HURRICANE (Beasts of Prey Book 2)

by LC Lehesaho

  The voices sneak their way into my mind, making me aware of the fact something is quite off. I keep my eyes closed, trying to figure out what the fuck is going on and where the fuck I am before moving. The numbness on my shoulder tells me I've been horizontal for quite an awhile, and the aching on my wrists tells another story. Handcuffs. Flashing back memories of how I ended in the back of a police car.

  I wasn't going to get caught.

  I took down one with me, and I remember we exchanged hits, but, what the fuck then? My body reacts with shivers running down my spine when it hits me.

  The fucker tased me.

  I should've seen it coming. What else did I expect from cops? My mind starts to buzz at the realization. If they're cops, why am I still in a cop car and not in a station? I jerk my eyes open and scramble myself vertical. The spinning in my head makes everything a little hazy, but I force my eyes to focus.

  "Look who's awake," the guy in the driver's seat snickers and looks over his shoulder, blowing out a smoke cloud. "Quite a fighter you are."

  "What the fuck is this?" I growl, my throat even sorer than usual.

  The guy in the passenger's seat looks past me, through the rear window. "He's coming."

  I spin my head to see what he's talking about, but all I see is the approaching headlights of a big car in the darkness.

  "Who is it?" I rush to ask.

  Neither of them bothers to answer, they just get out of the car, and walk to the gigantic SUV, which stopped beside the low cop car. Even when I try to see the driver who they're talking to from the open window, the height difference between vehicles makes it impossible. What the fuck is this?

  Only one thing comes to my mind.

  Crusador got me. The two dirty cops must be on his payroll.

  This went sideways and fucking fast and in the most colossal way possible.

  The hairs on my neck stand on end as I try to make out some kind of a plan to get the fuck out of here. Yeah, in fucking handcuffs, there's not much for me to do. I hurry my eyes on the leg space between the front and back seat, trying to find something useful. Nothing. Of course, there's nothing.

  Fuck me.

  The door gets jerked open, and the guy—who clearly is the one I took down based on the black eye he sports—grabs my arm and tugs me out. Still a bit dizzy from the taser hangover, I have no time to say anything or hit the brakes before getting thrown into the SUVs backseat. The cold leather seat squeaks against my face as I land on it, still in cuffs, unable to smooth my landing even a little. The door slams closed behind me as I push myself up.

  The scent of whiskey and rich cologne fills my lungs, and I close my eyes, cursing under my breath.

  The car starts to move, and I open my eyes to look at him. Leo doesn't say anything, but the tendons in his neck are tight, and his shoulders rigid. He doesn't even look at me through the rearview mirror, even though I know he sees me looking at him through it. The vein on his temple is near explosion, and I'm sure if it wouldn't be so fucking dark, I'd see it pulsing.

  Well, he is not the only one who is full of rage.

  Right now, I have a fucking hurricane inside me, waiting for release.

  ~

  The tin walls of the warehouse glow ominously in the moonlight as Leo stops the SUV in front of it. He hasn't said a word, and neither have I.

  My jaw aches from the way I've been gritting my teeth, ready to punch him in the face once I get these fucking cuffs off. He has no fucking permission to boss me around, not after what happened.

  I told him that Luke, or Levi—who the fuck ever—was bad for her, and did Leo listen to me?

  "We can handle troubles if there will be any."

  Fuck him, he didn't handle shit. Now Cobra is gone, and it's their fucking fault.

  "Get out," Leo says, tone cold and menacing, as he opens the backdoor.

  I do as he says, only because I want these cuffs off. When my feet hit the ground, he grabs me by my neck like a fucking dog and hauls me toward the warehouse. A series of curse words come out of my mouth as I try to get out of his grip, but Leo's other hand clutches to my arm, holding me in a tight grasp. Yet, he doesn't speak, just walks me inside the warehouse, tapping the fluorescent lamps on.

  I've never been to this particular place, but I know he owns shit loads of warehouses like this. What doesn’t he own?

  "What the fuck do you want, Leo?" I spit out as he releases the hold on me and starts to open my cuffs.

