My head was growing dizzy, the sensation made worse when I started shaking my head. “You’re not my real mate,” I argued. “I’m just your pet you like to mock in front of Belvini.”
Risk rolled his eyes. “Clearly, we were not on the same page.”
“What?”
“It was an act,” he explained slowly. “I was merely playing the hand that had the best odds in our favor. I know how to take risks and how to win. But just because I’m using it to our advantage does not mean I used you. You are my mate. I don’t take that lightly. I needed Belvini to think that I didn’t care for you more than a pet. I thought you understood, so I apologize for causing you pain.”
I stared at him in disbelief and doubt, trying not to let the flare of hope catch fire. I was terrified that this was just another trick. “Belvini orchestrated our mating. How can we know if it’s sincere? It just feels so tainted now.”
“I chose you, not Belvini, Wicked Love”
His tone was serious and decisive. The barb of betrayal lifted off my heart, and I shuddered out another tear, this one of relief. Crow’s thumb came up to swipe the tear away. “Don’t cry, Little Spider,” he whispered in my ear.
“Next time, tell me the plan before you act it out,” I reprimanded Risk.
“Next time, have a little trust in your mate, hmm?” he countered.
“I’ve only known you for a few hours,” I pointed out.
He blinked at me. “So?”
I rolled my eyes, then hissed when another wave of dizziness and pain tore through me, and I grimaced.
“Right. Time to heal, Wicked Love.”
“We’ll take care of her,” Crow insisted.
“You two are barely strong enough to stand right now, let alone feed her. She’ll drain you in an instant, and who knows how long it’ll take for you to come back to life,” Risk told him. “I will feed her. If you two can share nicely and be good mistermates, then I’ll let you make her come.”
My eyes widened, even as heat bloomed over my cheeks. I was surprised I even had enough blood in me to blush still, let alone feel the trail of heat start to build in my core that somehow dulled the pain I was feeling.
Crow looked over at Tomb, as if deferring to him, letting him make the call. Tomb stared hard at Risk, and I was certain that they were about to come to blows again, but to my surprise, Tomb nodded and held out a hand. “I don’t like you. I don’t trust you, either. If I think even for a second that you’re fucking us over, I’ll kill you slowly,” Tomb promised in a steely voice before sighing. “But Motley chose you, and you’re here now to help keep her safe, which means we share a duty.”
Risk shook his hand. “Indeed. Let’s see to our duty, shall we?” he said with a wicked glint in his eye that made my heart trip.
I felt Crow’s hold loosen around me right before Risk scooped me up and carried me across the room, pushing the door open to the bathroom. He set me inside the shower, letting me sit on the bench, as Tomb and Crow followed him in.
“Let’s get rid of this dress, hmm?” Risk pulled the strap of my dress down and pushed the blood-stained fabric to my waist. I wasn’t completely convinced that he was on my side or that he was taking our mate bond seriously, but I was willing to use him up, like he used me. I just hoped over time we’d find normalcy in the bond we’d recklessly created.
“This is definitely in the way,” Risk said while brushing a hand over my bustier. Heated goosebumps pebbled over my skin as he trailed a finger along the beaded curve of my lingerie, never touching my skin.
A whimper escaped my throat, making the devious demon smirk. “Tell me you understand I’m committed to this risky bond, and I’ll kiss your perfect tits,” Risk bargained in a raspy whisper.
I didn’t want to lie, so I kept my lips closed and used my uninjured arm to undo the ties, letting the top fall from my shoulders and slip off my body. Risk’s eyes flamed with heated desire and frustration.
“Crow,” I began, turning my attention to him. “Kiss me.”
My malphas demon didn’t wait a single second. He surged forward and licked my salty skin with a long stroke of his hot tongue, landing right on my beaded nipple. My back arched, and my lips parted. He sucked on my breasts while cupping my neck, the slight squeeze of his fingers adding a sense of danger to his touch.
My body was charging up, lure seeping from my skin in uncontrollable waves. It was strange to be so turned on when I was so injured, but it was like my survival instincts were kicking in. I needed to feed in order to heal, so my body was getting me ready for pleasure, drawing in my mates and making them ready for it too. I could scent the desire in the air even more than I could smell my blood.
“Motley,” Risk warned while unbuttoning his pants. “Tell me you know I was trying to protect you.” I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Maybe it was immature of me to make him sweat, but I couldn’t even speak if I wanted to. My moans had grown needier, as Crow had migrated to my neck and was sucking on the sensitive skin there, pulling me through his teeth as he groaned.
“Tell me. Or I’ll have to show you, Wicked Love.”
I wanted Risk to show me. I wanted all of them to show me. I knew that we were physically compatible, but we had a long way to go before trust could be built. We had a lot to learn about one another
