Page 55 of Carnage
“Just remember, you aren’t alone. You’ve got me and my brothers on your side and that’s really all you need.”
“I know. I was mostly thinking about after that when I don’t have you anymore.”
“One day at a time.”
I nod, putting a smile on my face. The kitchen is empty except for one man sitting at the island sipping a cup of coffee. His head is down and he’s reading some papers. When he looks up, I almost startle from the intensity of his dark gaze and the frown on his face.
His eyes narrow as he focuses on me, then Carnage. “A guest?”
“Hey, Shadow,” Carnage says. “I was gonna bring him to you today to introduce you. That’s what the team meeting this morning is about.”
Oh shit. This is the boss man. Fuck, he’s intimidating. I’ve never seen hair so dark, and I have to wonder if it’s natural or if he dyes it that color. His skin is pale and his features are strong, giving him the appearance of a sexy but frightening vampire. At least, the ones I picture from some of the novels I’ve read.
Carnage puts his arm around my shoulders, pulling me a little closer. “Shadow, this is Rue. He’s my guest for now while I take care of a situation on his behalf.”
“Situation?” Shadow asks, raising an eyebrow.
Carnage turns to me with a tight smile. “Why don’t you go to the rec room and let me catch Shadow up?”
I pull my head back and shake it. “Uh, no. This is about me. I think I have a right to know if I’m getting kicked out or not.”
“Kicked out?” Carnage glances at Shadow. “Why would that happen?”
I gesture to Shadow. “He’s the boss, right? He could tell me to get fucked and handle it on my own.”
“Spicy.” Shadow chuckles. “I like it. I guess I should be used to this by now. Every man who loves one of us has an edge, don’t they?”
Love?
Carnage’s cheeks actually flush with just a tinge of pink as he clears his throat. “Um, boss, Rue’s in a situation and reached out to me for help.”
“What kind of situation?” the borderline-scary man asks.
“I got caught up with a total loser,” I blurt. “Abusive, a criminal, and the worst part is he sold me to a guy and a bunch of friends to have sex with me. Against my will, obviously.”
Shadow’s face goes blank, and he blinks several times before his expression morphs into one of what I can only describe as rage.
“He what? He let people rape you?”
“No,” I say, my voice shaking. “He was organizing it, but Carnage got me out before it could happen. I knew it was coming, kind of, and I saw Carnage out one night and he just looked like someone who could help me.”
“So I kidnapped him.” Carnage grins proudly. “I spoke with Leon, the asshole behind this, and he wants to meet with me tonight to do an exchange.”
“An exchange?” Shadow looks slightly amused now. “He thinks you’re handing Rue over to him?”
“Yep. He’s allegedly bringing money and other men to trade.”
“Disgusting,” Shadow growls. “I assume you have a plan?”
“With your permission to go rogue, I plan to paint the street with his brains.”
My stomach flutters and my cock actually twitches. Why is this hot? Shouldn’t violence freak me out? While I sit with that thought for a minute, my mind helpfully provides images of Leon on his knees, all bloodied and beaten, begging Carnage to let him live, but Carnage shakes his head and delivers the final blow.
My whole body flushes with heat and I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning out loud. That’s interesting.
When I blink, Carnage and Shadow are both watching me. “What? Did I miss something?”
Shadow chuckles, sipping his coffee.
