Hannaford Prep: The Complete Series

by J Bree

  “Do we have to wear the shoes? I’m not really a ‘combat boot’ sort of girl.”

  I roll my eyes at her. “Like I haven’t noticed you’d rather break a fucking ankle than wear flats. The party is at the docks, in a warehouse, with probably a couple of thousand people attending. You’d die in heels and you’ll be wearing that so you can’t make Ash carry you. Imagine the therapy he’d need.”

  She snorts and frowns at me like the spoiled brat she really, really is. I grin at her with a little sarcastic edge. “You should be grateful, do you know how long it took me to find boots that were completely white? A long fucking time.”

  Avery sighs again, like I’m mortally wounding her, and there’s a pissy thump at the bathroom door before Ash is growling, “This is a fucking joke, right? I’m not going to a party in fucking tightie-whities.”

  Her eyes turn into saucers. We both shove bathrobes on and then I fling open the door.

  Ash is scowling at us both and he’s dressed in the ‘clothes’ I left for him. They’re definitely not tightie-whities, but they are underwear. He’s standing there in a simple pair of white boxer briefs that I cannot help but look down at because holy shit, there’s his fabled giant dick. Even without an erection it’s huge. Fuck. Fuuuuuuuuuuck.

  I gulp.

  “Are you fucking kidding me, Mounty?” Avery hisses, and then I remember that I’m literally just standing here staring at my hot ass boyfriend’s dick while his sister watches my brain melt out of my ears.

  I clear my throat and try to ignore my blush. “I told you I could go by myself. You all insisted on coming. This is what it takes to get in.”

  Ash snorts under his breath, and tugs me until I’m tucked under one of his arms. I start to sweat because I’m too close to his giant dick. He doesn’t notice. “Like we’d let you traipse around in your fucking panties by yourself. How much therapy am I going to need when I see what you’ve put my sister in?”

  Avery grabs her phone and then frowns when she realizes she doesn’t have anywhere under the bathrobe to stash it. “I’m not sure we can afford the extent you’ll require. We certainly can’t afford the amount I now need.”

  I groan at them both when Blaise comes stumbling into the room in his own pair of white boxer briefs, laughing at Harley who is frowning and tugging at the waistband of his.

  Avery mumbles under her breath and stomps over to her overnight bag, digging out one of her beautifully tailored coats. When she slips out of the bathrobe to pull it on Harley’s frown turns into a snarl. “What. The. Fuck. Mounty.”

  I sigh and hold a hand out, the other one keeping my own robe firmly closed. “Look. That is the most modest lingerie I could find her and she’s covered more than when she’s in a bikini! It has to be completely white. I did my fucking best and, once again, I said I’d go alone. At least it has a covered crotch.”

  Harley’s eyes snap over to mine and away from the white, vinyl, halter-neck teddy that is showing a whole lot of Avery’s cleavage and molds to her body like a second skin. There’s a little chain holding the two strips of vinyl in place over her tits and it’s looking a little strained. Every single male Mounty at the party may die tonight if that chain breaks.

  “And what the fuck are you wearing to this shit-show?” Harley snaps, and I glare at him as I wrap the robe around myself even tighter.

  “I’m not showing you until we get there. I’d rather drive there in peace and quiet.”

  He rolls his eyes at me and bends at the waist to shove his phone in his boot. Fuck me, that ass of his is bitable.

  As a grumbling Ash helps Avery into her coat, his eyes fixed sullenly on the floor, Blaise pointedly keeps his own eyes on me and firmly away from her. He smirks and crowds me into the wall until his chest is pinning me and I can’t breathe with him surrounding me. “Give me a peek, little Star. I won’t tell the grumpy dicks.”

  Oh, the cheeky asshole is aiming for a punch to the kidneys. I scowl at him even as I hold the robe out for him to peer down.

  The look in his eyes turns me into a fucking puddle.

  He bites his lip and leans down to kiss me fucking senseless.

  “Get the fuck off of her in my presence, Morrison! I know what she’s just shown you and if you’re now sporting a boner, I’ll cut it the fuck off!”

