“I’m gonna soak these bagels in gasoline, slide ‘em onto your dick and light it up like a bonfire,” Kyan slurred as I twisted around in Saint’s lap, adrenaline bouncing through my limbs.
“Thanks.” I grinned at Saint, then went to climb through to the back seat but he held on tighter, refusing to let me go.
“I think I’m owed a better thank you than that.” He smirked like the dark god he was as Monroe and Blake fought to get into the back seat of the car.
“Well, what would you like? A gift basket full of torture devices? Or sex toys?” I asked sweetly and he snared my mouth in a fierce kiss, his tongue hot and demanding against mine.
When he released me, I was flushed and grinning.
“You can send the gift basket too,” he taunted.
Blake scrambled his way into the back seat with the desperation of a starving dog as he kicked Monroe away, his need to win sparking in his green eyes. Monroe grabbed the back of his waistband, trying to haul him out by it, but Blake held on to Kyan’s arm and his sweatpants went flying down his legs to his ankles, baring his ass while Monroe fell down in the mud.
I fell apart laughing as I rolled into the passenger seat and clipped my belt in place. “Shotgun,” I sang and Saint smirked at me satisfactorily.
“Goddammit, Blake,” Monroe growled as Blake was forced to wiggle into the middle seat while he tugged up his pants and Monroe climbed in beside him, shutting the door hard. Saint started up the engine, taking off down the road, gathering speed by the second.
I frowned at the phone sitting in a holder on the dashboard in confusion. “I thought you gave all the phones to Mila and Danny.”
“I have spares for us all,” Saint said simply.
“Does it have the same passcode?” I swiped it up, unlocking it with the code he’d given me earlier and his lips twitched like he wanted to reprimand me for that, but couldn’t think of a suitable reason to do it.
And I sure as hell wasn’t scared of his punishments anymore. I headed onto his music app, finding it stocked with all kinds of classical songs and a bunch of playlists for just white noise. Not exactly a barrel of fun. I started to build a more Tatum friendly playlist as I connected it to the Bluetooth in the car.
“Don’t play anything by that Bieber boy,” Saint warned. “I will not have my ears assaulted.”
“Oh come on, Saint, you could use the culture lesson,” I teased.
“I assure you, I do not need any such thing,” he said lightly.
I hadn’t been planning on playing some Bieber, but now the temptation was just too high to ignore. I chose Anyone and grabbed Saint’s hand as he thrust it towards the off button on the dash. I ran my thumb along the centre of his palm and the tension in his shoulders eased as he met my gaze for a moment.
“Love you,” I mouthed, meaning it from the depths of my heart - even if I did say it five percent to distract him.
His features softened and he brought my hand to his mouth, stamping his lips to the back of it before resting both of our hands on his thigh.
I actually really liked this song and when Blake started singing along, I joined in, soaking in the sweet feeling of freedom I felt with being on this endless road that stretched away into the distance with the four loves of my life.
It wasn’t much longer before Hemlock City came into view on the horizon and we drove through the suburbs which were deathly quiet. I’d heard the lockdown was especially strict in higher populated areas and it made me sad to think of all those people stuck in their homes, fearing what was going to happen. It was uncomfortable knowing we carried a box of vaccines that could protect some of them. But we had to be sensible about what we did with them. We couldn’t just hand them all out, we needed to find someone who would know how to make more from this batch. Humanely. Without using me as a damn blood farm.
We drove through the city, the high rises casting long shadows across the ground as the sun began to set, the place eerie with how quiet it was. The few people we did see wore masks and were hurrying along like they were desperate to get to their location. It made me miss normality more than ever. And I hoped we found a way back it. Because seeing the effect of the Hades Virus first-hand like this made me worry there wasn’t going to be a normal to go back to.
Saint eventually drove around the back of a boarded up old building and came to a stop in front of a set of metal shutters. They rattled as they opened and I frowned in surprise as Saint drove down into an empty underground parking lot, the camera aimed down at us apparently recognising the plates on the car.
