by Susan Bliler
“She’ll get hurt.”
King’s words dumped over him like ice water.
“Just think about what happens if you attack.” King’s eyes turned imploring. “I’ll try to protect her, brother, but look around you. Are you willing to take that chance with her?”
Jerking his head to the side, RedKnife scowled over his shoulder at Cindy. King was right. There were too many.
“Take her back to her cell. Let Monroe sleep on it. You sleep on it. She’ll be safe here, locked in.”
Cindy didn’t know what she expected to happen next, but it certainly wasn’t RedKnife spinning to scoop her up and carry her back to her cell. Part of her wanted to protest, but a bigger part didn’t want him fighting the dozen or so armed Sentries on her account.
Back in her cell, RedKnife gently set her on her feet and then turned to punch the wall. To her shock, he caved a hole in the cinder block wall.
“Jesus!” She flinched and backed into the opposite wall. When RedKnife looked at her, his eyes were blazing in fury, but as he took in her frightened demeanor some of the fight left his expression. “You okay?”
“Me!” He snorted and let his head roll back.
“Look. It’s okay. I don’t mind being kept in here until…”
Her words died when RedKnife reached out and grabbed the door, slamming it closed with him still inside.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
He fell back against the door with a loud thud, letting his body slip down until he was sitting leaning against it. “Protecting you.”
Chapter 21
As grateful as Cindy was that RedKnife had opted to stay with her, she was deeply concerned about how he was handling it.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his foot had been shaking rapidly in a nervous tick for the past few hours. It was late, and she’d tried to get him to sleep, even offering up the cot, but the longer they were locked up…the longer he was locked up, the worse he became. His breathing was erratic. Too fast, coming in short, harsh pants.
She knew he hated confined spaces, and the small cell was actual torture.
Stepping next to him, she pressed her leg into his shoulder as she pounded on the solid door. “HEY! HE NEEDS OUT! SOMEONE! ANYONE!”
No one came and she pounded harder, raising her voice to a hysterical pitch. “WE NEED HELP IN HERE!”
RedKnife grabbed her leg and she looked down. Poor thing. His shirt was practically soaked through with sweat, and his skin had gone sickly pale.
Dropping to her knees, and unsure what else to do, she wrapped her arms around his massive shoulders as far as they’d go and hugged him to her. “RedKnife, I’m so sorry.”
Rocking her body, she frantically thought of anything she could do to help him. He wouldn’t sleep, and she couldn’t get the door open, but seeing him like this was heart-wrenching. He was the strongest, most virile being she’d ever met, so to see him reduced to this… She shook her head.
“Do you remember at the cabin,” she spoke gently. “When we first got there, you needed the door open, but after a couple of days you were fine. How did that happen? What changed?”
When he didn’t respond, she begged, “Please, baby. I don’t know how to help you. Help me help you.”
When he finally spoke, his lone word was raspy, as if pulled from him against his wishes.
“You.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“You made me forget.”
How? Closing her eyes tightly, she sighed into their embrace. She didn’t know what she’d done then, so she wasn’t sure what to do now to ease him. It was clear conversation wouldn’t work, and they didn’t have the distraction of TV or chores. Maybe…
Turning her head, she brushed her lips across his temple. When he didn’t protest or react, she kissed his forehead.
He snarled and she stilled, unsure what the sound meant. When his hand gripped her knee and squeezed, she relaxed and brushed the hair back from the side of his face. Reaching down, she undid the laces on her boots and whispered, “Look at me.”
Slowly, his eyes lifted to lock on her face.
“Watch me.”
Standing, she stepped back and was glad his eyes stayed trained on her. Toeing off her boots she kept eye contact, only breaking it to bend and pull her socks off. She pushed her socks and shoes under the cot, then crossed her arms in front of her to grab the hem of her shirt and pull upward.
His foot stopped ticking.
Okay, it’s working! Tossing her shirt on the cot, her delicate fingers lifted to the button on her jeans and she toyed with it, her eyes still on him.
