Page 96 of The Bonding Games: Part 2

Havoc’s features soften out, and I feel a pinch of unexpected gratitude. Tiger’s definitely real good for easing our Bonded’s troubled mind. “Hello, Puppy.”

His lashes flutter all over the place, hands clasping together in his lap. “Are you coming to bed?”

“Yes. Just a moment.”

Her eyes flick to Alby, and he lets out a squeak. If he were anyone else, some people might be concerned by the shade of red his skin manages to take on. Not me, but some people. I don’t give a shit about anyone outside of these chambers. It’s miracle enough that it’s more than just my Havoc who’s made their way onto that short list, and that’s a strange thought to actually acknowledge. “E-Ezla,” he stutters with a shy smile.

“Puppet,” she purrs, my cruel Bonded clearly delighting in the way he squirms in response.

Smiling now, Scotty glides his fingers over Havoc’s head again, his hand sinking into the water this time, where a good portion of her hair has ended up since we didn’t think to tie it up. I’ll be happy to take a punishment for that oversight if my baby wants it. “Do you want us to wash your hair and then dry it, or would you prefer to just dry the ends?”

“Just the ends. We must go to sleep now.” Ezla’s up and out of our reach before I can stop her, and my deep sound of protest mirrors Scotty’s and Cooper’s. Rolling her eyes, she says, “Stop whining, I am right here. Get dried and dressed, then come to bed.”

As always, no one hesitates to obey, Scotty heading back into the other room since he’s already ready for bed, while I quickly scrub myself off before shooting out of the water after her. Cooper cleans himself up just as fast before letting the water drain and grabbing one of the fresh towels from the cupboard under the sink.

Soon enough, we’re all getting into bed, and I shove Cooper out of the way by his head in my attempt to get to Havoc.

“Fucking get off.” He slaps me away, and I grunt as I almost fall on top of Scotty.

“Dickhead, no one stops me from getting to my girl.”

Shoving him again, I’m about to retry when Ezla says sternly, “You two have had me for hours. I will sleep between Alby and Tiger.”

A cheer sounds out, and I can practically feel the heat that’s sure to be radiating even stronger from Alby’s cheeks now. I squint at Tiger in the dim Avri light, looking all jolly and shit as he launches himself at Ezla’s front, which is sadly covered by her black pyjama top now.

Grumbling under my breath, I tamp down on any jealousy and dump myself a couple feet away from Alby’s back as he nervously yet eagerly curls around Ezla’s. Cooper and Scotty are somewhere to my left, quietly shifting about.

The huge onyx silk sheets have somehow ended up in a mess at our ankles once we’ve all settled, and I hear a beleaguered sigh before the rich material floats down over my body.

“Thank you, Scotty,” Ezla says quietly, and I try not to get turned on all over again, because she still fucking has that hotter-than-hell cruel note to her voice, even when she sounds half asleep. Faint whispery rustling brushes the air as Tiger covers them properly on their end.

Clearing his throat, he murmurs back softly, “You’re welcome, Love.”

“Love you, Havoc,” I tell our Bonded quickly before anyone else can, and four voices echo mine right after:

“I love you with everything in me, Ezla.” Scotty’s words are accompanied by a gentle wave of his affection down the bond.

“I love you to the moooooon and back.” Tiger then proceeds to moo like a motherfucking cow, and Cooper snorts while a burst of amusement flickers through the bond from Havoc.

Alby’s words are hardly audible as always. “I love you, Ezla.”

“Love you, Vengeance,” Cooper whispers, as if still getting used to the words on his tongue.

It’s silent for far too long after that, everyone holding their breath.

But the bond goes hazy, then becomes nothing but a peaceful blackness saturated by Havoc’s alluring presence as she drifts off.

I don’t allow the pinch of disappointment and small hurt in the room to get to me as I follow her soundlessly, knowing those words are coming very fucking soon. And when they do . . . I’m going to have the time of my fucking life devouring her in thanks and celebration.

29

SCOTTY

From where I stand, I can’t see any of the members of my Bonded group, but their steady presence through Ezla’s open mind is reassuring.

“Are we ready?! I want you all to count down from fifteen with me!” The Showmaster’s voice echoes through The Dome.

Wrinkling my nose, I try to tune the audience out as they count down, keeping only enough attention on them to hear the moment Game 5 starts. Everyone ready? I send down the bond.