Denouement (The Darkness Series Book 3)

by Brightmore, Cassia

  He shimmied her skirt up her legs and groaned at the sight of her black, lace-covered silk stockings. “Fuck me, Aubrey. You are so fucking sexy.”

  Heat flooded her and she nearly came apart when he traced the outline of her panties with one finger. He hooked his thumbs under the sides and slowly drew them down her legs. His eyes met hers and he flashed her that cocky grin she loved and hated so much.

  “You ready, baby?”

  There was a hidden side to her she didn’t know existed. A side that craved raw, uninhibited passion. When West put his hands on her, she came to life. Her skin heated under his lust driven gaze and it took all of her will-power to maintain her composure. Maybe it was time she gave in to her deepest, most sensual desires.

  “I’m ready,” she told him and she meant it. She wanted to feel him everywhere, to feel the burn of his skin touching hers.

  He dipped one finger inside her, groaning when he felt how wet she was. He spread her juices back and forth over her coating her with her own arousal. Aubrey squirmed and shivered in response, desperate to feel more. He was awakening things in her that she didn’t know she craved.

  Sinking lower, he swiped his tongue over her clit, circling and teasing it into a hard nub. Aubrey cried out at the sensation, gripping his shoulders for support. He slid a finger into her and then a second, moving in and out as his tongue moved over her languidly over and over. When he bared his teeth and bit down on her lightly, that was it. She went off like a rocket, crying out his name. “West!”

  He gained his feet and her hands reached immediately for his belt buckle. Her fingers worked furiously. Gone was the shy, timid girl and in her place was a wanton version of herself. As soon as his pants and boxers hit the floor, she reached for him. His cock was long and thick and she wondered for a brief moment if he would fit. He slid his hands beneath her and lifted her up. She hung suspended in the air until he lowered her slowly and he filled her. He groaned out loud as her slick heat enveloped him. “Fuck me,” he muttered. She was tight and so goddamn perfect.

  He gripped her ass and started a swift rhythm that she easily picked up. Their bodies were completely in sync with each other, in tune in every way. It wasn’t long before he picked up the pace, thrusting into her harder. She raised her hands above her head and grabbed the top shelf, arching her back. He seized the opportunity to bury his face in her breasts, latching onto a nipple and biting down hard. Aubrey grinded against him, uncaring that they were shaking the shelf so hard that books were crashing down around him. Heat started to coil in her belly and she knew she was getting close. Gripping the shelf tighter, she started to rotate her hips against him, reveling in the thrill the new sensations were giving her.

  “Fuck you are incredible, Aubrey,” he breathed out. He managed to find her clit again when he reached between their bodies and with a few flicks, she was there again, her juices covering his cock as her walls clenched around him.

  “Fucking hell,” he muttered. He had no idea she could feel any tighter but when gripped him like that it was all it took to have him letting go of his release. He held her close to him for a few minutes before she slid back down to the floor. Aubrey straightened her clothes and then looked at West. Her cheeks were flushed and her usual perfect ponytail was in a messy disarray. West captured her mouth with his, claiming her once more.

  “You are so amazing,” he told her, planting another kiss on her nose. She pulled back and cast her eyes downward.

  “I can’t believe we did…that…here.” Her usual composure was shattered and West couldn’t have been happier. He wanted to push her boundaries. To make her see what they could have together if she just let herself go more often.

  “It’s a library right? Well I’d say you just gave me the best education I’ve ever received, Ms. Sinclair.”

  When Aubrey got home that night, she was a ball of nerves. Every person that she spoke to, she felt as if they could see right through her. That they knew what she’d done in the library with West. She imagined disapproval in every face she met. Even her own. Despite how good it felt and how amazing West was, she still had reservations about getting involved. Was she ready to let her heart be that open? Could she trust him not to hurt her? Deep down, she thought she could. But was she ready to trust herself?

  Entering the kitchen, she found Nora and Autumn sitting there with a bottle of tequila and three shot glasses between them. “Uh oh. This doesn’t look good. What’s going on?” she asked as she took a seat.