His harsh breathing suddenly halted when he inhaled sharply, then held his breath.
Popping the button free, Cindy felt her face flame. She knew she wasn’t society’s “ideal” body shape, but she wasn’t ashamed of her body either. She’d just never done a strip tease for anyone before.
Sliding her zipper down, she wanted to smile when RedKnife’s intent gaze jerked up from her hands to frown at her in confusion before slamming back down to her hands when she started to shimmy out of her jeans.
Making a leisurely show of pushing the denim over her hips and down her thighs, she bit her bottom lip--what she hoped was demurely--and prayed she wasn’t making an ass of herself.
Color flushed his features and she had to admit, with him sitting there still-as-stone watching her, it was the best he’d looked in hours.
Standing in just her bra and panties she knew that alone wasn’t enough to get him through the night. “C-can I have your shirt?”
His eyes lifted from her panties to meet her gaze before he leaned off the wall and pulled his shirt off, holding it out to her. When she took it and tossed it onto the bed, she saw when understanding sparked in his eyes. She didn’t want his shirt to cover herself up. She wanted him as bare as she was.
“Jeans too,” she whispered.
Instead of standing, RedKnife slowly rolled to his knees and undid the buttons on the front of his jeans. He quickly removed them and, instead of handing them to her, he simply kicked them aside.
Cindy let her eyes rake over his frame as he knelt before her. He was magnificent. All thickly-corded bronzed skin marred only by a tattoo on his forearm and scars on his chest. Lost in her admiration of his physique, her eyes lifted to his when his harsh breathing started again.
“None of that.” Her hands trembled as she lifted them to slide one bra strap down her arm and then the other. Again, RedKnife’s breathing slammed to a halt, and his body actually tensed as if he was physically restraining himself from lunging for her. She smiled, liking the reaction.
Reaching behind her, the black satin bra slid off with little fanfare and she simply let it fall to the floor.
If RedKnife was interested before, he was now riveted. His eyes didn’t leave her breasts, not even when she stepped close to him. On his knees, his head was chest level. Grabbing the back of his neck, she pulled him into her and reveled in the warmth of his skin pressed to hers. He shuddered, and her body mimicked the movement. God, he feels good.
She held him pressed to her for long moments and realized he wasn’t moving. Pulling back slightly she whispered, “Give me your hand.”
He lifted one and she caught it, smoothing it along her thigh, over her hip, and up her rib cage until he was cupping her breast. “Touch me.”
He did.
His large hand massaged her breast, and she creamed at the contact. Letting her head fall back, she allowed herself to enjoy the feel of his hands on her. “Your mouth,” she directed. “Touch me with your mouth.”
Hot breath fanned across her skin an instant before his soft lips parted and he took the rosy peak of her nipple into his mouth. She jerked at the sensation, but one of his hands clamped at her lower back to hold her in place as he suckled her. The sharp tugs sent a zing of pleasure straight to her clit and it hummed for attention.
Pulling back from him, she was startled to find
his eyes had transitioned to pure black as he tracked her movement. She liked it. She wanted his predatory gaze on her and her alone.
Reaching down, she flung his shirt off the cot and then lay back on the thin mattress. “Take the boxers off and come here.”
Another growl, and then his body was over hers. Spreading her legs, she let him settle in the cradle of her thighs, and she moaned when the hard ridge of his cock pressed against her pussy. Moaning, she rolled her hips, letting pleasure course through her at the divine friction.
Suddenly, RedKnife captured her hands and pinned them roughly to the cot. Cindy’s eyes slammed open. “What? What’s wrong?”
His expression was strained, like he was hanging on by the slenderest thread.
“I…” He swallowed hard. “I want you. But you’re doing this just to distract me.”
All worry left her and she smiled up at him, ignoring the guilt that accompanied the knowledge that it really was why she’d started this. It wasn’t how she felt now though.
Wiggling one hand until he released it, she caught his wrist and led it down between their bodies. Slipping her hand down she grasped two of his fingers, dipping them under the whisper of lace that was her panties and sliding them slowly through her core. His nostrils flared, and he was back to breathing hard.
