by Brooke Page
I racked my brain, digging through my memories before Marcus went crazy and turned my mother into a junkie. It wasn’t a long period, but I held my fondest memories of her close. “She introduced me to the ocean.”
Lauren smiled, helping to ease my comfort and allowing me to open up to her. “It was more than just looking for shells and building sandcastles. My mother showed me that the sea held true peace, along with its power and force. She was a bit of an earth child. Normal wasn’t her style. I think my mother would come back as a mermaid if she could.”
Lauren’s grin widened as she nudged my bicep with her elbow. The contact was friendly, and I couldn’t help but lean into her after the innocent gesture. Our arms were touching, and it felt nice. I hadn’t had a positive conversation about my mother in quite some time.
“My mom made me strong, and the memory of her helps keep my head clear.” Forcing my expression to stay soft, I added, “I know what my purpose is in life.”
To fucking kill Marcus, and redeem every individual life he destroyed.
Lauren fidgeted. “I debate going to college to become a counselor, but then I shove that thought away.”
“Why?”
Her brows scrunched together. “Obviously, I haven’t been able to change my mother. If I can’t help her, who’s going to have faith in me to help them?”
Her head dipped low in shame, causing her hair to fan across her face with the calming breeze. I couldn’t help but tuck it behind her ear. I wanted to see her gorgeous skin against the moonlight. It was breathtaking, and she was as soft as I imagined. So much so that I couldn’t move my hand. Swallowing hard, I fought the foreign feelings that rose in my chest.
“There’s still time for your mom,” I murmured, rotating my hand to stroke her cheek.
Her mouth slightly opened as her eyes fluttered closed. She was affected by my touch. “Time will tell,” she muttered, releasing a slow breath.
I felt her breath on my wrist, noticing her chest beginning to rise at a faster pace. My body slowly moved closer, pulled in by her natural beauty. She hardly had any makeup on, yet her lashes were thick and long as they brushed the tops of her cheeks. My thumb grazed higher, curious to feel the soft flutters when she slowly blinked.
Butterfly kisses. My eyes closed in memory of my mother. She had the longest eyelashes, and I remembered them tickling my cheeks whenever she held me close as a child. The softest touch gave me an incredible amount of comfort.
“Vance?” she whispered.
My name sounded perfect coming from her sweet mouth. Opening my eyes, I was captured by her gaze. She was staring at my parted lips with half-lidded eyes. Saying my name was an invitation, and I was dangerously close to tasting her. She licked her lips in anticipation, willing me to come closer for a sample.
Leaning in, my nose brushed hers, my hand now cradling her warm face. A cool breeze fanned her hair in the opposite direction. It should have been a sign, Mother Nature pulling her from my damaged soul. Telling me I was no good for her, that I’d destroy her life and drown her with my own if she gave into the temptation.
I ignored it though, basking in how unbelievably alive I felt. My hand stroked her jaw, causing her to release another raspy breath. She melted, tilting her head at the perfect angle. A fraction, that was all I needed to move to mold my lips against hers.
“Vancy!” A belligerent voice shouted from behind us. Lauren jerked upright, coiling away from me with a shaky breath. Holding in a groan, I turned my head, knowing who the asshole was that interrupted us.
Tucker swayed down the steps toward us with a shit eating grin on his face. Colt and Marcy were wrapped in each other's arms behind him. “Let’s make a fire!” he shouted.
Clumsily, he forcefully squished himself between Lauren and me, completely oblivious that we were having a moment. “I’ve been waiting in the bar for you. Did you forget about me?”
Lauren had a timid smile, and I tried to hide my grin. She really wasn’t into him. “Sorry, lost track of time. The ocean does that to me.”
My blood raced to my heart. Me too, beautiful.
Marcy and Colt were in front of us now. Unraveling her arms from him, she yanked on Lauren’s arm, pulling her to her feet.
My eyes were glued to her, my pants stirring as I noticed her shorts were bunched, and the curve of her ass was peeking out for the slightest moment before she adjusted her clothes.
