Page 116 of The King of Hearts

Ryker rips his mouth from mine. “Play with your clit. I’m not going to last long.” Sweat beads his forehead, and there are lines beside his eyes with his tight expression, both giving away just how tightly strung he is.

I release his hair and bring my hand down between our bodies. The second my finger grazes my clit, my mouth drops open, and I let out a moan. I’m not going to last much longer either. The pleasure is too intense.

Ryker’s fingers bite into my ass cheeks and he lifts me up and drops me back down faster. I work my finger over my clit and it takes no time at all before the first wave hits me. My head drops back, and my loud cry pierces the air. I feel my tight ring of muscles grip his shaft, making it difficult for him to slide in and out.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” he growls, punching his hips upward.

My orgasm seems to last forever. Just when I think it’s over, another intense wave hits, and it starts all over again. Ryker shoves his face into my exposed throat, and his teeth bite down. He grunts and groans against my skin and his cock, still deep in my ass, starts jerking.

I’m delirious, which seems like the case most of the time after we fuck, because the next thing I know, I’m sitting down on the seat Ryker was on and he’s down on his knees in front of me, slipping on my shoes. I don’t remember him sliding from mybody, and I don’t remember getting dressed. He’s fully dressed, too. Well, he was neverundressed, but his shirt is back on, and his pants are refastened. I wiggle my butt on the seat and feel a delicious ache. But there’s no mess, so that means he must have cleaned me too.

Once he’s done with my shoes, he wedges his way between my legs.

“The heart,” I say drowsily.

“Already taken care of, baby.”

I look over his shoulder toward the counter and don’t see the heart that was lying on top when things got started. The cabinet doors are closed, and the formaldehyde must be back in the bottom one because that’s gone too.

“Thank you.”

Not only for putting the heart in one of my jars, but for murdering the person who owned it.

His fingers are gentle when he takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He tilts my head back and presses a soft kiss against my lips.

“Anything for you, Vicious.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

HER

Asoft giggle comes from across the lawn, and Lili and I look over to see Harper lying on her stomach with her chin propped up in her hands, her rapt gaze on Loki as he blindly swats at a bug he can’t see. As Lili continues to watch her daughter, I look at Lili. The woman looks more happy than I’ve seen her since they were brought to my family’s house. Her mouth is tipped into a genuine smile, and her features are relaxed.

“How are you and Harper doing?” I ask, bringing her attention back to me.

“Good,” she replies. “Finally getting into a normal routine.” Some of the lightness fades from her eyes.

“What is it?”

Her gaze drops to her clasped hands, and it takes her a moment before she lifts her head to stare across the yard.

“I just wonder what comes after. I’ve been scared my entire life. I’ve tried blocking most of it from Harper.” She looks at herdaughter again, “But she’s smart. She knows her daddy isn’t a good person.” She brings her gaze back to me. “What do I do once this is over? Where do we go? I have no one and no money. I’ve never worked a day in my life, so I have no work experience. I’m sure I can find a job somewhere, but will it be enough to provide for Harper?”

I reach over and grab her hand. I understand her worry. She’s been dependent on Grant since she became an adult. It’s hard to make a go of it in today’s society. It’ll be even harder for Lili because she’s a single parent.

“The Raven Group has resources. We won’t forget about you once Grant is taken care of. We’ll help you with the transition by finding you a job and a place to live. You and Harper will be taken care of until you’re stable and on your feet.”

That’s where Apollo comes in. Or rather, that’s whereRykercomes in. He’s the financial backer who provides funds for relocating The Raven Group’s clients. It’s not required, but the client is offered a new identity, and Ryker provides the necessary documents. He gives them stability until they can manage it on their own. Wherever they choose to live, he provides a safe place, while The Raven Group helps them secure employment. Funds are given to the client, the amount more than enough to provide financial security for the first year.

Ryker and I haven’t discussed his role in the company or if he even plans to continue. I don’t even know if Dad will allow it. Regardless, Lili and Harper will be taken care of.

Lili regards me, saying nothing to my statement. “Why do you do what you guys do? Why do you care so much about other people’s plights?”

“Because if we don’t, no one else will. At least, not enough to really make a difference. There are too many people out there scared of their own shadow because of what was done to them. No one should live like that. And there are too many monsterswho get away with heinous acts. Those people should be dead. They don’t deserve the life they were given. We stop them from not only tormenting their victims, whether directly or indirectly, but we also prevent them from hurting other people.”

Lili flips her hand over, and our palms meet, her fingers curling around mine. “Thank you for everything you and your family have done for Harper and me. I don’t know what—” She stops when her voice breaks.

“You don’t ever have to find out,” I tell her. “The Raven Group, and especially me, will always be there for you. No matter what.”

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