“Feel that? It means I want you too.”
“I don’t…” He dipped his head, pressing it into her shoulder.
“What?” Is he backing out? “You don’t what?”
His cheeks seemed a little redder when he finally lifted his head. “I’ve never…”
She absorbed the shock of his words and was proud of herself for hiding it well. Instead, she smiled at him reassuringly. “I’m a woman, baby. And you’re a man. Just do what feels natural.”
“Natural.” He repeated.
“Do what feels right to you. I promise, it won’t be wrong.”
His lips closed and he swallowed, meeting her gaze as his expression turned to one of intent. Hand still trapped between them, he lifted and fisted her panties before ripping them off. Then he stilled, gazing at her as if seeking approval. She smiled and nodded.
Both naked, RedKnife wasted no time probing her entrance. Cindy spread her legs wider and shifted to help, then he was sliding into her. Knowing it was his first time had her channel clenching as she nearly came from the thought alone.
His shoulders hunched and he moaned. She was surprised at how thick he was, but was proud when he started to gently work his hips. Let nature take its course.
After a few tentative strokes he thrust harder and Cindy gasped. He tried to pull back, but she wrapped her legs around his hips. Her voice breathy, she moaned, “Don’t stop!”
He slid back into her and she smiled when his trembling hands gripped her hips. He started pounding into her and a few strokes in, she unraveled.
“Fuuuuck!” His hands tightened on her hips to the point of near pain, and she smiled through the ecstasy that continued to wash through her. Her pussy gripped him as he continued to work, his pace quickening to a frantic pace until finally his body jerked, and he was shooting his release deep inside her with a vicious growl.
Smiling into his shoulder, Cindy unhooked her ankles and began to push him off when he tensed and lifted his head to smile at her. “I’m not done.”
Delicate brows speared down. “But you…”
“Am a Walker,” he supplied with a smile.
Chapter 22
They’d made love through the night and well into the morning hours before Cindy had finally fallen into an exhausted slumber. Reluctantly, RedKnife pulled from her body and sat on the edge of the cot. Turned to watch her sleep, he worried at the tenderness that heated his heart. It felt like she was his, but there was no affliction. He wanted her to be his, he felt like she was, but something was blocking it. Jenny?
The night he’d taken Cindy and run, he’d given up on expelling Jenny’s injection from his system. It was time he started again.
The clang of a door had him quickly standing to ensure Cindy was covered before he reached for his boxers and jeans and quickly tugged them on. He’d donned his shirt and was just shoving his now-socked feet into his boots when the cell door opened.
Haka didn’t attempt to enter. He simply stepped far back, giving RedKnife a wide berth. “Monroe requests you.”
Turning, RedKnife eyed Cindy’s sleeping form and debated wrapping her up and taking her with him, but he knew she needed rest.
“Your Angel is safe, I swear. When she wakes, she’ll be fed and brought to you.”
He wondered what had changed.
Haka dropped his rigid pose and raised his eyes to look at him. “On my word.”
RedKnife nodded once and stepped out of the cell, satisfied when the cell door closed behind him, securing his One safely within.
In the surveillance room, Haka handed him off to King and returned to his seat at the monitors.
No one protested when, instead of heading straight to Monroe, RedKnife entered the locker room that was housed down in The Black Hole, as it was termed by the Sentries. The Black Hole was comprised of the cells and multiple interrogation rooms. The security staff also operated the Estate’s monitors and security systems from here. Nestled in a bunker beneath the Estate’s large barn, to the eye that didn’t know any better, there’d be no telling that the structure was anything but what it appeared to be.
RedKnife went to his locker and pulled out fresh BDU’s and underclothes before heading for the showers. While he enjoyed Cindy’s scent on him, he held no illusions as to her reasons. She was trying to protect him, and he’d do the same for her by attempting to preserve her modesty. It was no one’s damn business if they’d slept together. Especially not Monroe’s.