“What is this place?” I asked excitedly.
“A safe house,” Saint replied simply.
“I know that,” I said in exasperation. It was like getting blood out of a stone with him sometimes and I swear he took a sick kind of pleasure in that. “But I expected some fancy ass manor house or something.”
“That would be far too obvious,” Saint replied, offering me a dark smile before parking and stepping out of the car. Cunning bastard. Why did that get me so hot?
I headed out too and Monroe and Blake followed, clustering close to me protectively and I wondered if they even realised that they were doing it. It was cute as shit though and I certainly wasn’t complaining.
“So, who’s gonna wake the beast?” Blake questioned, tossing a smirk at Kyan who was still fast asleep in the car.
My heart squeezed at how peaceful he looked and I wondered if Deepthroat’s death had helped him sleep better. He wasn’t even protecting his crotch anymore like he always did. Though I couldn’t imagine he’d wake up like Sleeping Beauty even if I gave him true love’s kiss.
Saint hammered his fist on the window Kyan was resting his head against and he jerked awake, reaching for a knife that wasn’t there before lunging ferally at the glass.
“We’re here,” Saint announced calmly. “Wipe the drool from the upholstery and grab a bag.” He popped the trunk and we all moved forward to grab the arsenal of shit he had stashed there.
“Jesus, Saint,” I breathed. “How long have you been planning this?”
“Six to eight weeks,” he said simply. “But I have always had a bag packed in this car for any eventuality since long before you came into our lives, siren.”
I had to admire his forethought as I shouldered a pack, but Kyan plucked it straight off my back and shouldered it himself.
“Um, I’m not a mouse. I can carry some shit,” I said, trying to swipe a bag from Nash but he lifted it above my head so I couldn’t.
“No, you’re a queen. We live to serve,” Saint replied, walking away and the others smirked at me like his words said it all.
It was totally eighteenth century of them but also damn sweet, so I just counted my lucky stars for these guys and headed after them with a blush lining my cheeks. Apparently chivalry wasn’t dead, even if the four of them were more than happy to ravish and corrupt me. I guess I got the best of both worlds.
We all followed Saint to a set of stairs that wound up into the building. When we stepped through a door on the first level, the faint scent of popcorn reached my nose and my brows arched as Saint flicked on a light, illuminating the abandoned foyer of a movie theatre with well-worn red carpet on the floor. There were still posters on the walls for movies dating back five years and old movie tickets scattered around the place. Saint kept walking, moving through a door marked for staff only and I shot a grin at Kyan beside me as he blinked groggily at our surroundings.
Upstairs was a large room with a window that overlooked one of the movie theatres, the huge screen layered with dust. The room looked freshly renovated with two double beds and a suite of leather furniture. There was a small kitchenette with a fridge which was humming softly, telling me it was on and as Saint popped it open, I spotted large bottles of water stocking it, as well as a row of vodka bottles and beers. He placed the vaccines inside, nestling them at the back.
“How long have you had this place?” Nash asked, his eyes wide
with surprise as he gazed around it, taking in the huge TV on the wall and the brand new Xbox set up beneath it.
“Long enough,” Saint said as he took food from one of the bags, carefully arranging it in the fridge.
As he put some things in the cupboards, I noticed they were already stocked with tinned food. It was a freaking cache.
“You’re best to assume Saint can produce million dollar notes outta his asshole whenever he likes,” Kyan said. “It’ll stop your jaw from dropping every time he does something ridiculous.”
“Being prepared isn’t ridiculous,” Saint clipped.
“Being overprepared is,” Kyan tossed back. “Not that I’m complaining, brother. You’ve saved our asses here. And not for the first time.”
A smile danced around Saint’s lips and I felt one pulling at my own. He really was amazing.
Kyan tugged the fridge open, grabbing a beer and popping the cap off with his teeth.
“I’ll take one of those,” Blake called and Monroe headed over to grab one too, passing me a bottle before claiming his own.
