Perfect Ruin (Unyielding #2)(34)

Raul’s hand dropped from my chin. “Go to him,” he ordered.

I hesitated, unable to take my eyes off Kai. Not wanting to drop to my knees in front of him, but knowing I had no choice. Then I realized what bothered me the most about this. I didn’t want Kai seeing me this way.

I stepped toward Kai and began to kneel at his feet when his arm snaked out and latched onto my wrist. He tugged and I half fell into his lap, my palms landing on his chest.

His heart beat steady and slow under my touch and I wondered how he could be so calm, so in control. But this was Kai. He was fearless even when in some criminal’s compound, who I suspected had more power than the government.

And maybe that was because Kai’s friends were like Raul. Maybe Raul was a friend.

Kai turned me around, so my back was against his chest then settled his arm on my abdomen. His heated breath swept across the back of my neck and I clasped my hands together in my lap as the tears formed again.

Raul’s voice broke through the momentary silence. “She’ll have to be kept hidden, but it is always invigorating to have something everyone is looking for. Si?”

“Mmm, perhaps.”

I stiffened as his hand slid over the top of mine that were currently clasped together so tight the tips of my fingers were white. He gently squeezed, his entire hand encompassing both of mine.

I dropped my head forward, letting the small comfort of his hand settle over me and, for the first time in months, I felt safe.

The two men spoke about the upcoming fight between a guy named Sculpt and another man. From what I picked up on, that was why Kai was here. Raul had invited him to the fight and that meant they knew one another. I’d suspected Kai’s circles were dangerous, and maybe I was deceiving myself to believe Kai had good in him, but Raul… he was malicious and cruel.

“Touch her,” Raul said. “I’ve not tried her, but Alfonzo says she is tight.”

Kai’s comforting hand left mine and trailed slowly down between my legs.

I knew his touch. His familiar long fingers that had caressed every inch of me and made me ache and beg and shudder with release.

“Open for me, braveheart.” His mouth was against my ear as he whispered the words.

My spine straightened and I chanced a glance at Raul, wondering if he heard what Kai said and not understanding why Kai would take the chance that he would overhear. But maybe Raul knew Kai and I had been together. No, he’d introduced me as if it were the first time Kai had ever seen me.

I opened my legs knowing I couldn’t refuse with Raul watching. I closed my eyes as his fingers touched me.

“Beautiful, si? Alfonzo has told me she is one of his best. I suspect he’d keep her if he could.”

“Disappointing.”

“You don’t like her?” Raul’s voice was abrupt.

I tensed at his tone. Oh, God, no Kai. What was he doing? Raul would have me beaten if I didn’t please Kai.

“On the contrary. She is remarkable; however, I’m disappointed she’s not wet.”

Raul laughed, slapping his knee. “You demand too much. Slaves who get wet are difficult.”

Kai’s finger didn’t go inside me. Instead, he merely cupped me.

“Do you like me touching you?” Kai said, this time it wasn’t a whisper and I knew Raul heard.

I’d been trained to give the right answer even if it was a lie. “Yes, master.”

I heard him swear beneath his breath and his body stiffened. His breath wafted across my ear as he whispered so low that I barely heard the words. “Fuck, London.”

I sharply inhaled at the sound of my name. It had been months since I’d been called that. I was Raven now, but my real name passing his lips was like he’d given me a piece of home.

Tears welled and this time, I couldn’t stop one from slipping down my cheek. I quickly tilted my chin down further so Raul wouldn’t see it. I saw it drop onto Kai’s arm, soaking into his white dress shirt and leaving a round wet mark.

Kai withdrew his hand from me then reached for his drink. I had the urge to grab it from him and chug back the cool liquid, but his arm around my waist jerked as if in warning, like he knew exactly what I’d been considering.

I drew my eyes away from the frosted glass, but I heard him swallow the liquid and then he put it in front of my mouth. I parted my lips and he tipped the glass and the cold gin and tonic hit my parched mouth. It was like being handed heaven and it didn’t matter if I hated tonic and its bitterness. It was the best thing I’d ever tasted.

He causally set it back down on the patio table. “How did you acquire this one, Raul?”

“I was paid a great deal of money to take her, have her trained and advised to get rid of her as quickly as possible.”

“It’s been two months.”

“She’s been difficult.”

Kai chuckled and I felt the gin come back up. I quickly swallowed several times. “But they are usually worth the most.”

Raul laughed. “True. But I have potential trouble with my son and his slave. I prefer neat and tidy.”

“And yet you kidnap a high-profile girl.”

“I was paid four times her worth or any other slave’s in order to take her.”

“And you don’t find that peculiar, Raul. Paid to kidnap a girl?”