The Moth and the Flame

by Reid, B. B.

  The sound of grunting and pounding flesh grew more intense, and I could feel my nose leaking blood, so I slammed my fist into Ever’s to return the favor. After finding out who he really was, I didn’t expect him to have this much fight in him. I was too distracted by kicking Ever’s ass and getting mine kicked in return that I hadn’t noticed when I became outnumbered.

  The loudmouth with too many tattoos had somehow succeeded in pulling us apart. Remembering the way he looked at Lou when I ran into them in Times Square, I quickly caught his jaw with a mean right hook.

  It was a cheap shot and my shittiest idea yet.

  He countered with one of his own, but before he could come at me with more, Ever’s little playmate ran between us, and we both stopped dead in our tracks. Ever was practically foaming at the mouth when he rushed to pull Four out of harm’s way and immediately scolded her with his hand gripping her chin. “If they want to kill each other, let them.”

  “You’re all acting like idiots,” she shouted at him. “How could you just attack him when you don’t even know why he’s here?” My eyebrows rose at her level of anger. Something told me it wasn’t for my health.

  “I know why he’s here,” Ever said ominously.

  Remembering Lou, who was safely watching from the hood of my car, I interrupted their bickering. “I’m not here to kill you.”

  Ever turned on me and seemed more pissed than when he thought I wanted to end him. “Then what the fuck?” he spat.

  “You attacked me,” I reminded.

  “What was I supposed to think? You threatened me the last time I saw you.”

  Before I could answer, the douchebag who still looked like he wanted to rip me apart said, “Since no one is killing anyone, what do you say we take this inside? I need ice.” With one last glare thrown my way, he stalked off for the house.

  The minute the door closed behind him, Ever and I resumed our standoff until the silence graduated from tense to awkward.

  “I don’t know about you,” Four drawled, and when I glanced at her, I realized she was speaking to Lou, “but all this testosterone is a little stifling.”

  Even though she was the enemy, Lou grinned back at her. Traitor. “It’s like watching The Undertaker and Stone Cold in a staring contest. Cue the drama.”

  “Then we better get inside,” Four suggested as she turned on her heel. “Streams are bound to cross.”

  She started across the driveway, and Lou hesitated for only a second before shrugging and following after her.

  What the hell?

  “Why are you here?” Ever gritted the moment the girls were inside.

  I sighed and forced myself to pretend my tail wasn’t tucked between my legs while I looked him in the eye. “I need your help.”

  Of all the things he expected me to say, I could tell that hadn’t even come close to being one of them. He looked startled for a moment, and then he looked pissed. Very pissed.

  “Come again?”

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat, and still, words failed to form. How do you ask someone whose life you once threatened for help? Ever had no reason to help me just as I had no reason to trust him, but I was out of options and because of me, so was he.

  “Lou was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now Fox wants her dead. I’m not about to let that happen.”

  “I see…” Tilting his head, he squinted his eyes. “How the fuck is that my problem?” His tone implied that he was genuinely curious, but the lack of sympathy in his gaze told me he was anything but.

  “You’re the only person left in this world who I know would give a shit if Fox killed an innocent girl.”

  “I’m sure he’s killed plenty,” Ever muttered still trying to convince me that he didn’t care.

  “And if you help me by keeping her here where it’s safe, I’m going to make sure that he doesn’t get the chance again.”

  He blinked, and I could see he was surprised, but he quickly shook it off. “How the hell am I supposed to explain her to my father? He’ll take one look at her and have the cops dragging her back to wherever she came from.”

  “Somehow, you got close enough to breathe down Fox’s neck. Use that same cunning.” I wasn’t backing down. Unfortunately, neither was he. I could tell he was ready to tell me to kick rocks, so I exhaled and said, “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  It seemed cruel to play this card not knowing if I’d succeed, but I had no choice. Ever couldn’t stand me, and with good reason, so he wouldn’t make this easy for me.

