by G N Wright
I curl my arms around her and drag the blanket to cover us, "I've always needed you Ells. Now that I have you, I am never letting you go."
Chapter 38
ELLE
Ifell asleep in Marcus’ arms after we had what I can only describe as the best fucking sex ever. Now, I am no expert when it comes to that scale, but I am pretty fucking sure Marcus Riviera is a ten out of ten when it comes to fucking. After what I went through, I always thought being intimate with somebody would be too hard, yet Marcus isn’t just anybody. He is the light in the dark, the guy who was always there for me until he couldn’t be. There wasn’t a day I was away where I didn’t think about him, miss him.
We may not have had the best start a few months ago when I came home, but we are slowly finding our way back to each other. He consumes me in a way I can’t explain. His joy is my joy, his pain is my pain. That is how he knew what I needed today when I didn’t. From the shower to Cassie to the sex. It was just the release I needed after the blood shed at the cabin. Marcus and I didn't discuss what happened there, but things have changed between us. I can feel it. I knew he was committed to helping me, that he loved me, but now he is part of me in a way I never imagined. We are entwined deeper than ever before and if I ever lost him again, I don't think I would survive.
I know he is awake before I even open my eyes. I am still encased to his chest where we both fell asleep a few hours ago. He drags his fingertips up and down my back in featherlight touches. When I move his strokes pause as his hands splay across my spine in a possessive touch that is scorching, addictive, and completely fucking obsessive. When I look up, I find him staring down at me, his smile is fucking beautiful.
We take our time getting showered and dressed and that may have something to do with him bending me over and fucking me against the shower door until I came with a scream. His hands never really leave my body, but once we are both ready, we make our way down to the kitchen. I dance ahead of him with a giggle as he catches me multiple times, tickling me before letting me go again. He grabs me into his arms for the last time as we enter the kitchen with a laugh until he halts in his movements.
I turn to find Asher, Logan, Lincoln, and Jace all paused in what was clearly a heated discussion, their grim faces burst my happy bubble. What the fuck has happened now? Marcus loosens his arms allowing me to slide down his body until my feet hit the ground.
"Can this wait until I've had my coffee?" I grumble as I move towards the island and I offer Jace a small smile as he slides a cup filled with the black magic over to me.
"We got this in our inboxes first thing," Linc says as he pushes a piece of paper over to me. I look down and take in the invitation to the Fire and Ice Ball. My mind flicks back to what Principal Lock told me about Hallows High joining forces with Hallows Prep for their winter dance. I snort at the irony of the name. Fire and fucking ice indeed.
"So why the long faces? It's not like we didn't know this was coming," I shrug.
"Does anything ever rile you, sissy?" Logan teases with an amused smirk.
"Your pissy attitude first thing in the morning," I preen back at him, but he just smirks wider, flicking his gaze over to Lincoln.
"Oh, trust me, I am nothing but relaxed this morning," he says with a wink and I see the tell tales sign of a blush creeping up Linc's neck as Asher grinds his jaw. What the fuck am I missing there? I see Jace look at them and then turn to me with a shrug like he hasn't got a clue what is going on either.
"I just think we should come up with a plan," Linc clears his throat and brings my attention back to the invitation. "Prepare for the worst."
"The worst already fucking happened," Marcus seethes at his brother and I slide my hand in his under the table and squeeze.
"Regardless, we should always expect more from my father. He won’t stop until he gets his hands on Elle,” Asher grunts in animosity, his eyes locked on the invitation.
“Well, that’s not fucking happening,” Jace spits in an angry tone and I flinch slightly. I hate hearing anything but his teasing, flirty tone. It just reminds me of the sadness he has endured. It makes me feel the need to avenge his sister even more than I already do.
“Don’t worry about me, pretty boy. I can protect myself,” I reach over and grip his hand, giving it a little squeeze before sitting down and blowing on my coffee while I take a moment to think.
