by Ashley Jade
“Liam said he saw us in the closet, not the hallway.”
I’m grasping at straws here, but it’s all I’ve got.
I don’t want to believe Dylan would be capable of doing something so spiteful and vindictive.
Tommy nods. “Dylan deviated from the plan when she told me to go back inside. I was so angry with her, I decided to spill the beans to Liam myself…”
His voice trails off, but I need to hear the rest.
I push down on the bat. “Keep talking.”
He sputters a curse. “Liam didn’t believe me, so I told him I could prove it.” His face twists in pain. “I took him to the hallway, but you guys weren’t there. I quickly figured out where you might have gone because it was where we used to hang out. However, what I didn’t expect to see was…it didn’t look fake.”
It didn’t feel fake, either.
White-hot pain races through my chest. I hate that Tommy’s version of events line up perfectly with what actually went down that night.
He scowls. “I was pissed. I thought Dylan was my girl. Liam became upset too…even more than me.” He holds up his hands. “I fucked up, Jace. I was wrong for bullying him. But, man. I was so angry with her.” His nostrils flare. “Like a fool, part of me kept holding on to hope, but when I found out she moved away, everything made sense. The bitch was playing me too.”
What the actual fuck?
“She didn’t move away.”
“Yes, she did. A teacher at school confirmed it today. She’s gone, dude.” His eyes connect with mine. “Evidently, her father found out he landed a new job a couple of weeks ago.” His jaw tics. “Guess she wanted to burn a few bridges before she left Royal Manor for good.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
My lungs compress and my vision turns red.
It’s like seeing Liam hanging in the closet all over again…only somehow worse.
Because the person I trusted most in this world betrayed me.
Dylan’s intent might not have been for Liam to kill himself, but she still used him.
No, worse. The bitch intentionally hurt him, even though he was completely innocent.
Tension locks my jaw and rides down my neck. Liam never did a damn thing wrong to warrant being caught up in any of this.
Hell, he’d never even think about hurting Dylan. He’d rather die.
Liam never deserved any of this.
The roar that slashes through me as I place a foot on Tommy’s stomach and pick up the bat has a wet spot forming on the front of his pants.
I’m gonna kill him. I feel it in my bones.
It hurts too much, and Liam isn’t here to be my conscience and tell me all the good shit Mom used to spout off.
“Holy shit. Put the bat down, Jace.”
My lungs freeze when I see Liam making his way through the woods. “Liam?”
He’s okay. Everything is fine. I can fix my mistake. I can…
My heart drops when Liam walks over to me and I realize it isn’t Liam after all…it’s Cole.
Everything is not fine. It won’t ever be again.
“He hurt Liam.” Wet shit is dripping down my face, blurring my sight as I raise the bat. “Dylan hurt Liam.”
I hurt Liam.
Everyone at school hurt Liam.
Why’d they all have to laugh and pick on him?
Why couldn’t they just see him for the awesome, genuine person he was?
Why couldn’t I fall for someone like Britney instead of her?
I’m spinning in circles, but I can’t make it stop. I can’t make any of it stop.
All I know is I want my little brother back so bad I’d gladly trade my own life for his without hesitation.
And Tommy has to die, because it’s not fair that he’s allowed to go on breathing when Liam isn’t.
Cole squeezes my shoulder. “I know it hurts.” He pries the bat out of my hands. “But killing Tommy won’t make it better.”
Like hell it won’t.
Tommy begins slinking away, but Cole snatches his t-shirt.
“Just so we’re clear. Me stopping him from killing your sorry ass has nothing to do with you.” He crashes his forehead against Tommy’s. “If I still believed in God or any of that bullshit, I’d personally beg him to send you straight to hell where you belong.” He tightens his grip. “Swear on your family, if you ever say a word about what happened in these woods, I’ll—”
“I won’t.” His frantic eyes dart between us. “If my mom notices anything, I’ll blame it on someone else.”
