Rigger's Mistake (Sons of Erebus: Reno, NV #1)

by Misty Walker

This book is dedicated to all the makers of alien sex toys. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know about ovipositors. And that feels important.

Why didn’t she get us out of this house when he first came to my room at fourteen?

When people do nice things, you start to believe they care and would never wrong you.

“I did a little remodeling based on what I remembered you liked,” he says sheepishly.

“Green,” I whisper, taking in the sage-painted room.

My brothers might know how I grew up, but I haven’t told them about the deal I made with the devil in the form of monthly payments for Vivi’s safety. In the fifteen years I’ve been gone, I’ve paid that man over fifty grand, and from the sound of it, I deserve a refund.

I try to convince myself it’s forbidden and wrong, but if I’m honest, I like it.

I can’t be attracted to Colin. It’s wrong, and there’s no way he feels the same. Over the last week, we’ve spent a lot of time together, and he has never made me feel like anything but his sister. He’d be disgusted if he knew that in my head, it’s him and me in this scene. That it’s my body he’s ravaging like a starved animal.

A therapist would have a field day with me.

I was. . . jealous. I was fucking jealous. Ain’t that some shit?

“Never seen Rigger bring a girl to a party. You must be special.”

“I think he just wanted to show me what the club is like.”

“Or he could be lookin’ for a...

I laugh at the absurdity. “Defi...

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Ever since you came around, I haven’t seen him hook up with anyone...

It shouldn’t please me as much as it does to hear...

“Really.” He seems to think better about telling me, though, because he clears his throat and stares me down. “Mayb...

“Don’t worry,” I reassure him. “My lip...

Gripping her by the back of her neck, I yank her the rest of the way, pressing my lips against hers. She sucks in a sharp breath through her nose but doesn’t pull away. Instead, her lips move with mine in a slow, fumbling kiss as we learn each other. I’ve never been much of a kisser, skipping it for the main event, but kissing Vivi is something I wouldn’t give up for anything.

“We can’t do this,”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re my ...

“Try again. We already decide...

I’m tired of trying to save everyone else. It’s time to save myself.

I’m so goddamn tired of being self-reliant. So tired of having no one in this world who gives a damn about me.

Somewhere along the way, I claimed this woman. Not that I’ve made any declaration or anything. I didn’t even know it until this very moment, but nothing has ever felt more right. Navy is mine. Now I just need to convince her of it.

“If you don’t want me to do this, I won’t, but please know that I want to. I want to wash him from your body, make sure all of him is gone, and then I’ll make damn sure you never so much as hear his fuckin’ voice again.”

I quirk a brow with a smile. “You’ve been calling me Navy. Guess that means I need to call you Rigger.”

“It’s a good way to start over.”

I nod. “I...

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed after sharing so many meals with this woman, it’s that she loves her sauce.

Liquid sadness leaks from the corners of her eyes, her nose running as saliva gathers on the corners of her lips. She’s so fuckin’ beautiful, even like this. Even with the demons winning the battle in her mind, she’s beautiful.

I search for my answers in her hazel eyes but come up short. So instead, I say the only thing I know with certainty. “I love you, Navy Kennedy.”

“Blue.”

I give her a puzzled lo...

“My middle name. It...

I smile and cup her face. “I love you, Navy...

“Hell no. Even if that man was my full-blooded brother, I’d still fuck him.”

“Yes. I think you should fuck your stepbrother.”

My hand itches to grab hers, but I made a rule for myself that I’d leave her alone until she’s ready for more. I don’t know how long that’ll take, but I’d wait forever if it means I get Navy back whole.

“What about me spending every spare moment of the day with you and sleeping in your bed every night has made you think I’m interested in anyone but you?”

“You just feel a weird sense of obligation toward me.”

“There’s no obligation, Navy. But wha...

“What abo...

“I told you I loved you weeks ago, and you haven’t so much as told me...

I’m not an insecure man, but damn, I’ve never had to work so hard for a girl, and ...

“You need me to ...

I shrug. “I mean, yeah. That’d be f...

“I love you, Rigger. I al...

“You do?”