  Autumn opened her mouth to explain but then slammed it shut again when she looked at her. “Oh hell no. You’re going first, woman. Spill. Who did you have sex with today?”

  Aubrey threw up her hands. “Ugh! Everyone can tell,” she complained. She lowered her arms to the table and rested her head on them. Autumn laughed and patted her head.

  “No. Not everyone, you twit. Me. Me, I can tell because I’m your twin. And I’m pretty badass and I just know everything,” she said with a wink.

  Nora’s head was bobbing back and forth between the two of them. “Okay, what am I missing here? You had sex today?” she asked, pointing at Aubrey. “And you already know about it?” she said to Autumn who nodded.

  “I had sex with West in the library,” Aubrey blurted out. The other two women stared at her, unsure if they heard correctly.

  Autumn recovered first. “Well, it’s about damn time. Although I always thought I’d be the first one to have sex in the library,” she pouted a bit.

  “Aubrey, are you okay with what happened?” Nora asked, a look of concern on her face. She was watching the way her cousin was wringing her hands and fiddling with her clothes.

  Aubrey took a long while to answer them. “You know what. I think that’s what has me so confused. I am okay with it. West is…well he’s really starting to mean something to me. And my God, that man is unbelievable. His tongue…”

  Nora smiled, pleased with Aubrey’s answer. “It’s so nice to see you happy. West seems like such a good man. If he makes you happy, I say go for it.”

  “I’m sorry, Nora. I shouldn’t be rubbing it in like this. It’s just it happened earlier today and I haven’t talked to anyone about it yet and all day I’ve been thinking that everyone could tell what I’d done in my place of employment. I just had to get it out. How has it been going with Gabe? Have you made any kind of a decision yet?”

  Nora sighed and threaded her hands through her long dark hair. “No. I thought that we’d had a breakthrough at the park the other day, but then he’s been back to his same distant self ever since. I’m going to talk to him about it when he and Theo get back. They were going to swing by and pick up Greta and the kids from the ice cream parlour.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry, I want to hear all about you and Gabe too, Nora. But back to the sex. So are we talking he just got you off kinda sex or full-on his cock finally got that invite it’s been wanting for weeks? You’re killing me here,” Autumn held her hands over her heart and pretended to faint.

  Aubrey rolled her eyes at her sister’s theatrics. “Full-on against the stacks, my legs around his waist as he fucked me kinda sex.” Admitting it felt wrong, but at the same time so right. She wasn’t ashamed of what they’d done. In fact, it was quite the opposite. She wanted to know the next time she could get him naked and inside her.

  “Oh my God, I think I just came. That sounds so fucking hot. Did the books tumble down? Did he go down on you? Did he—” her next question was cut off by the front door slamming. Theo and Gabe entered the kitchen, laughing over some sort of a joke. They stopped in their tracks at the sight of the three women in deep conversation.

  Theo threw out his arm to stop Gabe from advancing any farther. “Hold up, dude. This here is dangerous territory. I think we’ve entered…girl talk,” he warned.

  Nora was looking behind them as if waiting for someone. Finally locking eyes with Gabe, she asked, “Where’s Greta and the kids?”

  “What do you mean?” he responded,
not showing any concern.

  “Gabe. You told me that you and Theo would pick them up from the ice cream shop on your way home. Where are they?” She got to her feet and planted her hands on her hips, a telltale sign that she was close to losing her temper.

  “What? You didn’t tell me anything about us needing to grab the kids, Gabe.” Theo didn’t look impressed as he glared at Gabe.

  “Look I fucking forgot about it, alright. We can go get them now,” he offered. “Or we can just wait, I’m sure they will walk.”

  Nora couldn’t believe her ears. “Walk? It’s over ten blocks away! I can’t believe you. Of all the inconsiderate, selfish, boneheaded things to do. I mean, who forgets their own children? I don’t know what the problem is with you lately—”

  Gabe let out an angry growl and charged across the room. He grabbed Nora by the throat and pushed her back up against the breakfast bar. “Don’t you fucking dare speak to me like that,” he seethed. He squeezed her throat tighter, ignoring the way her hands pulled at his. “You’ve got some—” he suddenly was air born as Theo ripped him away from Nora and tossed him across the room like a sack of potatoes.