I get close to his face. “Don’t think for one second this means we’re cool. You see me walking down the street, you better turn the other way and pray to whatever higher power you believe in that I don’t spot you first, motherfucker.”
“Got it.” He sits up and looks around, as though he’s waiting for us to stop him.
“Get the fuck out of here before I change my mind,” I shout so loud I’m positive my vocal cords have snapped.
Peeling himself off the ground, he hobbles out of the woods as fast as his punk-ass legs can carry him.
“What the fuck was that?” Cole grits out after he’s gone. “You were really going to kill him.”
“It hurts.” I sink to my haunches. “It hurts too much.”
He joins me on the ground. “You can’t do that to us, Jace. You still have me and Bianca. We need you.”
He’s right. It would be hard to take care of them from a jail cell.
“I miss him.”
I miss his smiles and his jokes. I miss his compassion for people and his understanding for those who didn’t deserve it.
I don’t know how I’m supposed to just accept that I’m never going to experience any of that again.
He made the world a better place.
Cole nods. “I do too. I…” He squeezes his eyes shut. “I feel different.” He pounds on his chest. “Something in here…it doesn’t feel right anymore.” His voice cracks. “I feel empty and hollow. Like I’m missing a big piece of something.”
“That’s because we are.” I dig the heels of my palms into my eyes to stop the wet shit dripping down my face. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.” Words clog my throat. “I don’t want to say goodbye to him.”
I just want to go numb.
Chapter 42
Dylan
A soft kiss behind my ear makes my eyelids flutter open.
We must have switched positions while we were sleeping because my back is pressed against Jace’s chest and he’s palming my breast.
“Good morning,” he rasps.
My nipples pucker when he rocks his hips and his cock nudges the curve of my ass.
Good morning indeed.
Reaching behind me, I run my hand along the swell of his erection. Just one small movement and he’d be inside me…exactly where I want him.
His teeth graze my shoulder. “Keep doing that and I’ll give you my dick for breakfast instead of eggs.”
The thought of Jace making me breakfast is sweet and all, but his other offer is more appealing.
“Promise?”
His fingers dig into my hips. “I’ve been rock hard for you for the last hour.” My heart kickstarts when he cups me between my legs. “So this will be quick.” I mewl when he spreads me open and teases me with the tip of his finger. “And dirty.”
He runs it back and forth over my clit before sliding down to my opening. “I love how wet your little pussy gets for me.” He dips his finger inside, sending shivers to my core. “It’s gonna feel so fucking good when you ride the cum out of my cock.”
My breathing turns choppy and I reach into the nightstand drawer for a condom.
The minute he’s suited up, he rolls onto his back and fists his dick. The hunger shadowing his eyes when he looks my way is unmistakable.
I want to keep the sight of him like this in my memory bank forever, because it’s honest to God the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
His gaze
is stormy as he pulls me on top of him. “You’re taking too long.” He brushes his knuckle over my nipple. “I’m an impatient motherfucker when it comes to you.”
Teasing him, I ever so slowly lower myself onto his cock.
His hands clasp my waist, and he juts his hips upward, filling me to the hilt. “You’re killing me here.”
Using the headboard for leverage, I rock against him. “Better?”
His lips part with a groan when I find a rhythm he likes. “Yeah, just like that.” Dark eyes roam over every inch of my skin. “Christ. You’re fucking gorgeous.”
Um…has he looked in the mirror lately?
A jolt of heat rushes through me when he presses his thumb to my clit.
I glare at him. I’m trying to concentrate on his pleasure so I can drive him crazy, and he’s making it beyond difficult to focus.
He gives me a smug smile and does it again, only this time he swirls the swollen nub and thrusts hard.
“Jace,” I hiss as he massages me in fast, wet circles.
His eyes darken as the sounds of him working me over fill the room.
My breath comes out in sharp bursts while he continues his slow torture. “Oh my God…” I tremble as the friction builds. “You asshole.”
