by R. E. Bond
“I’ll just tell them I’ve been at my old place all day, which isn’t a complete lie. I was there for a few hours,” I mumbled as his eyes assessed me before he turned the shower on and helped me under the hot spray, climbing in with me to wash the blood off his sweaty front.
Note to self, fucking while covered in blood was messy as fuck.
Chapter fourteen
Lukas
“I’m seriously worried about her. Shouldn’t Skeet have called us by now?” Jensen asked as he bounced his leg anxiously on the couch beside me.
Yes, he fucking should have, but between Tyler nearly writing off his BMW when we went searching for Rory earlier, and Caden smashing half the kitchen to pieces when we arrived at his place to find she still wasn’t home, I didn’t need Jensen having a meltdown too.
I put my hand on his knee, halting the jerky movement instantly as his distraught blue eyes peered over at me.
“Luke, what if Slash…”
“Hey, Skeet will find her. She’s probably drunk somewhere with a bottle of whisky, you know what she’s like,” I stated, earning a snort.
“Yeah I do, so she’s probably off with Slash somewhere, trying to prove to the big boys that her balls are fucking bigger. He’s wanted her gone since she started affecting Skeet’s attention, so he’s probably taken her out the back roads somewhere and fucking shot her.”
Well, when he says it like that.
I tried to keep my face blank as I held his gaze.
“Jense, Skeet’s going to find her.”
Tyler scowled as he sat down on the other couch in front of us.
“I agree with Holloway and Jense. I think Slash has fucking hurt her or some shit.”
“Do you really think he would? C’mon, Ty, he’s a friend of yours,” I mumbled, but his gaze flashed up to mine, his eyes darkening.
“I also know my friend is a murderous bastard who likes inflicting pain as a hobby.”
Couldn’t argue with that.
I went to speak, but Caden barrelled down the stairs and skidded to a halt in front of us, frustration all over his face.
“Skeet’s just pulled in with Rory. Some other guy dropped the Corvette off.”
“Holloway, calm down and let her explain herself,” I groaned, his eyes narrowing.
“Why the fuck would I give her the chance to make up some bullshit? You’re too fucking nice to her, Lukas.”
He was going to fucking kill her for sure this time.
Caden
I was going to fucking kill Aurora when I got my hands on her.
Rory
“Caden,” Lukas warned in a low voice as I walked in the front door at home, but Caden instantly stalked over to me and grabbed me by the throat, slamming me back against the door.
“Where the fuck have you been all fucking day!”
I winced at the impact, but I knew his reaction was similar to Skeeter’s.
I’d scared him.
“I was at my old place for most of it,” I replied, his eyes hovering on my neck before his lip lifted into a sneer.
“With who?”
“No one, why?”
He slammed me against the door again, his grip tightening.
“Whose teeth marks are in your fucking skin then?”
I was exhausted, tears stinging my eyes as I started to burn out after the hectic afternoon I’d endured.
I tried to push him away as I kept my voice level somehow.
“Skeet picked me up and I hung at his for a little before coming home. You would have heard him drop me off in the McLaren. What’s the big deal? I just want to go to bed.”
He looked even more pissed off as he got in my face.
“I know you weren’t at your old house all day, because I fucking checked there this afternoon. Skeeter wasn’t with you two hours ago, so where else were you? What aren’t you fucking telling me?”
He stiffened when I let the tears finally fall, Jensen scowling and putting himself between us to shield me.
They knew I wasn’t a fucking crier, so something must have been seriously wrong.
“Fucking hell, Holloway. Back off a minute.”
Once I’d started crying though, I couldn’t fucking stop.
Loud sobs wracked my body, my legs shaking slightly as Jensen pulled me against his chest, trying to hold me up.
The shock had worn off, and I wished it would come back to shelter me.
I’d killed someone.
A fucking person.
That had a fucking cop as a father.
“Fuck this, this isn’t because of Caden. I’m calling Skeet,” Tyler muttered, yanking his phone from his pocket as Jensen lifted me into his arms to carry me into the loungeroom, cradling me on the couch.
By the time Skeeter and Slash arrived, I was a complete fucking mess.
Caden shot Skeeter a look of rage instantly.
“What the fuck did you do to her? This isn’t because I yelled at her, something fucking happened and she won’t tell us shit, so start talking!”
Slash took a step towards him, but Skeeter moved in front of him to block his path, giving him a filthy look.
“This is why I didn’t want her fucking involved in our shit. She’s not made for this, and she’s crashing from it.”
Tyler crossed his arms with annoyance.
“What shit?”
“Nothing,” Slash growled, but Caden pointed at me and got in Slash’s face.
“Nothing? Does that look like fucking nothing to you? Look at her!”
I reached for Skeeter who didn’t hesitate to lift me, letting me wrap myself around him and cling on as if I were a monkey.
I didn’t care how pathetic I looked right then and there, I just needed him to ground me again.
Caden motioned to my neck with a growl.
“Oh, and if she’s such a fucking mess, why the fuck did you think a good fuck would fix it? She said she hung at yours for a bit.”
