Page 109 of Ravaged Soul
Axel moves to my back, easily snuggling into me to cradle my body close. Warner doesn’t utter a complaint as his chin rests atop my head, pressing a soft kiss into my hair while his teammate makes my bones creak.
“That was more intense than I was prepared for.”
“Tom’s going to be fine,” Warner assures me.
“And so are you,” Axel adds. “We’re here, dimples.”
Melting between their stacked muscles, I take the free comfort. Every last ounce of it. The reassurance that old Ember never would’ve allowed herself. She falls to her knees in the shadowy crevices of my mind, relegated to the sidelines after years of taking centre stage.
Without her stubbornness holding me back, I can allow the safety of my men to hold me firm instead. They’re driving me forward now. Giving me love, safety and acceptance. They’re my home.
With that, I let myself break.
Safe in the knowledge that they’ll put me back together again.
CHAPTER 15
BLAINE
2005 – SOUTH ARCADE
Spyder dancesout of reach before I can slam my fist into his ugly mug. Growling in frustration, I amble forward into his space then duck the blow he attempts to land, using momentum to strike him in the gut.
At his grunt, my foot sweeps out to catch his ankles. The giant bastard lands with a thud that seems to shake the factory floor and every last empty workbench scattered around us.
“Motherfucker!” he roars.
Raye snickers from her nearby perch, watching us fight with a beer in hand. “You suck, Spyder.”
“Fuck off.” He glowers up at the ceiling. “Shit, that hurt.”
“He’s half your size!”
“And twice as fast,” I reply coolly.
Spyder takes the hand that I outstretch to heave him up. We clap each other’s backs, breaking apart to take swigs from our beers. I can feel them both eyeing me, but I don’t react. I’m a breath from snapping, and they don’t deserve to bear the brunt of it.
Instead, I’ll continue systematically beating the shit out of my crew until I can think logically again. Something tells meI’ll run out of volunteers before I can screw my head back on straight, but I’m still willing to try anything.
“Again?” Spyder invites.
“Nah.” The beer moistens my dry throat. “Raye’s right; you suck.”
“I wasn’t trying to hurt you!”
“Then you’re a fool.”
Smirking, I polish off my beer then turn to face Raye. I’m not afraid to hit her. Raye’s gender has no bearing on me. I think she’d give me a run for my money, even though I really hate to lose. And right now, I need a challenge.
“Now you want to play in the big leagues?” She grins at me.
“Come give it your best shot.”
“Not sure hitting my employer is the best career move, but you’re the one offering.” She cackles. “Frankly, I’d love to punch your stupid face to stop you from moping around here like a lost puppy.”
“I am not moping.” I roll my tense shoulders.
“Could’ve fooled me.”
