Page 73 of Their Fierce Little Monster

“Someone came after us?” I murmur softly.

“Yep,” Lian answers. “While you two were busy screaming down the place, a shadow snuck into the room, watching and waiting with a blade clutched in his hand.”

“And you saw it all because you were already in the room, enjoying the show?” Corvin is shaking, hands fisted at his sides.

“I had the best viewing location, and it was entertaining. I was close to shouting out tips for you, as you were clearly struggling.”

My stomach drops to hear that in that vulnerable moment, the first time I gave myself to a man, there were two others in the room, observing us. I don’t even know how to feel aside from being embarrassed.

Corvin lunges at Lian, hands on his throat, towering over him. “I could snap that neck of yours so easily,” he snarls.

“You should be thanking me,” Lian grunts, a grin at the corners of his mouth, and shoves Corvin off him. “A professional killer came for you, and I dealt with him. Otherwise, you’d be lying in that room bleeding to death. Worse yet, you put Dawn in danger by only thinking with your dick. So, I’ll accept a thank-you card. You know, nothing too fancy.”

Corvin’s brow furrows, while my gut churns at the reality of what Lian said. “Why would anyone be trying to kill us?” I ask, dropping onto the other end of his couch, bending my knees under me. The movement quickly reminds me that I still have no underwear on, and the ache right in my core from Corvin’s monster cock throbs. I can never forget that moment with him.

“That’s the real question,” Lian answers, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Why didn’t you tell me when I was there?” Corvin asks, his voice lowered.

Lian glances my way. “Didn’t want to spook Dawn. And it was easier to handle it myself.”

Everyone falls silent, and I’m breathing rapidly because why can’t things just not be dangerous and complicated for a change?

“But you know the fucked-up thing?” Lian continues, still pressing my towel to his wound. “The assassin was from Grimvale. I’d seen him before because he comes from my court.”

“Are you fucking joking?” Corvin paces the length of the room. “Your court means it’s your damned father. He wants me dead.”

“Normally, I’d agree, but this doesn’t feel right. My father makes a vow, and he’ll die before breaking it. And he swore not to lay a finger on you.”

Corvin snorts a laugh. “You expect me to believe that?”

“I still don’t know exactly which one of you the assassin was after,” Lian adds, and that sends shivers down my spine. “But from now on, I’m not leaving your side, Dawn.”

“I’ll be the one staying with her,” Corvin presses, his lips curling over his sharp teeth.

“Right, forgive me for not having faith in you after you almost got her killed.” Lian twists to look at me again, mouthing, I’ll keep you protected.

“Then where’s the assassin now?” Corvin asks, pausing feet from Lian.

“I’d hazard a guess he’s inside a river beast’s digestive tract. After I rolled him off the roof and into the water, some ugly creature lunged and feasted on him. Pretty gnarly.”

“Thank fuck for removing the evidence. At least you did that right.”

“Not my first hunt, fuckhead!” Lian answers.

“So, just to interrupt, but what are we going to do with the girl in my bed?” I ask.

“We get rid of the body,” Corvin adds. Then the two of them break into a brainstorming session of their options, which include burying her, feeding her to the river beast, burning her, or chopping her up. That part makes me gag.

I should be scared, but it seems the longer I spend with them, the more numb I grow to horrible situations. What I really need is Kazak to be with us and provide some stability and sense to the madness from these two monsters.

Worry stabs in the pit of my stomach that things will get worse before they improve. But I agree that we need to hide the evidence, especially with Kazak still in prison and us waiting to speak with the king.

Suddenly, Corvin chuckles at something Lian said, but I hadn’t been listening. “Wait, you shoved him into the coffin with the man he murdered?”

Lian is laughing just as loudly. Seems they do have something in common when they’re not trying to murder one another—disposing of bodies.

“While this is so entertaining,” I say sarcastically, “can we get back to the current problem in my bedroom?” In my mind, I’ve decided to visit Kazak tomorrow. I feel my world slipping away by spending too much time with Corvin and Lian.