Chapter 40 Sunset Confessions
Valentina’s POV
I lock eyes with Killian, his gaze molten whiskey, piercing me to my core. He stands at the edge of the crowd, arms folded across his bare chest, the Steel Furies cut thrown over his shoulders. Black jeans hug his hips; his boots are planted wide in the sand. The sunset throws gold across his face, and I notice he’s clean-shaven-a jolt of surprise runs through me. I almost miss the reddish scruff he used to wear. His auburn hair is a wild mess tonight, strands falling into his stunning face, as if he’s been raking his hands through it for hours.
Suddenly Lira launches into my arms, squeezing me hard. I laugh and hug her back, just as Rocco lumbers over, his laughter booming over the fire. Without warning, he scoops me up and settles me on his shoulder, his grip tight on my thighs.
“We got ourselves a real-life Rocky here!” Rocco bellows, grinning at the crowd. “If I didn’t already have my Old Lady, I’d be fighting for her right now.”
A cheer erupts around us, wild and approving.
I glance over at Lira, who only shakes her head and laughs, her eyes sparkling. She winks at me as if to say, you’re killing it.
A tall, skinny guy saunters up, all swagger and bad intentions. He’s got a Prospect cut for the Saints, beady blue eyes, a rat’s grin. His white tank is stained, jeans acid-washed and almost glowing in the firelight.
“I’ll take her as my Old Lady,” he sneers, eyeing me up and down.
Rocco’s response is swift-a massive boot in the prospect’s chest sends him sprawling backward, limbs flailing. The guy lands hard, gasping for air.
“Fuck off, Prospect! No pussy for you, not for the rest of the night. Who said you belonged at the fire? Get your ass back to the bikes and our booth!” Rocco’s voice is thunder.
The prospect coughs, glowering, but keeps his mouth shut and slinks off into the darkness.
“He’ll never get patched in,” Rocco mutters, lowering me down his front in one slow, smooth motion. His hand lingers a second on my ass before I smack it, mock-scolding. Lira and Rocco both burst into
laughter.
Rocco leans close, voice low. “Don’t think I don’t see your man over there, burning holes in me. Looks like he wants to tear me apart. Maybe he needs a bit more torture.”
I chuckle, wrapping my arms around Rocco’s waist, squeezing him before pulling Lira into a hug. She cups my face and kisses me, slow and certain. “If you ever want to play, we swap,” she whispers.
“I thought you didn’t share,” I tease.
“Oh, I don’t with just anyone. But you? I’d watch Rocco fuck you while I was busy with your man. He’s all kinds of delicious,” she says, tossing a sly nod toward Killian.
I glance at Killian-his whole body is coiled, tension radiating off him. I can see the storm in his eyes, the way he’s barely holding himself back from charging over and reclaiming me.
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“Thanks for tonight,” I tell Lira and Rocco, my voice warm. “You two are hell on a girl’s self-esteem-in the best way.”
“Anytime, Vandal,” Lira grins.
“Keep him guessing, Sunshine,” Rocco adds, dropping a kiss on Lira’s hair. “Men are idiots. Sometimes we need a good woman to knock us into sense.”
I wave as I turn, squaring my shoulders and walking toward Killian. My voice is sharp, wounded. “What do you want? Shouldn’t you be busy letting some other chick ride your cock?”
His voice is ragged as he answers, “Valentina.”
I meet his anguished stare head-on. “What, Killian? You said you forgave me. You begged me to come back. I do, and the first thing I see is another woman in your lap. Was I an idiot to hope you wanted me? All those messages, all those calls-I thought you meant them. I’m sorry I didn’t give you closure. I’m sorry I killed for you, trying to bring you peace. I’m sorry, okay? I’m fucking sorry!” My voice cracks, raw and loud.
A hush falls. Rocco steps up behind me, Lira tucked under his arm. His eyes are wide as he repeats, “S he killed for you?”
Cold dread prickles along my skin. I just confessed to murder in front of half the club. My secret is suddenly everyone’s.
But all I see in the faces around me is awe-no judgment, just envy and respect.
