“Stop,” Clay calls just as Macon’s fist rears back, ready to punch. “You’ll get in trouble. I won’t.”
Milo chuckles, eyeing her and the knife in her hand, but then everything seems to happen all at once, his face falling. Clay approaches, Macon steps out of the way, and I watch her raise the blade to his face.
“Clay, no!” he screams. “Ah!”
He winces as she drags the knife across his cheek, from his temple down to the corner of his mouth, and I stand there, impressed, and a little scared I’m not more scared.
“Clay…” But I stop, the deed already done.
Milo gasps and sputters, blood dripping down his face and off his chin, and Clay squats down to make eye contact. I can hear the tears in her throat.
“Now, when you go to get stitches,” she tells him, “you’re going to tell them that you cut yourself shaving.”
Macon watches her, and I squeeze my phone so hard the plastic whines.
“When your parents ask, you tell them you cut yourself shaving,” Clay goes on. “And when the next woman in your life asks about your scar, you’re going to remember that if I get even a hint that you have done this to anyone else, they won’t find you with another scar. They won’t find you at all.” And then she raises her voice and presses the point of the blade to the other side of his face as Army holds him. “Don’t you ever touch her again! Not a finger!”
“Okay! Okay!” Milo pleads. “Okay…”
Clay rises, Macon looming behind her and watching her intently.
Army lets Milo fall to the ground, and he grabs his bloody cheek as Clay moves over to Callum.
He sits there, slouching and knees spread, watching as if it’s a show and he’s not outnumbered.
“That was hot,” he tells Clay.
His eyes flash to the side as Dallas moves behind him, and I watch my brother stare down at him, his eyes unreadable.
Clay steps in front of him, still holding the knife.
“You really want to do this?” he asks her. “Make all the threats you want. Promise to sink me in the swamps for the gators. You and I both know that what you can do, so can I.”
I drop my eyes to my phone, slowly moving my thumb over the screen.
“You didn’t learn, did you?” he asks her. “That’s why you always pick on the weak, Clay. You can’t beat me if the playing field is even.”
And I press Play.
“Did you know,” Callum’s voice drifts through my phone, “that a structure can be deemed a historical landmark and cannot be destroyed after it reaches one-hundred years old?”
Everyone turns to look at me, taking in the cell in my hand. Callum’s eyes sharpen on me.
“And while fucking for me will get you Mercutio, fucking me will get you a meeting with Raymond FitzHugh to push through your petition to protect the lighthouse? And, in effect, your land?”
Macon’s body turns rigid, and Dallas lets loose a snarl.
“Fucking me good guarantees it, in fact.”
I pause the recording, stepping up to Clay’s side. “The playing field is…” I shake my head, loving the way his lips tighten and that fucking smile is gone. “Not even, Callum.”
I feel Macon’s heat rolling off him, and I know the wheels in his head are turning. He wants to do something, but maybe if I can get him out of here now, I can calm them all down.
“Not here,” I whisper to my brother. Not on their turf.
Another time. Another day. Somewhere not with cameras everywhere.
Callum tips his chin up, knowing I have the upper hand right now.
“Get out of here,” he finally tells us.
Clay stands there, and slowly, I take her hand, all of us backing away.
But my brothers stay, Dallas stepping toward Callum as Macon, Iron, and Trace flank him.
“Dallas, no,” I warn.
But no one looks at me as Macon speaks. “Army, get the girls home. We’ll be there soon.”
“Macon…”
“Now!” Macon yells, ignoring me.
Callum laughs, shaking his head as my brothers approach him. “Four against one. That’s no fair.”
“It’s just you,” Dallas assures him, cracking his knuckles. “And me. Now get inside.”
“And if I say no?”
Dallas explodes, whipping the back of his hand across Callum’s cheek, and Callum’s chair tumbles over with the force, sending him spilling to the ground.