  “You don’t have anything I want.”

  “No…but I can get it. I can get her.”

  I was hit with the coldest stare and, on its heels, a sense of recognition so fierce that, for a moment, I believed I was looking at someone else—someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. My gaze narrowed, but then whatever thought was lingering in the back of my mind faded away when he spoke.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I know the real reason you joined Exiled. You weren’t just looking for some thrill, were you?” He didn’t answer me, but his golden eyes grew darker by the second, eyes he’d gotten from Grace. Or should I say, Evelyn? I kicked myself for not seeing the resemblance before now. He looked just like her. “You were searching for your mother.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he lied, and it was clear he didn’t trust me with information so precious.

  “Yes, you do,” I pressed. “You have Grace’s eyes…and the fact that you put yourself in harm’s way to free her tells me you have her courage.”

  “My mother’s name was Evelyn,” he bit out, ignoring the respect I had just offered him, but then I found hope in the faraway look in his eyes. “Grace was her middle name.”

  “Is,” I corrected, and he frowned at me. “She’s still alive, Ever.”

  “Then where is she?” he demanded, his voice thick.

  “In Fox’s bed,” I told him easily, and he looked ready to knock my teeth out for that comment. “So do you want her back or not?”

  Rather than answer, he peered at me. “You expect me to believe that you’re risking your life to go against Fox all for some girl?”

  “She’s not just some girl. She’s…she’s…” When I couldn’t find the words, I just stood there speechless like an idiot.

  “You love her,” Ever told me as if the answer were obvious.

  I scratched under my chin, feeling uncomfortable discussing what I felt for Lou with him. Or anyone. “Of course I do. She’s my best friend,” I bullshitted. Every day, the film we kept over our friendship became thinner, and I became hungrier. Lou was taunting me, pushing me, and the only part I hated was that it was working.

  I wanted Lou, but I needed her more.

  If I touched her again, I’d be letting my dick ruin our friendship, but with the way things had been going, it seemed as if the tension and frustration mounting between us would do the job instead.

  Ever looked at me like I was crazy before pinching the bridge of his nose. “No, man. I mean you’re in love with her.”

  Blowing out air, I felt my nostrils flare. “If I say yes, will you keep her safe?”

  My tone was becoming more hostile by the second as my patience thinned. I got enough of this shit from Lou. I didn’t need this pompous prick giving her false hope.

  “I don’t know, asshole. Do you want to say yes?” He lifted a brow, and when he smirked, it was all I could do not to start round two. The blood that dripped from his nose had already dried, but I wouldn’t mind giving him a lip to match. “You should tell her,” he said when the silence stretched too long.

  “She knows she’s important to me. That’s enough.”

  “Wiping your ass after you shit is important to you. If you face Fox alone, you’ll probably die. You don’t get any more chances after that.” He paused, waiting for me to give in and admit the feelings he and Lou were so sure I possessed, but I only stared back at him. “You’re
really okay with her believing she was only important to you?”

  “If I’m dead, what good will her knowing how I feel do her?”

  “For starters, she won’t live the rest of her life in guilt thinking you gave your life for someone who’s just a friend.”

  “So you wouldn’t die for your friends?”

  “Yes,” he growled. “But only after they knew exactly how much they meant to me. I wouldn’t dare leave them thinking they meant anything less.”

  “I didn’t come here for relationship advice, McNamara. Will you do this for me or not?”

  He paused as he seemed to consider it, but I knew he’d already made up his mind. “I’ll do it on one condition,” he said. I waited, not letting him see my relief as I wondered what he could want more than his mother back safe and sound. “Before you leave, you tell her how you feel.”

  Pushing air through my nose, I threw out my arms and shouted, “Why the hell do you even care?”

  He shot me an evil smile. “Payback, motherfucker. Something tells me admitting to her how you feel would be more painful for you than any punch I could throw.”

  I looked at him sideways, thinking he had to be bluffing. “What about your mother?”