We all sat down on the couch with a beer in hand as Saint finished putting everything away. None of us bothered to offer him any help because he’d absolutely refuse it. Saint was in his OCD zone, and he needed to put things in whatever order made sense to him. I’d learned that a long time ago.
“To being on the run.” Blake held up his beer and we all clinked our bottles to his before taking a sip.
I snuggled back into my seat between Kyan and Monroe and Kyan slung an arm around me. “So what now?” Kyan asked. “Are we gonna have to ride out the apocalypse here?” He sounded kinda hopeful as he eyed his baseball bat which sat among the luggage Saint was unpacking.
“Obviously not,” Saint said, but he didn’t elaborate beyond that.
“Sooo, what is the plan?” I pressed.
Saint paused in his work, looking over at us then sighed, rising to his feet and heading to the fridge. He poured himself a measure of a vodka in a crystal fucking glass then moved to perch on the arm of the chair opposite us. “We have three urgent tasks we need to accomplish. The first, is to ensure Tatum is never found by my father and remains safe within our care at all times.” The boys all nodded and my heart filled up with sunlight. “The second task is finding a virologist of good nature to give those vaccines to. Someone who has the skill to produce more of the vaccine in a timely manner whilst maintaining the secrecy of their source. And finally, the third task is eradicating my father and all that he stands for, including the sadistic club which he is connected to and likely involved in the running of. We will expose him and his friends for what they are and ensure they are so thoroughly crushed beneath our heels that they may never rise from the dust again.”
“Wait, your Dad is a member of Royaume D’élite?” I gasped, looking to the others. “How long have you known that?”
“I didn’t think we did,” Blake balked.
“You did not, but I have spent quite some time working over the facts available to us and it seems like a strong assumption to make,” Saint said, brushing a speck of lint from his knee. “Of course, there is room for error in that estimation and believe me when I say, I do not like taking gambles on vague assessments without damning proof. But in these circumstances, I have deemed it necessary to make a…” He trailed off, his features contorting.
“Guess?” Nash finished for him with a smirk and Saint winced like the word repulsed him.
“Yes, if you must call it that,” Saint muttered in disgust. “I understand if the four of you would like to debate the validity of such a decision and perhaps take a vote on whether this assumption can be given enough credit to assume it is true for the purposes of our actions from here on out.”
I shared glances with the others, everyone’s face saying the exact same thing, so I voiced it for us all. “We trust you.” The guys nodded and Saint glanced between us, satisfaction filling his gaze.
“Good.” He pushed to his feet, walking over to the pile of bags. He took out a collection of new phones and tossed us one each then took his own from his pocket. “You will not contact each other through anything other than this app.” He showed us his screen, pointing out the red and white icon and I picked up my phone, finding the same one on it.
“It will take you to a secure server where we can speak through an online chatroom. You can make calls through it too, each of your contact information is stored here under animal codenames. Kyan you’re Koala, Tatum you’re Tigress, Nash is Nighthawk and Blake you’re Baboon.”
“Baboon?” Blake blurted. “Why do I get Baboon? Why not Bear or Boa Constrictor or something cool?”
“Because you are a baboon,” Saint said smoothly and I snorted a laugh.
“Kyan’s hardly a koala,” Blake complained.
“On the contrary, koalas are quite vicious,” Saint reasoned.
“And cuddly,” I added, pinching Kyan’s cheek and he smiled wickedly.
“So what are you?” Monroe asked Saint curiously.
“He’s Squid!” Kyan announced and I laughed wildly, nodding my agreement.
Saint’s eyes turned to deadliest nightshade. “I am not Squid. I’m Scorpion.”
“You’re totally Squid,” Blake said, bouncing in his seat. “Especially if I’m Baboon.”
“I am not Squid,” Saint hissed venomously. “End of discussion.” He turned sharply away, heading back to the bags to finish unpacking the food and I caught Kyan’s eye as the two of us cracked up.
