Hunting season

Chapter Thirteen

Damon Lewis still couldn’t believe it. His brother, Darryl, gone. Half the Pack with him. And these…females behind it. These freaks.

As far as he was concerned, they were like demons or the undead. It was one thing for a goddess to bring someone back to life, but to have changed them somehow…Well, that was something else all together.

Something evil.

But the black woman behind the desk kept telling him and his father that Darryl brought all this on himself. He’d used some ancient artifact to make himself invulnerable. Damon didn’t want to believe it, but he knew it was true. Knew his brother had delved into things he never should have and seriously wasn’t smart enough to control.

And because of that Darryl paid the price.

Damon looked at the woman across from him and his father. A true politician that one, but he couldn’t stop staring at her goddamn wings. They…fluttered, or something. It was disturbing.

However, not as disturbing as the big scary female standing near the door, blocking his way to freedom.

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She had to be at least six feet tall.

At least. With short black hair and cold coal-‐black eyes. He had no idea if she were also black or something else like Cuban or whatever. She stood off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest, her feet braced apart, and a brutally cold expression on her face. She was a big girl. Not fat. Actually, he didn’t think there was an ounce of fat on her. But she had muscles and her frame could clearly carry a lot more. Her eyes slid over to him and he moved his gaze to the floor.

She made the She-‐wolves in his Pack seem weak and girly.

These women with their scary wings and watchful demeanor were downright unholy and he wanted to go. Preferably now.

Damon knew there’d be no war over what happened to his brother. Wolves didn’t waste time with bullshit especially when his brother asked for it. His Pack wasn’t about to take on these freaks for a wolf who’d gone bad.

His father nodded at the woman’s words and then stood up. The tall female opened the door, allowing them to leave. Damon and his father walked out, but froze right in the doorway, too terrified to move.

They were everywhere. Perched on the banister and stairs. On top of the hallway furniture. And if there was no where to perch, they stood. Stood and stared. Damon had no idea how long they’d been sitting out here waiting for them. But he felt like it might have been the entire two-‐hour meeting.

Damon’s father snapped out of it first, grabbed his young son’s arm, and headed down the hallway toward the exit. He pulled the heavy oak door open and stepped outside, but there were more waiting out there, too. This time, his father ignored them and kept going. Down the front house steps and toward their car…their completely shitted-‐upon car.

The only thing that didn’t suffer was the window on the driver’s side—so they could leave. Damon looked up and saw hundreds of actual crows in the trees.

They didn’t make a sound either. They just watched them.

At that point, his father threw him in the car and got in right after him. Without waiting, the old man tore out of the driveway. Short of an actual war with these people, Damon had no doubt they’d never come here again.

Neecy, the last to come in, quietly closed the door. Slowly, she turned and faced her sisters.

Clapping her hands together, she cheered, “What good doggies! Who’s a good boy? Who’s a good boy?”

The Crows burst out laughing. And they laughed their asses off for the next half-‐ hour.

Yager’s eyes didn’t stray from the computer screen in front of him as Tye came up behind him.

“What?” Yager learned long ago how to do more than one thing at a time. He had to…it was the only way to manage his life and the Ravens. So he kept working while Tye talked to the back of his head.

“There’s a call for you.”

“I’m busy. Take a message.” He worked code because for him it was mindless and he needed to focus on bigger issues. Like Neecy. Crazy, annoying, sadistic Neecy.

Christ, I am so in love with her.

“It’s Didi.”

Yager spun his chair around to face his friend and next in command. Crow leaders didn’t call Raven leaders unless something was wrong.

“What? Why?”

“Don’t worry. Nothing’s wrong. She just wants to meet with you. Tonight.”

And they didn’t meet unless something was wrong.

“Then what does she want?”

“She wouldn’t say. She just asked that you come to the Bird House tonight…I told her you probably wouldn’t mind.” Tye grinned. “But that I’d checked with you just in case.”

Yager turned his chair back around. “Tell her I’ll be there.”

“Wow. Amazing how I knew that.”

Waldgrave walked through his house. An old Westchester, Connecticut, mansion that had been in his family for generations. His Hunters, Her disciples, currently lived with him and his many trophies.

