Page 51 of Graveyards & Greed

“Mortuary. I’ll meet you there,” I snapped, turning my back to him and getting in my car.

We pulled up to my apartment behind the mortuary, and he silently followed me up the stairs. I noticed Alexa’s car wasn’t there again, and I didn’t know if I was relieved or disappointed not to have her there as a buffer.

Drakos didn’t waste any time. He took my hand and dragged me to my bedroom, then shut the door and leaned against it. “Three days ago, I had my cock deep in your pussy, and you were begging me to let you come. Then on Sunday, things went to shit. I know it wasn’t just those acquaintances who came to see me. What happened?”

My eyes narrowed and I folded my arms. Twoacquaintances? “The bet ended, Drakos.”

“Fuck the bet. Talk to me and quit running scared.”

My temper exploded and I threw up my hands. “Fine, I’ll talk to you. Those two women standing outside your loft looked like two high-class hookers out for a little Sunday afternoon orgy,” I accused. “Then, on Monday morning, JuliafuckingSchatzman met with me to bury husband number three, and, being the bitchiest gossip in Las Vegas, decided it would be nice for me to know about some of your more salacious exploits at The Emporium.”

“You’re listening to gossip again.” He folded his arms.

“Goddamn you, I don’taskpeople to tell me about it. But trust me, they’re more than happy to volunteer. And Isawthose women at your door, so it’s a little more than gossip, isn’t it? Are you denying it?” I demanded, feeling the anger and hurt blister my insides.

He pushed away from the door, closing the distance between us. "No, I'm not. But that's not who I am anymore. Bella came into town with her friend and wanted to surprise me. She’s an old hookup, and I haven’t seen her in over two years, so I disabused her ofeverdoing that again.”

Jealousy slithered through me at the way he casually used the woman’s name. “It’s easy for you to say that’s not who you are anymore, but what happens when you get bored? When you want more variety or decide to go back to The Emporium?”

He shook his head. “You’re so fucking different and so muchmorethan any woman I’ve ever known. We belong together, and I would never be unfaithful or cheat on you. Your lunatic cousins would also skin me alive if I did anything that stupid. Which I would deserve.”

I didn’t want to be this vulnerable in front of him, but I was sick of feeling so… sad and broken. “I’m not into games or emotional masochism.”

His hands framed my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I'm not playing games with you. This... whatever it is between us, it's real.”

His words seeped through my defenses, and I leaned into him. “I’m not a coward or a chicken, you juvenile asshole.”

His lips twisted sideways, and I knew he was trying not to smile. Cautiously, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and drew me in. “I know you’re not. I was there at Titties, remember?”

"Fine, let's say I believe you.” My voice held heavy skepticism and the faintest hint of hope. “What now? You're going to magically become monogamous and sweet, and you won’t frequent erotic clubs anymore?”

The corners of his mouth quirked up. “Oh, we’ll be monogamous, and I can also be sweet when the need arises, God help me. And if youwantto frequent a sex club and get into BDSM and submission, I’ll go with you and show you the ropes.”

My eyebrow lifted. “Did you just make a bondage joke?”

“Maybe. Speaking of ropes, have you ever been tied up, teased, and fucked by someone who knows what they’re doing?” His blue eyes locked onto mine.

Lust swirled through me as I processed his words, but before I could respond, the shrill sound of a security alarm sliced through the apartment.

“Damn it.” I fumbled for my phone in my back pocket and pulled up the camera app showing live footage from the exterior cameras outside the mortuary. Four motorcycles were rolling up to the circular drive in front of the funeral home, triggering the alarms and motion sensor cameras. Their motorcycle engines growled loud enough that I could hear them from inside the apartment.

“Looks like we have company,” Drakos observed, peering over my shoulder at the screen. He didn’t seem phased, but apprehension shot through me.

“Fuck. I knew this was going to happen. See if you can figure out what kind of weapons they have.” Handing him my phone, I squatted down and quickly rolled out the large, flat weapons safe hidden beneath my bed. My fingers flew through the combination, and when I lifted the lid, Drakos let out a low whistle.

“I must be a sick fucker because I just went rock hard. It looks like you’re ready for quite the party.” Dark amusement laced his voice.

“Party might be the wrong word. I think this is going to be more like a rager.” I selected two pistols and deftly armed them, then checked the chambers to ensure both were properly loaded before sliding them into the back of my jeans. I picked up the modified drone Callum had made for me a few weeks ago and turned it on. My hands didn't tremble. They were as steady as death—a trait that was useful in my profession.

“May I?" He nodded to the safe and started helping himself before I could respond.

“Only if you promise not to shoot your foot off,” I muttered, picking up the drone remote.

Drakos grunted and armed the gun, then quickly checked it over with a level of familiarity that eased my shoulders.

“Motherfuckers.” He brought my phone closer to his face. “One man has a semi-assault rifle, and another looks like he’s holding Molotov cocktails.”

It seemed the MC president wanted to play with the House of Spades after all. I turned and sprinted for the door.

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