Dark Mind (Dark Series Book 1)

by H. R. Owen

  I drink the last bit of wine that’s left in my glass shaking my head at Harmony’s statement. “Harm, I don’t want to sound rude, but I’m not quite ready to talk about any of this heavy shit right now. I’ve already had to tell Callen about my father and Jake. I think I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment. I’m still trying to get my head around everything that’s happened over the last few days,” I explain in an exhausted tone. Hopping up off the couch, I lead Harmony into a spare room that sits on the bottom floor of the house. Callen just up and left us without giving her a room to stay in, so I’m sure any room will be fine, and this one is the furthest away from Callen’s. Harmony smiles as I kiss her on the forehead and say goodnight.

  Callen’s in the shower when I arrive upstairs, and it looks far too inviting. Taking my shirt off, I stalk into the bathroom and watch as Callen rubs soap all over his body. I bite down on my lip feeling the warmth gather between my thighs. Washing the suds from his body, he stands under the stream of water and lets the spray wet his face. He shakes his head in an almost too sexy way, and a spray of water flicks onto my half-naked body. Turning to look my way, he notices me staring at him, and his eyes lower to the water dripping down my breasts. I slide my pants down my legs as slow as I can, teasing him. He grips his hard cock, enticing me, and starts to run his fisted hand up and down his shaft never taking his eyes off of me.

  Stepping into the shower, I place both of my hands on Callen’s chest, inspecting the tattoos that cover his hard body. I stop on the one that Hunter had added the day after we met. The image of a lamp post covers the skin on his ribs. “Why a lamp post?” I ask him.

  “You were standing under a lamp post when I first got to see your face,” Callen replies. “You got something tattooed on your body that reminds you of me? Fuck Callen that makes me want you even more than I already do.”

  My hand brushes along a large image of a tree with leaves falling from it.

  “Shot a man under a tree that looked just like this,” he states matter-of-factly.

  “And this one?” I ask, pointing to the image of some type of car.

  “Stabbed a man in a Cadillac. It was a shame to spill blood on that beautiful beast,” he replies.

  I don’t know why, but I’m so turned on just listening to him talk about the lives he’s taken. It’s my turn to take control. I grab his hand roughly and place it between my legs.

  “Make me come, Callen. Do it now,” I demand.

  He rubs his fingers over my clit watching me intently as I rock with his movements. Hard fingers find my opening and push deep inside. He works his fingers and rubs his thumb over my clit with fast movements which sends me over the edge. I can feel my knees buckle as I come and my pussy tightening around his fingers as he presses a deep kiss on my lips. It takes me a few minutes to recover, breathing heavily, and my legs shaking. Once I come down, I find myself dragging Callen out of the shower, quickly toweling us dry and pulling him into the bedroom. His back hits the mattress hard as I push him down and jump on top of him, pinning him to the bed with my hands pushing down on his shoulders. I don’t wait. I can’t, I need him right now. His massive cock is hard and ready, so I line my entrance up with his erection and slide straight down until it fills me completely.

  I feel wild.

  Uncontrollable.

  I can feel Callen trying to lift his body up and take control, but my hands are pinning him to the bed so forcefully he gives up trying. “Holy fuck, darlin’, you’re strong as shit,” Callen whimpers.

  If only he knew.

  I’m riding him hard and fast, so much so, my vision starts to blur. I feel his body push up, and his cock hits my g-spot so hard that my blurred vision turns to dark. The feeling is so intense, I feel like I black out for a second. When my orgasm rips through me, my eyes open to see one of my hands gripped around Callen’s neck. It takes my orgasm to the next level as I ride him even faster feeling him pulsate inside me.

  “Fuck! Callen. God, I love fucking you. Take it. Take everything I have,” I scream as I ride out the ecstasy. My body is still moving on top of Callen’s, slowing as I come down, when I realize I’m still choking him. “Shit. Sorry. I think I got a bit carried away,” I apologize while removing my hand from around his neck, feeling a little embarrassed.