Trophies he’d soon be adding to.

He passed the converted family room. Converted into a communications center.

They’d been taping the Crow chatter for months. Not hard, they never changed their cell phones. Stupid, stupid females.

Stopping in front of the room filled with top-‐of-‐the-‐line electronics, Waldgrave motioned to the Hunter handling the next phase of this hunt.

“How’s it going?”

“Great. I think we almost have what we need. It might even be too easy.”

Shaking his head, “Don’t get cocky. That’ll get you killed faster than anything.”

He walked away, heading back to his office. If they were getting close, then he had much work left to do.

Destroying a large group of freaks was a much more time-‐consuming task than Waldgrave ever imagined.

Arri squealed and ducked.

“Oh, come on! I haven’t even touched you yet!”

Arri peeked around her boxing gloves at Janelle. “I was anticipating the worst?”

Janelle took a deep breath and turned to Neecy. “I’m done, Neece. She’s driving me nuts.”

“Wait!” Arri grabbed Janelle’s arm with her gloved hands. “I’m sorry. I just…”

Neecy didn’t even look up from her sparring with Katie. “Keep trying you two.”

She blocked Katie’s fist. “We’ve got serious hunting coming up and Little Girl needs the training.”

Sighing, Janelle turned back to Arri. The girl was practically cowering. She’d seen whipped dogs that looked less frightened.

“Okay, Arri. We’re going to take it real slow.” Janelle forced a smile, but that seemed to scare her even more, so she stopped. “Now put your fists up again and plant your feet. Good.”

Janelle slowly brought her own fists up. “Now, I’m going to swing at you, but real slow. Okay? You’ll definitely see me coming. And all I want you to do is to just push my hand out of the way. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Great.” Moving in movie-‐style slow motion, Janelle swung her fist forward. Arri kept her eyes on it, until it was about five inches from her, then she squealed and dropped to the ground covering her head.

“That is it!”

“Calm down, Janelle.” Neecy and Katie were still at it. Katie was trying her best to get to Neece, but their team leader had some great defensive moves and she was wicked fast. You didn’t get to her easily.

“You gotta give her some time.”

“Time we don’t have.”

“I’m sorry,” Arri offered from her place on the ground. “Your fist just looks awfully imposing from where I’m standing. Can’t we get someone more my size…or just smaller than you?”

Janelle gritted her teeth. She didn’t need little Ms. “I can wear tank tops and tiny jeans” commenting on her size. All it did was piss her off. “I’m not sure we can find anything that small without following the Yellow Brick Road,” Janelle snapped.

“Hey! I’m not that small!”

“That’s it, you two. Take a break.”

“Fine.” Janelle reached down and yanked Arri to her feet. For a few moments, they silently watched Neecy and Katie sparring while Janelle seethed.

How come she had to train Arri? The girl was absolutely terrified of her, and Janelle was damn tired of it. She didn’t need Minny Mouse making her feel like the Jolly Green Giant.

Katie tried another attack and Neecy completely blocked her. Nah. Katie didn’t have a chance. Neecy was way on. She’d shown up that morning sporting a little attitude. It must be all that Yager love. Janelle couldn’t blame her. The man was fine. And he actually made the two of them look small and delicate. She liked that in a man.

The question now was how far would Neecy let their little “thing” go? She’d known Neecy a long time. And Katie was right, Neecy was still trying to make up for something she did years and years ago. And she still hadn’t really gotten over what that boyfriend of hers did to her.

Whether Yager was patient enough to wait all that emotional bullshit out, however, was anyone’s guess.

Neecy easily blocked another punch from Katie, pushing her arm out of the way.

Katie used the momentum to try one of her roundhouse kicks. Neecy saw it coming and prepared herself to block the blow.

At that moment, Delia pushed open the door to the training room. “Hey, Neece.

Did you know Yager was here?”

Neecy’s head snapped around, allowing Katie to land that kick right at her head.

Most likely because she thought Neecy would block it, Katie put a lot of

“Ooomph” into that one move.

Their team leader went down like a ton of bricks.

Didi stared at the man across the desk from her. Like Neecy, Yager was more than ten years younger than her, and a stone-‐cold fox. She didn’t know what Neecy’s problem was, but she needed to get over it. Or some little filly was going to come along and snatch her a Viking stallion.

