Chapter 26 I should have known he'd pull something like this. And I'm punishing myself for not being two steps ahead because he could have easily hurt Avery. There's no doubt in my mind that he wanted to, but by proving he could take her from me at any time, he's sending a message. War has begun. I'm exceptional at finding loopholes, but he didn't get to where he is by playing clean and by the rules. When Grey pulled me out of that bullshit class, it only took one glance in Avery's direction to realize what had gone down. Theo was with them, but the expression on his face indicated he was just as uninformed as I was at first. None of us are ignorant fools though. We can piece together events by observing and reading between the lines. There's only one person who would send Avery back into the devil's lair in formal business attire. Only one person who would willingly keep her alive for now when he needs and wants her dead. The fact that I allowed myself to believe she was somewhat protected is beyond forgiving. Even with all our measures in place-cell phones, guards in our pockets, access to the facility cameras, our own streams-he still bypassed them easily. We clocked that she was missing by breakfast, and immediately sprung into action. Our first initial fear was that they had taken her downstairs again-but that theory was quickly dispelled with the assistance of Connor and applying logic. To no one's surprise, the majority of Arthur's guards are pathetic gossip seekers. A few inquiries from Connor and we were able to confirm that she wasn't even in the building at all. But other than that revelation, no one knew where she was. That part they had intentionally kept under wraps. Nothing is accidental when it comes to my father. Every decision, every choice is part of his master plan. He had wanted us to figure out that she was gone. He knows we'd catch on quickly, leaving just enough breadcrumbs in a trail until it goes dead. I had already spoken to Christopher and set up a plan for him to search for her, but she was back before we could implement it. Typical Alexander Dale strategy-he had this organized down to the millisecond. While he may or may not have deduced that we would enlist Christopher's assistance, he focuses on timing and procedure. It was no surprise that they dragged her out of bed before everyone else, to allow time for them to enact their plan before we even knew she was gone. And he'd know exactly how long it would take us to follow the clues and ensure that she was back at that specific moment. The four of us are squared away in my room for this conversation. I no longer trust that the library is secure, even if Byrone and Jillian are able to send the cameras offline during our meetings. We need a plan, and we must start moving. Things are already in motion, and now that he's pulled off this stunt, it's going to send him on a power trip which is dangerous. He'll be adamant he's untouchable, and while I disagree, it means he will stop at nothing to bring us down. We're still waiting for the specifics. My patience is already paper thin, but these two assholes ganged up on me, demanding I wait before interrogating Avery. It's frustrating watching Grey coddle her. Not because I want answers, which I do, but because Avery doesn't need it. While it's clear that this morning rattled her and she's troubled by whatever went down, she's not on the verge of a nervous breakdown. If anything, I'm probably more inclined to suspect she's going to rage blackout judging by her tense posture and irritated expression. 'Can we move this along?' I finally snap, directing my question at Grey. He coolly glances over his shoulder in my direction. 'Chill, Deadman. Give her a few minutes to process things.' 'Avery,' I say sternly, shifting my attention to her. 'Do you need processing time?' Her light irises lift to meet my face, expression softening. I'll never admit this out loud, but that simple gesture alights something in me. To know I have an effect on her mood and demeanor, to have her look at me so fondly despite whatever turmoil is happening, it's addictive in a way I never anticipated. I suppose that's a good thing since she's now stuck with me in unholy matrimony. It would be rather awkward if we returned to me threatening to wipe her from existence, and Avery slapping me whenever she got riled up by said threats. 'No,' she answers after pondering the question for a few seconds, much to my amusement. Grey laughs quietly, almost pouting like the competitive bastard just suddenly realized I'm on his level now and he'll have to try a lot harder to persuade Avery to take his side. He stands, holding up his hands in defeat. 'Fine,' he mumbles cheerily. 'We'll do it the classic Damon way. Information first, therapy later.' He at least earns himself a laugh from Avery, who reaches forward to squeeze his hand. 'You can help fix me later,' she teases. I close my eyes, agitated that we're heading backwards on the fucking merry-go-round with these two again. They both get distracted by shiny things, which is counterproductive when they are both like black diamonds on a sunny, cloudless day-a never ending cycle. My sanity must truly be slipping through the cracks because a second later, I find myself glancing in Theo's direction, silently requesting some assistance. Theo stares back at me with a blank expression, but luckily, someone in this room still has some focus. He steps forward, slapping Grey up the side of the head. 