Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

“Get the fuck out,” Riven demanded.

“Riven.” Thomas tried to fight against his hold. “Stop. I don’t want to go.”

Riven jerked him closer, glaring into his eyes. “Say it again and you’re out on your own. Get it?”

Thomas punched his hold, tearing it free before he straightened his shirt, casting me a confused and embarrassed glare. “I only meant…”

Riven turned away. “I know exactly what you meant. We’rethisfucking close to a lead on the black site.” He stopped, then turned back, lifted his fingers and pinched them until they almost touched. “This close to finding Melody for good. You want to fuck it up and walk out now without knowing for sure, then by all means, go right ahead. It’s taken us almost ten fucking years to find her. There’s no way in hell we’re walking away now.”

Ten years to find their sister?

It hit me hard.

These men weren’t the monsters I’d been led to believe. They were dangerous, yes. They were even damaged and cruel. But they were here for a reason. They were here forfamily.

Riven cast me a careful gaze and raked his fingers through his hair. “They fucking beat them. One guard even had a Daughter on the bathroom floor, punching into her. I thought for a second,” he looked my way again. “I thought for a second it was her.”

“Mel?” Thomas whispered. “You thought it was Mel?”

Riven scowled, then shook his head. “It wasn’t.”

“But it could’ve been,” Kane added. “It could’ve been, and that scared you more than anything. All this time we’ve been chasing a ghost. But at that moment, she wasn’t a ghost any longer. She was real.” He moved closer and grabbed Riven by the arm. “She was more real than the memory we have of her.”

An ache plunged through my chest. I knew what that feeling felt like. That desperation, that isolation. No wonder they were cold.

“Then we stay,” Thomas croaked. “And we see this through.”

Riven met his stare. “We have no choice.”

“Then all of us need to sleep,” Thomas added, and stumbled toward his bedroom. “I have a feeling we’re going to need it.”

Riven gave a nod. Thomas glanced my way. I could see he wanted to say something…or do something.

“I’ll take care of her.” Riven’s tone sounded possessive.

Kane just gave a nod and turned away. “You know where I am if you need me.”

But Riven didn’t even glance his way. He didn’t need him. Not when he had something else to occupy his thoughts…and his savage desperation. He took a slow step closer, moving soundlessly until he stopped at the high cupboard, sliding the key for the cuffs free. I looked up at him as he bent over and unlocked the clasp, letting my aching arms drop with small thumps.

“You’re with me, Trouble.”

I waited, staring up at him, trying my best to pinpoint exactly what had changed between us. There was a desperation now, a need that was far removed from the demanding, possessive, cruel way he’d been before. He lifted his hand, that vulnerable hunger burning in his eyes.

Please.

That’s what it said.

I hated him.

Deep down, there was a part of me that wanted him dead, him and his brothers. Still, I found my hand rising, taking his as he helped me to stand. An ache spread throughout my back, making me wince. But there was no time to care as he tugged my hand, leading me through the apartment and to his room.

Soundless.

That’s what we were as I stepped inside, leaving him to close the door behind us and switch on the light. I’d been in this room before. The thought of being in his space had scared me then, but standing here beside him now as he turned and pushed me against the wall, I was downright terrified.

He reached down and slid those bloodstained fingers between my thighs. I shook my head as he held my stare. I didn’t want him. I didn’t want this.I couldn’t.Still, those fingers pushed in deeper, rubbing me through my jeans.

“Open your legs, Helene King,” he murmured. “Let me see just how much you still despise me.”