Rocco’s voice drops low, secretive. “That’s real loyalty, sweetheart. Don’t worry. You’re not the only Old Lady who’s killed for her man.”
Lira leans into me, her smile fierce. “TSinister Halos MC crashed one of our parties a while back. One of them thought it’d be funny to play Russian roulette with Rocco’s head. I crept up behind him with a meat cleaver-took his hand off at the wrist, then buried the blade in his neck. Hit the jugular. He bled
out in seconds. No one threatens my man.”
I stare at her, stunned. It’s not the same as my story, but I get it. She’d do anything for Rocco. Loyalty,
in all its savage forms.
“You’re a badass, Lira,” I breathe, grinning despite myself.
Lira leans in, her eyes gleaming with mischief and challenge. “Come on, Vandal. Share your sin. Level the playing field-can’t have you holding mine over me.”
I shake my head, voice a low murmur. “It isn’t only my story, Lira. It’s… tangled.”
Killian’s voice rumbles from behind, steady and calm. “Let’s move somewhere private. No need to bare our darkness for every curious ear in camp.”
A knot tightens in my stomach. I’m not sure I want to be known too deeply, even by these two-the prospect of their judgment weighs heavy. Still, I admire them, crave their approval. My confidence feels paper-thin.
Rocco seems to sense the shift and takes Lira’s hand, steering her away from the fire. Killian steps forward, reaching for me, but I slip my hand just out of reach. His jaw tightens, eyes fierce as he catches my wrist in a firm, unyielding grip. I glare and try to wrench free, but he only holds tighter, his
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Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rocco and Lira pause, watching the standoff.
Killian’s voice drops for my ears alone, low and commanding. “You’re going to hold my hand,
Caterina.”
“And if I don’t, Axel?” I retort, voice sharp. “You going to walk away? Pretend I don’t exist? Find some other bitch to keep you warm?”
His lips curl into a half-smile, half-sneer. “That’s three, baby. Once for leaving. Once for letting strangers see what’s mine. And one for trying to snatch your hand away. Actually-” He spins me gently but forcefully, yanking something from his belt. In a few deft moves, he pulls my arms through my property vest, settling it against my skin. I try to shrug out of it, but he pins my arms at my sides, wrapping himself around me, his heat, his scent, everywhere.
He bends, his breath hot against my ear, voice a dark whisper. “Take this vest off again while we’re here, and I’ll strip you bare, leash you, and parade you through camp with nothing but this vest and a collar. You’ll be my pet, baby. The whole week.”
The threat-no, the promise-makes my thighs clench, heat blooming low in my belly. I shiver, breath catching.
Killian hums softly, feeling the tremor in me. He releases his hold, takes my hand again, now gentler, weaving his fingers between mine. “Let’s go talk to your new friends, Vandal.”
We follow Rocco and Lira to their RV, where the world feels smaller, hush settling over us as the door closes. Cold beers are pressed into our hands, condensation misting our skin. Silence stretches, then Killian begins. He speaks, voice steady but haunted, about the night he was drugged, taken, and violated. He lays out every cracked, ugly detail, his pain raw and real in the cramped glow of the
camper.
When he’s finished, I speak, my words slow and confessional. I tell them how I thought I was avenging him, carving out justice with my own hands. How I made sure the one who hurt him would never hurt anyone again.
But then Killian turns to me, eyes soft and stormy. He explains the truth that’s been burning in him- how he was never repulsed by me, but by his own reaction. How the twisted arousal he’d felt wasn’t for the blood or the violence, but for the depth of my love, for the proof that I’d go to the very edge for him. His shame, his confusion, all of it spills out in the quiet. By the end, my cheeks are wet, tears slipping
down in silent surrender.
I look up and find Lira’s eyes shining too, her own tears slipping free.
“You gutted her,” Lira breathes, the words almost reverent.
I nod, tracing a line from pelvis to throat with my finger, my voice barely a whisper. “From cunt to neck. All the way.”
Rocco stares at me, awe in his voice. “Brother, you’ve got yourself a rare woman.”
Killian squeezes my hand, voice thick with pride and something wilder. “Don’t I fucking know it.”
