"Bridge, please, this is dangerous. We need to be more careful."

  "Ems, I can't just sit back and not follow through."

  "I understand. But I need you alive. You are my everything. My reason to get up. My hope. And you sprang this on me with no warning."

  He pulled me into him. His breath ruffled the hair at my temple. “Yes. I should’ve talked to you before I told everybody.”

  “Yes, and I would’ve told you this is mad.”

  “I know you think so. I don’t agree.”

  “Bridge. I just, I can’t lose you."

  “And you are everything to me. We are each other’s everything, how’s that?”

  “Do not be cavalier.”

  “I’m not being cavalier. You have valid concerns. Because for once I want to lose control. For once I want to let go and unleash the full force of my rage. I want to do all the things I’ve never done because they weren’t the right thing to do because of what the rules say. The fucking rules. Middleton has threatened to hurt you. He’s hurt Darcy. If he is left unchecked, people are going to die, so I’m sorry you get to see this version of me, but this is also a part of who I am.”

  I wished I could see his eyes, but I could feel them on me. As his hands sloped down onto my hips again and his fingers pressed into my body, I could feel it. His conviction, the truth of it, I could hear it in his voice. “I’m scared.”

  “You have nothing to fear from me. But this part of me exists. It’s dark, and it wants vengeance. And I know you want vengeance too.”

  “Yes, but I just didn’t think vengeance would come to this.”

  “Well like I said, sometimes you have to be willing to do whatever it takes. We’re just taking out more people now.”

  “What will I do if something happens to you?”

  “What you always do, Ems, survive. You are skilled, and beautiful, and talented. You don’t need me.”

  “I do. I do need you. I need you not to do anything reckless.”

  “Okay, how about this. Before I do anything reckless, I’ll talk to you. Same goes for you, though.”

  I pressed my lips together. “I’m not being reckless.”

  He laughed. A low mumbling laugh that made my body melt into him, and I could feel every inch of his erection pulsing into my thigh. “Fine, I do leap a little.”

  “A little. You’re only newly reformed.”

  “Yes. But how about we leap together, okay? At least one of us can break the other’s fall.”

  “Deal. Now like I said before, shut up and turn around.”

  “You will not tell me to—“

  The sharp, stinging swat on my arse had me gasping. “Like I said, shut up and turn around. All this standing up to me is making me horny.”

  “Don’t worry, I plan to stand up to you a lot.”

  "You know how to make me hot.”

  I couldn’t help it, the giggle tumbled out. Another swat came. “Ow. What was that for?”

  “Because you’re laughing at my amorous intentions. For that alone, I’m wondering if I should go to the room and get lube and come back.”

  I gasped. “Bridge.”

  “You’ve enjoyed it the last two times.”

  I licked my bottom lip, thinking of the burn then the waves of pleasure, the fullness, the wild desire.

  “I did, but you’re not going to fuck me in the arse in the linen wardrobe of our friends’ house.”

  He sighed. “All right, fine. Just the pool then,” he said with a smirk. “I am going to fuck you though. And it’s up to you to not scream, so find a pillow to bite down on. I intend to make this good.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bridge

  The look Emma gave me over her shoulder was promises in her eyes. She held promises of retaliation, promises of making me pay. And each one only made my dick twitch.

  "You're not biting down on a pillow, love.”

  Because she was Emma, she smirked at me and said, "You haven't done anything worthy of biting down on a pillow yet.”

  For that, I nipped her shoulder.

  “Ow.”

  "Yeah, don't sass me."

  She wiggled in my hold. "I'm not scared of you."

  "Oh, really?"

  With an indignant sniff she said, "I'm not sure you're capable of making me scream."

  My dick took that as a personal affront and demanded entry somewhere along her backside. Pussy, arse, he didn't really care.

  Neither did I. But the lube was in the bedroom. And she did have a point about fucking her arse in the linen closet where just about anybody could come in. Though that was unlikely, as we were on the third floor.

  But still. What had happened at the pool was one thing. This was something else. Besides, the next time I fucked her arse, I wanted plenty of time, no interruptions, no possibility of anyone walking in. Just me and her and hours upon hours of making her mine.

  Oh, like you'll last that long?

  I could almost hear her sassy retort in my head.

  She arched her back in front of me and with quick efficient motions, I tugged her leggings down and her knickers with them.

  I could smell the hint of her arousal, and I growled low as I cupped her arse in my hands and took a bite.

  "Fuck, Bridge."

  Chuckling softly, I asked. "I'm sorry, did that hurt?"

  "Yes. You should probably kiss it."

  "I think I can manage that. Go ahead and lift your hips for me."

  She hinged her hips a little, giving me the access that I wanted. "Now, now, Emma. Do you remember the shower? What you did?"

  She was slow to respond, so I leaned over and wedged my palms between her thighs, forcing them separate. Her leggings were still hooked around her feet, so her legs weren't wide enough. But that was almost better as she struggled to give me access.

  "Y-yes. What about it?"

  I found my way between her folds with my tongue, licking like a man on a mission with my fingers sliding up her slick wetness, following the trace of my tongue.