  He shrugged. “You spoke about her as if you care for her. Seems to me like you would get her out of there anyway.”

  I nodded. It was the only assurance he’d get that he was right. I wouldn’t dare fuel his arrogance.

  “Do we have a deal?” he prodded.

  It occurred to me that Ever McNamara was more ruthless and cunning than I had given him credit for. It explained how he had not only survived but thrived in Exiled even after being fed with silver spoons all of his life. I thought about Evelyn, who also managed to pull the wool over Fox’s eyes for so long, and snorted.

  It must run in the family.

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” Ever looked off toward the house and then back at me. The arrogance was gone, allowing me to see the stress he’d been concealing. “Because now I have a favor to ask.”

  I tensed. “What’s that?”

  “Stay for a few days.”

  His offer was the last thing I expected to hear. “Why?”

  “For starters, it wouldn’t be wise to leave Lou alone so soon with a bunch of strangers,” he pointed out, and I realized he was right. Lou would probably slash my tires if I tried.

  “And the other reason?” I prompted when he simply stared off in the distance.

  Sighing, he said, “Thanksgiving is tomorrow.”

  AS THE BLONDE STARED OUT the window chewing her lip, I studied her more closely, unable to shake the familiarity. With her wavy hair pulled into that messy ponytail, she looked like she’d just rolled out bed. She was pretty, beautiful even, but not in the obvious, overwhelming way that made everyone else feel inferior. She stood only about an inch taller than my five foot five, and she was slender with an ass that explained why the pretty boy was so feral over her. She must have felt me staring because she turned and suddenly the full force of her dark brown stare was on me, and I saw the challenge in them.

  This girl had an edge, but I had a blade.

  Smiling, I let her glimpse the wrapped metal hiding under my tongue. To my surprise, she snorted before turning back to the window.

  “You worry too much,” I told her.

  “Are you saying I should trust that your friend won’t try to hurt him?”

  “Not at all,” I said while laughing, “but you still worry too much.”

  Sighing, she let the curtain fall back into place before coming to stand in front of me. Crossing her arms, she studied me closely, and I did the same. After only a few seconds, we both said, “Have we met?”

  Her eyes narrowed, and so did mine. Unfortunately, she figured it out before I could lie. “Times Square,” she said through clenched teeth. “You stole my wallet.”

  “And I believe I gave it back.”

  “Only because your friend made you.”

  “No, because forty bucks was a waste of everyone’s time.”

  She barked out a laugh. “Says the girl who steals wallets.”

  Just then, the front door opened, and Wren and the pretty boy stepped inside looking no worse than how we’d left them.

  “Everything okay, Ever?” blondie asked her brother. She immediately went to him and started fussing over his boo-boos.

  I took one look at Wren and rolled my eyes. I’d seen him with worse.

  I was also still raw about the way he treated me after I told his boss where he could go. He told me I’d been stupid for challenging Fox. Well, stupid is as stupid does, and I’d learned from the master.

  It had been a tense three weeks with us barely speaking to one another unless necessary. Sometimes, I wondered if Wren resented me. Would he abandon me to go back to Fox? Was that why he brought me here?

  “I’m Four,” I heard blondie say, and I realized she was speaking to Wren.

  For some reason, the friendly smile she gave him pissed me off, so I laughed rather obnoxiously. “What the fuck kind of name is Four?” I asked rudely.

  In an instant, I knew by her somber expression and the way Ever suddenly looked ready to rip my tongue out that I’d committed some kind of egregious wrong. Wren quickly appeared in front of me, silently daring Ever to make a move. In just a matter of seconds, I managed to fuck up whatever kind of peace they’d established between them.

  Knowing Wren would defend me even though I was dead wrong, I elbowed past him and focused on Four.

  “There are worms where my brain should be.” Closing the distance while warily keeping an eye on Ever, I stuck out my hand. “I’m Louchana,” I offered apologetically. “Don’t call me Lou.”

