d closed behind us, I locked it, using a personal security code reserved for the highest-ranking officers at the IQC. Besides me, Rager and Liam, no one but one of the kings could override the locks.
Liam was facing me, Bella and Rager behind him, when I turned away from the door.
“Evon,” he said, then sighed. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“No. I should have done it a long time ago.” When he opened his mouth to protest, I raised my hand in a gesture I knew probably looked almost exactly like my father had a few short minutes ago. “I will not yield nor change my mind.”
That stopped him from speaking, his mouth parted as if he were about to argue, but I dismissed his rebuttal with a wave of my hand.
“This family is mine. Bella is ours. No one will break us. No one.” Bella hadn’t moved, her hand in Rager’s, but her eyes widened as I took a step toward her. She had no idea what I’d just done, what Liam and I were talking about. “You were magnificent, Bella. So proud. So strong. A worthy mate.”
Her cheeks darkened and I knew Rager squeezed her hand in agreement, but I was in a strange mood. The threat to my new family crystallized for me just how crucial protecting it was. And that powerful new understanding drove me now, to reassert my claim as the dominant in the room. This was my family, my mate. They were mine to protect, mine to pleasure, just…mine.
“Take off your clothes, Bella.”
She shook her head to argue. “I need a work station or a computer. Something I can use to start learning your coding system. This NPU thing is amazing.” She tapped her fingers to her temple. “It helped me decipher that tablet in record time, thank god, but I need more time if I’m going to crack open the military communications system.”
Her mind was not where I wanted it to be.
“Take. Off. Your. Clothes.”
“Evon. But what about—”
“After we fuck you, mate. After you scream. After you know who you belong to.”
Her mouth fell open. “But I already do. I need a computer. I want to—”
“No.” I was not used to one so defiant.
Rager chuckled and let go of her hand, stepping back to admire the delicious curves that would soon be on display. He had patience and saw amusement in the lack of mine.
“By the gods, Evon. Now?” I mentally scoffed at Liam’s tone. As if he’d ever not want Bella. He shrugged, the rise and fall of his shoulders the barest hint of movement in my peripheral vision. His mind was in the wrong place as well. We’d figure out what the fuck was going on. Later. Now we had to reconnect as a family, and that was with Bella. Because of her.
She was what pulled us together, made us one.
“Fine.” I saw the way Liam’s cock began to swell beneath the black pants he’d been given, knew he wasn’t giving in to the charges against him. He just had to get his mind on what was important. “But they dragged me out of here, down the hall bare assed, my balls hanging out. I need to clean up.”
He disappeared into the bathing room and I knew he’d return soon.
Or…not. An image of Bella naked and wet, covered in bathing oil and bubbles teased my mind with possibilities.
Hard nipples. Soft pussy. Round ass. Wet. All over.
With a growl, I rushed her and lifted her over my shoulder to follow Liam into the bathing room. The shower was already on, the running water flowing over Liam’s naked form.
Rager followed at a much more leisurely pace, his usual temperament back in full force at the pleasure he knew awaited. He was content to take it in any way I chose. He wasn’t picky or demanding as I was.
Liam turned in the stall, his body covered with water, his cock already hard. At the door, Rager began to undress, pulling his uniform tunic up over his head as I set Bella down on her feet.
She looked up at me, her breathing fast, her eyes dark with desire. Yes, now she was in the right mindset. “Evon.”
My name. Nothing more. No arguments or resistance. She didn’t try to hide from me, instead meeting my gaze with acceptance. Surrender.
Submission.
With a groan, I lifted my hands to her cup her face and kissed her, exploring with a ravenous appetite to taste, to conquer. I learned her flavor with my tongue.
When she clung to me, boneless and weak—and just from a kiss—I lifted my head and grinned. “I warned you, mate.”