“We need to try and sober up Oliver, he can give us inside information and help us with traveling in pairs.” Caine thinks out loud
Brody better be somewhere safe because I can’t worry about him and keep a proper eye on everything around me. I will be expected to trace, track, and follow all movements. This is my expertise, but I know none of the others will know how to handle Brody should they come face to face. He won’t be himself and the Monster is not something to fuck with.
I know he’s not medicated right now because he needs to think strategy and that just means his instincts belong to the Monster, too.
Instincts that fight without thought of flight.
The restaurant is empty tonight with just a few couples coming in for dinner. The holidays are meant to be spent with families unless the family you have are all dead, then I guess go to your nearest greasy restaurant, and order a fucking burger.
“Kailey,” the owner calls out from the back. “After these few are done we’ll head out. No need to stay late tonight.”
“Sounds good.” I call back and begin to pull the bags out of the garbage bins. Might as well start the closing chores.
I gather up the few bags and head through the back, opening the back door for the dumpster. I toss the bags inside and hear someone’s throat clear, not just anyone’s.
“Why would you want to work in this grease pit?” His pretentious voice drips with disgust.
“Because I had a father who left me with a mountain of debt and not many skills to boast about.” I snap back.
“I don’t know about that,” he chuckles. “You can ride dick pretty well. That’s a needed skill.”
“Are you okay, Brody?” I ask and watch as he steps out of the shadows.
His eyes look empty again and his voice is hollow.
“I’m good.” He nods. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I whisper, then I shake my head. “No.”
“Miss me?” His voice is taunting but holds a note of something else in it, hope maybe or I’m just hoping it does.
“It’s complicated.” I answer truthfully. “I want you safe. Come home with me and we can help you.”
“I have everything planned out, Kails. I just needed to make sure you were okay.” He kicks at a tin can. “That you were staying strong.”
“I survived your brother and then I survived you, Brody. I’m strong.” I lift my chin and glare at him.
“That’s what I needed to hear.” He steps forward and flicks my nose. “I’ll see you around.”
“Wait!” I call to his retreating back. “When will you be home?”
He lifts his hand up but continues to walk away, I watch him until I can’t see him any longer, and then I continue to watch the dark shadows a little longer. I head back inside and my phone pings in my apron. I pull it out and swipe open the screen, hoping to see Brody’s name.
Cooper: I’m waiting outside for you. Let me know when you’re done.
Me: Perfect! Getting off early.
I charge the last two people and close up the register. I call out my goodbyes to the owner and head outside. I see Cooper’s Wrangler idling in the lot, his face is illuminated inside by the light of his cell phone, and he looks up as if sensing me.
He quickly jumps out of the Jeep and looks around as he jogs to my side.
“Hey?” I give him a confused look. He’s acting a little overprotective.
“Hi, Sha.” He gathers me up in his arms and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Mmm, is that french-fries I smell?”
I groan and shove him away. “I’m probably shiny as hell too, huh?”
“Nah,” his grin is wide and those dimples flash at me, making me swoon.
We get into the Wrangler and he looks at me with a serious face.
“He’s home.” He says.
I nod, “yeah, I…”
“And his father is dead.”
“What?” I gasp.
“Kennedy Ballon was found strangled in his bathtub at home.”
He’s not talking about Brody, he is talking about Oliver, and that means Oliver hasn’t been trying to kill Brody. I don’t know why, but I decide them not knowing that Brody has been around is for the best. Yes, I am protecting the man that tried to destroy me.
“Is Oliver at the house?” I ask.
“No, he left soon after he showed up, he seems like maybe he’s been drinking a lot.”
“It’s time Oliver and I have a talk about him avoiding me.” I mutter and watch the passing streetlamps as Cooper takes me home.
When we step inside, I can feel the tension like a suffocating smoke, clogging the air, and seeping into our pores. Caine steps out of the family room and strides up to me.
“We need to talk.”
“Yeah.” I nod and follow him inside the family room.
Zeke is sitting on the couch and tapping away on two separate laptops, he barely looks up to acknowledge me.
“Coop told me Oliver is back.” I tell them and Zeke finally looks away.
“He is and his father was found dead earlier today.”
“He told me that too.” I nod.
“We think Brody did it.” Caine says to me.
“Why?” I frown.
Zeke turns one of his laptops around and I see a very fat, naked man, sprawled out in his tub, and water all over the floor.
“Okay.” I look up at Caine. “Why do you think Brody did it?”
“His throat, Sha.” Cooper whispers as he comes up behind me.
“Oh,” I see the markings on the man’s throat, eerily similar to the ones fading on mine.
“Kennedy Ballon was a bad man.” I shrug. “He did this town a favor.”
“No Bebelle,” Zeke shakes his head. “He has started a war and now the families will be eyeing each other, waiting for someone to pounce. We have to stay safe and always be in pairs.”
“One of us will be with you at all times.” Caine nods.
“Sometimes maybe two.” Cooper breathes into my ear and I shiver at the thought.
“I need a shower.” I groan and start up the stairs.
“Need a back washer?” Cooper playfully calls out.
I want to tell him yes, I want to be ready to be intimate with them again, but I can’t. It has nothing to do with the trauma and everything to do with the fact that I don’t want to replace Brody just yet. I know, I’m a fucking loser.
“Rain check!” I call out.
The shower runs cold by the time I shut it off. I can’t stop thinking about Brody and if he really did kill that man, Oliver’s father. Then there’s Oliver himself, disappearing and then reappearing like I haven’t been trying to get a hold of him. He still hasn’t tried to contact me.
I dress in a comfy pair of pajamas and head back down with the guys. They are right where I left them, only now they’re arguing about motives and power.