With that warning, I turned and walked up to the guys, finally meeting their eyes for the first time. They stared back, each sitting on the couch with their arms along the curved back. There was still some lingering anger and frustration in their gazes, but the heat was more prominent. Just standing in front of them felt awkward, but we had to have this talk before we did anything else.
“I can’t believe you thought you could just leave again,” Killian finally said, breaking the intense silence. I swallowed hard and turned to him, trying to figure out what I wanted to say, but he wasn’t finished. “No, you listen now. I won’t fucking have this flighty shit. In case you missed the fucking signals, Baby Girl, we aren’t in this for a fucking hookup. It’s you and us. That’s it.”
“You know, my brother has a point,” Kyrell started, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “I believe it’s time to set some rules. First, you are ours and no one else’s.” I bit back a smile at that statement, loving the possession in their eyes. My chest warmed at the thought of them loving me, even if they hadn’t admitted it out loud.
“Same goes for you,” I said. “I’m not the sharing type. Now… you listen,” I started, my bratty side coming out to play as I stared them down. “I have rules of my own. Number one, I’m no one’s toy or trophy. I could match you guys shot for shot so don’t treat me like anything less than your equal.”
“Anything else?” Keir asked, crossing his arms and biting his lip. Glad he finds me so fucking amusing.
“Just that I’ve been independent for this long, and you can’t expect to take over my life overnight. I may submit in the bedroom, but that does not mean I bow down to you in public.”
“Fair,” Killian said, the challenge only making his eyes seem hungrier, but Keir had apparently had enough.
“I’m not sure what the fuck that was last night, but I’ll kill the next man who even looks at you like we would. Keep that in mind,” he warned. I couldn’t help but laugh, knowing last night’s date was a big fucking fiasco I had no desire to repeat.
“Joke’s on you, because he didn’t even like me. Not that he would have gotten a chance in the end, but his eyes were on someone else,” I mumbled, feeling the need to say something more. From his glare, he wasn’t placated. He stood abruptly and walked toward me, his hand moving to the side of my neck as he leaned forward, licking a stripe down the opposite side of my throat and stopping at my ear.
“He was blind, then. You were way too delicious to be out without one of us. That red dress was gorgeous on you; I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so confident and sexy. Though this dress is a close second. I wanted to peel it off slowly and fuck you on that table in front of him, show the both of you who owns you, marking my territory for all to see,” he rasped out. His hand trailed over my peaked nipples, pinching one hard and pulling a gasp from me. In that moment, he kissed me roughly, his slight stubble scraping me and sending a shiver down my spine. He grabbed my hair and yanked my head roughly to the side, exposing my neck to him. Teeth bit down on the sensitive flesh, likely leaving a mark and definitely leaving my pussy dripping.
“Rule number two. You follow orders from us. When we tell you to do something, you do it,” Ky said, his voice deep and angry. His anger was more restrained than the others, though the glare never left me, even as his brother walked away and took his seat.
“No,” I said. Agreeing to an order that broad was ridiculous. “I’ll follow within reason, but I can’t promise to follow mindlessly. I’m not the type, nor do I want to be.”
“Within reason,” Keir said, the vein in his forehead getting more prominent as he fought his need to dominate. Clearly, Ky had made rule-making the number one priority, while Keir had other plans.
“That body is ours when we want it and how we want it,” Keir continued on, the challenge in his voice making me want to fight, but I swallowed it down. If I’m being honest, I’m totally okay with this one.
“Fine,” I said, “but so are those dicks.”
“Fine,” Kyrell conceded, openly laughing now.
“That about covers it, and just in time. We have a meeting coming in less than five minutes,” Keir added, glancing at the clock then back at me. I let out a long breath and nodded, turning to leave. “Where the fuck are you going?”
“Downstairs to find Dani? You said you have a meeting,” I explained, confused.
“Nope. Rule four. You’re our queen, and for that reason you will be part of whatever Family business we request,” Killian said, his arrogant smile making me want to slap him.
“Did you not get the fucking memo? I don’t want any part of this shit. I left it behind for a damn reason, Killian Adrostos!” My voice rose with each word until I was just barely under a yell. He stood and faced off with me, puffing out his chest as he stalked forward until he was mere inches away.
“And you heard the fucking rules, Baby Girl. You. Do. What. We. Say.”
“Within reason, but not this,” I practically begged, and I wasn’t the begging type. Choosing between this life and them wasn’t going to be easy. No… that was a lie. There was no choice. I knew that once I had a taste of them, I’d want them so intensely, lifestyle be damned. But there was one big problem. I didn't want to be a part of that anymore. I didn’t want to be forced into this bloody little box, and I definitely didn’t want to get that comfortable here. Time was ticking...
“We are not the Priamos Family,” he shot right back, my fight draining as the words sank in. “We don’t torture for fun or use our power as a weapon against our own.” Now that’s a statement I’ll have to see to believe.
“It’s fine. We’ll break her down, and she’ll realize it sooner rather than later.” Kyrell’s easy confidence had me wanting to protest, but I bit my tongue. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted to prolong. If word got back to Eros, we’d all be fucked. He was crazy, and his reach was far. He was a powerful man, and I’d be crazy to underestimate him.
The sound of heavy footsteps on the stairs made me quiet down, and a wicked smile split across Keir’s face like his moment to shine had finally arrived, which made me a bit nervous. He held up a hand for me to wait, and I watched quietly as one of the Adrostos guards joined us, followed by a guy I’d never seen before. From the awful tan and hair teased straight up, to the slightly unbuttoned shirt with a heavy chain and creepy smile, he looked like he belonged on The Jersey Shore. His eyebrows raised as he took me in, but he didn’t say anything.
“Have a seat, Mr. Leonidas,” Keir directed, waving at the chair facing the winding couch. He seemed comfortable as he plopped in the seat, waving off the name.
“Ah, we’re about to be good friends. Call me Angel,” he said, his booming voice making me cringe. “And who is this slice of heaven?”
“Ours.” Killian’s blunt answer telegraphed clear possession and warning all in a single word, Angel shifting slightly and swallowing hard. Bet he regrets asking that particular question
“Come here, Princess,” Keir ordered, and I moved forward, side-eyeing the shady guy as I passed. Unwisely on his part, his eyes slowly took me in as they paraded me in front of him. “Do you have panties on?”
“Excuse me?” I laughed, the question so random and off the wall I couldn’t quite process it. He didn’t even break a smile, telling me there was something more at play than some kind of joke.