Yager shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”

“It’s true. I’m done. I’ve been done for awhile now.”

“I guess I never thought you’d retire.”

“Now, Yager, you know we can’t do this forever.”

He lifted one big muscled leg and rested his foot on the opposite thigh. “Have you told, Neecy?”

“No. I’m informing all the leaders now. And, of course, Skuld knows. My husband’s real excited.” Yager frowned and she held her hand up. “Yes! I’m married! Why does everybody keep forgetting?”

“Probably because we never see him…do you ever see him?”

“Don’t be a smart ass.”

Yager smiled. “Okay. Okay.” Restlessly, his fingers tapped against the arm of his chair. “So, any idea who’s going to take over?”

She knew what worried him. Didi didn’t hound her girls. She didn’t worry what they were up to when they weren’t Hunting. But that was her. Some leaders were not nearly as relaxed as she was. Yager wanted to make sure he didn’t lose any of his precious Neecy time.

But Didi wouldn’t let that happen. The bottom line was, Didi wanted her second in command happy before she walked off. It would make her a better, less uptight leader. And she knew Yager was the key. Actually, all the Jersey Crows knew that. Only Neecy insisted on playing this “only sex” bullshit. And it was bullshit. The girl floated into the house earlier in the day. The man had fucked the cranky right out of her.

“To be very honest, Yager, I want Neecy to take over. But in the end, it’s Skuld’s decision. Second in commands don’t automatically get picked to lead. All I could do was recommend her.”

Yager leaned back in the seat and Didi was glad she liked good, sturdy wood furniture or he’d destroy the damn thing. “So when are you done?”

“No matter who they choose, the transition will take a few months. Then, of course, a party.”

“When don’t you guys end something with a party?”

“Now, now. Don’t be bitter. But let’s face it. A group of crows is a ‘gathering’.

While a group of ravens is ‘an unkindness.’ ” Yager threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, I see. Trying to get on my good side, huh?”

“I am charming, aren’t I?”

“But you guys always seem to forget the ‘murder of crows.’ ”

“Well, that would be redundant.”

An abrupt knock on her door cut into their conversation. “Yeah?”

Delia stuck her head in. “Uh…” Her eyes strayed to Yager.

“What, Delia?” Delia knew she had no patience with long pauses. She hated that.

“What is it?”

Delia started chuckling and couldn’t seem to stop. “Uh…Neecy…um.”

“What about her?”

Delia cleared her throat. “Um…I need that stuff you put on scrapes. She’s got kind of a little…uh…” She looked down at the floor and laughed harder.

Embarrassed, Didi glanced at Yager. She bet he never had to deal with giggling Ravens. “Delia?”

Shaking her head, she pointed down the hallway.

“Lord, the shit I put up with.” Didi pushed away from her desk and stood up. She walked out of her office, knowing Yager trailed behind her because he only had to hear Neecy’s name and the guy’s entire body tensed up.

Didi heard them before she even opened the kitchen door. Laughing.

Yelling. Rowdy bitches.

Pushing the door open, she froze. Neecy held her hand up. “Don’t freak out.”

“What the fuck happened to your face?”

“Katie nailed her with a roundhouse kick,” Janelle said from her seat on top of the kitchen counter. The girl never used a chair if she could help it. “Bam! And she was out.”

“You blacked out?”

“Just a little. Nothing to sweat about. I mean, these are just scrapes.” She waved at her bloody cheek. “No big deal. I got these when I hit the floor.”

“And a juicy size knot on the side of her head from Katie’s tiny little feet.”

Neecy glared at Janelle. “Ya know, you could enjoy this a little less.”

Janelle grinned. “You’re right. I could.”

Neecy glanced around the kitchen for something to chuck at Janelle when she saw him, leaning against the doorframe and staring at her.

Their eyes locked and Neecy felt Yager move all through her body. The way he examined her face, she could almost feel his big fingers brushing the scrapes across her cheek, checking the size of the lump on her head.

So busy devouring everything about Yager, it took Neecy a moment to realize the Crows had gone completely silent. They were staring at her and Yager.

