and throw it away when I decide to study it closer. Maybe I don’t need to get kidnapped by a monster; maybe just getting drunk and putting myself in danger is enough to see whose side Beckett and the rest of the Retribution Kings are on.
A bonfire warms the cool air near the lake. It’s windy out tonight even though it’s early summer; the summer heat and humidity hasn’t hit the city yet. In a few more weeks, a bonfire like this will feel sweltering. But for now, it lights the night sky and proves a treacherous obstacle for the drunk assholes to maneuver around.
I’ve been here for two hours, and no knight in shining armor has come to my rescue. Or no controlling hero with his crew of devils is more like it. Vincent’s men haven’t found me either. It looks like I might be on my own tonight.
I’ve barely drank, knowing I’ll need my wits about me if they do show up. But now that I know they aren’t, I decide to enjoy my night of wild freedom.
I grab two solo cups filled with beer and make my way to the crowd dancing in the firelight. I down the first cup and then sip the other while I dance. My hips sway, my arms raise over my head, and my eyes close as I let myself feel the music.
Warm bodies surround me, but I don’t open my eyes, not even when grabby hands slide over my hips and sway with me. I let myself be free. Vincent thinks he can control me with threats. He thinks he can prevent me from fucking every man in the city. I may have failed at getting Beckett or the Retribution Kings to come to me, but I can piss off Vincent by fucking a guy of my choice tonight in the woods.
Another pair of hands grip my waist from the front, and I feel a hard body press against mine.
I open my eyes to see a gorgeous man in front of me—hazel eyes, cropped brown hair, and a jawline that could cut glass. I’m entranced already, not to mention the muscles I feel beneath his clothes as he pushes up against me.
I reach back as I look up at the hard man behind me. His hair is shaggier, unkempt; tattoos peek out beneath his clothes, reminding me of too many guys I had hoped were my friends.
I let my eyes grow heavy with lust as I turn from one guy to the other. I don’t care which of these studs takes me to the woods and fucks me against a tree. I don’t care which one makes me forget the pain and anger building in my chest, begging for a release. I just need one, or both, of them to fuck me—now.
I drain the rest of my beer and lick my lips, looking from one to the other. The front guy’s mouth drops, and I’m pretty sure he’s drooling. The guy behind me brushes my hair off my neck and breathes against my bare skin. This is moving far too slow for my liking.
“I’m going into the woods, and one or both of you can follow me if you dare. But I expect to be fucked so hard that I won’t be able to walk straight tomorrow. If you aren’t up for the challenge, don’t follow me.”
I shove at the guy in front while whipping the guy behind me with my long hair. And then I strut toward the woods, letting my ass sway, knowing they’re staring.
I don’t stop on the edge of the campsite, where I can hear many other couples moaning just at the edge of darkness. No, I keep walking five minutes into the woods, wanting to get away from the crowd. I need to scream without fear of others hearing me.
The crunch of the leaves and sticks is my only indication that the guys are following me—both by the frequency of the sound.
I grin, biting my bottom lip. Sex is one of the only things I can control that is a big ‘fuck you’ to Vincent. It’s also incredibly fun.
I stop walking when I feel like I’ve gone far enough and turn to face my followers. I’m hoping my intoxication level will make up for any lack of skills these guys have.
My eyes wide when I turn. “You brought some friends.” I keep my voice level and calm as I stare at six guys.
This isn’t what I