  We break away and Blaise smirks at me as I blush. He helps me into one of Avery’s coats while shielding my outfit from the others, and then walks me down to his car. I sit in the back between Ash and Harley and I keep my eyes on the windshield so I don’t ruin my lingerie. Well, anymore then Blaise’s kiss has already.

  I have to direct Blaise to the docks and the giant boat-shed where the Twelve park their cars. The security guard at the fence looks in and dips his head in respect when he sees me. Avery giggles about it, and Harley mutters, “I told you guys, it’s fucking weird.”

  We park between a Rolls Royce I’d guess is the Lynx’s and a Bentley that has to belong to the Crow. The guys eye them appreciatively as they all get out of the car. I give myself a minute to slow my heart rate and shake my nerves.

  Harley leans against the open car door to wait for me, debating with the others about which car is nicer. I take advantage of their distraction and slide carefully out. With a deep breath, I take the coat off and drop it on the backseat. I push Harley gently out of way with a palm on his back to shut the car door and he turns to me to get an eyeful of the lingerie. His jaw drops, stunned, and then he’s cursing viciously.

  “Not a fan?” I gripe as he turns away from me.

  “I’m walking around the fucking docks in the slums of the Bay, in nothing but boxers, and now I can’t even enjoy seeing you in whatever the hell you call that because Avery will actually fucking castrate me if she sees how much of a fan I am.”

  Oh.

  Right.

  “Fuck,” croaks Ash from behind us and I startle out of the daze Harley’s words have put me in. Avery is smirking evilly with her hands on her hips, coat off and her phone in her hand. Ash’s face settles into his cold mask as he takes a step backwards. “No. No, Avery, go on ahead.” He snaps and Avery groans like she’s being murdered.

  Blaise roars with laughter, completely at ease with the whole situation. “Good, isn’t it? Aves I don’t mind you seeing what the Mounty does to my dick, we can walk together.”

  “Fuck. Off,” she hisses at him, and grabs my arm. “You three can walk behind us until you learn to curb your fucking hormones. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

  I smirk at them and turn to walk with Avery, flashing them the back of the teddy. I hear groans and give my ass a little wiggle for good measure.

  “This way Aves, remember to let me do the talking.”

  The chump at the door stares at us all.

  I don’t know him, he’s obviously new, and I do not like the way he’s staring at Avery. I knew this would happen! I fucking warned them all and if he doesn’t stop looking at her Ash is going to beat him then Harley will seal the deal and slit the fucker’s throat all while Blaise watches them with glee.

  “If you’re trying to sneak into this party, you chose the wrong color. The Wolf doesn’t bring friends. Ever.”

  Avery giggles mockingly, the sound like glass shards and open arteries. I smirk and take a step forward. “You should let us pass. You’re going to regret it if you don’t.”

  He looks over my shoulder at the guys and snorts. “I’m with the fucking Jackal. You think three pretty boys are going to scare me? You all reek of money, but cash ain’t gonna get you in here.”

  He pauses again and gives Avery a slow sweep over with his eyes. He’s so busy making an assessment of her that he doesn’t notice the wall of muscle that appears behind him. Avery’s body goes rigid as she takes the newcomer in, her only sign of fear, and the chump probably mistakes the reaction as a response to his assessment of her.

  “Maybe I’ll let you lot in, gimme that little rich cunt to break for the night and the
rest of you can go through.”

  I lock eyes with Illi and say, “No one calls Avery a cunt, Illium. No one.”

  The chump pisses himself when he turns to see the Butcher grinning at him, clad only in a pair of white boxer briefs and white combat boots. Well, he also has several knives, a gun, and his signature meat cleaver strapped to his body but personally, I know it’s the grin that means danger.

  He leans forward and reaches into the chump’s pocket. Avery raises an eyebrow at me and my smile in return is smug as fuck.

  “Y’know why your boss handed you this little torch?” Illi croons as he pulls said torch out and waves it in the guy’s face. I laugh quietly under my breath.

  Avery is going to lose her mind.

  “It-it’s to identify—“ The guy fumbles his words so hard Illi pats him on the shoulder and interrupts him.