“I’m going to go and…uh…” Christ, when did she start having trouble speaking?

She was a professor. She spoke to groups of people everyday. But now she was a verbal mess…and she blamed Yager.

Pointing at the ceiling, “Gonna shower.” Neecy turned and headed out the other kitchen door that lead to the back hallway.

Neecy didn’t look at Yager again as she took the backstairs up to the second floor. She walked into her room, closed the door behind her, and stood there for a good two minutes wondering what the hell was wrong with her. This wasn’t like her. When she saw Yager all she wanted to do was go to him and let him put his arms around her. She wanted him to take care of the scrapes on her face, kiss the rapidly growing knot on the side of her head. She wanted him to kiss her forehead and tell her she would be okay. He’d make it feel better.

Christ, when did I become such a pussy?

Now thoroughly angry and disgusted with herself, Neecy ripped off her clothes and went to her bathroom. She turned on the shower, adjusted the temperature, and stepped in. She slapped her hands against the cold tile and leaned her head under the showerhead. Closing her eyes, she tried to push out any needy feelings she had about anybody or anything.

She didn’t need anybody except her sisters. And, hell, they needed her more than the other way around.

Taking a deep soothing breath, Neecy had just begun to relax when the shower door slammed open. She spun around, immediately swinging her left fist, but it hit one big palm.

“Goddamn it, Yager!” She pushed wet hair out of her face. “How did you get in here?”

“You didn’t lock your door. Besides, Didi said ‘Don’t just stand there…go after her.’ So I did.”

At some point, she really would kill that woman.

“Well, out! As you can see, I’m a little bit indisposed at the moment.”

As always, Yager ignored her, instead reaching into the shower and sliding his hand behind the back of her head. He pulled her forward and looked long and hard at her bruised cheek.

“You sure you’re okay, baby? Janelle said you took a really bad hit.”

“I’m…” She gulped hard so she didn’t lose her voice. “I’m fine, Yager. Thanks.”

Still gently but firmly gripping her head, he whispered, “Come home with me.”

“Why?”

“Because you said you wouldn’t do anything sexual here. So come home with me.” He leaned into the shower, completely ignoring the fact that he was getting wet in the process, and brushed his cheek against her unhurt one. So gently, she barely felt it…but she felt it enough. “I promise I’ll make you feel better,” he whispered against her ear.

Her entire body shook. “Yager…”

“Come home with me, Neecy.” His lips barely touched hers…but they touched them enough.

Christ, she shouldn’t do this. She knew Yager wanted more than just a sexual relationship. And if she were to be honest with herself, she was starting to feel that way, too. But she didn’t want to want that. It was dangerous. He was dangerous. Her feelings for him were dangerous.

“Yager, if I come with you now, I’ll be gone by the time the sun comes up.”

He grunted and shrugged, but then he kissed her and she stopped caring.

Yager stared down at the woman sprawled out next to him. Neecy Lawrence could really take over a bed when she slept. But he liked it. One of her legs stretched across his, one arm lay across his waist, and her head rested against his chest, her breath tickling his nipple.

He really didn’t know what to do about her. Neecy made it all so difficult.

Brushing her black hair off her face, Yager winced at the bruises on her cheek.

He hated to see her in pain. He felt it as surely as if someone had kicked him in the head. But he couldn’t tell Neecy that. Anytime he tried to get close, she backed away. Anytime he tried to make this deeper than sex, she ran.

He sighed. He didn’t want this anymore. True, he still wanted Neecy, but he wanted her like this. All the time. He wanted to be able to go to sleep and not worry she’d be gone when he woke up. Hell, he wanted a date. To the movies and dinner. Something simple and fun, ending with mind-‐blowing fucking. It seemed so simple to him, but Neecy made sure nothing was simple. It was like she couldn’t help herself.

He wanted to discuss all this with her, but as soon as she even sensed the sun was rising, she’d be gone.

But Yager wouldn’t be doing this her way anymore. No more playing by her rules. No more giving her space, hoping she’d come to her senses. No. He was ready to push his hand on this one and she’d simply have to learn to deal with it.