Tucker saw it too, and I caught his hand as it started to lift. Like a viper catching its prey, I snagged his wrist, shooting him a glare when his head swayed in my direction.
“What the fuck, Vance?” he growled, attempting to yank away from my grasp.
Quickly standing, I pulled Tucker with me. In a low voice so no one could hear, I muttered, “Keep your hands to yourself, you drunk idiot. She’ll get you for sexual harassment. I won’t help you out of that one.”
Tucker glowered at me, nudging his body away from me. I let him go, following him closely as he sauntered after Lauren. Her arm was tangled with a stumbling, giggling Marcy. They must have bought a few rounds of shots to get that tipsy in the short amount of time.
Colt followed behind the girls, holding his arm out to stop Tucker from coming too close to Lauren. He knew how grabby Tucker could get, and by our exchange of glances, Colt understood Lauren was off-limits.
At least she was to them. Her personality was perfect to become a Dove, but could I live with myself if I threw her to that treacherous lifestyle, even if it would be for a miniscule amount of time to catch the monster?
Then there was the spark we shared. I was still on the fence whether or not I should invest my time in her. I’d never had a true friend. The small amount of time with her just now opened my eyes to the idea of not being a loner the rest of my life.
“Do I need to call you a cab?” I asked Tucker.
“No,” he snorted, straightening his shoulders.
“Then sober the fuck up and get your shit together.”
Tucker shot daggers out of his eyes at me, but quieted down. We walked in step with each other as we followed the girls and Colt.
“How far away is the firepit, Colt?” Marcy flirted. She clung to Lauren as if she couldn’t stand on her own. Maybe Colt had slipped something in her drink? Better not have. Even if he did it just to fuck her that could be bad for his future.
“Not far, it’s pretty close to the shop.”
I stopped in my tracks. “Find a different pit.” My voice was stern, causing Colt and Tucker to stop and look back at me.
“There’s one by YaYa’s on the beach,” Marcy said, turning in the other direction.
Both girls passed by Colt and me as we stared at each other. We were pretty good about being on the same page, but he seemed confused.
“Vultures meet on Thursday nights,” I said under my breath so the girls wouldn’t hear.
Colt and Tucker both frowned. “The what?”
I sighed, knowing I’d already said too much. “We can’t bring girls anywhere near there tonight. Got it?”
They both nodded then turned to follow behind Marcy and Lauren.
Colt’s eyes fixated on Marcy, and she knew he was looking. She’d glance back at him and wink, adding an extra sway to her hips. Lauren would scowl at her every now and then when she’d stumble. Her annoyance with her drunken friend put a half smile on my face. I knew what it was like to babysit. Noticing Tucker miss his steps more often, I knew I’d be in the same boat soon.
“I need a lighter,” Marcy said as we reached the fire pit.
Tucker pulled one out of his pocket, lighting it and waving it in the air. I snatched it before he lit us all on fire.
“There’s wood across the street by YaYa’s carport.” Her eyes became sultry as they found Colt. “Will you help me?”
Colt instantly veered toward her. I rubbed my face, knowing they’d take their sweet time.
Lauren took a seat in the sand close to the fire pit. She curled her body as cl
ose together as she could, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Tight, wound up, anxious, closed off… she’d be perfect.
“You cold, beautiful?” Tucker slurred, stumbling toward Lauren. Her eyes widened more and more with each step he took.
Just as I was about to grab his arm, he tripped over his feet, flopping down face first in the sand. Lauren gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “Are you okay?”
He only responded with a groan.
Rolling my eyes, I leaned down, tapping him on the shoulder. “You alright, big guy?”
He muttered something as I rolled him to his side, then his jaw slacked, and a soft snore escaped his lips. I shook my head in disapproval.
“Is he going to be okay?” Lauren’s sweet voice graced my ears, and when I turned to the soft sound, she was crouched down beside me.
I was taken back by her proximity. Her scent surrounded me, and I had to close my eyes to gather my senses. Clearing my throat, I said, “Yeah, this isn’t the first time.”
