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“Hurry, baby.”

“Almost there.”

Three more strokes was all it took, for both of us. Pru groaned, arching her back off the bed. Her pussy clamped down on my cock, triggering my release. Sweat dripped off my chin and ran down my spine in rivulets, but I didn’t want to move. I wanted to stay locked in our bubble a little while longer.

Unfortunately, reality had a different idea.

My cell phone chimed with an incoming text. Then another. And another. I eased out of Pru, missing her heat instantly. Flopping sideways on the bed, I reached over to the nightstand and snatched the annoying device. Looking at the screen, all three messages were from the same unknown number and each text made my blood boil.

Unknown: Tick tock, nephew. Your time is almost up.

Unknown: Enjoy it while you can.

Unknown: I’ll see you soon.

Victor.

My uncle didn’t know it, but he was a dead man walking.

Chapter 10

Rapture and Repulsion

Prudence

Anthony and Kayla left on a Friday morning. Six weeks with them passed in a blur. Anthony pushed me to the brink while Kayla reminded me how far I’d come. Zak said he’d pay them to stay longer if I wanted, but they had a life to get back to and a wedding to finish planning.

I didn’t have time to be sad, though. Daria, Lennon, and I spent hours that night preparing for the Haven House fundraiser. It turned into a much larger event than the organizers first anticipated, thanks to Zak and his brothers. They spread the word throughout Atlantic City that the owners of The Four Kings Casino and Resort would personally be serving meals at the dinner. Ticket sales skyrocketed. Everyone and their brother jumped at the chance to get close to one of the kings.

In addition to their time, the guys graciously offered to match the proceeds, dollar for dollar. Lennon was visibly shaken when I told her. She didn’t understand why they were being so generous. My answer was simple. She was family.

The doors to the venue would open in less than twenty minutes. We were ready for the masses, or as ready as we could be. Lennon was behind the stainless steel counter getting ready to finish up last minute prep on the salads. She was tying her lavender hair back with a scrunchie when a crew from the local newspaper entered the kitchen. Her whole demeanor shifted when the cameraman and reporter approached her. My friend thrived in the chaos of a busy kitchen, but when the spotlight suddenly turned on her, she looked like she’d rather be stuffed into an oven. I stood watch from across the room, ready to intervene if necessary.

That’s where Zak found me a few minutes later. His muscular arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me into his hard body.

He spoke against the shell of my ear. “You look pissed.”

“Because I am.”

“What happened?”

“Those vultures”—I pointed to where Lennon stood—“cornered her. She hates attention.”

“You’re cute when you’re angry.”

“Cute wasn't the look I was aiming for.”

“Sorry, baby.” Zak laughed. What a shame he didn’t do it more often. He had a great laugh. It was bold, deep, with a hint of danger. Just like the man himself.

I turned in his arms, snuggling up against his chest. “Where are the boys?”

“Dimi and Kas are setting up a few extra tables. Mak is finalizing security.”

The fundraiser was being held at a local church instead of at Haven House, for obvious reasons. It was a shelter for abused women, some of whom were terrified of crowds and strangers. Unfortunately, the church was old and outdated. They didn’t have a single security camera in the building. Thankfully, Dimitri was able to charm the church elders into letting them install a system, otherwise Zak would’ve lost his mind.

Ever since the incident a few weeks ago, his protective instincts were in overdrive. If he wasn’t with me, Kent was. Zak even bought me a taser. He said it was like an American Express card. “Don’t leave home without it.” Even knowing that I had a way to defend myself, I was still on edge, regardless of how much I tried to play it off. There hadn’t been any sign of the asshole since that day, but I knew we hadn’t heard the last of him. It was only a matter of when and where he’d pop up next.

“That reminds me,” he kissed the top of my head, “don’t go anywhere alone today. Understand?”