I gasp as a line of blood flies out of Callum’s mouth and he lands on his hands and knees. He grabs his face, red seeping through his fingers as he glares up at Dallas.
“Now that’s a word I’ve never heard from you,” Dallas bites out. “Try it out. See what happens next.”
And for the first time, as worried as I am, I can’t help but force back a smile. It’s good to see Callum bleed.
“Now get inside,” Dallas tells him again.
Callum’s body shakes a little but his eyes and jaw harden as he rises. I wait for him to resist—to tell my brother “no”—but he doesn’t. With a slight smile curling the corner of his mouth, he finally turns and heads toward the clubhouse.
Dallas follows. “Watch the doors,” he says to Macon, Iron, and Trace.
Army pulls Clay and I away as I watch my brother disappear into the clubhouse with Callum.
“Stop them,” I urge Army as we walk.
But he just chuckles. “Are you on glue? Not a chance.”
Goddammit. We have what we need. We’re safe.
Macon, Iron, and Trace linger outside the door, keeping watch as Dallas gives Callum everything he deserves and more.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Clay grabs me once we’re clear. “They didn’t…”
“I’ll be fine.” I kiss her.
“We have the footage,” Army tells me. “You want me to erase it?”
I look up at my brother, knowing that when Clay called, he would know where they took me.
“Footage? What do you mean?” Clay inquires.
“Cameras,” I tell her. “That’s what Callum was talking about at Mariette’s. About the break-in? He gave me the key to Fox Hill. If I played nice with one of their escorts, he would play nice, too. He would give me his role in the play.”
“And you agreed to that?”
“Of course not.” I take her hand, trying to calm down the worry in her eyes. “It was never going to happen. My brothers used the key to get in and plant cameras throughout the facility. Now we can stockpile enough secrets and footage to keep St. Carmen off our backs. Callum will have more parties. And I’m sure that’s not even the worst of what’s going on there.”
“But you took the role?”
“Hell, yes. He tried to take my dignity,” I retort. “On many occasions in the last four years, Clay.”
She closes her mouth, her eyes softening as I’m sure she realizes she did the same thing, many times over the years. The comments, the looks, the snide smiles…
But she takes the back of my neck and presses her forehead to mine, closing her eyes, and I don’t see any of that anymore. All I see in front of me is my favorite thing in the whole world.
After a moment, I look to Army, not sure I can ever watch what could’ve happened to me in that room, but it’s the first log in the fire. We can’t delete it. “Store the footage,” I tell him.
I take her hand again, and we move, loading into one of the trucks.
“We should have Milo arrested at least,” Clay says.
“You know the law will protect them,” I point out. “We end it here, hopefully it stays that way. For us, secrets are a better weapon.”
“And if not…” she adds, tossing the knife on the dash..
I just laugh, climbing into the cab behind her. “You really gonna sink him into the swamp with a pair of cement galoshes?” I tease.
But she just looks past me, into the distance, serious and caging.
Oh, come on. She wasn’t serious about them not
finding his body if he ever did that again. I chuckle, but then stop when I see she’s still not laughing.
“Clay?” I press. “Babe?”
She cocks an eyebrow, lifting her chin and focusing on the wondrous trees out the windshield like they’re the most beautiful things ever and she can’t fucking hear me.
Army laughs under his breath, approving of the newest addition to the family.
Fucking great.
I KISS THE corner of her mouth, her warm breath soft and calm as she sleeps. I’ve barely slept. But it’s okay. I’m so happy, I don’t want to miss a moment.
I kiss the bruise on her cheek, reaching around and cupping her face to hold her close. I can’t believe what almost happened to her. Callum deserves to be in jail. They all do, but I know hurting them would bring attention on the Jaegers, so maybe I’ll just have to find another way to punish him.
In addition to what Dallas probably did to him after we left last night, that is. We saw the rest of her brothers—including Dallas—pull into the driveway a few hours after we got back, so thankfully, no one was arrested.
