He draws back just far enough to look at me expectantly. But I’m done with the teasing and the games and the foreplay. My fingers reach for the button on his pants, and I look straight into his eyes and say, “Prove it.”
And damn if he doesn’t do just that.
“Rise and shine, beautiful.” Kash kisses my shoulder and then sits up, swinging his legs off the mattress and onto the floor.
“Is it tomorrow?” I ask, my voice sleepy, just like the rest of me.
“No, it’s today and it’s time to get up.”
I roll over, appreciating the sight of Kash’s bedhead hair and upturned mouth. “You know, if you’d smiled this often when we met, I never would have been intimidated by you.”
His smile vanishes, replaced by a brooding grimace.
“That’s the Kash I know,” I say, and the expression falls away.
He shakes his head. “I’ll remember that you like me grumpy and mean.”
“Ugh. Let’s not repeat that, actually. You’re so moody.”
He snorts as he steps into his pants and pulls them up. “And you’re stubborn and infuriating.”
My eyes narrow. “Dog.”
He grins devilishly. “Nerd.”
I laugh. “That’s not an insult to me.”
He crawls across the bed back to where I sit propped on my elbows. The gleam in his eye suggests the pants he just put on probably won’t stay there for long. “I don’t want to insult you, Pepper. I want to fu--”
A loud knock sounds on the door.
“All right, nymphos, put on pants because I’m coming in.” Talia pauses and then adds, “Dear God, that was not an innuendo.”
Anna coughs then mutters something about baby Jesus.
I look up at Kash and grin.
He backs off and goes to open the door.
Talia and Anna do a quick once-over of the room. Clothes strewn everywhere. Kash, shirtless and barefoot with low-slung pants hanging off his waist. Bedhead hair. And me, wrapped only in a bedsheet.
Talia doesn’t look fazed, but Anna’s face flushes.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“Brody called,” Talia says, and Kash’s amusement vanishes instantly.
“What does that have to do with me?” I ask warily.
“The Deltas are holding a gathering at their house this evening for Danielle.”
I frown. “I thought the vigil was yesterday.”
“It was,” Talia says. “This is different. A small gathering. The Deltas invited the Kappas over for a mixer to brainstorm ways we can help in the search for Danielle and the other missing girls. Since you ran into Kash so close to where Danielle was last seen, I thought it might be good for you both to come and talk to everyone. Encourage them to get involved.”
One glance at Anna’s hopeful expression, and I know I can’t say—
“No.” Kash’s answer is firm.
Talia looks at him in surprise.
“Kash,” I begin, but he shakes his head.
“I know finding these girls is important. Believe me I want to do everything I can to help.”
I bite my lip because, whether they know it or not, Kash is helping.
“But sending out search parties with more girls just makes you all targets,” he finishes. “I can’t get behind this. I highly advise that you leave this to the police.”
“The police,” Talia repeats skeptically.
“They aren’t doing anything,” Anna says. “The flyers and the spot on the local news were all thanks to Danielle’s parents. The police have no leads. Just some blood in the woods, but no matches. We have to do something.”
“Kash, Anna’s right,” I say, scooting to the edge of the bed. I stop when I remember all I’m wearing is a sheet.
Kash glances at me. His eyes darken, and I know he’s fully aware of what I’m wearing. Or not wearing.
“We have to do something,” I tell him. “We can’t just sit around. You of all people should understand that.”
His mouth thins into a hard line.
“Fine,” he says finally, and Anna brightens.
Talia nods and reaches for the knob. Her expression is impossible to read, but she looks satisfied. “We’re leaving in an hour,” she says before shutting the door and leaving us alone.
The moment we’re alone, Kash’s phone rings.
“Yes?” he answers.
After a beat of silence, he frowns.
“I’ll be there,” he says shortly and hangs up.
“Who was that?” I ask.
Kash slides the phone into his pocket and reaches for his shirt.
