Page 13 of Ours

Quirking his lips into a sly grin, he took a seat on the mussed bed. Shrugging his large shoulders, he let out an exaggeratedsigh. While he admired her fire, this was an argument that she would not win.

“You don’t really have a choice, my love,” he replied, lifting his hand to cradle her face. “Now we can do this the easy way...or the hard way. I wouldhateto put you back into those awful restraints.Pleasedon’t make me. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Swallowing hard, she suddenly remembered the days she spent bound in leather and chains in his underground bunker. She never wanted to wear those torture devices ever again. As much as it hurt to admit, she didn’t have a choice. Once again, she needed to keep the safety of her son,their son,foremost in her mind.

“Alright,” she reluctantly conceded. “But you need to promise me, Kade...promise methat you won’t let Bloodbayne do anything stupid.”

Nodding in agreement, he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss upon her forehead. He was relieved that she was finally accepting her fate within the Organization. It would make their lives so much easier if she didn’t fight it.

“Of course, Sweetheart. I promise you,” he said before standing from the bed and offering her his hand. “Why don’t we take a shower? I’ll wash your hair with that shampoo that smells like apple blossoms. I know how much you love that.”

Hesitating for a handful of moments, she finally placed her hand in his. She hated how quickly he could disarm her. Even with him threatening her only seconds prior, she felt herself melting at the thought of his fingers massaging into her scalp. What in the actual fuck was wrong with her?

Ohhh. Isn’t love grand, Lexi?Nikki quipped, her voice dripping in dark humor.It kills all your brain cells. Not that you had many to begin with.

Ungracefully rising from the mattress, she followed Kade as he led her waddling body towards the brightly lit bathroom. Mentally flipping off the bitch in her head, she hissed a silent reply.

Yeah right. So fucking grand.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Winding through the defunct meat packing plant, Lexi plastered a look of faux confidence over her face as she stepped directly behind Kade. Keeping her exhausted eyes locked onto the back of his head, she squared her shoulders and tried her best to ignore the agitated men flanking her sides. He assured her that they were only protecting her, but she knew that wasn’t the case. They were making sure she wouldn’t bolt at the smallest opportunity. It rubbed her the wrong way that after all he had put her through, he still didn’t trust her.

Guess the feeling is mutual then, huh?Nikki snickered.Why are youstillupset by that? In the grand scheme of things, his trust issues are kinda trivial, don’t you think? I’m so sick of hearing about it. Move the fuck on, already!

Reluctantly agreeing with her alter, she continued to follow him through the maze of darkened corridors. She was about to meet the only person in the world that truly terrified her to the core, and didn’t have the luxury of worrying about her toxic relationship with her lunatic lover. Her only priorities were to make sure that she, and her son, survived this meeting.

Stalking down the hallway, Kade scowled as the pungent smell of blood and decay filled his nostrils. He hated everything about the dilapidated slaughterhouse and avoidedit whenever possible. It held too many ghosts, too many unpleasant memories that he would rather suppress. This was where Bloodbayne took those that needed to be broken into submission. It was foolish of him to think that Lexi would be treated with a little more care.

Rounding the crumbling corner, he slowed his steps as the office door came into view. Glancing over his shoulder, he honed his dark eyes on Lexi and gave a wordless warning. She needed to behave herself from this moment on. All hell would break loose if she decided to do something stupid.

Understanding his command, she nodded once and tried to convey through her face that he needn’t worry. Just as long as he kept his end of the deal, she would be as compliant as a newborn kitten.

‘Good girl,’he mouthed before giving each of his men a fleeting glance. They all looked just as pissed off as he felt. He had to use all but brute force to get them away from Callie’s cunt. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one that needed more time in bed.

Pushing out a sigh, he turned his attention back to the metal door and mentally readied himself for what lay ahead. Years of preparation had brought him to this moment. He should be filled with excitement that his plans were finally coming into fruition, but he was filled with apprehension instead. He didn’t understand where this hesitation was coming from.

Because you actually love her,Demetri whispered.She’s not a toy like the others. She means something to you...tous. Don’t fuck this up. I’ll kill you if you do.

Reaching for the doorknob, a deep frown etched into his otherwise handsome face. His alter had just hit the nail on the head. Lexi was the only thing he had ever truly loved and that was a giant liability. For once in his life, he prayed his Boss would keep his word.

Turning the metal knob, he paused as the door was roughly pulled from his hand. Lifting his lips into a grin, he straightened his posture and offered a warm greeting to the commanding blonde filling the doorway. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed her until that moment. “It’s good to see you again,” he said.

Eyeing him critically from head to toe, Valentina suppressed a smile from cracking through her icy exterior. While she was thrilled to see him walking and talking, this was far from a happy reunion. Pleasantries would have to wait.

“Where is she?” she asked calmly.

Turning his body, Kade gently took Lexi’s elbow and ushered her towards Valentina with a look of triumph. This was the only introduction he wasn’t nervous about. He knew his pseudo sister would adore her just as much as he did.

“Valentina, meet Lexi,” he said, fixating his steely gaze on Lexi’s flushed face. “Lexi, meet Valentina.”

Blinking at the tall woman before her, Lexi was momentarily caught off guard by how regal she seemed. There was a thick air of authority surrounding her that made her stomach fill with butterflies. Valentina was clearly someone who shouldn’t be trifled with.

“Hello,” she said, holding her hand out in a formal greeting.

Brushing her hand away, Valentina took a step forward and brazenly pressed her hands against Lexi’s rounded belly, squeezing her palms in an effort to feel the child she had spent months protecting. “What is it? Girl or boy?” she asked curtly.

Glancing back and forth between the woman and Kade, Lexi’s face twisted in offense over the blonde’s flippant attitude. She didn’t care for the way she was touching her stomach, nor her rude question.Who the fuck did she think she was?

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