Raiden (Sons of the Fallen, #6)

by Jaclyn Osborn

Phoenix might’ve been sort of a bad guy, but he was loyal to a select few: us. And he loved Bellamy, the kind of unconditional, sometimes messy, insanely strong love that said he’d burn everything down to keep that love safe and kill anyone who stood in his way. So, yeah. A villain. But a not-so-awful one? Jury was still out on that.

I had almost died that day. Raiden was the reason I didn’t. He had spent hours searching the battlefield, knee-deep in blood, guts, and dead bodies. All so he could find me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I fished it out. A text. Baxter: Get your ass to my villa. Your boyfriend’s here. Instant butterflies. Me: He’s not my boyfriend. Baxter: Funny how you knew exactly who I was talking about though.

You can’t have pizza without cheese. Not unless you like eating sadness and disappointment.”

How could someone be so ridiculously hot, adorably innocent, a total badass during fights, and sort of ditsy at the same time? A dangerous combination. That danger being to my damn self-control.

Once again, I was astounded how someone could be so fucking hot and endearing at the same time. I wanted to both cuddle Raiden like the precious male he was and bend him over a flat surface and fuck him hard.

“Asa Morningstar is no longer a threat to anyone,” Lazarus said, his wintry gaze shifting to Alastair. “He’s not merely weakened. His powers are gone.”

“I just like to focus on the good in life and not dwell on what I can’t change, ya know? I can’t stop the sun from setting, but I can greet the stars and embrace the night as I wait for the warmth again.”

“Your joy for life and genuine kindness pulls me in. You’re the most delectable male I’ve ever met, Raiden.”

“So what you’re saying is…” I gripped his hips and glided the tip of my nose along his stubbled jaw. “I’m better than pizza?” “Damn.” Raiden breathed out a laugh. “I like you, Ti, but I don’t know if I’d go that far yet. Pizza is my number one true love.”

“Poor fish,” he muttered. “What?” “They’re gonna be swimmin’ along, doing their thing, and then bam.” Raiden breathed out a laugh. “They’re gonna swim right into our cum cloud.” “Cum cloud?” “Yep.” A slow, relaxed smile bloomed across his face. “Gives another meaning to ocean spray.”

“But I love people. I love seein’ the good in them. Because there’s so much good among the bad, ya know? And you won’t see it if you’re lookin’ at everything through a narrow lens.”

“Gluttony wants me to stay right here.” Raiden softly sighed and nuzzled my throat. “In your arms.”

“Need,” Gluttony whispered. “Yeah, those zucchinis look good, huh?” My sin sighed. He gave me attitude sometimes. But why was he doing it right then? I had no clue.

Gluttony softly whined. “You okay, bud?” I asked my sin. “Starving,” he said. “For him.” “Hey, we’re not gonna eat my new boyfriend, all right? We don’t do that.” I sensed a sassy-as-hell eye roll come from Gluttony. “Not eat him.” A pause. “Kiss him. Touch. Surrender.”

“Ray,” Gray’s voice projected into my head. “This is your conscience speaking. And your conscience wants you to make waffles for your adorable little brother.”

“You have no idea how precious you are, Raiden.” He nuzzled my hand. “Ya know… I never really thought of myself like that, but in your arms, that’s how you make me feel. Treasured.” “That’s how you should feel. Every moment of every day.” I rested my forehead on his.

“Castor,” Alastair said telepathically. “For the love of all the gods, keep your mouth shut.” “My lips are sealed,” Castor responded. “I’m a sarcastic son of a bitch, but I’m not a complete idiot.” “Depends on the day,” Daman said. “Fuck you, Envy.” “Fuck you right back, Greed.” “We are so dead,” Bellamy added.

“That was our first kiss as husbands,” Raiden whispered after drawing back a bit. “And it won’t be the last. Prepare yourself for a lifetime of kisses.” “Kisses and pizza.” He grinned.