'Snap out of it, asshole. We've got work to do.' 'Ow.' 'Thank you,' I muse before facing Avery. 'Now, what did my father do?' All playfulness vanishes from her face in an instant and it makes my blood boil. It's clear that whatever happened has unnerved her, but still, she persists, filling us in. As she details the ordeal, from the guards dragging her out of bed, to being forced to change in a room full of vile creatures, I secretly hope that it doesn't get much worse because I'm already on the edge of hunting my father down and being done with rationality. But alas... that is never the case with him. '... he made me sign some majority agreement so that we outvote you, as well as taking the liberty of organizing my affairs,' she spits out in disgust. 'Affairs?' Theo asks. Avery locks eyes with me. 'A Will-leaving everything I own to him and excluding you.' 'Deadman, we need to kill him-now,' Grey mutters angrily. 'No more delaying. Even if it means changing the plan.' 'Fuck the plan,' Theo interjects. 'I don't give a shit about anyone else. He's planning on coming for Aves. We do something-now. I'm done fucking around and waiting.' On the outside, I'm managing to keep my composure while digesting this news. But inside, I'm in complete agreement with them for once. I'm probably seconds away from detonating and losing control, but I have to remain focused. That's what he's counting on. My father will be laying in wait, hoping I take the bait and charge in with guns blazing. When you act on impulse, things become murky. There's no sense of judgment. No ability to see danger or control over your actions. I still haven't spoken when Avery walks over to me, straddling my lap. 'Hey,' she murmurs quietly, grabbing my face in between her hands. 'You've got this.' I find myself searching her eyes, quickly registering her words. Control. You've still got control. Placing my hands on her waist, I don't bother to speak because truthfully, she can already hear me-read me like a fucking book. There's a silent conversation passing between us-Avery knowing my true reaction buried deep, and helping me stay grounded, and me, promising that no one will dare lay a finger on her and I'll protect her with my life. Grey and Theo stay back and watch our exchange quietly, but incredulously there's nothing awkward about it. Nor do I feel threatened by them witnessing my mental recalibration. There used to be a time that I'd probably ensure their silence for viewing what could only be considered a vulnerable moment. But despite my best instincts and everything that drives and embodies me, these three broke through those walls. We're family now-connected and founded by death. Just like Cirque des Morts. Except where Cirque des Morts is my greatest creation, the weapon that will bring down Alexander Dale once and for all, this right here, this is my biggest achievement. This is my family. 'We'll kill anyone that touches you, mon petit feu.' Avery's eyes sparkle. 'You better not have just called me a little docile sheep or anything like that or we're going to have a problem, Demon Boy.' I chuckle quietly, lifting her shirt up. 'The only problem I have right now is that I'm not buried inside you, Avery.' She shivers as I drag my fingers up her sides, but when something that wasn't there before catches my attention, I pause. 'You have a new tattoo,' I remark in surprise, tracing the black ink on her ribcage. Grey moves closer, curious to see, but Theo stands in place, clearly her partner in crime. 'I do,' Avery breathes out, still quivering slightly. 'Do you want to know what it means?' I nod, though it's fairly obvious what it is on a simple level. The significance on the other hand is still a mystery. Avery places her hand over mine, flattening my palm against her skin. 'It's your heartbeat, Damon,' she says softly. 'Taken the day we got married while you were fighting to come back to me.' To me... Not to us or Lilydale. Not even the society. But to her-my wife. Clearing my throat to attempt to dislodge whatever feels trapped in it, I wrap my arm around her back, lifting us both off the bed. 'Theo, lie down. I need to ruin Avery's pretty little cunt while you fuck her throat.' 'Aw, excluding little old me?' Grey asks playfully, but jumps up on the desk like it's an observation deck and he's taking a front row seat. 'Theo deserves this reward too,' I tell him simply as the dark-haired man glides past us, shooting Grey a smug look as he does. It doesn't go unnoticed, Grey's eyes darkening with a threatening promise that will no doubt rear its head later. Avery, willingly oblivious to it all, drags her hands through my hair before linking them together behind my neck. She leans forward and finds my lips, and I waste no time kissing her back while subconsciously registering the bed moving with Theo's weight. The idea that she's permanently marked herself with part of me is sending me feral, the need to claim her too great to ignore. I catch sight of her ring on her finger, the gemstones flashing under the dull lights overhead and at this point, I snap. I wrap my hand around her throat, guiding her backwards off me. I feel the tiny vibration under my palm as she whimpers. As I start to spin her around, another set of hands joins to assist, grabbing Avery as the two of us position her on her stomach. She peers up at Theo with a look of wild hunger and a smile is shared between them as I hastily shove her skirt up over her ass. Her cunt is already glistening, shining brighter than our ring she wears proudly, and when I move behind her, I spread her open with my hands. This makes her still, dropping her head into Theo's lap. I slowly run my finger up her wet cunt, smirking as she shivers under my touch. Slapping her ass, I relish the sound of her moan, sliding two fingers into her entrance. 