Boxed Set

by Brenda K. Davies

  "No!" Sera nearly shouted.

  "But what if he came here?"

  "He didn't."

  "Sera—"

  "Kathleen please, there is nothing to worry about. Liam broke the door last night. I was so upset after Jacob called I accidentally locked myself out." She was normally a horrible liar, but suddenly they were pouring off her tongue as if she was accomplished at it. She’d never felt so awful before.

  "Oh, okay. Well, that's good then. I'll just have maintenance come and fix it. Your sheets are gone too, but I guess I don't have to ask what happened to those if Liam was here," she added with a laugh.

  Sera winced as she vividly recalled Jacob's body wrapped in those sheets. "No," she mumbled. "No, you don't."

  "Are you sure you're all right?"

  "I'm fine," she answered tiredly. "I'll be back later today, okay?"

  "Okay. If you need anything, call me."

  "I will," she promised.

  She hung the phone up and tossed it back to Mike. He placed it on the desk and turned to face her, a look of admiration on his face. "Well," Mike said. "It's good to know you think fast in a pinch."

  Sera rubbed at her pounding temples. "I hate lying," she mumbled.

  "You're going to have to get used to it." Liam and Sera glared at Mike. He held up his hands in surrender. "Well, you are!" he protested. "And trust me, it doesn't get any easier. Wait till people start to ask questions about what happened to Jacob. I just hope no one knew he was coming here or saw him."

  Sera hadn't even begun to think about that. Her mind had been too overwrought with everything else going on to start wondering what would happen when Jacob was reported missing.

  "I doubt he let anyone see him," Liam said. "He came here for a reason, and he wouldn't want anyone to be able to testify against him."

  "But he might have told someone. He might have told Michelle," she whispered.

  "No, he wouldn't."

  Sera spun toward him. "You can't know that!"

  He clasped hold of her hands. "No, I can't," he said. "But we also can't know if he told anyone else. Worrying about it now won’t do any good. If something happens, we'll worry then. Okay?"

  She searched his face before nodding her consent. "What about the body?"

  "I'm going to take care of that," Mike answered. "Speaking of which, it's getting pretty late. I'd better go."

  "Thanks, Mike," Liam said.

  "No problem. I'll let you know how everything goes."

  He climbed to his feet and left. Sera turned to look at Liam; her hopelessness radiated from her body. He pulled her down onto the bed with him. "Things will be all right," he assured her. "I promise."

  She lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes burned into his as she leaned down and kissed him. "I don't want to think about it anymore," she whispered. "I don't want to think about anything right now."

  She kissed him again, her mouth warm and lush against his as she opened to him. His passion built as she melted against him. He rolled her over, resting himself on top of her as his mouth ravaged hers. He needed her with a nearly consuming hunger. His hands roamed over her body, relishing in the feel of her warm skin as he shoved her shirt up.

  Sera pulled eagerly at his shirt in her craving to feel his skin, to feel his solid body flush against hers. He sat up and ripped his shirt and jeans off. Sitting beside him, she pulled off her clothing to expose her splendid body. He studied her before pulling her against him.

  He was wild with need, desperate to feel her, to be inside of her. Frantic to have her ease the torment of the past day and wash away the horrible memory of blood on his hands. He pushed her back on the bed, kissing her savagely, as his hands explored every inch of her satin skin. She moaned and lifted herself against him, her body begging him for more.

  He drove himself into her with such force he was afraid he’d hurt her. But she showed no signs of discomfort as she arched beneath him and her hands dug into his back. Her moans and furious movements urged him to a faster pace as he drove in and out of her. He forgot everything as he was swept up in her body, in her movements, in the pleasure she gave him. Her hands grasped his buttocks, begging him for more, bringing him closer against her.

  She cried out as the orgasm ripped through her. Her muscles tightened around him as her body shook. He drove forcefully into her, emptying himself with a loud groan of pleasure.

