Page 85 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

But it’s too late.

We’ve got him.

Scottie

The door to the prisoner’s cell clicks shut behind me, the sound lost in the pleading protests of a weaselly traitor. Not that it’ll do him any good. Zane and Huntley see Jaxon’s misdeeds and if I know the two of them at all—which I do—there will be no quarter given.

I exhale slowly, punching in the security code to gain access to the stairwell. The numbers beep one by one until the door opens and I leave the anger and betrayal behind me.

Jaxon will get what’s coming to him, but I don’t need to be there watching. I have other places to be.

I make my way up the stairs, the chill of the basement giving way to the warmth of the high-end house above. Francesco’s safe house is more like a five-star mansion—polished hardwood floors, modern art hung on the walls, and sleek furniture that exudes wealth and power. But despite the elegance, it still feels welcoming.

It feels like Francesco. Quiet. Classy. And welcoming.

The soft padding of my socks on the floorboards is the only sound as I make my way through the hallway and search the first floor. The dim lighting casts long shadows, and I let the darkness take the ugliness of the night from me.

I’m not thinking about Jaxon’s betrayal.

I’m not thinking about Huntley’s declaration of love and hate.

I’m not thinking about Zane and his twisted ideas of control and possession.

I’m thinking about Tucker.

I climb the stairs to the second story, the silky wood banister cool beneath my fingers. The faint flicker of candlelight guides me along the corridor to my bedroom.

I push the door open, my lips curving into a smile the moment I see him stretched out on my bed, thumbing through the pages of a novel, wearing only a pair of gray sweats. The soft flicker of candlelight dances over the chiseled planes of his chest and arms, and I exhale a sigh.

Perfection.He’s the steady calm in the middle of the whirlwind my life has become.

“Still working to reduce my carbon footprint by bunking in here with me?”

He closes his book and sets it to the side. “What can I say? I’m committed to the environment.”

I lock the door behind me and make my way to the end of the bed. The bedside table is set up for a good time with three spray cans of whipped cream sitting next to a bowl of stemmed strawberries, a bottle of caramel, and a package of Reese’s Pieces.

I bite my lip and chuckle. “Wow, you really ran with the whipped cream idea, didn’t you?”

Tucker grins, his eyes gleaming with that light that makes my heart skip a beat. “What the lady wants, the lady shall have.”

I eye him up and down and swallow when I see how dangerously low those sweatpants sit on his hips. Knowing that he goes commando sends a slow burn through my veins.

He looks so damn relaxed, so utterlyhim.I can’t help but admire how easy he makes it all seem.

“How did it go tonight?” he asks, his voice low and smooth.

“According to plan. Jaxon’s locked up tight and Zane and Huntley will deal with him.” I pull my shirt over my head and toss it at his face. He catches it and waggles his brow, watching as I shimmy my pants down my hips next. “And how’s Jack?”

“Out for the night,” he replies, his gaze trailing down the length of my body as I strip for him. “By tomorrow, I’d bet he’s back on his feet.”

“Excellent. Then there’s nothing for us to worry about tonight?”

Tucker’s gaze follows my movements, dark and hungry, until I step out of my pants. “Nothing comes to mind.”

Even without us touching, being this close and knowing what’s coming, the magic in my cells sparks to life. It’s erotic and overwhelming and makes me practically vibrate with the need for him.

I try to act cool as I crawl up the bed, my bare skin brushing against his as I slide in beside him. I try… but I know he can smell the rush of heat soaking the crotch of my underwear and he knows how badly I ache for him.

---