I wanted to fuck him until he melted into a pile of goo, but as usual, he flipped the script and took control.
Gravel thickens his voice. “An asshole who’s about to make you come all over his dick.”
With one hand on my lower back, he takes my clit between his fingers and proceeds to drive his cock against a spot that lights me up.
Oh hell.
The first stirrings of my orgasm crash through me and I bite back a scream as I lose my balance.
Rough hands grab my ass and he pulls us into a sitting position, thrusting fast and wild.
I cling to his shoulders, clamping his dick as I fall apart.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he rasps against the skin of my throat, and then he’s joining me.
God, I love the way he groans as he comes. Carnal and savage, like he’s dying and waking up at the same time.
I graze my nails down his back as we catch our breath and he buries his nose in the crook of my neck, inhaling me. “You smell like sex and candy.”
“There’s a song about that, you know.”
He lets out a low, sexy laugh. “God, I fucking missed you.”
My heart rattles inside my rib cage. I want to pinch myself because it took us four long years to get to this place, but we’re finally here.
Nothing can tear us apart now. He’s embedded in my soul.
And I hope like hell he feels the same about me.
“Hey.” My hand finds his jaw. “We’re okay now…right?”
His features sharpen and that pained look in his eyes is back again. Slowly, he untangles his limbs from mine and reaches for his sweatpants on the floor.
“I’m gonna get a bottle of water. Want one? Maybe some food?”
Screw the refreshments. What I want is to know is why he always looks so riddled with guilt after being with me.
I clutch my chest as the vile thought infiltrates my brain. “Are you back with Britney?”
It’s the only logical explanation I can come up with at this point.
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? Hell no.”
That’s a relief at least.
I pull the sheets around me and he bolts for his door, like he can’t get away fast enough.
“Be back in a bit.”
Frustration jams in my throat.
I’m starting to think I should tie him up the next time I broach the topic with him.
That way he can’t run away.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jace’s voice booms from the other side of his door. “You brought her here?” A big thwack makes me jump. “In my mother’s bedroom?”
Oh, shit.
Scrambling, I put my clothes on and open his door.
My eyes widen as I take in the scene before me.
Jace is standing there shirtless, madder than I’ve ever seen him.
While his father looks…well, ashamed and very uncomfortable.
The beautiful, albeit timid woman hiding behind him, doesn’t look much better.
For a moment, I wonder if Mr. Covington is sleeping with one of his dead wife’s relatives. There’s no denying the uncanny resemblance she has to Jace’s mom…or Bianca for that matter.
Oh, boy. This is bad. Really bad.
I take a step forward. “Ja—”
“What the hell?” Cole questions as he comes out of his bedroom. Confusion mars his face as he looks between Jace and his father.
I can see the moment it clicks because he narrows his eyes. “Seriously? You couldn’t take your whore to a motel?”
Before his dad can answer, the door to Bianca’s room opens and she steps out. “What’s going on?” Yawning, she rubs the sleep out of her eyes. “Why is everyone yelli—” Her eyes zero in on the woman hiding behind her father. “Who is she?” Hope shines in her dark eyes and she turns to Jace. “Is she a family member visiting from India?”
“No. Our sperm donor just has a particular type,” Jace spits, glaring daggers at his father. “Ain’t that right, Pops?”
Clearing his throat, Mr. Covington attempts to speak, but Bianca cuts him off. “Wait…you spent the night with her? In Mom’s bed?” Her lower lip wobbles. “How could you do that?”
Understandably, the woman in question looks absolutely mortified.
Truth be told, I feel terrible. Unbeknownst to her, she just walked into a full-on warzone.
And the sinister look on Jace’s face tells me this is only the beginning.
