Page 27 of Penance

Dropping my chin to the back of my hand resting on the tabletop, my knees bent in an almost crouch. I stare into his beady little eyes as he watches me warily.

“So, I’m going to ask you aWould You Ratherquestion and you’re going to answer! You’re not supposed to think too hard on these answers, you’re just supposed to go off instinct. So, if you don’t respond quick enough, there’ll be consequences.” I raise a brow at him, still smiling my Cheshire grin, “you got it?” I ask excitedly.

He nods silently, sniffing hard. He blinks, trying to pull himself together, as much as is possible when you know you’re at the mercy of expert predators.

“Relax! It’s just a game!” I say flippantly as I stand back up.

Nodding at Charlie who moves opposite me. Sidney’s eyes flick nervously between us.

“Okay! Here goes!” I tap the flat of the blade against my chin, my eyes rolling up to the ceiling as I think. “Would you rather,lose your fingers or your toes?” I hiss, Sidney whimpering at my words. “Quickly, Sidney! You’re running out of time!” I pressure with a dark chuckle, my body trembling as I watch him squirm.

“Fingers!” he screams as much as is possible with his damaged face. “NO! NO! I meant TOES!Fuck! I want to keep my fingers!”

He lifts his head up in a panic. Just about to move his hand as my cleaver comes sailing down over his knuckles, cleanly severing his filthy fingers from his body. Blood splatters my face, hot, thick droplets against my cheek. Sidney’s screams filling the air around me, my body thrums with excitement.

“Okay,” I say casually, ignoring him clutching his fingerless hand to his chest. “Would you ratherscream or cry?”

“What?” he blubs, his tear-streaked face paling irrefutably at my question.

“Come on, Sidney, you know the rules! Tick, tock!” I sing, clucking my tongue.

Sidney sobs deeply, the fear bubbling from his chest, his entire body erupting in full blown shivers. Blood pouring from his cleaved knuckles, a river of it running down his hand, trickling over the side of his throat, dripping onto the table beneath his head. I watch the steady drip start to pool, momentarily distracted. I zone out watching it until another scream tears from Sidney’s throat, this time it’s choked. My gaze snaps up, Charlie’s fists wrapped around his arm, snapping his elbow back sharply. Bone crunching and cartilage popping, Charlie twists his arm even further, tugging on it sharply as he pops his shoulder free of its socket. Sidney screams in protest, his legs thrashing, his booted feet drumming against the table in a ratherirritatingfashion.

My vision tunnels in on his flailing legs, my hearing dying a death as I grip my knife tighter. Too loud, toofuckingloud. Feet planted firmly, I twist my entire body back, raising my arm high above my head before bringing it down full force over his knee. I hear nothing as I twist my cleaver, nudging it free before I bring it down again. Ruthlessly slamming the steel into him, over and over. Lost to the sensation of brutal vengeance until a hand is suddenly gripping my shoulder. I rear back, twisting around, bloodied cleaver in hand as my eyes lock on rich verdant orbs.

I heave in a breath, my lungs burning as oxygen floods them. I blink, the room coming back into focus. Charlie’s hand runs down my bare arm, his fingers dancing over the inside of my elbow before latching around my slim wrist. His rough fingers curling over mine, he lowers my arm. His eyes never leaving mine, he takes the crimson steel from me, placing it carefully down on the tabletop. His hold on me strong, grounding. My hearing returns, my rapid breaths the only noise in the darkened room. My shoulders drop, muscles relaxing as I exhale, slow and deep.

I glance over my left shoulder, a bloodied, carved corpse lies sprawled in the centre of my dining table. His face caved in, jagged lacerations slicing through every visible inch of skin. I inhale slowly, the stench of copper heavy in the air. I blink up at Charlie as he releases my good hand, blood saturating every part of me. Soaking through my string vest top, blood seeping into every crease of skin as it rolls down me.

I shiver as Charlie steps back, a rush of cool air separating us, a sardonic smile on his perfect pout. Blood flecked skin and crimson soaked hair, he winks. Skirting around me and exiting through the double doors, the candlelight flickering as he slams them shut behind him. I turn fully to the other end of the room. Tilting my head to one side, I suck on my bottom lip, pulling it between my teeth as I eye my three monsters.

One with a demon so close to my own, dark, and depraved andhungry. His twisted insides a stark contrast to his golden god exterior. Hair the colour of the honey and eyes made of spun gold. His chin tipped down, those ravenous amber eyes drag up my body, inching up from my booted feet to my blood-streaked face. Kacey’s nostrils flare as his eyes lock with my own. A million silent words passing between us. The corner of my mouth tilts up as I pop my lip free, and he groans. His thick fingers sliding over the bulge in his jeans, he squeezes, knuckles blanching white in the shadows, my thighs instinctively clenching.

Movement catches my eye, pulling my attention to the fearless predator in the room. His playful expression illuminating his coal-black eyes with fire. He shifts in his stance, his feet planted firmly, tight, lean thighs encased in black denim. A white t-shirt stretched across his muscled chest, the fabric pulling as his shoulders flex. I swallow as he smirks, that cocky, boyish grin, that melts me. My entire body thrumming with fire as he flicks up a pierced eyebrow, a silent question, adare.

Do you want to play, baby girl?

I moisten my lips, my tongue sliding over my bottom lip then my top. I massage them together before switching my gaze to the devil inside the room. This one with bright narrowed eyes, dark brows furrowed together, fists clenched. Muscles in his thick forearms straining against tattooed skin. So much history, hurt and love.

Danger.

I swallow down all the things I want to say. My treacherous tongue momentarily choking me as I keep schtum, now’s not the time to be unpacking that baggage. My demon instead deciding on a different approach.

“I want you to sit down, Maddox. I want you to keep your eyes on me, and I want you to be silent. Or you can leave now,” I offer, my insides knotting at my statement.

Max stares at me for a long moment, already knowing he can’t walk out now, or he’ll never be welcomed back. Breaking our stare down, he slides a velvet chair back, leaving ample space between him and the table, before smoothly dropping into it. His legs spread wide, his posture relaxed, his open hands resting atop his thighs.

“Eyes on mine, Max,” I instruct lowly.

And although I can see him spewing venom at me inside his head. Predictably some nonsense about not taking orders and how he hates being told what to do,blah, blah, blah.I smile as he keeps it in.

Closing the distance between us, I confidently step up to my two men. They stand shoulder to shoulder, Huxley only an inch or so shorter than Kacey. Their entire focus on me and me alone, I practically preen under such rapt attention.

“Take off your shirts,” I purr.

My husky voice raspy with desire as they both effortlessly tear their contrasting t-shirts over their heads, the fabric falling to the floor.

I eye Kacey as I step into Huxley. One useless hand still clasped against my bosom, I rest the other against his bare chest. My fingers stroking crimson across his rich caramel skin, his pec twitching beneath my feather light touch. Kacey’s demonic gold orbs watching my every movement. I dance my hand down Huxley’s abs, my fingers just barely brushing skin, unpressured, unhurried. My fingers snag on his waistband, the rough denim harsh against my hot fingers, I pop his button free. Kacey bites down on his bottom lip, his nostrils flaring as he watches me slide down Huxley’s zipper. The kiss of metal teeth on metal teeth the only thing occupying anyone’s attention.

---