Page 148 of Princess of Vengeance

And I know I’m safe, protected, and loved. Forever.

I’m not sure how long we stay tangled on the bed, but I know I’m sticky and crusty and covered in blood and cum when we finally pry ourselves apart to get cleaned up. Only when we’ve all showered and refreshed and are lying back down do I realize Atlas has a fresh cut on his cheek.

It’s just a small nick, but it definitely wasn’t there before today.

“What?” He frowns when he sees me staring at his face, then reaches up to touch his cheek and grins. “Oh, that. I think I got a little carried away when I was eating your pussy and fucking you with that knife handle at the same time. Next time I’ll know to watch out for the pointy end.”

A laugh escapes before I’m able to school my features into an appropriate look of concern. “Are you okay, though? Seriously?”

“Look at him,” Killian grunts. “He’d poke his own eye out with that knife just to get at your pussy.”

Nico and I laugh, but Atlas just shrugs. “Worth it.”

Just like he said the last time he almost killed himself fucking me. I bite back a grin, grateful that no matter what kind of shit the world throws at us, some things don’t change.

Each of them kisses me, then we all settle into the bed. My life feels as close to perfect as it ever has, and it’s all thanks tothese three men. The four of us together make something that’s so much better than the sum of our individual parts. We’re a team, and no matter what, we’ll always have each other.

Nico and Atlas doze off almost as soon as their heads hit the pillow, but I’ve only just closed my eyes when I feel the need to open them again.

“I thought I could feel you looking at me,” I whisper to Killian.

“Sorry,” he says, even though he doesn’t look apologetic at all. “I just…”

“What? Is something wrong?”

“No, not wrong.” He hesitates another second. “I want you to give me another tattoo.”

I can’t pretend to hide my surprise. “Really? Are you sure?”

“I’ve thought about it a lot, and yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay. Do you know what kind of design you want? And where you want it?”

He nods. “I know where I want it, but I’ll let you pick the design.”

And now he’s surprised me a second time in as many minutes. “Me? You want me to pick your tattoo?”

A small grin spreads across his face as he reaches out and gently brackets his hand around my throat, gesturing to the finger and thumb. “That’s where I want it. But you’ll be the one wearing it, see? Sort of like a necklace.”

A necklace.

“I love it,” I say, meaning it as I lean in to give him a kiss. “And I’ll absolutely give you that tattoo.”

As I finally drift off to sleep, I can feel myself smiling again. Out of the four of us, I think Killian has probably changed the most. From someone who thought they weren’t capable of any feelings at all—let alone love—to the man he is now? I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted it, least of all him, but I love that heloves me, and I love that he’s figured out a way to share the mark on his body with me.

47

QUINN

The new Bloodand Ink looks nothing like the old one, but that’s not a bad thing. The floors are freshly stained, the walls a deep red that makes the place feel intimate without being claustrophobic.

I lean against the counter, surveying my home away from home. It’s smaller than what my father built, but it’s mine. Ours. And it’s just the beginning.

“We’ve got Hendricks on board for the new supply route,” Kendrick says, tapping a map spread out on the counter. His finger traces a line from Canada down through Michigan. “He’ll move our shit through his territory for a twenty percent cut.”

“Fifteen,” Nico counters, his eyes sharp. “Hendricks is desperate after Malcolm’s operation imploded. He needs new partners more than we need him.”

I nod, agreeing with Nico’s assessment. In the weeks since Malcolm’s death, the power structure of Detroit’s underworld has shifted dramatically. The vacuum left by his organization and Elliot’s has created opportunities for those quick enough to seize them.

---