'Wrap your mouth around his cock, wife,' I order, burying my fingers deep and curling them to hit her sweet spot. Avery tenses and rocks her hips back, but slowly, composes herself enough to reach into Theo's pants and retract his hardened length. We all watch as she fists it, running her hand up and down in precise motions. Leaning over her, I grab her throat tightly. 'Open those lips,' I demand, my thumb reaching up to drag her bottom lip down. Her warm breath tickles my skin as her lips part, and to my surprise, her tongue shoots out, the tip flicking my thumb. It's cute that she thinks she's in control, that she can distract me with such tactics. She is, but she'll have to try a lot harder than that to take charge. Prying her jaw open with my finger, I remove my hand from her body, grabbing a fistful of hair and pulling her head back. I lock eyes with her, giving her a coy smile. 'Adorable,' I tease. 'But you'll look a lot better with your mouth stuffed.' Without waiting for a response, I shove her head forward, pushing her onto Theo's dick. Avery moans-either in pleasure or protest-but makes no effort to move away, using her hands to brace herself on his thighs. Still gripping her hair, I control the pace, lifting and lowering her head as she takes Theo in her mouth. I motion for him to take over, and when his hand rests atop her head next to mine, I shift back, giving him the reins. Lining up with her entrance, I hold the base of my dick, watching with fascination as it slowly vanishes into her pretty little cunt. My control snaps when I bottom out, Avery squeezing me while making muffled breathy sounds, and I pull back and slam into her. The force sends her jolting forward, choking on Theo's dick but she quickly recovers in time before I thrust hard into her again. 'Much better,' I muse deeply, grasping her hips tightly. 'Such a good. Fucking. Girl.' I emphasize each word with the slap of our hips. Theo keeps his hand on her head, guiding her as his head tips back and he makes his own sounds of pleasure. Avery quickly becomes a whimpering mess between us, and I reach around her, spreading two fingers around her clit as I gently rub. 'Fucking look at me,' Theo says, and I'm glad he's talking to her and not me. Avery must obey, because he gives her a little nod of appreciation, the two of them deep in each other's gazes. Not one to be shown up, I focus on her clit, drawing figure eights around it. Theo growls, grabbing her hair. 'Keep those eyes open, Aves.' Avery makes a sound of protest as I rock my hips while circling her clit. A smirk tugs on my lips-I know I'm making it unbelievably hard for her to comply, but it will be good for her to learn some control. Learn to fight against your body and will your mind to be stronger. 'Keep them open,' I voice, stroking her faster as I slide deeper into her pulsating cunt. 'Or we won't let you come.' Grey chuckles from the other side of the room, and I can just imagine her giving him the side-eye. From what I can make out without directly looking away from her perfect ass, Grey's enjoying the torture as much as we are. He's leaning forward, watching her closely, while encouraging her to break. 'Come on, little killer,' he grins. 'Look at Theo while his cock is deep in your throat. You take them so fucking well, don't you?' She moans loudly, shuddering as her hips push back into mine. She's close-chasing her orgasm while overwhelmed by all the sensations and voices. It's perfection, and I'm enthralled gazing at her fighting back, captivated by her sheer willpower as she resists and obeys simultaneously. While one hand continues the attention on her clit, I bring the other to her ass, running my hand over the curves. I know what's coming before she does-her. My thumb grazes her little asshole, stroking the sensitive skin as Avery suddenly jerks at the new sensation. I don't relent, fucking her hard while pressing all her buttons, and before she realizes it's happening, her muffled cries are filling the room as she crashes into bliss between us. 'Fuck,' I hiss as her body clenches around me firmly, ripping my own climax out of me. I quickly grab her hips for support, digging my fingers in as I thrust deeply into her body before spilling inside of her. Somewhere in the mental haze, I hear Theo cursing, his hands gripping her head tight as his head tips back. The two of us slouch forward, my body covering Avery's as I place a gentle kiss on the nape of her neck. Her breathing is ragged, her head drooped forward, and I move her hair aside as I lean to whisper in her ear. 'And it will keep beating for you, for as long as I'm your husband,' I tell her, referring to the gift. Avery twists her head to look at me, eyes focused and looked thoroughly fucked in all the best ways. 'Forever?' She asks. 'Even when it stops, I'll still be yours,' I promise. 'Because you're ours now and no one is taking that from us-not even death itself.' Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!