Page 63 of Green Ravens

“Hawks are predators that can’t be tamed,” Valor growled. “Do not fear these simple men.”

Chief Aiken Oakley

Valor

The elevator doors slid open and Valor didn’t take his eyes off Zorion as the guards flanked them and led them in opposite directions.

The sight of Zorion’s strong back retreating clawed at Valor. His instincts screamed for him to lash out and rip the guards to shreds. But he forced the rage down and walked patiently into his own living quarters.

The moment the door closed, the silence bore down on him. He went to his terrace and took a deep breath, needing the scent of the outdoors to settle him.

An hour later, he got into the shower. And like last time, he traced the random scars on his chest and abdomen, wondering where they came from.

Valor stared at his naked body in the mirror, wanting to get familiar with who he was now and stop obsessing over who he used to be.

His eyes were golden and his skin was olive-toned as if he’d lived on an island or someplace tropical.

Jo had said his name was Oakley, and he was a hero in the Navy.

Valor didn’t know if a semblance of Oakley was still inside him, waiting to return. If he was, would Zorion like him better than Valor?

What these assholes had done to him was a huge mindfuck. He hoped Jo’s plan was coming together because even he didn’t know how much more of this place he could take.

Dinner arrived—large chunks of beef and lamb smothered in garlic-buttered mushrooms and wild rice. The food was rich, and he was ravenous, but he ate mechanically.

His mind was on Zorion.

As the sky grew darker, Valor marveled at his vision as he watched the chirping birds and even spiders that’d found a home in his elevated refuge.

Then he heard it—the faintest whisper.

“Valor.”

Valor stormed barefoot through his living room and foyer, then slammed his door behind him.

Before he could knock on Zorion’s brand-new door, he opened it, standing there in a pair of loose athletic shorts and no shirt.

“Did you hear me?” Zorion asked with his head cocked slightly.

Valor could only nod, his mouth dry as he stared at Zorion’s toned chest and the defined ridges of his abdomen.

Zorion’s eyes widened a fraction of a second before his gaze lowered to Valor’s waist.

His cock took instant notice of the heat in Zorion’s leer, of his skin that looked warm and sun-kissed as if he spent his days sunbathing when he wasn’t training or taking tests.

They slammed into each other.

The embrace was air-restricting, the overwhelming feelings somewhat confusing.

Zorion’s breath was soft and velvety against his neck. His heart beat strong and steady with his.

He smelled so good, as if his body wash was made from the clean breath of the forest and infused with honeysuckle.

Valor had been restless the entire day, and he’d been furious as he watched the challenging simulations they’d put Zorion through helplessly from the corner.

But now, his soul was at peace.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come.”

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