Neecy felt the sun begin to rise…literally. She guessed it was about five-‐thirty or so. Time to get the hell out before Yager woke up and tried to turn her into some simpering female who couldn’t live without him.

Yum. Sunday brunch at the Bird House sounded like a lovely idea after all that sex.

Using every bit of her training, she silently eased out of the bed. Yager was out cold. Snoring, even. Well, that wasn’t attractive, but she smiled anyway.

Grabbing her sweats and sneakers, Neecy backed toward the door, her eyes locked on Yager. Even snoring like a big bear she found the man gorgeous.

Sighing softly, she steeled herself to leave and turned toward the bedroom door.

Neecy stopped short. Yager stood there. His back against the door, his arms crossed in front of his massive chest. He looked like he’d been standing there for hours, waiting for her.

“Going somewhere, baby?”

“How did you…” She glanced back at the now empty bed. “Where did you…” She growled. “How the hell do you do that?”

“I’m really fast.” He tilted his head to the side, his hair falling across his face.

“Where ya goin’?” He asked it so sweetly; Neecy immediately went on the defensive.

“Home.”

“I want you to stay.” He took a step toward her and, for the first time in her life, she stepped back. Not because he scared her, but because he didn’t.

“That’s a bad idea.”

“I like it.”

Neecy shook her head. Determined bastard, isn’t he?

“I’m sure you do, but…”

“But what?” Yager now stood in front of her.

“Look, this is getting complicated.”

“Complicated? It doesn’t seem complicated to me at all.”

He’d started walking back toward the bed, forcing Neecy to step back as he stepped forward.

“Maybe you’re just making this complicated,” he continued.

“I’m not. I’m trying to keep this as simple and uncomplicated as possible.”

He took her clothes out of her hand and tossed them to the floor. “Well, you’re not doing a good job of that,” he offered sadly.

Neecy’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not doing a good job of that because of you!” she snapped.

“You’re blaming this on me? That doesn’t seem fair.”

The backs of her legs hit the mattress and she stopped. But one good push from Yager on her shoulder and she flopped back on the bed.

“Ya know, Lawrence, I find it really sad I have to go to extremes to get something so simple.”

“Extremes?” She really didn’t like the sound of that. Nope. Not at all.

He wrapped his hands around her waist and hauled her up into a sitting position, her back against the bed frame.

“Yeah. I had to borrow these from Tye…he has a rather disturbing collection of stuff.”

He leaned over her and before she could see what he had, he grasped her wrist.

She felt cold metal and heard the click of a lock.

Oh, what an asshole!

“Yager.” He pulled the other cuff through the metal bars and locked up her other wrist.

Calmly, “Wilhelm Yager, this is such bullshit and you know it. Now let me go.”

She should feel fear. Panic. But she knew, as sure as she knew her own name, she knew Yager would never hurt her. He’d never abuse her. She knew it with all her soul…and it terrified her.

“No.”

“What do you mean no?” Could she be any calmer? She wasn’t concerned one goddamn bit. Not scared, worried, or panicked. Nothing she should normally feel.

Although, she would admit, at least to herself, she was a little turned on. Actually she was seriously turned on.

“I mean no. We need to talk. And we’re gonna talk.”

She pulled but the cuffs only dug into her wrists. These weren’t typical handcuffs either. These were something else. Something she could buy at a sex shop—

apparently quiet Tye was the group freak among the Ravens. “We can do that without me being chained up, you idiot.”

“No. We really can’t. And don’t call me names.” He walked to his dresser. “I try and talk to you and you run. Or fight. Or something other than talk to me.” He grabbed his laptop. “I’m tired of it, Lawrence. So we’re going to have this conversation. Like other normal adults.”

“We’re not normal, Yager.” She watched him walk back to the bed. “We have wings and go to parties with gods. You take them to strip clubs.”

“That was Mike’s idea,” he snarled through clenched teeth. “Last time I listen to his stupid ass.”

“What I’m saying, Yager, is…don’t you dare!”

But he’d taken the sheet they’d knocked to the floor earlier in the night and tossed it over her head.

“That is not funny!”

He chuckled as she tossed her head and knocked the sheet back off. He’d already plopped himself down in a chair by the bed. Now he propped his big feet on the mattress beside her, and put his notebook computer on his lap. Winced as it hit his cock, re-‐adjusted, then he ignored her.

