Page 94 of The Dark Before Light

“Give him a break,” she murmurs. Her touch is grounding, but it’s the low command in her voice that makes my anger bleed away—and my cock swell.

She thinks that tone doesn’t affect me; I can’t wait to show her how wrong she is. The first few times I heard it, it made my bones vibrate with annoyance because it rattled the paradigm of who I knew myself to be. Now it makes me vibrate in a different way. With desperation and lust. I want to be back on my knees. I want to worship at her feet.

I may never be able to be her ‘good boy,’ but I’ll be everything else—her pet, her slut, her fucking slave. Anything and everything she wants.

Her nails dig into my back again, making me jolt. I realize I’m breathing hard and sporting a massive tent in my jeans.

Gabe looks positively giddy. I’m never going to hear the end of this.

“Everything okay?” asks Talia in a normal tone. And thank fuck for that because if I ever hear her talk to another man with that voice again I’m going to?—

“Relax,” she whispers.

I take a breath, hold it, and release it slowly.

Gabe shifts on his feet, looking between us like he isn’t sure who he works for anymore. It almost makes me smile.

“What is it?” I ask.

He focuses on me. “Sven and Dylan are wrapping up the onboarding of the new, uh, team members… “ His gaze flickers to Talia.

“It’s all right,” I interrupt. “I told her.”

He smiles. “That makes things easier.” He looks at Talia. “Two of them will be assigned to you, so it would be ideal if you could meet them today or tomorrow.”

“I want three watching her, Gabe.”

He has the sense to put away his dimples before he meets my stare. “There will be. I’m taking point.” He pauses a beat. “If you’re okay with that.”

Am I? Do I want this twenty-something, muscled, dimpled kid shadowing Talia day and night? Going with her to all the places I can’t? Errands and her office and fucking Crossroads every Saturday?

Talia leans close, her mouth grazing my ear. “It’s Gabe,” she whispers, so softly it’s barely more than a breath.

A fraction of my sanity returns. She’s right—this is Gabe. He was Sven’s star pupil at the training academy I poached him from. He’s close to his black belt in Judo, juggles knives for fun, and can incapacitate a man in four seconds. Most importantly, he doesn’t look at Talia like he’s attracted to her. If anything, he gives off little brother vibes. He’s also a thousand times more preferable than three total strangers.

Feeling me relax, Talia kisses my neck and drops down from her tiptoes.

I meet Gabe’s calm gaze. “Thank you for taking point on her protection.”

He nods soberly. “Absolutely. I’m sure the new guys are good, but the three of us thought you’d appreciate the shift of personnel.”

“Now that that’s settled,” Talia says lightly. “Give me five and I’ll be ready to come with you.”

I catch her hand as she turns to leave. “Pack a bag?”

She smiles, showing me that perfect eyetooth. “Okay. For the night or the weekend?”

For the rest of forever.

“Weekend,” I manage to say.

She nods and glides away. When she turns a corner, I drag my gaze back to Gabe.

“I’m probably never going to forgive you for interrupting what was about to happen.”

He blows out a breath, coasting a hand over his hair. “Frankly, Kier, I don’t blame you.”

“No one comes in the house tonight.” I pause. “Audio off, too.”

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