Crimson Kiss (Onyx Assassins 5)

I yanked back with a deep inhale, tearing our mouths apart. Then I gripped both her wrists and pinned them to the shelf above her head, stopping her exploration. “This is madness.”

“I like it.” Her smile stopped my heart, and the glaze of lust in her eyes had me second-guessing this whole chivalry thing.

“Fuck,” I muttered, keeping her wrists contained in one hand and forcing her legs off me with the other. “Do not look at me like that.”

“Or what?”

I steadied her hips as she found her feet.

“Or you’ll end up getting fucked against the bookshelves.”

“And if I’m okay with that?” Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright. So beautiful.

“I’m not okay with that.” I started to back away, then noticed the pile of rubble that had been the shelf behind us. “Damn it.” Filling my hands with her hips, I lifted her over the mess we’d created and sent up a silent apology to the talem who would have to wonder how it had happened in the first place.

As soon as we were clear, I took giant strides backward, putting as much distance between us as possible. “Thank you,” I murmured. “For feeding me.” She deserved a hell of a lot more than thanks, but my willpower was shredding by the second.

“Hawke,” she whispered, reaching for me.

But I was already gone.

6

Avianna

“Olivia,” I said my best friend’s—and most trusted body guard’s—name like a question, my heart in my throat.

“Avi?” she asked, whirling around from where she’d been casually strolling past my bedroom door, chatting with her sister Annika as they walked.

“Can we…talk?” I swallowed hard, my nerves completely fried.

Olivia’s eyes softened as she stepped toward me, taking my gloved hands in hers. “Always,” she said. “You know that.”

Relief barreled through my body, and I motioned for her and Annika to come into my quarters. Annika plopped down on one of my velvet couches in the sitting area, her long black hair swept back in a top-knot. Olivia waited until I sank on the couch opposite her sister, then sat down next to me.

“I know I’ve been a horrendous friend lately…” I started, but Olivia reached out and squeezed my hand to stop me.

“You have not,” she said, shaking her head. “You were kidnapped,” she said. “And then played spy and now you have to marry one of your kidnappers.”

“When you put it that way, it sounds like a soap opera,” I said.

Annika laughed. “Isn’t that what royal life is like?”

Olivia and I chuckled too, and the tight tension in my chest unraveled a fraction. I glanced down at Olivia’s still flat tummy, my eyes burning.

“I’m so happy for you, Olivia,” I said, and she immediately smoothed a hand over her stomach. “You should’ve been able to tell me without fear of forcing me to speak when I was silent.”

“You know now,” she said, shrugging. “That’s all that matters. Well, that and your happiness.” She chewed on her bottom lip while she studied me. “You can trust us,” she said, glancing at her sister, then back to me. “You know that, right?”

I blew out a breath, nodding. “I know. That’s why I needed to talk to you. More than to just apologize or to ask about the most recent attacks—” Olivia flinched, stopping my words. I tilted my head. “Wait, has there been another one since the last?”

Olivia’s warrior eyes peeked through the friend-hat she was now donning. “Yes,” she said. “Two nights ago. The Assassins are doing everything they can, but even with the Hunters on their side, they always seem to be one step behind the Sons.”

A slow sort of panic crept up my spine, sending waves of apprehension and resolve all throughout my soul.

“Their luck will run out,” Olivia continued. “I know it. But what did you really need to talk about, Avi?” she pressed, drawing me back to myself.

I glanced from her to Annika, knowing without a shred of doubt that I could trust them. And if I didn’t tell someone soon? I would likely slip into a madness I’d never come back from. I slipped my glove off and showed them both Hawke’s mating mark.

“I knew it!” Olivia whispered gasped, taking my hand in hers to examine the mark.

“Wait,” Annika said. “That’s Hawke’s mark, isn’t it?” She gaped at me, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Holy wow.”

A smile shaped Olivia’s lips before she released my hand. “You’ve known for a long time, haven’t you?”

I nod, flashing her an apologetic look. “I wanted him to realize on his own, and I didn’t want you to be compromised with the knowledge around Benedict.” It was fun to have a walking lie-detector as a friend, but sometimes it put us all in horridly awkward situations. “This was my truth to reveal when I decided.”

“Fair enough,” Olivia said, her smile fading. “What are you going to do?”