  Still, no answer.

  My wrists burn, the skin cut open under the cuffs, but I don't care. After setting me free, he walks around me and slams an envelope to my chest.

  In instinct, I grab it, so it doesn't drop to the floor.

  I turn my gaze from the white envelope in my hands to Leo, who stands in front of me, yellowish eyes burning from rage. He's dressed in an unusual way for him. There is no dress shirt or tailored slacks. He has on a black long sleeve shirt, which is glued to his body, and dark jeans with combat boots.

  He looks like he's on a mission.

  I lift the envelope up. "What's this?"

  "Open it," Leo retorts and pushes his sleeves up to his corded forearms. The move tells me enough.

  "I don't think I have to."

  "It wasn't a question, Anthony."

  It shouldn't affect me, but still, his words—what he calls me—is like a punch to the gut. Slowly, I open the envelope and crack it to see what's inside. I had a hunch what it would be but still seeing the picture of us, Cobra on her knees in front of me, makes my stomach turn to knots, and my breath catches.

  I want to get back to that situation, throw her in a car and drive far away from here, somewhere no one can get to us. Never look back.

  "The other one too," Leo growls, and I peek at the other photo behind it.

  My hands start to tremble as I pull it out, shock scattering goosebumps all over my skin.

  It's Cobra. Shackled to a wall from her hands which hold her body up. Her head is hanging down like she's... I clamp my hand over my mouth as my stomach convulses. There are white wings painted on the wall behind her, and there is text carved into her belly, blood pouring down from the letters to her underwear and thighs.

  Daddy's little angel.

  "Is she—" My stomach spasms, making me gag.

  "Turn it and read."

  I spin the photo around.

  Beautiful, isn't she?

  But would an angel fuck her brother? Betray her father? I think not. So, she is getting treated like filthy whores should be treated. You know all about that, Leo, am I right? And no, she is not dead, yet. My men prefer to fuck warm pussy rather than cold.

  I'm sure you're aware Luke wasn't Luke at all, but he is not the only one I've planted into your life. You've been scrambling like the blind for the last few weeks, so I decided to give you a hint in this game of ours because your efforts are pathetic.

  Who else has betrayed you? Who's been giving me information about your family? How well do you know that ruined boy who's been fucking your daughter behind your back and who you call your son?

  You're welcome.

  Best regards, Uncle Silas.

  "Oh, my God." The picture along with the envelope slides through my fingers, and floats to the floor without any rush to land. The total opposite of what I'm feeling. I can't fucking breathe.

  All of my worst nightmares are proved right with that photo—that text.

  "I thought I knew you, but clearly I was wrong," Leo says, dangerously calmly. "But you still know me, Anthony. You've been living with us for five years, learned my ways, so tell me. What do I do to people who cross me?"

  CHAPTER FIVE

  "You can't seriously believe I'm betraying you? Our family?" I snap back, the fury blasting from my core, replacing every other feeling.

  Leo tilts his head, his hands rolling into fists at his sides. "Our family?" He takes a step closer, chest almost touching mine. "If we're your family, why the fuck you haven't come home? Th
e last pictures of my daughter are of your dick in her throat, and in the next one, she's tied to a fucking wall!" He shoves me, hard enough to make me stumble backward, and his voice keeps raising levels. "Then you fucking vanish! Seems like you're running from me, so yes, I think you betrayed me."

  I stand my ground, my knuckles aching, and vision turning red. "You fucking asshole. I would never betray any one of you, and if you'd think that through, you'd know it. I told you she shouldn't be dating the fucking psycho but remember what you said to me? Do you remember?" I cock my fist back as fast as I can manage and hit it to his face. Fuck, it feels good. "You said, we can handle troubles if there are any. How did you fucking handle—"

  My sentence gets cut off when a fist—more like a wrecking ball—hits the side of my face, making me spin around like a motherfucking ballet dancer. The pain explodes in my skull, feeling like my brain is trying to make its way out.

  "She’s my daughter!" Leo's voice booms from the walls of the warehouse, and he grabs me by my collar, stopping my spinning. "Don't fucking tell me I didn't try to protect her! I tried! I fucking tried! It was you who fucked her and sold her out!"

