Page 108 of Full Throttle

“My fucking clover girl,” he breathed out against my lips. “My fucking baby.”

I whimpered as he pulled away, staring at me with an intensity in his eyes I’d never seen before. My mouth opened, and more words spilled from my lips, like an endless waterfall. “You say I’m your lucky charm, but Cain, you were mine. You were the reason I kept smiling day in and day out. You were the reason I didn’t give into the pain my mom was causing me. You were the reason, Cain. You’ve always been my reason.”

“Nik,” he murmured.

My voice trembled. “I chased you because I couldn’t lose my reason. I couldn’t lose the boy I fell in love with.”

“Fuck,” he groaned, his face going into my neck as his other arm dropped. He held me against him, hugging me tightly. “Fuck, clover. Fuck.”

“I didn’t mean to disregard the things your mom did,” I stammered. “I-I’m sorry, I just…you needed to know why.”

His lips pressed against my skin, kissing me. A second later, he was looking at me again, shaking his head. “I should’ve never pushed you away,” he admitted, guilt and regret laced his deep voice. “I should’ve kept kissing you that night instead of breaking your heart, Nik. I shouldn’t have left.”

My hands came to his face. “Then stay,” I begged. “Don’t leave me again.”

His brow furrowed. “Leave you?”

“Mina said you’re leaving. Tonight.”

His hold on me loosened, and he stepped back as anger radiated from him.

“Don’t leave me again, Cain,” I begged. “Whatever it is, we can figure this out together.” I stepped forward, grabbing his wrists, putting his hands back on my waist. “Stay with me—stay here.”

“I’m not leaving, Nik,” he said, his voice no longer soft. “I’m going after Kavi.”

My stomach dropped. “What?”

“I know where he’s at. We got confirmation from Ivan. I’m going into the Devils Den and I’m dragging his ass out. Dead or alive.”

My blood ran cold as fear slithered into the loft, swirling around my feet.

Then, it was my turn to step back.

I knew about Devils Den. I’d heard about it at a meet years ago. I also knew that it was a place for bad people who did very bad things.

“You’re out of your fucking mind,” I whispered.

“I don’t have a choice,” he shot back.

“That’s bullshit!” I snapped, throwing my hands in the air.

“If I don’t do this, then—”

“Then what?” I cut him off. His mouth closed, his jaw jumping. “Then you stay here with Oasis—with me—and we fight Kavi together?”

Suddenly, my face was in his hands again as he twisted us, pinning my body to the counter. “You aren’t fighting anyone,” he declared , his voice dangerously low, filled with darkness. “You aren’t getting anywhere near him.”

“I can take care of myself,” I told him, keeping my voice level.

“No, you can’t,” he scoffed, turning away from me. He walked into the living room, keeping his back to me. “I have to do this.”

“Why?” I pushed, following him. The fear had me now. If Cain went in there by himself…he’d never come out. “You don’t get to pull his caveman card on me, Cain. Just because we’re finally starting something, doesn’t mean you get to dictate my life.”

“That’s not it,” he bit off, running his hands through his hair, his back still to me.

“I’m a big girl. In case you forgot, I got where I am today on my own. You have no idea—”

He whirled on me then, roaring, “Your fucking car blew up!”

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