  After only a moment’s hesitation, she shook my hand and grinned. “Why? Does he call you Lou?” she teased, referring to Wren.

  “Yes. And one day, I’ll castrate him for it.” Four laughed and so did her brother although I could tell he didn’t want to. “So, you guys are twins?” Although they had similar coloring, they didn’t look anything alike, but I figured it was because they were fraternal.

  That thought fled when they both frowned, and I wondered what the hell I said wrong this time.

  “Why do you say that?” Four asked.

  “Your names,” I pointed out. “Four? Ever? Forever? You’re like a set, right?”

  Four laughed nervously. “No, that’s pure coincidence. We’re not related at all.”

  It was my turn to frown. “But you live together.”

  “My mom is dating his dad.”

  Suddenly, it all clicked into place, and I had to say that I was relieved. Brothers didn’t look at their sisters like Ever looked at Four. I had planned to corner Wren when we were alone and beg him not to leave me here with these people. I still might.

  I was about to ask more questions when Ever pulled Four into him and whispered something in her ear. It was brief, and Four only nodded in response. When they started to kiss, I looked away and caught Wren’s eye. He’d been leaning against the wall watching me the entire time, his eyes guarded as they’d been for almost a month now, and I wondered if maybe it was time I put pride aside and get over that damn wall once and for all.

  I hadn’t noticed that Four and Ever’s make-out session ended until Ever sauntered by me and signaled for Wren to follow him. They both disappeared leaving Four and me alone.

  “I don’t mean to pry, but what was with that?” she asked me as she came to stand beside me.

  “What was with what?”

  “You and Wren. The tension. You could slice it with a butter knife.”

  “Oh.” Sensing I didn’t want to talk about it, she shrugged and asked if I was hungry. “Weren’t you guys headed to school or something?”

  She sighed as she led me through the house. “I think under the circumstances, skipping is in order. Besides, today is only a half day.”

  We stepped inside the kitchen and found the tattooed Go
d who broke up the fight bent over the island, texting on his phone. He looked up, and the most wicked grin I’d ever seen split his face. “Welcome to our ridiculously non-humble abode.”

  I took in everything about him. The long, lean body. The pierced nose and eyebrow. The mahogany hair slicked back to show off that gorgeous visage. The bruise already starting to form on his jaw didn’t even distract from his handsomeness. I knew with just one look that he was trouble.

  “This is Jamie,” Four introduced, and I could tell she was reluctant to do so.

  “Jameson John Buchanan at your service, but you may call me Jamie and only Jamie, you lovely fuckable thing.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “Is calling me fuckable supposed to flatter me?”

  “Do you want it to?” he shot back smoothly.

  I was a little taken aback. “How old are you?” He wore the same school uniform as Four and Ever but he seemed older somehow. Beyond his years. And it made me wonder if this devil-may-care attitude was all an act.

  He proved me right a second later when his smile turned downright predatory and sexed. “Young enough,” he said with a growl that I felt down to my very bones.

  The confidence that I could handle anything this guy dished was sapped from my body by that smile alone.

  “Don’t worry,” Four said as she patted my shoulder. “He’s harmless.”

  Maybe…but Wren wasn’t.

  At that moment, I realized my best friend might have just tossed me from the frying pan into the fire. Then again, if I was going to get Wren to stop running from what we both knew in our hearts, then perhaps a little jealousy could light the match.

  Holding out my hand, I allowed Jamie’s much larger one to envelop mine. “Louchana Valentine, virgin extraordinaire.”

  Four groaned in agony, but I was too busy focusing on the heat and the challenge that suddenly engulfed Jamie’s brown eyes to care what she thought. “Not for long,” he promised.

  As I smiled my most flirtatious smile, Four palmed her face and shook her head. Oh, yeah. Wren was going to learn soon enough that he wasn’t the only one determined to get his way.