Chapter 71
Chapter 71
JESSICA
“They won’t always be there,” he continues, somehow managing to grab a second knife from his boot while keeping me pinned. “What happens when you’re alone, and someone wants you dead?”
I dig my nails into his wrist, trying to pry the blade
away. “You’re enjoying this.”
“I enjoy survival,” he corrects, twisting away from my grip and pressing the second knife against my ribs. “Something you know nothing about.”
His weight shifts slightly. I seize the opportunity, twisting my hips and throwing my weight to the side. We roll, momentarily tangled, but he’s faster- stronger. Within seconds I’m pinned again, this time
bi with both wrists trapped above my head in his iron grip.
“Nice try,” he pants, blood from his nose dripping onto my cheek. “But not good enough.”
The knife traces down my throat, between my collarbones, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. Not deep enough to seriously injure, but enough to mark me.
“What are you doing?” I gasp, trying to squirm away from the blade.
He leans closer, his breath hot against my ear. “Teaching you that pain is temporary. Death is permanent.”
My heart pounds in my ears. I can smell his sweat, his blood, something wild and dangerous that clings to him like a second skin.
“Lesson two,” he murmurs, knife still trailing down. “Use what you have. All of it.”
I stop fighting for a second, breathing hard, mind racing. Use what I have… what do I have?
And then it hits me. I go completely limp beneath him, eyes fluttering.
“Wh-” His grip loosens slightly, confused by my sudden surrender.
That’s when I strike–head butting him again, harder this time, while simultaneously bringing my knee up sharply between his legs.
“Bitch!” he howls, rolling off me, hands instinctively dropping the knives to clutch himself.
I scramble to my feet, laughing through the sting of my cuts. He said use everything. Fine. Then he should’ve known better–every man’s an animal, and ! know how to wound them.
“You said use everything I’ve got, Riot.” I circle him, flicking my hair back, enjoying the power shift. “Not my fault your balls got in the way.”
He’s still curled on his side, face twisted in agony. I can’t help but strut a little, hips swaying as I kick one of his fallen knives away.
“Too slow, baby,” I taunt, licking blood from my own split lip. The metallic taste makes me feel wild, dangerous. “Thought you were supposed to be teaching me something?”
Riot’s eyes narrow through the blood, something feral awakening there. He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, leaving a smear across his cheek,
“Having fun?” he asks, voice deadly quiet.
I twirl, knife flashing in the fluorescent lights. “The most fun. You should see your face right now.”
He’s up faster than I thought possible, launching himself at me. I twist away, slashing blindly, feeling the blade catch on fabric. He hisses–I’ve nicked his
arm.
“Now we’re playing,” I taunt, backing away “Is this what gets you off, Riot? A little blood?”
His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist, bending it back until my fingers go numb and the knife falls. In the same motion, he sweeps my legs from under
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Chapter 71
- me. I hit the mat hard, air punched from my lungs.
Before I can recover, he’s straddling me again, pinning both wrists above my head with one hand. Blood from his nose drips onto my cheek, my lips.
“Lesson’s over,” he growls, face inches from mine. “You lose.”
I’m so pissed.
I cannot believe I lose to some sicko. Riot is busy bathing himself in the
or that we found near this place when I heard him shout my riame.
“Jess, come on!” Riot shouted. He looked too proud, water sliding off him like he was some goddamn wolf–king as he stood waist deep in the river.
I rolled my eyes, arms crossed over my chest. “You really think I’m dumb enough to fall for that?”
“Scared?” he taunted, splashing water in my direction. “Thought you were tough after that knife fight. Or was that just for show?”
My jaw clenched. This man was impossible. One minute he’s pinning me to the ground, the next he’s acting like we’re on some twisted camping trip.
“The water’s perfect,” he continued, dunking his head under and emerging with a shake that sent droplets flying in all directions. “But suit yourself. Stand there all night if you want.”
I kicked at the rocky shore, weighing my options. The night air was sticky with humidity, and my skin still burned from our training session. The cool water did look tempting…
“If you try anything,” I warned, already unlacing my boots, “I’ll drown you.”
His laugh echoed across the water. “I’d like to see you try.”
I stripped down to my underwear–no way was I going full nude like him–and waded in, gasping as the cold water hit my bruised ribs.
“It’s freaking cold!” I hissed, arms wrapped around myself.
“Baby,” he mocked, swimming closer. I noticed fresh scratches across
through me.
“Keep your distance,” I warned as he circled me like a shark.
his
chest where I’d gotten him good with the knife. Something like pride flickered
He disappeared underwater suddenly. I spun around, heart racing, then yelped as hands grabbed my ankles, yanking me under. I thrashed, disoriented in the dark water, before breaking the surface, sputtering and furious.
“You absolute-“I lunged at him, catching his shoulders and pushing down with all my weight. We both went under, twisting and grappling in slow
motion beneath the surface.
When we came up for air, we were too close. His hands steadied me, rough palms against my waist. Moonlight caught in the water droplets on his eyelashes.
“Not bad,” he murmured, eyes dropping into my lips.
Dear moon goddess, he looks so feral. I hate how my breath catches on a gasp I never meant to make.
I never felt so filthy and alive.
I know this is wrong–every warning bell in my head screams run–but my skin remembers what his hands feel like. I crave it. I ache for it.
His gaze pins me, dark and hungry, and I feel it in the hollow of my throat: a shuddering pulse of want I can’t swallow.
So achingly slow, Riot tips his head, lowering his face toward mine. I shut my eyes, surrendering and allowing his hot breath ghosts over my parted lips.
Our noses brush, a whisper of touch, and I forget how to breathe. My lashes dip, expecting him. Wanting him. Dreading what I’ll do if he doesn’t.
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Chapter 71
Then nothing.
He pulled back just enough, just enough for him to see how much I’ve been aching for him.
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