The Hunters

Chapter Twenty-Three

 Larsen and I shared a dark conversation, debating methods of killing our ex. It wasn't clear if we were joking or serious; regardless, the discussion helped calm us. She gave us permission to go without face coverings while in Norway, caring more about our impending interaction. As bedtime approached, Ghost and König finally crawled inside after shutting off the lights and adding some logs to the fire, surveying our interactions curiously.

Larsen had drawn images of her ex-husband in her journal, tearing out the page while we poked holes into the paper with our knives. It was childish, sure, but it made us feel better. Ghost narrowed his gaze on the paper, sitting uncomfortably beneath the shorter fort before he reached over to grab the page. Analyzing the image and the cuts with an emotionless gaze, he muttered, "Who's this unfortunate man?"

"Our pilot," Haugen answered while Larsen and I groaned loudly. "And Larsen's ex-husband. And Kalberg's ex-boyfriend. They're a little upset."

Ghost's brows furrowed as he observed us, König sitting quietly as he watched me closely. Shifting his eyes from mine nervously when they met. "I'll add that that scumbag was with both of them at the same time," Andersen explained. "Without their knowledge. Kalberg, you were FSK at the time, weren't you?"

"Yup."

"And Larsen was Jegertroppen," Andersen added. "He would have gotten away with it, too, except Kalberg got into our troop. You all figured it out on day one."

"He's lucky he's a fast runner," Larsen grumbled, and I nodded in agreement. "Kalberg, you've been working on your max speed. Think you can get that cheating track star now?"

"Oh, for sure. But a bullet's faster."

Ghost grabbed onto my ankles, dragging me across the fort as I yelped in surprise. Haugen giggled at the sight and I groaned, glaring at the man while he remained emotionless in response. "Enough talk. Time to sleep," he ordered, further manhandling me as he swung me around to lie on the pillow.

I rolled my eyes and adjusted my position, feeling König's arm quickly encircle me. I smiled at the comfort his large body provided, his other arm tucking beneath my pillow. "Good girl," Ghost taunted me, and I stuck my tongue out beneath my gaiter. His fist quickly grasped my chin, his strong fingers digging into my cheeks as I gasped. "Do that again and I'll bite that tongue. Don't challenge me."

I should have been intimidated that a black ops soldier grabbed me so roughly, but I was turned on. A smirk crossed my face as I tilted my chin, challenging him, "You take off my mask, I take off yours. Don't test me."

"Didn't say I wouldn't bite you through our masks," he growled, and I giggled, losing my breath when his hand shifted to wrap around my throat.

König shook Ghost off of me, whispering, "Hands off. She's mine tonight."

I smiled up at him, teasing, "Aww, that's cute, König. You want to bite my tongue instead?"

"Knock it off, you three," Larsen called. I giggled and settled, while she added, "She'll be mask-free while we're in Norway. Bite her tongue then."

König stroked my face, his thumb soft as he seemed to be trying to replace where Ghost roughly touched with his gentle alternative. My lashes fluttered as the touch relaxed me, sinking into the bedding as I rested. "Are you...okay with removing your...mask?" he whispered nervously in my ear.

I rolled in his arms, intertwining my legs with his. His limbs were so long and thick that I felt tiny compared to him. Snuggling closely into his shirt, I nodded, murmuring, "Only in Norway or with my unit. It's important to have a safe place, you know? Even if that place is a person."

"Hmm." He fell silent in contemplation, his hand around my waist shifting to stroke my back.

"Where do you feel safe, König?" I whispered, enjoying how he always seemed to enjoy me saying his name. He melted each time, visibly pleased with a shiver running through his body.

"I don't have anywhere. I...feel safe in the mask only."

"Hmm? Then keep it on." I was saddened by his answer, disliking that he never felt safe. That hiding was where he felt most comfortable. While I didn't want him to remove his mask unwillingly, I wanted his gentle soul safe and happy, mask or not.

"You...don't want me to take it off?"

König's tone was thick with confusion, as well as his German accent. I shrugged, responding quietly, "It's up to you. I'm attracted to you and Ghost regardless of whether I ever see you both without a mask. And men in masks are sort of my weakness."

Ghost chuckled, his gloved hand reaching over to stroke my lips beneath my gaiter. "Oh, the things I will do to your mouth once I have access. What's the sleeping arrangement in Norway?"

My eyes opened widely as I realized the answer. "Uh, typically shared and split by genders. But I have my own cabin separated from the others."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Uh, I grew up on that base. The cabin's technically my home." I glanced up to König's face, seeing him exchanging a look with Ghost. His eyes revealed an emotion I'd never seen him show before; one that hinted at devilish intentions.