Page 138 of Forged in Rain

Earlier, Jig provided a cream-colored dress and shiny black heels for me to wear, and with a groan, I sit down on the couch and wiggle my toes. High heels are surely implements of torture.

Jig sits beside me, his back stiff and with a small smile, I lean my head against his arm. He glances down with a smile and wraps me up in his embrace, and my heart warms for my beautiful friend. I’ve never asked about his sister since he mentioned her with a pained smile. And impulsively, I decide now is the time to find out. Why? Maybe because I want to bring him peace before we all fucking die.

Shit, I’m losing it.

“Jig?”

“Hmm?”

I glance into his electric blue eyes and whisper, “What happened to your sister?”

He goes rigid, his hand spasming on his thigh. My heart clenches and I turn to him, grabbing his hand and wrapping my fingers around his.

I’m wishing I could take back the question when his lips quirk up and he says, “She died.”

Sucking in a breath, I say softly, “I’m sorry.”

He nods, his eyes unfocused as he gazes over my shoulder. “It’s why my parents left. She got caught in this mess and they couldn’t live with it, knowing their affiliation to this life took hers.”

“Oh, Jig,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around him.

It’s quiet after that while I process his words. My heart aches for his loss, and I wonder how he can work for the same assholes who are responsible. But I suspect it’s Cyn and Bastion who inspire him to stay.

“Beauty?”

Standing, I turn to Cyn and give him a wobbly smile. His voice flows over my skin like honey, and I shiver when he steps up and traces a finger over my bare shoulder.

“You look fucking amazing, Rain,” he breathes.

With a smile, I murmur, “You do, too.”

Leaning in, he nuzzles my neck, breathing me in, and my skin erupts in goosebumps as need unfurls within me in a slow wave.

With a shudder, I place my hand on his chest. His muscles ripple under my touch, and he sucks in a breath, covering my fingers. With a smile, I lean into him, moaning into his mouth when he pulls me in for a brutal kiss.

Is he as scared as I am?

Groaning, he pulls back and leans his forehead against mine. For a moment, we exist with nothing between us until reality intrudes, and he grabs my chin. “You still with me?”

My eyes fill with tears, and I wipe them away as I look into his handsome face and search his brilliant green eyes. “I’m scared.”

“Nothing to be scared of beauty. Nothing will happen to you,” he says, tipping my chin back.

“And you?”

“Don’t worry about me. I plan on chasing you until my dick is old and wrinkly,” he grumbles, and I giggle, slapping my hand over my mouth.

His lips curve in a smile and he brushes his hand down my cheek. “You’re fucking amazing. I don’t know what I did to deserve this, probably nothing, but I’ll die to be with you.”

My stomach free falls, and with a shiver, I press my fingers to his lips. “Don’t say that.”

“It’s true,” he says, his lips warm beneath my fingers.

I shake my head and whisper, “No.”

His eyes soften, and he nips my fingers before taking my hand and kissing the palm. “This world isn’t worth living in if you’re not with me.”

“It’s the same for me. Please don’t leave me, Cyn.”

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