Asher is right, this party screams Elliot and his wicked ways. I know he wants me; I know he is coming for me. He has too. It isn’t just about saving face or me knowing too much. No, it’s more than that. I got away, escaped the pits of hell he created and came out stronger on the other side. He can’t let such a sin go unpunished. Well, unlucky for him, neither can I.
All the guys start talking game plans as I pick up the invitation and note it’s only two weeks away, not a long time really, but enough to ensure we come up with a plan, and cover all our bases. We need to come up with multiple plans for every possible scenario to ensure our safety but first I need something.
“Let’s go shopping,” I say, interrupting all of them.
“Shopping?” Lincoln repeats, pulling his face like I’ve gone crazy.
“Yes, shopping,” I repeat. “I need a dress for the party, and I know just the place,” I smile already thinking about the perfect dress with a gleam in my eye. “Let’s get ready.”
Two hours later, we are pulling into a parking lot on the edge of Havensgrove. It’s two towns over from Black Hallows effectively marking it a safe territory, meaning I am able to have Cassie with me. I drove over with her, Marcus, and Ash leaving Logan to ride with Lincoln and Jace. It’s basically a family day out.
Marcus is getting his first experience of what we call a Cassie concert as she belts out Do You Want to Build a Snowman? from the backseat. To my amusement Marcus tries and completely fails to sing along with her but she appreciates the effort and so do I.
By the time we make it to Havensgrove, Cassie has talked Marcus into a movie marathon of both the Frozen films and insists that we pick up popcorn while we are out. I climb from the car and move to get Cass, but she screeches at me.
“No, Mommy! River get me, River get me,” she pleads excitedly.
I stand back slightly worrying what to do but Marcus doesn’t even falter in stepping up and getting her out of her seat. He easily lifts her up until she is sitting perched on his shoulders. The smile on her face is infectious and I notice Asher also trying to hide his smile. He may act like enemy number one to Marcus and all the guys, but I know how much he appreciates their efforts and discretion when it comes to her.
The guys pull up in the other car and get out and Cassie yells out to them.
“Look, Superman, I’m up high,” she waves her hands frantically in the air at them.
Jace reaches out to tickle her leg, “I thought I was your favorite, little one?”
“No, River and me best friends,” she says proudly.
Jace takes the challenge, “Right, that's it,” he grabs her from Marcus' shoulder and flies her around like she is actually Superman, her giggles pierce the air like a bolt of lightning.
“Careful,” Ash and Linc both snap at him at the same time.
Logan snorts, “Oh, look how in sync you two are. That could really be fun, you know?” he wiggles his brows at them and they both give him vastly different looks. Asher looks pissed off, but Lincoln looks, dare I say intrigued?
We all move as one over to the row of shops here and I lead the guys over to the only place I ever enjoy shopping and push the door open. The bell dings signaling our arrival. The shop owner comes out of the back room and when he sees me his face lights up immediately.
“Ma belle fille,” he cries in his French accent barreling towards me and engulfing me in a bear hug. “It has been too long.”
“Sorry about that, I have been keeping a low profile,” I say pulling back and behind me one of the guys snorts. Dicks.
“Construire en harem?” he asks, taking in the wall of
muscle behind me and I choke on my breath.
"No. Non, definitely not, no," I shake my head furiously, spluttering over the words but he just laughs at me.
I gesture to them one by one, "You remember Logan, Ash, and Cass," he nods, "This is Lincoln, Jace, and Marcus. Ma Rivière," I add, and he smiles wide when I gesture to Marcus having heard so much about him.
"Ah, yes," he holds out his hand for Marcus to shake which he does. "Very nice to meet the man who stole ma belle's heart," Marcus just nods at him before continuing to cast his eyes around the shop.
They are all clearly wary of him and I can see Linc taking in everything about him including the shop, so I cut in to help him out. "This is Robert Abreo, he is a designer from France, he does a lot of special work for me."
"How special?" Jace muses with a smile.
"He sources most of my weapons and tech," I reply with a shrug before turning my concentration back on Robert. "That's why I'm here, I need something."
He tsks, "Of course you do, ma belle," he mumbles more in French as he rounds the counter to his computer and slides his glasses onto his nose to await my instructions.