She yanked her wrists. No, she wouldn’t be getting out of these without causing herself some serious damage. Damn kinky people, with their damn kinky toys.

“Let me go, Yager.”

He didn’t even bother looking up from his computer. “Not till we talk.”

Gritting her teeth, she settled her body into the bed. She crossed her legs Indian style, the fallen sheet covering everything from the waist down. “Talk about what?”

“Next weekend.”

Neecy frowned. “What about it?”

“I want you to come with me to my house out on Long Island.”

“What for?” Yager’s eyes slowly looked up and she cringed. “So we can…date?”

“I like how you say that. Like I asked you to come out to the Island to perform satanic rituals.”

He might as well have. This was getting…involved. They weren’t supposed to be getting involved. She was already in too deep. A weekend away without the normal distractions of the City to get in their way…so not a good thing.

“Forget it, Yager.”

He shrugged. “Okay.” But instead of letting her go, he went right back to his computer.

“Aren’t you going to let me go?”

“No.”

“What if I have to take a piss?”

“I’ve got a bucket.”

Neecy turned her head to the window so he couldn’t see her laughing. He was kind of a funny, over-‐sized geek.

She cleared her throat. “This is ridiculous, Yager. Just let me go.”

After a few moments, he looked up from his computer, but not at her face.

Instead his eyes focused on her bare breasts.

“Your nipples are hard.”

Damn. She’d hoped he wouldn’t notice that. But being all bound and at his disposal was making her crazy with lust.

“So?”

“Is your pussy wet, too?” He raised an eyebrow. “I bet it is.”

The not lying thing…kind of in her way here. So, instead of answering, she let out an annoyed sigh and stared at him.

Smiling gently, he placed his computer on the floor by the chair, swung his feet off the bed, and walked toward her.

Neecy tried hard to control her suddenly rapid breathing, but it wasn’t easy with that big cock of his bouncing around and practically calling her name.

“Yager.”

“Neecy.”

“Whatever you’re planning…forget it.”

“Forget what, Lawrence?” He sat down on the bed beside her. “This?” His right index finger circled around one of her hard nipples. “Or this?” He moved to her other nipple and did the same thing. “Or maybe you mean this.” He lowered his head and wrapped his lips around her nipple, sucking hard.

Neecy’s back arched as her hands gripped the metal bars behind her. The man didn’t play remotely fair. This was not fair. No way.

“Dammit, Yager!”

He released her nipple and leaned forward to lick the skin of her collarbone.

“Come to my house, Neecy. I promise we’ll have fun. You and me in that big house with so many positions to try.”

“This isn’t fair.”

“Nope.”

“This is blackmail.”

“Yup.”

He pulled away from her and Neecy let out a shuddering breath. She knew he wasn’t done; she just had no idea what to expect. For some unknown reason, when it came to her, the man was ruthless. She knew loan sharks less relentless.

She caught her lip between her teeth as Yager slowly pulled the sheet off her lap.

“God, you’re beautiful.”

Must be all the tattoos and gunshot scars. She tugged again at her bonds.

“Forget it, Lawrence. You’re not going anywhere until I let you loose. I hope I remember where I put that key.” He shrugged. “Anyway, you might as well relax.” He stood up and moved around the bed. She watched as he stretched out next to her, his head propped up with one hand. The other hand completely free to do…whatever.

He stared at her for a long time, then said, “You’re trapped here, Lawrence.

Bound here. You’re helpless and all you can do is rely on me and my good nature. What will I do with you for the next few hours?”

How the hell the man knew those words would turn her into a volcano, she’d never know. And he didn’t stop. He just kept going down that darkest-‐desires path, and she hated him for it. Because he made it feel so…okay. At least with him.

“Right now you’re all mine to do anything I want with. Your body belongs to me.” His fingers caressed her breasts, her stomach, her neck, but he didn’t go any lower. She wanted to squirm, but she also didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to her.

“Come with me next weekend, Neecy.”

“It’s…it’s,” she let out a long shudder as his fingers squeezed her nipple. “…a really bad idea. And you know it.”