  "You were very naughty. You did all kinds of things I hadn't anticipated you knew how to do."

  "I've given you a blowjob before, Bridge."

  "Yes, yes you have. But you did something else. Something damn near spectacular. You've been holding out on me."

  She laughed then. "Well, it's not like I can let you know all my secrets now, can I?"

  "Oh, perhaps not, but now it's payback time."

  She planted her elbows on the middle shelf in the linen closet and gave me better access. Her arse and pussy laid in front of me, a buffet that I could enjoy.

  When I leaned forward, grabbing her thighs and bringing her arse back toward me as I planted my face in her pussy, she squeaked in surprise.

  That was the right response. With the flat of my tongue against her clit, I licked. And as soon as my tongue left her clit to stroke through the rest of her wetness, my thumb replaced it, circling in broad strokes. It wasn't long before her legs were shaking. When that happened, I slid my tongue inside her pussy as far as it would go. I wasn't neat about it. I wasn't delicate. I was a man in search of my meal, and I had her spread in front of me.

  And I ate. All I could do was form grunts of appreciation and need and desperation.

  She'd finally taken my word and planted her face in a pillow. Even when her legs started to shake, I didn't stop.

  I wasn't ever going to stop. She was sweet on my tongue and melted just right. All I wanted to do was to make her weak in the knees and give her pleasure until she begged off. And I would give her reprieve and revive her and do it all over again. Emma and I might never see eye to eye on most things, but this always worked. We'd fight, make love, and then find more rational solutions for the both of us. She was mine. And I was hers. And if I did nothing else for the rest of my life but stayed between her legs and tasted her, I could die happy.

  My thumb brushed over her the pucker of her arse, and she started to quake again. "Oh my God Bridge. Bridge. Bridge."

  “Yes, love?” I muttered against her skin.

  It was when she tried to stand that I planted my mouth on her whole pussy and sucked. I didn't give up. I didn't stop.

  Not until I heard the clawing noises from her nails raking over the shelving. I only stopped then because she nearly collapsed, her knees giving out.

  I wiped my chin on the back of my hand as I stood. Leaning in close I whispered in her ear. “I was merely having my breakfast."

  "It's dinner time," she muttered feebly.

  "All right. I'm a dinner person then for sure. Absolutely."

  She tried to turn. "What you are is wicked."

  "You haven't seen anything yet.

  Seeing as I was wearing joggers, it was nothing to shove them down. My cock sprang forward, knowing his mark. She was so wet. The wet, heated vice grip that was going to be my salvation.

  There was zero resistance as I slid the head of my dick through her wetness and then slid all the way home.

  With a grunt I was seated deep. She hissed, moaned, and muttered something that sounded vaguely like my name, but it was too muffled to tell for sure.

  I wrapped a hand around her waist. Sliding it over her belly into her folds and finding her clit easily.

  "Oh God, Bridge, I can't. I can't even stand."

  "Then let me hold you up. I just need one more from you, okay? Let me make you feel good again."

  My words were a hot whisper against her flesh. And I couldn't see straight. I couldn't think. All I knew was that I was buzzing and humming, and she was the reason. Connecting my soul to hers was the only way to quiet all the sound. And then I made love to my wife in the linen closet of my best mate's house. The sliding retreat, the hot grip of her pussy surrounding my cock, the heat of her cum, the way she begged me for more, and I finally let go.

  The jolting electricity sparked through my body and up my spine. I came. A hot rush escaped me before I even knew what was happening. She had me in a vice grip so tight as my hands clamped on her hips and my head fell back. My back arched. My body bowed.

  I was not going to survive this. I was not going to survive Emma. And the funniest thing was, there was no way in hell I wanted to.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Emma

  “Don’t you get sick of them?” Darcy asked.

  I'd taken the opportunity to spend some time with her before she headed back to school.

  I turned around to see Jacob and Ryan following at a discreet distance in their plain clothes, looking casual but enormous as the deterrence they were.

  I smiled. “Well, if we want to be able to go out, then this is the gig.”

  Darcy frowned. “And you’re okay with this?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t love it. But, this is where we are. Right now, Francis hasn’t been caught. We can’t find him. Don’t know where he is. So it’s not exactly safe without them. And I think we’ve both proven just how dangerous he can be. Bridge wants us safe. So these guys are our best bet.”

  She sighed and nodded. “I know, I just…”

  My brows furrowed as I watched her. She was trying to ask me something.

  “How do you do it?”

  What was she asking? “Can you clarify?"

  “I guess I’m asking how you deal with it all? I suppose I figured out that my brother was somebody important when our houses started getting better and better when I was a kid. I sort of remember the early flats. Mum worked hard, so we always had food, clean clothes, and I always had toys.”

  "Your mum is amazing."

  “Our flats were always nice. Small but cozy. But at one point, they started getting bigger. Then it was a row house. Then Mum got her own restaurant. Everything changed, and suddenly I could do whatever I wanted, go wherever I wanted, money was no object. And I don’t know. It changed him I guess. He smiled less. He became so serious. He was serious before, but not with me.”

  I nibbled my lips. “I know what you mean. I think Bridge has been trying to be what everyone needs. He hasn’t had enough of a chance to just be himself. He had to grow up fast.”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Because my father is useless.”