  “What the actual fuck, dude. You better get your fucking shit together and do it now. I’m about to kick your ass into all the next fucking Sundays for what you just pulled. You put your hands on Nora? You’re fucked. So fucked. Get out of my sight now,” Theo ordered.

  Gabe’s face was red with rage as he stared at Nora who was wheezing and trying to catch her breath. She was bent over with her hands on her knees and Autumn and Aubrey rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.

  “Fine. Fuck all of you,” he bit out. He gained his feet and stormed out of the house, the door closing with a loud slam.

  No one spoke or moved after he left, everyone was in shock at what had just happened. Theo broke the ice first. “Nora, I’ll go get the kids, you just stay here and pull yourself together.”

  Nora nodded gratefully, her throat too sore for her to speak. After he left, she looked at her cousins.

  “That man is not my husband.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Brady rolled to a stop outside the post office and once again prepared himself to face Mila. Gwyn was still missing and he couldn’t stand to stay in Stockton Crossing another second. He needed to get back to Durham Heights and personally oversee the search for her. He was putting his trust in Mila’s help and at the moment, it was proving to be the stupidest idea he’d ever had. She’d asked him for immunity in exchange for her help; and that was something he wasn’t willing to give. When she realized he wouldn’t budge on that fact, they’d settled on a lesser charge. Something that wouldn’t have her facing the rest of her life in prison and would give her a shot at parole. It made him sick to his stomach that he’d agreed, but he was desperate and would do anything for Gwyn.

  He got out of the car and walked down the alleyway. Mila stood waiting for him and it disgusted him when she smiled in greeting.

  “What information do you have?” he asked, getting straight to the point. The less he was in her presence, the better.

  Mila’s smile fell and a coldness creeped into her eyes at his harsh tone. “You aren’t going to like this, Brady so prepare yourself. My contacts have confirmed that my suspicions were right. Lawrence, Gwyn’s ex, is the one who has her. They haven’t been able to track him yet, but now that you know for sure—that should help you find her.”

  “Fuck!” Brady yelled, clenching his hands into fists. Why did he leave her unprotected? That fucker was a ruthless bastard and who knew how she was suffering in his clutches. If he was alone, he might have shed tears of frustration and rage. Just knowing that she was in harm’s way was eating him up inside. He needed to get to her, bring her home safely and back into his arms.

  “What else?” he snapped, anxious to get the hell away from her. Mila shook her head.

  “I need some assurances first before I give you anything about the Matchstick Man. What are you going to do for me? Have you secured the lesser sentence?”

  “No. I haven’t had time. I’m busy trying to work two cases at once. Once I get back to Durham Heights I can see what I can do about that. You owe me a lot more than just this, Mila.”

  “Brady, I’m not going to help you just because you think I should. That’s not how I operate. If you want my information from my contacts, you’re going to have to work for it. I need immunity or a lesser charge. I’m sick of running. I have a son to think of,” she revealed.

  “A son? You have a son? How old is he?” he asked suspiciously.

  “His name is Dane and he just turned two.”

  Brady backed up a few steps, needing space between them. “Mila…”

  She stared hard at him, then withdrew a wallet sized photo of a little boy and handed it to him. Looking down at the picture, it was like staring into a mirror; a child-like version of himself. “Jed is the father.”

  “What? You’ve got to be kidding. He looks exactly like me!” Brady was incredulous. Had she really hidden his child from him? Or was Jed really the father. He had to admit they had been somewhat similar in looks but this little boy, this child was the spitting image of Brady. There was no doubt about it.

  “It’s true, Brady. I had a test done after he was born and it confirmed Jed as the father. Now I’m all he has in this world, so please. Work the deal.”

  He was speechless. The only way to find out if Mila was telling the truth was to get his own test done. “I’ll work on the deal if you agree to let me have my own paternity test done. No arguments. But I want to know everything you know about the Matchstick Man—now. We don’t have much time before he takes another victim; I can feel it.”

