Page 98 of Riot

So that was it.

The wolves were out of the cage.

Now the real work began.

And this time, I wasn’t just fighting for vengeance or legacy.

I was fighting for Allure.

For peace.

For whatever future might still be possible when the blood stopped spilling.

After I arrived back home I let myself in, the familiar creak of the door grounding me more than I expected. I tossed my keys in the tray near the front and shrugged off my jacket. My mind was still turning over what Rollo told me. Boaz was out. That meant the countdown had started.

But for now, I was home.

I cracked open a bottle of wine, poured a single glass, and sank into the couch. The leather was cool against my back, the weight of the day pulling at me like gravity. I’d earned a few quiet minutes before everything ramped up again. I closed my eyes and let my mind drift… only to hear the soft click of the front door unlocking.

Allure stepped inside. She looked so damn fine, but she looked fine every day.

"Hey," she greeted.

I stood up, met her halfway, and pulled her in without a second thought. My hands rested on her hips, hers found their way around my neck. I kissed her slowly, our tongues melting into one another. Her kiss made me forget all about the shit with my mother today. But not about the danger ahead.

When we pulled back, I studied her face. She looked so serene and I hated that I was about to break that for her.

"Boaz made bail today," I announced.

She stiffened just slightly, but I kept my hands on her, grounding her. "He’s out, but I got eyes everywhere. I’ll handle it. He’s not gonna touch you. Not again. Not ever."

“Wow. I knew it was going to happen but I didn’t know it would make me feel like this.”

“How do you feel?” I asked her.

“Hearing that brought me back to that compound. Those girls in the basement. It’s all too much,” she said.

“It’ll be over soon. In the near future he won’t be more than a thought.”

“I believe you. But in some other news, I saw my brother today. “

“How was that?”

“It was okay. I also spoke to my mother. My brother seemed a little preoccupied but our reunion was sweet. However, he wants me to stay with him."

I didn’t flinch, but I felt something shift in my chest. “You want that?”

She shook her head. “No. I want to be here. With you.”

There was something about the way she looked tonight that made her irresistible. I wanted her. I wanted to taste her for the first time. This was about her pleasure although I would be fulfilled by pleasuring her.

I smiled and pulled her close, capturing her lips in a deep, hungry kiss. My hands slid down her back, gripping her hips as I pressed against her. I could feel the heat building between us, electric and undeniable.

Without breaking the kiss, I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to the bedroom. I laid her down gently on the bed, hovering over her. My eyes locked on hers as I slowly undressed her, savoring each inch of smooth brown skin as it was revealed.

Once she was fully bare before me, I took a moment to drink in her beauty. She was a vision, all soft curves and feminine perfection. I placed tender kisses along her neck and collarbone before moving lower. I lavished attention on her full breasts, swirling my tongue around each hardened peak.

Allure arched into my touch, soft moans escaping her lips. Encouraged, I continued my sensual journey down her body until I was settled between her thighs. Her scent was intoxicating, luring me closer. I placed a reverent kiss on her most intimate flesh before parting her slick folds with my tongue.

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