  She collapsed on the bed, her body still trembling from the waves of pleasure racking her. She smiled sleepily at him as she caressed his face. Sweat beaded along his brow, matted his black hair, and made him look even sexier. She shivered as he nibbled on her lower lip.

  His heart swelled with love as he rolled her onto her side. How he had ever gotten so lucky to find her, to have her, he didn't know. She should have run screaming from him, from everything he was, from everything he had done, and could do.

  Instead, she gave him her heart, her body, and her soul. Even before he became a monster, he hadn't been a good man. There was nothing in his life to explain the kind of wholehearted love she gave him.

  "I'll always love you," she whispered. Liam's heart skipped a beat as his arms convulsed around her. "But you have to promise me, no more lies, no more secrets."

  "I promise I will never lie to you or keep another secret from you."

  "Good."

  "I love you too," he whispered.

  Sera glanced up from her history book as Mike slid into the seat across from her. "Hey," she greeted.

  He smiled as he leaned back in his seat and draped an arm casually over the back of it. "Cafeteria food will kill you."

  Sera grinned as she pushed the remains of her salad aside. "Not all of us are lucky enough not to have to eat it."

  He snorted a chuckle. "True."

  "So to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

  He glanced around the crowded cafeteria. Sera had been there for so long she had tuned out the noise level; it now penetrated her ears again. "Not much. Just saw you sitting here and thought you might like some company."

  "Keeping tabs on me?"

  He frowned as his arm dropped from the back of the booth. "No. I don't understand why you're taking this so well, but I do trust, Liam, which means I trust you."

  "I didn't take it well at first," she admitted.

  "I know, Liam told me." She bit her bottom lip as her gaze fell to the table. "Do you love him?"

  Sera's eyes flew up to his. "With all my heart and soul," she said fervently.

  Mike's eyes clouded as he leaned across the table. "You do realize he won't age; he won't—"

  "I know, Mike," she interrupted briskly. "I know everything."

  "Then what do you plan to do?"

  She scanned the cafeteria. "I don't think this is the best place to be talking about this."

  "They're not listening to us," he replied flippantly. "Besides, I doubt they could figure out what we were talking about anyway. So, what do you intend to do?"

  "I don't know."

  Her eyes flew to his as he took hold of her hand. "I trust you, Sera, I do. But you need to think about this. This way only leads to unhappiness."

  "I know that," she whispered. "I do. I tried to leave, Mike. I was at the door. He would have let me go, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. I know what I did when I went back to him. I can't let him go."

  "And he can't let you go."

  "He would have let me go yesterday."

  Mike opened his eyes to stare at her. "I don't think he would have, Sera."

  "You didn't see him," she whispered. "He would have let me go."

  "I honestly don't think he would have. I have never seen him like this. I've known Liam our entire lives. I was there the day he broke his arm, the night he lost his virginity."

  Mike's face reddened as he looked at her with chagrin. Sera met his gaze with a slightly amused smile. For all his bluff and bluster, Mike was more like a giant teddy bear.

  "I don't think I want to know the circum
stances surrounding that."

  He snorted as he smiled. "No, you don't, but my point is he's my best friend, and he threatened to kill me if I hurt you."

  Sera gasped loudly.

  Mike laughed harshly, released her hand, and leaned back. "That was my reaction too. He won't let you go, Sera, but his life is going to be a lot longer than yours."

  "So, what are you saying?"

  "I don't know exactly. Look, most of this is none of my business, but some of it is. I like you, Sera, and I trust you to do the right thing. I think you will."

  "And what would the right thing be?"

  "You'll figure it out in time. Just don't take too long."

  "I won't."

  "Good."

  She felt extremely uncomfortable in the following silence. "How did everything go last night?" she asked.

  He frowned as he ran a hand through his hair. "Good. It's all taken care of; there's nothing to worry about."

  "Where—"

  "It's taken care of."

  Sera knew he wouldn't tell her more. "Trying to make the moves on my girl?"

  She smiled as Liam slid into the booth beside her and draped his arm around the back. Doug and Jack slid in beside Mike, shoving him against the wall. He scowled ferociously at them. Sera's heartbeat picked up as she realized she was surrounded by four men who could easily kill her.

