“My reaper,” I whispered back.
He smiled, stroked my side, and then released me. We’d already made love declarations earlier, so I wasn’t put out by the fact he didn’t say anything further. I skipped around the table to West instead, who looked up at me with his beautiful amber eyes shining with happiness.
I reached down, tucking my fingers under the collar of his shirt and brushing them over the scars I’d given him. He took my other hand and pressed it to his mouth, giving my palm a series of kisses. I craved the reassurance of his embrace.
West didn’t object when I sat in his lap. No, he wrapped his arms around me and let me rest myself against his chest.
“Can I stay here whilst I finish eating?” I asked.
“As my little Scar wishes.”
It didn’t matter if I’d had soul-destroying sex with him earlier. The way I wanted to be close to West couldn’t be quantified. Being near him made me feel… alive. There was a certain rush to having a man like him be utterly obsessed with you. I feared and desired him at the same time. A heady rush of mixed emotions that set me on fire.
For now, I was content to be held by him. And to remember the way he looked at me as he came apart earlier. How he couldn’t hide the depths of his devotion to me. His love. It was like being suffocated but in a good way. In the very best way. I liked it when West choked me during sex and this feeling was no different. I wanted to be drowned in his abyss of violence and destruction, pulled so deep inside I could never find my way out.
As I leant over to drag my bowl and mug towards me, I heard Drake clearing his throat. I turned to him when I’d got settled, raising my eyebrow.
“I spoke to the others about this before you came down… after what happened yesterday, I think we all agree we don’t want you leaving Fortuity without one of us with you. In fact, I’d prefer it if you stayed here out of harm’s way entirely.”
It took me a second to gather my thoughts and feelings on that little matter.
“You want to lock me up here?”
Drake frowned.
“No, I would never lock you up, Scarlett. I want you to have your freedom. I’m worried about what Stuart will do next. You know you’re not safe alone, right?”
I hated it, but he was right. Whilst I could get away if it was one man, I didn’t think Stuart would send just one. It would be multiple. Especially when he realised sending three men after me hadn’t worked. Drake had killed them all himself without breaking a sweat.
“I don’t like it, but fine, I’ll stay here. Will that make you happy?”
“It doesn’t make me happy at all, but I need you safe where he can’t get to you.”
I went back to my food, disliking the prospect of not being able to leave Fortuity, but knowing it was in my best interests. It’s not even like I felt safe going anywhere without one of them, anyway. They were my protectors. My guardians. My Horsemen. Whilst I could handle myself just fine, I didn’t trust Stuart at all.
“You know, we might as well have Penn on retainer at this point,” West said. “We use the fucker’s services enough.”
“Will he give us mates rates since you two are so friendly?” Prescott asked.
West snorted.
“We’re already getting them.”
“Maybe we should invite him around for dinner to show our appreciation,” I said.
“I’m not having him at our dinner table. He will simply flirt with you all evening,” Drake said, giving me a stern look.
I batted my eyelashes at him.
“Don’t worry, I would never stray even if he’s rather handsome and the tattoos do it for me.”
Prescott, Francis and West started laughing whilst Drake glared at me. I was already sat on the only tattooed man I wanted between my legs.
“Brat.”
“If you’re that worried, I promise I’ll tell Penn he’s not allowed to flirt with me at the table.”
Drake turned back to his food, but not before giving me a suspicious look, as if he was wondering what exactly my game was.
“I’ll consider it,” he said after a few minutes.
I couldn’t really ask for more from him. Drake might be prickly and stubborn, but he bent to my will more often than not. I didn’t like to tell him he’d become soft when it came to me, no matter how many times he punished me. The care he gave me afterwards spoke volumes. The man loved me and he would do everything in his power to keep me safe. And it’s why I’d decided not to object to his request to stay in the building for my own safety. It would only be until we’d dealt with Stuart. I could deal with that… couldn’t I?