Slash rolled his eyes at Skeeter and asked, “Seriously? You took her home and fucked her to try and fix her?”
“Who said anything about trying to fix her? I fucked her to fix me!” Skeeter snapped, holding me even tighter.
Caden frowned. “Skeet, seriously. What the fuck happened today?”
Skeeter looked at Slash who gritted his teeth with frustration.
“Fine, but if you tell anyone and us three get locked up, I’ll slit your fucking throat, Holloway.”
That made all of them shut up and look at him, but Caden spoke sternly, and if I hadn’t been such a mess, I would have swooned at him standing up for me.
“What the fuck did you get her into, Slash? Tell me, before I fucking swing at you.”
“Fine, Jesus. Skeet told me to stay away from her, but obviously I’m in charge and I don’t fucking answer to him. I cut her a deal that she’d prove her loyalty to us if she helped me deal with a new member.”
“And by that you mean what, exactly?” he asked bluntly, Slash leaning against the wall with a bored expression on his face.
“Skeet told me he didn’t trust Liam, so I convinced Donovan to seduce him and see if he’d talk. He was all over her in minutes and asked her to meet up after crew business was finished for the day.”
Caden was staring at me, and I knew he was thinking the worst as Skeeter rocked me gently, but Skeeter’s eyes were on Caden as Slash kept talking, as if we were talking about our plans for fucking brunch.
“She met him at his house, managing to get more information out of him than I thought she would. His dad’s a cop, and he was going to kill me and take down Skeet to impress him. I showed up to make sure she was okay, since I hadn’t heard from her, and she was standing in the kitchen in her bra and panties, covered in blood. She’d shot him twice to keep Skeet and the crew safe. It wasn’t the plan, she was meant to just report back to me what he’d told her, but she didn’t want to risk it. She helped me put the body in the van, and we were cleaning up when Skeet found us an
d took her back to his. End of fucking story.”
Jensen’s head was in his hands, Tyler and Caden looked murderous all over again, but Lukas shook his head sadly.
“You should have fucking known she’d look out for Skeet and your guys like that. You shouldn’t have fucking put her in that position to begin with. Damnit Slash, she won’t be able to deal with that shit, she’s not like you!”
I lifted my head, meeting his gaze.
No one had noticed how quiet I’d become until I spoke.
“Deal with it? I’m not fucking done yet.”
Skeeter tensed, but Lukas frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“If I can kill a guy our age for someone else, I can fucking kill the two men who wrecked my fucking life. Then I’ll be able to live with it,” I responded firmly, Skeeter kissing my cheek affectionately.
“Hey, I’m dealing with them, okay?”
“No. They’re fucking mine, Skeet. I mean it,” I growled, wriggling until he put me down, but he took my wrist gently, pulling me around to face him.
“Can we talk about this tomorrow? You need a good night sleep. You’ve had too much shock today, and your body and mind are crashing on you. I’ve got other shit to deal with tonight, so get some sleep and…”
“No! I have to start looking for them and sort a plan out!” I snapped, yanking back from him, but he just followed me and wrapped my hair around his fist to keep me still.
“I know where they both are. We can sort out a plan tomorrow, but you need a clear head before going into this. I promise, I won’t go behind your back if you promise to get some sleep.”
My expression softened as I gave him a nod, leaving the room the moment he let my hair go.
I’d only just made it to my bedroom door when I heard footsteps, and I was surprised to see Lukas behind me, not one of the others.
“What are you doing?”
He raised his pierced eyebrow as he stopped in front of me, a sad look deep in his almond eyes that I didn’t think he was supposed to let me see.
He forgets how easily I’ve always been able to read him.
After all, he was my best friend and my first love, despite the fact that we never acted on it.
“The guys were fighting over who should keep an eye on you tonight, so I figured since we’re just at a friendship level unlike you and them, that it’s best I just sleep in here with you.”
I opened my bedroom door, giving him a confused glance.
“You think I just see you as a friend?”
“Well, yeah?” he mumbled, closing the door and watched warily as I stripped out of my clothes, leaving only my panties on. I moved towards him, his back hitting the door as he held my gaze. “Aurora…”
I pressed my naked chest against him, my hands resting on his lean waist as I got on tip toe, brushing my lips lightly over his as I spoke.
“You know I’ve always loved you, Luke. You don’t think I still do?”
He swallowed, his eyes still on mine.
“I’ve stayed out of it because you and Caden…”
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I loved you all, Caden and Ty have just been more forward about climbing on me. Jensen’s always unsure how far to push me, and you choose not to at all. Doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”
“I came in here to make sure you got a decent sleep, Rory. I won’t fuck you,” he forced out, a small smile tugging at my lips.
“It’s one reason I fell in love with you all those years ago. You always put me first,” then I gave him a quick kiss and turned around, padding over to my bed and waited for him to join me so we could get comfortable.
Once curled up in his arms, I kissed his chest, a shiver running through him as I said, “Thank you.”
He hesitated, kissing the top of my head affectionately.
“What for?”
“For everything,” I mumbled, the exhaustion taking over as I dozed off.