  “Don’t be sorry, darlin’, that was fucking hot. You just took what you wanted, and I love it when you’re in control. You can fuck me like that anytime you want. You’re strong, Dahlia, really fucking strong,” he states.

  I don’t actually know what happened to me, but I guess that little blackout took me somewhere dark, somewhere I didn’t think I’d ever want to be. But with Callen, I want to be there with him. I want to drag him down into my darkness, and I want to revel in his. I roll onto my side and look over to Callen who’s watching me inquisitively.

  “Where’d you go just now, darlin’?” he asks.

  “Nowhere. Sorry. I think I’m just tired after that. I don’t think anyone could ever get me that excited,” I tell him with a small smile.

  Callen starts falling asleep, so I kiss his cheek and roll over to sleep myself. And that’s when I hear it, a small mumble from Callen’s lips, “I love you, Dahlia.”

  My heart pounds when the words come crashing out. No one has ever said those words to me, and I can’t help but suddenly feel wide awake. I don’t know what to do. I’m sure he’s just talking in his sleep, and he won’t even know he’s said it. I toss and turn for a few moments trying to get some sleep, but I’m still freaking out far too much.

  I need to talk to Harmony. She always knows how to calm me down. I jump out of bed, pulling on my silk robe and head downstairs to Harmony.

  I lightly knock on the bedroom door.

  “Harmony, I need to talk to you,” I whisper.

  Waiting.

  Waiting.

  Waiting.

  “Harmony,” I whisper yell.

  “Really, Dahl? I was having a great dream, and you wake me up right when the sexy stuff’s about to go down,” she mumbles angrily.

  The door opens to Harmony’s wild red hair standing up at odd angles. Looks like she really was having a great dream. I barge through her door pushing her off to the side.

  “Come on in,” she says, flailing her arms around.

  I’m pacing around the room while Harmony’s watching every step I take.

  “He told me he loves me. Callen loves me. Well, I think he was asleep, but still. What am I supposed to do?”

  She laughs so loudly I think she’ll wake Callen.

  “Ssshhh... you’re going to wake him,” I warn.

  “Sorry, Dahlia. That’s just the funniest question you’ve ever asked me.”

  “Why’s that so funny? I need your help, and you’re laughing at me.”

  “Settle down… was he definitely asleep? Do you love him?” she asks.

  “I don’t know. You know I’ve never really been close to anyone before. I feel quite strong feelings for Callen, but how am I supposed to know if I love him?”

  “You just know, Dahlia. Give it some time and see what happens. But Dahlia, you really need to tell him everything. About you. About me. About Bates. I knew he looked familiar, but it took me a while to figure out where I’d seen him before. This room I’m staying in, this was Bates’ room. Look…” Harmony demands pointing at a photo of the both of them. “I found this inside a jacket when I was snooping. Please… tell him everything. He deserves to know. Bates was his friend. After that, we can figure out what we’re going to do. He loves you. Let him in, he will understand,” Harmony explains.

  She’s right. I didn’t know who Callen was, but it all makes sense now. The women at the studio telling me about Callen’s friend dying, his profession, the house, it’s all linked.

  Tomorrow. I will tell him everything tomorrow.

  Right now, all I want is to lay in bed with my arms wrapped around Callen, embracing what could be our last night together.

&
nbsp; Callen’s naked body is spread out over both sides of the bed when I return to the room. He’s awake and watching me. “What was that all about? I tell you I love you and you run away from me,” his voice shakes.

  Slipping my robe down, I walk over to the bed in front of him and look down at his gorgeous face.

  “I-I’m sorry. I thought you were asleep. It kind of freaked me out hearing you say those words. I’m not sure what to say to you,” I tell him.

  “Well, Dahlia, anything would help.”

  “Okay. Well, I honestly don’t know if I love you. I don’t really know what love feels like. I’ve never experienced it in my life. So how am I supposed to know if I do?”

  “Darlin’, you do love me. I won’t have it any other way,” he demands as he pulls me down to the bed wrapping me up in his big embrace.