  I sighed. “Have you ever met him?”

  Darcy shook her head. As we strolled in front of the shops on Oxford Street, she paused in front of Hennes, studying the mannequin. “I’ve seen photos. I’ve seen him from a distance once, maybe twice. I don’t even want to know him. Bridge is obviously a better dad than he’s been.”

  "I suppose he's more father than brother to you."

  She shrugged. “He’s a good big brother too. Have you guys thought of having kids?”

  I had to laugh at the sudden change of subject. “We’ve been pretty focused on bad guys since we got together. I haven’t even managed to give any thought to kids and marriage long-term.”

  We kept walking, turning left toward Bond Street. “I mean, I heard a little bit. You guys weren’t a thing? You didn’t marry him because you wanted to?”

  I sighed. “Yeah well, we didn’t have the most conventional getting together story, but it's all worked out.”

  “You love him,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “Yes. I think I’ve always been in love with him.”

  Darcy grinned at that. “It’s so romantic.”

  “What? Our fake marriage?”

  “Well I mean it was fake to start. But it’s real now. Like a novel.”

  I had to smile at that. “Yeah, it is real.”

  “So you two probably should, you know, give some thought to it if you want to have kids.”

  I blinked at that. I’d been so focused on Toby. What had happened to him, what it meant for me and Mum. I had given zero consideration to what I wanted. I’d had one plan. Vengeance. Beyond that, I knew nothing.

  I had no plan for my future.

  “You know that’s a good point. I haven’t given it a lot of thought. Two things were constant in my life. Toby and Bridge. Toby has always been on my mind. And Bridge, well, he was just one of those fully charismatic people, I couldn’t seem to stay away from. I’ve wanted him as long as I can remember. Now that he’s mine, I swear to God I don’t know what to do with him.”

  Darcy laughed. “I think you've figured it out.”

  I snorted a laugh. “Yes, well, as far as our long-term plan goes, we haven't really thought it through."

  “Well, I’ve never seen him this happy.”

  Warmth spread in my chest. “Thank you. I’m pretty happy too. He is what I’ve always wanted. And he’s kind, but don’t let him hear that I said that.”

  Darcy laughed. “He’s so serious.”

  “You and I both know he’s not that serious. He’s just had a rough go of it. But things will get better soon. When this is all over, I look forward to feeling it all out. What we want. How to be different people.”

  Emma stopped in front of Selfridges as throngs of people moved past us. “Just don’t run from us, okay? My brother loves you, and I care about you too, and I just don’t want you to…“

  I frowned as I watched her. What was she saying?

  She shifted from one foot to the other, picking at her nails as she did so. “I just don’t want you to leave when you’ve got everything you want and don’t need us anymore.”

  “Oh, Darcy.” My heart broke. I gathered her in my arms and held her tight. “Look, your brother and I getting married wasn’t part of the plan. I had not counted on him at all. But I love him. I can’t leave him. It would be like cutting out part of my soul. So you don’t have anything to worry about. I’m sticking like glue. And that’s just that.”

  Darcy nodded. “Okay. That’s all I wanted to say.”

  “Oh honey, we didn’t need to go on a shopping spree for that. I’m glad we did though. But, you don’t need to worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Good. Because I think Bridge needs someone to take care of him. I’m going back to school, and mum’s busy with the restaurant, and he’s looked out for us for so long.”

  I grinned at her. “I got it. I have my assignment, and I’m ready to carry it forward.”

  She nodded and linked arms with me. “Awesome. You know I wouldn’t mind a niece or nephew. I’m just saying.”

  I laughed. “Okay, I hear you. But maybe give me a little bit of time to get used to being a wife first.”

  “Okay, take as long as you need. Just as long as you understand I fully intend to be the best kind of auntie.”

  “Duly noted.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Bridge

  I’d never noticed the weight of my ring before or the feel of the robes. Never, not once. Even that first time after Toby died. I hadn’t wanted to be here, but I had to focus on it. It hadn’t even occurred to me the weight of everything that would come with the ring, the mask, the robes, the brothers. How could I have known?

  Today, I felt it. As I stood in front of my so-called brothers to make the request that would set off a chain of events, I could feel the weight of everything.

  I wanted full eradication. I wanted to make it felt for generations to come. The men who had taken Darcy, the men who had tried to hurt my sister and my wife, I was going to grind every relative they had into the dust.

  As I stood at the center of the forum, trying not to think of anything, I kept my gaze on Ben. It was easier than letting my gaze wander. Everyone eventually quieted down. We hadn't had a burn request in what, a year? Most of them didn’t need to know all the nitty-gritty details. There wasn’t any reason anyone should vote against the request or have anything to say to counter it. The only question was if Middleton would come forward. Would he show his hand?

  If he showed his hand and came forward with objection, we wouldn't be allowed to touch him. It would make things more difficult.

  “Call the session to order.” Ben’s voice was clear as it echoed off the walls. The circular chamber was built that way on purpose so that no one had to shout. You could say something menacing in the quietest tone and scare the bejesus out of everyone.