  She instinctively moved closer to Liam. He cast a curious glance at her before draping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. "Hey, guys!" Kathleen cried as she bounded eagerly up to the table. Danielle looked a little breathless as she came up behind her. "I'm glad I found you!"

  "So am I," Danielle muttered.

  Sera stifled a laugh as Danielle slumped into the booth beside Liam. She knew how difficult it could be to keep up with Kathleen when she was in a mood. Kathleen chose to ignore Danielle as she grabbed an empty chair and pulled it over to sit down. "What do you guys have planned for tonight and tomorrow?"

  "Classes," Sera answered instantly, not liking the way this conversation started.

  "Nothing much, why?" Mike asked.

  Kathleen grinned cheerfully as she practically hopped up and down in her chair. "I have an idea."

  "That doesn't sound good," Mike said with a grin.

  "Oh, it's an excellent plan. If you're willing to miss a couple of classes." Kathleen gave Sera a pointed glance. "You want to have fun, relax, and get away."

  "So far it does sound like a good plan."

  Sera groaned.

  Chapter Twelve

  "Turn right up here," Kathleen directed from the backseat.

  Liam turned the car onto a small dirt road beginning to get slick from the wet snow accumulating on it. "Are we going to get snowed in?" Doug asked.

  "Nah," Kathleen answered. "My dad leaves a plow truck here. There are a few snowmobiles too, so we'll be able to get around no matter what."

  They bounced along the road over potholes and rocks. Sera's head pounded with every rut they hit. She closed her eyes and forced herself to picture the cabin at the end of the road. She had come here with Kathleen once during their freshman year and loved it. When Kathleen suggested coming up now, she instantly jumped at the chance to go, despite her reservations about missing classes.

  She had fallen behind already; she didn't need to fall behind any further. But the idea of spending a couple of days at the cabin, with Liam, was too tempting to refuse. She could do some studying and crack down when they got back. So what if she didn't get straight A's this semester, in the grand scheme of things it didn't seem that important anymore.

  The cabin was at the top of a steep hill and set back in a grove of trees surrounding it on three sides. Snow was beginning to cover it, and old snow had been plowed into a big pile at the end of the road. Behind the large cabin, mountains loomed high against the night sky. Kathleen's family stayed here through the summer and visited it often in the winter.

  Liam pulled the car up and turned the engine off. "Thank God," Jack said, throwing his door open. "My legs are killing me."

  They piled out of the car, and Sera took a deep breath of the crisp air. Snow filtered down the back of her parka and caused a chill to run down her spine. When they left Massachusetts the weather forecast had predicted a chance of snow showers in Vermont. When they reached Vermont, they’d begun to predict at least six inches.

  The wind howled around them, and Sera pulled her parka closer around her. "We'll get the stuff," Mike said. "You guys go inside and get the heat turned on."

  "No problem," Kathleen said as she eagerly rubbed her bare hands together.

  She bounded through the snow toward the cabin with Sera and Danielle following more cautiously behind. They huddled together on the huge, wraparound porch as Kathleen dug the keys from her pocket and threw the door open.

  Kathleen flicked a switch, and the lights came on. The living room on their right had a large, cathedral ceiling with old wooden beams running across the top. The beams were the same dark mahogany as the floor, while the walls were a light, oak color. A large stone chimney took up the farthest wall, tapering as it went to the ceiling. Two large, creamy white couches furnished the room along with a forest green recliner, and a glass coffee table in the middle of the room. A long bar took up the far back wall. A green bumper ran around the edge of it. The wall behind it was a mirror, and alcohol bottles lined the glass shelves.

  Kathleen turned down the hall on the left-hand side and flicked on another light switch as they passed a doorway on the right. The pale blue of the small half bath was warm and comforting. Kathleen moved on to the kitchen and to the thermostat on the wall. The floor of the kitchen was light blue linoleum. In the center was a small island crafted from light oak wood. The kitchen counters were pale yellow tile, and the cabinets were stained the color of dark wood. The long and shimmery curtains were a yellow that brightened the whole room.

