Chapter 33 – Safe in His Arms
Judy's apartment smelled of sweat, sex, and the faint trace of lavender. Morning light spilled in through the blinds, falling across the tangle of bodies sprawled on her bed.
Alaric lay at the center — Evelyn's leg draped possessively over his hip, Judy curled into his side, her soft breaths warm on his chest. Both women wore faint marks on their skin: love bites, faint bruises from gripping hands, and the unmistakable evidence of a night neither of them would forget.
Evelyn stirred first, stretching with a languid sigh. Her eyes met Alaric's, and a slow smile curved her lips.
"You… are dangerous," she whispered, tracing a finger down his chest. "In bed… and in this city."
Judy peeked over Alaric's shoulder, her cheeks flushing.
"He's something else," she murmured, her voice soft but real. "Never thought I'd be in this kind of mess… and not wanna run."
Evelyn's eyes lingered on Judy — softer now.
"You're not running. You're right here… with us."
The air thickened, a different kind of intimacy settling.
Alaric let his hand trail over their waists, possessive but gentle.
"Neither of you is running. You're mine now. Both of you."
Evelyn leaned forward, brushing her lips against his.
"I wouldn't have it any other way…" She hesitated — then, voice quiet, added, "If I'd been stupid… tried to run this alone… I'd probably be dead."
Judy nodded slowly, her fingers curling around Alaric's wrist.
"We've all seen what this city does. But you — you rewrote that script."
[System Alert: Harem Bond Strengthened — Evelyn Parker & Judy Alvarez]
[Main Storyline — Act 2 Initiated]
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The calm shattered with a sharp buzz on Alaric's holo. He reached over Judy's shoulder, tapping the call open.
Takemura's voice cracked through the line.
"Alaric. We must meet. I have… information. About your condition. And a way forward."
Alaric smirked slightly.
"Let me guess… it involves Arasaka?"
"Of course." Takemura sounded grim. "Come. The Afterlife. Discretion required."
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Alaric ended the call, glancing down at the two women curled against him.
Evelyn gave him a slow, lazy grin.
"Business calls?"
Judy rolled her eyes but kissed his shoulder.
"Just… come back in one piece, yeah?"
Alaric pulled both women close.
"I'm not going anywhere without coming back for you two. That's a promise."
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