Because what if she never wanted to leave? What if she wanted to stay there forever letting Will Yager take care of her while fucking her unconscious? She’d never been one of those “please take care of me” women, and she wasn’t about to start now.

He sat up. “That’s not the response I want, Lawrence.” While one hand played with one breast, he lowered his mouth to the other.

Neecy’s body shook under the sensual assault.

“Too bad. That’s the only one you’re getting.”

She felt his lips curve into a smile around her hot flesh as he released her breast and began kissing his way down her chest and stomach. Gritting her teeth, Neecy watched as Yager slowly pulled her legs apart and hooked them over his shoulders.

He leaned against her thigh, his nose rubbing her crotch. He looked up at her and she gave a short shake of her head. “No.” Just from experience she knew what the man could do with unlimited time, his tongue, and her pussy at his disposal. He could easily have her committing to marriage and a garden wedding if she didn’t stop him now. At least when he fucked her she rarely spoke…simply because she was too busy just holding on.

He lowered his mouth to her pussy and Neecy’s entire body clenched. “Wait!”

Yager stopped and looked up at her.

“Okay, Yager. I’ll go. I’ll go. But just for the weekend. That’s it.”

“Good. Now that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

Then the son of a bitch went ahead and stuck that amazing tongue inside her pussy anyway. Neecy practically ripped the bed frame apart as her entire body arched right off the mattress.

Yager licked her clit a few times, then suckled it between his lips. Neecy’s legs tightened around his neck, her body writhing desperately until he abruptly pulled away. “Sorry about that. Just couldn’t help myself.”

Neecy opened her eyes as Yager got to his knees. He still had her legs on his shoulders and didn’t seem in any rush to remove them. Good thing she was relatively flexible.

He grabbed a condom off the bedside table and quickly rolled it on.

“Tied or loose?”

Neecy looked away from Yager, but only for a moment. She trusted him. With her body, she would always trust him. “Tied.”

His cock actually jerked at that. On a shuddering breath, he said, “You got it, baby.”

Slipping his hands under her ass, he lifted her a bit until his cock rested at the entrance of her pussy. She stared, fascinated. He did have the most beautiful cock, even when encased in latex.

“Look at me, Neecy.”

Grudgingly, she pulled her eyes away from her prize and up to his face. That’s when he rammed home. They both gasped as Yager pulled her closer, resting his face against her neck. “Goddamn, Neecy. You’re fuckin’ drenched.”

“Your fault,” she gasped.

Yager gave a short laugh while he kissed her neck. “Tell me what you want, baby.”

“Move, Yager. Fuck me.”

He bit her neck, which caused her to whimper. “You know the magic word, baby. Say it and I’ll fuck ya raw.”

She licked her lips and tightened her legs against his shoulders. “Will. Fuck me, Will.”

He laughed low, his fingers digging deep into her hips and ass. “Good girl,” he growled as he slammed into her. Over and over he buried his cock into her.

Relentless, brutal…delightful. And being unable to control him and what he did to her, being able to trust someone that much—it drove her insane. Her body shaking and sweating. Her pussy holding on to him with a vicious grip. All of it was sending her over the edge. She was losing herself inside Yager. Again.

His tongue slid around her ear, then in it. “Being inside you, Neecy,” he whispered desperately, “It feels fuckin’ amazing.”

And just like that, she came. Her entire body clenched around him, her pussy snapping around his cock like a vise. Yager groaned but kept going. “You’re not going to make me come that easy, Lawrence. We’ve got all day to fuck just like this…it’s Sunday!” he cheered.

If Neecy wasn’t still coming, she would have laughed.

Didi stopped by Neecy’s room and found she hadn’t returned. She didn’t bother calling her. She knew the girl was probably pussy-‐deep in Yager.

Good for her ! And a long time coming.

Didi headed toward the stairs. She planned on getting some shopping in before the snow hit. The news kept predicting blizzards or snowstorms or whatever the hell they had in this part of the country any day now. Of course, they’d been saying that since the beginning of January.

Already planning her day’s shopping, Didi barely noticed her bedroom door was open. She stopped at the top of the stairs, pausing for a moment. Turning around, she walked back to her room and pushed the door open.

