Page 21 of Shadow Master
“And you mated with Brady.”
It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t respond. This was for the best. “I’ll see you at dawn, Hyde.” I made to turn away.
He moved fast and gripped my arm before hauling me back toward him.
I glared up at him in panic. “Stop it. Someone will see.”
“I don’t give a fuck.”
“But I do. We can’t fucking do this, so let me go.” I hated the pleading tone to my voice. “Please, Hyde.”
For a moment, his grip slackened. For a split second, I believed he would oblige, but instead, he crushed me to him, claiming my mouth in a savage, punishing kiss that channeled pain, torment, and sorrow into my soul.
Tears burned my eyes. Frustration. Anger. Loss.
I shoved at his chest, hard, forcing him to tear his mouth from mine and take a step back, because if I didn’t, I’d fall. I’d take what I needed and give him what he craved. I’d weaken, and that could end us both.
We stood a couple of feet apart, breathing too heavy. The air was electric with tension. The kind of thick atmosphere you could cut with a knife.
“What’s the meaning of this, Hyde?” Orion’s dulcet tone sliced through the sexual tension like a hot razor blade.
Ice flooded my veins. “We were just talking.”
But Orion’s attention was on Hyde. His gaze was speculative … knowing. “Is this what your petition was about?”
Oh, God. The petition. Orion had to suspect something. How much had he seen?
Time to put on a show. “Petition?” I frowned, feigning ignorance.
Orion smirked at me briefly, but the action was cold and calculating. “Hyde? Is there an intimate association between you and this woman?”
Hyde locked gazes with me. He was going to do it. He was going to admit it. The idiot was about to sign his own death warrant.
He opened his mouth to speak just as a presence bloomed at my back, and Kash’s fresh scent enveloped me. His arms wound around my waist, and he pulled me back against his chest.
“Where did you go?” he asked, his voice husky from sleep.
Hyde’s mouth tightened, and his nostrils flared.
Don’t. Fucking don’t. I channeled the warning through my expression.
He must have cottoned on because his shoulders relaxed. “I was explaining to Miss Justice that as Shadow Master, she needed to be focused right now. Sexual liaisons need to take a back seat.” He bit the words out.
Orion’s brows went up. “Ah, and your petition?”
“Was a mistake.” His voice was flat. “I retract it.”
It was what I’d wanted, but there was no ignoring the stab of pain in my heart.
Hyde looked to Orion. “Miss Justice still has much to learn.”
Anger flared in my chest. “And Mr. Hyde should understand the benefits of sexual release during stressful times.”
Kash tensed behind me.
“Indeed, Miss Justice,” Orion said. “You have the luxury to take your pleasures when you can, and as long as it doesn’t affect your leadership, I see no issue.” He smiled at Hyde. “Come, I’d like to see the barracks and the control room.”
I noted for the first time that Orion wasn’t wearing armor. He was dressed in an expensive shirt and slacks.