Callum is keeping his mouth shut.
But that doesn’t mean he’s even nearly paid for what he did. Liv likes to give the impression she’s a fighter, and she is, but she’s not steel, and thanks to a lot of people, including me, she’s been abused long enough. I’m her armor now.
I kiss her temple and her jaw, skimming my mouth over to hers and take it oh so gently so she feels the love. Her breathing hitches, her body stirring, and I slide my hand down her body, under the sheet, to between her legs.
I shiver at just the feel of her, and I hear her start to pant a little, her eyes still closed.
I watch her, working my fingers inside her, but I can’t take it. I want to kiss her down there. Her thighs fall open, and I pull the sheet off, sliding myself down her body.
But then my phone rings, and I stop.
Dammit. I grab it off the floor, knowing Liv’s awake already, but I don’t want her disturbed.
She gives a little groan in protest, grabbing me back, but I just laugh. “Shhh…” I tell her.
I see my mom’s name on the screen, and I answer. “Morning.”
“Where are you?” she bursts out.
Liv pulls me into her arms, and I kiss her. “Still at Liv’s,” I say.
Liv takes my other hand, putting it back where it was between her thighs.
I keep my laughter quiet.
“Okay, since I know you two are dating now, this changes things,” my mom tells me. “Are you sleeping in separate beds?”
Liv rears back, having heard that, and looks at me like she’s wondering if I’m aware how dumb my mom is.
“Of course not,” I say without shame. “You’re being homophobic.”
“Don’t you use that word with me!” Mom growls. “If she were Callum, there’s no way I’d allow it, either. Sex is big deal, Clay. You can’t just start treating this house like a hotel and practically living with your girlfriend!”
I roll my eyes, tipping my head back as Liv dives into my neck.
“I don’t care if you’re eighteen or not,” Gigi goes on. “I need to meet her. She’s coming to dinner tonight. Do you understand?”
My body is throbbing, Liv so warm under my hand.
“Clay?” Mom yells. “Are you being safe? You are still under my roof, you know.”
The room spins.
“Give me back the phone!” Mom cries. And then I hear my father’s voice. “I’ll handle your mother. Bring Liv to Coco’s at seven, okay?”
I nod, excited because that’s my favorite restaurant. “’Kay. Thanks, Dad.”
“Love you.” And he hangs up, letting me go.
I drop the phone and cover her body with mine, needing this more than food. “Let’s stay in bed all day,” I tell her.
“Just try to leave,” she threatens.
I straddle her, sitting up, and I can’t stop smiling. It’s probably all over social media, so if nothing else, I’m going to enjoy this one day before everyone else does their damnedest to infiltrate my peace of mind.
I stare down at her and pull off my T-shirt—her T-shirt—and grab her leather jacket from the end of the bed. If she’s going to see anyone naked in it, it’s going to be me.
I pull it on, leaving it unzipped, a strip of my bare skin visible down the middle with the hint of the curve of my breasts. I pull my hair out from the back and let her look.
She kneads my hips, shifting underneath me as her heated gaze falls down my body. “You definitely need a leather jacket.”
“We can go shopping later,” I tell her.
Any excuse to go shopping…
But she shakes her head. “No. You’ll wear mine.”
Yes, I will. No more hiding our little trinkets of each other.
My eyes fall on the bruise on her cheek again, and I take her hands, holding them in mine. “You should’ve posted that audio.”
She looks up at me, her smile slowly dissipating as a thoughtful expression crosses her face. “Maybe I will,” she tells me. “Or maybe I want to see what happens next.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Callum has slept in this house more nights than you. Did you know that?”
I freeze. What?
She inhales and exhales. “He and Dallas…” she almost whispers.
“What?” I exclaim, dumbfounded.
But she nods. “Last summer, for about a month.”
I gape at her. He and Dallas what? Is she serious?
“Dallas broke it off,” she tells me, “and Callum was not happy.”