  My head hurts, but I barely notice it. "I didn't sell her out! I fucking love her, you asshole! And she loves me, so if you want to hit me for something, that's the only excuse for doing so, you shit! I would never hurt her!"

  Leo's blazing eyes stare at me, both hands on my collar like he’s ready to lift me from the ground. "You crossed the fucking line. Cobra is my daughter, and you were supposed to be her brother." He shoves me back against the wall, sending spikes of pain flashing through my body. "Brother's don't do those things to their sisters. I trusted you."

  Gritting my teeth, I force my voice to stay even. "All I've ever done is protect Cobra. I didn't come home ‘cause I need to find her, and I don't need you to boss me around, telling me what to do. It's your fault she's gone, and I'm not letting you fuck things up again."

  "Excuse me? My fault?" Leo snaps, taking hold of my throat, ready to squeeze the life out of me. Well, he has another thing coming if he fucking thinks he can do it. I'm not going to die until I find her. No matter what it takes.

  "Yeah, you've been messing up her head all of her life," I retort, scowl painted on my face. "She's been too fucking scared to actually be with me ‘cause she's been afraid of you."

  His grip from my throat tightens, making it hard to breathe but fuck him. I've been through worse.

  "Cobra is not afraid of me. I would never hurt her, so cut the bullshit."

  I snort. "Right. You just placed her on a fucking pedestal. Angel, right? Did you know she fucking cut herself for years before I caught her doing it?" Leo's eyes widen, and his hold loosens from my throat as his shoulders sag. I don't give him a chance to say anything. "Yeah, she punished herself ‘cause she thought you were disappointed in her for failing. Every single time after reminder-training, her brain was like a goddamn train wreck. Guess who's been helping her to keep it together? Me. I've always been there for her, and I always will. So, get your fucking hands off me and let me find her."

  Leo releases his hold, tearing his hands through his hair, crossing his fingers behind his head. The shock from my words leaks out of his face, and it's the first time I actually see him like this.

  Vulnerable and agonized.

  Like I just stabbed him in the heart.

  I kinda did, but he deserved it.

  "Are you—" Leo's voice falters, and he clears his throat before trying again. "Oh, God." He closes his eyes, and I see his Adam's apple bob as he swallows. "She... I never knew. I never knew." Leo opens his eyes, tears making them glisten. "Tiger, I never knew."

  At that, he grabs me against him, burying me into his arms. My body goes rigid and takes me a moment to fold my arms around his trembling body.

  "No one knew—only me. And before you make a scene that I didn't tell you, think about it. You would've started to treat her differently, and it would've only made things worse," I say, keeping myself together. If Leo breaks down like a wall of Legos, I’ll need to gather him up. Cobra would never forgive me for leaving him alone right now. I force myself to pet his back. "Before this... she was feeling better. Don't lose it now, but we were going to tell you about us."

  Leo leans back, wiping the moistness from his face. "You love her?"

  "More than anything. I'd die for her."

  "I'm sorry I doubted you, Tiger. This situation is tearing me apart." He takes a step back, gathering himself. "Will you help me to find her? Please, help me."

  "We'll find her together." I wipe my bleeding nose on my arm. "I have Puma stalking one chick for me, so when we get the guy I want, we're close. We will get her back."

  "I knew Puma was keeping something from me," he says with a sigh. "And Tiger, I'm so sorry I hit you."

  "Yeah, it's cool. But I'm not sorry for hitting you, ‘cause it felt fucking good, and I've wanted to do it for a long time."

  Leo slaps his hand on my shoulder. "Next time, just do it. You have every right to do so."

  "Good, I promise I will," I tell him, and nod towards the door. "Let's get out of here. We need to exchange the information so we can figure out something together."

  "I'm happy you're back, Tiger," he says, walking beside me. "And whatever happens... you're always my son, in some sort of way. You're always part of this family, remember it."