  “Yeah. It’s to find marks that don’t show up otherwise. You used it tonight? You waved it at anyone or are you more of a big-man type? Ah, no, you like raping little girls. You like using your cheap little Jackal tramp-stamp to get you some unwilling pussy. I know all about your type.”

  Illi switches the torch on and aims it over his cheek.

  The Wolf insignia glows.

  I startle when I see it because I didn’t mention it to him when I took him on. I didn’t feel comfortable asking him to do it and now Harley’s going to pitch a fit at me. Fuck.

  The chump fumbles over his words again, pathetically, “I know y-you belong to th-the Wolf. Everyone does. B-b-but—“

  Illi flicks the torch light over to me and Avery gasps as my skin begins to glow.

  “Fuck!” The guy screeches and as he tries to scramble away Illi stabs him, right in the gut, and gives the knife a little turn for good measure. I didn’t even see his hand move towards the knife; he’s just that good.

  I lift a brow at him as the guy squeals like the stuck pig he is.

  “What? He’ll live! You said no one insults your little bestie so I’m making sure it never happens again. You’re welcome! I’d hug you but, honestly, seeing you in that thing is like seeing my sister naked. It’s fucking disturbing and let’s never do this again.”

  I laugh and grab Avery’s hand, tugging her forward and glancing over my shoulder at the guys. They’re all staring at Illi with a deep distrust, hatred, and just a little bit wary. I won’t fault them; he did just stab a guy.

  “So, this is Illi. He’s a treasure.”

  Illi cackles and wiggles his fingers at the guys like he’s an eighty-year-old woman trying to coax them into trying his cookies. Harley scowls at him, no longer looking nauseated around him which I’m taking as a win. Blaise shrugs and smiles at me, trusting me implicitly. Oh, my sweet naive rock god.

  Then there’s Ash.

  He surveys Illi with a detached look and then looks at me. “This is the Butcher?”

  I nod and wait him out.

  “Anyone touches the Wolf or my sister while they’re under your protection and I don’t care what the fuck they call you, I’ll be the one doing the butchering.”

  Harley looks at his cousin like he’s lost his damn mind, but also like he’s fucking impressed. I’m swooning a little because only Ash would threaten a man whose latest victim is still bleeding at our feet.

  Illi smirks at him, his eyes twinkling like a proud fucking father. “I’d expect no different from the son of Joseph Beaumont.”

  The warehouse is writhing with people, the music is so loud it takes a second to learn how to breathe again, and Avery clutches at my hand as the bodies close in on us.

  Illi leads the way and it’s not until we hit the platform with the staircase that the black lights hit me, my tattoos instantly glowing, and the crowd parts like the Red Sea. Avery lifts our linked hands then stares down at my arm, turning it and marveling at the tattoos. It’s too dark to read her face properly, but I know she’s going to snark me out for this.

  The second story is invite-only and safer than the bottom level. When I had told Illi that everyone was coming he’d arranged to have some guys keep an eye on Blaise, Ash, and Avery while we’re in the meeting. I’m wary about it right up until we meet them at the bar and they dip their heads at me with that fear-drenched respect that can’t be faked. Their eyes don’t touch Avery at all and when Illi signs to them to guard her with their lives they agree willingly.

  I make a note to ask Illi what they owe him for.

  I kiss Avery’s cheek and give her hand a reassuring squeeze which she returns easily. Ash and Blaise both do eyebrow acrobatics at Harley and then give me a quick peck on the lips as we move off. Harley wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his body. I let him, offering him that little reassurance I can before we hit the elevator.

  There’s only one way in and out of the room we’re heading to, and that’s the service elevator. The thug guarding it flinches when he sees Illi and fumbles over himself to get us in it. Illi grins and waves at him as the cage-like door shuts and we start to move, excruciatingly slowly.

  I pull away from Harley’s body but keep a hold of his hand, taking one last deep breath.

  “Illi, we need a minute,” I murmur, and the tattooed mass of muscle moves soundlessly to the corner, staring down at his shoes. I hate that Harley doesn’t like him because he’s actually the best guy, just a little fucked up and dangerous. Like me. He’s going to be able to hear every damn word we say, but he’s trying to give us some sort of space which is fucking decent of him.