I look at Ash, who is leaning against the wall and I don’t even have to say anything he just nods. He reaches out, taking Cassie from Jace’s arms.
“Come on, angel, let's see what dresses we can find for Mommy,” he tells her.
“Yes, Daddy,” she beams at him, “Orange ones,” she almost yells, and they turn to take in the rest of the shop. Once I know she is out of ear shot I turn back to Robert.
"I need a dress," I start. "Red," he starts to type away rapidly, "Spaghetti straps, a hard bodice and a floaty skirt with a slit up one side that reaches the thigh."
"Armes?" he asks, and I nod immediately.
"I'm thinking Glock, two blades, knuckle dusters. and a couple of syringes," I’m pretty much thinking out loud, unsure of whether it can be done but he just keeps tapping away on his keyboard unphased by anything I have said.
Once he has finished typing, he pulls out a tablet and a stylus and starts designing a rough draft. While he does that, I turn back to the guys who are all looking at me expectantly. Except for Logan who has been here with me a few times and is already looking through a rack of suits.
"Baby, what exactly is this place?" Marcus asks, flicking his gaze between me and Robert.
"I told you Robert is a designer, just not your typical one," I try to sound casual, but I can't. I am more than a little obsessed with this place, it's cool as fuck. I sigh before continuing, "He designs clothes, weapons, clothes with weapons in them," I say gesturing around.
Logan pulls a suit jacket off the hanger and shrugs into it before checking himself out in the mirror, "How do I look, hacker boy?" he asks Lincoln with a wink.
He looks undeterred by his flirting now as he replies, "Looks like you need a size down," he says mildly, Robert agrees with him without even looking up from his tablet.
"Glad to see you checking out my size, Lincoln," Logan responds with a wink.
"I need you all to get measured so I can have you fitted properly for the stuff we are going to need."
"Like what?" Jace asks.
"Making sure your shirts fit over a vest and you can get a holster under your jackets without it being obvious," it feels like common knowledge to me, but I can tell from their faces they had never thought about it before. I am saved from having to go any further when Robert speaks.
"I outdo myself," he gleams, and I turn around to find him smiling down at his design. I move back to the counter and he hands the tablet over to me. He's right, he's outdone himself.
I tell him what I need for the guys and he takes the Rebels’ measurements having already gotten Ash and Logan's and then as always, he pulls out a beautiful dress for Cassie. She squeals in delight begging to put it on to go home and of course, I say yes.
I pay Robert and as always, he refuses payment for Cassie's dress. He tells me he will have my order done by next week, a couple of days before the party, so we head out.
We hit a few more shops, picking up some more stuff for the guys to ensure they feel at home in their new rooms. Cassie somehow manages to coerce the guys into more than a few new stuffed animals she didn’t need but according to Marcus and Jace, she definitely did. She already has them wrapped around her tiny fingers. Once we are all shopped out, we stop for ice cream.
We are sitting in a booth by the window watching Cassie stuff her face with chocolate ice cream. It's the calmest and happiest I have felt in a while. I know we have a fuck ton of shit going on but sitting here with Cass and the guys, I can breathe easily.
I relax into Marcus' arm which is slung around my shoulder, while I play with Cassie's hair. I look over her head to where Ash is sitting on her other side and find a familiar look in his eye. Family days are the best.
Once she has eaten enough to make her little stomach push out, I get up from the booth and head to the register to pay. I ask for some tubs to take home for Helen who is addicted to their fudge brownie and when the cashier heads in the back I lean on the counter and look out the window.
I freeze. What the fuck?
I swing my gaze to Asher who just happens to look over at me at the same time and takes in the look on my face and dives from the booth stalking towards me.
He cups my face, "Baby girl, what's the matter?"
Marcus is by my side in the next second looking worried as the rest join us, Cassie in Logan's arms. I push Asher aside and look back out the window, but I don't see anything. Did I imagine it? Was I just so content in my day that my subconscious was reminding me of my monsters?