After a long hot shower and donning fresh attire, he allowed King to lead him up into the stables then out onto the Estate. King sighed. “How is she?”
“Scared.”
“She shouldn’t be.” King turned to smile at him. “Even showered, I can still smell her on you.”
RedKnife hid a wince.
“She’s safe.” King stated, all matter-of-factly.
RedKnife knew what he was hinting at, but mere sex alone wasn’t enough. Lifting a hand, he fingered his halo and wondered if he should have collared her, claimed her, despite the absence of the affliction.
Silence reigned until they entered Monroe’s office. Impeccably dressed, the CEO sat at his desk, not bothering to look up as they entered.
“Afternoon, gentlemen.”
Stalking to the desk, RedKnife stopped in front of it, completely disregarding protocol. “What?”
That got Monroe’s attention. Slowly, the Dominant lifted his head and pierced RedKnife with steely-blue eyes. His nostrils flared, and his jaw ticked once. “That won’t protect her.”
“Fuck you!” RedKnife growled, planting his hands on the desk. “She doesn’t need protection. She is not your enemy.”
Monroe leaned back and steepled his fingers. “Our.” He corrected, and the corner of his mouth lifted mockingly when confusion clouded RedKnife’s expression. “You said she’s not my enemy. Didn’t you mean to say our enemy?” The CEO stood and paced around the desk. “After all, it was you who alerted us to her treachery. Was it not?”
RedKnife’s shoulders tensed as he turned his head to stare out the large window beside Monroe’s desk. “I was wrong. I’ve been wrong about much. I’ve spent my life keeping quiet. Listening, watching, learning. I’m done being silent…done being solid.”
“And why is that?” Monroe snapped. “You’ll permit her to break you? Cause that’s what she’ll do. She’ll tear you down. She’ll change you.”
RedKnife turned, his eyes flashing with fierce determination. “And what if I want to be broken?”
Monroe’s jaw clenched.
“I made her a prisoner. I made her your enemy, when she is not. I failed her, and I won’t do it again.”
“Is that what this is about?” Monroe demanded. “Guilt?” He plowed a hand through his black hair. “Christ, RedKnife. You don’t owe her anything. Let me handle this. Give her to me and walk away. I’ll see that justice is done.”
RedKnife spun with a snarl as his lips peeled back to reveal elongated canines. “Mine!”
King lunged at him from behind, wrapping thick arms around him. “Calm!” he commanded.
RedKnife didn’t fight.
“Is she yours?” Monroe challenged, stepping closer. “Because you’re not afflicted my friend, and your aggressiveness is insinuating something that the halo still hanging around your neck contradicts.”
“She’s mine,” RedKnife snarled, the sound deepening when Monroe smirked.
“King.” Monroe spoke to his Chief, but kept his eyes pinned on RedKnife. “Don’t let your friend make a commitment based on infatuation. It’ll cost them both when his true Angel shows her face.”
Teeth clenched so tightly he thought his back teeth would shatter, RedKnife wanted to deny Monroe’s words. He wanted to shout that Cindy was in fact his Angel, but he couldn’t. There was no affliction. Monroe was right. She wasn’t his.
Turning, he stormed from Monroe’s office. He needed to find Cindy.
“RedKnife!” King called as he followed him from Monroe’s office.
RedKnife didn’t slow.
“Brother, wait!” He caught up and talked as they descended the stairs to the main floor. “Haka’s taken her to the communal area. We’re having a bonfire.”
The communal area was an outdoor lawn, typically used in summer, where Walkers gathered for barbecues. Housed between the main Estate house and the cabins hidden behind the hedgerow at the back of the Estate, the communal area was centrally located on the grounds.
Adjusting his course, RedKnife didn’t respond.
“He could be wrong. There was no immediate affliction for me either. I wasn’t afflicted by Lilly until after she’d been injured. It took time, but it came…eventually. I didn’t need it. I knew she was mine.”
“Are you saying I need to wound her to claim her?”
“Hell no!” King snapped. “I’m just saying that he may be the dominant, but he’s not always right.”