  “I’ll think about the test. I’m not just handing my son over to you so you can take him from me. All I know about the case is that you should be looking at locals as suspects. Don’t rule anyone out.”

  Brady and the others were already ninety-nine percent positive that was the case themselves, so this information came as no surprise. “I’ll be in touch about the test for the boy,” he said and walked away, leaving Mila staring after him.

  * * *

  Autumn loved her job at the vet clinic; except on the days when an animal had to be put down. She couldn’t handle all the tears from the owners and sometimes even the staff. Whenever that happened, she put the “Back in Five Minutes” sign on her reception desk and took a walk down to the coffee shop. Mr. Kelley was in there with his thirteen year-old golden lab and knowing how attached he was to that dog, she didn’t want to be around for that particular case. She was dressed more conservatively that day since she’d spent the night with Aubrey and Nora after Gabe’s lunatic outburst the night before. Nora had been a basket case, crying her eyes out. Theo was raving mad and Aubrey had wrung her hands and forced tea after cup of tea down all their throats for hours.

  They’d finally all tried to turn in and get some sleep but Autumn didn’t think any of them were very successful at their attempts. The next morning, Autumn borrowed Aubrey’s clothes and just for kicks, even styled her hair into one of her sister’s boring ponytail’s. She giggled to herself as she recalled Aubrey’s reaction when she’d come into the room after her shower.

  “Autumn, what in the world?” she stared at her.

  “What? We can play switchies like we did when we were kids. I’ll go to the library and you go to the clinic for me,” she suggested with a sassy wink.

  “You’re crazy. Although I must admit it’s good to see you coming around to my side of fashion,” Aubrey joked.

  Autumn grabbed her bag and headed for the door. “Love you, Aubs! See you tonight,” she’d called as she left.

  After grabbing her coffee, she decided to take a short walk to the town square. The fountain there was a nice place to relax for a few minutes and soak up a bit of the Louisiana sun. Deciding to cut through the alley, she was a few steps from the end when a shadow crossed her path. Instinct kicked in and she dar
ted to the left, bouncing off the brick wall. A large frame in a ski-mask filled her vision and she sucked in her breath to scream. He ran at her at top speed and was about to cover her mouth when she moved again, this time to the right. He hit the wall with both hands outstretched and she was gone. Taking off running down the alley towards the coffee shop she screamed bloody murder. “Help! It’s the fucking Matchstick Man! HELP!”

  He grabbed her ponytail from behind and yanked her clear off her feet. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath out of her. She wiggled from side to side, ignoring the pain in her back as she fought to shake off his hold. He dragged her back into the dark cover of the alley, away from the light; from freedom.

  “Get off, get off me you fucking motherfucker!” she screamed. “HELP! Down here, HELP!” She clawed her French tipped nails into his hands, digging for blood. Like fuck was she going to go quietly. This asshole had picked the wrong girl to fuck with.

  His hands switched to grip her by the neck and he hauled her to her feet, spinning her around. “Say goodnight,” he said and brought his fist down across her cheek. Everything went black.

  When Autumn next opened her eyes, the man was right in her face staring at her. Screaming, she thrashed wildly. Realizing she couldn’t move, she looked up and down. Her hands were restrained above her head hanging from a large hook, her toes dragging across a stone-cold concrete floor. “Help! Help, help! Someone help me!” she yelled, tears leaking from her eyes.

  “No one here to help you, pet. You slipped past me once, that won’t be the case this time. I never fail. I haven’t got much time, but there’s just enough for us to get a bit better acquainted.” His voice was low and smooth, a direct contrast to his frightening form.

  Dear Lord he thought she was Aubrey. He thought she was her fucking twin sister. “Fuck you. Fuck you, you fucking fucker. You think I want to be acquainted with you? No one fucking does. What’s your fucking problem anyway? You got small dick syndrome or something? Bet no one would fucking look—” she cut off when he raised a blow torch. Her eyes widened and her mouth went dry. He flicked it on and they both locked in on the flame, unable to look away.