“Morning, baby,” Caden said gently as I padded into the kitchen to make coffee the next morning.
I smiled softly at him, instantly warming at his voice.
He always seemed to soothe my demons, even if it was only a little bit.
“Morning.”
“Sit, I’ll get your coffee,” he insisted, grabbing a mug from the cupboard, while I got comfortable at the table.
I watched him walk around shirtless, wondering how someone like that could want someone like me.
I honestly didn’t fucking understand.
I wanted to trace his tattoos with my tongue and let him bend me over the bench, too.
Lukas walked in, silently lifting me so I could curl up on his lap, which I was grateful for.
I’d woken from nightmares multiple times through the night, but I’d managed to get back to sleep with Lukas mumbling calming words to me.
Caden glanced at us as Lukas whispered in my ear before kissing my neck softly, causing Caden to raise an eyebrow.
“You two fucking now?”
My eyes moved across the room to his, my face remaining blank.
“No, but if we were?”
“I’m just surprised, that’s all. You can do what you want, Aurora,” he replied with a shrug, but I could hear something unfamiliar in his voice, making me frown.
Lukas smiled against my neck as I watched Caden fumble around the kitchen to finish making my coffee, and he whispered, “Go give him some affection. He’s feeling replaced.”
I hesitated before doing as I was told, moving over to Caden and wrapping my arms around him from behind, his body going tense.
“Rory…”
I kissed his bare back and buried my face between his shoulder blades, breathing him in.
“I’m sorry for scaring you yesterday.”
He relaxed as he turned in my arms, sighing and pulling me against his chest.
“I seriously thought we’d find your body somewhere. I’m sorry for how I acted when you got home. I was going fucking crazy not knowing if you were okay. Did I hurt you?”
I wasn’t going to tell him that he had, but Lukas spoke bluntly from his seat.
“Yeah, you did. You’ve bruised her back up, asshole.”
Fucking hell.
Lukas hadn’t been happy when he’d brought up the bruises while we’d been lying in bed, so I knew he’d be straight on to Caden about it.
I also told him most of them would have been from Skeeter fucking me against the bathroom wall.
Caden would just feel fucking bad and fuss over me.
“Can I look?” he asked with concern in his voice, meeting my eyes as I nodded and turned around, pulling my shirt over my head.
His hands lightly skimmed over my back, my eyes fluttering closed as his lips kissed over the tender parts.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” he murmured, and I knew he meant it.
Despite the fact that they had lured me in before, I knew they were all genuinely sorry for everything that had gone on since we’d met.
“Most of that is Skeet’s fault, but I forgive you, Caden,” I whispered, letting him turn me to meet his gaze that was full of questions.
“For last night?”
“For all of it, but if you hurt me like that again, I’m done,” I said firmly, his eyebrows going up in surprise.
“You really forgive us? For all that shit?”
Nodding, I snuggled up to his bare chest as his arms tightened around me.
It was so fucking nice.
It was still weird to have people care about me, but I was grateful.
“What’s going on in here?” Tyler asked as he walked in with Jensen, and I glanced up, giving him a lop-sided smile.
“Not a gang-bang.”
“Fuck, you sure? Nothing can change your mind?” he waggled his eyebrows, but Jensen’s eyes hovered on my exposed back, glancing at Caden as unspoken words passed between them.
I really didn’t want them fucking fighting about it.
I moved back,
letting Caden help me back into my shirt so I could take my coffee back over to Lukas.
Once back on his lap, we all sat at the table chatting until Josie walked through the front door, seeming surprised to see us.
“You guys still here? It’s nearly lunchtime.”
Caden shrugged. “Yeah, figured we’d all have a sleep in.”
She nodded, but her eyes went to me.
“Can I talk to you, sweetheart?”
Lukas swatted my butt as I stood, but Caden’s hand shot out, pulling me back until my ass hit his lap, making me laugh.
“Can I help you, Holloway?”
He smirked. “Always. Come get me if you need me okay, baby?”
“I will,” I promised, giving him a quick kiss as he lifted me back out of his lap, ignoring the look from his mother.
Once in the other room, Josie cleared her throat.
“I don’t appreciate those friends of yours coming up to me in the street, telling me they’re taking you away for a while. I don’t want you going anywhere with them.”
Huh?
I frowned. “Who?”
“Some guy from that gang.”
“The Psychos? Catch a name?” I asked with confusion, knowing Skeeter wouldn’t approach Caden’s mom like that.
He might be an asshole, but he had respect amongst his friends.
“I know he’s good friends with Tyler.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake, Slash was still causing shit.
“That would be Slash. I’ll tell him he was out of line,” I sighed, earning a flat look in response.
“But you’re going with them, right?” she asked dryly, making me shrug.
“I wasn’t aware I was going anywhere, but yeah, if they want me to tag along, I will.”
“Caden won’t mind?” she asked lightly, an amused snort leaving me.
“Why the fuck would Caden care?”
She seemed unsure as she blushed.
Like, an actual fucking blush.
“Aren’t you dating him?”