Mr. Covington blows out a heavy breath. “I know you guys are upset, but I think we all need to calm—”
“Fuck you,” Jace yells. “You don’t know a goddamn thing about what this family needs.” He laughs, but there’s not an ounce of humor. “Christ, you can’t spend time with your kids, but you have time to fuck her?”
His father bristles. “Excuse me—”
“No.” Jace pins him with a menacing look. “You haven’t talked in over seven years, why start now?” His gaze flicks to the woman behind him. “I’ll tell you what though. I’d love to talk to your girl. Tell her all about the man she’s screwing.”
Shaking, the shy woman buries her head against her lover’s shoulder.
“That’s enough,” Mr. Covington barks. “Leave Nadia alone.”
Whatever composure Jace was hanging on to snaps and he advances on his dad. “Wrong time to find your balls, Jason.” He shoves him. “It’s enough when I fucking say it is.” Flashing some teeth, he crooks a finger at Nadia. “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I don’t bite.”
She cowers.
I don’t blame her. Jace is acting like an unhinged maniac.
It’s been a long time coming though. Sooner or later all volcanoes erupt.
Jace squeezes his father’s shoulder. “I also don’t cheat on my wife or ignore my kids like he does.”
Mr. Covington’s pale skin turns white as a sheet.
“You told me your wife died,” the woman whispers.
All three siblings leer at her, but it’s Jace who speaks.
“She did, so don’t worry.” The look he gives his father makes my blood run cold. “You’re not the one he cheated on my mom with. That was a different whore.”
The sick feeling in my stomach intensifies when Cole and Bianca rear back in shock.
“You cheated on Mom?” Cole bites out
“Oh my God.” Bianca looks at her dad. “How could you?”
“I did not cheat on your mother!” Mr. Covington shouts.
Jace’s eyes become tiny slits and he gets close to his father’s face. “Liar, liar pants on fire.”
Mr. Covington shakes his head profusely. “No—”
“Mom told me about you and your secretary,” he grits out. “So don’t you dare fuck
ing stand there and tell me she lied.”
He sucks in a sharp breath, no doubt realizing he’s caught in a catch-22 and needs to tread carefully. “There are a lot of things I’ve done wrong in my life, but cheating on your mother wasn’t one of them.” He looks at all three of his children. “I loved her more than anything.”
Even more than his own kids.
His gaze drifts back to Jace. “I loved your mother dearly, but she had a lot of issues. There were times her manic-depressive episodes were so bad she believed things that weren’t true—”
I gasp when Jace punches him. “Shut your mouth. Mom wasn’t a liar.”
Stumbling back, Mr. Covington holds his jaw. “Jace, I—”
Jace bares his teeth. “Shut the fuck up.” He focuses his attention on Nadia again. “You want to know what kind of man Jason Covington really is?”
Without waiting for an answer, he spreads his arms wide and says, “He’s the kind of man who will marry you and whisk you away to a new country to start your lives together…but then never let you see your family again. No matter how sad you are or how much you miss them.”
I hear his teeth clack. “He’s the kind of man who ignores his children for years.” He punches his chest. “The kind of man who couldn’t be bothered with his own flesh and blood, so I had to step in and raise them.” He shrugs. “I didn’t do a bad job though, right? I mean, only one out of four died.” His laugh is cruel and ominous. “Who knows? Maybe—just maybe—Liam would still be alive if you were there. Perhaps if you paid a little bit of attention to your son, he wouldn’t have died. Ever think of that, Dad?”
My heart sinks. Considering his company manufactured the drug responsible for killing him, that was the lowest of the low blows.
Mr. Covington’s green eyes fill with sadness. “Ja—”
“No.” There’s a dark note in Jace’s voice I’ve never heard before. “Of course, you didn’t.” Pure agony—the kind that twists my guts and makes the tiny hairs on my arms stand on end—contorts his expression as he grabs his father by the collar and looks him in the eyes.
“After all, you’re the man who made me take my little brother down from the closet door and cut the rope off his neck…because you couldn’t fucking do it!”