Hunting Adeline (Cat and Mouse, #2)

by H.D. Carlton

“No,” he agrees. “But I have always been yours.”

“Zade,” I moan, my thighs beginning to tremble. “Stop it,” Xavier barks, his voice pained for more reasons than the arrow piercing his spine. “Are you angry because she never moaned your name?” Zade challenges. He’s right—I never did, despite how hard Xavier tried. “Did she cry out for God?” he pushes. “Yes,” Xavier spits, and fuck, I’m falling apart. I thrust against Zade’s hand, rolling my hips mindlessly, the bliss eroding my entire being. “Good,” he says, a grin in his voice. “That means she was crying out for me.” “Oh my God, Zade,” I sob, the orgasm building, forming into a sharp point right where his fingers are rubbing. “That’s it, baby,” he purrs. “Show him who you’re really praying to.”

“You want me to grant you mercy? Was that what that was, every time you sliced me open? Did you have mercy on me when you raped me? Paid money and tried to buy me like I’m a fucking object so you could torment me for the rest of my miserable fucking life?”

“I don’t want your apologies, Xavier. I want your suffering.” Before he can open his mouth and spew more useless pleas, I grab two extra blades from my thigh strap, and one at a time, force each hand flat and plunge a knife completely through, pinning them into the dirt. Eyes wide, his screams mix with Rocco’s, and now that… that’s a beautiful sound.

I don’t bother removing his pants. I just raise my knife and stab it into his pelvis, crimson instantly staining his soiled khakis. I keep stabbing until his entire groin area is ravaged, and I’m panting. Now, he really is seconds away from blacking out, so I grab him by the hair, force his eyes onto mine, and shove my blade straight through his throat. His eyes widen in disbelief as he begins to choke, crimson pouring from the wound and down the front of his shirt. I lean in, as close to his face as possible, ensuring I’m the last fucking thing he sees.

“Sometimes,” she starts again, her voice raspy. “I wonder how you could still possibly want me.”

“I’ve followed you through lifetimes, Adeline. My soul needs you so badly that I’ve become a shadow, destined to hunt you for eternity.”

She’s absolute perfection, and I will never get tired of showing her just how much I fucking worship her.

“Your hatred has always tasted like heaven, little mouse. If I have to spend the rest of my life on my knees, then I will use my mouth for more than just begging for your forgiveness.” I grin sinisterly, and her breath hitches. “By the time I’m done, you’ll be kneeling beside me.”

It’s when I’m lost to pleasure that I’m overpowered easily. She lifts up on her knees, away from my pulsating cock, and just when I was getting ready to explode. Instantly, I’m overcome with frustration I’ve never felt in my life. “I swear to fucking God, Adeline, if you don’t sit back down right fucking now—” She slaps her hand over my mouth, and she might as well have stuck a lightning rod up my ass—I’m so goddamn shocked.

“Shh, baby,” she whispers, a slight grin curling her lips.

Fuck. Her. Sh...

Her voice shakes as she says, “I’m in control, Zade. Not you. Me.”

“You’re doing so good, baby. And you look so fucking pretty. I can’t wait to see how you’ll look when you take all of me.”

My fingers dive through her tangled tresses, and I wrap my other arm tightly around her. For several minutes, we just lay like this, catching our breaths and losing it all over again with every touch. Eventually, I coax her to turn around. She hugs her knees while I squeeze shampoo in my hands and meticulously wash her hair, soothing any lingering tension in her muscles.

I rinse the soap out, her tears following the suds down the drain while she mourns, her head bowed with grief. Then, I carry her out of the tub and set her on the counter, holding her mouth open as I brush her teeth. I kiss away every tear and remind her that she will always carry Phoebe with her, and those flames are now hers, too.

“Yes,” he responds. “I would kill for you—I have killed for you—but I would also put down a gun and never pick it up again if you asked it of me. The lengths I would go to for you are terrifying, little mouse. So easily, you could destroy me, and I would lie down and take it. I don’t care if I live or die—as long as it’s all for you.”

“Don’t forget your knives and guns, mouse,” I call after her. “And, Sibby… limit your knives and guns.” I hear a dramatic sigh from the room, but I ignore her, sticking my Bluetooth in my ear.

Heaven isn’t a place you go to when you die, it’s inside the person that’s worth dying for.