  Harley’s hand tightens in mine. “I know the rules, I’m not going to lose my shit.”

  “He’s going to try to provoke you. Look at what he has us wearing. Just ignore him and remember that I’m going home with you and sleeping in your bed tonight. I’ve made my choice, and he’s not it.”

  Harley nods and presses his palm over my heart. “You got your knife on you? Or is Illi the only one who’s going to be stabbing people tonight?”

  He called him Illi, not the Butcher. I’m taking that as a good sign. Illi chuckles quietly and I scoff at them both. “I have one in my boot, but I trust Illi. I’ve seen him throw a cleaver before, he’s got this under control.”

  Harley scowls and drops his hands from me. He looks over his shoulder at the Butcher and says, “Who the fuck did you throw a cleaver at in front of her? For fuck’s sake.”

  Illi grins and steps back up, taking his place behind me right as the elevator grinds to a halt. “I threw it at the guy who held a knife to little Wolf’s throat when we broke into the Vulture’s den of evil to spring my wife. Caught him in the throat and the cunt squirted blood all the fuck over us like in the movies. Was so fucking cool, and little Wolfie made me promise her I’d show her how to do it. I did by the way, so don’t piss her off in the kitchen.”

  The doors scrape open right as Harley nods at Illi and mutters, “Okay. You’re a decent enough sort of guy.”

  Illi roars with laughter and we step into the meeting room together.

  Holy fuck.

  I hope I know what the hell I’m doing.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The table for the Twelve is round and I quickly choose my seat to be in-between the Coyote and the Bear. Before I sit down Illi snags a jacket from Luca, who is more than willing to help me cover myself thank fuck, and Harley helps me slide into it. He even zips it all the way to the top for me while his eyes twitch like he’s trying not to glare at every guy in the room. I’m oddly proud of him for controlling his protective urges. Then my guys take up watch by the wall with the rest of the henchmen, flunkies, guards, and overprotective husbands.

  Well, there’s just the one over-protective husband and he’s glaring at Harley like he thinks my boyfriend is going to try to jump the Lynx’s bones. I frown, and then I see the woman herself is staring at Harley like she’d happily drop to her knees at his feet to worship his dick.

  Fuck.

  Just what I need.

  I glance around and see we’re still waiting on th
e Boar. The Jackal takes a seat directly across from me and I refuse to look in his direction at all. He’s dressed impeccably in a three piece suit. Only the Fox and the Coyote are in the required underwear, everyone else has approached the Jackal for a pass to get themselves in without stripping.

  I refused to speak to him after his spat in the car so lingerie it is. I quirk an eyebrow at the Coyote, the youngest member after me at twenty, and he smirks at me.

  “Why the fuck not? I’m going pussy hunting after this, it’s been a while since I left my dungeon.”

  I chuckle under my breath at him. He’s the hacker of the group, there’s no digital information in the world that’s safe from this guy, and he’s a certified genius with tech. Someday when I get a permanent residence I’m getting the fucker to set up my security system.

  “Who’s the hot piece you came in with? She a part of your crew?” the Coyote continues, and I give him a look.

  “She’s mine,” I say with a flat tone and I meet the Crow’s gaze across the table. My breath catches as the steel gray of his eyes cut me. He’s as dangerous as the Jackal and I don’t need any extra bullshit going on in our lives right now.

  After a minute he dips his head to me and says, “Has my protection been sufficient?”

  “Exemplary, as expected,” I say and he nods, almost amicably.

  The Boar finally arrives, clothed and with three giant bikers with big bushy beards and cuts with patches all over them. His crew is not one I’d be getting into a bar fight with willingly and I’m not exactly pleased when they stand next to Illi and Harley. Fuck.

  The Jackal calls the meeting to a start and I’m forced to look at him. His gaze stays fixed on mine and he’s not attempting to hide the possessive obsession from the others anymore. Just what I need. I stare him down because sending a guy to my school to kill Harley was the last fucking straw. I’m done trying to find a casualty-free way of fixing this.