Page 133 of Depraved

I closed my eyes, swept away by the most perfect moment I had ever experienced. It amazed me how one petite creature like her could tame the beast that ruled my black heart.

As I lay there beside her, I felt the need to shoot a silent prayer to whoever the fuck was up there listening, asking—hoping that something good would come from this selfishly inflicted chaos I had brought to her life. That I wouldn’t end up destroying her, because I wasn’t letting her go. No matter what. I’d keep being selfish, keeping her, holding tight to the best fucking thing in my life right now. In such a short while, I had grown addicted to this beautiful change in my dark, hollow world. All because of the pretty ballerina girl sleeping in my arms tonight.

I nuzzled my nose in her hair, and by God, I prayed I’d be strong enough to keep her, not to let anyone take her away from me. This woman had somehow managed to break through every barrier I had ever built around me, and now I didn’t want to put those walls up again. The deeper she penetrated my soul, the farther I wanted to let her in. This thing we had between us started out as something dark and wicked. But slowly, the blackness was being chipped away, little by little, revealing something that had the potential to be fucking beautiful. And I’d be damned if I allowed anyone to take that away from us…away from me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

ALYX

When I woke up, he was gone. The last thing I remembered was him getting into bed, putting his arm around me like it was the most natural thing for him to do. And it felt right. For a man who seemed to be all about chaos, it was strange how him being so close to me was soothing. Calm. Right.

I didn’t even know how it happened, or when it happened. But the dynamic between us changed overnight, and my head was spinning. Yet my heart felt full. My mind no longer tried to dissect it, tried to understand how I could have had these feelings for him after what he had done to me. It no longer mattered, and now that I had accepted this attraction between us, I didn’t feel so conflicted all the time.

Now the only thing I struggled with was how it would be possible to make things right for Neon. No amount of justice or revenge would ever be able to erase what they had done to her. But it sure as hell would have made it a little easier.

I got out of bed when I saw an apple on the bedside table, a white note beneath it saying, ‘eat me.’ I smiled, appreciating his slight nudge to get me to eat something. The Granite I met a few weeks ago practically shoved a bowl of macaroni down my throat. At least now he was trying to be subtle about it.

I took a bath, got dressed in a clean pair of tights and a shirt before grabbing the apple and heading out the room. From what I could remember of last night, Granite mentioned something about going to see Junkyard’s family. And I wanted to go see Neon.

It was quiet as I walked down the hall, taking a bite from my apple. It tasted sweet as I bit into it, and I could feel it travel down, settling in my empty stomach.

I reached the end of the hall, about to turn to Neon’s door, when the woman I saw last night came walking from the other direction. Tanit, I believed was what Neon called her.

“Um…hi,” I greeted when she passed me.

She stopped and gave me a once-over. “You’re the PC’s daughter.”

“Alyx,” I replied. “My name is Alyx.”

Her dark lashes fanned her cheeks as she scrutinized me top to bottom. The bruise on her face had darkened some since last night.

A smile curved at the corners of her mouth as she extended a hand. “I’m Tanit. We haven’t been officially introduced.” Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and I wasn’t sure whether it was paranoia from Neon’s warning or a sixth sense—but I caught a slight hint of hostility in her stance and the way her eyes raked over me. I couldn’t quite place it.

I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Tanit.”

“So,” she dropped her arms to her sides, “I saw you on the news. You’re supposed to be missing, or kidnapped, or whatever.”

I scratched my temple, not exactly sure how I was supposed to respond to that. “It’s a little complicated.”

“Yeah, I bet. Everything is complicated when the Kings are involved. Talking about Kings,” she glanced up and down the hall, “is Granite here?”

“No. Um, I think he left early this morning. Not sure where or when he’ll be back.” I lifted a brow. “I don’t really know much about what goes on around here.”

Tanit grinned. “Oh, neither do I. Women riding with motorcycle clubs usually don’t know shit. We’re here to look pretty and spread our legs when they want us to. That’s all.”

I choked on a piece of apple then coughed loudly. “Well,” I cleared my throat some more, “if being pretty is all it takes, you’re pulling that off just fine.”

It was easy to see the compliment inflated her ego, her hips moving as she rocked from one leg to the other.

She smiled. “Listen, I hope it’s not going to be weird between us now that you’re with Granite.”

“What do you mean?”

She held up her hands. “You know, with the history Granite and I have. It can’t be easy for you seeing me around here. I know I wouldn’t be comfortable with it if I were in your shoes.”

“I’m sorry,” I shook my head lightly, “I don’t think I know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh.” She placed her hand in front of her mouth, seemingly surprised. But her eyes told an entirely different story, chocolate swirls of sheer amusement. “You don’t know, do you?”