“Lynch,” he says, sliding the shirt over his head then reaching for his socks and boots.
He sits on the edge of the bed and puts them on. I scoot closer, my heart pounding.
“What did he say?”
Kash finishes tying his laces and looks over at me. “Danielle’s awake.”
My eyes widen. “I want to come with you. To talk to her.”
“She’s newly turned,” he says gently, and I can see it in his eyes. The indecision. He wants me to come, too. If only to keep me safe. “It would be too dangerous.”
I huff.
He leans over to press a kiss to my temple. “Go to the gathering,” he says, and I look up at him, surprised.
“I thought you said—”
“Go to the gathering, and stay there,” he clarifies. “No search parties, and no going anywhere near the woods. I’ll call you when I know something. For now, stay with your friends. That’s the safest option.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “But you’re getting to run around alone everywhere, and don’t think I don’t notice how unfair it is.”
He kisses me on the mouth then heads for the door.
“When I’m a werewolf, I’m going all kinds of places alone,” I call out.
He laughs, but it’s too dark for me to believe. At the door, he turns back, eyeing me with a hunger that makes my belly curl.
“When you’re a werewolf, Pepper, I’m going to leave my mark on you. Claim you for mine. Then, you can go anywhere you want. No one will mess with you because you’ll belong to me.”
I shudder at the desire that spears through me, too turned on to reply before he flashes a predatory smile then slips out.
Being marked by Kash Montgomery. I have no idea exactly what that entails, but I would do just about anything to find out.
Chapter 18
Every Delta and Kappa on campus has turned up for the gathering at Brody’s frat house. Two kegs of beer stand against the wall beside the back windows, and in the kitchen, the bar is crowded with liquor bottles and juice cocktail mixers. One of the Deltas stands behind it, bartending. Basically, it looks like every other party the frat has ever thrown. I don’t know why I thought organizing a search for missing girls would look different.
“What can I get ya?” Justice, the Delta bartender asks when I get close.
“Rum and coke,” I say over the music blaring from the speakers hardwired in.
“Sure thing, Romy,” Justice says with a wink.
Somewhere behind me, a Delta calls out to one of the pledges. “Hey, have you seen Nick?”
The pledge makes a face of disgust. “Word is he went home. Couldn’t cut it, I guess.”
The Delta snorts as they both head for the back deck.
When I look up again, Justice is holding my drink out. His smile is sheepish as he hands it over. “Um, I actually really need to talk to you, so don’t go anywhere without talking to me, okay?”
I frown. “Um, sure. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
His eyes sweep past me to Talia and Anna, who are waiting in line behind me, and he nods before motioning them forward.
The music can be heard from every room, and even though it’s just barely twilight outside, the party is already in full swing. Music. Booze. And Brody. I spot him crossing the kitchen from the back patio, attention focused on Anna standing between Talia a
nd me.
“Glad you made it, baby,” Brody says, dipping his head to kiss Anna long enough that it feels awkward.
“Hello to you, too,” Anna says when he finally comes up for air. Her cheeks are flushed, and she glances nervously to Talia and me, adding, “We want to help Danielle any way we can.”
Brody nods then looks over at me and Talia. “Glad you guys came,” he says, his gaze lingering on me questioningly.
“Where’s Montgomery?” Brody asks.
“Busy,” I say simply, and Brody’s mouth curves into the ghost of a smile.
“Well, he left you in good hands,” he says. “Justice, make sure these broads stay well hydrated.”
Justice promises he will, and Brody whispers something to Anna before pulling her away and into another room.
“Broads?” Talia mutters.
Talia and I share a look then an eye roll before she turns and rattles off her drink order to Justice.
I down mine and order another before we leave the kitchen in search of a better spot.
An hour later, I’ve sucked down two more drinks, and the gathering feels more like a party and less like a strategy session for finding missing girls. No one else seems to mind. I wander the downstairs, looking for Talia or Anna, but they’re not in any of the usual places. A few Deltas have organized a beer pong tournament in the backyard, and I know from experience Talia wouldn’t be caught dead out there.
