Crowed (Team Zero #2) - Rina Kent Page 0,42

his large hands on either side of my thighs. My legs automatically wrap around his waist because I want him close as much as he wants me.

His nearness sends a strange type of calm over me.

Crow cages me in his arms, his forehead lowering to rest against mine. “I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t,” I whisper, holding his face in my hands. Our bodies are so intertwined, I don’t even know what belongs to him and what belongs to me anymore.

“People like me aren’t allowed to want anything.” His shoulders stiffen. The pain lodged deep inside his gaze hitches my breath. “The moment we do, it’s all taken away.”

“Not me, Crow.” I brush my lips against his, needing him to feel my words instead of hearing them. “You know, I’m like you in some way.”

He pulls away to stare at me with an arched brow. “Ah, bon?”

“Ah oui. When Papa and Maman were alive, I was already happy and didn’t want anything else. When they both died, I continued not wanting anything.” My breaths turn shallow as I stare into those mesmerising eyes. “Until you. And now that I have you, I intend to keep you.”

His eyes shine with playfulness. “Like kidnap me?”

“Uh-huh. And lock you up in this faraway castle with me. Like Beauty and the Beast.”

He bursts into laughter, head thrown back with the effect. The sound is so contagious, I end up grinning like an idiot.

“Wait.” He stops abruptly. “Does that make me Beauty?”

It’s my turn to laugh out loud. “More importantly, that makes me Beast. So you better be scared.”

Crow lowers his head to nibble on my earlobe then growls into my ear. “Oh, I’m terrified.”

I moan, shivers breaking all over my skin. My head tips back, giving him more access, but before I lose myself to him, I muster the will to release and push him with both hands. “Food. Charlotte.”

Merde.

I can’t even form full sentences anymore.

“Fine.” He sighs deeply. “I’ll go.”

“You don’t have to...” I trail off when his unwavering stare falls on me. “Whatever. You’re so annoying when you’re bossy.”

He taps my nose, smirking. “You secretly love it.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” He motions at the door. “How about we go together? Take a bag while you’re at it.”

I nudge him. “I’m not leaving, Crow.”

“Okay, come with me, and I won’t whisk you away.”

He’s lying. This is the perfect opportunity to make me leave my home and probably never see it again. I narrow my eyes. “No, thanks.”

“You’re so fucking adorable when angry.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, opens the cupboard above me and produces a gun. I swear he’s hiding these weapons everywhere.

Crow places the gun in my palm. I’ve practised a lot with him, but this is the first time that the weapon weighs so heavily. I swallow, staring at it and then at Crow.

“I won’t be long, and I’ll scurry around the perimeters before going, but if anything happens.” He closes my fingers around the weapon. “Don’t think. Shoot. If you hesitate even for a fraction of a second, that will be your end. Got it?”

I nod, not really sure what the hell I agreed to.

Crow kisses my forehead, lips lingering for a long moment.

Then, he pulls away. The moment his body heat leaves mine is like being thrown off the cliff.

Which is so dramatic. It’s not like he’s abandoning me.

Yet, the urge to grab his arm and make him stay almost overwhelms me. I don’t care if we starve to death. I don’t want Crow to leave. Not even for a second.

However, I keep a cool façade on my face. Everything will be fine. It has to be.

Crow pats Charlotte’s head. “Keep an eye on her for me, Cheerio.”

Wait. Don’t go!

I bottle down my shout as he strides out of the door. What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve lived alone just fine, why does this little loneliness make me all troubled?

Sure, I didn’t have a target on my back then, but still, this isn’t the end of the world. Besides, Crow will return soon.

This is my home. My heritage. There’s nothing scary about it.

Something nudges my leg, and I jump, cursing.

Charlotte.

Merde. She scared the living hell out of me. I put the gun on the table and carry her in my arm, hugging her close.

“We’ll be fine, ma petite,” I say, and she sighs, her little paws patting my face.

I set her on the ground