  Sera paused in the doorway and smiled as she leaned against the frame. She loved the cabin, with its elegant beauty and comfy furnishings. The smell of wood permeated the air to mingle with the hint of spices, crisp apple, cinnamon, and vanilla from the candles and potpourri scattered throughout the house.

  "This place is beautiful," Danielle whispered.

  "Thank you," Kathleen said as she turned up the thermostat on the wall. "I love it up here, but I never have a chance to come. Lack of transportation and all."

  "We have to come here a lot more," Danielle said.

  Sera looked around as a sense of peacefulness settled over her. This house was like a real home, a home she wanted to have one day, with a family of her own. A family nothing like hers. Her children would know they were loved and cherished.

  Sorrow flickered through her as she realized the family she pictured would never be. Not as long as she was with Liam. Sera closed her eyes and took a deep breath to ease the pressure building in her chest. She forced herself not to think about it, not now. For now, she was going to enjoy her time here, and she wasn't going to let any depressing thoughts interfere with that.

  Kathleen flicked another switch to illuminate the back porch. "Would you give me a hand?" she called over her shoulder.

  Sera walked out to the screened in porch. Snow was billowing down outside as the wind howled through the trees. "It's getting nasty out there," Sera said as Kathleen began to grab piles of wood.

  "We'll light a fire and cozy up," Kathleen said with a sly grin. "Just grab some wood for me."

  Sera piled wood into her arms before following Kathleen back to the living room. "Danielle, why don't you put on some hot chocolate," Kathleen called over her shoulder.

  The door opened with a blast of cold air as Mike, Doug, Liam, and Jack piled through. "Shit, it's cold!" Mike called, dropping his arm full of bags on the floor.

  Kathleen grinned at him and playfully bumped his hip as she walked past him. "It is winter," she said.

  "Actually, Miss Wise Ass, it technically still is fall," he retorted.
>
  "Where do we put this stuff?" Jack asked as Doug slammed the door.

  "Just leave it there for now. I'll get the fire started. The heat takes a while to warm up this place."

  "Awesome place," Doug said. He took in the large staircase before him and the chandelier over his head before turning to follow Kathleen into the living room. "Sweet," he said, plopping onto one of the couches.

  Sera grinned at him as she placed the logs next to the fireplace. Kathleen began to stack wood carefully inside of it. Liam sat on the other couch, while Jack slid in next to Doug. Mike plopped into the recliner and popped out the footstool. "I could stay here forever," he said as he closed his eyes and leaned back.

  "I'm sure my parents would love that," Kathleen quipped as she lit a piece of paper and placed it under the logs.

  "Do they know we're here?"

  "They know Sera, Danielle, and I are here. They wouldn't appreciate you guys, but what they don't know won't kill them, right?"

  "True, true."

  Kathleen stood as the logs began to smoke and a flame sputtered to life. She shut the grate and stepped back with a look of pride on her face. "Hot chocolate's done!" Danielle called from the kitchen.

  "Great," Kathleen said as she held her hands over the fire. "Who wants some?"

  "I do," everyone said at the same time.

  "Jack or Bailey's?"

  "I'm in heaven!" Jack cried. "What could be better?"

  "You actually getting laid," Mike retorted.

  "Screw you."

  Mike laughed and leaned further back in the chair. Sera shook her head as she headed back to the kitchen to help Danielle carry out the pot of hot chocolate and cups. When they came back to the living room, Kathleen had pulled out bottles of Jack, Tequila, and Bailey's from the bar and set them on the table.

  "There are three bedrooms upstairs," she was saying. "One down here. The little bathroom's down the hall, and the full bath is upstairs."

  "So what are the sleeping arrangements?" Mike inquired, his eyes focused on Kathleen.

  She grinned at him flirtatiously. "Well now, we'll just have to figure that out later, won't we?"