  We lie in bed for a few minutes, watching each other in silence. My eyes start to close, and I drift off into a deep sleep waking to the sound of Harmony’s laughter.

  callen

  I love you, Dahlia. I don’t even know what the fuck it means, but I’ve said those words to her. I’ve only ever said those words to one woman—my mother. I’m starting to remember how I felt about her and how it made me feel to lose her. She was the last person I’d ever felt any kind of compassion for, apart from Bates, but that’s a whole different kind of thing. I knew something had changed inside me the very first time I laid eyes on Dahlia. I’m starting to feel again. I just hope it doesn’t affect my work. Murder comes easier when you have no feelings.

  As I roll over in bed thinking about last night, I come face to face with the women who may have just ruined my career. Dahlia’s still sleeping soundly, white light beaming through the curtains covering her perfect face, and running down along her tight, little body. She looks like an angel. I slide off the side of the bed, being careful not to wake her, and head to the dresser to find some pants. After pulling on a pair of gray sweatpants, I decide to head downstairs and cook breakfast for the girls before I head out in search of my least favorite person, Garrotte.

  When I reach the kitchen, Harmony’s standing at the stove with her back to me frying off something that smells amazing. “Harmony,” I snap.

  “Jesus, Callen, you scared the shit out of me,” she yells.

  I love it when I frighten people, makes me feel alive. “What are you cooking there?” I ask her.

  “Bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, and toast.” Her voice has some kind of excitement to it.

  “Well, I better go wake Dahlia then. That’s a lot of food you got there, and I’m sure she’ll be hungry,” I state.

  “Well, this was just for me, but I’ll put some extra on for you and Dahl. I didn’t expect you pair up this early after last night,” she says in an accusing tone. I’m guessing she knows about what I said to Dahlia last night. I figured that’s where Dahlia disappeared to.

  “Ummm… Harmony? Can you actually see how much food you’re making? I think that will be plenty.”

  “Hahaha… you have no idea how much I can eat. This is nothing. I get cranky on an empty stomach. Just ask Dahlia, she’s seen me at my worst,” she explains. I don’t know why, but I can’t help laughing at her. Harmony’s only a petite little thing. There’s no way she’ll finish all that food.

  Harmony starts eating while putting on extra food for Dahlia and me. She barely even chews her food, just takes a bite, swallows, then takes another bite. “Jesus Christ, you’re going to make yourself sick eating like that,” I spit out.

  “Morning. What’s going on down here? I could hear laughing from upstairs. And… wow! How the hell did you get Callen laughing? I never thought I’d ever hear Mr. Serious laugh,” Dahlia says in a cheeky tone.

  “Mornin’, darlin’,” I drawl, grabbing hold of her wrist and roughly pulling her toward me. She lets out a little squeal as she drops to my lap. My hand tightens on her wrist, and she doesn’t even flinch, she just plants her lips on mine, greeting me with a hard, sexy kiss.

  “Cut it out you two. I’m trying to eat,” Harmony yells from behind us with a mouth full of food.

  “Good morning, Harm. Hurry up and finish eating. We have plans today,” Dahlia demands.

  What the fuck kind of plans have they got? I don’t want them leaving the house when Garrotte is still out there.

  “Dahlia? Do you think you can wait for me to get back today to run your errands? I don’t want you running all over the place until I figure out why you’ve had someone watching over your apartment,” I tell her.

  “Ummm… okay. But as long as you’re back by three.”

  That I can do. “Okay, darlin’. But please don’t go without me. Now let’s eat,” I demand while pulling her off my lap and slapping her ass. By the look on her face she enjoyed the slap, which gives me an idea for later.

  Breakfast was great. I haven’t had a breakfast like that since Bates was here. He always cooked us both a big breakfast. He ate a lot, but I actually think Harmony can eat even more than he could. She ate everything she cooked for herself and then moved onto to finishing Dahlia’s. They would’ve made a great pair.

  I’m in the bedroom getting changed into my favorite black jeans ready to head over to Dahlia’s old apartment. Hopefully, I’ll find Garrotte there, and then I can force him to have a few words with me about Bates. Then maybe I’ll cut his throat out.

  A knock sounds on the door, and I turn around and see Dahlia standing against the doorway with her head resting against it. She’s gazing at me intently, dragging me away from my thoughts.