In the kitchen, Justice is still mixing up drinks.
“You look lost,” he jokes when he sees me.
“Have you seen Talia?” I ask except that it comes out, “Avu seen Tal-ya?”
Justice frowns, and something dark flickers in his ice blue eyes. “Um, no, but maybe just go to the living room and wait. I’ll tell her where you are if I see her.”
“That’s okay,” I try to say. “I’ll just go look for her.”
Justice frowns at my garbled speech. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Please, Romy. Just go wait on the couch. I’ll get someone to come take over, and then I’ll come help you.”
“Osay,” I slur before turning towards the hallway. I make it a few steps down the hall before I bump into someone. I look up at Derek and mumble my apology. “S’rry, Durick. Avu seen Tal-ya?”
He nods at a door behind me. “I think I saw her go that way.”
I frown. “Doesn’ that lead to the bash-ment?”
“Yeah. I have a stash of moonshine my cousin sent me from Kentucky last month. I think she wanted to try it.”
Moonshine? Talia?
Even my seriously tipsy brain knows that sounds weird.
“Thanks,” I mutter and head for the basement.
The stairwell is dark, and I hesitate, confused. If Talia’s down here, she’s wandering around without lighting. “Tal?” I call.
I run my hand over the wall until I find a switch. Dim string lights blink on, leading the way down the steps and into the darkened space beyond.
“Tal?” I call again.
From somewhere below, glass clinks.
I sigh, resigned. If Talia can march all over campus in stripper heels to look for me, I can brave one small basement.
Slowly, I descend the steps, the alcohol in me forcing me to go slow. My hands cling tightly to the bannister, and I blink, trying to steady the dizziness. My brain feels fuzzy, and I try to count back to how many drinks I’ve had. Three? Four? Not enough to feel like this.
At the bottom of the steps, I sway and decide enough is enough. I stagger farther across the space. The air is filled with the scent of old cigarettes and weed mixed with the distinct funk that is purely sweaty male. Though the basement is remodeled into some kind of man cave, the Deltas always deem it off limits for parties. It doesn’t make sense that Talia would sneak down here.
On my right is a small hallway that leads to what I can only assume is a bathroom or closet.
“Talia?” I call out.
No answer.
I wander slowly, craning my neck as I scan the shelves for their contents. The first row is filled with boxes and forgotten items from past Deltas. Four Mason jars sit gathering dust on one end of the second row, and I stop, frowning as I read the label that just says “Shine.”
Derek wasn’t lying about the moonshine.
He was, however, wrong about Talia coming to find it.
I’ve been played, and I’m not sure why, but Derek better have a good reason when I get back to the kitchen. My phone dings with a text, and I pause long enough to pull it out.
It’s from Kash. I snort as I read his name which he’s changed yet again and now reads
BestSexI’veEverHad: I know who ordered the attack on Danielle. Stay where you are. I’m coming to get you.
Holy shit. For real?
Me: Who??
I send a quick reply then tuck my phone away again.
I’m just about to turn for the stairs when a noise freezes me in place. From somewhere among the shelves and junk, a shoe scrapes against the cement floor.
“Tal?” I call, but my heart pounds with the certainty that Talia’s not the one slinking around down here.
Fuck. What had Kash said? To stay with the girls. I need to get my ass upstairs. Something feels very wrong.
The air moves behind me, lifting the hairs on the back of my neck.
Out of the corner of my eye, something swings out. A bat?
I jump back but not in time.
The blunt end connects with my head, and pain explodes inside my skull.
For a split second, a familiar face swims into view, and rage has me gritting my teeth against the intense pain. But then, dizziness washes over me, and my knees buckle. Blackness edges into my vision, blotting out the face, the bat, and everything else. I waver until a moment later, consciousness is stolen, and I slide toward the floor as everything goes dark.
