnerability in my voice shocks me, but not more than the man on top of me.

“I’ve already told you, Delilah. I mean what I say.”

I continue staring up at him, my emotions conflicted. He caresses my jaw the tiniest bit, and it sends me further into confusion. I can’t help but think of Brenda and speculate on whatever history they have.

“You’re just saying that because I’m your bride,” I say. “If you’d caught someone else, you’d say the same shit to them.”

“If you hadn’t been forced into the Bride Hunt, I wouldn’t have taken a bride.”

I make a face at him instead of telling him to get the fuck out of here with that bullshit. My reaction must be a little too easy to read. His expression hardens, his grip tightening.

“It’s not just the truth. It’s a fucking fact.”

I open my mouth, but he slips his thumb over my bottom lip, dragging it across my tongue.

“Eventually, you’ll learn to trust me.”

“You’re crazy.”

He shrugs. “You’re not the first person to say that, and you won’t be the last. Doesn’t matter because it won’t change a fucking thing.”

I shake my head, removing his hand, but he presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth, his lips lingering. I don’t respond, and he doesn’t move. When he pulls away, his eyes are glittering with lust. And something deeper.

He moves to lie on his back and drags me toward him. He tucks my head under his chin, his fingers tangling in my hair.

“Sleep, little raptor.”

The order is quiet, spoken softly, and I have the strangest urge to obey him.

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