Chapter 35 — "Ghosts in the Wires" (Act 2 Continues)
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Location — Judy's Apartment, Late Night
The door slid open on silent hydraulics as Alaric stepped inside.
Evelyn lounged on the couch in a loose crop top, scrolling her holo; Judy sat beside her, fiddling with her deck, eyes flicking up the second he entered.
"You're back," Judy said, voice soft — but there was a hint of something more under it.
"Didn't think we'd see you before morning," Evelyn added, gaze trailing over him with a slow, appreciative look.
Alaric shrugged off his coat, walking toward them.
"Takemura reached out."
Judy frowned.
"The corpo bodyguard?"
Alaric nodded.
"He wants help taking down Yorinobu. Thinks I'm his golden ticket."
Evelyn leaned back, arms stretched along the couch, smirking.
"Well… you are hard to resist."
Alaric stopped in front of them, gaze moving between the two women — between Judy's curious, worried eyes and Evelyn's playful smirk.
"You two aren't in danger. Not now. Not with me here."
Judy's cheeks flushed slightly.
"I wasn't… worried about that."
Evelyn reached out, her fingers trailing over Alaric's wrist.
"Then what were you worried about, Judy?"
The netrunner hesitated, eyes darting between them, before whispering — almost too soft.
"Losing you. Either of you."
A slow smile curved Alaric's lips.
"Then maybe we should fix that… before I step back into the fire."
Evelyn's brows lifted in surprise. Judy's eyes widened slightly — the realization sinking in.
"Right here?" Judy whispered.
Alaric stepped closer, slipping his arms around both their waists, pulling them into him until their bodies pressed tight against his.
"Right here. Right now."
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The kiss he gave Judy was slow, claiming — tasting the soft gasp against his lips.
When he turned to Evelyn, her eyes glittered, and her mouth met his hungrily.
In moments, the three of them melted into each other — a tangle of lips, hands, gasps, soft moans that filled the apartment like a low-burning fire.
Clothes hit the floor in a messy trail. Skin met skin.
Judy's breath hitched as Alaric pulled her onto his lap, while Evelyn moved behind them, lips trailing Alaric's neck, hands stroking Judy's sides.
"Damn… you're both insatiable," Evelyn whispered with a sultry grin.
Alaric caught her gaze over Judy's shoulder.
"Watch who you're calling insatiable… princess."
Evelyn let out a soft laugh before leaning in — their mouths met in a heated kiss right above Judy, who gasped between them.
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[System Notification — Harem Bond Strengthened | Evelyn Parker + Judy Alvarez]
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Several Hours Later…
The three of them lay tangled in sweat-slick sheets, bodies pressed close, limbs draped over each other.
Evelyn let out a satisfied sigh, head resting on Alaric's chest.
"You're… a goddamn machine, Alaric."
Judy chuckled breathlessly, face half-buried in Alaric's side.
"Pretty sure… we'll be feeling this for a week."
Alaric smirked, arms wrapping around them both.
"Just a warm-up."
They both groaned — but neither moved away.
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[Act 2 — Bonds Locked: Evelyn Parker | Judy Alvarez]
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