The End—For Now
Romy’s adventures continue in The Girl Who Cried Captive, releasing February 18th. Pre-order your copy today!
Shoutouts from Heather
I’d like to thank the academy--
WAIT. Wrong speech.*refolds the paper and returns it to her bra*
Seriously, though, I want to thank a boatload of weirdos for supporting this book baby.
First, my adorable family who couldn’t take a serious photo if their life depended on it. I love you guys and I really appreciate how well you put up with my manic (GENIUS) personality like it’s no big deal, or that I’m normal or something. I love you all.
To the #ShadeSquad who supports literally everything I do, even the awkward LIVE videos and all the shady secrets I keep from them. You are all shady sisters from different misters, and I couldn’t do it without you.
To all the early readers on this book (and there were many), thank you for putting in your time and offering us your feedback-it meant so much! Even the text messages cussing me out are appreciated because isn’t great fiction supposed to give you an emotional response? If so, #nailedit!
To my ARC peeps who read and review like it’s their job, I heart you!
To Dawn, thanks for editing while you snorted laughter, and for being a fan of these characters right out of the gate. Your dedication to teaching me all the grammar is admirable but also an effort in futility. I think we both know I’ll need you forever.
And finally, to Bam. Amber. The Salt to my Pepa. My emotional support animal. The soul sista of my heart. In the great words of Dr. Evil, “you complete me.” I think we both know I’d be lost without your jokes or your ability to turn off FB Livestreams that I’ve let run on and on for an hour after I’ve left my house. Let’s get old together and still fuck shit up. And let’s keep writing hilarious books together that make us laugh until we pee.
Until next time, mothertruckers!
Shoutouts From Bam
This is probably the closest I'll ever get to a Grammy award speech, so here it goes….
First, it's against the law or something to not thank my famil
y. So thanks to the weirdos who share DNA with me or are forced to put up with me forever because I slept with your relative. You guys put up with a lot of my weird bookish things when all you want is new pics of the kids. Even though none of you actually read paranormal romance ...wait never mind. Forget them. They'll never see this. (In the off chance one of you does see this….SURPRISE….I wrote a book!)
To my #BookBoos, I am so lucky to have found you somewhere along my reading list. You always support whatever new weird endeavor I try, and I can't thank you enough for that.
To the #bombsquad, thank you for just being my people. I’m not sure how I convinced all of you to be friends with me, but hopefully whatever crazy pills you took are long lasting. Thanks for being my tribe.
Big thanks to Lissa, Jackie, Roxanne, and Dawn for all you did to help polish this book up. Your tiresome work and unending enthusiasm means the world to me. You gals are the tits.
To Mega, Joc, and Heather. Thank you so much for always being around to fangirl for me. You’re always the first to offer a helping hand or words of encouragement. You ladies make me feel like I can do anything. Your love and support is a rarity in this world, and I couldn’t be happier that our lives crossed paths.
For this one, I’m breaking out my nerd card. To my 3rd grade english teacher, Mrs. Higgins. You were the first person to encourage my love of writing. That carried me through my life when I met people like Dr. and Mrs. Van, who told me I could do whatever I put my mind to. The three of you helped shape so much of who I am. Even if I was just another face in the sea of students you taught over the years, the lessons the three of you taught me have stuck with me for my entire life. Thank you for seeing something in me that I wasn’t able to see myself and knowing exactly how to foster it and make it grow. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you.
And finally to my co-author and soul sister, Heather, I can’t even with you. Thank you so much for talking me down from one ledge and encouraging me to jump off another. You are the Yoda to my Skywalker. If this book never sold a single copy, I would still be so proud of the crazy world we have put together. Writing with you, much like anytime we’re together, is so much fun. Thanks for vibing with me. < That’s what she said.
The Girl Who Cried Werewolf Page 17