“Squid’s in a mood,” Nash muttered and I roared a laugh, making Saint swear furiously.
I settled back into my seat and we all watched some trashy TV for a while. I started to get a little sleepy as I sat there, a yawn pulling at my mouth. It had been a seriously long day, but despite all the changes and the danger we were still in, I felt kinda happy. Just being with my Night Keepers like this was a blessing after so long in that horrid lab. I was free now, back where I’d ached to be for weeks, imagining how good it would feel to be with them again. And it was better than my imagination had even come close to conjuring.
I got out of my seat as I drained the last of my beer, heading over to toss the bottle in the trash. Then I fell down on the nearest bed and pretended to make a snow angel with my arms and legs. “Whose bed is whose?”
Saint stood up, gazing down at me hungrily and my pulse went haywire. “This place was initially created for just me, Blake and Kyan. Clearly, I would have had this bed and they would have shared.”
“Clearly,” Kyan mocked from across the room. “But now shit’s changed so I’ll be having a marital bed with my wife and you’ll all have to share the other bed or fight over the couch.”
“If you start that wife shit up again, Kyan Roscoe, I will make you sleep down in the car,” Saint warned.
“But she is my wife,” Kyan said cockily. “No two ways about it.”
“That doesn’t serve you extra privileges,” Saint hissed and Nash and Blake looked ready to go to war to ensure that was true.
I pushed myself up to sit and glared at Kyan. “I belong to every guy in this room equally. Don’t be a dick.”
Kyan nodded. “I know. I get that. And I’m allowing that.” He smiled mockingly, tossing me a wink and I knew he was just winding them up, but they really didn’t like it so I didn’t encourage him.
“You’re not allowing anything,” Monroe snarled.
“Aren’t I?” Kyan teased, knocking an elbow into his ribs.
“No, you’re not,” Saint growled. “End of discussion. I’m going to take a shower.” He finished putting the food away and headed through a door to what I guessed was a bathroom, taking one of the bags with him.
Kyan grabbed one of the Xbox controls, kicking his feet up on the coffee table and started a game. Monroe grabbed a control too, but I was surprised when Blake didn’t join in, instead getting up and heading to the fridge. He spent a minute rummaging before taking out a bottle of water and w
alking over to me, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. “I’m gonna go explore. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Want an adventure buddy?” I asked, jumping up and he hesitated for a moment, glancing over at Monroe and Kyan with a faint frown.
“Blake?” I breathed, clutching his arm. “What’s up?”
He slapped on a bright smile and shook his head. “Nothing, come on then.” He took my hand and led me to the exit.
“You look after her,” Monroe warned and Blake gave him a serious nod.
“With my life, Nash.”
A shiver ran through me at their protective ways. I could sure as shit look after myself, but them going all alpha wolf pack on me was seriously hot sometimes. I’d just needed to remind them that I was an alpha of my own variety too, with teeth and claws as sharp as theirs.
We headed downstairs into the foyer and Blake twirled me toward him, holding my waist with one hand. “Listen, Cinders. I’ve gotta go do something. Will you cover for me?”
“What?” I frowned. “What do you mean?”
He let go of me, sliding a hand into his pocket and taking out a syringe and a little vial of vaccine. “My dad lives twenty minutes from here. I’ll be back before anyone even notices. I have to do this, Tate. I lost my mom to the fucking Hades Virus, I won’t lose-”
“I know,” I breathed, squeezing his arm. “I understand. I’d have done the same for my family.”
He reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear, a heavy breath leaving him. “I know the others would understand too, but Saint…”
“I’m sure he’d get it,” I urged, but he frowned like he wasn’t certain of that.
“He loves the five of us, but that means he’ll do anything to keep us safe here too. To fit into his little plan.” He reached into his coat pocket, taking out a car key.
“Did you lift that from him?” I asked in surprise, kinda impressed.
“Nah, I grabbed it when we were leaving Everlake. He made us all spares.” He smirked. “So…will you cover for me, sweetheart?”
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