  I never thought hearing him say those words would actually feel this good. Now we need to find my baby, and we can all go home to where we belong.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The muscles on his back flex with every sweep of the brush, and the skull tattoo on it looks like it's trying to talk to me from the movements. I can't take my eyes off him; the way his biceps bulk every time he stops to think about something is captivating.

  The woman on the wall is nearly ready, and I can't help but be stunned by her beauty. The details are stunning; every curve of her body, the thin waist, full hips, and beautifully rounded breasts are a masterpiece. The devil behind her is only a sketch yet, but I bet it will be just as impressive when it’s ready.

  "What do you think, worm?" Tiger spins around, palette and paintbrush in his hands. My eyes almost bulge out, like caught from doing something illegal, which is not far from the truth.

  I gulp the extra moistness down from my mouth, a flush creeping to my face. "It's fantastic. I love it."

  Those charming dimples make my knees weak, and I'm extremely glad I'm sitting on a couch. Tiger brushes the stubborn, boyish strands off his temple with his arm, and the way his pecs and abs move draw my attention to his bare torso. Catching myself quickly, I snap my eyes back to his. His smile widens, "Yeah?"

  Oh, hell with me.

  "Yeah, it's a masterpiece," I find myself saying, and I know he catches the hidden message I wasn't supposed to send. But I did. And I meant it.

  Tiger smirks, placing the painting supplies on the floor, and walks to me, wiping his hands on his jeans. "You hungry? I know I am." He tosses himself beside me on the leather couch, making my book bounce from my hands. Fast as lighting, Tiger snatches it and leans back, lifting his legs to the low table beside it.

  "Gimme that." I reach for him, but he dodges my attempts to take my book back.

  "I wanna know what you're reading now. Order us pizza in the meantime." Tiger turns sideways on the couch, letting himself slouch horizontally on it, and lifts his legs to my lap.

  My blush deepens because, with my luck, he opens up the book in the middle of a steamy scene. Still, I pick up my phone and watch him from the corner of my eye all the while I order our favorite pizza to Purgatory.

  His brows pop up, and a stupid grin spreads on his face, but he keeps his mouth shut and doesn't comment anything he reads while I'm on the phone.

  But when I place my phone on the couch…

  "This is hot," he says, moving his beautiful, sparkling eyes to mine over the book. "Like really fucking hot."

  I bite my cheek.
"Yeah, well whatever, give it back." I stick out my palm, and to my surprise, he places the book in it.

  Now without anything to do with his hands, he bends them behind his head and crosses fingers behind his head, making me gulp again from the sight.

  "Would you like to watch a movie tonight, worm?" he asks, his tone even, not giving out anything. "I was thinking I'd go running, but it's raining so…"

  I gather my thoughts from the sinful tracks and give him a grin. "Made out of sugar, huh?"

  "I just might be," he retorts, and I know I did it again. Why can't I stop flirting with him? Tiger is my best friend, for fucks sake.

  "Well, that proves you're a little kitty. Can't stand the rain." I tip my chin up.

  Tiger moves so fast I don't have time to react. His other leg swings over me, his thighs jerks me down from the couch, and with a thud, I end up lying on the floor on my back, Tiger straddling me with his thighs. He sits on my stomach, keeping most of his weight on his knees as he looks down at me with heated eyes. My stomach is suddenly full of butterflies, and my blood boils in my veins. In a good but still not in a good way.

  "Did you know that kittens eat little worms?" he states, voice huskier than a moment ago.

  I shake my head. "They certainly don’t eat worms."

  "Some kittens do."

  I have to concentrate on keeping my breathing in order, but still, my body fails me. My chest heaves, and I feel my nipples pushing against my sports bras, making me regret I came here straight from the gym. His eyes note them too, pebbling against my loose, white T-shirt.

  There are paint stains on his skin, black and red dots here and there on his carved muscles. His broad shoulders are calling me to reach him. My eyes wander higher, to his sensual lips, which I want to feel on my lips. Not only on my neck, where he occasionally places them when no one is watching. Not even once, he'd touched me anywhere else with those. But I want it so fucking bad in moments like this. His dark brown chocolate eyes watch me with pure passion, thick black lashes making it even more intense.