Her wariness turned into a slight grin. She was trying not to laugh to be considerate, but she slipped when I smiled at her.
“He just, fell over,” she giggled.
I laughed with her as I stood. “He’ll be fine.”
Lauren stood alongside me, putting her hands in her back pockets. She bit her lip, her eyes wandering to the shoreline.
“They might be a bit,” I said, breaking the silence between us.
Her lip quirked as her eyes found her feet. “You might be right.”
“Want to walk along the water?” I blurted without thinking.
Her brows pinched together as she looked at Tucker, passed out in the sand. “Should we leave him?”
“We won’t go far,” I promised.
After a moment of contemplating, she whispered, “Okay.”
I followed her lead. She took out her phone so the glow from her screen would face the sand. “Sorry if the light of my phone bothers you. I stepped on a hermit crab once. I felt awful.”
I smirked and pulled my phone out to help guide us as well. “Did it hurt you?”
“Only emotionally,” she said seriously.
I was puzzled. “Why? Didn’t it cut your foot?”
“Yeah, but I survived. The hermit crab didn’t.”
Holding in my laughter, I asked, “So you’re a crab killer?”
She smacked my shoulder, and I couldn’t hold my chuckle in any longer.
“I felt terrible during my whole vacation!” she exclaimed, holding in her own laughter.
“How old were you?”
“Maybe twelve. Marcy rolled her eyes at me, but Colby was sympathetic.”
My brows furrowed. “Who’s Colby?”
Her steps slowed down as her face tightened under the moonlight. “Marcy’s cousin.” She seemed shut off now, like something was bothering her. I didn’t want to pry. Whenever she became sad, my brain pushed me to bring her to Marcus, make her the Dove that would help feed my revenge.
“Well I’ll be sure to save any hermit crabs if you decide to get physical again.”
She shook her head, but I could tell she was smiling.
“There’s a surplus of them anyway. Colt thinks we should sell them at the shop.”
She began moving at her normal pace again. “You mean with all the crazy painted shells and cages?”
“Yeah, but my surf shop isn’t a tourist spot. It’s for actual surfers. We don’t sell souvenirs.”
“Do you not like being around the vacationers?” she inquired.
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t really like being around people in general. “The ocean is my life, it’s not a vacation for me.”
“Tourists must annoy you,” she said quietly.
“Only ones who don’t respect the ocean,” I answered truthfully. She glanced at me, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I love the ocean.”
“Well, we have that in common. What else do you love?”
“Sand?”
I smirked. “Figured that. It comes with the ocean. Anyone else?” My tongue caught in my throat. That wasn’t what I meant to ask.
Her lip quirked upward slightly. Cautiously, she tilted her head to meet my eyes. “Love? No.”
An unusual flutter simmered in my stomach, and I couldn’t contain the grin that spread across my face.
“Were you trying to figure out if I had a boyfriend?” We stopped at the water’s edge, our bodies instinctively turning to each other. She gazed up at me, her hooded eyes focused on my lips.
She sucked me into her again, but I needed to be stronger this time. If I weren’t going to use her to help take down my father, then I shouldn’t get involved with her at all. And I sure as hell shouldn’t touch her as if I had good intentions. I’d committed myself to a single life style. I couldn’t have any weaknesses, and becoming attached to Lauren would be a thorn in my side, and something my enemies would use against me.
But she was here, pulling on all my strings, causing a battle between my heart and my brain. My conscience urged me to take her, but my heart pulsed for me to keep my distance. Keeping my distance would be best for her, but damn it, those lips were like a magnet, inviting me to forgo all I had worked toward in the past six months. My hand moved to touch her cheek, itching to feel its softness again. She took a quick breath, leaning into my hand. She wanted our skin to touch just as badly.
Why would my touch affect her? My hands were destructive, destroying lives one guilty finger at a time.
Her eyes closed in anticipation, while I gazed at her beautiful features. One taste wouldn’t control me? I couldn’t possibly ruin her with indulging myself in a simple kiss, could I?