“Banana?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, “Why do you always try to give me fruit?”

“I find it’s a nice ice breaker.”

Stepping into her room, Didi casually kicked the door closed with her foot.

Exactly how many times would a person find a god lying on their bed, reading their Penthouse Forum?

“Comfortable?” While Skuld only communicated with the team leaders by giving them sudden and random information, she insisted on physically visiting the Gathering leaders. Didi just never knew when or how.

“Not really. You need a better bed.”

“Whiner.”

A New York Yankees baseball hat obscured Skuld’s face, but Didi knew she smiled. She was the Veiled One, but apparently she got real tired of those things and had moved onto hats, hooded sweatshirts, whatever. Some days she looked like the Unabomber.

“I’m assuming there’s a reason you’re here.”

“Yes.”

Skuld leaned her back against the headboard of Didi’s bed and crossed her long legs at the ankles.

Sighing, Didi walked closer to the bed. “And I’m sure you’ll tell me what it is before I turn fifty.”

“And that’s right around the corner, isn’t it?”

Officially pissed, Didi glared at the goddess. “It is not!” She still had six years to go before that hell on earth started.

“What is it? Why are you here? Besides your desire to go through my porn collection.”

“And a very extensive collection you have too.”

“Skuld.”

The goddess laughed. “Okay. Okay. I’m here because of you.”

“You are?”

“Aren’t I?”

Didi shrugged. “I thought about calling to you, but I figured you’d ignore me…it wouldn’t be the first time my pleas went unanswered.”

“True, but this time is different, isn’t it?”

“I’ve spoken to all the Clan leaders. They know I’m retiring.”

“But?”

“But, they keep asking who will replace me. I’d like to be able to give them an answer.”

“It’s good to want things, Daughter.”

Didi sighed in exasperation. “Is there a problem you have with Neecy I’m not aware of?”

“Her guilt bores me.”

“Why? Because she cares about what she did in the past? Because she cares about making it right?” Didi shook her head. “I don’t understand you some times. You’ll never find anyone more loyal to you. She takes her commitment to you more seriously then I ever did.”

The goddess pushed her baseball cap back on her head a bit, allowing Didi to see her face. Wow. She was gorgeous. Didi always forgot that.

“I know. But I don’t need a slave. I need a leader. A battle chief, in fact.”

“Neecy’s the best warrior you have and we both know it. She’s willing to sacrifice everything to serve you and the Gathering.”

“I know. I know. Still…I need to see she can do this. I need it proven to me.”

Didi’s body tensed as she realized something. “You sent the Hunters after us.”

“Of course I didn’t!”

“But you didn’t cloak the Crows, did you?”

Skuld eased off Didi’s bed. A tall and overwhelming female, Skuld once rode with the Original Seven. As tempted as she may be to start some shit with the goddess, Didi knew better.

“No. I didn’t cloak them.”

“You’ve put us all at risk for Neecy’s Trial?”

“I no longer need a politician Didi. That’s what you are and a damn good one.

During peace time, there’s no one else I’d consider to lead the Jersey Crows. But things are about to change. And the Gathering must change with it. I need to know she can handle it. I need to know she’ll help my Daughters survive.”

So angry she could barely see straight, Didi clenched her hands into tight fists.

Skuld walked up to her and leaned down until their faces were barely a few inches apart. “Tell her what’s going on, Didi…and I’ll make sure all of you regret it.”

“But…”

“No. You keep your mouth shut. This is Neecy’s Trial. You interfere, and as much as I love you, I’ll squash you like a gnat. Understand?”

Didi’s eyes narrowed, but before she could say anything, Skuld had her hand around her throat and lifted her off the floor. The goddess stood to her full height, which meant Didi’s drop to the floor would be quite lengthy.

“Understand?” she asked again.

Gritting her teeth against her anger, Didi spit out, “Yes.”

“Good.” Skuld dropped her to the ground. Didi stumbled back, her ass almost hitting the floor, but she didn’t want to give the cranky bitch goddess the satisfaction of seeing her sprawled out on the hard wood.

“Now,” Skuld said with a smile. “I’m off.” She held up the Penthouse Forum.

“Mind if I take this?”