I shake my head out and put a smile on my face before turning back to everyone not wanting them to worry, "Nothing, I'm fine, just thought I saw someone." I scrunch my eyes shut and open them again before adding, "I'm just tired and on edge after yesterday," and they all relax a little, understanding what I mean.
Marcus puts his arm around me, "Well come on, baby, let's go home," the word home hits me right in the heart. Home.
As we leave the store, I can't help but feel like we are being watched but casting my glance around I see nothing. Maybe the devil on my shoulder is just forcing me to not relax after the sins I have committed. The people I kill, might deserve to die, but it still makes me a killer all the same.
Chapter 39
JACE
I've never been good in other people's houses, it’s not something I'm used to. You can’t relax within something you’ve never had. I didn’t grow up in a nice, big mansion with a picture-perfect family. A fucking run-down trailer with a pair of crack heads is a more accurate description.
The only salvation I had growing up was Rachel, she made everything better. From our shitty shared mattress on the floor, that she covered with a stolen blanket, to the ramen noodles we were lucky enough to eat most days that she always gave me more of. We may have been cold, starving, and fucking abused, but at least we had each other.
When I lost her, I lost myself too. Her disappearance and murder eventually sparked CPS into taking action, I was taken and placed into foster care. I hadn’t seen my parents since the day I was taken. I heard a while back that they had both been killed in a car accident. When Rachel died, I felt everything, guilt, rage, hate, love, abandonment. When I heard my parents died, I felt nothing. A feeling I had become so accustomed to, so used to that when I met a fierce and fiery girl on the front steps of our shitty school, my first thought was how I couldn’t wait to fuck her without even knowing her name.
How fucking stupid was I? Like you could ever fuck and forget someone like Elle King. She rocked up in her fishnets and no bullshit attitude and put me and my brothers in our fucking place. I knew she was on a mission the first time I laid eyes on her; I just never imagined our mission would collide so fucking perfectly. How could I have ever imagined that the devil on her shoulder was the same as mine?
She could never replace Rachel, no one could, but havi
ng her around makes that hole in my chest a little less fucking big. I’d do anything for her, like I already have, and I won’t stop until we have our justice. For her, all the others, and for Rachel.
I take a drag of the joint between my fingers, inhaling deeply, praying the effects will numb the dark feelings raging inside of me. I killed a man and before this is over, I plan on killing more. I’m a killer and I feel no regret or remorse. Does that make me a bad person? Is killing murderers and rapists still a sin? I don’t know where I land on the scale of right and wrong anymore.
How would Rachel feel about the man I have become? I am not the little boy who she tried so desperately to save anymore. Now, I'm a man on the path of death and destruction. A fire of revenge burning inside of me and the only fuel is more blood. Will it stop? Will I stop? What happens when I finally have Greg Donovan bleeding out at my feet? Will this aching crater in my chest finally fucking heal?
The cracking of twigs beneath someone's foot has me snapping to attention as my head whirls around and my gaze locks with Mrs. Royton’s. Fuck.
I scramble to stub out the joint in my hand and waft away the remnants of smoke praying she isn’t on to me.
“Are you really trying to hide the stench of weed from a Mom of two boys?” Her tone is light and teasing but I still feel like a fucking shit for her catching me.
“Sorry, I know I shouldn’t,” I start but she cuts me off.
“Some things are needed to tame the demons inside one's head.” She sits down next to me and looks out into the distance, studying the dark of the night with me. I don’t respond because I don't know how to. She saves me from answering as she continues, “What troubles you this evening?”
“The same thing as every other evening,” I reply without a thought. I frown. What the fuck? Why the hell did I say that? I don’t do this, sit and talk about my fucking feelings, especially not with someone I barely know. No one wants to dig into my black mind and see the damage painted there. They want the fun Jace, the flirty Jace, no one is ever interested in more than a fuck or a good time. But that isn’t Helen, her motherly instincts pour out and wrap around you, so no matter what, you just feel safe. Like you could tell her anything and there would be no judgment so before I can talk myself out of it I add, “Regret.”