My thumb caressed her jaw. I could do this, I could kiss her and let her go. It would be simple. It’s not like I hadn’t been physical with women, then sent them off and on their way.
Tilting my head, I was going to give in and sample her. My chest rose as I inhaled her scent
Just one quick taste.
Before closing my eyes, I noticed a shadow lurking toward us. My hand slid across her cheek and curled around her neck, my other arm snaking around her waist once the shadow came closer into view.
I gulped as I pulled her into my chest, attempting to look unaffected by the way her hands felt as they wrapped around my waist. She was pressed against me in an intimate way, but my body was as stiff as a board. I held her in place, making it impossible for her to realize someone was about to walk past us.
The shadow was twenty feet away, trudging slowly with his arm around a girl’s waist to hold her upright. Her eyes were glassy as she leaned against his shoulder. She looked lifeless in his arms, and the man gave me a nod while I held Lauren.
I knew who he was. I saw him every Tuesday night above my shop. He was just like me, another trainer for the hunters who found women and dumped them to a different way of life, and for most, their biggest nightmares.
My arms wrapped around Lauren tighter. I couldn’t do this to her. I needed to find a new Dove.
Chapter Seven
Lauren
I’d never wanted someone to kiss me so badly. The setting was perfect, the ocean waves singing behind us, the sand cool beneath our feet. Vance was big and broad, protectively holding me while his eyes searched my face with passion. His hand was rough yet comforting as it explored my cheek. My lips ached for his to touch mine.
We were so close, but then something spooked him. His desire transformed into uncertainty. The way he held me close was delightful, but the rigidness to his touch was obvious.
Pulling back so he could look at me, he said, “Promise me you’ll never come on this beach at night by yourself.”
I scowled at him. “I always come out here to watch the sunset. Most nights I stay until the stars come out.”
Both calloused hands were cupping my jaw now. His brows pinched together as he stared at me. In a dangerous tone, he warned, “The beach isn’t how it u
sed to be. Neither you or Marcy should be out here alone any time of day.”
Unfurrowing my eyebrows, a small smile formed on my lips. Bravely, I reached for his chest, placing my hand on the hard muscle of his pec. He inhaled sharply, covering my hand with his and squeezing. “Does that mean you’ll watch the sunset with me every night?”
Looking toward the water, he shook his head, removing my hand from his chest. The action burned, causing me to coil away from him. Wrapping my arms around my body, my eyes found my feet. His rejection hurt more than it should have.Running his hand through his hair, he sighed. “Lauren, I’m not… good. Sunsets and walks on the beach aren’t me.”
“Just like you don’t start conversations?” I murmured, finding my way back toward the fire pit. If Marcy weren’t there, I’d go back to YaYa’s. I never should have gotten caught up with Vance in the first place. I didn’t come here to create more problems.
He didn’t say anything, only followed me until we were side by side. We were both quiet until we found the pit, a fire silhouetting Marcy on her back with Colt hovering over her. Their tongues were playing tonsil hockey, and the way Colt’s hips were grinding into Marcy was a sign they needed more alone time.
Not bothering to interrupt Marcy and Colt’s make-out session, I stepped over a passed-out Tucker and headed toward YaYa’s house. The footsteps behind me were obvious. I stopped midway, spinning to find Vance hot on me heels. “I can walk myself back.”
His hands were in his pockets as his hard eyes met mine. “I just told you being alone at night in this town isn’t safe.”
“I thought the beach isn’t safe at night?” I turned to continue to YaYa’s, rolling my eyes.
“Nothing about this town is safe,” he muttered.
Once my feet hit the pavement, I turned to him. “YaYa’s house is right there. You should go back and take care of Tucker.”
Taking my forearm, he led me across the street after a truck drove by. “Tucker’s fine. I’ll take care of him once you’re inside.”
Nudging away from his grasp, I glared at him. “I’m not a child, you don’t have to grab my arm as though I’m going to run into oncoming traffic.”
