“I don’t know so much.” Maddox shakes his head. “One thing I can tell you is that the shit will hit the fan if you fuck around with Stephan.”
“Do you think there are more of them?” I am genuinely curious, but I’m also trying to change the subject. I’m glad when it works.
“Without a doubt. I’m going to be protective of you while we’re here. I can’t help it. I’m not trying to run your life. We’re family, Raven. If it were up to me, we’d share a room.”
“I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. Besides, I don’t get bad vibes from them.”
Maddox frowns. “You don’t know what his powers are.”
“I do. He told us he can—”
“We only know what he told us. They’re withholding information. I know they are.” Although Maddox is still whispering, he’s more animated. “I don’t like it. Be careful, Raven. Promise me!”
“I will.” I touch the side of my brother’s arm. “I promise. Our car will be fixed in a few days. We’ll be out of here before anyone knows we were in Newfolk.”
“I saw some pictures on social media,” Maddox says. “Pictures of West fighting Rage. There’s a picture of you throwing in the towel. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t like it either. They were looking for us when we first left, but I don’t think they are anymore.” I want to believe it. I want to so badly that it makes me vibrate inside. I’m so sick of running. I’m so tired.
“I think you’re wrong.” Maddox has always seen the glass as half-empty. “They don’t know she died. Then there’s you.”
I feel pain blossom; my throat clogs for a moment. I wait for the unwanted emotions coursing through me to pass. “They don’t give a shit about me. I think we’ll be okay for a few days. It might be nice to just…relax. To put our feet up. Take a swim or a walk in the garden. How long since you sniffed a rose?”
Maddox chuckles softly. “Never.”
“It’s about time you tried it, then.” I laugh as well. “My point being, let’s enjoy this while we can.” I gesture around the room. “We’ll leave soon enough. I’m sure we’ll be okay.”
Maddox doesn’t look convinced. “Yeah…we can’t get too comfortable, though, Raven. We need to stay on our guard and look out for each other. That includes West. He’s one of us.”
I nod. “You’re right.”
“I’m always right.” He grins at me. I can see the sadness in his eyes, lurking just below the surface.
“You wish!” We both laugh, but our voices are a little too shrill. I’m hugging myself, and Maddox’s hands are clenched. I wonder if we’ll ever be able to settle down. Live our lives and just be. Maybe at some point in the future.
Not now!
It’s still too soon.
7
Raven
I can’t sleep.
The bed is comfortable. Dinner was great, but I keep thinking about the day we had. Everything that happened. I haven’t had a chance to apologize to Stephan or to thank him for helping us. He disappeared into his workroom all afternoon. When he finally came out, we all chipped in to make dinner. Stephan ate with us but hardly said two words. Half an hour later, he was gone. When he said he had a deadline to work on, he wasn’t joking around.
I’ve heard him moving from time to time. That, and typing. There’s been lots and lots of typing. It hasn’t bugged me. At least, that’s not why I can’t sleep. I guess I’m tempted to knock on his door. To say what I need to say and then get some shuteye.
I didn’t want to bug him, though. Now I don’t hear him anymore. I wonder if he might have gone to bed. I reach out with my senses, but I can’t hear a thing. The walls are thick, so he might very well be sleeping by now. It is after eleven. I guess he could have gone upstairs to his ‘real’ bedroom.
I listen some more and then decide to go and get something to drink. I’m hoping Stephan has chamomile tea. If not chamomile, then something herbal. I pad to the kitchen and switch on the kettle. Then I look in the cupboards close by. I find several herbal teas. No chamomile, but the ginger will work nicely.
I set about making my tea, letting the bag steep for a minute or two. I hear water lapping.
The pool.
It might be pleasant to sit out back on the deck. The weather is lovely this time of year. It’s not something we can do when staying at those dingy motels. I’d have to sit in the parking lot if I wanted to enjoy the evening outdoors.
I look down at myself. I’m wearing an old T-shirt. I think it used to belong to Maddox. It was dark blue with a bright red star on the front, but it’s faded now. It still does a good job of covering me up. Mug in hand, I walk through the living room, heading to the doors that lead outside. The whole far wall is made of stackable glass doors, so it’s easy to see outside.
I stop in my tracks when I see a dark shape glide through the water. The pool has dim lights on either side. I can see it’s Stephan because of his dark hair and his big build. Maddox doesn’t swim like that. Stephan uses effortless strokes to glide through the water. He does so almost noiselessly. There is just the soft sound of the water lapping that I heard earlier.
I walk closer to the door, watching through the windows. I should head back to my room and give Stephan his space, but I don’t. I want a closer look.
I watch him.
A good couple of minutes go by. Again, I think to myself that I should go. I’ve intruded enough. I should, but I still don’t. He keeps swimming, moving smoothly through the water. I guess I’m technically not doing anything wrong. I don’t want to disturb him, but at the same time, I should let him know I’m here. I suppose that would be the right thing to do.
I’m about to open the door to alert him to my presence when he stops swimming. He stands up in the water. Holy moly, but his chest is a thing of beauty. So are his arms. Water cascades down his body; he’s waist-deep. He runs a hand over his face and through his hair. Then he’s getting out of the pool.
Ass!
Thighs!
Back to his meaty ass!
Holy shit!
Stephan is naked. He has his back to me. I really should go now. Or say something. Or turn away. I’m rooted to the spot. My eyes are glued to him. My heart is racing. I can hear it beating wildly. I’m not sure if it’s my breathing or my heart that gives me away. Could be the squeaky noise I make as he reaches for a towel. It’s soft. Like a mouse. I think he hears me anyway.
I see all his muscles contract as his back stiffens. He turns around. All the way around. Naked as the day he was born. Our eyes lock for a second.
Only for a second, because I can’t keep my eyes on his. Oh no! I have to go and check him out.
Yes!
What the hell is wrong with me? I should turn away or act shocked or something. My reaction should be something along those lines, but I don’t think oxygen is getting to my brain. Yep, that’s the problem. I can’t think clearly because I’m oxygen-deprived.
My mouth is hanging open as my eyes track his broad chest. His abs. Good lord, but those abs… He has a narrow waist and a cock that was god-given. That’s for sure. It gives a twitch under my scrutiny. Make no mistake, I’m scrutinizing…big time.