Oh my God. I think, trying to find any clues I had, but there are none. Nothing that I picked up on, except…
Is that why he targeted Liv? Because she was a Jaeger he had access to at school every day and could hurt?
“I didn’t know Dallas was…”
“He’s bi,” she says. “But don’t bring it up. Dallas doesn’t like anyone in his business.”
I’d gathered as much.
“Callum, I’m pretty sure is not bi,” she tells me, almost as if she’s breaking some bad news. “Or straight.”
“Fuck…” I breathe out, thinking about all his taunting and the other girls at school.
But then a thought occurs to me. Last summer, Callum would’ve been seventeen. Dallas was at least twenty then. Callum could’ve gotten him into a lot of trouble, but of course, he would’ve outed himself in the process.
So, Callum went after Liv instead. It wasn’t random.
“It doesn’t excuse his behavior,” she says, “but the more I look around at the world, Clay, the more I realize that villains are a lot more complicated than we want them to be. Sometimes, they’re just people who are really afraid.”
It definitely doesn’t excuse anything.
“Everyone has a story, Clay.” She glides her hands up and down my thighs. “Callum will sink himself on his own. Or swim. And while we wait to see which, we have the cameras secretly recording every day to make sure he behaves himself. I like having that leverage over him.”
Especially since he can still send Dallas to prison.
“But what about your land?” I ask her. “You could use that video to blackmail his father.”
“Once they know we have footage, they’ll find the cameras and remove them,” she says. “We don’t want to give up that ace yet. I was actually hoping your mom and dad can help with the land.”
Oh?
“Did you know structures over a hundred years old can be petitioned to be protected as historical landmarks?” she taunts. “Your parents sit on the city council, right?”
I smile, leaning down, nose to nose. “Are you just dating me for my power?”
She flips me over and comes down on top of me. “I love having a powerful girlfriend,” she whispers over my lips.
Goosebumps spread at the sound of that word. “I love that I’m your girlfriend.”
&
nbsp; She nibbles my ear, and I can’t think about anything else anymore this morning. Just excited for dinner, and tonight, and more nights, and a whole summer of her smiling and hopefully in a bikini.
“I love you,” I say.
“I love you, too.” She bites me gently. “And I want our flag back. Don’t think I’ve forgotten.”
“Well, my parents need to attend a reunion for my father’s old frat next weekend,” I taunt her. “I’ll be home alone. Doors locked. If you can get to me, you can have more than just the flag.”
She laughs against my skin. “Maybe you forgot what my last name is, but I love a challenge. And I promise. You won’t even hear me until I’m standing right behind you.”
Tingles spread up my spine, wanting time to slow down but excited for next weekend to get here. She’ll have to chase me, but I look forward to when she catches me.
Spreading open my jacket, she sucks on my nipple, but then I remember something else and grab my phone.
“Wait.” I stop her, bringing up the screenshot I took from something online. “Can we do this?”
I show her the pic of a splendid new position I want to try, and her eyes go wide. “Jesus, Clay…”
And I laugh as she covers my mouth with hers, groaning like I’m driving her insane.
• • •
The next morning, I stand with Liv in front of the school, under the tree as everyone exits cars and heads for the doors. I know people are looking, but I only stare at her hand in mine.
“You ready?” she asks quietly.
“They all already know.” I caress her fingers. “At least there’s that.”
She pulls me along, both of us making our way down the sidewalk as eyes turn and voices quiet, the stairs to the doors looming above.
“They’ll look,” she assures me, squeezing my hand. “They’ll talk. But every time they do, just remember they’re not feeling this.”
We climb the stairs, and I stop, my heart thumping, but it’s more because I’m excited for people to know I love her than dreading the pushback.
“Don’t worry,” I say, leaning in close and making no effort to hide my arm wrapping around her waist. “I’ll never not want to feel this.”
Tryst Six Venom Page 42