Page 85 of In Darkness We Claim

That fucking smirk of his that reminds me so much of Lawson spreads across his face as he walks over and picks his phone up off the bedside table. He presses a few buttons, and Lianne lets out a muffled scream. My eyes drift to the bed, where she’s rocking her hips as much as she can, her hands tightly gripping the fabric of the sheets.

“The toy in her arse is a vibe. After a while, her orgasms will overwhelm her so much that she won’t even know where she is. Besides, her daddy sold her to mine, insisting she’d be the perfect whore for me, so I’m merely testing if they were right,” Bram tells me, a shiver of excitement rushing through me, even though my mouth falls open in shock. So many questions run through my head, about his dad and Lianne’s.

Before I get a chance to respond, Lawson grabs hold of my arm, his face stern as he glares at his friend before pulling me from the room. He pushes me out of the door before turning to Bram, who has an almost maniacal smile on his face now. “Get dressed. We’ll meet you at the car.”

Lawson doesn’t wait for a response; he storms off down the hall, pulling me along behind him in a daze. He doesn’t stop until we reach Bram’s car, when Lawson turns me around, slamming my back against it as he cages me in with his large, imposing body.

I open my mouth to snap at him, but I’m silenced when he slides his hand beneath the waistband of my black leggings, his fingers trailing through my drenched slit.

“Did you like what you just saw, sweetheart? Did it get you this wet?” he growls, his lips right beside mine.

I nod, whimpering as I rock against his fingers, my body tingling every time his tips brush against my aching clit. “Please,” I beg, fluttering my lashes at him.

He rubs his fingers against my sensitive bud, ripping a cry of pleasure from my throat, before he quickly pulls his hand out of my leggings. He shakes his head at me as he sucks his fingers into his mouth, cleaning my juices from them.

“You’ll have to be patient, sweetheart. When I make you come, I want to know I’m the only person you’re thinking about. Can you be a good girl for me and wait?”

I want to scream at him and tell him he’s always the only person I think about, but instead, I nod. His answering smile makes my heart stutter, and I’m once again drawn to his bloody lips.

Why the fuck won’t he kiss me?

Lawson opens the car door, completely oblivious to my desperate thoughts, and as I slide into the car, I have to rub my thighs together to try to ease the growing ache that’s throbbing between my legs. But as Lawson gets settled into the backseat next to me, the glint in his eyes tells me he saw exactly what I was doing, that knowing smirk giving so much away.

Flush spreads across my cheeks, and he lets out a little chuckle, which makes me narrow my gaze at him. Before either of us can say anything, Bram throws open the driver’s side door and gets in behind the wheel. He looks at us both in the rearview mirror, that maniacal smile still on his face.

He slams the steering wheel a couple of times as he practically bounces in his seat in excitement. “This is going to be so much fun,” he laughs as he starts the car.

I look over at Lawson, who is wearing a wicked grin of his own, and it quickly occurs to me that I have no idea where we’re going. But given the crazed looks on both men’s faces, I’m worried this is more for them than me.

Lawson’s warm hand envelops mine, and as he intertwines our fingers, the gentle pressure sends a jolt through me. A silent battle rages as I try to suppress the grin threatening to break free, as a familiar flutter of butterflies erupt in my stomach, causing their usual delightful chaos. “Don’t worry, I promise you’ll enjoy this.”

Shit, why do I believe him?

I have no idea what these two crazy guys have planned, but I trust them both enough to be certain they wouldn’t take me anywhere I couldn’t handle. Besides, I’m quickly learning that life with Lawson is full of surprises; I’m just not sure they’re all good.

We arrive at the Black Chapel, on the far edge of campus, and one glance at the old gothic building sends a shiver running down my spine as I remember the last time I was here for the Gifting Ceremony.

Once we’ve parked the car, a quick glance around confirms we’re not the only ones here. In fact, the car park is just as full as it was the night of the Gifting. There are men all around us wearing their Obsidian robes and masks, making their way inside.

Bram turns to face us as he hands Lawson a bag from the front passenger seat, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen him, which sets my nerves on edge. Bram is usually a carefree, easy-going guy, which is why this stern, all-business expression is so jarring.

Bram gives me a tight smile as he says, “This is an important Order meeting. It’s not just attended by Crows. All the other House Pledges will be present, alongside full Obsidian Order members and the Council, which is why our masks and robes are mandatory.”

My gaze narrows on Bram as I wonder why he’s telling me this, and I turn to Lawson, hoping he can unravel my confusion. Lawson is pulling on his deep black robe, looking just as serious as Bram.

When he sees me staring at him, Lawson lets out a small sigh. “Normally, these meetings are for members only, but I think this is one you need to see, and Bram agrees. So we’re going to be sneaking you in.”

My eyes stretch wide, comically so, as a rapid, jerky shake of my head sends a faint ringing through my ears and a fluttery, disbelieving sensation through my stomach. “No. I-I can’t. If I’m caught⁠—”

Lawson cuts me off before I can finish. “You won’t get caught. I’ll make sure of it, but you have to trust me.”

Even though my instincts scream that I don’t want to do this, the truth is, I trust Lawson, so if he thinks this is something I need to see, I have to believe it is.

I give him a small nod, though I instantly regret it when he pulls out a pair of metal handcuffs from inside the bag. My heart races as he holds them toward me.

“Hold out your hands,” he states calmly, not a hint of emotion in his words—he’s all business, and that has me even more anxious.

Still, I do as I’m told, holding my arms out after clasping my palms together, the same way he’s shown me in the past. I hold my breath as Lawson’s warm fingers glide over my hands, making sure they’re where he wants them.