Page 37 of Torn Souls

“I don’t believe this cage is anything like the one my father forced me into.” I pause and take a deep breath, needing to find my resolve, “But how do I know this one won’t have just as many bars, even though it may seem more lavish.”

“We will never harm you,” his voice is firm, unmoving. “None of us will ever raise a hand to you unless it’s one of us spanking your ass to see our handprint like a primal mark.”

The image Huck has conjured in my head with his words has my nipples pebbling and my pussy getting wetter. I was already turned on just being in the same room with him.

With any of my men, really.

It’s not really fair that all four of my men are hot as hell. I’m not going to complain about it. I’m one lucky woman if I take them at face value and believe what they’re offering me.

Before I can even try to think of a response, Huck is standing and gently grabbing my hand. Seeing no reason to fight him on it, I willingly follow him out of the kitchen and up the stairs toward his room. I start to get more nervous with every step I take with him.

It’s not that I’m scared. Hell no.

But I know how talented Baker was with his mouth last night, it makes me wonder what is in store for me behind Huck’s door. My body tries to anticipate what is going to happen next, but there are so many possibilities.

“Where are we going?”

Huck looks back at me over his shoulder and winks right before he opens his door and leads me into his room. Yesterday I glanced inside on the tour, but I didn’t take it all in before I knew if I was really welcome in each man’s space.

Clearly, I am.

My eyebrows furrow together as he leads me past the bed and toward the door I’m guessing is the walk-in closet. Even when he pulls me inside, which is big enough to be most people’s bedrooms alone, he doesn’t stop, and I become a little concerned.

“The closet?” My voice is high and thready, belying the worry starting to creep in.

Huck turns to me fully, his free hand coming up to cup my face. “You’re safe, Sweet Girl.”

His nickname for me makes me melt. They’ve all come up with small ways to show me that I’m precious to them. It’s a welcome change to what I’m used to.

To go from never having a nickname to having four, as unique as the men who have given them, makes me feel a giddy. It is not a feeling I’m used to at all.

His words ease some of the worry, but not the confusion. That only grows when he steps up to the back wall of the closet and flips open a keypad that I didn’t even notice at first and presses his finger to the scanner.

“You’ll be able to get into here just like you can for the front door,” he tells me and pulls me into a hidden room.

“What the fuck?” I hiss out the question when we step into a room that is almost as large as the bedroom.

The size of the room isn’t even the shocking thing. What has my mouth hanging open is the computer set-up and desk that is taking up a huge portion of the space.

“This is my office away from the office,” he tells me.

I can’t keep the awe off my face as I look at the screens which he’s woken up. It’s clear that programs are running and that he was diving into something, I’m just not sure what. Even though I take it all in, I force myself not to look at details.

It’s none of my business what he’s working on, and I learned a long time ago not to ask about certain things.

Huck studies my face before sitting in his large, very comfortable looking office chair. I let out a small squeak of surprise when he grips my hips and pulls me down on his lap.

“What are you doing?” My question comes out far more breathless than I intended. I wave a hand in the direction of his screens, but keep my eyes firmly trained on him. If this is a test, I want to pass it. “I’m sure this is very important, and I shouldn’t be looking at it.”

Huck’s eyes are serious as he takes me in, but I don’t buckle under the intensity of his stare.

“We’re not going to keep secrets from you, Oaklynn,” his voice is deep, and I find myself relaxing against his chest. “While there might be things we don’t share with you, it’s only because we don’t want you to look at us differently, be afraid of us, or for your own protection. But for the most part, we will be open with you. Knowledge is power and it can help to keep you more aware of what is going on around you.”

“Okay,” I hold the word out, the question clear in my tone.

“I’m sure you’ve already figured out that not all of our business dealings are legal.”

I can’t help it; I tense in his hold. Being dangerous isn’t a surprise, but I can’t help but wonder if they’re doing the same kind of business that my father has been involved in?

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