Page 5 of Claimed
My jaw drops before I can stop it. “Are you fucking insane?” My voice echoes through the dim room.
Ruin just watches me, and his expression is droll. “We need you to do this, Caine. Of everyone we have, you can get into this shit show and you can get the shipment out.”
Silence resonates through the room. But as I look at Markus, at Tanner, Gage, even Horan’s arrogant facade, they all have the same quiet calm. The same steady waiting. Like they know I’ll give in. That I’ll say yes to sticking my neck on the fucking line for men that barely tolerate me.
And I let them.
That’s the cusp of my existence.
Because no matter what, their half-assed acceptance is still the most welcome I have ever received from anyone that was not a bedmate.
“Hey, youarehere.”
My head whips over to find Lilah standing in the doorway, a petite blond woman at her side. Gage’s lover. Amoret.
I let my eyes roam Lilah’s curvy frame in one swift glide. Verifying she’s okay. She smiles at me. “I thought I heard you yelling,” she adds.
I snort. “You have vampire hearing, little bird. I’m shocked you didn’t hear my car.”
She laughs, but the sound fades fast as she glances to Ruin. Her eyes flare with heat. With love. My gut turns. “He agree yet?” she asks.
Ruin smirks at her and her cheeks flush hotly. “Working on it, baby girl.”
Lilah turns her focus back in my direction. “Well, I know you’ll agree, Caine. You like a challenge too much to turn this down. And playing the hero at the same time? I know that appeals to you. So just say yes already.” Her smile is mild as she blows a kiss to Ruin and leads Amoret past the door.
I stand rooted in place, her words ringing in my ears.
She’s more right than she knows.
I’ve always wanted to be someone’s hero. Their knight in shining fucking armor. I thought Lilah was it for me. My chance to prove I’m more than just a demon. But she already has her knight. Even if he’s a grumpy vampire.
Scouring the team’s expressions again, I let out a small puff of air. “Fine,” I say with as much swagger as I can manage. “But if I’m doing this, I’m doing it my way. No script, no rules. You let me be a fucking demon in this or they’ll see right through any act I try.”
Ruin and Markus exchange a long look.
The King of Lock Lake appraises me for several moments. He gives a small nod, his eyes gleaming. “Agreed.” I sag a bit, but I can’t name the emotion now filling me. Because it damn sure isn’t relief.
Ruin claps me on the shoulder. “Come on, Caine,” he mutters through a sharp smile. “Time to suit up and see just how good that mouth of yours is.”
Chapter 2
Onyx
“Onyx!” The rapid clack of dress shoes echoes off the marble floor.
My hands clench around the scrub brush and my shoulders cave. Forcing out a long breath, I rock back, knees aching and back burning from scrubbing, to bow my head.
Masculine black shoes come into view just outside the drying ring where I’ve been cleaning the floor. “What are you doing?” Azz demands.
My fingers mottle. “Cleaning, as you told me to do, my lord.” The reminder holds none of my frustration. The words are empty. Like my insides.
He scoffs. “Cleaning is for the servants, Onyx. You will roughen your hands.”
Then why did you tell me to scrub the floor?I want to scream.
Instead, I set the brush on the stone before me. “I apologize for displeasing you, my lord.”
Silence, then, “Stop staring at the ground, Onyx. When I address you, you will look at me.”