  “Callen, please don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve been on my own for a long time. I don’t need anyone to look after me. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of looking after myself since I was a teenager. Besides you can’t always be around when I need to go out and do things,” her voice is soft as she speaks.

  “Darlin’, you do remember how we met, don’t you? Down on the docks? Someone firing a gun at you?” I point out to her, but I’m not expecting an answer.

  Dahlia drops her shoulders smiling at me, then walks right out the door. I don’t have time to explain my reasons for keeping her here, so I head down the stairs and march out the front door. I really hope she doesn’t try and leave the house without me. I guess I just have to trust her, but it won’t be easy. I have a few things to do before heading to the apartment, and I want to be back as fast as I can so Dahlia doesn’t do anything stupid, like get herself killed.

  The tires of the Impala spin as I speed out of the driveway and onto the road. My first stop is to the clubhouse to see if Hunter has heard any more on Garrotte. Pulling up to the gate, the prospect who always seems to be on gate duty is replaced by a short, chubby man who looks as though he’s in his sixties.

  “Hey. I’m here to see Hunter,” I tell the man. He looks at me puzzled, then calls someone on his phone. “Sorry, Callen, boss man says you’ll have to come back another day,” he says.

  “Where’s Hunter? Can you tell him I’m here? It’s important,” I plead.

  “No, sir, Hunter’s not here. Come back another time.”

  “Fuck. Okay, well tell that dick I need to talk to him, and tell him to answer his fucking phone,” I yell out pulling out of the driveway. Oh, well, I guess Hunter won’t be much fucking help. Next stop is the hardware store to stock up on some fun toys for when I finally get Garrotte to myself. He will pay for killing Bates, and I swear it will be slow and fucking painful.

  After picking up some supplies, I finally arrive at the apartment to hopefully find the fucker snooping around the building. It’s a long shot, but’s it’s all I have to go on until I hear back from Hunter. The car door closes heavy behind me as I head out to the front of the building. No sign of Garrotte so far, but I will be checking every fucking room before I leave, even if I have to kick every door off its hinges.

  Running up the stairs to Dahlia’s apartment, I pull my gun from my back pocket and have it ready in case Garrotte shows his f
ace. The door comes open as I turn the knob and my gun hits the ground.

  “Dahlia,” I yell on a shaky breath.

  Garrotte’s on his knees on the floor with Dahlia holding his head up by a piece of wire wrapped around his neck. Realization hits me as Dahlia looks at me with a look of excitement in her eyes, which quickly turns into remorse.

  “Garrotte?” I ask, looking her in the eyes. She finally lets the wire loose, and the man I thought was my enemy hits his head on the floor as Dahlia lets go of his lifeless body.

  “What the fuck, Callen? What are you doing here? And how do you know that name? Are you here with him?” she asks as she kicks the lifeless body with a harsh tap.

  “What the fuck? What the fuck are you doing here? Are you Garrotte? I came here to kill Garrotte… that man there. The one you just killed the same way this Garrotte person apparently kills. I thought it was him, but it’s not. It’s you, isn’t it? You only got close to me for information, didn’t you?” I ask Dahlia feeling a pain in my chest. Just like the pain I felt when my father killed my family. It’s the only other time I’ve ever felt anything like this.

  “Callen, please let me explain? Harmony only just realized who you were connected to last night. I was going to tell you everything today. This here… this person, it’s not me. Not anymore. I came here to get away from this shit, but now some pretty bad people have found me, and they’re questioning me about Bates. Please, let’s just go home and talk about this, let me tell you everything. I have some things I know you’ll want to hear.”

  “No… you killed my friend, and you’ve been lying to me the whole time. Fuck you! Don’t even think about stepping foot into my house. See you later, Garrotte,” I yell at her.

  What. The. Fuck.

  The only person to ever make me happy in the slightest way is the person I’ve spent years hating, wanting to torture and kill. I run down the stairs to my car and slam the door after I slide in.

  Fuck this.

  Fuck Dahlia.

  Fuck Garrotte.