Ignite (Beneath the Blaze #2)

by Luna Mason

Finn calmly knocks twice on the door. “We’re asking permission to kill them?” Finn doesn’t flinch. “No. Our father taught us to always have manners, Conan.”

“Now what?” I turn to Finn. He shrugs nonchalantly. “Burn it.”

“I called Conan when I was leaving the bar.” “Oh God. Did you rip him a new one?” I shake my head. “Worse.” “Fuck. You told him you love him and want his babies?”

“Drama queen. You can’t swear off all dick. Oh, what about becoming a nun? That could solve all your issues.”

“What if I told you it involves murder?” he says with a sadistic grin. “I’d say you have my attention.”

“I’d love our enemies to see you tucking a dog into your bed. It’s really a look, Con,”

“What happened to you?” I ask. He chuckles. “You don’t want to know. Now, let’s go kill some men and have a beer after.”

“Got it. Don’t be a dick.” “You haven’t gone a day without being one so far. So good luck.”

I’m sick to fucking death of watching you wallow in self-pity with tubs of ice cream. Get the fuck out of the house.

“Don’t be a dick. She’s not fucking him on stage, is she? It’s just a dance. Calm the fuck down or I’ll tranquilize your ass.”

“I’m going to the toilet. Do I need a babysitter?” I hiss. “Yes. Rowan. Go with him,”

“Fuck. I hate it when you’re right. Suggestions, young wise one?” He shrugs. “Be the bad guy.”

Great. Here we go. Operation Possessive may not have gone to plan.

“You’re crazy, Conan.” “So I’ve been told.”

“This isn’t us getting back together. I want this to be a hate fuck. I’ve always wanted to do that.”

“Does a hate fuck still work if we both hate the same person?” I whisper, running my tongue up her neck. I could never hate Hallie. But I’ll always hate myself—probably more than she despises me.

“You better come so fucking hard for me, Hallie. And I ain’t stopping. I’m going to make sure you can feel me for the rest of your life.”

“Only good girls get eaten out. Can you be good for me?”

“I hate you,” I say again, my voice breaking. He remains rigid. Taking it. “Say it back, goddamn it!” I sob. His hands clamp over my wrists. I look away, trying to steady my breathing. “Let it all out, baby. I can take it.” I shake my head. “You did this to me!” “I know. And I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Hold me down and fuck me from behind. With my hands behind my back. Tell me what a slut I am for you.”

“You don’t have to be nice to me,” I whisper. “Shh. I got you. I’ve given you what you wanted. Now let me look after you properly. Please.”

“Can we change the rules, darlin’?” I cup her face. “To what?” she whispers. “Let me worship you now. Let me show you the other side to me. Let me take care of you.”

Because, like my mom said, there’s one person on this earth for everyone. Hallie is my person. I’ve lost her. So I’m destined to spend the rest of my life miserable and alone. I deserve it.

“Okay. Let’s see if I can put my life back together tomorrow.”

They share a worried look before approaching me. Like I’m some rabid animal in a cage they’re about to tranquilize. Shit. Maybe Finn really might put my useless ass down.

“If you love her, you gotta fight, Conan. Dig fucking deep. Sort your shit out. Get back in the cage. Let off some steam. Then focus. We can help you make a plan. You can win her back. You always go after what you want,” Declan tells me. “She’s not a prize, Dec. She’s the love of my life. The one I hate fucked and made love to in the same night—and still got rejected. I’ve got a whole ass future planned with her that I’m still working on, one that might just haunt me for the rest of my life. I don’t know what to do. I can’t take back what happened. And all she can see is a monster. Which I am.”

really am a mess, aren’t I?” I laugh, though it sounds hollow. “Yes. But you always have been. Ain’t nothing new,” Finn smirks. “Just because I’m drunk doesn’t mean I can’t throw a punch.”

“Pregnancy roulette,” she says dryly. “You think you’re pregnant?” I ask warily. “I’m a day late.” “A day? I love the drama with you,”

“I can’t do this alone, Lily.” “Shh. You’ll never be on your own. You know Conan is going to be by your side every damn step of the way, whether you like it or not. And so will I.”

Getting my championship win. Burning the Decadence Chase to the ground. None of that really matters. Nothing does. The only fight that matters is winning back my girl.

“Wait. Please stay on the phone. I need to hear your voice.” “I’m never leaving you, trouble.” A calmness washes over me. He’s got me. He always did.

I bet he’d love that, seeing his and Declan’s kids growing up together. Causing havoc like they probably did as kids.

“I can’t tell you it’s going to be okay, because I don’t honestly know,” she whispers, her voice thick with tears. “But I can tell you that you have an army around you to help you. You aren’t alone in this. You never were.”

“Having the love of your life lose consciousness in your arms was slightly traumatizing, I’m not going to lie. But it doesn’t matter. You’re here, and you’re going to be okay.”

I’ve never felt happiness like this. This gives my life a whole new meaning. A purpose. And to think a few hours ago, I was nearly a dead man. Someone out there must be looking out for me. Maybe I’m not all that bad.

“Please tell me these are happy tears. Not ‘I’ve never wanted a kid and I want to run away’ tears.”

“I love you. Now, I was thinking…rather than live at Finn’s to recover, what if you moved into mine? I can take care of you. Seeing as I’m jobless, I’ve got the time.” He bites his lip. “You mean, I get to be nursed back to health by my sexy girlfriend?” I hold up my finger. “I’ve been upgraded to baby momma.”

“How am I supposed to sleep when I’m so fucking happy? I’m going to be a dad. We’re having a baby. And I’ve got you back.”

“You never lost me. Not in my heart. I think I was always going to find my way back to you.” “Or I was going to chase you until you did.”

“A bullet hole ain’t gonna stop me from tasting you.”

“I assume you have news? You didn’t just want to see me with no shirt on in bed?”

“Got it, boss. Am I clear to have sex?” Declan coughs, and Reggie chuckles. “I suppose, if she rides you? You need to not move too much. It’s been a week, Conan.” Hmm. Okay. I can work with that.

“God. You’re making me feel all mushy. Maybe I should find a girlfriend,” Rowan pipes up. “You should. Could lose your virginity then.”

“Reggie. Tell Conan I ain’t a virgin!” Rowan demands. “How would I know?” Reggie’s face remains stern. “Well, seeing as you watched me stick my dick in Angel’s ass last night while you face-fucked her, I’d say you’re a pretty reliable source to confirm I ain’t a damn virgin.”

“Tag-teaming strippers?” Finn asks. “No comment,”

“Love you, brother,” I tell him. He blinks a few times, then a small smile breaks through. “Love you too, bud. Don’t ever fucking scare me like that again.” “I’ll try. Can’t promise it. I’ve got a family to protect.”

“Oh, baby. Service me however you please. I remember you told me once I needed my balls checked? Now might be a good time. Tongue works best, or so I’ve read online. But while you’re there, my dick probably needs some attention.”

“And if I recall correctly, you still have to beg for my forgiveness, Conan. You think taking a bullet for me was really going to be enough?” He chuckles and coughs. “I’ll do anything you want me to do, darlin’. Just tell me what.”

“Hallie. Hallie. Hallie,” he pants my name. “Yes, baby?” I purr. “You’re making bed rest really fucking difficult right now, darlin’.”

“It’s against the law to handcuff my patients to the bed. But I might have to break that for you.”